Welcome
The Big Town Group of Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in June, 2006 in the beautiful mountain town of Etowah, North Carolina by three AA members who wanted to start a Big Book Study. The three discussed together what they loved about their old home groups and they decided to integrate these elements into a new group: THE BIG TOWN GROUP. The first meeting was attended by five people and in a year there were about ten members. Today we are more than thirty and we are a friendly group whose focus is on carrying the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to the alcoholic who still suffers. Whether you are local to the mountains of Western North Carolina or are visiting our scenic area, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

What Is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Copyright © by The A.A. Grapevine, Inc

Is AA For You?
Click here for 12 questions about alcohol that only you can answer.


Click here to find out the differences between "open" and "closed" AA meetings.


Click here to read our basic text "Alcoholics Anonymous".

AA History Corner (From G.S.O. Archives)
Q. What are the origins of the Serenity Prayer?

A. It was debated for years who wrote the Serenity Prayer, and its origins are still somewhat murky, but it seems most likely to have been written by Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr, a well-known theologian who served for many years as Dean and Professor of Applied Christianity at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. G.S.O.’s Archives can provide more information about this prayer’s historical origins upon request.

Alcoholics Anonymous became aware of the Serenity Prayer in 1941, when it was discovered printed in the New York Tribune newspaper. Ruth Hock, AA’s first secretary and a non-alcoholic, was immediately taken with it. The headquarters staff thought of printing the prayer on a card to distribute to AA members.

On June 12, 1941, Ruth wrote Henry S., a Washington, D.C.-based AA member and printer by profession, saying: “One of the boys up here got a clipping from a local newspaper which is so very much to the point and so much to their liking, that they have asked me to find out from you what it would cost to set it up on a small card, something like a visiting card, which can be carried in a wallet... here it is...would appreciate it if you would let me know right away.” Henry answered back immediately and enthusiastically: “...Your cards are on the way and my congratulations to the man who discovered that in the paper. I can’t recall any sentence that packs quite the wallop that that does and during the day shown it to the A.A.’s that dropped in and in each case have been asked for copies. I sent you 500 copies in as much as you didn’t say how many you wanted. If you need any more, let me know. Incidentally, I am only a heel when I’m drunk, I hope, so naturally there could be no charge for anything of this nature.”
Ruth responded again on June 17, and wrote: “Your generous response to my request for the little cards is certainly much appreciated by us all up here. Glad so many of you down there liked it too, for it backs me up in my feeling that it really has ‘something.’”