TODAY

Drug abuse prevention event

Teens Against Drugs, Addiction, & Alcohol will present a drug abuse prevention event themed “We’re all about our lives, so we aren’t about D.A.T. (Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco) Life” at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Pincham Lincoln Community Center, 606 Trinity Circle, Athens, (the historic Trinity High School). Age-appropriate information on drugs, health and wellness will be provided by the Limestone County Mental Health Center for ages 9 and up, parents and caregivers. Event includes raffles, gifts and free finger foods for those in attendance. More information: 256-224-3935 or 232-0795.

Christmas luncheon

The Athens High School Class of 1953 Christmas luncheon is 1 p.m. Saturday at Mama’s Restaurant in Elkmont.

Mooresville holiday tour and dinner

Advance tickets are on sale for The Historic Mooresville Holiday Home Tour and Progressive Dinner fundraiser set for 2-7 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $70 per person. The tour includes historic buildings and five private homes decorated for the season. Homes open and shopping available 2 to 6 p.m. Salad in Brick Church. Dinner seating at 3:30 to 4:30 and at 5 to 6 in town square. Dessert and coffee in Peebles’ barn. Reservations required. www.mooresvilleal.com. Click on Holiday Dinner in the menu, or call 256-355-2683.

Sippin’ Cider

The annual Spirit of Athens Sippin’ Cider event is 5-8 p.m. Saturday at participating downtown merchants, which compete for the Cider Cup. Each merchant offers free cider samples to the public. The cup winner is determined by public vote. Other events are scheduled for the whole family and merchants will have special offers and discounts. The Athens High School choir will perform from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at CEI Books.

High Cotton Santa

Parents are welcome to bring children to High Cotton Arts Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. during Sippin’ Cider around The Square to make their photos with Santa. Cameras or cellphones can be used for the photos. Ole Saint Nick will be seated on a velvet throne in his very own High Cotton studio.

SUNDAY

Holiday Home Tour

Tickets are on sale for the Athens Ladies Civitan sixth annual Holiday Home Tour set for 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Advance tickets are $15 and available at Class Act Salon, Crawford’s Gifts, First National Bank (U.S. 72), Pam’s Home Furnishings, Pimentos and Willow Tree. Tickets are $20 day of event and can be purchased on-site at any home on the tour. Host homes: Lance and April Davis, Rene and Joann Hood, Jerry and Dianne Newby, Colin and Caroline McMurry, and Thomas and Jenny Sisk. This fundraiser benefits the developmentally challenged of the community. More information: Carolyn Stair 256-233-0258 or Carol Malone 232-2865.

TUESDAY

Used book sale

Friends of the Athens-Limestone Public Library will hold a used book sale from 10:15 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. Tuesday at the library, 603 S. Jefferson St. More information: 256-232-1233.

UPCOMING

Respite night

Caregivers Night Out will be 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Clements Baptist Church, 8690 U.S. 72 West, Athens. Make reservations by noon Thursday, Dec. 15, at 256-232-7207.

Blood drive

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 1055 Hughes Road in Madison.

Food giveaway

Anyone in need may pick up 2 pounds of pinto beans and 3 pounds of rice from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 207 E. Washington St. No questions asked. No names taken.

Advent and carols

Everyone is invited to Advent lessons and carols at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 207 E. Washington St., Athens. A special offering will be taken for Athens-Limestone County Hospice.

ONGOING

MLK essay contest

The 2017 Athens-Limestone Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Essay Contest is underway. Essays must be submitted no later than Jan. 9. The contest is open to Athens and Limestone County students in the age groups 6-12, 13-15 and 16-18. Each age category includes a specific essay question. More information: 256-426-6406 or 256-444-1300.

North Pole Stroll

The free to the public North Pole Stroll at Big Spring Memorial Park is available for viewing nightly until midnight in December. Visitors will see trees decorated by businesses and agencies in various themes such as pets, fighting cancer, honoring history and more, and the return of the recycled tire snowmen. This year’s theme is “Tired of Waiting on Santa.”

Pop tab collection

The Limestone County Farmer’s Federation is collecting aluminum pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham. Anyone may drop off their tabs from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, at the ALFA Insurance Office, 524 U.S. 72 West (across from Big Lots). More information: 256-233-0938.

MEETINGS

• NAACP. Limestone NAACP annual meeting is 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Athens-Limestone Public Library, 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens, in the Steelcase room. Contact: Wilbert Woodruff 256-227-8489.

• NSDAR. John Wade Keyes chapter of Daughters of American Revolution will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the home of Jennifer Pennington in Athens. More information: Judy Rew 256-230-2105 or Brenda Winter 256-771-3536.

• UDC. Joseph E. Johnston chapter 198, United Daughters of the Confederacy will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the home of Peggy King. More information: Peggy King 256-233-8379 or Linda Watson 256-431-7493.

• Friendship Quilt Guild. Athens Friendship Guild will meet Monday, Dec. 12, at the First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall on the corner of Jefferson and Washington streets. Fellowship at 9:30 a.m., meeting at 10. The annual Christmas party replaces the meeting. Members are asked to bring a finger food and $20 quilt gift to play a special game.

• Toastmasters Club. Athens Toastmasters Club will meet from 5:45-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 124 Cloverleaf Drive (American Legion Post 49). The club meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The public is invited.

• Cancer survivors support. The cancer survivors support group will meet for dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at IHOP, 16211 Athens-Limestone Boulevard. Survivors and caregivers are invited. Contact: Esther Jernigan 256-431-0346 or 232-6455.

• Positive Look. Positive Look support group for the blind, visually impaired and families and friends, meets from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 16, at Athens Recreation Center. The Golden Age Band will perform. Pot luck lunch. Bring something to share. More information: Loretta Bryan 256-552-0747 or Preston Reynolds 256-777-1140.

• NARFE. National Association of Retired Federal Employees chapter 1480 will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Veterans Museum, 100 W. Pryor Street, Athens. Breakfast will be served. More information: Dean Morgan 256-233-0248.

• ALSO. Athens-Limestone Seniors Organization will not meet in December. Meetings will resume in January.

Limestone Ledger is a list of events hosted by nonprofit organizations. Items must be submitted in writing and are listed up to six days to include the day of the event. Email submissions to ed@athensnews-courier.com, fax to 256-233-7753 or bring to The News Courier, 410 W. Green St., Athens.