SATURDAY

Blood drive

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday 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 at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 207 E. Washington St. No questions asked. No names taken.

SUNDAY

Advent and carols

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

TUESDAY

American Legion chicken stew

The American Legion Post 49 monthly chicken stew is 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $5 with one dessert to eat in or for per quart carryouts or delivery. Containers provided. Carryout desserts are 25 cents each. Free delivery to offices or job sites within Athens city limits. Delivery orders or to reserve carryouts: 256-230-6233. The Post is at 124 Cloverleaf Drive behind Staples.

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.

FRIDAY

Veterans Museum holiday closings

The Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives will be closed for Christmas from Dec. 23-26 and reopen Tuesday, Dec. 27. The museum will also be closed Dec. 31-Jan. 2 and reopen Tuesday, Jan. 3.

UPCOMING

Master Gardeners classes

Master Gardener winter session of classes begins Thursday, Feb 9, 2017. Classes will meet 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. every Thursday for 13 weeks at the Tennessee Valley Research Station on Mooresville Road. Classes cover plant growth, insect and disease control, vegetables, fruits, flowers, trees, shrubs, soil, and environmental issues. More information: Janet Hunt 256-614-3530, Limestone County Extension Office 256-232-5510 or visit https://mg.aces.edu/limestone/.

ONGOING

Christmas lights drive-thru

A free Christmas lights display at 8971 Lentzville Road in Athens, 35614, is available for public viewing from dusk until midnight through Dec. 31. The 1/4-mile loop is a drive-around experience that includes about 20,000 lights, wooden reindeer, light arches, an inflated Santa Claus and other Christmas displays.

Toy donations needed for giveaway

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post on Alabama 127 in Athens is accepting donations of new and used toys and miscellaneous items for a Dec. 23, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. giveaway at the VFW building. To donate or for more information, call the Post after 2 p.m. at 256-233-1067 or 256-374-2072.

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.

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

• 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 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.