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.

BLOOD DRIVES

American Red Cross blood drives will be held from 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at the Rogersville Fire Department, 36 Wheeler St., and from 1-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Riddle’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 11309 Ripley Road in Athens.

UPCOMING

Master Gardeners classes

Master Gardener winter session of classes begins Thursday, Feb 9. 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

Holiday garbage/city operations schedules

There are no changes in the Athens city or Limestone County garbage pickup schedules for Christmas or New Year’s holidays. County pickups will run earlier so trash bins should be placed out the night before pickup is scheduled. City offices will be closed Dec. 23-26 and on Jan. 2.

Recycling center holiday schedule

There will be no drop-off bins available at the Lucas Ferry Road location of the Athens-Limestone Recycling Center from noon Friday, Dec. 23, through 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 26. The center requests that holiday recyclables be held at home until after Christmas while center employees spend the holidays with their families.

Post office holiday hours

The Athens post office will be open for business Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, and on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31. There will be regular mail delivery on both dates. Because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on Sunday this year, post offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 2, the observed federal holidays.

Library holiday hours

The Athens-Limestone Public Library will be closed Saturday, Dec. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 1.

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

• 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.