BLOOD DRIVES

American Red Cross blood drive 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

Firefighters breakfast

A firefighters breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at Bojangles’ Famous Chicken and Biscuits on U.S. 72. More information: 256-232-5402.

Master Gardener classes

The Master Gardeners 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 New Year’s holidays. City offices are closed on Jan. 2.

Veterans Museum holiday closings

The Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives will also be closed Dec. 31-Jan. 2 and reopen Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Post office holiday hours

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

Library holiday hours

The Athens-Limestone Public Library will be closed 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.

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

• Toastmasters Club. Athens Toastmasters Club will meet from 5:45-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 124 Cloverleaf Drive (American Legion Post 49). The club meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month to enhance communication, listening and leadership skills. The public is invited.

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.