BLOOD DRIVES

A American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 1-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Riddle’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 11309 Ripley Road in Athens.

SATURDAY

Firefighters breakfast

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

MONDAY

Jubilee Day Celebration

The Limestone NAACP annual Jubilee Day Celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America at 923 Brownsferry St. in Athens. Pastor Willie Byrd is the keynote speaker. Dinner/lunch will be served. The public is invited. More information: 256-227-8489.

UPCOMING

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 Saturday. 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

No meetings submitted.

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.