THURSDAY

Thanksgiving dinner

Hope Gibson and volunteers will host their annual free Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, dressing, dessert and more Thursday, Nov. 26, at the Ole Gin House BBQ in Elkmont. The dinner will begin at 10:30 a.m. and continue until food is gone. Eat-in or drive-thru carryout available. Drinks provided for those who eat in. More information: 256-497-3706

Museum closed

The Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

FRIDAY

Shelter Christmas parade

The Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter will host a Christmas parade and party starting 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at the shelter, 1701 U.S. 72 East in Athens. Children and pets can get their photo with Santa for $10. Thrift shop will be open. Snacks, drinks and photo booth available. Parade featuring shelter dogs and cats dressed in Christmas attire will begin 3:30 p.m. in the parking lot.

UPCOMING

Kids and Kin

Limestone County Kids and Kin will present “Music to our Ears: The Benefits of Music & Movement” from 10 a.m.–noon Wednesday, Dec. 2, at The Haven, 810 N. Malone St., Athens. This free class is designed for relatives raising a relative’s child, such as grandparents raising a grandchild, aunts or uncles raising a niece or nephew, etc. More information: Tammie Hill, 256-724-2554 or thill@familyguidancecenter.org

Christmas tree lighting

The Limestone County Commission will host the annual Christmas tree lighting 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, on the east side of the Limestone County Courthouse in Athens. Live music, snow and an appearance from Santa are planned. The event is open to the public and available via livestream at facebook.com/LimestoneCountyAL.

Christmas parade

The Athens-Limestone Christmas parade will start 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Athens Middle School and travel along Hobbs, Jefferson, Market, Marion and Washington streets before ending at Hometown Market on Jefferson Street. Betty Christopher is grand marshal. More information: tourathens.com/christmas

Sippin’ Cider

The 10th annual Sippin’ Cider Festival is set for 5–8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, in downtown Athens. Merchants will be open late for shopping and dining, and patrons can sip cider and vote for their favorite to get the Cider Cup. More information: tourathens.com/christmas

Kids and Kin

Limestone County Kids and Kin will present “How to Talk to Kids about Bias, Race & Racism” from 10 a.m.–noon Wednesday, Dec. 16, at The Haven, 810 N. Malone St., Athens. This free class is designed for relatives raising a relative’s child, such as grandparents raising a grandchild, aunts or uncles raising a niece or nephew, etc. More information: Tammie Hill, 256-724-2554 or thill@familyguidancecenter.org

Caregiver support group

Clements Baptist Church invites caregivers who are helping someone with dementia, Alzheimer’s or any other handicap to sign up for their caregiver support group. Text the word “Care” to 256-729-1328 to sign up. The classes will begin Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Clements Baptist Church.

ONGOING

Athens sanitation holiday schedule

The City of Athens has organized its sanitation schedule for the four holidays occurring between November and January. There will be no pickup Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. On Friday, Nov. 27, Thursday’s garbage will be collected with Friday’s garbage being collected on Saturday, Nov 28. There will be no pickup Christmas Day, Dec. 25, with Friday’s garbage being collected Saturday, Dec. 26. Sanitation will run as scheduled New Year’s Day. Please have bins to the curb by 6 a.m.

North Pole Stroll

Sponsorships are available now for the sixth annual North Pole Stroll at Big Spring Memorial Park. Cost is $100 per sponsorship. Organizers require the use of solar string lights only, unbreakable ornaments and twist ties or bread ties to secure ornaments to the tree. Contact the Athens-Limestone Tourism Office at 256-232-5411 or go to visitathensal.com/2020-anps for forms to fill out and email back.

After-school feeding program

Women Empowering Women of Alabama, in partnership with Freshwind Christian Fellowship, is offering free meals for students after school. Meals are available 2–5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. More information: Janice Williams, 256-233-5995

Used book sale

Friends of the Athens-Limestone Public Library host a used book sale from 10:15 a.m.–2:15 p.m. each Tuesday and first Saturday of each month at the library, 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. More information: 256-232-1233

Virtual exercise class

Limestone County Council on Aging presents virtual exercise class 1–2 p.m. Mondays and Fridays via Zoom. The classes are called S.A.I.L., which stands for Stay Active and Independent for Life. More information: 256-233-6412

Recruiting school tutors

RSVP is recruiting elementary tutors for Athens City Schools and math tutors for all grades. Anyone interested in tutoring at least one hour per week is encouraged to call the RSVP office. More information: 256-232-7207

Corruption hotline

The Alabama Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are asking residents with knowledge of public corruption in Limestone County to email details to reportcorruption@ago.state.al.us or call the tip line at 844-404-TIPS

CANCELED

Festival of Trees

Due to COVID-19, the Donnell House will not be hosting the Festival of Trees this year. However, the Donnell House is still available to rent for private events. More information: 239-249-2211

Coffee Call

Due to health concerns, the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives Coffee Call scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, has been canceled.

Limestone Ledger is a community calendar in which nonprofit organizations can notify the public of events. Publication of donation requests should not be considered an endorsement by this newspaper. The News Courier encourages residents to research organizations before donating. All items will run as space allows until the day of the event and should be submitted at least one week prior to the event for best results. Ongoing items run for up to one month but can be resubmitted regularly. Email submissions to newscouriersoundoff@gmail.com, fax to 256-233-7753 or bring to The News Courier, 410 W. Green St., Athens.