April 17-26

Hartselle High School is helping with Relay for Life and will have many ways to donate. They will be collecting money for several days in first period classes called Quarters for a Cure. National Honor Society will be selling moons, stars and luminaries in honor or memory of survivors and victims of the disease for $1 each. They will be on display at school and hung from trees the night of the walk. New Honor Society members are also taking donations for the American Cancer Society. The week before the Relay, students will have the opportunity to give a $1 donation for a chance to win an iPod. All money collected goes to American Cancer Society.

April 18

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be Thur., April 18, at 431 Holly St. NE, Decatur, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Teresa Bush at 256-990-0830 or email www.redcrossblood.org

The American Red Cross will be having a blood drive on Thur., April 18, at Banks-Caddell Elementary School in the gym at 211 Gordon Dr., Decatur, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All BCES students who recruit a blood donor will receive a youth size T-shirt. All blood donors will receive a T-shirt. For more information, call Teresa Bush at 256-990-0830 or email www.redcrossblood.org.

April 20

North Alabama Railroad Museum, 694 Chase Road, Huntsville, presents its scenic Dogwood Spirit Train Ride, Sat., April 20, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for children under 12. Call 256-851-6276, Mon.- Fri., or log on to at http://www.northalabamarailroadmuseum.com for tickets.

April 20-21

Morgan County Master Gardeners will host a plant sale on Sat., April 20, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sun., April 21, from 1-4 p.m. at Morgan County Fairgrounds behind Home Depot in Decatur. Many varieties of plants will be available such as Japanese maple, butterfly bush, Mexican heather, shasta daisy, Russian sage, yarrow, various coreopsis, hardy ferns, geraniums, and more. Master Gardeners will be on site to help with locating plants, answering questions and giving advice. There will also be a small collection of vendors with garden related items such as birdhouses, birdfeeders and wind chimes. Profits from the plant sale fund some of our projects and an annual contribution to the AMGA Endowment Scholarship at Auburn University.

April 26

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Hartselle is scheduled for Fri., April 26, at J.P. Cain Stadium. Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m., followed by the survivors lap, and the event ends at 6 a.m. The 2013 goal is $101,678 with 31 teams raising money for our 2013 western theme “Ropin’ a Cure.” Events throughout the night include a mechanical bull, volleyball and tug-of-war competitions plus lots more. For more information or to sign up, call chairperson Shawna Fincher at 256-227-5510 or co-chair Tonya Parker at 256-345-7474.

April 27

Miss Springtime pageant will be April 27, at 10 a.m. in the Sparkman School Gym. The entry fee is $25 with other side events $5. Age categories range from babies to 13 years old. For more information, call 256-773-6458 or visit Sparkman School’s website for printable forms. Checks should be made payable to Sparkman PTO. Entry forms and fees must be turned in by April 12.

Cullman Regional Hospital will have a prepared childbirth class Sat., April 27, from 8 a.m. until noon in the Professional Office Building 2, Depot Room for community education. The cost is $25 per couple; $20 per couple for WomenFirst Members and FREE to Medicaid patients. Register online at www.crmchos pital.com/maternity or call the CRMC Maternity Services Center at (256) 737-2200.

Cullman Regional Hospital will have a prenatal breastfeeding class Sat., April 27, from 1-3 pm in Depot Room, in the Community Education Center in Professional Office Building 2 and follows the Prepared Childbirth Class. You are not required to attend the childbirth class in order to attend the breastfeeding class. Cost is $10 and mom’s support person is encouraged to attend. Register online at www.crmchospital.com/maternity or call the CRMC Maternity Services Center at (256) 737-2200.

Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center will host a Spring Migration Count April 27 from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Help identify and count all birds seen or heard from dawn to dusk. For more information, contact Refuge Manager Dwight Cooley at 256-353-7243.

April 30

The Hartselle Chamber is having its annual banquet meeting on April 30.

May 4

Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center is having a Youth Fishing Rodeo, May 4, at 8 a.m. The Rodeo is open for ages 5 to 12. Trophies awarded for the heaviest weight in each age group. Everyone goes home a winner!

May 20

All-American defensive end on Paul “Bear” Bryant’s 1973 National Championship Team, John Croyle, speaks on “A Proven Game Plan For Raising Sons and Daughters” Mon., May 20, from 7 – 8:30 p.m., at the Cullman Civic Center, 510 5th Street, SW, at no cost.