AMERICUS — Today

Americus

Lions Club: The Americus Lions Club meets at 6:30 p.m. today at Ryan's Family Steak House. Leisa Cross, of the American Red Cross, gives the program.



This Week

Americus

Tourism Council: The Ameicus-Sumter Tourism Council meets at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Rees Park Economic Development Center in the second-floor meeting room. The meeting is open to the public.



Golf Days: The Georgia Southwestern State University Griffin Bell Golf Links on Lee Street sponsors GSW and South Georgia Technical College Golf Days on Thursday. All SGTC and GSW faculty, staff, spouses and dependents can play 18 holes of golf on the Griffin Bell Golf Links for $10 Thursday. SGTC and GSW students are also invited to play 18 holes of golf for $10 each Aug. 19. For more information call 924-2914. The Griffin Bell Golf Links sponsor the GSW and SGTC Golf Days as part of the “Two Great Choices — One Great Community” project.



School Night for Scouting: School Night for Scouting is at 7 p.m. Thursday at Sumter County Elementary School, Cherokee Elementary School and Southland Academy. This event is for all boys, grades 1-5, and their parents who are interested in joining Cub Scouts. If you have any questions, call Scott Ivey at 942-6848.



Library Board: The Lake Blackshear Regional Library board of directors meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Lake Blackshear Regional Library. The meeting is open to the public.



Class of 1971: The Americus High School Class of 1971 meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at 154 Starlight Circle to discuss plans for a 40th class reunion. For more information call  924-5454 or 928-0258.



Blood Drive: The American Red Cross and Phoebe Sumter Medical Center sponsor a blood drive from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, South Lee Street. Enter a drawing for a $1,000 gift card. Call 924-2026 to schedule an appointment.



Welcome Back Party: An Alumni & Students Welcome Back Party, hosted by the Georgia Southwestern State University Alumni Association is from 6-10 p.m. Saturday on the Front Lawn. The event features a cookout and dance featuring Atlanta Rhythm & Groove. Admission is $10/alumni. GSW students free with student ID.  Cash bar available: Bring a blanket. Reservations: 928-1373 or alumni@gsw.edu



Book Signing: Americus author June B. Anderson signs her new book, “Forgiveness Lived,” from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday at the Welcome Center in the Windsor Hotel, downtown.



Leslie

Called Meeting: The Sumter County Board of Commissioners has a special called meeting/discussion forum on consolidation at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Leslie Civic Center. The meeting is open to the public.  Dave Wills, Association County Commissioners of Georgia, will be present to answer any and all questions.



Oglethorpe

Middle Flint Meetings: The Southern Star Community Services board meets at 4:30 p.m. Thursday followed by the Middle Flint Behavioral Healthcare Foundation at the Macon County Service Center, 100 Macon St. North. The agendas are available upon request and the meetings are open to the public.



Albany

Retired Employees: National Active and Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 643  meets  at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Ole Times Buffet. Speaker is  Col. Terry V. Williams, commanding officer of MCLB.



Looking Ahead

Americus

Instructor Course: A First Aid/CPR/AED program instructor course is from 9 a.m.- p.m. Aug. 24-26 at the Middle Flint Chapter office of the American Red Cross. The course includes fundamentals of instructor training. Students must pass the pre-course skills and exam to attend the course. Cost is $150. Call 924-2026 to reserve a place.



Free Classes: Sumter County Extension offers free classes through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program known as EFNEP. A curriculum, called Food Talk, includes a series of six lessons and a different lesson is taught once a week for six weeks. Each adult class is based on healthy lifestyle topics, including taste testing, menu planning, disease prevention, easy healthy recipes, money saving tips and food safety. At each session, participants receive free items such as pens, calendars, measuring spoons, etc., and recipes for each session. Adults must attend all six classes to graduate and receive a UGA certificate. Graduates also receive the EFNEP cookbook which has 32 recipes that can be prepared in 15 minutes or less. The next session of classes is at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 24, 31, Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Sumter County Extension Auditorium, Sumter County Agricultural Center, 331 U.S. Highway 19 South Call Mary Shores, instructor, today 924-4476 or come by the Sumter County Extension to sign up.



Surplus Commodities: West Central Georgia Community Action Council Inc. distributes USDA surplus commodities from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the National Guard Armory, 901 Adderton St. Individuals picking up commodities for a homebound household are required to go by the Sumter County Community Servive Center, 110 N. Jackson St. and pick up authorization form before Aug. 25. Other paperwork is required. Call 9224-1434 for information.



Date Change: The National League of Junior Cotillion hosts a Parentss Reception Aug. 29 instead of Aug. 22 date. Interested parents in the local chapter of Junior Cotillion should contact Paige.Greene@nljc.com or visit the www.nljc.com.

 

Class of 1985: The planning committee for the Americus High School Class of 1985 has planned events and activities for its 25th reunion Sept. 2-5. For information call Michelle Fench-Darmon 770-329-8983 or Jackie Davue Homes 942-3257.



ALL 4 KIDZ: A children’s fall/winder consignment sale is from 2:30-7 p.m. Sept. 3 and half-off sale from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Sumter County Fairgrounds, Ga. Highway 30 West. Includes gently worn clothes for boys and girls, shoes, toys, books, strollers, car seats, children’s furniture, bikes, etc.



Free Classes: Lake Blackshear Regional Library offers Internet

for Beginners at 11 a.m. Sept. 4, Personal Computer Basics at 11 a.m. Sept. 11, Excel 2007 for Beginners at 11 a.m. Sept. 18 and

Introduction to Windows 7 at 11 a.m. Sept. 25. Each class lasts an hour. All classes are free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis. Stop by the library at 307 E. Lamar St., call

924-8091 or visit lbrls.org for more information.



Volunteers Needed: Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is planning stages its upcoming Men’s Health Conference, for 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Student Success Center on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University, and is currently looking for volunteers to help plan and coordinate this event. The volunteers will help with all areas of this conference, which will offer a variety of screenings for men in the community, including blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol, as well as prostate screenings. Call 924-6011, ext. 12110 or via e-mail at mjohnson@phoebesumter.org



Class of 1960: The Americus High School Class of 1960 is planning its 50-year reunion for  Sept. 24-25. At 7 p.m. Sept. 24, at the Windsor Hotel, friends of this class will come together for the first time in many years. The next day , there will be a picnic at the home of Sue Statham. That evening, there will be a special dinner party. For more information call Cary Christian 938-2530 or Jimmy or Wadean Thaxton 924-2255.



Sweet Potato Sales: Sumter County 4-H is selling sweet potatoes for $10 per 10 lb. bag. Pre-order your bag today to support our local youth by calling 924-4476 or stopping by the Sumter County Extension Office – 331 U.S. Highway 19 South. Potatoes will be available for pickup Nov.18 just in time for Thanksgiving!



Andersonville

Vietnam Traveling Wall: Andersonville National Historic Site will host the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Sept. 17-25. Opening ceremonies for the Wall will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 17, National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Weekend ceremonies include a Missing in Action (MIA) remembrance at 2 p.m. Sept. 17, an 8 p.m. Candlelight Ceremony the same day, and a Prisoner of War (POW) Recognition ceremony at 10  a.m. Sept. 18. Closing ceremonies will be held at 5 p.m. Sept. 25. Andersonville National Historic Site will be open until 8:30 p.m. for the Candlelight Ceremony.  Park grounds will be open from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. during the remainder of the event, Sept. 18-25. POW/MIA programs are sponsored by the National Park Service, Friends of Andersonville, Rolling Thunder, and Georgia Southwestern State University.



Montezuma

Community Awareness Day: Flint River Farm School Preservation Society Community Awareness Day is from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 18 at Flint River Farm School Road and Ga. Highway 26. Event includes free picnic and games for children. Vendors and exhibitors welcome. Visit www.flintriverfarms.org or call 478-951-7243 for information.



Cordele

Home Buyer Education: Southwest Georgia United Empowerment Zone hosts a Home Buyer Education Workshop from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 24 and 25 at the Crisp Area Arts Alliance, 701 E. 17th Ave. For information call Janet Clark-Tisdol 229-268-7592, ext. 257.



Ongoing

Americus

Alcoholics Anonymous: AA meets at 8 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 332 S. Lee St.  Friends of Bill W. Club meets at 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 702 Adderton St. (Ga. Highway 30 West). For more meetings, visit www.aageorgia.org



Substance Abuse: Love and Mercy Outreach programs presents Alpha and Omega Substance Abuse and Awareness Program from 6-7 p.m. every Saturday at 511-D W. Forsyth St. All people with alcohol and drug addiction issues and their friends and family are welcome. For more information or for a ride, call James Ross 229-331-4746 or William Wallace 229-322-9621.

 

Six Flags Tickets: Tickets to Six Flags are being sold at the Sumter County Cooperative Extension Office /Sumter County Agricultural Center, 331 U.S. Highway 19 South.  Purchase your ticket for $28 each. Six Flags gate price is $47.69 Tickets are valid any regular operating day through Oct. 31. Stop by the Sumter County Extension Office to purchase your tickets. Call 924-4476 if you have any questions.



American Legion: American Legion Post 2 meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month.



Lodge Meeting: M.B. Council Lodge No. 13, F&AM meets at 7 p.m. first and third Tuesday of very month at the Masonic Temple, 1209 Crawford St.



Overeaters Anonymous: Overeaters Anonymous meets 6 p.m. every Tuesday at the Wheatley House, across from the Sumter Regional Hospital emergency room. Everyone is welcome. For information call Janice at 928-2339.



Caregiver Support: The Magnolia Manor/Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group meets at noon every second Tuesday of the month at the Magnolia Manor Clubhouse. A light lunch is served. For information call Cindy Holloway at 931-5943.



Pilot Club: The Americus Pilot Club meets (focuses on brain-related injuries and disorders) meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Magnolia Room, Magnolia Manor Retirement Center, South Lee Street.



Soup Kitchen: The Soup Kitchen, at 437 S. Hampton St., is open at 6 p.m. every Wednesday to all in need.



Volunteers Needed: SOWEGA Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), office serving a six-county area, needs volunteers to work with abused and neglected children who are involved in the court system. A CASA volunteer advocates for the child’s best interest before the court. Training classes are available soon. For more information, call 931-4488.



Family Workshop: Who would make your final health care decisions if you couldn’t make them for yourself? The Critical Conditions Family Workshop can help you and your loved ones talk about these issues before decisions might have to be made. The CRITICAL Conditions Family Workshop is free! If you are aware of a group who would be interested in participating in a workshop presented by United Hospice of Cordele, call contact Jana Dew at 1-800-288-8466.



Adult Reading Skills: Adult Literacy Action Inc. has several openings for adult individuals interested in improving their reading skills. The organization is affiliated with the Lake Blackshear Regional Library. Volunteer tutors are available to work with individuals on a one-on-one basis. Generally sessions are held one or two times a week for about an hour. Training materials are furnished at no charge. If interested, call 924-9010.



Recovery Program: Doing things the same never brings change. Got problems? Drugs, divorce, alcohol, porn; it doesn’t matter. Join us at 7 p.m. every Monday at 245 Southland Road for Celebrate Recovery. Contact us at 924-7409 or 937-2966 for more information or visit www.cornerstoneamericus.com and click on Celebrate Recovery.



Georgia REACH: Are you taking care of a loved one with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s? Do you wonder if there is anyone one out there who understands what you and your loved one are going through? The Georgia REACH team is here to help. Georgia REACH provides information on Alzheimer’s and related dementias, teaches how to manage troubling behaviors and provides tools to manage stress. This free program is offered in eight counties including Macon, Marion, Schley, Sumter and Webster. For more information call the Middle Flint Council on Aging at 928-2126 or Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving at 928-1234.



Al-Anon: Many people are affected by the drinking of someone else. We welcome you to our anonymous family group meeting from 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays at Calvary Episcopal Church, 408 S. Lee St. Contact hope4todayafg@yahoo.com for more information. Visit www.al-anon.alateen.org to learn more. Podcasts are available at above Web site to get a better idea of what Al-Anon meetings are like.



Girls Rock: 4-E Learning & Prevention Center Inc., 802 Ashby St., sponsors Girls R.O.C.K. (Respecting Ourselves with Charisma & Klass) from 4-6 p.m. every Friday for girls ages 8-16. Learn etiquette skills, music and dance, participate in community projects and enjoy field trips. Membership is $40 per month. E-mail fourecenter@yahoo.com or call 928-8001 for information.



Make A Difference: Become a volunteer at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center where there are several opportunities for you to make a difference in someone’s life. Contact Activity Director Missy Wiggins, 924-9352, ext. 3079 or mwiggins@magnliamanor.com.



After School Classes: The 4-E Learning and Prevention Center Inc. offers after school and tutoring services in math/reading/language arts/science/social studies/CRCT/EOCT test preparation, and a new program, Girls ROCK (Respecting Ourselves with Charisma and Klass), etiquette skills/music/dance/community projects and field trips. Call 928-5605.



Narcotics Anonymous: “Just For Today,” Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7:30 p.m. every Monday and Thursday, 8 p.m. every Wednesday and 7:30 p.m. every Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Jackson St. (enter through double-glass doors in fellowship hall; park on street or in public parking lot). There’s a speaker every last Thursday of each month.



Ambassadors Needed: The Ambassadors of the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce are looking for new members. Chamber member businesses are invited to nominate someone to join this elite group of business minded individuals who perform volunteer work on behalf of the Chamber. Call 924-2646 for information.



Free Classes: Free GED classes are 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays in Sumter, Schley, Marion, Macon, Webster and Crisp counties. For information call 931-7323.



Cub Scouts: Cub Scout Pack 27, located at 1011 Harrold Ave., is looking for boys that want to have lots of fun. Pack 27 meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. For information call  Scoutmaster Mark Crawford at 931-0515 or 591-8693 or Cubmaster Chris Chappell at 229-273-8427. Pack 27 is sponsored by the Americus Civitans.



Boy Scouts: Are you a young man ages 11-17? Are you looking for outdoor adventure? Join Boy Scout Troop 27 at 6 p.m. Mondays at the Scout Hut on Harrold Avenue, next to the Americus-Sumter County High School South Campus gym. For information contact Scoutmaster Mark Crawford at 931-0515 or e-mail bsatrooppack27@yahoo.com



Share Group: The Grief Share Group meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday of every month at First Baptist Church, South Lee Street. Meetings are open to anyone grieving the death of a loved one. For information, call the church office at 924-9035 or Ann Creel Beaver at 924-7652.  



Leslie

Free Tutoring: Free tutoring sessions are offered from 6:30-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Leslie Civic Center. Volunteers are needed. Call Loretta Raines 938-1166 for more information.

 

Plains

Lions Club: The Plains Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Call President Wade Medlock at 824-7423 for information.



Free Classes: Free writing and math classes in preparation for GED are offered from 8:30 a.m.-noon Monday and Tuesday at the Boys & Girls Club. Work at your own pace. Call 931-7323 for information.



Ellaville

Recreation Authority: The Ellaville-Schley County Recreation Authority meets the first Thursday of the month. The meetings are open to the public.



Girl Scouts: Girl Scouts and Brownies meet 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays at the new Scout House. Please send information to tchsclassof89@yahoo.com. Several meetings are planned for the near future. For more information call Deana (Dews) Powell 229-314-9446, George Neal 706-325-9474 or Danielle (Cook) Murphy 229-942-6603.