Town Crier April 9, 2008

Today’s Happenings

Americus

Artists Wanted: Local visual artists, crafters and jewelry artists are sought by the Americus-Sumter County Arts Council to sell their goods at Arts in Rees Park on April 19. For information send name, address, phone number and email address to Sell Art, P. O. Box 6618, Americus GA 31709.



Commemorative Bricks: For a donation, you can get your own piece of history. Imprinted and engraved bricks from Sumter Regional Hospital that was hit by the March 1, 2007, tornado are to the general public. All proceeds go towardsd the rebuilding of the new, permanent hospital. A $25 donation, you get an imprinted brick; for $50 donation, an imprinted brick and printed SRH timeline, and for $100 donation, an engraved brick, printed SRH timeline and acrylic case. Make checks and money orders payable to Sumter Regional Hospital Foundation and mail to Marketing & Public Relations Department,100 Wheatley Drive, Americus. Call today to make your donation at 928-4000, and ask for the Marketing & PR Department; email srhmarketing@hotmail.com.



Recertification Class: The Middle Flint Chapter American Red Cross holds Community First Aid & Safety class (includes adult, child and infant CPR and first aid) from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 10 at the Chapter offce, 1509 Crawford St. Cost is $50. Space is limited. Call 924-2026.



Junior League: The Junior Service League of Americus meets at 7 p.m. April 10 at First United Methodist Church, South Lee Street.



Board Meeting: The board of Adult Literacy Action Inc. meets at 5:15 p.m. April 10 at the Lake Blackshear Regional Library’s temporary location in the old Manhattan Shirt Factory on Tripp Street. The meeting is open to the public.



Garden Club: Green Thumb Garden Club has a luncheon meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday at Ryan’s. Hostesses are Mary Tom Byram abd Lib Willoughby.



Computer Classes: Lake Blackshear Regional Library offers Internet for Beginners at 11 a.m. April 12, Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint at 11 a.m. April 19 and Personal Computer Basics at 11 a.m. April 26. 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 the Manhattan Shirt Factory building, 320 Tripp St., call 924-8091 or visit lbrls.org for more information.



Class of ‘88: Americus High School Class of 1988 holds its 20th Reunion June 20-21. The weekend kicks off on Friday night with an event at the Windsor Hotel, followed by a family picnic Saturday at Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park. An informal party is Saturday night at The Carnegie. Cost for the weekend is $40/adult. For information and to get your name added, call 938-9828 or 912-262-1614 or email banksdh@yahoo.com. A planning meeting is at 3 p.m. April 13 at Ryan’s Steakhouse. Anyone interested in helping to plan the reunion is welcome.



Lions Club: The Americus Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. April 15 at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse. Plans will be discussed for the upcoming mop and broom sale which is at 5 p.m. April 24.



Luminaries Available: The 2008 Relay for Life Lumimaria Committee is offering the opportunity to participate in Sumter County’s event by purchasing a luminary “in honor” or “in memory” of a loved one that has been touched by cancer. Luminary bags are $5 each and luminary torches are $100 each. They will be displayed at the Relay for Life April 18 at Americus-Sumter County High School’s South Campus, Finklea-Robinson Field. Mail check and information to Lila Centerfitt, Luminary Chair, P.O. Box 1542, Americus 312709.



Blood Drive: Middle Flint Chapter, American Red Cross has a blood drive from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. April 18 at First Baptist Church, 221 S. Lee St. All donors enter a drawing to win two Delta tickeys and a Clarion Orlando Hotel stay and two-day Disney World passes for four.



Charity Golf Tournament: Knights of Columbus host its 11th annual Charity Golf Tournament at 8:30 a.m. April 19 at Brickyard Plantation Golf Course. Format is 4-person scramble with handicap. Cost is $50 per play or $200 for 4-player team. Prizes, based on full field of 20 teams, are first place $400, second place $300 and third place $200. Hole-in-one on No. 5 waters gets a $100 cash prise. Hamburgers, chips and drinks provided. To register call Brickyard 874-1234, Ron Akerman 928-3374, Duane Broxterman 937-2191 or Wayne Exley 924-2417.



Greek Reunion: My Big Fat Georgia Southwestern Greek Reunion is April 19 featuring golf, dinner and a dance with The Tams. Call 866-673-0436.



First Aid: The Middle Flint Chapter of the American Red Cross holds a Community First Aid & Safety class from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 19 at the Middle Flint Chapter office on Crawford Street. Topics covered include adult, child and infant CPR and First Aid. Cost is $50 per person, and limited space is available. For more information, call the office at 924-2026.



Porch Tour: Sumter Historic Trust presents the West College Street Neighborhood Porch Tour from 3-6 p.m. April 20. Homeowners graciously offer their porch for you to stop by and enjoy tasty nibbles and conversation: Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Hagins, 205 W.College St.; Sumter Historic Trust, 202 W. College St.; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Steele, 302 W. College St.; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Banse, 316 W. College St.; Brad Ray and Tim Lewis, 402 W.College St. Tickets are $15 each and available at Kinnebrew Co., Minick Interiors, Southern Land & Realty or call Lane Tyson at 938-5901.



Transportation Meeting: The Georgia Department of Transportation holds public hearings on its Southwest Georgia Interstate Study to identify current and future road capacity and operational needs, and improvements, from 5-7 p.m. April 22 in the Pope Center, South Georgia Technical College.



Lifeguard Training: The Middle Flint Chapter, American Red Cross offers lifeguard training. The pre-course swim is 7-9 p.m. April 22 at the GSW Pool. Classes are 5-9 p.m. April 24, 28 & 29, 5-9 p.m. May 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 3 at th Red Cross Office on Crawford Street, 5-9 p.m. May 5, 6 & 8, final scenarios are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 10 and a walk-in final exam is May 12-16. Cost is $150 per person. Must be age 15 by course completion and pass pre-course swim. Females must wear one-piece bathing suit. Males must wear boxer swim trunks. Call 924-2026.



Handgun Course: The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office sponsors a free handgun course for women starting at 9 a.m. April 26 at the Sumter County Extension Office. U.S. Highway 19 South. Participants need a pistol and 25 rounds of ammunition. No weapons are needed for the classroom portion of the course. Participants should leave their weapon, unloaded, in their vehicle. State law requires a background check on all class participant. To pre-register, visit the Sumter County Law Enforcement Center, 352 McMath Mill Road. For information call Lt. Andy King 924-4094, ext. 229.



Special Olympics: The Special Olympics Area II Spring Games are April 30 at Finklea-Robinson Field. Opening ceremonies start at 9:15 a.m. The public is invited. Call Jarrett Hooks 924-1400 to volunteer at the event.



Swimming Lessons: The Americus-Sumter County Recreation Authority offers summer swimming lessons June 2-July 18 (no lessons June 30-July 4) at the Barlow Street Pool. For boys and girls ages 3-12. Cost is $60. Register at the recreation department, 210 Rucker St. For information call Pat Crawley at 924-4878.



Six Flags Tickets: Sumter County 4-H Club has Six Flags tickets for $27. Stop by the Sumter County Agricultural Center, 331 U.S. Highway 19 South to purchase. Tickets are valid any regular operating day through Nov. 2. For information call 924-4476.





Plains

Commemorative Bricks: Commemorative bricks, engraved with your family name, are available for $50 each and will be placed around the Billy Carter Service Station Museum. Call 824-5373 for information.



Andersonville

Guild Meeting: The Andersonville Guild meets at 7 p.m. April 14 at the Old Town Hall. Directors meet at 6 p.m.

 

Ellaville

Barbecue Plates: The Schley County Association of Concerned Citizens Inc. sells barbecue plates and homemade cakes srtating at 10 a.m. April 19 in the IGA parking lot. All proceeds go toward enovation of the historicalJohn H. Lewis High School building, 860 Spivey St. For information,call Martha Shelton 937-5165 or Maggarie K. McCluster 828-6164.



Cordele

Free Safety Class: The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement section sponsors a free boating safety class for ages 12 and up April 19 at Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park at Lake Blackshear. The class starts at 9 a.m. sharp in the conference room of the park office and concludes at 4 p.m. DNR rangers will cook a hot dog lunch, at no charge, for the students. Pre-registration is required by calling the park office at 229-276-2671. Call Cpl. Tommy Lawrence at 931-1481 or the Albany DNR Law Enforcement office at 430-4252 for information.



Leesburg

Spring Fly-in: Airmasters Model Airplane Club invites the public free to its annual Spring Fly-in, a remote control flying event, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 19 at its flying field, north of Albany and east of Leesburg on Ga. Highway 32 East, just east of the Lee County Public Works Department at the intersection of Mossy Dell Road and 32. The vent supports Liberty House, a local organization serving victims of domestic violence and their children. Registered pilots and spectators can purchase tickets for several drawings that will be held during the day The registered pilot tickets will also be used for the “Big Ticket” item, a 2.4 GHz system which will be drawn at 3 p.m.

Food concessions available all day. The first 30 pilots to register eceive a gift bag. Pilot registration is $10. A current AMA license is required to fly. A mid-day demonstration of various types of aircraft begins at 12:30. The B-29 and Bell X-1 from Andersonville are included in the show. For information, visit www.geocities.com/clubamac222/ or call 229-436-2349.



Warner Robins

Support Group: The Middle Georgia Celiac Support Group, which supports those with celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis or gluten intolerance, meets at noon April 19 Central Baptist Church, 1120 Lake Joy Road for a covered dish luncheon. Please bring a gluten-free dish to share, along with the recipe or list of ingredients as many people experience additional food allergies. For information contact Yesmin Wilson 478-952-6590 or Carol Hinton 478-922-0748.



Ongoing

Americus

Volunteers Needed: Several residents at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center enjoy getting out of the facility whenever possible. Volunteers are needed to assist residents with their weekly menus.Volunteers would be needed Thursday or Fridays to help residents mark and read the food itms they would have as their meals. If interested, call Missy Wiggins at 924-9352, ext. 3079 or email mwiggins@magnoliamanor.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.



Caregivers Support: A Caregivers Support Group, sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging, meets at 2 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the Americus Senior Center, 717 N. Jackson St. For information call 706-256-2943 or 1-800-669-8387.



Free Workshop: Getting the Best of Stress! is a free workshop offered at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Rosalynn Carter Institute. Learn to identify how stress may be affecting your life and master the tools and techniques to offset those effects. For more information call 931-2707. This program is provided in collaboration with Project C.A.R.E.



Grant Program: University of Georgia Cooperative Extension announces a new grant program. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program’s outreach mission is to advance the well being of individuals and families over the life span and strengthen Georgia communities. The EFNEP program works with individuals and families, consumers, professionals, policy-makers, related agencies, businesses and industries. For more information on the EFNEP program, please contact Sandra Sparks, EFNEP educator, at 924-4476.

 

Online Services: Nancy C. Smith, clerk of Sumter Superior Court, has announced that people can now apply online to become a notary public or to renew current notary. Visit www.gsccca.org and proceed at the Georgia Notary online application button. Closely follow instructions as directed and present completed application at the Clerk of Court’s Office, Sumter County Courthouse. Call 928-4537 for more information.



Flu Vaccinations: Flu vaccinations are available from 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. weekdays at the Sumter County Health Department, 208 Rucker St. Medicaid and Medicare are accepted. There may be a Medicaid co-payment. Private pay is $20.



First Steps: Babies don’t come with instructions, but in Sumter, Macon and Schley counties, they come with a First Steps volunteer. You can make a difference in a newborn’s life. First Steps provides all parents or newborns with support, education and referrals to community resources. To become a volunteer, call Angela Harris at 928-4308. First Steps is a program of PCA Georgia and is funded in part by the Children’s Trust Fund Commission.



Storytimes: Lake Blackshear Regional Library will not hold Storytimes until mid-February, because of the move to the interim facility.



End Hunger: Help end hunger in Southwest Georgia. Visit www.foodbank-swga.org)



Class of 1998: The Sumter County Comprehensive High School Class of 1998 is planning a 10-year reunion. All interested class members should call Robert Morgan Jr. (942-9118) or Talaycia Hawkins (942-8403). Visit www.myspace.com/ramsclassof1998 for news and photos.



Lions Club: The Americus Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. every first and third Tuesday at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse.



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).



Al-Anon: The Al-Anon Family Group meets from 7-8 p.m. every Tuesday at Calvary Episcopal Church, 408 S. Lee St. For more information contact hope4todayafg@yahoo.com.



Family Caregivers: If you live in the Americus/Sumter area and are caring for a loved one who has a long-term illness such as stroke, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, or physical or mental disabilities due to injury, the Rosalynn Carter Institute wishes to talk with you. We are interested in your experiences as a family caregiver, the support and services you are using now and those you wish were available but have not been able to find. The discussion lasts no more than one hour. We will come to your home or any other location that is convenient for you. Each caregiver who participates will receive $20. Call Gayle Alston at 931-2707 for more information.



Water Restrictions: Water restrictions are effect in the City of Americus. There is no watering allowed between the hours of 10 a.m.-midnight on any day. Those addresses north of Lamar Street can water on odd calendar days from midnight-10 a.m. only. Those addresses south of Lamar Street can water on even calendar days from midnight-10 a.m. only. No watering is allowed on Fridays at any time.



Volunteers Needed: The Methodist Home for Children & Youth is looking for Big Sister/Visiting Families. Must be 21 years old, pass criminal background check, sex offender check, Child Protective Services History check, have three references and follow established guidelines. Contact Whitney Lamb at 924-4616 Tuesday-Saturday.



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 at Easter Morning Community Center, 551A Hosanna Circle. 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 7 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



Chapter Forming: Interested in losing weight? A new chapter of T.O.P.S. (take off pounds sensibly) is forming in Americus. Call Lynn Saigeon at 931-5340. Meets Mondays.



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.



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 fourth 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: The Georgia Southwestern Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), formerly SOWEGA 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 represents the child’s best interest before the court. Training classes are available soon. The CASA office can only handle half of the cases because of a volunteer shortage. Call Fran Ryan, program coordinator, at 931-2268 for information.



Safety Signs: The Sumter County Extension Office, P.O. Box 1027, offers a safety address sign to residents and property owners in the County. The blue sign is made of 12” by 6” engineering grade sign material with 4” 3M reflective numbers and/or letters. It is attached to a 36” metal post. The sign is highly visible at night and easily spotted during the day time. Signs are $18 and a portion of the proceeds go to the local 4-H youth program. Come by the Extension Office and complete a Safety Sign order form today. For information, call 924-4476.



First Steps: Become a volunteer with Sumter Regional Hospital’s First Steps program which provides all parents of newborns with support, education and referral to community resources. Call Angela Harris at 924-6011, ext. 1199.



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.



Members Needed: Register for Girl Scouts! Contact Velvet S. Riggins (velvetr@gsswga.org) or 229-432-9188 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.



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.



Caregiver Program: The Relative Caregiver Programs wants to support those who are caring for the children of a family member. The program offers support services including home visits by a case manager, resource and referral services, support group meetings and family training. For information call 931-2238.



Sisters, Families Needed: The girls of The Methodist Home for Children & Youth seek big sisters and visiting families. Requirements: 21 years of age, pass a criminal background check, three favorable references, agree to a statement of non-abuse, and follow established guidelines. Call Whitney Lamb, Campus Life coordinator at 924-4616 Tuesday-Saturday for information.



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.



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.

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