Today’s Happenings

Americus

Outdoor Watering Ban: City of Americus residents living north of Lamar Street are allowed to water outside Monday, Wednesday and Saturday while those living south of Lamar Street can water Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Outdoor watering is allowed only between midnight and 10 a.m. Watering between 10 a.m. and midnight is prohibited.



Flu Shots: The Sumter County Health Department has flu shots available from 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Medicaid and Medicare accepted co-pay apply. Private pay is $23 (no insurance accepted for flu shots).



This Week

Americus 

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



Board of Education: The Sumter County Board of Education meets Thursday in the board room of the administrative building, 100 Learning Lane. The board has a closed session at 6 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, followed by an open session at 7 p.m. The open session is open to the public.



Cooking for Life: Sumter Regional Hospital Education Department presents, “Healthy in a Hurry” — healthy soups and sandwiches, as part of its Cooking For Life Series at 7 p.m. Thursday in the hospital’s Education Department classroom. Registered Dietician Margaret Goodin and Lila Sexton, RN, host this educational event for the community as a guide on ways to cook and eat healthier. Classroom size is limited so reservations are required, and can be made by calling Sexton at 931-7427. There is a $5 fee at the door. The class eats what they cook and a door prize is awarded at each class.



Free Classes: Lake Blackshear Regional Library offers Internet for Beginners at 11 a.m. Saturday, Microsoft Word for Beginners at 11 a.m. Jan. 17, Personal Computer Maintenance & Security 11 a.m. Jan. 31. 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.



Ellaville

Meeting Change: The Schley County Association of Concerned Citizens Inc. meets at 3 p.m. Sunday at at the John H. Lewis High School building, 860 Spivey St. The meeting is open to the public. 



Looking Ahead

Americus

Welcome Reception: The board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Sumter County host a welcome reception and open house Jan. 13 to introduce the new chief professional officer, Lori Clemons. A short program is at 5 p.m. followed by a reception until 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.



Lifeguard Training: The Middle Flint Chapter, American Red Cross offers a lifeguard training class for $150 each. The required pre-course swim is 7-9 p.m. Jan. 13 at the GSW Pool. Class dates are 5-9 p.m. Jan. 15, GSW classroom; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 17, Red Cross Office; 5-9 p.m. Jan. 20 & 22, GSW classroom, pool; 5-9 p.m. Jan. 29, GSW final writtene xam/skills practice; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 31, final scenarios. Must be 15 years of age by completion of course and pass pre-course swim. Females must wear one-piece swimsuit and males boxer swim trucnks. Call today to register 924-2926.



Red Cross Class: The Middle Flint Chapter, American Red Cross offers Community First Aid & Safety class (includes adult, child and infant CPR and first aid) 9 a.n.-4 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Chapter office. Cost is $50 per person. Space is limited. Call 924-2026 to reserve.



CASA Training: The SOWEGA Court Appointed Special Advocate program has scheduled a volunteer training program at 5:15 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving located on GSW University’s campus. Those seeking more information about the SOWEGA CASA program, or about volunteering with the program, should call 931-4488 or email brad@sowegacasa.org.



Andersonville

Guild Meeting: The Andersonville Guild meets at 6 p.m. Jan. 12 at Old Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public.



Ellaville

King Program: The Schley County Association of Concerned Citizens Inc. host a program in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 3 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Community Center next to City Hall, featuring several speakers. For more information, call Maggarie McCluster at 828-6164 or Martha Shelton at 937-5165.



Buena Vista

Class of 1989: The Tri-County High School Class of 1989 is attempting to local class members for a 20-year reunion. 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.



Whigham

Scholarship Pageant: Applications are sought for the Miss Southwest Georgia Cotton Scholarship Pageant at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 at Whigham Auditorium. Deadline for entry it Jan. 24. Open to all girls ages 3-21. For information call 229-246-9734, 229-246-8550 or 229-248-8662.



Ongoing

Americus

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 website 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. Email fourecenter@yahoo.com or call 928-8001 for information.



Safety Signs: The Sumter County Extension Office, 331 U.S. Highway 19 South, offers a safety address sign to residents and property owners. The blue sign is made of 12” by 6” engineering grade sign material with 4” No. M 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 Club youth program. Come by the Extension Office and complete a safety sign order dorm today. For more information call 924-4476.

 

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 toward 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.



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 items 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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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: 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.



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.



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

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.



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.