AMERICUS — Today’s Events

Americus

Raffle Tickets: The Middle Flint Council on Aging is raffling a $500 Visa gift card. Tickets are $1 each and on sale now through Aug. 2. The drawing is at noon Aug. 3 at the Council on Aging office. You do not have to be present to win. Call 928-2126 for information.



Looking Ahead

Americus

Mentor Training: A training session for mentors in the Sumter County School System is from 5:30-7 p.m. July 26 at the Stein Center, 200 Cotton Ave.



Early Head Start and Head Start: Sumter County Early Head Start and Head Start’s staff returns July 26. Open House is from 5-7 p.m. July 29 and the first day of school is Aug. 2. Call Krystal Austin 924-7666 for more information.



Board Meeting: The Sumter County Department of Family and Children Services board meets at 5 p.m. July 27 at the Sumter County DFCS office, 502-A S. Lee St. The meeting is open to the public.



Lions Club: The Americus Lions Club meets at noon July 27 at Ryan's Family Steak House. Newly elected president, Dr. Ray Williams will preside. District Governor Jack Taylor of Donaldsonville will  install the new officers for the year 2010-2011.



Called Meeting: The Sumter County Board of Commissioners has a special called meeting at 11 a.m. July 28 at the Board of Commissioners’ Board Room to discuss the approval of any contracts with any municipalities that have elected to contract with the Sumter County Board of Commissioners for providing fire and emergency services to the incorporated cities and for any other items brought properly before the Board. The meeting is open to the public.



Free Nutrition Classes: Learn how to cut their food costs yet still provide easy-to-prepare nutritious meals.Sumter County Extension offers free classes through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program (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, grocery lists, magnets, measuring cups, calcium bookmarks, refrigerator/freezer thermometers, food safety brochures, 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 will be held at 10:30 a.m. July 27, Aug. 3, 10, 17. 24 and 31 at the Sumter County Extension Auditorium, Sumter County Agricultural Center, 331 U.S. Highway 19 South. Call Mary Shores 924-4476 or come by the Sumter County Extension office to sign up.

 

Class of 2001: A class meeting for the Americus High School Class of 2001 reunion is at 5 p.m. July 31 at Ryan’s. All information concerning the reunion will be discussed. Call 850-294-7124 or visit americushighschoolclassof2001@yahoo.com

 

Authority Meeting: The Schley-Sumter-Macon Joint Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Aug. 12. The meeting is open to the public.



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.



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.



Buena Vista

Groundbreaking: The Marion County Board of Education has set the date for the groundbreaking of the new Marion County Middle/High School and issues this special invitation to all citizens to attend. The event will take place at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 3 at the site of the new school on Ga. Highway 41 North.



Cordele

Home Buyer Education: Southwest Georgia United Empowerment Zone hosts a Home Buyer Education Workshop from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 24 & 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 ay 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 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 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



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.