Town Crier: Jan. 27, 2010

Today’s Happenings

Americus

Flu Vaccine Available: The Sumter County Health Departmentoffers the seasonal flu vaccine for $23. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted. No appointment necessary.



Hydrant Testing: The Americus Fire and Emergency Services is conducting a second round of hydrant testing which will continue until all City hydrants have been tested. If your water is a reddish color, run the water for about 5-10 minutes to clear it. If it doesn’t, call 924-3213.



Third World Series: “The Nature and Impact of Third World Diseases” is the subject of Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) Third World seminar at 6:30 p.m. today in adjoining conference rooms 2410, 2413 and 2417 of the GSW Student Success Center. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free program. Featured speaker will be Anh-Hue Thi Tu, Ph.D., GSW associate professor of biology. The forum is co-sponsored by the Department of History and Political Science, the Georgia Southwestern Foundation, the Division Continuing Education, and the Association of Third World Studies Inc.



This Week

Americus

Driver Safety Class: AARP 55 Alive Driver Safety Program for ages 25 & up is the nation's first and largest classroom driver improvement course. This one-day, seven-hour course is now available. The course helps drivers refine existing skills and develop safe, defensive driving techniques. There are no tests. Upon successfully completing the course, graduates can be eligible to receive a state-mandated multi-year discount on their auto insurance premiums. Participants will receive a card good for three years. If you have an AARP card, please bring it to class with you for discount on workbook. The course is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday (one hour break for lunch) at the GSW Student Success Center Room 1243. Fee is $14 for workbook payable by check to AARP. With membership card, $12. No charge for class. Course number 310AAR505A.



Joint Meeting: The Schley-Sumter Macon Joint Development Authority meets at 10 a.m. Friday at the Rees Park Economic Development Center, 409 Elm Ave. in the conference room on the second floor. The meeting is open to the public.



Travel Presentation: Want to know more about GSW Continuing Education’s upcoming travel trips to Canadian Rockies, Australia and New Zealand, Oberammergau’s The Passion Play, and Ireland before you register? In addition to the traveling component, we will be offering a free supplemental learning program that relates to and enhances the trips, making them truly educational adventures. Join Jack Brinson, Collette Vacations District Sales Manager, at 6-8 p.m. Feb. 1 at the GSW Newman Alumni Center for this slideshow and information gathering presentation. There will be ample time for questions and answers also. Light refreshments will be served. To reserve a spot at this session, call 931-2151 or register online at www.contedu.org. Course No. 310CTP206A



Airport Authority: The Americus-Sumter County Airport Authority is scheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 2 in the board room at the airport terminal building at the Jimmy Carter Airport.



Board Meeting: The Junior Service League Board meets at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at the home of Meg Usrey, 807 S. Lee St.



Hospital Board: The Phoebe Sumter Board meets at noon Feb. 2 at Rees Park Economic Development Center, second-floor meeting room. The meeting is open to the public.



League Meeting: The Junior Service League meets at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at First United Methodist Church, South Lee Street.



Test-Taking Workshop: Motivational Test-Taking Strategies Workshop is from 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 6 at Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, 225 Forrest St. The workshop includes strategies to calm test-day nerves during CRCT, GHSGT, SAT and ACT and includes several breakout session as well as college recruitment sessions from 8:30-9 a.m. and noon-12:30 p.m. Event is free to students and parents. Registration deadline is Jan. 27. Call 924-2382 or 928-2645.



Rylander Event: "Dixie's High Point of Beauty" premiers at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Rylander Theater. Tickets are $10 general admission. The comedy is about a small town beauty salon and takes place in the ficticious town of Joelene, Ga. The town is all abuzz and the shop, Dixie's High Point of Beauty Salon, is buzz central. Magnolia Garden Club matrons, high school sweethearts and high society snobbery all have one thing in common — Dixie's! With a big high society engagement party coming up old friends are reunited and lost loves are rekindled but not without some tangles long the way. The comedy is sure to be hit. For tickets or more information call 931-0001.



Library Theater: The Sumter County Friends of the Public Library hosts its 21st annual theater event Jan. 29-31. Call 9224-8091 for ticket information.



Head Start Registration: Southwest Georgia Community Action Council Inc. holds registration for Head Start from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 8-19. Call 229-985-3610, 229-436-3303 or 1-800-642-3384 for more information.



Author’s Visit: Bill Lightle speaks about and sign sopies of his book, “Mill Daddy: The Life & Times of Roy Davis,” at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Lake Blackshear Regional Library. The public is invited. His books are available at www.blightle.com.



Princess Gala: “One Upon a Dream ... Princess Gala” — the benefit the Middle Flint Chapter of the American Red Cross, ius from 2-4 p.m. March 20 at the Windsor Hotel. Cost is $25/person which includes a chance on a free limosine ride compliments of Dave’s Limos. Come dressed as your favorite princess. Dance with the princess and get a phot made. Meet Prince Charming and try on the glass slipper. Enjoy refreshments and games. Call 924-2026 for more information.



Food Service Classes: ServSafe Training for Food Service Managers is from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. March 30-31 at the Sumter County Agricultural Center, 331 U.S. Highway 19 South. Cost $140 per person. Pre-registration is required; class limited to 25. For more information call Joan Mason

924-4476.



Ellaville

Win a Bike: If you did not get a bicycle for Christmas, now is your chance to win one! For a donation of $5 per ticket, you can win a 26-in., 15-speed mountain bike that will be given away April 17 at Spring Time Ellaville. All proceeds go toward the renovation of the John Lewis Resource Center (the old John Lewis High School). For tickets, call Jonah or Maggarie K. McCluster at 828-6164.



Lumpkin

Star Gazing: Providence Canyon State Park hosts an evening of star gazing deom 7-9 p.m. Feb. 13. The Coca-Cola Space Science Center and Columbus State University present this program in the main picnic area at the state park beginning with a PowerPoint presentation showing what the awesome skies above us may display, and then throughout the evening, telescopes will be set up to view different stars, planets and other celestial sites. You may bring your own telescope to the program for instructions and viewing or enjoy the ones that are provided. Providence Canyon State Park is an ideal location to view the night skies because there is no light pollution in the area. It is located in Stewart County, eight miles west of Lumpkin, on Ga. Highway 39C. For more information call 229-838-4706 or contact us at providence.canyon.park@ dnr.state.ga.us. There’s a $5 parking per vehicle.



Fort Valley

Miss Georgia Peach: The Miss Georgia Peach Pageant, a sanctioned event sponsored by the Georgia Peach Festival, is March 20 at the C.W. Pettigrew Center at Fort Valley State University. The age divisions are: Tiny Miss (age 4-6), Little Miss (age 7-10), Junior Miss (age 11-13), Teen Miss (age 14-16) and Miss (age 17-23). All contestants will be judged on poise/personality, beauty and projection. The Teen and Miss will compete in interview and all categories except Tiny may compete in optional talent. The Miss Georgia Peach Queen will receive a $1,000 and all other queens receive $100 savings bonds. All queens will be win banner, crown, gift basket and trophy. All queens will be the official ambassadors during the Georgia Peach Festival held in June at Byron and Fort Valley. For more information or application visit the official website http://www.missgeorgiapeach.org or call 478-923-3846.



Macon

Teacher Recruitment: A Teacher Recruitment Fair for Twiggs, Peach, Monroe, Crawford and Bibb counties is from 9 a.m.-noon March 6 at Westside High School. Directions to Westside: From I-475, take Exit 5. Go west on Highway 74 to stop light at Food Lion Shopping Center. Take left onto Heath Road. Westside High School is approximately one mile on the right. For more information, call 478-475-8630.



Ongoing

Americus

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.



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.



4-E Center Registration: 4-E Center Inc. is holding after-school registration for grades K-8th grades from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Students for Change program for expelled or suspended students, is from 9 a.m.-noon for $40 per student. Partial scholarships are available. Space is limited. Call 928-5605 for information.



Farmers’ Market: Lenny’s Market is now open for business from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.



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 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. E-mail 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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.

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