Staff Writer
The Americus Times-Recorder
AMERICUS —
This Week
Americus
Leadership Sumter: If you think you know everything there is to know about Americus and Sumter County, then you haven’t taken the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Sumter Class! Applications for the 2010-2011 Leadership Sumter Class are now available. Tuition is $200 for the class which meets once a month for nine months. Employers are welcome to submit their nominations, but hurry, space is limited! Call 924-2646!
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 924-1434.
Ellaville
Concerned Citizens: The Schley County Association of Concerned Citizens Inc. holds its monthly board meeting at 5 p.m. Monday at the John Lewis Resource Center on North Spivey Street. The meeting is open to the public.
Cordele
Home Buyer Education: Southwest Georgia United Empowerment Zone hosts a Home Buyer Education Workshop from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Crisp Area Arts Alliance, 701 E. 17th Ave. Call Janet Clark-Tisdol 229-268-7592, ext. 257.
Looking Ahead
Americus
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.
Auditions: Interested in theatre? In 8th through 12th grade? Come audition for the Sumter Players Jesters Youth Theatre group from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 30 and 31 at The Experimental Theatre in Georgia SouthWestern State University’s Fine Arts Building. We’re casting a play to be performed for elementary school students on Oct. 15 at the Youth Festival of the Georgia Theatre Conference in Savannah. We’ll also be performing the same play as part of a double bill Nov. 18-22 with Androcles and the Lion at the Rylander Theatre. Come prepared to do a cold reading and to move!
Class of 1985: The planning committee for the Americus High School Class of 1985 has planned events and activities for its 25th reunion Sept. 3-5. Call Jackie Davis Holmes 942-3257 or Michelle Fench-Darmon 770-329-8983.
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.
Fun Day: The American Legion Post 558 and the Shriners sponsor a Family and Friends Fun Day from 2-7 p.m. Sept. 5 at Boone Park on Rucker Street.
Book Signing: Georgia native and cookbook author, Jan Thomas, signs her debut book "Let the Tradition Continue" from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 11 at The Maze, 131 W. Forsyth St. The recently released collection contains hundreds of delicious southern recipes which have been passed down through generations. Call 928-9688.
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. Call Cary Christian 938-2530 or Jimmy or Wadean Thaxton 924-2255.
Food Service Training: Servsafe® Training for Food Service Managers is offered Oct. 13-14 at the Sumter County Extension Office, Sumter County Agricultural Center, 331 U.S. Highway 19 South. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $140. Call 924-4476 or stop by the office.
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.
Volunteers Needed: Andersonville National Historic Site is seeking volunteers to assist visitors at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, Sept. 17-25. Volunteers will look up names on computers and help visitors locate those names on the Wall. The historic site also needs volunteers to direct traffic and assist with parking Sept. 16-20. Shifts are available from 8 a.m. to park closing. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate in this community event that honors our nation’s veterans. Call Park Ranger Cashea Arrington at 924-0343.
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.
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.
