Staff Writer
The Americus Times-Recorder
AMERICUS —
Today’s Events
Americus
Called Meeting: The Sumter County Board of Commissioners has a special called meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday 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.
‘How to Improve Your Credit Score’ Workshop: South Georgia Technical College will host a “How to Improve Your Credit Score” workshop at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Weyerhaeuser room of the John M. Pope Industrial Center on their Americus campus. Gail Dunn of Wachovia/ Wells Fargo will speak to SGTC students and other interested individuals about how credit score is calculated, ways to improve your credit score and tips to avoid causing a decrease in credit score. Having a good credit score is a must when making a big purchase, such as a car or a home. This workshop will provide valuable information to keep a credit report in good standing. All interested individuals are encouraged to attend the workshop. Call Cynthia Carter at 931-2057.
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.
Looking Ahead
Americus
Sumter/Schley Election Meeting: A meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Sumter/Schley FSA office at the intersection of Ga. Highway 331 and U.S. Highway 19 South is scheduled to discuss the upcoming county committee electiion process. A special emphasis will be placed on socially disadvantaged and minority participation in the elections.
Early Head Start and Head Start: Sumter County Early Head Start and Head Start’s staff has begun. Open House is from 5-7 p.m. Thursday and the first day of school is Aug. 2. Call Krystal Austin 924-7666.
Board Meeting: The Sumter County Department of Family and Children Services board meets at 5 p.m. Thursday 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 Thursday 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.
Back to School: AmeriGospel Inc. hosts a Back to School Rally from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at Joyce Myers Park with live entertainment, door prizes and more.
Class of 2001: A class meeting for the Americus High School Class of 2001 reunion is at 5 p.m. Saturday at Ryan’s. All information concerning the reunion will be discussed. Call 850-294-7124 or visit americushighschoolclassof2001@yahoo.com
Sumter County Schools’ Open House: Sumter County Schools will have open houses Tuesday. From 5-7 p.m., students may visit their primary and elementary schools. From 6-8 p.m., students may visit their middle schools, the Ninth Grade Academy and Americus-Sumter High School-South campus.
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. Tuesday, 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.
Back to School Community Outreach: A back-to-school community outreach event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at Victory Worship Center. The fire department will be cooking hotdogs and will be giving them out, along with drinks and chips at no charge to whoever comes first. There will be games, face painting and jumping castles. They’ll also be giving out back-to-school supplies for free for as long as supplies last. Call Warren Alford at 942-3307.
Authority Meeting: The Schley-Sumter-Macon Joint Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Aug. 12. The meeting is open to the public.
Welcome Back Party: An Alumni & Students Welcome Back Party, hosted by the Georgia Southwestern State University Alumni Association is from 6-10 p.m. Aug. 21 on the Front Lawn. The event features a cookout and dance featuring Atlanta Rhythm & Groove. Admission is $10/alumni. GSW students free with student ID. Cash bar available: Bring a blanket. Reservations: 928-1373 or alumni@gsw.edu
First Aid/CPR/AED Program Instructor Course: A First Aid/CPR/AED program instructor course is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 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. The cost is $150. Call the Middle Flint Chapter of the American Red Cross at 229-924-2026 to reserve a place.
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. 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. 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. Tuesday 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 and 25 at the Crisp Area Arts Alliance, 701 E. 17th Ave. Call Janet Clark-Tisdol 229-268-7592, ext. 257.
Albany
Flint RiverQuarium reduced admission price: Every Sunday in August, the Flint RiverQuarium guests will receive $5 admission to the Flint RiverQuarium. Tickets can be upgraded to include a movie at the Imagination Theater for $1. These prices cannot be combined with any other discounts. The Flint RiverQuarium is open from 1-5 p.m. Sundays.
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). 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. 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 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.
