Today’s Happenings

Americus

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.



Artists Wanted: The Americus and Sumter County Arts Council invites all artists, craftspeople and photographers to participate in the Americus Downtown Holiday Open House Art Sale 4:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at 114 Windsor Ave and outside in the Windsor alley (weather permitting). No fees or charges to participants. For information visit sumer-arts.com or email sumterarts@gamail.com



Fall Craft Fair: Magnolia Manor hosts a Fall Craft Fair from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. today in the Magnolia Room, Magnolia Manor Retirement Center, featuring crafts/handiwork (crotched and knitted items), art and ceramics, and home-baked food Items.



This Weekend

Americus

Fall Bazaar: City Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs hosts a Fall Bazaar from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Community Building (old Colored Hospital), 133 J.R. Campbell St. (formerly Wild Street). Includes clothing and shoes for all ages, jewelry, hats. handbags, household items, etc. Chipped barbecue sandwiches, hotdogs, hamburgers and soft drinks also for sale. Get your car or truck washend at a reasonable price while you shop.



Ellaville

Yard Sale/Barbecue: The Schley County Association of Concerned Citizens Inc. holds a yard sale and barbecue beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday at the John Lewis Resource Center (former John Lewis High School), 860 Spivey St. The yard sale items will sell for no more than $1. The food/concession will sell for more.



Fruit Sale: The Schley County Association of Concerned Citizens Inc. Atlanta Branch is selling fresh fruit: Navel oranges 20 lbs./$18, 40 lbs./$32; red grapefruit 20 lbs./$18, 40 lbs./$32; juice oranges 20 lbs./$18, 40 lbs./$32; tangelos 20 lbs./$18, 40lbs./$32; red and golden Granny Smith apples 20 lbs./$25, 40 lbs./$40. The fruit will be delivered between Dec. 4 and 10. To order, call Maggarie K. McCluster at 828-6164 or Minister Angeli S. Smith 937-2139 or Martha H. Shelton at 937-5165. Proceeds used to fund the SCACCI project — renovating and restoring the old John Lewis High School building which will be used as community center for the citizens of Schley County and surroundings counties.



Cordele

Veterans Tribute: The annual Tribute to Veterans, sponsored by the Friends of Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park, is at 1 p.m. Saturday at the park. State Rep. Buddy Harden is guest speaker with music by the Mercer University Pipes and Drums, and the Lee County High School Chorus. Other activities include a radio-controlled model aiurplane fly-in. All events are free but there is a $5 parking fee per vehicle. Call 229-276-2371 for information.



Looking Ahead

Americus

Lions Club: The Americus Lions Club meets at noon Nov. 10 at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse when Lion President Willie Cooper presides over a business meeting.



Sunshine Club: Come bring a friend and covered dish to the Sunshine Club 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Sumter County Agricultural Center, 331 U.S. Highway 19 South. For information, call Mary Suggs 824-5149, Trish Harvey 928-5616 or Sharon Brown 924-9352, ext. 5965. Everyone is welcome.



Development Authority: The Schley-Sumter-Macon Joint Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Rees Park Economic Development Center, 409 Elm Ave. in the upstairs conference room. The meeting is open to the public.



Golf Tournament: The 4th annual Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce PlatinumTrustee golf tournament is Nov. 20 at Brickyard Plantation. Format is four-man scramble and tee off is 9 a.m. Call in teams by Nov. 13 at 924-2646.



Fall Bazaar: M.B. Council Lodge 13 Masons Fall Bazaar starts at 7 a.m. Nov. 14 at Masonic Lodge Hall, 1209 Crawford St. If you have any items you would like to donate for our sale, call Bobby Harris at 924-3654 or Billy King at 924-3354 for pick-up or drop off.



Walking Trail Anniversary: The public is invited to celebrate the 37th anniversary of Georgia Southwestern State University’s Walking Trail with a few laps from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 14. Sponsored by the Sumter County Unit National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.



Fundraiser: The Fuller Center for Housing has a fish fry fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Sumter County Fairgrounds. The menu will be catfish nuggets or chicken, cheese grits, fried turnips, coleslaw, dessert and a drink. The fundraiser is being held to help raise $100,000 to build two homes in the Americus-Sumter County area. The keynote speaker is Congressman Paul Broun, M.D., of the 10th Congressional District of Georgia. There will also be a raffle.Tickets are available at The Fuller Center for Housing and Sumter Bank &Trust;: $8.50/adults, $6.50/children 12 and under. The 1 Mile Fun Run and Walk Begins at 8a.m. and the 5K Start Time at 8:30 in front of Americus First Presbyterian on South Jackson Street. T-shirts and meal tickets are included with the 5K registration fee. Register at http://fullercenter.org/fishfry5k/ Contact Cathy Smith 924-2900 for more information.



Walk of Fame: The City of Americus invites the public to the Walk of Fame 2009 Ceremony and Reception at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 atthe Rylander Theatre. The inductees are Clarence Jordan, William B. King, Ph.D., J. Frank Myers, Roy Lee and Susan Smith, and Luther Story.



Class of 1994: The Sumter County Comprehensive High School Class of 1994 is planning a Christmas Party. Call Tawanna Wright 942-2893 or Farrell Wilson 942-6725 for tickets. If no answer, leave a message with contact number. Deadline or purchase is Nov. 16.



Theater Authority: The Americus Theater and Cultural Authority meets at 4 p.m. Nov. 10 (instead of Nov. 17 in the Pace Conference Room, Rylander Theatre. The meeting is open to the public.



Tourism Council: The Americus-Sumter Tourism Council meets Nov. 18 at the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce. The executive committee meets at 3:30 p.m. followed by the board at 4 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.



Informational Session: Join Tina Wright from ElderCare Pharmacy to learn about the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan and upcoming changes at 10 a.m. Nov. 19 in the Magnolia Room at the Magnolia Manor Retirement Center, 2001 S. Lee St. For more information or if you wish to attend this program, call Holly Whitehead at 931-5923.



Plains

Cane Syrup Day: Jimmy Carter National Historic Site celebrates Cane Syrup Day, Nov. 21 which highlights cane syrup making in the “good ole days.” Demonstrations are between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and include cane stripping, cane squeezing, syrup making, corn shelling and blacksmithing. Plan to visit the Boyhood Farm at Jimmy Carter National Historic Site for Cane Syrup Day and experience what life was like in the 1930s. There is no charge for this event or to visit the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.



Ellaville

Gubernatorial Candidate: Ray McBerry, Republican gubernatorial candidate, speaks at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Old Gym. The public is invited.



Ongoing

Americus

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.



Six Flags Tickets: Stop by the Sumter County Extension Office to purchase 2009 Six Flags ticket for only $28. Tickets are valid any regular operating day through Nov. 1. For information call 924-4476.



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.



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 e-mail 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.



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 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.



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

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.