From Staff Reports
AMERICUS — Americus
Flu Vaccine Available: The Sumter County Health Department has received 200 doses of the seasonal flu vaccine. Cost is $23. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted. No appointment necessary.
Farmers’ Market: Lenny’s Market is now open for business from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
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.
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.
Upcoming
Americus
Free Insurance Help: An investigator from the Office iof State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine is scheduled to be in Americus from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 4 at the Courthouse. Call 928-4551 to confirm the investigator’s schedule. In addition to receiving assistance with insurance problems or questions, the Commissioner’s Office offers complimentary homeowner, automobile and life insurance policy reviews. This service is designed to provide you with information you should know before purchasing insurance and how to avoid common mistakes. If you cannot meet with the investigator during these hours there are other ways you can receive assistance. Investigators are available to assist you by phone from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays; call toll free 1-800-656-2298 or visit www.gainsurance.org.
Library Board: The Sumter County Library Board of Trustees meets at 6 p.m. Jan. 5 at Lake Blackshear Regional Library, 307 E. Lamar St. The meeting is open to the public.
USDA Rural Development to conduct workshop on funding opportunities:
Representatives from USDA Rural Development will conduct a workshop about funding opportunities for government bodies and non-profit corporations from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 7 at the Marshallville Community Center, 409 South St., Marshallville. The workshop will provide an overview of all Rural Development programs, including a special presentation on business programs. The community is invited to attend. RSVP is requested by Jan. 4 to Joanne White at 478-967-2535.
Food Service Training: Servsafe® Training for Food Service Managers presented by UGA Cooperative Extension is Jan. 13-14 at the Sumter County Agricultural Center, 331 U.S. Highway 19 South. Cost $140. Pre-Registration is required. Class space is limited. For information call Joan Mason at 924-4476.
Author’s Visit: Bill Lightle will speak 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.
Leesburg
Beauty Pageants: Girls ages 1-15 years are invited to participate in the Little Miss South Georgia Pageants set for Jan. 9 at Lee County High School. There are five divisions of competition: Wee Miss, ages 1-2; Petite Miss, ages 3-5; Little Miss, ages 6-9; Junior Miss, ages 10-12, and Teen Miss, ages 13-15. The winner in each division wins a prize package that includes a cash award of $100, a crown and more. In addition to the on-stage competitions, there will be optional competitions for Miss Photogenic and Prettiest Dress. Entry fee for the stage competition is $30, and the fee for each of the optional competitions is $10. Entry forms and complete pageant details are available at each of the Lee County schools and by contacting dotty@bellsouth.net. There is limited space in each division. Girls from across South Georgia are invited to participate. The deadline for entering the pageants is Jan. 4. The pageants are sponsored by the Leesburg and Lee County Jr. Miss Scholarship Programs and the LCHS Theatre Arts Program.
Ongoing
Americus
Free Computer Classes: In January, Lake Blackshear Regional Library will be offering free computer classes on Saturdays. The first beginners’ internet class will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 9. The first personal computer basics class will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 16 and the first personal computer maintenance and security class will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 23. 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., Americus, call 924-8091 or visit the Web site at lbrls.org for more information.
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.
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.
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.
