Your Community FYI
Local log 2/7
AMERICUS — This Week
Americus
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 985-3610, 436-3303 or 800-642-3384.
School Board: The following committees of the Sumter County Board of Education meet Monday: personnel at 5 p.m., property at 5 p.m. and finance at 5:30 p.m. A board work session follows at 6 p.m. All are at the administration building, 100 Learning Lane and all are open to the public.
Administrative Briefing: The Americus Mayor and Council have an administrative briefing at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the third-floor meeting room, Municipal Building. The meeting is open to the public.
Game Night: Magnolia Manor hosts Game Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Magnolia Room at the Retirement Center to benefit the League of the Good Samaritan. Featured games include bridge, bunco, hand & foot, canasta and checkers. Cost is $15 per person and includes prizes and finger foods. Call Ruth Jones at 924-2894 to reserve a table.
Lions Club: The Americus Lion's Club meets at noon Tuesday at Ryan's Family Steak House. The local Lion's club is the beneficiary of the proceeds to be used for purchase of eye exams, glasses and hearing aids in the Americus area.
PDA Meeting: The Americus-Sumter County Payroll Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Rees Park Economic Development Center, 409 Elm Ave. in the second-floor conference room. The meeting is open to the public.
Cotton Meeting: Sumter County farmers are invited to a Cotton Production Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Sumter County Agricultural Center Auditorium, 331 U.S. Highway 19 South. Private and Commercial Applicators will earn one-hour credit toward their pesticide license.
Third World Series: "Major Historical and Contemporary Developments in Ghana" is the subject of Georgia Southwestern State University's (GSW) Third World seminar at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Room 301 of the Roney Building. The public is invited to this free program. Featured speaker is Daniel Buor, Ph.D., a professor of geography and provost of the College of Arts and Sciences at Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Brian R. Parkinson, Ph.D., GSW assistant professor of history, will serve as the respondent.
Meeting Canceled: The work session of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners that was scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday has been canceled. The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners is at 1 p.m. Thursday. The meeting is open to the public.
School Board: The Sumter County Board of Education meets at 7 p.m. Thursday at the administration building, 100 Learning Lane and is open to the public.
City Committees: The Americus City Council committees meet at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the third-floor meeting room, Municipal Building. The meetings are open to the public.
Historic Preservation: The City of Americus Historic Preservation Commission meets at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the second-floor meeting room, Municipal Building. The meeting is open to the public.
Free Classes: Lake Blackshear Regional Library offers Microsoft Excel for Beginners at 11 a.m. Saturday. 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.
Lumpkin
Star Gazing: Providence Canyon State Park hosts an evening of star gazing from 7-9 p.m. Saturday. 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. Call 838-4706 or e-mail providence.canyon. park@dnr.state.ga.us. There’s a $5 parking per vehicle.
Looking Ahead
Americus
Agenda Setting Meeting: The Americus Mayor and City Council/staff hold an agenda setting meeting at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in the third-floor meeting room, Municipal Building. The meeting is open to the public.
Art Class: Adult art class with Bruce Case starts at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 in the second-floor arts room, Rees Park Economic Development Center. The class will take two or three Tuesdays to complete depending on the participants’ painting experience.
Commission Meeting: The City of Americus Planning and Zoning Commission meets at 4 p.m. Feb. 16 in the second-floor meeting room, Municipal Building. The meeting is open to the public.
Theater/Cultural Authority: The Americus Theater and Cultural Authority meets at 4 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Pace Conference Room, Rylander Theatre. The meeting is open to the public.
Tourism Council: The Americus-Sumter County Tourism Council meets Feb. 17 at the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, Rees Park Economic Development Authority. The executive committee meets at 3: 30 p.m., followed by the board at 4 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.
Mayor and Council: The Americus Mayor and City Council meet at 5 p.m. Feb. 18 in Council Chambers, Russell Thomas Jr. Public Safety Building. The meeting is open to the public.
Called Meeting: The Americus Mayor and City Council have a called meeting at 5 p.m. Feb. 23 in the second-floor board room, Rees Park Economic Development Center. The meeting is open to the public.
Harlem Ambassadors: Get ready for the dazzling ball-handling tricks, high flying slam dunks and hilarious family comedy. The Americus Lions Club presents the Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Show at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Americus-Sumter County High School South Campus gym as they take on the Americus All-Stars. Advance tickets are $7 students/seniors and $9/adults. Tickets at the door are $9/students/seniors and $11/adults. Children under 4 are free. Sponsored by Phone Sumter Medical Center and Regional Eye Center.
Author’s Visit: Bill Lightle speaks about and sign copies 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.
Casino Night: The Sumter Humane Society hosts a casino night at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at South Georgia Technical College’s Pope Center. Tickets are $50, which includes one chance for a door prize, heavy hors d'oeuvres, play money and a silent auction. Tickets are available at the Sumter Humane Society, area veterinary clinics and at the door. All proceeds go directly to the Sumter Humane Society. Purchase tickets at Sumter’s Humane Society, area veterinarians or at the door.
Plains
Black History: The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site Education Program presents a special play, “Raising a President: The Story of Rachel Clark and Jimmy Carter, for students Feb. 18 and March 18. The free performances are at Plains High School Museum. There are also tours of the Boyhood Farm which includes the tenant farm home of Clark and the childhood home of Carter. To book a field trip, contact Annette Wise, 824-5843. Spaces are limited.
Plains
Presidents’ Day: Jimmy Carter National Historic Site presents Robert K. Hodder as President Theodore Roosevelt in “A Presidents’ Day Celebration with President Theodore Roosevelt” at 2 p.m. Feb. 14 and noon Feb. 15 at Plains High School Auditorium for “T.R. Carrying a Big Stick,” a program depicting the life of Roosevelt. Immediately following the program “President Roosevelt” will socialize and interact with guests. All are welcome. Call 877-GA-Rails.
Ongoing
Americus
Children’s Arts Classes: Art classes for children ages 8 and up are offered weekly at the Rees Park Economic Devlopment Center in the art room, upstairs. Cost is $15 per lesson or $60 per month. Enrollment is limited. For information and to reserve space, call instructor Debbie Harris at 942-3116.
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.
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.
Soup Kitchen: The Soup Kitchen, at 437 S. Hampton St., is open at 6 p.m. every Wednesday to all in need.
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.
Farmers’ Market: Lenny’s Market is now open for business from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ellaville
Recreation Authority: The Ellaville-Schley County Recreation Authority meets the first Thursday of the month. The meetings are open to the public.
