Americus
Authority Meeting: The Schley Sumter Macon Webster Joint Development Authority has its quarterly meeting at 4 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Rees Park Economic Development Center, 409 Elm Ave.

Citizen’s Police Academy: The Americus Police Department presents The Citizen’s Police Academy, Tuesday and Thursday nights from Oct. 2-Nov. 13. This 12-session course is intended to give citizens an overview of basic police operations and provide a forum for discussion of current events and issues. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and must be willing to commit to attend the full schedule of training. To register for the course, stop by the police department, call Sgt. John Brown at 229-924-3677 ext. 325, email jbrown@americusga.gov, or register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MZJRYPM This program is free and open to the public.

Coffee with a Cop: Café Campesino hosts the third annual National Coffee with a Cop from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Oct. 3. Come and talk to members of the Americus Police Department, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Southwestern State University Public Safety and the Georgia State Patrol to show your support and ask questions.

Cowpoke Carnival: The Americus Junior Service League hosts the 26th annual Cowpoke Carnival from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Sumter County Fairgrounds, Ga. Highway 30 West. Tickets available from league members, Citizens Bank of Americus (premier sponsor), and Clinic Drugs. Admission is $6/advance, $8/at door. Includes $3 in tokens. Costume Contest is at 11:30 a.m. Features new games, yummy food and prizes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children age 2 and under admitted free. All proceeds benefit community project.

Scholarship Event: Americus Arts Council hosts Live from Americus, a music scholarship event, from 8-10:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Rylander Theatre.

Pumpkin Patch: Americus Arts Council hosts Pumpkin Carving from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Arts Center, downtown.

Empty Bowls: Americus Arts Council hosts a fundraiser for Harvest of Hope Food Pantry along with Little Brother’s Bistro from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Arts Center, downtown.

Food Service Training: Servsafe® Training for Food Service Managers is held Nov. 12 and 13. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $140. Call 924-4476 for information or stop by the Sumter County Extension Office, Sumter County Agricultural Center, 127 William Bowen Pointe.

Ellaville
Mum Sale: It’s that time of year again, the Schley County FFA is selling chrysanthemums. They are $5 per plant and come in red, yellow, and orange. The plants are grown and sold in one-gallon pots. All money raised will go toward the chapter and the members for activities during the year. Mums can be purchased through FFA members or Eric Sellers at esellers@schleyk12.org, or call the school at 229-924-0506.

BUENA VISTA
Proposed Dates: River Valley Regional Council’s proposed meeting dates are listed here. All meetings are at 10:30 a.m. at the Marion County Commission office, 100 E. Burkhalter Ave., Buena Vista, and are open to the public: Sept. 26, Oct. 24, Nov. 28, December – No Meeting, Jan. 23, 2019, Feb. 27, March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26.

ALBANY
Alzheimer’s Walk: Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Oct. 20 at the nature trails behind Modern Gas in Albany. Registration begins at 5 p.m. Nearly 350 people from the South Georgia area including Baker, Clay, Crisp, Dougherty, Early, Lee, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell, Webster and Worth counties are expected at this year’s event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease. Walk participants will complete a two-mile walk and will learn about Alzheimer’s disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical studies enrollment and support programs and services from the Alzheimer’s Association. Walk participants will also honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony. Register today. Sign up as a Team Captain, join a team or register to walk as an individual at alz.org/walk.

COLUMBUS
Review Panel: The Citizens Review Panel for the River Valley Region created under the Transportation Investment Act of 2012, meet at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at the River Valley Regional Commission, 710 Front Ave., Suite A. The purpose of the meeting is to review the progress of projects included in the approved Investment list for the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST). The meeting is open to the public.

Ongoing
Americus
After School: Tutorial Services will be offered for students in grades 2 and 3 in the areas of reading and math from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays. If you are interested in these services, call 229-591-3824 or 229-844-8129 for more information. Services will be rendered on a first come, first-serve basis.

Grief Share: A support group for people dealing with grief meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month at First Baptist Church.
Georgia Cares: River Valley Area Agency on Aging wants you to know about GeorgiaCares, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). It helps people with questions about Medicare. You can get free one-on-one counseling to help you make informed decisions about your medical, hospital, and drug coverage. You may qualify to save money on Medicare premiums, deductibles and even co-payments. Call GeorgiaCares at 1-866-552-4464 and press option 4 to speak with a counselor. There is a Counseling station located in Sumter County at the Americus Senior Center, 717 N. Jackson St. Americus and open from 10 a.m.-noon on the second Monday of each month.

Volunteers Needed: Harvest of Hope Food Pantry needs more volunteers of all ages on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 606 McGarrah St. For information contact Jan Olek at btrflyjan@yahoo.com.

Foster Care: HOPE Foster Care, a ministry of The Methodist Home, is working to recruit and train successful foster parents in the Southwest Georgia community. May is National Foster Care Awareness month and the need for foster families is significant. There are approximately 1,000 children in foster care in our community and HOPE Foster Care is working to combat that problem by increasing the number of foster parents who feel equipped to welcome a foster child into their home. The next foster parent training will begin in June, so those interested should contact Beth Greene at 478-464-3025. If you are interested in learning more about HOPE Foster Care, visit www.HopeFosterCare.org.
Six Flags Tickets: Stop by the Sumter County 4-H Office, Sumter County Agricultural Center, William Bowen Pointe to purchase your ticket(s) for $48.50 each and save! Cash only and no refunds. Gate price is $74.19. Tickets valid any regular operating day in the 2018 season. Children age to and under get in free. Call 229-924-4486.
Caregivers’ Companion: The monthly Caregivers’ Companion Support Group meets the at 6 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at the Roman Oven Pizzeria. All former and current caregivers for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia are welcome. Meals are Dutch treat.
Free Service: Americus Fire & Emergency Services offers free blood pressure checks from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Station 1 (South Lee Street).

Narcotics Anonymous: First Step Group meetings have moved to a new location at 126 Forest Street and are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

Weight Watchers: Weight Watchers meets Thursdays at First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Jackson St. Weigh-in is at 5 p.m., followed by meeting at 5:30 p.m. Visit weightwatchers.com

Mustard Seed House: Calvary Episcopal Church’s Mustard Seed House is open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday on Brannan Avenue. Stop by for some great deals.

Al-Anon: You do not have to be an alcoholic to suffer from the effects of alcoholism. Al-Anon offers a safe place to recover from the effects of another person’s drinking. Meetings are 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays at the AA Clubhouse, Ga. Highway 30. All meetings are confidential and open to interested persons.

A.A. Meetings: Alcoholics Anonymous meets from 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays at New Beginnings and the Addiction Recovery Center of Middle Flint Behavioral Healthcare, 952 Anthony St. (across from GSW baseball field). Call 928-2201 for more information.
Friends of Bill W.: Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays at 702 Adderton St. Call 229-815-6991 for information.

GED Testing Hours: GED testing at the McClain Center at South Georgia Technical College is 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays and the first Saturday of each month. Free GED classes are available. Call 229-931-7323.

Anonymous Crime Tipline: The Americus Police Department has an anonymous crime tip line 924-4102. Citizens can leave information for police about crime in their neighborhood or other areas. The calls are completely anonymous.

Drug Problems: Narcotics Anonymous meets 7:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays for members only. A meeting open to the public is held 7:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. All meetings are held at Williams Road Church of Christ. Call George C. 942-3752 or Charlie S. 938-0218 for more information.

Volunteers Needed: Phoebe Sumter Hospice, a local nonprofit, is looking for volunteers to serve as a member of the hospice team by sharing skills and interests in a manner that provides comfort and enriches the quality of life for those served. As a volunteer, you serve with patients or help in the office with staff. If you are interested please call Belinda Bond at 229-931-7421/ the office 229-928-4000 or email nfranklin@phoebesummter.org

Volunteers Needed: The Mattie Marshall Center is looking for volunteers to help do activities. Do you play an instrument, sing, dance or have a club or group that would like to come visit? We need volunteers of all ages and types for parties, Bingo, exercise, church services, snacks, etc. For information call Charlotte Watts 924-9352, ext. 3089.

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.

Support Group: The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group meets from noon-1:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month in the Magnolia Room at Magnolia Manor Retirement Center. A light lunch will be served.

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 229-331-8160.

American Legion: American Legion Post 2 meets at 6 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 every month at the Masonic Temple, 1209 Crawford St.

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.

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.

Al-Anon: You do not have to be an alcoholic to suffer from the effects of alcoholism. We offer a safe place to recover from the effects of another person’s drinking. Meetings are 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Carswell House, Calvary Episcopal Church, 133 Brannan Ave. All meetings are confidential and open to interested persons.

Plains
Lions Club: The Plains Lions Club meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Call President Bill Johnson at 703-851-2136 or information.

Free Classes: GED prep classes are offered from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Boys & Girls Club. Classes and books are free. Participants can study independently. Practice GED tests are given. Call 229-931-7325 or South Georgia Technical College Adult Literacy for more information.

Ellaville
AA Meetings: Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the John Gill House, 2237 S. Broad St. between Ameris Bank and Ellaville United Methodist Church. Call for 815-3001 for more information.

Montezuma
Al-Anon: The Macon County Al-Anon Family Group has changed its meeting time from Wednesday nights to 1:30 p.m. Sundays at St. Mary’s, 608 Rawls St. Parking is in front of the church. Call 478-472-6518 to confirm meeting.

Albany
Mental Illness Support: NAMI Albany, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, offers support, education and advocacy, and regular programs and support groups meet at the Advocacy Resource Center, 3005 Old Dawson Road. Look for the NAMI signs. Night Education Program, open to the public is from 6-8 p.m. p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. Connection group for adults in recovery; Family group for family and close friends meet from 7:30-8:30 p.m. the second Tuesday. Family & Connection groups meet 6:30-8 p.m. fourth Tuesday of the month. Call for information: (229) 329 1444 or albanynami@gmail.com