Town Crier: Oct. 10, 2015

Published 3:44 pm Saturday, October 10, 2015

Americus
Relay for Life Shirt: Americus Fire & Emergency Services’ new 2015 t-shirts are in and ready for sale. Call Harriett Williams at 924-3213 to order. Funds go toward Relay for Life.

Senior Event: Savvy Senior Event is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 13 at Williams Road Church of Christ Fellowship Hall. Nursing students from South Georgia Tech will do health checks and Georgia Cares will do private consults on Medicare and assist in open enrollment. There will be information on free smoke detectors, free legal advice, free hot meals delivered to homes, etc. Sponsored by Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Georgia Cares, River Valley Area Agency on Aging and the Aging and Disability Resource Center. Open to the public. For information call Shameika Averett 1-866-552-4464. Door prizes and refreshments available.

Board Meeting: The Middle Flint Behavioral HealthCare Community Service Board meets at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the administrative offices, 415 N. Jackson St. Agenda available upon request (Marsha Cox 931-4435) and the meeting is open to the public.

Women’s Handgun Class: Sumter County Sheriff Pete Smith is again offering a ladies handgun safety course starting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Sumter County Ag Center, off U.S. Highway 19 South.  Pre-registration is required due to limited class size. If you do not have a permit, you will need to bring your personal ID for background check purposes. The shooting range portion of the course starts at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the range on McMath Mill Road. Bring your own handgun and 30 rounds of ammunition. Also it is recommended that you bring a hat for the range. This is a free course offered by the Sheriff’s Office.  Anyone wishing to attend the course call Lt. Anthony King or Melinda Davis at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at 229-924-4094 ext. 221 or ext. 232.

Kiwanis Pet Parade: The annual Kiwanis Pet Parade and Downtown Treat or Treat is from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 29 downtown. Participating businesses should have enough candy or treats and some use balloons, pencils or other goodies, and should call 928-6059 by Oct. 16. Wristbands for children will be distributed under the tent at the Public Safety Building parking lot. The wristbands are for children toddler to age 10. If children without wristbands come to your business, kindly direct them to the tent. Registration for Pet Parade begins at 3 p.m. in front of First Presbyterian Church, Jackson Street. Everyone is invited to free Zombie Zumba from 6-7 p.m. in Rylander Park, downtown.

Sweet Potato Fundraiser: Sumter County 4-H is selling sweet potatoes, $25 per 40-lb. box. Deadline for ordering is Oct. 23. Potatoes will be ready for pick up Nov. 10. Call 924-4476 to order.

Quarterly Meeting: The Americus Sumter County Chamber of Commerce holds its quarterly membership luncheon meeting at noon Nov. 4 in the faculty dining room, Georgia Southwestern State University. Speaker is Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D. Georgia Department of public Health and State Health Officer. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For reservations, call 924-2646.

Poinsettia Sale: Sumter County 4-H is taking orders for big, 3-ft. tall poinsettias as a fundraiser. Plants are $20 each. Deadline to order is Nov. 4 and pick up is Dec. 4. Choose from red, white, pink or marbled. Call 924-4476 to order.

DeSoto
Fall Festival: A Fall Community Festival is from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31 in downtown. Event features fall fun for the family including live music, candy, great food, carnival games and more. To donate or set up a booth, treat-n-trunk or game station, call Cynthia Wright at 815-9226.

Plains
Town Hall Meeting: Phoebe Sumter Medical Center hosts a Town Hall Meeting on community health at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Plains Community Center, located behind the Plains Historic Inn, at 106 Main St. This meeting is open to the public. Phoebe Sumter representatives will give updates on the current state of healthcare in Southwest Georgia and an update regarding items specific to Sumter County. There will also be a question and answer session as well. For nformation, call 931-6812.

Preston
Olde Tyme Fair: The annual event is Oct. 24 on the Courthouse Square featuring jewelry, food, games, crafts and more. For a booth call Bonnie at 828-5775. There will also be live entertainment. To participate call Milinda at 828-6105. An art auction benefits a fund for cancer patients in Webster and Stewart counties. Parade participants are also welcome such as floats, cars, trucks, school classes, sports groups, honor groups, etc. Event lasts all day.

Cordele
Day Out with Thomas®: The Celebration Tour 2015 is at Georgia Veterans State Park from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 16-18, and again 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 24 and 25. The event offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends® series. In addition, children will meet Sir Topham Hatt™, controller of the railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities including arts and crafts, storytelling and more. Cost is $22.

Albany
Retirees Meeting: The Albany Chapter of National Active and Retired Federal Employees meets at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 21 at  Knights of Columbus, 2009 Gillionville Road. Speaker is Jack Fordham on 2016 Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Buffet lunch available.

Ongoing
Americus
Six Flags Tickets: 2015 Six Flags Tickets are available for $41.50 each at the Sumter County Extension/4-H Office, Sumter County Agricultural Center, 127 William Bowen Pointe. (Save $25.27. Gate Price is $66.77. Cash only! Call 229-924-4476 for information. Ticket valid any regular operating day through Jan. 3, 2016.

Volunteers Needed: Learning for Everyone Inc. (LEAP) is seeking volunteers for its Mentor Partnership with the Sumter County School System. Volunteers will mentor children in the grades 3-9. Interested applicants may check out our website at www.learningforeveryone.org or contact Brittany Dawson, Mentor coordinator at 229-924-9443 or bdawson@learningforeveryone.org. They may also attend our mentor trainings. Mentor trainings are held at 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at 200 Cotton Ave.

Volunteers Needed: The Flint River Chapter of the American Red Cross seeks volunteers willing to invest time in Disaster Preparedness Education for our chapter and the surrounding areas. We are looking for dedicated individuals that are willing to speak and train others on what to do before, during and after a disaster. Any volunteer with time on his/her hands is an excellent candidate for this program. This is of vital importance to our area as we never know when a disaster will happen. Call Marvin Grace, Community Disaster Educator at 229-733-9738 or the chapter at 229-436-4845 for more information.

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

Become a Mentor:  LEAP “Learning for Everyone … Avenue to Progress” continues to provide mentorship to elementary, middle and ninth-grade academy students and free adult education classes to the citizens of Sumter County. LEAP is currently accepting applications for the 2013-2014 school year. Applicants need to be 18 or older and commit 30 minutes per week for one academic school year. For more information or to make a donation, contact Brittany Dawson at leapcis@gmail.com or call at 229-924-9443.

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.

Help Available: The ROAD Program (Reaching Out to Assess Dementia) is a free and confidential memory screening. The  goal at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving is to screen for memory loss and refer for further follow-up, as indicated. Stay active in your care and decision making. Call today for free screening 229-928-1234.

GED Testing Hours: GED testing at the Stein Center are 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and the first Saturday of each month.

Recycling Project: 4-E Learning & Prevention Center Inc. is sponsoring a recycling project. Call 928-5605 to make arrangements for delivery or pick-up of large items. Bring other items to the 4-E Center, 1405 First Montgomery St. All types of metals are needed such as old vehicles, bikes, electronics, microwave ovens, file cabinets, appliances, etc.; aluminum items; paper items such as old books, magazines, etc.; plastics such as water and drink bottles and other items; and ink cartridges of all sizes, brands and kinds.

4-E Learning & Prevention Center: After School program for K-8th grade students is 2:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Registration fee is $25 or $60 for pickup from school. You might be eligible for free or reduced child care. Contact DFCS. To register, call 928-5605 or e-mail fourecenter@yahoo.com or apply online at www.compass.ga.gov

Youth Mentoring: Love & Mercy Outreach Programs Inc. presents the S.O.L.A.C.E. Youth Mentoring Program from 7-8 p.m. every Saturday at 1243 Faith St. Annex Building; LMOP Inc. Activities Center. All teens ages 12-18 are welcome. For more information or for a ride, contact Tanya Reese 229-591-2565 or Qaijuan Willis 229-942-7220. Also e-mail us at solaceyouthprogram@gmail.com

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.

Faith Clinic: Sumter Faith Clinic is a non-profit organization directed at meeting the spiritual and health care needs of residents of Sumter County who do not have health insurance or an affordable means to health care. Services include basic, non-emergent medical care of acute conditions as well as treatment of some chronic conditions. Services are delivered by volunteers. The clinic is located at 127 S. Jackson St. next to First Presbyterian Church. Hours of operation are 6-9 p.m. Mondays and 1- 5 p.m. Thursdays.

CPR Classes: Americus Fire and Emergency Services will offer American Heart Association CPR certification classes. Call Harriett Williams at 924-3213 for more information.

Water Restrictions: The City of Americus has implemented the following water restrictions, established by the State Environmental Protection Division. Outdoor water use for the purpose of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants is allowed daily, but limited to between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. Outdoor water use for any purposes other than watering of plants, such as power washing or residential car washing, is limited to an odd/even address watering schedule. Odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even numbered addresses are allowed to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. For more information please call 924-4411 ex 232.

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 is looking for volunteers to help with the needs of the terminally ill and their loved ones. This includes house-sitting, doing light chores or just providing spiritual or emotional support during this difficult time. Call Wendy Peacock 928-4000 if interested in becoming a volunteer.

Needs Volunteers: 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 Nikki Jones 924-9352, ext. 3089.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Al-Anon: You do not have to be an alcoholic to suffer from the affects 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.

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 Sherry Beck, 924-9352, ext. 3079.

Plains
Lions Club: The Plains Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Call President Doug McKinney  at 924-1433 or information.

Free Classes: GED prep classes are offered from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at the Boys & Girls Club. Classes and books are free. Participants can study independently. Practice GED tests are given. Call 824-5388 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.

Cordele
State Park Programs: Georgia Veterans State Park is gearing up for the upcoming school year. It offers excellent field trips that cover a wide range of classroom material. There are four miles of nature trails that can be explored and is an excellent teaching tool. This trail offer examples of invasive species to Georgia, natural habitats for wildlife and is great exercise. There are also tours of indoor museums and outdoor exhibits. The indoor museum features artifacts dating from the Civil War to the recent Gulf War. Outdoor exhibits include a B-29 Super Fortress, a Sherman tank, a Patton tank and a “Huey” helicopter. All nature trails and museum tours are guided by Amanda Norris, activities coordinator and the cost is $1 per student. There are picnic tables available for lunch. The park is open seven days a week and scheduling a tour would not be an issue for multiple class field trips. For more, call Amanda at Georgia Veterans State Park 229-276-2371.