AMERICUS
Applications Accepted: The Advancing Sumter Community Leadership Development Program is accepting applications for its 2017 sessions. Classes are held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan. 17 – April 4. Applications are found at www.sumtercountychamber.com. Select Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Development Division, Advancing Sumter. The fee is $50. Deadline for applications is Dec. 6. For information call Andrea Oates, 229-931-2705 or aoates@southgatech.edu, or Archway Professional Mary Alice Applegate, 229-938-9385 or mapple@uga.edu.

Sumter on Ice: Sponsored by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, the ice is officially open in Rylander Park, downtown, and will be brought daily to families throughout South Georgia throughout the month of December, closing on Dec. 30 in time to ring in the New Year. Skates in all sizes are available for children and adults of all ages to rent. The cost to skate is $5 per person for an hour; and groups can rent the rink on Mondays for holiday parties and gatherings for a group rate of $300 an hour. Hours of operation are: Monday, close to public/open to group sales; 4-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Saturdays and 1-6 p.m. Sundays. The ice is open Christmas Eve during regular operating hours, but will be closed Christmas Day in observance of the holiday. The Americus Times-Recorder is one of the media partners of the event.

Servsafe® Training: Servsafe® Training for Food Service Managers is Jan. 25 and 26. Pre-registration is required by Jan. 5. Cost is $140. Call 924-4476 for information or stop by the Sumter County Extension Office, Sumter County Agricultural Center, 127 William Bowen Pointe.

Ongoing
Americus
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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Call 478-472-6518 to confirm meeting.