Americus
Arts in Rees Park: The Americus-Sumter County Arts Council hosts the annual Arts in Rees Park from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 22. The free event features art, music, food, and family fun. For more information or to sign up to participate, visit the Arts Council’s website americusarts.org/events

Art Competition: A Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition is held in conjunction with Arts in Rees Park from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. April 22. Free to enter and a free set of chalk included. A $100 prize for best individual entry and best group entry will be awarded. For contest rules and to register visit americusarts.org/events

Onion Sale: Sumter County 4-H Club’s Vidalia Onion fundraiser has started. The proceeds will be used to provide programming and summer camp scholarships for youth in Sumter County. Ten-pound bags are $10 each. Place your order at the Sumter County Extension Office by April 24.

Tomato Plants: Sumter County 4-H is selling tomato plants for $1 each. Stop by the Sumter County Extension Office, 127 William Bowen Pointe.

Citizens Review: The Citizens Review Panel for the River Valley Region created under the Transportation Investment Act of 2012 meets at 10 a.m. April 25 at South Georgia Technical College at the Pope Center. The purpose of the meeting is to review the progress of projects included in the approved Investment list for the TSPLOST. The meeting is open to the public.

Hydrant Testing: The Americus Fire & Emergency Services begins annual hydrant testing on April 24 and should be finished within six weeks. These tests are required to maintain Americus’ ISO rating, which affects property insurance rates. They also ensure that the hydrant system is kept in top working order, to keep citizens safe and protect property. If you have discolored water, run your faucets for 10-15 minutes. If, after doing this, your water is still cloudy, call 924-3213.

Jewelry Sale: The Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Auxiliary has a $6 jewelry sale from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 27 and 7 a.m.-4 p.m. April 28 in the Wellness Center at the Hospital Complex.
Relay for Life: Opening ceremonies for the Sumter County Relay for Life event start at 6 p.m. April 28 at Americus-Sumter High School. The Celebration of Life includes the survivor and caregiver laps. A luminaria ceremony begins around 9 p.m. to honor cancer survivors and/or to memorialize those who lost the battle with cancer. You can be a part by purchasing a white luminary bag for a $5 donation, a glow balloon for a single $25 donation, or five balloons for $100, or a tribute torch for $100. Call Rebecca Bobbitt at 229-931-7430.

Plant Sale: The Sumter County Federation of Garden Clubs sponsors a plant sale (annuals, perennials, shrubs, bulbs, garden items, more) at 9 a.m. May 6 at the American Legion building, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Food Service Training: Servsafe® Training for Food Service Managers is July 13-&14. Pre-registration required by June 15. Cost is $140. Call 924-4476 for more information or stop by the Sumter County Extension Office, Sumter County Agricultural Center, 127 William Bowen Pointe.

Steak & Stake  Fundraiser: The annual Boys & Girls Club of Americus/Sumter County Inc. hosts its 19th annual Steak & Stake Charity Fundraiser at 6 p.m. July 25 at the Georgia Southwestern State University Storm Dome. Tickets are $75 each and corporate sponsorships are available. contact Shirley Green-Reese at 229.938.3300, Andrea Sartiano at 229.331.0217, Fredia Gardner at 229.924.9119, Willie Golphin at 229.815.6763, Valecia Sales at 229.815.0991or Susan Ruckman at 229.942.6618 to request tickets or corporate sponsorship for this event. You may also purchase your tickets online with a credit card at www.bgcsumter.org.

Ellaville
911 Authority: The Middle Flint Regional E9-1-1 Authority meets at 4 p.m. April 25at the Regional E9-1-1 Center, 222 Hayes Ave. The meeting is open to the public.

Tifton
Scholarship Pageant: The 78th Annual Miss Georgia Forestry State Scholarship Pageant is in June in Tifton. Baby, Teeny and Tiny Miss Contestants compete June 9. Little and Junior Miss contestants compete June 10. Teen and Miss Contestants compete June 16 and 17. The age divisions are as follow Baby Miss ages birth to 23 months, Teeny Miss ages 2 to 3 years, Tiny Miss ages 4 to 6 years, Little Miss ages 7 to 9 years, Junior Miss ages 10 to 12 years, Teen Miss ages 13 to 16 years and Miss ages 17 to 24 years. The pageant is open to one contestant per county and one contestant per college in the state of Georgia. Contact us today to claim your county title. The Teen and Miss are judged on interview, public speaking, and evening gown. For more information or to enter the State Pageant call Dianne Dominy at 229-238-2851 or 229-386-2681 or email missgaforestry@yahoo.com. Visit our website at missgaforestry.com

Ongoing
Americus
Six Flag Tickets: Stop by the Sumter County 4-H Office, 127 William Bowen Pointe, to purchase your ticket(s) and save! Cash only. Tickets are $45.50 each. No refunds. You save $25.51 on adult tickets and $4.31 on youth and senior citizen tickets. (Youth must be under 48 inches, seniors 55 years or older). Gate Price is $71.01. Tickets valid any regular operating day through Jan. 3, 2018. Children 2 years of age and under free. Questions, call 229.924.4476

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).

GriefShare: First Baptist Church offers a non-denominational video series and biblical concepts for healing after the death of a loved one. Led by caring people, participants are provided workbooks for personal study and receive encouragement through small-group discussion. Meetings are from 7-8:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month. There is no cost and the meetings are open to anyone grieving the death of a loved one. For information call the church 229-924-9035 or Ann Beaver 229-894-9825.
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.

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 www.learningforeveryone.org or call 229-924-9443. 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 Southwest Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross seeks volunteers willing to invest time in Disaster Preparedness Education for our chapter and the surrounding areas. Looking for dedicated individuals 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 229-924-2026 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, 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.

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 ext. 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, 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

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 Charlotte Watts 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.

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.

Plains
Lions Club: The Plains Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Call President Michael Dominick at 942-2419 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.