Americus
STEM Camps: South Georgia Technical College hosts two free summer STEM camps for middle and high school students in June and July. Space is limited and admission will be awarded on a first come – first sign up basis. The SGTC STEM Camp in Cordele will be held June 19-21 for students in the grades nine-12 on the SGTC Crisp County Center campus at 402 Midway Road in Cordele. The second camp will be held July 16-19 at the SGTC Americus campus for students in grades 6-8. It will be held at the 900 South Georgia Tech Parkway location. For information about the camps, contact Nancy Fitzgerald at nfitzgerald@southgatech.edu or call 229-931-2508.

Called Meeting: The Sumter County Board of Education holds called meeting at 6 p.m. June 18 to discuss the Ignite College and Career Academy Inc. The meeting will be held in the board room of the Sumter County Schools’ Administration Building and is open to the public.
Blood Drive: Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and the American Red Cross host a blood drive from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, June 22 in the fellowship hall of Americus First Baptist Church, 221 S. Lee St.
Open House: Head Start has open house from 10 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m. July 25. Come out and visit the Head Start Center, to meet with your child’s teacher, receive valuable information about the program, and the program’s expectations. Other vendors will have information to share as well.

Ongoing
Americus
Hydrant Testing: The Americus Fire & Emergency Services has begun its annual hydrant testing. 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.

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.

Free Caregiver Support: Are you or someone you know caring for someone with memory problems? RCI REACH is a free dementia caregiver support program, with eligibility based on caregiver assessment, regardless of income. For more information, email RCI REACH Coach Sissy Bowen, of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, at: sissy.bowen@gsw.edu or call her at: 229-931-4545.
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).

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.

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