Americus
Retreat Date Change: The Sumter County Board of Commissioners annual retreat date has been changed from Jan. 26 to Feb. 2, beginning at 8 a.m. at South Georgia Technical College. The retreat is open to the public.

Work Session Date Changed: The Sumter County Board of Commissioners work session meeting date has been changed from Feb. 12 to Feb. 5, 2019 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Sumter County Courthouse at 500 W. Lamar St. The meeting is open to the public.

Food Service Training: Servsafe® Training for Food Service Managers is Feb. 4 and 5. 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.

Open House: The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving hosts an open house from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 5 at the RCI on the Georgia Southwestern State University campus. If you are a caregiver or know a caregiver and need help, come and visit for refreshments, giveaways and information. Representatives from each of the caregiving programs will be on site with information and materials. Free and open to the public.
Called Meetings: The Americus Mayor and City Council hold a called meeting and will go into closed session to discuss possible litigation, and to interview for the position of City Manager. The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Russell Thomas Jr. Public Safety Building. The Americus Mayor and City Council hold a called meeting and will go into closed session to interview for the position of City Manager. The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Jan. 17 at the same location.

Farmers Meeting: Sumter County Cotton Production Meeting is at 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Sumter County Agricultural Center Auditorium, 127 William Bowen Pointe. UGA Specialists will present the program. Earn one hour credit towards private and or commercial (Category 24) pesticide license. There will be a sponsored meal so please call 924-4476 by Jan. 16 to register.
Airport Authority: The Americus-Sumter County Airport Authority meets at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 23 in the Marshall Conference Room of the airport terminal building at Jimmy Carter Regional Airport. The meeting is open to the public.

he Sumter County Board of Commissioners annual retreat date has been changed from January 26, 2019 to February 2, 2019 beginning at 8:00 AM at the South Georgia Technical College at 900 South GA Tech Parkway; Americus, GA 31709. All meetings of the Sumter County Board of Commissioners are open to the public.

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: Jan. 23, 2019, Feb. 27, March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26.

FORT VALLEY

Camellia Workshop: Middle Georgia Camellia Society’s Camellia Care and Culture Workshop is Jan. 26 at Massee Lane Gardens. Sessions include a basic camellia care lecture, demonstrations on waxing camellias and planting camellias. Hands-on workshops teach air layering, grafting, and hybridizing techniques. Advance registration of $20 is required and includes a Chick-fil-A box lunch, all workshop materials plus garden admissions. (A registration form with mailing information is available at www.americancamellias.com/news-events/festival-of-camellias.) Space is limited and workshop fills up quickly. Registration deadline is Jan. 21. Call or email Mark Collier with questions. (229) 591-3773 jmark_coagent@yahoo.com.

BAINBRIDGE
Stockholders’ Meeting: Southwest Georgia Farm Credit host its annual stockholders’ meeting Feb. 19 at the Bindery at Oakland, 445 Oakland Parkway, Leesburg. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. for stockholders and their guests, with a steak buffet dinner and the Business Meeting beginning at 7 p.m. The meeting includes the Association’s annual report from management and directors, election of two Association directors and election of the 2019 Nominating Committee.

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