Hydrant Testing: The Americus Fire & Emergency Services is conducting its annual hydrant testing, and should be finished within six weeks. These tests are required to maintain Americus’ ISO rating of 1, 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, Adoption Orientation: Bethany presents a foster car and foster care adoption orientation session from 6-8 p.m. July 23 at Lake Blackshear Regional Library, 3-7 E. Lamar St. Topics include current need for foster families in the community, what to expect in terms of foster care, foster home and licensing process, and foster care adoption. Free. RSVP by July 19 at 706-330-2128.

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

Calling All Vendors and Artists: Arts in Rees Park Saturday is planned for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 7 at

409 Elm Ave. This year’s event, the 21st, features an array of visual and performing art vendors and demonstrations, storytelling, puppetry arts, theatrical performances, live music, children’s games and activities and interactive creative activities for all ages, food and entertainment. This festival is free and open to the public. Last year almost 600 attended. The vendor/artist fee is $35 and you may reserve a space on Sign Up Genius using this link:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A044FADAE29AAFD0-arts

You may also register at the Americus Arts Gallery between 1 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. For more information contact Brooks Nettum at 229-331-1984 or

americus.sumter.arts@gmail.com
ELLAVILLE

Summer Café: The Summer Café, sponsored by Feeding the Valley in Columbus, has two sites in Schley County: The John Lewis Resource Center (open 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday) and Schley County High School (open 11:30-1 p.m. Monday-Thursday). The program is open to all students in Schley County through age 18 regardless of income. Students receive a hot meal each day at both sites. If you know of a church or organization in Schley County that has a program scheduled for youth this summer, contact John Green at 229-937-2591 or 220-591-2323 a week in advance to schedule extra meals.

Ongoing
Americus
Woodmen Chapter: Woodmen Life Chapter 202 meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Americus Senior Center 717 N. Jackson St. 229-942-5811

Narcotics Anonymous: A 12-step group to overcome addiction meets from 7:30-8:30 p.m. every Monday and Thursday at 126 Forrest St. Practice is total abstinence, including alcohol.

Produce Vendors Wanted: Produce vendors are needed by Downtown Americus for Lenny’s Farmers’ Market. For information call Qaijuan Willis 229-924-4411, ext. 247, or qwillis@americusga.gov

Free Testing: Fast, free and confidential HIV/AIDS testing available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. week days at the Sumter County Health Department, Suite 100, at 1601 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Free condoms also available. No appointment necessary.

Board Meetings: The Sumter County Board of Elections meets at 4:30 p.m. every first Tuesday of the month, beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Elections Office conference room at the Sumter County Courthouse at 500 W. Lamar St. The meeting is open to the public.

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.

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.

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 Michael Dominick for information 229-942-2419.

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.

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