Pike County Post 197, The American Legion will hold a short service to offer thanks and prayers for our military on the first Monday of every month at 12:00 pm (noon). This is a monthly service that is held at the Veteran’s Memorial on the Pike County Courthouse grounds. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information contact pikepost197@gmail.com.

A support group for caregivers of family and friends who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and dementia, held its first meeting on March 8, 2012 at Concord United Methodist Church. The group will meet the second Thursday of each month.

Caregivers of loved ones with memory loss are invited to attend. There will be a special informational program as well as the opportunity for conversation and fellowship. Refreshments will be provided. Separate supervised activities will be provided for loved ones with memory loss.

Contact Tammy Jarrett at 706-646-3949 or Gary Kemp at 770-584-2388 if you plan to attend or for more information.

Thomaston Toastmasters meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 12 - 1 p.m. at The Pie, 710 N. Church Street, Thomaston. Visitors are welcome. Anyone living or working within driving distance is welcome to attend. Visit us on Facebook for more information: www.facebook.com/ThomastonToastmasters

The Pike County Republican Party meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Pike County Senior Center located at 2488 Highway 19 N, Zebulon. For more information, contact Chairman Keith Hurley at keefus06@gmail.com.

The Pike County Democratic Party meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 PM at A Novel Experience in Zebulon. Contact Steven Yerkes at 770-584-3909 for more information. Any questions, please leave a message.

The American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and the American Legion Post 197 meet on a monthly basis here in Pike County. All meetings are held at the Post 197 Building located at 645 Meansville Road in Zebulon, Georgia.

For more information, contact pikepost197@gmail.com.

GED classes and are offered at Concord Baptist Church (8670 Hwy. 18). Amy Tate is there every Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Students may also register for the program at the same location and times. All classes, books, and materials are free. Scholarships for GED testing fees are available. Contact Amy at atate@sctech.edu or 770-467-6036 for more information.

Southern Crescent Technical College, in collaboration with New Mercy Baptist Church, now offers Adult Education/GED classes at New Mercy Baptist Church, 742 Park Road, Griffin. The classes are held each Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 'til 8:30 pm.

The classes are free to the public and enrollment can take place at the class, or by calling Dr. Jeffrey Bright at (770)757-6252.

Funds are even available to take the GED exam for those completing their requirements. It's never too late to get a GED and now it's FREE!

Pike Family Connection meets on the first Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the Christ Chapel in Zebulon. Christ Chapel is located at 68 Old Zebulon Road on Hwy 19 across from the 9th Grade Academy.

If you have any questions, please contact Michael Powell of the Pike Community Resource Network at (770)295-9208. Find out more about Pike Family Connection through their FB link: www.facebook.com/connectpike/.

The Alzheimer's Association has a Georgia Chapter that offers services, programs, education, and support groups in our state. Click on the links to find out about what is offered here and how you can become involved. The calendar has a list of dates and times for upcoming events, programs, etc. that is invaluable for families affected by Alzheimer's.

This group has been in existence since 1982 and has seven regional offices as well as a state office in Atlanta. Find out more at www.alz.org/georgia about how the Alzheimer's Association can help you and your family!

GRIFFIN - The Salvation Army here at Griffin, Georgia services the counties of Lamar, Pike, Spalding, and Upson for these communities’ social service needs. Many individuals utilize our House of Hope Homeless Shelter, Clothing Voucher, and Food Pantry programs from these counties, but they do not take advantage of our Rent and Utility Assistance Program. We want to change that because we care about everyone in all of these counties.

If you live in these counties, or know of anyone who does, and you need assistance with your rent and/or utility issues, we are here to help. Our funding is limited, but we are committed to serving the residents of the above-listed counties with the resources entrusted to us with due diligence. To apply, contact us at 770-412-6561 to discuss your concerns and/or schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you. God Bless You.

ZEBULON - Here is a list of the holidays that Pike County Government will be observing next year. County offices will be closed on these days.
January 1, 2020 - New Year’s Day -
January 20, 2020 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
April 10, 2020 - Good Friday
May 25, 2020 - Memorial Day
July 3, 2020 - Independence Day
September 7, 2020 - Labor Day
November 11, 2020 - Veterans Day
November 26, 2020 - Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2020 - Day after Thanksgiving
December 24, 2020 - Christmas Eve Holiday
December 25, 2020 - Christmas Holiday

PINE MOUNTAIN - Do you want to help out in a project that will benefit many at a public venue? Does your group want to participate in a group project picking up trash and making a community asset shine? FDR Park is looking for volunteers to help with a roadside trash pickup. Workdays are FREE and volunteers of all ages are welcome. You do not have be a PMTA member to participate and you do not sign up in advance or call ahead. Just show up a few minutes before the stated start time.

Click here to find out more about this and a list of hikes at FDR Park. Please tell them that you read about this on Pike County Times and snap a selfie or two and send them to editor@pikecountytimes.com as you work or hike!

The EPD burning restrictions go into effect May 1 and last through the summer months until October 1 each year.

For more information visit the Georgia Forestry Commission’s web site at https://gatrees.org/ or call your local office of the Georgia Forestry Commission at (770)227-5522 or (706)646-6011.

You can also contact the Georgia Environmental Protection Division at (404)362-2671.

The recycling center in Pike County opened for business as usual on June 1, 2020. Thank you for your patience during this shut down time. Please make sure all containers are washed out since they cannot recycle dirty containers.

Pike Countryside is now accepting E-WASTE free of charge at the recycling center. Click here for more details.

On 18 September, the Legion Family will conduct the Pike County National POW/MIA Recognition Day observance. Due to the effects of the pandemic, the Legion Family will conduct a modified observance in front (south side) of the Courthouse in Zebulon. Starting a 10:00 a.m. a POW/MIA table and chair static display/memorial will be on display at both locations, as well as POW/MIA facts and the military biographies of Pike County former POWs and current MIAs. The tribute will be on display from until 3:00 p.m. for the public to view.

While the display is occurring, the Legion Family Volunteers will be manning a Legion Family/Veteran information table. At the Courthouse location, Post 197 will be also conducting voter registration. Take this opportunity to remember the sacrifices of our prisoners of war and missing in action armed forces members, and to register to vote if you have not done so for these important upcoming elections.

Voter Registration will be held at the Zebulon Freshway Market on September 19 and October 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. It is open to all three parties (Republican, Democrat, Libertarian) to give people the opportunity to vote. All you need is a photo ID. Please call Steven Yerkes at 770-584-3909 if you have any questions.

October 5 is the deadline to register to vote in this election. If you have a question of whether or not you are registered, please call the Registrar’s Office at 770-567-2003.

ZEBULON - On 26 September 2020, the Pike County American Legion Post 197 will conduct its 11th 5K/10K Fun Run/Walk in the city of Zebulon. Address for the event is the Pike County American Legion Post 197, 645 Meansville St, Zebulon, GA 30295. The Run/Walk start window is 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. Recommend arriving early in the window to beat the heat.

The proceeds benefit the community and Veteran programs which include assisting and honoring Veterans and their families, and community patriotic programs. Click here for more.

There will be a music festival in Meansville on Saturday, September 26 from 12-6 p.m. at Danielly Park at Life Springs Church in Meansville featuring Rivers Edge, Matt Floyd, Caleb Anthony, Logan Winkles and Hartley Station, the Casters, and Gracie May. There will be pony rides, bouncers, food, arts, crafts, jewelry, clothing, and more! Entry is free.

Life Springs Church is located at 10608 Hwy 109 East. The Dingers for Dee Homer Derby will be going on at the same time so you can do both!

We are super excited about showing support for Dee and family on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Dingers for Dee homer derby! Swings start at 10 a.m. until around 3:30 p.m. Drop by anytime for 25 pitches for $20 (with two buy back ins allowed at $25 each and the highest score on 25 pitches stands). Bring your own pitcher and/or balls or there will be volunteer pitchers and balls available. Homerun totals will be listed on a large board behind home plate during the derby. Winners will be notified and the trophy ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. with trophies and medals presented for first and second place.

Come out and earn a trophy (or medal) in honor of Dee at the Dingers for Dee Homerun Derby on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Danielly Park in Meansville. Call or text 912-531-2702 or email Rachel.Rebecca.McDaniel@gmail.com to sign up today! Cost is only $20! Dee Parrott and her whole family have had such an impact on so very many people! Please join efforts to support her as she battles cancer. All proceeds from this event will go to help with medical expenses as she continues the biggest fight of her life. There will be a Music Festival going on at the same time so you can do both! Click here for more.

In October 2019, the Red Clay 5K was held during the Concord Country Jubilee. This year, the Jubilee has been cancelled because of the Coronavirus Pandemic, but the 2020 Red Clay 5K has not been cancelled. In 2020, the Red Clay 5K is going virtual!

We hope you will join us to run or walk the 5K to raise funds for jail and prison ministry. The VIRTUAL 2020 RED CLAY 5K will be hosted by Racery.com. Click here to see how it works.

On Thursday, July 23, the Concord City Council and the Mayor held an open meeting at City Hall in which they discussed the 2020 Concord Country Jubilee. The Concord Jubilee is held in October of each year.

Click here for more.