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!

The Pike Community Resource Network meets on the first Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the Church of Joy located at 3080 Highway 362 W, Williamson.

If you have any questions, please contact Michael Powell of the Pike Community Resource Network at 770-567-2930 or pikecommunityresourcenetwork@gmail.com.

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!

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 www.gfc.state.ga.us 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.

ZEBULON - January 20, 2020 the program is expecting to receive additional funds for heating assistance. These funds will be available to all households who meet the income requirements and have not previously applied in the 2019/2020 year. Please call 1-844-588-1552 to schedule an appointment starting at 8:30 AM on January 20, 2020. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Are you interested in being a Poll Worker for 2020 Elections? This is a paid position. Requirements? Must be 18 years of age, must be registered to vote, and must live in Pike County. You also must be available on Election Day and/or the 3 weeks of early voting.

The Meet and Greet will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2020 from 6pm-8pm at the Strickland Building in Concord GA 30206. Come with questions! For further information, please contact the Pike County Board of Elections Trainer at 678-920-4975.

ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING CLASS!! Civilian response to an active shooter. Would you know what to do? Are you prepared? Want to learn? Come join us for this look at what happens and what you need to know!!

Saturday January 25, 2020, 9 AM to 1 PM. $25 per person.

Seating is limited, please call Brad Ward at (678) 463-8155 to reserve your seat.

Click here to find out more about Full Blown Firearms or check them out on Facebook.

Full Blown Firearms is offering an NRA Range Safety Officer Class on Sunday, January 26. The class will last from from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be held at the Griffin Gun Club Clubhouse located at 550 Amelia Road in Griffin.

The cost for the class is $135. Lunch and student materials are included in that price.

If you are interested, please call Brad Ward at (678) 463-8155 to reserve your seat or click here to find out more about Full Blown Firearms and this Facebook event.

You are invited to Stand Up Comedy on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM at the Jailhouse Brewing Company (Watchtower Tap & Listening Room) in Hampton. $6 tickets. 16 crafted beers on tap.

With comedic guests: Ally Edge, Keno Trice, HT Rosen, Jonathan Smith, Chris Stephenson, Karen Felix, Simon Huebner, and Tim Gonzalez. Sponsored by The Sellers Law Firm, LLC.

*NO REFUNDS **Performers subject to change ***THIS IS A LIVE EVENT, AND THE SAME IS FILMED--ALL ATTENDEES CONSENT TO THEIR LIKENESS, IMAGE, AND VOICE BEING RECORDED BY ATTENDING***

More info @Tall Tales Pod #TallTalesPod on Facebook and www.prowrestlingtees.com/talltales

Try outs for the 4th Annual Pike's Got Talent for the Middle School students on March 3rd Try outs for the High School Students will held on March 5th at 4pm at the High School.

Sign up sheets for auditions are available in the Band Room at both schools.

LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL - Operation Lunchbox has one mission—feed hungry kids. The Sellers Law Firm, LLC, is humbled to be a part of organizing the Operation Lunchbox Charity Bash to help feed hungry students in our community. This event is bringing local businesses together to provide an opportunity for all ages to be entertained by athletes and entertainers, including wrestling superstars, a former 2x World Champion boxer, film extras from The Walking Dead, & stand-up comedians, all in an effort to bring more awareness to the mission of Operation Lunchbox.

OPERATION LUNCHBOX CHARITY BASH 2020: This wrestling and entertainment event will feature LIVE action in the ring from some of today’s top rising superstars including Tyson Dean (as seen on WWE 205 Live), Fry Daddy (as seen on WWE’s NXT), and other “Surprise Guests,” as well as a chance to take pictures with and meet former WBF & IBU World Boxing Champion Homer Lee Gibbins Jr., “Mick Grimes” (professional Andrew Lincoln impersonator), as well as zombies and Whisperers from TWD show all being filmed by Victory Championship Wrestling to be LIVE streamed.

General admission adult tickets are $10.00, and all kids’ general admission tickets (high school students and younger) are FREE with the purchase of an adult ticket. VIP floor seats (which include meet & greet entry) are $25.00. All general admission attendees can purchase a Meet & Greet Entry pass for an additional $5. VENDORS / VOLUNTEERS: If you are interested in partnering with this event and getting involved with our effort to help feed hungry students in the community, please contact Tim Gonzalez at tgonzalez@thesellerslawfirm.com to sign up.
• Volunteers are needed for event set-up & breakdown (ushers, security, concessions, clean-up). Groups, Churches, Organizations, Troops welcome to help head up any area interested. Please e-mail Tim Gonzalez to sign up.
• Businesses interested in sponsoring the event can do so on Eventbrite.com or by e-mailing Tim Gonzalez at tgonzalez@thesellerslawfirm.com.
*Business logo on the Event Poster = $50.00
*10x10 space at Operation Lunchbox Charity Bash 2020 = $50.00
*Social Media promotion, business logo on the event poster, tickets to the event for the entire business, 10x10 space at event, and mentions throughout the event from the MC/host = $250.00
• 100% OF ALL PROCEEDS FROM TICKET SALES AND SPONSORSHIPS GO TO OPERATION LUNCHBOX.

ABOUT THE MISSION: Operation Lunchbox is a non-profit organization that has packed and delivered food to area schools weekly for over four years. Currently Operation Lunchbox is feeding 33% of the 4,800 children that have been identified by their schools as being “hungry” over the weekend. “I believe that together, we can end child hunger starting in our community.” Dave Newman- Operation Lunchbox www.operationlunchbox.org

Click here for tickets.