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!

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.

On Friday, 20 September 2019, the Pike County American Legion Family will host the National POW/MIA Recognition Day Observance Program for the community at the Meansville Memorial Park located in down town Meansville, Georgia across from the City Hall. The public is invited to attend this event commencing at 10:00 a.m.

The National Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) Recognition Day Observance Program honors our current MIAs, and past and current POWs around the Nation. Currently, Pike County has two known MIAs: WWII Staff Sergeant Joel M. Matthews and Vietnam War Chief Petty Officer Willie L. King both from Meansville, Georgia; and one past Vietnam War POW, Specialist 6th Class Lenard E. Daugherty, currently residing in Williamson, Georgia.

Their military biographies will be read. A full POW/MIA tribute will be given which includes setting up the POW/MIA table and chair, and the playing of Taps. The Program theme is why we honor and remember our prisoners of war and missing in action service members.

Please join the community as we continue to remember our current MIAs, and former POW from Pike County. Seating is limited, so please bring a lawn chair and enjoy the Program.

The J. Joel Edwards Public Library is proud to announce three individual screenings of a piece of Pike County’s own history, the acclaimed movie, Murder in Coweta County. This film is the account of a true story that occurred in Meriwether and Coweta counties in the 1940s. When ruthless and powerful estate-owner, John Wallace (Andy Griffith), unwittingly follows a man across the Meriwether county-line to deliver a fatal and unjust punishment, Coweta County Sheriff, Lamar Potts (Johnny Cash), is on the case and refuses to let Wallace’s powerful position stop him from seeking out justice. Click here for more.

University of Georgia Extension- Pike County will present a Honeybee Assistance Program Workshop on September 25, 2019 from 6:00-7:00 pm at the Concord Event Center located at 30 Madden Rd. in Concord.

FREE, simply RSVP to Pike County Extension at 770-567-2010 by September 25th.

Fifth Sunday Night Singing to be held on Sunday, September 29th at 6PM at Bethel Baptist Church located at 448 Zebulon Rd., Milner, GA.

Come and join us as we sing praises to our Lord.

For more information, contact Mary Thomas, (770)228-2420.

The Pirate Regiment will be hosting their 2nd annual March The Plank marching band competition Saturday, October 5th at the Pike County football stadium. This family friendly event will feature 10 high school marching bands, plus an exhibition performance by our very own Pirate Regiment and Point University.

Tickets are $8, sold at the gate. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Concessions will be available. Gates open at 11:30 a.m.

With October 15th just a few weeks away, time is running out to get your tickets for the 1st Annual Dinner event which will be held at the Flat Creek Country Club.

It will be a night to honor survivors of domestic violence featuring April Ross, a prosecutor with the Fulton County District Attorney's Office who was shot multiple times by her estranged husband after filing for divorce in 2014.

Click here for more information including how to order tickets.

Youth Mental Health First Aid training will be offered on Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM EDT at Northridge Church, 430 Hickory Ridge Road in Meansville, GA 30256.

This training is free for all of our community partners who work with youth on a routine basis. This includes school staff, law enforcement, parents, Division of Family and Children Services staff, medical providers and members of faith-based organizations. We will learn how to make and use a five-step plan to help youth with mental illness or in an emotional crisis.

* Registration and Sign in at 8:30 am
* Training beings at 9:00 am
* Lunch will be provided

To register, click here.

ZEBULON - You are invited to a community yard sale on Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 8AM - 5PM at our local American Legion located at 645 Meansville Street in Zebulon. This Community Yard Sale will be hosted by Pike County American Legion Auxiliary Unit 197.

Click here for more.

The First Annual Red Clay 5K will be held at the Concord Jubilee in Concord, Georgia on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 8 a.m. The proceeds of the race will go to support the ministries of Red Clay Ministries, a non-profit Prison Ministry for Georgia jails and prisons.

The Race is open to all ages. Registration fee is $25. Registration fee for Groups of 10 (or more) is $15. You will receive a T-Shirt on the day of the race and a gift bag from Red Clay Ministries.

For more information, e-mail: redclay5k@gmail.com. Click here for more information and to register.