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. Contact Brent Taylor, Chairman, at (678) 972-9352 for more information.

The Pike County Democratic Party meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 PM at A Novel Experience in Zebulon.

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. (Amy spoke to Kiwanis of Pike last week. Thanks to Mike Cox and Kiwanis Club of Pike for this information.)

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. ww.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/permit9.18.17.html

For more information visit the Georgia Forestry Commission’s web site at www.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.

Outdoor burning will again be permitted beginning October 1 in 54 Georgia counties where restrictions have been in place since May. Click here for more.

In the spring of 2018, the Southside Genealogical Society was incorporated with the goal to promote genealogy research and awareness in the community through educational programs and collaboration. They host monthly meetings on a variety of topics consisting of presentations by professional genealogists, workshops to focus on specific research topics, and open working sessions where the group works together to help individuals break through “brick walls” in their own individual family research.

Our next Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the City of Zebulon Opportunity Center. The Special Guest Speaker will be Kirby Sisk. Join Us. Bring a guest! Everyone Welcome!

Kirby Sisk currently serves as the President of the Society. An amateur genealogist for nearly 20 years and an avid history buff, Kirby has promoted historical preservation through his interest in genealogy and the restoration of historical homes. Before returning home to Griffin to be closer to family, Kirby lived in Savannah, Georgia for 12 years and was a member of the Historic Savannah Foundation where help helped restore numerous historic buildings including his own home, a 1930 Ardsley Park brick bungalow. In addition a career in engineering and management consulting, Kirby restored the Bell family home in Griffin and with the help of family runs it as a bed and breakfast and historic special event venue www.thebellhousegriffin.com

You are cordially invited to attend our event hosted by Full Blown Firearms on Friday, January 11th at 1074 Bear Creek Blvd. Suite L, Hampton, GA 30228 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Our event will feature experienced attorneys, law enforcement, and other firearms professionals who cover a wide-range of topics such as the justified use of deadly force, where you can legally carry, what to expect when law enforcement arrives, and much more. Every event has dedicated question-and-answer segments to ensure all attendees are able to get the information they want to know from a credible source they can trust.

All attendees will receive the U.S. Law Shield publication (When Can I Legally Shoot? Knowing The Law Of Deadly Force,) a $19.95 value, FREE for registrants. This publication explains the ins-and-outs of the law of the deadly force in plain language, helping you understand when you are legally allowed to pull the trigger.

Why attend an event? Ignorance of the law is not a legal excuse!

The legal system can be very hostile toward gun owners. Responsible gun owners get thrown into the legal system every single day.

Register TODAY! Space is limited. Click here to register.

Lamar, Pike, and Upson County Extension Offices are hosting a pesticide credit opportunity, Food 4 Thought, this coming January 15, 2019 from 6-8 at the Upson County Extension Office located at 305 S Hightower Street Suite 170 in Thomaston. This opportunity costs $10 at the door to enjoy dinner and receive an hour of credit that can go towards categories 21-24, 26, 27, 41, or private.

The deadline to RSVP is January 11, 2019. Come get some of your much needed credits while enjoying a delicious dinner! Please reach out to the Pike County Extension office with any questions or to RSVP. 770.567.2010 or 678.588.3153

Tall Tales returns for another unique evening of stand up comedy and road stories told by some of wrestling biggest superstars and icons! Our featured guest this edition is Tommy Wildfire Rich! Tommy is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and is best known for his legendary feuds in the WCW & ECW in the 80's and 90's. Having started his path in pro wrestling in the mid 70's, Tommy has teamed with Tony Atlas and feuded with Austin Idol to Lex Luger in a career that has spanned over 40 years!

Featured comedian: Mike Speenberg. Raised on hush puppies and fried bologna, comic Mike Speenberg has taken his own unique brand of generational comedy all over the country, sharing the stage with other comedic greats like Mitch Hedberg, Lewis Black, Dave Attell, and Bob Saget. Fueled by stories of home and family, love of country, and being drunk in public, Speenberg's comedy hits home with every one of us who have lived through crazy step-parents, above ground pool parties, and square pizza with canned corn.

Mike Speenberg is quickly becoming “The Voice of His Generation”. His live shows are being called a “Perfect blend of Jeff Foxworthy and Dennis Leary”. He’s performed everywhere from Las Vegas to Japan with everyone from Robin Williams to Mitch Hedberg and been featured on everything from “Bob and Tom” to “The Paul Harvey Show”. www.speenberg.com

With guest comedians: Joe Gallois (Atlanta), Amber Chandler (Atlanta), Host: Tim Gonzalez. Presented by the Sellers Law Firm, LLC.

Click here for ticket information.