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!

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 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.

April 1 & 2, 2020 the program opens up to households in which all members are Elderly (65 years of age or older) and/or Homebound households. Please contact the Pike County Neighborhood Service Center at 770-567-8116 to schedule an appointment between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 PM.

May 1, 2020 the program will open up to the General Public (funds permitting) to schedule an appointment call 1-844-588-1552 or go online to https://mgcaa.appointment.works/ea/home.

Appointments are made by call in or on line only no walk-ins.

To be eligible for assistance, households must have an income at or below 60 percent of the state median income level which amounts to:

$23,776 One-person household
$31,092 Two-person household
$38,408 Three-person household
$45,724 Four-person household
$53,040 Five-person household
$60,356 Six-person household
$61,727 Seven-person household
$63,099 Eight-person household

• Annual gross amounts shown above

You will need to supply the following documents at time of appointment:
1. Proof of income for all household members for the past 30 days
2. ID’s and proof of Social Security number for each person in the household
3. Most recent Electric and Gas Bills for the household
4. Proof of citizenship or legal immigrant status

To Schedule an appointment call: 770-567-8116

*THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO ALL ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, SEX, POLITICAL BELIEFS, OR HANDICAP.

The Sellers Law Firm, LLC, is bringing the Easter Bunny to YOU this Easter 2020 with help from our friends at Southern Belle Princess Parties & Griffin Skate Inn, the Easter Bunny will be visiting Griffin! BYOC (bring your own camera) and take as many Easter photos as you want with the one and only Easter Bunny!

LOCATION: Griffin Skate Inn, 2489 N. Expressway, Griffin, GA 30223
DATE: Saturday, May 2, 2020
TIME: 1pm to 4pm

This event is FREE for anyone who wants to participate.

Claim your FREE tickets by clicking here. We hope to see you there!

Thanks to the Sellers Law Firm LLC for supporting hometown news!

As a thank you to the wonderful group of beekeepers in the Pike County, Ga community, UGA Extension-Pike County is set to host a beekeeping workshop free to all attendees. Come get your questions answered and learn from UGA Master Beekeeper, Jim Quick, in this question and answer style program held via Facebook Live.

Join us April 9th from 6:00-8:00 pm EST on the Pike County Extension Facebook page (@UGAExtensionPikeCounty).

If you have any questions about this program, please contact Pike County Extension by calling 770.567.2010 or emailing brooklyne.wassel@uga.edu.

Pike Post 197 American Legion will host the Zebulon 5K/10K Fun Run/Walk Benefiting Youth Programs on Saturday, 18 April 2020. The event location will be Pike County American Legion Post 197, 645 Meansville St, Zebulon, GA 30295, and the event will be held from 8:00 -11:00 a.m. [Note from the Editor: There is a chance that this event will be postponed.]

The 5K and 10K routes are generally flat with paved roads, mowed grass pathways, trails, and some small hills. Every registered participant gets a T-shirt that will reflect the Veterans Memorial.

Proceeds benefit youth programs which include Boys State, Girls State, and Oratorical Contest.

Early pre-registration is $25 with T-shirt. Late registration is $35 after 11 April, 2020 and day of event. All who register will get a T-shirt and event snacks and beverages. Those who registered, but could not attend, T-shirt will be delivered. Extra T-shirt: $10.

Honor a deceased Veteran with his/her name on back of T-shirt with donation of $50.

Make checks payable to: Pike County American Legion Post 197 and mail with Registration Form to: Event Director, ATTN: Bryan Richardson, P.O. Box 781, Zebulon, GA 30295. Questions: Contact Event Director at email: rich5060@bellsouth.net. No refunds will be issued for any reason.

Download your entry form by clicking here. Please mention that you saw this event on Pike County Times!

Dingers for Dee will be a day filled with fun and fellowship as baseball and softball players of all ages battle it out in a Homerun Derby at Pirates Stadium in Dee's honor. Vendors will circle the track with plenty of food and entertainment to keep everyone going strong throughout the day. Vendors spots are available and there will be no duplicates (contact Rachel McDaniel or Amber Shoemake for details). Be sure to purchase an event t-shirt and all proceeds from shirt sales will go to the family! Pre-order shirts by Jan. 31 to have them the day of the derby! Or shirts can be ordered the day of!

There will be five age categories for both baseball and softball athletes (6U, 10U, 14U, 18U and 19 and older) as well as men's softball. There are only 15 slots available per age group. Each player will get two minutes (and as many pitches as possible in that time) to hit as many homeruns as possible. The entry fee is $20 per player and in the first round only, homeruns can be purchased for $30. All batters 18 or under must wear batting helmets. Sponsors are being sought to support the costs involved in hosting the derby. Let's support Dee and her family as she fights! (contact Rachel McDaniel or Amber Shoemake for details on sponsors). Click here for more.