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. 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.

The Pike County Sons of the American Legion Squadron 197 will have a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 25. Proceeds from the Pancake Breakfast will go towards programs that help veterans and their families in our community.

The special breakfast will be held at the Pike County American Legion Post 197 at 645 Meansville Street in Zebulon. Breakfast guests will receive two sausage patties, all-you-can-eat pancakes and a drink for a $5 donation.

American Legion Pike Post 197 will host the First Annual Memorial Day Parade and Annual Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 27, 2019 at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Line up will be at the Elementary School located off of Old Meansville Road at 9 a.m. Parade route will be as follows: Old Meansville Road to Hwy 19 then a left turn on Hwy 18 on the south side of the courthouse and a left on Hwy 19 south back to the school. (The City has advised that no candy may be thrown from vehicles, but... you can have walkers along who can hand out the candy for you.) To be a part of the 1st Annual Memorial Day Parade, contact Steven Yerkes at 770-584-3909.

American Legion Pike Post 197 will also have a float for veterans to ride on during the parade. **Pike Post 197 is also hoping to borrow 12 square bales from someone in the community to go around the float.** For more information or to lend hay bales for the float, call Peggi Payton at 770-468-4077.

The annual Memorial Day Program will be held on the square at 11 a.m. American Legion Pike Post 197 will be remembering those who have passed on, and two Purple Heart Veterans will be placing the wreath at the memorial on the corner of the square. A miniature Vietnam Wall will also be on the Square for Memorial Day.

Tall Tales is back on May 30, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. and the train is just getting started!Join us for a night of laughs, road stories, and tall tales from some of the best and brightest comedians in the business, all brought to your hometown. This event's headliner is best known around the world as the leader of the flock--from ECW, WCW, WWE, & TNA, superstar RAVEN headlines Tall Tales this May!

Prior to the 7:30 p.m. show start, join RAVEN at Bunjee's Comics Griffin for a FREE autograph signing! Buy your comics and memorabilia at Bunjee's, and RAVEN will sign for free--you do not want to miss out!

General admission tickets start at only $10.00, and VIP meet & greet tickets are available for only $30.00 each (includes meet & greet pass, photos, and free autograph). Reserved floor seats may be purchased for groups of six (6), for only $50.00. BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tall-tales-at-doc-hollidays-saloon-ft-raven-tickets-60798914189 Quote the RAVEN, nevermore!

HUGE THANK YOU to our SPONSORS: The Sellers Law Firm, LLC, PromoVision Digital TV Advertising, Bunjee's Comics Griffin, 52534 Productions, Smallcakes-Griffin, Mountain Motorsports, and Operation Lunchbox.

*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*** @TallTalesPod #TallTalesPod

The Pike County Community O Drive will be held on Monday, June 3, 2019 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Allie B. Edwards Senior Center located at 2488 Highway 19 North in Zebulon.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (2767) set up your appointment. www.RedCrossBlood.org

The Pike County Historical Society in Zebulon is offering a community class that will help you understand the report you receive after you mail in your DNA tube. If a term like “1,082 cM across 42 DNA segments” has you scratching your head, this class should make it clear! E-mail LesRat512@gmail.com to reserve a seat.

• What: Understanding Your DNA Report
• Where: 7822 Highway 19, across the road from Dairy Queen in the back wing of the Zebulon Opportunity Center
• When: Saturday morning, June 8, 2019, 10 a.m. until noon; door opens at 9:30 a.m.
• Who: Ken Thomas
• What else: $5 per person age 18 and older, pay at the door.

Time to take a stand--take a bite out of hunger, and feed the living because no child should go hungry. The Sellers Law Firm, LLC, is excited to announce this benefit meet and greet, benefitting our partner charity Operation Lunchbox. www.OperationLunchbox.org SPECIAL GUEST: Mick Grimes! Professional cosplayer of the character Rick Grimes created by Robert Kirkman in his comic book and t.v. series The Walking Dead.

On Saturday, August 3, 2019, in Griffin, GA, stop by from 1pm to 4pm to have your photo made, get an autograph, but some merch, or just swing by to have a good time. Donations will be collected in place of direct sales, and ALL PROCEEDS will be donated to Operation Lunchbox.

Will you help feed the hungry? Join Mick Grimes in the fight to keep the Dead from Walking, and help us feed the living. This is a DONATION only event. No tickets to purchase, but please bring monetary donations for photos, autographs, merch & more! LOCATION: TBA Through Operation Lunchbox, $260 can feed 1 child for an entire year.

WAYS TO DONATE: www.OperationLunchbox.org Facebook: @kidsgottaeatATL App: Operation Lunchbox App PayPal: Dave.OperationLunchbox@gmail.com Venmo: Operation-Lunchbox Cash App: $OperationLunchbox