PETTIS FAMILY REUNION DINNER
WHERE: Sweetwater Park Activity Center
WHEN: 5 p.m. Saturday
MORE INFO: If you are related to Eddie Pettis Sr. or Myra Pettis, contact Lisa Pettis at (706) 627-2368. Cost is $10.
FOURTH OF JULY CLOSINGS
WHERE: City of Thomson offices, McDuffie County government offices, The McDuffie Mirror
WHEN: Monday
MORE INFO: All offices will reopen Tuesday.
SPORTS ONLINE REGISTRATION
WHERE: Thomson-McDuffie Recreation Department
WHEN: Tuesday
MORE INFO: Register for football, soccer and cheerleading. In-office registration will start Aug. 1. Interested youth can sign up at the recreation department between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Call (706) 595-2152.
YOUTH BOOT CAMP
WHERE: Thomson Family Y
WHEN: 9-10 a.m. or 6-7 p.m. through July 14
MORE INFO: Mondays and Thursdays; fee: members $20, nonmembers $30
SWIMMING LESSONS
WHERE: Thomson Family Y
MORE INFO: Fees: members $40, nonmembers $60; ages 3-5, 6-6:45 p.m.; ages 6-8, 6:45-7:30 p.m.; SESSION THREE: Monday-July 14; SESSION FOUR: July 18-28
SHEPEARD BLOOD DRIVE
WHERE: Walmart, Thomson
WHEN: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday
FFA CANNING PLANT is OPEN
WHERE: Next to Voter Registration building, Whiteoak Road
WHEN: 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesday and July 7, 14, 19-21, 26-28
MORE INFO: Produce will be canned at 40 cents per can and peas shelled at 10 cents per pound. Peas to be shelled should be picked the day before and set out to dry for 24 hours for best shelling results. Call (706) 986-4200 or e-mail duboser@mcduffie. k12.ga.us.
SEE MORE ON 2A,3A
ART EXHIBITION OPENING RECEPTION
WHERE: Sacred Heart Cultural Center
WHEN: 5-7 p.m. July 7
MORE INFO: This Jane Popiel exhibit will be available through Aug. 31. Call (706) 826-4700.
mcDUFFIE COUNTY TAX OFFICE CLOSINGS
WHERE: McDuffie County Tax Office
WHEN: July 8, 11 and 12
MORE INFO: The tax office will be closed on these dates for its move to the new office in the government complex. People who have birthdays during these times will need to purchase vehicle decals before July 8. Sorry for any inconvenience, but the Motor Vehicle System will have to be shut down for the move and be reinstalled in the new building before decals can be printed. To check the status of taxes for property or mobile homes, research or make payments at www.thomson-mcduffie.com. The new office will be on the first floor of the Administration Complex.
MANNA DISTRIBUTION
WHERE: Thomson Depot, Railroad Street
WHEN: 10 a.m. July 9
MORE INFO: Distributing over 5,000 pounds of food for those in need. Please bring a container -- bags, baskets or boxes for carrying food. Sponsored by Golden harvest Food Bank Manna Truck Program and Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co.
COACH BRUCE BLASINGAME MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
WHERE: Belle Meade Country Club
WHEN: Shotgun start, 9 a.m. July 9
MORE INFO: Format: three-person Lauderdale, $300 per team, 60 senior tees. Includes mulligans, lunch, Lowcountry boil. Call Belle Meade Pro Shop, (706) 595-4511.
ECO-ADVENTURES
WHERE: Hickory Hill, 502 Hickory Hill Drive, Thomson
WHEN: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 11-15 and July 25-29
MORE INFO: This is a week-long look at ecology, farming, recycling and more. Campers will test water for pollution, visit with Georgia native reptiles and amphibians, harvest foods from the organic gardens and make art from recyclable materials. Cost is $60 per child per week, includes materials and two snacks each day. Open to ages 10-16. Call (706) 595-7777 or e-mail Sydney Peden at sfpeden@hickory-hill.org for registration and information.
SEE MORE ON 3A
SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS MEETING
WHERE: McDuffie County Library conference room
WHEN: 6-8 p.m. July 12
MORE INFO: This meeting is free and open to the public. Neil Dickey will be presenting a program on Abraham Lincoln and Fort Sumter.
GYMNASTICS CAMP
WHERE: Y130 Program Center
MORE INFO: July 18-21, Monday-Thursday; beginner, 4-5 p.m.; advanced, 5-6 p.m.; intermediate, 6-7 p.m.; $40 members, $60 nonmembers
AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS
WHERE: Patriot Park, 6445 Columbia Road, Grovetown
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9
MORE INFO: Instructor Tom Venderhoof will present an AARP driver safety class geared toward drivers age 50 or older. The course is not limited to seniors or to AARP members. Successful completion for the course can qualify a driver for a 10 percent discount on their auto insurance premium. To qualify, a driver must have a clean driving record for three years. Drivers should confirm that discount with their insurance agents. To register or for more information, call Vanderhoof at (706) 863-2865. Enrollment is limited. The fee is $12 for AARP members, $14 for nonmembers. The fee is payable the day of the class. Anyone interested in scheduling a class also may contact Vanderhoof.
CERTIFY IN CPR AND FIRST AID
WHERE: McDuffie County Fire and Rescue Headquarters, 1061 Salem Road, Thomson
WHEN: 9 a.m. until class completion; first and third Saturdays
MORE INFO: Classes specialize in health care provider, heart saver first aid, fire extinguisher training and child care professional fire safety training. Fees: health care provider and heart saver first aid is $20 per person; child care professional fire safety training is $10 per person; and general fire extinguisher training is free. Fees are expected at time of registration. Class must consist of five or more participants. Contact Lt. Ed Lewis, Fire and Life safety instructor Terence Favors or Capt. Ron May, (706) 595-2044 or (706) 595-2045.
KENNY HILL FUND
WHERE: Farmers State Bank
MORE INFO: Kenny Hill has recently been diagnosed with brain and lung cancer. Doctors have removed two tumors on his brain and are trying to treat the ones that are left. Keep up with his progress at www.caringbridge.org. If you would like to donate, please mail a check made out to Benefit for Kenny Hill to Farmers State Bank, P.O. Box 99, Lincolnton, GA 30817.
MUSIC IN THE PARK
WHERE: Mitchell Depot
WHEN: First Saturdays through October
MORE INFO: Bluegrass, country and gospel music, hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks. Donations accepted. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. There is a playground for the kids. Free parking available.
KARATE AT FAMILY Y
WHERE: Thomson Family Y
WHEN: Twice a week per month
MORE INFO: Offered to all skill levels ages 6 and up. Fee: $40 per month for members; $60 per month for nonmembers. Discount for additional siblings. Register at any Family Y location or online at www.thefamilyy.org. Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs.
ART CLASSES AT FAMILY Y
WHERE: Thomson Family Y
WHEN: Twice a week per month
MORE INFO: Offered to all skill levels ages pre-K through eighth grade. Fee: $40 per month for members; $60 per month for nonmembers. Discount for additional siblings. Register at any Family Y location or online at www.thefamilyy.org. Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs.
DANCE LESSONS
WHERE: Thomson Family Y
WHEN: Twice a week per month
MORE INFO: Offered to all skill levels ages 2 years through 12th grade. Fee: $40 per month for members; $60 per month for nonmembers. Discount for additional siblings. Register at any Family Y location or online at www.thefamilyy.org. Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs.
BALLROOM DANCING
WHERE: Thomson Family Y
WHEN: 6:30-7:30 p.m. every Thursday
MORE INFO: Each month features a dfferent dance. Free for Family Y members; $10 per class for nonmembers. Register at any Family Y location or online at www.thefamilyy.org.
DROP AND SHOP
WHERE: Thomson Family Y
WHEN: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday
MORE INFO: Take the morning to go shopping, hang out with friends or just relax alone. Open to ages 6 months to 12 years. Cost is $15 per child. Discount for additional siblings. To register, visit any Family Y location or online at www.thefamilyy.org. Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs.
ONE STOP MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU
WHERE: East Central Georgia Consortium One Stop
WHEN: now
MORE INFO: Did you know that more than 25,000 jobs will be opening for the heavy construction industry throughout the state? Did you know an experienced construction laborer can earn $20 per hour? Did you know that you may qualify to be trained for this great career? If you are unemployed, willing to travel and Georgia Work Ready Certified then contact the local One Stop for more information at (706) 595-8941. The One Stop has placed over 45 people in jobs related to this industry after training.
GET A BURN PERMIT
WHERE: Call (877) 652-2876
WHEN: Always get a burn permit; it's the law
MORE INFO: Breezy, warm, spring days are perfect for enjoying the outdoors, but they're perfect, too, for wildfires. To prevent the spread of wildfires, the Georgia Forestry Commission is urging residents to take extra precautions when burning yard debris, using an outdoor grill or enjoying campfires. If you're not sure when to get a permit just call (877) OK2-burn or log ontoGaTrees.org.
