RECYCLING DROP-OFF
WHERE: Maxwell Elementary School, 409 Guill St.
WHEN: 8-10 a.m. Monday
MORE INFO: If you have recyclable items you have been collecting for the school this summer, bring them to the front of the school. The school collects chip bags, candy wrappers, cell phones, box tops, Campbell's Soup labels and more. Click on the Trash to Cash link at the school Web site, http://www.mcduffie.k12.ga.us/MaxwellElementary.cfm
SPORTS ONLINE REGISTRATION
WHERE: thomsonmcduffie recreation.com/registration
WHEN: Now
MORE INFO: Register for football, soccer and cheerleading. In-office registration will start Aug. 1. Call (706) 595-2152.
Y130 DAY CAMP
WHERE: Y130, Main St., Thomson
WHEN: Until July 30
MORE INFO: Campers will enjoy arts and crafts, games, songs and character-development activities. Open to ages 5-12. The cost is $65 per week for members and $75 per week for non-members. Register at any Family Y location or online at www.thefamilyy.org. Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs.
SWIMMING LESSONS
WHERE: Thomson Family Y
MORE INFO: $40 members, $60 nonmembers; ages 3-5, 6-6:45 p.m.; ages 6-8, 6:45- 7:30 p.m.; Monday-July 28
COUNTRY-WESTERN MUSIC SHOW
WHERE: Pan Handle Kuntry Store & Grill
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
MORE INFO: Bring lawn chairs. Free show features the Whiskey Road Gang. Call (706) 595-3737.
BACK TO SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
WHERE: Thomson Walmart
WHEN: Saturday
MORE INFO: Sponsored by Agape Ministries. All donations will be accepted. Call (706) 597-8800.
SEE MORE, Pages 2A, 3A
RESERVE-SEAT football TICKETS
WHERE: Thomson High front office
MORE INFO: Reserve-seat tickets are $62.50 for all current seat holders. Any seat not sold by Aug. 19 will be open to the public.
ECO-ADVENTURES
WHERE: Hickory Hill, 502 Hickory Hill Drive, Thomson
WHEN: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 25-29
MORE INFO: This is a week-long look at ecology, farming, recycling and more. This is a day camp only. Camping and lodging facilities available in nearby Thomson. 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.
SHEPEARD BLOOD DRIVE scheduled
WHERE: Fort Creek Baptist Church, 1497 Fort Creek Road, Dearing
WHEN: 8:30 a.m-12:30 p.m. Sunday
GYMNASTICS CAMP
WHERE: Y130 Program Center
MORE INFO: Monday-July 21; beginner, 4-5 p.m., advanced 5-6 p.m., intermediate 6-7 p.m.; $40 members, $60 nonmembers
4-H SUMMER CLASSES
WHERE: Extension Office, 116 Main St.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon July 21
MORE INFO: Learn the basics of growing plants from seeds. Open to fifth-graders and up. Call the Extension office, (706) 595-1815.
BLOOD DRIVES
MORE INFO: Given by Shepeard Community Blood Center at the following dates and locations: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 23 at Walmart in Thomson; 2-6 p.m. July 25 at McDuffie Regional Medical Center; 9 a.m. to noon at Augusta Tech Thomson Campus
DAISY ANSLEY BENEFIT CONCERT
WHERE: Dearing Baptist Church
WHEN: 7 p.m. July 30
MORE INFO: Southern Songmasters will be featured. A love offering will be accepted.
THOMSON CAMELLIA CITY LIONS CLUB
WHERE: Meeting at Queen of Angels Catholic Church
WHEN: 7 p.m. second Mondays
MORE INFO: Call Bonnie Martin at (706) 595-5176 or Pat Wylie at (706) 595-0560. Board meetings are held last Thursdays at 7 p.m.
AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS
WHERE: Patriots 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. To qualify for insurance discounts, a driver must have a clean driving record for three years. 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.
PINDOR CONSTRUCTION/CONTRACTOR/JOB FAIR
WHERE: Thomson Depot
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 13
MORE INFO: $50 for vendors. The event is greared to help small businesses to grow and to offer job opportunity to qualified individuals. E-mail: tucker4858@bellsouth.net or call (706) 361-8001.
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: Health care provider ($20), heart saver first aid ($20), fire extinguisher training (free) and child care professional fire safety training ($10). 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. 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: Every first Saturday 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 different dance. Free for Family Y members; $10 per class for non-members. 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 -- 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. Come get your training today.
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.
