DINGUS FUND DANCES
WHERE: Moose Lodge 477, 1606 Augusta Highway
WHEN: Teen dance 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; adults dance 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday
MORE INFO: Donations will be accepted for admission. Both dances benefit the Michael Lynn Dingus III Fund. Proceeds from a $12 dinner Saturday evening also will go to the fund. Money goes toward funeral expenses for the Thomson 12-year-old, who was killed Aug. 8.
NES FUNDRAISER
WHERE: Norris Elementary
WHEN: Friday through Oct. 11
DETAILS: A variety of items are available though Jaxco's Charleston Wrap division. Call (706) 986-4400.
BOOK FAIR
WHERE: Maxwell Elementary
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Friday through Sept. 30
MATH NIGHT
WHERE: Maxwell Elementary Media Center
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
COL. JOHN SINGLETON MOSBY
WHERE: Talk of the Town Café in the Fitzpatrick Hotel, Washington
WHEN: 6 p.m. Monday
DETAILS: Dr. Brian Willis, the director of the Center for the study of the Civil War Era at Kennesaw State University will present the program. The cost of the meeting is $10 per person and includes a very nice dinner. Please make reservations, as soon as possible, by e-mail at claibourne@darden-atlanta.net or by calling (404) 210-5811 and leaving a message. After noon Friday, make reservations only by calling and leaving a message.
SEE MORE: 2,5,7A
VOTER DRIVE
WHERE: Walmart
WHEN: Noon until 5 p.m. Saturday
R.L. NORRIS CLASS OF 1966 MEETING
WHERE: Home of Vinnie Brown
WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday
DETAILS: Call Drusella Story, (706) 595-6018
CANCER REPLACEMENT DRIVE FOR DENISE DALLAS
WHERE: Walmart
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday
DETAILS: Sponsored by Shepeard Community Blood Center. The Shepeard van also will be at Queen of Angels Catholic Church of Thomson, 1326 Washington Road, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. The van will visit McDuffie Regional Medical Center, 521 Hill St. SW, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Sep. 26. Call (706) 737-4551.
GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL WRITING TEST
WHERE: Thomson High School
WHEN: 7:40 a.m. Sept. 27
DETAILS: Deadline to register is Friday. Students out of school must call the guidance office at (706) 986-4333 to register.
NORRIS-KITCHENS FAMILY REUNION
WHERE: Gibson Community Building
WHEN: Doors open at noon Oct. 2
DETAILS: Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. Please bring your favorite covered dish. Barbecue will not be served this year.
THOMSON FIRE DEPARTMENT RIBEYE STEAK DINNER
WHERE: Thomson Fire Department, Main Street
WHEN: Oct. 7
DETAILS: Benefits will go toward training area upgrades located off of Forest Clary Drive Extension. All tickets are sold prior to event. On the day of the event, the remaining tickets will be sold until sold out.
McDUFFIE COUNTY FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETING
WHERE: Thomson High School
WHEN: 7 p.m. Oct. 13
DETAILS: Tickets may be purchased at the office located on the Augusta Highway before Oct. 7 for $3 per plate. After Oct. 7, the price per plate will be $5. No take outs please. Door prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the meeting.
SEE MORE: 5,7A
LEADERSHIP MCDUFFIE 2012
WHERE: Thomson Chamber
DETAILS: Anyone interested in becoming part of the Leadership team, please contact the Chamber at (706) 597-1000.
FOOTBALL TICKETS ON SALE
WHERE: Thomson High main office
WHEN: Now
DETAILS: Tickets are $6 each for Friday night's game against Washington County for students and adults.
REESE FUNDRAISER
WHEN: In progress, ends Friday
WHAT: Michelle Ray continues her Sweet Blessings Confections fundraiser for Tanner Reese. This week's online cake auction features an ooey gooey cake and pecan turtles, each with a $15 minimum bid. The first $5 goes toward expenses; anything more goes to the fund for the 11-year-old leukemia patient. To date, the cake auctions have raised $80 for the fund.
MORE INFO: Bidding and information are available online, at sweetblessingsconfections@yahoo.com.
CANS FOR FRIENDS
WHERE: Dearing Baptist Church
WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Saturday
DETAILS: Activities for kids: games, snacks and a movie in the fellowship hall. Donation: canned food. For the adults there will be a gospel sing featuring the Southern Songmasters in the sanctuary. All donations will go to Manna to help with food need in the community.
McTIER FAMILY REUNION
WHERE: Reedy Creek Baptist Church
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. Saturday
DETAILS: Doors open for registration and fellowship at 9:30 a.m. Program begins at 11 a.m. followed by a covered dish lunch at noon. Reedy Creek is six miles north of Wrens and two miles south of Purvis Community Center on Highway 17 between Wrens and Thomson.
VOLUNTEER ADVOCATE TRAINING
WHERE: McDuffie County Sheriff's office training room
WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 7 and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 8
DETAILS: Volunteer advocates must be at least 18 years of age, have reliable transportation and phone, submit to a criminal background check and attend a training seminar to become an advocate. They must provide advocacy and crisis intervention to survivors of sexual assault at McDuffie Regional Medical Center, Burke County Medical Center or Jefferson Hospital (whichever is within 30 minutes of their location). Call (706) 774-2746 or email: volunteerrcsas@uh.org.
AN EVENING WITH ROSANNE CASH
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 30
WHERE: Historic Richmond Academy Parade Grounds, 540 Telfair St., Augusta
DETAILS: The Blind Willie McTell Festival in conjunction with and the support of the Westobou Festival will present An Evening with Rosanne Cash with special guest Blue Rodeo. Regular tickets are $30 in advance, $40 the day of the program, and are general admission. Beer and wine will be available on site. No carry-in alcohol will be allowed, just as at the Blind Willie Festival. VIP tables will be down front, $500 each, and only 20 are available. Round-tops for eight include a picnic basket loaded with food from Crums on Central and a bottle of wine. To buy tickets or for more information, visit www. westoboufestival.com. This year's Westobou Festival is Sept. 29 to Oct. 8.
SALSA FOR SALE
WHERE: Habañero's Mexican Grill
WHEN: Now
DETAILS: $10 per jar. All proceeds go to Thomson First United Methodist Church Drop Zone youth program.
SCHOOL SUPPLY DONATIONS
WHERE: McDuffie County Partners for Success, across from the high school
WHEN: Anytime
DETAILS: Call (706) 595-3112
THS YEARBOOKS SALE
WHERE: Thomson High School
DETAILS: The first price of the year is always the lowest; the sale starts at $50. In September, the price will increase, and the price goes up each month after that. Contact Miranda Murphey for more details or go to www. jostensyearbooks.com. Last year, the supply of yearbooks was used up, so be sure to reserve your copy today.
MICHAEL DINGUS FUND
WHERE: Queensborough National Bank
DETAILS: The family needs help to pay for funeral expenses. Please drop donations off at the bank or mail them to 314 Grier Circle, Thomson, GA 30824.
SPORTS sign-up
WHERE: Thomson-McDuffie Recreation Department and Web site
WHEN: In progress
DETAILS: Register for football, soccer and cheerleading online or in the office. Sign up at the recreation department between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Call (706) 595-2152.
RESERVE-SEAT TICKETS ON SALE
WHERE: Thomson High office
DETAILS: Reserve football tickets at $62.50 are available to the general public.
KENNY HILL FUND
WHERE: Farmers State Bank
DETAILS: Kenny Hill was recently diagnosed with brain and lung cancer. Keep up with his progress at www.caringbridge.org/visit/kennyhill. 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.
CAMELLIA CITY LIONS CLUB MEETINGS
WHERE: Queen of Angels Catholic Church
WHEN: 7 p.m. second Mondays
DETAILS: Call Lion Bonnie Martin at (706) 595-5176 or Lion Pat Wylie at (706) 595-0560. Board meetings are held the last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.
WILSON FAMILY Y SWIM TEAM (SHARKS)
WHERE: Wilson Family Y, 3570 Wheeler Road, Augusta
WHEN: Registration is under way.
MORE INFO: The Sharks swim team is for ages 6 to 18. Practices are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Beginning this season, the team will have optional swim meets against local swim teams once a month. The fee per month, for three practices per week, is $55 for members and $85 for nonmembers. The fee pays for swim caps and meet registration
AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASSes
DETAILS: Instructor Tom Venderhoof presents AARP driver safety classes 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. Drivers should confirm the discount with their insurance agents. Call Venderhoof at (706) 863-2865 Anyone interested in scheduling a class also may contact Venderhoof.
An Evening with Livingston Taylor
WHERE: Hardin Performing Arts Center, Evans WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. DETAILS: Born in Boston in 1950, Taylor grew up in Chapel Hill, N.C. When he first picked up the guitar at age 13, he signaled the beginning of a career that has now spanned forty years and encompassed performance, songwriting and teaching. At 16, he moved back to Boston, where he completed high school and began performing on the Boston coffeehouse circuit. At 18, he met legendary producer Jon Landau, who later produced his first recording for Atlantic Records.
Tickets are $32.50 and $27.50. Call (706) 726-0366. Visit www.augusta amusements.com.
AN EVENING WITH LEON REDBONE
WHERE: Hardin Performing Arts Center, Evans WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
DETAILS: Tickets are $32.50 and $27.50. Call (706) 726-0366. Visit www.augusta amusements.com.
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
DETAILS: Classes specialize in health care provider ($20), heart saver first aid ($20), fire extinguisher training (free) and child care professional fire safety training ($10). Fees due 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.
MUSIC IN THE PARK
WHERE: Mitchell Depot
WHEN: First Saturdays through October
DETAILS: 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.
one stop may be able to help you
WHERE: East Central Georgia Consortium One Stop
WHEN: now
DETAILS: 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.
PATH2COLLEGE 529 COLORING sweepstakes
WHEN: Through September
DETAILS: Georgia's Path2College 529 Plan is holding a coloring sweepstakes during September, which has been designated College Savings Month. One child will be awarded $1,529 for his or her college savings plan. To enter the coloring sweepstakes, children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade should color Hootie the Wise Old Owl and answer the question, "When I graduate, I'm going to be a ____." Coloring sheets and official rules can be found at www.Path2College529.com. Entries must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian, postmarked by Sept. 30, and must be received by Oct. 11. One winner will be drawn at random in October to receive the prize. The winner's school will also receive $1,000. Path2College 529 Plan also is offering a newborn sweepstakes open to Georgia residents. The sweepstakes will award one lucky Georgia newborn $5,529 toward his/her college savings. Georgia babies born between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of this year are eligible. Parents and grandparents of 2011 newborns can enter to win this prize. No purchase is necessary. Learn more at www.Path2College529.com.
