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Holly’s Spirit

The seventh annual Holly’s Spirit 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run will be held on May 14 through the streets of Coventry. The proceeds from this event will benefit the Lance Cpl. Holly Charette Foundation.

Holly was a sweet, kind and spirited soul. She joined the Marines after 9/11 because she wanted to do something for her country. Holly was 21 years old, defending our country in Fallujah, Iraq, when her convoy was struck by a suicide bomber on June 23, 2005. Holly was the first female Marine to lose her life during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The foundation was started in 2006 to remember and honor Holly’s name and to help select students from the two high schools that she attended – Cranston High School East and Coventry High School – with books, supplies, and anything else needed to get through their school year.

The run begins at 9 a.m. (8:30 a.m. start for wheelchairs). This family-friendly event starts at Coventry High School. T-Shirts are given to the first 300 pre-entrants. Awards will be given to top overall male and female finishers, as well as the top three finishers in various groups.

Registration is available by searching for Holly’s Spirit on active.com or calling 401-392-3596. Entrance fees are $20 per person before May 12, and $25 on race day. The Kids Fun Run fee is $5.

Tri-Town Head Start

recruiting new students

Tri-Town Community Action Agency CEO Joseph DeSantis has announced that the agency’s Head Start program is recruiting new students for spots at its four local sites.

“We’re continuing our efforts to identify more children who can benefit from this high-quality early education program,” DeSantis explained. “Since we recruit on a rolling basis, parents should take this opportunity to start the application process.”

Head Start is a free program for children from families who meet federal income guidelines – a family of three with annual income of $20,160 would qualify, for example – or other qualifications.

“Aside from wages, we screen families for homelessness, recent loss of residence, Supplemental Security Income, and other factors that may still qualify their children for Head Start,” explained Family and Community Outreach Specialist Barbara Chadwick. “Even if someone thinks they may not qualify under the income guidelines, I always encourage them to call us so that we can do a full review of their circumstances.”

Tri-Town runs Head Start centers at its main office, 1126 Hartford Ave., Johnston; 79 Waterman Ave. and 2204 Mineral Spring Ave. in North Providence; and 185 Main St. in Burrillville. All centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and rated by the Bright Stars Quality Rating and Improvement System, Chadwick noted.

In addition to the host communities, the local program also serves North Smithfield, Foster, Glocester, and Scituate.

Currently, Tri-Town has an enrollment target of 134 preschool students in Head Start and 58 children from birth to 5 and expectant mothers in the Early Head Start program, Chadwick explained.

To start the application process, contact Tri-Town Community Action Head Start at 401-519-1979 or Barbara Chadwick at bchadwick@tri-town.org. More information, including the Parents Handbook and annual report, is available on the Tri-Town website, tri-town.org.

Computer classes

at the Mohr

The Mohr Library in Johnston is a sponsoring site of the Northstar Basic Computer Skills Certificate program. Make an appointment to take a Northstar assessment. Pass with an 85 percent or better and earn a certificate in one or all test areas. Ask a librarian about earning this valuable credential today. Librarians will also try to get help for any basic problems you have using computers. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 401-231-4980. The library is located at 1 Memorial Ave. in Johnston.

Succession Planning

The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Employers Association of the Northeast to offer affordable and informative seminars. “Succession Planning: Develop Your Bench Strength” will be presented on May 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

When leaders and key employees depart, many organizations are left wondering who can possibly replace their knowledge and skills. Organizations lose executives and other critical talent due to retirement, illness, personality conflicts, performance, and a myriad of other reasons that drive natural attrition. Formalizing a succession plan can avoid these issues and prepare your “bench” with the talent to meet future needs.

This full-day program will introduce different approaches to succession planning, processes, and forecasting tools used to identify short- and long-term talent requirements and define competencies required for current and future business needs.

For more information or to place a reservation, contact the Chamber at 401-334-1000.

Genealogy Group

The Mohr Library Genealogy Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. The library has yearly subscriptions to the Ancestry and New England Historical Genealogical Society databases (NEHGS) on all library computers. The library also publishes a monthly newsletter outlining upcoming program details and includes tips for searching. Former programs include field trips to the State Archive and Swan Point Cemetery, as well as speakers on cemeteries, medallions found on gravestones, how to search for a particular nationality, and much more. Meetings are open to all. For more information about the Genealogy Group and to receive the monthly newsletter, contact Grayce at gmoorehead@mohrlibrary.org, or call Grayce or Lori at Reference at 401-231-4980.

May is National

Foster Care Month

Family Service of RI is celebrating May as National Foster Care Month by holding an informational open house for anyone interested in learning about foster parenting on May 18 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Family Service of RI, 134 Thurbers Ave. in Providence. Foster parents receive tax-free dollars to support the placement, free medical coverage for the child, and a clothing allowance, along with 24/7 support. For more information, call 401-331-1350, ext. 3305, email wrightgr@familyserviceri.org, or visit familyserviceri.org.

Great American

Songbook

On Wednesday, May 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Mohr Library will present “The Great American Songbook.” This interactive program follows American music from the colonial years until the 1950s. Sing along, hum, or just enjoy with actress Pat Perry. The library is located at 1 Memorial Ave. For more information, call 401-231-4980, ext. 213.

 

Gentian Garden Club

plant sale

The Gentian Garden Clubs’ spring plant sale will be held on Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, at the Community House, 546 West Greenville Road (Rt. 116) in North Scituate. This is an excellent opportunity to meet members of the club, and pick up some great plants. They will be selling perennials, shrubs, herbs, and native plants, all at great prices. Chairing the program is member Diane Greggerson. Contact her at diane924@yahoo.com or 860-963-2134 with any questions. Proceeds from the sale go to local scholarships and community run programs.

The club will hold its annual meeting at the Atwood Grille in Johnston on May 17. The True Blue Award will be given out that night to a Gentian member who has been an asset to the club in various ways, and will be presented by last year’s winner, Carolyn Hanson. For information on attending a meeting or joining the club, contact Linda Proulx at 401-647-3730 or bogcrawler@msn.com.

St. Mary School

searching for alumni

The bells of St. Mary School are calling all alumni for a celebration of 65 years of excellence in Catholic education on Sept. 17, 2016. To achieve this, the school is seeking input to compile an up-to-date database in order to contact as many as possible, beginning with the very first graduating class of 1960. Those responding should furnish the following: full name (maiden if applicable), current complete address, phone number indicating land and cell, email address, and graduation year. Submit via one of these methods: email to llepore@stmaryschoolri.org, Facebook (visit St Mary’s School Cranston Alumni), place a form in the collection basket at St. Mary Church in an envelope marked “Alumni,” or mail information to ALUMNI, St. Mary School, 85 Chester Ave., Cranston, RI 02920. It is gratefully appreciated that everyone reading this pass it on and share with other alumni.

Coloring for Grownups

Every Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mohr Library, you may enjoy a therapeutic, relaxing, and enjoyable evening through adult coloring. Many choices of designs including stylized drawings, florals, and mandalas, with 100 beautiful markers and 100 colored pencils to choose from. Come early or late. The program is free. The Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library is located at 1 Memorial Ave., Johnston.

Did You Know?

Spring fever is a real syndrome. When the temperature rises during the warm spell after a long winter, there is a dilation of the blood vessels so blood can be carried to the body surface where heat can be lost quickly. People experience an energetic feeling when this happens. (Source: Spring Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, email Meri R. Kennedy at SunriseScoops@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can range from community events, promotions, academic news and non-profit events. Email today and see your news in our column in the Johnston Sun Rise! Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information.

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