Sun Rise Scoops

Johnston Police Explorers fundraiser

Join in with members of Johnston Police Explorers Post 405 at Kelley Gazzerro VFW Post 2812, located at 1418 Plainfield Pike in Cranston, for a fundraising dinner on Oct. 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The price is $10 per person, and children under the age of 10 are admitted free. Enjoy a family style dinner, raffles, and prizes.

For tickets or more information, contact Capt. Thomas Dolan at 401-757-3100, ext. 3138, George Arakelian Jr. at 401-946-0010, or John Brosquet at 401-529-4359

Pasta Fest for Defenders of Animals

A Pasta Fest to benefit Defenders of Animals will be held on Sept. 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Edgewood Congregational Church, located at 1788 Broad St. in Cranston. The cost is $10 per person, and raffles will be held. For reservations, contact 401-461-1922.

Fall book sale

The Friends of Mohr Library will be holding a large book and CD sale on Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mohr Library, 1 Memorial Ave., Johnston. The sale will be on the lower level hallway, accessible by elevator. There will be fiction and non-fiction hardcover and paperbacks, children’s books, and more. Most prices $2 or less, and CDs and books on tape are $1. Some older, interesting, vintage books might be at higher prices. Proceeds support library programs and events.

MS Jet Pull returns to Green for 10th anniversary

The MS Jet Pull is a mighty tug of war, with you and 24 of your friends and relatives on one side and an enormous FedEx 757 on the other! The 10th annual MS Jet Pull to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will be Sept. 24 at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick.

The event provides a unique physical challenge as pullers can use only their hands as they grasp a rope tied to the front of the jet and heave the 757 across the tarmac. Register your team today! Gather 24 friends, family members, coworkers, neighbors, and others. Each participant only has to meet a $60 fundraising minimum.

If you don’t have enough members on your team, organizers will help by grouping you with other motivated individuals who want to do something about multiple sclerosis.

Event awards will honor many participating teams in categories such as the coveted fastest pull and most team spirit awards. Many teams like to get creative and have fun with their costumes – from gladiators and Spartans to superheroes and even angels.

The first pull takes place at 10 a.m., and the action will continue throughout the day. When a team registers, they choose a window of time so they are only required to commit to three hours on event day. Spectators are invited to cheer on the teams. No animals are permitted for their own safety, in keeping with airport rules.

At the Mohr

Stillwater River Publications will be at the Mohr Library on Sept. 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The library reports that they get “lots of people who want to write a book, and this is a terrific opportunity for them to get an idea of what is involved with self-publishing.” They added that they have many books on how to write all kinds of books, papers, etc. They do get many requests for authors who have self-published to provide to the library. For more information, visit stillwaterpress.com.

Recycling drive

The Washington Trust Company, located at 1383 Atwood Ave. in Johnston, will sponsor a recycling drive on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. till noon. All electronics will be accepted with the exception of CRT monitors and printers, and need not be in working order. Televisions will be accepted with a $10 donation. Clothing and textiles may be ripped, stained, or worn out, and may include old curtains, towels, bed linens, tablecloths, backpacks, and single shoes.

The funds raised from donated electronics and textiles will be reinvested in the training programs offered by Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island, furthering its mission to provide job training opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

Fall plant sale

The Gentian Garden Club’s Fall Plant Sale will be held rain or shine on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Scituate Community House, 546 West Greenville Road (Rt. 116). Fall is an ideal time to add perennials, shrubs, and native plants to a garden. Come by and check out the sale from 9 a.m. to noon.

The club will hold its regular monthly meeting on Sept. 20. The program will feature Karen O’Brien speaking on “The Stillroom Garden: Preserving Plants for Health and Well-Being.” Visitors are always welcome. The program begins at 7 p.m. Following the lecture, there will be refreshments and time to meet and mingle with members of the group. Also that evening, horticulturist chair Cindy Gianfrancesco will speak on the Amazing Allium.

During the month of September, Gentian members will be out in the community, tending to the beautiful and colorful barrels and boxes at the Village Green and regular maintenance on the Wildflower and Blue Star memorial gardens.

Those interested in coming to a monthly meeting or getting involved in any community-run programs may contact Linda Proulx at 401-647-3730 or email bogcrawler@msn.com.

Friends of the Poor Walk 2016

On Sunday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Rhode Island will be holding a one-mile Friends of the Poor Walk around Garden City Center in Cranston to raise awareness and funds for Rhode Islanders in need. After the walk, there will be music at the Gazebo, along with food samplings, family games, and activities. Please bring non-perishable foods, clothing, and new toiletries to donate to the necessities drive throughout the morning.  Each person who donates will be entered into a raffle to be held that day. For more information, visit svdpri.org.

Tri-Town seeks volunteers

Tri-Town Community Center needs volunteers to help with its food distribution program. Hours are the first three Wednesdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tri-Town is also looking for people to help relocate the food program to Emanuel Avenue at a date and time to be determined.

Background checks are required. Tri-Town will cover the costs for the background checks, and the Health Center is available to conduct physical exams to ensure the fitness of volunteers.

Please call 401-519-1917 if you are interested in helping Tri-Town with this important service to the community.

Historical Society

afternoon outing

On Oct. 1, discover “Boundaries and Blacksmithing” in town with the Johnston Historical Society from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Andrew Harris House, 216 Morgan Ave.

Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy and the Johnston Historical Society invite community members to a very special afternoon outing. Neutaconkanut Hill was the original boundary of the Providence settlement led by Roger Williams. But did you know that just a few short years later the hill was included within the settlement when a new boundary was set at Hipses Rock in Johnston?

Join the conservancy for a rare opportunity to visit this little known landmark, which is on private property. A visit to the newly restored blacksmith shop will be another highlight of the afternoon, which will conclude with refreshments at the house. The event is free of charge, with a rain date of Oct. 2. For more information or to register, please call 401-946-6594 or email susan@nhill.org.

Cherry Hill seeks help with Photoshop

Cherry Hill Manor is looking for a student with Photoshop experience who is building a portfolio and needs community service or work experience hours. This is a volunteer position with flexible hours. If interested, please call Loraine 401-231-3102, ext. 6385.

Central High’s 50th reunion

January and June graduates of the 1966 class at Central High are invited to attend a 50-year reunion dinner on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 12:30 p.m. at Twin Oaks Restaurant in Cranston.

The dinner will be $35 per person. Dinner choices include a 12-oz. sirloin steak, five baked stuffed shrimp, and chicken parmesan, along with a choice of sides, coffee or tea, and dessert. There will be a cash bar.

For more details, contact Marie Bouchard (Taraksian) at 401-943-8925 or mbouchard135@yahoo.com, or Joanne Lanni (Grzelak) at 401-270-7688 or jbirdlanni@yahoo.com.

All attendees must be prepaid so that a count can be provided to the restaurant. An account has been opened for the reunion and checks should be sent by Oct. 7, payable to Central High Reunion 1966, to Marie Bouchard, 155 Garden Hills Drive, Cranston, RI 02920. A Facebook page has been created so participants can see what’s happening in real time. The address is facebook.com/centralhigh50yearreunion.

Did You Know?

Plants use sunlight to create nutrients and feed themselves, keeping their green color. As the days become shorter and plants get less sunshine, they stop producing those nutrients and display a different color. Yellow and oranges sit below the green all the time and red and brown are made from waste and nutrients trapped in them. (Source: Fall 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.