Sun Rise Scoops

Quarter Auction to benefit American Heart Association

On Sunday, Feb. 16, a Quarter Auction to benefit the American Heart Association will be held at Spirito’s Restaurant at the Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812, located at 1418 Plainfield Pike in Cranston.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the event begins at 11 a.m. Entry costs $5. The event will feature prizes, raffles and auctions for items from a range of vendors.

Bowling for Animals

On Sunday, Feb. 16, Defenders of Animals will host a fundraising event at Town Hall Lanes, located at 1463 Atwood Ave. in Johnston, from 2 to 4 p.m. For $20 per person, the package includes two hours of bowling, a pizza and a pitcher of soda at each lane. For more information or to register, contact Defenders of Animals at 461-1922.

Call for poetry

Cranston-based nonprofit Notable Works has announced a call for poetry submissions for consideration in its next publication. The theme is “Voices of the Earth: People Helping People/Resilience.”

Poetry submissions may be emailed to noreeninglesi@cox.net or mailed to Notable Works Publication and Distribution Co. Inc., PO Box 8122, Cranston, RI 02920. Those whose work is selected for publication will receive a complimentary copy of the book upon its release.

The deadline for submissions is May 1. For more information, visit notableworks.org.

 Gentian Garden Club February meeting

The Gentian Garden Club will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. at the North Scituate Community House, located at 546 W. Greenville Road, Scituate. Jackie Marco, a club member and former president, will present a program titled “Native Plants and the Aiken Trail Development.”

Marco worked with Vermont’s Bennington Museum for the last 10 years, creating a number of trails and gardens through the Hadwen Woods at the museum. The beautiful Hadwen Woods and George Aiken Wildflower Trail are adjacent to the Bennington Museum.

For additional information, contact club membership chairperson Nancy Laurie at 647-6966 or gentryway@cox.net.

At the Johnston Historical Society

The Johnston Historical Society’s museum barn is open Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Thursdays, 2-5 p.m. and the first and third Saturdays of each month, 9-11 a.m., for those who would like to visit the museum or examine the society's collection of printed materials. Both the museum and Elijah Angell House continue to be open by appointment – they always welcome visits by interested individuals or groups. Just send them an email at history@jhs.necoxmail.com or leave a message at 231-3380 to set one up.

There will be a special Sunday meeting on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. featuring Steve Merolla who will present “The Bordens of Neutaconkanut Hill Part II.”

The meeting will take place at the Johnston Historical Society Museum Barn, 101 Putnam Pike, Johnston, and is free and open to the public.

At the Mohr for children

 Storytime has begun and offers stories, songs and rhymes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers and their caregivers. The program is held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is open to all ages. Storytime starts at 10:30 a.m. There is no need to register.

Saturday Drop-In Crafts are held when the Mohr Library is open. Come anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for several self-directed projects for kids and parents to do together. Craft programs are not appropriate for children under 3 as small parts might present a hazard.

Lego Club meets every second Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Play with Lego bricks donated by Lego Systems. Children ages 5 and up may attend and no registration required.

“I Spy” is held anytime when the library is open. Play “I Spy Pokémon,” “I Spy Pete the Cat” or three other “I Spy” games that a talented volunteer has made for you and get a sticker for each one. The program is open to all ages.

The Mohr Library offers discount passes to several fun places in and around the state. These passes have been donated by the Friends of Mohr Library. For more information, call 231-4980 and press 5 for the children’s room.

Help make a house a home

The Furniture Bank of RI, a nonprofit corporation, needs bureaus, complete twin or double beds, kitchen sets, mattresses and other household furniture that you no longer need. To help a less fortunate family through your charitable donation of good used furniture, call 831-5511 to arrange for pick up. All donated articles must be in good condition.

Book sales

Members of the Friends plan and run book sales and carry out other fundraising activities to allow Mohr Library to increase services and programs. The Friends welcome new members who are willing to support either through donations, membership dues, or through volunteering their time. To find out more, contact them, or call the library director at 231-4980 (press 7).

There is an ongoing book sale in the lower level hall across from the meeting room. The Friends also hold larger sales two or three times a year. Great selections at great prices include hard cover and paperback books, fiction and non-fiction, for adults, children, and young adults. Most prices range from $.25 to $2. The Friends are a nonprofit organization, with proceeds from fundraising supporting library programs and services.

Donations of gently used books are appreciated and can be left at the library’s main desk during library hours. Receipts for tax purposes are available.

Did you know?

Oddly enough, the story of conversation hearts first began when a Boston pharmacist named Oliver Chase invented a machine that simplified the way medical lozenges – used for sore throats and other illnesses – could be made. The result was America's first candy-making machine, because the pharmacist soon started shifting his focus from making lozenges to candy instead! Chase founded the New England Confectionery Company, or Necco, and the candy lozenges soon became what we know today as Necco wafers. (Source: Valentine’s Fun Facts) 

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