Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

October with the Gentian

Garden Club

The Gentian Garden Club will meet on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the North Scituate Community House, 546 W. Greenville Road, North Scituate. The program is entitled, “Mushroom Hunting in Southern New England.”

The co-presenters are Ryan Bouchard and Emily Schmidt. Ryan is the author and photographer of Gourmet Mushrooms of RI, the first book about mushroom hunting in the Ocean State. He will present amazing local varieties, focusing on those that are recommended for beginners.  Emily studies the countless ways mushrooms may be used for cooking and the nutritional value of our local varieties. Together, they educate people about enjoying the safe picking and cooking of wild mushrooms. There will be a $5 donation for non-members, which includes light refreshments.

The other activities they have scheduled for October are a junior activity on Oct. 4 at the North Scituate Library entitled, “The Colors of Fall”.  On Oct. 11, they will be leading a garden therapy workshop at Brookdale-Johnston for the seniors entitled, “Harvest Delight”.  They will be cleaning up the barrels at the Village Green, Community House window boxes and the containers at the North Scituate Post Office and the Foster Tyler Library.

If you have any questions on any of the events listed above, contact their membership chairperson, Nancy Laurie at her email gentryway@cox.net or by phone 647-5966.

Mohr Library Genealogy group meetings

Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library has yearly subscriptions to Ancestry.com and the New England Historical Genealogical Society databases (NEHGS) on all library computers. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. 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. Join avid ancestral sleuths, learn tips from others. All nationalities discussed. For more information contact the library at 231-4980, info@mohrlibrary.org or www.mohrlibrary.

org.

Ocean State Toastmaster

Halloween-themed meeting

Ocean State Toastmaster invites the public to their special Halloween meeting on Oct. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Warwick City Hall (basement). Come enjoy a festive Halloween party and meet their outgoing professional public speakers.

At the Mohr

Storytime-Stories, songs, rhymes, puppets and coloring for children of all ages and their grown-ups. Tuesdays, they welcome babies up to 3 years old and Wednesdays they welcome 3-5 years old at 10:30 a.m. This Storytime series runs Sept. 26 through Oct. 25.  Special Halloween story times will be held Oct. 24 and 25, when children are welcome to wear a costume and bring a prepackaged snack to share. Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library is located at 1 Memorial Ave, Johnston and can be reached at 401-231-4980 x5 or www.mohrlibrary.org.

On Oct. 23, Page & Play Club (Grades 1-3) will be held at 6 p.m. The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller. Children will meet to discuss the book, whip up some Doughnut Math including estimation, skip counting, fractions and measuring Hands-on! (They will prepare the dry ingredients for doughnuts for take home). Children will learn and witness the science of yeast during the meeting.  Please ask for a copy of the book at the Children’s Desk. Read before book discussion date. Registration preferred by calling 231-4980 x 5.

On Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. will be Spooky Puppetry. Create “The Thing” from the Addams Family TV show, an octopus puppet and make your own puppet theater and more. Registration is required by calling 231-4980 x5, www.mohrlibrary.org, info@mohrlibrary.org.

Saturday Drop-in Crafts is a program that is held every Saturday and features several self-directed projects for kids and parents to do together. Drop-in anytime between 11a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (Craft programs are not appropriate for children under 3 as small parts might present a hazard.)

Stretch Strong to the Core

Tamburini Golf Performance will present “Stretch Strong to the Core” on Sundays at 10 a.m. at Tamburini Golf Performance Center, 100 Federal Way in Johnston.  Flexibility, mobility, strength, endurance and balance will all be taught during “Stretch Strong to the Core” will improve your total body flexibility, address mobility, strengthen your core and balance to enhance your overall functional fitness and golf performance.

Consistent stretching will allow you to have a more efficient swing, maximize on spinal rotation, produce more power, reach a greater distance with each drive and most importantly minimize the risk of injury. All levels are welcome, dress in comfortable clothing, bring a mat and water bottle with you. Space is limited, please reserve your spot with Lisa, 413-2526 or at Tamburini.golf@g

mail.com and for more info on training packages visit lisatamburini.com. A health history and waiver form must be completed.

Bowl for Kid’s Sake

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS) will host Bowl For Kids’ Sake (BFKS), on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Lang’s Bowlarama in Cranston. Participants can sign up in teams of five to participate in a private bowling party, and raise donations from family and friends leading up to the event; with a fundraising goal of $100 for each participant.

In addition to signing up to bowl and collect donations, businesses and individuals are needed to sponsor the event, purchase advertisement space in the event program, and donate raffle items for day-of event raffles.

This is the first year that BBBSOS will host a bowling fundraiser, although the event model has successfully raised funds and brought the community together for other Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies around the country.

Teams may sign up to bowl at www.crowdrise.com/BFKSRI.  They anticipate 40+ teams will join to bowl and fundraise for Bowl For Kids’ Sake. A celebratory bowling party will take place on Oct. 14 and teams are able to choose their bowl time of either 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Participants will enjoy free bowling rental shoes, pizza, soda, and prizes.

The fundraiser is being co-sponsored by Marcovich, Mansour & Capobianco, LLC; Mercedes-Benz of Warwick; BankRI; Cox Communications; Batista Companies; Batista & Zappone Management Group; Peregrine Group, LLC; and UnitedHealthcare.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State is Rhode Island’s leading mentoring organization and has been serving boys and girls in Rhode Island for over 51 years.  The mission of BBBSOS is to provide mentors to the youth of Rhode Island who will motivate and empower them to make positive decisions, improve academic results, avoid risky behaviors and grow in a way that will positively impact our community.

To participate in BFKS, or to learn more about BBBSOS and the role that mentoring plays in our community, visit www.bbbsos.org, email mentoring@bbbsos.org or call 921-2434, ext. 101.

Ongoing Book Sale at Mohr

Looking for a used textbook? You might find it at the Friends of Mohr Library’s ongoing book sale on the lower level of the library. A rolling cart in the area is filled with textbooks and other books helpful to course work, assignments and home schooling, along with a few literary classics. Books on the cart are marked with prices up to $2 and will be available through Sept 23. The Friends, a non-profit volunteer group dedicated to the library, supports special services and library programs, including summer reading, through their fundraising efforts. Email address is friends@mohrlibrary.org.

Help make a house a home

The Furniture Bank of RI, a 501(C)3 non-profit corporation, needs bureaus, complete twin or double beds, kitchen sets, mattresses and 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.

Volunteers needed

The Johnston Senior Center is seeking volunteers to help with various services throughout the year. They need volunteers on Thursday afternoon bingo and Friday night bingo. The Activity Department is also in need of volunteers for dining room servers and gift shop associates. Contact the Center at 944-3343.

Did You Know?

The jack-o’-lantern comes from an old Irish tale about a man named Stingy Jack. According to folklore, Stingy Jack was out getting sloshed with the Devil when Jack convinced his drinking partner to turn himself into a coin to pay for the drinks without spending money. Jack then put the Devil, shaped like a coin, into his pocket, which also contained a silver cross that kept the Devil from transforming back. Jack promised to free the Devil as long as the Devil wouldn’t bother him for a year, and if he died, the Devil could never claim his soul. Jack tricked the Devil again later, getting him to pick a piece of fruit out of a tree and then carving a cross into the bark when the Devil was in the branches. This trick bought Jack another 10 years of devil-free living.

When Jack finally died, God decided he wasn’t fit for heaven, but the Devil had promised never to claim his soul for hell. So, Jack was sent off to roam Earth with only a burning coal for light. He put the coal into a turnip as a lantern, and Stingy Jack became “Jack of the Lantern” or “Jack o’ Lantern.” Based on this myth, the Irish carved scary faces into turnips, beets and potatoes to scare away Stingy Jack or any other spirits of the night. (Source: Halloween Fun Facts)

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