Sun Rise Scoops

Posted

By MERI R. KENNEDY

Toys for Kids Drive

Mayor Joseph Polisena and Chief Richard. S. Tamburini, in partnership with the Johnston Explorer’s Program are holding a Toys for Kids Drive now through Dec. 12. All donated gifts will go directly and boys and girls in Johnston. Last year, more than 125 Johnston families benefitted from this program.

They ask that you bring a toy donation (unwrapped) and a gift card (which is great for older children) and drop them off at the Johnston Police Department in the bin already set up. They ask that no stuffed animals be included. The community is welcome to bring a toy and join in for the Toy Wrapping Party on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Johnston Senior Center, located at1291 Hartford Ave.

If you or a family you know are in need of help this year, please call Cpt. Thomas H. Dolan of the Johnston Police Department at 757-310 ext. 3138. All toy distributions are handled confidentially.

Santa to arrive at Memorial Park

Join in with Johnston Department of Parks & Recreation on Dec. 9 for the Holiday Festival, held from 3 to 5 p.m. in Johnston Memorial Park.Join in for food, refreshments, and music and a bike raffle. Everyone is invited to this free event and have your picture taken with Santa, please bring your own camera. 

Holiday Program at the Mohr Library

On Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. the Mohr Library will present Plectoria, featuring one mandolin and two guitars, which will present a holiday program for an enjoyable night of music.

Thomas Greene, Curator of the Philatelic Collections in the John Hay Library at Brown and North Providence Town Historian, who for 30 years was Warwick Public Schools Music Department Head, while also Adjunct Professor of Guitar & Lute at URI, RIC, Brown & Boston University and then Music History teacher at CCRI. He’s lectured, performed, and published numerous books on music as well as his varied interests in history.

Maria Magnelli-Arsenault was the last mandolin student of composer/mandolin virtuoso, Giuseppe Pettine and then, switching to the violin, graduated from The Boston Conservatory. She taught music and elementary education in MA and Johnston, and has participated in concerts and orchestras.

Mike Magnelli was guitarist for Burt Bacharach’s Promises Promises, guitarist & assistant conductor for the Broadway musical “Grease” with John Travolta, longtime guitarist and arranger for Frank Sinatra Jr., and guitar player for the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” starring Theodore Bikel. He has backed vocalists such as Johnny Mathis, Mitzi Gaynor, Donald O’Connor Joel Grey, Buddy Greco and has worked as guitarist for many of the top society orchestras such as Lester Lanin and Peter Duchin.

The program will include an array of holiday songs including Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Sunrise Sunset, Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells, Silent Night, White Christmas and a sing-a-long to songs such as Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Jingle Bells.

Ocean State Toastmasters to Meet

Ocean State Toastmasters will hold its next meeting on Dec. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Warwick City Hall, 3275 Post Rd. The club is one of some 13,500 in Toastmasters International, a nonprofit, educational organization devoted to the development of public speaking and leadership skills. The organization has approximately 280,000 members in 116 countries. Founded in 1963, Ocean State Toastmasters is one of the oldest clubs in Rhode Island. For more information, contact Merrill Winoker, Vice President of Membership, at 688-4741 or merrillwinoker@icloud.com

At the Mohr for Teens

Teen Task Force seeking members. Do you want to show the community how teens can make a positive impact? Join our Teen Task Force to help build a better world. Become part of this teen-driven group advocating for the library and for the teens in our community. Plan monthly teen programs, organize weekly activities & crafts, give suggestions for new material purchases, initiate teen participation, and earn volunteer hours. Participate in bi-weekly meetings & teen-lead activity benefiting the teens, the community & causes of your choice.

Library Cards for Teens! Teens are encouraged to sign up for library cards all year round! Young Adults ages 14-17 may apply for a library card on their own. According to Ocean State Libraries, “students ages 14 to 17 may provide proof of their enrollment in a public or private school in Rhode Island (class schedule, transcript, report card, etc.) in lieu of a photo ID if they do not otherwise have one. Proof of home address must still be provided if not stated on school enrollment documents.” For computer privileges, all students under the age of 17 must have a parent or guardian sign the permission form.

A Christmas to

Remember

Praise Tabernacle’s 15th Annual Christmas presentation will offer live animals, drama, comedy, singing, dancing, Santa, toys and much more with free admission. Over a three-day weekend and five shows, PT has over 2,500 people who attend this event each year. The production will be held on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

In 2015, Praise Tabernacle modified one of the shows and made a Special Sensory Friendly Show.  This is the third year for the Special Sensory Friendly Show and it will be held on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. For this show only, the will provide a calming room in case there is a need for it. The church is also handicap assessable for those in need. Praise Tabernacle Church is located at 330 Park Ave. in Cranston.

Books for sale

Looking for a literary stocking stuffer or two, or a book to relax with after the holidays?  You’ll find more than a few at the Friends of Mohr Library’s ongoing book sale.

The bookshelves in the hallway on the lower level of the library have been filled with gently used books for sale, thanks to recent donations from local book lovers. Open daily during regular library hours, there is something for everyone - children, young adults, and lovers of mystery, romance, science fiction, sports, biography, cookbooks, etc. The Friends, a non-profit volunteer group dedicated to the library, helps to support special services and library programs through memberships, donations, and fundraising efforts. Email address is friends@mohrlibrary.com.

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