Sun Rise Scoops

Happening at the Johnston Senior Center

On Nov. 7, local artist Gloria Renzi will display her artwork from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Johnston Senior Center.

A trip to Turning Stone Casino will be held Nov. 12 through Nov. 14 and departs at 8 a.m. The cost is $282 per person, which includes $30 casino free play or $30 bingo bucks, a $15 meal credit for the first and second day and $25 on the third day.

Join in for the Johnston Senior Center’s Turkey Raffle at $20 per ticket with 40 chances to win. The drawing will be held on Nov. 21 at noon.

On Nov. 16, there is a trip to Mohegan Sun Casino, which departs at 9 a.m. The cost is $15 per person and includes a $15 wheel spin and a $10 food or full buffet voucher.

On Nov. 27, a Mystery Lunch will depart at 11 a.m. The cost is $10 per person.

The Johnston Senior Center is located at 1291 Hartford Ave. and may be reached by calling 944-3343.

Bowling for Animals

On Sunday, Nov. 17, Defenders of Animals will host a Bowling for Animals event at Town Hall Lanes, 1463 Atwood Ave., Johnston. The event will be held from 2-4 p.m. A donation of $20 per person will include two hours of bowling, a pizza and pitcher of soda for each lane, and bowling shoes. Call Defenders of Animals at 461-1922 for reservations. All proceeds will go directly toward medical care and spay/neuter costs for dogs and cats.

Winter survival backpacks

This November, Rhode Island Dream Center will be celebrating 11 years of distributing fully equipped “winter survival” backpacks to homeless and low-income members of the Rhode Island community. The backpacks will be distributed on Sunday, Nov. 24, at the center’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner held at Praise Tabernacle Church, 330 Park Ave., Cranston.

Many members of the state’s homeless population must carry all of their belongings with them throughout the day until they are allowed to re-enter local shelters for the evening. The Dream Center’s goal is to purchase 350-400 quality, waterproof backpacks and fill them with essential such as winter hats, scarves, gloves, socks, hand warmers, shampoo, razors, combs, lotion, powder, deodorant, rain ponchos and other hygiene hygiene products.

The Dream Center is asking for help from the community in the form of donated items or monetary donations. For more information or to participate, email ridcinfo@ridreamcenter.com or visit ridreamcenter.com.

Fantasy Ball for The Tomorrow Fund

The Tomorrow Fund’s 32nd annual Fantasy Ball will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston. All proceeds will benefit The Tomorrow Fund, the only local nonprofit organization that provides daily financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families who are treated in the pediatric oncology program and Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

The event will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m. Dinner and dancing to the music of “GQ and the Lady” will follow. Highlighting the evening will be a silent and live auction featuring trips and getaways, golf at private courses, artwork, fine wine and more.

This year’s theme, “An Evening of Enchantment,” reminds us of just how magical children are. Approximately 700 guests are expected to attend. The Fantasy Ball was recently awarded “Best Nonprofit Fundraising Event” by Rhode Island Monthly.

For more information, call 444-8811 or visit tomorrowfund.org.

Annual Bazaar at St. Joseph’s

St. Joseph Church at 144 Danielson Pike will be having its annual bazaar Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. and Nov. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the church hall.

They will be featuring in baked goods, jams and jellies, books corner, crafts, an almost new room, basket raffle table and a huge Penny Social.  They will have vendors with American Girl Doll clothes, honey, jewelry, scented oils, embroidered towels, aprons and bibs and Pampered Chef. 

The kitchen will be open for breakfast and lunch. The grand raffle will be drawn on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call 647-2255.

JHS 50th reunion

The Johnston High School class of 1971 is planning a 50th reunion celebration on Sept. 17, 2021. Classmates are asked to send current contact information to Harold J. Hemberger at harold@thesleepster.com.

 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.

Fundraising Holiday Bazaar

A fundraising Holiday Bazaar featuring food, games, crafts, raffles, a silent auction, and vendor tables will be held at St. Robert Bellarmine Church Hall (1804 Atwood Ave., Johnston) on Saturday, Nov. 9 from noon to 4:30 p.m. and from 6:15 to 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit St. Robert's Food Shelf, which provides food to all neighbors in need, regardless of religious affiliation. For general information, contact Sandy at 946-3262. To inquire about a vendor table, contact Carol at 233-2330.

 Learning about leaves

Learn about the science behind leaves changing color and make your own leaf rubbing using various media at the Art & Science Club meeting at the Mohr Library on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Registration is required, so call 231-4980 and press 5 for the Children’s Department.

Mohr Library Genealogy Group Meetings

Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library hosts a Genealogy Group on the second Wednesday of

each month at 4:30 p.m. The Library has yearly subscriptions to Ancestry.com 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 nationality, and much more.

For more information, call 231-4980 or email info@mohrlibrary.org; www.mohrlibrary.org.

Cranston High School to hold 60th reunion

Cranston High School class of 1960 is planning its 60th reunion for Sept. 12, 2020, at the Cranston Country Club. The cost will be $50 per person. Contact Joan Farmanian Fratterelli at 349-3922.

Food drive at Beltone

Beltone New England has announced its will be participating in the annual Beltone National Food Drive to help fight hunger, joining hundreds of other hearing centers across the country. Now, through Nov. 8, people are invited to bring in a nonperishable food item to their local Beltone Hearing Aid Center. All food donations will be distributed to local food pantries throughout the community. Food donations can be dropped off at the company’s locations at 478 Reservoir Ave. in Cranston and at the Warwick Mall, 400 Bald Hill Road, #203.

Free yoga for breast cancer survivors

The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation and Yoga at Studio Exhale offers yoga for breast cancer survivors every Sunday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Yoga at Studio Exhale, 1263 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston, is the place to be to explore slow flow, gentle movement to create space in the body and eliminate stress. This class is designed to restore the nervous system and help release deeply held tensions from the body and mind. Visit gloriagemma.org for more details.

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 401-831-5511 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 501(c) (3) non-profit 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.

Casino trip to support women veterans

On Monday, Nov. 11, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of RI will host a casino trip fundraiser to support women veterans. Tickets are on sale for $35, which includes bus transportation to Foxwoods, a free lunch buffet and $15 in slot play. Pick up will be at 11 a.m. at the Shaw’s Plaza in Cranston and a second at the Richmond Park and Ride, exit 3. If interested, contact Paula Andrews at 451-5073.

Did you know?

What is the oldest candy? There is debate whether the old-fashioned treat, Necco Wafers, is the oldest branded candy in America. While the “hub wafers” were invented in 1847, Necco – the New England Confectionary Co. – did form until 1901. Therefore, Good & Plenty, first produced in 1893, technically holds the title. (Halloween Fun Facts)

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