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Boys & Girls BSA Troop to meet

Troop 28 Providence is proud to be the first Troop in the Providence area to initiate the creation of a Girls Linked Scouts BSA Troop. The existing troop will serve as mentors for the new girls troop but will share the leadership and troop committee for the first year or so until the Girls Troop is well established.

Scouting BSA has offered premium outdoor skills, leadership training, and adventure for boys for decades. It is the organization’s joy to be able to offer the same experiences to both boys and girls for the upcoming year. The annual Rally Night will take place on March 31 at 7 p.m. at the Central Congregational Church.

They will introduce participants to the leadership, talk about some of the programs and past events, and key them into what they have planned for the rest of the year.

Prospective families should plan to bring any questions they may have and all the enthusiasm that they can muster. All children ages 11-17 are eligible to attend the information session with their families.

Both Troop 28 and Troop 20 are welcoming participants, and all people regardless of race, creed, national origin, immigration status and gender or sexuality identity are welcome. Any questions should be directed to CJ Meehan at ScoutMom2820PVD@gmail.com.

RI Academic Decathlon seeking volunteers

Rhode Island Academic Decathlon is actively recruiting volunteers for its state competition on Sunday, March 8. Volunteers evaluate the speech and interview skills of high school students or assist with exams and event management. The competition is hosted by the Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, and most volunteers serve from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Training is provided on the day of the event. Twelve teams from high schools across the state are competing.

For more information on the Academic Decathlon, visit acdec.net or email frank.lenox@acdec.net or jen.randall@acdec.net. To register as a volunteer, visit riadregistration.org/decathlon/volunteers.pl.

What’s happening at the Johnston Senior Center

Basic I computer classes started Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 11:30 a.m. It is an eight-week class, and those interested may sign up with Pat Strezo at 944-3343, ext. 117.

Bingo is held every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. and every Friday at 2 p.m.

Pop-up workshops started Feb. 6-7 for cell phones, tablets and more, with Strezo serving as instructor.

Memory Café takes place the second Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m., sponsored by Briarcliffe Nursing & Rehab Center and facilitated by founder of R.I. Memory Cares, Laurie Mantz and dementia care specialist Stefany Reed.

JSC Travel Club will discuss its trip to the Canadian Rockies on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 4 p.m.

Book Club will meet Sunday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. This month’s discussion will center on, “No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II” by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Take a trip to Foxwoods on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 9 a.m., with the price set at $15 per person. The price includes $10 of slot play and $10 for food or free buffet.

A mystery lunch will take place Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. The event costs $10 and the location will be revealed upon arrival.

Spring classes teaching how to download pictures from one’s camera and researching one’s ancestry will be announced soon.

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.

The doors open at 10:30 a.m., allowing patrons to shop from amazing vendors that will be on hand. The cost of the event is $5. There will be a 50/50 raffle, half of which will go to someone in the room and the other half to the American Heart Association. The straw raffle game and a door prize ticket will be open to every guest.

A Quarter Auction offers a fun way to shop local vendors and win great items from 25 cents to $1.25. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

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.

Eco-Depot

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corp. invites Rhode Island residents to safely dispose of their household hazardous waste on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 8 a.m. to noon at 65 Shun Pike in Johnston. This Eco-Depot is available to Rhode Island residents only, and to help reduce time spent in line, appointments should be made in advance. To make an appointment for the collection, visit ecodepotri.org or call 942-1430, ext. 241.

50th reunion for Cranston East

Cranston High School East class of 1970 will hold its 50th reunion on Aug. 8 at the Cranston Country Club. Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner and music by Tommy Tunes. The Reunion Committee is seeking help in locating classmates. Please send information to Jim Brailsford at jimbo521@cox.net or Barbara Russo at twinn52@yahoo.com.

Olympian Beisel to visit Barrington Books

Barrington Books Garden City, located in Cranston, will host Olympic medalist and Rhode Island native Elizabeth Beisel for a talk and book signing for her new book, “Silver Lining,” on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. at 176 Hillside Road in Cranston.

Beisel is a three-time Olympic swimmer and two-time Olympic medalist for the United States. She also competed in season 39 of “Survivor, Island of Idols.”

This is a ticketed event. The $10 ticket fee can be applied to the cost of the book the night of the event. To purchase a ticket, call 432-7222.

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.

 At the Johnston Historical Society

 The Johnston Historical Society’s museum barn is open Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon, 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 at 2 p.m. on Feb. 23 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?

Esther Howland is the first manufacturer of Valentines. She became known as the “Mother of the American Valentine” for the artistry and sentiment of her designs. Before Howland commercialized them, American Valentines were less romantic and more comic. Her inspiration came from the thoughtful and sweet greeting cards that were circulating in England and she decided to sell similar designs in the U.S. They took off: During the 1850s she earned $100,000 annually, which is about $3 million today. (Source: Valentine Fun Facts)

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