Sun Rise Scoops

Need help with your mortgage?

RI Housing’s Hardest Hit Fund Rhode Island (HHFRI) program is offering zero interest, forgivable loans to eligible Rhode Island homeowners who became unemployed or underemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are struggling to make their mortgage payments. Loan proceeds may provide eligible homeowners with up to six months of mortgage payment assistance and a mortgage will be recorded on the homeowner’s property.

Learn more about the loan program and eligibility here: rihousing.com/hhfri.

Memory Café

Presented by the Johnston Senior Center, Memory Café will be held on Jan. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program is hosted by Dementia Training for Life LLC, Briarcliffe RI and RI Memory Cafés. There is no charge for the event, which will be held at the center.

A Memory Café is an opportunity for individuals with all forms of memory loss, and their care partners, to meet others with similar concerns, socialize, learn new skills and support each other as they travel their own path with dementia. Memory Cafés help to bridge the hardships faced by families with dementia and their caretakers by providing resources, skills, support and friendships. The No. 1 goal at all Memory Cafés is to have fun!

Cafés are free and open to anyone with dementia, their care partners, family and friends.

Parks & Recreation youth basketball

Johnston Parks & Recreation is currently accepting registrations for its youth basketball program. Please note this season will be different than years past with the COVID guidelines set by the state.

The department plans on holding the program from Jan. 25 to April 5. Space will be limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis for each division.

Please visit the Parks & Recreation website to read everything you will need to know and to register: johnstonrec.com/youth-basketball.html.

Collector patches

Looking for an addition to your collection and help some great causes at the same time? Purchase one of the Johnston Police Department’s special edition patches! With four patches available, 100 percent of the proceeds go to support organizations such as Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) and The Autism Project.

Please visit the IPBO online store at ibpo-local307-johnstonri.square.site.

News from the Mohr Memorial Library

The fine free period for all Rhode Island public libraries has been extended to March 1, 2021. However, if you have overdue books, please bring them back, so other patrons can enjoy them.

Zoom-ba program

The MS Dream Center will offer a virtual Chair Zoom-ba Program sponsored by Maguire Disability Law, with the class being instructed by Michelle Calise.

Classes will be offered nationally on Mondays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. for people with MS and their loved ones. There is no fee to participate and classes can accommodate up to 100 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please contact Anne at anne@msdreamcenter.org to register for the classes and to complete a signed liability waiver, which is required of all participants.

The MS Dream Center provides a dedicated resource and support facility in which people living with multiple sclerosis, and their care partners, may engage in a wide variety of interactive social and educational activities, workshops and therapies. The MS Dream Center’s goal is to bring awareness to the disease and reach out to those living with it, empowering them and offering important respite opportunities for care partners.

Mohr Library extended hours

The Mohr Library has extended its in-library hours to Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Mohr Library is now open to the public more hours – Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The library is putting some of books and videos for kids upstairs in the teen room, and staff will retrieve whatever people want, offer readers advice, and order materials if they aren’t there.

Curbside service is still available during normal hours: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mask wearing is required and people are asked to maintain physical distance. Members of the public will be admitted as capacity allows. Troop 22 looking for Scouts

Boy Scout Troop 22 Cranston is looking for new Scouts. Following all the BSA and state of Rhode Island safety protocols, the troop is meeting, hiking and camping. It has a full schedule of activities planned for the 2020-21 program year. Troop 22 is affiliated with girls’ Troop 13-G, which is also looking for new members. Both units meet at the Edgewood Congregational Church, 1788 Broad St., at 7 p.m. on most Thursdays.

The program is for youth ages 11 to 18. For younger children, Troop 22 also has a relationship with Cub Scout Pack 2 Cranston. Anyone interested is invited to call Paul Kelley at 401-595-6726 for more information. Teen virtual programming during COVID-19

The Mohr Library is currently offering virtual versions of some of its teen programs as well as drop-in chats! They are all invite-only programs, so please contact the teen librarian at marissa@mohrlibrary.org to register or if you have any questions.

Art Club meets every Tuesday at 3 p.m. History Club meets monthly on the first Wednesday at 3 p.m. Drop-in chat days differ weekly, so please ask when registering.

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.

Did you know?

The month of January is named after the Roman God Janus, who is the god of beginning and transitions or often called the god of doorways. Having two faces, he watches over the past as well as the future. (Source: January Fun Facts) SunriseScoops@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email today and see your news in our column in the Johnston Sun Rise. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information.