Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

Mrs. C’s Dress Exchange

at Johnston High School

Are your beautiful, formal dresses and accessories hanging in your closet, waiting to appear at another once in a lifetime event? Please consider donating them to our students and help Mrs. C’s Dress Exchange come to life!

This event will take place on March 11. For more information, please contact Miss Lepere (mlepere@johnstonschools.org),

Mrs. Forgetta (tforgetta@johnstonschools.org) or Mrs. Colardo (colar840@aol.com), or call 401-451-4772. There will be two convenient drop off locations – the main office of Johnston Senior High School, or Richard’s Hair Studio 1417 Atwood Ave.

‘Governor for a Day’

essay contest

Gov. Gina M. Raimondo has announced the “Governor for a Day” essay contest as a way to encourage young girls to become leaders in their communities.

This Women’s History Month initiative is open to girls in fifth through eighth grade throughout the state. The winning essayist will be named “Governor for a Day,” and spend a day this spring meeting and speaking with other leaders across state government.

“Every day I talk with young girls and women – from my own daughter to successful Rhode Island businesswomen – and I am reminded how important it is to expose young girls to the significance of public service,” Raimondo said. “Girls should know that with hard work and dedication, the opportunities available to them here in Rhode Island are endless. This essay contest is a chance to engage us all in that conversation.”

Interested applicants should apply by March 13 and answer this question in 400 words or less: “What would you do if you were Rhode Island’s Governor for a Day?”

Students should submit the following information along with their essay: name, age, school, grade, teacher’s contact information, home address, contact phone number, contact email address, parent or guardian name(s).

Applicants may email their essays to communications@governor.ri.gov, or they may mail their essays to Governor for a Day Essay Contest, c/o Governor’s Communications Office, 82 Smith St., Room 128, Providence, RI 02903.

Food drive at

Johnston Senior Center

The Johnston Senior Center will be collecting nonperishable food and gift card donations for their annual food drive from March 1 to April 30. Every year, the Feinstein Foundation donates to the center based on the total amount of food collected. This donation from Feinstein enables them to help even more people in need. There is a collection container inside the main entrance. Gift cards to stores like Price Rite are also appreciated. Recipients may purchase items like milk, eggs and other perishable items.

The senior center appreciates the continued support of everyone during these food drives. You may contact the center at 401-944-3343 if you should have any questions. The Johnston Senior Center is located at 1291 Hartford Ave. in Johnston.

Ladies and Lipstick

Luncheon

That’s right ladies, we’ve got the event for you! The North Central Chamber will kick off its “Ladies & Lipstick” events for 2015 on March 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Entitled “Grow Your Garden! Grow Your Network,” the event will be held at Frederickson Farm, located at 1051 Chopmist Hill Road in North Scituate. The networking event will include open networking, a lunch buffet and beverages, a guest speaker from URI Master Gardener Experts and raffles. Kick off spring with the Chamber and learn about “Herbs & Good Health,” meet some great ladies, make some great connections and more.

The cost is just $15 per for North Central Chamber members and $20 for non-member ladies. Frederickson Farm is located just off Route 6, just 12 minutes from the center of Johnston. For more information, contact Deborah Ramos at 349-4674.

At the Mohr

LEGO Junior Makers will begin on March 12 at 5 p.m. and will be held on the second Thursday of every month. Play with their 10,000 brand-new LEGO bricks donated by LEGO systems. The program is geared for ages five and up and there is no registration required.

People in the Neighborhood will feature programs introduced by Ms. Michelle, including visits from a meteorologist, a police officer, a firefighter and other community workers. The program will begin on March 20 at 4:30 p.m. and will meet on the third Friday of the month through May.

Science Club for Grades 3 and up with Ms. Michelle will be held on the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. through May. Join Ms. Michelle for hands-on experiments on April 6 at 6:30 p.m. New members are welcome, and registration is required. Call 401-231-4980, ext. 5 for more information and to place your reservation.

Saturday Drop-in Crafts are held every Saturday anytime between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Craft programs feature several projects for kids and adults to do together. This program is not appropriate for children under three, as small parts might present a hazard.

St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Celebration

Blessed Sacrament Church in Providence will hold its fifth annual St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Celebration on Sunday, March 15 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Church Hall.

The gathering will feature an Irish/Italian buffet, including corned beef/cabbage, meatballs/pasta, salad, coffee and dessert. There will be a cash bar, door prize and raffles. Entertainment will be provided by the Noel Henry Irish Showband. Cost for adults is $30, and for children 12 and under is $10. Advance sales only by March 6. Call 401-751-7575.

St. Brigid’s Italian

Festival rescheduled

The Social Ministry of St. Brigid’s Church at 1235 Plainfield St. in Johnston has rescheduled its Italian Festival fundraiser in honor of the church’s 100th anniversary. Originally scheduled for Feb. 22, the event has been postponed to Sunday, March 22 at 12:30 p.m. due to the recent unsettled weather. The festival will take place at the church hall on Plainfield Street. Marchetti’s Restaurant in Cranston is donating a five-course Italian dinner, which will include desert and coffee as well as a raffle. Prices are $20 for adults, $12 for those between the ages of six and 12, and no cost for those under age six. Tickets will be sold prior to and after the Saturday 5 p.m. Mass and Sundays after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses. They can also be obtained by calling 401-944-3645 or 401-944-3945. For those who purchased tickets and find March 22 inconvenient, a refund can be obtained by calling 401-944-6778.

Johnston Historical

Society general meeting

This month’s general meeting of the Johnston Historical Society on March 25 will include guest speaker Gloria Merchant, author of “Pirates of Colonial Newport,” discussing tales of Thomas Tew, Thomas Paine, Captain Kidd, and the 26 pirates who were hung at Gravelly Point in 1723. The meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Johnston Historical Society, located at 101 Putnam Pike. For more information, contact Louis McGowan at 401-231-3380. This meeting is free and open to the public.

100th Anniversary

Fun Day

The Social Ministry of St. Brigid’s Church, located at 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, proudly presents Cosmic Bowling for families and friends on March 21 from 2 to 4 p.m., with check-in time at 1:45 p.m. at the Johnston Town Hall Lanes, located at 1463 Atwood Ave. in Johnston.

With a donation of $10 per person, participants will enjoy free admission, two hours of duckpin bowling, shoe rental, cosmic lights, music, raffle and a pizza party along with chips and soft drinks.

Sale of tickets will begin this week prior to and after the Saturday 5 p.m. Mass and Sundays after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses. Checks are to be made out to St. Brigid’s Church, and registration can also be made by calling 401-944-6778.

Large book sale

at the Mohr Library

The Friends of the Mohr Library will hold their Large Book Sale on March 6 from noon to 6 p.m. and on March 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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 cents to $2. The Friends of the Mohr Library are a non-profit organization, with proceeds from fundraising supporting library programs and services.

The Friends Bookshelf on the lower level of the library is open for browsing and sales every day during library hours. 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. For more information, contact Michelle Greenwood at 401-231-4980, ext. 5.

RI Pink Heals

Annual Ball

RI Pink Heals, which is comprised of both male and female members of local fire and police departments in support of women with cancer, will hold its fourth annual Pink Heals Ball on May 1 at the Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom in Warwick.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. with a selection of one of the following: boneless chicken, baked scrod, prime rib or vegetarian.

The dress code is formal/semi-formal with men in Class A uniform or suit and women in gowns or similar attire. The cost is $50 per person ($500 per table) with open seating unless a full table is purchased (tables of 10). Music will be provided by DJ Eric Anthony of Sounds Spectacular DJ Service.

For tickets, please call Matt Medeiros at 401-692-0272 or Chris Seelenbrandt at 401-578-5498, or visit www.ripinktrucks.com by April 24. All proceeds benefit the women battling cancer in Rhode Island and their families.

Miss RI Italia

seeking entries

The Miss RI Italia Organization’s 2015 competition will be held Sunday, May 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Providence Marriott Downtown. The competition is open for girls of Italian descent ages seven through adult. If you’d like an application or for more information, please email snewomanevents@gmail.com.

Did You Know?

St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17 because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed that he died on March 17 in the year 461 A.D. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history. St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, and a provincial holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737. (St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, e-mail Meri R. Kennedy at SunriseScoops@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can range from community events, promotions, academic news and non-profit events. E-mail today and see your news in our column in the Johnston Sunrise! Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information.