Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

Wine Tasting

at Verde Vineyards

The Johnston Historical Society will present an afternoon at Verde Vineyards in Johnston on Aug. 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The wine tasting will include a tour of the vineyard by the owner Jim Verde, and information on the history and process of wine making. Refreshments including cheese, crackers, pizza and fruit will be served. The fee is $25 per person. Verde Vineyards is located at 50 Hopkins Ave. in Johnston. Tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting Anthony Ursillo at 401-764-5901 or aursillo401@gmail.com.

100th Anniversary

30 Week Club

St.Brigid’s Church, 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, proudly presents its new and exciting centennial 30 Week Club. Membership is being offered the weekend of Aug. 8-9 prior and after the Saturday Mass at 5 p.m. and Sundays at the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses. There are 38 chances to win with a total of over $3,000, including a free dinner for members in good standing at the Cranston Country Club at 1 p.m. on April 17, 2016. As an added attraction for our celebration, a $25 gift certificate to a restaurant will be added to the cash prize of $30 per week for 30 weeks, totaling weekly prizes of $55. Payment of $60 can be paid in full or increments as low as $2 weekly, or an amount to fit your budget. Checks are to be made payable to St. Brigid’s Church. Reservations can also be made by calling 401-942-0576.

At the Mohr

The Mohr Library, located at 1 Memorial Ave. in Johnston, will feature Lloyd Kaplan’s Aristocats on Aug. 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Lloyd Kaplan’s Aristocats have been together for almost 20 years. The group plays songs from the great American songbook in a swing/jazz style. The music played is light and melodic. Musicians are Nat Piccirilly (guitar and banjo), Bob Petteruti (upright bass), Joseph Holtzman (drums), Lloyd Kaplan (clarinet, saxophone, and vocals) and George Leonard (vocals). This program is paid for by the Friends of the Mohr Public Library. For more information, contact 401-231-4980, ext. 6.

Cruise Nights

The Johnston Street Machines will be hosting Cruise Nights every Thursday from May to September at Denny’s, located at 1448 Hartford Ave. in Johnston. The Cruise Nights will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with all proceeds to be donated to a local charity. The fee is $5 per vehicle. Raffles will be held weekly, and there will be a free bounce house for children. DJ Car-Guy Rich George will also be on hand to provide entertainment.

For more information, contact George Arakelian Jr. at 401-946-8818 or Gary Maddocks at 401-639-8841. There will be trophies for “Best in Show” on the last Thursday of every month.

Military Officers

Association chapter

hosting kickoff dinner

The Military Officers Association of America’s Southeast New England Chapter is set to hold a kickoff dinner at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at the Iron Works Tavern, located at 697 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick. The gathering is being hosted by Warwick Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson and Cranston state Rep. Robert Lancia. Dinner choices include Statler chicken with white truffle rosemary cream, baked haddock with lobster cream sauce and cracker crumbs, and IWT mac and cheese with pulled beef short rib. All are invited to attend. The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. RVSP with a check no later than July 31 to: MMOA, 786 Church Ave., Warwick RI 02889. Please note your menu selection. For more information, call Vella-Wilkinson at 401-739-8804.

Victory Day celebration

The Graniteville WWII Veterans’ Foundation will celebrate its 15th-year anniversary at its annual Victory Day celebration on Saturday, Aug. 15. The memorial service starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Graniteville Veterans war monuments site located on Putnam Avenue in Johnston next to the fire station. For more information, call Laura at 401-658-2234.

Chalk it up

On Aug. 18, spend 10 minutes outside writing an uplifting message in chalk on your sidewalk, driveway or parking lot. Then, let Chalk the Walks – a project of The Joy Team – share your lovely creation by posting it on the Chalk the Walks Facebook page or tweeting about it with #chalkthewalks. By the end of the day, it is hoped the project will draw a fabulous collection of images from all over the U.S., and even the world, spreading joy, optimism and inspiration through the playful, magical power of sidewalk chalk.

Last year, during the fth annual Chalk the Walks event, over 4,200 people joined in from every state in the U.S., as well as from Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, India, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland.

Summer Reading Program: ‘Every Hero Has A Story’

Join the Mohr Library this summer for a live animals story time, Art Smart, games, music, an ice cream party and much more! All events are free. Some require registration or free tickets.

The statewide Rhode Island Summer Reading Program is supported by the RI Office of Library and Information Services with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Pawtucket Red Sox, Citizens Bank and Pepsi. Local support includes RI Children’s and Young Adult Librarians, the Friends of Mohr Library and generous gifts in Memory of Andrew Greene.

How the reading program works: Children from infants to 12 years old can sign up for summer reading. Registration continues until Aug. 11. For each chapter book or five picture books/easy readers kids read or listen to, they will be awarded a raffle ticket (see prizes at the library). Children who complete at least five chapter books or 25 picture books/easy readers will receive a free book, an ice cream party invitation, a variety of incentive coupons (free or reduced admission to the Providence Children’s Museum, Roger Williams Zoo, and other attractions), and a Certificate of Completion. The deadline for submitting completed reading logs is Aug. 19. For more information, call 401-231-4980, ext. 5.

Chapel Grille honoring

Faial gift certificates

A day after the former owners of Faial Restaurant and Lounge met with the Rhode Island attorney general, the Chapel Grille announced it is accepting paper gift certificates from the now-closed eatery.

Guests can redeem their unused gift cards from now until Aug. 31. The release went on to note that Faial gift certificates can be exchanged for a Chapel Grille gift card of equal value up to $100 for a single dining experience during the mentioned time frame.

Chapel Grille is located at 3000 Chapel View Boulevard in Cranston.

Did You Know?

It’s hot out there! If the kids are quenching their thirst with juice pouches, remember that these aren’t like aluminum foil off the roll – they are foil-plastic hybrids, and belong in the trash and not the recycling. Plastic juice bottles and juice boxes are recyclable in Rhode Island. (Source: RI Resource Recovery Corporation.)

To submit your news from the community, email 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. Email 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.