Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

Holiday Festival

Mayor Joseph Polisena, the Johnston Community Center Association and the Department of Parks and Recreation present a Holiday Festival to be held in Johnston Memorial Park on Dec. 5, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be food, music, refreshments, and a bike raffle. Santa Claus will also be there for pictures. The event is free. Please help those in need by bringing a non-perishable canned good.

Johnston Toy Drive

Mayor Joseph Polisena and Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini, in partnership with the Johnston Police Explorers, are hosting a toy collection drive for families in need in the Johnston community. You can help by donating an unwrapped toy. Drop-off locations include A Custom Car Stereo Center, the Johnston Police Department, the Mohr Library, or any Johnston public school. The drive is running from now until Dec. 15.

Last year, 125 families in Johnston benefited from the program, and a greater need is expected this year. Organizers are seeking unwrapped toys or gift cards, but please no stuffed animals.

If you or a family you now are in need of help this year, call Police Capt. Thomas H. Dolan at 401-757-3100, ext. 3138. Toy distribution is handled confidentially.

A wrapping party will be held on Dec. 16 at the Johnston Senior Center, located at 1291 Hartford Ave., starting at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

A Christmas Carol:

The Musical

On Saturday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m., St. Joseph Church in North Scituate will be sponsoring a live concert version of “A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” which was composed by Stephen Decesare. The performance will be preceded by a sing-along of famous Christmas songs that all ages will enjoy. Admission is free. For more information, please call 401-647-2255.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations to Victoria A. Mucci of Johnston, who earned honors with distinction for the first quarter at De La Salle Middle School.

The American St. Nick

On Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church will screen the newly released documentary film, “The American St. Nick.” This true story is about the day American soldiers brought Christmas back to one Luxembourg town during the darkest days of World War II. The storyline is based on the book of the same name by Peter Lion. The film was produced, written and directed by Tim Gray, with photography and film editing by Jim Karpeichik, and is narrated by Tom Kane with an original musical score by Roger Cichy.

Trinity Episcopal Church in North Scituate (251 Danielson Pike) will host this event. Admission is free, however a canned good for the Trinity Food Closet would be appreciated.

For more information on the World War II Foundation, visit www.wwiifoundation.org.

Volunteers needed

at Tri-Town

Tri-Town Community Center needs volunteers to help with our food distribution program. Hours are the first three Wednesdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They are also looking for people to help relocate the food program to Emanuel Avenue at a date and time to be determined. Background checks are required; Tri-Town will cover the costs for the background checks, and our Health Center is available to conduct physical exams to ensure the fitness of volunteers.

Please call 401-519-1917 if you are interested in helping Tri-Town with this important service to the community.

Free Concert at

Mohr Library

There will be a free concert at the Mohr Library on Dec. 12 at 2:30 p.m. There will be works by Gustav Holst, Morley Calvert, Victor Ewald, as well as some folk and Christmas music. It will featured The Whisper Keys, including Erin Hall and Michael Pollart on trumpets, Ethan Cafferky on the horn, Tyler Barboza on the trombone and Samuel Kurzontkowski on tuba.

6th annual MS

Holiday Bazaar

The sixth annual MS Holiday Bazaar to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will be held on Dec. 5 at the Scottish Rites Masonic Center, located at 2115 Broad St. in Cranston, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Last year’s bazaar attracted more than 300 shoppers and featured 35 vendors selling holiday gifts, jewelry, baskets, baby clothes, greeting cards, gourmet foods, artwork, and more. The event is free and open to the public, and holiday shoppers are encouraged to attend with their gift lists.

Proceeds help fund programs and services for people with MS. To find out more about the bazaar, contact chapter programs and advocacy manager Meredith Sheehan at Meredith.Sheehan@nmss.org.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

St. Brigid’s Church, 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, has announced that its Prayer Shawl Ministry will be sponsoring their quarterly Mass of Anointing on Dec. 5 at 11 a.m.

Handmade shawls, made by the ministry, and blessed by Father Robert Rochon, will be available for anyone that may need one for themselves or for someone they know who could benefit by having one. Those who are elderly, preparing for surgery, suffering from a chronic illness or experiencing spiritual or emotional pain are welcome to come and join us in our healing prayers that contribute to our well-being.

Trinity Episcopal Church Christmas Bazaar

The Trinity Episcopal Church Christmas Bazaar will be held on Dec. 4 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be crafts, a penny social, a silent auction, specialty homemade desserts, a children’s room, and other offerings. A raffle will be held with a special prize of an assortment of gift cards valued at $1,000. The church is located at 251 Danielson Pike in North Scituate. For more information, call 401-647-2322.

Candlelight Stroll

Please mark your calendars for the 15th annual North Scituate Village Candlelight Stroll, to be held Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5. Step back in time and embrace the spirit of the season, as well as a wealth of holiday offerings and festivities, at your local shops. Enjoy Victorian carolers, trolley rides, a live nativity, children’s activities, and a visit from the Snow Queen on Friday evening. Saturday features breakfast with Santa, and of course, more shopping. In addition to the many holiday treasures to be found in the village shops, there will also be unique crafters’ wares at the North Scituate Community House, as well as local church bazaars to peruse.

Friends of the Mohr

Public Library

Members of the Friends group plan and run book sales and carry out other fundraising activities to allow the Mohr Library to increase services and programs. The Friends welcome new members who are willing to provide support either through donations, membership dues, or volunteering their time. To find out more, contact them, or call the library director at 401-231-4980 (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 cents 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.

Did You Know?

In 1924, the annual Thanksgiving parade started by Louis Bamberger in Newark, New Jersey at the Bamberger’s store was transferred to New York City by Macy’s. In New York, the employees marched to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes. There were floats, professional bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. At the end of that first parade, as has been the case with every parade since, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square. At this first parade, however, the Jolly Old Elf was enthroned on the Macy’s balcony at the 34th Street store entrance, where he was then “crowned” the “King of the Kiddies.” With an audience of over 250,000 people, the parade was such a success that Macy’s declared it would become an annual event. (Source: Wikipedia)

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