Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

Easter Bunny coming to town

The Johnston Parks and Recreation Department invite members of the community to have breakfast with the Easter Bunny on March 26 at the Johnston Senior Center from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Take photos with the Easter Bunny, and each child will receive a gift. There will be food and refreshments available. Parents are urged to bring a camera.

Early T-ball registration

The Johnston Parks and Recreation Department has announced an early registration and savings for T-ball for boys and girls ages six and six (as of May 2016). The savings cost is $50 per individual and $30 each additional sibling. The price will go up on March 28. T-ball will begin on May 7 and end on June 18. Also, sponsors and volunteer coaches are needed. Call 401-272-3460 for more details on registration or becoming a volunteer or a sponsor.

Tri-Town Food Bank accepting new applications

Tri-Town Community Action Agency is accepting new applications at its food bank, located at 33 Maple Ave., during the month of March.

“Each week, Tri-Town provides nutritious food to hundreds of local families who otherwise may not get this kind of help,” Tri-Town President and CEO Joseph DeSantis said. “Our application process is quick and easy, and it allows Tri-Town to monitor the effectiveness of our food distribution program as we fight hunger in the community.”

According to Stephanie DiTusa, Tri-Town’s emergency services coordinator, the agency “doesn’t turn away anyone who says they need our support,” and provides food based on family size and place of residence.

Individuals and families in Johnston, North Providence, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Glocester, and Burrillville are eligible; applicants are required to provide a photo ID and proof of residence, which includes a driver’s license or state-issued ID, utility bill, or rental/lease agreement, and information on family size.

The food bank is open on the first three Wednesdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tri-Town Community Center at 33 Maple Ave. also houses a health center, youth success, job training and education, and youth sports programs.

For more information on the food bank and other programs run by Tri-Town, call 401-519-1913.

At the Mohr for children

Storytime starts again this week with stories, songs, and rhymes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with a caregiver. The schedule is as follows:

Sessions for newborns to three-year-olds will be held on Tuesdays.

Sessions for those ages two and three will be held on Wednesdays.

Sessions for those ages three to five will be held on Thursdays.

All sessions begin at 10:30 a.m., and there is no need to register.

Pajama storytime for families with children ages four and older will run every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. through April 12. Join Ms. Dolores for stories, songs, puppets, and literacy activities. No need to register.

Networking Night

On March 22, the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce will host Networking at Night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rhode Island Billiard Bar & Bistro, located at 2026 Smith St. in North Providence.

At this event you can put your networking skills to the test and sharpen your pool playing skills. This will be a great night to connect with fellow chamber members in a relaxed setting. Enjoy delicious complimentary appetizers and pool, with a cash bar available. Chamber members are always welcome to bring a guest at member pricing. The cost is $10 for pre-registered members, $15 for members at the door, and $30 for non-members.

Deadline extended for

governor's essay contest

The deadline has been extended for Governor Raimondo's Women's History Month Essay Contest. Essays will be accepted through Friday, March 25 in order to allow more girls to participate. The contest is open to girls from 5th to 8th grades, and the winner will visit the State House in April to be inaugurated as Governor for a Day.

Interested applicants must apply by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 25, with an essay of 400 words or less in response to the question, What would you do if you were Rhode Island's Governor for a Day?

Applicants must be available to visit the State House during the week of April 18-22. Applicants may email applications to communications@governor.ri.govor send applications by mail to Governor for a Day Essay Contest

c/o Governors Communications Office, 82 Smith Street, Room 128, Providence, RI.

Tenebrae service

On Wednesday, March 23, St. Joseph Church, 150 Danielson Pike in North Scituate, is holding a Tenebrae at 7 p.m. The event is a service of readings and music that will help participants reflect deeply on the sufferings and death of Christ. Music will be presented by Stephen DeCesare and the St. Joseph Church Music Ministry. Call 401-647-2255 for more information.

Living Stations of the Cross

Saint Brigid’s Church, 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, will be presenting its annual Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, March 25, at 3 p.m. Confirmation candidates in grades seven, eight, and nine will be presenting each station. All are welcome.

Corned Beef & Cabbage at

Trinity Episcopal Church

Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 51 Danielson Pike in North Scituate, will hold a Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on March 19 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost is $12 for adults, $8 for children six to 12, and no charge for children under age five. The menu consists of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, Irish soda bread, dessert, and beverages. There is an optional child’s plate of macaroni and cheese and chicken tenders. Tickets are available at the door.

Statewide Business After Hours

On Tuesday, March 29, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., there will be a Statewide Business After Hours at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, located at 60 Rhodes Place in Cranston.

Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to network with other businesses from throughout the state. Last year, hundreds of business professionals were in attendance with over 125 display tables. Come and enjoy delicious delicacies provided by Russell Morin Fine Catering and Rhodes on the Pawtuxet while you make business connections that will last. To place your reservation, contact Stephen Boyle at 401-785-3780. There is a $15 admission cost.

Pawtuxet Wedding Stroll

Salon KG in Pawtuxet will be hosting its third annual Wedding Stroll on March 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The salon is located at 2144 Broad St. in Cranston. There is no rain date for this event. Brides and grooms are welcome to attend, free of charge, and see what Pawtuxet Village and vendors have to offer. Brides will be receiving a map from Salon KG. Those who visit all the wedding professionals listed and bring the completed map back will be entered to win a raffle worth thousands. There will also be a fashion show throughout the village. No registration is required, but all participants should stop at Salon KG for their map and further directions.

Pink Heals Ball

Tickets are selling fast for the fifth annual Pink Heals Ball to be held on April 30 at the Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom beginning at 6 p.m., with dinner served at 6:45 p.m. Meal choices are boneless chicken, baked scrod, prime rib, or vegetarian. Tickets are $50 per person/$55 for prime rib dinner. It will be an evening of dinner, dancing, and fun, with music by DJ Eric Anthony of Sounds Spectacular DJ Service. Support Pink Heals as it supports women with cancer around the state. For tickets, contact Matt Medeiros at 401-692-0772 or Chris Seelenbrandt at 401-578-5498. Rooms may also be booked at a discounted rated using the code RPH.

Bringing the world to RI

Cranston resident Everett McCurdy is bringing the world to Rhode Island, one international teenager at a time. McCurdy is an area representative of the ASSE International Student Exchange Program, whose primary goal is to contribute to international understanding by enabling foreign students to learn through active participation in family, school, and community life.

McCurdy will be interviewing families in the area to host exceptional high school students from Europe, Asia, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Middle East, and Scandinavia. Again this year, the ASSE Program is proud to also include students from the republics of the former Soviet Union on its roster. These students stay with volunteer host families for one academic school year and arrive with insurance and their own spending money.

For more information, contact Everett McCurdy at 401-481-2533 or visit host.asse.com.

Did You Know?

In all, 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are made for Easter every year. And, when taking a bite into one of those millions of chocolate bunnies, 76 percent of Americans prefer to bite off the ears first, while 5 percent eat the feet first and 4 percent eat the tail first. (Easter Fun Facts)

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 Sun Rise! Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information.