Shred It in Johnston

Bring your important, but outdated, documents to the North Central Chamber Community Shredding Event to be held on May 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. Protect your identity and the environment at the same time. There is a limit of two boxes, which will be shred for free and any donations are welcome to benefit the Chamber’s scholarship program. Shred n Go of Johnston sponsors the event. For more information, contact the North Central Chamber of Commerce at 349-4674.

Second annual Medieval Faire

The Mohr Library will hold their second annual Medieval Faire for all ages on May 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attractions at the faire will include fighting demonstrations, arts and crafts and medieval costuming by the members of the Society for Creative Anachronism. There will be fun for all ages with activities like sword lessons, blacksmith demonstrations, kid's quests and a life-sized medieval game called Alquerques. They also have a Renaissance sword group called the Knights of Gore, who will be performing a live steel sword demonstration. Come by and enjoy a step back in time.

An image of strength

North Smithfield resident Margaret Mary “Peg” Lovett will be honored by the ALS Association’s Rhode Island Chapter during ALS Awareness Month this May as part of the annual ALS Across America campaign. Lovett was diagnosed with the fatal neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in May 2011, and depends on her loved ones and her belief in God in coping with this disease.
The national ALS Across America campaign pays tribute to people with ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and their caregivers. Individuals with ALS typically have a survival rate of two to five years from the time of their diagnoses. The disease affects a person’s ability to move, eat, breathe and speak.
Although Lovett now uses a motorized wheelchair for mobility, she maintains an upbeat attitude in her dealings with ALS. Lovett’s onetime colleagues at the office of Seth Feder, M.D., admire her spirit, courage and strength.
“Peg’s sense of humor manages to shine through all the time,” said Dr. Feder.
The Rhode Island chapter will celebrate ALS Awareness Month at the annual ALS Awareness Day at the State House on Tuesday, May 22.

Giant yard sale

St. Brigid Church, located at 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, is holding their annual Giant Yard Sale in the church hall on two Saturdays, May 12 and May 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items of interest for all will be on display including household items, clothing, toys, shoes, purses and numerous other articles. Snacks are available and there is no charge for admission.

May Breakfast for Defenders of Animals

The Governor Sprague Mansion, located at 1351 Cranston St. in Cranston, will hold a May Breakfast to benefit Defenders of Animals. The event is open to the public.
Admission is $20 per person. For ticket reservations, contact the Defenders of Animals at 461-1922.

Our Heroes Fashion Show

Tickets are now on sale for the "Our Heroes" Fashion Show on May 12 to benefit the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. Celebrate Mother's Day with your mom, sister, daughter and friends and honor many courageous men and women who have been challenged by breast cancer. Call 861-4376 or email info@gloriagemma.org for tickets or additional information.
The "Our Heroes" Annual Survivor Fashion Show will be held at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, with doors opening at 6 p.m. with a vendor marketplace. The Fashion Show will begin at 7 and will include food stations, entertainment and the fashion show.
Tickets are $42 per person; a table of 10 for $400 and corporate sponsorship packages begin at $500. To purchase tickets or sponsorship inquiries, call 861-4376 or email bryan@gloriagemma.org.

Historical cleanup

On May 5, the Johnston Historical Society welcomes volunteers to help clean the grounds of the Elijah Angell House and the Johnston History Museum, located at 101 Putnam Pike.

Relay Rummage Sale

The Relay for Life team Raging Through the Ages will hold its annual Relay for Life Rummage Sale this weekend, May 5, in front of the Johnston Senior Center at 1291 Hartford Ave., starting at 8 a.m., rain or shine. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Donations of new or gently used items are welcomed. For more information, contact Terry at 331-7075.

Night of the Rising Stars

On May 21, the North Central Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual dinner and Night of the Rising Stars, starting at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner, scholarship presentations and awards at 6:30 at the Crystal Lake Golf Club, located at 100 Broncos Highway in Mapleville (Burrillville). The guest speaker for the 30th anniversary dinner will be Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci. To register, or for more information, visit www.ncrichamber.com.

Did you know?

The United States celebrates Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May. Julia Ward Howe first issued her Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870 as a call for women to join in support of disarmament. In the 1880s and 1890s there were several further attempts to establish an American Mother's Day, but these did not succeed beyond the local level. Anna Jarvis created the current holiday in Grafton, W. Va., in 1908 as a day to honor one's mother. Jarvis wanted to accomplish her mother's dream of making a celebration for all mothers, although the idea did not take off until she enlisted the services of wealthy Philadelphia merchant John Wanamaker. She kept promoting the holiday until President Woodrow Wilson made it an official national holiday in 1914.

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