Sun Rise Scoops

Meet the Easter Bunny

On April 19, the Easter Bunny will make an appearance at Johnston Memorial Park, and an egg hunt will also be held that day. Children age 3 and under can meet the Easter Bunny, who will provide treats, from 9 to 10 a.m.; however, there is no Easter egg hunt for this age. The Easter Egg Hunt will be held for children 4 to 5 at 10:30 and ages 6 to 8 at 11:30. Please bring a basket or bag for the hunt. In case of bad weather, the Easter Bunny will be available in the Johnston Parks and Recreation Department located in the Johnston Memorial Park. There is no charge and the Easter Bunny will be walking around during the egg hunts. For more information, contact Johnston Parks and Recreation at 272-3460.

Busy at the Mohr Library

The Mohr Library will host “Birds of Prey” with the Audubon Society of RI on April 24 at 6:30 p.m. Join the Audubon Society for a presentation about R.I.’s hawks. Learn about what species live here, what they eat, how they hunt and some of their amazing adaptations for survival. Then meet a couple of live hawks to round out the presentation. This program is sponsored by The Friends of Mohr Library. 

On Friday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m., the Mohr Library will feature the next in their series of Ancient Civilizations programs, which will feature India. The following day, April 26, Casey Farm presents Project Chick at 11 a.m., during which children will get to hold chicks and hens and examine a variety of eggs from the humming bird up to the ostrich. Casey Farm will also provide an incubator and later on the library staff and patrons will have a chance to see chicks hatch and take their first steps. 

On May 2 and May 3 the Mohr Library will hold its annual Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. There will be children’s books, adult fiction, cookbooks, craft books, DVDs, CDs and much more. Great selections at great prices include hardcover and paperback books, fiction and non-fiction, for adults, children and young adults. Most prices range from 25 cents to $2. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Mohr Library. 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.

Class reunion

The classes of 1963 and 1964 from Johnston High School are having a combined reunion on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 6:30 pm in the Green Room of the West Valley Inn in West Warwick. Please contact Carol Pezzullo Salvatore at 401-353-0294 (home), 401-585-2390 (cell) or by email at carol1946@cox.net.

Drug drop-off

Residents looking to dispose of excess and expired prescription and over the counter medications can now visit the safe and secure permanent drop off location at Johnston Police Station.

Tri-Town’s Johnston Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition has partnered with the Johnston Police Department to establish a permanent Med Return drug collection program in order to reduce the supply of drugs that can potentially harm teens and adults. 

According to the RI Department of Health, the Office of the State Medical Examiner (OSME) reports that there have been 56-plus deaths due to apparent illicit drug overdose since Jan. 1. This is twice the number of deaths seen for this same time period last year. 

R.I. has the 13th highest drug overdose mortality rate in the country and the highest in New England, with about four overdose deaths every week. Properly disposing of excess drugs is everyone’s responsibility as a matter of public safety. Seventy percent of young people abusing prescription pain relievers get them through friends, or family. During April and September National Take Back, Johnston residents disposed one hundred pounds of drugs. Now Johnston residents will not have to wait for a specific take-back day to clean out their medication cabinets.

The program launched on April 1. It is a 24/7 program with the collection site always open and no questions asked. For more information, call 519-1903.

Annual May Breakfast goes to the pets

Defenders of Animals “Pet Appreciation Week “will hold their annual May Breakfast on May 18, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Governor Sprague Mansion, located at 1351 Cranston St. in Cranston. Musical entertainment will be provided, and tickets are $25 per person. Please call Defenders of Animals at 461-1922 for reservations. The event is by reservation only.

Big Play Day

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State will host a “Big Play Day” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 19. The event will feature free sports clinics from Bryant University athletes, crafts and refreshments. Representatives from Bryant’s soccer and football teams will be on hand to run free clinics on the university’s Smithfield Campus. Participation in “Big Play Day” is free. Those interested in attending and learning about what it takes to become a mentor should contact George Evans Marley, BBBSOS community outreach specialist, at GEMarley@BBBSOS.org or 401-921-2434, ext. 124.

Adult Easter Egg Hunt

The Rhode Island Shriners, located at One Rhodes Place in Cranston, will host their fourth annual Adult Easter Egg Hunt on Friday, April 18.

The 21-plus event begins at 8 p.m., with 5,000 eggs filled with prizes. Proper identification is required, and tickets – priced at $10 – must be purchased in advance by contacting Hillary Williamson at 401-467-7102 or via email at hilliary.williamson@gmail.com. 

Participants are asked to bring their own flashlight and bag, and are invited to search for eggs at their own risk.

Did You Know?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest Easter egg ever made was just over 25 feet high and made of chocolate and marshmallow. The egg weighed 8,968 pounds and was supported by an internal steel frame.

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