Sun Rise Scoops

Johnston Senior Center Christmas bazaar

On Dec. 12, there will be a Christmas Bazaar at the Johnston Senior Center, located at 1291 Hartford Ave. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be vendors to help you with your holiday shopping.

Some of the vendors include Scentsy Flameless & Wickless Candles, Jackie’s Jewelry, Baskets for U, Sorrella’s Handbags & Accessories, Juice Plus, Sandra Fontana, Crafts by Doreen, Joyce Draine, Beverly Scuncio and Robin DiBattista.

They are also looking for additional vendors. Please contact Millie Santilli at 944-3343 if interested.

Toys for Kids Drive

Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena and Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini, in partnership with the Johnston Explorers Program, request donations of a new goy or gift cards for their 2014 Annual Holiday Toys for Kids Drive.

All gifts go directly to boys and girls in Johnston. Last year, the children of over 125 Johnston families benefited from this program, and they expect the number to grow this year.

Please bring your unwrapped toy donation and/or gift cards – which are great for older children – to the Johnston Toys for Kids collection bin at your child’s school or at the Johnston Police Station. Toys are needed by Dec. 10.

You are also welcome to attend the annual wrapping party at the Johnston Senior Center, 1291 Hartford Ave., on Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

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

Chamber Holiday

Open House

Make your holiday even more festive by stopping by the North Central Chamber of Commerce office for the Holiday Open House on Dec. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy light appetizers and holiday cheer while mingling with fellow Chamber members and business professionals.

The Chamber is located at 255 Greenville Ave. For more information, contact Deb Ramos at 349-4674. Don’t forget to bring a donation or a non-perishable food item for the Holiday Food Drive.

Gingerbread house

decorating contest

The Artists’ Exchange has announced its 10th annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. The event is scheduled for Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Artists’ Exchange, located at 50 Rolfe Square in Cranston.

Participants start with a simple graham cracker construction and craft it into a work of art. There are heaping supplies of frosting, pretzels and, of course, an array of colorful candy to decorate each dream candy home. With no age limit, everyone is invited to join in on the fun.

Reservations are strongly recommended, and can be made by calling 490-9475. The cost of entry is $13 per house.

Construction on the houses has already begun, and with the help of volunteers, Artists’ Exchange plans to have 600 houses by the week before the event. The studios will then be transformed into a holiday wonderland, creating an atmosphere designed to inspire childlike wonder and creativity.

While participants can take their houses home that day, they are invited to submit their creations for judging in their corresponding age category. Families can also opt to work on a house together and be judged in a separate family category. This year, Santa Claus will be a guest judge from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Participating houses will be photographed, and the winners will be announced online by Dec. 8. Prizes include free classes at the Artists’ Exchange, valued at up to $200. The new winter catalogue of classes is already available on the Artists’ Exchange website. Be sure to check the schedule before coming because all class registrations processed on the day of the event will get 25 percent off tuition.

Also included in the weekend’s festivities will be holiday grab bags, raffles, face painting, a series of holiday photo booths and artwork from students and artist residents on display and for sale.

Chamber After Hours

Holiday Soiree

The North Central Chamber of Commerce will hold an After Hours Holiday Soiree at Kirkbrae Country Club on Dec. 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be gourmet pizza, an antipasti display, a specialty pasta station and carved prime rib available, as well as entertainment and special giveaways. Please R.S.V.P. by Dec. 11 by calling 331-1300, ext. 239. Tickets are $30 per person.

At the Mohr

The Mohr Library will hold two Toddler Parties with Santa, with each beginning at 10:30 a.m. On Dec. 9 will be party for infants to three-year-olds, and Dec. 10 will be for those ages three to five. At 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 11, the library will hold a Kid Flicks program featuring a holiday movie. Parents are encouraged to bring store-bought, peanut-free snacks or drinks to share.

Join in at Barty Smarty’s Christmas Caper at the library on Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. for a sing-along filled with comedy routines and audience participation for children, families and adults. No registration is required. For more information, contact Michelle Greenwood at 231-4980, ext. 5.

St. Brigid’s

Mass of Anointing

St. Brigid’s Church, 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, will sponsor its quarterly Mass of Anointing of the Sick on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. Anyone who is ill in body, mind or spirit may receive this sacrament. Prayer Shawls are hand made by the Prayer Shawl Ministry, blessed by Father Robert Rochon and are available for anyone who may need one for a family member or friends upon request. Help will be available, if requested, for the stairs. All are welcome to join us.

Christmas Bazaar

at Cherry Hill Manor

Cherry Hill Manor, located at 2 Cherry Hill Road, will host its annual Christmas Bazaar on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some of the vendors and items include Scentsy Wickless Candles, Mary Kay Make-up, Tastefully Simple, Gla Mar Collections, handbags, jewelry, scarves and handmade hats and more.

There will be raffles and gift baskets, a Chinese Raffle, tasty treats, jewelry, a scratch ticket tree and more.

‘A Christmas Carol’

The Artists’ Exchange of Cranston is gearing up for another Christmas season with its production of “A Christmas Carol” from Dec. 11-20, with performances at both Theater 82 on Rolfe Square and the historic Park Theatre.

In addition, there will be a Holiday Gala on Dec. 20 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet prior to the performance of “A Christmas Carol” at the Park Theatre. There will be appetizers from local restaurants and a catered dinner provided by Russell Morin Catering, as well as wine bar and craft beer by the Rapscallion Brewing. Additionally, there will be fancy desserts, coffee and tea stations, and live music and entertainment. There will also be a silent auction and VIP seating at the performance. Tickets are $75 per person.

For more information on scheduling and Gala tickets, visit www.artists-exhange.org or call 490-9475.

My Little Town

’Tis the season to be generous, and that is what Duke Marcoccio, owner My Little Town in Garden City, is all about. The store will be holding a raffle for a six-foot Christmas tree holding every ornament made by the company, and under the tree will be one of every product the company makes. Tickets are being sold for $10 each or 3 for $25, and the drawing will be held on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m., when Gene Valicenti of NBC 10 and WPRO will pull the winning ticket. The combined value of the products is more than $3,000, and one lucky winner will be taking it all home. The proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Call 783-9303 for more information.

Did You Know?

Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. since 1850, and usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.

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