Sun Rise Scoops

Johnston Police Explorers

Open to people between the ages of 14 and 20, the Johnston Police Explorers program provides a unique way to learn about law enforcement. The program is challenging and demanding, but also a fun learning experience.

A few areas in which the Explorers participate are firearms training, self-defense, traffic investigation, criminal investigation and community policing.

For more information, contact the Johnston Police Department at 231-4210.

Meals at Memorial Park

Chartwells provides free meals to children during the summer. Meals will be served through Aug. 16, Monday through Friday, weather permitting, between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Park at 1583 Hartford Ave. in Johnston.

There are no income or registration requirements. Any child under age 18 may come to eat. For more information, contact Erin Shoemaker at 233-1920, ext. 2653.

Homeless Animals Vigil

Defenders of Animals Inc. will host its 23rd annual Homeless Animals Day/Candlelight Vigil and awards ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Sprague Mansion in Cranston at 7 p.m.

The event will be held outdoors, or indoors in the event of rain. The vigil is held throughout the world on the third Saturday in August. All are invited to participate, and the event – held in cooperation with the International Society for Animal Rights – is free of charge.

For more information, visit defendersofanimals.org.

North Providence High class of 1964 reunion

North Providence High School’s class of 1964 will hold its 55th reunion on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 5-10 p.m. at Meenhan Overlook, located at 2 Governor Notte Parkway (off Douglas Avenue) in North Providence. The reunion will feature stations with American and international appetizers, a fabulous dinner buffet, music, dancing and much more. Tickets cost $60 per person and can be purchased by calling Paula (Pellecione) Lipsey at 724-7222 or 742-4993 or Anthony Parente at 725-2019.

Cranston High School class of 1959 reunion

The 60th reunion of Cranston High School’s class of 1959 will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eleven Forty Nine Restaurant, 1149 Division St., Warwick. Registration costs $50 per person. Send checks payable to “Class of Cranston High School 1959” to Dianne Apici, 573 Cedar Ave., East Greenwich, RI 02818, by Aug. 24. For more information, contact Dianne Apici at dapici@cox.net or 885-4595.

St. Xavier class of 1969 reunion

St. Xavier Academy’s class of 1969 will celebrate its 50th reunion on Sunday, Oct. 20. Classes who graduated in years ending in 9 and 4 will be honored as well. A Mass will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Timothy Church in Warwick followed by lunch at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown. All graduates are invited to attend. For additional information, call Margaret Mathias at 232-9006.

At the Johnston Historical Society

The Johnston Historical Society’s museum barn is open Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 2-5 p.m.; and the first and third Saturdays of each month, 9-11 a.m., for those who would like to visit the museum or examine the society's collection of printed materials. Both the museum and Elijah Angell House continue to be open by appointment – they always welcome visits by interested individuals or groups. Just send them an email at history@jhs.necoxmail.com or leave a message at 231-3380 to set one up.

Steak Fry at VFW

A Steak Fry will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the Kelley Gazzerro VFW Post 2812, 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston, with food provided by Spirito’s. The menu will additionally include salad, baked potatoes, mushrooms, onions, sweet corn, bread and butter, draft beer, soda and coffee.

Tickets cost $30 per person and must be purchased by Sept. 4. Tickets are only available in advance at the Kelley Gazzerro Post. Proceeds will benefit the post’s building fund.

Mohr Library Genealogy Group meetings

Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library hosts a Genealogy Group on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.

The Library has yearly subscriptions to Ancestry.com and New England Historical Genealogical Society databases (NEHGS) on all library computers.

The library also publishes a monthly newsletter outlining upcoming program details and includes tips for searching. Former programs include field trips to the State Archive and Swan Point Cemetery, as well as speakers on cemeteries, medallions found on gravestones, how to search for a nationality, and much more.

Meetings are open to all who are interested. For more information, call 231-4980, email info@mohrlibrary.org or visit mohrlibrary.org.

Wine & Dine Extravaganza for MS Dream Center

The MS Dream Center of Rhode Island and Accessible Rhode Island will host a Wine & Dine Extravaganza on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Proceeds from the event will benefit the MS Dream Center, which is dedicated to supporting individuals with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities.

The event, sponsored by Bob Gasbarro’s Oaklawn Liquors, will include a wine and beer tasting along with a variety of food from some of Rhode Island’s best known restaurants. The event will also include entertainment from the Ambrosiani Italian-American Band, raffles, a live auction, a 50/50 raffle and a mystery wine and dine pairing.

Tickets cost $60 each or 10 for $500 and can be purchased at msdreamcenter.org. To learn more, visit access-ri.org or msdreamcenter.org.

At the Mohr for children

Storytime has begun and offers stories, songs and rhymes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers and their caregivers. Held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for all ages, story time starts at 10:30 a.m. There is no need to register.

Saturday drop-in crafts are held when the Mohr Library is open. Patrons can come any time between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for several self-directed projects that kids and parents can do together. Craft programs are not appropriate for children under 3 as small parts might present a hazard.

Lego Club is held every second Thursday of the month through June from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The club has more than 10,000 Lego bricks for participants to use.

Family Drop-in Craft sessions are held every Saturday through June. Drop in anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and enjoy several self-directed projects for kids and parents to do together. There is no need to register. The program is not appropriate for children under 3, as small parts might present a hazard.

For more information, visit mohrlibrary.org or contact the Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library, 1 Memorial Ave., Johnston, at 231-4980, ext. 5, or info@mohrlibrary.org.

Free yoga for breast cancer survivors

The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation and Yoga at Studio Exhale offers yoga for breast cancer survivors every Sunday from 6-7:30 p.m.

Yoga at Studio Exhale, 1263 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston, is the place to be to explore slow flow, gentle movement to create space in the body and eliminate stress. This class is designed to restore the nervous system and help release deeply held tensions from the body and mind. Visit gloriagemma.org for more details.

‘Engage for Change’ gala

Hope and Change for Haiti invites members of the community to take part in its second annual “Engage for Change” gala, to be held Thursday, Aug. 22, from 6-9 p.m. at the Imperial Room at One Rhodes Place. Tickets cost $50 per person. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit hncforhaiti.org.

Help make a house a home

The Furniture Bank of RI, a nonprofit corporation, needs bureaus, complete twin or double beds, kitchen sets, mattresses and other household furniture that you no longer need. To help a less fortunate family through your charitable donation of good used furniture, call 831-5511 to arrange for pick up. All donated articles must be in good condition.

Book sales

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

 Victory Day is a state holiday in Rhode Island, observed on the second Monday in August. It commemorates the end of the World War II, when Japan’s surrender was announced on Aug. 14, 1945. It was observed this past Monday.

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