Sun Rise Scoops

Posted

Scarecrow Festival

The first annual RI Scarecrow Festival will take place Oct. 29 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Johnston Memorial Park.

This free community event has something for everyone. Activities include a scarecrow contest, pumpkin racing, celebrity scarecrows, a craft fair, and a “Wizard of Oz” themed fun run. There will also be live entertainment, local food trucks, balloon artists, special guests, raffle prizes, and much more.

Event organizers encourage all – including families and schools – to enter the scarecrow contest. Create a scarecrow that resembles someone famous, or that is traditional, whimsical, artistic, or unusual. Promote your school or hobby, or simply indulge your creative side. Local participating businesses and organizations can sponsor a scarecrow for a fee and have the scarecrows advertise for them during the event. All submissions must be family-friendly.

Scarecrow entries are free and prizes will be awarded to one winner in each age category – children 12 and under, teens 13 to 18, and families and adults 18 and older. Scarecrow check-in and set up will be at the main park entrance between 11a.m. and 1 p.m. on the day of the festival.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Dysautonomia Support Network, a charity that provides support, education, awareness, and programs to patients and family members in the United States living with the many forms of dysautonomia and related conditions. Funds raised will be used for dysautonomia patient support programs, service dog grants, and educational scholarships. All donations are tax deductible. October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month.

Winter Bazaar

Trinity Assembly of God, located at 2119 Hartford Ave. in Johnston, will host a Winter Bazaar on Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be many different vendors as well as a silent auction. Sit down and enjoy lunch or a snack in the Bread of Praise Cafe. Grab some delicious baked goods and come rummage through our yard sale section. There will be homemade candles, magical Christmas lanterns, ornaments, homemade hats, scarves, mittens, cakes, lotions, jams, jewelry, yard sale items, and much more. There will also be a coat drive, nail painting, and face painting. Contact Nicole Palazzo at 401-215-4410 for more information.

Bingo for the Shriners’ Hospitals for Children

On Nov. 6, you are invited to attend a bingo at The Imperial Room at One Rhodes Place beginning at 1 p.m. There will be all cash prizes at the event. There is no price for admission. The cost is $10 for a book of 10, and two specials will be offered.

Bingo starts at 1 p.m. sharp. No one may enter after the games start. Only people 18 and older may be in the bingo room during the games. There are no alcoholic beverages in the game room. You may bring in your own snacks if you wish.

For more information, please contact Bob Chase at 401-487-5402. Proceeds benefit the Shriners’ Hospitals for Children (Boston and Springfield) and the Directors’ Unit.

Holiday Bazaar

A fundraising Holiday Bazaar featuring food, games, crafts, raffles, a silent auction, and vendor tables will be held at St. Robert Bellarmine Church Hall (1804 Atwood Ave., Johnston) on Nov. 5 from noon to 4:30 p.m. and from 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit St. Robert’s Food Shelf, which provides food to all neighbors in need, regardless of religious affiliation. For general information, contact Sandy at 401-946-3262. To inquire about a vendor table, contact Carol at 401-233-2330.

Cosmic bowling fundraiser

WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care, the oldest nonprofit community health center in Rhode Island, is holding a fundraiser on Friday Nov. 4 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Town Hall Lanes in Johnston. The cosmic bowling fundraiser will benefit WellOne and the patients it serves. Cosmic bowling provides a high-energy, party-like atmosphere featuring black lights, laser lights, and music from a list of top hit recordings. The cost per person is $20 and includes two hours of duck-pin bowling, free rental shoes, pizza and a pitcher of soda for each lane. All are welcome. To sign up for an evening of fun, exercise and laughs, contact Pam Taylor at 401-285-5153 or ptaylor@welloneri.org.

St. Brigid’s 20 Week Club

The Committee of the 20 Week Club at St. Brigid’s Church, 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, will begin selling tickets prior and after the Saturday 5 p.m. Mass. and Sundays at their 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses beginning on the weekend of October first, and ending Nov. 6 when the first drawing will take place. There will be 30 weekly drawings and eight grand prizes, along with a luncheon on April 30 for members in good standing at the Alpine Country Club. Total winnings are $3,320 and you do not have to be present to win. Guest tickets are also available. For tickets or information please call 401-942-0576 or 401-641-3048.

Computer classes at Mohr Library

The Mohr Library is offering drop-in Friday computer classes from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Stop into the library for computer and technology help. Learn how to use email, Microsoft Word, and Facebook, format resumes, download free ebooks, and more.

No appointments are necessary. Do you possess basic computer skills and want to add a computer certification to your resume? The Mohr Library is a certified NorthStar Computer Assessment site. Take and pass an online test and earn a printed certificate. Appointments are required for NorthStar.

For more information, please call the Reference Department at 401-231-4980.

Helping those in need this winter

The Rhode Island Dream Center, a non-profit organization, works to restore the lives of the homeless and impoverished in the Rhode Island community. Each year they supply more than 500 people with fully stocked winter survival backpacks. Their goal is to deliver the backpacks at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 12 on the lawn of the State House in Providence. They are in need of donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrushes, winter gloves, winter hats, winter scarfs, lip balm, shaving cream, ponchos, and shampoo. All donations should be dropped off at Praise Tabernacle Church located at 330 Park Ave. in Cranston.

Did You Know?

The tradition of carving jack-o-lanterns originated in Ireland, but they used turnips and beets instead of pumpkins! (Source: Halloween 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.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here