Sun Rise Scoops

Johnston Historical Society

Their museum barn is open Tuesdays from 9 to 11am and 6:30 to 8:30pm; Thursdays, 2 to5 p.m.; or by appointment, for those who would like to visit the museum or examine the society's collection of printed materials. Just in case, call ahead to confirm they are there.

Dues are $20 per year for an individual, $30 per year for a family (two adults and children under 18) membership. The purpose of the JHS is to identify, preserve and promote the history of our town. It is located at 101 Putnam Pike in Johnston and can be reached by calling 231-3380.

Their next scheduled meeting is Jan. 27 when Society President Louis McGowan will give a presentation on the late George Sutcliffe, a Johnston resident who was a fighter pilot during World War II. Louis will read a detailed account of a dogfight that Sutcliffe was involved in, as well as show some artifacts related to Mr. Sutcliffe and his military career.

New Year – New Network

Are you ready to build your business and connect with more professionals and decision makers?

“If you're planning on starting your 2019 on the right path and need to establish new business relationships, you first need to establish yourself as a professional that others also 'want' to have in their network. Showing up is 80 percent of the job - As the saying goes, ‘Out of sight, out of mind,’" said Pat Paolino Cruz: Pat Cruz Events.

Statewide Networking Kickoff will be held at Chapel Grille in Chapel View in Cranston on Jan. 30 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

“Our events serve as a perfect catalyst for you to meet new people, make new connections and build relationships, that lead to future business. Our monthly 'happy hour' formatted events welcome between 100 and 200 people consistently. Complimentary appetizers are provided by the venue. Cash Bar and Valet Parking available,” said Paolino Cruz.

Tickets are $12 in advance (Eventbrite.com) and $20 at the door.

Looking to further showcase your products or services to the Network? A very limited amount of vendor tables are available at $125 and can be secured on first come first served basis.

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! Join avid ancestral sleuths, learn tips from others. All nationalities discussed. For more information, call 231-4980 or email info@mohrlibrary.org or visit www.mohrlibrary.org.

Ms. Wheelchair RI 2019

On Feb. 8 there will be a competition for Ms. Wheelchair RI. All contestants must be at least 21 years of age, use a wheelchair 100% of the time in public, great personality, willing to advocate and education RI and beyond. This is not a beauty contest but rather a competition of advocacy and education.

The event will be held at the Imperial Room at 1 Rhodes Place in Cranston on Feb. 8. Vendor tables are $25 each with a limited amount of tables and no duplication of items. Tables will be given on a first come, first serve basis.

If you want to be a sponsor the fees are $25for your name in the program; $50 for an ad in the program; $100 for half page in program and $150 for ad in program and on all promotional material and mention in all press releases. For more information, contact Tina Guenette Pedersen at her email address: mswheelchairri2018@yahoo.com.

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 to $2. The Friends are a 501(c)3 non-profit 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.

Help make a house a home

The Furniture Bank of RI, a 501(c)3 non-profit 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.

At the Mohr for Teens

Teen Arts & Crafts Club will meet every Thursday from 2 to 3 p.m. Love arts & crafts? Join in each week to make something new and express yourself. We will paint, collage, draw, sculpt, and use paper, textiles, natural objects and recyclables to create all different works to take home. Each week make something new! 20 spaces available. Registration required; contact Emilie the YA Librarian to register Mohr.teen.librarian@gmail.com.

Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club will be held every Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Dungeons & Dragons for Teens is a cooperative role-playing game recently made famous in Stranger Things. Teens create their own characters & play out a story together. We will be beginning a new storyline called Storm King’s Thunder, where adventurers battle giants. Both new members and beginners welcome. 10 spaces available. Registration required; contact Emilie the YA Librarian to register Mohr.teen.librarian@gmail.com.

Teen Chess Club will meet every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Mohr.  Join them for the classic strategy game Chess. Battle your friends or test your wits against the librarian! Don’t know how to play? No problem they can teach you! The rules are simple, the opportunities endless. Practice all your strategies here while relaxing away from the heat. 20 spaces available. Registration: contact Emilie the YA Librarian to register at Mohr.teen.librarian@gmail.com.

The Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library is located at 1 Memorial Ave., in Johnston and may be reached at 231-4980 x5 or www.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 to 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.

Did You Know?

The first month of the year brings us New Year’s Day, MLK day, and the excitement of new beginnings. In the Georgian calendar, the calendar that most of the world uses, January is the very first month of the year. The name January came from a Roman god Janus. According to the Roman legend, in 700 B.C., the ruler Numa Pompilius added January to the end of the 10-month Roman calendar. When it was added, Pompilius gave 30 days to January. However, Romans later made January the first month of the year. Moreover, in 46 B.C. Julius Caesar added a one more day to January and that's why there are 31 in January today. January was known as the wolf month to the Anglo-Saxons because in winter, wolves came into the villages to search for food. It is the coldest month in the northern half of the world, nature is quiet and the birds travel less. Also, the bears and woodchucks go into hibernation. However, in southern half of the world, January is the warmest month. During this time, unlike the northern half of the world, animals are active and plants are growing. (Source: January Fun Facts)

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