Sun Rise Scoops

Posted

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.; and 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.

There will be a special Sunday meeting on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. featuring Gerald Carbone, who will speak about his book, “Brown & Sharpe and the Measure of American Industry,” at the Johnston Historical Society Museum Barn, 101 Putnam Pike, Johnston. The event is free and open to the public.

Bowling for Animals

On Sunday, Feb. 16, Defenders of Animals will hold a fundraising bowling event at Town Hall Lanes, located at 1463 Atwood Ave. in Johnston, from 2-4 p.m.

For $20 per person, the package includes two hours of bowling, a pizza and a pitcher of soda at each lane. For more information or to register, contact Defenders of Animals at 461-1922.

Behind the scenes at PPAC

You may have enjoyed a Broadway show or concert at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), but have you ever peeked behind the curtains to see how the magic really happens? 

Join them on Saturday, Feb. 1 for a behind-the-scenes look at Providence’s most spectacular theater. Opened in 1928 as “Loew’s State,” the largest movie palace in Southern New England, it was designed by renowned theater architects C.W. and George Rapp of Chicago known for their opulent and grand designs. It was a roaring success, but eventually the popularity of televisions took a toll on the theater and attendance declined. The building's careful restoration over the course of decades and its rebirth as Rhode Island's premier Broadway theatre has played a vital role in Providence's renaissance.

Today PPAC, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, is one of the greatest local landmarks.

You are invited to a special open house event at PPAC where you can: admire the intricacies and grandeur of the historic interiors; explore the projection booth for truly unique views of the theater below; step onstage and behind the curtains to see the mechanics of PPAC’s acclaimed productions and experience the powerful and reverberating sounds of the theatre’s 1927 mighty 5-manual Wurlitzer pipe organ, one of only three of its kind ever made and meet house organist Peter Krasinski.

Discover the history of this special place, while developing new insights on all that goes into PPAC’s operations today. All are welcome.

Happening at the Johnston Senior Center

Bingo is held every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. and on Fridays at 2 p.m. It is open to the public. There are also random monthly mystery raffles.

On Saturday, Jan. 25, a trip to Foxwoods Casino is planned. The cost is $15 per person with $10 slot play and $10 food or free buffet included.

Ask-me popup workshops on Android tablets, phones or laptops will be held on Jan. 23, 24, 30 and 31 from 10-11:30 a.m. Call the computer lab at 944-3343 and ask for Pat.

A Bridge tournament will be held on Jan 24 and Jan. 26.

The Memory Café is open every second Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m.

The Johnston Senior Center is located at 1291 Hartford Ave., Johnston, and may be reached by calling 944-3343.

At the Mohr for children

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

Saturday Drop-In Crafts are held when the Mohr Library is open. Come anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for several self-directed projects for kids and parents to do together. Craft programs are not appropriate for children under 3 as small parts might present a hazard.

Lego Club meets every second Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Play with Lego bricks donated by Lego Systems. Children ages 5 and up may attend and no registration required.

“I Spy” is held anytime when the library is open. Play “I Spy Pokémon,” “I Spy Pete the Cat” or three other “I Spy” games that a talented volunteer has made for you and get a sticker for each one. The program is open to all ages.

The Mohr Library offers discount passes to several fun places in and around the state. These passes have been donated by the Friends of Mohr Library. For more information, call 231-4980 and press 5 for the children’s room.

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.

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 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?

By the early 1600s, handmade Valentine’s Day cards were customarily sent from admirers to sweethearts. Around the year 1800, the first commercial cards appeared. Cards were usually sent anonymously.

As early as 1822, an English official reported having to hire extra postal workers on Valentine’s Day. In 1849, Esther Howland of Worcester, Massachusetts, started selling quality valentines so popular that she was called “Mother of the American Valentine.” (Source: The Old Farmer’s Almanac)

SunriseScoops@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit 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