Golf tournament coming in May

The Johnston Memorial Cancer Golf Tournament, benefiting

Johnston Relay for Life through The American Cancer Society, will be held May

31 at noon at the Putnam Country Club in Putnam,

Conn. The cost is $100, which

includes 18 holes of golf with cart, golf balls and souvenir bag. Lunch and

registration will begin at noon, with a shotgun start and scramble at 1 p.m.

The event will include prizes and awards. Appetizers and a chicken dinner will

follow.

Tee or green signs in memory of loved ones are $25. Tee

or green sponsor signs are $50.

For more information, call Linda LaFazia at 233-2564 or

Dennis Quaranta at 934-1969.

Spring Break @ The Library

The Johnston Public Library will host several programs

during school vacation week. Spring crafts will be held April 14 from 11 a.m.

to 3:30 p.m. On April 15, Roger Williams Zoomobile will bring live tropical

animals to Our Lady of Grace Church. Registration is required for this program.

Movie Madness will be held April 16 with movies at 11 a.m., 2 and 4:30 p.m. The

Audubon Society presents Seasonal Sensations April 17 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of

Grace Church. Registration is required. A craft program will be held April 18

at 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 231-4980.

Panther Partners Scholarships available

The Panther Partners third annual scholarship is being

offered to Johnston

High School graduates.

Three students attending college this fall will be awarded a $500 scholarship.

Requirements for consideration will be a written essay

provided by the applicant including a separate outline of their community

service activities. Scholarship forms are available in the high school guidance

office. The typed essay should be 250 to 500 words in length. The topic is:

“How has your experience at Johnston

High School influenced

your outlook on the world around you?”

All entries should be postmarked no later than April 30

and mailed to Panther Partners Inc., 2008 Scholarship Award, P.O. Box 19865, Johnston,

RI 02919.

Each submission should include the applicant’s name,

address, home telephone number and date of birth. Three applicants will be

chosen from all submissions received. Awards will be made payable to the

school/college of a student’s choice upon proof of enrollment. Students will be

notified if they are chosen for an award.

Attention Fidos, felines and ferrets!

The R.I. Veterinary Medical Association will sponsor a

rabies clinic this weekend on April 12, from 10 a.m. to noon at Rainone Gym, 45

Mill Street in Johnston for dogs, cats and ferrets. There is a fee of $12 (cash

only) and pet owners must bring proof of previous vaccine history

certification.

Chocolate Sundae coming in May

Pocasset Bay Manor, an independent/assisted living facility,

located in Johnston, will be holding a "Chocolate Sundae" to raise

money and help grant wishes for children who are terminally ill or have a very

serious illness. This is the fourth annual event the manor is hosting.

The event will take place on May 18 from 2 to 4 p.m.

There will be live entertainment, as well as a balloon artist and, of course,

tables of chocolate samples, a chocolate fountain for dipping and other baked

goods in the chocolate theme. If you would like to purchase a button to attend

the event (each costs $10), contact Resident Programs Manager Jennifer Cipalone

at 421-6610 or e-mail Jennifer at jcipalone@horizonbay.com.

Seeking Ms. Wheelchair USA

Applications are now being accepted for the title of Ms.

Wheelchair Rhode Island USA. The winner will represent Rhode

Island in August, competing against 50 other state

representatives, for the national title of Ms. Wheelchair USA. The Ms. Wheelchair USA program is dedicated to

celebrating the abilities and successful accomplishments of women with

disabilities.

This year, one representative will be selected from each

state based on the judging of their official state representative application

package. Judging of the official contestant application, contestant platform

statement, two recommendation letters and an overall impression score will

result in the state titleholder selections.

To qualify, contestants must be women and 18 and older as

of July 30. There is no “age limit” in this competition. Contestants must

utilize a wheelchair as their main source of mobility; however, this program

does not exclude women who may be able to utilize their legs. 

The winner of the Ms. Rhode Island title will receive an

official MWUSA crown and banner and qualify for the live competition held Aug.

7-10, 2008 in Akron/Cleveland, Ohio.

This nationally televised competition promises exciting activities, family fun

and friendly competitions and is designed to showcase the successful stories of

women who have overcome obstacles and are uniquely contributing to our society.

Interested contestants can request an official state

representative application package by visiting the Web site at

www.MsWheelchairUSA.org or by calling the Ms. Wheelchair USA office at

330-612-5242 or Fine Productions at 330-603-1201. Deadline to enter is April

30. 

Hoops makeover – Celtics style!

The Boston Celtics and RE/MAX of New

England have launched the third year of the RE/MAX of New England

Home Court Program. The Home Court Program will award a lucky Celtics fan in Rhode Island, Massachusetts

and New Hampshire

with a home basketball court reconstruction. A Boston Celtics player and legend

will visit the restored home basketball court for a dedication ceremony,

followed by a community basketball clinic.

Fans can enter by submitting a 500-word essay along with

photos explaining why they need a “home court makeover.” The three lucky fans

chosen will get their home basketball courts made over, starting with a

driveway or court resealing, a brand-new basket stanchion, backboard,

electronic scoreboard, a ball rack and other Celtics-themed items. A special

selection committee consisting of local media members, RE/MAX employees and

Celtics staff will determine the winner of the contests in each state. Entry

forms are available online at www.celtics.com. Deadline for entries is May 1.

Did You Know?

April is the anniversary month of the Pony Express! On

April 3, 1860, The Pony Express made its first run from St

Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento, Calif.

– a 1,600-mile trip that took 10 days, seven hours and 45 minutes to

complete. 

The Pony Express, established a year before the beginning

of the American Civil War, reflected the need to provide fast and reliable

communication with the West. The first pouch contained 49 letters, five private

telegrams and some papers for San

Francisco.

Messages were carried on horseback relay across the

prairies, plains, deserts and mountains of the Western

United States.

It was replaced by First Transcontinental Telegraph in

1861.

In 1866, after the American Civil War was over, the

assets of the Pony Express was sold to Wells Fargo for $1.5 million. Wells

Fargo used the Pony Express logo for its guard and armored car service. The

logo continued to be used when other companies took over the security business

into the 1990s.

In June 2006, the United States Postal Service announced

it had trademarked "Pony Express."

If you would like to submit any items of interest, please

e-mail Meri R. Kennedy directly at SunRiseScoops@aol.com. You may also address

your items to Sun Rise Scoops, c/o Beacon Communications, 1944 Warwick Ave., Warwick,

RI 02889.

Photos are also welcome.