Last chance to sign up

This Saturday, October 21, will be the last day to register for Youth Basketball. Those interested may visit Johnston Memorial Park from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. For additional information call 272-3460.

Pink Ribbon Bagels now available to benefit Gloria Gemma

Panera Bread is once again partnering with the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation during its 16th annual “Pink Ribbon Bagel” promotion.  Throughout the month of October, to commemorate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a portion of proceeds from all Pink Ribbon Bagels sold in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts will go to the Pawtucket-based non-profit.

This is the fifth consecutive year that proceeds have benefited the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, whose mission is to provide education, access to wellness resources and support programs to those touched by cancer. Pink Ribbon Bagels are baked fresh daily in each Panera Bread café, formed by hand into a ribbon shape, and feature dried cherries, cranberries, vanilla, honey and brown sugar.

Pasta Fest

On Oct. 21 there will be a Pasta Fest from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Edgewood Congregational Church, located at 1788 Broad St. in Cranston. All proceeds directly benefit Defenders of Animals. There will be raffles and admission is $10 per person. Call 461-1922 for reservations.

Mohr Library Genealogy Group Meetings

Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library has yearly subscriptions to Ancestry.com and the New England Historical Genealogical Society databases (NEHGS) on all library computers. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. 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 particular nationality, and much more. Meetings are open to all! Join avid ancestral sleuths, learn tips from others. All nationalities discussed. For more information contact the library at 231-4980; info@mohrlibrary.org; www.mohrlibrary.org.

Halloween Havoc

The RI Shriners will be hosting Halloween Havoc on Oct. 27 at the RI Shriners, 1 Rhodes Place, Cranston. Thousands of Skull Eggs will be hidden outside and filled with great prizes. If you have enjoyed our famous Adult Easter Egg Hunt, then you know the fun we will have.

There will be cash prizes for Best Individual Costume & Best Group Costume and you can also enjoy Tarot Card Readers & Mediums along with Awesomely Spooky items available for you to purchase. There will be a cash bar available plus raffles and a DJ for dancing. $30 admission price includes pasta dinner that will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (courtesy of the Legion of Honor Unit) & Skull Hunt that starts promptly at 8 p.m. 

The event is for age 21 with proper ID required.

Must purchase tickets in advance by calling our office or on our Eventbrite page “Halloween Havoc” For more information on this event contact them at 467-7100 ext. 33 or PaulaRiShriners@gmail.com. The proceeds of the day will directly benefit the Rhode Island Shriners.

Ocean State Toastmasters special Halloween-themed meeting

Ocean State Toastmaster invites the public to their special Halloween meeting on Oct. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Warwick City Hall (basement). Come enjoy a festive Halloween party and meet their outgoing professional public speakers.

At the Mohr

Storytime-Stories, songs, rhymes, puppets and coloring for children of all ages and their grown-ups. Tuesdays, they welcome babies up to 3 years old and Wednesdays they welcome 3-5 years old at 10:30 a.m. This Storytime series runs Sept. 26 through Oct. 25. Special Halloween story times will be held Oct. 24 and 25 when children are welcome to wear a costume and bring a prepackaged snack to share. Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library is located at 1 Memorial Ave, Johnston and can be reached at 231-4980 x5 or www.mohrlibrary.org.

On Oct. 23, Page & Play Club (Grades 1-3) will be held at 6 p.m. The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller. Children will meet to discuss the book, whip up some Doughnut Math including estimation, skip counting, fractions and measuring Hands-on! (They will prepare the dry ingredients for doughnuts for take home). Children will learn and witness the science of yeast during the meeting.  Please ask for a copy of the book at the Children’s Desk. Read before book discussion date. Registration preferred by calling 231-4980 x 5.

On Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. will be Spooky Puppetry! Create “The Thing” from the Addams Family TV show, an octopus puppet and make your own puppet theater and more. Registration is required by calling 231-4980 x5, www.mohrlibrary.org, info@mohrlibrary.org.

Saturday Drop-in Crafts is a program that is held every Saturday and features several self-directed projects for kids and parents to do together. Drop-in anytime between 11a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (Craft programs are not appropriate for children under 3 as small parts might present a hazard.)

Ongoing Book Sale at Mohr

Looking for a used textbook?  You might find it at the Friends of Mohr Library's ongoing book sale on the lower level of the library. A rolling cart in the area is filled with textbooks and other books helpful to course work, assignments and home schooling, along with a few literary classics. Books on the cart are marked with prices up to $2 and will be available through Sept 23. The Friends, a non-profit volunteer group dedicated to the library, supports special services and library programs, including summer reading, through their fundraising efforts. Email address is friends@mohrlibrary.org.

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 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.

Volunteers needed

The Johnston Senior Center is seeking volunteers to help with various services throughout the year. They need volunteers on Thursday afternoon bingo and Friday night bingo. The Activity Department is also in need of volunteers for dining room servers and gift shop associates. Contact the Center at 944-3343.

At the Mohr for Teens

Falling for Fun with the continuing the theme of “Build a Better World,” this autumn we are dedicated to transforming our library into a welcoming space for teens. We want to encourage teens to look at how they can take a lead in building a better world. Join our Teen Task Force to step up and make a difference in the library, the community, and the world.

Teen Task Force seeking members. Do you want to show the community how teens can make a positive impact? Join our Teen Task Force to help build a better world. Become part of this teen-driven group advocating for the library and for the teens in our community. Plan monthly teen programs, organize weekly activities & crafts, give suggestions for new material purchases, initiate teen participation, and earn volunteer hours. Participate in bi-weekly meetings & teen-lead activity benefiting the teens, the community & causes of your choice.

Library Cards for Teens! Teens are encouraged to sign up for library cards all year round! Young Adults ages 14-17 may apply for a library card on their own. According to Ocean State Libraries, “students ages 14 to 17 may provide proof of their enrollment in a public or private school in Rhode Island (class schedule, transcript, report card, etc.) in lieu of a photo ID if they do not otherwise have one.  Proof of home address must still be provided if not stated on school enrollment documents.” For computer privileges, all students under the age of 17 must have a parent or guardian sign the permission form.

Join in celebrating Inktober during the entire month of October. This is worldwide art challenge created in 2009 by Jake Parker. “Every October, artists all over the world take on the Inktober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month.” Art can include drawings or a creative blackout poetry design! An official list of prompts for every day of the month has been posted on the bulletin board in the teen room. Official Rules are posted in the teen room and on social media. Submit your art to Emilie to display in the teen room throughout the month.

Creepy Crafts & Cosplay Competition will be held on Oct. 31 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Happy Halloween! Join Emilie and Arlene in making a creepy craft and paranormal painting. Then celebrate in style with our Cosplay Competition. Dress up as your favorite character from a book, movie, TV, or game. Teen votes for Most Accurate, Most Creative, Best Pair, Best Group. Winners will receive a mini trophy.

Fake it ‘Til You Make it: Fake News & Social Media Workshop will be held on Nov. 8 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Do you get most of your news from social media? Every day our newsfeeds are bombarded with stories. How do you know what to believe? Join Emilie in an interactive workshop to learn how to use critical thinking to evaluate all media sources. Please bring your own laptop, tablet, or mobile device that allows access your own social media. We can lend a few laptops.

Did You Know?

Since its invention in 1898 by the Herman Goelitz Confectionary Company of Fairfield, California (now known as the Jelly Belly Candy Company), candy corn has been wildly popular; so much so that today, nearly 35 million pounds of candy corn are produced each year. (Halloween Fun Facts)

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