Cheering on the cheerleaders

The Johnston football cheerleaders will compete this Saturday at North Providence High School against cheerleading teams from around the state. The flag and jr. peewee teams will compete at 10 a.m., the peewee team at noon, the JV team at 2 p.m. and the varsity team at 4 p.m. Admission is $6 per person for each round of competition. An award ceremony will take place after each division competes and the winner will be named as state champions. The following day, the cheerleaders will support the Johnston youth football league in the Super Bowl, which starts at approximately 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Wishes Under Wrap

Join the North Central Chamber of Commerce and Chamber member Wishes Under Wrap for the November-December Business After Hours on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wishes Under Wrap is located at 225 Greenville Ave. in Johnston. Owner Laurie Langford and her staff look forward to hosting all Chamber members at her Business After Hours. The shop will be dressed for the holidays, including an upside down Christmas tree. Join the Chamber and share in some holiday cheer, along with some networking, food, drinks, raffles and more. Bring your holiday shopping list and pick up a few items. You may register online or call the North Central Chamber at 349-4674. All attendees are free, including non-members.

Have a ‘Gansett with Brown

Heritage Liquors in Cranston will host New England Patriot Troy Brown on Saturday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. as they promote Naragansett Beer's campaign to relaunch its brand, which dates back to 1890. Brown will be at Haxton’s Kent Liquors in Warwick from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Once the top selling beer in New England, 'Gansett was brewed in Cranston and employed roughly 850 New Englanders during its peak. After moving operations to Indiana, 'Gansett began to lose regional appeal but is resurfacing after the 2005 purchase of the company by CEO Mark Hellendrung. "Narragansett is founded on the rich history and character of New England," said Hellendrung. "We are inspired to re-establish the iconic brand as a powerful New England fixture and build a new brewery, energizing the region's economy and local communities as a whole." As a first step, Hellendrung brought on former 'Gansett brew master, Bill Anderson, to ensure the authenticity of the recipe. Now available in 800 establishments and counting, Narragansett is making strides in its campaign to win back New England. To continue that goal, Brown will be visiting several liquor stores on Saturday, greeting customers and signing autographs.

At the Mohr Library

Sign up your children, ages 3 and older, for Reading Buddies at the Mohr Memorial Library in Johnston. Community teens will read to your child one-on-one after school or Saturdays on a regular basis. This is a wonderful opportunity for your children and the teens. Contact Michelle at 231-4980 ext. 15 or e-mail mohrteens@ymail.com and let them know what day and time works best for you and your children.

Introducing Doctor Bochner

Marc Michael Bochner, son of Gail and Morris Bochner of Cranston and with relatives throughout Johnston, has earned his Doctorate License in physical therapy. Marc graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology in 2006, and graduated in May with his Doctorate. Marc passed his state medical boards this October and is employed by Liberty Physical Therapy in Pawtucket. Marc is the grandson of Evelyn Palazzo of Cranston and the late Cagney Palazzo, and Celia and Sam Bochner. Marc is the godson of Ida (Bochner) Brown and the late Edward Chorney.

RI Center for Performing Arts to hold film premiere of “Lumberjacking”

“Lumberjacking,” an independent feature comedy filmed by Rhode Islanders Rich Camp, Frank Iacobucci, Joe Agresti and Matt Zuena, will premiere at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Rhode Island Center for Performing Arts at the Historic Park Theater in Cranston. Cast and crew will be on hand to greet guests at the inaugural screening of the feature-length film about a lumberjack in the 1960s who refuses to make the switch from axe to chainsaw. The film features John DePetro of radio station WPRO among a varied cast of Ocean State natives. Tickets, which are $10 each, can be purchased at www.lumberjackingmovie.com. Any remaining tickets can be purchased at the door. The film is appropriate for audiences over the age of 13.

Dunkin Pound of Coffee promotion returns to support Special Olympics

Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees throughout Rhode Island are celebrating their more than 20-year partnership with the Special Olympics with the return of the annual Pound of Coffee promotion. Now through Dec. 31, Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees throughout the area will donate 25 cents for every pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee sold to Special Olympics RI and Special Olympics MA South Section. Beginning on Nov. 22, Dunkin’ Donuts will make it even easier for customers to participate by offering two pounds of coffee for just $11.99, three pounds for $15.99 and four pounds for $19.99. A sponsor of Special Olympics since 1988, Dunkin’ Donuts has supported the Special Olympics Rhode Island in endeavors including the annual winter and summer games, the annual Sports Celebrity Carnival and the Special Olympics Charity Auction. Dunkin’ Donuts is the premier sponsor of Special Olympics Rhode Island Team USA, which competes in national and world games.

Holiday Bazaar

Relay for Life Team Raging through the Ages will be holding its second annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 12 to 4 p.m. and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the church hall at St. Robert Bellarmine Church at 1804 Atwood Ave. Guests can visit the many booths, featuring hand-crafted items, baked goods, Beanie Babies, gift wrapping supplies and gently used books and toys. There will also be raffles and games and prizes for all ages. An activity table will keep the little ones busy while you shop. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, contact Sandy at 946-3262 or Terry at 331-7075. Guests are also asked to bring a nonperishable food item for the parish food pantry.

Did you know?

Sarah Josepha Buell Hale (Oct. 24, 1788 to April 30, 1879) was an American writer and an influential editor. She is the author of the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb," yet she also famously campaigned for the creation of the American holiday known as Thanksgiving. Her advocacy for the national holiday began in 1846 and lasted 17 years before it was successful. In support of the proposed national holiday, she wrote letters to five presidents of the United States – Zachary Taylor, Millard Filmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln. Her initial letters failed to persuade, but the letter she wrote to Lincoln did convince him to support legislation establishing a national holiday of Thanksgiving in 1863.

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 welcome.