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A beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, great-grandmother, friend and companion, Jo-An Parente, 85, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, surrounded by her family in East Greenwich, RI.

While Jo-An filled all of her roles with great love, if you asked her who she was at her core, she would answer “a dancer.” From age 8 to 84, she entertained and taught hundreds through her talent for ballet and tap. Born on July 25th, 1939, to Wanda and Frank Plaistek, she attended Woonsocket High School, spent summers studying ballet in New York City, and went on to graduate from the University of Rhode Island (URI) with a degree in Business Administration. While in college, she met her future husband, Robert Parente, and together they raised three children in Cranston, RI. Jo-An was heavily involved in supporting youth sports and St. Paul’s parish events, while serving as an elementary school teacher at St. Timothy’s in Warwick, RI, where she received a “Best Teacher” recognition. She passed on her love for dance to her daughter Linda and her granddaughters, and upon retiring to Jupiter, FL, she was an active member of The Coquettes, a renowned tap dance group that entertained seniors throughout the Palm Beach area. Wherever and whenever there was music playing, she could be seen dancing a few steps and inviting others to do the same. She enjoyed traveling, reading, and perusing the Wall Street Journal cover-to-cover every day. Throughout her life, she worked tirelessly to ensure her family and friends were cared for, always offering a helping hand and an ear to listen if someone was in need. She simply loved making people feel good. This was her greatest legacy.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband of 48 years, Robert A. Parente, Sr.

She is survived by her three children: Linda Parente (Armin Kososki), Robert Parente (Sue), and Peter Parente (Hope); her grandchildren: Laura, Melissa, Ryan, Lucy, Robert, Peter, Georgia, and Henry; her great-grandchildren: Roman, Lucy, Charlotte, and Thomas; her sister-in-law Carolyn King, nephews Kurt King (Lisa) and Jason King, and niece Allison King (Svenja); her caring companion of more than 10 years Bill Pyrczak, and many cherished friends.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 23rd from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Jones-Walton-Sheridan Funeral Home, 1895 Broad Street, Cranston, RI. Family and friends are invited to attend Jo-An’s funeral mass on Tuesday, June 24th, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1 St. Paul Place, Cranston, RI.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staff at The Seasons in East Greenwich for their compassion and the wonderful care they provided during Jo-An’s time there. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jo-An’s name may be made to The Seasons East Greenwich, 5 Saint Elizabeth Way, East Greenwich, RI 02818.

By OBA Staff
•
June 19, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Gulf Shores will celebrate Make Music Day with a community event at Meyer Park on Saturday, June 21. This free, family-friendly celebration invites everyone to enjoy live music and fun activities. Music lovers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to attend. It’s a chance to enjoy local talent, food trucks, and the longest day of the year.

The Sedona-Oak Creek School District is currently recruiting nine coaching staff.

As of June 6, SOCSD is seeking an assistant track and field coach, head tennis coach, head track and field coach, head varsity boys’ basketball coach, head varsity girls’ soccer coach, head varsity softball coach, head varsity volleyball coach, junior varsity volleyball coach and middle school girls’ basketball coach.

“We have some incredible kids; they’re really eager to play sports, to learn about a new sport,” SRRHS Athletic Director Peter Brock said. “From a potential coach’s perspective a lot of these kids are eager to learn. There might be some growing pains with some of the kids, as they’re learning that a sport is more difficult from the inside versus the outside. But I think a lot of our kids are coachable, and they’re here to improve. If we find the right coach we’re set for success.”

Varsity head coaches are generally compensated at rates varying from $3,528 to $4,189 for the year, and assistant, junior varsity and middle school coaches are paid $2,205.

Superintendent Tom Swaninger, Ph.D., said that the district may move to hire new coaching staff for currently filled positions but did not provide specifics.

“It’s either we either have not secured that [coaching] position, or we feel that we could potentially improve that position by opening up [it] for further interviews,” Swaninger said.

The time commitment for coaches was expected to be around 10 hours per week, not including game and travel time, with high school practices generally being held for two hours a day Monday through Friday, with Saturdays as an option, Brock said.

Middle school sports usually practice Monday through Thursday, but Friday practices can be important early in the season. Assistant coaches can anticipate the same time commitment.

“We have great facilities overall,” Brock said. “Other resources we have, I am a certified athletic trainer, so I’m here to help keep those kids out on the field. I’m here to not just oversee the athletics department, but also to provide immediate care and help treat these kids when they have injuries. That’s something that’s a bit undervalued, because if we can keep kids healthy, then the sky’s the limit getting these teams to perform at their best.”

“Moving forward, there will be weekly meetings with [Brock] with all the coaches, covering specific issues that the coaches may have been dealing with that week,” Swaninger said.

“Coaching is a way to give back to the community,” Swaninger said. “Many people in our community have unique and tremendous experiences and skill sets. Working with our youth is one of the most fulfilling experiences out there.”

“Coaching is unique in that short of my [parents], I have learned more about life and leadership from my coaches than anyone else,” Swaninger said. “Coaches not only grow your skill set in whatever sport that you’re participating in, but they grow [students] into better leaders and better human beings.”

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – In Louisiana, football is more than just a game. It’s a way of life.

“Football has been my life,” NFL legend Doug Williams said.

Williams returned to Baton Rouge this week to host his annual youth football skills camp at Memorial Stadium.

The camp aims to teach more than just plays and drills. It’s about preparing young athletes for success both on and off the field.

“For me to get an opportunity to come back, not that I ever left, but to come back and do this, I think that’s part of my duty,” Doug Williams said.

Campers received hands-on training from former college and professional athletes, including Williams’ former players from his time coaching at Grambling State University.

Among them was Baton Rouge native Chad Williams, a former NFL wide receiver who played under Doug Williams in college. Chad Williams said the camp is about more than football.

“We come from a city that a lot of people might shun, but there’s a lot of love here in Baton Rouge. We want to capture as many kids as we can and show them there are other opportunities out there,” Chad Williams said.

The young athletes were taught valuable life lessons, such as teamwork, discipline, and the importance of hard work.

“It ain’t just about the game,” Doug Williams said. “There’s a lot more that comes with it.”

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — Syracuse fans can now add on themed days to home games this year. The team releasing the various themed games for the 2025 season, including homecoming weekend where the Orange will host Pitt on October 18th.

The other promotions can be found below:
SEPT. 6 vs. UCONN
– Military Appreciation Day
– Youth Sports Day
– Cheer and Dance Day
– Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day

SEPT. 12 vs. COLGATE
– First Responders Day
– Healthcare Appreciation Day

SEPT. 27 vs. DUKE
– Family Weekend

OCT. 18 vs. PITT
– Orange Central Weekend
– Chamber of Commerce Day

OCT. 31 vs. NORTH CAROLINA
– Halloween

NOV. 29 vs. BOSTON COLLEGE
– School Day
– Scout Day