Edgewood Eagles reunion

The Edgewood Eagles alumni are planning a reunion on Friday, Aug. 16, at the Cranston Country Club, located at 69 Burlingame Road in Cranston. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and is open to all former players, cheerleaders and coaches. The price per ticket is $30, and there will only be 200 tickets available. The event will be hosted by former Eagles chairman Paul Griffin and Jimmy Mancuso, and tickets are available by contacting Griffin at 429-8262 or Mancuso at 573-1544.

Film festival documentaries at library

The Cranston Public Library is excited to partner with the Rhode Island International Film Festival to screen two documentaries from this year’s selections. The films will be shown on Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library, located at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, in the James T. Giles Community Room. The first film, “The Living Thames,” will begin at 2:30 p.m., with the second film, “Pilgrim Home,” to follow at 3:30 p.m. These showings are free and open to the public. For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org or film-festival.org.

Backpack drive at Revival Brewing

Revival Brewing, located at 505 Atwood Ave. in Cranston, is holding a backpack drive until Sunday, Aug. 18. Donations of backpacks and school supplies will be accepted during normal business hours, and donors will receive 10 percent off their meal.

All donations will be handed over to the Cranston Police Department and will directly help the Cranston COZ, Crossroads Rhode Island, Children’s Friend, Project Night Vision, the Center for Southeast Asians, the Hispanic Ministers’ Association, Family Service of Rhode Island, the Multi-Service Center for All, the African Alliance, Mount Hope Neighborhood Association and the Chad Brown Alumni Association.

For more information, contact Susan Denice at 860-949-5930 or susan@revivalbrewing.com.

Mayor’s Pool Day

The Budlong Pool will be closing for the season on Aug. 16, but Mayor Allan Fung invites residents to attend the annual Mayor’s Pool Day on Aug. 17 from noon to 2 p.m.

Admission to the pool will be free, and complimentary lemonade will be provided by Del’s Lemonade for all to enjoy.

Mayor’s Senior Picnic

Mayor Allan Fung and the city of Cranston will host the annual Mayor’s Picnic for Seniors at Brayton Avenue Park on Friday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The menu will include lemonade, barbecue chicken, hot dogs, corn, salad, watermelon and water. There will be games, live music and dining tables under party tents. For reservations, call Iris at 780-6134.

Free lunches for seniors

The Cranston YMCA has partnered with Blackstone Health to bring senior citizens a Power Lunch sponsored by National Grid. With additional support provided by BankRI, Power Lunch will provide free catered meals for seniors in at the YMCA, located at 1225 Park Ave.

Power Lunches will be held Monday through Friday during the summer. Seating is limited and registration is required. Participants may sign up for just one day or the whole week. A $3 suggested donation is welcomed, but not required. There are two sessions, held at 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

All diners must be 60 years of age or older. Each meal will include a sandwich, soup and fresh fruit. The YMCA will provide additional sides and water.

Power Lunch aims to help seniors beat the summer heat while enjoying a complete meal with friends old and new. There will also be opportunities to connect to resources available to increase energy efficiency and reduce costs as temperatures continue to rise.

To register or for more information, call the YMCA Welcome Center at 943-0444 or email Michelle Puhacz at mdejesus@gpymca.org.

School backpacks mission

Edgewood Congregational Church, located at 1788 Broad St. in Cranston, is collecting backpacks and school supplies for the children at Project Outreach in July and August. This important local ministry serves more than 500 families each month.

Supplies are needed for all ages, from kindergarten through high school. Some suggestions include spiral notebooks, pens, mechanical pencils, crayons, glue sticks, folders, loose-leaf paper, scissors and backpacks of all sizes.

Please bring donations to church on Sunday, or drop them off at the office during the week. Summer office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. The collection runs through Aug. 18.

Can you host a summer food drive?

The Comprehensive Community Action Program, or CCAP, is asking for assistance this summer to help feed those in need.

Children are more likely to experience hunger during the summer months when they have no access to school meals. CCAP is asking member of the community to lend a hand by hosting a food drive at their church, workplace, service group, school or other location. Every month, the CCAP Food Bank serves over 800 families.

For more information about CCAP and how to lend a helping hand, visit comcap.org or contact Joanne Gregory, vice president of social services, at 562-8333.

Academic news and notes

Congratulations to Christopher Gilbert and Mashiat Amreen of Cranston, who were named to the chancellor’s list and dean’s list for the spring 2019 semester at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth.

Summer concerts at William Hall Library

This year’s free summer concert series, “Music In Our Town,” is underway at the William Hall Library, 1825 Broad St., Cranston.

Concerts will be held on Thursday nights from 6:30-8 p.m.

John Connor and the Irish Express will perform on Aug. 8, while The Neo Retro Band, which had originally been scheduled to perform July 18, will perform Aug. 15.

Attendees are advised to bring a blanket or chairs for use on the library’s lawn. For additional information, visit cranstonlibrary.org or contact Adrienne Gallo Girard at 781-2450 or hall@cranstonlibrary.org.

Narragansett Indian Tribe meeting

The Narragansett Indian Tribe will celebrate its 344th Recorded Annual August Meeting on Saturday, Aug. 10, and Sunday, Aug. 11.

All activities will be held on the Narragansett Reservation off Route 2 and Old Mill Road in Charlestown. Gates open at 10 a.m. both days. The cost of admission is $6 for adults and $2 for children.

Chief Sachem Anthony Dean Stanton urges all Rhode Islanders to join the tribe in the celebration and share in traditional food, singing and dancing.

Grand entry begins at 1 p.m. on both days, and the Church Board additionally invites all to share in services at the tribe’s historic church. Sunday services will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

College admissions workshop

The Cranston Public Library, in partnership with the University College of Roger Williams University, will host a College Admissions Workshop on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the James T. Giles Community Room at the Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road.

Attendees will learn from a college admissions officer how to search for and apply to their dream colleges. This workshop will assist in the why, what, and how to apply to colleges as a high school student or as an adult learner. Attendees will also learn how to qualify for reduced tuition rates at the University College of Roger Williams University of $750 per course (three credits) for eligible Cranston residents.

The program will be presented by Raksmey Pen, career pathway specialist at University College. It is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.

For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Comedy fundraiser for West field

The Cranston West Alumni Association will be hosting a Funny4Funds comedy night fundraiser on Aug. 13 at the Cranston Country Club. All contributions will go toward the improvements at the Cranston High School West field. For more information, contact David C. DiMaio at 588-1313.

‘Strong As Steel’ author at library

The Cranston Public Library will host Jon Land, author of “Strong As Steel,” on Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Central Library, located at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road.

According to the book’s publisher, in “Strong As Steel,” Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong investigates “two cases connected by a long buried secret, one that men have killed and died to protect.” Land is also the author of “Murder in Red,” the latest entry in the “Murder, She Wrote” series.

The event is free and open to the public. Copies of the book will be for sale, courtesy of Barrington Books.

For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Tour with Tea

The Cranston Historical Society’s Sprague Mansion will host an evening tour program on Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Participants will enjoy an intimate, relaxing early evening tour with tea in the historic Sprague Mansion Ballroom. They will also sample Queen Victoria’s favorite cake, which is still served at the Royal Palace today.

Guests will additionally receive a brief introduction on the history of the Sprague family and A&W Sprague Textile Manufacturing Co.

Seating is limited. Call 944-9226 to reserve a place. Tickets cost $15. Payment must be received by Aug. 12, and checks should be made payable to Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston 02920.

After Aug. 12, call to inquire if seating is still available.

Homeless Animals Vigil

Defenders of Animals Inc. will host its 23rd annual Homeless Animals Day/Candlelight Vigil and awards ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Sprague Mansion in Cranston at 7 p.m.

The event will be held outdoors, or indoors in the event of rain. The vigil is held throughout the world on the third Saturday in August. All are invited to participate, and the event – held in cooperation with the International Society for Animal Rights – is free of charge.

For more information, visit defendersofanimals.org.

Estate planning presentation

The Cranston Public Library’s Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, will host a program on estate planning on Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Attendees will learn the basics of estate planning with two experts in the field. Topics include what to consider when creating a will, the types and benefits of trusts, how to reduce taxes on estates, and how insurance can provide protection for families.

This program is free and open to the public and registration is not required. The presenters will be:

Jan Hilfer, a native Rhode Islander who holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Rhode Island and has worked as an adjunct professor of finance at Bryant University. He is a Series 7 and Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Edward Jones Investments. His primary areas of practice are retirement and estate planning.

Attorney Samantha McCarthy from McCarthy Law LLC, who is licensed to practice law in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Her practice focuses in the areas of estate planning and elder law. She earned her law degree from Roger Williams University School of Law, where she was recognized by the Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education for her extensive public interest legal work and commitment to public service.

For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

CCAP Chip for Charity tournament

The Comprehensive Community Action Program will host its fifth annual Chip for Charity Golf Tournament & Million Dollar Hole-in-One Contest on Thursday, Sept. 12, at Habor Lights in Warwick.

The event is CCAP’s largest fundraiser to support its programs and services. To register or for more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Lee Beliveau at 562-8353 or lbeliveau@comcap.org.

North Providence High class of 1964 reunion

North Providence High School’s class of 1964 will hold its 55th reunion on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 5-10 p.m. at Meenhan Overlook, located at 2 Governor Notte Parkway (off Douglas Avenue) in North Providence. The reunion will feature stations with American and international appetizers, a fabulous dinner buffet, music, dancing and much more. Tickets cost $60 per person and can be purchased by calling Paula (Pellecione) Lipsey at 724-7222 or 742-4993 or Anthony Parente at 725-2019.

Cranston High School class of 1959 reunion

The 60th reunion of Cranston High School’s class of 1959 will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eleven Forty Nine Restaurant, 1149 Division St., Warwick. Registration costs $50 per person. Send checks payable to “Class of Cranston High School 1959” to Dianne Apici, 573 Cedar Ave., East Greenwich, RI 02818, by Aug. 24. For more information, contact Dianne Apici at dapici@cox.net or 885-4595.

St. Xavier class of 1969 reunion

St. Xavier Academy’s class of 1969 will celebrate its 50th reunion on Sunday, Oct. 20. Classes who graduated in years ending in 9 and 4 will be honored as well. A Mass will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Timothy Church in Warwick followed by lunch at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown. All graduates are invited to attend. For additional information, call Margaret Mathias at 232-9006.

St. David’s hall rentals

St. David’s on-the-Hill Episcopal Church, located at 200 Meshanticut Valley Parkway in Cranston, offers affordable rates to rent its upper and lower halls for events of all kinds. For more information, visit stdavidsonthehill.net/hall-rental or contact the church office Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 942-4368.

Family health services at CCAP

Tired of ineffective yet expensive medical care? Check out Family Health Services at the Comprehensive Community Action Program. CCAP offers affordable, 24/7, professional family health and dentistry services. The experienced staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals who are caring, compassionate and highly skilled. New patients are welcome. For more information, call 384-6007.

Craft Bash at Artists’ Exchange

The Artists’ Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston, invites families to take part in free Crash Bash events on the last Saturday of every month. The expressive arts can work as a tool for strengthening students’ skills in all disciplines by offering alternative ways to think about core subjects.

Craft Bash is free and open to all ages and abilities. For more information, call 490-9475 or visit artists-exchange.org.

Reusable bag program to boost CCAP Food Bank

CCAP’s Food Bank has been selected to be a part of the Shaw’s supermarket “Give Back Where It Counts” reusable bag program, which is designed to make it easy for customers to contribute to their local community while supporting the environment. For the month of May, each time a reusable “Give Back Where It Counts” bag is purchased at the Shaw’s located at 8 Chapel View Blvd. in Cranston, $1 will be donated to CCAP's Food Bank, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the giving tag.

Did you know?

The birthstones for August are the peridot and the sardonyx. The zodiac signs for August are Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) and Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). (Source: August Fun Facts)

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