Firefighters to host Halloween Party

Cranston Firefighters IAFF Local 1363 will be hosting its annual Halloween Party for the children of the city of Cranston on Friday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m. at Station 2, located at 301 Pontiac Ave. It is a great opportunity to play games, receive treats and be safe.

Halloween activities at Pastore Center

Community members are invited to make the Pastore Youth Center, located at 155 Gansett Ave., one of their trick-or-treating destinations on Oct. 31. Drop in for some “spooktacular” fun organized by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, with Halloween themed games as well as prizes, snacks and candy. Hours are 5:30-7:30 p.m., and activities are meant for students in grades K-5.

CCAP holiday programs

Help your community by participating in the Comprehensive Community Action Program’s 2019 Holiday Food Drives and Adopt a Family/Giving Trees programs.

Even with a strong economy, thousands of Rhode Islanders are struggling to put food on the table. Last year, the Food Bank distributed over 230,000 pounds of food and over 80 percent was donated through community food drives.

Community food drives are extremely important to the CCAP Food Bank and help fill the shelves. Please join in lending a helping hand to those in our community by hosting a CCAP food drive this holiday season.

CCAP’s goal is to provide 1,000 holiday food baskets. Food items needed include frozen turkey, canned corn, canned green beans, canned yams, boxed mashed potatoes, boxed stuffing, canned turkey gravy, canned cranberry sauce, pie crust, canned pie filling and rolls. CCAP is also seeking donations of $40 cash or grocery gift cards, which can purchase a complete basket for a family of four.

All food and donations are due by Thursday, Nov. 14, during business hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 311 Doric Ave., Cranston.

For more information, call 467-7013.

Financial aid workshop

The Cranston Public Library will host a financial aid workshop, on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Central Library, located at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road.

The workshop, geared to both high schoolers and adult learners, will review the steps and resources necessary to help college students successfully complete the financial aid process. It is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.

Topics covered will include how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA; creating an FSA ID; and available grants and scholarships. There will also be a Q&A session.

The program will be presented by Cathy Hague, assistant director of financial aid; Pamela Pereira, assistant director of admissions and enrollment management; and Raksmey Pen, career pathway specialist, all from the University College at Roger Williams University.

For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Toys and Tunes

Drop by Oak Lawn Branch Library, 230 Wilbur Ave., on Friday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m. this fall for Toys and Tunes, a play time program with music and stories. The program is open to ages 0-5 with a parent/caregiver. Registration is not required. For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Trunk or Treat

Woodridge Congregational Church at 546 Budlong Road will host its annual Trunk or Treat event on Friday, Oct. 25, from 6:30-8 p.m. The rain date is Oct. 26 during the same timeframe. This is a fun, free family event, and several cars will be on site with decorated trunks. Candy will be handed out.

Soil testing at farmers market

Fall is the best time to plant grass seed for next year. The soil is still warm from months of summer sun. This combination of warm soil, moderate day temperatures and cool evenings encourages fast germination and establishment of newly sown grass seed. To make sure your newly planted lawn gets the most nutrients from your soil, a soil pH test should be performed as well.

On Friday, Oct. 25, bring soil samples to the Goddard State Park Farmers Market, located at 345 Ives Road in Warwick. University of Rhode Island Master Gardeners will be at the market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and can provide pH results and soil texture analysis as well as provide recommendations for the gradual improvement of your soil’s pH and health.

For instructions on taking a soil sample or information on other testing locations, visit uri.edu/mastergardener/soil-testing-service.

Pilgrim High School class of 1984 reunion

Pilgrim High School’s class of 1984 will host its 35th reunion on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. The reunion will be held at the Nelson Event Center at Lang’s Bowlarama, located at 225 Niantic Ave. in Cranston. For more information, contact the Reunion Committee at PHS84Reunion@yahoo.com.

Touch a Truck in Garden City

On Sunday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Cranston Rotary Club will host a Touch a Truck event at the Gazebo in Garden City Center. Children will have the opportunity to see and explore police, fire, military and construction vehicles and more. Children are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes. There will also be face painting and crafts. The suggested donation to support the work of the Rotary Club is $10 per family.

‘Alzheimer’s Disease: Finding Hope Through Research’

The Cranston Enrichment Center will host “Alzheimer’s Disease: Finding Hope Through Research” on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m.

Join representatives from three Rhode Island Alzheimer’s research sites – the Alzheimer’s Disease & Memory Disorders Center at Rhode Island Hospital, the Memory & Aging Program Butler Hospital and the R.I. Mood & Memory Research Institute – to learn more about their leading-edge research efforts to treat and end the disease. Refreshments will be served.

Space is limited. To register, call 780-6000.

Electronics recycling event

The Cranston Public Library will host an electronics recycling event on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston. A van from Indie Cycle will be at the library to collect unwanted electronics for recycling.

Items accepted at no cost include computers, laptops, monitors, routers, PDAs, cell phones, mice, keyboards, ink-jet printers, toner cartridges, CD and DVD platers, radios, televisions, network equipment, wires, stereos, speakers, telephones, cameras, microwaves, small household appliances and acid lead batteries, including auto/marine batteries and battery backups.

A $10 disposal fee will be charged for each laser-jet printer, air conditioner, dehumidifier or other device containing coolant. Items that will not be accepted are light bulbs, single-use batteries, tapes and disks, glass, wood-cased speakers, Styrofoam, broken TV tubes or any hazardous materials.

For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair

The St. Mary’s Feast Society Ladies Auxiliary will host its Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair will be held at the St. Mary’s Civita Center, 15 Phenix Ave., Cranston. It will feature handmade items and crafts, a straw raffle, food and more. Interested vendors may email mmanzi.cranstonri@gmail.com for more information.

Dementia discussion

The Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter is hosting a discussion of recent evidence of lifestyle risk factors of dementia, led by Jonathan Drake, M.D., on Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Radisson Hotel Providence Airport, 2081 Post Road, Warwick.

The presentation is part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Brian R. Ott, M.D. Research Symposium to learn about innovations in Alzheimer’s disease research.

The presentation will run from 6-7:30 p.m. and will be preceded at 5:30 p.m. by a reception and cash bar. The event is free and open to the public. Participants are asked to RSVP by calling 800-272-3900 or registering online at communityresourcefinder.org.

Christmas Bazaar

The annual Christmas Bazaar at Sacred Heart Church, 820 Providence St., West Warwick, will be held Friday, Nov. 8, from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Many of the old-time booths will be back, and a range of items will be available. The kitchen will be open throughout the event with a variety of hot and cold sandwiches. On Friday, night, chowder and clam cakes will be available. For more information, call 821-4184 or email sacredheartww@cox.net.

Casino trip to support women veterans

On Monday, Nov. 11, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of RI will host a casino trip fundraiser to support women veterans. Tickets are on sale for $35, which includes bus transportation to Foxwoods, a free lunch buffet and $15 in slot play. Pick up will be at 11 a.m. at the Shaw’s Plaza in Cranston and a second at the Richmond Park and Ride, exit 3. If interested, contact Paula Andrews at 451-5073.

Thunderbolt Trivia Night

The Cranston High School East Music Department will host a Trivia Night on Friday, Nov. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Imperial Room, One Rhodes Plaza. Tickets cost $30 per person and include dinner, raffles and a silent auction. This is a 21-plus event, so no students are allowed. There is a limit of 200 seats. For more information, contact Krista Schmitz at krschmitz@hotmail.com or 440-4401.

Winter survival backpacks

This November, Rhode Island Dream Center will be celebrating 11 years of distributing fully equipped “winter survival” backpacks to homeless and low-income members of the Rhode Island community. The backpacks will be distributed on Sunday, Nov. 24, at the center’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner held at Praise Tabernacle Church, 330 Park Ave., Cranston.

Many members of the state’s homeless population must carry all of their belongings with them throughout the day until they are allowed to re-enter local shelters for the evening. The Dream Center’s goal is to purchase 350-400 quality, waterproof backpacks and fill them with essential such as winter hats, scarves, gloves, socks, hand warmers, shampoo, razors, combs, lotion, powder, deodorant, rain ponchos and other hygiene hygiene products.

The Dream Center is asking for help from the community in the form of donated items or monetary donations. For more information or to participate, email ridcinfo@ridreamcenter.com or visit ridreamcenter.com.

Food drive at Beltone

Beltone New England has announced its will be participating in the annual Beltone National Food Drive to help fight hunger, joining hundreds of other hearing centers across the country. Now, through Nov. 8, people are invited to bring in a nonperishable food item to their local Beltone Hearing Aid Center. All food donations will be distributed to local food pantries throughout the community. Food donations can be dropped off at the company’s locations at 478 Reservoir Ave. in Cranston and at the Warwick Mall, 400 Bald Hill Road, #203.

Cranston High School class of 1960 reunion

Cranston High School’s class of 1960 plans to hold its 60th reunion on Sept. 12, 2020, at the Cranston Country Club. The cost will be $50 per person. For more information, contact Joan Farmanian Fratterelli at 349-3922.

Cookbook Club at the library

The Cranston Public Library’s Cookbook Club is a new book club for adults with a tasty twist. In this club, participants will read a different cookbook each month and come together to share the tasty recipes that lie inside their pages.

For more information or to sign up, contact Corrie at 943-9080, ext. 129, or calves@cranstonlibrary.org.

Pickleball this fall

The Cranston Parks and Recreation Department will be offering Pickleball at the Pastore Youth Center, located at 155 Gansett Ave., starting this fall. Games will be played Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 2 p.m., through March 23, and Saturdays, 8 -11 a.m., from Oct. 5 to Nov. 16. If there is demand, additional time on Sunday afternoon/evening can be added once this session ends.

The fee is $3 per person per day. The program is open to Cranston residents and nonresidents. Three courts will be available to accommodate people of all skill levels.

For more information, visit the Parks and Recreation page on the city’s website, cranstonri.com.

Youth basketball program

Registration is open for the Saturday Morning Basketball Program, which runs Saturday mornings from Nov. 23 through March 14.

This is an instructional program designed to teach the fundamentals of basketball. It is not a league and no teams will be formed.

The program will be held at the following times and locations:

Pastore Youth Center: grades one and two, 9-10 a.m.; kindergarten through grade one, 10:30-11:45 a.m.

Western Hills Middle School: grades three through five, 9-10:30 a.m.; grades six through eight, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Park View Middle School: grades three through five, 8-9:30 a.m.; grade six, 9:30-11 a.m.

The registration fee is $25 per child. Registration forms are available for download on the Parks and Recreation Department’s page on the city’s website, cranstonri.com. Forms may be returned to the department’s office at the Pastore Youth Center.

New theater program

The Cranston Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with Living Arts Theater, will be offering an eight-week acting class for students in grades two through 10 at all experience levels. Through these process-based classes, students will learn acting techniques and build scene study and improv skills, as well as building ensemble-based collaboration skills.

The classes will be taught by the Living Art Summer Theater teaching artists and will culminate with an acting showcase for friends and families in Pastore Youth Center’s acting classroom.

The fall session will run on Saturdays at the Pastore Youth Center from Oct. 19 through Dec. 14. There will be no class on Nov. 30. Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. for grades two through five and from 10:30 a.m. to noon for grades six through 10.

The cost of the class is $110. There is a strict limit of 10 participants for each class. Once a class is filled, we will accept people on a wait list.

To register, please return the form on Parks and Recreation Department’s page on the city’s website, cranstonri.com, along with a check made payable to “City of Cranston” to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Delivery of library books

The Cranston Public Library will deliver any item that has a three-week loan period. Patrons never pay a late fee or fine because the library picks up all the materials within that three-week time frame.

Volunteers deliver books in regular or large print, as well as audiobooks, magazines, music CDs and documentary DVDs, to any homebound Cranston resident living in their own home. Due to concerns about chain of custody, the library is unable to deliver to nursing homes or assisted living facilities. To register or to become a volunteer driver, contact Karen McGrath at 781-6116 or karenmcgrath@cranstonlibrary.org.

Caregiver volunteers needed

Volunteers are being sought to provide respite services for homebound seniors. Services include providing companionship, running errands and providing transportation to medical appointments.

If you are interested in becoming an RSVP caregiver volunteer, contact Karen at 780-6159 for an interview. Volunteers must be 55 years of age or older and a BCI check is required. A mileage reimbursement is provided to cover the cost to travel.

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.

Did you know?

Halloween is one of the oldest celebrations in the world, dating back over 2,000 years to the time of the Celts, who lived in Britain.

To submit your news from the community, email Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email today and see your news in our column in the Cranston Herald. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information. Be sure to check out our website at cranstononline.com.