Cranston Chatter

By MERI R. KENNEDY
Posted 8/28/19

By MERI R. KENNEDY Hey Nineteen closing out Summer Concert Series Steely Dan tribute band Hey Nineteen will provide the final performance of Garden City Center's 30th anniversary Summer Concert Series on Sunday, Sept. 1, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The concert

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Hey Nineteen closing out Summer Concert Series

Steely Dan tribute band Hey Nineteen will provide the final performance of Garden City Center’s 30th anniversary Summer Concert Series on Sunday, Sept. 1, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The concert is free, and visitors are asked to bring a donation of peanut butter or canned tuna for the CCAP Food Pantry. For more information, visit gardencitycenter.com.

Library closed for Labor Day

The Cranston Public Library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 3. For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Culinary training class

The Community Kitchen based at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Ave., Providence, is now accepting applications for its next 14-week culinary training class that begins at the end of September 2019. The course runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This job-training program is intended for low-income, unemployed and underemployed adults. Learn kitchen, cooking, and safety skills (including ServSafe training) from experienced chef instructors. Practice your new skills at an internship in the local community. Get assistance with resumes, interviewing and your job search.

For more information and to apply, visit rifoodbank.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.

Steak Fry at VFW

A Steak Fry will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, at the Kelley Gazzerro VFW Post 2812, 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston, with food provided by Spirito’s. The menu will additionally include salad, baked potatoes, mushrooms, onions, sweet corn, bread and butter, draft beer, soda and coffee.

Tickets cost $30 per person and must be purchased by Sept. 4. Tickets are only available in advance at the Kelley Gazzerro Post. Proceeds will benefit the post’s building fund.

History of the Scituate Reservoir

The Cranston Public Library will welcome filmmaker, professor and Cranston resident Evan Villari on Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 6-8 p.m. at the Central library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road.

Villari will be sharing research for “Blood and Watershed” (bloodandwatershed.com), an upcoming documentary film on the true history of the Scituate Reservoir, while drawing contemporary parallels to issues related to water usage. Through a combination of image-based storytelling and personal narratives, this engagement promises to provide concerned citizens with transparent information about where our water comes from and where it is going.

The program is free and open to the public. It is being made possible in part through a grant from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (rihumanities.org) and with fiscal sponsorship from the Center for Independent Documentary (documentaries.org).

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.

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.

Job Search Seminar series

The Cranston Public Library will host a Job Search Seminar series, scheduled to take place across three sessions. The series is free and open to the public through funding from the American Library Association, the Public Library Association’s Lead with Digital Skills Initiative and Grow With Google.

All sessions will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Central Library, located at 140 Sockanosett Cross Road. No registration is required.

Part one, titled, “Effective Resumes and Cover Letters,” will be held on Monday, Sept. 16. Part two, titled “Interviewing and Social Media,” will be held Monday, Sept. 23, and part three, titled “How to Search Smart,” will be held Monday, Sept. 30.

The series will be presented by Jean Baur, a career coach, writer and speaker with 20 years of experience in the outplacement industry. She is the author of extensive publications on managing job loss and creating effective search strategies.

For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

70th anniversary celebration at Sprague Mansion

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m., the Cranston Historical Society will celebrate its 70th year at the Governor Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston.

Guests will view a display from the Cranston Historical Society’s collection as well as Cranston History Network signage dedicated last spring by the city of Cranston, describing the history of the neighborhood. It is also the 189th birthday of Governor William Sprague IV.

Seating is limited, and tickets cost $18 per person. To reserve a place, call 944-9226. Checks payable to Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston, RI 02920, must be sent by Sept. 13. After Sept. 13, anyone interested in attending is asked call to inquire if seats are still available.

For more information, visit cranstonhistoricalsociety.org.

Zumbathon to celebrate the life of Mariella Major

The Cranston YMCA, located at 1225 Park Ave., will hold a Zumbathon charity event to celebrate the life of Mariella Major on Friday, Sept. 27, from 6-8 p.m.

Mariella was a beloved Zumba instructor at the Cranston YMCA. She fought a long, hard battle with cancer and sadly passed away at a young age. The YMCA was a huge part of her life, and she spent countless hours there making memories with the members.

All proceeds from Zumbathon event will support special projects at the Cranston YMCA that were near and dear to Major’s heart. This year’s project will focus on renovations the Kids Care/Babysitting Room.

To purchase tickets, visit the Cranston YMCA Welcome Center, call the branch at 943-0444 or go to YZumba.org.

11th Holly Charette Motorcycle Run

The 11th annual Holly Charette Motorcycle Run will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29.

The ride will begin at the post office on Rolfe Square in Cranston and travel along scenic roads to the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter to honor Charette. The ride will then continue to Narragansett Town Beach before returning to the Crowne Plaza in Warwick for a dinner, raffles and the presentations of this year’s college scholarship recipients.

Charette, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps after Sept. 11, 2001, was 21 when her convoy was struck by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2005. She was the first female Marine to lose her life during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Lance Cpl. Holly Charette Scholarship fund. This nonprofit organization was started in 2006 to remember and honor Charette. Each year, a student from Cranston High School East and Coventry High School receives a college scholarship in Charette’s name.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and kickstands go up at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $30 a person and includes the ride, a T-shirt and dinner.

To purchase tickets, contact Ray Charette at 347-9619, Regina Roberts at 615-9265 or Ed Roberts at 623-1164.

Scary Acres seeking actors, actresses

Scary Acres at Confreda Farms, located at 2150 Scituate Ave., is hiring actors and actresses to scare guests during its upcoming 17th season.

Pay begins at $10.50 per hour and applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Applicants must also have a valid government-issued ID and either a birth certificate or Social Security card.

All actors and actresses must be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in September, through Oct. 6, from 6 p.m. until the closing time of 10 p.m. or longer. There will be paid training and rehearsals for all those who are hired.

Applicants may apply at Confreda Farms between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days a week. Positions are also available working at the kiosk at the front door.

The number of available positions is limited. For more information, email brianscaryacres@gmail.com.

Celebrating Sprague’s 189th birthday

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Cranston Historical Society will host its 189th Birthday Benefit in honor of the late Governor William Sprague IV. The event begins at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Governor Sprague Mansion, located at 1353 Cranston St. in Cranston.

Guests will enjoy the company of history enthusiasts and marvel at the fascinating objects that will be on display from the Sprague family collection. Visitors can also view the Cranston History Network signage dedicated last spring by the city of Cranston, describing the history of the neighborhood.

Seating is limited, and tickets cost $18 per person. To reserve a place, call 944-9226. Checks must be sent by Sept. 13 and be payable to Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston St. Cranston, RI 02920. After Sept. 13, anyone interested in attended is asked to call 944-9226 to inquire whether seats are still available.

For more information, visit cranstonhistoricalsociety.org.

Wine & Dine Extravaganza for MS Dream Center

The MS Dream Center of Rhode Island and Accessible Rhode Island will host a Wine & Dine Extravaganza on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Proceeds from the event will benefit the MS Dream Center, which is dedicated to supporting individuals with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities.

The event, sponsored by Bob Gasbarro’s Oaklawn Liquors, will include a wine and beer tasting along with a variety of food from some of Rhode Island’s best known restaurants. The event will also include entertainment from the Ambrosiani Italian-American Band, raffles, a live auction, a 50/50 raffle and a mystery wine and dine pairing.

Tickets cost $60 each or 10 for $500 and can be purchased at msdreamcenter.org. To learn more, visit access-ri.org or msdreamcenter.org.

‘The Civil Rights Kid’ with Ray Rickman

Cranston Public Library will host “The Civil Rights Kid” with Ray Rickman on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The program will be held in the James T. Giles Community Room at the Central library, located at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road.

In “The Civil Rights Kid,” Rickman recounts his early activism in the civil rights movement. As a young student, Rickman fought to integrate the Detroit public schools, leading citywide walk-outs and bringing a federal lawsuit. As a teen, against his mother's better instincts, he participated in the March Against Fear in Mississippi with civil rights giant James Meredith and was jailed and beaten nearly to death for “trespassing.” This exciting one-man presentation, filled with surprising humor and insight, provides a look at an America that may not be so far in the past as we think.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Cranston East class of 1974 reunion

Cranston High School East’s class of 1974 will hold its 45th reunion on Friday, Oct. 4, at the Alpine Country Club, 251 Pippin Orchard Road, Cranston, beginning at 6 p.m. The cost is $65 per person, which includes a dinner buffet. Checks should be payable to Denise Beauvais, 301 Oaklawn Ave., #205, Cranston, RI 02920.

Pilgrim High School class of 2009 reunion

The class of 2009 from Pilgrim High School in Warwick will celebrate its 10-year reunion on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 6-10 p.m. at Chelo’s Waterfront Bar & Grille, 1 Masthead Drive, Warwick.

Tickets cost $25 per person and must be purchased before Oct. 6 to guarantee entrance. Attendees are welcomed to bring a guest with the purchase of a separate ticket.

Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com. For more information, visit the class Facebook page or contact Jennifer Rawson (Kennedy) at jrkennedy819@gmail.com.

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.

Did you know?

Labor Day started as a part of the labor union movement to recognize the contributions of men and women in the U.S. workforce, but today is seen as a chance to celebrate the last weekend of summer.

The first celebrated Labor Day in the U.S. was held on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, and planned by the Central Labor Union. Ten thousand workers marched from City Hall all the way to 42nd Street and then met with their families in Wendel’s Elm Park for a picnic, concert, and speeches. (Source: Labor Day Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, email Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can range from 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.

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