Weekend Spotlight

Sept. 23, Cranston Fire Department 100^th Anniversary Celebration, Mayor Ken Hopkins will be celebrating Cranston’s Fire Department’s 100^th Anniversary on Sat., Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the parking lot of Fire Station 2, 301 Pontiac Ave., Cranston.  Food and fun! Touch a firetruck; antique fire apparatus; learn about fire safety; see what’s inside a rescue – something for the whole family! Sign up for a FREE Smoke Alarm Installation.

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Sept. 23, Annual Harvest Festival at Smith’s Castle invites the public to join a celebration of the annual Harvest Festival on Sat., Sept. 23, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Smith’s Castle, 55 Richard Smith Drive, North Kingstown. This family friendly event the Sheffield Farm Petting Zoo and Pony Rides. Entertainment will be provided by the Farm Dog Band. Plenty of colonial games, activities, and crafts will be provided by our junior docents. Sign up for the prize baskets in the Great Pumpkin Roll. A variety of vendors will also be on hand for one-of-a-kind items.  Visitors to the historic house museum will be welcomed by docents in period attire and be able to tour the downstairs interior of the former home and grounds of the prominent Smith and Updike families. A special exhibit will feature collections from the Narragansett Bay Quilt Association.  Admission to the Harvest Festival is $10pp, $8 for seniors and military, $6 for children over 6 years of age. Family Cap is $25.  For further information about Smith’s Castle visit our website at http//:www.smithscastle.org or contact us at 401-294-3521.

 Sept. 23, Lakewood Baptist Church Group Yard Sale, Bake Sale and Snack Bar will be held on Sat., Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 255 Atlantic Ave, Warwick. RAIN OR SHINE.  If you only come for the Bake Sale and Snack Bar it will be worth your while.  The Bake Sale usually sells out.  We have seven people who have rented tables plus three church tables.

Sept. 24, The Mike Renzi Legacy Celebration Concert will be held on Sun., Sept. 24, at the Alpine Country Club, 251 Pippin Orchard Rd., Cranston.  The show features Denise Mainelli DeCaro, Grammy Nominated Vocalist and Steve March-Torme.  Tickets are $75pp with “reserved seating (table for 10)” $1000.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and show is at 7 p.m.  Ticket includes the show, buffet-appetizers, tea, coffee, parking and a copy of Ms. DeCaro’s new CD featuring Mike Renzi on piano, “The Very Thought of You.”  A donation will be made to the Mike Renzi Musicianship Award.  For tickets and more information, please contact Carol Mainelli at 401-486-5921.

Sept. 26, Photographic Society of RI will hold a Board of Director’s meeting on Tues., Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at Lakewood Baptist Church, 255 Atlantic Ave., Warwick. Before the meeting, members are asked to drop off black & white and color prints from 6 – 6:30 p.m., to be logged in for the Open Competition on Tues., October 3. 

Sept. 30, Come Meet the OneCranston HEZ on Sat., Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., at Cafe Ava, 48b Rolfe Square, Cranston.  Want to lend your voice, connect with your neighbors, and be involved in making a difference in your community? We work to make Cranston an even healthier, happier place to live. All residents are welcome! Join us for a drop-in meet & greet and receive a $10 voucher towards your purchase at *First come, first serve for vouchers, while supplies last.

Sept. 30, Plant and Garden Yard Sale is being held by the Western Cranston Garden Club on Sat., Sept. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Shepherd of the Valley Church, 604 Seven Mile Road, Hope. Rain or Shine.  There will be a great selection of perennials and plants.  Garden-related items will be available for purchase -- pots, gloves, books, etc.  Shop early for best selection!  Sales are CASH ONLY.  For more information, please call 401-632-2221 or 401-527-0959.

Sept. 30, Pilgrim High School Class of 1983 - will hold its 40th Reunion on Sat., Sept. 30, at Quonset Tavern by the Green, 615 Callahan Rd., North Kingstown, RI.  For more information, please email pilgrimclass1983@gmail.com or visit our new Facebook page Pilgrim High School Class of 1983. Hold the date!

Month of Oct., Cranston Tree will hold a fall planting in October. Free trees are now available for Cranston property owners. The seven- to eight-foot-tall trees are planted by a nursery in front yards, but not between the sidewalk and the street. The effort is a project of the West Bay Land Trust.  Application forms are available by emailing  cranstontree@gmail.com or calling 941-1264. Forms may also be downloaded at westbaylandtrust.org/cranstontree. The planting program, financed by the City of Cranston and the West Bay Land Trust, has planted more than 300 trees in Cranston parks and front yards. Trees lower the temperature nearby, reduce storm water runoff, clean the air and help combat climate change.

Oct. 1, Our Lady of Grace Church Fall Harvest Craft Fair will be held on Sun., Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Our Lady of Grace Church, at 15 George Waterman Road, in Johnston (entrance on Sheridan Street), will hold its annual Fall Harvest Craft Fair. The organizers expect more than 30 local artisans, who will be offering handmade arts and crafts. The fair will also feature Italian food, sweet treats, a penny social, raffles and more. 

Oct. 1, Temple Beth-El Brotherhood Annual Breakfast will be held on Sun., Oct. 1, from 8:45 to 11 a.m., at Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence, with guest speaker, Rhode Island Secretary of Housing; Stefan Pryor. Prior registration is required for accurate food counts. $5 fee payable at the door. RSVP before September 28, to Barry Schiff, SEAL11@AOL.COM, 401-419-1619. This is event is open to the general public.

Oct. 4, Brown University Lecture Series presents: Maggie Millner. Maggie Millner, poet and author of Couplets delivers a lecture on Oct. 4,  at 6 p.m., at Brown University, Pembroke Hall Room 305, 172 Meeting Street Providence, RI 02912. 

This event is free and open to the public! Please visit go.brown.edu/nonfiction_now for more information about the venue, Maggie Millner, and the Nonfiction@Brown lecture series. 

Oct. 7, NAMI Walks Rhode Island on Sat., Oct. 7, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will hold its annual walk starting from Roger Williams Park, Providence; 9 a.m. check-in and 10 a.m. walk.  Join the NAMI for more than just a walk; it’s a powerful, community event where awareness is raised surrounding mental illness, fighting the stigma and supporting free programs and support groups.  Walk solo, start a team or join a team.  For more information to register for the walk visit www.namirhodeisland.org. Donations are accepted through Dec.

Oct. 7, Johnston Historical Society Yard Sale will be on Sat., Oct. 7, from 8 a.m.  to 1 p.m. at the society’s Museum, 101 Putnam Pike (Route 44) in Johnston. A Sunday, Oct. 8 rain date has been set (same times). The historical society is also offering spots at the sale for a $25 donation (one 6-foot table; bring your own). Those interested in “renting” must contact Anthony Ursillo at 401-764-5901 or aursillo401@gmail.com. The Johnston Historical Society is a 501 (3C) non -profit organization. 

Oct. 7, Spartan DEKA MILE: Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW) Fundraiser will be held on Oct. 7, at It Starts Here Fitness (ISHFitness), 380 Jefferson Blvd.,  Suite G, Warwick, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Looking for police, fire, military, troopers, and civilians to compete in a friendly competition for a great cause.  Race individually or with a partner, and each racer will receive a DEKA T-shirt and medal.  50% of all ticket profits to benefit Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW). Spartan DEKA MILE consists of (10) functional training zones each preceded by a 160-meter run (1 mile of total distance running).   Tickets: $35 single and $49 2-person teams.  Registration: https://tickets-usdk.spartan.com/event/DM328.  Operation Enduring Warrior: https://www.enduringwarrior.org.  Donations: https://enduringwarrior.networkforgood.com/projects/199435-it-starts-here-fitness-s-fundraiser?from_wicked_finish=true.  For more information: https://ishfitness.com/ or call 401-447-4620.

Oct. 12, FASFA Workshop will be held on Thurs., Oct. 12, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at The Huddle Center, 70 Gansett Ave., Cranston.  Learn about FASFA with Education Writer: Geoff Decker who has been working to provide informational help for students and families on how to navigate the financial aid process! Register by contacting Jill at jsparaco@comcap.org or 401-258-3084.

Oct. 14, Coco Family Movie Night will be on Sat., Oct. 14, starting at 4:30 p.m. for Coco-themed crafts, games, snacks and family fun at the Gazebo, Garden City, 100 Midway Road, Cranston. Movie will be once the sun sets (around 6 p.m.), (run time: 1h 49m, rated PG). To ensure we have enough craft supplies and snacks for kids, tickets cost $5 per child. Parents, guardians and grown-ups who really like Coco (no shame, us too!), no need to buy tickets. 100% of your ticket sales will go directly to Adoption Rhode Island. Event capacity is limited, and movie nights sell out quickly, so be sure to pre-register today! Registration on Facebook. No payments at the event. Recommend bringing a folding chair or blanket to sit on and get cozy while you enjoy the show

 Oct. 14, Annual  No More Hunger Walk  A walk to call attention to food insecurity and raise funds for local food pantries  will be held on Sat., Oct. 14. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. Over $20,000 has been raised in the past two years. The walk will begin at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 111 West Shore Road, Warwick and proceed along West Shore Road to Donovan Park, in Conimicut Village.  Any interested churches, organizations, and individuals are invited and encouraged to join.  Call 401-737-8232 or e-mail  WoodburyChurchRI@gmail.com for details.

 Oct. 15, Central Falls High School, Class of 1963 Reunion -Central  Falls  High  School  Class  of 1963, will hold a  60th  Class Reunion  on Sun., Oct. 15, 12 – 4 p.m. at Chelo’s Banquet Hall, 2225 Post Rd., Warwick.  Tickets: $60 for buffet and dancing. Please send checks to: Patricia (Guillette) Mannix, 111 Col. John Gardner Rd.,  Narragansett, RI 02882. Please include maiden name and phone number on check. For more information call or email  Patricia Mannix 401-789-0451; Patriciagmannix@gmail.com Or, Nancy Dube Brazeau  401-789-0304; nancybraz@gmail.com.

 Oct. 17, Cranston Historical Society  General Membership Meeting, will be held on Tues., October 17, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Governor Sprague Mansion Museum, 1353 Cranston Street, Cranston.  Guest Speaker: James Ignasher, “The Corpse That Drove a Hearse & Other True N.E. Tales of the Macabre.”   For details call: 401-944-9226.

Oct. 21, Holidays-On-The-Hill Bazaar will be held on Sat., Oct. 21, at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 200 Mechanticut Valley Parkway, Cranston, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 Oct. 22, St. Francis Xavier Academy Alumnae Association (SXA) Homecoming celebration will be on Oct. 22, with an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Timothy Church, 1799 Warwick Ave., Warwick, immediately followed by lunch at the Crowne Plaza, 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick. The class of 1973 will celebrate their 50th anniversary.  Gold rosaries will be blessed and distributed to graduates during Mass.  Scholarships will be announced during lunch.  For more information contact Margaret Mathias, 401-232-9006.

 Nov. 7 – 9, Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City - AARP Chapter 2210 - Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City Tour on Tues. – Thurs., November 7 – 9 . The tour includes 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 meal credits (up to $20 value each) & $20 slot play. Bus pickup from Exit 19 Park & Ride on Hopkins Hill Road at 7 a.m., return time is approximately 6 p.m. Cost is $299/person (double occupancy), $279/person (triple occupancy) or $399/person (single occupancy). For more information call Maureen at 401-828-5188. Final payment is due by September 21

Every Monday, Parent Support Group takes place from 10 – 11 a.m., at The Huddle Center, 70 Gansett Ave., Cranston.  All Cranston parents, grandparents and guardians are invited to take part in this parent-led support group.  Discussions include: challenges, issues and concerns that all caregivers encounter.  Activities will be available for children while the meeting is taking place. Registration is required.  Contact Carol:  401-465-4593 or cpineda@comcap.org.

Every Monday,  Gaspee Celtic Jam - The Gaspee Celtic Jam meets at the Pawtuxet Village Baptist Church, 2157 Broad St., Cranston, every Mon. from 7 – 9 p.m. Do you play fiddle, guitar, Irish flute, pennywhistle, bodhran, mandolin, banjo, concertina, accordion, folk harp, hammered dulcimer, Appalachian dulcimer, banjo, acoustic bass, ukulele, keyboard, recorder, or sing? All skill levels welcome. Visit www.gaspeecelticjam.org for more info (including the current tune list/tune book) or to send us any questions. No specific Celtic music experience is required.

Every Second and Fourth Tuesday the Fall River Toastmasters Meeting, serving both Rhode Island and Southern Mass the Fall River Toastmasters holds its meetings. Doors open at 6 p.m. and meeting is from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Join us at The Chamber, 200 Pocasset St, Fall River, MA, 2nd floor. For more information, call Sean DaCosta at (508)-840-6621. All are welcome!

 Every Thursday,  Get-a-Job-Thursdays - We Make RI, an organization that provides free manufacturing training, hosts a series of job fairs every Thurs. from 11 a.m. to noon, 200 First Ave., Cranston. We Make RI offer job seekers a chance to meet with employers, get career counseling, resume help and more. Some employers include Swissline Precision, Admiral Packaging, KB Surfaces, Warwick Hanger and Hitachi Cable. For more information about this event or other training opportunities, visit www.wemakeri.com/get-a-job-thursday or contact Mike at (401) 232-0077 x109.  

 Every Saturday, Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market - The Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market, every Sat., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., offers locally grown vegetables, eggs, fruit, meat, honey, cheese, baked goods, prepared foods, locally roasted coffee, and local packaged foods (kimchi, hot sauce, marinara, sauerkraut, seitan). The market features vegan and gluten-free options and local handmade goods. There will also be food trucks, live music, and occasional visits from community groups.

Oaklawn Grange Used Clothing Donation Shed in need of used clothing items at the Oaklawn Grange Donation Shed, 24 Searle Ave., Cranston.  Accepted items only: Used Clothing, Shoes, Sneakers, Belts, Purses, Linens, Pillowcases, Blankets, Curtains, and Stuffed Animals. All items must be in useable condition. Your donations will be distributed as whole garments locally and worldwide. Contact oaklawngrangeinfo@gmail.com for more information. 

Humans of Cranston is back for a second year after a successful first season, and is now accepting nominations! Over the last year, the project featured 19 resident stories in a Herald column, on OneCranston HEZ social media, and in a final book with the goal of showcasing and celebrating residents' community involvement, diversity, and unique life perspectives. This is an initiative of the OneCranston Health Equity Zone at CCAP in partnership with the Cranston Herald and local photographer, Tim McFate. If you know a Cranston resident who has a story to tell, please nominate them via this form: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/s8cnBuGhtB (Or scan the QR code).

Questions? Contact JB Fulbright, Community Outreach Coordinator for the OneCranston HEZ at jfulbright@comcap.org.

NAMI-RI Offers Family Support Groups The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-RI) offers free support groups for families and friends of loved ones who are struggling with their mental health. The groups are led by trained facilitators who also have lived experience as family members themselves. The group meetings last about 1.5 hours, and everyone who participates in the meeting gets a chance to share.  The other members of the group try to offer help and resources, when appropriate, based on their own experiences. More information and full schedule can be found at www.namirhodeisland.org. or call 401-331-3060. No pre-registration for these monthly groups is necessary.

First Thurs. at 6 p.m.  IN PERSON ONLY at the Rochambeau Library in the Community Room, Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence (NEW-starts Aug.)

Second Tues. at 5 p.m.  IN PERSON ONLY at the Middletown Public Library in the Community Room. Middletown Library, 700 West Main Road, Middletown.

Third Tues. at 6:30 p.m. MEETS VIA ZOOM ONLY. Please call 401-331-3060 or email info@namirhodeisland.org for the Zoom link 

Fourth Wed. at 6 p.m. IN PERSON ONLY at the Hope Valley Grange, #71116 Main Street, Hope Valley.

Amenity Aid – Volunteers Needed - We are looking for volunteers that would like to help us plan and staff community events, organize hygiene product collection drives and raise funds for Amenity Aid. If you are interested in doing any of the above or would like to be a member of our Community Outreach Committee, please contact Stacey Silva, Community Outreach Chair at Stacey@AmenityAid.org.

 Amenity Aid’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations by creating access to essential hygiene products. Serving all of Rhode Island, we distribute toiletry necessities to those most vulnerable through our network of direct service agencies.

Hearts for Hospice - Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice (VNH&H) is asking for individuals to support their hospice programs by giving $20 or more to their Hearts for Hospice campaign. People can dedicate their gift to a loved one who is always in their heart; all dedications are listed on the organization’s website. You can make your donation at www.visitinghursehh.org/giving/ or by calling 401-682-2100 extension number 1631.

To submit your news from The Chatter to: Ida at idaz@rhodybeat.com. This includes virtual events, which should be submitted two to three weeks ahead of the event.  Can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email, or scan the QR code below, today and see your event in our column in the Cranston Herald.