Cranston Chatter

Meri R. Kennedy
Posted 6/11/15

Cranston Public Library to host ‘Armenian Genocide: 100 Years Later’

In recognition of the Armenian Genocide centennial, the Cranston Public Library will host “The …

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Cranston Public Library to host ‘Armenian Genocide: 100 Years Later’

In recognition of the Armenian Genocide centennial, the Cranston Public Library will host “The Armenian Genocide: 100 Years Later” at the Central Library on Tuesday, June 23 at 7 p.m. 

Join Pauline Getzoyan, co-chair of the Genocide Education Project’s Rhode Island branch, for a candid discussion about the history of this event.

The presentation will explore the various stages of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, the continued denial surrounding the events, and the effects of the experience on survivors. The discussion will include a number of personal testimonies, readings from first-hand accounts, and a closing question-and-answer session.

The Genocide Education Project is a non-profit organization that assists educators with the instruction of human rights and genocide issues. By developing materials, providing access to resources, and organizing educational workshops, the Genocide Education Project seeks to broaden the understanding of the history of the Armenian Genocide. More information about the Genocide Education Project can be found at genocideeducation.org. More information on the Armenian Genocide centennial can be found at armeniangenocidecentennial.org.

The Central Library is located at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road. For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Used book sale in Pawtuxet

The Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market’s annual used book sale will be held June 20 at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Hardcovers will be $2, paperbacks will be $1, and children’s books will be three for $1. Starting at 11:30 a.m., a bag of books is $5. Proceeds support farm visits for Cranston school children. Electronic waste for recycling will also be accepted at the June 20 farmers market.

$2,500 youth philanthropy scholarship offered

The Rhode Island Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is offering a $2,500 college scholarship to a Rhode Island student graduating from a local high school in June 2016 who has demonstrated a history of philanthropy and volunteerism.

The Herbert E. Kaplan Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship will be presented to a Rhode Island high school student at the National Philanthropy Day Awards Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. It is the hope that the award winner’s chosen education area will nurture a continued interest in community service.

Applicants must be entering their senior year of high school and be preparing to graduate in 2016 to be eligible for the scholarship.

The award is named in memory of Herb Kaplan, a Rhode Islander well noted for his service to the community. Visit www.afpri.org or email info@afpri.org for a scholarship application. Applications are due by Aug. 1, 2015 to: Lisa Desbiens, CFRE, The Providence Center, 528 North Main St., Providence, RI  02904.

Relay For Life coming to Cranston

The American Cancer Society is recruiting teams from businesses, schools, families, places of worship, and more to participate in the Relay For Life of Cranston event, which will be held June 13 at Cranston High School West from noon to 12 a.m. Relay teams are committed to finishing the fight against cancer and raising funds to support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission. Teams and individuals can sign up for the event by visiting www.relayforlife.org/cranstonri or by calling Kate Twitchel, community manager for Relay For Life/American Cancer Society, at 401-243-2638.

The Relay is a community-based event in which teams and individuals set up campsites at a school, park or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team has at least one participant on the track at all times. Cancer survivors and caregivers take a celebratory first lap to start each event. Four million people participated in more than 6,000 events worldwide in 2014.

The Relay includes the Survivors Lap, in which all cancer survivors at the event take the first lap around the track, celebrating their victory over cancer while cheered on by the other participants. Relay events also recognize and celebrate caregivers who give time, love, and support to their friends, family, neighbors and coworkers facing cancer.

The event also includes the Luminaria Ceremony, which takes place after dark, so all can remember those lost to cancer. Candles are lit inside of personalized bags and are placed around the Relay track as glowing tributes to those who’ve been affected by cancer.

Also featured will be the Relay Fight Back Ceremony, which symbolizes the emotional commitment all can make in the fight against cancer.

Inside yard sale at St. David’s on the Hill

There will be a yard sale (held indoors) at St. David’s on the Hill Church, located at 200 Meschanticut Valley Parkway, on June 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Panera Bread makes donation

Panera Bread/Howley Bread Group has announces that its 12 local bakery-cafes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts – including the Cranston location – assisted in the generation of a $20,000 donation to one of its charity partners, Children’s Friend, the state’s oldest child welfare organization. The check was recently presented to Children’s Friend at its 13th annual Children’s Friend 5K Walk & Run sponsored by Panera Bread, which was held at the Roger Williams Park Temple of Music.  Participants also enjoyed a variety of entertainment, complimentary breakfast and lunch provided by Panera Bread Catering and more.

Charity Car Show

A Charity Car Show will be held June 28 at the Sprague Mansion in Cranston to benefit B’s Mobility Ride. The event is being hosted by Gina M. Sabitoni-Arakelian. The car show will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the mansion, located at 1351 Cranston St. Cars, trucks and motorcycles are invited, with a $20 donation per vehicle. There will also be raffles and trophies. Food will be provided by Ralph’s Catering and Kitchen. For more information, contact Shaun McDermott at 401-572-6647 or Joey DiTraglia at 401-641-4964.

Photography class series

This June, the Cranston Public Library will launch a free, three-part Photography for Beginners class series at the Central Library. The series, taught by Matthew Celeste of Blueflash Photography in Cranston, will explore the entire photography process, from determining appropriate camera settings to editing a final image. Classes will take place on Monday’s beginning at 5:30 p.m. Class topics and dates include:

June 15: Lighting Basics, a hands-on class to help photographers master the use of flash, while providing them with an opportunity to learn more about the characteristics of light and affordable lighting equipment.

June 29: Editing with Lightroom, a class for the photographer interested in editing his or her work. The class will review the complete workflow of, and many of the tools available in, the Adobe photo-editing program Lightroom.

Registration for the Photography for Beginners series is requested and can be completed through the Cranston Public Library website at www.cranstonlibrary.org/photography-beginners. Interested individuals have the option of registering for any or all of the classes in the series.

Photographer Matthew Celeste has been shooting for and operating Blueflash Photography for nearly five years. The Cranston Public Library’s Central Library is located at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road in Cranston.

No Name Dog events

No Name Dog Foundation is holding an adoption event on June 20 from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m., and every other weekend going forward throughout the summer, at Pet Supplies Plus, located at 171 Sockanosset Cross Road. This is a great non-profit organization that usually has both puppies and adult dogs available. Anyone who wants a preview of what they have available or additional information can visit nndf.org or the group’s Facebook under No Name Dog Foundation (NNDF).

Rochambeau Biscuit Tea

The 11th annual Rochambeau Biscuit Tea will be held on June 18 at 6 p.m. at Job Joy Homestead, located at 156 Scituate Ave. Join in the celebrate the march of Rochambeau’s 5,000 French troops in Rhode Island on June 18-21, 1781. Rumor is General Washington will be stopping by.

Cat Adoption Month

Defenders of Animals, in cooperation with Pet Supplies Plus in Garden City, will hold a cat adoption event June 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pet Supplies Plus. This is being held in conjunction with June being National Cat Adoption Month. For more information, contact Pet Supplies Plus at 401-944-5858.

Academic News & Notes

Congratulations to Lia Mallardo of Cranston, a senior majoring in early childhood education, who was among approximately 1,800 students at Coastal Carolina University to make the spring 2015 dean’s list.

Nicholas Chrones of Cranston graduated from Wake Forest University in May.

Joseph Paiva of Cranston was among the 717 Walsh University students who earned dean’s list honors for the spring 2015 semester.

Anthony Meo of Cranston, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies, has made the president’s list at Coastal Carolina University for the spring 2015 semester.

Carlin Testa of Cranston graduated from Pomfret School during its 121st commencement.

Springfield College recognized dean’s list students for the 2015 spring semester. Making the list includes the following Cranston residents: Nigel Edwards, who is studying criminal justice; Allissondra Dutra, who is studying health science/pre-physical therapy; Nicholas Sienkiewicz, who is studying health science/pre-physical therapy; Kirstyn Hopkins, who is studying marketing; and Michael Foley, who is studying sport management.

The following Cranston residents were among more than 200 students from Providence College who received graduate degrees during the college’s 97th commencement exercises held on May 17: Ryan Forman (master’s degree), Shayna Mariotti, (master’s degree) and Alexander Vescera (master’s degree).

The following Cranston residents were among more than 800 students from Providence College who received bachelor’s degrees: Nicole Corbin, Lizeth Gonzalez and Elizabeth Reidy.

The University of Rhode Island recently selected more than 40 students to be part of its 2015 Orientation Team. A highly competitive position and unique leadership opportunity, URI’s Orientation Team members serve as ambassadors to incoming students and families. They facilitate workshops and information sessions related to URI’s academics, social environment and culture. The team helps with all aspects of the summer program including academic advising, workshop presentations, and URI’s unique theatrical productions. Congratulations to Victoria Szlashta, who has been chosen for the Student Program role, and Ryan Long who has been chosen for the Team Leader role.

URI’s Black Scholar Awards program honored this year’s Rhode Island Onyx Senior Honor Society inductees based on their academic excellence, community service, and cultural pride. Inducted from Cranston were Janelle Amoako, Jasmyn Beatty, Chris Haze, Jasmine Souza and Dionne Symonds.

Artists’ Exchange Craft Bash

The Artists’ Exchange will once again offer Free Craft Bash at their facility located at 50 Rolfe Square from now until next November due to the sponsorship of Financial Independence. Families are welcome to join in for the monthly arts and craft projects on the last Saturday of each month. All programs will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Craft Bash sessions will be held on June 27, July 25 (at Kiki’s Garden Sunflower Soiree), Aug. 19, Sept. 23, Feb. 28 and March 26 of next year. For more information on Craft Bash, contact the Artists’ Exchange at 401-490-9475.

Did You Know?

Happy Flag Day on June 14! When Alaska and Hawaii became states 49 and 50, President Eisenhower received thousands of ideas for an updated flag. Almost all of them were of a 50-star flag, including one from Robert G. Heft, a 17-year-old student at Lancaster (Ohio) High, who created the design for a class project. He was one of three to submit the version that was accepted and remains in use today. Robert got a B- on his project. (Source: Flag Day Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, e-mail Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can range from community events, promotions, academic news and non-profit events. E-mail 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 www.cranstononline.com.

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