Cranston Hall of Fame announces 2017 inductees

On Friday, Nov. 3, the Cranston Hall of Fame will induct five new members at the Foundation’s 37th induction dinner/ceremony. The event will be held at the Valley Country Club, 251 New London Ave., Warwick. Tickets for this annual affair must be ordered in advance by contacting Ms. Ann Volatile, Board Secretary at 401-942-9308.

The five inductees into the Class of 2017 reflect the broad diversity of past inductees demonstrating outstanding achievement in their chosen career field.  This year’s class brings distinguished career experience in business, the legal profession, non-profit management, education, and medicine. They include the following individuals:  Robin Melfi Coia, Mr. Charles H. Lonardo, Esq., Ms. Karen A. Santilli, Mr. Douglas H. Sherman Jr. and Dr. William J. Turtle.

For further information or questions about the Cranston Hall of Fame Foundation, please contact Fred Vincent, President, at fjvincent27@yahoo.com.

Craft Fair at Knights of Columbus

Cherish the Moments, LLC will be hosting the 3rd Annual Octoberfest Craft Fair at Knights of Columbus on 1675 Douglas Ave. in North Providence on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event flyer invites patrons to “jump start your holiday shopping with our crafters and vendors.” Refreshments will be available and both admission and parking are free.

Park View to hold Food Truck Night

Park View Middle School will host a Food Truck night on Oct. 5 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the community.

Current families are invited to attend as well as past and future students, friends and neighbors. The Park View Orchestra will be performing.

On site will be Haven Brothers, Frisky Fries, Kona Ice and Gotta Q Barbeque. The school is located as 25 Park View Blvd.

Marching Band Invitational

Calling all alumni, music lovers and Cranstonians! Cranston High School East's Thunderbolt Band & Emerald Encore hosts its annual Marching Band Invitational at Cranston Stadium on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. featuring 8 of New England's best high school marching bands, including Cranston East, Dartmouth, Blackstone-Millville, King Philip, Dennis-Yarmouth, Somerset-Berkley, Bishop Feehan and Oliver Ames High School.

The Thunderbolts will be performing their 2017 field show “Shades of Latin.” 

Come enjoy the music and food and try your luck at the 50/50 raffle! A great night of family fun and Cranston tradition! Adults: $10; Students/Seniors: $8; Children Under Five: Free

At the Senior Center

Michael A. Traficante Enrichment Center the former Cranston Senior Enrichment Center is located at 1070 Cranston St. For any additional information on the following programs, please call 401-780-6000.

INSIGHT Support Group titled “For the Blind & Visually Impaired” will be held on Oct. 6 at 10:30 a.m. Their mission is to inspire confidence, build skills and empower people. Laughter Yoga will be held on Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. Laughter yoga is a new twist on an ancient practice.  Not only does it increase happiness, but it also strengthens the immune system, reduces pain and lowers stress.  Laughter relaxes the body…it is contagious…and free.

Benefits of Plant Based Proteins…Healthy & Economical will be presented by URI SNAP-ED on Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. Plant proteins can have a very positive impact on our health.  At this presentation we will learn the amazing health benefits of plant proteins and which ones are the best for us.

Reminisce Group will meet on “Memory Lane” on Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. The program is facilitated by the Social Services Division. Go back together to the good old days and share some good memories and perhaps some not so good memories.  Remembering the past can bring a great deal of satisfaction and fun to everyone.  Come and reminisce with us on the second Friday of each month. 

A Matter of Balance titled “Managing Concerns About Falling” will be held on both Mondays and Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. beginning Oct. 16 and ending Nov. 10. Many people think falls are a normal part of aging.  The truth is, they are not. Most falls can be prevented and you have the power to reduce your risk. This evidence-based program, A Matter of Balance, is designed to reduce the fear of falling and gradually increase your activity levels.  Space is limited. To register call 401-780-6000.

Chair Massage Therapy called “Oh What a Treat” will be held Oct. 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. There is a fee for a 15-minute massage ($15) which is provided by Jen Johnson, Certified Massage Therapist. A fifteen-minute chair massage will help relax muscles and reduce stress.  Studies have shown that it also helps decrease inflammation and reduces pain intensity.  Schedule your 15 minutes now call 401-780-6000.

The Diabetes Prevention Program will begin with Orientation on Oct. 18 at 1:15 p.m. and classes begin on Oct. 25 at 1:15 p.m. This National Diabetes Prevention Program is an evidence-based lifestyle change program to help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. The program consists of 16 group core sessions (one session per week for 16 weeks) followed by monthly post-core sessions. What are the benefits to this program?  Participants will reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes by losing weight through healthy eating, being more active, and learning to recognize and overcome barriers to healthy eating and physical activity. This program is available to you free! Space is limited. To register call 780-6000.

Alzheimer’s Art Exhibit

An exhibit about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by artists and their loved ones they care for will be held on Nov. 14 with an Opening Reception from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the New Hope Art Gallery at the Michael A. Traficante Enrichment Center/Cranston Senior Center, located at 1070 Cranston St.

The exhibit will be open for viewing Mon-Fri from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 1, 2018.

The concept is that artwork is healing for both the caretakers and caregivers. By including work from the loved one afflicted by the disease, the exhibit is also meant to honor their memory or struggle with the disease. Ellie Brown curated this exhibition funded in part by RISCA.

Artists include: Alexa Eger, Anne Garvaglin, Ellie Brown, Erin Schmidt, John Wood, Molly Dickinson and Robert Davis.

Library closure notice

All Cranston Public Library locations will be closed Monday, Oct. 9 in observance of Columbus Day. Regularly scheduled hours will resume Tuesday, Oct. 10.

Color and Calm

Every Friday at the Auburn library for adults will be held Color and Calm from 4 to 5:45 p.m. for a relaxing start to the weekend. Library provides coloring books, mandalas, colored pencils and markers. Soothing music and herbal and decaf teas. They have recently changed the hours to add more time for coloring and relaxation. No reservations required.

Bowl for Kid’s Sake

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS) will host Bowl For Kids’ Sake (BFKS), on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Lang’s Bowlarama in Cranston. Participants can sign up in teams of five to participate in a private bowling party, and raise donations from family and friends leading up to the event; with a fundraising goal of $100 for each participant.

In addition to signing up to bowl and collect donations, businesses and individuals are needed to sponsor the event, purchase advertisement space in the event program, and donate raffle items for day-of event raffles.

This is the first year that BBBSOS will host a bowling fundraiser, although the event model has successfully raised funds and brought the community together for other Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies around the country.

Teams may sign up to bowl at www.crowdrise.com/BFKSRI.  They anticipate 40 teams will join to bowl and fundraise for Bowl For Kids’ Sake.  A celebratory bowling party will take place on Oct. 14 and teams are able to choose their bowl time of either 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Participants will enjoy free bowling rental shoes, pizza, soda, and prizes.

The fundraiser is being co-sponsored by: Marcovich, Mansour & Capobianco, LLC; Mercedes-Benz of Warwick; BankRI; Cox Communications; Batista Companies; Batista & Zappone Management Group; Peregrine Group, LLC; and UnitedHealthcare.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State is Rhode Island’s leading mentoring organization and has been serving boys and girls in Rhode Island for over 51 years.  The mission of BBBSOS is to provide mentors to the youth of Rhode Island who will motivate and empower them to make positive decisions, improve academic results, avoid risky behaviors and grow in a way that will positively impact our community.

To participate in BFKS, or to learn more about BBBSOS and the role that mentoring plays in our community, visit www.bbbsos.org, email mentoring@bbbsos.org or call 921-2434, Ext. 101. 

Did You Know?

 Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Before it became a legal federal holiday in 1971, many states celebrated Columbus Day on October 12. It marks Christopher Columbus' first voyage to America. He landed on the island of Guanahani in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. (Source: Columbus Day Fun Fact)

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