Cranston Chatter

By Meri R. Kennedy
Posted 4/18/18

By MERI R. KENNEDY Garden City Shopping Center seeks historic photos Garden City Center is turning 70 in 2018, and a big celebration is being planned for later this year, but they need help from the public. Specifically, Garden City Center is looking for

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Garden City Shopping Center seeks historic photos

Garden City Center is turning 70 in 2018, and a big celebration is being planned for later this year, but they need help from the public. Specifically, Garden City Center is looking for historic photographs that people across Rhode Island may have of the stores, sites and experiences they’ve enjoyed at the shopping center since 1948.

“We have some historic photos of Garden City Center, dating back to when it first opened, but we’re really looking for those candid shots that people may have taken with their old film cameras over the years,” said Janice Pascone, Garden City Center director of marketing. “Hopefully people might look in old photo albums, drawers or the attic to see what they have and to lend them to us for use in our 70th anniversary celebration. We’ll be sharing historic photos through social media as well.”

Those who have photos and would like to share them with Garden City Center can do so by bringing them to the Management Office for immediate scanning– located at 100 Midway Road, Suite 14 Cranston RI 02920 or by mailing them to the same address. Electronic photos can be emailed to jpascone@wilderco.com. Deadline for submission is June 1. All photographs will be returned.

“We hope to have enough photographs to set up a mini-gallery as part of our anniversary experience that shows the excitement and fun people have had at Garden City Center over the generations,” Pascone added. “From visits with Santa, to buying new school clothes at the Outlet, or maybe even wheeling a shopping cart around Almacs, there are so many memories that we know are on film, it will be great fun to share them with the shoppers of today!”

Just Say Hello Program

Just to Say Hello Program is a Cranston Department of Senior Services program that provides a daily telephone call to Cranston seniors who are alone and have few family contacts. Each day a caring volunteer will make a simple, friendly phone call at a mutually agreed time which helps relieve loneliness, enhances wellness and develops friendships. If you know of any Cranston senior who would like to receive a daily telephone call or if you would like to be a volunteer caller contact Jennifer Kevorkian, Social Services Director at 780-6254.

Touch a Truck coming to Garden City

The Cranston Rotary will present Touch a Truck at the Garden City Center Gazebo on May 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring the children so they can see, touch, climb on and explore their favorite big trucks and vehicles which will include police, fire safety, military and construction vehicles. There will also be face painting and plenty of crafts. Suggested donation of $10 per family which will support the work of the Cranston Rotary in the community.

Pasta Fest to benefit animals

On April 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Defenders of Animals will hold a Pasta Fest at the Edgewood Congregational Church, 1788 Broad St. in Cranston. $10 per person and the evening will also include raffles. Call 461-1922 for reservations.

Pawtuxet Village Farmer’s Market to open

The market opens May 5; vendors include The Local Catch (fresh fish), Weatherlow Farms (pastured meats), Baffoni’s Poultry (fresh chicken), as well as fruits and vegetables from Pak Express, Blue Skys Farm, gC Farms, and Barden Family Orchard. Other comestibles include bread from Olga's Cup Saucer, bagels and pizza from Little Falls Cafe, honey from Fruit Hill Apiaries, nuts and nut butters from the Virginia & Spanish Peanut Company, and Bolt Coffee.

It will open from 9 a.m. to noon. The market is open every Saturday until late October and is in the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet parking lot, Rhodes Place, Cranston. Further information is available at pawtuxetmarket.com.

Please note that the June 9 Farmer’s Market moves to William Hall Library, 1825 Broad Street, Cranston, due to the Gaspee Day Parade. Farmers appreciate Gaspee Day customers because attendance is lower than usual.

New to the Artists’ Exchange and Theater 82

Fun and Funny - ad-lib comedy theater, presented by the Almanac Drops, will be featured every Thursday at 8 p.m. Each performance follows a workshop with the Artists’ Exchange Comedy Troupe. Pay what you can admission with a suggested donation of $5 per person at the door. Artists’ Exchange is located at 50 Rolfe Square in Cranston.

“All You Can Eat” Gourmet, Almost May Breakfast

Woodridge Congregational Church will host its 35th Annual “All You Can Eat” Gourmet, Almost May Breakfast on April 28 between the hours of 8 to 11 a.m. The menu will consist of eggs, frittatas, johnny cakes, waffles, ham, sausage, corned beef hash, home fries, holly’s baked beans, strudel, muffins, assorted pastries, juice, milk, coffee, decaf and tea. Admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children 3 to 10.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Dan Blackford at 942-0662 Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. You may also email them at woodridgechurch@verizon.net.

Stories & Conversations for Seniors 60

The Artists’ Exchange will be hosting a free storytelling program for Cranston Senior Citizens at their location at 50 Rolfe. Sq. Lynne Collinson, who is an actor, director, acting coach and retired arts administer will facilitate the program to be held April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16 and May 23 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Registration for Summer Programs

Registration for all summer programs will be held on April 23 and 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pastore Youth Center.

Starting April 30, the Recreation Department will be taking summer program registration in the office during normal business hours.

Programs include Playground Program, Arts & Crafts, Tennis, Living Arts Theater, Challengers British Soccer, and Budlong Pool Swim Lessons.

Pool passes will not be on sale. Those will be sold at the pool starting June 18.

At the Senior Center

The Michael A. Traficante Enrichment Center, located at 1070 Cranston St., will offer the following programs and activities:

Book Club will meet on April 24 at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the book “Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. Published in 1985 this novel explores themes of women in a patriarchal society and the various means that these women use to attempt to gain individualism and independence.

On April 25, Medication Safety and Minimizing Fall Risk will be presented by the URI Pharmacy Outreach Program at 10 a.m. Falls can be common among older adults, and medications can contribute to the risk. Many prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can impair your balance. To minimize your risk of falling you need to know which medications can impair your balance.

Tai Chi will be held at the Senior Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. Suggested fee is $4. Never too late to begin…This class will improve your balance, your flexibility, and will help you relax.

Volunteer Opportunities! Are you Retired…Working Part Time…Looking for something New to do? Call the RSVP Office to learn of the many volunteer opportunities available to you. You can make a difference in our community! Call 780-6159.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is holding a 15 Week Club fundraiser with $25 weekly prizes beginning April 19. Grand prize drawings on July 26 offering a first prize of $250; second prize of $175 and third prize of $100. Tickets are only $15.00, only one ticket needed to play for the entire duration of the 15 weeks. You do not need to be present to win. Tickets available at the Center or call 780-6178.

Bone Builders of RI, sponsored by The Village at Waterman Lake, will be held on Mondays and Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Senior Center with a suggested donation of $2. This innovative community-based program is designed to promote bone health and overall well-being for both men and women. Research has shown that moderate free-weight training performed at least twice a week for six months can improve strength and balance, and increase energy levels, while significantly increasing bone density. You are welcomed to stop by, bring a friend and sit in on a class to see if it is for you. Call the Senior Center at 780-6000 for more details.

Let’s Bring the Walldogs to Cranston

The Walldogs are a group of highly skilled sign painters and mural artists from all over the globe that descend upon one town a year to visually transform it via exterior, large scale wall murals. Picture a “pack” of talented artists descending upon Cranston to paint the most beautiful murals you can imagine. Every wall that a Walldog touches springs to life with images of local places, people, and products that have historic significance to each town.

Westerly was the first town on the Northeast to hold this very successful Walldog event named “Bricks and Murals” and demonstrated the power of a town coming together to build community, boost economy, tourism and improve the town’s esthetic.

Cranston can be the second town on the Northeast to hold this lively event. Westerly’s team has graciously agreed to visit Cranston and share their amazing experience with us, as well as advise us how to create our own event.

They will meet at the Artists’ Exchange, 50 Rolfe Sq. on May 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. At 6 p.m. there will be a reception, gallery opening and refreshments. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served. Mingle with presenters and guests while viewing Westerly’s Murals on display in the art gallery.

At 7 p.m. there will be a presentation by Westerly’s Bricks and Murals team, featuring Walldog, Cam Bortz. RSVP to elaine.yeaw@artists-exchange.org.

CPL Book Sale seeking donations

Got books? They need your help with the Cranston Public Library Association's May 5 book sale. Help them to continue this tradition by donating your gently-used (and mildew-free) items to the sale. They are currently accepting donations of books (especially nonfiction books), CDs and LPs, and DVDs during regular business hours at the Central Library and William Hall Library. They are unable to accept magazines, VHS tapes, textbooks, or encyclopedias.

Did You Know?

Earth Day was first conceived by Sen. Gaylord Nelson in the early 1960s. Nelson worried that environmental issues were not being addressed in the political arena. In his conservation efforts, Nelson organized a nationwide grassroots demonstration in the spring of 1970, to further promote conservation involvement and awareness. Support for and interest in the activity was immense and the 1970 demonstration became the first official Earth Day. The first Earth Day helped inspire the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts. Each year, April 22 marks the celebration of Earth Day, which is now observed around the world. (Source: Earth 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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