Cranston Chatter

By MERI R. KENNEDY
Posted 5/22/19

By MERI R. KENNEDY Liberatore receives award Cranston Parks and Recreation Director Anthony Liberatore has received the Rhode Island Recreation and Parks Association's 2019 John Jack" Cronin Award. He has been with the city of Cranston for 13 years. The"

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Liberatore receives award

Cranston Parks and Recreation Director Anthony Liberatore has received the Rhode Island Recreation and Parks Association’s 2019 John “Jack” Cronin Award. He has been with the city of Cranston for 13 years.

The award recognizes an individual in the field of parks and recreation for his or her outstanding contributions to the profession.

“You have shown to be a dedicated recreation professional, enhancing Cranston’s reputation for outstanding athletic fields and recreation opportunities for its residents through a high level of field maintenance, building new and renovating old playgrounds, and creating Cranston’s first dog park, among other accomplishments,” reads a letter to Liberatore from RIRPA.

The award will be presented as part of the RIRPA’s annual conference on June 7 at the Roger Williams Casino.

Food Truck Night at Park View

Park View Middle School will host its annual Food Truck Night on May 23 from 5-8 p.m. Join the school community for a night of socializing. Vendors will include Jeff’s Wood Fired Pizza, Kona Ice, Friskie Fries, Poppy’s Waffles and Sarcastic Sweets. Park View is located at 15 Park View Boulevard.

‘Chief’s Challenge’ hoops benefit

On Thursday, May 23, the fourth annual “Chief’s Challenge” basketball game between members of the Cranston Police and Fire departments to benefit Special Olympics Rhode Island will be held from 6-9 p.m. in the Cranston High School East gymnasium. The game begins at 6:30 p.m. The cost of admission is $5. For more information, visit the event’s page on Facebook.

Ward 3 community meeting

Ward 3 City Councilman John P. Donegan will host a community meeting on Thursday, May 23, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Gladstone Street School, 50 Gladstone St. The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss issues in the ward and the broader Cranston community. To learn more, visit the event’s Facebook page.

Art show for animals

On Saturday, May 25, from 3-6 p.m., Defenders of Animals will host a Community Art Show to benefit the organization. The event, being organized by curator Margy Feldhuhn, will be held at the Governor Sprague Mansion, located at 1351 Cranston St. in Cranston. Enjoy food, wine, music, raffles and animal-themed art from local artists. Tickets cost $25 each and may be purchased at defendersofanimals.org.

‘Flowers for Ward 5’

Ward 5 Councilman Chris Paplauskas will host a “Flowers for Ward 5” neighborhood beautification event on Sunday, May 26. It is the second year for the event, which rallies volunteers to make a visual impact in the community. Participants will gather at 11 a.m. at the Knightsville Gazebo.

OSKC to offer CPR training

Ocean State Kidz Club, located at 350 Park Ave., Cranston, will offer CPR training on Tuesday, May 28, from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $60 per person. The class will result in a two-year certification. To register, call 227-9303 or email oceanstatekidzri@gmail.com.

Author of ‘Abundance’ at library

The Cranston Public Library will host author Dr. Michael Fine on Tuesday, May 28, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Central Library, located at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road. Fine will read from and sign copies of his debut novel, “Abundance.” Copies of this “epic novel stretching from the civil wars of Liberia to the streets of Rhode Island” will be for sale. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Auctioneers featured at upcoming LEADS Luncheon

Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, 63 Fourth St., Cranston, will host the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce LEADS Luncheon on Friday, May 31, from noon to 1:30 p.m. In addition to the business networking event, Bruneau & Co. will offer free verbal appraisals for every person bringing in an item such as an antique, art or collectible.

Attendees will network with one another, provide a 60-second commercial about their business and connect with potential new customers. The event is part of an ongoing series of networking events hosted by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers for the local business community. To register, contact the Central Rhode Island Chamber at 732-1100.

Plant walk for children

On Saturday, June 1, environmental educator Kate Aubin and Councilman Steve Stycos will hold a plant walk for children of all ages. Attendees will search for specific wild plants with the help of pictures. The West Bay Land Trust event starts at 10 a.m. from the lower Rhodes on the Pawtuxet parking lot, Rhodes Place, Cranston. Stay as long as you like. The event is free and all are welcome. For more information, call 461-2618.

YMCA Community Yard Sale

A Community Yard Sale will be held June 1 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Cranston YMCA, 1225 Park Ave. The cost to rent a table is $20 and all the proceeds for table rentals are donated to the Cranston YMCA Annual Campaign. Any items not sold can be left behind and will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters. See one of the YMCA Welcome Center representatives to reserve a table. For more information, call 943-0444, email Michelle Puhacz at mdejesus@gpymca.org or visit the YMCA’s Facebook page, facebook.com/CranstonYMCA

Senior Guild installation luncheon

The Cranston Senior Guild will hold its installation luncheon on Wednesday, June 5, at noon at Mesa Café & Grill, 100 Rolfe Street, Cranston.

The luncheon will include guests’ choice of chicken marsala or baked fish, rolls, chicken escarole soup, salad, pasta, green beans and carrots. Dessert is a choice of tiramisu or a fresh fruit cup and coffee or tea. A raffle will follow the luncheon.

The cost is $25, with tax and tip included. Checks can be made payable to Cranston Senior Guild, and entrée and dessert options can be included in the memo line. For more information, call Sylvia at 944-6812.

Central High School class reunion

The class of 1974 from Central High School in Providence will hold its 45th reunion weekend June 21-22, with the main event taking place at Mulligan’s Island in Cranston. The cost of admission is $80 per person.

There will also be a reception on June 21 at Al’s Waterfront Restaurant and a brunch at Skyline at Waterplace on June 23.

To learn more, visit centralhsclassof1974.hurrahinri.com. To purchase tickets, visit chs45threunion.rsvpify.com.

For additional information, email centralclassof74@aol.com or call Elaine Whited at 595-8012.

Goodwill collection at Farmers Market

On Saturday, June 22 from 8 a.m. to noon, Goodwill of Southern New England will be present at the Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston, to accept donations of electronics and clothing/textiles. Electronics (except printers) will be accepted and need not be in working condition. The funds raised from all donations are reinvested in the training programs offered by Goodwill, furthering its mission to provide job training opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities and other challenges.

Girls 3v3 Summer League basketball

Registrations are now being accepted for the Cranston Youth Girls Basketball Association’s 3v3 Outdoor Summer League. The program runs for eight weeks from July 8 to Aug. 29 and is open to girls ages 8-16.

Games will be played at the courts located at Doric Avenue and Hope Road on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights between 5:30-8:30 p.m. The playoffs will be held on the weekend of Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Prior basketball experience is necessary and games will be played half-court with one referee.

Girls can register individually or as a team of five players. The cost is $50 per player if registered by June 16 (team $225) or $60 per player if registered between June 17-30 (team $275). There will be a waiting list for all players to register after July 1.

To register or for more information, visit cygba.org/registrations.php or contact league director PJ Thibodeau at cranstonyba@gmail.com or 617-548-0163.

Reusable bag program to boost CCAP Food Bank

CCAP’s Food Bank has been selected to be a part of the Shaw’s supermarket “Give Back Where It Counts” reusable bag program, which is designed to make it easy for customers to contribute to their local community while supporting the environment. For the month of May, each time a reusable “Give Back Where It Counts” bag is purchased at the Shaw’s located at 8 Chapel View Blvd. in Cranston, $1 will be donated to CCAP's Food Bank, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the giving tag.

Dog park opens

Cranston’s first dog park is now open, although a little soggy. Located at Beachmont Field in Edgewood, at the corner of Netherlands Avenue and Ashmont Street, the park has separate areas for large and small dogs. The park is small, but a major improvement over the two derelict tennis courts it replaced. Signs with rules have yet to be installed. Anyone using the park is asked to pick up after their dog and to not leave any litter.

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.

Interactive voting map

Cranston residents can now find their polling location, get directions to their assigned voting location and look up contact information for elected officials via an interactive city voting map, the first of its kind in Rhode Island. Residents can look up any address in the city using a search box, or simply click on a precinct on the interactive map to look up voting and elected officials’ information for that district.

The Cranston Canvassing Department, in collaboration with Cranston’s GIS manager, designed the system in-house at no cost to the city and launched it earlier this year in preparation for the 2020 election cycle.

The map can be viewed through the “GIS Map Gallery” link on the city’s website, cranstonri.com.

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.

United Way 2-1-1 at Central Library

 The United Way of Rhode Island’s 2-1-1 Outreach RV will be at the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library. 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, on the first Monday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. The Outreach RV provides a free, confidential resource for assistance with housing, food, child care and other needs. For more information, visit uwri.org.

Hall rentals at St. David’s

St. David’s on the Hill Episcopal Church, 200 Meshanticut Valley Parkway, Cranston, is offering affordable rates to rent its upper and lower halls for special occasions and events. For more information, visit stdavidsonthehill.net/hall-rental or call the church office at 942-4368 during regular hours, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Knit and Crochet Circle at Auburn Branch

Do you like to knit or crochet? Do you need some help with a knitting or crocheting project that has you stumped? Knitters and crocheters of all levels of experience are invited to join the Knit and Crochet Circle, led by experienced knitter Barbara Baedeker, on Mondays from 2-4 p.m. at the Cranston Public Library’s Auburn Branch, located at 396 Pontiac Ave. For more information, visit cranstonlibrary.org.

Did you know?

Originally, Memorial Day was observed on May 30. It was not until 1971 when the holiday was moved to the last Monday in May to ensure the prolonged weekend. (Source: Memorial 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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