This year the Bolts Bazaar will run its fourth event for Cranston High School East. With COVID stopping the event last year, they plan to come back stronger than ever. This year the bazaar will serve as fundraising for a new program that East has developed to honor and reward their students.  

The event will run Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Of course the first 50 guests will receive a FREE swag bag that was officially sponsored this year by East alumni, Jess Moquin and Don Martone of Century 21- North East. The swag bags will include discount codes, coupons, holiday goodies and more, all donated by our local vendors! 

This year the bazaar will feature a little over 50 vendors, raffles, Santa, kid's crafts, student groups and even a gourmet hot chocolate bar! As always parking and entry to our event is free.

 People of all ages are welcome to enjoy the concession stand run by Cranston East's Cheerleading team! All proceeds from the event are donated directly to Cranston High School East.

Cranston Historical Society’s Afternoon Tour & Tea

On Sunday Dec. 16 and 20, the Cranston Historical Society will host a Holiday Afternoon Tour Program at the Historic Governor Sprague Mansion, located at1351 Cranston St. at 4:30 p.m.

 Guests are welcome to come enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea & tour in the historic Sprague Mansion Ballroom, where they’ll receive a brief introduction of the history of the Sprague Family and A&W Sprague Textile Manufacturing Co. The Western Cranston Garden Club has splendidly decorated the mansion for the holidays using greens found on Mansion grounds.

There will be very limited seating – 10 guests only on each day. Call 401-944-9226 to reserve your place on Dec. 16 or Dec. 20. Reserve/Tickets: $18ea; $15ea-CHS members. Send checks payable by December 12 to Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston 02920. After December 12, call to inquire if seating is available. Handicap access 1st floor, enter at back ramp entrance. Parking in rear. (Dates will be rescheduled if inclement weather arises.)

 The Christmas Tree will be lit at 4:40 p.m. with the Cranston Historical Society and City Councilman John Donegan.

For more information or to get your reservation call 944-9226.

Story time with Mrs. Claus at the GC Gazebo

Mrs. Claus will be at the Gazebo in Garden City Center ever Sunday beginning Dec. 5 – Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to noon.

Join the one and only Mrs. Claus by the Gazebo on Sunday mornings this December while she reads some of her favorite holiday stories. Bundle up, bring a chair and sit by the Gazebo with the famous lady in red and hear holiday tales for kids of all ages.

 Toys! Toys! Toys!

There will be a drive through holiday toy delivery/pick up at the St. Mary’s Feast Society and on Dec. 19 and Santa Claus, Carolers and other Christmas characters will be there to greet you! The Feast Society is located at 15 Phenix Ave. in Cranston.

Toy donations may be dropped off at the Feast Society up to Dec. 19 from noon through 5 p.m. everyday. They will then be distributed via drive thru to those in need on the 19 at the Feast Society.

 Adopt A Family with CCAP

CCAP Adopt—Family Program is up and running for the holidays. A $300 donation will adopt an entire family for the holidays (100 percent of donations go right to the families in need). Donations in other amounts are also appreciated.

Please make your check payable to Comprehensive Community Action and send to 311 Doric Ave. Cranston, RI 02910, Attention Holiday Giving Campaign, before Dec. 10.

For more information about CCAP’s Holiday Giving Campaign, contact Sherry Diaz, vice president of social services, (401) 562-8336, sdiaz@comcap.org or Lee Beliveau, vice president of development at 401-562-8356, lbeliveau@comcap.org.

All food and donations can be delivered during business hours: 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. at 311 Doric Ave. on the lower level.

New Hope has a new show

The New Hope Art Gallery is pleased to announce its Fall Show is now open. You can visit the gallery in person Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays, at the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center, located at 1070 Cranston St. in Cranston. If you are unable to attend in person, you can view the artwork virtually at youtu.be/AIF7A-Sonio.

The New Hope Art Gallery located in the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center at 1070 Cranston St. in Cranston. Regular Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm except holidays.

Need help with Senior Holiday Meal Deliveries

Once again, The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center is in search of volunteers willing and able to drop off Holiday Meals to home bound seniors in our community. The Christmas Meal Delivery is scheduled for Dec. 23.

If you are interested in helping, please contact Jason Andoscia at 780-6255 or email jandoscia@cranstonri.org. Please include your full name, address and telephone number as well as the number of meals you are able to deliver.

New Transvan schedule

There is a new Transvan schedule for medical appointments. Please schedule your appointments Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between the hours of 8 and 10:30 a.m. or noon and 2 p.m. For $25 per month, Transvan will take you shopping, medical appointments, pharmacy visits and to the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center for lunch or bingo. Call 780-6218 for the holiday shopping schedule.

Finding help and hope through NAMI-RI

NAMI-RI (the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides Family Support Groups which are free, peer-led support groups for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with a mental health condition. You will gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences. Most groups meet for about 90 minutes.

Their groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and to get what they need.

The program is free of cost to participants, designed for adult loved ones of people with mental health conditions, led by family members of people with mental health conditions,

60-90 minutes long and meet weekly, every other week, or monthly (varies by location)

There is no specific medical therapy or treatment is endorsed and the information is confidential.

By sharing your experiences in a safe setting, you can gain hope and develop supportive relationships. These groups allow your voice to be heard and provide opportunities for your personal needs to be met. They encourage empathy, productive discussion, and a sense of community. You'll benefit from others' experiences, discover your inner strength, and empower yourself by sharing your own experiences in a non-judgmental space.

For schedules and additional information about NAMI Family Support Groups, visit namirhodeisland.org, call 401-331-3060 or email info@namirhodeisland.org. Zoom links will be sent to those who express interest.

Cranston Public Library Teen Space

The teen space at the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library on Sockanosset Cross Road has been newly renovated and is open for teen patrons entering grades 6-12.

Stop by to meet the teen librarian, hang out with friends, browse the collection, or participate in one of their many programs. The teen study room can be reserved by teens for gaming, studying, group projects, and more!

If you have any questions please contact Alyssa, teen librarian, at teens@cranstonlibrary.org.

RSVP transportation volunteers

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center’s RSVP program needs volunteers to help in many ways in the community. One is to transport homebound seniors to medical appointments or run errands for them.

The program is also seeking RSVP school readiness volunteers to assist Glen Hills Elementary School’s staff and students with an array of school activities and events.

Also needed are RSVP recycling volunteers who educate the community with assistance and guidance from Rhode Island Resource Recovery professionals on a variety of topics such as waste reduction and reuse, recycling and composting. Learn more about Resource Recovery – who they are, what they do, how they work, and much more, including a tour of the facility.

If you are interested in becoming a Cranston RSVP volunteer, contact Karen at 780-6159 for an interview. You must be 55 years of age or older to volunteer and a BCI is required. A mileage reimbursement is given to cover your travel cost. RSVP also provides insurance protection in the event that your or someone else is injured while performing your volunteer duties.

What if you do not drive or do not have a vehicle? No worries. RSVP will provide you with transportation to your volunteer station.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island

BBBSRI will open a new Donation Drop-Off Center at 993 Oaklawn Ave, in Cranston on Dec. 1

BBBSRI’s main headquarters has been located on Pontiac Avenue for 12 years. With its headquarters moved from Providence this November, BBBSRI had to find a new location for its Cranston Drop Off Center.

Support Big Brothers, Big Sisters

For the month of December, BBBSRI will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Stop & Shop store located at 204 Garfield Ave. in Cranston. Get your reusable bag today to benefit a great cause!

Did you know?

The world’s largest Christmas stocking is measured at 177 feet tall by 72 feet wide and weighs 820 pounds. A local sewing group in Sedalia, Missouri made this stocking in 2017. Sewing each stitch by hand, it took about three months to complete. (Source: Christmas Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, email Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. This includes virtual events which should be submitted two to three weeks ahead of the event. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email today and see your news in our column in the Cranston Herald.