Are you interested in learning about law enforcement? If you answered yes, then the Cranston Police Citizens’ Academy may be for you!

CPD Training Division will provide this unique opportunity to a limited number of people. If accepted, you will take part in classroom presentations and have the chance to participate in police scenario training. Through these experiences and classroom conversations, you will gain a better understanding of law enforcement.
In order to be considered, you must be at least 18 years old and must complete the electronic registration form. Upon completion, you will be contacted by a member of the Cranston Police Training Division. This 10-week program will meet on Wednesday nights 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. from April 13 to June 15, 2022.

Registrations close April 1, 2022. It is free to all. This program is a hand on learning experience about the inner workings of the Police Department. Topics include Patrol Functions, Detectives, BCI, Firearms, K-9 and more: Apply now at Cranstonpoliceri.com. For more information contact: Officer Mike Janson at 477-5155 or email mjanson@cranstonpoliceri.com.

Irish music at  Pontiac Free Library

Pontiac Free Library would like you to join them on March 19 at 11 a.m. for an Irish traditional music concert with uilleann pipes, whistles and vocals performed by Keegan Loesel of Keegan-Irish-Music. Register by calling (401) 732-3292 or by visiting their website www.pontiacfreelibrary.org.

Volunteers Needed

Operation Stand Down Rhode Island is requesting volunteers to help for the 2022 Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial. Volunteers are needed for set up, weekend of help and breakdown. Set up days are as followed: May 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; May 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; May 26, 9 a.m. to noon; May 27, 9 a.m. to noon and noon to 4 p.m. If you are a corporate office or company who is interested in volunteering, each person volunteering needs to sign up through the OSDRI online registration. If your company sends out an internal volunteering portal, you will still need to sign up with OSDRI at our online portal as well. This helps us correctly account for how many people are attending to help. Set up will be at Fort Adams in Newport. Set up duties consist of getting out boots, cleaning up/shining boots, lacing boots, lining up boots on a predesigned grid, cleaning the boots off, attaching name placards, stuffing boots and placing out American flags. Volunteers should be physically able to bend down/walk.

We will also need volunteers for the actual event itself. Volunteers to assist with band setup/breakdown, parking in the main lot, assisting at both the entrance and at the exit of the fort and other miscellaneous duties. We are looking for two to four people to fill each volunteer shift.

The following shifts are available: May 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; May 29, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; May 30, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Break down will be on May 31 at 8 a.m. Break down duties consist of picking up boots, storing boots, picking up tag chains, picking up American Flags and other miscellaneous duties. This is also a labor-intensive activity which needs volunteer assistance. Please consider signing up for this activity as well as it is just as important as set up. If anyone is interested in volunteering, they must sign up through the link: https://osdri.charityproud. org/Volunteer Registration/ Index/3308. Please be advised that you need to move the calendar to May 2022 in order to view the details. Questions or concerns can be directed to Amanda Driscoll at adriscoll@osdri.org or 401.383.4730.

The Tomorrow Fund Stroll

The Tomorrow Fund is back at Garden City Center for its 19th Annual Tomorrow Fund Stroll ‘n Roll this April 3. Enjoy a morning of laughter while strolling and rolling through Garden City Center to benefit Tomorrow Fund patients and their families. More information to come.

Rotary Club of Cranston Scholarships

The Rotary Club of Cranston has opened their applications for their college scholarships.

One senior will be chosen from each of the four high schools in Cranston. Follow this link for more information and applications rotaryclubofcranston.org.

Rhode Island Senior Softball League

The Rhode Island Senior Softball League, who has over 350 players on 20 teams, is currently seeking players ages 50 and over for the upcoming season.

The season will run from the beginning of May until the end of September, including playoffs, and no games will be scheduled on July 4. Games are played on Sunday, double headers. Masks and/or pitcher’s screen will be mandatory, and the league will use the same 11 fields as it did last season. Fields are located in East Providence, Cranston, Johnston, Woonsocket, North Kingston, Barrington and Western Cranston.

Visit https://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=riseniorsoftball for more information. Please fill out player inquiry form, and the commissioner will contact you.

Cranston Hall of Fame –  Nominations sought

The Cranston Hall of Fame is looking for inductees for the class of 2022. This is their 42nd year (after skipping 2020 due to Covid-19).
If you or someone you know is a worthy candidate, having graduated from one of Cranston high schools over 10 years ago, and have your mark professionally and in your community, send us your nomination.
Nomination forms can be found at: https://cranston-hall-of-fame.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral, or www.cpsed.net under culture.

Bring on the percussion

Cranston Combined Percussion Band competition will be on Saturday, April 2 at Cranston East gym at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 public, $8 students.
Schools performing along with Cranston Combined are Bishop Hendricken, Bishop Feehan, Dartmouth high school, 30-minute percussion clinic after their performance. Haven Brothers setting up a truck for cooked food right outside the doors.

Cranston East 50th Reunion

Cranston East’s 50th year Reunion Committee will hold its 50th reunion on June 25 at 6 p.m. at the Bonnet Shores Beach Club; DJ Luke Renchan will provide the entertainment. Tickets are $71 per person and individuals must RSVP by May 25.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact any members of the Reunion Committee. If you would like to help out in some way, please let them know! Dan Barry at dbarry@drbassociates.net; Pat Giarrusso at giarrussopat@gmail.com; Ed DeJesus at exdejesus@gmail.com; Jean Colaneri McGovern at jbbongo@icloud.com.

Let’s bowl

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Cranston Community Women’s Club would like you to join them for “Bowling for a Cause” to benefit the Cranston Family Center on Saturday March 19 at Lang’s Bowlarama, 225 Niantic Avenue, Cranston.

Registration starts at 10 a.m., bowling 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $25 per bowler and includes two hours of bowling, shoes, two slices of pizza and a drink. All your donations will benefit the center which works with families to remove obstacles that inhibit their ability to actively participate in their child’s education. Raffles and 50/50. If interested, call (401) 451-5073 or send your check to Lisa Giannini, 21 Gordon Street, Cranston, RI 02910. Make checks payable to GFWC-CCWC. Make a difference and help families in need.

Walk and Talk at Rocky Point

Come join the “Rocky Point Pacers” for a walk around Rocky Point every Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 a.m., weather permitting. They meet at the gate on Rocky Point Avenue. Get some sunshine and burn off some holiday pounds.

Prepare RI High School Internships Program

Calling all RI public high school juniors: The 2022 PrepareRI High school Internship Program is accepting applications to participate in on-site/in-person, paid summer experiential learning internships with local employers across the state.

This program will help you earn, learn, and connect with employers across Rhode Island. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Visit https://skillsforri.com/prepareri for more information.

CHSE Class of ’65 Reunion

Save the date: The Class of CHSE ‘65 will be celebrating the belated 55th reunion on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at the Radisson Hotel, 2081 Post Road in Warwick. The reunion committee is looking forward to seeing you for dinner, dancing and fun.

Consider donating blood

The Rhode Island Blood Center is in need of blood. Individuals wishing to donate must book an appointment at the donation center; walk-ins are only accepted if safe distancing allows at the person’s time of arrival.

Nearby areas to donate include The Shops at Greenwood, which is located at 615 Greenwich Ave., in Warwick. Sign up by visiting www.ribc.org.

Arts Scholarships for youth now open to register

Do you know a student aged 11 - 14 who loves to create and to perform? Encourage them to apply to our ARTS Scholarships 2022 program! Applications and guidelines are now available at ppacri.org/artsscholarships.

The ARTS Scholarships 2022 program, sponsored by the Textron Charitable Trust and the PPAC Annual Fund with support from WPRI 12 and Ocean State Charities Trust, offers young artists an opportunity to participate in local summer arts education program that will broaden their experience in their chosen area of study.
Qualified students must be aged 11 - 14 by June 1 of this year and reside in and attend school in Rhode Island.

RI Pre-K lottery applications

The 2022-23 RI Pre-K Lottery Email Notification Sign-Up form is now available! Please note that this is not the RI Pre-K Lottery application. This form will sign you up to stay informed of the lottery opening in late spring. You will only need to complete and submit this form once!

You can access the RI Pre-K Lottery Email Notification Sign-Up in three locations:

1. By visiting http://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdn.../viewform to go directly to the Google Form; 2. By visiting the RIDE homepage and clicking the round “Pre-K Lottery Email Notification Sign Up” badge on the right toolbar and 3. By visiting the RI Pre-K webpage on the RIDE website and clicking the “Lottery Application” menu to reveal the link to the form
2. To be eligible for Pre-K, your child must be four by Sept. 1.

Did you know?

The man who would come to be known as Saint Patrick, apostle of Ireland, was born in Britain circa 386 A.D. Much of his life is unknown to historians and can’t be verified, though some sources have listed his birth name as Maewyn Succat, with the name Patrick later taken on during his religious journeys or ordainment. (Source: St. Patrick’s /Day 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.