Oct. 17, Cranston Historical Society General Membership Meeting, will be held on Tues., October 17, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Governor Sprague Mansion Museum, 1353 Cranston Street, Cranston.  Guest Speaker: James Ignasher, “The Corpse That Drove a Hearse & Other True N.E. Tales of the Macabre.”   For details call: 401-944-9226.

Oct. 18 NAMI-RI: Registration open Family-to Family Course The Rhode Island Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-RI) is now accepting registration for their next session of NAMI’s Family-to-Family course which begins Wed., Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m. This is a free and virtual, 8-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. It is a designated evidence-based program, which means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition. NAMI-Rhode Island's Family-to-Family course is taught by trained family members who have lived experience with a loved one, and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises. For more information on the Family-to-Family curriculum and registration, visit www.namirhodeisland.org or call 401-331-3060 or email beth@namirhodeisland.org

Oct. 19, Cookie Decorating & Free Flu Shot Clinic  will be held at the Huddle Center, 70 Gansett Ave, Cranston, on Thurs., Oct. 19, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Participants will be able to decorate a cookie and offered a Free Flu Vaccine. Appropriate aged vaccines for newborn through seniors will be made available.

≈ Weekend Spotlight ≈

Oct. 21, Trinity Treasures Online Auction, Trinity Episcopal Church, 139 Ocean Avenue, Cranston is featuring its first online auction.  The Preview and Kickoff is Sat., Oct. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m.  Participants can view over one hundred items, sip beverages, and snack on light appetizers. Bring a smart phone to register. Bidding goes live at 7 p.m. and ends on Wed., Nov. 1, at 11:59 p.m. Can't make the Preview? Register at: www.biddingowl.com/trinitychurch. For more information call 401-575-7009.

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 Oct. 21, Fall Blanket Making: Project Linus of Rhode Island is having the fall blanket making day at William Hall Library, 1825 Broad Street, Cranston, on Oct. 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.   This is a volunteer, nonprofit, national organization and is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children in traumatic situations by making a blanket.  Handmade blankets provide lots of security, comfort, warmth and love to children in need of blanket hugs. Come and bring a blanket in progress or make a blanket, meet other “blanketeers’’, share ideas and learn from others.  Bring friends and neighbors to make this a very productive day for children in crisis. For more information contact Martha at esholes@aol.com.

Oct. 21, 1950's Sock Hop will be held on Sat., Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m., (no host) cocktails with dinner at 7 p.m., at West Warwick Elks Lodge #1697, 60 Clyde Street, West Warwick.  Buffet dinner: Salad, meatballs, pasta, chicken cutlet, rolls, butter, coffee and dessert. 1950's music all night long.  Feel free to dress in your best 1950’s attire. Donation: $20pp. Must reserve in advance.  Call Gail: 401-738-0060 or Luanne 401-377-8972 for more information.  No tickets sold at the door!

 Oct. 21, Holidays-On-The-Hill Bazaar will be held on Sat., Oct. 21, at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 200 Meshanticut Valley Parkway, Cranston, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Oct. 22, Oaklawn Grange Presents: Jack-O-Lantern Festival will be held on Sun., Oct. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oaklawn Gazebo at Wilbur Ave. and Exchange Street, Cranston.  All are welcome to bring a carved pumpkin to the gazebo between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Flameless candles will be provided.  For more information:  oaklawngrangeinfo@gmail.com.

Oct. 22, St. Francis Xavier Academy Alumnae Association (SXA) Homecoming celebration will be on Oct. 22, with an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Timothy Church, 1799 Warwick Ave., Warwick, immediately followed by lunch at the Crowne Plaza, 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick. The class of 1973 will celebrate their 50th anniversary.  Gold rosaries will be blessed and distributed to graduates during Mass.  Scholarships will be announced during lunch.  For more information contact Margaret Mathias, 401-232-9006.

Oct. 23, Flu Shot Clinics The OneCranston HEZ is hosting a Flu Shot Clinic 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Comprehensive Community Action Plan, 1090 Cranston St., Cranston.  Covid Vaccines will also be available. Free and no insurance is needed.  For more information contact Ivy at iswinski@comcap.org or at 401-862-3811.

Oct. 24, Photographic Society of RI Meeting on Tues., Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m., as a social time and the meeting will start at 7 p.m. It will be held at Lakewood Baptist Church, 255 Atlantic Ave., Warwick. The guest presenter will be Silvana Della Camera.  The program will be "ICM-More Than Just Pretty".  Using intentional camera movement (ICM) takes the mundane out of a scene.  Photographs created with intentional camera movements convey mystery to the viewer.  It lets them use their imagination to fill in the blanks & inspire a lingering gaze.  Learn how breaking the rules can make you a more imaginative photographer.  Before the meeting, members are asked to drop off black & white and color prints from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. to be logged in for the 2nd Open Competition of the new year on Tues., Oct. 31.  Future meetings will include live demos, competitions, set-ups for photo ops, image studies and presentations from experts on a vast array of topics for a wide range of skill levels.  Whether a member or not, please come and enjoy the program and to see what the club is all about.

Oct 26, Trick or Treat at The Huddle Center, 70 Gansett Avenue, Cranston, on Thur., Oct. 26 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Center will be transformed into a safe and comfortable place to trick or treat room by room. Various community partners in each room will be distributing candy and resource material.

Oct. 28, Annual Free Coat & Blanket Distribution will be held on Sat., Oct. 28, at St. John & St. James Church, School Cafeteria, 17 St. John Street, West Warwick, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Other clothing will be available such as scarves, gloves, mittens, etc.

Oct. 28, PVPH Hosting: “Where Monsters Dwell” on Sat., Oct. 28, at 2 p.m., the Pawtuxet Valley Preservation & Historical Society, 1679 Main Street, West Warwick, will host "Where Monsters Dwell", presented by Michael Girard, adventurer/explorer/writer. A Zoom link will be sent to members unable to attend in person. If not a member, request a link by forwarding your email address to pvphs1@gmail.com, using the subject heading "Halloween." Free public event. Refreshments will be served. For information: call 821-1078.

Month of Oct., Cranston Tree will hold a fall planting in October. Free trees are now available for Cranston property owners. The seven- to eight-foot-tall trees are planted by a nursery in front yards, but not between the sidewalk and the street. The effort is a project of the West Bay Land Trust.  Application forms are available by emailing  cranstontree@gmail.com or calling 941-1264. Forms may also be downloaded at westbaylandtrust.org/cranstontree. The planting program, financed by the City of Cranston and the West Bay Land Trust, has planted more than 300 trees in Cranston parks and front yards. Trees lower the temperature nearby, reduce storm water runoff, clean the air and help combat climate change.

October 1 to March 1, Community Builders Grant Program  OneCranston HEZ's Community Connectors Committee is pleased to continue our Community Builders Grant Program. Through the program, OneCranston HEZ seeks to identify and partner with residents interested in bringing their neighbors together to complete projects that improve their communities. This year we will have rolling grants: 6 grants of $300 will be disbursed. OneCranston HEZ will be awarding one grant per a Cranston Ward, with applications opening October 1 and going until March 1 or all grants have been awarded. To apply go to this link: https://forms.office.com/r/2yXDwmWUVt or reach out to jfulbright@comcap.org. 

Nov. 1, Brown University: Nonfiction@Brown Lecture Series on Nov. 1, at 6 p.m., Nonfiction@Brown presents the New York Times best-seller author Ross Gay. This event is free and open to the public! Please visit https://Rossgay.eventbrite.com to reserve your ticket. The reading will be held in Salomon, Room 001, 79 Waterman Street, Providence.

Nov. 4, The Woodbury Church Lighthouse Craft Fair & Christmas Bazaar will be held on Sat., Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Woodbury Union Church, 58 Beach Avenue, Conimicut Village in Warwick. Over 25 craft vendors along with gourmet foods, baked goods, homemade crafts, raffle items and attic treasures will be offered.  Be sure to visit our kitchen in the fellowship room for a delicious lunch. For more information, contact:  Ginny 401-345-9935 or woodburychurchri@gmail.com.

Nov. 4 & 5, St. Francis Xavier Holiday Bazaar will be held at the church, 81 No. Carpenter St., East Providence, Sat., Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 5, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be something for everyone including: Grand Prize Raffle, Christmas Booth, Attic Treasures, Silent Auction,  Raffle Baskets, Liquor Raffle Baskets, Wine with a mystery gift card, Hand knitted & crocheted Items, Home Decor, Craft Supplies, Baked Good Booth, Lucky 7's, Games and Prizes, Kids Corner, Youth Group and more. After shopping, enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner at the food court and don't forget to pick up some famous Portuguese malassadas.

Nov. 11 & 12, Emanuel Lutheran Church Craft Fair and Bazaar will be held on Sat., Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 12, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 9 New London Ave., West Warwick.  Exquisite raffle baskets, candles, baby items, bird houses, dried flower items, handmade gnomes, handmade bags, jewelry and so much more.  There will be a lunch and bake shop as well.  All are welcome.

Nov. 15, Scandinavian Holiday Brunch will be held on Sun., Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 60 Clyde Street, West Warwick.  Breakfast includes:  Coffee, juice, scrambled eggs, home fries, beans, Swedish pancakes, Swedish meatballs, ham, sausage, Swedish breads and rice pudding. There will also be a bake sale table. Donation: adults $18 and children 6 – 12 $5.  For reservations, contact Linda 401-739-3530. Event is sponsored by Star Lodge #56, Vasa Order of America.

Every Monday, Parent Support Group takes place from 10 – 11 a.m., at The Huddle Center, 70 Gansett Ave., Cranston.  All Cranston parents, grandparents and guardians are invited to take part in this parent-led support group.  Discussions include: challenges, issues and concerns that all caregivers encounter.  Activities will be available for children while the meeting is taking place. Registration is required.  Contact Carol:  401-465-4593 or cpineda@comcap.org.

Every Monday,  Gaspee Celtic Jam - The Gaspee Celtic Jam meets at the Pawtuxet Village Baptist Church, 2157 Broad St., Cranston, every Mon. from 7 – 9 p.m. Do you play fiddle, guitar, Irish flute, pennywhistle, bodhran, mandolin, banjo, concertina, accordion, folk harp, hammered dulcimer, Appalachian dulcimer, banjo, acoustic bass, ukulele, keyboard, recorder, or sing? All skill levels welcome. Visit www.gaspeecelticjam.org for more info (including the current tune list/tune book) or to send us any questions. No specific Celtic music experience is required.

Every Second and Fourth Tuesday the Fall River Toastmasters Meeting, serving both Rhode Island and Southern Mass the Fall River Toastmasters holds its meetings. Doors open at 6 p.m. and meeting is from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Join us at The Chamber, 200 Pocasset St, Fall River, MA, 2nd floor. For more information, call Sean DaCosta at (508)-840-6621. All are welcome!

Every Thursday, Pick-Up Hockey 55 and older, coed: $5pp. Thayer Ice Rink, 975 Sandy Ln., Warwick, from 8:45 to 10:00 AM.  Full Equipment required.  For more information contact:  Lon Krueger 302-229-3457 or bethlon@verizon.net.

Every Thursday,  Get-a-Job-Thursdays - We Make RI, an organization that provides free manufacturing training, hosts a series of job fairs every Thurs. from 11 a.m. to noon, 200 First Ave., Cranston. We Make RI offer job seekers a chance to meet with employers, get career counseling, resume help and more. Some employers include Swissline Precision, Admiral Packaging, KB Surfaces, Warwick Hanger and Hitachi Cable. For more information about this event or other training opportunities, visit www.wemakeri.com/get-a-job-thursday or contact Mike at (401) 232-0077 x109.  

Every Saturday, Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market - The Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market, every Sat., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., offers locally grown vegetables, eggs, fruit, meat, honey, cheese, baked goods, prepared foods, locally roasted coffee, and local packaged foods (kimchi, hot sauce, marinara, sauerkraut, seitan). The market features vegan and gluten-free options and local handmade goods. There will also be food trucks, live music, and occasional visits from community groups.

Oaklawn Grange Used Clothing Donation Shed in need of used clothing items at the Oaklawn Grange Donation Shed, 24 Searle Ave., Cranston.  Accepted items only: Used Clothing, Shoes, Sneakers, Belts, Purses, Linens, Pillowcases, Blankets, Curtains, and Stuffed Animals. All items must be in useable condition. Your donations will be distributed as whole garments locally and worldwide. Contact oaklawngrangeinfo@gmail.com for more information.

Humans of Cranston is back for a second year after a successful first season, and is now accepting nominations! Over the last year, the project featured 19 resident stories in a Herald column, on OneCranston HEZ social media, and in a final book with the goal of showcasing and celebrating residents' community involvement, diversity, and unique life perspectives. This is an initiative of the OneCranston Health Equity Zone at CCAP in partnership with the Cranston Herald and local photographer, Tim McFate. If you know a Cranston resident who has a story to tell, please nominate them via this form: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/s8cnBuGhtB (Or scan the QR code).

Questions? Contact JB Fulbright, Community Outreach Coordinator for the OneCranston HEZ at jfulbright@comcap.org.

NAMI-RI Offers Family Support Groups The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-RI) offers free support groups for families and friends of loved ones who are struggling with their mental health. The groups are led by trained facilitators who also have lived experience as family members themselves. The group meetings last about 1.5 hours, and everyone who participates in the meeting gets a chance to share.  The other members of the group try to offer help and resources, when appropriate, based on their own experiences. More information and full schedule can be found at www.namirhodeisland.org. or call 401-331-3060. No pre-registration for these monthly groups is necessary.

First Thurs. at 6 p.m.  IN PERSON ONLY at the Rochambeau Library in the Community Room, Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence (NEW-starts Aug.)

Second Tues. at 5 p.m.  IN PERSON ONLY at the Middletown Public Library in the Community Room. Middletown Library, 700 West Main Road, Middletown.

Third Tues. at 6:30 p.m. MEETS VIA ZOOM ONLY. Please call 401-331-3060 or email info@namirhodeisland.org for the Zoom link

Fourth Wed. at 6 p.m. IN PERSON ONLY at the Hope Valley Grange, #71116 Main Street, Hope Valley.

Amenity Aid – Volunteers Needed - We are looking for volunteers that would like to help us plan and staff community events, organize hygiene product collection drives and raise funds for Amenity Aid. If you are interested in doing any of the above or would like to be a member of our Community Outreach Committee, please contact Stacey Silva, Community Outreach Chair at Stacey@AmenityAid.org.

 Amenity Aid’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations by creating access to essential hygiene products. Serving all of Rhode Island, we distribute toiletry necessities to those most vulnerable through our network of direct service agencies.

Hearts for Hospice - Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice (VNH&H) is asking for individuals to support their hospice programs by giving $20 or more to their Hearts for Hospice campaign. People can dedicate their gift to a loved one who is always in their heart; all dedications are listed on the organization’s website. You can make your donation at www.visitinghursehh.org/giving/ or by calling 401-682-2100 extension number 1631.

To submit your news from The Chatter to: Ida at idaz@rhodybeat.com. This includes virtual events, which should be submitted two to three weeks ahead of the event.  Can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email, or scan the QR code below, today and see your event in our column in the Cranston Herald.