Weekend Spotlight

Nov. 11, Veterans Through the Ages is sponsored by The Hope Historical Society, inviting the community to the meeting on Sat., Nov. 11, 2 p.m., at the Howland Barn, 35 Ryefield Road, Hope. Local heroes and others who have served our country from the Revolutionary War period to modern times will be honored.  Veterans will be recognized during the program. All are encouraged to bring photos, stories, and other memorabilia from the veteran’s period of service. Military uniform is not required. For photos please identify the individual, the military branch in which they served, period of service, description of their service, and any honors awarded to them.  All are welcome.

Intrigued by the topic but cannot attend “Veterans Through the Ages?”  No worries!  Post a picture and/or story on the HHS Facebook page: Hope Historical Society, Hope, RI.  Pictures and stories must be posted at least 72 hours before the meeting to be included in the program. Pictures or stories can also be emailed to the HHS at hopehistoricalsociety@yahoo.com.

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Nov. 11, Woodridge Congregational Church Holiday Bazaar will be held on Sat., Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Woodridge Church (546 Budlong Road, Cranston.  The bazaar will once again have: Children’s Elf Shop; Country Store with cakes, pies, cookies, jelly, pickles and candy; Gift Baskets; Homemade Crafts; Silent Auction; Timeless Treasures; Books and more.  Homemade soup, pizza and sandwiches will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Please donate a non-perishable food item for the Cranston Interfaith Food Pantry.  

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. 11, Native Orchids will be the subject of the Ocean State Orchid Society, on Nov. 11, at 1 p.m., at Rocky Hill Grange, 1340 County Trail, East Greenwich (entrance at rear of building). Botanist Neela de Zoysa will be speaking to the society regarding New England's native orchids. We will have our usual "grow and show" (members show and discuss their current orchid collection). Light refreshments to be served. Public is welcome to join.

Nov. 11, Clothing Donation Fundraiser will be on Sat., Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Pilgrim Senior Center, 27 Pilgrim Pkwy., Warwick. This fundraiser is being held by the Fifth Graders of Hoxsie Elementary School. Clean out your closet for a cause! All gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, or household textiles will be accepted. For more information or to schedule a direct pickup, contact Meredith at 401-384-0108. Direct pickups can be scheduled anytime through Nov. 15.

Nov. 11, VFW Post 178 Craft Show - Vendors Wanted The VFW Post 178 Washington St., Warwick, will hold its craft show on Sat., Nov. 11,  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors wanted at $25 per table. Please email dmkempf71@gmail.com or leave a message 401-391-4565.  

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.

Nov. 18, Armenian Evangelical Church Holiday Bazaar will be held on Sat., Nov. 18, from 12-7 p.m., at the church, 180 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston. Half Roasted Chicken, Losh Kebab, Kufta, and Kheyma dinners will be served with pilaf, green beans, salad, and bread.  American and Armenian pastries and delicacies including Choreg, Bourma, Paklava, Yalenche, Khadaif, Boreg, Stuffed Mussels and more, plus the always popular Penny Social. Please contact MaryAnn: (401)751-4568 with any questions.

Nov. 18, Phillips Memorial Baptist Church Holiday Bazaar will be held on Sat., Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 565 Pontiac Ave., Cranston. From  9 to 10:30 a.m., coffee and goodies at the “Coffee Nook,” and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., lunch “to go.”  Featuring basement bargains and treasures, toys, puzzles, games, books, baked goods, crafts, jewelry, needlework, “oldtiques,” animal items and more.  The church is handicapped accessible. 

 Nov. 21, Constitution is the Solution, a video lecture, is being hosted by The John Birch Society on Tues.,  Nov. 21, from 6 pm to 7:30 p.m. at the Cranston Public Library, Branch Central Library, Seminar

Room, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd, Cranston. Sitting is limited to ten (10) people.

Invitees will be provided with a practical understanding of how the Constitution is intended to work.

Study material and writing tools will also be available. For more information , call Marian Juskuv at 401-425-8025 or aa1vu@yahoo.com.  All are welcome.

Dec. 7 through Dec. 10, , “Oh? What Fun!”  will be performed by the Rhode Island Gay Men’s Chorus on Thurs., Dec. 7, Fri. Dec. 8, Sat. Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. at Beneficent Congregational Church, 300 Weybosset St., Providence.  Combining traditional holiday favorites, the chorus is proud to be honoring the diverse heritages of choral members with songs of the French, Italian, Portuguese, Jewish, Czech, Irish, Latina, East Asian ethnicities. Join them in their celebration of each other’s unique qualities.  This is sure to be a sparkling concert filled with music of the season.  Tickets are on sale now: Adults $30, Seniors $25 and Students $20.  To purchase tickets, please visit: www.rigmc.org.

Until 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. 

 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.

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 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.