Cranston Hall of Fame is looking for nominees

Did you or someone you know/love graduate from Cranston public high school more than 10 years ago? Are they a success in their chosen field, and give back to their community? Now is your opportunity to share their accomplishments with the rest of the world. Cranston Hall of Fame is looking for nominees for their 42nd class to be inducted on Friday, October 13, at the Alpine Country Club. It is not necessary to be a Cranston resident currently.

Deadline for submissions is Friday, April 21, 2023. Applications can be found at https://cranston-hall-of-fame.business.site/, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thecranstonhalloffame. For details or more information, reach out to Cindy Soccio, President at  csoccio@cox.net,

Celebrating Earth Day – Cranston PTO

Cranston’s First Annual Earth Day celebration will be held on Saturday April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside of Dutemple Elementary School, 32 Garden St, Cranston! There will be a neighborhood cleanup throughout the event, The Extraordinary Rendition Band will be performing, Rhode Island Resource recovery will be providing a presentation about recycling for kids from 12  to 12: 30 p.m. Poppin Minis and Spanglish food trucks will be on-hand. One Cranston Health Equity Zone will have a table set up with earth day related activities.  Come and join this fun, community event.  For information contact:

Earth Day at Edward R. Rhodes Elementary School

Edward R. Rhodes Elementary School, 160 Shaw Ave, Cranston, will be hosting a cleanup event to spruce up the community garden on Saturday, April 22 at 9:00 a.m.  It will be a big job, sweeping up leaves and debris around the fencing/playground areas, and picking up trash -- so we need volunteers!   Everyone is welcome – kids, adults, neighbors, etc. We will have jobs for all ages and abilities, and hopefully a bit of fun as well. We already have 18 parents, neighbors, students, and teachers who have signed up to volunteer – and we'd love as many people to join as possible.

 The event is supported by Seasons of New England, a local garden shop on Warwick Ave., which has donated two (2) gift certificates worth $25 each for participating volunteers. Seasons of New England has also donated indoor seed kits for Rhodes classrooms for the community garden, which is up and running thanks to the RI Recycling Club

Oakland Cemetery Cleanup

We are looking for volunteers to help clean up the historical Oakland Cemetery, 1569 Broad St , Cranston.  The clean-up will take place on Saturday, April 22 and April 29 between 9-12 p.m. on both days.   We welcome large groups looking for volunteer hours and especially  landscaping companies to donate an hour or two of their time.  Please bring leaf blowers, rakes, weed whackers, tree  & plant clippers,  yard waste bags, large garbage bags.  For further information please contact Pastor Russell Farmer at onetruth02@yahoo.com or Gatewaypentecostalfellowship@gmail.com. 

Project Linus of RI - Make a Blanket Day

Project Linus of RI will be hosting a Make a Blanket Day on Saturday, April 22, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the William Hall Library, 1825 Broad Street, Cranston.  Project Linus of RI is a volunteer, non-profit, 501c3 organization that will be hosting a blanket making day to benefit RI children in traumatic situations…hospitals, shelters, DCYF, foster care, etc.  A handmade ‘gift of love’ provides security, comfort and warmth at a time  when a blanket hug is most needed.  Together, we can make this day very  successful to brighten the days of children in crisis. For more information contact:  Martha at esholes@aol.com

Paper Shredding Free to Public

TW Financial Group is partnering with ShredRI and the Cranston Public library to help with your spring cleaning! Bring all of those old papers and documents that you've been meaning to get rid of and they will be safely and securely shredded on the spot!

April 22, 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m., Cranston Public Library,140 Sockanossett Cross Road, Cranston.  For more info contact Kelley: Kelley.berkerey@ampf.com, 401-681-4999.

National Drug Take Back 2023

On April 22, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. the Warwick Police will be partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration - DEA , RI Regional Coalitions, and Walmart Warwick (Rt. 2), 650 Bald Hill Rd, Warwick, for DEA's National Drug Take Back.  They will be accepting unused or expired medications. #nationaldrugtakeback2023

NAMI-RI: Family-to Family course

The Rhode Island chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is now accepting registration for our next virtual Family-to-Family course which begins Wednesday, April 26 , 6:30 – 9 p.m. This is a free, 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 activities.

For more information on the Family-to-Family course and to register, visit www.namirhodeisland.org or call 401-331-3060 or email beth@namirhodeisland.org.

All You Can Eat Almost-May Breakfast

Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ, 546 Budlong Rd., Cranston, will serve an All-you-can-eat Almost May Breakfast on April 29th from 8 to 11 a.m. The menu includes scrambled eggs, frittatas, Johnny cakes, waffles, ham, sausage, home fries, Holly’s baked beans, strudel, muffins, assorted pastries, juice, milk, coffee and tea. Tickets are $15, $7 for children 3 - 12. Tickets will be available at the door.

Ocean State Orchid Society

The Ocean State Orchid Society will hold its Annual Ocean State Orchid Society Auction on April 29, 11 a.m. (Preview at 10:30 a.m.), Rocky Hill Grange, 1340 South County Trail, East Greenwich, RI, 02818. Entrance in rear of building.

Come to the auction for the chance to purchase orchids not commonly available at big box stores and house plant nurseries! The Ocean State Orchid Society will have orchids imported from Hawaii for sale. The will have a variety of orchid genera available for auction, including Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Cattleya and many others. The starting bid for all orchids will be $15.00. In addition to having a unique opportunity to purchase rare orchids, come speak to an OSOS member to get care instructions to help ensure your growing success! OSOS will have an Orchid 101 meeting in May to assist in the culture of your newly purchased plants. Complimentary refreshments available. Public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

May Breakfast Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church

The Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church, 229 Wilbur Avenue, Cranston, Home of the Original May Breakfast, will hold its 154th Annual May Breakfast on Monday, May 1, 7 – 11 a.m.  Clam Cakes, Scrambled Eggs, Ham, Cornbread, Coffee, Juice and Apple Pie.  Tickets:  Adults $10 and Children under 10,  $5.  People will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis.  For additional information or directions to the breakfast, please call (401) 944-0864.  If you have questions regarding this release, please contact Julie Ellison, chair, at 934-9818

Gaspee Days Night at the Museum

Kick-off the 2023 Gaspee Days season with "Night at the Museum" on Friday, May 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. The Aspray Boathouse and the Pawtuxet Rangers Armory will both be open to view historic memorabilia. Each attendee will receive a commemorative glass and 2 drink tickets for beer or wine. We will have local breweries bringing this year’s “Gaspee Brews.”  The donation to attend this event is $25.00; tickets are limited. Please purchase tickets through Eventbrite or our website (http://www.gaspee.com/events).

Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market Opens

The market, located at 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston, is opening on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon starting May 6. The market will feature 20+ vendors every week, offering something for everyone, including 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

Cranston Boy Scout Troop 6 Celebrating 100th Year

The troop is hosting a Macaroni Dinner and fundraiser, on Saturday, May 6th, 6 p.m., at the Church of the Annunciation, 175 Oaklawn, Ave, Cranston. Cost is $30 per person, children 10 and under are free.  To pre-order tickets, or provide sponsorship, contact jgrammas68@gmail.com.  The troop is looking for alumni with pictures they are willing to share, for a special slideshow at the event. Pictures should be sent to: wreathfundraiser_troop6@yahoo.com, with names, dates, details.

CarFit Is Headed Your Way

CarFit will be held at New England Institute of Technology (west parking lot), 1 New England Tech Blvd., East Greenwich, May 6, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

CarFit is a free, interactive and educational program designed to improve older driver safety.  Trained volunteers provide information to ensure the safest “fit” for older drivers and their vehicles.  Please call Joanne Jones, jjones@neit.edu or 409-789-7376.  This event is sponsored by AOTA, AAA & AARP.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fundraising Events

Mini-Golf: Sunday, May 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Mulligan’s Island, 1000 New London Avenue, Cranston, $30 admission.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mini-golf-fundraiser-tickets-607497490347

Bubble Brunch:  Saturday, May 13, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Historical Park Theater, 848 Park Avenue, Cranston.  $30 Admission.  Breakfast and Champagne.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bubbles-brunch-fundraiser-tickets-604047019897.  Cranston native, Justin Erickson has been nominated for the LLS Visionary of the Year Award and will be hosting these events.

Spring Street Festival

The City of Cranston and Cranston Police Department Special Projects Community Outreach Division will hold its Spring Street Festival from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 21.  The event will begin at the Park Theater and will run on both sides of Rolfe Street.  There will be vendors, crafters, food trucks, music, touch a truck and children’s activities.  The fee for vendors will be $50 for a 12 X 12 space.

AARP Charter 2210 Day Trip Events

Bronx Zoo Trip, Tuesday, May 16. Bus pickup from the Exit 19 Park & Ride on Hopkins Hill Road at 7 a.m., return time is approximately 8:30 p.m. Cost is $114/person. For more information call Maureen at 828-5188 for final payment.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Trip for Thursday, June 22. Bus pickup from Exit 19 Park & Ride on Hopkins Hill Road at 9 a.m., return time is approximately 5 p.m. Cost is $119/person. For more information call Maureen at 828-5188. Final payment is due by Thursday, May 25.

OSDRI Boots on the Ground

Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI) is requesting volunteers to help for the 2023 Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial. Volunteers are needed for set up, weekend-of help, and breakdown. Set up days are as follows: Tuesday, May 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday, May 24, , 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday, May 25, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Friday, May 26, , 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Their number one priority these days, is to get the memorial up with success and in the safest and most efficient way. Please be advised that the need for volunteers and volunteering duties may be subject to change at any given moment. OSDRI will be sending any updates about the volunteering needs to the email that was registered with the volunteer online registration.

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 setting the boots out, cleaning up / shining boots, lacing boots, lining up boots on a predesigned grid, 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 2-4 people to fill each volunteer shift.

The following shifts are available: Saturday, May 27, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, May 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Monday, May 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Break down will be at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30. Break down duties consist of picking up boots, storing boots, picking up tags, picking up American Flags, and other miscellaneous duties. This is also a labor-intensive activity which needs volunteer assistance.

If anyone is interested in volunteering, they must sign up through the link: osdri.charityproud.org/VolunteerRegistration/Index/4506. Please move the calendar to May (if it is a different month) and click on the shift desired to sign up.

Should you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Amanda Dean at adean@osdri.org or 401-383-4730

AARP Chapter 2210  Upcoming Trips

AARP Chapter 2210 has planned a Lake Winnipesaukee Luncheon Cruise trip on August 17. Experience the majesty of Lake Winnipesaukee during your 2.5 hour narrated scenic tour aboard the historic M/S Mount Washington cruise vessel. Bus pickup from Exit 19 Park & Ride on Hopkins Hill Road at 8:30 a.m., return time is approximately 6:30 p.m. Cost is $134/person. For more information call Maureen at 401-828-5188. Final payment due by July 10.

AARP Chapter 2210 has planned a Boston Duck Tour & Margaritaville Faneuil Hall trip on September 12. Bus pickup from Exit 19 Park & Ride on Hopkins Hill Road at 8:30 a.m., return time is approximately 6 p.m. Cost is $134/person. For more information call Maureen at 401-828-5188. Final payment is due by August 12.

AARP Chapter 2210 has planned a Mohawk Trail Fall Foliage Tour on October 3. Bus pickup from Exit 19 Park & Ride on Hopkins Hill Road at 9 a.m., return time is approximately 6 p.m. Cost is $109/person. For more information call Maureen at 401-828-5188. Final payment is due by September 3.

AARP Chapter 2210 has planned a trip to Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City from November 7-9. The Tour includes 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 meal credits (up to $20 value each) & $20 slot play. Bus pickup from Exit 19 Park & Ride on Hopkins Hill Road at 7 a.m., return time is approximately 6 p.m. Cost is $299/person (double occupancy), $279/person (triple occupancy) or $399/person (single occupancy). For more information call Maureen at 401-828-5188. Final payment is due by September 21

Join the Gaspee Celtic Jam!

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? Is your skill level somewhere between “new-ish” and advanced? If so, we’d love to play Celtic and traditional music with you!

You’ll find us every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Pawtuxet Baptist Church, 2157 Broad St. in Cranston. Visit www.gaspeecelticjam.org for more info or to send us any questions. We look forward to meeting you!

 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.

St. Francis Xavier Academy Scholarship Applications

The St, Francis Xavier Academy Alumnae Association is accepting scholarship applications from Jan. 1, until July 31.  Forms are available on our two Facebook pages, by mail at SXA. P.O. Box 20452, Cranston, 02920, or contact a board member.

Hearts for Hospice

Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice (VNH&H) is asking for individuals to support their hospice programs by giving $20.00 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.

Get a Job Thursdays

We Make RI, an organization that provides free manufacturing training, hosts a series of job fairs every Thursday 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.

To submit your news from the community: 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 today and see your event in our column in the Cranston Herald.