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 today and see your event in our column in the Cranston Herald.

Weekend Spotlight

Aug. 24, Family Forum: Transition to Middle School  will be held for caregivers of children who are entering Middle School this fall, on Thurs., Aug. 24, from 5 – 6:30 p.m., at the Huddle Center, 70 Gansett Ave., Cranston.  Please join Celia who will help to navigate the resources that Cranston Middle Schools have to offer.  There will be Goodie bags for students!  For questions or more information, please contact Celia at 401-642-7595.

Aug. 26, Garden City 75^th Anniversary Block Party will be held on Sat., Aug. 26 from 1 – 6 p.m. at Garden City Plaza. 75 years of fun, shopping, music & community. Celebrate the last 75 years and celebrate many more to come. Enjoy 1940's & 50's themed live music and entertainment, a beer and wine garden, sidewalk sales and samplings from our businesses, games and scavenger hunts for kids and adults, and round off the last 75 years with us with a champagne toast at the Gazebo.

Please register for this free event so we know to expect you and can communicate any updates. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/garden-city-center-75th-anniversary-block-party-tickets-696787539287.  Stay tuned on our website and social media for schedule of happenings. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Aug.26, Cosplay Group will be held on Sat., Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at The Huddle Center, 70 Gansett Ave., Cranston.  Learn some craft building tips and tricks or come by to use some materials or chat with long-time Convention goer: CHW Jill.  For more information, email: infohuddle@comcap.org.

Aug. 26, Clear the Shelters™ Animal Adoption Event is being held on Sat., Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Potter League Animal Care & Adoption Center, 87 Oliphant Lane, Middletown. The official Clear The Shelters™ event is offering reduced pet adoption fees, half off, to empower families to embrace a new animal companion. Visit CleartheShelters.com to access more information about Clear the Shelters™ and a real-time pet adoption tracker is posted on the same site across all participating markets. . For more information, visit www.potterleague.org  or call 401-846-0592.


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Aug. 31, Tea and Tour Program  - The Cranston Historical Society is hosting an end of summer Tea with Tour program will on Thurs., Aug. 31, at 6:30 p.m., and invites you to enjoy a relaxing evening at the historic Governor Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston.  A brief introduction of the history of the Sprague Family and A&W Sprague Textile Manufacturing Co. will be shared. Weather permitting, an additional tour of the Sprague Carriage House may be available.  The Tour with Tea program is designed to be a small, intimate gathering and includes tea of the evening and a delightful sweet. Limited seating of 10 only. Call (401) 944-9226 to reserve your place by August 24. Ladies and Gents; age appropriate 12 and older. Tickets: Non-members: $18pp; CHS members: $16pp. Checks payable: The Cranston Historical Society. Sorry, we cannot accommodate food sensitivities. After August 24, call to inquire if seating is available. Handicap access and parking at back of mansion.  Host your next special event, meeting ~ or tea ~ at the Governor Sprague Mansion. Call for details (401) 944-9226.

Sept. 9, Vasa Family Fun Day is being held on Sat., Sept. 9, from noon - 5 p.m. at Little Rhody Vasa Park, 10 Boswell Trail, in Foster.  This event, being sponsored by R.I. District #3, Vasa Order of America, promises to be a great time for the whole family.  The park opens at noon with a flag ceremony at 1 p.m.  An authentic Swedish meatball lunch will be served, continuously, from 1 – 4 p.m.  (The lunch includes Swedish meatballs, gravy, mashed potatoes, asparagus, Lingonberry sauce, bread, and butter).  A full bar is located on the premises.  Music will be provided by DJ Big Bill.  Other food vendors and craft vendors will be available.  There will be raffle prizes and you don’t even have to be present to win!  There will also be bocce, corn hole, volleyball, basketball, cookie decorating, the balloon twister, horseshoes, and Tombola.  For the kids throughout the day, there will be a piñata, train rides, face painting, egg toss, pie eating contest, playground, sandcastle contest, and the ever-popular SAWDUST PILE!

 You absolutely do not want to miss this event!  For more information, please contact Jane at (401) 862-8717.  Park admission at the gate is $5 for adults (children under 12 are free).  Adult Swedish meatball lunches are $13.00 each and for children under 12 the cost is $7.  To ensure there is a Swedish meatball lunch waiting for you, please make reservations in advance: Send your name, total number of adults and children, and check made out to R.I. District #3 to Jim Ladouceur, 59 Oak Hill Drive, Cranston 02920. District #3 hopes to see you at the Vasa Family Fun Day!!

Sept. 9, The Hope Historical Society Annual Meeting will be held on Sat., Sep. 9, at 2 p.m., at the Howland Barn, 35 Ryefield Road, Hope. The Hope Historical Society invites the community as they kick off a new program year with a 2023 Archives Presentation  The election of Hope Historical Society officers will take place during the Annual Meeting with the Archives Presentation to follow. Refreshments will follow the Archives Presentation.   For more information, please go to the HHS Facebook page: Hope Historical Society, Hope, RI.

Sept. 9, Ocean State Orchid Society Auction will be held on Sat., Sept. 9, from 12:30 p.m. (preview), start time: 1 p.m., at Rocky Hill Grange, 1340 South County Train, East Greenwich.  Entrance in rear. A variety of Phalaenopsis, Brassavola, and other orchid genera will be available for auction. Come purchase orchids not commonly available at big box stores and house plant nurseries and to speak to an OSOS member to get care instructions to help ensure growing success! Complimentary refreshments available. Public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Sept 10, The Kerri McClean “Vision of Hope” Cancer Walk will be held on Sun., Sept. 10, at Warwick City Park, Asylum Road, Buttonwoods/Warwick, with registration at 9:30 a.m.  Registration fee:  $30pp. The 14^th annual walk is to benefit women with gynecological cancer and their families.  Proceeds go to the “Women in Need Fund” and the “Integrative Care Service Fund,” programs at Women & Infants Hospital in memory of Kerri McClean who succumbed to a five-year battle with cervical cancer in 2009.  Baskets and gift cards will be raffled.  Refreshments will be provided. For more information:  Carla at 401-829-1670.

Sept. 10, Emanuel Lutheran Church Picnic will be held on Sun., Sept. 10, at 12 p.m., at 20 Leaf Street, West Warwick.  Bouncy House, Corn Hole Tournament, Limbo Contest and lots of fun.  Free lunch:  hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks.  Worship at 10:30 a.m., Sunday School & Confirmation Class at  9:15 a.m., Choir Rehearsal at 9 a.m. Bring your friends & family.  All are welcome!

Sept. 11 Swinging Squares is hosting a free, first class on Monday, Sept. 11, from 7 – 9 p.m., at the Oaklawn Community Baptist Church (in the hall at the back of the church), 229 Wilbur Ave., Cranston.  You do not need special clothing, a partner or experience.  For more information call Lisa Breault:  401-524-7610, or go to www.swingsquares.com.  All are welcome.

Sept. 11, The Comedy Course - The Comedy Course is returning for a 6th year, every Mon. night for 6-weeks. Three instructors, with over 100 years of combined stage experience, will guide you on a 6-week journey from writing your first joke to performing your debut comedy routine. You learn the do's and don’ts of standup comedy and have fun doing it.  The course is $200 per person.  The place: TBD.  Instructors include: Joe Hebert, Coleen Galvin and John Perrotta. Class size is limited. Call John Perrotta at 401-639-7726 to reserve your seat, now. Payment options are available.

Sept. 13, NAMI-RI: Fall "Family-to Family" Course and Support Groups The Rhode Island Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-RI) is now accepting registration for their Fall session of which begins Wed., Sept.13, at 6:30 p.m. This is a free, 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 requirements, visit namirhodeisland.org or call 401-331-3060 or email beth@namirhodeisland.org


Sept. 19, Ward 6 Candidate Forum at Central Library – The Cranston Herald, in partnership with Cranston Public Libraries, will be holding a forum for the announced Candidates for the Ward 6 Special Election for City Council on Tues., Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. The forum will be in held at Cranston Central Library; 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd. Residents of Ward 6 can email questions for the candidates to Ed Kdonian at edk@rhodybeat.com


Sept. 19,  The Ocean State Toastmasters Open House - will be held at the Proclamation Brewery, 298 Kilvert Street, Warwick, on Tues., Sept. 19, from 6 – 8 p.m. Come and find out why the Ocean State Toastmaster’s Club (OSTM) is a place to learn, grow, have fun and practice leadership, problem solving, storytelling and public speaking skills. RSVP - Please. For more information call (401) 359-3197 or go to oceanstate.toastmastersclubs.org or send an email to:  oceanstatetm.20@gmail.com.

The Warwick-based Ocean State Toastmasters, 99 James P. Murphy Industrial Highway, Warwick, meets the 1st and 3rd Tues. of each month from 6:30 – 7 p.m. there is informal networking and from 7 – 8:30 p.m., the Toastmaster meeting begins which includes testimonials, presentations, conflict resolution, blog post.

Sept. 30, Pilgrim High School Class of 1983 - will hold its 40th Reunion on Sat., Sept. 30, at Quonset Tavern by the Green, 615 Callahan Rd., North Kingstown, RI.  For more information, please email pilgrimclass1983@gmail.com or visit our new Facebook page Pilgrim High School Class of 1983. Hold the date!

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.

Oct. 4, Brown University Lecture Series presents: Maggie Millner. Maggie Millner, poet and author of Couplets delivers a lecture on Oct. 4,  at 6 p.m., at Brown University. This event is free and open to the public! Please visit go.brown.edu/nonfiction_now for more information about the venue, Maggie Millner, and the Nonfiction@Brown lecture series. 

Oct. 7, Spartan DEKA MILE: Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW) Fundraiser will be held on Oct. 7, at It Starts Here Fitness (ISHFitness), 380 Jefferson Blvd.,  Suite G, Warwick, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Looking for police, fire, military, troopers, and civilians to compete in a friendly competition for a great cause.  Race individually or with a partner, and each racer will receive a DEKA T-shirt and medal.  50% of all ticket profits to benefit Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW). Spartan DEKA MILE consists of (10) functional training zones each preceded by a 160-meter run (1 mile of total distance running).   Tickets: $35 single and $49 2-person teams.  Registration: https://tickets-usdk.spartan.com/event/DM328.  Operation Enduring Warrior: https://www.enduringwarrior.org.  Donations: https://enduringwarrior.networkforgood.com/projects/199435-it-starts-here-fitness-s-fundraiser?from_wicked_finish=true.  For more information: https://ishfitness.com/ or call 401-447-4620.

Oct. 14, Annual  No More Hunger Walk - A walk to call attention to food insecurity and raise funds for local food pantries  will be held on Sat., Oct. 14. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. Over $20,000 has been raised in the past two years. The walk will begin at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 111 West Shore Road, Warwick and proceed along West Shore Road to Donovan Park, in Conimicut Village.  Any interested churches, organizations, and individuals are invited and encouraged to join.  Call 401-737-8232 or e-mail  WoodburyChurchRI@gmail.com for details.

Oct. 15, Central Falls High School, Class of 1963 Reunion -Central  Falls  High  School  Class  of 1963, will hold a  60th  Class Reunion  on Sun., Oct. 15, 12 – 4 p.m. at Chelo’s Banquet Hall, 2225 Post Rd., Warwick.  Tickets: $60 for buffet and dancing. Please send checks to: Patricia (Guillette) Mannix, 111 Col. John Gardner Rd.,  Narragansett, RI 02882. Please include maiden name and phone number on check. For more information call or email  Patricia Mannix 401-789-0451; Patriciagmannix@gmail.com Or, Nancy Dube Brazeau  401-789-0304; nancybraz@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.

Nov. 7 – 9, Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City - AARP Chapter 2210 - Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City Tour on Tues. – Thurs., 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

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,  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 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.