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/VolunteerRegistration/ 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.

Gorton luncheon

The Gorton classes of 1941 to 1955 will meet at the Beach Café & Pub (805 Oakland Beach Ave.) on March 9 at 1 p.m. The cost is $25. Food includes baked fish, veal parmesan, chicken pot pie. Call for reservations: Fran Allin 463-8679; Barbara Kane 821-0161 or Barbkane14@gmail.com. For further information call Nat 742-7433

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. Calling all 65 and over golfers If you are interested in golfing in the over 65 Golf League and meeting new friends on Wednesdays and Fridays or being a spare (sub) in our mixed senior league which plays at Harbor Lights Golf Course in Warwick, please register to come to our Annual Open Membership Meeting on April 26, at the Warwick Public Library at 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, at 10 a.m. RSVP by contacting Carol Desforges at Desac63@gmail.com or Bob Linberk at blinberk@gmail.com no later than April 1to register for the meeting, join or just get more information. Please indicate your name, phone number and email in your email to us.

All about Sports

The Cranston Public Library is excited to present "Sporting Events That Changed America" on March 8 at 6:30 p.m. This virtual program, based on Martin Gitlin's highly acclaimed book, "Powerful Moments in Sports: The Most Significant Sporting Events in American History," features exciting videos of essential sporting events through more than 100 years. Included are the sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees, Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the 1958 NFL Championship Game, the famed Battle of the Sexes tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, the Magic Johnson- Larry Bird rivalry and much more. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions and participate in a trivia contest. Free and open to the public. Register at https://events.cranstonlibrary.org/event/8458516 or contact the library for assistance. The Zoom link will be emailed shortly after 5 p.m. on the day of the event. Author and pop culture historian Martin Gitlin has won more than 45 awards as a sports journalist, including first place for general excellence from the Associated Press. He covered the Red Sox extensively during his career. His books have been featured in the New York Times, Time Magazine, Reader's Digest, Wall Street Journal and other national periodicals, and his title "The Great American Cereal Book" reached No. 1 on Amazon.com in both the 'Americana' and 'Breakfast Book' categories.

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 will be 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.

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 www.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-offame.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral, or www.cpsed.net under culture.

Bowling for Animals

Bowling for Animals to benefit Defenders of Animals on March 6, between 2 to 4 p.m. at the Town Hall Lanes at 1463 Atwood Ave. in Johnston. $20 per person, includes two hours of bowling, one pizza and pitcher of soda or lemonade for each lane. Please call 401-461-1922 for reservations or send $20 via the internet at www.defendersofanimals.org.

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 $65 per person and individuals must RSVP by May 25. The class has two Facebook Groups to keep in touch and reunion information can be found there: CHSE 1971: Cranston High School East Class of 1971 at their alumni sites located at https://www.facebook.com/groups/51722469479 and CHSE 1971 50th R e u n i o n! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1657621767778266 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.

Wedding Showcase

Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston will be hosting the 2022 Wedding Showcase on March 5, from noon to 4 p.m. Network with your fellow professionals in the wedding and event industries and meet with future couples who are interested in learning more about your unique services! For more information regarding exhibitor opportunities, please contact Hillary Williamson at 401-785-4333, or via this email: hillary@rhodesonthepawtuxet.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.

Did you know?

The first St. Patrick's Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston (1737). The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place in New York in the 1760s (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.