Weekend Spotlight

Jan. 30, Photographic Society of RI will hold a meeting on Tues., Jan. 30, at 6:15 p.m. Print Log In, 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 program will be Emilie Talpin-“Fun with macro and water drops – the art of capturing insects and refraction”.  She will immerse you in the world of insects but, also water drop photography, known as refraction.  In macro photography, the capture of a background subject into a foreground water drop is a good illustration of refraction.  We will learn how to capture such images and go over the equipment needed as well as techniques and tips to make a successful macro photo.  Everyone is welcome to come and see what the club is all about.

Jan. 31, Constitution is The Solution, a video lecture, is being hosted by The John Birch Society on Wed., Jan 19, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 pm. at the Cranston Public Library, Branch Central Library, Seminar Room, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd., Cranston. Lectures will help you learn how the Constitution was intended to secure our rights. For more information,  call Marian Juskuv at 401-425-8026 or aa1vu@yahoo.com. All are welcome.

Feb. 10, Former Coventry High School Navy JROTC Cadets Pasta Dinner Fundraiser in memory of Lucas Finegan (Class of 2019) on Feb. 10,  from 6 to 11 p.m. at the VFW Post #9404, 29 South Main Street, Coventry. Menu includes chicken, pasta, salad, rolls & desserts. Tickets available at the door, $20/person. All are invited to enjoy a night of great food, raffles & memories. Please contact Dottie at 401-451-0632 with any questions.

Feb. 10, West Warwick-Coventry Emblem Club #454 Valentines Dinner Dance, Sat., Feb. 10, at the West Warwick Elks Lodge #1697, 60 Clyde Street, West Warwick.  No-Host Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. Salad, Stuffed Boneless Chicken Breast, Mash Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Bread and Butter.  Coffee and Dessert to follow, with music, dancing and raffles.   Tickets are $25.00 per person and must be prepaid.  No tickets sold at door.  For Tickets Please call Linda at 401-497-3680.

Until March 1, 2024 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. 

Mar 13, AARP CHAPTER 2210 "The Ladies Foursome” Trip will take place on Wed., Mar. 13, to the Newport Playhouse to see "The Ladies Foursome." The trip includes a delicious luncheon buffet, the play and a delightful cabaret show after the play. Depart from the Park & Ride, Hopkins Hill Road at Exit 19 in West Greenwich at 10:15 a.m. Approximate return time is 5:30 p.m. Cost is $134/person. Call Maureen at 401-828-5188 or Anne at 401-263-4274 for reservations or for more information.

May 21, AARP CHAPTER 2210 Plymouth, MA Cruise & Lunch will take place on Tues., May 21. The trip includes a visit to Pilgrim Memorial State Park, the legendary Plymouth Rock and various other memorials. You will enjoy a 3-course meal at the John Carver Inn then take a 75-minute narrated cruise aboard the Pilgrim Belle. Depart from the Park & Ride, Hopkins Hill Road at Exit 19, in West Greenwich, at 9:30 a.m. and approximate return time is 6 p.m. Cost is $114/person. Call Maureen, 401-828-5188 or Anne, 401-263-4274 for reservations or for more information.

Jun. 26, AARP CHAPTER 2210 Indian Princess Cruise & Lunch Trip will take place on Wed., Jun. 26 at Indian Ranch in Webster, MA. The trip includes a 90-minutes narrated cruise of Webster Lake and a delicious lunch at Samuel Slater's Restaurant overlooking the lake. Depart from the Park & Ride, Hopkins Hill Road at Exit 19, in West Greenwich at 8 a.m. Cost is $119/person. Call Maureen, 401-828-5188 or Anne, 401-263-4274 for reservations or for more information.

Jul. 23, AARP CHAPTER 2210 Foster’s Lobster Bake & York, ME Trip will be held on Tues., July 23. The trip includes a Clambake at Foster's Restaurant, shopping & browsing at Short Sands Beach. Depart from the Park & Ride, Hopkins Hill Road at Exit 19, in West Greenwich, at 8 a.m. and approximate return time is 7 p.m. Cost is $114/person. Call Maureen at 401-828-5188 or Anne at 401-263-4274 for reservations or for more information.

Sept. 18, AARP CHAPTER 2210 Lake Winnipesaukee Turkey Train Trip will be held on Wed., Sept. 18.  Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the western shore of the lake during your 2-hour train ride. On the ride, indulge in a turkey lunch provided by Hart's Turkey Farm. Depart from the Park & Ride, Hopkins Hill Road at Exit 19, in West Greenwich, at 8:30 a.m. and approximate return time is 7 p.m. Cost is $129/person. Call Maureen, 401-828-5188 or Anne, 401-263-4274 for reservations and more information.

Oct. 3, AARP CHAPTER 2210  Foliage in the White Mountains Tour  will be held on Thurs., October 3. Enjoy lunch at the White Mountain Hotel, have time to browse the village of North Conway, then continue along the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains. Bus pickup from the Exit 19, Park & Ride on Hopkins Hill Road, West Greenwich, at 7 a.m. Return time is approximately 7:30 p.m. Cost is $129/person. For more information call Maureen at 401-828-5188 or Anne at 401-263-4274.

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.  

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.

Volunteer with NAMI-RI The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-RI) is currently seeking volunteers to facilitate our family programs in 2024. Free training is required and available for interested persons who have a loved one struggling with mental health issues. Together with our grassroots volunteers, we work every day to provide help and hope to millions of Americans. Volunteers are essential to the work that we do at NAMI Rhode Island, and we are always seeking enthusiastic people to help us achieve our mission. For more information about our family programs and volunteer training, email beth@namirhodeisland.org, call the NAMI-RI office 401-331-3060 or visit our website at namirhodeisland.org.

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