Cranston Chatter

The Cranston Herald ·

FUN-raiser for RI schools

The RI Shriners will be hosting a FUN-Raiser for R.I. Schools on Sept. 19, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. All R.I. schools can win cash for their school. The top two schools with the most adult attendees will receive the largest prizes.

Any school in attendance has an equal chance to win various additional prizes. There will be a special prize drawing for teachers that are in attendance or that are nominated by an attendee. A Back To School Vendor Marketplace will be available for anyone to find those special additions that are still needed to make your life a little easier.

Update your family’s fall wardrobe, their health & beauty needs, and the necessities to keep your family happy and well.  The night will feature a Multi Consultant LuLaRoe space to help you find your dream Unicorn clothing piece or shop the new Disney line that is being offered.

Cash bar will be available. The RI Shriners will hold this event in their banquet facility at 1 Rhodes Place in Cranston. To pre-register your school or to receive the detailed School Fun-Raising Package, please contact Paula Cardi at 4467-7100 x 33 or via email at PaulaRIShriners@gmail.com.

Vision of Hope Cancer Walk

The ninth annual three-mile Kerri McClean Vision of Hope Cancer Walk to benefit women with gynecological cancer and their families will be held, rain or shine, Sept. 10 at Warwick City Park on Asylum Road in Buttonwoods. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. Proceeds go to the Women in Need Fund and the Integrative Care Services Fund programs at Women & Infants’ Hospital in memory of Kerri McClean, who succumbed to a five-year battle with cervical cancer in 2009. Complimentary reiki, reflexology, massage and chiropractic services will be offered. Refreshments will be provided. Baskets and gift cards will be raffled. Registration fee is $30; survivors walk free. For more information call 369-7495 or 829-1670.

September Bulky Waste Program

During the month of September, the Department of Public Works will pick up bulky waste, free of charge.

Residents must call Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545 to schedule a free bulky waste pickup. Phone calls for the program will be accepted starting Aug. 28 and ending Sept. 22 for pickups starting on Sept. 1. Pickups are limited to one scheduled trip with up to three items per residential unit. Bulky waste does not include mattresses, construction debris, TV's or electronic goods, white goods or any household trash/garbage bags that would fit into the City provided 65-gallon care of overflow bags.

Join Boy Scouts

School is starting again, and so is Boy Scouting.  Boy Scout Troop 22 was founded at St. Matthew Church in 1951 and Cub Scout Pack 22 came a little later. Because of the changes at the former St. Matthew School building, they now meet in the Edgewood Congregational Church at 1788 Broad St. in Cranston. Their meetings are on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Troop 22 offers a busy boy-planned and boy-led program. They have a full schedule lined up for the 2017/2018 season. Pack 22 offers all the fun of Cub Scouts and many outside activities. Together, Troop and Pack 22 offer programs for boys from 1st grade to age 18. For questions or more information contact Paul Kelley at 941-7225.

Color and Calm

Every Friday at the Auburn library for adults will be held Color and Calm from 4 to 5:45 p.m. for a relaxing start to the weekend. The library provides coloring books, mandalas, colored pencils and markers. Soothing music and herbal and decaf teas. They have recently changed the hours to add more time for coloring and relaxation. No reservations required.

Teen Team

Young people in grades 6-12 may earn community service hours by joining the Teen Team, which helps to plan teen programs and services and raises funds for the Cranston Public Library. Meetings are the first Monday of the month from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Pizza and refreshments will be served at the meetings. New members are always welcome. Call 943-9080 x121 or email teens@cranstonlibrary.org for more information.

At the Senior Center

Michael A. Traficante Enrichment Center the former Cranston Senior Enrichment Center is located at 1070 Cranston St. For any additional information on the following programs, please call 780-6000.

Reminiscence Group will meet on Sept. 8 at 9:30 a.m. with facilitator: Jennifer Kevorkian. We all live in the present, yet we still carry our “past” selves with us throughout our lives. Join in on the second Friday of each month to reminisce.

The Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease Program orientation will be held on Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. and the program begins on Sept. 25 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. at the Cranston High School West Track. Need relief from arthritis pain or just want to be active? This walking program can teach you how to safely make physical activity part of your everyday life.  Great fun walking with others three mornings a week.  Meet at the track or take Transvan from the center. To register call 780-6000.

Basic Computer Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m., beginning Sept. 12 ending Sept. 28. There is a fee of $25 per person. Don’t be left out in the cold! Get tech savvy! This basic course will introduce you to the basics of the computer, teach you how you can easily communicate by e-mail (especially to your grandchildren), look up information that you may be interested etc. Call Kathi at the Center now to register.

My Plate & Healthy Eating - “Healthy Eating As We Age” will be held on Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. The URI SNAP – ED Program will be the presenters. Healthy eating as you age can make a significant difference in your health, help improve how you feel, and encourage a sense of well-being.

What’s Your Story? will be held on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m., beginning Sept. 27 to Nov. 15. Everyone has a story, and most of us have many.  Let us help you tell yours.  In this eight-week memoir-writing workshop, we’ll meet weekly to learn about storytelling and effective writing techniques so you can remember and render the stories of your life effectively, eloquently and movingly.  Space is limited so call now to register at 780-6216. There is a class fee of $10.

Deli Attendant/Food Server volunteers needed.  Cranston RSVP’s Snack Bar serves prepared foods and is open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Volunteers are needed to assist at the counter serving and packaging food.  Food Safety training will be provided. Call 780-6180 for more information.

2017 Senior Games - “Fitness for the Body & Mind” will begin with Opening Ceremonies at the Center on Sept. 23 at 9 a.m. Join in for a week of fun and sport! The Senior Games provide seniors 55 and older, throughout the state and beyond, the opportunity to compete in events including billiards, bocce, bowling, golf, horseshoes, and much more. Registration fee $20 which includes continental breakfast, lunch buffet, and an awards banquet. Call 780-6000 to register. Golf will be held Sept. 19, 20 and 21 at the Cranston Country Club. Registration fee $75 which includes 18 holes of golf, golf cart, sleeve of golf balls, continental breakfast, lunch – grilled hot dogs, banquet immediately following golf. Call 780-6220 to sign up. For more information or to print a registration form visit the City of Cranston’s website www.cranstonri.com.

Celebrate Gov. Sprague’s 187th Birthday

On Sept. 19, the Cranston Historical Society will host “Governor Sprague’s 187th Birthday Celebration Buffet” at the Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston St. Enjoy the company of history enthusiasts. Guests will be able to view some of the objects on display from the Sprague collection. Additionally, view the first Cranston History Network signage dedicated this past spring by the City of Cranston, which describes the history of the neighborhood (located inside the grounds at the corner of Cranston Street and Dyer Avenue.

Seating is limited. To reserve your place, call 944-9226. Cost is $18 per person by Sept. 15 or you may call after that date to see if seats are still available. Checks may be mailed to Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston, RI 02920.

Free safety inspections

The Red Cross volunteers and local firefighters are offering free safety inspections on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will be canvassing neighborhoods, installing free smoke alarms, replacing batteries in existing alarms and helping families create escape plans. To make an appointment, visit soundthealarm.org/rhodeisland or call 1-877-287-3327 and choose option 1. The Red Cross is also looking for volunteers to help.

Did You Know?

School buses have been around since 1915 (as long as the automobile has been around), but the official color of bright yellow wasn’t adopted until 1939. (Source: Back to School Fun Facts) To submit your news from the community, e-mail Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can range from community events, promotions, academic news and non-profit events. E-mail today and see your news in our column in the Cranston Herald. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information. Be sure to check out our website at www.cranstononline.com.