July 31, Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra Summer Pops will be sponsored by Mayor Brett P. Smiley, the Rhode Island Foundation, and Citizens inviting the public to a free performance of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra’s Summer Pops in the Park concert at the Temple to Music in Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, on Wed., July 31, at 7:30 pm.   

July 31, Free Summer Concert Series with XS Band on Wed., July 31, at 6:30 p.m., Garden City, Cranston.

July 31, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 150^th Anniversary Reservation Deadline, St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 389 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, is celebrating its 150th anniversary on Sun, Sept 29. For questions or more information, please call 401-737-0813 or 401-463-8704.  Deadline for reservations is July 31.

July 31, Movies in the Park: “Luca,” will be presented on Wed., July 31, at 8:30 p.m., Itri Park, Cranston.

Aug 1, Free Summer Concert Series with Jesse Liam Band is being co-sponsored by the Cranston Parks and Recreation and Cranston Public Library on Thurs., Aug. 1, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Itri Park, at the intersection of Phenix Ave. and Cranston St., in Knightsville, Cranston.  Blankets and chairs are welcome.  For more details or in case of inclement weather, contact the Cranston Parks and Recreation Department at 401-780-6159.

Aug. 3, Nathanael Greene’s 282nd Birthday with Author Salina Baker will be on Sat. Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Gen. Nathanael Greene Homestead, 50 Taft St., Coventry. Join the Nathanael Greene Homestead Association as they celebrate Gen. Greene's 282nd Birthday with a 1 p.m. ceremony with a presentation by author and historian, Salina Baker. Complimentary refreshments, Revolutionary War living history encampment, complimentary guided tours of Spell Hall on the hour, donations gladly excepted.  Members of the Historic Militia, Living Historians and Reenactors are most welcome to attend.  Contact: Dave Procaccini, 401-749-4689 nathanaelgreenehmst@gmail.com.

Aug. 3, Italian Heritage Mass and Dinner Dance at Sacred Heart Church will be held on Sat., Aug. 3.  The feast will begin with a mass at 5 p.m. in the church, 820 Providence St., West Warwick, followed by the dinner dance at the Quonset O Club,  200 Lt James Brown Rd, North Kingstown. Music provided by a DJ.  Dinner will be choice of New York steak or baked stuffed chicken.  Tickets are $60 per person, children under 12 $25, children under 3 free.  This year’s event will be held in memory of Rev. Richard A. Bucci. For tickets, please contact Angela 401-287-5624 or angsantilli@gmail.com or Ashley avilla1047@gmail.com, or by calling the rectory at 401- 821-4184 (office open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday-Thursday).

Aug. 3, Securing Weapons Safely and Free Gun Lock is scheduled on Sat., Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon.  Secure storage of weapons is now the law in Rhode Island.  For information about safely securing weapons, gun sense volunteers from RI will be available at the Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd., Cranston, in the Community Room.  Stop by for a free gun lock and learn how to securely store weapons which will save lives and make our communities safer.  Residents from all RI communities are welcome.  This event is not endorsed by or affiliated with the Cranston Public Library.

Aug. 3, A Celebration of Nature Through Music and Poetry will be offered on Sat., Aug. 3, at 11 a.m., Weaver Library, 41 Grove Ave., East Providence.  Enjoy a morning of original music and poetry.  Local poets, performers and video presentations.  Open mic for poetry and music (first come first serve.)

 Aug. 7, Free Summer Concert Series with Big Lux on Wed., Aug. 7, at 6:30 p.m., Garden City, Cranston.

Aug. 8, Free Summer Concert Series with Aftershock Allstar Big Band is being co-sponsored by the Cranston Parks and Recreation and Cranston Public Library on Thurs., Aug. 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the William Hall Library, 1825 Broad St., Cranston.  Blankets and chairs are welcome.  For more details or in case of inclement weather, contact the Cranston Parks and Recreation Department at 401-780-6159.

Aug. 10, RI Dog Festival will be held on Sat., Aug. 10 at 4 p.m., Mulligan’s Island, 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. For more information: rinightmarket.com.

Aug. 10, Glimmer of Hope Corn Hole Tournament is set for Aug. 10, from 12 noon to 4 p.m., at Safe Harbor Silver Spring, 362 Pond St., Wakefield.  $50 per team of 2 and $10 per spectator.  Come out for some exciting competition, enticing raffle baskets and a whole lot of fun!  Glimmer of Hope is a non-profit organization that raises awareness and money for families, while showing children who are battling childhood cancer their beauty and strength. For more information: siennagranatiero@gmail.com.

Aug. 14, Movies in the Park: “Inside Out,” will be presented on Wed., Aug. 14, at 8 p.m., Itri Park, Cranston.

Aug. 14, Free Concert Series with East Coast Soul on Wed., Aug. 14, at 6:30 p.m., Garden City, Cranston.

Aug. 14, Tolman Class of '67 3/4 of a Century Birthday Celebration will be held on Wed., Aug. 14, at Arigna's Pub, 508 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket, at 5 p.m.  Food and drink available for purchase.  Please join us!  For more information, please contact Al Pellegrini 401-639-7417.                         

Aug 15, Free Summer Concert Series with To Be Continued Band is being co-sponsored by the Cranston Parks and Recreation and Cranston Public Library on Thurs., Aug. 15, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Itri Park, at the intersection of Phenix Ave. and Cranston St., in Knightsville, Cranston.  Blankets and chairs are welcome.  For more details or in case of inclement weather, contact the Cranston Parks and Recreation Department at 401-780-6159.

Aug. 15, Notable Works Fundraiser is being offered on Thurs., Aug. 15, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Texas Roadhouse, 1200 Quaker Lane, East Greenwich.  Support Notable Works as The Texas Road House will donate 10% of your total food purchase to the organization on that day, during those hours.

Aug. 17, Taste the World, will be held on Sat., Aug. 17 at 4 p.m., Milligan’s Island, 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. For more information: rinightmarket.com.

Aug 22, Free Summer Concert Series with Smug Honey is being co-sponsored by the Cranston Parks and Recreation and Cranston Public Library on Thurs., Aug 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the William Hall Library, 1825 Broad St., Cranston.  Blankets and chairs are welcome.  For more details or in case of inclement weather, contact the Cranston Parks and Recreation Department at 401-780-6159.

Aug. 22, Movies in the Park: “Little Giants,” will be presented on Wed., Aug.22, 8 p.m., Itri Park, Cranston.

Aug. 22, AARP CHAPTER 2210 Ogunquit Maine Day Trip will take place on Thurs., Aug. 22. The trip includes lunch at Jonathan's Restaurant followed by a matinee performance of "Little Shop of Horrors" at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Depart from the Park & Ride, Hopkins Hill Road at Exit 19 in West Greenwich at 8:30 a.m. and approximate return time is 8 p.m. Cost is $179/person. Call Maureen, 401-828-5188 or Anne, 401-263-4274 for reservations or for more information.

Aug. 30, 31 & Sept 1, Santa Maria Prata Society Annual Feast will be held on from Fri., Aug. 20 thru Sun. Sept. 1, at 29 Walnut Grove Ave., Cranston.

Sept. 6 & 7, Governor Sprague Mansion’s 75^th Anniversary Weekend will be held on Fri., Sept. 6, and Sat., Sept. 7, at the mansion, 1351 Cranston Street, Cranston.

Sept. 6, 7 & 8, The 38^th Annual Cranston Greek Festival will be held on Fri., Sept. 6, Sat., Sept 7, and Sun., Sept. 8, at 175 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston.

Sept. 7, A Night at the Mansion, will be held at the Governor Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Sept. 7, Cranston High School East Class of 1971 will be holding a 71st Birthday Party on Sat., Sept. 7, from 6 to 10 p.m., at Chelo’s, 2225 Post Road, Warwick.  There will be food, drink, music, dancing, and lots of conversing and connecting!  Music by Michael Pennacchia.  Tickets: $55.00 pp.  Check’s payable to "CHSE 1971," c/o: Pat Giarrusso, 11 Bow and Arrow Trail S, Wakefield, RI, 02879. Please RSVP by July 20. For questions, please contact Dan Barry dbarry@drbassociates.net, Pat Giarrusso giarrussopat@gmail.com or Ernie Rheaume elrheaume@juno.com.

Sept. 14, Air Jam Inflatables Festival will be held on Sat., Sept. 14, at 11:30 am, Mulligans Island, 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. For more information: www.rinightmarket.com.

Sept. 14, Cranston High School East Class of 1964 Reunion will be holding its 60th reunion on Sat., Sept. 14, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Prata Club, 29 Walnut Grove Ave., Cranston. Music by Ron Giorgio. Menu: Chicken Francaise/NY Sirloin/Honey Mustard Salmon. Tickets: $65 pp. Check’s payable to Lucille Lonardo, 129 Colwell St., Cranston, RI 02920. Please RSVP your choice of dinner to Marie Spolidoro Monti 401-944-9646 or Cheryl Mangasarian Klein 401-575-0659. Seating is limited.

Sept. 22, Annual Fal Fest in Knightsville hosted by CPD Cares will take place on Sun., Sept. 22.

Sept. 28, Pilgrim High School Reunion Class of 1974 will hold its 50th reunion on Sat., Sept. 28, at the Quonset O Club, 200 Lt. James Brown Rd., North Kingston, at 6 p.m. Please contact Jack at bosjpb1bender@gmail.com or Sue at srice311@gmail.com for further information. Registration deadline: Sept. 14.

Sept. 28, Central High School Class of 1974 will hold its 50th Reunion on Sat., Sept. 28, at the Santa Maria di Prata Society Hall, 29 Walnut Grove Ave., Cranston, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. The reunion will feature a cocktail hour, a sit-down meal with meal choice, and music by DJ Kevin Varella. Tickets are $72.00 pp. Send checks to: CHS Class of 1974, c/o Elaine Whited, 13 Nelson St., Johnston, RI  02919.  Deadline is Wed., Sept. 4, 2024.  We are actively looking to contact classmates and teachers.  Email your contact information, lost classmates and/or teachers to CHSProvClassof1974@gmail.com or call Elaine at 401-595-8012 for more information or questions.  Keep up with reunion news on the class Facebook page: Central’s Class of 1974.

Sept. 29, The Cpl. Holly Charette Memorial Motorcycle Run will be held on Sun., Sept. 29. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Rolfe Square Post Office, Cranston, Kick Stands up at 10 a.m. Steak Fry Dinner follows at 2 p.m., 22 Whipple Dr., Charlestown. Tickets are $25 per person and include Steak Fry Dinner. All pre-registered riders (by Sept. 15) are automatically guaranteed a t-shirt. No tickets sales after Sept. 22. Scholarship recipients to be awarded at the Steak Fry Dinner. Proceeds benefit the Holly Charette Scholarship Fund. Please contact 401-227-5140 or email runforholly@gmail.com for tickets or more information. Visit www.cplhollycharettescholarship.com for additional information on becoming a sponsor or to donate. The Run is limited to 200 tickets.

Sept. 29, Rain Harvest Festival 2024 is being presented on Sun., Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Roger Williams Park Botanical Center Pavilion, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence.  Music, Environmental activities, Green Infrastructure Walks, Mural Unveiling, Free Food, Volunteer Cleanups, Games, Vendors, Arts & Crafts and More!  Free community event.

 Oct. 4, Pilgrim High School 55^th Reunion Class of 1969 will be held on Friday, Oct. 4, at the Edgewood Yacht Club, 1 Shaw Drive, Cranston, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Luncheon buffet and cash bar is $55pp.  Casual dress. Checks payable to “Pilgrim High School Class of 1969,” and mail to Ernest Valliere, 143 Sprague Ave., Warwick, RI 02889 or Venmo to @Ernest-Valliere.  Deadline for payment is Fri., Aug. 30.

Oct. 6, Character Con is scheduled for Sat., Oct 6, from 1 to 4 p.m., Mulligan’s Island, 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. For more information: www.rinightmarket.com.

Nov. 30, Warwick Veterans Memorial High School 50th Reunion, Warwick Veterans Memorial High School Class of 1974, will hold its 50th Reunion on Sat., Nov. 30, at the Quonset "O" Club, 200 Lt. James Brown Rd., North Kingstown. The Reunion Committee is actively seeking to contact our classmates. Please email your current address as soon as possible to receive an invitation to: wvmhs7450@gmail.com. Go Hurricanes!"

Dec. 15, AARP Chapter 2210 Portland Symphony’s "The Magic of Christmas" Trip on Dec. 15. The trip includes lunch at Boon's Restaurant, orchestra seat at Portland Symphony's "The Magic of Christmas" & motorcoach transportation. Cost is $185/person. Call Maureen, 401-828-5188 or Anne, 401-263-4274 for reservations or for more information.

Jan. 5 thru 7, 2025, AARP Chapter 2210 Atlantic City Trip. The local AARP Chapter has planned a trip to Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City from Jan. 5 thru 7. The Tour includes 2 nights’ accommodations, 2 meal credits (up to $20 value each) & $20 slot play. Bus pickup from the 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 or Anne at 401-263-4272.

Every Monday,  Gaspee Celtic Jam - The Gaspee Celtic Jam meets at the Pawtuxet Village Baptist Church, 2157 Broad St., Cranston, every Mon. from 7 to 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 First and Third Monday Rhode Island Active Toastmasters meets, serving both Rhode Island and Southern MA. Rhode Island Active Toastmasters holds its meetings at New England Institute of Technology in East Greenwich, in Rm N214 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, please contact us Rhode Island Active Toastmasters.  All are welcome!

Every Tuesday, ASL Interpreted RI AA Meeting will be held at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac Ave., Cranston from 7 to 8 p.m.

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 to 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 Cranston Farmers Market (weather permitting) 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the Bain Track, 135 Gansett Ave., Cranston. Free and open to Cranston residents only, while supplies last. Residents are encouraged to bring their own bag. Please contact Ivy at iswinski@comcap.org for more information. The Farmers Market will be held through Thurs., Aug. 15.

Every Thursday, Pick-Up Hockey 55 and older, coed: $5pp. Thayer Ice Rink, 975 Sandy Ln., Warwick, from 8:45 to 10:00 a.m. 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.

Every Saturday, Pawtuxet Village Farmer’s Market, thru Sat., Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston.

Pilgrim High School Class of 1975 50th Reunion “Time in a Bottle,” is currently being planned. Organizers need to find contact information for classmates as well as information regarding those who have passed. Organizers are looking for email address, cell phone numbers, home phones and mailing addresses. If you are not a PHS 1975 graduate, but have a family member or friend who is/was, please contact: Dean Plowman dean695@gmail.com. The date, time and venue for the reunion has not yet been determined but will be forthcoming.

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 highlighting 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. 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 www.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.

Editor’s Note: To submit your news to The Chatter, send text and photos to Ida at idaz@rhodybeat.com. Items can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email today and see your event in our column in the Cranston Herald.