May 18: Cranston Spring Festival will be held at Mulligan’s Island from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The third annual event is presented by the Cranston Police and will have family fun activities.

May 18: Garden City Center Farmer’s Market, the season’s first, from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Garden City Center’s gazebo. Free to attend and held rain or shine, but please register on Eventbrite.

May 18: Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra will perform “Requiems” on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 237 Garden Hills Dr. Get tickets at www.ricco.org.

May 19: Reading Week 2025 at Edgewood Highland School.  While reading week is primarily aimed at children and schools, it’s a great opportunity for older adults to engage with children. Transportation to Edgewood Highland School is available free from the Cranston Senior Center. It will be from 9:45-11 a.m. Departure is at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to sign up, call Sky at 401-780-6216.

May 19: Author talk: the Cranston Senior Center will host Ann Boulet, a local author to speak on the meaning of Memorial Day on Monday at 10 a.m. at the Cranston Senior Center.

May 20: Building an Herb Garden will be offered Tuesday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Cranston Senior Center. With the assistance of Cranston High School West Vocational Students, you will learn how to plant herbs and build your own planter. It is free event, but space is limited. Act now by calling Sky at 780-6216. Must register by Monday, May 12.

May 21: Staying Healthy & Fit through Diet & Exercise: will be offered Wednesday at 10 a.m., at the Cranston Senior Center.

May 22: Making Social Security Secure: a presentation will be offered Thursday at 10 a.m., at the Cranston Senior Center.

May 25: Oakland Beach FireBarn Drag Brunch: Oakland Beach FireBarn will hold its 3^rd Annual Drag Brunch with The Queens, on Sunday, at 645 Oakland Beach Ave., Warwick. Tickets are $40 per person.  Doors open at 12:30 p.m. For tickets and more information: 401-737-4786.

May 28: Healthy Foods Cooking Demonstration: Chef Kevin Millonzi will present a free cooking demonstration discussing healthy options for meals. Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield RI, this event at the Cranston Senior Ceter will be on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Space is limited, registration is required. Call now 401-780-6000.

May 31: Edgewood Garden Club: Plant & Yard Sale on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Shriner's Parking Lot, 2115 Broad St. Locally grown plants from members' garden will be sold, along with gently used garden tools, decorative items and household goods.

May 31: Spring Fashion Show: the Open Table of Christ United Methodist Church will host a spring fashion show from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at 1520 Broad Street, Providence. $10 admission includes lunch and door prizes. Tickets are available at the Open Closet resale shop or email marykatheleencurtain@gmail.com. Tickets will also be available at the door. The Open Closet shop will be open after the show.

Beginning May 5, ending June 13: Walk with Ease: Need relief from arthritis pain or just want to be active? Join the Cranston Senior Center’s “Walk with Ease” with a twist: you walk alone or with friends three times a week for six weeks as far and as long as you are comfortable. All you need to do is keep a log of the days that you walk. Register by calling 401-780-6000.

June 1: American Girl Doll Tea ~ Grand Ballroom:  Young folks can bring an American Girl doll or favorite doll along with an adult at the Sprague Mansion from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservation Only: call 944-9226. $22 per person. Send check payable by May 26 to Attn: Doll Tea Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston St. Call 944-9226 to volunteer. www.facebook.com/cranstonhistoricalsociety.

June 10, Cranston Senior Center will host night bingo on Tuesday from 5:30-7 p.m.

June 14: Rummage Sale: the Phillips Memorial Baptist Church will be hosting a sale of nice, slightly used items at low prices on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 565 Pontiac Ave. Church is handicap accessible.

June 27: Governor Sprague Mansion Spring Grounds Beautification: the Cranston Historical Society requests volunteer participation on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 1351 Cranston St., the Governor Sprague Mansion. Wear outdoor clothing and bring gloves and a rake. Call to signup/register: 944-9226.

June 27: Early Evening Tour with Tea at Sprague Mansion: Enjoy a relaxing evening tea & special sweet served in the Sprague dining room at 6 p.m. Must RSVP by June 22/limited seating. Call 944-9226. $18 nonmembers; $16 members. ATTN: June Tea Payable Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston St. Accessible entrance and parking behind the Mansion.

Convenient Ways to Declutter & Give Back: Drop off at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island (BBBSRI) Cranston Donation Center, 993 Oaklawn Ave. Open Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bins available 24/7.  No time to drop off? Schedule a FREE home pick-up at DonateRI.org or call 401-921-2434 #2.  donations@bigsri.org

Lunch at the Cranston Senior Center: Mondays through Fridays – 11:30 a.m.

Suggested Donation: $3. Don’t miss lunch time fun and a delicious full course meal. Good friends and good food. Check out our daily menus in our newsletter or by going to cranstonseniorcenter.com. Make reservations by calling 401-780-6134.

Cranston Tree Program is now accepting applications for its spring planting. Seven- to eight-foot-tall trees, planted by a nursery, are available to homeowners for free. ​Residents living near highways are urged to apply. Applications can be downloaded at westbaylandtrust.org/cranstontree, by emailing cranstontree@gmail.com or calling 941-1264.

Every Monday through Friday: Virtual Dementia Caregiver Support Groups are specifically designed for people caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Monday, 3:30- 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 3-4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 5-6:30 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 10-11:30 a.m. Information and registration, call 401-415-4664; or email: info@HopeDementia.org. Follow us on Facebook @HopeHealth.

Every Monday: The Gaspee Celtic Jam meets at the Pawtuxet Village Baptist Church, 2157 Broad St., Mondays from 7-9 p.m. 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 Monday: Cranston Senior Center Book Club meets from 9-10 a.m. For more information call Sky at 401-780-6216.

Every Monday, Thursday and Friday: Cranston Senior Center provides chair exercise classes from 9:45-10:15 a.m. This free exercise class can strengthen everything from the core muscles and the glutes to the lower and upper back, legs and arms.

Every Monday through Thursday: Cranston Senior Center offers Tech Help from 12:30-2 p.m. Whether you are having computer questions or experiencing issues with your phone, iPad, etc. Need help with your health care portals or need to order free Covid test kits? They can assist with that as well. 

Every Tuesday and Thursday: Cranston Senior Center provides medication reviews from 9 a.m-noon. Mary McKenna, our CVS pharmacist, is available to review and discuss your medications with you. Stop by or call for an appointment 401-780-6210.

Every First and Third Monday: Rhode Island Active Toastmasters meets, serving both Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts. Rhode Island Active Toastmasters holds its meetings at New England Institute of Technology in East Greenwich, in Room N214 from 6:30-8:30 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., from 7-8 p.m.

Every Tuesday: Cranston Senior Center offers computer assistance at 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Every Tuesday, Bingo: Cranston Senior Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the center will host night bingo.

Every Tuesday – Cranston Senior Center will be offering a balance, strength and flexibility class at 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You will learn how to move the body in a healthy way to reduce pain and improve body awareness. Fee: $3.

Every Tuesday – Cranston Senior Center will be offering a build better balance class from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Fee: $3.00 Classes are with or without the use of a chair.

Every Second and Fourth Tuesday, the Fall River Toastmasters Meet, serving both Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts, 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, Massachusetts, second floor. For more information, call Sean DaCosta at (508) 840-6621. All are welcome!

Every Wednesday: Cranston Senior Center offers Tai Chi classes from 10-11 a.m. with a $3 fee.

First Wednesday of every month: The Caregiver’s Support Group meets at 2 p.m. at the Cranston Senior Center. It will encourage caregivers to care for themselves and provide productive strategies. For more information call Jennifer at 401-780-6254.

Every Thursday, Get-a-Job-Thursdays: We Make RI, an organization that provides free manufacturing training, hosts a series of job fairs every Thursday from 11 a.m.- noon, 200 First Ave., 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 Thursday, BINGO: The Cranston Senior Center hosts bingo every Thursday from 1-2:30 p.m. Snacks provided, and cash prizes will be available.

Exercise Classes at the Cranston Senior Center: You choose what works for you. Some include but are not limited to: Aerobics, Balance, Strength & Flexibility Class, Tai Chi, Zumba, Ballroom Dancing and Line Dancing Lessons. For more information call 780-6000.

PSA Free Gun Locks at Cranston and Warwick Public Libraries: Secure storage of weapons is now the law in Rhode Island. A free gun lock and securing weapons safely information is now available at two locations: Cranston Central Library Reference Desk, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd. Cranston; Warwick Central Library Reference desk, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick. Residents from all RI communities are welcome. This event is not endorsed by or affiliated with the Cranston Public Library.

The Oaklawn Grange Used Clothing Donation Shed needs used clothing items, 24 Searle Ave., Cranston. Accepted items include only: used clothing, shoes, 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.

NAMI-RI Offers Family Support Groups: The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers free support groups for families and friends of loved ones struggling with mental health. Groups are led by trained facilitators with experience with family members. Meetings last 90 minutes and everyone gets a chance to share. Group members offer help and resources, when appropriate, based on their 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.

Cranston Senior Center is looking for your recipes: For the next few months, they will be collecting recipes from anyone who would like to share and see their favorite recipes in a future Cranston Senior Center Cookbook. Please drop off or mail your recipe to Sky Marcus at the Cranston Senior Center, 1070 Cranston St.

Christmas in July Sale: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Hope (Scituate), is looking for donations of Christmas items for its Christmas in July sale. Call Barbara: 401-827-8054

Editor’s Note: To submit your news to The Chatter, send information and photos to Rosegalie at rosegaliec@beaconmediari.com by Friday at 3 p.m. to appear in the following week’s edition. Items can include community and school event announcements and calls for volunteers. Submissions may be edited for space and are not guaranteed to run. To guarantee space, please call 401-732-3100 and ask to place an advertisement.