Jan. 9, VFW Post #183 BINGO Doors open at 6 p.m. bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. $30 entry. Cash Prizes.  Please email vfwpost183bingo@gmail.com with any questions. Bingo is also taking place Jan. 22, Feb. 6, Feb. 19, March 6, and March 16.

Jan. 9, Oakland Beach Association Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 715 Oakland Beach Ave., Warwick (side entrance).  In lieu of a guest speaker, we will be reviewing the results of the OBA "Our Voice Matters" survey. 

Jan. 11, Open Forum “Remembering the 1950’s” will be presented by the Hope Historical Society at 2 p.m.  The meeting will be held at the Howland Barn, 35 Ryefield Road, Hope. Open Forum is an interactive meeting where members and attendees become a living history by sharing memorabilia, artifacts, pictures, stories, etc. related to the program topic.

Jan. 11, Ocean State Orchid Society meeting at 1 p.m. We meet at Rocky Hill Grange, 1340 South County Trail (Rte. 2), East Greenwich, RI 02818. Please enter through the door at the rear of the building. Meetings are open to the public. Guests and visitors are welcome!

Jan. 13 and 20, West Bay Chorale Spring 2025 Open Rehearsals/Registration at 7 p.m., with registration starting at 6:30 at St. Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick. Current singers, as well as those interested in joining the Chorale are invited to register and learn the details of the upcoming concert season. In particular, the chorale is seeking experienced tenor and baritone voices in addition to sopranos and altos. All current singers and those interested in joining must be vaccinated and boosted must show proof of vaccination. Those interested in learning more or joining the chorale should contact Eric W. Van Dervort 401-751-1525 text or ewvandervort1@gmail.com. Find us on FB or westbaychorale.org. Come Join Us!

Jan. 15, NAMI-RI, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will host an introductory presentation at the Warwick Public Library Central Branch at 5:30 p.m. Information and resources will be available for people who have loved ones struggling with a mental health condition. RSVP to Beth@namirhodeisland.org

NAMI-RI offers mental health courses in January NAMI-RI, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will offer two Family-to-Family courses, starting in January. This a free 8-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of people living with mental illness. The in-person course will be held in Middletown, RI at St. Lucy's Catholic Church beginning Saturday, January 11 at 3:00 PM. This same course will also be held on Zoom starting Wednesday, January 15th from 5:30-8:00 PM. To register, or for more information call 401-331-3060, email beth@namirhodeisland.org or visit namirhodeisland.org

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. Mon., 3:30 to 5 p. m.; Tues., 3 to 4:30 p. m.; Wed., 5 to 6:30 p. m.; Thurs. and Fri., 10 to 11:30 a. m. Information and registration, call 401-415-4664; or email to: info@HopeDementia.org. Follow us on Facebook @HopeHealth.

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 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, Tri-City Elks Lodge #14 Country Line Dance Lessons, from 6 to 8 p.m., 1915 W. Shore Rd, Warwick. Instructor Melissa Caldarone from Get in Line RI, teaching beginner dances. $10 per class. Come in and enjoy the fun!

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 at Rhode Island Active Toastmasters. All are welcome!

Every First and Third Tuesday Ocean State Toastmasters Club meets, serving both Rhode Island and Southern MA. Ocean State Toastmasters Club holds its meetings at 641 Bald Hill Road, Warwick, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, please contact: Arturo at 401-999-2393. All are welcome.

Every Second Tuesday West Warwick AARP Chapter West Warwick AARP Chapter meets the second Tues. of the month, 1 p.m. at St. Mary's Church Hall, 70 Church Street, West Warwick. Looking to expand its membership. All are welcome to come to enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with new friends.

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 Wednesday, Calling All Seniors: The Dance ‘50’s, ‘60’s, 70’s, & 80’s Music at the American Legion, 662 West Shore Rd., Warwick. Light snacks for free and refreshments for purchase. No outside alcohol is permitted. Cover: $10pp at the door. For more information:  Mary 401-256-1169.

Every Wednesday, TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Meets every Wed. night with weigh-in at 5:45 p.m. at St. Rita's Church, 722 Oakland Beach Avenue, Warwick. TOPS is a great way to improve your health. Stop by for free.

Every Third Wednesday Old Warwick Grange #41 The Grange Hall is located at 1175 West Shore Road, Warwick, meets the third Wed. of the month at 7:30 p.m. For information, please call either Joan Clegg at 401-465-7259 or Mike Osiensky at 508-954-9712. The Grange is a fraternal community service, nonprofit organization with a special interest in rural life and the traditions of faith, patriotism, leadership and family values. It’s a place where the whole family can go and grow. Help us to help others. There are no meetings in July and August.

Every Thursday, Take Off Pounds Sensibly TOPS #38 is meeting every Thurs. morning at St. Luke's Church (lower level), 99 Pierce Street, East Greenwich. Weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m. The meeting is from 10 to 11 a.m. Enter from the side parking lot, go down the stairs to the kitchen area. All are welcome as well as any canned food donations. For information, call:  Angela Henderson at 401-225-6174.

Every Thursday Meadowlark Seniors the Meadowlark Seniors will meet at 1:30 p.m., at St. Kevin Church Hall, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick. Short meetings, fun activities, and socializing. Come join us. New members are welcome.

Every Thursday - Get a Job Thursdays We Make RI, 200 First Ave., Cranston. An organization that provides free manufacturing training, hosts a series of job fairs every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon.  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 Friday Cribbage Players Do you play cribbage? If so, consider joining a small group of cribbage players every, who meet and play at the East Greenwich Community Center, Pierce Street, East Greenwich every Fri., from 9 to 11 a.m. This is a social group where all levels of players are invited to play and meet new friends; there is no cost involved. If you are interested in joining, contact Barbara at 737-6477.

Every Saturday, Citizenship Prep Classes at WPL Prepare for the U.S. Naturalization Interview with Citizen Preparation classes at the Warwick Public Library, from 10 a.m. to noon. Practice citizenship vocabulary, learn the necessary civics content, and work on interview skills using the N-400 application form. Sign up at the library. For more information, call 401-455-8041. These free classes are offered by the RI Family Literary Initiative.

PSA Free Gun Locks at Cranston & Warwick Public Libraries Secure storage of weapons is now the law in Rhode Island. A Free Gun Lock and Securing Weapons Safely information are now available at two locations: Cranston Central Library Reference Desk, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd. Cranston, Warwick Central Library Reference desk, 600 Sandy Ln., Warwick. Stop by for a free gun lock and literature on how to securely store weapons. Doing so 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."

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.

Coventry Senior Band The Coventry Senior Band is looking for musicians. A group of retired volunteers, we play gigs at Nursing Homes, Senior Centers, etc. If you are over 55 and play an instrument call David at (401) 368-6895 or email at walshdavid170@gmail.com

Hearts for Hospice Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice (VNH&H) is asking for individuals to support their hospice programs by giving $20.00 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 Buzz, 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.