Structure building contest
The North Smithfield Parks and Recreation Department is challenging town families to a Structure Building Contest, with prizes awarded for the best indoor and outdoor creations.
Awards will be given in three categories; best use of materials, most creative and most comfortable, with Planning Board member Jeffrey Porter to serve as judge.
To enter, send pictures of your creation along with descriptions of its design features, amenities and materials to kpasquariello@nsmithfieldri.org. The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 24 with winners to be announced Friday, July 31.
NSHA tours
Mark your calendars for an upcoming guided tour of Union Cemeteries hosted by the North Smithfield Heritage Association.
The organization will hold tours of NS31, NS 36, NS37, NS38, NS39 Woon 11 Friends church on Saturday, July 18 starting at 9 a.m. to noon. Attendees will meet in the Union Cemetery on Smithfield Road near the white office building.
All participants must wear a cloth mask and NSHA recommends a hat, long pants, comfortable walking shoes, water and insect repellent.
Tours of local cemeteries and other historic town features have been scheduled on select Saturdays through October. For a complete list visit the NSHA Facebook page here.
Summer adventure kicks off as library expands services
The North Smithfield Public Library will expand services beginning Monday, July 6, and the public will no longer need a reservation to enter during business hours Monday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In 2020, library officials have combined two programs offered in the summer months into one: Summer Adventure and Greening North Smithfield Library. NSPL will be greening with the installation of two pollinator/wildflower gardens on its property. In this program, kids and their families will get to explore the natural world, discover the wonders of environmental literacy through connections and their own hands-on learning through interactions, observations and structured programming.
The traditional pin program will also change a little, with pins to be offered online through Beanstack. Participants will complete challenges, which will earn you digital badges. Pin pickup days will be scheduled throughout the summer so you can collect your pins. Learn more here.
Adults are invited to take part in their own summer adventure in July and August using the library’s blog link to join a Virtual Book Discussion and share a quick book review. Those who submit a book review each week will be entered into a raffle.
The library still has a limit of 10 patrons at one time and asks that guests limit their time in the library to 30 minutes. To help keep everyone safe, masks are required to enter the building and they ask that you sanitize your hands.
Curbside pickup will be discontinued and the outdoor Book Drop will remain open for returns. Seating, quiet study room, rest rooms, games and activities remain closed.
Pantry seeks pancake mix
The July dates for drive through pickup at the North Smithfield Food Pantry are Saturday, July 18 & 25 from 10 to 10:30 a.m.; and Tuesday, July 21 & 28 from 5:30 to 6 p.m.
Guests are asked to line up on Green Street, to be directed into the church parking lot. Groceries will then be loaded into the trunks of vehicles. No prior registration is required and all North Smithfield residents are welcome.
Pantry officials say they do not need additional volunteer help at this time. Those who would like to donate money, are asked to mail to P.O. Box 283, Slatersville, RI 02876. To donate food, call (401) 678-0356 to arrange a time for drop off. Currently, the pantry needs soups, canned tuna and chicken, canned fruit and juice, toilet paper, paper towels and pancake mix.
Town meetings
The North Smithfield Municipal Building Review Task Force will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 7 starting at 5:30 p.m. The agenda and instructions to attend can be found here.
The North Smithfield Personnel Board will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 7 starting at 6:30 p.m. View the agenda and instructions to attend here.
The North Smithfield Planning Board will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, July 9 starting at 7:05 p.m. The agenda and links to attend can be found here.
Candidates for local office are reminded that the deadline to file signed nomination papers is Friday, July 10th, at noon, per state law.
