New hours
The North Smithfield Heritage Association has announced that the Forestdale Schoolhouse at 190 School St. will now have some regular hours thanks to new volunteers. The building will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. every first and third Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon every first Saturday.
The school replicates a 19th-century classroom; contains artifacts from North Smithfield schools, including yearbooks, newsletters, and photos; and displays a variety of relics related to Forestdale. The gift shop features a variety of NSHA merchandise, and members of the organization can stop in to renew their dues and pay for the Spring Dinner.
Ash Wednesday
Slatersville Congregational Church at 25 Green St. will hold a Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, March 5 starting at 5 p.m. The church will also offer drive through ashes in the parking lot from 6 to 8 p.m.
Little League
North Smithfield Little League has announced that registration is now open for the upcoming 2025 baseball season. Parents and guardians are encouraged to visit www.northsmithfieldll.com to sign up their children for a fun and rewarding baseball experience.
The North Smithfield Little League offers various baseball divisions suitable for players of all skill levels, including T-Ball, Minors, AAA, Majors, Juniors, and Seniors. Early registration is highly recommended, as the registration fee varies from $85 to $140 depending on the chosen division. There is also a multiple child discount for those registering siblings.
Player evaluations are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 12 at the Wellness Center at Cumberland High School. Evaluations are an essential step in ensuring that players are placed in the appropriate division for their skill level and age group, according to the league.
For more information, contact [email protected]
Grants
The Rhode Island Foundation invites applications for its North Smithfield Ambulance and Rescue Association Fund.
Established in 2003, the fund supports projects and activities that benefit the health and welfare of the citizens of North Smithfield. Preference for grants will be given to organizations that do not have access to other sources of funding. Grants generally range from $800 to $2,500.
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Rhode Island Foundation website.
Pumpkin Festival applications
The Pumpkin Festival Committee is now accepting applications for this year’s North Smithfield Great Pumpkin Festival, to be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. behind the North Smithfield High School.
Due to construction at the high school and middle school, there will be limited space this year, and limited access to electrical service, so participants are advised to complete applications sooner rather than later. Pumpkin Festival vendor applications are processed on a first come, first serve basis.
Sign up today on with the online portal found here.
Quarry hearing
A public hearing on Pound Hill Realty’s proposal to create an overlay district to allow earth extract for the quarry at Pine Hill Road will be held on Monday, March 3, starting at 6:45 p.m. at North Smithfield Middle School at 1850 Providence Pike. The hearing was continued from February 18, with the change in location to accommodate the expected crowds, which nearly exceeded capacity of the council chambers at Town Hall at the last gathering.
Read more about the business’s application and the meeting last month here.
Other town meetings
The Asset Management Commission will hold a meeting on Monday, March 3 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the North Smithfield police station at 575 Smithfield Road. The agenda is here.
The Parks & Recreation Commission will hold a meeting on Wednesday, March 5 starting at 6 p.m. at Town Hall at 83 Green St. The agenda is here.
The Halliwell Multi-Generational Building Committee will hold a meeting on Thursday, March 6 starting at 6:45 p.m. at Town Hall at 83 Green St. The agenda is here.
