This week town officials warned residents against topping – cutting back or improperly pruning – crape myrtles. There have been several instances noted on South Main Street, South White Street and Brooks Street. Although a tree sometimes needs to be pruned to avoid interference with utility lines, buildings or parts of the surrounding environment, whenever pruning is required, it is important to avoid the practice of topping. Topping is the removal of tree branches above a certain height with little consideration for the tree’s structure or health. When topping occurs, tree branches are cut back to stubs or smaller branches which are not strong enough to grow back as a single, dominant branch, and instead, a flush of re-growth surrounds the wound. According to the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), topping is a temporary and ineffective solution that actually makes a tree more hazardous in the long run. Other negative

Visit the Wakefield-Wake Forest Rotary booth during Meet in the Street to learn more. And just read the rest of this article to see why a purple pinkie is important. Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal disease. Fortunately, although incurable, polio is easy to prevent. A child can be vaccinated for just about 80 cents, protecting the child against this terrible disease for life. Through one of the world’s biggest immunization programs, polio has been 99 per cent eradicated – so this is one last push to destroy the disease for good. Why is it called Purple Pinkie? When a child is vaccinated, they have a purple stamp put on their little finger, to prevent a double dose. By supporting the Purple Pinkie campaign, you can help make the pain and life-limiting effects of polio a thing of the past. The local Wakefield/Wake Forest Rotary Club are helping raise

The Wake Forest Recreation Advisory Board is hosting a series of public meetings in May to solicit public input concerning the second phase of E. Carroll Joyner Park. ‘Picture Joyner Park’ is the name given to the town’s approach to updating the Joyner Park Master Plan. Coordinated by the Recreation Advisory Board, the initiative offers area residents a variety of opportunities to share their ideas concerning the future of Joyner Park. The first public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Alston Massenburg Center, 416 North Taylor Street. The interactive session will include a brief presentation, followed by an open forum discussion where attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share suggestions. Future meetings will be offered at the following dates, times and locations: Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m.; Wake Forest Presbyterian Church, 12605 Capital Boulevard. Tuesday, May 13; 6:30 p.m.; Wake Forest

With Mother Nature – mostly – providing sunshine and warmer weather, spring’s bounty is beginning to flow into the Wake Forest Farmers Market along with the return of seasonal vendors. When the market opens at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 3, you will find lots of lettuce, cucumbers, hot house tomatoes, spinach, kale, broccoli, sweet potatoes and arugula along with a good supply of eggs fresh from local hens and meats from local farms. You can find homemade pasta and sauces, lots of sweet baked goods, breads, empanadas, jam, wooden kitchen utensils and stools, gluten-free baked goods, cheeses and coffee. Last Saturday at the market, Homestead Flower Farm returned with dried flower wreaths and fresh-cut flowers. Cultured Cow Creamery featured three varieties of cheddar cheese, Durham Jack, parmesan, gruyere, queso fresco and cheddar cheese curds. Gluten-Free with Sarah B. offered her banana coconut mini muffins and cinnamon pumpkin donuts along with

The public is invited to join the fight against cancer at Relay For Life May 16-17 at Heritage High School. Supporting the American Cancer Society, Relay celebrates cancer survivors and their supporters, while remembering those lost to cancer. In addition to food, live music, bounce houses and games, the festivities include: * a free Survivor Dinner served in an air-conditioned tent by volunteers from The Boy Scouts of America. Survivors can register at www.NorthernWakeRelay.org; * opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. featuring testimonies by those who’ve battled cancer and the Survivor Lap; * a Kids Walk at 8 p.m., when children walk laps accompanied by sports team mascots; * a luminaria ceremony at 9:30 p.m., when candles are lit for a time of reflection to remember loved ones lost and to honor those battling cancer; and * a Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament at 10 p.m. with a $20 entry fee for 10,000 chips. Winners receive prize