The Town of Wake Forest has received several calls in recent days concerning the large numbers of Orangestriped Oakworms on oak trees around town, including the town’s street trees. Many residents have expressed particular concern about the caterpillar’s long-term effect on the town’s urban forest. According to the NC Cooperative Extension Service, the Orangestriped Oakworm tends to be more of a nuisance than anything else. It is not uncommon for this invading caterpillar to be especially abundant on oaks during this time of year. Locally, willow oak and pin oak tend to be their preferred hosts, but they occasionally feed on other hardwoods as well. In large numbers, these ravenous feeders can quickly defoliate a tree. Fortunately, late summer defoliations are much less damaging to the health of trees than early spring defoliations. Their greenish droppings can cover decks, vehicles and streets but they will wash away with the next

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre is pleased to announce its schedule of fall 2014 classes and workshops. The Renaissance Centre’s Fall Arts Program offers a range of classes in a variety of disciplines designed to excite and develop the artistic vision and creative talents of youth, starting at age four, and adults. These courses are designed to spark the imagination, teach technical skills, promote creative problem-solving, build respect for the expression of others and inspire a lifelong connection to the visual and creative arts and art making. Each class is taught by an accomplished artist-instructor in a relaxed environment that encourages exploration of process and self-expression. Class offerings cover a range of media including knitting, quilting, screenwriting, acting and more. Class sizes are limited to allow for attention to individual interests and skill development. The center is at 405 South Brooks Street. The Fall Arts Program gets underway Tuesday, Sept.

Pet owners should mark their calendars because one of the most popular events at the Northern Regional Center in Wake Forest will return on Saturday, Oct. 11. It is the semi-annual Rabies and Microchip Clinic hosted by the Wake County Animal Center, and it will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $5 for rabies shots and $10 for microchips, and it is cash only, please. All dogs must be on a leash and all cats must be in carriers. Go to the NRC’s Facebook page for more information as the date gets closer.

The 35th Annual Wake Forest CROP Hunger Walk is set for Sunday, September 28, at 2:30 p.m. Now is the time for churches, organizations, school groups, businesses, and individuals to set up your team online at www.cropwalkonline.org/wakeforestnc, to join an existing team, to register and make a donation as an independent walker, or to donate on behalf of a team, a friend, or a family member who has already signed up to participate in CROP Walk 2014. This 35th year is an important milestone, and we are introducing the Golden Sneaker Award Challenge, a traveling trophy that will be inscribed this year (and in the future) with the name of the walking team that raises the most money in donations and returns all donations by October 15, 2014. The walk, which begins and ends at Wake Forest United Methodist Church, 905 South Main Street, is approximately 3.5 miles on sidewalks

There is still time and ways to donate money or school supplies to the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club’s effort to help children in the area’s elementary schools. The club is partnering with Walmart, Staples, Rex Health Care and Chick Fil-A; members of the Key Clubs in area high schools will assist. They are looking forward to a record response. You can drop off donations at two convenient locations. Wake Forest Federal Savings & Loan will take the donations every day through Friday, Aug. 29, and Rex Wellness Center in Wakefield will accept donations on Saturday, Aug. 30. You may also donate money for the club to purchase the school supplies. Make the check payable to the Wake Forest Kiwanis Foundation, a 501 c (3) nonprofit corporation, to make it tax-deductible. You will not only be helping area children whose parents cannot afford all the school supplies, you will also help