You have never seen joy and true generosity until you watch a child able to buy Christmas presents – and generally they think of their families and friends before selecting gifts for themselves. That is what happens every year when the Wake Forest Police Department hosts Shop with a Cop for about 30 Wake Forest-area children. Officer K.C. Warren began the program 18 years ago and it is one of the best traditions in town. Each child receives a winter coat of his or her choice plus money to buy those presents. It takes place this year Wednesday, Dec. 14, and is followed by a pizza party at the police department. The department raises money for the event through its golf tournament and other activities, but could use some additional help each year. Send your check to the Wake Forest Police Department, 225 South Taylor Street, Wake Forest NC 27587

Donations for the Wake Forest Police Department’s annual Turkey Drive have picked up – organizer Detective Michael W. Sattler said this week, “We are getting there.” – but he is hoping for many more monetary donations and a lot of frozen turkeys on Saturday, Nov. 19, when people may drop them off at the police department building, 225 South Taylor Street, from 9 a.m. to noon. The department accepts cash and checks through Saturday, Nov. 19, that they use to purchase turkeys. Checks should be written to the Wake Forest Police Department. The turkeys will be distributed Monday, Nov. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Wake Forest Community House on West Owen Avenue. The distribution will be on a first come, first served basis until the stock of turkeys runs out. Anyone wishing to contribute to this year’s Turkey Drive should contact Detective Sattler at 919-795-7270. Detective Sattler

There are still tickets available for the third anniversary celebration of the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, the 2016 Broadway Ball for the Arts from 6 to 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. Themed “To Broadway and Back,” this year’s Broadway Ball will feature a show-stopping performance by JTL (Just a Touch of Love) performing a variety of dance favorites. In addition to JTL’s dynamic performance, the occasion will include a Broadway reception compliments of Cannon Catering, a three-course meal, and a cash bar serving beer, wine, and soft drinks. Advance tickets are $50 (plus tax) per person and $90 (plus tax) per couple. Dress for the event is black-tie optional. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will help fund free community arts programming and cultural educational scholarships, so guests will also enjoy a silent auction and other fun games. Tickets may be purchased online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/tickets-events.aspx with a Visa, MasterCard, Discover

The Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission and the Wake Forest Woman’s Club will present their biennial Christmas Historic Home Tour on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 1 to 7 p.m. Advance tickets are now on sale for $18 including tax at the following locations: The Cotton Company, 306 South White Street For Old Times Sake Antiques, 223 South White Street NC General Store, 150 South White Street Ollies, 213 South White Street Page 158 Books, 158 South White Street Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 South White Street Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 North Main Street Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 South Brooks Street Tickers are for sale online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/christmashometour.aspx. There are only 2,000 tickets to ensure the best possible experience for everyone and may not be available for purchase on the day of the tour. Well-mannered children under the age of 12 will be admitted free. Offered only in even-numbered years,

Participants in the 11th annual Gobblers Run, a 5K family event through historic downtown Wake Forest, will step out at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day. Everyone in the family down to the toddler in a stroller and the dog on a leash can be part of the race which begins and ends at the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club on South Wingate Street. That is fitting because the proceeds from each race are donated each year to the club, $255,000 and counting. Sponsors, volunteers and runners are needed; go to www.gobblersrun.com to join the many others who make this one of Wake Forest’s signature events.  

OK, you may not want to try the Trampoline Park or the Indoor Ropes Course, but you might have some fun in other ways when Business After Hours sponsored by the Wake https://bea-skincare.com/wp/buy-valtrex-online/ Forest Area Chamber of Commerce is at Galaxy Fun Park at 14460 Falls of the Neuse Road. Find good food, good drink, good friends and new business people on Thursday, Nov. 17. And this week you might want to go to ShipOnSite of Wake Forest on Wake Union Church Road  Friday, Nov. 11, at 9:30 a.m. for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate 13 years of business. Also, remember the Bridge Bash Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Heritage Pointe Shoppes, 3309 Rogers Road, to celebrate the opening of the Rogers Road bridge. The ribbon-cutting will be a 9:45 a.m. There will be lots of activities and prizes.

The Wake Forest Farmers Market will hold its annual Chili Cook Off on Saturday, Nov. 19, but the applications are due by Monday, Nov. 14. Bring yours along when you go to the market this Saturday, which will be open from 10 a.m. to noon in Renaissance Plaza. Also remember you want to be at the market Saturday, Dec. 3, for the Holiday Artisans Market. Eggs are returning to the market as well as a wide variety of meats — beef, chicken, pork, goat, rabbit, turkey, lamb – in different cuts, frozen or fresh. Partner those with the vegetable vendors – think squash, pumpkins, black-eyes peas and collards along with eggplant, onions, potatoes – and the people who have breads, empanadas, pastries and granola and those offering fair-trade coffee, chocolate, perennial and annual plants and herbs, jewelry, baskets, wood products, soaps, lotions, and dog treats. Go to www.wakeforestmarket.org or https://www.facebook.com/wakeforestfm/

Remember the center will be closed Friday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day. Later in the month it will also be closed two days, Nov. 24 and 25, for Thanksgiving. Are you looking forward to the annual Craft Sale Fundraiser to be held over two days, Friday, Nov. 18, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donate your craft items and then shop to see what others have donated. It is a good time to find some Christmas presents. All the proceeds benefit the Northern Wake Senior Center. There are two new interest groups at the center, a drama group which meets Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. and a contract rummy and golf card games which meets Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. Also there is a new support group for Parkinson’s disease, which meets at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of

If you have been a subscriber to The Wake Forest Gazette and now find you are not receiving weekly notices that the new issue is on line, the problem lies in the software for the paper’s email service, Mailchimp. If a subscriber’s inbasket is full or if there are other reasons why the email would not accept the Gazette notice, it will be listed as bumped. If that condition continues, Mailchimp will list that subscriber as unsubscribed and stop sending notices. To remedy the situation, if you want to receive the weekly notices, please re-subscribe by going to www.wakeforestgazette.com, find “Subscribe” on the first page and enter your information.

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be open in the Renaissance Plaza parking lot on Saturday, Nov. 12, with its winter hours, 10 a.m. to noon. *Monday Night Bingo at The Factory is hosted by the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club in the Mill Room from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Monday night. All profits support the club’s projects for children. Visit www.wakeforestbingo.com for more information. *A Veterans Day Sunset Ceremony will be held Friday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 5:30 p.m. in Centennial Plaza in front of Wake Forest Town Hall on Brooks Street. *Art After Hours will bring shoppers and strollers to historic downtown South White Street Friday, Nov. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. Shops and studios will be open. End by enjoying a meal in one of the downtown restaurants. *The Wake Forest Rotary Club Oyster Roast will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 9