The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will sponsor the D.R.I.V.E. (Dedication, Reach, Innovative, Vision, Endurance) for Success Men’s Workshop on Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Alston-Massenburg Center at 416 N. Taylor St. Designed for young men ages 10 to 18, the free workshop will be hosted by Wake Forest Commissioner Anne Reeve and Parks and Rec Director Ruben Wall and focus on a variety of topics of importance to young men. The event is free and a continental breakfast will be provided. A limited number of seats are available. Pre-registration is required at http://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/recdeskportal/. For more information, contact Lisa Jacobs at 919-556-7063 or ljacobs@wakeforestnc.gov.  

Did somebody say strawberries? Yes, indeed, and you can find them at the Wake Forest Farmers Market Saturday, April 1, when the market also returns to its summer hours, 8 a.m. to noon. The market sets up its tents and booths in Renaissance Plaza on Brooks Street in front of the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. There will be several new farmers at the market Saturday and in coming weeks. Also, the market has lined up some interesting attractive events. On April 15 Red Hen Enterprises will give a demonstration about vermicomposting – using worms to make really rich compost – from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The Spring Craft Market will be held on April 22 – the first of three crafts markets held every year. Terri Wilkinson says there are still a few spaces available. If you want to show and sell your craft, email to terri_wilkinson@hotmail.com for information and

For at least 45 years one of the signature spring events in Wake Forest has been the Wake Forest Fire Department’s fish fry which this year will be on Friday, April 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Station #1 on East Elm Avenue. And for the first time they will accept credit cards – MasterCard and Visa. The $8 plates are eat-in or take-out with delivery available for orders of 20 plates or more. Just call the station, 919-556-1966. Each plate will have a fried flounder filet, boiled potatoes, slaw and hush puppies with a beverage of your choice. The women of the auxiliary always bake a host of cookies, cupcakes, cakes and pies, but they will accept donation either Thursday afternoon or during the day Friday. Just whip up a batch and take them over for the sale, which goes into the department’s coffers.

Area residents are invited to attend the 17th Wake Forest Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremony on Monday, April 3, at 11 a.m. The program will take place in Centennial Plaza in front of the Wake Forest Town Hall and usher in the 2017 Wake Forest memorial flag-raising season. The April 3 service will honor Sgt. James Steffins, who served his nation in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II. Members of Steffins’ family will participate in the ceremony which will include patriotic songs, special remarks, a memorial wreath laying and the ceremonial flag-raising. Following the raising of the American flag, the U.S. Marine Corps service flag will be raised in recognition of the military branch in which Steffins served. Both flags will fly in Centennial Plaza throughout April. Photographs and other remembrances of Steffins will also be displayed in Centennial Plaza during the ceremony, then in the town hall lobby through

The African Children’s Choir will be in concert Tuesday, April 11, at Friendship Chapel Missionary Baptist Church at 7 p.m. The church is on Friendship Chapel Road. With their charming smiles, beautiful voices and lively African songs and dances, the African Children’s Choir melts the hearts of audiences. The program features children’s songs, traditional spirituals and gospel favorites. The concert is free and open to everyone. A free will offering will be taken to support the programs of the Children’s Choir – education, care and relief, and development programs. Music for Life (the parent organization for The African Children’s Choir) works in seven African countries such as, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. MFL has educated over 52,000 children and impacted the lives of over 100,000 people through its relief and development programs during its history. MFL purpose is to help create new leadership for tomorrow’s Africa,

The 2017 Franklin County Historic Homes Tour is sponsored by the Person Place Preservation Society and includes an historic plantation, an equally historic African-American church and 10 beautiful homes, all in or near the Louisburg area. An antique automobile show, including our “Old Maude” 1921 fire truck, is part of the tour on Saturday. A significant treasure being shown at the show is the Woodleaf Plantation, which is included in the National Registry. This two-story frame house has been lovingly restored to its 1838 glory, and includes a complete collection of outbuildings.  It has been featured on the cover of “Southern Living” magazine.  The original Massenburg family who lived here in that era left a detailed diary of day-to-day events and costs. A homemade box lunch will be available for $10 on Saturday at the Person Place. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 on the day of the tour.

Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina (BBB) is now accepting applications for the spring 2017 BBB Torch Scholarships, which recognize students who personify high ethical standards as demonstrated through leadership, community service, overall personal integrity, and academic history. Torch Scholarships are given to college-bound high school juniors, seniors, and college undergraduates who reside or attend school within BBB of Eastern NC’s 33-county service area. Scholarship prizes totaling $14,000 will be awarded. There are five $1,000 scholarships, two $2,000 scholarships and one $5,000 scholarship. To be eligible, students must submit essay of 1,000 words or less, along with an application, transcript and a letter of recommendation from a BBB Accredited Business. Completed application packets are due by April 3, 2017. For more information, including the spring 2017 essay topic, an application form, letter of recommendation template, and list of requirements, please visit bbbscholarship.org. For assistance, contact Alyssa Gutierrez at agutierrez@raleigh.bbb.org

BBB serving Eastern North Carolina (BBB) is issuing an alert for a timeshare scam claiming an address in Raleigh. Resort Network Services LLC (resortnetworkservicesllc.com) was brought to the attention of BBB by consumers who have been inquiring about the business. The company is offering consumers the opportunity to purchase a timeshare but not before they are asked to wire money up front for ‘closing costs.’ Another consumer, who was selling their timeshare, said Resort Network Services LLC was willing to buy it but required them to send money via wire transfer to Mexico beforehand. BBB made several attempts to contact the company, but mail was returned undeliverable from the company’s address and a number of emails and faxes have gone unanswered. Their local phone number also goes straight to a recorded message while the toll free line has been disconnected. The real estate company that manages the office building where Resort Network

The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce presented its 30th annual Reverse Raffle on Friday, March 17, at The Sutherland. Three hundred tickets were sold, with the winner taking home a choice of $10,000 in cash or a Nissan Leaf electric car (courtesy of Chris Leith Automotive). Ellie Penner, the owner of Sole Dimensions in Wake Forest, had the final ticket and was the ultimate winner. She has chosen to take the cash! Advertised as The Party of the Year! and encouraged by the fact that it was a Friday night as well as Saint Patrick’s Day, it was unquestionably one of the best attended Reverse Raffle parties ever. Food with an Irish theme was provided by Cook Shack. Additional raffles and mystery prize drawings added to the evening’s excitement. “As one of the Chamber’s largest fundraisers, we were particularly grateful for the support from our community,” Chamber President Ann

Here’s a mystery. What is a Scam Jam Event? That is what will happen on Thursday, May 18, at the Renaissance Centre on Brooks Street. It will be hosted by Resources for Seniors – the Northern Wake Senior Center, Triangle Family Services, the Renaissance Centre and the Town of Wake Forest. You will get more information and the opportunity to register for the event soon. The Wake County Senior Games and Silver Arts will be held from Monday, March 27, through Sunday, April 28, and you can pick up a registration packet at the Northern Wake Senior Center. Senior center members are encouraged to support the center’s own Carolina Steppers Line Dancers who will be performing in the Silver Follies at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, in the Garner Performing Arts Center. Want to be an advocate and have your voice heard? Then on Friday, March 31, at 10:30 a.m.