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.

First the bad news. Bailey Newton of Triple B Farms in Bullock has retired and you can no longer get all those good meats and eggs. He will be missed. But the good news is that new vendors are joining the Wake Forest Farmers Market which is open every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to noon in Renaissance Plaza on Brooks Street in front of the Renaissance Centre and near Over the Falls restaurant which features food from the market every Saturday – and probably other days too. One new vendor is Little River Farms which will be selling sustainably grown produce and pasture-raised chickens and eggs fed organic feed. Laura’s Gluten Free Family will offer gluten-free breads, cookies and pastries. Little River Farms will set up its booth for the first time on Saturday, April 22. Expect sustainably grown/organic strawberries and produce along with pasture-raised eggs. Melina’s Pastries is

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. A beverage of your choice is included for eat-in customers. 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

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 “Old Maude,” the 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.

In 2016, Wake County Child Protective Services accepted 4,943 reports of child abuse and neglect for assessment. During Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, Wake County is focusing on building strong, nurturing communities that support families. These communities can get involved and play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect by promoting child and family well-being. “We know that child abuse, like any other trauma, is associated with poor physical health and mental health outcomes for children and their families,” said Sig Hutchinson, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “These negative effects can last a lifetime. That’s why this month is so important. We can’t let this abuse continue. We all have a role to play in keeping children safe, together, as a community.” Residents interested in learning how they can get involved are encouraged to attend a Child Abuse Prevention Month event: April 15, 10 a.m.-12

Milton’s Pizza & Pasta in Wakefield will host a special night on Tuesday, April 4, from 4 to 10 p.m. where 10 to 20 percent of the sales will benefit the Northern Wake Senior Center. This special fund-raising was arranged by the Friends of the Northern Wake Senior Center. Bring all your family and friends. You can eat in or take out 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. Remember there is free tax aid thanks to AARP on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until April

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be held in Renaissance Plaza on Brooks Street Saturday, April 8, with its summer hours, 8 a.m. to noon. See the market’s Facebook page for vendors. *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. *Overeaters Anonymous meets on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Wake Forest United Methodist Church, 905 South Main Street. Enter through the back by the office. No dues, fees or weigh-ins. Everyone welcome! Contact Jennifer at 928-225-5236. *Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry at 149 East Holding Avenue is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for food distribution and serves about 700 families in Wake Forest, Youngsville, Rolesville and their surrounding areas. Call 919-556-7144 for information about