It went unnoticed at the time, but the beginning of Habitat for Humanity of Wake County began at the Corner Ice Cream Shop in Wake Forest in early 1985. According to the article by Ilyasah N. Shabazz in Habitat Wake’s website, Chris Fuller, son of Habitat founder Millard Fuller, met with Jack VandenHengel and three others to discuss forming an affiliate group in Wake Forest. Shabazz wrote, “Around the same time, Dennis Gabriel, John Wilson and Fred Johnson, were meeting to discuss organizing an affiliate in Raleigh. The two groups came together and formed the Heart of Carolina Habitat for Humanity. Jack VandenHengel was selected as acting executive director, and Rick Beech served as his assistant. A year later, Beech was named executive director. John Wilson was elected as chairperson of the board. Shortly after the initial board meeting, Habitat Wake received offers of three parcels of land at no

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts will present two morning performances of the “Super Me” Anti-Bullying Show on Tuesday, Oct. 17. Show times are 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Presented by Story Ship, “Super Me” is a fast-paced theatrical adventure that combines high-energy hip-hop dance, intense video gaming, astounding magic, interactive animation and a live actor. Audience members are taken on a virtual journey into a comic book world to help a young boy escape from bullies. During the program amazing animated and real life videos are projected onto a large screen during the performance allowing audience members to interact with the characters. The audience must help the boy overcome obstacles and solve puzzles using super powers onstage (Super Human Strength, X-Ray vision, Telekinesis, and Aquakinesis.) As part of the show, kids are taught a hip-hop dance based on the “Super Me” theme music. At the end of the

The North Carolina Symphony will present a free Music Discovery & Instrument Zoo at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts on Monday, Oct. 23, at 10:30 a.m. Geared for children pre-K through second grade, this hands-on musical activity will feature members of the NC Symphony providing an interactive demonstration of orchestra instruments. Attendees will learn how the string instruments of the orchestra make their sounds and hear examples of classical and popular music composed for strings. Afterwards, audience members will have the opportunity to try their favorite instrument in the instrument zoo. This Music Discovery program is sponsored by PNC’s Grow Up Great initiative, promoting literacy and arts education for preschoolers and their families. For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/instrument-zoo.aspx or contact Renaissance Centre Specialist Debra Horton at 919-435-9566 or dhorton@wakeforestnc.gov.  

Area residents are invited to enjoy the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn while also learning about native trees during two Fall Foliage Tours on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. Urban Forestry Coordinator Jennifer Rall will offer the free, one-hour tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Parents and children of all ages are welcome, and no registration is required. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to meet at the information kiosk located adjacent to the Joyner Park parking lot. In the event of rain, the Fall Foliage Tours will be rescheduled for Friday, Oct. 27. For more information, contact the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department at 919-435-9560.

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is sponsoring its annual Halloween Spooktacular on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 North White Street. The Halloween Spooktacular is a free, family-oriented festival for children ages 12 and younger. This year’s festivities will include a balloon artist and cupcake walk, along with a variety of ghostly games and activities, and free pumpkin giveaways – while supplies last. Costumes are optional, but best costumes will be featured on the Town’s website. For more information, call 919-435-9560 or visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/halloween-spooktacular.aspx