The Wake Forest Community Christmas Dinner was organized in 1947 to welcome home the town’s returning World War II veterans. Created by the Wake Forest Garden Club and the Civic Club, the original dinner was held in the Community House on Owen Avenue. Over the decades, this tradition has continually ranked among the town’s best holiday celebrations. Always held on the first Monday in December, this year’s Community Christmas Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 3, at the Forks Cafeteria at 339 South Brooks Street. After the Christmas invocation, Dave Greenwell and his kitchen staff will serve a menu of fried chicken, roast beef, baked apples, potatoes au gratin, carrots, broccoli casserole, dinner rolls, and assorted desserts. There will be a brief musical program by Hallie Arrington Hearn (reprising her role as entertainer 50 years after first singing at the dinner as a child in 1968), plaques will

The Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership recently received two Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The local partnership earned the honors for its Quality of Life Booklet in the category of Special Purpose Print Brochure, and its 2017 Community Profile in the category of General Purpose Print Brochure. “Our brand is still young, so it is a real honor to win awards in two categories in this highly competitive, international competition,” Jason Cannon, the partnership president and Wake Forest economic developer. “The IEDC received over 500 entries this year. I want to offer a sincere and special thanks to the Town of Wake Forest’s Graphic Coordinator Bess Martinson for her incredible work on the Quality of Life Booklet. Likewise, I’d like to thank Jeff Denny and his team at Liaison Design Group for their impressive work on the 2017 Community Profile.” While

The North Carolina Symphony will present a free Music Discovery & Instrument Zoo on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts, 405 Brooks Street. Geared for preschool and elementary age children and their families, this hands-on musical activity will feature NC Symphony musician Rachel Niketopoulos reading a children’s book followed by an interactive demonstration of orchestra instruments. Attendees will learn how the horn instruments of the orchestra make their sounds and hear examples of classical and popular music composed for horns. 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.wakeforestrencen.org/event/music-discovery-instrument-zoo<http://www.wakeforestrencen.org/event/music-discovery-instrument-zoo> or contact Renaissance Centre Specialist Debra Horton at 919-435-9566 or dhorton@wakeforestnc.gov<mailto:dhorton@wakeforestnc.gov>.    

The family-friendly 5K Gobbler’s Run through Wake Forest will start off at 8 a.m. from the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club on South Wingate Street on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22. The 3.1-mile loop is an easy stroll through downtown and historic Wake Forest. Push your kids or bring your dog – strollers and pets are welcome. You’ll get a race T-shirt and be able to eat more turkey without the guilt! The course is mostly flat and there will be a water stop at the half-way point on North Main Street. The Jim Allen Group is presenting this year’s race – and along with the families there are serious racers who will be competing. You can find all the details if you go to http://gobblersrun.itsyourrace.com/event. There is still the early bird registration fee, $20, in effect for those 16 and older until Oct. 31. Registration from Nov. 1 to

Forest Moon Theater will present “The Memory of Water” Friday through Sunday, Nov. 9-11 and 16-18, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405  Brooks Street. Showtime on Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m., while Sunday’s showtime is 3 p.m. The death of their mother reunites sisters in England who at first could seem no more different from one another. Conflicting memories of the same events from their past highlight what separates them. On the eve of the funeral, in the bedroom haunted by their mother’s ghost, confrontations amidst the laughter stir the waters and bring secrets to the surface. This play is produced by special arrangements with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Advance tickets are $15 plus tax for adults and $13 plus tax for students and seniors. These prices reflect a savings of $3 per adult and student/senior on “day of” admission tickets. Please note: Parental guidance recommended. Contains some

The Wake Forest Police Department is accepting donations from area residents and businesses for the 20th Annual Shop with a Cop. To contribute online via PayPal, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/donate-to-shop-with-a-cop.aspx<http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/donate-to-shop-with-a-cop.aspx>. Checks and cash can be mailed or delivered to the Wake Forest Police Department, 225 S. Taylor St. This year’s Shop with a Cop holiday shopping spree is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 18. On that day approximately 30 area children will visit the Wake Forest Police Department where they will be paired with their police officer “partners.” The kids and their partners will then be transported by bus to the Wake Forest Walmart, where each child will be given $175 to spend on a winter coat and other items of their choice. Parents are encouraged not to accompany their children. Following the shopping spree, the children and their partners will be treated to a pizza party. Shop with a Cop was created

The Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission and the Wake Forest Woman’s Club will present their biennial Christmas Historic Home Tour on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 1 to 7 p.m. – rain or shine. Offered only in even-numbered years, the Christmas Historic Home Tour is a self-guided tour featuring several Wake Forest homes and other properties decorated for the holidays and open for viewing. This year’s event will also offer wonderful Christmas music and more. Advance tickets are now on sale for $20 (price includes tax). Tickets are available for purchase online with a credit card and at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street, and Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 Brooks Street. Tickets can also be purchased with cash or check only at the following area locations: Arrow Tree Boutique, 415 Brooks Street North Carolina General Store, 150 South White Street Page 158 Books, 415 Brooks Street The Cotton Company, 306 South

The Wake Forest Area Chamber’s popular speed networking event, Schmoozapalooza, returns to The Mill Room for a morning of networking rounds where you will get the word out about your business and build your prospect list. That is Nov. 30 from 9 to 11:30 a.m., the Mill Room at The Factory, $20 for chamber members and $25 for non-members. * * * * Capital Area Workforce Development is  sponsoring an informative meeting, Apprenticeships: Powering Your Talent Pipeline, from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Nov. 14. See the website for information and tickets, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workforce-ready-apprenticeships-powering-your -talent-pipeline-tickets-49864773881?aff=eac2. * * * * The November Business After Hours hosted by Quality Plus Automotive Service and Help Me Rhonda Interiors will have a Give Back to the Community theme. In addition to the networking and refreshments there will be a raffle to benefit Mazie’s Mission Toy Drive for Duke Children’s Hospital. Your donation can be

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market has moved to the town employees’ parking lot on Taylor Street behind town hall. The market will be open this Saturday, Nov. 3, from 8 a.m. to noon, the winter hours. Local farmers and artisans will have meats, seasonal vegetables, bread, baked good and other local wares for sale. See the market’s Facebook page for information about the vendors and sign up for a weekly notice about the offerings that Saturday. Remember the Wake Forest Farmers Market is unusual in that it is owned by the farmers who sell their wares there. *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. *Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry at 149 East Holding Avenue is now open from 9

Dr. Roger G. Franklin Jr. Wake Forest Dr. Roger George Franklin Jr., 77, was promoted to heaven on October 25, 2018. He was born June 2, 1941 in Oxford, a son of the late Roger and Lillie (Jones) Franklin. Roger was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Jane Franklin. Roger was a Christian, a devoted husband and father, an ordained minister, carpenter and business owner of the Franklin’s Inn in Wake Forest for 38 years. He was the founder and president of Dove Ministries Inc., and founder and pastor of Dove Christian Fellowship. He preached the gospel of Jesus Christ internationally, locally and through television and radio for more than 40 years. He will be remembered for his passion to serve Jesus and his love for his family. Roger is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara Franklin, his seven children and their families, Jason, Charity, Joshua, Elizabeth, Wayne, Rodney