2019 FNOW begins Friday

The fourth season of Friday Night on White in downtown Wake Forest will begin this Friday, April 12, featuring The Magic Pipers. The free outdoor concerts take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at several downtown restaurants. Plus, a variety of food and dessert trucks will be on site in the Depot Parking Lot. The food and dessert trucks planning to be on hand are American Meltdown, Baozi, Charlie’s Kabob Grill, Cousins Maine Lobster, Fuzzy’s Empanadas, Havana Dave’s, Kona Ice, Lumpy’s Ice Cream, Sweet Traditions, the VFW Chuckwagon, Virgil’s Jamaica, and The Wandering Moose. Event organizers urge anyone planning to attend Friday Night on White to know the following: *  No outside alcohol or coolers are permitted during Friday Night on White, but beer, wine, soft drinks and water will be available for purchase within the festival area. *  All attendees wishing

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Town to start clothing recycling

The Town of Wake Forest and Simple Recycling are partnering to offer a new program that will allow town sanitation customers recycle clothing, shoes and various accessories. In the next few days, town sanitation customers will receive an orange and green-colored “Simple Recycling” postcard in the mail, along with an orange bag. Beginning the week of April 22, customers can fill the orange bag with pre-loved clothing, shoes and accessories and set the bag out next to their recycling cart on their normal collection day. Simple Recycling drivers will pick up the bags and leave replacement bags behind. Simple Recycling is a for-profit recycler committed to offering residents the simplest and easiest way to keep usable materials from the landfill. Items Simple Recycling will accept include men’s clothing, women’s clothing, children’s clothing, coats and jackets, jewelry, shoes, purses, hats, toys, blankets, drapes/curtains, pillows, sleeping bags, tools, silverware, dishes, pots/pans and

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Blue lights disappeared as did carts

The editor apologizes for two articles in the April 3 edition which were misleading to her and the Gazette readers. The first was a press release from the Town of Wake Forest about the blue lights illuminating town hall to help raise awareness of the autism disorder and the Light It Up Blue Campaign by Autism Speaks. It was released just before 4 p.m. on April 2 with the blue lights due to be turned on that evening. Part of the press release said: “Throughout April, Wake Forest area residents can lend their additional support by getting involved in four key ways:” The first key way was to post a picture of yourself in front of town hall on social media and post it. The editor mistakenly thought the town hall illumination was going to be throughout the rest of April. It was not. The lights were only blue that

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Holding first candidate in town race

Heather Loftin Holding said last week she will be a candidate for the Wake Forest Town Board, the first announced candidate for the three open seats on the town board. First-term Commissioner Brian Pate said in February he will not run again, and Commissioners Greg Harrington and Anne Reeve have not made any decision. Harrington has served two terms, Reeve three. During her announcement in a Facebook Live video from the Wake Forest Historical Museum on April 4, Holding said she will launch a listening tour to see what matters most to town resident. “My first action as a candidate for Wake Forest Town Commissioner is to seek input by listening to those who live and work here.” Holding moved to Wake Forest with her family in 1986 and graduated from Wake Forest-Rolesville High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in business from Wake Forest University. She is a licensed

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Children’s egg hunt at Joyner Park Saturday

Once again the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 13, at E. Carroll Joyner Park on  Harris Road. The free event will be packed full of crafts, games, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny. This year’s Egg Hunt will include over 10,000 eggs containing prizes and candy hidden across four locations for the following age groups: 3 and younger, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and special needs. Children ages 3 and younger will hunt for eggs beginning at 10 a.m.; ages 4-6 will begin at 10:20 a.m.; ages 7-9 get underway at 10:40 a.m.; and ages 10-12 commence at 11 a.m. An egg hunt for children with special needs will begin at 11:30 a.m. A downloadable map of the egg hunt areas is available at www.wakeforestnc.gov/easter-egg-hunt.aspx. Registration is not required for the hunts, but participants should come with baskets

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Archaeology workshop to attract history buffs on April 27

The Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission will host an Archaeology Workshop on Saturday, April 27, at the site of the Ailey Young House. Two sessions will be offered – the first from 10 a.m.-noon and the second from 1-3 p.m. The Ailey Young House is located along North White Street, north of Spring Street and south of the Wake Forest Cemetery. The one-and-one-half story saddlebag house is a rare example of Reconstruction-era rental housing that was the childhood home of Allen Young, an important educator in the history of Wake Forest. It is the oldest known African American historic resource within Wake Forest. The April 27 workshop is open to everyone but may be especially appealing to those with an interest in history, historic preservation and archaeology. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required at www.wakeforestnc.gov/advisory-boards/historic-preservation-commission/archaeology-workshop<http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/advisory-boards/historic-preservation-commission/archaeology-workshop>. Everyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent

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Field of Dreams comes true again on May 8

On Wednesday, May 8, the North Wake Baseball Complex at The Factory will host the 11th annual Field of Dreams from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., occupying all the ball fields. A groundbreaking program created by instructors at Wake Forest High School to bring a day of baseball, fun and friendship to students with special needs, Field of Dreams has sparked a movement across the country. Field of Dreams is the brainchild of WFHS Special Education teacher Gail Tucker and the Wake Forest Army JROTC, led by Sgt. Maj. Ginger Cribb. Coached by varsity athletes and assisted by cadet volunteers, kids who might otherwise miss the chance to play high school sports get a day packed with a series of baseball matchups where they’re the stars—batting, running, and scoring to the cheers of a supportive crowd! Families, spectators, media and fans are invited to share the fun. There will be

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Marga-RELAY-ville 5K will run April 27

For the 6th consecutive year, runners, walkers, and fun-seekers will gather on S. White St. in front of the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce to participate in the 2019 version of the Marga-RELAY-ville 5k – a charity fundraiser benefitting the American Cancer Society, Rotary International, and selected local charities. To date, over $40,000 in net proceeds have been donated to “Kick Cancer to the Curb.” Marga-RELAY-ville is a 5K run for individual participants -or- a 5K relay for teams of three persons – each running a mile. The run will be timed by Precision Race on a certified course starting and finishing in front of the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce at 350 S. White St. Each participant receives a bag of goodies, including a runner shirt, and items from local merchants. Age category winners are awarded valuable prizes and medals at the wrap-up ceremony. Cancer Survivors are encouraged to

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Cemetery Tour slated for Saturday, May 11

On Saturday May 11, 2019 the Cemetery Advisory Board will conduct its eleventh annual Wake Forest Cemetery tour. Year after year the guests have said, “We loved the history and the family stories,” Alan O’Shaughnessy, chairman of the cemetery board, said. There will be stories again this year, sometimes by a family member or friend of the person being recognized, sometimes by strangers who find the stories appealing. There will also be an opening ceremony, a strolling bagpipe player and other highlights. The major change will be a shuttle service because the cemetery offers limited parking. The board is working to document as many of the family histories as possible this year and in years to come. There is still time to participate as a docent for a grave or graves. To volunteer, email O’Shaughnessy at ncalano@aol.com or call him at 919-219-1988.

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Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Garden Tour will be May 11

One of the highlights of the spring season in Wake Forest is the Wake Forest Garden Club’s annual Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and Garden and Art Tour in the Wake Forest Historical Museum, on its grounds and in local gardens, on May 11. This year’s event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the high tea, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the garden and art tour. You can buy tickets for both or for just one. The tea will be served in the museum, first come – first served, and many of the guests will be wearing their finest hats and gloves. The garden and art tour will feature local gardens selected for their unique and creative displays where local plein-air artists will be demonstrating how they create. On the grounds there will be other attractions. The vintage car show features classic cars owned by

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