The Town of Wake Forest is launching a comprehensive public education campaign on proper recycling behaviors. Over the next year, #RecycleRightWF will introduce and emphasize a series of easy-to-understand messages aimed at simplifying the recycling process and improving the quality of materials residents place in their rollout recycling carts. “Recycling is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do,” said Sustainability Coordinator Jeanette Johnson. “#RecycleRightWF represents a major step forward for recycling in our community. We know our residents want to recycle the right way. Through this campaign, we plan to help them do just that.” Over the past few years, Town officials have witnessed a steady increase in the amount of contaminated recyclables in recycling carts throughout Wake Forest. To some degree, the surge is the result of confusing guidelines which can lead to mistakes, apathy, and skepticism about recycling. While the national contamination rate is just under

There will be a large event on Saturday, June 5 to bag 40,000 pounds of sweet potatoes.  These will be distributed to more than 30 food pantries and feeding programs ranging from Wake County to Greensboro.  This event is sponsored by the Society of St. Andrew who coordinates bagging and gleaning activities in 25+ states. The event will be in the parking lot at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, 520 West Holding Street, Wake Forest.  Check-in will start at 8:30 am followed by a prayer at 8:50 am.  The bagging is expected to begin at 9:00 am and should take an hour or so. This is a great family event for the young from 5 years old and up.  As the event will be capped at 250 volunteers, please register in advance at: https://endhunger.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=46849 Please email George Shaw at g0b07shaw@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Wake Forest with its accessible greenways along with more and more marked bike lanes is now giving bicyclists repair stations. There will be two bike repair stations by the end of May. The first bike repair station has been installed on Brooks Street near Norse Brewing and sports a “FIXIT” sign. The second will be installed at 541 South White Street near the town dumpster enclosure and the elevated water tank. It will be easily accessible from the sidewalk. The stations come complete with a set of basic tools securely fastened to the repair stand cyclists can use to make repairs and adjustments. Plus, a QR code is provided on the station which cyclists can scan to view repair instructions (https://www.dero.com/bike-repair/). * * * * Gazette readers may remember that the town board passed an ordinance last year which requires owners of vacant stores in the Renaissance Area to install

There may be changes to the schedules below because the state has done away with requirements about indoor and outdoor capacity requirements, masks and social distancing. Holding Park Aquatic Center will open for the 2021 season Saturday, May 29, at 9 a.m. To view the daily operating schedule, visit https://bit.ly/HoldingParkAquaticCenter. Located at 133 West Owen Avenue, the aquatic center features a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, two water slides with plunge pool and children’s pool with water play. Open during the summer months, the facility offers swimming to the public, as well as swim lessons. Daily admission fees for Wake Forest residents are $1 for children ages 2 and under; $4 for children ages 3-13; $5 for patrons ages 13-59; and $4 for ages 60 and over. Daily admission fees for non-Wake Forest residents are $2 for children ages 2 and under; $6 for children ages 3-13; and $7 for patrons ages

The threat of severe weather forced the cancellation of the inaugural Spring Artisan Market, but organizers have rescheduled the outdoor event for June 5, 2021, in historic downtown Wake Forest. The Spring Artisan Market, presented by The Wake Forest Guild of Artists, ARTS Wake Forest and Wake Forest Downtown Inc., will be held along South White Street on Saturday, June 5, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the event of severe weather, the rain date is the following weekend on Saturday, June 12, same time, same place. The art event will feature more than 40 artisans who specialize in a variety of work including painting, printmaking, 2-D art, photography, candle making, ceramics, needlework, home decor, jewelry, edibles and more. Visitors can view the art in each booth and show their support by purchasing items. “Outdoor events can be difficult to plan because of unpredictable weather, but we’re happy to reschedule the Spring Artisan