Writer’s Night in the Forest – Exploring the History of Wake Forest will celebrate the history of Wake Forest, as well as the men and women who established the community, as well as its culture and destiny. The event is free, but anyone planning to attend is encouraged to pre-register.
Scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6:30 p.m., this special “Writer’s Night in the Forest” will feature a distinguished panel of guests including Carol Pelosi, author of Connections: 100 Years of Wake Forest History. Other panelists will include Ed Morris, Executive Director of the Wake Forest Historical Museum; Chip Russell, Wake Forest Planning Director; Durward Matheny, long-time Wake Forest resident; and Roy Lynam, Mill Village resident.
While tracing Wake Forest’s remarkable history from its early beginnings to today, panelists will share interesting stories and humorous anecdotes about the town and several of its more prominent citizens. For example, most people know golfing legend Arnold Palmer attended Wake Forest College when the college was still here in Wake Forest. But did you know one of Palmer’s friends, who was also a member of the football team, once offered the golfing great some not-so-good advice when he told him: “There’s no future in golf, so come play football.”
That’s just one of the many stories that will be discussed, along with many others, including tales about the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918, the first cataract surgery performed in the United States that just so happened to take place in Wake Forest, the fires of the 1930s, the departure of the college in 1956 and much more.
The free event will be held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts, 405 S. Brooks St., and will include a reception and historical exhibit from 6:30-7 p.m. followed by the program from 7-8:30 p.m. The evening will conclude with a short question and answer session and a book signing by Carol Pelosi.
Pelosi wrote Connections…100 Years of Wake Forest History to commemorate the town’s 100-year anniversary. Published in 2009, the hardcover limited edition is a treasure trove of pictures, original artwork, and stories recording the people, places and events of Wake Forest’s first 100 years. Connections…100 Years of Wake Forest History is on sale for $20. The book is available for purchase online and at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.
