You have reported on your household for the 2020 Census, right? No? Well, hop to it. Type in 2020census.gov and you will go to the site where it will take you five minutes – maybe longer if you can’t remember everyone’s birthday who is living with you – to fill out the form. No names, just ages and sexes.
Not only will you be helping assure North Carolina will get its share of the federal monies for education, for highways and road projects, for funding of everything from clean water to election expenses, you will be upholding the honor of Wake Forest.
Mayor Vivian Jones has a bet with John Byrne, the Wake Forester who wandered over to Fuquay-Varina and has settled in as mayor there as his natural calling, about which town will have the highest percentage of people responding to the Census. If F-V wins, her honor will have to wear a F-V cap (Ugh!) and buy Mr. Byrne lunch. Fill out the Census form, then give the mayor a shout at mayor@wakeforestnc.gov and tell her what you did.
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While you are at the computer, you can also either check your voter registration or register to vote if you are new to town or haven’t yet, it’s free, so that on Nov. 3 when we vote for our next president you are ready to participate.
Our state board of elections is preparing for a strange, pandemic-style election, in which the officials assume many of us will want to vote absentee. In North Carolina, you do not have to give a reason to ask for an absentee ballot, unlike some other states.
The problems are that those election officials need money from the General Assembly to do the job right, letting you send back the marked ballot without adding a stamp, for instance. They need volunteers to man the early-voting stations that will help take the rush away from election day, they need money to buy equipment to handle all those ballots – opening and recording them – and they would find it helpful if election day is a holiday. Watch for information about voting this fall in North Carolina. You want to make your vote count and do it safely.
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The Wake Forest Historical Museum is starting a new project to record the pandemic experience here in Wake Forest. The staff is working reduced hours because the buildings are not open, and they have taken this time to do some needed repairs on the Calvin Jones House, which after all has been standing since about 1820.
The staff will also welcome the second Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit, Water/Ways, from August 30 to October 10. There will be special local programs, extended hours and a lot of activity – with masks and social distancing added – around this special exhibit. The local emphasis will be on our streams and lakes, especially Falls Lake.
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North Carolina is open a bit. In Wake Forest that means greenways and parks remain open and park bathrooms will re-open though not playgrounds or water fountains. Tennis and pickleball courts are now open. The town is considering what and when it can open as far as the sprayground or recreational activities.
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Wear a mask, it’s the polite thing to do to keep your friends and neighbors safe, and keep your distance. Under the mask, wear a smile and greet people with a friendly hello. Wash your hands. Keep those disinfectant wipes handy. And remember we will get through this! Donate food and money to any of the organizations helping people with food and other necessities. That’s what Americans do.
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