Local Parks | Light Up The Holidays | Closing on Ligon | A Chuckle

🤣Chuckle - Laughter is good for the soul.

☁️Weather - Whether we like it or not!

🎙️Events - Don’t miss out on the fun.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Health - Important information on health and wellness

🆕News - Stay in the know.

🧑‍💼Featured Business - Let’s support our local small businesses.

🍳What’s Cooking - Tried and true recipes from my grandmother.

• Nov. 26th Wake Forest Small Business Saturday

• Dec. 6th - 8th Walk Through Bethlehem at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church

• Dec. 6th Lighting of Wake Forest 5-8 pmCentennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St.

• Dec. 7th Wake Forest Home Tours 1 - 4:00 PM

• Dec. 13 & 14th - 2:00pm The Four C Notes 

• Dec. 14th Sip and Ship Holiday Market at Sneaky Penguin Brewing

• Dec. 14th Vocal Arts Ensemble of Durham Holiday Concert

Understanding Hair Loss, Aging, and Heart Health

Hair loss and other visible signs of aging may indicate the development of heart disease. A significant study highlighted by WebMD reveals a connection between receding hairlines, aging markers, and the risks of heart attacks and heart disease. While this information can seem alarming, awareness empowers us to take preventive measures.

Most hair follows a continuous growth cycle: a prolonged growing phase, a short resting phase, and a shedding phase lasting two to three months. However, certain conditions can disrupt this cycle, causing some hairs to enter the resting and shedding phases prematurely.

For example, women may experience noticeable hair loss after giving birth, shedding up to one-third of their hair. Fortunately, with proper nourishment, hair usually regrows within a year. Stressful events like high fever, infections, malnutrition, or extreme dieting can also trigger substantial hair shedding, typically six weeks to three months after the event. Over time, normal hair growth resumes. Harsh hair care products, tight hairstyles, or extensions may also cause premature hair loss.

The Role of Nutrition in Healthy Hair
A balanced diet rich in calories and protein is essential for healthy hair. When the body lacks nutrients, it prioritizes vital functions over hair growth. Supplements like high-quality protein shakes can provide a simple way to ensure the needed daily protein intake. Similarly, daily vitamin supplements can support overall wellness when taken as directed.

WebMD also highlights salmon and walnuts as two of the top ten foods for promoting hair health due to their omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3s make up about three percent of the hair shaft and are vital for scalp health. For optimal omega-3 intake, consider supplements.

Taking care of your hair goes beyond vanity—it reflects your overall health. With the right care, nutrition, and awareness, you can support your hair growth and overall wellness.

Are you looking for a high-quality natural supplement and want more information? Fill out the attached form for information. Click Here ⬅️

^{Local Parks Turn Off Water}

Town crews have turned off the water fountains at all Wake Forest parks, including Flaherty Dog Park (1226 N. White St.), Joyner Park Playground (701 Harris Road), and Holding Park Inclusive Playground (133 W. Owen Ave.). This is done each winter to prevent pipes from freezing and allow for regular maintenance.

However, restrooms at all Wake Forest parks will remain open. Since 2015, the Town has installed heating units, added insulation, and made other upgrades to ensure the restrooms are accessible year-round.

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Enjoy Wake Forest and the Magic of the Holidays

You’re invited to celebrate the holiday season at the annual Lighting of Wake Forest! Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. (WFD), this festive event will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, from 5-8 p.m. at Centennial Plaza (301 S. Brooks St.) and along East Owen Avenue.

Highlighting the evening, Mayor Vivian Jones will officially light the Town’s 30-foot Christmas tree in Centennial Plaza at approximately 6:20 p.m.

Enjoy musical performances throughout the night, featuring choral groups from Wake Forest iSTEM Elementary School, Heritage Elementary, and School of Rock Wake Forest, all on the South Brooks Street performance stage next to Centennial Plaza. Meanwhile, East Owen Avenue will feature roving LED performers and a variety of food trucks: Not Just a Fry Guy, Arepa Culture NC, NOMAD Beverage Company, and Little Halos.

Be sure to stop by Nothing Bundt Cakes of Wake Forest for complimentary samples while supplies last.

Other festive offerings include the arrival of Santa Claus, a letter-writing station for kids provided by the Wake Forest Woman’s Club, a sweet treat sale by Polka Dot Treat Shop, Christmas ornaments from the Wake Forest Historical Museum, and chocolates by Make Room for Dessert LLC. The Makery will also be in attendance.

The 2024 Lighting of Wake Forest is made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors:
Platinum Sponsor: Professional Touch Paint
Gold Sponsors: Holding Village; Johnson Hyundai of Wake Forest; Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce; Warren, Shackleford & Thomas Attorneys; and Wild Birds Unlimited
Silver Sponsors: Focus Design Builders; Hounds Town; Re/Max Hometown Wake Forest; Piedmont Federal Bank; and Ting Internet.

Small Business Saturday

^{Support Your Community – Shop Local This Small Business Saturday!}

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 26, and join us in celebrating the 13th Annual Small Business Saturday®! Spend the day strolling through historic downtown Wake Forest, where you’ll find unique gifts, unbeatable customer service, and a welcoming holiday atmosphere.

Skip the stress of mall traffic and crowded big box stores. Instead, support locally owned businesses that make our community special.

When you Shop Small®, you make a BIG impact. Let’s come together to make this year’s Small Business Saturday unforgettable.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 26

• Location: Downtown Wake Forest

• Admission: Free and open to everyone

Thank you for your continued support of our small businesses. We can’t wait to see you there!

Shop Local. Eat Local. Love Local.

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Road Closing

Starting Monday, Dec. 2nd a section of Ligon Mill Road between Burlington Mills RD and Sout Main ST/US 1A will be closed for construction work by a contractor on behalf of the NC Department of Transportation. This closure is necessary to realign Ligon Mill Road from the existing bridge over Smith Creek to the new replacement bridge.

A signed detour will be in place, directing drivers from South Main Street/US 1A to Capital Boulevard/US 1 and Burlington Mills Road.

Weather permitting, the road is expected to reopen by late December.

The existing bridge, built in 1967 to span Smith Creek, required replacement due to deteriorating components that could no longer be repaired. Additionally, it was considered functionally obsolete, as it no longer met the needs of current traffic levels.

NCDOT explored various options to improve traffic flow while minimizing impacts on the community and environment. The new bridge was constructed to the east of the existing one, while traffic continued on the original alignment.

Construction of the new bridge began in January 2023 and includes the following improvements:

• A 200-foot long, 58-foot-wide bridge (with a 47-foot roadway)

• Three 11-foot lanes (two in each direction, with a center turn lane)

• Five-foot bike lanes in both the northbound and southbound directions

• Five-foot sidewalks on the east side of Ligon Mill Road from the northern project limit to Song Sparrow Drive, and on the west side from the bridge to the southern project limit

• The new bridge will be elevated approximately six feet higher than the existing bridge to accommodate a future Town of Wake Forest greenway beneath it.

For more details, contact the NCDOT Resident Engineer’s office at 919-263-6260.

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The Letters for Santa Mailbox is Back This Holiday Season!

Our beloved Letters for Santa mailbox has returned to the Jones Plaza location at the corner of South White Street and East Jones Avenue.

Children of all ages are encouraged to drop off their letters to Santa anytime now through Monday, Dec. 23. Each letter will be sent straight to the North Pole—no postage required!

🎅 Personalized Letter from Santa
Want to add a special touch? Download a customizable Letter from Santa to share a magical message with your child.

Spread the holiday cheer and make this season unforgettable! 📫Visit our website

If you like receiving our Wake Forest News and Events newsletter, please forward our newsletter to a friend and recommend they subscribe! We would appreciate it.

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Farm Table Restaurant

Farm Table is a proud locally owned and operated restaurant that has been an integral part of the Wake Forest community since 2014. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing and growing alongside this vibrant community, a journey that has shaped our success and made us a beloved staple.

Our commitment to the farm-to-table philosophy is more than a statement—it’s our way of life. We partner with as many local growers as possible, knowing that the community’s unwavering support fuels our daily operations.

Being a part of Wake Forest is an honor, and we are grateful to contribute to the heart of this amazing community.

✔️Would you like to recommend a local Wake Forest business to be featured here in our newsletter and on our FB page?

 Click here to suggest a business. 📰 ⬅️

This week’s recipe is from Grandma’s kitchen.

^{Not just for breakfast!}

Hash Brown Casserole

• 5 medium-sized russet potatoes (about 3 lbs), peeled

• 1 large sweet onion chopped

• 1 ½ cup Colby cheese, shredded and divided

• 3 large eggs, beaten

• ¾ cup sour cream

• 2 tsp. garlic powder

• 2 tsp. salt 

• freshly ground black pepper to taste

• Cooking spray

• 5 strips of bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

^Directions

Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 350°F and adjust the rack to the center position. Grate the potatoes and onion using a box grater or the grater attachment of a food processor. You can use frozen hash browns but fresh is better.

Step 2:
Place handfuls of the shredded potatoes and onion in a clean kitchen towel, working in batches. Squeeze out and discard the excess liquid. Transfer the squeezed mixture to a bowl.

Step 3:
Add 1 cup of cheese, eggs, sour cream, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to the potato-onion mixture. Mix thoroughly until well combined.

Step 4:
Spray a medium-sized baking dish or large oven-proof skillet with cooking spray. Evenly spread the potato-onion mixture into the prepared dish.

Step 5:
Sprinkle the remaining cheese and crumbled bacon over the top. Bake for about an hour until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Enjoy your deliciously cheesy casserole!

We’d love to feature you and your favorite recipe in our newsletter and our Facebook page. Please fill out the attached form and submit it! We will contact you soon! Click Here 🧑‍🍳⬅️

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. 🙌

The answer to today’s riddle: Your Nose‼️🥸🥸