📫 New Farm Laws | Teacher's Pay Debate | Hospital Ratings In Wake | Yard & Estate Sales | New Senior Discounts📍

🌞 Good morning, friends!

Happy National Brothers and Sisters Day!✨

Sure, it feels like there’s a holiday for just about everything—but this one actually makes perfect sense. Today is a wonderful reminder to celebrate the lifelong bonds we share with our siblings. So if you’re lucky enough to have a brother or sister, take a moment to show them some love. Send a quick message—or even better, pick up the phone and give them a call. Let them know they matter!

See you out there in beautiful Wake,
Diane

📧 [email protected] 

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." – Winston Churchill

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📍 Today’s North Carolina Trivia📍

Long before European contact, the Mississippian culture—ancestors of tribes like the Catawba—built large earthen mounds for religious and political purposes in western North Carolina. One of the most significant sites is the Town Creek Indian Mound near Mount Gilead, a ceremonial center dating back over 1,000 years.🌸

📍On This Day in History📍

1611 – The King James Bible was published: One of the most influential and widely read versions of the Bible was first printed in London.

Echoes of the Ancients

Exploring the Mississippian Culture and Town Creek Indian Mound

Long before European settlers arrived in North Carolina, the land was home to a rich and complex network of Indigenous peoples. Among the most sophisticated of these early cultures was the Mississippian culture, which flourished from roughly 800 to 1600 AD across much of the southeastern United States. In western and central North Carolina, their legacy lives on through archaeological sites, oral traditions, and striking earthworks—none more iconic than the Town Creek Indian Mound near Mount Gilead.

The Mississippian people were not a single tribe but a cultural grouping united by shared customs, trade networks, religious beliefs, and architectural practices. Central to their society were mounds—large earthen structures used for ceremonial, political, and residential purposes. These mounds often supported temples, elite homes, or council houses and were part of larger towns arranged around open plazas.

In what is now North Carolina, these people were the ancestors of tribes such as the Catawba and Cheraw. Their communities thrived through agriculture, cultivating maize, beans, and squash in addition to hunting, fishing, and trading. They practiced complex spiritual rituals and maintained a deep connection with the land, viewing it as sacred and alive.

One of the best-preserved and most accessible remnants of the Mississippian culture in North Carolina is Town Creek Indian Mound, located near Mount Gilead in Montgomery County. This site served as a major ceremonial and political center for the Pee Dee culture, a regional Mississippian group, around 1,000 years ago.

Excavations began in the 1930s and revealed a large platform mound, a surrounding village area, and artifacts that tell the story of a complex society rich in tradition and ritual. Structures have been reconstructed on-site to give visitors a sense of what the settlement may have looked like, including the mound-top temple and the palisade wall that once encircled the village.

Town Creek Indian Mound offers a unique, family-friendly destination for those looking to connect with North Carolina’s ancient past. Highlights include:

• The Reconstructed Mound and Buildings: Climb the steps to the mound-top and imagine the view a chief might have had overlooking the plaza.

• Museum and Visitor Center: Explore exhibits featuring pottery, tools, ceremonial objects, and interpretive displays on Mississippian culture.

• Educational Trails: Enjoy a walk through the site’s grounds, with signage explaining the daily lives of its ancient inhabitants.

• Special Events and Programs: Throughout the year, the site hosts cultural events, storytelling, and Native American heritage celebrations.

Town Creek Indian Mound is more than a historical attraction—it is a sacred space and an enduring symbol of the resilience and ingenuity of Native American cultures. Today, the site is managed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which works to preserve it and educate the public about its significance.

Visiting places like Town Creek helps foster a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse cultures that shaped this land long before European contact. It’s a chance to honor the past and ensure that the stories of the first peoples of North Carolina are never forgotten.

➡️ For more travel inspiration in NC, follow our spotlight on another hidden gem in North Carolina!

Triangle Hospitals Earn High Marks in Latest National Safety Rankings

Hospitals throughout North Carolina’s Triangle region have once again demonstrated their commitment to patient care and safety, earning top grades in the Spring 2025 Hospital Safety Grades released by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit that evaluates hospitals on safety performance.

These grades, updated twice annually, are based on more than 30 national performance measures, focusing on areas like preventing errors, reducing infections, and ensuring strong systems for patient communication and staff responsiveness.

In this latest report, several hospitals in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area received "A" ratings, the highest score possible, indicating excellence in patient safety. Among the top-scoring facilities were:

• Duke University Hospital

• Duke Raleigh Hospital

• Duke Regional Hospital

• WakeMed Raleigh Campus

• WakeMed Cary Hospital

• UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill

Of note, WakeMed Raleigh and WakeMed Cary have maintained straight A’s for multiple years in a row, placing them in an elite group of hospitals nationwide known for long-standing safety success.

Other area hospitals, while not receiving the highest grade, still performed well. UNC Rex Hospital and WakeMed North earned “B” grades, signaling that they continue to provide quality care with only minor areas for improvement.

North Carolina hospitals, as a whole, are doing well in national safety standings. But the Triangle region stands out even further, with no hospitals receiving below a “B.” That places this area among the most reliable in the country when it comes to avoiding preventable medical harm.

Patients and families looking to compare hospitals or check on safety data can explore full details at HospitalSafetyGrade.org, where The Leapfrog Group provides transparent, user-friendly access to rankings.

Wake County Addresses Teacher Pay

As the state of North Carolina sees a decline in its national standing for average teacher pay, Wake County is taking steps to support its educators with local initiatives aimed at boosting compensation and morale.

A recent report from the National Education Association reveals that North Carolina’s average teacher salary rose slightly to $58,292, a 3% increase over the previous year. However, that modest bump wasn't enough to maintain the state’s position among its peers. North Carolina fell to 41st in the nation for average teacher pay, down from 38th just a year ago. In contrast, the national average salary for teachers sits significantly higher at $71,699.

While average pay lags, there’s encouraging news for early-career educators: North Carolina improved its standing in starting teacher pay, moving up to 42nd nationally with a current entry-level salary of $40,136. That figure is set to rise to $41,000 for the 2025 school year, signaling a small but positive shift in support for new teachers entering the profession.

Locally, Wake County Public Schools—the largest district in the state—is working to make teaching more financially sustainable. To supplement state salaries, the county is boosting its local teacher pay supplement by 4%, helping make up the gap left by low state rankings.

Thanks to this additional funding, new teachers in Wake County will now start at $48,340—a notable difference from the state base. Veteran educators with advanced degrees and national board certification can earn up to $86,752 under the county’s current pay structure.

In addition, Wake County continues to reward educational attainment. Teachers with a master’s degree receive a 10% salary bonus, including those who were previously excluded due to statewide policy changes enacted in 2013.

Despite these local efforts, concerns remain. In April 2024, teachers at Abbotts Creek Elementary School in Raleigh held a “walk-in” demonstration to call for stronger financial support and more robust investment in education at both the local and state levels.

Governor Josh Stein’s proposed budget aims to tackle this issue head-on by increasing teacher salaries across the board. However, political tensions in the General Assembly, currently controlled by Republicans, may complicate the budget's approval and implementation.

As discussions over education funding continue at the state level, Wake County stands out for its proactive approach to supporting teachers. With rising costs and increasing demands in the classroom, district leaders recognize that competitive pay is essential not only to attract top talent, but also to keep experienced educators in North Carolina’s classrooms.

North Carolina’s New Farm Laws Spark Debate Over

Milk, Meat, and Energy

North Carolina's agricultural future is taking a sharp turn with the passage of the 2024 Farm Act, a sweeping piece of legislation that’s raising eyebrows—and stirring controversy—across the state. The law touches on everything from what’s in your glass and on your plate to how the state handles its growing appetite for solar energy.

Despite a push from raw milk advocates, the new law reaffirms North Carolina’s long-standing ban on the commercial sale of unpasteurized milk. Supporters of raw milk argue for consumer choice and natural health benefits, but public health officials and lawmakers sided with safety, pointing to the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with raw dairy. In short: unless you own the cow, you still can’t legally buy raw milk in North Carolina.

As food technology advances, North Carolina is setting boundaries. The Farm Act now requires lab-grown meat products to carry specific labels—terms like “lab-grown” or “cell-cultured” must be clearly displayed so shoppers aren’t misled. The move is a nod to transparency, aiming to ensure that high-tech protein alternatives don’t get confused with traditional farm-raised meat. It's a growing trend among states looking to stay ahead of food innovation without sacrificing consumer clarity.

In a state known for both sunny skies and fertile farmland, the 2024 Farm Act introduces new limits on how much agricultural land can be converted into solar farms. Over 40,000 acres of farmland in North Carolina have already been lost to solar development, prompting concerns that renewable energy expansion could come at the cost of food security. The new rules aim to slow this trend and ensure working farms remain central to the state’s economy and culture.

Beyond the headline issues, the law includes several other key provisions:

• Conservation Incentives: A revived conservation tax credit hopes to protect 1 million acres of natural and agricultural land by 2040.

• Support for Aquaculture: Shellfish farmers will see fewer bureaucratic hurdles, making it easier to grow the state’s aquaculture economy.

• Livestock Enforcement: The law also cracks down on the illegal transport of live feral hogs, a threat to both the environment and the livestock industry.

Supporters of the law say it strikes a necessary balance between protecting traditional farming and responding to new challenges like climate change and lab-engineered foods. Critics, however, argue it places unnecessary restrictions on consumer choice and clean energy.

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: North Carolina’s agricultural policies are entering a new era—one where innovation, tradition, and sustainability are all competing for a seat at the table.

This Weekend in Wake!

🎉 FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025

🧓 Wake County Senior Games: Track & Field
📍 Peter Hines Williams Stadium, Raleigh
🕘 9 AM – 3 PM | 💰 Free to Watch
Come cheer on athletes 50+ as they compete in classic track and field events. A day full of inspiration and community spirit! 🏃‍♀️🏅
[More Info: wcseniorgames.com]

🎷 Brass Transit: The Music of Chicago
📍 North Carolina Symphony, Raleigh
🕖 Evening | 💰 Ticketed
Get swept away by the powerful horns and harmonies of Chicago hits like "25 or 6 to 4" and "Beginnings" — performed live by Brass Transit. 🎶🎺

🚤 Bands, Bites & Boats
📍 Venue TBA, Raleigh
🕖 Evening | 💰 Varies
Kick back with live tunes, mouthwatering bites from food trucks, and relaxing boat rides. Perfect for a casual Friday date or family night. 🍔🎸🌊

🌍 Holly Springs International Food Festival
📍 Downtown Holly Springs
🕔 Evening | 💰 Free
Taste the world without leaving town! Enjoy dishes from across the globe, cultural performances, and vibrant community celebration. 🥟🌮🌎

🎶 Music in the Park – Autumn Nicholas
📍 Indian Creek Park, Morrisville
🕡 6:30 PM–8:30 PM | 💰 Free
Bring your picnic blanket and enjoy a soulful evening with the talented Autumn Nicholas and local food trucks. 🎤🧺

🎊 SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025

🎨 Meet in the Street Festival – Wake Forest
📍 Downtown Wake Forest
🕙 10 AM – 4 PM | 💰 Free
Stroll through 100+ artisan booths, devour food truck treats, enjoy live music on two stages, and let the kids explore the Children’s Village. 🎪🛍️🎵

🍖 BBQ Fest on the Neuse – Kinston (Just a short drive!)
📍 Downtown Kinston
🕘 9 AM – 7 PM | 💰 Free
Smoky barbecue, art, music, and heritage all in one place. Come hungry! 🍗🎶

🐔 Spring Chicken Festival – Siler City
📍 Downtown Siler City
🕙 10 AM – 4 PM | 💰 Free
Peck around at live music, vendors, inflatables, and more! Great family outing. 🐣🎡

🎶 Fontaines D.C. Live in Concert
📍 The Ritz, Raleigh
🕖 Evening | 💰 Ticketed
Rock out with the Irish post-punk band as they hit Raleigh with their electric energy. 🎤⚡

🎸 Raleigh DIY Punk Rock Flea Market (Also on Sunday)
📍 Rebus Works, Raleigh
🕘 All Day | 💰 Free Entry
Shop handmade punk goods, listen to live music, and soak up some alt-vibes. 🧷🎶🖤

🍹 Cinco De Mayo Bar Crawl – Raleigh
📍 Downtown Raleigh Venues
🕔 Evening | 💰 Varies
Sip, salsa, and celebrate Cinco de Mayo a little early with drink specials and festive surprises. 🌮🍹🎉

🚴 Early Bird Bike Tribe Ride
📍 House Creek Greenway, Raleigh
🕗 Morning | 💰 Free
Join fellow cyclists for a scenic, social ride to start your Saturday right. 🚴‍♂️🌳

🏃‍♀️ Relay for Ribbons 5K – Cary
📍 Location TBA
🕗 Morning | 💰 Varies
Support cancer awareness while getting your steps in. Run, walk, or cheer! 🎗️👟

🧗 YMCA Families On Challenge – Raleigh
📍 Location TBA
🕗 Morning | 💰 Registration Required
A 2-mile obstacle run for the whole family to conquer together. Mud, laughs, and teamwork guaranteed! 💪👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎶 SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2025

🎵 Six Sundays in Spring: The Tams
📍 Carroll Joyner Park, Wake Forest
🕔 5 PM | 💰 Free
Beach music legends The Tams take the stage for a lively outdoor concert. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the tunes. 🌅🎤

🎸 13th Annual Raleigh Blues Festival
📍 Martin Marietta Center, Raleigh
🕕 6 PM | 💰 Ticketed
Top-tier blues artists bring the soul to downtown Raleigh in this can't-miss show. 🎶🎷

🍀 A Magical Evening of Irish Music & Storytelling
📍 Wake Forest Christian Church
🕖 Evening | 💰 Donation Suggested
Let enchanting Irish music and tales whisk you away in this cozy cultural experience. ☘️🎻📚

👶 Marbles Kids Food Festival
📍 Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh
🕙 10 AM – 4 PM | 💰 Museum Admission
Little chefs get hands-on with cooking demos, global bites, and nutrition fun! 🥕👩‍🍳🍓

✨ Star Wars Day Celebration
📍 Wake County Library (Branch TBA)
🕑 2 PM | 💰 Free
Celebrate “May the 4th” with crafts, games, and intergalactic fun for kids and teens. 💫🛸📖

🌿 HerbFest – Wake Forest (Final Day)
📍 The Cotton Company, Wake Forest
🕙 10 AM – 4 PM | 💰 Free
Your last chance to browse herbs, butterfly plants, and garden goodies! 🪴🛒

🧶 Teach Me to Crochet! – Wake Forest
📍 MK Creative Arts Studio
🕑 Afternoon | 💰 Materials Provided
Beginner-friendly crochet class where creativity meets calm. 🧵🧶

📈 Triangle Small Business Week Kickoff
📍 Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
🕛 12 PM | 💰 Free
Support local innovation and entrepreneurs as Small Business Week begins! 💼🎉

🎯 Ready to Plan Your Weekend?

With live music, outdoor adventures, cultural fests, and family fun all packed into one weekend — Wake County is where it's happening! 🌟

Which event is calling your name?

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The Wonders of Rosemary Essential Oil: Nature's Herbal Powerhouse

Rosemary essential oil has long been treasured for its invigorating aroma, powerful health benefits, and wide range of uses in both home and wellness routines. Derived from the aromatic herb Rosmarinus officinalis, this essential oil carries a crisp, herbaceous scent and a rich history that dates back to ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians.

Rosemary was once considered sacred and symbolic of remembrance and protection. Scholars in ancient Greece wore rosemary garlands while studying, believing it enhanced memory. In the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off illness and even evil spirits. Today, rosemary oil continues to be embraced in aromatherapy and holistic health practices around the world.

🌟 Health & Wellness Benefits

1. Boosts Mental Clarity & Focus
Inhaling rosemary essential oil has been shown to improve concentration, memory, and alertness. It’s a favorite among students and professionals needing a natural brain boost.

2. Supports Hair Growth
Rosemary oil stimulates blood circulation to the scalp, helping to prevent hair thinning and encourage healthy growth. It’s often used as a natural remedy for dandruff and itchy scalp as well.

3. Relieves Aches & Pains
With its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, rosemary oil can help soothe sore muscles, arthritis pain, and joint stiffness when diluted and applied topically.

4. Aids Digestion
When used in massage or inhaled, rosemary oil can help ease indigestion, bloating, and cramping due to its antispasmodic properties.

5. Natural Decongestant
Its crisp scent helps clear nasal passages and supports respiratory health, especially during cold and allergy seasons.

🌼 Everyday Uses

• Aromatherapy: Add a few drops to a diffuser for a mental pick-me-up or respiratory relief.

• Hair Care: Mix a few drops into your shampoo or create a scalp massage oil with a carrier like coconut oil.

• Massage Oil: Blend with a carrier oil and apply to sore muscles for natural pain relief.

• DIY Cleaners: Rosemary’s antibacterial properties make it a great addition to homemade surface sprays and air fresheners.

• Bath Soaks: Add to a warm bath with Epsom salts to relax muscles and clear your mind.

⚠️ Safety Notes

While rosemary essential oil is generally safe, it should always be diluted before applying to the skin. Pregnant women, individuals with high blood pressure, and people with epilepsy should consult a healthcare provider before use.

🌿 Final Thoughts

Rosemary essential oil is more than just a fragrant herb—it's a multi-purpose botanical tool for enhancing your physical and mental wellness. Whether you're looking to sharpen your focus, grow healthier hair, or simply uplift your space, rosemary oil is a timeless favorite worth exploring.

Would you like a simple DIY rosemary hair or diffuser blend recipe next?

Help our local food banks support those who are in need!

Local Drop-Off Locations For Non-Parishables.

Zinc Winery: Where Grit Meets Grace

Zinc Winery began not with rolling vineyards or gleaming tasting rooms, but with a spark of inspiration in an unexpected place: a decommissioned industrial warehouse at the edge of wine country. The founders, a group of lifelong friends with roots in engineering, design, and viticulture, saw potential where others saw rust and concrete. They envisioned a winery that would honor both the strength of industry and the elegance of fine wine—and so, Zinc Winery was born.

The name “Zinc” was chosen deliberately. Zinc, a humble yet essential element, symbolizes strength, resilience, and versatility—traits the founders felt defined their journey and philosophy. They wanted to create a space where wine could be made and enjoyed with intention, where old-world techniques would meet new-world daring. From the beginning, they set out to break the mold—not to shock, but to surprise with refinement, integrity, and purpose.

With its roots in reclaimed space and its sights set on innovation, Zinc Winery quickly distinguished itself. The founders worked with local growers and sourced fruit from sustainable vineyards, carefully selecting grapes that reflected the richness of the region. Their winemaking approach married classic methods—like barrel aging and hand-picking—with clean, modern aesthetics and a dedication to precision. The result: wines that were layered, expressive, and unapologetically unique.

As the winery grew, so did its vision. What started as a passion project evolved into a destination. Zinc Winery expanded to include a sleek tasting room, a chef-driven bistro, and eventually, boutique guest suites overlooking the vines. Yet, despite its growth, the heart of Zinc remains unchanged: a place where bold ideas and beautiful wines coexist.

The origin of Zinc Winery is a story of transformation—of turning raw materials into refined experiences. It’s about honoring hard work, celebrating creativity, and inviting others to be part of something meaningful. Today, every glass poured at Zinc is a tribute to that original dream: gritty, graceful, and completely unforgettable.

…………………………….👇👇👇………………..……….

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