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Hello friends!
If Mondays had a flavor, today’s would be golden waffles dripping with syrup and warm peach pie fresh from the oven. That’s right—it’s National Waffle Day and National Peach Pie Day, giving us the perfect excuse to enjoy something sweet from sunrise to suppertime!
So grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and dig into today’s Wake News & Events. We’re serving up local happenings, community stories, and plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy everything our wonderful corner of North Carolina has to offer.
Wake up with waffles, finish the day with peach pie, and let’s make this Monday delicious!
See you out there in beautiful Wake,
Diane
P.S. Be sure to join our NEW Facebook Group.
—Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
B’s Customer Designs – Handmade Wreaths That Make a Statement
Support a small business and a work-at-home mom when you choose a one-of-a-kind wreath from B’s Customer Designs. Each piece is carefully crafted to be uniquely yours—beautiful, eye-catching, and the perfect statement for your front door.
Turn your entryway into something special. Shop B’s Customer Designs today and bring home the beauty of handmade. Watch for our upcoming B’s Custom Design Fall Newsletter and Digital Catalog.
Check out her latest creations and order your own: B’s Custom Creations by BR
Why did the peach break up with the waffle?
Because the relationship was the pits—and the waffle kept waffling about commitment!
Hook, Line, and Suppertime
Bring your appetite because Calabash, North Carolina, proudly calls itself the “Seafood Capital of the World.” Located along the Calabash River near the South Carolina border, this charming fishing town is famous for the cooking style that bears its name.
Calabash-style seafood features fresh shrimp, fish, oysters, and clams coated in a light breading and quickly fried until crisp and golden. Add a helping of coleslaw and a basket of hush puppies, and you have a coastal Carolina meal worth traveling for.
There is plenty to enjoy beyond the dinner table. Visitors can watch fishing boats return to the docks, book a deep-sea fishing trip, or take a dolphin, wildlife, or sunset cruise. Golfers will find several championship courses in the area, while nearby Sunset Beach—about six miles away—offers shelling, a fishing pier, and a relaxing day beside the ocean.
Shoppers should save time for Callahan’s of Calabash, a family-owned destination featuring more than 35,000 square feet of coastal gifts, clothing, jewelry, homemade fudge, and Christmas decorations.
Calabash may be small, but it serves up plenty of coastal charm, family fun, and unforgettable flavor.
Come for the seafood, stay for the scenery—and don’t forget the hush puppies!
Water Babies of Greater Raleigh offers expert-led swim lessons for babies and toddlers from birth to age 4 in warm, welcoming Triangle pools.
You’ll be in the water together for fun, child-led classes filled with songs, play, and gentle skill-building—creating special bonding moments while your little one gains confidence.
Why parents love Water Babies:
✅ Builds early water confidence and helps prevent fear of water
✅ Introduces foundational water safety skills
✅ Supports healthy physical and emotional development
✅ Creates quality parent-child bonding time
✅ Taught by caring, highly trained local instructors
Give your child the gift of water confidence and joyful memories. Spots fill quickly—contact Water Babies of Greater Raleigh today!
➡️ Lessons
Missing Dog Found 1,000 Miles From Home
When Rio disappeared from his Oklahoma home in late July, his owner, Melissa, never imagined the 10-year-old border collie would turn up more than 1,000 miles away in Greensboro, NC.
Guilford County Animal Services found Rio as a stray and scanned his microchip, revealing his owner’s information. Melissa quickly booked a flight to North Carolina, where the two enjoyed a long-awaited reunion.
How Rio traveled so far remains a mystery, but his story offers an important reminder: Microchips can help bring missing pets home—even when their adventures take them across the country.
Holly Springs Hero Takes the Plunge to Save a Child
When an 11-year-old boy fell through the ice at Womble Park, Holly Springs Senior Officer Percy Evans did not hesitate.
On January 10, Evans rushed into the freezing pond, pulled the child to safety, and placed him inside his patrol vehicle to warm up until emergency responders arrived. Both were evaluated at the scene and did not require hospitalization.
Evans’ bravery earned him national recognition as the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s January 2026 Officer of the Month.
A Teacher’s Letter Inspires the Next Generation
When Kimmie Tomczak was in ninth grade, her English teacher, Ms. Sheehan, gave every student a personalized letter. Tomczak’s included a simple suggestion: Consider becoming a teacher.
Years later, that letter remains pinned to her bulletin board as she prepares to begin her first year teaching science at Willow Spring High School in Fuquay-Varina.
Now, the 2026 NC State College of Education graduate hopes to encourage her own students just as her teacher once encouraged her.
Sometimes, all it takes to change a life is one teacher who sees your potential—and takes the time to tell you.
Mud, Bubbles, and Big Imaginations: Nature Play Day Is Calling!
Trade screen time for sunshine and let the little ones explore, create, and possibly get a little messy during Nature Play Day at the North Carolina Museum of Art on Monday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Presented by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, this free, drop-in program transforms part of the museum’s outdoor park into a hands-on adventure. Depending on the supplies available, children might build forts, play with puppets and costumes, chase bubbles, paint, or discover new ways to explore the natural world.
A Prairie Ridge play facilitator will be available to help families make the most of the experience. Activities are designed especially for children ages 7 and younger, although everyone is welcome.
Meet near the NCMA Welcome Center at 2110 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh. Dress for the weather, wear clothes that can handle a little outdoor fun, and prepare for plenty of imagination.
Please note: Although the park remains open, the museum’s indoor galleries are closed on Mondays.
Admission: Free. No registration required.
Knightdale Camp Makes Science Delightfully Messy
Calling all curious kids who believe the best experiments involve slime, splatters, and a little organized chaos!
iLead Kids Camp’s Mess Fest: THINK IT! runs August 24–28 in Knightdale, giving campers ages 5–12 the chance to explore hands-on science through foaming reactions, homemade slime, splatter art, and mystery-solving challenges.
Along the way, young “mess detectives” will practice teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving while discovering that learning can be wonderfully messy.
The camp takes place at 7027 Knightdale Boulevard, with hours from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $175 for the week, and registration is required.
Dress for a mess—and prepare for some seriously sticky science!
Fresh air, beautiful scenery, and absolutely free? Raleigh delivers!
Explore the 15.6-mile Walnut Creek Greenway Trail, connecting Lake Johnson Park to the Neuse River Trail. Start at Walnut Creek Wetland Park, 950 Peterson Street.
For an artistic adventure, visit the NC Museum of Art’s Museum Park, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, featuring 4.7 miles of trails, outdoor sculptures, gardens, and a picturesque pond.
Both are free and open daily from dawn to dusk. Lace up, hop on, and enjoy the ride!
Wake County, Get Ready to Pick Your Favorites!
Who serves the best burger? Which restaurant deserves a standing ovation? What local artist or business makes Wake County shine? Soon, YOU get to decide!
The Wake News & Events Readers’ Choice Awards are coming, giving our readers the power to nominate and vote for the very best restaurants, artists, businesses, and more throughout Wake County.
Stay tuned, spread the word, and get ready to show your local favorites some love!
Coming Soon!
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For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
