Good morning Wake County!
Today is the International Day of Peace, a beautiful reminder that peace often begins with the smallest of choices—a patient word, a listening ear, a generous heart, or a simple act of kindness.
As we begin a new week, may we look for opportunities to bring a little more understanding, encouragement, and grace into the lives of those around us. We may not be able to quiet every conflict in the world, but together, we can create more peace in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our community.
Here’s to a Monday filled with hope, kindness, and the kind of peace that begins within and reaches far beyond us.
See you out there in beautiful Wake County,
Diane
PS 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.”
Beautiful Hand Made Decor for Your Door! Contact Brittany to purchase the featured wreath above or to custom order. Call or Text 919-374-0535 Now!
Start your day with a smile! Enjoy today’s Giggle of the Day from Wake News & Events.
I started a newsletter about procrastination.
I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.
Apple Country
A short fall trip to Hendersonville, North Carolina
Thirty minutes south of Asheville, Hendersonville sits in the foothills that grow most of North Carolina’s apples. Henderson County produces more than 80 percent of the state’s crop. That is not branding. It is rows of trees on the ridge, cider doughnuts still warm, and a Main Street that treats harvest as a season.
When to go. Season runs early August into November. Labor Day weekend is the North Carolina Apple Festival—eight blocks of growers, music, and the King Apple Parade. Fun, and crowded. The better picking window is mid-September through mid-October, when Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and the heirlooms are on the trees. Late October brings Granny Smith, pumpkins, and color that often peaks here after the high Parkway has already browned. Weekdays beat weekends.
Where to pick. You do not need every orchard. Two is enough.
Sky Top in Flat Rock is the postcard: views, hayrides, animals, doughnuts. Justus is five generations on the same land, with fried pies and a cider taproom. Stepp’s Hillcrest sits on the ridge—pay only for what you pick. Grandad’s is the easy afternoon with kids (try the cider slushie with soft-serve). Coston, out US 64 toward Lake Lure, is wagons and no ladders. Check each farm’s variety list the morning you go.
After the orchard. Walk Historic Main Street. Eat at Mike’s on Main. Hit the Saturday farmers market if you can. Flat Rock and the Carl Sandburg Home are a few minutes south. Chimney Rock and Lake Lure are a half hour east, and the leaves there linger.
Pick a half-peck you will actually eat. Leave with apple butter. That is the whole trip, and it is a good one.
WWII Pilot Comes Home
A North Carolina soldier missing since World War II has finally returned home.
Capt. Marvin Earl Lancaster, a 24-year-old U.S. Army Air Forces pilot from Vanceboro, was killed in 1942 when his P-40 Warhawk was attacked during a mission over Egypt. His remains could not be identified at the time, leaving his family without answers for generations.
More than eight decades later, modern forensic and DNA testing identified Lancaster's remains. On September 18, 2026, he was finally laid to rest near his hometown, surrounded by family and with military honors.
After 84 years, Capt. Lancaster's long journey home is finally complete.
Read the full story and watch the video:
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article317300537.html
Wake County’s Housing Market Cooler
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is hovering near 7% (Freddie Mac’s latest weekly reading was 6.76%; daily quotes cluster around 7%). That has slowed buying and existing-home sales.
Inventory has risen into balanced territory—about 4.4–4.6 months of supply in Wake County and the Triangle, with more active listings than during the tight early-2020s market. Prices have flattened, not collapsed. The county’s August recorded median sale price was $440,000; other measures put typical values in the mid-to-high $400,000s.
Buyers have more negotiating room. Bidding wars are less common, sale-to-list ratios sit near 98%, and overpriced homes often see reductions. Well-priced, ready homes still sell; everything else takes longer.
A Fairy-Tale Rebellion Set to Britney Spears
Once Upon a One More Time turns familiar fairy tales delightfully upside down! When classic heroines discover The Feminine Mystique, they decide it is time to rewrite their stories—and their happily-ever-afters—to the irresistible pop hits of Britney Spears. The production is performed by the talented young artists of Theatre Raleigh ACT Performance Company.
Date and time: Monday, September 21, 2026, 7:30–10:00 p.m.
Location: De Ann S. Jones Theatre, Theatre Raleigh Arts Center, 6638 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh
Name That Tune—and Mark That Square!
Monday night gets a musical makeover at Music Bingo at Sports & Social Cary. Instead of listening for numbers, players identify snippets of hit songs from different eras and genres. Bring your music-loving friends, order dinner and see who can recognize a winning playlist first!
Date and time: Monday, September 21, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: Sports & Social Cary, 301 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary
Pedal Through Raleigh’s Haunted History
History gets a spooky—and surprisingly easy—ride during Triangle Adventures’ Ghosts, Mystery and Raleigh History E-Bike Tour. The approximately 13-mile adventure begins at the North Carolina Museum of Art and follows the Art to Heart Trail to Meredith College, Dorothea Dix Park and NC State. Along the way, riders hear eerie local legends, explore haunted history and enjoy plenty of scenic stops and photographs.
Date and time: Tours last approximately three hours; September 21 availability and the exact departure time must be confirmed on the booking calendar.
Meeting location: North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
Cost: $85 per person, including an e-bike and helmet
Age requirement: Ages 15 and older
Dinner With a Side of Irish Music
Add a little Celtic spirit to your Tuesday evening at Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. A rotating local musician will fill the pub with traditional Irish songs and lively favorites while guests settle in for fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, a pint or another comforting pub classic.
Date and time: Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 5490 Apex Peakway, Apex
Cost: No cover charge is listed; food and beverages are available for purchase.
Toss, Sip and Aim for the Win!
Think you have the perfect toss? Grab a partner and head to Keith’s Store for its weekly Cornhole Tournament. The neighborhood competition pairs friendly rivalry with Tuesday drink specials, including $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon beers and $1 off ciders. Whether you are a practiced player or simply ready for some laid-back fun, it is an easy way to liven up your Tuesday night!
Date and time: Tuesday, September 22, 2026; registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and tournament play starts at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Keith’s Store, 13041 Keiths Store Road, Wake Forest
Cost: An entry fee is not listed; contact Keith’s Store or confirm the cost when registering.
Our calendar is going through some changes. Watch for these dynamic new changes 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.”
