📫 Debate Over Proposed Data Center | State Fair Ride Stops | North Carolina’s Private School Voucher Program Growing

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Hello friends!

Today we honor the dessert that dares to ask: “Why be just cake or pudding when you can be both?” Boston Cream Pie is the mullet of desserts—cake in the front, custard party in the middle, chocolate glaze all over.

So go ahead, grab a slice (or two), and celebrate the sweet chaos that is Boston Cream Pie. It’s not just a dessert—it’s a lifestyle.

See you out there in beautiful Wake,
Diane

—Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

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📍 Today’s Chuckle 📍

Why did the Boston Cream Pie get hired as the lead in the backery play?

Because it had the perfect filling for drama!

📍 Trivia 📍

• It was invented in Boston in 1856. French-Armenian chef M. Sanzian created the dessert at the Parker House Hotel (now the Omni Parker House) during its grand opening.

• It’s the official state dessert of Massachusetts. In 1996, Boston Cream Pie beat out contenders like Indian pudding and Toll House cookies to earn the title.

• The name comes from old baking habits. In the 19th century, pies and cakes were often baked in the same pans, and the terms were used interchangeably.

Bring The Family for All the Fun

If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping to a world of knights, jesters, and magical merriment, the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, NC is your portal to the past—and it’s open every weekend through November 16, 2025. This sprawling, immersive event is one of the largest Renaissance festivals in the country, and it’s not just a show—it’s a full-blown experience. As you enter the gates, you’re transported to a 16th-century village bustling with costumed performers, artisan merchants, and whimsical characters who never break character. You’ll witness thrilling jousting tournaments, complete with clashing armor and roaring crowds, and feast on legendary giant turkey legs that are practically a rite of passage.

The festival grounds are packed with over 100 craft booths offering handmade goods from blown glass to leatherwork, plus stages featuring comedy acts, acrobats, musicians, and fire jugglers that keep the energy high all day long. Kids can enjoy pony rides, face painting, and fairy encounters, while adults might find themselves sipping mead or trying their hand at axe throwing. Whether you’re there to shop, eat, cheer, or simply wander, the Carolina Renaissance Festival is a celebration of imagination, history, and pure fun. So don your best cloak or corset, grab your goblet, and prepare to revel like royalty—because this is one fall tradition you won’t want to miss.

 Senior Discount of the Day: Publix 

Senior Wednesday Discount
5% off for customers age 60+ every Wednesday.

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State Fair Ride Stops Due to Computer Fault

Opening day at the North Carolina State Fair got off to an unexpected start when the popular Vertigo ride came to a sudden halt due to a computer malfunction. Fair officials confirmed that the ride’s safety systems worked exactly as designed, automatically shutting down and safely bringing the ride to a stop.

All passengers were carefully evacuated without incident, and technicians quickly diagnosed the issue as a minor computer-related fault. After thorough safety checks and inspections, the ride was cleared to reopen later in the day.

Officials emphasized that safety remains the fair’s top priority — and thanks to the automated systems in place, the day continued with smiles, rides, and plenty of funnel cake.

NC Approaches 100,000 Private School Voucher Students

North Carolina’s private school voucher program, known as the Opportunity Scholarship, has grown dramatically — from funding a small share of private school students to covering tuition for most. In just two years, the number of voucher recipients has soared from about 32,000 to more than 80,000, with the total expected to reach nearly 100,000 soon.

The change stems from policy shifts that removed income limits and public-school attendance requirements, allowing nearly all families to apply. While the goal was to expand school choice, data show that more than 90% of current recipients were already attending private schools before receiving state funds.

Supporters say the program gives parents flexibility and rewards educational freedom. Critics argue it diverts hundreds of millions in public funds from traditional schools to private ones that face less oversight and may not serve all students equally.

The program now costs taxpayers over $400 million annually, with projections topping $4 billion over the next decade. As North Carolina moves toward universal school vouchers, the debate continues over how this rapid expansion will shape the future of public education and equity across the state.

Wake County Farm Site Draws Debate Over Proposed Data Center

A proposed 190-acre data center project called the New Hill Digital Campus is stirring debate in western Wake County. Developer Natelli Investments wants to transform a former farm near Shearon Harris Road into a massive tech hub with several large buildings powered by up to 300 megawatts of electricity.

Residents in nearby neighborhoods are voicing strong concerns over noise, energy use, traffic, and environmental impacts. They argue the rural area isn’t suited for industrial-scale development. The developer counters that the site is ideal — near power lines, reclaimed water sources, and major infrastructure — and promises to add sound buffers and landscaping.

The project requires annexation and rezoning approval from the Town of Apex before construction can begin, likely in 2026 or later. As one official put it, “If this site isn’t right for a data center, where is?” The answer could shape the future of growth and land use in western Wake County.

Bingo, Books & Bagels @ Southeast Regional Library – Garner
📅 Wednesday, October 23 | 9:30 AM

Bagels? Check. Book chats? Absolutely. Bingo? You better believe it.

Join other adults aged 60+ at Southeast Regional Library in Garner for a delightful morning that brings together all the best things in life — good food, good stories, and good fun. Whether you're a Bingo buff, a book lover, or just here for the bagels (no judgment!), this event promises a warm welcome and plenty of community connection.

🛎️ Arrive early, bring your lucky charm, and settle in for a relaxed morning that hits the sweet spot between social and cozy.

Unexpected Courage

On a sweltering July 22, 2025, evening in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 25-year-old pizza delivery driver Marcus Hale was en route with his final order when he spotted thick smoke billowing from a modest ranch-style home on Elm Street. Hearing faint cries inside, Marcus dropped his pizzas and charged toward the inferno without a second thought. He kicked in the front door, navigating choking smoke to find five siblings—ages 3 to 10—huddled in a bedroom. One by one, he scooped them up: little Jamal first, then his sisters Aisha and Lila, followed by the twins, Eli and Nora. With the youngest, 3-year-old Jamal, clutched tightly, Marcus leaped from a second-story window just as the roof caved in, landing them safely on the dew-kissed grass below. Neighbors called 911, and firefighters confirmed the blaze started from a faulty outlet. The children's mother, single parent Keisha Brooks, arrived home from her night shift to find her babies wrapped in blankets, safe because of Marcus. A viral video led to community donations topping $50,000, helping Keisha rebuild and Marcus buy his first car. How it made a difference: Marcus's fearless actions preserved an entire family, sparing Keisha unimaginable grief and giving the children a future unscarred by loss, while turning Marcus from a struggling driver into a local legend with steady work offers.

When danger roars, ordinary folks become guardians, showing us that courage isn't the absence of fear—it's the choice to run toward someone else's cry, forever altering their story.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

55 Plus - The New Silver Standard

What are the 30 most purchased gadgets?

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Check out our online calendar for more events and local activities!📌

Comprehensive List of Events in Wake County on October 22, 2025

Be sure to click below to review our “Events Calendar” with over 100 events happening today and this week!

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