📫Last Chance | Your Help is Needed | Top College Town | Neutrogena Recall📍

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Hello friends!

Good morning, readers! It’s a brand-new week—and Halloween is just around the corner. Whether you’re planning treats, tricks, or just enjoying the fall vibes, we’ve got all the local happenings, fun ideas, and festive updates to keep your week lively. Grab your pumpkin spice and let’s make this a week to remember! 🍂🕸️

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 don’t skeletons fight each other?
Because they don’t have the guts! 💀😂

📍 Trivia 📍

.Natural Wonder: NC is home to the largest natural freshwater lake in the Southeast, Lake Norman, which sits near Charlotte—perfect for a fall weekend adventure in late October! 🌊

Monday’s are $3.00 Margaritas & Tuesday’s are $2.00 tacos📍 Visit the site.

The Ultimate Rush!

If you’re chasing the ultimate Halloween adrenaline rush in North Carolina this fall, pack your courage and head straight to Carowinds Scarowinds in the Charlotte area—where the region’s biggest amusement park flips its daytime family charm into the Carolinas’ most sprawling scream park. Running select nights through November 2, 2025, with prime frights guaranteed October 27 through Halloween night on the 31st, Scarowinds transforms 400 acres of roller-coaster steel and Carolina pines into a heart-pounding nocturnal playground that draws over 100,000 thrill-seekers annually. This isn’t a single haunted house tacked onto a parking lot; it’s a full-scale takeover of an entire theme park, where every midway, queue line, and coaster drop becomes part of the terror.

Picture this: you step through the gates at dusk, and the cheerful daytime soundtrack dissolves into a fog-drenched soundscape of distant screams, chainsaws, and sinister laughter. More than a dozen professionally designed haunted mazes—think derelict asylums, cursed carnivals, and backwoods slaughterhouses—sprawl across the park, each staffed by hundreds of actors who’ve spent months perfecting their timing and terror. But the real genius of Scarowinds is how it weaponizes the park’s own infrastructure: you’ll sprint from a scare zone only to board Fury 325, the world’s tallest and fastest giga-coaster, now plunging 325 feet through strobe-lit zombie hordes stationed along the tracks. Even family favorites like the Carolina Skytower become “Overlord’s Awakening,” a 262-foot-tall rotating beacon of doom where actors dangle from the rafters far above the midway.

For those who prefer strategy with their screams, Scare Zones divide the park into themed districts—Depths of Darkness near the water rides, CarnEvil in the classic midway, and the all-new Slaughterhouse: The Final Cut near Intimidator—each with roaming hordes that reset every few minutes to keep the chaos fresh. Live shows add breathing room between mazes: catch the pyrotechnic spectacle “Eternal Darkness” on the main stage or the macabre cabaret “Freakshow Deluxe”, where contortionists and fireists blend beauty with the grotesque. And yes, the park keeps every major coaster and thrill ride open until the witching hour—Afterburn, Intimidator, and the wooden classic Hurler all run under blood-red lighting, turning familiar drops into disorienting nightmares.

Families aren’t left out. Until sunset (typically around 6:30 p.m. this time of year), Carowinds operates in “Daylight Savings” mode—standard admission, no scare actors, and kid-friendly trick-or-treat stations throughout Camp Snoopy. The switch flips at park close, when non-haunt guests exit and the fog machines roar to life. This dual-personality setup makes Scarowinds uniquely versatile: bring the kids for pumpkin painting and the Boo Blasters ride in the afternoon, then return (or upgrade) for the 7:30 p.m. screamfest once the little ones are tucked in.

Why go? Because Scarowinds is the rare Halloween event that scales with your fear tolerance. Casual visitors can stick to the perimeter scare zones and coasters; hardcore haunters can dive into the No-Boo upcharge mazes for an extra layer of intensity. It’s also a cultural snapshot of Carolina fall—local high school theater kids and professional scare actors mingle with out-of-state haunt enthusiasts who plan entire road trips around opening weekend. And let’s be honest: there’s a primal thrill in screaming your lungs out on a 95-mph coaster while a chainsaw-wielding clown chases you up the lift hill.

Practical tips: Tickets start around $50 online (gate prices climb fast), but the Fright & Fast Lane bundle ($100+) is worth every penny on Halloween weekend when lines for top mazes like “Depot of the Dead” can hit 90 minutes. Parking is $25–$30; arrive by 6 p.m. to beat the rush and stake out a spot near the front. Costumes are allowed but strictly regulated—no masks or props that could be mistaken for scare-actor gear. Lockers are available near the entrance for stashing bags before you sprint into the fog. Finally, check the weather; Scarowinds runs rain or shine, and a chilly drizzle only amplifies the atmosphere—just pack a poncho and waterproof shoes.

Whether you’re a Charlotte local checking an annual box or a road-tripper crossing state lines for the Southeast’s premier scream park, Scarowinds October 27–31, 2025, delivers the kind of Halloween memory that lingers long after the fog machines shut off. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you when the lights go out and the coasters start to howl.

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Last Chance

As the growing season concludes, Raleigh City Farm is hosting its final Pay-What-You-Can Farmstand of the year on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Located at 800 N. Blount Street in downtown Raleigh, this community event offers fresh, locally grown produce at accessible prices.

The farmstand features a variety of seasonal items such as basil, cabbage, collards, eggplant, herbs, mustard greens, okra, peppers, squash, tomatoes, and bouquets. Customers are encouraged to pay what they can—whether it's the suggested price, less, or more—to ensure that everyone has access to healthy food options. The funds collected help support the farm's mission and community programs.

This initiative is part of Raleigh City Farm's broader efforts to connect and nourish the community through regenerative agriculture. Throughout the season, the farm also contributes a portion of its produce to local nonprofits addressing food insecurity.

Don't miss this opportunity to support local agriculture and enjoy fresh produce. Arrive early, as items are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

A Top College Town Packed with Opportunity

Raleigh, North Carolina, shines as one of America’s best college towns, landing at No. 5 among large cities in WalletHub’s October 2024 rankings. With affordability, vibrant student life, and strong academic and job prospects, it’s a magnet for students seeking more than just a degree.

WalletHub’s 2024 study scored over 400 cities on wallet-friendliness, social scene, and academic opportunities. Raleigh excelled with low living costs, a thriving job market, and a large student population.

Its No. 5 spot reflects high median salaries for grads and a low unemployment rate, building on past accolades like being the fastest-growing college town in the 2000s.

 Wake County Food Banks Brace for Possible SNAP Shortfall — Here’s How You Can Help

As the federal government faces a prolonged shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — which helps millions of Americans put food on the table — could soon run out of funds. The USDA has warned that if the shutdown continues, November SNAP benefits may not be distributed.

Here in Wake County, that warning hits close to home. When SNAP benefits are delayed or reduced, local families turn to food banks and community pantries for help. Those organizations are already preparing for an increased demand that could strain their shelves.

Local food banks need your help now more than ever.

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina serves more than 600 partner agencies, including many right here in Wake County. They are accepting donations of non-perishable foods, fresh produce, and hygiene products. You can donate funds or start a neighborhood food drive at foodbankcenc.org.

In Apex, the Western Wake Crisis Ministry pantry is completely stocked through community donations and expects a rise in visitors if SNAP funding falters. Food donations can be dropped off Monday through Thursday mornings. Learn more at wwcm.org.

The Salvation Army of Wake County’s Judy D. Zelnak Center of Hope, located at 1863 Capital Blvd. in Raleigh, runs a food pantry serving dozens of families each week. Non-perishable donations can be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Fridays until 2 p.m.), or you can give online at southernusa.salvationarmy.org/wake.

If SNAP benefits are delayed, the impact on families will be immediate — but so can your support. Whether you give a can of soup, a grocery store gift card, or an hour of your time, your contribution helps keep Wake County strong and nourished through uncertain times.

Neutrogena Makeup Wipes Recalled Due to Bacterial Contamination

Kenvue Brands, the parent company of Neutrogena, has announced a voluntary recall of a specific batch of its Ultra-Soft Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes after routine testing detected bacterial contamination. The recall, classified by the FDA as a Class II recall, involves the bacterium Pluralibacter gergoviae, which can pose health risks—especially for people with weakened immune systems, chronic illnesses, or recent surgeries.

What’s Affected

• Product: Neutrogena Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes (plant-based, compostable)

• Lot Number: 1835U6325A

• Package: Two 25-count packs (50 wipes total)

• Distribution: Sold in Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida

• Quantity: 1,312 cases

  While Pluralibacter gergoviae infections are rare, they can cause skin or eye irritation and, in severe cases, infections in people with compromised health. The FDA’s Class II designation means the product could cause temporary or medically reversible side effects.

  
  If you purchased Neutrogena wipes, check the packaging for lot number 1835U6325A. If you have this batch, stop using it immediately. Dispose of the product or return it to the place of purchase. If you’ve experienced any irritation or unusual symptoms after use, contact your healthcare provider.

• 
  This recall affects only one product and lot number—not all Neutrogena wipes. However, it’s a good reminder to check lot numbers and expiration dates on all skincare products and stay alert for future updates from the FDA and Neutrogena.

  For more information, visit FDA.gov or the company’s recall notice page.

Mateo’s Birthday Gift: A Lesson in Kindness

In a bustling Walmart in Chicago, 8-year-old Mateo quietly held out his birthday money—$23—to a homeless woman selling candy. What might have been just another small act of generosity became a moment that would touch the hearts of millions. Mateo’s mother, Daniela Santos, captured the tender exchange on video, and soon the clip was spreading across TikTok, leaving viewers moved by the depth of compassion in such a young heart.

What made Mateo’s gesture extraordinary wasn’t just the money itself, but the thought behind it. He wanted the woman to buy baby milk, showing an empathy and concern far beyond his years. It was a simple act, yet one filled with profound humanity—a reminder that kindness doesn’t require grand gestures, just a willing heart.

Inspired by her son’s generosity, Daniela launched a GoFundMe campaign to continue Mateo’s mission of helping those in need. Donations poured in, and soon the story grew into a movement encouraging others, especially children, to look for ways to help those less fortunate in their communities.

Mateo’s gift serves as a powerful reminder that compassion is contagious. In a world often focused on what divides us, one child’s thoughtful act sparked a ripple of love, empathy, and hope, proving that even the smallest hands can make the biggest difference.

"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)

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