📫Gingerbread Fun in Wake County | NC Researchers Identify a New Dinosaur Species | Wake County Angel Fund📍

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Hello friends!

Happy Monday! 🎄

Can you believe it? Only 57 shopping days left until Christmas — time flies faster than Santa’s sleigh! And speaking of classics, today is Cliché Day, so let’s not beat around the bush — it’s the perfect excuse to “deck the halls,” “get the ball rolling,” and “seize the day!”

Here’s to a week that’s merry, bright, and anything but cliché! ✨

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 cliché break up with the pun?
Because it was tired of hearing the same old line, “It’s not you, it’s me!” 😄

📍 Trivia 📍

.On November 3, 1868 John Willis Menard became the first African American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

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

Get ready to dive into the holiday spirit at the 58th Annual Holly Day Fair at Fayetteville’s Crown Expo Center, happening November 6–9, 2025! This beloved event isn’t your typical craft fair—it’s the largest holiday gift and craft extravaganza in Eastern North Carolina, drawing around 22,000 enthusiastic shoppers and featuring over 150 vendors under one festive roof. Imagine aisles packed with sparkling holiday décor, handmade jewelry, cozy apparel, artisan toys, gourmet treats, and unique gifts that you won’t find anywhere else.

The fair kicks off Thursday, Nov 6, with early‑bird options like Super Shopper (9 a.m.–12 p.m., $15) and Sip & Shop (9 a.m.–12 p.m., $30, includes a commemorative gift) before opening to general admission at noon ($10). Friday and Saturday run from 9 a.m.–8 p.m. ($10), and Sunday wraps up from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., featuring a special Photos with Santa event from 2–4 p.m. ($10, includes photo, cookies, and storytime).

But the Holly Day Fair is more than shopping—it’s an experience. You’ll soak up the festive atmosphere, enjoy the buzzing energy of fellow holiday enthusiasts, and discover treasures from vendors offering everything from handcrafted décor to specialty foods. Families will love Sunday’s kid‑friendly activities, while serious shoppers can take advantage of Thursday’s early access to snag the best finds. And the best part? Every ticket supports the Junior League of Fayetteville, which has given over $5 million back to the local community through this event.

Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift, looking for unique holiday décor, or just want a fun, festive outing, the Holly Day Fair promises a memorable experience for everyone. It’s shopping, it’s celebration, and it’s all for a great cause—definitely a must‑visit kickoff to the holiday season!

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NC Researchers Identify a New Dinosaur Species

A team of scientists from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and NC State University has made a discovery that’s rocking the world of paleontology. Their new study, published Thursday in the journal Nature, confirms that a fossil featured in the museum’s famed “Dueling Dinosaurs” exhibit represents a brand-new species — Nanotyrannus lancensis — and not a young Tyrannosaurus rex as many experts previously believed.

For years, paleontologists debated whether smaller fossils similar to T. rex were juvenile specimens or evidence of a different dinosaur altogether. Using cutting-edge imaging and detailed bone analysis, the NC research team found that the fossil’s bones were fully developed, proving it was an adult — and distinct from T. rex.

The discovery not only resolves a long-standing scientific mystery but also reshapes our understanding of dinosaur evolution and life during the Late Cretaceous period. Visitors can now see this history-making fossil on display in Raleigh’s “Dueling Dinosaurs” exhibit — a true North Carolina treasure that’s rewriting the story of the mighty tyrannosaurs.

🎄 Gingerbread Fun in Wake County

This holiday season, Wake County is sweetening things up with gingerbread house competitions you can enter, view, and vote on! The Annual Gingerbread House Competition in Downtown Cary runs December 6–14, 2025. Registration opens October 20 and closes November 23, with drop-off deadlines of December 4 for judged entries and December 5 for display-only submissions. Visitors can stroll through downtown to admire the creations and cast their votes for People’s Choice.

In Wake Forest, the Great Gingerbread House Showcase takes place December 14–18, 2025. Participants submit photos of their creations online for a virtual display, and the community can view and vote through the town’s gallery. For families and kids, Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh offers hands-on gingerbread building workshops and display opportunities, blending fun, creativity, and holiday cheer.

Gingerbread houses have a rich history, dating back to 16th-century Europe where bakers crafted ornate edible buildings for fairs and celebrations. The tradition became widely popular after the tale of Hansel and Gretel, inspiring a holiday craft that combines art, architecture, and candy-coated whimsy. Today, these competitions bring together families, friends, and communities to create miniature winter wonderlands full of frosting, candy, and imagination.

Whether you build or just walk through the displays, these events offer festive fun, photo opportunities, and a chance to vote for your favorites. So gather your gumdrops, candy canes, and frosting, and get ready to make this holiday season a little sweeter!

Supporting Students Through the WCPSS Angel Fund

Every student deserves access to a nutritious meal — no matter their circumstances. That’s why the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) Angel Fund plays such a vital role in our community. If a student doesn’t have enough funds to purchase a meal, this fund steps in to ensure they don’t go hungry and can stay focused on learning.

By donating to the Angel Fund, you’re making a direct impact:

• You help cover unpaid meal accounts for students in need.

• You support children’s health, focus, and academic success.

• You remind every student that their community cares.

WCPSS makes it simple to contribute. Download the donation form and send your gift to Child Nutrition Services to make a difference today.

Learn more and donate here: WCPSS Angel Fund Donation Form

Turning Plastic Bags into Comfort: A Michigan Parish’s Gift to the Homeless

In the heart of Ubly, Michigan, the women of Good Shepherd Parish quietly started a project that has touched hundreds of lives. Since 2021, a dedicated group of about twenty volunteers has been collecting donated plastic grocery bags, cutting them into strips—known as “plarn”—and crocheting them into three‑by‑six‑foot sleeping mats. These mats provide not just warmth, but dignity, to people experiencing homelessness.

By mid‑2025, the parish had crafted over 400 mats, distributing them across Huron, Tuscola, and Sanilac counties. Beyond giving plastic bags a second life and keeping thousands of pounds out of landfills, the project shows how creativity and compassion can transform lives. As one volunteer shared, they weren’t simply making blankets—they were making “something you’d be proud to sleep on.”

"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

How can seniors improve sleep?

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