📫Sleigh the Small Biz Saturday | 2025 Trophy Trot 5K! | 🦃 Know Someone Who Needs a Thanksgiving Meal?📍

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Hello friends!

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on all the blessings in my life—especially my family, my readers, and the incredible Wake County community I’m proud to call home. Gratitude isn’t just a warm feeling; research shows that it can improve our mental and physical health, lower stress, and even strengthen our relationships. This week, I challenge you to write a list of everything you are grateful for. Add something new each day—even the smallest joys count. Over time, you’ll be amazed at how these little acts of thankfulness can transform your outlook.

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 turkey join a band?
Because it had the drumsticks! 🥁🦃

📍 Trivia 📍

• First Thanksgiving: The first official Thanksgiving is often credited to 1621, when the Pilgrims and Wampanoag shared a harvest feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts. However, thanks-giving celebrations were held sporadically in other colonies before this.

• Turkey Tradition: The tradition of eating turkey at Thanksgiving began because turkeys were abundant and large enough to feed many people. Benjamin Franklin even wanted the turkey to be the national bird instead of the bald eagle!

🌶️Chubby’s Tacos-Monday’s are $3.00 Margaritas & Tuesday’s are $2.00 tacos🌶️ Visit the site.

🎄 McAdenville, NC – “Christmas Town, USA” ✨

If you’re looking for a truly magical holiday experience, McAdenville, North Carolina, affectionately known as “Christmas Town, USA,” should be at the top of your list. This quaint small town transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland each holiday season, drawing visitors from across the region.

From late November through December, nearly every street in McAdenville is decorated with dazzling Christmas lights, creating a breathtaking display that winds through the town’s charming neighborhoods. The iconic Catawba River glistens under festive illuminations, and local businesses, homes, and public spaces all contribute to the town’s cheerful glow. Walking or driving through the streets feels like stepping into a storybook — twinkling lights, festive music, and the aroma of holiday treats fill the air.

Beyond the lights, McAdenville offers a warm, small-town atmosphere that makes every visitor feel like part of the celebration. It’s a perfect destination for families, couples, or anyone who wants to embrace the holiday spirit. Whether you stroll along the illuminated streets, snap photos with your loved ones, or simply admire the creative light displays, a visit to “Christmas Town, USA” is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Plan your trip early, bring your camera, and enjoy one of North Carolina’s most cherished holiday traditions — McAdenville is more than a town; it’s a holiday experience you won’t forget.

👉Kids 10 and under eat FREE with the purchase of an adult entree at Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant. Check out “Kids Eat Free” below. 👈

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Justice Served in Heartbreaking Parade Tragedy

In a somber courtroom in Raleigh, North Carolina, on November 17, 2025, Landen Glass, now 23, stood before Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway and received his sentence for the preventable 2022 Christmas Parade crash that claimed the life of vibrant 11-year-old dancer Hailey Brooks. Glass, who was 20 at the time, pleaded guilty just days earlier to felony obstruction of justice, misdemeanor death by vehicle, and carrying a dangerous weapon at a parade—charges stemming from the November 19, 2022, incident when his truck's brakes catastrophically failed while pulling a float down Hillsborough Street, striking Hailey as she performed joyfully with her CC & Company Dance Complex troupe near Boylan Avenue. Despite Glass's quiet apology to Hailey's grieving family—"I know there are no words I can say to tell you how sorry I am"—prosecutors highlighted his prior vehicle violations, including a citation just weeks before for failing to inspect the truck, underscoring that this was no mere accident but a tragedy born of negligence. Judge Ridgeway ordered Glass to serve 262 days in prison, followed by 400 hours of community service and three years of supervised probation, a ruling that brought some measure of accountability but could never erase the void left in the Brooks family. Hailey's parents, Trey and April Brooks, who wore "Shine Like Hailey" shirts alongside dozens of supporters, continue their advocacy for stricter parade safety laws, transforming their unimaginable loss into a beacon for protecting other children in the spirit of their daughter's boundless light. For the full story, read more here: News & Observer Coverage

Holiday Pops Concert

The North Carolina Symphony is decking the halls (and the brass section!) for a magical Holiday Pops concert at Goldsboro’s historic Paramount Theatre on Tuesday, November 25. Come wrap yourself in beloved carols, festive favorites, and that warm, instant-nostalgia glow only a full symphony can bring. Grab your seats now: _{https://www.ncsymphony.org/events/2025-holiday-pops-goldsboro}

Goats + Tea Party!

Join us at Avery Family Farm on Saturday, November 29 at 2PM for the sweetest event of the season: Goats + Tea Party! Picture this: adorable baby goats climbing in your lap while you sip warm, handcrafted teas surrounded by rolling pastures and twinkling holiday lights. It’s pure relaxation and joy—whether you’re a serious tea lover or just here for the cuddles. Spots are limited—reserve yours now: _{https://www.averyfamilyfarm.com/goats-tea-party}

🎁 Mingle & Market Local – “Sleigh the Small Biz Saturday” 🎄

Kick off your holiday shopping in style at Mingle & Market Local’s “Sleigh the Small Biz Saturday”! This festive event celebrates local entrepreneurs, makers, and small businesses across Wake County, offering a chance to find unique gifts, holiday décor, and one-of-a-kind treasures.

The market takes place on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at The Graham, located at 306 S White St, Wake Forest, NC. Visitors can enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with raffles, seasonal refreshments, and opportunities to support local talent while getting a head start on holiday shopping.

Best of all, this community-focused event is free to attend! Whether you’re hunting for the perfect holiday gift or just want to soak up the festive vibes, “Sleigh the Small Biz Saturday” is the place to be. Check out the event and get all the details online before you go, and don’t forget to bring your friends and family along for a fun, local holiday experience!

🏃‍♂️ Get Ready for the 2025 Trophy Trot 5K! 🏃‍♀️

Kick off your holiday season with the Trophy Trot 5K at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, NC! This festive run takes place on Wednesday, November 27, 2025, at 9:00 AM and is a fun way to celebrate Thanksgiving while supporting a great cause. Proceeds from the race benefit Healing Transitions, helping provide vital services to the community.

Runners of all levels are welcome, and participants will receive a medal and refreshments after the race. To secure your spot, you can register online in advance at the Trophy Brewing website. Don’t miss this opportunity to start your Thanksgiving Day with fitness, fun, and community spirit!

🦃 Know Someone Who Needs a Thanksgiving Meal?

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to make sure everyone in our community has a place to enjoy a meal and some company. If you know someone who may be alone this Thanksgiving or who might not have the means to prepare a meal, please share this information. There are several organizations, churches, and community groups in Wake County offering free Thanksgiving sitdown meals and free food pantries. Please read more here.

Let’s help make this holiday a little brighter for everyone!

We strive to make sure that all information is accurate. However, we always recommend check all details with the event organizer.

The Unexpected Turkey at the Gas Station

In the crisp chill of November 18, 2025, Jax Thompson pulled into her usual Shell station on the quiet outskirts of Asheville, North Carolina, her six-year-old daughter Mia chattering excitedly about school drawings beside her. The owner, Ahmed Khalil, a kind-hearted immigrant from Syria who'd fled war a decade earlier, spotted them through the window and slipped into the back room. Moments later, he reappeared, arms full, cradling a plump 15-pound turkey wrapped in brown paper. "For you and your family, Jax," he said softly, his dark eyes twinkling with that gentle warmth born of shared struggles. No explanations, no grand gestures—just the pure, unspoken kindness of a man who'd pieced together a new life far from Damascus, now passing on a piece of home to his regular customers. Jax, her throat tight with unexpected emotion, set down her coffee and pulled Ahmed into a fierce hug, Mia giggling as she joined in. In a season that can feel so sharply divided, Ahmed's quiet gift reminded Jax—and all of us—that true neighbors speak every language, weaving threads of gratitude around weary hearts just when the holidays press closest.

"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

Can I avoid being so stiff in the mornings?

🌶️Chilli’s restaurant gives seniors a break. Be sure to ask for your 10% discount if you are 55 or older🌶️ See more senior discounts below!

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

We strive to make sure that all information is accurate. However, we always recommend check all details with the event organizer.

There are so many events happening in and around Wake County, NC that we have gone to a seperate page to list events. Please click this button to view all of the area’s great events!👇

Sometimes, email servers can cut off parts of the newsletter, making it tricky to enjoy the full experience. For the best reading experience and to catch all the details, click here to view the entire newsletter!

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If your business event, or restaurant, is not on the list and you would like to be added, contact us at [email protected]