Deadlines Thursday by 5 p.m. (7 days prior to publication date) is the deadline for submission of items to be submitted for the following week’s paper, and they can be faxed to 919-552-7564. E-mailed submissions go to ncatrine@heartlanpublications.com.

Christmas Cantata

Bring the whole family to the Triangle Baptist Church’s Christmas Cantata! This year’s performance is “Bethlehem Morning.” The event will be on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. Triangle Baptist Church is located at 9713 Old Stage Road, Garner, N.C. To learn more about TBC, please visit our website at www.tribaptist.org.

Flapjack Fundriaser Breakfast

Saturday, Dec. 15 from 8 to 10 a.m. at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 1480 North Main Street in Fuquay-Varina. For just $7, you can have a wonderful breakfast and support the FVAA U12 Flames Red girls soccer team.

Troop 356 Pancake Breakfast

Boy Scout Troop 356 of Holly Springs will be hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast and Yard Sale fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Holly Springs United Methodist Church, 108 Avent Ferry Road. Hours are from 7 a.mm to noon. Stop by for a delicious all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast ($5 Adults and $3 Kids 10 and under). Shop the many aisles of the indoor yard sale and enjoy delicious homemade treats from the Bake Sale. The troop will also be accepting non-perishable food donations for the Holly Springs Food Cupboard.

Murder Mystery Theater

Stars Theater is sponsoring a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Friday, Dec. 7. The theme for the evening is “Christmas at the Last Chance Saloon”. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for senior citizens and students. Stars Theater is located at 123 E. Vance St. Fuquay-Varina, N.C. For more information visit the website www.StarsTheaterAndArt.com.

The Starfish Group

This meeting is for anyone who has been sexually abused, their support person, or if they know of anyone sexually abused. The Starfish Group will meet on the third Thursday of the month. The group will meet at Gateway Church in the Family Life Center located at 201 Meadow Drive, Fuquay-Varina just off 401 North of Fuquay. The meetings will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. You must be 18 to attend due to the sensitivity of the content. This is a safe place and we will ensure you feel that way. You are not alone and there is hope and help. For more information contact www.gatewaychurchnc.org or email bailey@intheshadowofthecross.net call Charles L. Bailey, Jr. at 919-665-0883.

South Wake Lacrosse-Fit

Join the excitement of a local crossfit training program this November and December using rugged fitness equipment outdoors. The South Wake Lacrosse-Fit program is for anyone ages 10 through adult in search of an affordable and structured program for speed and agility as well as an increase in cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, durability, and full body strength. Train for school sports, train for charitable fitness events, train for life. Go to www.SouthWakeAthletics.com for registration. Contact Directors@SouthWakeAthletics.com.

South Wake All-Sports

Each Monday starting Nov. 5 through Dec. 17, the South Wake Lacrosse Park will be hosting an Open Play Series for anyone in grades 4 through Adult who want to compete in ‘the sport of the day,’ which can include flag football, touch rugby, home run derby wiffle ball, ultimate frisbee, and much more. $10 walk-up registration for individuals. $15 walk-up registration for entire family. Go to www.SouthWakeAthletics.com for complete information and family discounts.

Stars Theater classes

Fall and Winter Schedules are now on-line and the classes are filling fast! Be sure to check out the fall class production of Aladdin - NEW - classes will not have just one instructor - students will rotate through sessions of dance, drama and voice classes. A whole team of amazing instructors will work on this project with the students. Other popular classes include: “Acting Serious”, “Glee”, “Create-a-Play” and several new Preschool classes. We really believe there is something for everyone - but if there isn’t please let us know. Get five friends and start a session of your own! Also-check out our track out camps online at: http://starstheaterandart.com/stars_theater_and_art/TRACKOUT_SUMMER_CAMP.html

Holly Springs Food Cupboard

The Holly Springs Food Cupboard provides food to those in need in our community. The Cupboard is an all-volunteer organization and is a 501(c)(3) so donations are tax deductible. You can help by donating healthy non-perishable food items such as broth, powdered milk, peanut butter, oatmeal/cereal, canned vegetables, dried beans, rice, canned meats, canned fruits, mac and cheese, personal hygiene products and toilet paper. Your donation can be dropped off at any of the drop off location listed on our webpage info@hsfoodcupboard.org or by appointment at the Food Cupboard by calling 919-577-2210. If you would like to setup a Food Drive in your neighborhood or with your organization please email emailfood@hsfoodcupboard.org. Monetary donations are also accepted. Thank you for Helping Us Help Others.

Republican Women

Republican Women of Cary and Southwestern Wake invite you to our regular business lunch/meeting at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary on the first Thursday of each month. Social begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the luncheon/program at noon. The special holiday lunch this month is $30. Our program for the Dec. 6 meeting will be Justice Paul Newby. RSVP to Lisa at 919-303-8870. Visit our web site for more information: www.rwcsw.org

Community Band

Holly Springs Community Band is looking for new members. We practice Wednesday nights 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the Holly Springs Cultural Center. All adult woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard, bass and guitar musicians are invited to attend. You must be able to read music. Some positions are available for aspiring, talented and mature Jr./Sr.-level high school musicians. For more info about membership and upcoming concert dates, visit www.hollyspringsband.net.

Volunteers needed

The Holly Springs Cultural Center is recruiting volunteers to assist at performances and this includes being ushers, ticket takers, greeters, handing out programs and working in Will Call. Interested persons, 16 years of age and older should apply in person at the Cultural Center, 300 West Ballentine Street in Holly Springs.

Jackpot Bingo

The Knights of Columbus Council 12119 hosts Jackpot Bingo every Thursday evening starting at 7 p.m. at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church located on 1005 Wilbon Road in Fuquay-Varina. Doors open at 6 p.m., so come join the fun. There is an entrance fee of $15 to play twelve (12) games, with 36 chances to win cash prizes up to $1400. Food and beverages are available. Call 919-557-7718 or 845-797-0830 for additional information.

Civitan Club

The International Civitan Club of Holly Springs’ cause is to work with and assist special needs kids. We adults meet at the United Methodist Church on 108 Avent Ferry Road just behind Town Hall the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Our meetings usually last for approximately 1 hour. Please consider attending. We are welcoming new members and if you are interested in hearing more, please call 919-621-9906.

Southern Wake Quilters

Southern Wake Quilters meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ransdell Hall on 309 N. Ennis Street in Fuquay-Varina. All interested in quilting are invited to attend. Visitors are welcome and may attend twice without joining the group. Questions may be directed to southernwakequilters@gmail.com.

Holidays for our Troops

The organization formerly known as NC Branch Give2thetroops has separated from the national organization and formed a new nonprofit organization, NCPacks4Patriots. The mission is to provide support for deployed troops with care packages and messages of support. NCPacks4Patriots is now starting the holiday collection drive, “Holidays for our Troops”. We are collecting donations of holiday decorations, small Christmas trees, snacks, toiletries, holiday dvds, holiday music cds, and small gifts such as handheld video games, socks, dvds, board games, and word puzzle books. Financial donations for postage are also needed. The holidays are the hardest time to be away from home for our troops so please join in showing your appreciation for their service. The deadline for holiday donations is Nov. 21. For information please email NCP4P@yahoo.com Donations can be mailed to: NCPacks4Patriots, 249-E Third St Ayden, N.C. 28513.

Holly Springs Garden Club

The Holly Springs Garden Club meets every second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Bass Lake. Come and share gardening tips and information. For more information you can contact Stephanie Bertsche at (919)362-0030 or by email at sbertsche@nc.rr.com.

Kiwanis Club

Holly Springs Kiwanis sponsors youth clubs and events that touch all facets of our community’s kids, such as High School Key Clubs, Kid’s Appreciation Day, Happy Holly Days Parade and the Wake County Kiwanis Literacy Project. For more info, contact Joe LoFaro at 919-457-8487 or visit us at http://www.hollyspringskiwanis.org/.

Holly Springs Rotary Club

The Holly Springs Rotary Club meets each Wednesday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Devils Ridge Golf Club, 5107 Linksland Drive, Holly Springs. The meeting includes a buffet breakfast and a speaker discussing subjects of interest to our members. Rotary is a community service organization for business and professional leaders. Our focus is on local community suppport as well as on large projects combining the efforts of thousands of clubs to have a global impact. A major Rotary International project has been our Polio Plus campaign with the goal of eliminating the scourge of polio from the planet. For more information on our club events and activities, visit our web site at www.HollySpringsRotary.com

Seeking host families

The International Affairs Council is seeking families to host students from China currently attending N.C. State, for dinner during the months of October, November or December. We would particularly like them to spend Thanksgiving in an American home. But, any weekend evening would be welcome. “Dinner” can be a picnic, pot luck, tailgate party, holiday(religious or secular), a single person, family, group of families or an entire congregation- the venue and the compostion of the meal is totally up to the hosts. For more information, please call the International Affairs Council at 919-838-9191.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group

The Fuquay-Varina Alzheimer’s Caregivers’ Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Windsor Point, and the third Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Carillon Assisted Living. This is an informal, open discussion meeting and everyone is invited to attend. We especially welcome those who are caregivers for persons having Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease. For directions please call Becky Hicks at Windsor Point at 552-4580, Kim Mayer at Carillon at 577-8102. For information about the meeting and/or Alzheimer’s Disease, please call Frances at 363-2484.

U13 girls soccer

Holly Springs based U13 Classic Travel girls soccer team is looking for competitve U12/13 players for Fall 2012/Spring 2013 seasons. Contact R. Greg Pierce at (919)418-7778 or rgregpierce@yahoo.com for details.

Holly Springs High School lacrosse

Any rising 9th-12th grader, regardless of skill ability and experience that plans to be a part of the Holly Springs High School Boys Lacrosse program should register online at www.goldenhawksclub.com by clicking on the Lacrosse tab and filling out the 2013 Holly Springs H.S. Boys Lacrosse registration form as soon as possible. Contact Coach Greenberg at dgreenberg@wcpss.net for additional questions.

Active Tracks Camp

A new camp is open in Holly Springs called Active Tracks. It is geared towards year round schedules but the camp does offer summer and spring break camp for students on the traditional calendar. The focus of Active Tracks is to keep the kids active during the day through sports and active games. In the afternoon, they will be focusing on learning through art, literature, and science. Active Tracks is located off Main Street/Old Hwy. 55 in Holly Springs. For more information call 919-346-4696 or visit the website at www.activetrackscamp.com.

PTSA Board

The Holly Springs High School PTSA Nominating Committee is in the process of nominating enthusiastic individuals to serve on the 2012-2013 PTSA Board. If you are interested in making a difference at HSHS by serving on the PTSA Board, please email HSHSVolunteer@aol.com.

Food pantry and clothes closet

The Chalybeate Springs Baptist Church will sponsor a food pantry and clothes closet the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Chalybeate Springs Baptist Church is located at 238 Chalybeate Road, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.

Multiple Sclerosis Self-Help Group

The self-help group brings together people who share a common life experience, for support, education and mutual aid. They meet the second Thursday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church in the church parlor at 301 N. Woodard Street, Fuquay-Varina, N.C. For more information contact Mary at 919-552-7680.

Senior Bingo

Senior Bingo is now being played on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center, 820 South Main Street at 1 p.m. Cards are $1 per card and is good for all of the games on that day. Please bring dollar bills. Where else can you have two hours of fun for only one dollar? Volunteers in the community are making this possible. For additional information, please contact Diann Nelson at 567-2746.

American Legion Post 116 Bingo

Bingo is back! Hard Card Cash Bingo Open to the Public every Wednesday. Doors open at 6 p.m. Game time is at 7 p.m., 6400 Johnson Pond Road, Fuquay-Varina. Come out and enjoy yourself and support your Veterans.

Homes for Exchange students

Homes urgently needed for French and German high school students. Caring families (with or without children) as well as single people are needed to provide food, a bed and a loving home for high school students from France and Germany. EMF high school students are between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, have medical insurance, spending money for their personal expenses and expect to share their host family’s daily life including household responsibilities. They speak English, are well-screened and eager to experience life in America. Their stay here is sponsored and supervised by EMF (Educational Merit Foundation), a non-profit, educational exchange organization. Interested host families are encouraged to contact EMF immediately, it is not too late to apply. For more information on EMF students, please call Marie-Claude Dijoud at 1-800-467-8363 or visit our web site at www.emfusa.org

Peer Support Group

Wake County Human Services and NAMI (Nation Alliance of Mental Illness) have joined forces in an effort to help people with mild - moderate depression. St. Bernadette Church at 1005 Wilbon Road, Fuquay-Varina N.C. is allowing us to offer a free peer support group in room #4 on Thursday nights from 7 to 8:30 pm.

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms:

* Irritability

* Exaggerated guilt and self-criticism

* Different sleep patterns

* Lack of energy

* Lack of interest

* Feelings of hopelessness

* Lack of appetite or increased appetite

* Inability to concentrate

If so, you could be experiencing stress or mild depression.

Most people have short periods in their lives when they feel depressed, have setbacks or feel uninspired. NAMI Wake County and Wake County Human Services are offering FREE peer support groups where people facing difficulties have a safe place to voice their concerns and explore options for making positive changes in their lives with others who have similar experiences.

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers

Meals on Wheels is currently seeking volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly and homebound in the Fuquay-Varina/Holly Springs area. Meal delivery is done Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and takes about an hour. You may volunteer once a week or once a month. We are also in need of volunteers to lead activities or spend social time with our seniors. Call 919-552-5825 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 12 noon.