Turkey Trot
signups underway
Registration is now open for a downtown Louisburg Turkey Trot that is being planned to kick off at 8 a.m. Thanksgiving Day this year.
The course, which begins at 203 West Nash Street, will take runners through historic downtown Louisburg and will be timed by Run the East, LLC. There will be prizes for first, second and third place for both male and female participants as well as for best costume.
Those who registered by Nov. 3 are guaranteed a tee-shirt, organizers said, and there is a fee to sign up.
Proceeds from the family-friendly event will benefit Care and Share and Help Center NC.

Alert Christmas parade slated
The 2025 Alert Christmas Parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. This is a free event with no entry fees!
Line up starts at 1 p.m. It will be Alert's 35th Christmas Parade and there will be a Best Christmas Decorated Entry contest.
For more information, contact Larry Ayscue at 252-459-9216 or Melanie Bobbitt at 919-497-6081 or melanieb7724@gmail.com.

Farmers market open Fridays
The Franklin County Farmers Market is open Fridays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Shannon Village Shopping Center, Louisburg. Local honey, grass-fed beef, pork, lamb, farm-fresh eggs, collards, turnip salad, mustard greens, turnip roots, broccoli, Fall cabbage, sweet potatoes as well as sourdough bread fresh-baked cookies and cinnamon rolls will be available. Unique crafts and soaps will be offered as well.
For more information call Franklin County Cooperative Extension at 919-496-3344.

Change collection to aid firemen
A Change for Change fund drive, hosted by the Franklin County Interfaith Council is underway.
The event is to raise money for the Louisburg Fire Department's swift water rescue program.
Jars are in place around the county to gather donations of change to support the project.

Hunger, homelessness in focus
Franklin County Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month is in November 2025. The Franklin County Interfaith Council will sponsor several events in addressing the need for shelter and food insecurities in the county. The public is invited to attend these events.
These events are:
•A Candlelight Prayer Vigil will be held Nov. 18 on the Franklin County Courthouse steps in Louisburg, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The event is to shine a light on hunger and homelessness in Franklin County.
• A Thanksgiving Day Community Donner will be held in the Louisburg College dining hall on Thanksgiving day. The event will run from noon to 3 p.m. and volunteers are needed to help prepare food, serve food and/or donate a grocery gift card.
This is a free event and more information is available by calling 919-426-2656 or at contact Raleighjustserve@gmail.com

Coats for Christmas drive underway
The annual Coats for Christmas drive is currently underway. You may drop off your new or good used clean coats, gloves and scarves at the local Farm Bureau office, 496 Redwood Lane, Louisburg.
All sizes are needed especially for kids. Donated items will be taken to Safe Space, the Senior Center and other places in Franklin County as needed. The coat drive has been going on for over 30 years.
For more information, call Wayne Champion at Farm Bureau, 919-496-2051.

Chili cook-off to benefit women
The first Farm Bureau chili cook-off will be held Saturday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. at Tar Banks Brewing, in downtown Louisburg.
Several chilis will be prepared, along with all the fixings. Cost is $10, and all the proceeds will go toward the Franklin County Women's Committee, the non-profit group promoting agriculture.
You may vote on your favorite chili. Prizes will be awarded to the winning chili. Vegetarian options will be available. For more information, call Wayne Champion at 919-496-2051.

GOP meeting planned
The Franklin County Republican Party will hold its monthly covered dish dinner meeting at 6:30 p.m. for the dinner and meeting following at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Youngsville Community Building, 115 East Main Street.
All Republicans are invited. Hot dogs and drinks will be served, covered dishes would be appreciated.
Contact GOP Chairman Ed Strickland, (919-210-7629, or email: edstrickland1@aol.com.

Silent Book Club to meet
The local Silent Book Club will meet from 11 a.m. until noon on Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Louisburg College Library. Refreshments will be served from noon to 12:30 p.m. following the meeting.
Book club members said there is never any assigned reading. Those attending can bring their own book or enjoy one from the library. The club simply gathers to read in quiet camaraderie, earning meetings the nickname "Introvert Happy Hour."
The meetings are open to the public. More information is available by e-mailing krichardson@louisburg, edu or calling 919-497-3269.

County library to mark 50th
The Franklin County Central Library in Louisburg will be celebrating 50 years in their current Louisburg location on Nov. 15.. Events are planned for all day, including a magician at 1 p.m., a reception from 3 to 5 p.m.
For more information call the library at 919-496-2111 or visit https://www.franklincountync.gov/200/Library

Volunteer award nominees sought
Nominations are being accepted for the 2026 Governor's Volunteer Service Award. The awards program, created by the governor in 1979, recognizes North Carolina's most dedicated volunteers. Through the years, the award has been bestowed on thousands of North Carolinians who have shown concern and compassion for their neighbors by volunteering in their local community.
Each county selects up to 10 individuals, businesses, groups/teams and one paid director of volunteers to be recognized for their contributions to their communities. One will be nominated for the Governor's Medallion Award for Volunteer Service, which is awarded to the top 20-25 volunteers in the state. A local committee evaluates the nominations.
Nomination forms are available in Franklin County at the Cooperative Extension Center and can also be found at www.volunteernc.org. Nomination forms are due by Feb. 6, to the Franklin County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension office, 103 South Bickett Blvd., Louisburg.
They can also be emailed to charles_mitchell@ncsu.edu. For questions, call Cooperative Extension at 919-496-3344.

Adapting forestry plans to the market
The Franklin County Cooperative Extension is planning a forestry presentation by an NCSU Forestry specialist on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
"Forest Management Strategies to Adjust Your Forestry Plan to Market Changes" will begin at 10 a.m., at Franklin County Cooperative Extension Center Annex; 103 South Bickett Blvd., Louisburg. Registration is required. Register online at go.ncsu.edu/adaptingforestryplansforchangingmarkets
For more information, contact the Franklin County Cooperative Extension office 919-496-3344, Extension Agent Matthew Place.

Credit course for landscapers
The Landscape Professionals December credit class will be held Tuesday, Dec. 9, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Franklin County Agriculture Center Annex; 103 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg. Speakers will be Dr. Steve Frank, Professor of Entomology and Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at NC State and Dr. Navdeep Godara, assistant professor, Turfgrass Weed Science.
NCDA Pesticide Credits: 2 Credits for HLNDX, NC Landscape Contractor Credits: 2.
The cost is $10. Register online at go.ncsu.edu/2025landscapeprofessionalsdeccreditclass. For more information, contact Franklin County Cooperative Extension office, 919-496-3344 or visit, https://franklin.ces.ncsu.edu.

Arts Crawl in Franklinton
Collective Arts of Franklin County will host the first-ever Franklinton Fall Crawl on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 1 to 5 p.m. in downtown Franklinton. The event will feature local artists, live music, and family-friendly activities throughout Main Street.
As part of the event's mission to connect creativity and commerce, artists will be set up inside participating downtown businesses, giving visitors a chance to explore shops, view original artwork, and meet Franklin County's local creatives.
A highlight of the day will be a public jam session open to both kids and adults. Community members are encouraged to bring their instruments and join in. The event will also include free art activities and a 50/50 raffle, with proceeds supporting local arts programming.
This event is about connection--between artists and businesses, neighbors and creatives," said a representative from Collective Arts of Franklin County. "We want people to see what's happening right here in their backyard--and to step inside the businesses that make our towns thrive."
For more information, visit collectiveartsfc.org or find the Franklinton Fall Crawl event on Facebook.

Food distribution is Saturday
A Thanksgiving food distribution will be held at the St. Paul Presbyterian Church Blessings Resource Pavilion at 928 South Main Street, Louisburg.
The distribution will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15.