High Schooler Wins $5K Award, Free Peter Rabbit Show & Dogs Meet Santa | Good Morning Wake County - Good News

Start your Monday with proof that good things are happening right here! Wake Forest High senior Alejandro Garcia just won a $5,000 Emerging Star Award for leadership and achievement, Downtown Cary Park is hosting a free immersive Peter Rabbit Christmas show in December, GoCary just expanded with two new bus routes (including one to Raleigh), and your pup can get holiday photos with Santa at the Bark Bar. That's the Wake County energy we love.

Stories in this episode:

• https://www.wakeed.org/2025/09/30/wakeed-partnership-announces-2025-recipients-of-its-wake-county/
• https://triangleonthecheap.com/peter-rabbit-christmas/
• https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article312712879.html
• https://triangleonthecheap.com/dog-pictures-santa-downtown-cary-park/

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hello, I'm Steve Rohde, and you're not all right, I got my
coffee in hand. Let's do this now.
Picture a Wake Forest High School senior standing on stage
holding a $5000 check for leadership and achievement.
Also, there's a free outdoor Christmas show where Peter
Rabbit and Missus Tiggy Winkle take over downtown Kerry Park.

(00:25):
Gokary just added two new bus routes, including one to
Raleigh, and your pup can get photos with Santa at the Bark
Bar in December. Good morning Wake County, I'm
glad you made it. Don't forget I got your dad joke
at the end. It's safe for those kiddos in
the cars. How you use it is up to you, so

(00:48):
here's one that'll make you proud.
Wake Forest High School senior Alejandro Garcia just won the
emerging star award from Wake Edpartnership.
I mean, we're not talking about a certificate, another piece of
paper and a handshake. We're talking a $5000 check.
That's some cheddar. The award goes to one student

(01:12):
each year who shows high leadership, serious community
engagement, and academic integrity.
This is a kid I would love to meet.
Wake Ed Partnership says Garcia's getting recognized at
the Stars of Education Gala on Wednesday, November 5th at the
Raleigh Convention Center. You know what I love about this?

(01:36):
It's not just about grades, it'sabout showing up for your
community. I mean, taking on leadership,
doing the work, that's a kid who's going places.
And honestly, $5000 doesn't hurteither.
Yeah, that's why I love doing this podcast.
By the way, your morning sets the tone for your whole day.
So why not start with evidence that good people are doing

(02:01):
amazing, great things? We all can.
All right, if you got kids and you're already thinking about
December plans, I got a free onefor you.
Downtown Kerry Park is hosting aPeter Rabbit Christmas on
Friday, December 5th and Saturday, December 7th.

(02:21):
How can that be? Well, it's not, because Saturday
is December 6th. Triangle on the Cheap says it's
an immersive performance, meaning you're not sitting in
seats watching a stage, you're stepping out into the park with
Misses Tigley, Winkle and all the animals for Mr. McGregor's
garden. And here's the best part, it's

(02:43):
free, free holiday magic, free Beatrix Potter nostalgia, free
excuse to bundle up and make a memory with your family.
I kind of love when art happens outside, You know, it's like
you're just walking through the park and suddenly you're part of
the story. Your kids are beaming, they're
laughing, they're giggling. So mark your calendar.

(03:06):
December 5th and 6th at the downtown Kerry Park.
I'll have the link to this storyfor you so you don't need to
remember all the details. All right, transit news always
exciting. Go Carry just added two new
routes. One of them connects to Raleigh
News and Observer says they started Saturday, November 1st,

(03:31):
which bumps the whole system up to 10 routes total routes.
Routes got 10 and get this, theyserved over 365 people last
year. That's a lot of folks skipping
the traffic and letting someone else drive.
Think about it like a giant Uber.

(03:52):
If you've been thinking about trying public transit but the
routes never quite worked for your commute, it might be worth
checking if these new connections help.
More routes means more options and honestly, anything that
makes getting around easier is awin.
I mean, really, isn't a go carrybus just like a giant full self

(04:13):
driving car 'cause you're doing whatever you want on the
commute? Doesn't matter.
And Speaking of December plans, if you got a dog that's been
more nice than naughty this year, you don't want to miss
this. Paws With Claws is happening
Sunday, December 14th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the Bark Bar in
downtown Kerry Park. Triangle on the Cheap says it's

(04:36):
free. Photos with Santa, but for your
pup, your dog is in a festive bandana.
Santa's in a big red suit. Holiday card photo secure.
It's basically doggy prom, but with Jingle Bells and treats.
I mean, deck the hall with that,huh?

(04:57):
All right, that dad joke. Before I come you.
Just before I come you, how about that I promised you, which
are words that are nowhere similar.
Hey, you get what you pay for. Links to all the stories are in
the show description. And if you want this daily good

(05:19):
news delivered to your inbox every morning, head over to
tapyournews.com. Sign up.
It's free, it's fast, and be sure to follow the podcast on
whatever platform you're listening on because you know
what we all forget. Doesn't hurt to have a reminder
while you're there. Leave a five star review because
you know, it's just a nice thingto do.

(05:40):
Get a little karma. Leave a little review.
Oh, before I let you go, what domermaids use to wash their fins?
Tide. You're welcome.
I will see you tomorrow, but until then, I want you to
remember this. You are loved because I love

(06:05):
you. Bye.