In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

☀️ Cary NC Weather

📅 Lots Of Events This Week!

📰 Ski Season Awaits: Cary's Guide to North Carolina's Best Slopes

🎄 A Tropical Christmas: Hawaii's Unique Holiday Appeal

❄️ Winter Readiness: Essential Irrigation Tips for Cary Homeowners

💡 Exploring the World's Most Valuable Real Estate: The Mind

😀 Tasty Trends

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

Question: The Page-Walker Arts & History Center was originally what kind of building?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

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Ski Season Awaits: Cary's Guide to North Carolina's Best Slopes

As the winter season approaches, Cary's ski enthusiasts are turning their attention to North Carolina's renowned ski resorts. From the picturesque Appalachian Ski Mountain to the expansive Sugar Mountain Resort, these destinations offer a diverse and thrilling skiing experience.

With slopes that cater to all levels, from beginners to experts, and amenities that promise comfort and excitement, North Carolina's ski areas are a winter paradise. The season, stretching from mid-November to late March, invites Cary residents to indulge in the joy of skiing amidst the state's stunning landscapes.

1. Appalachian Ski Mountain (Blowing Rock): Features 27 acres of skiable terrain with 13 slopes and trails, including a mix of beginner, intermediate, advanced, and freestyle terrain. The peak elevation reaches 4,000 feet with a vertical drop of 365 feet. The longest run is 2,640 feet, and the resort offers a double and two quad lifts, along with a Zamboni-maintained ice rink. Learn more
   

2. Beech Mountain Resort (Beech Mountain): Boasts 95 acres of skiable terrain with 17 slopes and trails, catering to all skill levels, and includes a 700-foot long tubing park. It has the highest peak elevation in the East at 5,506 feet, with a vertical drop of 830 feet. The longest run extends for 1 mile, and the resort provides eight lifts, an ice rink, and ski and ride school lessons. Learn more
   

3. Cataloochee Ski Area (Maggie Valley): Offers 50 acres of skiable terrain with 18 slopes and trails, ranging from beginner to expert. The peak elevation is 5,400 feet with a vertical drop of 740 feet. The longest run is 3,500 feet, and the area features a double, a triple, and a quad lift, alongside interscholastic and recreational race programs, a tubing park, and an adaptive ski program. Learn more
   

4. Hatley Point (Mars Hill, formerly Wolf Ridge): Set to open in 2024 after renovations, this resort will offer 54 acres of skiable terrain with 15 slopes and trails, a terrain park, and a tube run. Its peak elevation is 4,700 feet, with a vertical drop of 700 feet, and it includes a quad, a double, and two surface lifts. Learn more
   

5. Ski Sapphire Valley (Sapphire): Provides 8 acres of skiable terrain with two trails and a 500-foot tube park. The peak elevation is 3,400 feet with a vertical drop of 200 feet. It features a quad lift and is known for hosting the Great Outhouse Races every February. Learn more.
   

6. Sugar Mountain Resort (Sugar Mountain): Covers 125 acres of skiable area with 20 slopes and trails, a tubing park, and an ice skating rink. The peak elevation is 5,300 feet with a vertical drop of 1,200 feet. The resort has a 1.5-mile long run, two doubles, and three high-speed detachable chairlifts, and offers snowshoe tours and a public racing program. Notable events include SugarFest (Dec. 8-10, 2023), New Year's Celebration (Dec. 31, 2023), and National Winter Trails Day (Jan. 9, 2024). Learn more

A Tropical Christmas: Hawaii's Unique Holiday Appeal

Hawaii emerges as a popular destination for those seeking a unique holiday experience, different from the traditional cold-weather Christmas.

With its array of landscapes and welcoming culture, Hawaii provides a perfect setting for holiday festivities. However, travelers should be aware of the higher costs and busy conditions during the peak season in December.

Early December is suggested as an ideal time to visit to avoid these challenges. Despite being the rainiest month, Hawaii's December weather is mild compared to mainland winters.

Each Hawaiian island offers distinct Christmas celebrations, from city-wide festivals in Oahu to community events in Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai, making it an appealing choice for a diverse and enjoyable holiday experience.

Read full story

Winter Readiness: Essential Irrigation Tips for Cary Homeowners

It's North Carolina Winter Preparedness Week! Prepare your irrigation system for the winter months to ensure its safety!

The City of Cary has issued guidelines for residents to winterize their irrigation systems. This includes creating a detailed map of the system, checking for leaks using water meters, ensuring controllers are correctly set and stations properly documented, and replacing controller batteries.

The process also involves inspecting the system for any repairs or adjustments, following the designated watering schedule to prevent runoff, and ensuring rain sensors are correctly installed and functioning.

These steps are essential for maintaining the system's efficiency and longevity during the winter months.

 Check out City of Cary’s guide on winterizing your system.

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Exploring the World's Most Valuable Real Estate: The Mind

"The Girl Who Would Be Free," by Ryan Holiday, challenges conventional views of value and real estate by highlighting the human mind as the ultimate property.

This theme is explored through the lens of Stoic philosophy, which prioritizes intellectual and emotional growth over physical possessions. The book, along with its counterpart "The Boy Who Would Be King," presents these ideas in a way that is accessible to a broad audience, including young readers.

Epictetus, a former slave turned influential philosopher, exemplifies the transformative power of the mind. Holiday's work encourages readers to nurture their inner selves, suggesting that the greatest empire one can build is not of land but of thoughts and ideas. Discover More

TUNA STUFFED TOMATOES 🥗🥗🥗😋😋

These cold stuffed tomatoes are quick to prepare and look effortlessly impressive! Perfect for a light Lunch, snack or appetizer.

RECIPE:

Ingredients

3-4 Tomatoes

1 Tin 160g/5.6oz Tuna, drained

1 Large Hard Boiled Egg, finely chopped

3 Tbls Finely chopped onion

3 Tbls Mayonnaise

1 Tsp Dijon Mustard

1 Tbls Chopped Fresh Mint

Tiny squeeze of lemon juice

Salt & Pepper

Method:

Make tuna salad by mixing all ingredients together except tomatoes in a bowl.

Prepare tomatoes by placing them top side down and cut into segments (star shapes) and place on a paper towel to absorb the water released from the tomatoes.

Place tomatoes on a serving plate and with a teaspoon fill tuna salad into each one. Garnish with extra chopped fresh mint.

Serve and enjoy! 😊