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🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 📰 News: Cary Official's Wife Reported Missing While in Grenada
• 📰 Scrollback: Your Reading Habits, Revealed
• 📰 Scrollback: Lettuce Talk About That Recall
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Start Your Day with a Smile
• ❤️ Some stories are worth revisiting: Thank You For Your Gift
• 📅 Events: Weekend Events Preview (Top Picks)
👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.
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Question: What was the scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz" lacking?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
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Cary Official's Wife Reported Missing While in Grenada
Authorities in Grenada are searching for Elizabeth Waddell, the wife of a Cary town employee, after she was reported missing earlier this week.
The Royal Grenada Police Force said Waddell, 44, was last seen Wednesday at Grand Anse Beach on the Caribbean island. She is a U.S. citizen who was staying in the Grand Anse area at the time of her disappearance.
Elizabeth Waddell is the wife of Cailen Waddell, an operations manager with Cary's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. In a social media post, Cailen Waddell said he was traveling to Grenada to assist with the search and expressed hope for his wife's safe return.
Grenada police are asking fishermen, boat operators, residents, and anyone with information about Elizabeth Waddell's whereabouts to contact local authorities as the search continues.
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We’re rewinding the feed to spotlight a standout moment, story, or snapshot from Cary’s past. Let’s scroll back and see…
Your Reading Habits, Revealed
From Cary Spotlight Issue #1000
To mark Issue #1000 — 1,000 daily issues without missing a day — we asked readers a simple but telling question: when do you actually read Cary Spotlight? Turns out, for most of you, this newsletter is part of the morning ritual.
☕ Poll Results: When Do You Usually Read Cary Spotlight?
☕ With my first cup of coffee — 60.94%
🌅 Early in the morning before work — ~15.6%
🕐 Whenever I get a chance — ~10.9%
💻 During a break at work — ~6.25%
🌙 Later in the day when I have time — ~6.25%
Coffee and Cary Spotlight are clearly a package deal for most of our readers — over 60% of you pair your morning cup with the day's newsletter. Add in the early risers who read before work, and it's clear mornings belong to us.
A smaller but loyal contingent squeezes us in whenever the day allows, proving this newsletter fits into busy schedules just as easily as quiet ones.
💬 What Readers Are Saying:
"Have thoroughly enjoyed this quick-read digital news letter! The meme almost always makes me laugh. Everyone needs to laugh at least once a day. Thank you!"
"Love the local updates every morning!"
"Though I don't live in Cary, reading the Spotlight begins my day on a positive note and I can carry it with me wherever my schedule takes me!"
"Get my first cup of java, sit down at the computer and read my emails which daily include Cary Spotlight."
Here's to another 1,000 issues — and another 1,000 cups of coffee shared with all of you.
Which part of Cary do you now call home?
Lettuce Talk About That Recall
The recent Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce recall — tied to a Cyclospora outbreak that's sickened more than 7,000 people nationwide — has clearly hit home for Cary Spotlight readers. Federal officials confirm the outbreak investigation remains active, and it looks like that news has shoppers paying closer attention at the produce aisle.
Poll Results: Has the Lettuce Recall Changed How You Shop?
🥬 Yes, I'm being much more careful. — 84.62%
🧾 A little. I'm checking recalls before I buy. — 10.26%
🍅 I don't eat much lettuce anyway. — 5.13%
😐 No, I'm shopping the same as always. — 0%
⚠️ All figures except the top result are estimated from the poll's bar chart and should be verified against a raw data export before publishing.
The Takeaway:
This wasn't a close call — the overwhelming majority of Cary Spotlight readers say the recall has made them noticeably more cautious shoppers. A small slice are taking a lighter-touch approach, double-checking recall notices before tossing lettuce in the cart, while a few say they just don't eat much of it to begin with. Notably, not a single respondent said their shopping habits are unchanged, suggesting this recall really did break through the noise.
Bottom line: if you're still reaching for iceberg without a second thought, you might be in the minority these days. When in doubt, check the label — or just grab the romaine.
Just curious…
Which Cary restaurant gets your vote for the best burger?
Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.
What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.
❤️ Thank You For Your Gift
Your support keeps Cary Spotlight independent and lets us share valuable polls, data, and community insights that shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle. Join readers who’ve already donated.
🎉 Weekend Events Preview (Top Picks)
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few great ways to enjoy the weekend:
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 8AM-12PM
• Saturday: NC Courage vs Utah Royals 7:45PM
• Saturday: CaryLIVE! The Suitcase Junket 7:30PM-9:30PM
• Sunday: The Giver: Applause! Cary Youth Theatre 3PM-4:30PM
• Monday: Stretch and Refresh 10AM-11AM
But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar
The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
A: a brain
The Scarecrow was missing a brain. He journeyed to the Emerald City with Dorothy in hopes that the Wizard could give him intelligence.
Throughout their adventure, the Scarecrow repeatedly demonstrated that he was actually the cleverest member of the group, coming up with brilliant plans to cross the deep chasm and rescue Dorothy from the Wicked Witch's castle. In the end, the Wizard simply presented him with a diploma and an honorary degree to acknowledge the intelligence he already possessed.
For more information, Scarecrow (Oz)