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🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 📰 News: Cary High Graduate Jessica Talley Wins 2026 Page-Walker Scholarship
• 📰 Scrollback: Show Us the Money (and Where It's Going)
• 📰 Scrollback: Grady-White Owner Chooses Legacy Over $400 Million-Plus Buyout
• 😄 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: Which candy was originally called "chicken feed"?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
Reader Question : Where is Wake County Animal Center located?
Answer: The Wake County Animal Center is located at 820 Beacon Lake Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610, near the intersection of I-440 and New Bern Avenue.
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Cary High Graduate Jessica Talley Wins 2026 Page-Walker Scholarship
A recent Cary High School graduate has received a $1,000 scholarship recognizing her academic achievements, leadership, and connection to Cary's history.
The Friends of the Page-Walker awarded its 2026 scholarship to Jessica Talley, who will attend East Carolina University to study biology on a pre-med track. She also plans to participate in Air Force ROTC.
Talley's winning essay examined how Cary's rapid growth has influenced the town's culture while preserving connections to its past. She reflected on childhood memories of the historic Guess-White-Ogle House, commonly known as Cary's "Pink House," and described how Cary's growth and increasing diversity have helped shape the community without erasing its Carolina roots.
Talley was also active in Cary High School's NJROTC program, where she served as Marksmanship Commander. Her Naval Science instructor, Chief Benjamin Heath, praised her creativity, character, integrity, and leadership in his recommendation.
The Friends of the Page-Walker established the scholarship in 2012 as part of its mission to preserve, promote, and share Cary's history. It is awarded annually to a graduating high school senior who lives in Cary and plans to attend a college or university.
Talley's name will also be added to a permanent scholarship plaque displayed at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center.
For information about the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel membership, visit http://www.friendsofpagewalker.org.
Little Known RMD Strategy Allowed by the IRS
For investors with $1M+ in retirement accounts, the tax code allows specific strategies that can reduce your tax exposure once RMDs begin—but only if used before then.
The window is open for anyone within ten years of 73. A fiduciary advisor can review which may apply, at no cost.
We’re rewinding the feed to spotlight a standout moment, story, or snapshot from Cary’s past. Let’s scroll back and see…
Show Us the Money (and Where It's Going)
From Cary Spotlight Issue #1009
Cary residents watched last week's Town Council meeting closely, and when we asked what mattered most to them from that session, the response left little room for ambiguity. This wasn't a close call — one issue dominated the conversation by a wide margin.
🗳️ Poll Results: Which Issue Matters Most to Cary Residents?
Which issue from last week's Cary Town Council meeting matters most to you?
🥇 Government spending and accountability — 80.82%
🥈 Affordable housing in Cary — ~8%
🥉 Growth and new development — ~4%
🥉 Parks, infrastructure, and town services — ~4%
5️⃣ Other (please specify) — ~3%
💭 The Takeaway
The numbers tell a pretty clear story: government spending and accountability isn't just the top concern in Cary right now — it's dominating the conversation by a factor of ten over the next closest issue.
Affordable housing drew a modest share of votes, while growth, parks/infrastructure, and other concerns barely registered by comparison. For a town that's weathered plenty of headlines lately, this poll suggests residents are laser-focused on how their tax dollars are being managed and whether town leadership is being held to account.
💬 What Readers Are Saying
The comments largely echoed the poll results, with many readers expressing frustration over town spending decisions from council vehicle stipends to other discretionary expenses and a broader sense that trust in local leadership has eroded.
Several respondents called for greater transparency and closer scrutiny of how public funds are allocated going forward.
A smaller number of readers used the "Other" option to voice similar accountability concerns not explicitly captured by the listed choices, while a few others flagged affordable housing and road/traffic conditions tied to new development as pressing quality-of-life issues.
(Note: Given the sensitive, politically charged nature of several comments — including direct criticism of named officials — I've paraphrased the sentiment rather than pulling direct quotes.)
Looks like when it comes to Town Hall, Cary residents are watching the checkbook closer than ever — stay tuned as this story develops.
Which part of Cary do you now call home?
Grady-White Owner Chooses Legacy Over $400 Million-Plus Buyout
Eddie Smith Jr., the 83-year-old longtime owner of North Carolina-based Grady-White Boats, has chosen an unusual succession plan for the company he spent decades building.
Rather than accepting acquisition offers reportedly worth more than $400 million, Smith transferred ownership to a perpetual purpose trust and nonprofit organization. The structure is intended to keep Grady-White independent and preserve its existing company culture and employee programs.
The company's leadership team will remain in place, while Smith transitions to CEO emeritus. Employees will continue to receive existing benefits and profit-sharing opportunities.
Future profits available beyond the company's needs can be directed toward charitable causes, including healthcare, education, and conservation, allowing the success of the business to benefit communities for years to come.
Just curious…
Some of these are Southern staples, some are classics, and one might surprise you. Which one are you reaching for?
If you built a company worth hundreds of millions, what would you do? 💰
Meme of the Day.
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🎉 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: Yoga 9AM-10AM
• Sunday: The Revolutionists @ Theatre in the Park 2PM-7:15PM
• Sunday: Sunday Sound Bath 4PM-5:30PM
• 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: Candy corn
Candy corn was originally called "chicken feed". It was invented in the 1880s by George Renninger at the Wunderle Candy Company, and later popularized in 1898 by the Jelly Belly Candy Company (then the Goelitz Confectionery Company).
In the late 19th century, a large portion of the population worked in farming, and corn was primarily used as feed for livestock rather than food for humans.
For more information, Candy corn