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🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🧭 Discover Cary: Hank's Downtown Dive
• 📰 News: New Chapter for Cary as Russ Overton Officially Becomes Town Manager
• 📰 News: Downtown Cary Park Hosts Free Halloween Celebration on October 24
• 😉 Meme of the Day – Start Your Day with a Smile
• 🎁 Support the businesses that support Cary: Show your support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.
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Question: How many years does a silver anniversary celebrate?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
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You Pay Them Every Month. Now It's Your Turn to Get Paid.
Every time you fill up or open your power bill, an energy company gets paid. Gas prices just set an October record. Iran is firing on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and Russia's oil exports are getting choked off by attacks on its tankers and oil infrastructure.
Then there's AI. Data centers are pulling power off America's grid faster than anyone can build it, and tech giants are signing deals for entire power plants just to keep their servers running.
So the best performing sector of 2026 isn't tech, and it isn't AI. It's energy, up around 40% this year while most investors were busy chasing chip stocks.
We've found the #1 energy stock to end 2026 strong. Get it free, and we'll text you the name.
Hank's Downtown Dive
Hank’s Downtown Dive is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Discover Cary project. If you’ve had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.
Hank’s Downtown Dive in downtown Cary is a cozy neighborhood hangout (and not really a dive at all) right across from The Cary Theater, serving a seasonal menu of oysters, tacos, fried chicken, and creative cocktails.
Check out their menu on their website: Hank’s Downtown Dive
Address: 111 E Chatham St, Suite A, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions
Hank's Downtown Dive
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New Chapter for Cary as Russ Overton Officially Becomes Town Manager
Cary Town Council unanimously appointed Russ Overton as the town's permanent manager during its October 22 meeting. Overton had served as interim town manager since December 2025, following the resignation of Sean Stegall. Previously Cary's deputy town manager, Overton now assumes permanent responsibility for overseeing municipal operations, employees and the implementation of council policies.
The appointment follows months of controversy surrounding Cary's financial management. Stegall's departure came amid allegations of financial mismanagement, and North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek subsequently identified evidence of potential criminal activity involving town spending. The controversy prompted concerns among residents about financial accountability and transparency.
In response, Cary officials have held meetings to review financial management practices and established a committee focused on strengthening policies and rebuilding public confidence. Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson has emphasized the importance of making changes that improve transparency and restore trust in local government.
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht praised Overton's leadership and familiarity with Cary, citing the stability he provided during the transition. His permanent appointment gives the town an established administrative leader as it continues reviewing financial practices and addressing community concerns.
What Cary Residents Should Know
🏛️ New town manager: Russ Overton was unanimously appointed on October 22, 2026.
📅 Experienced interim leader: Overton has served as interim town manager since December 2025.
💼 Previous position: He served as Cary's deputy town manager before taking over the interim role.
🔍 Financial oversight remains a priority: Cary continues reviewing policies following concerns about town spending.
🤝 Public trust is a continuing focus: Town officials have established a committee to examine transparency and accountability improvements.
🏘️ Town operations continue: Overton will oversee municipal departments, employees and implementation of council decisions.
hat should be Cary's top priority under new Town Manager Russ Overton?
- 🔍 Greater transparency in town government
- 💰 Stronger financial oversight and accountability
- 🤝 Rebuilding public trust in town leadership
- 🏘️ Managing growth, development and housing affordability
- 🚦 Improving roads, traffic and public services
- 🌳 Protecting Cary's parks, green spaces and quality of life
- Other (please specify)
Downtown Cary Park Hosts Free Halloween Celebration on October 24
Downtown Cary Park will transform into a Halloween-themed gathering place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, for Downtown Scary Park: Haunted Hotel. The free event runs from 2 to 10:30 p.m. and features pumpkin carving, festive activities, food trucks and outdoor movies.
The afternoon begins with a Family Pumpkin Carving Party from 2 to 6 p.m. on Frantz Square Lawn. Pumpkins will be available for purchase while supplies last. Food trucks will serve visitors throughout the afternoon and evening, and additional Halloween activities will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The evening's entertainment includes two movie screenings at the Great Lawn Pavilion. The family-friendly The Haunted Mansion (2003) begins at 7:30 p.m., followed by the more frightening Poltergeist (1982) at 9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for comfortable outdoor viewing.
All scheduled activities are open to the public, and visitors may bring their own food. Whether attending for pumpkin carving, a family movie or a classic horror film, the event offers several ways to celebrate Halloween in downtown Cary.
Just curious…
What are you most excited about at Downtown Cary Park's Haunted Hotel Halloween event?
Silver Has Beaten Gold Before. It's Doing It Again.
From 1974 to 1987, silver more than doubled gold's returns. After 2008, it beat gold five-fold in three years. Since March 2020, silver is up 402% against gold's 186%. Our research team's free playbook explains why, and how the team would position.
Meme of the Day.
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🎟️ Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few ideas for the week, so plan ahead:
• Friday: Bats, Bugs and Beasts 8AM-9AM
• Friday: Pumpkin Flotilla 5PM-7PM
• Friday: Trunk or Treat with the Volunteers of WakeMed Cary 6PM
• Friday: Zombiepalooza 6PM-10PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 8AM-12PM
• Saturday: Downtown Scary Park: Haunted Hotel 2PM-10:30PM
• Saturday: Movie Night: Halloween Double Feature 6PM-10PM
• Saturday: Haunting at the Old Hotel 6:30PM-9:30PM
• Saturday: Me...Jane: Applause! Cary Youth Theatre 7:30PM-8:30PM
• Sunday: Tricks & Treats: Dog Training 2PM-3PM
• Sunday: Haunted Walk Night 2 7PM-10:30PM
• Sunday: Legacy of Jazz: Devine and Dexterous 3:30PM-5PM
• Monday: Downtown Cary Park Diwali Celebration 6:30PM-8PM
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: 25 years
A silver anniversary marks 25 years of marriage. Silver represents durability, purity, brilliance, and the resilient strength required to sustain a relationship for a quarter of a century. Today, couples frequently mark their 25th anniversary by exchanging sterling silver jewelry, renewing their vows, or hosting gatherings with family and friends.
For more information, Wedding Anniversary Names