In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

🧭 Tailored Adventures with DNA Wild: Crafting Unforgettable Journeys

✈️ RDU Elevates Airport Dining with Local Flavors and New Eateries

❤️ Coordinated Aviation Response Ensures Safe Relief Efforts After Hurricane Helene

😋 Savor Cary: Bocci Trattoria & Pizzeria

😋Tasty Trend: 🦞 Kennebunkport Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

Question: After the 1971 Centennial, what became the top complaint of Cary residents?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Discover Bee Banhmi, a local business sponsor of Cary Spotlight. They do catering, online ordering, home delivery and in-store. Great food made with quality ingredients. You can read their Business Spotlight | Menu

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Tailored Adventures with DNA Wild: Crafting Unforgettable Journeys

In a world filled with cookie-cutter vacation packages, DNA Wild stands apart. Specializing in personalized, luxury travel experiences, this boutique agency has made it their mission to design journeys as unique as the people who take them. Founded two years ago by Sharleen Landsman Smith, a South African travel expert with over 26 years of experience, DNA Wild focuses on making each trip an unforgettable adventure, with the traveler’s interests at the heart of every plan.

Headquartered in Bradenton, FL, DNA Wild has a deep connection to Africa, where the team’s expertise in safaris and local cultures allows them to curate extraordinary experiences. But the company’s reach has quickly expanded beyond the African continent, with a growing portfolio of trips across Asia, South America, and even polar regions. “Being wild is in our DNA, and it is in yours,” says Smith, whose passion for travel began in the African bush and has now extended to some of the world’s most remote and awe-inspiring locations.

DNA Wild is built on a foundation of personalized service. The company partners with carefully vetted local experts, ensuring that each detail—from airport transfers to safari guides—runs smoothly. One recent traveler shared, “Your company’s attention to detail was absolutely incredible—being met at every airport, ensuring all paperwork was in order, and selecting the most caring people to guide us.” Whether it’s a honeymoon in the Galapagos or a family safari in South Africa, DNA Wild guarantees more than just a trip. It offers an experience to remember for years.

For Smith, the journey is personal. Having taken full ownership of DNA Wild earlier this year, she ensures that each trip reflects her passion for travel and her commitment to exceptional customer service. Her team of three, based in South Africa, provides on-the-ground support, while DNA Wild’s affiliation with The Travel Society and Virtuoso secures the best rates and amenities worldwide.

Clients rave about their experiences. One honeymooner wrote, “All around, an incredible experience… we couldn’t have asked for a better honeymoon!” Another family recalled, “The lodges were amazing, and the staff made us feel like family. We were sad to leave the friends we made along the way.”

As DNA Wild grows, Smith has her sights set on even more destinations—from the mysterious landscapes of Croatia to the tiger reserves of India. Yet Africa remains the core of the company’s mission. "We believe in respecting the custodians of each land," Smith emphasizes, noting that a portion of every booking goes toward nonprofit organizations supporting local communities, with a special focus on empowering differently-abled individuals.

At DNA Wild, travel isn’t just a journey—it’s an adventure that changes the way you see the world.

Connect with DNA Wild
Website: DNA Wild | Phone: (786) 390-1235 | Email: [email protected]

Editor’s Note: Full transparency, although DNA Wild is not local to Cary, they are extremely passionate about community and how important that is. Plus, Sharleen and I were both born in South Africa, so we definitely share a kinship. Yes, I'm a bit biased, but I really love her passion!

Just curious…

RDU Elevates Airport Dining with Local Flavors and New Eateries

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) continues to elevate its dining scene with the opening of three new restaurants in Terminal 2, offering travelers a mix of local flavors and convenience.

Chef Scott Crawford, a notable figure in Raleigh’s culinary world, has launched Crawford’s Genuine, a full-service restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Alongside it, Black and White Coffee Roasters, founded by local baristas, provides travelers with premium coffee, while Carolina Craft serves tapas-style dishes, local wines, and North Carolina craft beer.

These additions are part of a broader initiative by RDU to enhance its food and beverage offerings. The airport plans to open 10 more dining options by 2025, aiming to enrich the travel experience with a greater variety of local and high-quality choices.

This expansion reflects the airport’s commitment to showcasing the region’s evolving culinary culture to visitors and residents alike. Read Full Report

Coordinated Aviation Response Ensures Safe Relief Efforts After Hurricane Helene

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, North Carolina's aviation sector has stepped up to provide vital aid to communities cut off from access in the western part of the state.

The FAA has noted a dramatic rise in air traffic, as private planes, military units, and the National Guard work together to bring supplies like food and medicine to the hardest-hit regions. To manage this surge, the North Carolina Division of Aviation has introduced several safety measures, including scheduled landing times, designated flight corridors, and temporary air traffic control towers.

These efforts, in collaboration with federal and state agencies, have minimized disruptions and ensured the safe and efficient delivery of relief. Ongoing cooperation across agencies is key to sustaining the success of these critical operations as recovery continues. Read Full Report

Editor’s Note: Help keep yourself, your family and your community safe after Hurricane Helene by being aware of rumors and scams and sharing official information from trusted sources.

Quick Links (North Carolina):

• North Carolina Division of Emergency Management

• NC211.org or call 211

• NCvoad.org

• Ready NC.gov

• North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene Disaster Page

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Savor Cary: Bocci Trattoria & Pizzeria

Bocci Trattoria & Pizzeria is one of the restaurants that was nominated by the Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Savor Cary Giveaway. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below. We will share the results of this reader poll in an upcoming issue. Check out their menu on their website: Bocci Trattoria & Pizzeria

You can choose from a selection of dining experiences valued at $100 (Dine-in Gift Card). Next drawing: 24 Oct 2024.

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🦞 Kennebunkport Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich 😋

Dive into the decadence of our Kennebunkport Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich, featuring succulent Maine lobster, creamy mascarpone, and melty provolone cheese on golden-browned bread.

📋 Ingredients List:

• 4-6 tablespoons, room temperature Butter

• 1 teaspoon Chili Paste

• ½ cup, softened Mascarpone Cheese

• 2, thinly sliced (white and green parts) Scallions

• ¼ cup, small dice Tomatoes

• 4 slices, country-style White Bread

• 4 thin slices Provolone Cheese

• ½ cup Arugula

• 1 cup, cooked and coarsely chopped Maine Lobster

📝 Instructions:

• Prepare Chili Butter:

  Mix butter and chili paste in a small bowl. Set aside.

• Make Cheese Mixture:

  In a medium bowl, blend mascarpone cheese, scallions, and tomatoes. Spread evenly on each bread slice.

• Assemble Sandwiches:

  On two slices of bread with the cheese mixture, layer one slice of provolone, arugula, and evenly distribute the lobster. Top with another slice of provolone and cover with the remaining bread slices, cheese mixture facing down.

• Cook the Sandwiches:

  In a large nonstick skillet, melt half of the chili butter over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet, adding the rest of the butter on top. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side, ensuring the cheese is melted and warm.

• Serve this luxurious grilled cheese and enjoy a gourmet treat that combines the rich flavors of the sea with classic comfort food.

Give it a try and let us know what you think.