In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

🧭 South Africa’s Top Hiking Trails: A Land of Endless Adventure

✈️ New DOT Rules Guarantee Automatic Refunds for Flight Cancellations and Delays

😋 Savor Cary: La Grassa Pastificio

😋 Tasty Trend: Garlic Cheesy Bread Sloppy Joe 😋

🏛️ Support Local Businesses

Question: What year did the legal sale of alcoholic beverages begin in Cary, NC?

(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.

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South Africa’s Top Hiking Trails: A Land of Endless Adventure

South Africa, often overshadowed by the towering Mount Kilimanjaro, quietly claims its place as a premier destination for hiking enthusiasts. Known for its impressive range and sheer volume of trails, the country boasts more than 3,700 routes across landscapes that span rugged coastlines, majestic mountains, arid deserts, and the ecologically rich fynbos—an area teeming with plant diversity found nowhere else in the world. These trails not only showcase the country’s natural beauty but also reflect South Africa’s commitment to well-maintained, clearly marked paths, often complemented by overnight huts for multi-day treks.

While guided tours are available, many of these trails are structured for self-guided hikers, with local outdoor shops in Cape Town and Johannesburg offering ample resources for rentals and supplies. Wildlife is abundant throughout, though encounters with South Africa’s “Big Five” animals—such as lions and rhinos—are limited to game reserves and parks where guides are essential for safety.

Among the country’s celebrated trails is the Otter Trail, a historic and coveted route tracing the Garden Route National Park’s coastline. Since 1968, it has offered hikers an immersive five-day journey through varied terrains, from sandy beaches to lush forests. The trail’s namesake, the Cape clawless otter, is among the native wildlife that roam here, along with dolphins and unique bird species. With permits capped at 12 per day, the Otter Trail remains a serene retreat for adventurers.

Another iconic journey, the Mont-Aux-Sources hike, ascends the dramatic Drakensberg escarpment to reveal the heights of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. Challenging chain ladders lead hikers up to a summit shared with Lesotho, where they are greeted by the breathtaking Amphitheatre and the world’s second-highest waterfall, Tugela Falls. Despite moderate temperatures below, the summit’s unpredictable weather demands preparation for sudden rain or even snow. Limited to 50 overnight campers each day, Mont-Aux-Sources is a true test of endurance and awe.

Together, South Africa’s trails offer something rare: a mix of accessibility and adventure that invites hikers to explore not just the land but the soul of a country where nature remains both wild and welcoming. See full list of epic trails

New DOT Rules Guarantee Automatic Refunds for Flight Cancellations and Delays

The Department of Transportation has introduced strict new guidelines mandating that airlines provide automatic refunds to passengers for canceled flights or significant delays—defined as three hours or more for domestic and six hours or more for international flights. These refunds must be processed within seven days for credit card payments and 20 days for other methods, eliminating the need for passengers to initiate the refund request.

The policy also offers compensation for checked bags that are delayed, with refunds available if bags aren’t returned within 12 hours for domestic flights or up to 30 hours internationally. Paid inflight services that are unavailable, such as Wi-Fi or seat selection, are also now eligible for refunds. Additionally, for flights that involve substantial route changes or downgrades, travelers can claim a full refund if they decide not to continue on the altered itinerary.

Starting next May, further provisions will grant extended credits for travelers restricted from flying due to medical or government-imposed reasons. These credits, valid for up to five years, are aimed at giving travelers greater flexibility during unexpected health or legal challenges. Read Full Report

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La Grassa Pastificio

La Grassa Pastificio is one of the eateries that was nominated by the Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Savor Cary Giveaway as a “little under the radar spot”. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below. Check out their menu on their website: La Grassa Pastificio

Support Local Businesses: Cary Spotlight Directory

Cary, NC! Know anyone who would love a free listing on our new Cary Spotlight Directory? It's a community resource website for newcomers and long time residents. Let them know about our newest asset.

We are adding local businesses, charities and Veterans Organizations.

Learn more here: https://caryspotlightdirectory.com/

Garlic Cheesy Bread Sloppy Joe 😋

This simple Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread recipe brings together the comforting flavors of classic sloppy joes with the irresistible cheesy goodness of garlic bread. It’s a quick, satisfying meal that’s sure to please the entire family!

📋 Ingredients List:

For the Bread:
- 1 loaf Italian bread
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt

For the Sloppy Joe:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ¾ cup (180 g) ketchup
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup water

For the Topping:  
- 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- Parsley, chopped for garnish

📝 Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the Italian bread lengthwise and place it on a baking sheet.

2. In a small bowl, mix softened butter with garlic salt, then spread this mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Set aside.

3. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until cooked through. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.

4. Stir in garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, salt, black pepper, and water. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, until thickened.

5. While the sloppy joe mixture is simmering, bake the bread for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven.

6. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture evenly over the bread halves. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top.

7. Place the bread back in the oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Tips (From Little Sunny Kitchen)

Use Different Meat: Sloppy Joes are delicious with ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, or even meatless ground meat alternatives.

Don’t Overcook: You want to simmer the meat in the sauce for a bit to thicken it up, but you should avoid letting it reduce down too much. We want the beef to be saucy!

For Extra Crispy Garlic Bread: Toast the bread with the garlic and butter under the broiler before adding the sloppy joe mixture. This will keep the bread from absorbing so much of the sauce, and make the resulting garlic bread nice and crisp.

Take a Shortcut: My homemade sloppy joe recipe is incredibly easy and delicious, but if you have a can of Manwhich lying around, feel free to use it to make this recipe even more quickly.