Cary Spotlight | Issue #464

Bring Your Partner or Go Solo, Breaking Up with Artificial Sweeteners, Making Friends as an Adult – Is It Really That Hard?

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

😀 Meme of the Day

🧭 Bring Your Partner or Go Solo: Square Dancing in Cary is for Everyone

📰 Breaking Up with Artificial Sweeteners: Five Ways to Make the Shift

🎬 Making Friends as an Adult – Is It Really That Hard?

☀️ Cary NC Weather

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

📅 Lots Of Events This Week (The Week at a Glance)

Question: What is the scientific term for the Sun's outer atmosphere?

(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.

“Dined with you today and had forgotten how fresh your ingredients are and how tasty the food is! Thanks for making me feel like I am visiting Family when I come in to eat. Friendly staff welcomes you in and eagerly share their knowledge about the choices to ensure you get exactly what you want/need! Love Bee BanhMi!” ~Lorraine Cross

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Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.

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Ready to Race for a Cause?
The Tobacco Road Marathon isn’t just a race—it’s a mission. This premier annual event has raised over $1.8M for charities like the American Red Cross and Hope for the Warriors. Want to be part of something bigger while crushing your PR? Use code "Spotlight" (case-sensitive) for $20 off your registration!

Bring Your Partner or Go Solo: Square Dancing in Cary is for Everyone

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Chris Coetzer interviews Beverly Shipley-Sherron, president of the Cary Cross Trailers Square and Round Dance Club. They discuss the value of community engagement through dance, the inclusivity of square dancing, and the upcoming open house event aimed at inviting new members to join the club.

Beverly shares insights about the nature of square dancing, the attire, and the welcoming atmosphere of the club, emphasizing that anyone can participate regardless of their dancing skills.

Credit: Cary Cross Trailers Square and Round Dance Club

Keywords: Cary Spotlight, square dancing, community engagement, dance clubs, social activities, Cary Cross Trailers, round dancing, open house, inclusivity, local events

Takeaways:

  • You can be a victim of your own success.

  • Providing value is key before asking for anything.

  • The Cary Cross Trailers is a welcoming dance club. Square dancing involves choreography led by a caller.

  • Participants can wear comfortable clothes, not just traditional attire.

  • No partner is needed to join square dancing.

  • Inclusivity is a core value in the square dance community.

  • You can learn to dance even with two left feet.

  • The open house is a great opportunity to try square dancing.

  • Community events foster new friendships and activities.

What to do next:

Curious about square dancing but not sure where to start? The Cary Cross Trailers are ready to welcome you with open arms—no partner or experience needed! Step into the rhythm, meet new friends, and experience the joy of dance in a fun and inclusive setting. Begin your journey into the world of square dancing by joining the Cary Cross Trailers at their upcoming open house in Cary. Visit their website to learn more.

Cary Cross Trailers Square and Round Dance Club
Location: They dance every Thursday evening at 7 pm at First Cary United Methodist Church in Building C, 117 Waldo Street, Cary 27511, with few exceptions for holidays like Holy Week and Vacation Bible School every year. | Ph: (919) 414-8484

FREE OPEN HOUSE rescheduled to January 30th at 7-8:30pm.

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how aware you are of the Cary Cross Trailers, a welcoming club fostering community through square dancing:

How Familiar Are You with the Cary Cross Trailers Square and Round Dance Club?

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These articles are for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.

White sugar on a spoon.

Breaking Up with Artificial Sweeteners: Five Ways to Make the Shift

For years, artificial sweeteners have been marketed as a guilt-free alternative to sugar, but mounting research suggests they may do more harm than good. The World Health Organization (WHO) now warns that these substitutes can contribute to weight gain, cardiovascular issues, and gut health disruptions. Some, like aspartame, have even been classified as possible carcinogens. Despite these concerns, artificial sweeteners remain prevalent in diet sodas, processed foods, and even non-food products, making it crucial to rethink their role in daily consumption.

For those looking to reduce their reliance on sugar substitutes, experts recommend several strategies to help reset the palate and develop healthier habits.

Five Expert-Approved Ways to Reduce Artificial Sweeteners in Your Diet

  • Retrain Your Taste Buds: The human body craves sugar due to evolutionary survival instincts, but overexposure to artificial sweeteners has intensified those cravings. Gradually cutting back on all forms of added sweeteners—both real and artificial—can help recalibrate your taste buds, making naturally sweet foods, such as fruits, more satisfying over time.

  • Read Ingredient Labels Carefully: Sugar substitutes are often hidden in processed foods under unfamiliar names. Look for terms like aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin, as well as sugar alcohols ending in "-tol," such as erythritol and xylitol. Products labeled "low calorie," "light," or "no sugar added" often contain these additives, even when they appear to be healthy choices.

  • Be Skeptical of Health Claims: Many foods marketed as "keto-friendly" or "zero net carbs" rely on artificial sweeteners to maintain their appeal. If a food tastes sweet but has little to no sugar on the label, it likely contains sugar substitutes that may impact metabolism and gut health.

  • Stock Up on Natural Alternatives: Instead of reaching for artificially sweetened products, opt for whole, naturally sweet foods. Fresh fruits, lightly spiced baked apples, or even a small drizzle of honey can provide a satisfying sweetness without the hidden risks of synthetic sweeteners.

  • Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition: Sleep deprivation can trigger cravings for high-sugar and high-fat foods by disrupting hunger hormones. Ensuring a consistent sleep schedule and incorporating more protein and fiber into meals can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the urge to seek out artificially sweetened snacks.

While cutting artificial sweeteners may take some adjustment, these steps can help curb cravings, improve overall health, and promote a more balanced approach to sweetness in daily life. Read Full Report

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Making Friends as an Adult – Is It Really That Hard?

Ever feel like making new friends as an adult is more difficult than it should be? Dr. Mark Shapiro tackles this challenge head-on in a compelling TEDx talk, breaking down the essential steps to forming meaningful connections—without the awkwardness.

Learn:
✅ Why friendships get harder to form as we age
✅ How to overcome self-doubt and take action
✅ The simple, science-backed strategy to start new friendships

If you’ve ever wished making friends was as easy as it was on the playground, this video is a must-watch!

🎬 Click to watch now and start building authentic connections today!

Just curious…

Making new friends as an adult can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding! We’d love to hear about your experiences.

Which of the following best describes your friendship journey as an adult?

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Upcoming Local Events

Looking ahead to events happening in Cary, NC for the rest of the week.
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information.

January 29th, 2025 (Wednesday)

January 30th (Thursday)

January 31st (Friday)

February 1st (Saturday)

February 2nd (Sunday)

February 3rd (Monday)

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question👇👇👇

The corona is the Sun's outermost atmosphere, extending millions of kilometers into space. It is composed of superheated plasma, with temperatures reaching up to 1 to 3 million degrees Kelvin, much hotter than the Sun’s surface. The corona is best observed during a total solar eclipse or with specialized telescopes, such as NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. It is also the source of the solar wind, a stream of charged particles that influences space weather and Earth's magnetosphere.

For more information, visit NASA's page on the solar corona.