Cary Spotlight | Issue #472

Spreading Love and Kindness, Cary Seniors Celebrate Culinary Traditions, Three Arrested in Cary Armed Robbery

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

😀 Meme of the Day

❤️ You’re So Sweet: Thank You, Ralph!

🧭 Spreading Love and Kindness: MOM WISHING WIDOWS WELL to Deliver 800 Valentine’s Day Arrangements

📰 A Taste of Black History: Cary Seniors Celebrate Culinary Traditions

📰 Three Arrested in Cary Armed Robbery Less Than a Week After Crime

📰 NC State Students Demand Expanded PCB Testing After Poe Hall Contamination

☀️ Cary NC Weather

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

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

Question: Who invented the clothes dryer?

(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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You’re So Sweet: Thank You, Ralph!

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Spreading Love and Kindness: MOM WISHING WIDOWS WELL to Deliver 800 Valentine’s Day Arrangements

On February 12, 13, and 14, approximately 125 dedicated volunteers will gather at the Cary Senior Center to create and deliver an incredible 800 flower arrangements to individuals throughout Cary, Apex, and Morrisville who may be alone or simply in need of a warm gesture on Valentine’s Day.

Through this heartfelt initiative, the program extends love and warm wishes to widows, widowers, spouses, singles, companions, and caregivers, reminding them that they are valued and appreciated.

Volunteers will begin crafting the floral arrangements at 9:30 AM on February 12 and 13. On the morning of February 14, Valentine's Day, the arrangements will be delivered across the community. MOM WISHING WIDOWS WELL also collaborates with Meals on Wheels, The Center for Volunteer Caregivers, Total Life Center, Passage Home REACH Program, and Transitions LifeCare to help reach as many people as possible with this gesture of kindness.

This initiative is part of MOM WISHING WIDOWS WELL, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded four years ago by Marie Martin and a group of friends. Their mission is simple yet profound: to spread kindness and brighten the day of those who may feel forgotten.

Ready to help? Donate, volunteer, or learn more. Or contact Marie Martin at [email protected].

Location: Cary Senior Center, 120 Maury Odell Pl, Cary, NC 27513 | Get Directions

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A Taste of Black History: Cary Seniors Celebrate Culinary Traditions

Cary’s A Taste of Black History: A Senior Celebration has officially sold out, underscoring the community’s deep interest in honoring Black heritage through food and culture. While this event has reached full capacity, there are still plenty of opportunities to celebrate Black History Month. Residents can explore a lineup of events throughout February at carync.gov/bhm.

At this exclusive gathering, attendees will embark on a flavorful journey through the culinary traditions that have shaped American cuisine. A locally Black-owned restaurant will serve a carefully curated meal, highlighting the rich flavors and cultural significance of African American food traditions. But this event is about more than just a meal—it’s a tribute to resilience, history, and the profound influence of Black chefs and home cooks who have helped define Southern and American dining.

Through shared experiences at the table, guests will celebrate the power of food as a storyteller—one that speaks of struggle, triumph, and cultural pride. The overwhelming response to this event reflects the growing appreciation for meaningful, immersive ways to honor Black history in the Cary community.

For those who couldn’t secure a spot, Cary’s Black History Month programming offers additional events throughout the month, ensuring everyone has a chance to engage, learn, and celebrate. Visit carync.gov/bhm for more details.

Three Arrested in Cary Armed Robbery Less Than a Week After Crime

The Cary Police Department has arrested three men accused of committing an armed robbery at the Han-Dee Hugo’s gas station on NC-55 on January 30. The incident occurred just after 4:30 a.m. when two armed suspects entered the store while a third waited outside in a pickup truck.

They stole $50 in cash, cigarette packs, and snacks before one of them discharged a firearm inside the store, striking an advertisement display. Fortunately, no one was harmed.

In less than a week, police identified and arrested the three suspects, each now facing felony armed robbery charges. Authorities have not released details on how the suspects were located but emphasized that their swift apprehension underscores Cary’s commitment to public safety.

The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges that local businesses face and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in ensuring community security.
Read Full Report 

NC State Students Demand Expanded PCB Testing After Poe Hall Contamination

UNC Health and Duke Health, two of North Carolina’s leading academic health institutions, are joining forces to establish NC Children’s, a new pediatric health system that will feature the state’s first freestanding children’s hospital. The initiative, years in the making, seeks to transform access to specialized pediatric care while advancing research and medical education.

With plans for a 500-bed hospital, a behavioral health center, and an outpatient care facility, the project is expected to provide a comprehensive range of medical services tailored exclusively to children. An initial $320 million state investment helped set the stage for the collaboration, which aims to ensure that North Carolina families have access to top-tier pediatric care without having to seek treatment out of state.

In addition to its clinical mission, NC Children’s will function as a hub for pediatric medical research, benefiting from close academic ties with UNC and Duke’s medical schools. The campus will include rehabilitation spaces, play areas, and family-centered amenities, creating a supportive environment for both patients and their loved ones.

Groundbreaking is planned for 2027, with the hospital expected to open in the early 2030s. Other key facilities, such as the behavioral health center and outpatient surgical units, may become operational before the main hospital is completed.

By bringing together two of the state’s most respected medical institutions, the project promises to elevate pediatric health care and research in North Carolina for decades to come. Read Full Report

Just curious…

With growing concerns over PCB contamination following the closure of Poe Hall, student leaders are calling for widespread testing in all campus buildings constructed before 1990.

Should NC State Expand PCB Testing on Campus?

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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.

February 6th (Thursday)

February 7th (Friday)

February 8th (Saturday)

February 9th (Sunday)

February 10th (Monday)

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Question 👇👇👇

George T. Sampson, an African-American inventor, patented a clothes dryer in 1971 that used heat from a stove to efficiently dry clothes indoors. His invention helped revolutionize the laundry process, providing an effective solution for drying clothes, especially in urban areas where outdoor drying was impractical. Sampson's innovation paved the way for the modern electric and gas dryers we use today.