🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🍽️ Discover Cary: Kids Together Playground Turns 25
• 📰 News: Fake DMV Texts Target NC Residents
• 📰 News: Cary Lights Up for Pride Month
• 🎖️ Meme of the Day – Raising Awareness
• 🏪 Support Local: Small biz to check out and coffee tips
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

👉 Browse the highlights. Skip to your favorites.

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Kids Together Playground Turns 25

🎙️ Cary Spotlight Connect

🎧 Host: Dr. Chris Coetzer
🎤 Guest: Marla Dorrel, Founder & President of Kids Together

Summary

In this episode, Dr. Chris Coetzer sits down with Marla Dorrel, the visionary founder behind Kids Together, a nonprofit that helped create and now supports one of Cary’s most beloved landmarks: the Kids Together Playground.

Marla shares the inspiring origin story—how two young girls sparked a movement in 1994 to build a truly inclusive playground. With wide shade coverage, interactive public art, and structures designed for children of all abilities, the playground is now celebrating its 25th birthday with a free party this Saturday, June 7, from 2–4 PM.

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Keywords: Kids Together Playground, Cary, North Carolina, community, inclusivity, public art, events, volunteer opportunities, family activities, playground design

📢 Quotable Moments

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What makes Kids Together Playground different from other parks

• The role of public art and inclusive design

• How the community came together to raise $300,000

• Fun events like Safety Day and We Love Books Day

• What to expect at the 25th Anniversary Celebration

• How listeners can get involved through donations or volunteering

Upcoming Event:

🎂 Kids Together Playground 25th Anniversary Party
🗓️ Saturday, June 7
🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Kids Together Playground, Marla Dorrel Park | Directions
🎈 Featuring Ayla the Dreams Fairy, Happy Dan the Magic Man, cake, and community love!

Pro tip: Parking may be limited — arrive early or plan for street parking on Thurston Drive.

🎯 Call to Action

Want to support a place where all kids can play together, no matter their abilities? Start by visiting KidsTogetherCary.org. Whether you donate, volunteer, or just stop by the playground, you’re helping build a community rooted in love and inclusion. Begin your journey toward making Cary more connected—one joyful laugh at a time.

We’d love your input! Let us know how familiar you are with Kids Together, the all-volunteer nonprofit that helps make Cary’s most inclusive playground possible:

Fake DMV Texts Target NC Residents

A new scam targeting North Carolina residents uses text messages pretending to be from the state’s DMV, urging recipients to pay fines, respond to prompts, or follow suspicious links. The NC Department of Transportation has issued an alert outlining the risks of this smishing attempt, which aims to collect sensitive information under false pretenses.

The scam employs urgency and official-looking graphics to appear convincing. But the DMV does not send fine payment requests or ask for personal information via text. Residents are strongly advised not to respond, click any links, or share personal data.

Instead, the public is urged to report such messages to the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or their mobile carrier by forwarding the message to 7726. Residents can also verify any DMV-related issues through official state websites or contact centers. Read Full Report

Cary Lights Up for Pride Month

Cary is celebrating Pride Month 2025 with a series of public events and art installations that aim to honor the LGBTQ+ community and commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Pride Month programming in Cary includes film screenings at The Cary Theater, art exhibits, and a Family Pride Ride hosted by Trek Bicycle Cary.

Throughout June, public buildings and landmarks such as the Cary Arts Center, Downtown Cary Park, and the Cary Theater will be lit up in the colors of the Pride flag. The lighting installations serve as both a celebration and a symbol of solidarity, reinforcing the town's message of equality and respect for all residents.

Residents are encouraged to participate, reflect on the progress made, and recognize the continuing impact of LGBTQ+ individuals in Cary and beyond.

To explore the full schedule of events and learn how to get involved, visit carync.gov/pride.

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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:

• Today: The Soccer Tournament (TST) (All Day)
• Today: Square Dance (mainstream and plus level dancing) 7:30PM-9:30PM
• Friday: The Soccer Tournament (TST) (All Day)
• Friday: PRIDE Cary Night Market 5PM-9PM
• Saturday: Kids Together 25th Birthday Celebration 2PM-4PM

To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead with access to this week and next! See Full 2-Week Calendar