Cary Spotlight | Issue #592

A Stitch of Kindness, Backyard Cottages Get a Green Light, Cary's Free Seed Library


🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🍽️ Discover Cary: A Stitch of Kindness
• 📰 News: Backyard Cottages Get a Green Light in Cary
• 📰 News: Free Seed Library at Cary Regional Library
• ⚽ Sports: Soccer Fans, This Weekend’s for You
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• 🏪 Support Local: Small biz to check out and coffee
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

👉 Browse the highlights. Skip to your favorites.

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Question: True or False: The adult brain can generate new neurons.

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

🎙️SPOTLIGHT MOMENT: Why does brand storytelling matter more than ever?

We sat down with Roxanne Engstrom on Cary Spotlight Connect to talk about the power of visual storytelling, building trust with your audience, and why confidence is a muscle—not a gift.

This 90-second clip captures a powerful insight on Visual Storytelling for Brands.
🎧 Listen to the Full episode

Know someone who should be featured next? Send them to apply.caryspotlight.com

Pam in her 90s, sews for kids who need comfort.
(Credit: Angelica Ortiz Lugo)

A Stitch of Kindness

In a story shared by Angelica Ortiz Lugo, a routine moment at work turned into something unforgettable. While helping Pam, a local Cary woman in her 90s, cut fabric, Angelica asked what she planned to do with it.

Pam explained that she uses it to make blankets and hats for children facing surgery, simply because, as she put it, “We shouldn’t be selfish… there are always people who need help.”

That spirit of giving, combined with Pam’s energy and grace, made a lasting impression. Her story not only highlights the quiet impact one person can have, but also reminds us to honor and learn from the elderly, whose lives are often rich with wisdom and generosity. In a world rushing forward, Pam’s steady hands—and selfless heart—offer a powerful call to slow down and care for others.

Backyard Cottages Get a Green Light in Cary

In a move to support housing diversity and accommodate a changing population, the Cary Town Council has approved updates to the Land Development Ordinance that ease restrictions on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). These small secondary residences—ranging from garage apartments to detached cottages—can now be added more easily by homeowners, subject to state codes and, where applicable, HOA guidelines.

ADUs are a cornerstone of Cary’s 2021 Housing Plan and the Imagine Cary Community Plan. Officials say they offer practical solutions for families caring for aging parents, housing young adults, or supporting loved ones with special needs. The change is intended to give residents more choices while maintaining neighborhood standards.

To guide residents through the process, Cary has released a Citizen Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units available on its website, along with planning tools and design standards. The update reflects the town’s long-term vision of inclusive and adaptable housing for a growing community. Cary officials encourage residents to consult the town’s ADU Citizen Guide and planning resources available at housing.carync.gov.

Just curious…

Cary has made it easier for homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—like in-law suites, backyard cottages, and garage apartments.

If zoning and budget weren’t a problem, how would you use an ADU?

Click to cast your vote

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Free Seed Library at Cary Regional Library

The Cary Regional Library recently launched its Seed Library, a community-powered initiative aimed at encouraging sustainable gardening and seed sharing. Located on the second floor near the Adult Services desk, the Seed Library allows patrons to take free packets of seeds—from flowers to vegetables—while encouraging donations in return.

Librarian Jake Greene, who helped lead the project, said the library has distributed around 1,300 seed packets since opening in April. “It’s taken a lot of hands and effort to get it off the ground,” he said. The program is entirely donation-based and now calls on community members to donate leftover or saved seeds to help restock the collection.

If you’re a home gardener, a seed saver, or simply have too many unopened seed packets, you can bring your donations to the library’s Adult Services desk. More information is available at guides.wake.gov/caryseeds. As Greene put it, the library’s hope is simple: take a seed, grow a plant, and give a little something back.

Before today, were you aware of the Seed Library?

Click to cast your vote

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Soccer Fans, This Weekend’s for You

It’s a big weekend for soccer in Cary, with North Carolina FC back in action and major tournament events drawing fans from across the country. Here’s what to watch:

  • North Carolina FC travels to Connecticut for a Friday night showdown against Hartford Athletic at 7:30 p.m. ET. NCFC enters the match on a three-game winning streak, including a 1-0 road win over Richmond in USL Jägermeister Cup play. Adam Luckhurst scored his first professional goal in that match, while Trevor Mulqueen secured the clean sheet and Louis Perez created seven scoring chances. A win tonight could help NCFC solidify its hold on a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference.

  • The TST 7v7 World Championship continues this weekend, featuring top-level adult competition and two $1 million winner-take-all prizes. Fans can enjoy VIP experiences, meet-and-greets with clubs like West Ham and Villarreal, and live ESPN broadcasts of the high-energy, small-sided action.

  • Youth players are taking center stage in the Cary Cup, the country’s first 7v7 tournament using TST’s Target Score Time format. Local teams are competing in a festival atmosphere at venues across Cary and Apex, with Sunday’s finalists earning a chance to play on the same pitch as TST pros and soccer legends.

From elite competition to grassroots excitement, Cary is once again the place to be for soccer fans of all ages.

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

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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: PRIDE Cary Night Market 5PM-9PM
• Saturday: Kids Together 25th Birthday Celebration 2PM-4PM
• Saturday: Disco Fever - (Koka Booth) 8PM
• Sunday: Film Class: Basic Feature Writing 10AM-1PM
• Sunday: The Soccer Tournament (TST) 1:30PM-9PM

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

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
True — For many years, scientists believed that humans were born with all the brain cells they’d ever have. But research has since shown that the adult brain can generate new neurons, a process known as neurogenesis. This primarily occurs in the hippocampus, the region associated with learning and memory. Factors like exercise, sleep, and mental stimulation can help support this brain-boosting process.