Cary Spotlight | Issue #619

Cary’s July 3rd Celebration, Cary Newcomers Club, Celebrate July 4 in Cary with Live Music and Fireworks


🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• ❤️ Discover Cary: Cary Newcomers Club
• 📰 News: Cary’s July 3rd Celebration
• 📰 News: Celebrate July 4 in Cary with Live Music and Fireworks
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• 🏪 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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Question: What was the name of the American naval commander famous for saying, “I have not yet begun to fight!”?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Trust and Local Awareness

Discover how Cary Spotlight Connect, a free podcast, helps local businesses in Cary share their story with an engaged audience.

Cary Newcomers Club

🎙️ Cary Spotlight Connect – Episode Title:
"Finding Your People: Inside the Cary Newcomers Club"

🎧 Host: Dr. Chris Coetzer
🎤 Guest: Linda Schmidt, Co-Vice President of Programming, Cary Newcomers Club

Summary

In this heartwarming episode of Cary Spotlight Connect, Dr. Chris Coetzer sits down with Linda Schmidt from the Cary Newcomers Club, a nonprofit civic organization dedicated to helping residents—new and long-established—find connection, community, and purpose.

More than just a social club, the Cary Newcomers Club also champions community service, supports local charities, and fosters lasting friendships through dozens of special interest groups—from book clubs to memoir writing to hiking and beyond.

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Keywords: Cary Newcomers Club, community service, social connections, local events, inclusivity, Cary Spotlight, personal experiences, cultural adjustments, nonprofit organizations, community engagement

📢 Quotes Worth Sharing

"Wherever life takes you, finding your people can make all the difference in the world—and you will find your people at Cary Newcomers." – Linda Schmidt

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • 💬 Not Just for Newcomers: The group is open to anyone seeking new connections or a fresh chapter in life.

  • 🏘️ Community & Civic Focus: Each year the group supports a local charity and encourages volunteerism among its members.

  • 🧠 Engaging Programming: Monthly meetings feature speakers chosen by members, covering topics like local history, safety, and current town initiatives.

  • 🌎 Global Perspectives Welcome: An international subgroup connects members who’ve lived abroad or come from diverse cultural backgrounds.

  • ✍️ Storytelling Matters: Memoir-writing groups help preserve life stories—and Cary Spotlight is happy to feature local authors.

🎯 Call to Action

Feeling like something’s missing in your social life? Come visit a monthly meeting and meet your people. Whether you want to get involved, give back, or just make some new friends—there’s a place for you at Cary Newcomers Club.

Cary Newcomers Club Info (Monthly Meetings):

When: First Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m.
Where: Greenwood Forest Baptist Church
Address: 110 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions
Note: No meetings in July or August
Website: Cary Newcomers Club

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how aware you are of the Cary Newcomers Club—a civic group helping residents find friendship, purpose, and community in and around Cary:

How Familiar Are You with the Cary Newcomers Club?

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Cary’s July 3rd Celebration

What is the July 3rd Celebration? It’s Cary’s early salute to Independence Day, hosted at Downtown Cary Park from 4 to 10 p.m. on July 3. The free, family-friendly event includes interactive activities across the park, such as a VR flight simulator, water play zones, Spikeball, and aviation-themed games like stomp rockets and a paper airplane competition. Creative stations will offer hands-on fun, including helmet decorating for kids.

From 4 to 9 p.m., local food trucks will line Park Street Courts, serving a mix of sweet and savory options—from Korean BBQ and fried chicken to mini donuts and fresh lemonade. Visitors can also collect a limited-edition Top Gun-themed sticker at designated activity locations throughout the park.

The evening concludes with a screening of Top Gun at 8:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn Pavilion. The event is designed for all ages and offers accessibility support through Downtown Cary Park’s inclusion services, making it a welcoming kickoff to the holiday weekend for the entire community. Learn More

Celebrate July 4 in Cary with Live Music and Fireworks

Cary will celebrate Independence Day at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on July 4, beginning at 3:30 PM. The free event features live music, family-friendly activities, and a fireworks show over Symphony Lake.

Gates open at 3:30 PM, with acoustic performances by Emma Rae and Story Charlemagne starting shortly after. The Cary Town Band will perform at 4:15 PM, followed by the North Carolina Symphony at 7:30 PM. The fireworks display is scheduled for 9:25 PM.

General admission lawn seating is free and unticketed, while a limited number of reserved tables with parking are available for purchase. Reserved tables provide a view of the stage, though visibility of the fireworks may be partially obstructed by trees or the stage structure.

DJ Bri from Ryder Entertainment and emcee “SweetChuck” will also be on site. Event updates can be received by texting JULY4 to 51597. Additional details are available at boothamphitheatre.com.

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Meme of the Day.
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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: Movie Night: Top Gun 6PM-10PM
• Today: Downtown Cary Patriotic Celebration 7:30PM-9PM
• Friday: Independence Day Fishing Tournament 7AM-11AM
• Friday: Independence Day Celebration (FREE Event) 3:30PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 8AM-Noon
• Saturday: Songs of the 70s (Koka Booth) 8PM

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 👇👇👇
John Paul Jones, often hailed as the father of the American Navy, gained legendary status during the American Revolutionary War for his daring naval battles against the British. He famously declared, “I have not yet begun to fight!” during a fierce engagement with the HMS Serapis in 1779. Despite his ship, the Bonhomme Richard, being badly damaged, Jones continued fighting and ultimately secured a victory—an iconic moment of American naval resilience and tenacity.