🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🎧 Cary Spotlight Connect: RAGBRAI Experience 2025
• 💪 Wellness Tip: How a Daily Quiz Could Help You Build Healthier Habits
• ⚠️ Health Alert: Diet Soda May Raise Liver Disease Risk by 60%
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• ❤️ Communities need strong connections: Show Your Support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.

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Question: Which country has the longest name (officially)?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

RAGBRAI Experience 2025

🎙️ Cary Spotlight Connect – Episode Title:
"Dick Reaves and the Spirit of RAGBRAI”

🎧 Host: Dr. Chris Coetzer
🎤 Guest: Dick Reaves, Long-Time Cary Resident & RAGBRAI Participant

Summary

In this engaging episode of Cary Spotlight Connect, Dr. Chris Coetzer chats with loyal subscriber and longtime Cary resident, Dick Reaves, about his incredible experience participating in RAGBRAI—the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

Dick shares firsthand stories from the world’s largest recreational bike ride, covering over 400 miles of rolling Iowa hills with 20,000 fellow riders. From battling headwinds and heat to savoring small-town hospitality and smoothies, Dick offers vivid insights into what makes this event so special.

At 76, his commitment to fitness and community proves that age is no barrier to adventure. Tune in for stories of endurance, friendship, and staying active for life.

Listen now and subscribe to never miss a local story that matters.
Subscribe to Cary Spotlight for local stories, events, and wellness inspiration every morning at 6 a.m. Go here: Cary Spotlight Newsletter.

📢 Quotable Moments

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What makes RAGBRAI a one-of-a-kind cycling event

• How riders prepare for a seven-day, 400+ mile journey

• The surprising terrain and weather challenges in Iowa

• Tips for staying hydrated and fueled during endurance rides

• Why community support makes the experience unforgettable

• Dick’s personal secrets to staying active and healthy at 76

🎯 Call to Action

Inspired to stay active or share your own adventure? Reply to the Cary Spotlight newsletter or connect with Dr. Chris ([email protected]) to be featured in a future episode.

Website: ragbrai.com - Next event (July 18-25, 2026)

Dick’s story proves adventure has no age limit! 🚴‍♂️💪

How a Daily Quiz Could Help You Build Healthier Habits

A new collaborative study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Alberta is inviting American adults to participate in a 30-day online wellness experiment. Participants will complete two daily quiz questions designed to test and improve their understanding of healthy habits. The study seeks to explore how individuals engage with health research and apply scientific insights to personal well-being.

The research team emphasizes that many people struggle to meet their health goals because they follow advice that isn’t grounded in evidence. By participating, individuals will have the opportunity to interact directly with science-based guidance rather than social media trends. Once the study concludes, the researchers will share their findings with the public.

Beyond contributing to research, participants are encouraged to apply what they learn to set specific, realistic goals—such as exercising a set number of times per week or improving sleep quality. The study also highlights proven behavioral strategies, including making wellness activities more social and pairing them with enjoyable experiences to enhance motivation.

The researchers note that certain moments, like the start of a new year or season, often provide a natural boost for personal change. They hope participants will use this “fresh start” effect to rethink habits and take practical steps toward a healthier lifestyle.
Read Full Report

Content sponsored by Dr. Estelle Tsalik - Your Trusted Wellness Consultant.
Dr. Estelle Tsalik, a highly skilled wellness consultant and the founder of Living Well with Estelle, is here to empower you on your journey to optimal health. She is committed to simplifying the process and guiding you towards simple, sustainable, and sanity-saving solutions.

Book a complimentary Live Well Chat today, and let’s make toxin-fighting simple, science-backed, and totally doable in your busy life. Mention “Cary Spotlight”

Diet Soda May Raise Liver Disease Risk by 60%

A new large-scale study links daily consumption of both diet and sugary beverages to an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The research, which followed over 120,000 people in the UK for a decade, found that even a single can of diet soda per day could elevate the risk by 60%. Sugary drinks raised the risk by 50%.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a growing health concern that now affects over a third of the U.S. population. It can cause liver damage similar to that seen in heavy drinkers, including cirrhosis and cancer. Despite their low-calorie appeal, diet sodas may still negatively impact the liver through changes to the gut microbiome and metabolic processes.

Importantly, the study showed that replacing diet or sugary drinks with water was associated with a significant reduction in disease risk, but switching between the two types of sweetened drinks did not offer the same benefit. These results call into question the idea that diet sodas are a harmless alternative and highlight the role of water in supporting liver health.

With liver disease on the rise, the findings support public health messages that promote unsweetened beverages over both regular and diet soft drinks. Read Full Report

Just curious…

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

What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

🎟️ 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:

• Wednesday: Honoring Our Pets’ Journeys 5:30 PM-7PM
• Wednesday: Tai Chi: Downtown Cary Park 6PM-7PM
• Thursday: Trivia Night 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Square Dance (mainstream and plus level dancing) 7:30PM-9:30PM
• Friday: Movie Night: The Nightmare Before Christmas 6PM-10PM
• Friday: North Carolina FC vs Phoenix Rising FC 7PM
• Friday: Comedy Show with Joel Byars and Yoshee So 8PM-10PM

But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar