Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 😋🍴 Discover Cary (Eat & Drink): Brecotea
• ✈️ Airline Travel: Hello, St. Lucia!
• 🚗 Drivable Destinations: Explore Carpenter Village
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• ❤️ Shout-out: Thank You, Faye Beal!
• 🎁 Adventure starts close to home: Show your support
• 📅 Events: Planning your week in Cary?

👉 Browse the highlights. Skip to your favorites.

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Question: How many chromosomes does an elephant have?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

FOOD ASSISTANCE CONCERNS?

If you or someone you know needs help locally with food assistance in the coming days, please reach out to my Drew Klutz email: [email protected]. Mama Edna's Thrift Shop by The Mama Edna Project has an emergency pantry and they will provide an emergency bag to folks as a bridge until a more sustainable solution can be found.

If you are in a position to contribute, please help as you can. Here is their Thanksgiving Food Drive list along with eggs, milk, and cereal. Food may be dropped off at the store at 1393 Maynard Rd SE Cary, NC 27511.

Learn more: Give the Gift of Food Security 

If you have questions email: [email protected]

Brecotea

Brecotea is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Discover Cary project. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.

Brecotea in Cary, NC, is an Asian-inspired bakery and cafe offering freshly baked pastries made with high-grade Japanese flour, bubble tea crafted with real fruit, premium coffee, and a creative mix of sweet and savory buns prepared daily by an award-winning master chef.

Check out their menu on their website: Brecotea

Address: 1144 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions

Do you have a favorite place to eat in Cary, NC? Click to share your pick.

Hello, St. Lucia!
Gateway to the Pitons and Caribbean Adventure

Welcome to St. Lucia, a place where emerald rainforests meet turquoise waters, where volcanic peaks rise dramatically from the sea, and where romance and adventure exist side by side. There are no direct flights from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to St. Lucia's Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), but connecting flights are available through airlines like American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue.

Whether you're drawn by iconic twin peaks, steaming volcanic springs, or white-sand beaches, St. Lucia offers a world of natural beauty and island culture in one stunning destination.

Why Visit St. Lucia?

• The Pitons:
  These twin volcanic peaks—Gros Piton and Petit Piton—are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and among the most recognizable natural wonders of the Caribbean. You can hike Gros Piton with a guide for incredible panoramic views, or take a boat tour around the bay to see both peaks from the water.

• Sulphur Springs:
  Located near the town of Soufrière, this is the Caribbean's only drive-in volcano where you can walk right up to bubbling mud pools and steaming vents. After exploring the volcanic crater, relax in natural hot springs and mineral-rich mud baths known for their healing properties.

• Pigeon Island National Park:
  This historic site on St. Lucia's northern coast was once a strategic military base and now features the remains of an 18th-century British fort with panoramic coastal views. The park also has beautiful beaches perfect for swimming and snorkeling in crystal-clear Caribbean waters.

Travel Guides – Here are two comprehensive travel guides to help you plan your trip.

Lonely Planet St. Lucia: This guide offers insider tips on volcanic beaches, rainforest hikes, Creole culture, and navigating the island's mountainous terrain.

The Culture Map St. Lucia Guide: A practical resource with recommendations on where to stay, what to eat, and how to experience the island like a local.

Learn about more family trips built for adventurers of all ages.

G Adventures is the leader in small group and solo travel for 30 years, they know how to do it right. Check out the Online Deals: Shop Travel Deals

Explore Carpenter Village

Carpenter Village is a charming neo-traditional community in Cary, offering over 1,000 homes in a walkable, village-style setting. Built starting in 1998, this master-planned neighborhood has deep roots—the original Carpenter family farmhouse from the mid-1800s still stands today, beautifully restored as a community center. With its mix of townhomes, single-family homes, and condos,

Carpenter Village has something for everyone. Tree-lined streets connect the different sections of the community, and at the heart of it all sits a peaceful 22-acre lake where neighbors gather for walks, conversation, and quiet time outdoors. The Village Market adds to the charm, bringing shops and restaurants right to your doorstep.

Walking and biking trails wind around the 22-acre lake, with park benches and gazebos scattered along the way—perfect spots to rest or watch the water. The trails are family-friendly and ideal for morning jogs, evening strolls, or bike rides with the kids. Keep your eyes open and you'll spot plenty of wildlife. Ducks, geese, and great blue herons are common sights on the water, along with turtles sunning themselves on logs. Watch for the state bird, the northern cardinal, and white-tailed deer sometimes wander through the wooded sections.

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for wildlife watching. Nearby Carpenter Park, a 16-acre neighborhood park, offers even more outdoor options with additional trails, a playground, tennis and pickleball courts, and a community garden.

Beyond the trails and lake, Carpenter Village offers a resort-style pool with sun deck, tennis and pickleball courts, beach volleyball, basketball courts, and playgrounds. The Town Commons Area serves as a gathering spot where neighbors meet for community events throughout the year, including block parties and holiday celebrations. There's also a community garden if you want to grow your own vegetables or flowers. The whole neighborhood has a friendly, close-knit feel, and with the Village Market right here, you can walk to shops, restaurants, and services without getting in the car.

Good to Know:

Location: Morrisville Carpenter Road and Davis Drive, Cary, NC 27519 | Directions

Hours: Trails and lake accessible to residents at all times; community facilities have seasonal hours

Amenities: Walking/biking trails, 22-acre lake, pool, tennis/pickleball courts, beach volleyball, basketball courts, playgrounds, community garden, Village Market, gazebos, park benches

Entry: Private residential community with HOA membership

Tip: The trails around the 22-acre lake are perfect for meeting neighbors and getting a feel for the community. For the best wildlife viewing, head out early morning or late afternoon when the lake is most active.

Official Website: Contact HOA for community information

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.

Thank You, Faye Beal!

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📅 Planning your week in Cary?

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