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🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🍽️ Discover Cary: Herons Restaurant Review
• 📰 News: Cold Weather Continues With Chance of Snow Today
• 📰 News: Cary Residents Are Angry About Tuition Controversy
• 😉 Meme of the Day – Start Your Day with a Smile
• 🎁 Support the businesses that support Cary: Show your support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.
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Question: How did Tuesday get its name?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
Herons Restaurant Review
Herons is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight's readers for our Discover Cary project. If you've had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.
Herons is the signature restaurant of The Umstead Hotel and Spa, featuring one of only 79 Forbes Five-Star restaurants in the world with modern American cuisine that showcases locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus in an elegant 98-seat dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking gardens and grounds.
Check out their menu on their website: Herons
Address: 100 Woodland Pond Dr, Cary, NC 27513 | Get Directions
Reader Poll Results
Herons (26 Votes)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Love this place! (17)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😊😊😊 I might give it a try (9)
Cary Spotlight Reader’s Feedback:
“Fabulous place” “Great restaurant plus the patio is a great spot to enjoy the scenery and has fire pits in evenings.” “Food and service and setting are A+. ”
“Beautiful venue for a special occasion. Truly memorable!”
“We ate there for our 40th wedding anniversary and the service and food and wine pairings were excellent! A wonderful evening.”
“Elegant for special occasion Dedicated professional staff Must chefs tasting menu… you will not be disappointed or leave hungry!”
“It's very expensive. ”
Herons
Do you have a favorite place to eat in Cary, NC? Click to share your pick.
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Cold Weather Continues With Chance of Snow Today
Central North Carolina may experience light snow flurries this morning as an Alberta Clipper moves into the area. The fast-moving system, combined with cold temperatures from a recent front, could bring brief snow showers to parts of the Triangle, including Chatham, Wake, and Wilson counties. However, the chances of accumulation are low, and most snow activity is expected to stay near the Virginia border.
Temperatures will climb above freezing by midday today, limiting any snowfall impacts. The focus will then shift to a second Arctic front arriving Saturday, with the coldest air of the season likely to follow on Sunday and Monday.
The National Weather Service is monitoring the situation and may issue a Cold Weather Advisory if conditions become severe.
Residents should prepare for colder conditions into early next week, especially Monday morning, which could bring the lowest temperatures of the season so far.
Just curious…
With snow flurries possible today and colder air on the way, how are you feeling about winter weather in Cary?
Are You Ready for More Snow?
Cary Residents Are Angry About Tuition Controversy
Cary Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush has reimbursed the town over $37,000 after it was revealed that public funds were used to pay for her master’s degree at Northwestern University. The tuition payments, described in some town records as professional development reimbursements, prompted criticism from residents who questioned the decision and transparency surrounding it.
The issue surfaced as emails showed that suspended Town Manager Sean Stegall had suggested the program to Bush, describing it as beneficial and aligned with her role. Bush explained that she did not request the funding, relied on assurances from senior staff, and later decided to pay the amount back to maintain public trust.
Town council members did not address the matter during a recent public meeting, opting instead for a closed session. Meanwhile, the town has not provided further details on Stegall’s administrative leave, in place since late November. The council is expected to review ethics and policy issues in upcoming sessions.
The situation has raised broader concerns about transparency, use of public funds, and the need for clearer processes in town governance.
Read Full Report
Do you think it was appropriate for town funds to be used for a council member’s graduate degree?
Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.
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Every contribution helps us highlight more local restaurants, small businesses, and nonprofits making a difference. Join readers who’ve already donated.
🎟️ 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:
• Friday: Holiday Cookie Exchange (ages 55+) FREE 10AM-11AM
• Friday: Holiday Potluck (ages 55+) FREE 12PM-1:30PM
• Friday: Cary Town Band presents Winterfest '25 7:30PM-9PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 9AM-12PM
• Saturday: Santa’s Workshop 10AM-1:30PM
• Saturday: Grinch Candy Cane Hunt 10AM-11AM
• Sunday: Filotimo Foundation - Lung Run 2025 9AM-1PM
• Sunday: Paws with Claus: Holiday Photos 2PM-5PM
• Sunday: Nutcracker Tea with The Cary 2PM-3:30PM
• Monday: Jigsaw Jam 2PM-4PM
• Monday: NCAA Men's College Cup Finals 7PM-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 👇👇👇
A: Tuesday is named after Tiw (also spelled Tyr), the Norse god of war.
📜 Explanation:
In Old English, Tuesday was called “Tiwesdæg,” meaning “Tiw’s day.” This follows the same Roman pattern used for other weekdays, where days were named after gods. Tiw was the Germanic/Norse equivalent of the Roman god Mars, which is why Tuesday corresponds to dies Martis (Mars’ day) in Latin-based languages.
Quick comparison:
English: Tuesday → Tiw/Tyr
French: mardi → Mars
Spanish: martes → Mars
All trace back to the same war-god tradition, just through different cultures.
Learn more about Tuesday