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Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 😋🍴 Discover Cary (Eat & Drink): Brecotea
• 🚗 Drivable Destinations Explore DJ's Berry Patch
• ✈️ Airline Travel: Hello, Melbourne!
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Daily Chuckle
• 🎁 Adventure starts close to home: Thank You For Your Gift
• 📅 Events: Planning your week in Cary?
👉 Browse the highlights. Skip to your favorites.
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Question: What animal provides a large portion of all the protein eaten in Peru?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
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Brecotea
Brecotea 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.
Brecotea is a Taiwanese-style bakery and café where freshly baked buns — sweet and savory — share the menu with made-to-order bubble teas, fruit teas, and specialty coffees that make it easy to stay longer than you planned.
Check out their menu on their website: Brecotea
Address: 1144 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions
Brecotea
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Explore DJ's Berry Patch
Just a short drive from Cary and Raleigh, DJ's Berry Patch in Apex, NC is the kind of place that makes spring feel like a true celebration. This family-owned and operated farm opens its gates each mid-to-late April with rows and rows of fresh, pick-your-own strawberries and the fun doesn't stop there.
Through the summer, the farm's market overflows with home-grown produce like tomatoes, sweet corn, watermelons, cantaloupes, squash, and more. Come fall, it's all about pumpkins, mums, and gourds, and in late November, you can even pick up a fresh Christmas tree.
Strawberry picking is the main event from mid-April through the end of May, and DJ's makes it easy for everyone. You can choose to pick your own or grab a basket that's already been freshly picked, either way, the farm provides the buckets. Kids love wandering the rows and finding the biggest, reddest berry they can.
Since there's no shade out in the picking fields, plan to go early in the morning when it's cooler. The farm recommends wearing sunscreen, a hat, long pants, and sturdy shoes. And heads up — hours and field availability can change based on weather, so check the website or their Facebook page before heading out.
After your picking adventure, stick around and explore the farm's produce market. You'll find fresh veggies, house-made jellies, dressings, and other local goodies perfect for taking home. There's a shaded seating area where the whole family can sit down and snack on those just-picked berries before you even make it to the car. Whether you're bringing the kids for a memorable outing, grabbing fresh produce for the week, or just looking for a reason to get outside, DJ's Berry Patch delivers a warm, welcoming farm experience that Triangle families love to return to year after year.
Good to Know:
Location: 1223 Salem Church Road, Apex, NC 27523 | Directions
Hours: Spring/Strawberry Season (mid-April – mid June):
Mon–Sat 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Sun 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
Summer/Fall: Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM, Sun 12:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
Hours subject to change — always check before visiting.
Amenities: Pick-your-own fields, farm market, seasonal produce, homemade jellies and dressings, shaded seating, restrooms
Entry: Free to visit! You pay per basket of produce.
Tip: There's no shade in the picking fields, so wear sunscreen, a hat, long pants, and sturdy shoes. Going earlier in the day helps beat the heat and gives you the best pick of the rows! Farming is unpredictable. Weather and other factors beyond their control may impact operating hours or availability. Check their social media page for updates.
Official Website: https://www.djsberrypatch.com
They have the freshest produce and plants! We are fully stocked with delicious, locally grown summer favorites and vibrant plants to get your garden ready!
What’s your favorite part of visiting DJ’s Berry Patch?
Hello, Melbourne!
Gateway to Coffee, Culture, and the Great Ocean Road
Welcome to Melbourne, Australia — a city that feels like nowhere else on earth. Tucked along the shimmering shores of Port Phillip Bay, it's a place where world-class restaurants spill out onto cobblestone laneways, trams glide through neighborhoods packed with street art, and the passion for sports rivals anything you'll find in America.
Getting here from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) takes some commitment — there are no direct flights from RDU to Melbourne (MEL), but connecting options are plentiful, with routes through hubs like Los Angeles and Dallas on carriers including United, American, and Delta.
The journey is long, but Melbourne has a way of making you forget about the flight the moment you arrive.
Why Visit Melbourne?
The Laneway Scene:
Melbourne's hidden laneways are the soul of the city — narrow, graffiti-covered alleyways that open up into some of the best cafés, bars, and boutiques you've ever stumbled into. Hosier Lane is the most famous, lined floor-to-ceiling with ever-changing street art, but the real magic is in the wandering. No map needed. Just follow your nose and see where the city takes you.The Royal Botanic Gardens:
Just a short walk from the city center, these stunning gardens stretch across 38 hectares and offer a rare moment of calm in the middle of a busy metropolis. Locals jog the paths, picnic on the lawns, and catch outdoor cinema screenings here in the summer. It's one of those places that makes you understand why Melburnians love their city so much.The Great Ocean Road:
One of the world's most jaw-dropping coastal drives is just a couple of hours outside the city. Stretching along the rugged Southern Ocean, this famous route leads to the Twelve Apostles — towering limestone stacks rising dramatically from the sea. Whether you rent a car for a day trip or stay overnight along the way, it's the kind of scenery that stays with you long after you're home.
Travel Guides – Here are two comprehensive travel guides to help you plan your trip.
Lonely Planet – Melbourne
Your go-to starting point for neighborhoods, top sights, restaurant picks, and day trip ideas, all from one of travel's most trusted names.
Nomadic Matt – Melbourne Travel Guide
Matt's on-the-ground guide is packed with budget tips, neighborhood breakdowns, and honest advice on how to get the most out of your time in Melbourne.
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
Meme of the Day.
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📅 Planning your week in Cary?
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The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
A) guinea pig
The guinea pig, locally known as cuy, provides a significant portion of all the animal protein eaten in Peru. Cuy has been an Andean dietary staple for over 5,000 years. Culturally distinct from how they are viewed as pets in North America or Europe, these animals are highly valued in Peru. Guinea pig meat is very lean, rich in vital nutrients, and contains more protein than chicken, beef, or pork.
Peruvians consume an estimated 65 million guinea pigs every year. It is typically served roasted (cuy chactado), fried, or in stews and is deeply embedded in both daily diets and celebratory events.
Learn more, Phillumeny