Hi Cary!

Here’s what you can expect in Today’s issue:

— Jake from Cary Digest

The Wake County Board of Commissioners has delayed a vote on the merger of Wake Med with Atrium Health of Charlotte, part of Advocate Health, one of the largest nonprofit academic health systems in the country. Shortly after the pending vote was announced, local and state officials, including Governor Josh Stein, demanded more transparency to protect health care access for consumers. Critics of the merger warn that reduced competition will increase costs and reduce access.

Wake Med leaders promise the merger, and Atrium’s $2 billion capital commitment, will create thousands of jobs, bring innovative specialties to Wake County, and increase access to clinical trials, through Atrium Health’s connection to Wake Forest University School of Medicine, an academic link WakeMed currently does not have like competitors Duke Health and UNC Health.

Make Mother’s Day feel truly personal this year. Aidan Marie Jewelry offers a carefully selected collection of handcrafted pieces that reflect love, gratitude, and the moments you share. From simple, elegant necklaces to bold, eye-catching rings, each piece is chosen to help you express what matters most. Whether her style is understated or more modern, you can find something that fits her perfectly.

Give her something she will reach for every day. Aidan Marie Jewelry pairs quality craftsmanship with thoughtful service to help you choose with confidence. Visit the boutique and find a piece that says thank you in a way that lasts. Because flowers fade, but a meaningful gift stays with her.

Cary is celebrating Historic Preservation Month this May and it’s about more than old buildings. Events throughout the month (see community events) highlight local history and ongoing preservation efforts, including a downtown scavenger hunt and programs at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center.

Town leaders say these efforts reflect the year-round work through planning, partnerships, and reinvestment, to keep historic spaces alive and part of daily life, like supporting property owners with resources for thoughtful reuse and restoration.

The Town Council officially recognized May as Historic Preservation Month on April 30. Residents can explore the Historic Preservation Master Plan for more on how Cary is balancing sustainability, growth, and long-term community value.

We finally made it over to Waverly Place to try Chicken Salad Chick’s combos and ordered the 2-scoop deal which also includes two fresh sides (or soup). The cheekily named salads reflect the tasty ingredients and our “Classic Carol” and “Fancy Nancy” scoops were fresh and flavorful with the Nancy really bringing the fancy by mixing in apples, grapes, and pecans for extra pizzaz.

The super friendly and knowledgable staff are happy to hand out samples to assist in making your perfect pick. We’ll be going back for “Lauryn’s Lemon Basil Scoop” and we’re so glad we took their recommendation and ordered the grape salad—more like a desert of grapes covered in melted vanilla ice cream. Chicken Salad Chick delivers and catering is also available. They’re offering a Mother’s Day buy-one-get-one on May 8th. For hours and location, click below.

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May is National Bike Month and Cary is celebrating with events on our lovely greenways and in the community. Month long activities include a self-guided Black History Bicycle Tour to celebrate Cary’s diversity, free Snow Cones at Bond Park for bicyclists who ride up to the boathouse, and Bike Bingo with a chance to win prizes. On May 4th there will be a Pizza Ride from 6-8pm departing from Trek Cary for a 10-mile ride on the greenway, May 6th is Bike to School Day. For the full schedule and learn more at carync.gov/bikemonth.

Toddler Tuesday: Circulo de Tambores
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, Great Lawn Pavilion, 327 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511
Description: A hands-on kids’ drumming class with Betto Herrera that introduces young children to rhythm, stories, and percussion instruments from different traditions. 
Link: https://downtowncarypark.com/things-to-do/calendar/r_EDUC0062_051

Art Cart
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, Nest Pavilion, 327 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511
Description: Drop in for a free creative session with crafts and art supplies designed to let kids and families make something fun in the park. 
Link: https://downtowncarypark.com/things-to-do/calendar/w_art-cart-172

Yoga
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, Frantz Square Lawn, 327 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511
Description: Outdoor evening yoga on the lawn with limited mats and blocks available, so it is an easy midweek reset for anyone who wants to unwind outside. 
Link: https://downtowncarypark.com/things-to-do/calendar/r_FITN0050_186

Enchanted Fairytale Garden Party
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary, NC 27513
Description: A whimsical family party with treats, cookie decorating, fairytale bingo, and other dress-up garden-party activities for kids and their grown-up guests. 
Link: https://www.carync.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/25557/

The Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle presents Triangle Orchestra of Amateur Strings Recital
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary, NC 27511
Description: The Triangle Orchestra of Amateur Strings hosts a live recital for a light, welcoming evening of community music downtown. 
Link: https://downtowncarync.org/event/the-really-terrible-orchestra-of-the-triangle-rtoot-presents-triangle-orchestra-of-amateur-strings-toast-recital/

Free Children’s Movies at the Holly Springs Cultural Center
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 West Ballentine St., Holly Springs, NC 27540
Description: Free family-friendly movie screening in the theater, with concessions available for purchase. 
Link: https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=13945

Live at Lunch: Vibexotica
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, Academy Plaza, 327 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511
Description: Spend lunch in the park with live music from Vibexotica, whose tiki-inspired tunes and exotic rhythms create a breezy, feel-good soundtrack for the afternoon. 
Link: https://downtowncarync.org/event/live-at-lunch-vibexotica/

Sushi & Sumo
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Apex Community Park, Volleyball Courts, 2200 Laura Duncan Rd., Apex, NC 27502
Description: This AAPI Heritage Month event mixes live sumo demonstrations from Raijin Sumo with on-site hibachi and sushi available for purchase from Tombachi. 
Link: https://www.apexnc.org/2160/Asian-American-and-Pacific-Islander-Heri

Trivia Night
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, Bark Bar, 327 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511
Description: Hammered Trivia leads a lively night of brain-teasing questions, laughs, drinks, and prizes at the park’s Bark Bar. 
Link: https://downtowncarync.org/event/trivia-night-28/

Thursday Night Music Club: The Barefoot Movement
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham St., Cary, NC 27511
Description: The Cary’s Thursday Night Music Club brings in the North Carolina roots band for a 90-minute set of bluegrass, Americana, and acoustic-pop originals plus reimagined covers. 
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/thursday-night-music-club-the-barefoot-movement/the-cary/cary/

Storytime & Crafts
Time: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Location: Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050 #B Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560
Description: Kids can enjoy an age-appropriate story and then make a themed craft inspired by what they heard. 
Link: https://www.morrisvillenc.gov/Events-directory/Storytime-Crafts

Golden Matinee Mornings
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 West Ballentine St., Holly Springs, NC 27540
Description: A complimentary morning movie for adults and older audiences, with doors at 11:00 AM and a PG-13-or-lower screening starting at 11:15 AM. 
Link: https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=13918&calType=0&day=8&month=5&year=2026

DJ Ahmet
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham St., Cary, NC 27511
Description: This Sundance-winning international dramedy follows a 15-year-old boy in North Macedonia who finds freedom and identity through music. 
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/dj-ahmet/the-cary/cary/

Mahjong 101 Workshop
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, Academy Pavilion, 327 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511
Description: Cary Mahjong Club hosts a beginner-friendly workshop where players can learn the basics of Mahjong with materials provided for use onsite. 
Link: https://downtowncarypark.com/things-to-do/calendar/r_GAME0021_001

“Suite Surrender” Spring Play
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex, NC 27502
Description: Catch the Friday-night performance of this lively stage farce about two feuding Hollywood divas who are accidentally booked into the same hotel suite in 1942. 
Link: https://www.apexnc.org/1961/Suite-Surrender-Spring-Play

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