A MESSAGE FROM THE YMCA NWNC
Summer at the YMCA
The YMCA shines in the summer! Camps, sports, swim programs, and family events keep it fun for kids and easy for parents.
Enjoy a Family Event
BASH Volleyball Tournament: This all-ages, all-skills tournament happens June 6-7.
Summer Shindig: Enjoy music, food, a kid zone, and community fun at Jerry Long YMCA on June 6.
Family Camp at Camp Hanes: Think campfires, outdoor activities, pool time, games, and dining hall meals together. Two date options: May 8-10 and Sept 4-6.
Camp for the Kids
Day Camp: Flexible sessions, fun weekly themes, and activities for all ages.
Camp Hanes: A classic summer experience with swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, zip lines, arts, and more. Overnight or day camp options available.
Sports & Swim
Sports Leagues: With just one practice and game per week, it's easy to fit into busy summer schedules.
Swim Team: Perfect for young swimmers looking to improve skills and have fun.
Outdoor Pool Season: The Kernersville Family YMCA features a splash park, two water slides, and plenty of space to relax in the sun.
🍨 A Sweet Return
Twin City Sweets reopens for the season this Friday! Team member Jacob chatted with owner Eric McLaren to “get the scoop” on his iconic ice cream trailer.
Twin City Sweets
What: Twin City Sweets is a seasonal ice cream trailer with a large outdoor area full of seating and yard games. Owner Eric started the business at a stall in Cooks Flea Market in 2018 and relocated to its current location in 2019.
Menu: Over a dozen flavors of Hershey’s ice cream you can enjoy by the scoop or in sundaes inspired by Winston-Salem landmarks. Plus floats, candy apples, and honey-roasted or cinnamon-sugar nuts!
Most Popular Sundaes: The Bailey Banana and the Wake and Baked Brownie
Festive: Don’t miss the themed weekends throughout the season! Think Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and more, complete with over-the-top decor and specialty sundaes.
Eric’s Favorite: Lord of the Rings
New This Year: A Christmas in July-themed weekend plus upgrades like a new playground, gazebo, and updated seating.
Details: Open Fridays 5-9 PM and Saturdays & Sundays 2-9 PM at 2594 West Clemmonsville Road through September.
🌿 Fact: Fresh air and a comfortable patio make a great meal even better, and Downtown Grille is a top spot to enjoy both this spring.
Atmosphere: The modern ground-level patio combines upscale dining with a relaxed setting.
Comfort: Space heaters fend off the chill of cool spring evenings.
Food: Try the fan-favorite braised short ribs, spicy chili shrimp, and the fluffy tiramisu to finish.
With daily specials running all day, there’s never a bad time to make a reservation.*
🗓 Events
Saturday, April 11
Kaleideum After Dark - Time travel to the ‘70s! Roller skate, groove to disco beats, make flower crowns, and create a tie-dye shirt at this 21+ event! 6:30-9:30 PM*
Dogs & Yoga - Unwind in a yoga class surrounded by pups at Forsyth Humane Society! 3 PM
Blooms & Brews - Celebrate 15 years of Ciener Botanical Garden with plant shopping and drinks from local beer and wine vendors! 10 AM - 2 PM
Wheels & Squeals - Roll into a day of fun as Clemmons hosts a family-friendly bike safety event with free bike checks, a community Greenway ride, and activities for all ages! 11:30 AM - 2 PM
Sunday, April 12
Garden Party - Celebrate the legacy of local poet and activist Dr. Maya Angelou with poetry readings, spoken word performances, music, and lawn games at Bailey Park. 2-4 PM
Trade Street Farmers Market - Skip the grocery run and shop fresh produce, baked goods, and more from 20+ local vendors on Trade Street! 10 AM - 2 PM
Supper Series - Enjoy a 5-course Italian dinner at The Katharine, featuring wines from Raffaldini Vineyards. 6:30 PM
Cocktail Class - Try 6 premium gins and learn how to make the perfect martini at easytalk. 4 PM
Monday, April 13
Storytime - Bring your kids to The Bookhouse for stories and songs! Coffee and tea will be $1 off. 10:30 AM
🗞 Other News
🏠 Refresh: Think your deck’s best days are behind it? Think again. Worth Painting revives worn decks back to life with a deep clean, thorough sanding, and a fresh coat of rich, protective stain.*
🤧 Health: Allergy season hitting hard? You’re not alone. Winston-Salem ranks No. 19 on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s list of “Most Challenging Places to Live with Pollen Allergy.” Yikes. The only NC city ranked higher is Raleigh at No. 7.
🥘 Social: Camel City Supper Club is back for its first event of 2026! Meet new people over a potluck dinner at Easy Tiger Beer Garden this Sunday. This month’s theme is fusion dishes!
🍽 Dining: Craving ramen? Noodle Ju’B is now open for dinner! Also, Manolo’s Boutique Wines now offers brunch and hosts a farmers market on Sundays.
🌳 Volunteer: Help spruce up Blum-Blanding Park and Winston Lake Park this Saturday during the Greatest American Cleanup with Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful.
🎨 Learn: Want to improve your artistic skills? Local artist Christina Parrish is launching “Not Your High School Art Class” this Sunday. The first session features three lessons on charcoal drawing.
❤️️ What's your favorite franchise?
👀 Poll results: How long is too long to wait for a seat at a restaurant?
More than 15 minutes - 22%
More than 30 minutes - 50%
More than 45 minutes - 28%
One of our readers shared, “I'm not excited about any particular restaurant enough to wait more than 15 minutes to be seated. There are plenty of other options.”
SPONSORED
Upcoming Events
Evening in the Atrium - Get lost in the smooth sound of Freeport Jazz while enjoying small bites from Downtown Grille at 500 West 5th on April 16. Free to attend.
RiverRun International Film Festival - 170+ films. 8 days. Watch narratives, documentaries, and shorts from established and emerging filmmakers across the Triad from April 17-25!
Spring Festival - Take advantage of exclusive discounts on new spring and garden decor and enter gift card drawings at Your Home Marketplace on April 18!
Tour of Fine Spaces - Explore recently renovated and newly built homes in Forsyth County on a self-guided tour on April 18! Proceeds help The Junior League of Winston-Salem advance women’s leadership.
Anniversary Bash - Celebrate 50 years of Cricket’s Nest on April 25 with hands-on craft demonstrations and the chance to meet the local artisans behind every creation.
Garden Tour - Experience Winston-Salem’s most inspiring private gardens on April 25! Proceeds fund community grants awarded by the Garden Club Council.
“Protected Us From All Harm” - Discover the impact of the American Revolutionary War on Moravian settlements through living history, a panel discussion, and a reenactment of the first peace celebration at Historic Bethabara Park on April 25.
Wine Women & Shoes - Sip, shop, and savor an evening out at Legacy Stables & Events on April 30! Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Piedmont Triad.
🌀 The Wrap
🏆 In case you missed it, we announced our Reader’s Choice Awards winners this week, picked entirely by YOU, our readers!
🚂 Union Station is turning 100 years old! The train station operated from 1926 to 1970 and now serves as city offices and an upscale event space.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
* denotes sponsored content