August 19, 2026
🍸 The Couple Behind Easytalk
From Hong Kong to Winston-Salem — these UNCSA alumni bring international inspiration to our city’s bar scene.
Photo courtesy of David Bowen
Who: Maddie and David discovered a passion for elevated bar experiences during their time in Hong Kong.
"We were rolling into these bars at 22, just having our minds blown by these theatrical experiences,” David said.
Backstory: After returning to WS, they started their own bartending business, Ginger Fox Beverages, and opened a pop-up cocktail bar. A few years later, Claire from East of Texas approached them about opening their own bar at Walnut & Broad.
The Bar: easytalk is their unique dual-concept bar with adventures for everyone:
Easy Bar: Classic and coffee cocktails, plus a rotating seasonal menu. Try the Hot Grill Summer.
Talk Bar: Custom drinks and tasting flights, plus “drinking games” where dice rolls or card pulls determine what you drink.
Sunday School: easytalk’s weekly cocktail class, perfect for people who love making their own drinks! Learn how to make spicy margaritas at this week’s class.
Did You Know? David was named the Mixologist of the Year at the NCRLA Chef Showdown in 2022! He now serves as a judge for the competition every year.
🍽️ Seasonal menus always get our attention, and The Downtown Grille's new dishes are no exception. Here's what their staff recommends (and what we're excited about too):
NC Shrimp Roll: North Carolina shrimp salad made with Duke's mayo, served on a poppyseed milk bun from Bobby Boy Bakeshop.
Summer Sketti & Meatballs: A comfort food favorite featuring a ribeye meatball, pesto, heirloom tomatoes, and tonnarelli noodles.
Fermented Chili Chicken: Crispy, cornmeal-dusted Joyce Farms chicken thighs tossed in a chili tamari vinaigrette and finished with miso aioli. A 10/10 every time.
Make a reservation and see why these new dishes are already getting rave reviews!*
🗓 Events
Saturday, August 22
Winston-Salem Open - Catch the opening day of the tournament! Matches start at 11 AM. Bring 3 canned goods or 5 school supplies to get in for free.
Summer on Fourth - Grab a drink at Foothills Brewpub and rock out to Camel City Yacht Club on 4th Street! 7 PM
Comedy Show - 3 comedians. One hilarious night. Don’t miss Next Stop Comedy at Footnote Coffee! 7 PM
Arts Fest - Browse handcrafted goods from 40+ local artisans at Harmon Park, with food trucks on site. 9 AM - 3 PM
Cat Video Fest - a/perture screens the latest cat videos at Tanglewood Park! A portion of proceeds will benefit Forsyth Humane Society. 7 PM
Movie Night - Head to Truist Stadium for a pre-film car show and watch “F1: The Movie.” Car show starts at 4 PM, movie starts at 7 PM. Rescheduled from August 1.
Final Lap - Don’t miss the last race of the season at Bowman Gray Stadium! 8 PM
Sunday, August 23
Brunch & DIY - Make bag charms or keychains with Dabble Art Bar at East of Texas! Your ticket includes a complimentary mimosa or mocktail. 12 PM
Rollout Meetup - Got wheels? Join Camel City Sk8ters to skate, bike, and rollerblade on the Muddy Creek Greenway. 9 AM
Perfume Workshop - Craft your own signature scent at Körner’s Folly! 1 PM
Monday, August 24
Tequila Dinner - Enjoy a 4-course gourmet dinner paired with tequilas at The Trophy Room. On the menu: shrimp ceviche and key lime pie. 6 PM
🗞 Other News
🏋️♀️ Health: Fall back into routine with the YMCA. A membership gives you access to group fitness, state-of-the-art equipment, pools, courts, saunas, personal training, free childcare, and more. New members get 3 free Wellness Coach sessions to help you get started!*
📊 Jobs: The stats are in, and Goodwill had a big year: 4,183 people placed into jobs, more than double 2024, funded by donations and shoppers. Help them get a fuller picture of how people donate: take their survey for a chance to win a gift card.*
🏆 Award: A well-earned honor. Local leader Scott Wierman was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest honor. The recognition honors Wierman’s 30+ years of service to foundations and nonprofits across the state, including as president and CEO of The Winston-Salem Foundation.
📅 Save the Date: Sign up for the Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber’s 3rd annual indoor pickleball tournament on September 19 at Dill Dinkers! The tournament includes mixed doubles, men's doubles, and women’s doubles, plus beginner workshops.
🎉 Now Open: Introducing Shaffner Lounge! Located inside Shaffner Inn, the lounge features craft cocktails, small bites, and entrees like gumbo and brats. This is a great way to experience Shaffner Inn even if you’re not staying the night!
🍔 Support: Two weeks ago, Heff's Burger Club owner Justin put out a call for support on social media — and the community showed up. But the need hasn't gone away: it takes the restaurant $45,000 a month just to break even.
A MESSAGE FROM PIEDMONT FEDERAL BANK
Stop Leaving Money on the Table
If your paycheck, your savings, and your "someday" money are all sitting in one checking account, you're not being simple. You're leaving money on the table. Not because of interest, but because unorganized money gets spent.
Separate savings and money market accounts create just enough distance to protect the money you're trying to grow, while still keeping it fully accessible whenever you need it.
But why switch to Piedmont Federal?
In a world of AI chatbots, offshore call centers, and even scammers, when you call Piedmont Federal Bank, a real human answers. Not even a "press 1 for personal accounts." Your call goes directly to someone who lives here, just like you:
Call the Peace Haven branch, you might talk to Steven.
Call the Stratford location, you might talk to Audrey.
Call Kernersville, you might talk to Carla.
Open an account today, and talk to an actual person about it.
🤔 Which easytalk bar is more your style?
👀 Poll results: Should shoes come off inside the house?
Yes - 80%
No - 20%
Lenka E. answered ‘yes’ and shared, “I don’t understand why anybody would ever not take shoes off inside the house! All the nasty stuff they catch on the bottom of the soles!”
SPONSORED
Upcoming Events
Half Marathon Training - Ready to run a half marathon? Join group runs, weekly training guides, and endless encouragement along the way, all leading up to the Mistletoe Run. Learn more at the info session on September 8.
🌀 The Wrap
🏕 Team member Stevie is going camping at Winding Stair Campground in Franklin, NC, this weekend!
❤️️ Mia, a beloved Robinhood Road Biscuitville employee, is battling breast cancer. Next Wednesday, swing by between 5:30 AM and 2 PM with flowers, a card, or kind words.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
* denotes sponsored content