🧀 Adulting Made Fun
Mac & Cheese Productions founder Saya Hillman is helping locals get connected and form friendships! You might know her from her posts in the Winston-Salem Facebook group, where she’s known as the "Excited to take the trash out for the first time in her life" ex-Chicago girl.
Photo courtesy of Unfiltered Photography
Background: Saya started Mac & Cheese Productions in Chicago in 2004 and moved to Winston-Salem with her husband last July!
What: Saya describes Mac & Cheese Productions as a “lifestyle business that helps people find fulfillment, ease, and connection to others, to opportunities, and to themselves.” She hosts events like:
Speed-Friending - Make new friends speed-dating style
Idea Potluck - Show-and-tell for adults
Comfy Club - Work on a personal craft among fellow crafters
Why? “I was a sixth grader standing in the cafeteria, unsure where to sit, self-consciously holding my tray, looking around for a friendly face… I witness adults still waiting for that "Oh, thank god” wave over — so I decided to become the wave.” - Saya
Our Thoughts: “As someone who doesn’t love formal networking events, speed-friending was a great, low-pressure way to meet new people!” - Team member Jacob
Up Next: There are a few seats left for tomorrow’s Idea Potluck, and the next Comfy Club is May 29!
🗓 Events
Tuesday, May 19
Idea Potluck - Think show-and-tell for adults. Eight locals share their stories, passions, and projects at this monthly Mac & Cheese Productions event! 6 PM
Dance Social - Learn the bachata with Triad Social Dance at East of Texas, followed by social dancing! 6-9 PM
Symphony Solos - Wind instruments take center stage in this intimate performance at Körner’s Folly. Performances at 6 and 7:15 PM.
Baseball - The Hickory Crawdads and Charleston RiverDogs play at Truist Stadium this week! Daily games through Sunday.
Wednesday, May 20
Game Night - Join the Camel City Board Game Enthusiasts at Joymongers for a drop-in game night. Come solo or bring your friends! 6-10 PM
Paint & Sip - It’s time for a midweek break. Grab a drink and unwind with a casual painting session at Breathe Cocktail Lounge. 6 PM
Cooking Class - Whip up ramen bowls from scratch at Taste Buds Kitchen! 2 PM
Mahjong 101 - Do your friends keep asking you to play? Learn gameplay basics with More Than Mahjong at Maddie Cakes Bakery! 6 PM
Thursday, May 21
Evening in the Atrium - A taste of live music. Listen to singer-songwriter Gregg Cagno perform while enjoying free desserts by Cafe Gelato and INTI House at 500 W 5th! 5-7 PM*
Yoga Flow - Start your morning right with an all-levels class at Oasis at the Mill. 9 AM
🗞 Other News
🖌️ Curb Appeal: Give your home the TLC it deserves. From limewashing brick, plaster, stone, and wood to repainting siding that's lost its vibrancy, the right touch transforms dull and faded into something the whole neighborhood will notice. Reach out to Worth Painting for a free quote.*
☀️ Tip: The #1 skincare tip: wear sunscreen daily. It's so essential there's actually a National Sunscreen Week — and it's this week. The VISTA carries world-class sunscreen products to keep you protected all day. Plus, purchase 2 EltaMD products and receive a free lip and mini face SPF.*
🎶 Event: One of Winston-Salem's biggest weekends is here! Gears & Guitars takes over downtown this weekend with free concerts, food trucks, a beer garden, and pro and amateur cyclists racing through the streets. Check out Friday's and Saturday's schedules!*
🗣 Announced: Golf legend Jack Nicklaus is the final addition to Face to Face Speaker Forum’s Season 6 lineup, joining big names like “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo. Season tickets are on sale now, with individual tickets dropping August 1.
✏️ Education: Hello, new school maps. The WS/FC Board of Education approved new residential boundaries for the 2027–28 school year, marking the first redraw in 30+ years. Officials say the changes will cut transportation costs and streamline feeder patterns. Moving forward, maps will be reviewed at least every 5 years. (WFDD)
🏆 Winner: Local wine cocktail brand On Holiday received a $50,000 grant from NC IDEA! Founders McCabe and Kiernan launched On Holiday in November 2023; you can find their canned cocktails at local spots like Fiddlin’ Fish and Buie’s Market.
📚 Readers’ Responses
Last week, we asked readers to share the best book they’ve read this year. Here are some of your answers!
“Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi
“Too many to name, but ‘Theo of Golden’ and ‘The Correspondent’ were quite good, and I’m also reading a series of books about WWII.” - Lisa C.
“‘The Paper Palace’ has been my favorite so far. Loved it!” - Nancy W.
“Best book thus far has definitely been ‘Project Hail Mary,’ with 'The Shining' as a close second.” - Josh U.
“‘Our Missing Hearts’ by Celeste Ng.” - Annalena T.
“My favorite so far this year is ‘The Glorians’ by Terry Tempest Williams.” - Sharon B.
See one that catches your eye? Pick it up at a local bookstore!
👀 Poll results: Are you a morning lark or night owl?
Morning lark - 54%
Night owl - 46%
Michael R. is a night owl and shared, “Even having children who wake up at the crack of dawn hasn’t deterred my late nights, sadly.”
🌀 The Wrap
🎉 Happy birthday to team member Stevie and congratulations to all the students who graduated this weekend!
🎨 Sign up for one of Sawtooth’s summer classes! There are 400+ options, including one-day workshops and kids’ camps.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
* denotes sponsored content