06.06.2024

Today’s Forecast

86º | 40% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:03 a.m. | Sunset 8:35 p.m.

S’more picnics, please

Elevate your picnic experience with Winston-Salem’s Picnic Ladies

Imagine a small, intimate movie night under the sky. | Photo by Brooklynn Shayne Photography via WS Picnic Ladies

Place this on your bucket list.

Meet Winston-Salem’s Picnic Ladies, two sisters who joined forces to bring a unique and private experience to their hometown.

Mollie Bradford and Sarah Bradford Croom run the family biz, which started as a pop-up picnic business around Winston-Salem. Bradford and Croom became friends with the past owner who was branded “The Winston-Salem Picnic Lady.” She sold the business to the sisters in 2021.

Now, the pop-up picnic business has expanded to offer a private experience for couples and friend groups looking to celebrate in an intimate, stress-free environment. Experiences include movie nights, proposals, elopements, bridal showers, and (of course) picnics.

WStoday: WS picnic ladies anniversary picnic setup — The two sisters partner with local vendors to bring a one-of-a-kind experience for patrons.
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Photo by Megan Smith Photography via WS Picnic Ladies

“We really wanted to cater to kind of like the smaller date nights and make something special to couples,” Bradford said. “We’ve had people that have had, like, newborns and this is the first time they’re getting out so just to have a time to focus on themselves in a serene setting.”

The space accommodates up to 12 people for private events. The family-run sanctuary where everything happens sits on 56.5 acres of lakeside meadows and features a Western-inspired chapel built by NC artisans.

“This was our dad’s dream [...] to build a chapel,” Bradford said. “Our heritage is European, English and Scottish, so [we were] wanting it to feel like a little piece of Europe.”

The land also boasts a solarium with 360-degree views of the outdoor space, a lake side with a waterfall, and plenty of outdoor space overlooking green pasture.

WStoday: Mollie and Sarah Bradford — Sarah Bradford Croom (left) and Mollie Bradford (right) say running the business has opened up a creative outlet for them to enjoy their passion while serving others.
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Photo by WStoday

Croom says witnessing people’s love story is the most rewarding feeling.

“I think my favorite part is the proposals. It’s cool to be in somebody’s story. I mean, I love doing the picnics and everything but, just like the surprise.”

You can schedule a private venue tour to check out the space. To maintain its intimacy, the sisters opt to share the address only with prospects and clients.

Asked

Which outdoor experience are you booking?

A. Picnic
B. Proposal
C. Movie night
D. Elopement
E. Baby shower

Let us know

Events

Thursday, June 6

Production 101 | Thursday, June 6 | 7-9 p.m. | The CMPND, 231 W. 4th St., Winston-Salem | Free | Learn the creative process of composing, recording, editing, and mastering audio to create a piece of music.

Friday, June 7

Rewind | Friday, June 7 | 9-11:30 p.m. | Miller’s on Trade, 622 Trade St. NW, Winston-Salem | Free | Listen to the NC band who will bring 90s and 2000s songs back to life.

Saturday, June 8

“Beat the Heat” Parking Lot Party | Saturday, June 8 | 12 p.m.-12 a.m. | Wise Man Brewing, 814 N. Angelo Brothers Ave., Winston-Salem | Free | Kick off the summer with cookies and funnel cakes, face painting, and bounce houses.
Summer in the Gardens Craft Fair | Saturday, June 8 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, 215 S. Main St., Kernersville | Cost of purchase | Shop from 40+ artisans, makers, and specialty vendors throughout the garden while enjoying live music.
Camel City Yacht Club Concert | Saturday, June 8 | 7-9 p.m. | Shallowford Square, 6555 Shallowford Sq., Lewisville | Free | Bring a lawn chair and your dancing shoes to rock out to song covers of artists like Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, and more.

Sunday, June 9

Camel City Craft Fair | Sunday, June 9 | 12-5 p.m. | Foothills Brewing Tasting Room, 3800 Kimwell Dr., Winston-Salem | Cost of purchase | Shop handmade items from local artists and makers, enjoy live music, and some sweet treats.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

Matching ‘fits for Father’s Day (plus 30% off)

Match your mini-me this Father’s Day. | Photos provided by Harlestons

Parents, is there anything cuter than matching your mini?

Harlestons is now offering matching polos and swimwear for dads and sons to share the same swag — just in time for Father’s Day. (Nope, it’s not too late to order his gift.)

Bonus: All swim — men and youth — is 30% off.

Shop the sets. What better way to celebrate than twinning?

(T)win Father's Day

News Notes

Traffic

Several roads across Winston-Salem are getting a face lift. The city has launched a total of 106 resurfacing projects funded by this year’s capital improvement plan. The funding comes from an additional $15 per vehicle in motor vehicle privilege tax which will generate ~$5.6 million for the construction. (Triad City Beat)

Weather

NOAA predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season in the Atlantic basin due to warmer water temperatures, which are a major driver for strong storms and possibly hurricanes on the East Coast. Check out these resources to help you prepare and stay safe during hurricane season.

Drink

This spirit is back by popular demand. Broad Branch Distillery will re-release its Big Winston Bourbon at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. Pick up the six-year fermented bourbon for $64.95 at 756 N. Trade St. Big Winston Whiskey Club members can purchase their bottles immediately.

Festival

Celebrate Fair Share Farm’s first annual Tomato Festival on Saturday, July 20 with live music, tours, local vendors, food trucks, and farm activities. The family-friendly event will take place at 3868 Transou Rd. in Pfafftown from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as the organization marks a decade of farming.

Cause

Join a paint and sip party benefiting the Hispanic League Scholarship Program on Friday, June 14. A Winston-Salem artist will guide participants in this step-by-step bilingual painting activity at the Generations Center (114 W. 30th St.) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $50.

Featured

A Winstonian will be searching for love on an international reality TV show. 28-year-old Coye Simmons will be competing in season six of “Love Island USA”. The season premieres on Tuesday, June 11 at 9 p.m. on Peacock.

Drink Up

Own a local beverage business? Offer a drink deal to our readers during Drink Up Week from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26. Whether it’s BOGO smoothies or 20% off wine bottles, drop your deal into this form by Friday, June 28 and let’s get this party poppin’.

Number

27,000: That’s the number of trees that are cut down each day to make toilet paper. This luxury three-ply bamboo toilet paper is changing that. It feels just like regular high-end TP, but doesn’t harm trees. Use code 6AM30 for 30% off through midnight. Learn more + shop.*

Home

Did you know you can bring all your debt under one roof by borrowing from your home to pay off high-interest loans, bills, and credit cards? Calculate your payment.*

Tech

Reaching new heights

Forsyth County selected as part of an AED drone pilot program to save more lives

The AED will arrive within minutes of the emergency call with the goal to be delivered to a bystander who will then assist the patient. | Photo by Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office via Instagram

It’s National CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week and Forsyth County is ramping up efforts to save more lives.

Duke University selected Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) to be part of an AED drone study due to its past experiences with drones. It will be funded with a $4 million grant from the American Heart Association.

FCSO will partner with Forsyth County EMS on the project. Live 911 calls will be streamed to FCSO drone pilots, who will listen for keywords like “no pulse” or “unconscious.” Drone pilots will dispatch an AED before fire or EMS arrive on site. The goal is to get the tool into the hands of a bystander who can assist the person suffering cardiac arrest. Their chances of survival increase the quicker the device is used.

FCSO is hoping to implement this program as early as fall 2024 with hopes to make it permanent in the future.

The Buy

Six & Main is turning 2. Celebrate with us and enjoy 25% off sitewide. Use code BIRTHDAY25.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kellina

From the editor

I got too excited about sharing the ping pong hack on Tuesday. If you want to use the ping pong table in the basement of the Reynolda House Museum of American Art for free, you can check out an admission pass using your library card at any Forsyth County Public Library branch.

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