Plus, Samaritan Ministries serves meal number five million.
 
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New position, same passion to serve
Person in gray suit with glasses with hand on a book and right hand raised. A person in a blue suit holds the book to the right and a person with long dark hair and a flower dress stands to the left.
Robinson was chosen after a nationwide search. | Photo by Forsyth County North Carolina Government via Facebook
Shontell Robinson assumed her new role as Forsyth County manager July 1. City Editor Cambridge spoke to Robinson about her leadership style, priorities, and her passion for serving residents. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You are the first new county manager in 17 years, but have been with Forsyth County government for a decade. How has the transition been and how are you settling in?

So far, so good. Everyone’s been super supportive. I have an amazing team, which makes things so much easier. The previous county manager left things in great shape, too, so it’s not like I’m coming in trying to make any massive changes.

Give us a little bit of a refresher of your main duties and responsibilities as county manager.

I serve as the chief executive of the organization. I report directly to our county commissioners.

Essentially, I’m responsible for managing the day-to-day responsibilities of county government. I oversee a $583 million budget. We have 25+ departments — about 2,500 employees that provide services to our residents, such as law enforcement, emergency services, libraries, parks, social services, public health, behavioral health services [and more] — so I’m responsible for overseeing that operation.

Three people in chairs hold papers on their laps and a laptop.

Robinson will host 10 listening sessions at library branches across the county through Wednesday, Aug. 21.

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Photo by Forsyth County North Carolina Government via Facebook

Your listening sessions with citizens are underway. What do you hope to gain from these meetings?

As I embark on this journey — even though I’ve been here for 10 years — it’s still different when you are the chief executive. I want to make sure that whatever decisions that we’re making or however we’re prioritizing things within our operations, that we’re listening to the community first and foremost. I really just want to get feedback.
 
 
Events
 
Wednesday, July 17
  • AED Drone Study Information Session | Wednesday, July 17 | 6-7 p.m. | Clemmons Branch Library, 6365 James St., Clemmons | Free | Watch how drones will be delivered to the site of a person suffering cardiac arrest in a new Forsyth County program.
Thursday, July 18
  • “Before the Scream” | Thursday, July 18-Saturday, July 20 | 8 p.m. | Hanesbrands Theatre, 209 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem | $29-$49 | Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance brings Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” to life in different vignettes.
  • Champion Warehouse Sale | Thursday, July 18-Monday, July 22 | Times vary | Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, 421 W 27th St., Winston-Salem | Free | Shop for clothing, undergarments, and other basics at this four-day sale where everything is $10 or less.
Friday, July 19
  • “Layered, Woven, and Entangled” Trunk Show | Friday, July 19 | 7-10 p.m. | The Gallery at Stimmel, 601 N. Trade St., Winston-Salem | Free | Stop in during ART Crush to admire the works of artists Joan Rutledge and Naomi Greenberg with live music and hors d’oeuvres.
  • Meet and Greet with Tessa Bailey | Friday, July 19 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Bookmarks, 634 W. Fourth St., Ste. 110, Winston-Salem | $19-$30 | Drop in to meet the romance author and get your copy of her new novel “The Au Pair Affair” signed.
Saturday, July 20
  • Movies in the Park | Saturday, July 20 | 7-10 p.m. | Washington Park, 1490 S. Broad St., Winston-Salem | Cost of purchase | Grab dinner from a food truck then stretch out on a blanket or in a lawn chair for a showing of “Jurassic Park” at dusk.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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Sports
 
Now dipping: The Winston-Salem Italian Beef
a gif featuring images of people wearing Winston-Salem Dash Italian beef merch
The South Side has arrived at Truist Stadium. | Photos courtesy of Winston-Salem Dash; GIF by WStoday
Any fans of “The Bear” out there? The Dash has decided to bring a little of the South Side to Winston-Salem.

On Friday, July 19, the team will play as the Winston-Salem Italian Beef to pay homage to this iconic sandwich and the hometown of their affiliate, the Chicago White Sox.

For one night only, players will take the field in specialty jerseys and caps. Fans can also snag merch for this season’s other rebrands: The Tobacco Beetles and The Hype Hens.
 
News Notes
 
Transit
  • Talk directly with federal transit officials about how transportation plans are developed and funded in Winston-Salem during a virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 23. The event, which is part of the federal certification process, will be held on Zoom from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Real Estate
  • Looking for space for your small business? Winston-Salem has 42 million sqft of inventory with a 2.9% vacancy rate. According to Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.'s Q2 report, demand for retail space in the Twin City increased in the past 12 months and the vacancy rate is lower than the 4.1% national average.
Arts
  • Attend an opening reception Thursday, July 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for “HOMEGROWN: Celebrating the Legacy of Artists James Funches, Curtis Hairston, and Shirley Hairston-Holloway ‘The Barefoot Storyteller.’” See the exhibit in the Main Gallery at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts through Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Sports
  • Several Wake Forest University Baseball players are headed to the big leagues. Chase Burns, Nick Kurtz, and Seaver King were all drafted in the top 10 of the MLB Draft — pitchers Michael Massey and Josh Hartle are also going pro.
Pets
  • Adopt your furry family member for $50 when you visit Forsyth Humane Society now through Wednesday, July 31, thanks to the Bissell Empty the Shelters campaign. The shelter at 4881 Country Club Rd. is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. + 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Drink Up
  • Drink Up Week — a celebration of our city’s vibrant beverage culture — is coming up quickly from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26. We asked local businesses to join the fun by sharing drink deals; check out this map of promos that are poppin’ just for the occasion.
Number
  • Five million. That’s how many meals Samaritan Ministries has served to guests since it began feeding Winston-Salem community members in need. The nonprofit at 414 E. Northwest Blvd. has served lunch 15,844 days in a row.
Plan Ahead
  • Grab tickets to the Water Lantern Festival happening at Winston Lake Park (1344 Winston Park Rd.) on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets jump from $29 to $36 when early bird pricing ends Sunday, July 21.
Seasonal
  • Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? It’s Christmas in July, and we’re celebrating by gifting new and returning advertisers with special promotions to get your message in front of our readers. Get in touch to learn more (read: open your present).
Trending
 
 
The Buy
 
⚡ It’s the second (and final) Amazon Prime Day. Shop Day Two lightning deals that just went live.

Get 56% off a wireless charging station that can charge your phone, earbuds, and smartwatch all at once.

This $400 ionic hair dryer is on sale for under $100.

Get a $50 Old Navy gift card for $40, or a $50 Regal gift card for $40.

This five outlet surge protector includes four USB ports and charges your devices with notable speed.

Get a Bentgo stackable lunch box 55% off.

Keep your eye on this bestselling tennis dress for a lightning deal later today.
 
Answered
 
We asked, “What have you come to appreciate about Winston-Salem over time?” Here’s what you said:
Blue, yellow, green, orange, and navy mural with camel, coffee pot, Texas Pete bottle, shell station, doughnut, city skyline, dogwood bloom and Moravian star.

This mural’s got the right idea.

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Mural by @Christina.Parrish.Art, photo by WStoday

“It’s a big city with a small town vibe.” — Tom G.

“The entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses” — BG

“We love the vibrant history of the area. Old Salem and the Moravians, the thriving tobacco + textile industries, and the many beautiful historic neighborhoods. The history runs deep and you can still feel it as you explore the city.” — Amy W.
 
6AM City In-house
 
The Wrap
 
Cambridge Wrege.jpg Today’s edition by:
Cambridge
From the editor
ICYMI to-go cocktails are now legal in NC with the purchase of food and a valid ID. You can pick up a margarita with your take-out order at Alma (492 Patterson Ave.) — just be sure to make it to your destination before enjoying your drink.
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