Passengers paid $19 fares to fly in the ‘80s. | Photo by Digital Forsyth
For Winston-Salem, passing with flying colors is not a novelty. While major airline companies were flying commercial airplanes on a larger scale, Winston-Salem’s Piedmont Airlines found a way to go above and beyond to make a lasting impression on its customers. Enters The Piedmont Punch. The beverage was made in October 1981 and distributed exclusively to passengers who boarded the airline. Pretty quickly, it gained popularity and certainly took off.
Unfortunately, the drink dissipated after Piedmont Airlines merged with USAir. Although the formula for the drink remains a big mystery to most, the good news is that fans have attempted to recreate the recipe for this famous beverage.
That’s not all — Winston-Salem has been the anchor for many groundbreaking milestones. The first Piedmont Airlines female stewardess training class was held on Jun. 1, 1962, in Winston-Salem. The Twin City became home to the busiest airport in the state in 1963 based on departures, thanks to Piedmont Airlines, which had a huge impact on the city.
Innovation & Cinema: Sing 2 | 7-10 p.m. | Bailey Park | Free | Get cozy on the lawn and watch an all-star cast of animated animals perform groovy hits.
May We All: A New Country Musical | Friday, July 11-Saturday, July 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance, Beall Theatre | $15 | What happens when local sensation Jenna Coates leaves her small town to pursue her dream in Nashville, but never finds her hit — the rest will surprise you.
Summer Party | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | Bar Nola | Cost of purchase | Gather your crew for a fun night out. Sip on discounted drinks while dancing to the beat of the music on the outdoor patio if you choose to.
Saturday, July 12
Bookmarks Birthday Celebration and Book Swap | 1-3 p.m. | Bookmarks | Free | Celebrate 8 years of the bookstore and learn about upcoming events, plus participate in a book swap, scavenger hunts, and trivia with other book lovers.
Ali Forrest | 8 p.m. | The Ramkat | $15+ | Groove to the music as the Charlotte songwriter blends soft, vintage Carolina twang with modern indie rock alongside local artist James Kent.
Sunday, July 13
Summertime Paws & Claus | 4 p.m. | Tucker’s Tap Yard | Cost of purchase | Get festive and celebrate Christmas in July with sips, suds, slushies, and Santa.
Your health, your power: Expert care at every stage
Presented by Novant Health
Expert-backed wellness tips, personalized treatment options, and the answers you’ve been waiting for—all in one place. | Photo provided by Novant Health
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It’s tempting to think “that won’t happen to me,” but factors like genetics, family history, dense breast tissue, early menstruation, and age can increase risk. Novant Health offers advanced screenings and compassionate care to support you along the journey.
Pickleball: Play your way to longevity
Pickleball isn’t just trendy — it’s heart-healthy, low-impact, and fun. Experts recommend easing into the game slowly (read: stretching and warming up to avoid injury), but the benefits for cardiovascular health and longevity are undeniable.
From busting myths to amplifying wellness, Novant Health helps women take charge with confidence.
Winston-Salem real estate is trending upward. Triad Business Journal reports an 8% profit increase when it comes to home sales in Q1, making it the top mark in NC and 24th in the nation. You can count on our city guides to help you navigate life in the Twin City. (Triad Business Journal)
Sports
Greensboro native and two-time champion John Isner will return to the Twin City during the Winston-Salem Open. Stop by Wake Forest Tennis Complex for a meet and greet Thursday, Aug. 21 + Friday, Aug. 22 — grab your ticket for the tournament to attend.
Shop
Ever dreamed of owning a British-style phone booth? Surprise, surprise. You can bring home this crafted 8ft tall replica, originally built for stage production, from ART SHAC — 100% of the proceeds will support the nonprofit art organization.
Ranked
North Carolina ranked No. 1 on CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business 2025" list. The ranking accounts for factors like the area’s economy, business friendliness, and cost of living. Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. was named best Chamber of the Year in 2024 — see why it’s a huge win for the Twin City. (CNBC)
Try This
Check out this beginner-friendly workshop, which combines local history and unique ceramics techniques. These colors, patterns, and designs celebrate the legacy of the formerly enslaved 18th-century potter, Peter Oliver. Catch the next workshop on Friday, Aug. 22 at the Generations Center — but first, reserve your spot.
Job
Your dream employee is probably reading our newsletter right now — want them to see your job first? Add your job listing to our WStoday Job Board, at no cost.
Real Estate
Poets Walk, Whitsett’s brand new townhome community, is now open daily for tours. With bundled cable, internet, lawncare, and up to 30% energy savings, this new Pulte Homes move-in ready community brings convenience home. (Bonus: A pool, dog park + cabana await just outside your door.)*
Health
Broken bones, twisted ankles, and sprained wrists can’t wait — and neither should you. At Novant Health, their expert orthopedic and sports medicine teams offer same-day appointments and convenient walk-in care to get you back on your feet faster. Find a location near you.*
It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day. Don’t miss out on great discounts before the deals end tonight:
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🌴 23% off: A summery outdoor rug that’s big enough to cover your whole patio.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
As a former barista, I’m excited to make a replica of the Piedmont Punch. Send us pictures if you do attempt to recreate the recipe — no peeking before answering the quiz. I’ll give you my take on it in a future newsletter.
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