3rd Annual Pickleball Tournament at Dill Dinkers

“I loved seeing returning players,” Angelia said. “They’ve enjoyed it so much they make sure they don’t miss it—it becomes a part of their annual rhythm.”

After the event, a player reached out to Angelia to express thanks: “You did such a fantastic job—ran super smoothly and it was very apparent the players and spectators had such a good time. I know we did.”

A sold-out show, this year’s event trumped the past two years’ in every category. Fourteen sponsors partnered with the Chamber this year: AdSign Corporation, Base 95, Best Bet Painters, Blue Moon Benefits Group, Clarity Auto Details, Cruise Planners—Ed Dean and Paul Jones, Dill Dinkers Winston-Salem, Lowe’s Foods Clemmons, Marzano Capital Group, The Resource, Restoration Dental, Ski and Tennis Station, Stand Strong Fencing, and Superfeet x Fleet Feet. Thank you!

We are also grateful to our volunteers and to the Dill Dinkers staff who made the event possible. Owners Scott and Lori Dickson allowed us to pull off the event “in the most incredible way possible,” Angelia said. Director of Operations and Sales, Tristan Faure, and Director of Pickleball, Matt Smith, “knew more about pickleball than I could have imagined” and “really care about their players and members.”

Angelia is already eagerly looking ahead to next year, intentionally finding ways to continue the legacy of building community spirit through connections and competition.

Old Clemmons School Centennial Birthday and 70th Reunion of the Last Graduating Class

Also on Saturday, the Old Clemmons School Halls of History celebrated the school’s 100th year anniversary with an all-day soiree. Mark Cheek, a committee member and long-standing resident of the Village of Clemmons, shared some highlights and behind-the-scenes.

With a deep family history at both the school and in Clemmons, Mark’s parents both graduated from the high school and he and his siblings went to the elementary school. “This playground was my playground,” he said, describing how he and his siblings spent their youth on the beloved ball fields and school grounds.

Over 120 people were in attendance including current Mayor Mike Rogers, and past Mayors Ed Brewer and W.C. McGee. Four siblings from the Butcher family were among the attendees, from the graduating classes of ‘45, ‘47, ‘49, and ‘51). Margret Butcher-Ashley, age 98, is the oldest known living graduate of Clemmons High School. Numerous graduates brought along their children who went to the elementary school, making this a multi-generational event.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the high school’s last graduating class of 1956, the committee set up a special table in the auditorium of Clemmons High School, now the Historic Broyhill building. Eleven members of the Class of ‘56 stopped by, including Halls of History committee founding members Barbara & Tom Manhannah and George Wilson. At one point, the Class of ‘56 got up on the Magnolia Room stage and sang the Clemmons alma mater.

Roughly 25 graduates were in attendance and received a special “Graduate” badge upon their arrival. There were poster boards filled with historical photos from Clemmons High School’s “glory days,” and the east hallway was everyone’s favorite as attendants observed the school memorabilia cabinet. Diana Bigham McGee was in attendance, the owner of the prom dress displayed in that cabinet.

“Since we’re a little group, we don’t get much attention,” Mike said of the committee. “The mayor showing up made us feel special.”

First Day of Autumn

September 22nd marked the first day of fall! And while you may not be able to tell by the temperature outside, our community is already jumping headfirst into the proverbial pile of leaves.

• Be Kind Coffee Co. already has a delicious fall menu going, and their upcoming Halloween at Hogwarts event, October 18th-24th, is one of the most anticipated fall celebrations in Clemmons!
• The Village of Clemmons is hosting their annual Monster Dash and Goblin Hop on October 18th, 2PM-4PM. Keep a look out for our Chamber booth!
• The Clemmons United Methodist Church is kicking off their October concert series on October 4th with “I Love to Tell the Story” performed by Wake Forest University’s Presidential Music Scholars.

Today’s Pun for National Punctuation Day: There are three things that I love: the Oxford comma, irony, and missed opportunities.