County Manager Shontell Robinson invites you to come to the 5th Annual Forsyth County Fun Fest on September 20.
September 2025 - Vol. 12
Airport unveils new terminal
We had a great turnout for the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated terminal at Smith Reynolds Airport on Aug. 11!
The renovation restores and modernizes the building to better serve travelers and tenants who now use the airport for general aviation, corporate aircraft and air charter services.
The new terminal honors the past, with photos and displays showcasing the storied history of the airport and has a 1930 Savoia Marchetti S-56 hanging from the ceiling, which is the same make and model that Zachary Smith Reynolds used in his flight from London to Hong Kong in 1931-32. The terminal building houses the Airport’s administrative offices and a variety of tenants. There’s also a place on the second floor for the public to come out and view aircraft taking off and landing at the airport.
While the Terminal isn’t used for commercial service, it sees a variety of visitors from private, corporate, maintenance and medical flights. Sports teams, celebrities and even presidents have used the Terminal Building.
Smith Reynolds Airport has the most economic impact among the state’s 62 general aviation public airports, which don't offer commercial service, with an $885 million impact on the local economy that supports 3,190 jobs.
Forsyth Fun Fest
Forsyth County Government will hold its fifth annual family-friendly Forsyth Fun Fest, which will include a job fair and free food, on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the new Highland Avenue Park, 642 Highland Ave, on the Forsyth County Health and Human Services Campus.
The event will also feature games, raffles, voter registration, music, kids' activities, flu vaccinations, STD testing, fire truck and ambulance tours, sheriff vehicle display, information on benefits and services, and more!
The Fun Fest is an opportunity for Forsyth County Government to connect with the community and for residents to learn about county services, some of which will be offered at the event.
County Manager
In This Issue
County Commissioner Update
Forsyth County Commissioners attended the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference last month and will hold a quarterly 6 p.m. meeting on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.
The three-day NCACC Conference, held in Pitt County, gathered commissioners from across the state for educational opportunities and a celebration of the good work done by counties. Our Substance Use Services Coordinator, Annie Vasquez, was among the NCACC’s “Heroic Hands” recipients, an award that highlights the importance and impact of public service.
During the conference, Commissioner Richard Linville was inducted into the NCACC Hall of Fame as the state’s longest serving county commissioner with 44 years of service. Tonya McDaniel was recognized as the new 2nd Vice President of the North Carolina Association of Black County Officials (NCABCO).
In September, like every month, the public is encouraged to attend or watch the commissioners meetings online. Here’s their full schedule for this month:
- Monday, Sept. 8 Briefing at 2 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 11 Meeting at 6 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 22 Briefing at 2 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 25 Bimonthly Morning Discussion Session at 10 a.m. and a Meeting at 2 p.m.
During briefings, staff brief the commissioners on the items they'll vote on in that week's meeting. During meetings, they vote on various items and hear from residents during their regular public comment session.
Meetings and briefings are held at the Forsyth County Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut St. Meetings are streamed live in their entirety on Forsyth County YouTube and Facebook, as well as the Forsyth County website and are also broadcasted live on WSTV13 on Spectrum cable.
NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard gives Forsyth County Commissioner Richard Linville a Hall of Fame recognition.
Don’t miss the school vaccine deadline!
Forsyth County Department of Public Health will host Operation Zero Exclusion to provide back-to-school vaccinations and health assessments to students before this year’s deadline.
For vaccination appointments, call 336-703-3324. For health assessment appointments, call 336-703-4273. Appointments will take place at the health department, 799 Highland Ave.
Students must provide proof of immunizations and/or health assessments by their 30th day of enrollment. Don't miss this opportunity to ensure your child's health and compliance for a successful school year!
Home repair assistance available
Forsyth County Community & Economic Development provides home repair services that promote aging in place, long-term affordability by lowering operating costs, and stabilizing pre-1978 residential dwellings with present lead paint hazards.
This assistance is available for Forsyth County homes that are outside Winston-Salem.
Basic Qualifications:
- Current on property taxes
- Low to moderate household income
- Current on mortgage payments
- Possess an active homeowner’s insurance policy
- Have a qualifying special need
For more information, please call 336-703-2680 or visit the Housing Rehabilitation Program webpage.
Winston-Salem residents can visit the City’s website for their rehab programs..
Vape-free classes for youth
Forsyth County Behavioral Health Services is holding a series of classes to teach youth in Grades 6-12 how to be vape-free! The five 50-minute sessions will start Sept. 4 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Forsyth County Central Library's third floor reading room. Registration is required. You can register for the vape-fre youth classes here.
Nationally, e-cigarettes remain the most commonly used tobacco product among adolescents. In 2024, 1.63 million youth reported current e-cigarette use nationwide, and locally, there were five 911 calls in July for vaping-related medical emergencies.
The “You & Me Together, Vape-Free" program features age-appropriate lessons for middle and high schoolers teaching them how vaping impacts health and wellbeing. They'll learn the ways tobacco companies target teens with deceptive ads and build refusal skills to handle peer pressure and prevent vaping.
Pawpaw Field Day
N.C. Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center, 1450 Fairchild Road, is holding its 2025 Pawpaw Field Day on Sept. 6, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Learn about the Pawpaw tree with educational talks, recipes, pawpaw fruit tastings, trees for sale (while supplies last) and kid's activities.
Register for Pawpaw Field Day here.
The pawpaw produces the largest fruit native to the Eastern US. The pawpaw tree’s fruit has a thin green skin, large black seeds, and creamy, yellow-orange flesh. Its flavor is unique, frequently compared to banana, mango, vanilla, pineapple, and even butterscotch. Come out and learn about this unique tree and its fruit!
Homeless Caucus Meeting
The next Homeless Caucus meeting will be held Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Forsyth County Central Library, 660 W 5th St. If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, you’re welcome to attend, share your thoughts on homelessness and hear about resources available in the community. Caucus meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Central Library.
Cooperative Extension Plant Sale
Cooperative Extension's Plant Sale will be held Sept. 13 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1450 Fairchild Road. There will be a great selection of native plants, pollinator plants, flowering shrubs, and trees in this fundraiser for NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers.
Never Walk Alone to celebrate recovery
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is holding Never Walk Alone on Sept. 13 from 12-3 p.m. at Bailey Park in Downtown Winston-Salem.
The event celebrates recovery and remembers those we’ve lost, and reminds us no one has to face addiction alone. It features music, food trucks, fun activities and access to recovery resources.
Seeking volunteers for committees
Forsyth County Government is seeking volunteers to serve on various citizen boards and committees devoted to a variety of issues. These include Health and Human Services, The Winston-Salem Foundation, juvenile crime, animal services, property values, tourism, libraries, nursing homes and more. To learn more and to apply, visit the volunteer board webpage.
The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Sept. 15. Forsyth County Commissioners will choose and appoint committee members from those who apply during their meeting on Sept. 25.
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