🗞️ How a growing car show turned into a community fundraiser for Kernersville veterans

🗞️ One local fighter's mission: turning BJJ matches into hope for cancer patients

🗞️ Pickleball is Booming in Kernersville: Here’s How to Join the Fun

🗞️ Watch your little one twirl and giggle: Three fun movement classes for kids this spring

A free car show returns to the VFW Post 5352 in Kernersville this Saturday, featuring hundreds of vehicles, live music from four bands, and food from local vendors. The event, now in its 13th edition, has grown too big for its original parking lot and serves as a fundraiser for the VFW. Organizers expect another big crowd after last year’s show drew nearly 1,000 people and raised $3,700.

Ready Full Story: HERE

Joshua Pratt of Savage Roasters Coffee is stepping onto the mats for a cause that goes far beyond competition. He'll be taking part in the Tap Cancer Out BJJ Open, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament that raises money for cancer charities.

For Pratt, this fight isn't about winning a medal. It's about standing alongside people who are battling cancer every day.

Pratt has set a fundraising goal of $1,000 and has already collected $2,215. Every dollar goes to Tap Cancer Out, a nonprofit that has donated more than $7.75 million to cancer-fighting organizations since 2012. This year, the beneficiaries include groups like Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, the American Brain Tumor Association, Camp Sunshine, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, among others.

Local coffee roaster Savage Coffee has also joined the effort. Throughout May, the company is encouraging customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar.

That spare change goes directly to Tap Cancer Out. The owners say the cause is personal, having trained BJJ for over a decade and seen how cancer touches everyone.

Donations are secure and 100 percent tax deductible. For those who prefer to mail a check, they can send it to Tap Cancer Out's office in Fort Mill, South Carolina, with a note mentioning Pratt's name.

Even if someone can't give money, sharing the fundraising page on social media or texting friends can make a big difference. Pratt hopes the community will rally behind him and the other competitors.

As he puts it, every bit of support helps tip the scales in the fight against cancer.

More Information: HERE

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and now people in Kernersville have several chances to learn or improve their game. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced player, the Kernersville Recreation and Events Center is offering a series of clinics that make it easy to get started.

For anyone who has been curious about pickleball but hasn't tried it yet, the Intro to Pickleball 101 class is a perfect place to start. This one-hour session covers the basic rules, court setup, and key terminology.

Participants will learn how to choose a paddle, hold it correctly, and use the right ball. They'll also practice proper stances, scorekeeping, and court positioning.

The instructor provides feedback during drills and a short recreational play period so everyone can put their new skills to use. Equipment is provided if needed.

The class runs on Monday, May 18, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

at the Kernersville Recreation and Events Center at 1020 Shields Road. It costs $25, and registration closes at noon on the day of the class.

This class is open to anyone 14 and older. For those who already know the basics and want to build on them, the Beginner Plus Pickleball 102 class offers a chance to master the fundamentals.

Also one hour long, this session covers the same topics but goes deeper, with more practice and feedback from the instructor. It takes place on Monday, May 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the same location.

The cost is $25, and registration ends at noon that day. Players who understand the game and want to step up their skills can try the Intermediate Skills Session 103.

This one-and-a-half-hour class focuses on strategies like serving, returning serves, dinks, lobs, block volleys, and the all-important third-shot drop. The instructor will also cover dozens of other tips to help participants sustain longer rallies and play more confidently.

The class takes place at the Kernersville Recreation and Events Center, but the date is still to be determined. It costs $35 per session, and registration closes at noon on the day of the class.

For a more personalized approach, the Private Skills Improvement Session uses a state-of-the-art ball machine. This 30-minute session is designed for average to above-average players who want to work on consistent returns, proper technique, and footwork.

Drills include dinking, volleys, baseline feeds side to side, and third-shot drops. The cost is $75, and the session happens at Fourth of July Park.

To register, contact the Athletic Coordinator at 336-564-1608 or [email protected].

Locals can also find outdoor pickleball play most mornings at Fourth of July Park or Civitan Fitness Park, weather permitting. These free-play sessions are a great way to keep practicing and meet other players in the community.

More information: HERE

This spring, the local Parks and Recreation department offers three activity classes that get kids moving, dancing, and learning through music and play. Programs include a creative dance class for ages 5 to 7, a music exploration class for infants through age 5, and a sensory play class for toddlers. All classes require parent attendance for the younger groups and have clear refund policies.

More Information: Youth Creative Dance | Giggles and Growth -18-36 months | Music Movers

Let us know your thoughts on today’s issue