Restaurant Review: Monte de Rey in Walkertown

3018 Old Hollow Road, Walkertown, NC 27051  336-595-3033  

Monte de Rey opened in Walkertown only a couple of months ago, but it is quickly becoming a favorite spot for our family! The restaurant itself is spacious and brightly decorated, with amazing colorful scenes handpainted on the tables and chairs. The staff is super friendly and engaging. The menu is extensive.

As any good Mexican restaurant does, we are quickly delivered a basket of chips and a large bowl of salsa. I love that we don't have to ask for more salsa, there is usually someone walking around and refilling as needed. The salsa is tasty; just the right amount of heat so yummy!

I've had the Pollo Loco a couple of times. Delicioso! I've also had the spinach quasadilla, which is better than I've had elsewhere.

My girls like being called Princesa every time we visit. It's a very welcoming atmosphere and we love to eat there for both the food and the service.

Time visited: We've been there a few times on Friday night. We are always seated quickly and the service is quick. We've also been there on a Sunday afternoon after church and that seemed to be a much busier time for the restaurant. Still immediate seating and quick service.

This is a also a great restaurant for large parties. Plenty of tables big enough for eight or more.

• Visited July 2014

Review: Walkertown Seafood Shack

Walkertown Seafood Shack
2890 Darrow Rd
Walkertown 27051

First time at the Seafood Shack, although I live very close and the parking lot is always full enough to know I should stop in. I'm glad we did! The food and service are awesome. Huge portions. I had the broiled platter and it was amazing. Enough of everything to share around. The place was busy but our wait for a family of four was 5-10 minutes. Fried pickles are also good (the ranch dressing tastes homemade.) And everyone was smiling and friendly.

Pros: The food was amazing (really!), there was a lot of it (we'll be able to get at least another meal with leftovers) and the staff was nice.

Cons: A little expensive for my budget with a family of four.

Time Visited:  7:30pm on a Saturday night

Walkertown Elementary Seeking Local Leaders and Writers for Event

On March 7, 2013 from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm the doors at Walkertown Elementary will be open for our community to see the wonderful things that are happening in the school.  You are invited to tour the school, observe great teaching, or share with classes how reading is important to your life and to your profession. You may also volunteer to read to a class.

If you have questions please contact Barbara Cohen, Principal Fellow Intern, at (336) 595-2311 or bbcohen@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Great Backyard Bird Count: Local Events

After 15 years of success in North America, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will open up to the entire world for the first time in 2013. Anyone, from anywhere on earth, can participate by visiting www.birdcount.org and reporting the kinds and numbers of birds they see during the 16th annual count, February 15­­–18, 2013. 

 A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with partner Bird Studies Canada, the four-day count typically receives sightings from tens of thousands of people reporting more than 600 bird species in the United States and Canada alone.

Red-breasted Nuthatch, Christine Haines, WA, 2012 GBBC

“This year’s count will give us a whole new perspective as sightings pour in from around the globe in real time,” said Marshall Iliff at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Millions of people encounter birds every day all over the world. Imagine what scientists will learn if each one of us shares observations from our own area!”

During the 2012 count, participants reported 17.4 million bird observations on 104,000 checklists. Snowy Owls thrilled many participants when these striking birds-of-prey ventured south from the Arctic in record numbers. In 2013, scientists predict that U.S. and Canadian bird watchers will see an influx of Red-breasted Nuthatches and winter finches (such as Pine Siskins) because of scarce food supplies on their northern wintering grounds.

“The GBBC is an ideal opportunity for young and old to connect with nature by discovering birds and to participate in a huge science project,” said Gary Langham, Audubon’s Chief Scientist.  “This year, we hope people on all seven continents, oceans, and islands, will head out into their neighborhoods, rural areas, parks, and wilderness to further our understanding of birds across the hemispheres.”

Participating is easy. Simply watch birds for at least 15 minutes at the location of your choice on one or more of the count days. Estimate the number of birds you see for each species you can identify. You’ll select your location on a map, answer a few questions, enter your tallies, and then submit your data to share your sightings with others around the world.

The global capacity for the count will be powered by eBird, an online checklist program for all of the world’s 10,240 bird species. Participants will be able to view what others are seeing on interactive maps, keep their own records, and have their tallies recorded for perpetuity.

“The popularity of the Great Backyard Bird Count grows each year," said Dick Cannings, Senior Projects Officer at Bird Studies Canada, "and with the new features, participation will be even more exciting.”

The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited.

The Forsyth County Public Library has several events planned in celebration of the Great Backyard Bird Count.  

Walkertown Branch

Wednesday, February 13, 3pm.  The Great Backyard Bird Count is happening February 15-18 and we're celebrating with a fun, bird-friendly afternoon storytime. Come listen to stories about birds, sing songs, and make a take home bird craft. For toddler and preschool ages.

Saturday, February 16, 10:30am-11:30.  Did you know that Walkertown is a Bird Sanctuary?  Come to Walkertown Library and learn how to attract birds to your yard, identify birds at the feeders, and do the count. We’ll go outside and try to spot and count birds! Presented by Liz Schmid, Wild Birds Unlimited of High Point.  Family friendly event.

Clemmons Branch

February 12, 10:30 am Toddlers (ages 18 months-3 years) — Join Jason Slayton, Children's Librarian, as he reads about favorite bird friends.

February 13, 4:00-5:00 pm Family (all ages) — Presentation about the Great Back Yard Bird Count with Bill Gifford. He will show us how to count and identify birds.  Participants become instant experts in identifying some local birds. The group will tour the grounds and discover what birds are in the neighborhood.

February 14, 10:30 am Preschoolers (ages 3-5 years) — Participate while Jason Slayton, Children's Librarian, reads more stories about birds.

Highlights: Jazz Performance by Patience Reich at Walkertown Library

When you want to catch a jazz concert, the public library may not be the first venue that comes to mind.  But this afternoon the Walkertown library hosted a special music event featuring Patience Reich in a performance of Jazz Ballads from the 1940s, 50s and 60s.  It was a comfortable and cozy way to enjoy a live performance on a Saturday afternoon, and like all events at the library it was FREE to attend.

With the stage transformed to a skyline at sunset and set with dinner for two, Ms. Reich's performance and choice of songs told a story in a conceptual format that was a cross between a traditional concert and a play.

Patience Reich performs "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" by Frank Sinatra

Patience Reich was born in Minneapolis, MN and spent her formative years in Cameroon, Central Africa.

While she was influenced by traditional and popular African music, Classical music, Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms her earliest and most enduring influences come from great American Pop music.

With an ability to sing in many styles and languages (including French, Spanish, multiple African languages and Arabic), Patience is musically incredibly versatile.

Patience currently lives in Winston-Salem.











Patience Reich performs "You Go to My Head"  

It was a great pleasure to attend this performance.  Many thanks to Patience Reich for brightening our day with her beautiful talent and also to the Walkertown Library for hosting her.  This was a wonderful debut for what we hope will transcend into a series of musical performances showcasing local performers in our area.

Photo credit: Jeanette Runyon of Studio Woolslayer

Fun Photo Find: Walkertown, NC

Do you know where this is?

A few months ago, these two birds stood guard most mornings, hopping in and out of the sign.  They must have had a nest inside.

This photo was taken at the shopping center in Walkertown, at the intersection of Old Hollow and Main Streets.

Flashback Friday: Oct 19-Oct 25

The Week in Review

 Friday, October 12-Thursday, October 18 

Piedmont Triad Living.

Thursday, Oct. 25


I'm so excited!  We introduced our new website, your most complete source for loving the Piedmont Triad on a budget.  This will be your go-to for living, laughing, loving, playing and shopping locally!


This amazing photo was captured just outside of Downtown Winston-Salem.  Find out what it is and where I saw it here.

Wednesday, Oct. 24

Not sure of your voter registration status?  Check it here!


Traffic accidents had major thoroughfares closed for hours, causing headaches for those of us travelling the highways.  Check our blog to find out how to avoid congestion, construction, and adverse weather.  

Tuesday, Oct 23

This week's Treasury features Surry County artists.


Food Allergy Families of the Triad shared a cool website with great ideas of healthy Halloween lunch ideas!

Saturday, Oct. 20

The annual Fall Festival in Walkertown took place last weekend, and we met several really awesome and creative local people.  Read more about our experience here.

The Orionid Meteor Showers passed through our skies on Saturday!  We went out just after midnight for about thirty minutes and saw three quick streaks.  If you missed them, this chart is borrowed from the Farmers Almanac website. Click on the chart to go to their website, with more information. 

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/meteor-showers/

Friday, Oct.19

The Triad's Give A Kid A Coat campaign kicked-off.  You can drop off coats and jackets at any A Cleaner World location.


The Kernersville Chamber of Commerce brought together local companies for their annual Business Showcase.  See a listing of participating companies here.

Walkertown, NC Fall Festival 2012

 The Walkertown Fall Festival, taking place this weekend, includes music, food, vendors, a baking contest, inflatables, face painters, and more!  These are a few of my favorite things from this year's festival.

These gourds, carved to look like jack o' lanterns, are handcrafted by Gourd O' Lanterns of Walkertown by Hersch and Carol.  The gourds have got a hook on top, as well as a hinged door in the back to put in a tea light candle.  Carol said that this is their last show of the year, but that they can usually be found at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market for a few weeks in the beginning of October.

 There were free inflatables, including a bounce house, basketball, and a huge bouncy slide for the kids.  This part of the fun was provided by JumpInKids, a local business servicing the High Point, Greensboro, Kernersville and Winston-Salem areas.

 My favorite part of town festivals is the opportunity to meet local crafters, artisans, and entrepreneurs.  I love these t-shirts designed by krmbal!  Krmbal is an indie t-shirt brand dedicated to eco-conscious choices & partnering with small businesses.  While you're on her web page, be sure to check out her "about" and "goals" pages.  This is one cool chick.  

Love the shirt?  

Piedmont Triad Living reader receive a 

15% discount in the storenvy shop  

Enter the code PTL at checkout!

 I am so in love with these upcycled functioning lamps made from old cameras, movie projectors, radios, cigar boxes and more.  I first saw these lamps at Eclection in Kernersville, and I am a huge fan!  These handmade lamps are also sold by the Woodham's on Etsy at What's The Stitch.  My photo does not do these items justice... you must see them IRL to appreciate the coolness that they are! 

P.S.  Mom and Dad, if you're looking for a Christmas gift... this Brownie camera lamp is my fave!

And what would a festival be without face painting?  My girls are happy anywhere that has both face painting and bouncy houses.  Their faces were done by Stanley Stultz.  He's available for birthday parties and other events, and can be reached at 336-374-2792.

Walkertown, NC Library celebrating 20th Anniversary!

The Walkertown library is celebrating it's 20th Anniversary May 12 from 2-4pm.  

There will be speakers and live music. 

Readers are Leaders!