Morgan Crawford wrestled for East Rowan High School, graduating in 2012. Before he left, he started an entrepreneurship with the town of Granite Quarry to set up fish feeding containers at Granite Park. The town accepted his request and a wonderful relationship was started.
The kids that visited the pond got a lot of enjoyment out of feeding the fish and the ducks around the lake. Upon Morgan’s graduation, he donated the fish feeders to the East Rowan wrestling team, which has been responsible for keeping the feeders full for the enjoyment of the kids. The money raised was used to replace the food and help pay for tournaments throughout the school year and wrestling supplies.
On Sunday night, Oct. 13, both machines were stolen from the park — lock, stock and fish food. If anyone has any knowledge as to whom might be responsible for the theft, contact Granite Quarry police. A small reward is being offered. In the meantime the wrestling team is trying to raise funds to replace the machines that brought so much enjoyment to the kids of Granite Quarry community.
— Barry Justus
Salisbury
Justus is the East Rowan High wrestling coach.

First of all, I would like to extend my sympathy to the family of the boy who was killed crossing the road to board his school bus. I am a mother and a grandmother, and I can’t imagine losing a child.
I am also acquainted with Barbara Smith, who was driving the car. I have known her for 40 years, and I know she would never have intentionally passed a stopped school bus. I am sure she did not see the lights or she would have stopped. She would never put a child in harms way. She is devastated over this tragedy. I would just like for people to know that she is a very loving and compassionate person. She is a mother and a grandmother who loves all children. This was a tragic accident, but she would not have intentionally passed that bus had she seen the lights or the stop sign.
No punishment will be as bad as her having to live with the death of this child
— Elizabeth Dugger
Newton
I have always been told by the school system that the school busses will pick up students on the side of the road where they live. So why did this student have to cross the road to get on the bus? Why was the bus not picking up the student on his side of Woodleaf Road? Why? Why?
I live just down the road from where this happened and had to fight with the middle school to get them to pick up my grandson on the correct side of the road (which they do now). That could have been my grandson trying to cross the road to get to his bus. People simply do not pay attention to the flashing lights on a school bus. And because of their inattention, this happens, and it did not need to happen. Bus drivers, please pick up the kids on the side of road on which they live and maybe this will not have to happen again.
— Joyce F. Kemmery
Woodleaf

Editor’s note: Readers wanting more information about the state and local bus safety guidelines may refer to a front page article in the Saturday, Oct. 19, Salisbury Post, also available online at www.salisburypost.com.

A recent article about mental illness included this statement: “Stigma plays a large role in whether individuals ask for help, whether they stay on the proper medication and can contribute to the isolation of the mentally ill.”
As an editor I would never repeat someone’s claim of ”stigma.” See rape/“stigma for why. NAMI has a penchant for directing this term, it refuses to discard it.
As a member of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, I see mentally ill people who are doing very well and living normal lives every day.
In the writer’s experience, has she seen the majority of us? We are a very broad demographic, earning to the millions, holding every university degree, and every professional, white-collar and blue-collar job.
Those are the people you don’t read about.
She is not reading, then. We are regularly in the news.
NAMI paints a myopic picture. I cannot explain why.
— Harold A. Maio
Fort Myers, Fla.

I am writing in hopes that the Post will run an article explaining that October holds yet another very important designation besides Breast Cancer Awareness. Please do not think I am being cold and insensitive by saying that October is just about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My heart goes out to all of the many thousands of women and men that lose their lives to this devastating illness.
I just want to make people aware that October also holds yet another very important occasion that goes unnoticed, and it’s very close to my heart. It’s SIDS Awareness Month, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants aged 1-12 months and is the third leading cause overall of infant mortality in the United States.
SIDS rates have dropped dramatically since 1992, when parents were first told to put babies to sleep on their backs or sides to reduce the likelihood of SIDS. Unfortunately, SIDS remains a significant cause of death of infants, and thousands of babies die each year, The only way to stop this is through research and greater awareness.
My little angel grew her wings from SIDS in 2001 and every year it sadness me that I never see SIDS Awareness in October because it’s just not as heard of and unfortunately in the shadow of another huge illness. Please help me get out the word about this syndrome. Please help me make my daughter’s and many, many other mothers’ and fathers’ voices heard. I would be so very grateful and so would they.
— Lisa Martin
Salisbury

You are free to do some good. If you are doing good, keep it up! Do more. If you aren’t already doing something positive, get started. It can be done. Pitch in, lend a hand.
For me, supporting Democratic politics is a good way to be involved. Cultivate good habits that will become instinctual; cultivate good judgment in the same way.
— Cody Yasinsac
Kannapolis
Letters endorsing candidates in the Nov. 5 municipal elections must be received in the Salisbury Post newsroom by 5 p.m., Oct. 30.