Laurels to the organizers of this year’s CROP Walk, who aim to inject new life into one of the original events to combine fundraising and exercise. Now in its 35th year in Rowan County, CROP Walk has expanded to multiple sites but has seen revenue decline from around $30,000 in the 1970s and 1980s to $18,000 in 2012 and just $14,000 last year. That’s too bad. Money raised through CROP Walk goes to fight hunger, and 25 percent of the money raised in Rowan will go to Rowan Helping Ministries, Meals on Wheels and Main Street Mission in China Grove. The length of the walk has decreased from 10 miles to 3 miles, and with congregations and groups from around the county getting involved, we hope that will be 3 strong miles of fundraising. The events take place Sunday at 2 p.m. In Salisbury and China Grove, rain or shine, so get out, get some exercise and fight hunger, as the motto goes, one step at a time.

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Laurels to the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education for taking its time — and not taking any drastic measures — in response to a complaint about Bible classes being taught at some local elementary schools. The Freedom From Religion Foundation said it’s opposing the classes on behalf of a local resident. While some speakers at a meeting Thursday would like to see the school board dive into a court battle, board members wisely decided to keep the elective — and privately funded — classes in place while studying the curriculum to ensure it meets constitutional muster. They chose the best course of action.
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Laurels to Rowan County residents who have the drive to chase their dream of starting a business. Reporter David Purtell profiled three last week: Jamie Vanhoy and Brandon Hendrix, who have opened Wahoo’s Diner, and Brady Reavis, who opened BSC Off-Road. Both businesses are in Granite Quarry, and they have something else in common — Vanhoy and Reavis are both in their 20s. And they’re not alone. Pamela Thompson, dean of the Ketner School of Business at Catawba College, said a growing number of young people are starting their own businesses, and she sees more students considering entrepreneurship as a career path. The trend can be attributed in part to the Great Recession, which saw job opportunities dry up, and in part, Thompson said, to shows like “Shark Tank,” where entrepreneurs get to pitch their ideas to wealthy potential investors. In any case, our community and nation are stronger when Americans combine hard work and dreams to create something new.