“We need moments of things that we can smile about and you can smile about a teddy bear.”

— Mayor Karen Alexander, who was taking part in the Salisbury Bear Hunt that features stuffed bears or other animals placed in the windows of downtown homes

“I am confident that the extraordinary people at Catawba along with the Salisbury/Rowan community will meet the extraordinary challenges ahead of us with energy, creativity and resolve.”

— David Nelson, who was named the new president of Catawba College, the 24th in the school’s history   

“The bottom line is child care centers must absorb even higher costs and reduced income as they follow emergency mandates.”

— Donna White, interim president of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, detailing the uncertainty child care operators face   

“It doesn’t feel normal because I’m used to the vibrancy that comes with being with people. I miss
being with them and being in
contact.”

— Rev. Nilous Avery, pastor of Mt. Zion
Baptist Church

“Lord, do we have a mess, a first-class mess. It’s not working very well in that department.”

— Rep. Carl Ford, speaking of the hurdles facing the Division of Employment Security and the Department of Commerce as state
unemployment numbers skyrocket

“In my North Rowan days, this was all just a dream, but it’s all real now, very real. It’s crazy to think about, to think where I came from and where I am now.”

— Javon Hargrave, NFL lineman who signed a $39 million contract with the Philadelphia
Eagles after leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers