As a former resident of Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., I would like to offer a correction to your editorial of Oct. 31. The village of North Tarrytown changed its name to Sleepy Hollow; Tarrytown retained its name.
Author Washington Irving is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, just north of the burying ground of the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow. The burying ground and cemetery offer lovely walking paths and are appropriately spooky throughout the autumn, especially on Halloween. Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., has a headless horseman who proudly rides his horse at the front of local parades.
— Jo Kearns
Salisbury

I’m writing this in hopes that it will be printed so as to inform people from the China Grove area that a man whom many of us remember from elementary school and is considered an icon of China Grove has suffered a stroke and is recovering well at Liberty Commons Nursing Center.
That man is Carl Wilkerson, who was custodian for many years at China Grove Elementary School as well as the First Baptist Church, First Union Bank, China Grove Drugs, Cress’ Laundry Mat and Smith Brothers Karate. He was twice featured in the Salisbury Post, and China Grove even had a “Carl Wilkerson” day in his honor.
Even though he is recovering physically, I thought that maybe if people knew about his situation, then maybe the ones that remember him and care about him would take a few minutes to drop by and visit him or at least send him a card at Liberty Commons Nursing Home, 44125 S. Main St., Salisbury, NC 28147, Room 409.
It is my hope that any visits or cards will keep him cheered up and speed his recovery as well as let him know that he is not alone and not forgotten!
— Tom Morgan
China Grove

I have never written a letter to the editor, but I feel a strong need to write one today.
My husband, Bill Bradley, was a 100 percent disabled Purple Heart Vietnam veteran who died on Oct. 10 and was buried on Oct. 13. During the after-burial meal at First Freewill Baptist Church in China Grove, I asked the county veteran services officer if I would be able to get any of Bill’s VA benefits. She told me to call her at work and leave a message and she would call me in the order that she received my call.
On Oct. 14 at 8:30 p.m., I assumed she was at home and called her cell phone to ask why she did not return my call. She said, “I’m still at work, and you were the next person on my return call list.” She mailed a form to me, and I made an appointment to apply for a surviving spouse pension. Although I am her youngest sister, she did not give me any preference. I know she is honest and a good service officer. Her sisters have always known her job was her first love.
I saw in the Post where Rodney Cress was referred to as a veterans’ advocate. That’s OK because it looks as if he is active in helping some veterans. But why would he spend so much time trying to cause an honorably discharged veteran of two wars to lose her job or have her hours reduced and lose her benefits?
Anti-bullying procedures are being addressed in our school system to protect our children, but what plans does Rowan County have in place to prevent adult bullying? Why can Rodney Cress get his buddies on the Board of Commissioners to reduce the service officer’s job from 40 to 19 hours per week? It is just not right!
— Paula Chapman Bradley
Landis
I used to think living in the big city had its advantages — bright lights, an endless selection of fancy restaurants and other main attractions. But I am more than happy to say that I thought wrong!
Since I’ve been in North Carolina, I have come to appreciate the simpler things in life such as a beautiful sunset across the open sky or the sight of luxurious homes with extravagant landscaping.
If, like me, you’re a nature lover, then you can’t beat everything the Carolinas have to offer. There’s an elaborate display of mountains across the state, forests and open fields that provide for all types of wildlife. Beaches, lakes and farms make the Carolinas the wonderful place it is to live.
Now I think I was sadly mistaken about city life. And I know that I am a country boy and will always be, because to me, there’s no place like the Carolinas.
— Abdul Leonard
Salisbury

I’d like to ask an honest question, in reference to our school buses. Why can’t the school buses pick up children in front of our home?
They walk down the street to the corner in bad weather — rain, snow, in the dark and cold. The bus goes in front of my house, and children could stand on the porch until they see the bus coming.
Tell me why this could not be worked out. We have a lot of traffic on Grace Avenue in Kannapolis, and vehicles are not traveling the speed limit. It is about 6 in the morning when the bus arrives. Children are hit and killed walking on the streets. Please help in this matter.
— James Houck
Kannapolis