“We were joking that it’s a little more balmy this year.”

— Jay Taylor, Polar Plunge organizer, on the 46-degree water during Saturday’s event, compared to 42 degrees last year

“I cannot get to 1,000 fast enough.”

— Carol Herndon, executive director, Food for Thought, on increasing the number of students sent home Fridays with food so they won’t go hungry over the weekend

“My Chesney went to Chopin and my Osbourne went to Offenbach.”

— Hunter Safrit, Catawba College student conductor, contrasting his love of classical music to his parents’ country and rock

“I’d say we’re based in a 1950s philosophy of education, where every little community has a school.”

— Travis Allen, member, Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education, on closing and consolidating some schools

“I truly wanted to break down the bonds of the institutionalized racism gong on in my town. I wanted things to be done equally and fair.”

— Reginald Massey, former mayor of East Spencer, on running for office when the town was torn by racial division