“I’m not trying to be a white man anymore. I am a black woman and not ashamed. And I am a farmer.”

Chantel Johnson, who’s making her own way as a homesteader in Granite Quarry, raising pigs, chickens and microgreens

“We’re spending less money than we budgeted. That’s how the fund balance grows.”

Lane Bailey, Salisbury city manager, during a City Council discussion Tuesday evening on an audit of the 2017-18 fiscal year

“Ordinarily, I am a master of procrastination. But for whatever reason, I did not on this one.”

David Hord, who suffered a mild heart attack on Dec. 30 and credits a positive outcome to the fact that he and his wife, Bonnie, didn’t hesitate to rush to the emergency room

“Everyone knows who we are now. Everyone has game film, and everyone knows what we can do.”

Stacey Ellis, coach of the girls basketball team at South Rowan High School, who saw a good effort by her team despite a 68-53 loss to Ledford on Monday

“I’m just a good old girl from Kannapolis, but obviously, I get things done.”

Mary Barnes, who has been a goodwill ambassador for Ireland since 1989 and holds dual
citizenship in that country and the U.S.

“I can’t believe how many things have gone right today.”

Tom Harrell, a founder of the weekly veterans coffeehouse, which was offered a new home
at K&W Cafeteria last week after the N.C. Department of Revenue shut down the former meeting location, Thelma’s restaurant, for failure to pay taxes