“It’s amazing. That has helped a lot to know that that heart of gold is going to beat on.”

— Sabrina Mabry, the mother of recent East Rowan High School graduate Cole Mabry, who died in a single-vehicle crash early Monday at 19 years old and whose heart and other organs were donated for transplants

“I don’t know any other thing to do on the Fourth of July.”

— Randal Barger, a longtime organizer of the Faith Fourth of July celebration whose family, like many others, has been involved in the planning of the 73-year-old tradition through four generations

“I love what I do, but my body says it’s time.”

Dr. Chris Agner, 69, who’s retiring today from Rowan Diagnostic Clinic after more than 40 years in the medical profession

“These are your kids dying out here. These are your kids going to prison.”

Chariel Dye, a community activist who chairs Great Women and Men United, calling for civic involvement to “interrupt” violent crime in an initiative that’s a partnership between the local NAACP and the Salisbury Police Department

“We didn’t do anything crazy. We just did whatever we had to do on that particular day to win the ballgame.”

Luke Barringer, a slugger for the Carson High School baseball team, on this season’s 28-4 record and his selection as Rowan County Player of the Year

“She was tough and feisty, but she had a sweet smile.”

Clay Burleson, remembering his mother, Virginia Burleson, one of the first female officers with the Salisbury Police Department, who died last Wednesday at age 96

” … Every shape, size and gender expression. I love that in Salisbury, we celebrate that.”

Patti O’Furniture, a hostess and performer at last weekend’s Salisbury Pride festival, on the family-friendly vibe she says the gathering reflects