When Jeff asked us to generate a list of top stories from the past year, I found it a much more difficult task than I expected. Kind of like whittling a giant sequoia down into toothpick.

Our esteemed editor had requested a short list of 10 to 15 articles. My initial attempt at narrowing it down was closer to 40. Here are just a few of the stories which didn’t make our ES year in review, but I felt warranted at very least an honorable mention.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t start my roundup with the horrific shooting at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, which claimed the lives of 13 people – including Hong Xiu Mao Marsland of Greene.

I remember staring in disbelief at the television as news broke of the tragedy, wondering how on earth something like this could happen so close to home. I’ll never forget sitting down with Hong Xiu’s husband David just days after her death. Listening to anecdotes of their life together from their first conversation through the morning of that fateful day, I couldn’t help but mourn her passing and his loss.