Staff picks: Our favorite stories of 2014

Paul Squire, staff writer: “Charlie, the missing dog who was found and returned to her family six months after she went missing in Mattituck. As if the story itself weren’t enough, I dare you to go online, watch the video of the family being reunited and not tear up.”

Laura Huber, editorial assistant: “The story about Ultramotion, where my husband works. I think it’s pretty incredible that this small operation of under 10 employees in Cutchogue works with NASA and on incredible projects like the 30-meter telescope and that they’ll be a part of future aerospace innovations.”

Tina Volinski, sales executive: “I enjoyed the Game of Hamlets contest. I loved reading how passionate and proud people are about their towns and villages.”

Michael White, editor:  “The story of Jack Pollack, who was killed in a house fire in Greenport in March, was not just about one man’s ability to ‘face adversity with a smile,’ as his widow said. It was a love story. Many people got choked up reading it. Count me among them.”

Carrie Miller, staff writer: “A peek inside the restaurant that helped spark the local farm-to-table movement, the story of the North Fork Table & Inn touched on it all — how the vision was started, the challenge of seeing it through and the growth of lifelong friendships rooted in the Main Road restaurant.”

Cyndi Murray, staff writer: “The helicopter forum in East Hampton was a great example of the community in action. It is wonderful to see neighboring communities join together to fight for a cause they care about.”