Our Favorite Stories of 2014

I have a nearly complete collection of Columbus Monthly covers stretching back to August 2013 tacked to a bulletin board in my office. I love taking a moment during the day to read the cover lines and remember how much I loved working on each issue. I had the kooky idea you might like a little trip down memory lane, too.

Here's a personal Columbus Monthly 2014 Year in Review of my favorite stories told in the magazine this year. In case you missed it, or in case you'd like to revisit for a moment.

One issue, two Blue Jackets

We struck timing gold with our decision to put Brandon Dubinsky (and his lovely wife, Brenna) on the April cover while simultaneously featuring his teammate Ryan Johansen in our annual Single in the City feature. April was an exceptional month for the Jackets-they went to the playoffs and won their first post-season home game April 23.

Play It Again, Byron

When Anthony Dominic suggested we scrap our original idea for the December cover and do a big package on jazz instead, we saw the light. So did readers, who told us they loved the cover package-a primer on the jazz scene present and past in Columbus-and Anthony's companion profile of Byron Stripling, the artistic director of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Don't miss the accompanying video of Stripling playing a tune for us.

What's Your City Quotient?

In March, we launched City Quotient, a new curiosity column by Jeff Darbee, a preservationist, historian and darned good writer. Jeff takes any question we throw at him and digs up some good details about it. He'll take your questions, too-just send an email to cityquotient@columbusmonthly.com.

Inside the Mind of Cameron Mitchell

Beth Stallings' eye and ear for detail, paired with terrific, all-access interviews with Mitchell and his longtime colleagues, made for a fascinating story about the city's most prolific and intriguing restaurateur. No matter what you think of his restaurants, there is no denying he heavily influences the restaurant business in Columbus and will for years to come.

KP Green, Dining Critic

This year, we introduced new freelance dining critic KP Green. Her reviews make us hungry and evoke rich imagery, flavor and scent. I love that she often eludes to memories when writing about dining experience. She's a diner's diner, and she advocates so well for all of us wondering whether that hot new restaurant is worth our time and money.

Tommy Thompson's epic story

Michelle Sullivan wrote our November cover story, a 16,000-word giant about the mysterious, tarnished legacy of engineer and shipwreck explorer Tommy Thompson. Our aim was to find out whether Columbus could finally close the book on the story, which has persisted for 25 years. The answer? Not quite.

Meeting Wallace Peck

Emily Thompson introduced you and us to artist Wallace Peck and, well, I don't know about you, but we fell head over heels for him and his art. This was the feel-good story of the year.