Time to put a bow on 2015 and call it wrapped. But not just yet, at least not for all of the hundreds of people, events, happenings and mishaps we reported on and covered this past year. A little time perusing the 2015 archives uncovered plenty of fodder for our annual tongue-in-cheek awards, our tribute to all those who held our attention for at least a few moments during the past year.

Another one is in the books. 

With each passing year, I find myself digging ever deeper into what it truly means to reside and thrive in Western North Carolina. Week in and week out, I cross paths with innumerable people, places and things that capture my attention and mesmerize my imagination.

2014 is all but in the rearview mirror now, and all the stories reported over the last 12 months are headed for the history books or perhaps a less-lofty final resting place. But lest we forget just what made 2014 such a great year for news, here’s our annual tongue-in-cheek awards, a tribute to those people and events that held our interest for at least a few moments during the past year.