11 Editor’s Picks For 2012

On Thursday, we featured the most read stories by the Mendham-Chester Patch audience. Today, editor Russ Crespolini is sharing his 11 editor’s picks and the reason why they are on the list.

I had the privilege of sitting with retired Port Authority police officer and World Trade Center hero Will Jimeno as part of a series. The conversation was one that changed me. The first part of the series describes the life Jimeno had before two building collapsed on him.

9/11 Hero: I Looked Back and it Was a 'Lonely Feeling'

The second part of my series with Will Jimeno details his experience trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center.

Origami Angels Sought For Teen Fighting Cancer

This story is fascinating because it is about the power of art, activism and one teenager’s brave fight against cancer. These are the stories I feel lucky to come across and I found out about it thanks to a tip from a reader.

Breakfast Fit For a Governor in Mendham

This story makes the list because the Governor’s people wanted nothing to do with press at this event. And I was sternly spoken to by his protection detail when I tried to cross the street to get a better photo. What I liked about this story, was it was Chris Christie lending himself to a fundraiser for his community.

Sandy Teaches Empathy to Chester Kindergartners

There were many, many stories written around Hurricane Sandy. This is one is about a kindergarten class in Chester that gave made packages of toys to children at the Jersey shore in need.

Back in February, the state department of education held a mega-meeting to discuss the regional school district and the different options possible to change the current structure. While the meeting itself was interesting, it is memorable for me as being the first serious joint venture with myself and Long Valley Patch editor Jason Koestenblatt.

This is another memorable team-up between myself and my counterpart in Long Valley. This story was fun for a bunch of reasons. First, it allowed us to interface with a local Chester business whose owner hails from Long Valley. And they created a special cupcake based off of what our readers told us Patch tastes like.

5k to Honor Mendham Resident Returning From Injury

Mendham Township resident Jaime Button is a polarizing member of the West Morris Regional Board of Education. But this story is about his remarkable struggle to return to running after a devastating chainsaw injury. You read that right. A chainsaw injury.

2012 Mendies Bring Out Current and Former Town Luminaries

This story made the list because I couldn’t be there for it. I was out of town and anxiously editing photos from a hospital waiting room where I was tending to a sick loved one (everything worked out fine). But it was the first time I had successfully worked in such an odd location and got a pretty cool story out of it.

Mendham Man Versus Mountain

A man from Mendham set out to climb Mt. Everest. No other explanation should be needed.

Sweet Relief From Sandy in Downtown Chester

I spent the day in downtown Chester in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and got to meet some great people and hear their fascinating stories.

So this is my list of eleven editor’s picks. What were some of your favorites? Tell us in the comments below!