Since I am usually the person asking questions when I talk with people, I was a little surprised at a question I got last week. It was from a woman who used to work at the Valley Record — the second ex-staffer to visit us that day — and it got me thinking about the fascinating people I get to meet, and the sometimes- crazy things I get to do.

“What was your favorite story?” she asked me.

Um. Well. That was a tough one, because I had too many favorites.

She graciously waited for me to narrow down my list but I couldn’t pick just one.

Last year, I think I had a new favorite every month. I really enjoyed talking with longbow maker Jay St. Charles, both about his craft and about archery. He was just the right amount of serious to be a good teacher, but even he couldn’t resist making a joke about hitting the broad side of a barn when I was attempting to shoot arrows at a target.

Two Far Gone, the couple who decided to do retirement first and embarked last summer on a cycling trip around the world, were inspiring. They knew what they wanted to do, saved and planned for it, and then did it, although it did mean giving up their season Seahawks tickets. They’re in Japan now.

Canopy Cat Rescue is now the reason I try to avoid Facebook. I’ve lost a lot of time on their page, watching videos of cats they’ve rescued from tall trees and other high places. The cats are comical, and the heroes of the story are genuinely nice guys who just want to help.

After more thinking, I figured out what sets these stories apart for me. OK, they are the fun ones, much different from the the nuts-and-bolts city budgets, sewer repairs and sales tax stories that also need to get into the paper, but what is it, really, that makes them different? It’s a sense of privilege, that they all entrusted me, and this newspaper, with their stories.

As my impromptu interviewer told me, “Everyone has a story.”

Thanks to everyone who contributed their photos, and their stories, for our annual photography contest, which is now done. Congratulations to the winners, who are listed on pages 10 and 11. To see more of the artistry of our local photographers, visit our website, www.valleyrecord.com, later this week.

Contest winners can stop by the Valley Record offices at 8124 Falls Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie, to pick up their prizes.

For hours and availability, call us at  (425) 888-2311.