Starting from a tragic and chaotic crash in Fryeburg, Maine, to a total eclipse in April to a consequential election in November, staff photographer Rachel Sharples captured all the big events of 2024. Whether it was weather, sports or politics, she had it covered. The top 10 stories will be featured in next week’s Saturday edition. For this week, Sharples chose her favorite photos from 2024. Please enjoy. — Margaret McKenzie, managing editor
JANUARY
Kelly Ayotte, who is running for governor, shakes hands with Heather and Jonathan Barnet of Hingham, Mass., who live part-time in Cranmore Shores, during a stop into Bea's Cafe in Conway on Jan. 20. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
A Maine State Police officer talks with Center Conway firefighters near a blocked-off area with several damage vehicles on and over the sidewalk on Main Street in Fryeburg on Jan. 30. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Kennett senior Bryce Marcoux skis past the finish line during the GS race at the NHIAA Division II Alpine Boys State Meet at Cranmore Mountain on Feb. 15. The Kennett boys cinched the runner's up spot in the competition, and the girls repeated again as state champions at their meet a different day. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Conway residents Peggy and Bob DiPace ask Town Planner Ryan O'Connor (right) questions about the Housing Opportunities Plan during the town of Conway's Master Plan open house at Cranmore Moutain Resort's Fairbank Lodge on Feb. 28. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Cars drive through the water streaming across Route 153 just north of Eaton Center on March 7. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Cranmore owner Tyler Fairbank takes a selfie the crowd gathered on the patio at the official ribbon cutting for the Fairbank Lodge at Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway on March 1. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Snow-laden trees lean over the Saco River near First Bridge Park in North Conway during a spring snowstorm on April 4. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Friends from Fryeburg Nora Schwarz (left) and Sherri Billings watch as the eclipse approaches totality at the Jackson Ski Touring Center in Jackson on April 8. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Khiel Logging & Chipping of Denmark, Maine, picks up branches that fell on the trail during the clear-cut of an area of North Conway’s Whitaker Woods that began May 15. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Graduate Sky Stevens smiles for a selfie with her parents Renee and Doug at the Fryeburg Academy graduation ceremony on May 25. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Longtime Kennett High School Band Director Dr. Therese Davison dances with her son Seth while the Bridgton Jazz Band performs at her surprise retirement party at the American Legion Post 46 in Conway on June 2. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
A student gets emotional as students wave out the bus windows to staff and fellow students cheering them on during the bus sendoff on the last day of school at the John H. Fuller Elementary School in North Conway on June 18. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Rafe Matregrano kicks a beach ball back into the dancing crowd as local band Generations rocks the crowd during the Fourth of July Celebration in North Conway's Schouler Park on Thursday. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Flying Yankee Association members look on as cranes from Coady's Towing and Over All Crane Service lift one of the Flying Yankee train cars at the Conway Scenic Railroad depot in Conway Village on July 30. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Lucas Lawson-Spratley, 12, of Greenfield spins in the air while brother Owen, 17, readies to catch him at Circus Smirkus "The Imaginarium" Big Top Tour show at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds on Aug. 11. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Norman Inkpen of Wolfeboro, N.H., pedals up the final hill of the course with a hand from two fellow cyclists at the Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb on Aug. 17. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Computer Technician Saralyn Smith takes a photo of the "Team 3" group of sixth, seventh and eighth graders on the front steps on the first day of school at Kennett Middle School in Conway on Sept. 3. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Bartlett Historical Society President Phil Franklin (standing left) looks on as Scott Martin and Ron Walton of Country Picker moving services carry in one of several donated displays at the Bartlett Historical Society museum in Bartlett Village on Sept. 11. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Students and teachers walk the path through a field during the Mountainside Intermediate School's "Walk to School" Day on Oct. 9. More than 200 Eagles made the trek from the Saco District Ranger Station through woods and field trails to the Conway Village elementary school as part of International Walk to School Day. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Senior Cole McAllister (second from right) celebrates with teammates (from left Owen Lebel, Santiago Abreu, Yoiner Pirona, Jack Heysler and Quintin Plourde) after scoring the game-winning goal at the Kennett High School boys soccer game against Pembroke on Oct. 22, which the Eagles won 3-2. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
State Reps. David Paige and Steve Woodcock (both D-Conway) stand in the electioneering area at the Election Day polls at Kennett High School in Conway on Nov. 5. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
The Raiders run to celebrate their win with the fans, with captain Michael Malia holding the championship plaque, during the Class C South Regional Football Championship at Fryeburg Academy on Nov. 15. The Raiders dominated to beat Leavitt 38-0. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
A woman plays crystal singing bowls on a trailer pulled by a HeartSpace vehicle down Main Street during the Parade of Lights Night in Fryeburg on Dec. 1. After the parade down Main Street, people gathered for carols, a tree lighting, hot chocolate served by the Interact Club and pictures with Santa in Bradley Park. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
A couple enjoys a sleigh ride in the snow during the "Twinkle in the Pines" event at Nestlenook Farm, created by Kennett High School marketing students, in Jackson on Dec. 8. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
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