As a cold December puts the decade on ice, we look look back at some of the most memorable North End stories of 2009:

Hood Canal Bridge closes. North Kitsap’s link to the Olympic Peninsula was severed May 1, as the Hood Canal Bridge closed for reconstruction. Commuters were shuttled across Hood Canal by passenger ferry and ridership on the Kingston ferry dropped. The bridge opened to traffic ahead of schedule June 3 but closures for testing continue.

Village Green emerges from the rubble. Volunteers built a park on West Kington Road where a jungle of Naval housing once stood. Now attention has turned to fundraising for a community center and senior housing.

Kingston mourns Mike Bookey. The North End maritime community was shocked by the sudden death of Port of Kingston manager Mike Bookey in March. Bookey had been a tireless advocate for the port, and its plans for a foot ferry to Seattle, since taking the job in 2007.

Light shines on Kingston homecoming. After several delays, the school district installed field lights at Kingston High School, just in time for the Oct. 16 homecoming. A town-wide celebration lead up to the game and the Bucs responded, trouncing Klahowya 45-6.

White Horse stumbles, Arborwood inches on. The White Horse Development and Golf Club entered foreclosure in the spring and later declared bannkruptcy. American Marine Bank took ownership of the South Kingston Road development Dec. 14. Meanwhile, a platt design for the nearby Arborwood development was given a thumbs up by the county hearing examiner.

The Firehouse Theater opens. The Firehouse Theater opened in May, bringing cinema to Kingston for the first time. Along with the Oak Table Cafe, Grub Hut and Lil’ Sprouts toy store, the Firehouse was one of several new businesses to set up shop in 2009.