Just how we pictured: art director Manny Marquez looks back at some images that shaped the magazine's distinctive viewpoints last year.

A swine-husbandry expert forsakes factory pork production to make his stand, raising hogs humanely on a family farm (April).

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Clockwise from below: A worker polishes a synthetic gem of silicon carbide at Charles & Colvard (April); the military buildup creates an economic windfall for Fayetteville (June); NASCAR Hall of Fame exhibits don't get around much anymore (May); plastic is part of the haul at Metrolina Recycling Center (June).

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Clockwise from left: Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance reflect on their record label (July); so do Shane Cooper on his sock factory (December), utility CEOs on a merger made in heaven (March), John Medlin on the passing of the Wachovia way (October) and Reggie Fountain on losing his powerboat company (August).

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