Mother Nature played a huge role in Greater Annapolis in 2011.

We had major storms, one the remnants of a tropical storm that delivered seemingly ceaseless rain for days, another a downgraded hurricane that cut a path of destruction up the entire East Coast.

Oh, and there was the earthquake.

Here’s a look at some of the stories that either had a significant impact on Annapolis or struck a chord with readers.

If you don’t see a story that you really enjoyed, share it for everyone to check out.

Whole lotta shakin' going on

We’ve had tropical storms pummel the region before, but not even the old-timers could remember the last time a sizable earthquake could be felt in Annapolis.

I remember feeling the couch I was sitting on start to rumble then hearing stuff falling and shattering on the floor upstairs.

After a few moments, it dawned on me I was feeling an earthquake.

• Read the breaking story on the earthquake.
• Read what your neighbors' initial thoughts were as the ground finally settled down.

Irene comes to town

While everyone was still talking about the earthquake, we watched news of Hurricane Irene blasting its way toward the U.S.

Soon enough, grocery and hardware stores were being wiped out by people stocking up for what was expected to be quite a wallop from Irene.

It was technically a tropical storm when it hit at the end of August, but the storm was large enough to still cause significant damage.

• Read about residents preparing for the storm.
• Read about some residents taking advantage of the rough waters prior to the storm.
• Read a recap of Patch’s blow-by-blow live blog throughout the storm (even when I was without power.)
• Read about Gov. Martin O’Malley’s visit to Bay Ridge, one of the hardest hit areas, to tour storm damage.

More rain? Thanks Lee

It would only be weeks later when what was left of Tropical Storm Lee hit the area with drenching rains, causing flooding and washing away entire sections of road.

• Read about how tons of debris dumped into the Chesapeake Bay and washed up on shores throughout Greater Annapolis.
• Read about a large sinkhole that claimed a Crownsville road and the efforts that led to it being re-opened months later in November.

The Key School makes a big move

The Key School announced it had finalized a deal to buy the Annapolis Golf Club, sparking concern among a group of Annapolis Road residents.

Those residents formed a community group and said they are concerned with what the purchase could mean for their neighborhood.

• Read about the school’s decision to buy the golf course.
• Read about the community group, Preserve Annapolis Roads, filing a lawsuit asking the court to rule just what uses are permitted on the golf course.
• Read about community protesters plastering streets around Annapolis roads with signs.

Mixed reactions to heterogeneous grouping

The question of heterogeneous mixing has been a contentious one, especially when it comes to changes on tap for next school year at Annapolis High School.

• Read about parents voicing their concerns at a meeting at Annapolis High.
• Read about parents threatening to boycott MSA testing to protest heterogeneous grouping.
• Read about the Annapolis High School principal deciding to hold off on instituting changes this year.
• Read about principals and school officials standing behind their decision to put students of all learning levels in the same classroom.
• Read about Annapolis High School principal postponing any such changes until next school year.

Willing to pay for cleaner water?

One of the most discussed issues taken up by the Anne Arundel County Council this past year was the question of whether to create a stormwater fee.

• Read about the bill being introduced to council.
• Read about area Riverkeepers urging council to pass the bill.
• Read about the move to create a $35 annual fee being postponed until the new year.

Welcoming back an old favorite

After being closed for monetary and safety reasons, Annapolis Rec and Parks officials devised a plan using volunteer park rangers to re-open Waterworks Park out on Defense Highway.

• Read about the park being officially re-opened.
• Read about the continuing efforts to improve the park and what needs done to protect the reservoir there.

And finally...

Perhaps the most exciting news of the year… drum roll, please… the first anniversaries of Greater Annapolis Patch and Historic Annapolis Patch.

• Read about the great stories Patch covered in its first year in Greater Annapolis.
• Read about the first full year for Patch in Historic Annapolis.