Quirky, extraordinary stories highlight 2011

Dale Price adapted to a change in his son's school bus route — which conveniently took the bus past his home — by dressing up as a pirate, mermaid, a Jedi and 160-plus other costumes and waving at the bus each day as it passed.

"When he did it the first day, I was in shock," said Price's 16-year-old son, Rain.

It started out as a prank, a way for Price to have a little fun and playfully embarrass his son. But it turned into a yearlong event, with a new costume each day.

"He always brought smiles to kids on the bus," said Myron Carlson, the school bus driver.