Whalebone's Best of 2016

As we shimmy the cork back into the bottle of 2016, it’s with startling awareness that we gaze back and somehow realize, in less than four years, the 90s will have begun 30 years ago. It’s wild to think nearly a quarter century has past since loaded Donkey Kong into the N64, argued a late fee with the assistant manager of Blockbusters or came home from a wild day at middle school and crushed not one but four Lunchables. Much has changed, but looking back on this year, 2016 has had its defining moments too.

In the absence of nearby wet concrete/a fresh sidewalk, we asked our team to scribble down a few of their favorite occurrences from our sophomore year. Okay, maybe its not as glorious as the 90s, but it is something we imagine we’ll enjoy looking back at if we make it to 2050.

Bronson Lamb (Cofounder, Managing Director and Janitor)

1. Favorite Insta post from @whalebonemagazine in 2016?

Kicking this off with a three-way tie:

THE INTERVIEW: The images in your dreams are likely not your own. They are simply recreations of a @chrisburkard photo. The man very much understands how to thread the needle and capture images that have graced covers galore and help us stay inspired about the possibilities available in the world. Tonight we have the fortunate pleasure to have Chris as our guest in a live Whalebone Instagram Interview as part of our Travel Issue series this month. The following is a real-time Q&A with Mr. Dreamcatcher about things like what to do with $20 in NYC, eternal life, and where you should book your ticket to next. Photo: @chrisburkard

A photo posted by Whalebone (@whalebonemagazine) on Mar 20, 2016 at 6:05pm PDT

Because our interviews are awesome and so is this guy… and that pic
Because this is my dream home
Because I like mountains and he’s the king of them

2. Favorite story/interview on the website this year?

You Can’t Drink Oil: 72 Hours at Standing Rock by Laura Goldenberger and Kayla Ramierz

Not your typical news outlet, I really loved how this piece was written and portrayed visually. This was a monumental event this year, most importantly because we the people changed the outcome for once. That’s pretty fucking awesome amidst a year that can go screw itself, politically-speaking.

3. Most memorable moment and/or celebration from this year?

Our Whalebone Dinner event at Solé East was my favorite of the past two years. Perfect crowd, mellow scene, great food, and good tunes. Taking two of the Whalebone team members to their first ever Phish show will always be a life highlight.

4. Best song on the official 2016 soundtrack?

The new Bon Iver album has been on repeat for a month but if I’m going to pick just one… “panda, panda, panda, panda”.

Jesse Joeckel (Cofounder and Ditch Plains Backgammon Champ ’98)

1. Favorite Insta post from @whalebonemagazine in 2016?

“And they need some really big rings” Photo: @dahtabletoppersnyc #whalebone #nostrings #gromlife

A photo posted by Whalebone (@whalebonemagazine) on Sep 19, 2016 at 6:19pm PDT

2. Favorite story/interview on the website this year?

Summer in 35mm: Michael Kilcullen

3. Most memorable moment and/or celebration from this year?

Asking my dream woman to marry me… she said yes… wait was this supposed to be Whalebone-related? The One-Year Anniversary Party was a close second.

4. Best song on the official 2016 soundtrack?

Japancakes made me a playlist for my 30th birthday appropriately titled “Jabirthdaycakes”. If we’re lucky enough, he’ll share here. And maybe “Sorry” from Bieber, half-kidding.

Lyndsey Corin (National Sales Director and Employee at Whalebone with Most Reliable Memory)

1. Favorite Insta post from @whalebonemagazine in 2016?

Last night we had a casual little get together to celebrate the one-year anniversary of @whalebonemagazine. Big thank you to @flagpole @jackthreads @goslingsrum @montaukbrewco @sweettauk @rentquest_nyc @montaukcoleman @sperrytentshamptons @jeephamptons @wtrmlnwtr @nascar @djjapancakes @dexter_lake_club_band and all the friends and family that came out. ? Photo: Matthew #yachtclubtimemachine

A photo posted by Whalebone (@whalebonemagazine) on May 30, 2016 at 5:23am PDT

2. Favorite story/interview on the website this year?

6 Ways to Get Kicked Out of Your Office Party This Year by Eric Johnson

3. Most memorable moment and/or celebration from this year?

Joining the Whalebone team in February 2016, and as seen in the image above, helping throw and celebrate the epic One-Year Anniversary Party with the best people on this very round planet. Big #luvmylife moment.

4. Best song on the official 2016 soundtrack?

“Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd

Eddie Berrang (Cofounder, Publisher, 2nd Fastest Delivery Boy on the Team)

1. Favorite Insta post from @whalebonemagazine in 2016?

“Everything. Okay! I’ll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my history exam. In fourth grade, I stole my uncle Max’s toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hebrew School play. In fifth grade, I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog… When my mom sent me to the summer camp for fat kids and then they served lunch I got nuts and I pigged out and they kicked me out… But the worst thing I ever done – I mixed a pot of fake puke at home and then I went to this movie theater, hid the puke in my jacket, climbed up to the balcony and then, t-t-then, I made a noise like this: hua-hua-hua-huaaaaaaa – and then I dumped it over the side, all over the people in the audience. And then, this was horrible, all the people started getting sick and throwing up all over each other. I never felt so bad in my entire life.” – The Goonies, 1985. Throwback Issue coming soon. #yachtclubtimemachine #whalebone

A photo posted by Whalebone (@whalebonemagazine) on Apr 26, 2016 at 9:35am PDT

2. Favorite story/interview on the website this year?

Behind the Scenes of JAWS by Bruce Myint

3. Most memorable moment and/or celebration from this year?

Learning how many people can actually fit into the Whalebone van
Winning two National Gold ADDYS for best publication
Going to Facebook offices with Brew Co. for a happy hour/presentation and thinking that fish boxes to hold beer was a great idea

4. Best song on the official 2016 soundtrack?

“I am grounded because I jumped in the pool alone” by Maxwell Rose

Mike Marett (Wearer of Multiple Hats and Best Guy You’ll Ever Meet)

1. Favorite Insta post from @whalebonemagazine in 2016?

Last night we had a casual little get together to celebrate the one-year anniversary of @whalebonemagazine. Big thank you to @flagpole @jackthreads @goslingsrum @montaukbrewco @sweettauk @rentquest_nyc @montaukcoleman @sperrytentshamptons @jeephamptons @wtrmlnwtr @nascar @djjapancakes @dexter_lake_club_band and all the friends and family that came out. ? Photo: Matthew #yachtclubtimemachine

A photo posted by Whalebone (@whalebonemagazine) on May 30, 2016 at 5:23am PDT

2. Favorite story/interview on the website this year?

The Dock’s George Watson Interviews Long-Time Bar Patron and Public Health Figure, Cheech

3. Most memorable moment and/or celebration from this year?

Marrying Carla:

carla.mike34

4. Best song on the official 2016 soundtrack?

“All the Way Up” by Fat Joe

Maggie Malloy (VP of Product Development and Soon-to-be Wife of Ditch Plains Backgammon Champ ’98)

1. Favorite Insta post from @whalebonemagazine in 2016?

Part II: Doing some research for the upcoming Water Issue and came across @anuarpatjane and couldn’t decide so went with both. Hope that’s okay. Photo: @anuarpatjane | real life #whalebone #worldsoceanday

A photo posted by Whalebone (@whalebonemagazine) on Jun 8, 2016 at 5:20pm PDT

2. Favorite story/interview on the website this year?

Thanks for Having Me: The Full Jesse Joeckel Interview by Mikey DeTemple

3. Most memorable moment and/or celebration from this year?

Getting engaged in San Sebastian

4. Best song on the official 2016 soundtrack?

“Sorry” by Biebs

Caitlin Cotroneo (Senior Project Manager and Strong Proponent of Vodka Soda Tuesdays)

1. Favorite Insta post from @whalebonemagazine in 2016?

Pretty hard to nail one down, but I’m going to go with the tribute to the #tinyhousemovement. Photo of mudslide at Liar’s takes a close second.

Easy enough Photo: @ludileiva #whalebone #tinyhousemovement

A photo posted by Whalebone (@whalebonemagazine) on Jul 30, 2016 at 1:25pm PDT

2. Favorite story/interview on the website this year?

Meet the Married Couple Photographic the Disappearing Face of New York by Michael Kilcullen

3. Most memorable moment and/or celebration from this year?

Under the tent at the One-Year Anniversary Party when DJ JaDanceCakes dropped “All the Way Up” by Fat Joe.

4. Best song on the official 2016 soundtrack?

If by best you mean “song I listened to 274+ times (usually with a vodka soda in hand dancing with the squad)”, then it was “This Girl” by Kungs vs. Cookin’ on 3 Burners.

Mike Kilcullen (Digital Editor and Summer Owner of a 49.5cc White Honda Ruckus [#RIP])

1. Favorite Insta post from @whalebonemagazine in 2016?

Going with this one because not only is it a great and well-timed shot, but an accurate embodiment of this year as a whole—dangerously pleasing and from #all #the #way #up.

Tyler Photo: Jesse #whalebone #stonecold

A photo posted by Whalebone (@whalebonemagazine) on Jul 22, 2016 at 10:04am PDT

2. Favorite story/interview on the website this year?

[Full Gallery] Long Live the East End by Grant Monahan

3. Most memorable moment and/or celebration from this year?

The One-Year Anniversary Party takes the cake, but honorable mentions are in order for the You and Me Premiere at Surf Lodge and the Block Island trip for the Water Issue.

4. Best song on the official 2016 soundtrack?

If we could single out the intro + chorus of “Father Stretch My Hands Pt.1”, without the Kanye verse involving bleached lower regions, that’d be it. But I’ll go with “New Level” by ASAP Ferg, which out-earned every other song in my iTunes library through Q1 and Q2 of this year.

Alyssa Eurell (Sales Executive and Budweiser Brand Ambassador)

1. Favorite Insta post from @whalebonemagazine in 2016?

Editor’s note: Alyssa sent me a photo from before 2016 and won’t text me back with a photo from this year, so until then:

U used to… #wayyyup

A photo posted by Alyssa Eurell (@alyssa_eurell) on Oct 31, 2015 at 7:54pm PDT

2. Favorite story/interview on the website this year?

Top 10 Novelty Waves on the East Coast (and Beyond) by Ben Graeff

3. Most memorable moment and/or celebration from this year?

2016 was one, long party. My personal favorite moment was down in Florida at our pop-up event at Hotel Palms when the team brought me out a birthday cake complete with a Budweiser on top. After a crowd of friends, my work family and random strangers sung me happy birthday, my fav moment ended with blowing out the candles with my prized Budweiser. Not a typical beer shower.

4. Best song on the official 2016 soundtrack?

“Summer Sixteen” by @champagnepapi

Jessica Altieri (Intern-in-Chief)

1. Favorite Insta post from @whalebonemagazine in 2016?

Aerial shot of the lighthouse:

Don’t forget you’re supposed to go have free beer and see a badass rock show tonight in Montauk @atlanticterrace for James and friends art show. 6 – 10pm. Photo: @letstaukgrams #whalebone #seventeenfive

A photo posted by Whalebone (@whalebonemagazine) on Jul 9, 2016 at 2:45pm PDT

2. Favorite story/interview on the website this year?

[Surf Gallery] Howl at the Moon by James Katsipis

3. Most memorable moment and/or celebration from this year?

First time I walked into the Whalebone office, duh!

4. Best song on the official 2016 soundtrack?

“Closer” by The Chainsmokers. Lol… sorry.