Joe Dulin, a veteran and resident of Hardin Hills Health and Rehab Center, sits between Harold and Kim Sexton from the Amvets Riders. They brought gifts to all veterans and Blue Star mothers.

Betty Sprang and Keith Philips, residents of Hardin Hills Health and Rehab Center, enjoy the Christmas light tour in Upper Sandusky when the snowman and the reindeer entered the bus that evening.

RIDGEWAY — A rural Ridgeway family lost nearly all their possessions in a morning fire on New Year's Eve morning, but said they are grateful no one in the large family was injured in the fire. Donna Patterson said Tuesday one of her sons smelled smoke about 7 a.m. Monday and woke her and her husband, Jeff. He thought at first that a lamp in his room had gotten too hot, she said, but the structure at 15151 TR 206, about two miles north of Ridgeway, quickly filled with smoke and the family of eight rushed to get out of the burning home.

An early morning fire on Monday morning, Dec. 31, destroyed a house occupied by the Patterson family on Hale Township Road 206 in southeastern Hardin County. All family members were able to escape without injuries.

Each year the Kenton Times staff votes on the top stories of the year. This year's stories take a look back at our history and give us a glimpse into our future. The top story of 2018 actually took place in August of 1943 in the South Pacific Island of Georgia.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — After surrendering a halftime lead to Bucyrus, the Riverdale Falcons regained their momentum in the fourth quarter and completed the comeback with a 59-53 boys basketball win on Saturday. The non-league victory lifts the Falcons to 5-4 overall, while the Redmen fall to 1-8.

ADA — Allen East had a quick start on the way to a 59-39 victory over Upper Scioto Valley in the championship game of the girls Border Battle Classic at Ada on Saturday night. The Rams, who won their first game of the season by beating Ada in the semifinals on Thursday, fell behind 17-4 eight minutes into the game and 32-12 by halftime before playing the Mustangs even in the second half.

ADA —Upper Scioto Valley got off to a fast start and never looked back on the way to a 65-33 rout of Allen East in the boys championship game of the Border Battle Classic on Saturday night. The Rams, who won the tournament for the second year in a row, led 18-2 eight minutes into the game and 34-12 at halftime before coasting through the second half.

Residents at Hardin Crest in Kenton have several community projects planned in the coming weeks and throughout 2019. They are collecting items to be sent to soldiers stationed in Afghanistan.

The Hardin County Fair Board, at its holiday dinner meeting this week, recognized two board members for their long-time service. Paul Rickenbacer (top photo) and Howard Lyle (bottom photo) were presented plaques by President Corey Ledley.