No matter how tough the going gets, I have found that there are countless people here in our region who find a way to persevere and make the best of things.

On Wednesday night, I received word that a structure fire had broken out in a remote part of Belmont County, not far from Jacobsburg and Key. That is familiar territory for me, since I used to travel through there each day when I worked as Marshall County bureau chief for the Wheeling Newspapers. Heading out that way from Belmont and taking Pipe Creek Road down to Ohio 7 just south of Shadyside made my commute to Moundsville much shorter.

So, on Wednesday, I checked to make sure my reporters who were on the clock were tied up with other duties and then set out to find the fire scene.

It was a pretty long ride through the country, but eventually I saw flashing lights ahead and knew I had almost arrived. When I pulled up on the first fire trucks that I had seen, a volunteer quickly approached my car and told me I wouldn’t be able to get through. Trucks with the Belmont County Tanker Task Force were being filled at that intersection, drawing water from the creek.

After I explained that I was from The Times Leader, he sent me on my way up the hill toward the burning home, advising me to be careful as I approached the scene since other trucks would be coming and going to deliver more water.

I parked carefully along the edge of the road to ensure I wouldn’t block access, turned on my emergency flashers and set out walking toward the property in question. As son as I got near the firefighters who were still putting water on the blaze, they greeted me and my friend, John Phillips of the Smith Township Volunteer Fire Department, helped me find one of the acting chiefs for the OR&W Fire District, which was in charge of the scene.

Despite the fact that they were all working hard in a drenching, cool rain, everyone who I encountered there was friendly and helpful. While they were volunteering their time to try and save the lives and properties of their neighbors, they still made time to assist me and a TV news crew.

More incredible still was the reaction I received from the homeowner who had just lost all of his belongings. As I walked past him standing near the back of an open truck, I realized who he was and asked if he would be willing to speak to me.

Not only did he tell me about the fire and how he discovered it, but he opened up about himself, his 70-plus years of life on that farm property, and that he would be OK — thanks to the love and care of his family and friends.

This is not the first time I have had this type of experience — and each time I believe it demonstrates what a wonderful, friendly place we all call home.

I want to thank all of those responders, and I wish the very best for Tim Greenwood, who lost his home that night. You are all wonderful people!

∫ ∫ ∫

Last week I wrote about the “Final Kraut Down” burger my husband and I planned to try. Turns out, it was absolutely delicious. We haven’t selected another recipe for this week, but I’ll let you know when we do.