As people throughout Michiana ring in the New Year and leave 2008 behind, we asked people to help us look back at what made the year worth remembering.

We also got a little help from a list of our most-viewed stories online. We found out it will be a year that's not easily forgotten.

Revelers celebrated New Year’s Eve on Dublin time at Fiddler's Hearth, midnight comes at 7:00pm eastern time.

For some, the last year is best left behind us.

“When I think of 2008 right now it’s the economy the RV industry and the auto industry... The way they've almost collapsed,” said Peter O’Keefe, who was celebrating at Fiddler’s Wednesday night.

In a seemingly endless series of lay-offs and closings, thousands in Michiana lost their jobs this year, especially in Elkhart County.

“Just to know that you think you're OK. financially and then this happens out of nowhere. The RV industry is a very big industry for the country in general,” said Amanda Tadajewski, who was opting for a quiet night in, renting a movie for the night.

But some of the strangest stories you'll find, aren’t in the movies, but in the headlines.

Like a joker impersonator arrested stealing posters from a three rivers movie theater.

“That was very odd sometimes I think culture pop culture get to people sometimes and they don’t think clearly but yeah the joker thing was kind of odd,” Tadajewski said.

That story was one of the most viewed and commented on at WNDU.com.

Another strange one; an earthquake felt in Indiana back in April, was also at the top of those lists.

Meanwhile, an ongoing story in South Bend was the superintendent controversy that ended with Dr. Zimmerman getting the boot.

“It was a shame that they couldn’t work together to solve anything that was kind of disappointing but I'm glad we have Kapsa now as our superintendent I think it worked out fine,” said Judith Rubleske, who was also celebrating at Fiddler’s.

But the top story for many, is one that was truly historic; Barack Obama's victory on November 4th.

For the first time in decades, Michiana was in the mix which prompted multiple visits from Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

“It was exciting it was fun I don’t remember presidential campaigns being much fun,” O’Keefe said.

“Indiana went blue for the first time in how many years? 50 years?” said Leslie Walker, who was also at Fiddler’s.

And as 2009 begins…

“I’m Just hoping for some good news next year,” O’Keefe said.

Some of the other most-viewed stories from this year had to do with stimulus checks, the new property tax laws, and their effect on city and county budgets.

There were also some depressing stories near the top of the list, like the Kathy Phillips trial, and the story about the young boy who drowned in the Elkhart River.

If you would like to leave your two cents on what story you think is the most memorable of 2008, leave your comment below.