Dec. 8, 2009 — This week we are starting a new photo feature we are excited about. Actually, our usual quiet newsroom staff meeting was quite animated when the subject of “Where in the world has my paper been?” came up.   

There are only nine of us, but we all knew someone who was traveling or lived somewhere far away from enchanting Lassen County who wouldn’t mind posing with the Lassen County Times or the Westwood Pine Press.   

We start the feature this week with staff writer Pat Shillito’s brother Kevin holding the Nov. 17 issue of the Times near a plane he was getting ready to board in Costa Rica. Kevin and his family took a vacation to the Central American country, while Pat faithfully stayed back in the states and worked. Last time some of Pat’s family went to Costa Rica, they brought us some wonderful coffee. This time they sent us a priceless picture of the paper taken in the jungle, but coffee would be nice too. (Hint, hint.)   

Dear reader, where do your travels take you? Do you go on exotic trips to sandy beaches; do you drink lattes or espressos at open-air cafés in Europe or visit family in the Midwest? Send us a picture with the paper in it. It is a good way to let your friends and neighbors know where you have been.    

If you are a homebody, ask someone you know to take the paper with him or her on his or her next trip and send you the picture.   

We are in the days of digital cameras and cell phones so it is easier than ever to get the picture and send it anywhere. Remember two things: The bigger the picture the better and tell who is in the picture and where it was taken.   

It is also important to leave the paper behind. One of my goals is to have people from all over the world learn about Lassen County. I am not sure how many readers are aware but after another California paper featured the Susanville Symphony Society 10 people from Roseville decided to drive up for the concert and a man from the Sacramento area made a donation to the symphony. Perhaps if someone picks up our community paper, he or she will see there are parts of America that is nothing like Hollywood, New York City or Washington D.C.   

I am already lining up some of my traveling friends to take the paper with them. I hope my son-in-law Gabe can send a picture of his medical brigade holding the paper either on their way to Afghanistan or once they are there.    

Send your photos to lctimes@lassennews.com.