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The Newcomer
Last year the fires in Butte County kept me inside. There seemed little time or desire to get out, about and explore by myself or with others. This year the air is great, and the Green Line is a divine guide. The Green Line has been freshly painted and is very easy to follow. Adventure awaits you who want to get up and go ...
When I originally began writing this column two years ago; I told you I was a “Newcomer,” not a tourist. But my readers have informed me that Tourism is a way of life and is how one learns more about the North State and specifically Gold Country. There is more to explore than the casinos, although they are fun and enticing to many.
Those who have lived here for several generations look forward to the changing seasons and wonderful water sports available in the area. Others have told me they come here from the bigger cities to enjoy their seasonal cabins in the foothills or visit relatives who may have lived here for several generations.
After two beautiful years of living, writing and exploring the town of Oroville, I find myself still ignorant of the beauty of my surroundings and the opportunities available to residents and tourists. To myself I keep saying next week is going to be different. Well, it is going to be different now—I plan to follow the new Green Line around the town and out to Lake Oroville and to attempt to see as a visitor, rather than a resident. How about you? Do you want to join me, or add to the adventure by letting me know all the things I have missed and should investigate.
Last year I entertained a house-guest for a short weekend. She went crazy over our small, talented community and the quaint shops. My friend, we’ll call her Jan, loves to decorate, re-arrange furniture and hang curtains. She tells me organizing others is what she considers fun. (Me? I can think of other things to do with my time.) I took her downtown to a few of our quaint shops: Gallery Interiors was one of our first stops. My friend flipped and told me that Sue Corkin and staff have excellent taste and ideas. It didn’t take much encouragement for me to take her around the corner to Mary Lake Thompson’s Gift Shop. Later we were off to Galleria Mexicana. It was a short weekend, but she managed to find treasures in each and every store. My friend left with a big smile and told me, “That’s what people do when they go out of their town. Visitors see differently than folks who live somewhere all year round.” I suspect she’s right.
In our correspondence this past year, I wanted to know, What the difference was between a tourist, who stays over and a house-guest, who stays on for a few days? My friend tells me a house-guest does the dishes. Well, she did (the dishes), and I invited her to come back. But this time I wanted to prepare her for adventure and excitement. So, I sent her magazines about our community: The Source, 101 Things to Do in Butte County, the Visitor’s Guide and Ad-Ventures.
The ‘air’ is better this year, and all those good-looking firemen don’t seem quiet as busy. With her being better informed than last year, I envisioned being on Lake Oroville, taking a drive up to the mountains. Renting a houseboat might be interesting. I figured it didn’t matter if we drove the countryside, did some water skiing, picnicked in a park—this year we can breathe great air and take our time. Just thinking about it gets me excited.
Wow! What are we gonna do? Jan recently retired, thus has more time on her hands. But we both have a smaller pocket book (blame it on the economy). Food is important. Why? I frequently tell folks, “I don’t cook.” At the get-go, Jan volunteered to prepare all home-cooked meals. One per day.
I said, “That’s great, send me your grocery list, and I will supply the fixings.” She did! Attached was a message which said. “One meal home a day means at least one meal out. I like comfort, home-type cooking, and want to eat where the natives eat.” Her list verified she liked everything—Mexican, Italian, Chinese, delicatessen, American, Asian, stir-fry and Gourmet. Does that sound easy? If you think it’s so easy, why not give me a hand. Send me your suggestions of where I should take my house-guest.
Because she just retired, she is also considering relocating. It is amazing to me how much she has learned since her previous trip about our town by reading the magazines and researching on her computer. I don’t want to spend a lot of time doing ordinary things. And, spending more time on the computer isn’t my idea of a vacation. I love the casinos, but I don’t want to go there either. Not this trip. I want to sell her on our community. What are your suggestions? Can you sell me, so I can sell her? Everyone knows the best advertising is word of mouth, and good marketing means keeping your name in front of the public. The public is everyone—newcomers, visitors, and those folks who’ve live here for a long time. I live here, but I cannot be everywhere at once. I need help!
Why don’t you tell me what you do, (did). Where you ate. And the things you love doing while living here or visiting our town. Where do you take your out-of-town guests? If you do, I’ll tell you what and where we went.
I find it interesting that the Chamber of Commerce has a training program to teach one how to make people feel comfortable and valued. And they claim to be able to teach me how to deal with disruptive people (giggle). Call the Chamber to sign up for this training class. I will!
Well folks, that’s all for today. You keep reading, and I will keep writing. Drop me a line or two, or three at my E-Mail address: della@diggernews.com
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