By Terra Avilla
I know two people who are going to absolutely cringe reading this, and honestly, that’s half the reason they deserve this spotlight.
Jeremy and Marshel Couso are about the most modest, hardworking folks you’ll ever meet, and the thought of being the center of attention for this “Why We Love This Place Wednesday” is probably making them want to hide under their desks. But, tough luck guys, because your impact on Lassen County is just too big to ignore and years ago, when I took on this writing gig – Jeremy told me I could write about whatever I want. And yes… I know I have written about them before… but let’s be real they deserve at least a yearly feature.
Many of us feel like we know Jeremy and Marshel through SusanvilleStuff, the amazing online space they’ve built. It’s more than just news – it is the actual pulse of our community, a place where our stories are told with heart, and our local pride gets a daily dose of sunshine.
Jeremy, well, what can you say? He’s the voice behind the often hilarious and always insightful “Dispatches from the Lucky Land of Lassen” column. But for so many of us, he’s also the guy who’s up before the birds, sometimes dodging early morning traffic, just to capture that perfect “Good Morning” photo of a Susanville sunrise or a quiet moment on Main Street. Those pictures are a little gift to start our day.
If you’ve ever been to “Dancing for a Brand New Me,” you know his talents extend way beyond the camera and keyboard. I’ve had the absolute pleasure of MC’ing that wonderful event with Jeremy for the past few years, and let me tell you, he is hands-down one of the funniest, wittiest people on the planet. More than once, he’s rescued me on stage with a perfectly timed joke or observation.
His dedication to our community, from his music to his tireless efforts to showcase the good often goes unnoticed.
Then there’s the incredible Marshel Couso, co-owner and the organizational powerhouse behind SusanvilleStuff. Marshel’s community spirit is just as vibrant, pouring her heart into supporting vital local causes, as well as year after year spearheading the daunting mission of putting on our community egg hunt.
And on a personal note, no matter how swamped she is, this woman never, ever forgets a holiday. I can always count on a cheerful Happy Easter, Merry Christmas, or Happy Valentine’s Day message from Marshel, without a single beat missed. It’s those incredibly thoughtful, personal touches that show just how deeply she cares.
Together, Jeremy and Marshel are a fixture in our community, always there with a camera and a smile, capturing everything from the Lassen High Grizzliettes’ big send-off to national competitions to local fun runs. They keep us all connected.
Jeremy and Marshel Couso genuinely embody the welcoming, can-do spirit of Susanville.
They don’t just live here – they are our community. Their enthusiasm is infectious, their work builds relationships, and they nurture a profound sense of what Lassen County means for all of us. They are, quite simply, gems, and even if they’re blushing reading this, they are undeniably two of the biggest reasons we all love this place we live!
