I am a historian at heart.

As a kid, I read all kinds of books, but my favorites were historical accounts and historical fiction. That led to my college studies and my bachelor’s degree in history.

Today, each time I do an interview and write an article, I feel that I am recording a tiny bit of history — saving those stories for posterity.

As such, one of my favorite features of our newspaper is the Backward Glances photos. We publish our “glances” each weekday on the same page where you can find your horoscopes and some advice.

Our readers enjoy the glances as well. Any time we publish something else in their place, I get calls and emails from people concerned that we will discontinue these looks back at our past.

The other day, a read dropped a photo off at our office in Martins Ferry, intending for us to publish it as a Backward Glance. It shows three happy-looking boys pictured outdoors having some fun near the former Tiltonsville Roller Rink.

We will publish that image soon, and I thank Pete Mills of Bellaire for bringing it to us.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen very often anymore. When I first started at The Times Leader in 2015, we were receiving a few photos — mainly via U.S. mail — every week. We didn’t always receive enough to fill that daily slot, but then-Local Editor Betty Pokas had some tricks up her sleeve. She kept a few pictorial history books handy to fill the gaps.

Today, we do the same with our primary page designer, Kayla Van Dyne, having inherited those books from Betty. The catch is, some weeks those books are the only source we draw from.

Fortunately, there are some social media groups that have been kind enough to include us on their pages. They are dedicated to the history of our region, and that information is largely shared through old photographs that we have been permitted to use.

What I would rather see, though, is for all of you to get much more involved. I invite you to share your family history, moments from your childhood, images of landmarks that have since disappeared — any pictures that help tell the story of Eastern Ohio, who we are and how we got here.

To be used as a Backward Glance, photos must be at least 10 years old. Please include identification of people pictured and an explanation of what is depicted. If you send a self-addressed, stamped envelope, we will return you photo, or, if you visit our office when we are there, we will scan and return your photo on the spot.

Another easy, convenient way to share photos is to email them to me at jcompston@timesleaderonline.com. You can also submit them via the Virtual Newsroom on our website at timesleaderonline.com.

And remember, this is your hometown newspaper. We want you to be involved in what we do, and Backward Glances are not the only input we would like to receive.

You can submit letters to the editor in all of the ways listed above. You can provide information and we will announce activities and events. You can also call us at 740-633-1131 with your ideas, news tips and feedback.

Since 1891, the publications that now make up The Times Leader have been serving our community, and the best way we can do that is to be engaged with all of you. Please reach out to us.