Things I Miss #'s 2-6 {Newton}

It's no secret that I have a love affair with my hometown.  I was just such a lucky duck to grow up there.  I could easily make this entire list of 35 things I miss all about things from Newton.  But, for now, I'll stick with a short list.  Although don't be surprised if a few more sneak up somewhere along the line.  It really is Zion.

#2: Night Games - My neighborhood gang was pretty fun.  We played all summer long at the nearby creek.  We had clubs in the community tree house.  We played Olympics in our backyards.  It was a great group and the thing I miss the most is Night Games.  Kick the Can.  No Bears are Out Tonight.  Sardines.  Such great games.  We usually played at the Petersen's and my Grandma's houses because they were right together.  I know lots of kids have the privilege of night games fun with their friends, but I'd be surprised if very many played as often as our little group.  Good times. 

#3: Newton Water - This might seem a little random, but Newton has, hands down, the best water in the world.  It is just so good.  And always cold, especially at my parents house.  The water at my house is pretty good (thank goodness!), but I'm certain that nothing can beat Newton's water.

#4: The Newton Church House - A few years ago, they tore down the old church in Newton to build a cookie-cutter new one.  To say I was unhappy is an understatement.  I'm a traditionalist and I do not like change.  I loved our old church.  I loved the big painting on the stand.  I loved the large stage that we always seemed to migrate to after Young Women's activities.  I loved the back staircase.  I loved the tunnels under the stage.  I loved the ghost stories my dad told about the church.  I loved the huge Relief Society room.  I loved the big staircase I would often slide down (much to my mother's chagrin).  I loved being in the Bishop's office and looking at the pictures of my grandpa Max and my dad from when they were the Bishop.  I loved the big kitchen.  I really loved that place and I especially loved knowing my parents and grandparents and even my great-grandparents (a couple of times) went to church there.  It's nice to go to new churches and know where everything is since they are all the same these days, but I liked it when churches had a little more character and a unique feel.  Newton's was a good one...

#5:  Sand Volleyball - When I was a young teenager, one of the boys from town (Shad Roundy, I think) built a sand volleyball court in the park.  It was a good project.  It still gets used a lot (those 24th of July competitions can get a little fierce).  Somehow, my group of high school friends found out about it, and during the summer time not a week went by that we weren't up there playing at least a few nights.  It had lights that would stay on until 11:00 and we always played til the bitter end - and then sat around talking once they were off.  It's funny that we played in Newton so much because it's definitely out of the way for most people - maybe it's because the court was usually free and the sand was so soft.  I loved it when a carload of my friends would stop in and grab me (and my ball - sometimes they probably had me come just cause they forgot theirs) for a game of volleyball.  Those were good times - lots of good kids having clean fun.  Every teen should have a memory like that.

#6: Running - My love of running may never have gained speed without Newton.  When I was about 11 years old, a group of us trained to run the Newton Dam 5K race.  We would practice in the evenings to get ready for the big 24th race.  One time, Kelli had an asthma attack just as she passed the cemetery and when I came along a few minutes later, she gasped out my name in the darkness.  I nearly died of fright, but it's a good memory now.  I won the women's division that year - which probably wasn't that hard given the number of participants, but my time was around 22 minutes so not bad for an 11-year-old (sadly, I have not gotten faster).  I ran it every year and it got me into the habit of running for fun.  When I started running track in high school, I developed the habit of heading up the mountain by our house or running to the dam or the cemetery.  I love running there - it's so easy to be alone.  I crave solitude and it was easy to find.  I still love running and have some pretty good routes by my house, but I'm not sure the habit would have developed as naturally without that dam race (sorry mom, couldn't resist) to get me going.


Newton was and is a great place.  There is something powerful about everyone caring for everyone else.  I loved going to church after a track meet and having some adult congratulate me on a win or after a BYU football win and getting to tease the Aggie fans about it.  Growing up there really influenced who I am and I feel a little guilty almost every day that my kids don't have that same experience.  I know people will say something like, "oh there's good people everywhere" and it's certainly true.

 But still, Newton has the best people ever.