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Hometown Nostalgia

Newfields, New Hampshire. To most, this name probably doesn't ring any bells. No surprise there. The small town of Newfields, New Hampshire boasts a population of about 1,550, and an area of about seven square miles. However, I believe that its small size is one of the best qualities about my hometown, along with its scenic, and strategic location and old patriotic history--finding its roots back to the Revolutionary War.

Although Newfields is not what one might call a "thriving metropolis," its size is one of my favorite parts about it. Let me explain. No, there is no shopping mall, or even sidewalks (except on main street...which is about two blocks) but there is a sense of community and familiarity that is often not found in larger towns and cities. I think the best descripition of Newfields would have to be "quaint." There is one gas station, practically outside of the town boundaries, a small town hall--where many functions are held, including the pre-school's holiday productions--a country store, and an elementary school of K-5 with about 150 kids. Now, this may sound rather appalling to you city dwellers, but I've found that I prefer the small-town atmosphere to the anonymity of a larger community. In Newfields I feel like I am needed, and that when I participate in town functions, such as our small Memorial Day parade, and the town Christmas party--complete with hot chocolate and hay rides behind a horse-drawn wagon--I am a part of a larger family. My mom seems to know half the town just from volunteering (and now working) as an assistant teacher at the elementary school. Parents will come up to me when I go to my little sister's soccer games and talk to me about school, sports and my life, because of something my mom told them. They'll say something like, "Oh, so you're Charisse Thompson's daughter right? Congratulations on your basketball team's win the other night!" In high school I was not popular--I had friends, don't misunderstand me, but I wasn't class president or anything, so I had a certain degree of anonymity. However, in my town, any minor achievement in my life would be acknowledged--I felt that what I did mattered, and that it was reflected on my community. These kinds of relationships and this feeling of unity is not found everywhere, and it is one of the main reasons I love my hometown.

In addition to its small size, Newfields has, what I believe is, the perfect location. Five minutes from historic Exeter, New Hampshire, fifteen minutes from the beach, and an hour away from the mountains to the north, and Boston to the south, Newfields is in reach of everything. In essence, Newfields is a small-town community with big-town resources. If I feel the need to get out of my little town to do some shopping I can go to several malls within an hour from my house, I can go to Boston for the day--just a quick jaunt down the interstate--or do a little shopping in downtown Exeter, just five minutes away. Or, if I want some real excitement, there is a water park twenty mintues away, and Six Flaggs New England is a couple hours away in Massachusettes. However, the real draw would have to be the beach. Hampton Beach is just fifteen minutes away, with great sand and great weather, and the Maine beaches are only about an hour or two away across the bay. In Newfields I get to enjoy all that Seacoast New Hampshire has to offer, and am still able to drive to a ski resort in the mountains to the north. Who could ask for anything more? Beach in the summer. Skiing in the winter. Beautiful New England weather and all four seasons. If you've ever seen New Hampshire in the Fall then you will understand why I love it so much. The whole world seems to erupt in vibrant reds, oranges and yellows, sometimes so bright that the tress look as if they are on fire. Even the smell of Fall permeates the air, crisp and poignant, like the surrounding trees. And when winter comes, everything turns into a white wonderland, the trees frozen works of art in their own right. Then, when Spring emerges from its white blanket, everything turns green. And not the dull greens you find in the West, but bright greens, that seep into every blade of grass and every leaf. On bright sunny days, the colors are so vibrant you find yourself shocked into speechlessness. It is no wonder why there are so many people who come to admire my home.

Along with its perfect size and awesome location, Newfields also boasts roots dating back to the Revolution. Settled in 1638, it used to be part of Exeter, which is also famous for its history, including having one of the original copies of the Declaration of Indepence which was given to the first 13 states. Newfields is also near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, another historic town, which is the oldest port in the nation, and where The Treaty of Portsmouth was signed, ending the Russo-Japanese War. Not only is it at the heart of the Revolution and other historic events, Newfields has its own unique history, with the oldest privately-owned bottling company in the nation. Now, this may sound trivial to you, but the Conner Bottling Company has been bottling its own homemade Squamscott soda since 1863, and is still using equipment from the 1930's. A local business run inside a converted barn behind the Conner home, it is one of the last privately-owned bottling companies anywhere in the country. With its Revolutionary foundings, and longstanding local businesses, Newfields has a unique and proud history.

In essence, Newfields is the epitome of hometowns. It has everything to offer, from a close community, with a deep and patriotic history, to its perfect location near the city, the beach, and the mountains, along with its awe-inspiring seasons. Provo is a nice place, but relative to Newfields, New Hampshire, it doesn't hold a candle to it. Case and point: Newfields is amazing, and if you've never been there, or at least to the lovely Seacoast New Hampshire, then it is high time you get off your butt and visit.

And the rules shall set you free....

Some students are upset by Brigham Young University's housing policies concerning dorm parties and activities. The university requires students living in Heritage Halls to get permission from the Hall Advisor to host any dorm parties or events prior to their planning. While some students are indignant about these rules, claiming them to be restrictive and unreasonable, in truth they are for the benefit of the students and the protection of university property. By requiring the permission of the Residence Hall Advisor, the university ensures that the event will be appropriate and in accordance to university policy--namely the Honor Code. When my roomates and I attempted to promote a dance party in our kitchen, we were told by our R.A. that we had to get permission from the Hall Advisor. At first, we were frustrated and upset by this news; however, after having a Hall Meeting, our Hall Advisor laid out the reasons for such a rule which were not as ridiculous as we had assumed. She explained that all we had to do to host a dance party was to bring a list of the songs we wanted to play so that she could approve them as appropriate music in accordance with the BYU Honor Code, and that as long as we respected university property, we could be confident that she would approve such an event. By so doing we could be assured that we were not breaking other rules under the Honor Code, and that those present would not be compromising their standards either. Although the process may seem more tedious than one might like, the rules concerning dorm parties are in actuality there to be as insurance for the university and for the students in maintaining a community of integrity and a place where students can enjoy wholesome company without worrying about compromising their standards.

My Least Favorite Thing About BYU

My least favorite aspect of Brigham Young University are the strict rules concerning dorm "parties" or activities such as watching a movie or having a "dance party." Through my own personal experience and those of my friends and roomates, I have learned that due to certain Brigham Young University Housing policies, residents, at least in Heritage Halls, are not allowed to plan gatherings or parties without prior notification to the Hall Advisor. Not only must parties--even as innocent as a small "dance party" in my own kitchen--be planned officially through a housing administrator, but there can be no visual or public advertising to promote the event. All information concerning parties or events must be spread through word of mouth.

Along with these strict restrictions on simple friendly gatherings, students of Heritage Halls are also forbidden to watch movies on the televisions provided in their apartment lobbies due to so-called copyright laws, despite the fact that they would be viewing the films in a private building, on a private campus, and without admission fees. One of my own good friends, Kathryn Hansen, also a resident of Heritage Halls, said that she and her roomates were planning to watch a movie with the other girls in the apartment as an occasion to meet new housemates and enjoy a wholesome film on their television. However, due to reasons aforementioned, their Hall Advisor banned the event and the movie night was canceled.

Among other things, Brigham Young University is known for its friendly atmosphere and the wholesome attributes of its students. However, if its own students are forbidden to socialize at such events as a dorm movie night, or even a casual dance party in a kitchen, how is that conducive to a friendly and social atmosphere when students cannot even use these occasions to meet one another and form lasting ties and friendships? If students at Brigham Young University were trusted with more freedom and rights within their own residence halls, I think the overall feeling of community and friendship would increase as dorms and roomates socialized and made connections with one another. Brigham Young University should enact a more lenient policy toward social gatherings in dorms and appartments.