The Newton Community Magazine

The Newton Community Magazine A magazine for and about the Newton County community.

What if you could travel back to the Old West… and stay for dinner? 🤠🔥Go back in time with "Time Travelers", a fascinati...
09/09/2026

What if you could travel back to the Old West… and stay for dinner? 🤠🔥

Go back in time with "Time Travelers", a fascinating Newton Community Magazine story about a local family that didn’t just study history—they decided to recreate it.

Father-and-son duo Tommy and Troy Phillips, along with their family, spent thousands of hours transforming an 1880s farm wagon into a historically accurate chuckwagon, complete with period cookware, supplies, tools and everything needed to prepare meals exactly as cowboys would have eaten them on the cattle trails of the 1800s.

And they didn’t stop at simply displaying it.
The Phillips family takes their chuckwagon on the road, competing in events where both the authenticity of the wagon and the food cooked over the fire are judged. Their dedication even earned them a Southeastern championship and a trip to compete on the national stage in Texas.

But behind the competitions is something even more meaningful—a multi-generational family passionate about preserving history and giving others the chance to experience a piece of America's past firsthand.

There are biscuits. There are campfire beans. There’s cobbler. There’s plenty of Old West history. And there’s a whole lot more to this story that we’re not giving away. 🤠

So pull up a seat around the fire and take a little trip back in time.
🔥 Read Time Travelers:
https://thenewtoncommunity.com/living/time-travelers/

A creature with a name like “hellbender” has to have an interesting story, right? 🦎Newton High School graduate Thomas Fl...
09/08/2026

A creature with a name like “hellbender” has to have an interesting story, right? 🦎

Newton High School graduate Thomas Floyd has spent more than two decades as a wildlife biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and one of the creatures that continues to fascinate him is the elusive hellbender—the largest salamander in North America. But studying these unusual amphibians is about much more than finding a rare creature hiding beneath the rocks of a North Georgia stream. Because hellbenders require cool, clean, well-oxygenated water to thrive, their presence can tell researchers something important about the health of the entire ecosystem.

And just when Floyd thought he knew what he might find during one survey, the water offered up an even rarer surprise. We won’t spoil that part—you’ll have to read the story to find out what happened!

From a Newton County childhood to a career protecting Georgia’s wildlife, Floyd’s story is a fascinating look at curiosity, conservation and how one person's passion can contribute to protecting our natural resources for generations to come.

🦎🌿 Revisit In Pursuit of the Hellbender Salamander and discover what might be hiding beneath the surface of Georgia’s streams.

Read the full story:
https://thenewtoncommunity.com/arts-education-innovation/in-pursuit-of-the-hellbender-salamander/

09/07/2026

POV: You own a business in Newton County and keep saying, “I really need to advertise more…”

Meanwhile, the deadline for the Fall Issue of Newton Community Magazine is over here like… 👀😂

Consider this your sign.

If you’ve been thinking about getting your business in front of more people in our community, now is the time to snag your spot! We’re wrapping up our Fall Issue, and both time AND space are running out.

Don’t be the person who messages us after the deadline and says,
“Wait…is it too late?” 😬

Because we really hate saying yes. 😂

🍂 Fall Issue advertising spots are filling up!

👉 Click the link for advertising information and grab your spot before we’re officially out of room.
https://thenewtoncommunity.com/advertise/

Ever feel like your spiritual battery is running a little low? 🔋❤️We’re throwing it back to Staying Grounded, a Grace & ...
09/06/2026

Ever feel like your spiritual battery is running a little low? 🔋❤️

We’re throwing it back to Staying Grounded, a Grace & Truth story with a message that feels just as relevant today.

When Pastor Jeff Clegg received a call that his wife’s car wouldn’t start, he grabbed the jumper cables and headed to help. The power was there. The cables were there. Everything should have worked.

But there was one problem: he didn’t have a good ground connection.
That frustrating moment with a dead battery became the perfect picture of something much bigger.

Sometimes life leaves us feeling drained, discouraged or simply running on empty. As believers, we know the source of our strength—but are we actually connected to it?

Through a simple story and powerful biblical truths, Jeff explores what it means to stay grounded through faith, prayer and time in God’s Word so that we can access the power of the Holy Spirit and live out the purpose God has given us.

🔋 Are you connected to the source?

Read Staying Grounded:
https://thenewtoncommunity.com/grace-truth/staying-grounded/

What if a little shopping could help change someone else’s story? 👗👠❤️The Cinderella Shop has spent decades turning dona...
09/05/2026

What if a little shopping could help change someone else’s story? 👗👠❤️

The Cinderella Shop has spent decades turning donated clothing, shoes, handbags and even formal gowns into something much bigger. Proceeds from the shop support Piedmont Newton Hospital and have helped fund important needs ranging from mammography equipment to NICU resources and oncology services.

But that’s only part of the story.
Behind the racks of clothing is a dedicated group of volunteers who have found friendship, purpose and a sense of belonging while serving their community. For longtime volunteer Mikie Wagy, what began as a suggestion from friends after retirement became 15 years of meaningful service—and a place that captured her heart.

It’s proof that sometimes giving back can be as simple as donating a dress, volunteering a few hours or finding your next favorite outfit.
And unlike Cinderella’s famous night at the ball, at this shop, the clock never strikes midnight. ✨

Take a few minutes to discover the people, history and heart behind this special Newton County organization.

https://thenewtoncommunity.com/health-wellness/where-the-clock-never-strikes-midnight/

Something NEW is coming to our community!Recovery was never meant to happen alone. I’m so excited to share about Better ...
09/04/2026

Something NEW is coming to our community!

Recovery was never meant to happen alone.

I’m so excited to share about Better Together Recovery, a new nonprofit right here in our community with a heart for walking alongside individuals and families on the journey toward lasting recovery—through faith, community, encouragement, and practical support.

And they’re ready to officially LAUNCH! 🎉

Come hear the heart and vision behind Better Together Recovery, learn how they’re already helping people find hope and healing, and discover how YOU can be part of what’s happening.

📅 Saturday, September 19
⏰ 4:00 PM
📍 Eastridge Community Church | Covington
🍽️ Complimentary dinner provided!

Whether recovery has touched your own life, someone you love, or you simply want to support something that can make a real difference in our community—you are invited.

✨ Come celebrate a new beginning with us. Because we really are better together.

Seats are limited and your RSVP helps them plan for dinner, so click below and reserve your seat! 👇

RSVP for the Better Together Recovery Launch Celebration⁠

https://www.bettertogether-recovery.org/launch

Sometimes preserving history means caring for the places where those stories were laid to rest.We’re looking back to a p...
09/04/2026

Sometimes preserving history means caring for the places where those stories were laid to rest.

We’re looking back to a previous article, "Honoring the Past", a fascinating Newton Community Magazine story about Anderson Wright and his lifelong connection to Oxford Cemetery.

Wright was just a little boy when he began helping his grandmother and great-aunt clean family gravesites. What he learned from them—the locations, names and stories that weren’t always written down—would become incredibly important decades later.

Today, his knowledge has helped preserve pieces of Oxford’s history that might otherwise have been forgotten, including the stories connected to more than 1,000 largely unmarked graves of enslaved people within the historic cemetery.
But this story is about more than graves and headstones. It’s about honoring people, confronting pieces of our history, bringing dignity to places that were once divided, and making sure future generations understand what—and who—came before them.

And there is still work to be done.

Take a step back into Newton County history and revisit "Honoring the Past":

https://thenewtoncommunity.com/features/honoring-the-past/

What does it look like to spend nearly two decades standing in the gap for children who need someone in their corner? As...
09/03/2026

What does it look like to spend nearly two decades standing in the gap for children who need someone in their corner?

As Alcovy CASA prepares for Gather for Good on September 10, we’re throwing it back to “Servant’s Touch”, a Newton Community Magazine story that introduces readers to one of the remarkable people behind CASA’s mission: Gary Stevenson.

A retired Army sergeant, Gary has spent much of his life serving others. But for nearly 20 years, one of his greatest commitments has been advocating for children in foster care through Alcovy CASA.

For Gary, being a CASA means much more than reviewing paperwork or appearing in court. It means showing up. Listening. Attending a ballgame or special event. Offering advice. Building trust. And making sure a child knows there is at least one adult consistently advocating for what is best for them.
As Gary says in the article, “I want people’s lives to be better.”

And that is exactly why Gather for Good matters.
Events like this help support Alcovy CASA’s mission of providing trained advocates for children experiencing foster care throughout Newton and Walton counties—and help ensure that more children have someone like Gary willing to stand beside them.

Before we Gather for Good on September 10, take a few minutes to meet Gary and discover the servant’s heart behind nearly two decades of advocacy.

❤️ Read “Servant’s Touch”:

https://thenewtoncommunity.com/living/servants-touch/

Then mark your calendar for Alcovy CASA’s Gather for Good on September 10 and come together with our community to support a mission that is changing children’s lives.

Some lives are measured in years. Others are measured in the lives they continue to change. ❤️As we revisit this powerfu...
09/01/2026

Some lives are measured in years. Others are measured in the lives they continue to change. ❤️

As we revisit this powerful throwback feature, "Heroic Legacy", we're reminded that even the shortest lives can leave the greatest impact.

This heartfelt story shares the life of Wyatt Hatcher, whose courageous battle with congenital heart disease and later cancer inspired thousands throughout our community. Although Wyatt passed away at just 11 years old, his legacy lives on through the Be Your Own Hero Foundation, created by his family to support other families facing medical crises. From helping with everyday expenses to providing comfort during unimaginable circumstances, the foundation continues the compassion and servant's heart that Wyatt embodied.

His story is heartbreaking, hopeful, and ultimately a beautiful reminder that a legacy of compassion never ends.

❤️ Read the full story here:
https://thenewtoncommunity.com/features/heroic-legacy/

What if one person's passion could transform an entire community into a work of art? 🎨✨As we revisit this inspiring thro...
09/01/2026

What if one person's passion could transform an entire community into a work of art? 🎨✨

As we revisit this inspiring throwback feature, Brushstrokes of Genius, we're reminded that talent has the power to do more than create beautiful artwork—it can leave a lasting mark on the places we call home.

This story follows local artist Tamara Haase, whose breathtaking murals have become recognizable landmarks throughout Newton County. From the iconic mural inside the Covington Welcome Center celebrating the area's rich film history to the vibrant artwork that helped revitalize Mansfield, Tamara's journey is one of perseverance, faith, and believing that the gifts you've been given are meant to be shared. What began as a childhood love for art has grown into a career that inspires thousands of residents and visitors alike.

The next time you pass one of Tamara's murals, take a moment to appreciate not just the artwork—but the heart, creativity, and passion behind it.

🎨 Read the full story here:
https://thenewtoncommunity.com/arts-education-innovation/brushstrokes-of-genius/

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