I’m from Waynesburg PA. Don’t know where that is? Nobody does! Here are 10 things all people from small towns may relate to....
1. You will be underestimated.
People will take you as some country bumpkin incapable of understanding the “big world problems.” While even I will admit there are stupid people everywhere, I’m proud of the education my high school provided me, and my seemingly quiet streets (some are even still the original brick from the 1800’s) taught me a lot about the scarier sides of life. Sure, I didn’t grow up in a top 10 in the country school system, or with gang violence and a murder rate in the hundreds, but I know more than you give me credit for… I promise.
2. It truly is a small world.
Growing up in a town where literally half the populous knows your name makes you used to seeing at least two relatives, a neighbor, and five classmates every single time you leave the house. I thought that would change when I came to the behemoth that is Penn State, considering this campus has 10 times the number of students than there are people in my town, but I still see familiar faces EVERYWHERE. Only a handful people from my high school attend here, but I have passed by every single one of them by chance at some event or another. I’m also a transfer student and I see people from my old campus daily. I’ve met teachers and other faculty that grew up right around my area. I even have one professor whose daughter applied for good ol’ Waynesburg University.
3. As much as you hated it growing up, you’ll miss it when you leave.
I hope to goodness I will never have to move back to Greene County, but I will always make time to visit. I cherish the memories I made looking for fairies in the woods behind my Grams house. I learned to drive on my Grandpa’s farm. I had my first kiss on the Courthouse wall. I made lifelong friends on the banks of 10-Mile creek. You can never forget where you came from.
4. Not every town has the same weird ass traditions.
Waynesburg has its own holiday called “Rain Day.” It’s celebrated on July 29th, and is officially called The Rain Day Festival. Why do we celebrate? Well…. Because farmers like rain? We have nothing better to do? It’s… fun? There is a statue in the center of town that depicts a young girl giving a little boy a piggy-back ride with an umbrella over their heads to honor our whacky tradition. We even have a pageant to grown Miss Rain Day, and Baby Rain Day. When I was young, I was appalled to learn that not every town celebrates this most sacred of days. How could you not want a petting zoo, funnel cake, live performances, and an umbrella decorating contest?!
We also go to “Cinderella Ball” not “Homecoming,” which I think sounds way more special.
5. It’s only okay when a local says it.
I can talk crap on my little dinky town till the cows come home, but the second an outsider has something bad to say I get a little offended. Just because you grew up in a place with a shopping mall within a 15-mile radius doesn’t automatically make you better than me.
6. It’s a BIG deal when a new business moves in.
Even if it’s just a Walmart…
7. It’s an even BIGGER deal when a business moves out.
I’ll never forget my last movie at our old movie theater. I’ll never forget busting my ass at the roller-rink that’s been gone for 10 years now. We small towners love local business… or maybe I’m just a sap.
8. New kids get the VIP treatment for like, years. ![]()
WHOA HAVE YOU MET THE NEW KID?!
?!?!
Yeah. They moved here 4 months
ago…
YEAH BUT LIKE HEAR ME OUT! NEWWWWWWW!!!!!! KIIIIIDDDDD!!!!!
9. Being within walking distance of your best friend’s house is amazing.![]()
Before I got my license, I walked EVERYWHERE because I could. My town is small and safe. Middle school was packed full of walks through the parks, cemeteries, over the railroad tracks… it was awesome to be hanging out with one friend, walk for 3 minutes, and have another join the fun.
10. You couldn’t imagine growing up anywhere else.
Yeah, it seemed boring growing up but looking back, you wouldn’t change a thing, would you?
