What do you do on a cold December night with a pack of surly wolves howling at the moon, and each other, when nerves are frayed and winter’s discontent has seized the town?

Why, you gather the townspeople together for a potluck supper and an evening of music, dance, stories, and laughter. That’s just what Norwich residents Suzanne Lupien and Norman Miller decided to do. In a matter of a few weeks, through talking and planning, persuading, and just a tiny bit of bribing, Suzanne and Norman assembled a cast of producers, directors, and performers for Norwich Night who would make any town in the Upper Valley green with envy.

The sponsors for the event at Tracy Hall on December 18th included Norwich’s fledgling Aging In Place volunteer group, and members of the Lion’s Club, and Women’s Club, and many others who pulled together the tables and brought in the home cooked food for a traditional potluck supper.

The directors, Hetty Thomae and Jack Candon, kept the crowd of over 200 residents entertained with ad lib humor and homespun charm, while the performers, in a dozen skits, wearing outfits that ranged from choir singers to maids, sang and danced their amateur hearts out for an approving, sometimes howling crowd.

Who in the audience will soon forget Suzanne Lupien, Alison May, and Joyce Childs, the three little maids, as they paid tribute to Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado?

Who can forget the sight of a dozen senior citizens march through Tracy Hall on their walkers, only to take to the stage and dance to the Norwich rendition of Mame?

And who will ever forget the story of Joe, sung by Don Helms with Jane Helms on piano?

Adding to the evening’s variety, ski jumper Mike Holland entertained the audience with stories and video of some great moments in the town’s contribution to Olympic history. Cracker barrel stories by Irv Thomae and Rusty Sachs brought listeners back to the days when Dan and Whit were the people who answered customer’s questions at Dan & Whit’s General Store.

A night out for Norwich residents and their families also meant a night of public spirit for town officials, with town manager Pete Webster and town clerk Bonnie Munday lending their support on stage and behind the scenes. Selectman Ed Childs danced and showed a little leg in the Mame skit, Selectwoman Suzanne led the conga line as the program ended, and Select­woman Sharon Racusin provided good cheer.

There were a few professional performers on hand to keep the crowd from fading, and among them was Jon Voelkel and his band who played backup for Emily Webster, singing so smoothly she could have just flown in from Hollywood for the show.

In the final number, with dancing in the aisles and smiles on beaming faces throughout Tracy Hall, a choir began the familiar refrain, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and hundreds of voices carried the music as the cast worked its way from stage to main entrance. Will this Norwich Night tradition take hold and continue every year? You bet it will, if the sweet memories of this night are not forgotten and public-spirited Norwich residents come together again in celebration!

Editor’s Note: Start planning your skit now! I think this will be a perfect avenue for the good-spirited, one-upsmanship, many Norwich residents have come to know and love about this town!