I'd Like To Introduce You To...
Evan Pierce, Turnpike Road
March 2010

Describe one of your favorite “special places” in Norwich?

When the weather is nice I like to run on Upper Turnpike Road, and from the highest point the views are awesome.

Choose one word to describe the reason you live in Norwich?

“Comfortable”—The town and the people have a way of making you feel at ease and welcome.

What coping mechanism do you employ to stave off “cabin fever?”

We have three kids, so there is always a desire from someone to get outside and ski, sled, and ice skate. Once we get outside it’s all worth it.

Favorite first sign of spring?

Seeing the maintenance crews start to work on the golf courses and get them ready for play.

What do you typically do for April vacation, or, if not applicable, for a typical vacation? During

the school year we typically just get together with our families in Massachusetts or New Jersey, but during the summer we will go to the beach or a lake in Maine.

Where are you from and which place do you prefer?

I grew up in New Jersey and have only lived here for 8 months, but the appeal of the Upper Valley is obvious already. I love the beach in New Jersey and my friends and family there, but I’d love to bring them all here for the best of both worlds.

If you could split your time between living in Norwich and one other place, would you do it and where would it be?

The Jersey Shore—not the cheesy spots but the really nice areas with great beaches, nice restaurants, and lots to do. I would spend part of the summer there, but Norwich has all of the other seasons.

What is your strangest/funniest Dan and Whit’s episode/tale? The day after we moved here I was at Dan and Whit’s a bunch of times. A checkout girl I had seen in the morning I saw again around 7 at night and she said, “Wow, second trip today” and I responded “I wish—I think this makes number 5. What time do you close?”

What is the most unusual or odd item you have won in or donated to a raffle?

Unwittingly, I donated my favorite golf putter. My wife saw it in the garage and gave it to a group trying to raise money for firemen. It’s so old she thought it was junk. I had to go rooting around in all of these bins to find it and buy it back.

Classical or classic rock?

Classic Rock. C’mon, I grew up in Jersey, we think Led Zeppelin is Classical.

If you could choose to do it over, would you follow the same education/career path you took?

I would probably have gone to grad school, but otherwise, no regrets. I don’t think any major league teams are looking for a 41 year-old relief pitcher who throws in the mid-50s.

What is your most humorous childhood memory?

We went to Disney World when we were growing up, and we went with another family with whom we were very close. We got our mothers to go on Space Mountain by telling them that it was very similar to “It’s a small world.” I’ve never seen my mom in such shock or laugh so hard. She still splits her side laughing about it today.

Favorite media outlet?

Sports Talk Radio

Which is your favorite Main Street building in Norwich? The old brick building of the Marion Cross School—it’s like looking through time.

How often do you go to the Norwich transfer station (dump)?

Twice a week. We make a lot of trash.

What’s your favorite creature on Earth?

I really like polar bears. I love watching them swim.

What was your worst experience with a car?

My parents were away and told me not to drive their car. Of course, I did, and I got rear-ended. Telling them that it was not my fault didn’t seem to help my cause.

Favorite flowers to give or receive?

I like roses in different colors—the yellow and orange ones are very nice.

Where did you go on your first date ever?

Roller skating. Note to self—don’t go roller skating on a first date when you don’t skate. Ouch.

What do you love most about someone in your life, who is it, and why?

My wife—she always seems to know when something is bothering me and she has a way of showing me that nothing is really as bad as it seems. She’s always supportive and positive, even when it’s not easy to be.

 
John Roback, Kendall Station
March 2010

Describe one of your favorite “special places” in Norwich?

Floating, drifting down the Connecticut River with friends on a summer afternoon.

Choose one word to describe the reason you live in Norwich?

Kids

What coping mechanism do you employ to stave off “cabin fever?”

Go out! Movies, Music, Food, Ski..

Favorite first sign of spring?

Volleyball games and BBQ grills at the base of the chairlift at Burke Mountain while skiing.

What do you typically do for April vacation, or, if not applicable, for a typical vacation?

Go someplace warm, any place.

Where are you from and which place do you prefer?

I am from a 1950’s era split-level development outside of Philadelphia. Which do I prefer?? Hmm..

If you could split your time between living in Norwich and one other place, would you do it and where would it be?

Somewhere in Tuscany.

What is your strangest/funniest Dan and Whit’s episode/tale?

Coming out of Dan and Whit’s and seeing Mike (who mans the gas pumps) holding Woody, my 7lb excuse for a dog, inside his jacket while whispering baby-talk sweet nothings into Woody’s ear. Mike’s gruff exterior has a soft sweet center!

What is the most unusual or odd item you have won in or donated to a raffle?

Donated time to play a 24hr underwater Monopoly marathon game/raffle. Air tanks were up on the pool deck with hoses snaked down to the players. The cards, houses, hotels and Monopoly money were weighted and sealed to stay on the bottom of the pool. Very surreal playing Monopoly down there with three other players!

Classical or classic rock?

Classical.

If you could choose to do it over, would you follow the same education/career path you took?

Yes.

What is your most humorous childhood memory?

Waiting at the train station for my mother to pick me up after school, the pay phone rang, so I picked it up. There was a man on the other end with a quasi-Spanish accent asking if “Pepe the Bullfighter” was at the station. I asked what he looks like and the voice said he wears a red cape. I looked around the station. Couldn’t find Pepe. The guy on the phone asked if I would ask at the ticket window if they had seen Pepe. The man at the counter said “I think someone’s pulling you leg, son.” When I looked into the station office past the ticket window I could see a couple of guys laughing, so I think it was an inside job. They got me good!

Favorite media outlet?

Web.

Which is your favorite Main Street building in Norwich?

The Emerson House, because friends work there and they don’t mind if I bug them.

How often do you go to the Norwich transfer station (dump)?

Once a week. Interesting, huh?

What’s your favorite creature on Earth?

My Mother-in-Law. I do love her.

What was your worst experience with a car?

Swatting a fly in my fiancée’s new car and cracking the windshield. She married me anyway.

Favorite flowers to give or receive?

Blue Orchids from Thailand. Not exactly PC, but beautiful.

Where did you go on your first date ever?

Bonnie Raitt concert.

What do you love most about someone in your life, who is it, and why?

That’s an easy one—my wife Gail. I love her sense of humor and we laugh together a lot. I treasure that.

 
Arline Rotman, Douglas Road
March 2010

Describe one of your favorite “special places” in Norwich?

This is hard because there are so many special places. But if I need to choose one, I would choose the Norwich Bookstore. It is a great place for readers who are always willing to talk about the last great book they read. The staff is very friendly and once they get to know you, they are always ready to recommend books that they are pretty sure you will like.

Choose one word to describe the reason you live in Norwich?

The people (that’s two words, but “people” just doesn’t do it.)

What coping mechanism do you employ to stave off “cabin fever?”

Travel

Favorite first sign of spring?

Forsythia and daffodils

What do you typically do for April vacation, or, if not applicable, for a typical vacation?

Travel as nearby as Boston or NY or as far flung as Morocco or Thailand.

Where are you from and which place do you prefer?

I started in New York, last lived in Worcester, MA and love living in Norwich.

If you could split your time between living in Norwich and one other place, would you do it and where would it be?

As a happy Norwich resident I still need my city fixes, so I would be happy to spend significant time in NY which I still think is one of the world’s greatest cities.

What is your strangest/funniest Dan and Whit’s episode/tale?

Showing my city friends the full extent of Dan & Whit’s which just keeps going further and further back. City folks just don’t understand a “one store sells all” philosophy. When Good Morning America did a piece on Dan & Whit’s they sure didn’t get it. It is so simple it is the ultimate in sophistication.

What is the most unusual or odd item you have won in or donated to a raffle?

A cruise to Bermuda just before I started to study for the Bar exam.

Classical or classic rock?

Classical

If you could choose to do it over, would you follow the same education/career path you took?

Yes, but if only I could have known as much then as I know now, I would have been so much smarter.

What is your most humorous childhood memory?

I went out to eat with my parents, looked at the menu which listed drinks available. One of the choices was “assorted sodas” so that is what I ordered.

Favorite media outlet?

NPR

Which is your favorite Main Street building in Norwich?

Library

How often do you go to the Norwich transfer station (dump)?

Once a week, but only if my husband doesn’t go first.

What’s your favorite creature on Earth?

Grandchildren, especially when they visit and then leave.

What was your worst experience with a car?

Watching my car roll down the hill backwards when I forgot to leave it in gear.

Favorite flowers to give or receive?

Tulips

Where did you go on your first date ever?

A Boston Braves baseball game. I was visiting my older sister at college and she fixed me up with one of her friend’s kid brother.

What do you love most about someone in your life, who is it, and why?

I love that my husband makes coffee for me every morning and brings it to me in bed even though he doesn’t drink coffee.