Two Guys on Block Island

We talk about the movie Jaws a lot on this podcast. Let's face it. We're all obsessed with it. Imagine what it must've been like to be Chief Brodie's kid? Norman Riker has a rough idea.

Growing up the son of the chief of police in the 1970's after leaving city life for a small New England island, Norman experienced all of the faded film grain quirks and nuances Block Island had to offer and then some.

He once rescued a backpack full of suds from a bush after getting pinched.  Still, he took it on the chin, hopped on a bike and delivered the goods thus ensuring a night of merriment for his friends would continue on as planned.

But Norman has gone on to do other good things too. Things like founding a soccer camp on Block Island which has become a much anticipated annual summertime event for many of the island's younger inhabitants. As a coach, Norman shines. His love and passion for soccer and lacrosse transcend the boundaries of the sports themselves. What's beyond those boundaries are fundamental principles; life skills if you will. The values and strong sense of tradition Norman learned in his youth on Block Island are passed down for future generations to embrace and learn from. 

But if you're in a pinch for a sixer for your beach bonfire...Norm would probably still help you out.

Mike Dugan has a way about him. You'll see what we mean...

His life on Block Island has been steeped in the chodachromtic tones that we're all seeking out here. The good ol' days. The 70's and 80's. The days when Block Island was the kind of place that a school teacher could schlep his family to for the summer. The kind of place where the kids would roller skate around the ferry parking lot with heavy, plywood sandwich boards attached to their little bodies like turtle shells.

If Mike's life sounds like something out of a John Irving novel or a Wes Anderson movie, well...

...it kind of is.

Dave Turner has become one of Block Island's most gregarious, beloved characters. It all started when his grandparents purchased and restored a dilapidated house on Beach Avenue. Because of that purchase Dave has spent every single summer of his life on Block Island serving first as a lackey at the National Hotel before becoming Freddie Finn's first mate on a lobster boat. His days at Finn's restaurant led him to form unbreakable bonds that hold firm to this day.

When Dave met his soulmate, Rosemary Tobin, he became a year-round resident. Dave, Rosemary and their son Zane are a typical Block Island family. Like many families here, they juggle a hectic summertime schedule. Between Dave's work as a property manager/construction dude and Rosemary's work as a real estate agent and part owner of Eli's restaurant, they somehow manage to still find the humor in life despite the madness that summers can bring. 

We'd also like to point out that Dave has since retired the technique he employed to deal with disgruntled customers during his younger days as a server at Finn's. Which is good. Because we love to eat at Eli's.

Kristin Baumann has been at the helm of the Block Island Library for some time now. The story of her journey from visitor to year-round resident could fill a book in and of itself. When one thinks of a librarian, perhaps a quiet, mousy bookworm is the first thing that comes to mind. But Kristin is none of those things.

Never one to shy away from speaking her mind, Kristin's take on island life is a breath of fresh air. It's not uncommon for folks on Block Island to keep their opinions to themselves lest they get caught up in a whirlwind of drama and backlash. But when the town re-negged on a promise to town employees regarding their annual wages during the pandemic, Kristin was front and center at the town hall financial meeting where the issue was discussed. 

However Kristin's life on the island isn't bogged down by these moments. Her love and appreciation for the community and natural beauty of the place is really at the core of her being. Her dedication to bringing a new life to the Block Island Library and guiding it through changes is on full display here. 

Ben Hruska has just published a book called Valor and Courage. It's a comprehensive account of the USS Block Island escort carriers and the Navy personnel who worked on the vessels during World War II. 

Ben is also in the process of digitizing thousands of old photos as part of his gig at Block Island's Historical Society. For Ben it's like finding buried treasure every single day. The process is painstaking but also a labor of love.

Rich and Marc speak at length with Ben about all things Block Island including his own personal journey. While Rich and Marc manage to keep their heads above water, Ben steals the show with his vast knowledge of Block Island's incredible history and more.