ALEX GOLD
Physiology: You’d never guess forty-two-year-old Alex is an accountant with his beard that looks like Ringo Star’s, though its trimmed better. His analytical facial expression makes one think he is ready to adamantly object.
Sociology: From an upper-middle class Kansas family and with a masters from University of Michigan, he is the CFO of a small business that makes plastic parts for automobiles. He drives the latest model Oldsmobile and frequently rents a Cessna at the Salem airport for recreation on Saturdays.
Psychology: Not wishing for his girls to grow up under the social influences of Ann Arbor, he bought a house in Salem. His business went on to purchase a second location, the plastic plant in Salem. Alex serves on the church board as treasurer.
LANCE SINGER
Physiology: Except in church, Lance Singer (40) conceals his balding head under a hat that looks more fit for a train conductor than a farmer. He dresses in overalls during the week but spares no expense on suits for Sunday morning church.
Sociology: Lance (along with his mother) lives in the run-down house where he was born and raised. The old house holds memories he’d rather forget. This directs his spending on the latest machinery and upkeep for the farm instead.
Psychology: He once had dreams of becoming a singer, but alcohol took its toll and his wife left him. He’s always been insecure where family is concerned and when one son ran away, he started lavishing a better salary on the other (Nick, 20) even buying him a new Tran-Am. After watching an evangelist on TV, his “come to Jesus moment” helped him clean up his act. Using his talents at the Salem Church he is a beloved youth leader and choir director. Serving on the church board, he has intuition on how to move things forward.
BARNEY RODGERS
Physiology: At forty-five, Barney sports a crew cut. He wears camouflage or slacks and a button-down shirt most of the time, maybe a tie on Sundays.
Sociology: From a middle-class family in Indiana, Barney set out for bigger adventures in the auto industry. He did well, making it into upper management. While growing up, his father was a police officer and his uncle a firefighter. While certified as neither, in a village the size of Salem, that qualifies Barney to do both.
Psychology: A few years earlier, he left the auto industry and suburbs of Detroit, shocked by the drinking and womanizing that went on at parties he was expected to attend. He took his wife Kate and their three boys and headed for the simple life in quiet Salem. He uses his auto experience to work on church vehicles and his management talents serving on the board. Barney loves Salem. He gets to call most of the shots here. He loves Evan because the two of them usually agree.
BART BAKER
Physiology: Fifty-one year old Bart walks with a cane, but that doesn’t stop him from standing tall and being a soldier. His shirts still pop, obvious that he was very fit at one time, though his gut indicates he’s slowed down.
Sociology: Enlisting in 1941, he had a long career as a military chef in World War II only to be shot by friendly fire during his tenure in Korea. Divorced, and on disability, he still manages to cook.
Psychology: His army training has him put on a good front that nothing is wrong with his health, yet many days he is pain. He raises two teenagers, Calvin, and Mary Ann. They help-out around the house, but he allows them free rein, most of the time. He serves on the church board and volunteers as the cook for the church summer camp.
SAMANTHA GOLD
Physiology: A local girl from Willow Run Village in Ypsilanti, Samantha (46) is frail, self-conscious, and shy. She clutches her purse like a security blanket. Her face appears pale, usually because she couldn’t be bothered to put on makeup.
Sociology: When Kaiser Motors moved to Toledo (1953) and her father was laid off, her dream of going to college ended. Instead, she decided to focus on snagging a college boy. But her introverted personality didn’t do well. Then one rainy night when she wasn’t allowed into a “student only” dance, Alex felt sorry and picked her up.
Psychology: Samantha is withdrawn and reserved. She is hurt by her parents who over-spent when they had an income and then constantly argued after it was all gone. Her purse is full of survival gear. She plays the part of a good Christian woman, while whispering behind backs. She wants to know what’s going on in case she needs to plan an escape—like she did from her childhood home.
TIZIANA DANIELS
Physiology: Nearing thirty, Tiziana frequently takes breaks from the house work to join the other ladies at the tea table. On the hefty side she constantly watches her weight. But she knows she’ll get a good work-out on Sunday where she plays the piano at church.
Sociology: Sometimes she feels trapped in this small town but is cautious about adventuring too far, especially to Detroit, which is still recovering from the riots of 1967. Living in the mostly black quadrant of Salem, her roots go back to folks escaping the South via the underground railroad. Her ancestors (like many) jumped the train in Salem when word came that Slave Catchers were at the station beyond.
Psychology: Tiziana does most of the work around the house, helping her working mother take care of four brothers. Her father recently passed away. She is a natural musician. She dreams of playing piano at a larger church where she might find friends more like herself.
KATE ROGERS
Physiology: A stay-at-home mom with three boys, Kate (44) spends her free time socializing at the infamous “tea table.” Laid back, she thinks nothing about strutting around town with curlers still in her hair.
Sociology: From middle-class Indiana, she grew up expecting to be a housewife. While her expectations came true, sometimes she misses the excitement in the big city that Barney took her away from.
Psychology: Her world is making her boys happy and to her that means keeping up with all the gossip in town. She sews. She bakes. She gardens. She is involved in the Ladies Aid. But she would rather watch TV than clean.