Name: Jesse Noren

Age: 39

Occupation and title: Self-employed contractor

What’s the best part of your day? Quitting time

If you could select another profession, what Would you do? Wood shop teacher

Why do you choose to live in Franklin/Southampton/Isle of Wight County? Reminds me of where I used to live in New York

If you had two weeks’ vacation and money were no object, how would you spend your time? Europe

Favorite food: Corned beef and cabbage

Favorite weekend destination: My front porch

Favorite college sports team: Virginia Tech

Favorite pro sports teams: Giants, Yankees

Favorite color: Blue

What’s the best life lesson you’ve learned, and who taught you? My dad taught me to always just be myself.

Favorite Bible verse: “Do unto others …”

What’s the best decision you’ve made in life? Choosing my profession

Which local charitable or non-profit organization do you wish more people would support? 4-H clubs

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I like to go to auctions

What’s your hobbies? Hunting, fishing and bowling

If you could re-live one day of your life, which would it be and why? High school graduation — to see the look on my parents faces

What gives you the blues? High gas prices

What’s the most Southern thing you’ve ever done? Picked peanuts

What’s your best childhood memory? Easter egg hunts

Tell us one true thing: Life is short.

What frightens you most? Big, hairy spiders

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why? Western Virginia, because of the mountains

Who’s your favorite ex-president? Abraham Lincoln

If you could pass or change one law, what would it be? Crack down on people driving slow in the left lane

What last brought tears to your eyes? Leaving loved ones

If you could invite three guests — living or dead, from anytime in history — to dinner, who would they be? Abraham Lincoln, Jonas Salk and Thomas Jefferson

What three objects would you take with you to a desert island? AC/DC “Back in Black,” leatherman tool and a companion to share it with

What kind of music do you like, and who’s your favorite performer? Classic rock, AC/DC

Tell us about a good movie you’ve seen lately and why you liked it: “Man on Fire,” my favorite

Who’s a famous athlete or entertainer you admire? Brian Piccolo

What’s the last book you read? “The Dragon Reborn”

To whom are you grateful and why? My parents, for bringing me into this world