Meet your neighbor

Name: Gene Plum

Age: 58

Hometown: Spirit Lake

Occupation: Flooring contractor

Family: Son Derrick, 26, a rising rock star, and daughter Andrea, 29, who is in management for a mortgage firm. Derrick and Andrea live in California.

Hobbies: Gene is passionate about Latin rock and plays Latin percussion, congas and timbales. He is also loves to cook, particularly Spanish, Cajun and Southern cuisine. He enjoys fishing, and creating things in his shop.

Favorite foods: Sauces and all of the above.

Favorite color: Blue

Plans for the summer: Lots of boating on area lakes.