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Susan Gorra Heinemann
A native of New London, Susan Gorra Heinemann returned in 1998 after a 12-year absence. When she left in 1986, the city was at a low point, with declining downtown retail and little to offer residents or visitors. She returned in 1998 with some trepidation. Nevertheless, she purchased and began restoring a dilapidated early 1900's house on Vauxhall Street. Today, the interior has been restored to its former beauty, and Susan feels that the City of New London, too, has come a long way.
Susan comes from a family long active in New London. Her grandfather, Namer J. Gorra, started N.J. Gorra & Brothers, a downtown women's specialty store, located on State Street from 1902 to 1983. Her Uncle Nicholas N., father, Joseph N., and her brother, Namer J. "Chip" Gorra II were all involved in running the business and active in downtown.
Since returning to New London, Susan too has become active in the community. She was named to the Board of Directors of the Hygienic and worked on its campaign to raise funds for the Art Park, which is now close to completion. Her interest also led her to New London Main Street, where she has been fundraising, most recently chairing the very successful Food Stroll and, also, the 2003 Union Station Gala.
When initial plans for a fall Main Street fundraiser fell through, Susan said she and Penny Parsekian moved quickly to a new concept. Food Stroll was conceived and executed in record time. Susan credits its success to a great team, including Penny, Sandy Chalk, Liz Suson, Stephen Gould, and Tom English. Everyone had a great attitude and willingness to jump in and get things done and to have fun, too, she said.
Susan was overwhelmed by the community support for the Gala last December. This combined fundraiser with New London Landmarks and Union Station was held in the middle of a snow storm, but hundreds of members of the community turned out anyway, stayed all night, had a great time and, also, raised a substantial amount of money for the two organizations.
Before returning to New London,Susan traveled and lived in Europe. She found many similarities between New London and some of the English towns she visited. She was compelled both by the beauty of these places and the quality of life of their residents. She sees the potential for similar beauty and quality of life in New London.
While New London is a much better city today than when she left in '86, she also sees the need to continue to work toward creating a city with a visionary mentality. To her, New London Main Street exemplifies the visionary mentality needed. It is important that all of the stakeholders in New London strive to look at the big picture, she says, and, also, work together to achieve the goals that will benefit the city. She is optimistic that good things will happen with this formula.
The trepidation that she felt upon returning in 1998 is gone and, in its place, enthusiasm for the future.
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