
News Article - Norfolk Daily News

Waterbury By TRISHA SCHULZ WATERBURY — As you wind down the road into town here, it looks like the
typical small town. Make that tiny. Population: 89. A few houses dot both sides
of the street. Then you come to the local watering hole. But go a little further
and you’ve found a gem.
Schwartz said about 250 people on average attend monthly events. One couple
from Phoenix even plan their trip back to Iowa based on the Storm’n Norman
schedule, he said. "Usually when people have been here once, they try to work it
to come back as many times as they can," he said. But Storm’n Norman’s wasn’t
always quite the attraction. "The front door was all boarded up," he said. "The
windows were knocked out. There was three inches of mud and water on the floor.
It was a disaster." The building was built in 1953 as an auditorium and used for basketball games
and other events. But it closed in 1961 when Waterbury consolidated with Allen
and Ponca. Used only sporadically over the years, the building had deteriorated.
Schwartz first bought the place in 1996 to store cars. But the next year,
plans for the building changed. "My wife and I were standing right here one
night and I said, ‘Now, for this next year, so I can get more vehicles to store,
I’m going to tear those bleachers out,’ " Schwartz said. "She looked at me and
said, ‘You know if you do that, this building will have one purpose only. Maybe
we ought to do something that’s a little bit more fun.’ " Schedule The following bands are set to perform at Storm’n Norman’s Rock ‘n Roll
Auditorium in Waterbury: Photos by Darin Epperly
Rocks
’50s era comes back to life
tschulz@norfolkdailynews.com
But, again, looks can be deceiving. There’s no hint of anything special except
for the antique cars lined up outside. The nearby building doesn’t even have a
sign. But one step inside Storm’n Norman’s Rock ’n’ Roll Auditorium, and prepare
to be awestruck.
"They can’t believe it when they walk in our front doors," said Norm Schwartz,
owner of the auditorium. "It’s like turning the clock back; it’s a trip back."
Norm — along with wife Jeanette and son Kory — operates the auditorium with
monthly events.
A throwback to "a simpler time," the auditorium reels with a ’50s feel from the
hot pink ’57 Chevy convertible suspended above the dance floor to the Marilyn
Monroe and Elvis statues near the stage.
There’s another 1950 convertible on the other side of the room — this one’s a
black Ford with painted-on flames. Head to the neon sign that glows "Treats" for
a tavern, Italian sausage, popcorn, pop or a cold beer. People come from miles
around to take in the atmosphere and dance to 1950s-style tunes.
In July 1997, the first dance was held there. The rock ’n’ roll auditorium has
been a labor of love and a hobby for Schwartz. "My favorite part of the whole
thing is at the end of the night, looking at the smiles on the people’s faces.
That it’s probably the best five hours they’ve spent," he said.

Aug. 11 — The Smoke Ring and The Flairs.
Sept. 8 — The Senders
Oct. 27 — The Embers
Nov. 17 — Roadhouse
Dec. 31 — The Embers
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