Single Files

There’s only so much a first date, online dating profile, or Facebook page can tell you about potential suitors. Maybe what they do, where they went to school, some of their favorite bands, perhaps an inspirational quote or two. But we wanted to delve a little deeper—to see what makes the 20 top singles in Baltimore tick. We reveal their hidden talents, quirky collections, dream jobs, and traits their friends might not even know exist.

SPONSORED BY BOND STREET SOCIAL

Lisa Nguyen
33, robotic surgery specialist and part-time fitness instructor; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one . . . book? The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Celebrity dream date? Ryan Gosling. Hidden talents? I can be pretty handy around the house. Describe your closet: I turned one of my bedrooms into a closet/dressing room. It’s my female version of a man cave! What don’t you leave the house without? I never leave without kissing my dog, Sandi, goodbye. Who’s the funniest person alive? Ellen DeGeneres. What’s a perfect date? Late-night hike on top of a hill away from the lights, bring a blanket and bottle of wine, and watch the stars. Deal breakers? Long nails. You win the Mega Millions. How do you spend it? First, I would buy singing lessons. Second, I would hammer through my bucket list. You had me at . . . “May I have this dance?”

Troy Marrocco
29, architect and urban designer, Ayers Saint Gross; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? More of a magazine reader. Men’s Health, ESPN. TV Show? Modern Family. Album? SiriusXM Radio. Food? Pasta with meatballs. Celebrity dream date? Erin Andrews. Any phobias? Heights, roller coasters. Hidden talents? Handling a grill, being fashion-savvy, and singing. What’s something about you not everyone knows? I grew up on the same street as my aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandparents. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? My grandparents, who have passed away. It would be great to talk over their Italian cooking. Who’s your favorite athlete? Cal Ripken Jr., Derek Jeter, Ray Lewis, and Peyton Manning. What’s a trend that you just don’t get? Gangnam Style and Honey Boo Boo. What’s a perfect date? Dinner and drinks, followed by a comedy club or karaoke. You had me at . . . a great smile.

Neil Koch
30, park ranger; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? Endurance by Alfred Lansing. TV Show? Seinfeld. Movie? Last of the Mohicans. Album? Uprising by Bob Marley and the Wailers. Food? Pineapple. Celebrity dream date? Nelly Furtado. Any phobias? Seeing my blood drawn. What do you collect? Stones from sentimental places. What’s something about you not everyone knows? Hiked the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. Would you date someone of an opposing political party? Definitely. We all offer valid points. My relationship to the 2012 Orioles was . . . steadfast. What’s a perfect date? Something simple and outside. What’s your dream job? Ranger, Rocky Mountain National Park. You had me at . . . Boh me.

Makea Corrine King
28, development coordinator, The Arc Baltimore; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales. TV Show? Rock Center. Movie? Empire Records. Album? Brothers by The Black Keys. Food? Sushi. Celebrity dream date? Jeremy Renner. I love a good scowl. Any phobias? Suspension bridges. Hidden talents? I sang at my friend’s wedding and no one booed. What’s something about you not everyone knows? I went to five colleges and had four different majors before graduating in 2011. Who’s your favorite athlete? Ray Rice, Brendon Ayanbadejo, and Chris Kluwe are all doing something positive with their influence. Who’s the funniest person alive? Sterling Archer. What’s a perfect date? Anything other than dinner and a movie. Maybe a brewery tour. Dream job? Boutique owner. You had me at . . . bacon.

Meghan Schultz
26, nurse, Kennedy Krieger Institute; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. TV Show? Seinfeld. Movie? Elf. Album? Les Misérables soundtrack. Food? Pizza. Celebrity dream date? Alexander Skarsgård. Any phobias? I am deathly afraid of bees. Hidden talents? Memorizing rap lyrics. What don’t you leave the house without? Antibacterial gel. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Bill Clinton, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Tom Hanks. Would you date someone of an opposing political party? As long as he isn’t a Steelers fan. Who’s your favorite athlete? Ray Lewis. Who’s the funniest person alive? My mom and Rob Delaney on Twitter. Deal breakers? Arrogance, laziness. What’s your dream job? SNL writer. You had me at . . . I love Arrested Development!

Roswell Encina
42, director of communications, Enoch Pratt Free Library; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. TV Show? Happy Endings. Movie? Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Album? Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons. Food? Duck Duck Goose Pizza from Birroteca. Celebrity dream date? Neil Patrick Harris. Any phobias? Crocs. Hidden talents? Pen twirling and tweeting. What do you collect? Bow ties and pocket squares. Describe your closet: Out since 1999. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Andy Cohen, Truman Capote, and Wanda Sykes. My relationship to the 2012 Orioles was . . . reenergized. Who’s your favorite athlete? Brendon Ayanbadejo. What’s a perfect date? Something spontaneous. Deal breakers? Ignorance and smoking. What’s your dream job? Today show co-anchor. You had me at . . . your last tweet.

Steven Bottcher
35, CEO/owner of All Pro Team Sports; divorced

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? Good to Great by Jim Collins. TV Show? Duck Dynasty. Movie? Wedding Crashers. Album? Greatest Hits by Tim McGraw. Food? Anything with crab. Celebrity dream date? Jennifer Aniston. Hidden talents? Writing. What’s something about you not everyone knows? I go to church every Sunday. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Jesus Christ, Vince Lombardi, and Albert Einstein. My relationship to the 2012 Orioles was . . . unforgettable, but they broke up with me too soon. Who’s your favorite athlete? Michael Jordan. What’s a trend that you just don’t get? Skinny jeans. What’s a perfect date? Natty Boh and crabs. Deal breakers? No sense of humor. What’s your dream job? I’m doing it. You had me at . . . let’s go fishing in the dark.

Nina Lattimore
36, elementary school principal; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? The Bible. TV Show? Any reality show. Movie? Bridesmaids. Album? The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Food? Meatloaf from Mother’s Federal Hill Grille. Celebrity dream date? John Legend. Hidden talents? I speak Spanish fluently. What do you collect? Clothes. I love to shop! If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Michelle Obama, Whitney Houston, and Heidi Klum. Would you date someone of an opposing political party? Having opposing views is one thing, but we would need to respect each other’s point of view. Who’s your favorite athlete? Ray Rice. Hey, diddle diddle, Ray Rice up the middle! Who’s the funniest person alive? My father. We talk every day and it always ends with laughter. What’s your dream job? I’d love to report on education like Tim Tooten. You had me at . . . acceptance.

Tandon Doss
23, wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? The Bible. TV Show? Entourage. Movie? Batman. Album? Trap or Die by Young Jeezy. Food? Spaghetti. Celebrity dream date? Eva Longoria. What do you collect? Kung Fu movies. Ip Man is my favorite one. Describe your closet: Shoes! I have more than 100 pairs of Vans alone. What’s something about you not everyone knows? I am the first person in my family to graduate from high school. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Muhammad Ali, Barry Sanders, and Jerry Rice. Who’s the funniest person alive? Mike Epps, hands down. What’s a trend that you just don’t get? Skinny jeans. What’s a perfect date? I’m a homebody, watching movies. Deal breakers? Stuck-up people and messed-up feet. What’s your dream job? I’m living my dream job right now.

Debbie McDonald
61, vice president, Schoenfeld Insurance Associates; widowed, one son, 24.

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? Fifty Shades Darker by E. L. James. TV Show? Survivor. Movie? Remember the Titans. Album? Duets by Frank Sinatra. Food? Pasta. Celebrity dream date? George Clooney. What do you collect? Sports memorabilia. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? John F. Kennedy, Michael Jordan, and Mother Teresa. Would you date someone of an opposing political party? Yes, as long as he wasn’t running for office. What’s a perfect date? A quiet, romantic dinner and then dancing all night. Deal breakers? Self-absorbed men. What’s your dream job? Sports commentator. You win the Mega Millions. How do you spend it? Travel around the world by air, land, and sea, as well as help all the people I love and the less fortunate. You had me at . . .“The Way You Look Tonight.”

Greg Carpenter
43, program director, 101.9 Lite FM; divorced, three kids 9, 11, and 17.

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . movie? Back to the Future. Album? Live/1975-85 by Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band. Food? Spaghetti with meat sauce. Celebrity dream date? Reese Witherspoon. Any phobias? I can’t handle the thought of drowning. What do you collect? Old radios from the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s. Describe your closet: As time goes on, my daughter is taking over. I’ll reach in for a sweater and all I can find are Taylor Swift shirts. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Brooks Robinson, Dick Clark, and Eddie Murphy. My relationship to the 2012 Orioles was . . . built on trust (in Buck). Who’s the funniest person alive? My daughter. What’s a perfect date? Just one-on-one time. What’s your dream job? I think I have it. You had me at . . . friendly eyes.

Rachel Mulherin
26, marketing coordinator, Stegman & Company, and owner, Rachel Mulherin Jewelry; divorced

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? The Twilight series. TV Show? The Golden Girls. Movie? Think Like a Man. Album? Unapologetic by Rihanna. Food? Anything from Talara. Celebrity dream date? Dwight Howard. Any phobias? Needles and snakes. Hidden talents? I can name all 50 states in alphabetical order. What’s something about you not everyone knows? I’m a self-taught jewelry designer. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Diane von Furstenberg, Kathy Griffin, and Nicole Stinson (my best friend). Who’s your favorite athlete? Right now, I’m loving Jacoby Jones and that touchdown dance. Who’s the funniest person alive? Kevin Hart. What’s a trend that you just don’t get? Pajamas in public. Deal breakers? Bad hygiene. You had me at . . . 6’5″!

Greg Tate
32, marketing manager, STX Lacrosse; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? I Can’t Accept Not Trying by Michael Jordan. TV Show? The Office. Movie? The Shawshank Redemption. Album? Bad by Michael Jackson. Food? Porterhouse steak. Celebrity dream date? Jessica Biel. Any phobias? Those genetically engineered sharks from that LL Cool J movie. What do you collect? Nikes. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Abraham Lincoln, Steve Jobs, and Marilyn Monroe. Who’s your favorite athlete? Bo Jackson. What’s a trend that you just don’t get? Ugh. Gangnam Style. What’s a perfect date? Duckpin bowling, then grabbing pizza and drinks at Johnny Rad’s. What’s your dream job? GM of the Ravens. You had me at . . . “Two Chaaaains!”

Morgan Adsit
29, sports anchor/reporter, WBFF; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? Living Wild by Bear Grylls. TV Show? Arrested Development. Movie? Tommy Boy. Album? Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons. Food? A lot of cheese. Celebrity dream date? Chris Hemsworth or Ryan Gosling. Any phobias? Ghosts that are children. Hidden talents? I’m a dog whisperer. What do you collect? LPs. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Mom, dad, and sister. I don’t get to see family as much as I would like. My relationship to the 2012 Orioles was . . . a career highlight to cover post-season baseball for the first time. Who’s the funniest person alive? Will Ferrell. He doesn’t have to say anything, and I’ll laugh. What’s a perfect date? Just be yourself. Too fancy terrifies me. You had me at . . . “Here’s the remote, you can watch what you want.”

Stefen Lovelace
27, senior account executive, IMRE; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. TV Show? The Wire. Movie? The Sandlot. Album? Life After Death by The Notorious B.I.G. Food? Seafood. Celebrity dream date? Kate Upton. I’m a sucker for beautiful blonde models. Hidden talents? Singing karaoke. What’s something about you not everyone knows? I’m half-Jamaican. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., and my father (passed away in 2011). My three heroes. My relationship to the 2012 Orioles was . . . I’m a Phillies fan, but I’ll always root hard for the O’s. Deal breakers? Treating others poorly. What’s your dream job? Owning an NBA team. You had me at . . . “Want to go see some live music?”

Justin Davis
28, managerial accountant, Social Security Administration; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . book? The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. TV Show? Seinfeld. Movie? Die Hard. Album? Eliminator by ZZ Top. Food? Pizza. Celebrity dream date? Jessica Biel. Hidden talents? Dancing to any Michael Jackson song. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? Abraham Lincoln, John Wayne, and my future self. My relationship to the 2012 Orioles was . . . My grandmother passed away in November and she was a diehard Orioles fan. She got the sendoff she deserved, so the O’s hold a special place in my heart. What’s your dream job? Being a starter or marshal on a golf course. You win the Mega Millions. How do you spend it? I don’t. That’s how you end up broke in five years! I invest. You had me at . . . the moment you don’t care that I see you in sweatpants.

Frannie Guiou
36, contemporary market rep, Anheuser-Busch; divorced

If you were stranded on a desert island and you could bring one . . . TV Show? Does WJZ news count? Movie? Elf. Album? Supply and Demand by Amos Lee. Food? Gummy bears. Celebrity dream date? Mark Cuban. He’s powerful and smart. Hidden talents? I am the claw-machine master. What don’t you leave the house without? A great attitude and a little makeup. If you could invite three people to dinner, whom would they be? Jim Palmer, David Letterman, and Vince Vaughn. Would you date someone of an opposing political party? I do demand a certain amount of intelligence in a man. My relationship to the 2012 Orioles was . . . With over 51 dates (home and away) in 2012, the Orioles and I are, and always have been, in a serious, committed relationship. Deal breakers? Poor grammar and being rude. What’s your dream job? Being a mom or a soap-opera actress. You had me at . . . Bud Light, of course!

Lisa Wiederlight
43, director of development, American Breast Cancer Foundation; divorced, one son, 12

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one . . . book? One Small Starfish by Anne Addison. TV Show? Sex and the City. Movie? St. Elmo’s Fire. Album? Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes by Social Distortion. Food? Anything Mediterranean. Celebrity dream date? Alex Pettyfer. What’s something about you not everyone knows? I recently rediscovered my love for basketball and play whenever I can with my trainer-friend. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? My grandmother, Norma, to check in, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Bill Clinton. My relationship to the 2012 Orioles was . . . Like a good aunt, I was proud of the team, but could not claim ownership. I was born in New York. Who’s the funniest person alive? Seth Meyers. What’s a perfect date? A walk to Federal Hill to see the sparkling lights of the city. Deal breakers? Intolerance. You had me at . . . “How about those Ravens!”

Kate Beck
37, events manager, Office of the President, The Johns Hopkins University; divorced, one daughter, 3

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one . . . book? The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. TV Show? Sex and the City. Movie? Love Actually. Album? It’s Too Late to Stop Now by Van Morrison. Food? Shrimp and grits. Celebrity dream date? Adam Sandler circa Spanglish or Ryan Gosling circa anytime. Any phobias? The DMV. Hidden talents? Assembling Ikea furniture with few leftover pieces. What don’t you leave the house without? My optimism. What’s something about you not everyone knows? I used to be a private chef. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? The Dalai Lama, Chelsea Handler, and Oprah. Who’s your favorite athlete? My brother, who played football at Tufts. What’s a perfect date? A spontaneous road trip. Deal breakers? Super egos. You had me at . . . solid, unassuming moves on the dance floor.

Guy Cragwell
39, fitness trainer and nutritionist; never been married

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one . . . book? How to Survive on a Deserted Island. TV Show? Family Guy. Movie? Star Wars. Album? Seal (1991). Food? My mom’s flying fish, the national fish of Barbados. Celebrity dream date? Jessica Biel. Any phobias? Speaking in front of large groups. Hidden talents? I can juggle. What do you collect? Watches. If you could invite any three people to dinner, whom would they be? President Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., and God. Who’s your favorite athlete? Probably Cal Ripken Jr. So down-to-earth and a legend! What’s a trend you just don’t get? Pants hanging off the butt. What’s a perfect date? Dinner at Cinghiale with laughs and flirting. Also a woman bringing me flowers for a change. Deal breakers? Dishonesty. You had me at . . . “You are the man of my dreams.”