David Taplin graduated from Middlebury College in 1972, and lived in Norwich, Vermont for 5 years, before moving to South Strafford. There he built a house with some friends, and started a maple sugar operation. Later he focused on managing his woodlands, mostly for firewood. Â He coached youth soccer in Strafford for 14 years, and devoted a lot of time to the care and maintenance of their athletic facilities. He served on the Board of Vermont PBS for many years, and is still an active supporter, along with several other environmental and animal welfare charities.