By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Claudia Scott describes herself as a “squiggle” … she has a thirst for knowledge and enjoys variety and change. Born in Massachusetts and holding a master’s degree in adult and vocational education from the University of Connecticut, she has held a number of jobs in her life. Notable positions included managing a photo studio in Dallas, teaching child development and nutrition classes to high school students in Massachusetts, and working with adults in transition at (then) Florida Community College at Jacksonville. She also served as the airport supervisor for Celebrity Cruises in Jacksonville and spent 17 years working seasonally for Christmas Around the World, a direct sales company that allowed her to pursue what she calls her true passion: travel. Now retired, she lives in Mandarin with her husband Barry and enjoys the different seasons in northeast Florida — as well as continuing to learn something new every day.
Q: How did you meet your husband, Barry?
A: We both worked at a photo studio company in Dallas; he was in the traveling division and was in the town where I worked for a week. From our first coffee date, we “knew.” We were married five weeks later! I then worked for him so we could travel together.
Q: How did you end up living in Mandarin?
A: When we moved back to Massachusetts, Barry worked for the Bank of Boston. His position was eliminated and one day when we were shoveling snow, he got a job offer from Barnett Bank in Jacksonville. Moving to Florida had been a long term goal of ours because it is warm! So we jumped on the opportunity. We became Floridians the first day we moved here… we got our driver’s licenses that very first day.
Q: Where are some of the places you’ve traveled?
A: Well, I went to Europe nearly every year, pre-COVID. Florence, Italy is one of my favorites, since another of my passions is Renaissance art. I also love Paris. I’m a member of the “50 Club” since I have been to all 50 states. Fargo, North Dakota was my final state and I was there on my 50th birthday, which seemed fitting. I actually love reading Debi Lander’s travel column in Mandarin NewsLine; her destinations either revive a memory of a place I’ve visited or give me an idea of a new place to go.
Q: How did you come to have a story published in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Christmas?”
A: I was a freelance writer for a time and I helped a girlfriend find a place to get one of her stories published. I came across the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and thought I should send my story as well. I’ve actually had two of my stories published by them: the first was about a birthday trip I took to Barrow, Alaska and then most recently was for this book. I sent in a story about a Christmas basket that I created 20 years ago in which I place Christmas cards from previous years sent to me by friends who have passed away during the year. I take the time to read and remember and honor these people and it’s very meaningful to me.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: My husband and I take a daily nine mile bike ride. I’m a lover of history and a jigsaw puzzle junkie. I love that we live near St. Augustine as well as the Cummer Museum, two of my favorite places to go.
Photo courtesy Claudia Scott
Claudia Scott
