SoWalScene.com Q & A

with Susan Vallee, Owner/Writer
Bennet Vallee Communications

Local resident Susan Vallee is One. Busy. Lady.  Ready?  The owner of Bennett Vallee Communications, she produces and edits The Seaside Times (the town newspaper of Seaside, Florida) and The Rosemary Thymes (the town newspaper of Rosemary Beach, Florida); contributes to Florida Travel & Life magazine; is the area manager for Coastal Homes & Lifestyles magazine; blogs for PCBDaily.com and Green Options Media; and - phew - is working on a short story and non-fiction book proposal.  Did I also mention she is a Mom to a toddler as well? 

Somehow I managed to catch up with this extraordinary woman for this week's SoWalScene.com Q & A.  Enjoy!

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How long have you lived in South Walton?  You were born and raised in....?

I'm going on my 10th year as a local. I was born in Carrollton, Ga. but we moved to Atlanta when I was 11 - so I claim it.

You already live at the beach - where do you vacation?

This sounds silly, but we love to vacation in Orlando. Roller coasters and fantasy land is a nice escape. Plus, it is fun to watch our son lose his mind. I'm also a big fan of Apalachicola and we dream of going back to Spain (my husband's motherland). Mmmm ... Iberico Ham.

What book(s) is on your nightstand?

The last book I read was The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve. It was shockingly beautiful (I've never seen the movie), well-written and had a grasp of loss that I wasn't expecting. I don't have a lot of time to read books, so in between I love reading issues of Wired Magazine, Garden & Gun and Conde Nast Portfolio.

If you were to come back as someone else, who would you be?

I don't really have an answer to that ... maybe one of our dogs because they lived a spoiled and charmed life?  Of course then I'd be a dog and dogs eat poo and lick their butts .... Can I mesh someone together?  Like the looks of Angelina Jolie, the money of Bill Gates and the writing prowess of Margaret Atwood? I could handle that ALL day long.

What is your single greatest achievement so far?

This may be cliché, but I'm proud of the relationship I have with our son. I lost my mom when I was 26 and we were incredibly close. Introducing him to the world and watching him grow without knowing her love, humor and guidance is a sorrowful experience at times. And being a mom without having a mom can be lonely. Fortunately, I'm married to an incredible man who has a family that has embraced me with open arms.

What is your favorite restaurant in South Walton?

Every restaurant that advertises with me. Momma didn't raise a fool.

What 2 things can you not live without?

My iPhone (I have an addiction) and a cup of coffee in the morning. Okay ... I have two addictions.

What would you do if you won $1 million?

Pay off debt, go on a vacation, give money to family, give money to a charity and stick some money under my mattress.

If you could change one thing about yourself, it would be...

I'd love to be that person that picks up as they go. Super-organized with a house so clean Martha Stewart would smile. It's not going to happen, though.

You are granted one wish.  What is it?

For a long, happy and healthy life for our son.

The best thing about South Walton is....

The people. The sense of community and positive spirit is like nowhere else. And that beautiful beach doesn't suck either.

What is the greatest love in your life?

My husband. He's my rock.

What are the most important qualities in a friend?

Sense of humor, good listener and someone who accepts you just as you are. Life is too short for pettiness

Would you say happiness is found or made?

I think it is a state of mind. We make of our circumstance what we will. Lemons and all that jazz.

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To read more SoWalScene.com Q&A's, visit the People & Celebrities page.