Connie Scott, director of Dalton Ghost Tours, stands in front of a statue of Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in downtown Dalton, Ga. Johnston is credited for keeping Union soldiers out of Dalton during the Civil War, and his statue is one stop on Scott's tour.
Staff File PhotoName: Connie Hall-Scott
Position: Tour operator
Company: Dalton Ghost Tours in Dalton, Ga.
First job: Working at a mall
Best part of the job: "It combines a lot of the things I enjoy. I love to write. I had to do research to come up with the story that we talk about throughout the tour. During the month of October, we use actors. So I also get to direct, and I love to direct. So I get to write and direct and plan, do event coordination as well. I get to plan events sometimes and try to keep things fresh and interesting instead of doing the same thing every single time."
Worst part of the job: "When we are using actors, if someone can't do it at the last minute, trying to find someone else to fill that position. Then I have to get someone else to do double duty, disappear behind a building, change costumes and go do another scene. And the cold months, it's too cold to do tours."
Challenges: "Keeping it interesting and not repetitive. So one week I might choose a set of stories and the next week a different set. That's also good when you have several tours in one night, so you don't feel like a robot."
What she's learning: "It has taught me to be open minded, for sure. When you're dealing with the paranormal, you kind of have to be. When I first started doing this, I was a lot more careful of how I presented myself. My mom said to me, only half-joking, 'Connie, it's embarrassing when people think you're crazy.' But over time I realized the drama is really what people want. I'm not as concerned about how I'm coming across as the product I'm representing."