In an exclusive interview, The Paw Print’s Frances Toth sat down with administrative assistant Mrs. Toni Shoda to learn more about her plans for winter break.

Frances: I know you are planning something for winter break. What exactly are you doing?
Toni Shoda: For Christmas break we are going to Fort Mills in Rock Hills, South Carolina to visit family down there for a few days. And then we are heading down to Hilton Head to be with close friends for New Years Eve.

Frances: Who else is going on the trip with you?
Shoda: My husband.

Frances: Are you planning on driving there or flying there?
Shoda: No, we’re driving; yeah we’re driving.

Frances: How long is the trip going to be?
Shoda: It takes about nine hours to get to Fort Mills and Rock Hill, and then we will leave like a couple of days later. It takes about four hours to get to Hilton Head. We may also go up to Charleston for a few days ‘cause I have friends in Charleston, South Carolina.

Frances: Does a lot of your family live in South Carolina?
Shoda: Yeah, we have some family in Rock Hill.

Frances: How long has your family lived in Rock Hill?
Shoda: Probably now about 12 years.

Frances: When did you decide to go to South Carolina?
Shoda: Um, maybe about two months ago. We were invited down there from our friends in South Carolina and Hilton Head and we said sure we would love to come after christmas.

Frances: How often do you go to visit your family?
Shoda: The one in Rock Hill we usually stay with them at least twice a year. We head down there and they also come up to Cleveland maybe two or three times a year because they’re from Cleveland.

Frances: What are some of the things that you plan on doing when you’re there?
Shoda: Usually we go into Beaufort, we go down to Savannah. We like to look at a lot of the stores and the historic places especially in Savannah. It’s just such a neat old area. It’s typically the south that you’ll just, you’ll just love it, at least I do.

Frances: Who do you think is more excited to go to South Carolina: you or your husband?
Shoda: Oh my gosh both of us because we love the climate in the Carolinas. It’s one of our favorite places to go, so both of us.

Frances: Are you planning on buying anything special to take home from your vacation?
Shoda: I’m sure I will, what it is going to be I don’t know. It just depends what store I’m in, where I’m at. I never go anywhere without unfortunately coming home with something.

Frances: Do you have any animals that need to be watched?
Shoda: Not at this time, no.

Frances: Do you have anyone who will watch your house?
Shoda: The neighbors kind of check our mail for us and pick it up. They check on the house and everything for us. Then my son, his company is right around the corner off of Lander so he’ll come over every day and check the house too.

Frances: Will you be staying with family and friends or will you get a hotel?
Shoda: We will stay with family, and then friends in Hilton Head.

Frances: Thank you!
Shoda: You’re welcome dear.