BY MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

WINDSOR—When Durwood Scott’s cellphone rings, what you hear is a train whistle

This is significant to Scott, who was born and raised in Windsor, which was actually built around the railroad and the whistle reminds him of the hometown he loves.

“Just one of my quirks,” he said with a grin. “But I am partial to Windsor. I can think of no better place to live and raise a family.”

Scott is indeed partial to his hometown and he shows it by his contributions to the community, his church and the town. He is a member of the local Masonic Lodge, Windsor Ruritan Club and serves on the town council, to name a few instances.

“I try to do my part,” he said, adding that he has not missed a Masonic meeting since he joined 41 years ago.

Born and raised in the small town, Scott went to work as an apprentice at the Newport News Shipyard right out of high school.

He said when he had reached a point where he could no longer advance without an engineering degree, he decided to leave and go into the real estate field.

“I had taken some classes and worked in the field part time, so I felt I could get ahead in real estate. By this time I had married and had four-year-old twin boys, though, and my wife was a little skeptical about our income.”

“I would be leaving a steady paycheck with benefits for a job that paid on commission.”

“But I was very fortunate,” he said. “Everything just fell into place. I went from one advancement to another.”

Scott, 68, along with his twin sons, now owns and operates Scott & Associates, Inc., a real estate company with the main office in Windsor and a branch in Franklin, although he says he has been trying to retire for six years.

“I thought it would be nice to have the boys take over, but I keep running into former clients who want me to help them.

“These clients are the ones who helped me build my business and I just can’t turn them down.”

Scott’s devotion to his clients speaks for itself. He has been a member of the Million Dollar Sales Club for more than 40 years and realtor of the year several times since 1982. An accredited land realtor, he was chosen Virginia Land Realtor in 1994.

But Scott doesn’t spend all his time at work. His election to the Windsor Town Council “shed a whole new light on the town,” he said.

“I now realize how much work goes into managing the workings of a town the size of Windsor.”

“There are some tough decisions to make, and some that affect people’s lives, but you just go by what the facts tell you and what you think is right.”

Scott said he has been appointed to several boards in town, as well as ones in the county.

He is chairman of the Windsor Economic Development Authority and serves on the Isle of Wight, Smithfield, Windsor Crimeline board of directors.

“The work is quite interesting,” he went on. “I’m learning many things I wasn’t aware of.”

Scott laughed.

“My boys asked me when I first ran for council if I was sure I wanted to get involved in town government. They felt it was demanding.

“I said well, there are some issues in town that I’m concerned about. If I get on council, I’ll be more involved and maybe help solve them. Anyway, let’s leave it up to the voters.”

The voters obviously think he is doing a good job—he was reelected for a second term last year.

Aside from his 41 years as a Mason, he has been a Ruritan for 37 years and is a lifelong member of the Windsor Christian Church.

NAME: Durwood Scott

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THIS AREA: I was born here.

HOMETOWN: Windsor.

OCCUPATION: Real Estate Broker.

MARITAL STATUS: Married to Carolyn Lowe Scott.

CHILDREN, AGES AND SCHOOLS: We have twin boys, Dale and Dane. They are both married with their own families and both work in the family real estate business.

FAVORITE NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN: A dinner and a movie with my wife.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: Steinhilber’s in Virginia Beach.

FAVORITE MEAL AND BEVERAGE: Seafood and a beverage called Toasted Almond.

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU: I attended Old Dominion University.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOURSELF: I’m easy-going, community minded and I love people.

WHAT IS YOUR WORST HABIT: I love to talk.

PETS: None.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY: I like traveling, especially to the beach with my grandchildren.

PET PEEVE: Dishonesty.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB: As an apprentice at the Newport News Shipyard.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED: As a mentor and caring person who helped those who needed assistance.

IF YOU HAD 10 MINUTES ON NATIONAL TELEVISION, WHAT WOULD YOUR TOPIC BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY: My topic would be our country’s youth. I would urge them to plan for the future. Get an education, join a community organization and volunteer. Get involved and work with things that you enjoy, not because of the money necessarily, but because you enjoy what you’re doing and look forward to going to work every day. Enjoy life, because it is short. Keep in touch with family. Remember, it is not how long you live, but how you live.