HISTORIC VILLAGE AT BREWTON-PARKER COLLEGE

No time machine needed to go back in time in Mount Vernon! Just a few blocks from Highway 280 is the Historic Village at Brewton-Parker College. Follow the signs from Louisville Road just off of Highway 280 for the Cooper-Conner House (c. 1798) and the Thompson House (c. 1842). Take a stretch while walking through the grounds of this historic village. The Cooper-Conner House is considered the oldest house in Montgomery County. It was originally built by slave labor on Old River Road by the Dead River (near the fork of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers) in 1779 for Richard Cooper. Cooper was a Revolutionary soldier and was buried in the Dead River Cemetery in 1821. The Cooper-Conner House was once being torn down by hunters to fuel their campfires. It was moved to the Brewton-Parker College campus, and restored with handmade nails, wooden pegs, and hewn with hand axes. The holes in the walls were designed to use guns for protection from Indian attacks if necessary.

The nature trail at the Historic Village will soon be available as well.

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QUAIL PRESERVES

With or without your own bird dog… the Vidalia area is home to Southeast Georgia’s best quail hunting
Contact the Vidalia Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information and to make reservations.
Please plan to make reservations 14 days in advance.

A current Georgia hunting license is required and may be purchased locally at the following locations:McCord’s Gun and Ammo • (912) 537-0475
Hwy 280 & 15/29, Higgston

Wal-Mart • (912) 537-0889
Hwy 280, Vidalia

Swift Creek Wings
Located in Vidalia (Toombs County)
350 acres • Half and full day hunts

Are you a sportsman looking for an escape from the busy office, the pager, cellphone and hustle and bustle of daily life? Are you searching for a terrific quail hunt with mature flying quail, expert guides, and dogs? Swift Creek Wings is the place
to enjoy a professional half day or full day bird hunt. Hop on the quail buggy with Steve Taylor, and take in the beautiful scenery, blue skies, and comraderie of hunting at Swift Creek Wings. Disabled hunters are welcome—call for detailed information.

Half Day 50 Bird Hunt: $450
(30 dressed birds guaranteed)
This hunt can accommodate up to 4 hunters and will last for approximately 3 hours (both morning hunts and afternoon hunts are offered.) Hunters will be pursuing 50 released birds, 30 dressed birds guaranteed. Additional hunters can be added to this packaged for $125 per person. For each additional hunter, 10 more birds will be released. Beside the guide, no more than 3 hunters will be on the ground at one time. Additional birds can be added to this package at a $6.00 per bird. Shotgun shells are not included.

All Day 100 Bird Hunt: $950
(60 dressed birds guaranteed)
This hunt can accommodate up to 4 hunters and last for approximately 3 hours of morning hunting and 3 hours of afternoon hunting. Hunters will be pursuing 100 released birds, 60 dressed birds guaranteed. Lunch is included in price. Additional hunters can be added to this packaged for $200 per person, and for each additional hunter, 20 more birds will be released. Beside the guide, no more than 3 hunters will be on the ground at one time. Additional birds can be added to this package at a $6.00 per bird. Shotgun shells are not included.

Turpentine Ridge
Located in Uvalda (Montgomery County)
10 minutes from Vidalia
800 acres • Half and full day quail hunts

C&R Quail Farm invites you to Turpentine Ridge to enjoy a half-day or a full-day hunt at their plantation in Montgomery County that offers the best in southern quail hunting. If excellent flying birds, top-notch dogs, and jovial guides sound like what you’re looking for, then C&R Quail Farm has what you want. The finest flying mature quail available are released into a premium hunting environment consisting of 100 year old Longleaf Pines and wiregrass. They hunt setters and pointers, with a few rip-rapps to boot. Hunts are run by two experienced guides, David Carswell and Charlie Robison, whose two goals are safety and fun. All hunts include snacks and beverages. Parties are limited to up to 4 hunters, and prices listed below are per party. Shotgun shells are
not included.

Half Day Hunt
50 birds released $450
50 birds released with cleaned birds $500
60 birds released with cleaned birds $600
75 birds released with cleaned birds $750

Full Day Hunt
100 birds released, noon meal, and cleaned birds $1,000
125 birds released, noon meal, cleaned birds $1,200

Wexford Farms
Located in Ailey (Montgomery and Wheeler Counties)
10 minutes from Vidalia • 3,000 acres
Half day walking quail hunts

Kelly and Patrick Moran offer half-day walking quail hunts through a blend of wiregrass ridges, pine plantation, and creek bottoms to offer a variety of terrain. This terrain, combined with wild and released quail provide a unique challenge to both dog and gunner. Wexford Farms also offers a 30 acre, enclosed dog training and exercise pen for use in yard and bird work. Their philosophy is simple—no frills, just superior quail hunting. (Special arrangements may be made for one or two-day deer hunts.) Refreshments are provided in the field, and meals can be arranged after the hunt.
www.wexfordfarms.com

Half Day Walking Hunt (morning or afternoon): $225 per gunner
Hunt includes guide, dogs, 20-bird bag limit, and refreshments

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RIVER EXCURSIONS

Altamaha, Ohoopee, Ocmulgee or the Oconee… plan a fun day along one of our beautiful rivers.
Spend a day on the Altamaha, Ohoopee, Ocmulgee or the Oconee… all are beautiful and exciting!

CanoeCanoe and Three Rivers Expeditions are just the tickets for your outdoor eco-adventures! They can outfit you and your family with all of the equipment needed for a great day on the river. Expert guides are also available to lead the way. Contact them for equipment rentals throughout the year, as well as for the annual River Rat Run in Baxley in May, and the annual Altamaha Fall Canoe Excursion in September that begins at Town’s Bluff Landing in Uvalda and ends at Deen’s Landing in Baxley.

Contact the Vidalia Area CVB at (912) 538-8687 or vacvb@bellsouth.net for more information on river excursions and the two annual events.

D.I.Y. River Excursions
Do It Yourself… it’s as easy as a phone call or email to:

CanoeCanoe Outfitters: Ronnie Kemp • (912) 526-8222 • cc@canoecanoe.com • http://www.canoecanoe.com

Three Rivers Expeditions: Charlie Ford • (912) 379-1371 • cjford@altamaha.net • http://www.3riverexp.com

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DOWNTOWN VIDALIA

Jackson Street, Church Street, Meadows Street, and Main Street • Lovely historic downtown Vidalia is just off of Highway 280, once you pass the Darby Bank on the right. Turn right onto Jackson or Church Street, and find a nice parking spot. Enjoy shopping and strolling through downtown Vidalia, and see how hard they’ve worked on their sidewalks, storefronts, and Meadows Street Park. While downtown, you’ll want to visit all of the merchants in the historic district, which flanks both sides of Highway 280. All shops are filled with unique gifts and items sure to please all on your gift-giving lists. Cool off and catch a movie at the historic New Pal movie theater, which has recently been renovated. For more information on shopping downtown call Paula at 912.537.8033. For show listings ay the Pal Theater downtown call Ann at 912.538.1555.

While downton, visit the Ladson Genealogy Library. What started as Mr. Ladson’s hobby and passion, now sees on average 4,500 visitors a year. Trace your family’s history and enjoy thumbing through all of the books in the Ladson collection. The Ladson Library’s normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9am-1pm, and 2pm-6pm, Saturdays 9am-1pm. Call (912) 537-8186 for information, or visit their website at http://www.toombs.public.lib.ga.us/ladson.htm.

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DOWNTOWN LYONS

Discover Broad Street! Here you will find really unique shopping and one-of-a-kind gifts, from hand blown glass Vidalia onions, to children’s consignments, to antique and everyday must-haves to furnish your house. You never know what kind of treasure you will find in downtown Lyons, from the specialty stores to the consignment shops. For more information on local merchants and special events happening in Lyons, visit the Lyons Better Hometown office and Welcome Center, located in the green building on the far end of NW Broad Street. A city kiosk station will soon be available. Look for it next to the Welcome Center.

AWARD WINNING, "TALES FROM THE ALTAMAHA"

The Third brand new production created from the writings of Col. T. Ross Sharpe. The playwright for the 2007 production is Laurie Upchurh

As is the challenge of many smalll rural towns, interested citizens must work diligently to preserve the history of their communities while seeking avenues for economic revitalization. It is the goal of Lyons Better Hometown and The Lyons Arts Council to spark a renewed interest of the cultural history of the area through the dramatic arts.

"Tales from the Altamaha" started out as a dauthers tribute to her deceased father. But, has evolved into a project that will impact the community forever. Ms. Luray Reed gave the Lyons Better Hometown 800 transcripts of her father's writings on the history of the Altamaha River area. From the success of SWAMP GRAVY and REACH OF SONG we knew these manuscripts had the potential to bring similar success to our small rural town if we turned them into a Georgia Folk Life Play for our region. We hired a playwright and work on the play for 6 months before bring it alive on the stage. We will create a new play each year using more of the stories.

Our Georgia Folk Life Play TALES FROM THE ALTAMAHA, is drawn from over 800 manuscripts written by Col. T. Ross Sharpe and born from the banks of the Altamaha River. The play brings to life the colorful characters of a time gone b, the regional settlers of a 5 county radius and let's the audience travel through the magic of the dramatic arts for a first hand view of their lives, loves, losses and plain ol' gossip.

Preformance Schedule:

April 12, Thursday,7 p.m.

April 13, Friday,7 p..m

April 14, Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

April 17, Tuesday,7 p.m.

April 19, Thursday, 7 p.m.

April 20, Friday, 7 p.m.

April 21, Saturday, 7 p.m.

The general admission tickets are $15 per person.

Tickets go quickly. Reserve yours today for the 2007 production in April. Reserve tickets by calling Joy at Lyons Better Hometown at 912.526.6445.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE

Spring Street • Mount Vernon
Follow Highway 280 West to Spring Street, and turn left at the stoplight with T-Byrd’s Shell Station on the corner. Continue driving a few blocks until you see the Courthouse on your left. Stop for a stretch and visit the Veterans of War Memorial in front of the courthouse. Montgomery County was established in 1793, and is the twentieth oldest in the state of Georgia. It was named for
Continental Army general Richard Montgomery, who was mortally wounded during the American Revolution in the attack upon British Quebec in 1775. In 1813, Montgomery County was designated a county seat, and the courthouse was built. Despite being originally a wooden structure, this courthouse has never seen a fire—quite amazing since it had four woodburing furnaces and paper-wrapped wiring. The magnificent brick, neoclassical revival structure that you see today was designed by Alexander Blair, and built in 1907.

Mount Vernon • Uvalda • At the far corner of the courthouse turn left onto Highway 221. Follow this scenic drive through the country side of Mount Vernon, Uvalda, and Cedar Crossing all the way back into Lyons—or—detour through beautiful Alston back to Vidalia. The nostalgic community of Long Pond is a history buff’s haven. This community was born from the headright grant, back in the days where public domain was turned into private ownership through the headright grant. By meeting certain criteria, a family could be granted 200 acres and up to 50 acres per member or head of their household. They could be granted additional land if the settler promised to build a mill, or other utilitarian structure. Georgia land was pretty much there for the taking at this time. The Long Pond Baptist Church c. 1802, and the United Methodist Church c. 1802 are within walking distance of each other. These are definitely structures to admire for their architecture and stamina to withstand the elements of weather and time. Be sure to take a peek at the Uvalda mural as you approach the intersection of Highway 221 and 135. Also on this corner is a shopping center with the Uvalda Hardware Store and more. Along the way, you’ll find many unique dining establishments, Vidalia Onion farms, and interesting places to stop. Vidalia onions are harvested from the fields by hand between late April/early May and mid-June. Other crops are grown seasonally, too.

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YAMASSEE BICYCLE TRAIL

This 27-mile, billboard-free bike trail will surely be a day well spent! Montgomery County’s Yamassee Bicycle Trail is an opportunity for you and your family to enjoy the countryside of southern Georgia. You’ll pedal by beautiful farms, historic churches, huge forests filled with hardwood and pine, and see where Montgomery County was first settled. A particular point of interest along the route is the Long Pond Community, established in 1877. You’ll see where Peter Johnson, a confederate was hereo, built his postwar dwelling. The Colonial style house still stands and is as beautifl and it is historic.

You’ll also pedal through the communities of Alston and Uvalda, two picturesque towns within the Vidalia area. These small towns offer great places to take a break, and experience rural Georgia hospitality. Enjoy a day of cycling through our countryside. Contact the Vidalia Area CVB at (912) 538-8687 or vacvb@bellsouth.net for directions.

Please note: The Yamassee Bike Trail is marked along the highways in Montgomery County. You will be riding on these highways, so it is advised that your children are experienced enough to ride alongside occasional traffic that may pass by.

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FARM TOURS

As all farms offering tours are working farms, you must schedule tours in advance with the Vidalia Area CVB by calling
(912) 538-8687 or emailing the executive director at vacvb@bellsouth.net. The farms listed below will give you a taste of
what you can expect to experience.

We can accommodate group sizes just like our Vidalias — small, medium and jumbo — and can easily custom-tailor an itinerary for you and your group. Call (912) 538-8687 or email vacvb@bellsouth.net to make these arrangements.

UGA VIDALIA® ONION AND VEGETABLE RESEARCH CENTER• LYONS
Ever wonder what makes a Vidalia® onion… a Vidalia? Take an agriventure through the UGA Research Center and learn! Seasonal scheduled tours of the University of Georgia Vidalia® Onion and Vegetable Research Center are available from late
April through mid-June.

BRADDY FARMS
Scheduled tours of Vidalia® onion fields and packing shed are available from late April through mid-June.
Scheduled tours of tobacco harvesting are available in July and August.

M&T FARMS • LYONS
Scheduled tours of Vidalia® onion fields and packing shed are available from late April through mid-June.

ROBISON FARMS • AILEY
Scheduled tours of their Vidalia® onion fields and packing sheds available from late April through mid-June, and scheduled tours of their pecan orchards and packing facilities are available in September and October.

STANLEY FARMS • VIDALIA
Tours of Vidalia® onion fields, packing sheds and their Controlled Atmosphere storage facility are available from late April through mid-June.

VIDALIA ONION FACTORY AND GIFTS (STANLEY FARMS PACKING SHED)• VIDALIA
Pulled… dried… clipped…processed… labeled and shipped…Stop by the Vidalia Onion Factory (and gift shop) to get a peek at how it all happens behind the scenes and before the Vidalias hit the super market shelves. Scheduled tours of the packing shed are available from late April through mid-June, but the Vidalia Onion Factory and Gifts is open Monday through Saturday, 8:30am-5:30pm. (You may ask for a tour, as their time permits.)

PECAN ORCHARD PLANTATION • ALSTON, LONG POND COMMUNITY
Get a taste of what farm life is like at the Pecan Orchard Plantation. These Outdoor classroom experiences are designed for families, groups and school fieldtrips. Contact the Vidalia Area CVB at (912) 538-8687 or vacvb@bellsouth.net to schedule a fieldtrip, or call the Pecan Orchard Plantation directly at (912) 594-1805

Pack up the kids and a picnic lunch, or put the class on a school bus and enjoy a unique agriventure in the Long Pond community. The Pecan Orchard Plantation is just the spot to enjoy a beautiful day in the scenic countryside. It is located just 10 minutes from downtown Vidalia, yet it feels miles and miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Your children and/or class will like feeding the animals in the petting zoo, taking a hay ride, running through the corn maze (when in season) and wide open spaces. They also offer Easter egg hunts, a great pumpkin patch in October, ol’ time fishing, lessons on fruit and agriculture in Mrs. Scott’s outdoor classroom, and sometimes they even make old fashioned cane syrup. Fieldtrips are offered
in spring, fall and summer to groups of all kinds, from scout troops to church groups — to groups of friends and family.

During the Vidalia Onion Festival, the Pecan Orchard Plantation will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 9am-8pm and on Sunday from 1pm to 8pm. Take a run through their sweet Vidalia onion oat field maze and enjoy their Vidalia Onion Festival activities.

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