Toombs County at a Glance         TO RETURN PRESS YOUR BACK BUTTON

 

Climate:

 

The average temperature in Toombs County is a comfortable 68.7 degrees, with the average temperature being 49 degrees in January and 81 degrees in June. The county is situated 305 feet above sea level and receives an average rainfall of 50 inches per year.

 

Communications:

 

There are four radio stations located in the county: WLYU-FM, Lyons;

WTCQ-FM, Vidalia; WBBT-AM, Lyons; and WVOP-AM, Vidalia.

 

The Advance-Progress newspaper, located on Hwy 280 in downtown Vidalia, is published weekly.

 

Education:

 

Toombs County has two public school systems: Vidalia City School System and

Toombs County School System and one private school system, Robert Toombs Christian Academy.

 

To register for school, take your child's birth certificate, immunization records and previous school records to the school your child will be attending.

 

Higher education is available nearby at the following locations: Southeastern Technical Institute, a public, co-educational, post-secondary institution located in Vidalia; Brewton-Parker College, a 4 year private school located just 12 miles from Vidalia in Mt. Vernon; Georgia Southern University, a 4 year school located 45 miles away in Statesboro.

 

There are several excellent libraries serving the county: The Vidalia-Toombs County Library, headquarters of the Ohoopee Regional Library system and its branches, the Nelle Brown Memorial Library in Lyons, and the Ladson Genealogical Library in Vidalia.

 

Entertainment & Lifestyles:

 

When it comes to recreation and leisure, Toombs County has it all. With two excellent recreational departments, seven parks, 10 tennis courts, 5 baseball/softball fields, two football/soccer stadiums, two basketball courts, three pavilions, two swimming pools,

two golf courses, one public and one private; country club, a racquet club, private health club, other workout and athletic facilities, two rivers within a 15 mile radius, a bowling center and two cinemas.

 

Government:

 

There are three incorporated cities in Toombs County: Lyons, the county seat and home of the Southeast Ga. Soapbox Derby; Vidalia, the largest city and the sweet onion capital of the world; and Santa Claus, a city which has received national attention due to its name and such street names as Noel and Rudolph Way. Each city is governed by a mayor and a city council. The county government consists of the Toombs County Commissioners and a chairman.

 

Healthcare:

 

Toombs County is home to Meadows Regional Medical Center, 30 active physicians,

12 courtesy physicians, three orthodontists, two oral surgeons, four veterinarians, three animal hospitals, and four nursing homes: Bethany Home, Meadows Nursing Center, Precious Care, and Toombs Nursing & Intermediate Care.

 

Meadows Memorial Emergency Medical Services provides 24-hour basic, cardiac tech and para-medic service to Toombs and Montgomery Counties. The emergency number is 537-2900; for non-emergency information, call 537-8219.

 

Meadows Regional Medical Center also operates two health clinics, the Family Medical Center and the R.T. Stanley, Sr. Health Center to meet the needs for primary care in this community and the surrounding areas. They specialize in minor emergencies as well as routine care. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. They see patients on a 'walk-in" basis as well as by appointment.

 

Support Services & Public Safety:

 

Two police departments, one sheriffs' department, two fire stations, and five volunteer fire departments protect Toombs County.

 

The E-911 System for Toombs and Montgomery Counties began service in the spring of 1994.

 

Ambulance Service is available 24 hours a day.

 

Utilities:

 

Georgia Power and Altamaha Electric Membership Corporation provide electricity to the

county. Call for deposit amount required:

 

Georgia Power, (912) 537-3081

 

Altamaha EMC, (912) 526-8181.

 

Georgia Natural Gas supplies natural gas. The required deposit amount is based on customer credit rating. Call (912) 537-7588 for more information.

 

Southern Bell Telephone Company supplies telephone service to Toombs County. For customer service call 1-800-780-2355.

 

Water and sewerage are supplied by the cities of Lyons and Vidalia. City of Vidalia, a deposit of $25 is required for water supply, for City of Lyons a deposit of $50 is required for water supply, and for City of Santa Claus a deposit of $35 is required for water Supply.

 

For more information call City of Lyons at (912) 526-8606, City of Vidalia at (912) 537-7661, or City of Santa Claus at (912) 526-6949.

 

Cable Televison providers:

 

Northland Cablevision (537-3200).

 

Automobile Tags:

 

When moving to Toombs County, new residents have 30 days to apply for automo-

bile tags. Must bring proof of ownership and insurance to the Toombs County Tax Commissioner's office, located at Courthouse Square in Lyons. For more information, call (912) 526-8575.

 

Driver's License:

 

The Toombs County Courthouse in Lyons issues driver's licenses every Wednesday

from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (closed for lunch), and any Georgia State Patrol office in the area issues them as well. Bring current license, or, if you do not have one, call the State Patrol office in Reidsville at (912) 557-4378 to get a listing of what you'll need to obtain a license. Cost for a 4-year license is $15.00, and they do not accept checks.

 

Voter Registration:

 

Vidalia city residents should register for city, county, state, and national elec-

tions at the Vidalia City Hall, 114 Jackson Street, Vidalia. For more information call (912) 537-7661.

 

Lyons city residents may register for city, county, state, and national elections at the Lyons City Hall, 417 North State Street, Lyons. For more information call (912) 526-3626.

 

Residents living in the City of Santa Claus and in unincorporated areas of Toombs County may register for county, state, and national elections at the Probate Court office at the courthouse in Lyons, 100 Courthouse Square. For more information call (912) 526-8696.

 

Geographical Location:

 

Toombs County is nestled in the heart of Southeast Georgia and is within 100 miles of Macon, Savannah, and Augusta. Atlanta is 175 miles north of Toombs County.

 

Interstate 16 is 15 miles north of downtown Lyons or Vidalia, which are located halfway between the beautiful valley of the Oconee River and the picturesque, rambling stream of the Ohoopee.

 

Population:

 

The 1990 population of Toombs County was 24,072, which ranks 55th in the state. The

growth projection for the year 2000 is estimated by the State Data Center as 27,992.

City of Lyons - 4,502; City of Vidalia - 11,118; Santa Claus - 154

 

Points of Interest

 

Visit the Altama Gallery

 

The Altama Gallery is one of the places you will not want to miss. The Gallery is housed in the Brazell House, constructed in 1911 and now listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The Altama Galley has as part of its permanent collection some 178 pieces of art hanging on its walls. These pieces are varied, but there are some areas of emphasis such as: 18th and 19th Century American and European prints, 20th Century Southern prints, and several newly added pieces focusing on wildlife. Also included in the permanent collection at the gallery is an 18th and 19th Century porcelain collection, which has recently been increased by 30 pieces. All of this as well as antique furniture is available for viewing. For more information call (912) 537-1911. (Located at Corner of Jackson & 6th Street, Vidalia, Ga.)

 

 

 Visit the Ladson Genealogical Library

 

The Ladson Library, a branch of the Ohoopee Regional Library, headquartered in downtown Vidalia, is one of the largest genealogical research libraries located in the southeastern United States. The collection includes general reference works, genealogical tools and indexes, biographical dictionaries, individual biographies, family histories, lineage society records, emigration/immigration records,

marriage and death records, census records, church and court records, land and tax records, military records, and more. The library, in which all books are from the private collection of Mr. John E. Ladson, Jr., also includes material on virtually every state in the nation. A friendly staff is there to advise you on how to get started in your genealogical research. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Located at 119 Church Street, Vidalia, GA.)

 

 Play a Round or Two of Golf

 

Vidalia has two 18-hole golf courses ready for your enjoyment. Rocky Creek Golf Club is a semi-private course and Vidalia Country Club is a private membership club. Rocky Creek  is a new public eighteen-hole championship course with a full practice facility with a driving range, as well as a clubhouse with a small restaurant.

 

Workout at a Health Club

 

For those who like to keep in shape, Vidalia Fitness Center in Vidalia is the place to go. They offer Nautilus and free weights, aerobic, step aerobic and body sculpting classes. For more information call (912) 538-7555. Offering similar programs, Westside Gym has personalized training programs. For more information call (912) 537-1850.

 

 

 Bowl a Game or Two

 

If you like to bowl, then you'll want to visit TNT Bowling Lanes, which hosted the 1992 Georgia State Seniors Bowling Tournament. TNT Lanes has 16 bowling lanes, a video arcade and a snack bar.

 

 Enjoy a Movie

 

You can be entertained at either of the two movie theaters, the Brice Cinema and the newly renovated Pal Cinema in downtown Vidalia. Choose from two shows nightly and a matinee on Sunday. No one needs to miss his or her favorite box office hit. Call Pal Theatre Information Service at (912) 537-3229 for more information.

 

 

 Enjoy the Outdoors

 

There are more than 40 acres of community parks and playgrounds within Toombs County. The Altamaha and Ohoopee Rivers are within easy driving distance, and provide excellent fishing, canoeing, swimming and picnic areas. Both recreation departments have facilities available to entice anyone seeking recreation. Lyons Recreation Department facilities includes four lighted tennis courts, full-length lighted basketball court, three playing fields, 12 sitting swings, four pavilions, three playground areas, and a half-mile lighted walking trail. Vidalia Recreation Department facilities includes six lighted tennis courts, a city pool, and three baseball/softball fields.

 

 

 Spend the Day Shopping

 

Toombs County has a wonderful array of shops from sportswear and books to gifts and specialty stores. In downtown Lyons and Vidalia you1ll find a diversity of unique family-owned businesses.

 

 

 Enjoy the Vidalia Onion Festival

 

Enjoy the activities surrounding the Vidalia Onion Festival, scheduled the last week of April. The Vidalia Onion Festival offers several days overflowing with such exciting events as a beauty pageant, tennis and bowling tournaments, airport exhibitions, two mile fun run, arts and crafts show, street dance, car show, Vidalia onion eating contest, Vidalia Onion cook-off, cooking school, and much more. For more information about the festival call (912) 538-8687.

 

 

 Other Eagerly Anticipated Events Include:

 

Southeast Ga. Soapbox Derby held in Lyons in June

Lyons Recreational Department Invitational Baseball/Softball Tournaments held in July

Lyons and Vidalia Christmas Parades held in December

Tour of Homes

Franklinia Playhouse

Ohoopee Regional Council for the Arts (ORCA) - Cultural Events

Jaycees Home & Garden Show

Altamaha River - Boat Races

 

Health

1 acute care hospital (87 beds).

42 MDs (26 active, 4 podiatry, 12 courtesy).

15 dentists.

Toombs County Health Department in Lyons with a satellite office in Vidalia.

3 nursing homes (347 beds).

1 personal care home (24 beds).

3 mental health centers.

5 home health care agencies.

3 health & exercise clubs.

1 physical therapy clinic.