Elizabeth Harvill is one of those young, energetic, creative, and dedicated people that motivate others and generate excitement. Why, by the end of this interview I wanted to take a week off work and have her plan my vacation right here in the Toombs County area. (Actually, Elizabeth depressed me because once again I have proven that I have no idea what is goin’ on right here in my own backyard.)
Elizabeth is the Executive Director of the Vidalia Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Notwithstanding Elizabeth’s high marks in letting the world know what this area has to offer, it is a little disturbing to interview someone and find out for the first time that someone has a farm 3 miles from my office that has dozens of exotic deer from all over the world. And to think you can see glass blowing in downtown Lyons, just blows my mind. Promoting these and other attractions are Elizabeth’s job, but I had no idea that she had 500+ motel rooms to do it with. That may not sound like much to people in Atlanta, but I remember when I first came to Vidalia we had 3 or 4 motels and probably only one that a visitor might actually want to stay in.
Want to get to the country for real? Tour a farm or a pecan orchard or a Vidalia Onion factory.
You may have been to the Vidalia Onion Festival in the Spring (April 25-27, 2008), and you may have heard of our incredible Air Show, but have you seen Tales from the Altamaha, a local folk play that is gaining regional and state recognition. And when it comes to genealogy, The Ladson Genealogical Library is nationally recognized.
While I am proud to live in the Vidalia-Lyons-Toombs-Montgomery County area, this interview reminds me that home is what you make it and we all have the ability to make our hometown better.
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