VIDALIA — After 28 years of teaching biology at Vidalia High School, Tim Herndon is just two years away from retirement, and he is already planning out his post-work days.

“I definitely won’t be sitting around,” he said. “I’m looking for hobbies. I’ve already picked up playing golf and brewing beer.”

Teaching at Vidalia High was Herndon’s first job after graduating from Ole Miss, and with the exception of being a crop consultant during the summers for the past 18 years, it has been his only job.

“It went so fast; being a teacher has been awesome,” said Herndon, 51. “I have loved the students and watching them grow up before my eyes.

“I am excited about what’s next and the prospect of trying new things.”

When The Dart landed on Myrtle Street in Vidalia Sunday, Herndon was grading the papers of 10th-grade students at his house — a part of his job that will not be missed in retirement.

“I looking forward to using my weekends to get outside and keep brewing beer,” he said.

He started brewing after he saw an episode of “Good Eats” on the Food Network. The show’s host, Alton Brown, was talking about home brewing beer and Herndon thought it was something he could do.

Herndon, a lifelong hobbyist, has gone through several different phases in his life including collecting reptiles and dogs, so he jumped right into homebrew buying up all the necessary equipment.

“It has been something fun and not too challenging for me to try out,” he said. “Everybody I give (the beer) to seems to like it.”

Herndon hopes that in retirement, he will have the time explore even more of his interests.

“I am always looking for new hobbies, for new things that pique my interest,” he said.

“Retirement will give me the time to explore.”