Learn the keys to outdoor survival at Tim’s Ford Forged at the Ford. {File Photo}
FRANKLIN COUNTY— Think you could survive for three days and two nights on an island in Tims Ford Lake with just a handful of gear? Then you should definitely register for the next Forged at the Ford Outdoor Survival School, which will take place October 16-18. Registration ends on October 9, and there are limited spots available.
A Tims Ford Park Ranger will teach campers a variety of survival basics using minimal equipment and resources. Participants will learn friction fire, shelter building, knots, and more. During the three days, campers will live off the land by learning wild edible plants, trapping, fishing, and outdoor cooking. Rangers designed the program for all skill levels but campers must be at least 14 years old to attend and campers 14-17 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
The list of required gear includes a fixed blade knife, ferrocerium rod, screw top water bottle, hatchet or axe, 8×10 tarp, 50 feet of paracord, a flashlight or headlamp, a small metal pot, a sleeping bag, fishing line with assorted hooks, and a extra set of clothes in a waterproof container. Optional gear will include a hand saw, insect repellent, and a small first aid kit. All campers will be inventoried upon arrival.
Forged at the Ford is a rain or shine event. The price is $200 per camper. For more information, contact the Tims Ford Park Office at 931-958-3536 or visit their website. To register for the event, click here. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Bear Trace Golf Course is located on a picturesque peninsula inside Tims Ford State Park. Motlow College will hold their annual Foundation Golf Tournament there in September. {Photo Courtesy of Tims Ford State Park}
Motlow College officials want Moore County golfers to know that there is still time to register for this year’s Motlow Foundation Golf Tournament at Bear Trace on September 11. All proceeds benefit Motlow College Foundation scholarships for local students.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to both support a good cause and experience an outstanding local golf course. Designed by Jack Nicklaus and located inside Tims Ford State Park, the course features Champion Bermuda greens and 419 Bermuda fairways. The links were built to mimic the gently rolling pasture land that surrounds it. Golfers will also enjoy a view of Tims Ford Lake during their 18 hole adventure.
Golfers can enter several specialty contests like a hole-in-one and closest-to-pin contest in addition to the 18 holes. Tournament officials and Bear Trace employees will take every precaution to ensure golfers safety to reduce the COVID-19 threat.
The tournament is a four-person scramble with prizes for three places in two flights. The cost is $115 per person or $450 per team. Each player registration includes green fees, cart rental, mulligans, lunch, snacks, drinks, and a goody bag. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m., and tee time is noon. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date is September 18.
Please contact the Motlow College Foundation office at 931-393-1543 or MotlowFoundation@mscc.edu to register for the tournament, purchase a hole sponsorship, or donate a door prize. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Moore County … covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, the Lynchburg Music Fest, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Masks are now required inside any state park facility where employees or the general public might gather. This includes the Visitor’s Center at Tims Ford State Park as well as the park offices, gift shop, and recreation center. {File Artwork}
Get out there and enjoy the great outdoors during the COVID-19 health situation but do so safely. That’s the message from Tennessee State Park officials this week as they add a mask requirement to facilities at most parks.
Masks are now required inside any state park facility where employees or the general public might gather. This includes the Visitor’s Center at Tims Ford State Park as well as the park offices, gift shop, and recreation center.
Tennessee State Parks re-opened on April 24 after remaining closed under Governor Lee’s Stay at Home order. Since then, they’ve be a popular weekend spot for lots of locals.
Park officials also remind locals to stay home if your feel sick or have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19. While inside parks, only visit areas where it is possible to maintain six feet of social distance at all times and avoid crowded areas.
On weekends, parks tend to fill up quickly, so park officials say it’s best to arrive early in the day. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, it’s probably best to leave and come back at a different time. Park officials also ask that visitors not park along the shoulder of roadways and instead only park ion designated areas.
In most cases, park officials try to keep public restrooms open but say visitors should prepare for limited or no bathroom access.
If you’d like more information about COVID-19 closures as well as social distancing tips for visitors, visit the Tennessee State Parks website by clicking here. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Tims Ford State Park will offer an evening float for both canoers and kayakers on Friday. {File Photo}
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Floating on the picturesque Tims Ford Lake is always fun but a sunset float adds a bit of drama.
Officials at Tims Ford State Park in Franklin County plan an Evening Canoe Float and an Evening Kayak Float on Friday, August 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Participants should meet at the Fairview Campground Check In Station. If you prefer to kayak, the state park will also host a Sunset Kayak Float at the same time.
Life jackets can be provided for either float for both adults and youths but the state park can not supply vest for children weighing under 50 pounds.
The cost of the Evening Canoe Float is $25 and you can register by clicking here. There were eight spots available at press time. The cost of the Evening Kayak Float is also $25 and you can register by clicking here. There were six spots available at press time.
For information about event at Tims Ford State Park visit their website or like their Facebook page. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Need a break? Spend the night in one of Tennessee’s 56 state parks, including nearby Tims Ford, and get a discount as a Tennessee resident. {Photo Provided}
In March 2020, the world changed for most of us. Suddenly social distancing, quarantine, masks, and sanitizer became part of our daily lexicon. As the COVID-19 global pandemic forced many inside, others continue to look for ways to connect outdoors. It’s in that spirit that the Tennessee State Parks system decided to offer a new discount specifically for Tennessee residents.
On Wednesday, they announced a 10 percent Tennessee Resident Discount meant to encourage spending the night outdoors while making it more affordable. Tennessee is already just one of six U.S. states who do not charge an admission fee at state-sponsored parks.
“Our hope is that all Tennesseans – especially young adults, new residents, families with small kids, and price-sensitive travelers – will get outside and discover the beauty and wonder of your state parks,” said Deputy Commissioner of Parks and Conservation Jim Bryson.
The discount is available to reserve a campsite, cabin, or lodge room at any Tennessee State Park including Tims Ford, Old Stone Fort, South Cumberland, and Henry Horton. To reserve a spot at one of 56 state parks, contact them by phone at 800-471-5295 or by clicking here. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Saturday is the first day of summer and so it is with great excitement that The Lynchburg Times relaunches one of its favorite weekly features, Seven Things. We’ve searched hundreds of websites and social media page so you don’t have to. These are our seven favorite things happening in middle Tennessee this weekend. Enjoy and remember to maintain social distancing
1 | Adopt a Beehive at Tims Ford State Park — Did you know that Tims Ford State Park in Franklin County sells its own locally-produced honey? It’s true. Park officials recently installed two honeybee hives and locals can adopt either a single bee, a colony, or the complete hive. Learn more by clicking here.
2 | Dirty Dancing and Footloose at the Montana — Thursday is the last day to see a pair of iconic 80’s films at the local drive in. Dirty Dancing will begin at 8:30 p.m. on June 18 and Footloose will follow at 10:25 p.m. The Montana Drive In is located at 10251 Tullahoma Highway. To read our complete coverage on this event, click here.
3 | Free Screening of My Friend Karl — Did you know that Tullahoma boasts it’s very own documentary film maker? Tullahoma High School student and filmmaker Colin Shuran recently finished his first, feature-length documentary – a film title, My Friend Karl – and you can watch it for free, under the stars on Friday, June 19 around dusk at the South Jackson Civic Center. The film tells the story an unlikely friendship through the lens of mental illness, homelessness, and advocacy. It’s a great teaching film for all ages.
4 | DJ Dusty at the Hard Dock Cafe — Oh, hello grandmother? We’re not sure where this catch phrase came from exactly but if you are from around here you know exactly who it belongs to. He’s a Lynchburg Elementary School teacher, a Jack Daniel’s tour guide, and a one-of-a-kind personality. He also happens to be a fabulous DJ who will keep you smiling and dancing all night. He’ll be at the Hard Dock Cafe at Tims Ford Marina beginning at 6 PM on Saturday.
5 | Hike to Horsepound Falls — Saturday marks the first day of summer and the perfect day for a hike. South Cumberland State Park officials plan an organized hike to Horsepound Falls on Saturday, June 20. You’ll experience two falls, a creek, and maybe if you are lucky the tailend of the spring wildflowers. Read our complete coverage by clicking here.
6 | Watrace Summer Concert Series — Live music outside by the historic railroad tracks? Yes please. On Saturday, June 19 head into this charming, historic railroad town for the Wartrace MusicFest Summer Concert series. It happens every third Saturday at 6 p.m. and features live music, shopping, craft beer and pizza from the Iron Pizzeria. Saturday’s line up includes Goodbye June, Kiss Kiss Bang, The Blue Trees, The Cold Stares, Sweet Fever, and Fred Reilly.
7 | Acoustic Jam at Tims Ford State Park — Some nights you’re a picker and other nights you’re a grinner. On Saturday, June 20 you can be either at the All Acoustic Open Jam Night hosted by David Watson Music. The music starts at 5: 30 p.m. at the state park’s Recreation Building and it’s open to musicians of all levels and abilities. To learn more, click here.
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Tennessee State Park officials announced this week that all public pools located inside state parks will not open this summer due to COVID-19 concerns. Tim’s Ford State Park Pool was already scheduled to be closed this summer for maintenance.
State park official stated they made the decision because there is no way to safely social distance at a pool. They also cited the unique challenge of keeping lifeguards safe.
“COVID-19 presents unique challenges for managing pools. Pools are confined spaces not conducive to social distancing,” park officials said. “The very nature of lifeguarding requires close contact with pool users and creates potential for unnecessary risk in life saving situations.”
The state parks system re-opened on May 1 and offers many other water-based summer activities like swimming along shorelines, fishing, boating, and paddling.
For more information about the Tennessee State Parks COVID-19 response and guidelines, click here. For more information about Tims Ford State Park, click here. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Get out there and enjoy the great outdoors but continue to do you part and stay apart. That’s the message from the state’s public parks system after Governor Bill Lee announced on Monday that he’ll allow his Stay at Home order to expire on April 30.
As such, the Tennessee State Park system will re-open this Friday, April 24 with several caveats. One, parks will open for day use only from 7 a.m. to sunset. Overnight accommodations will remain closed until after May 1. Two, visitors will be encouraged to still maintain the CDC recommended six feet of social distance between groups. Gathering areas such as pavilions and playgrounds will remain closed, and three, prepare for very limited or no bathroom access.
“We are eager to serve once again but we urge Tennesseans to continue to practice physical distancing when visiting parks,” Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Jim Bryson said. “We have implemented policies designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we will monitor all aspects of the issue to ensure safety among visitors and our staff.”
The parks system also recommends that you limit visits to those parks closest to home. For Moore County residents, that would be Tims Ford in Winchester, Old Stone Fort in Manchester, and South Cumberland in Grundy County.
State officials say they won’t hesitate to re-close the park should visitors choose not to practice appropriate social distancing. If the park you plan to visit is crowded when you arrive, state officials recommend leaving and coming back another time.
“We urge the public to help us keep our state parks open by doing their part to stay apart, by maintaining proper social distancing and personal hygiene,” the state parks system said in a press release.
For information on which parks will re-open and which will remain closed visit the Tennessee State Parks COVID-19 Closures webpage. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Walk a shelter dog, go fishing at Tims Ford, or barbecue … social distancing doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck inside. {File Photo}
Distillery tours are shut down, Moore County schools are closed … now what? On March 15, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released new guidance for stopping the spread of COVID-19 related illness. According to the CDC website, they “recommend that for the next eight weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 10 people or more throughout the United States.”
It’s called “social distancing” and it refers to a specific set of recommended actions taken by public health officials to stop or slow down the spread of a highly contagious virus like COVID-19. It includes avoiding things like meeting in large groups as well as closing buildings, and cancelling events. But it doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck inside your home. There are lots of things you can do in the Lynchburg area.
1 | Explore Tims Ford State Park – It’s made up of 1,321 glorious, picturesque acres and there’s plenty of room for locals to explore without being on top of each other. It includes four hiking trails, three mountain bike trails, as well as three paved multi-use paths. It also happens to offer some of the best bass fishing in the South plus the Bear Trace Golf Course.
2 | Order take out from a local restaurant – Sure, we’re supposed to be avoiding dining in restaurants but that doesn’t mean you can’t order out. You can’t survive on snack food forever. Place a to go order at a local Lynchburg restaurant. We bet they’ll even offer curbside delivery if you ask.
3| Drop off a care package – We’re all in this together and now is the time to step up and take care of the less fortunate or vulnerable in our community. That includes that new mom, the elderly couple down the street, or the neighbor living with asthma. Pick some wildflowers, bake some homemade cookies, heck, be extravagant and give them a roll of toilet paper.
4| Shop local – Easter is right around the corner … so is Mother’s Day. The charming shops located in Lynchburg offer so many homemade, handmade, creative, original gift ideas. The Distillery tours are shut down for two weeks, so we’ve got the place all to our selves. If every person reading this just spent an extra $20 each week during the coronavirus response, it would make a huge difference.
5| Go fishing – Lynchburg’s blessed with several, amazing local waterbodies. Tims Ford Lake offers first class bass fishing. The Elk River is world-renown for its trout fishing. Fishing legend and Lynchburg native Bill Dance learned to hook em’ in the Mulberry Creek. Grab a pole and head out to a nice, secluded watering hole. And don’t forget your Tennessee fishing license.
6| Clean out your closets (and donate your stuff to Moore County Operation Spay/Neuter – You’ve got some time on your hands and spring is only a few days away. Why not get a head start on that spring cleaning? And before you throw anything away or sent it to Goodwill consider donating any “gently used” items to Moore County Operation Spay/Neuter and let them sell it on their online auction site. All proceeds fund spaying and neutering the community animals of Lynchburg. Click here to learn more.
7| Throw something on the grill – Woodard’s Market here in Lynchburg boasts one of the best fresh meat departments in the state. They offer a wide selection and if you don’t see what you want, just ask and they’ll cut it for you. Since we’re cooped up inside, why not barbecue … and maybe even share with a neighbor.
8| Check out the local e-library – The lobby of our local public library is closed to walk in traffic but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still check out materials. The Moore County Public Library offers tons of digital check out options including the Libby app that you can download to your smart device. Click here for all those options.
9 | Walk or foster a Moore County Friends of Animals pet – There’s nothing that soothes a bit of cabin fever like a wet nose or a furry tail. You’re going to be stuck at home a lot, so why spend that time with a local shelter dog … even if it temporary. Contact the Moore County Friends of Animals at 931-434-7508 to inquire about walking or fostering a shelter dog.
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Moore County … covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, the Lynchburg Music Fest, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
LOCAL NEWS — Tims Ford State Park needs your help and students can earn Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Achieves volunteer hours for lending a hand.
On Saturday, March 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tims Ford State Park will work to remove invasive species like Bradford Pear and Chinese Privet during the annual Weed Wrangle. Invasive species exists as plants or animals that are not native to Tennessee. If left to spread, these species can disrupt habitats, damage the environment, and even cause economic loses and health issues.
Volunteers should wear close toed shoes and long pants and bring their own sunscreen, bug spray, water, lunch, and snacks. Volunteers will meet at the park office located at 570 Tims Ford Drive. For more information or for question, contact Park Ranger Dalton Smith at 931.434.6032 or dalton.smith@tn.gov. Click here for additional details. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
