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.}