The late journalist and author Charles Kuralt (one of my all-time favorites) said once, “I did stories about unexpected encounters, back roads, small towns and ordinary folk, sometimes doing something a little extraordinary.”  

That’s really what makes this profession so much fun, especially at Christmas time. There are so many beautiful small towns still in existence.  

On what I had hoped would be a quiet morning of Christmas shopping, I stopped off in Lynchburg. It was a rainy morning (turned off cool later in day.) But as the clock ticked on last Saturday, more and more people headed out to enjoy some Christmas music, shopping and a little small town life.  

At Christmas we enjoy watching, “It’s a Wonderful Life” set in the fictitious Bedford Falls. Millions of visitors from all over the world stop off at Jack Daniel’s country each year for a similar taste of small town life. But that doesn’t include drinking as Moore County remains a dry county.  

From Jack Daniel fudge (yes, you can buy that and commemorative whiskey bottles) to antiques—many of those used by someone’s grandma in the kitchen but still in mint condition— there are unique gift finds in Lynchburg. You can also buy T-shirts with your favorite political statement or satire.  

Moore County is the second smallest county in the state (Trousdale is currently the smallest.) Moore CountyUSA was created in 1871, during the Reconstruction era. And of course, it is the home of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey. As Miranda Lambert once said in her song, “Famous in a Small Town:”  

“They say life is so much sweeter Through the telephoto lens of fame Around here you get just as much attention Cheerin’ at the high school football game.”  

I welcome your photos from your recent visits to small town U.S.A. Send to dhankins@t-g.com.