This week I heard a radio interview with a young, healthy man who had learned from a CT scan that his neck was not healthy at all because he spent too much time staring at the screen of his smartphone in the palm of his hand. What followed was something about injured vertebrae and the need for physical therapy.
How many of us can understand this?
I can, but it’s not so much my neck that worries me, but what happens to my brain when I stare at something for long and repeated periods of time, scrolling, searching, saving and deleting.
It seems we need some activities in the analog world to counteract the time spent in front of the screen.
You might think I’ve only brought up this widespread problem of how to tame our smartphone habits so I could write about some of my favorite places and things to do in Hopkinsville—and you’d be right. But stay tuned (even if you’re reading this on your phone).
These are my ideas for nine things to do in Hopkinsville that are better without a smartphone.
The Alley
Meet a friend or walk alone for morning coffee or lunch in the alley between the Christian County Courthouse and the Alhambra Theater. If you haven’t seen this part of downtown in a few years, you haven’t seen it. The county has really spruced it up. This little gem of a place has comfortable benches. Credit goes to the Pennyroyal Arts Council, which manages the Alhambra, who created a design for the improved alley and then pushed the county to take on the work.
Take a bath in nature
The Explore Jeffers Bend Environmental Center is located at 1170 Metcalfe Lane. This 56-acre site on the north side of town includes gardens, a small lake, a bird-watching shelter and wooded hiking trails. It’s been called one of Hopkinsville’s best-kept secrets (but it shouldn’t be a secret).
Reading from a real book
Keep a paperback in your day bag or in your car. During all the little delays throughout the day—stuck behind a train, waiting for an appointment, etc.—reach for it instead of your phone.
Start early
Watch the sunrise. This requires a special plan (for most of us). You have to get up at 6am this week.
To the trail
Walk or bike the Hopkinsville Greenway System. You can make it as easy or as strenuous as you like.
Discover local history
Take a driving tour to the Kentucky Historical Society Markers in Christian County.
A circular path
Walk through the labyrinth at Grace Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Seventh and Liberty Streets. Dedicated in 2009, the labyrinth is modeled after the Chartres Labyrinth, which was built into the stone floor of Chartres Cathedral in France around 1201.
Aim higher
There’s a new view of downtown from the second-floor patio of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, 1101 Bethel St. I have a feeling this is another one of those little-known gems in the heart of the city. The library is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
See a big screen
I know I said this was a list to reduce time spent in front of the TV, but I didn’t mean all the movie theaters. If you haven’t been to the Show Box, Hopkinsville’s five-screen movie theater, you should check it out soon.
