2021: The year in photos

As we prepare to ring in the New Year, Hoptown Chronicle is looking back at some moments from the last year, told visually through photography.

by Julia Hunter

Published: 4:34 am Dec. 31, 2021

As we prepare to ring in the New Year, Hoptown Chronicle is looking back at some moments from the last year, told visually through photography.

chris bentzel receives vaccine — Christian County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Bentzel receives a COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2021. School staff were among the first group of Kentuckians to be offered the vaccine. (CCPS photo)

Ansley Grace (left) and her friend Rhea Dawn Snider held a sign outside Jennie Stuart Medical Center for Ansley’s mother, Molly Duke, who was hospitalized with COVID-19 until Jan. 14, 2021. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

Ruth Lynch (left) and her 9-year-old granddaughter Malaya Wesley, don pearls and Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers in celebration of Kamala Harris’ induction as vice president on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Photos submitted)

kirkman terrace — A construction crew works Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, on the exterior of Kirkman Terrace — a new senior apartment building. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

horseshoe restaurant — A construction crew works Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, on a new entrance at the Horseshoe Steak House that will allow for a new, open-air entrance so customers have a comfortable place to wait until a table is open. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

Billy Thomas, of North Carolina, carries bags of potatoes to a car while his brother, state Rep. Walker Thomas (in background), waves to drivers as they leave the fairgrounds after receiving food during the Feb. 27, 2021, commodity distribution. Food insecurity in Christian County increased during the pandemic. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

A crew for “Authentic America” films distillery co-owner Arlon Casey Jones (center) with hosts Charlie and Nan Kelly inside the Christian County distillery. The show aired on April 27, 2021. (Photo by Peg Hays)

Local attorney Sarah Brechwald speaks on behalf of the the League of Women Voters about legislative redistricting on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at the Christian County Justice Center. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

The 2019-20 class of Leadership Hopkinsville-Christian County unveils a mural and refurbished patio at the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library in May 2021. (Photo by Jennifer. P. Brown)

(From left) Brooke Jung, executive director of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Alissa Keller, director of the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County, celebrate Janet Bravard’s retirement from the Pennyroyal Area Museum on May 28, 2021. (photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

veterans flag retirement ceremony — Frank Amaro drops flags into a fire Monday, June 14, 2021, in observance of Flag Day, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus assembly at the church was retiring old flags that are in poor condition. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

Landis Groves shoots pool at the Christian County Senior Center in July 2021, shortly after the center on West Seventh Street reopened for in-person services and activities following a lengthy closure that started when a storm tore off part of the facility’s roof and continued when the coronavirus pandemic hit. (Photo by Toni Riley)

Instructor Jennifer Bowman (far left) and the mural art campers pose in front of their Sixth Street creation, which was unveiled in July 2021. (Youtube screenshot)

On Aug. 10, 2021, Hopkinsville tourism director Brooke Jung announced that the city had been officially trademarked as “Batter Capital of the World.” (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

Saffir Shumate stands next to his artwork that was displayed in the Pennyrile Pop-Up Art Gallery in late August 2021. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

A speaker raises concerns about a proposed beef processing plant during a meeting Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, in the old Pembroke school gymnasium. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

The J.K. Hooser Building on South Main Street gets a new coat of paint in September 2021.

A learjet that arrived Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, sits at the Hopkinsville-Christian County Airport. The aircraft was registered to an Iowa company that manufactures grain storage, grain drying and handling equipment, and steel buildings, and carried individuals who were in town to discuss a proposed beef processing facility. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

william turner tells bell witch story — Christian County Historian William T. Turner stands beside a bonfire Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at Jeffers Bend, where he told the story of the Bell Witch. He’d been sharing the supernatural tale for more than 50 years. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown, Hoptown Chronicle)

(From left) Christian County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Bentzel, student ambassadors Abby Moss of Hopkinsville High School and Queinasia Henry from Christian County High School, Gov. Andy Beshear, and school board member Tom Bell pose on Wednesday, Oct. 27, with a $10 million grant check to help fund the construction of a new vocational education center. (Governor’s office photo)

Louise Buckner’s portrait, painted by Linda Pierce, on display Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, prior to a ceremony to present portraits to individuals who’d lost family members to COVID-19. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

A few dozen walkers, runners and bicyclists show up for a second Turkey Trot on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, for residents who didn’t want to participate in the rainy version Thanksgiving morning. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

Summer Johnston waving from Christmas parade float — Co-grand marshall Summer Johnston, a nurse at Jennie Stuart, waves to the crowd during the 2021 Hopkinsville Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 11. Johnston has cared for critically ill patients while despite her own cancer treatment regime, the hospital shared. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

Santa Claus, who bears a striking resemblance to Robert Martin, the city’s finance director, tours the streets of Hopkinsville on Sunday, Dec. 19. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

Maple trees downed during the storms on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, are stacked in front of the Main Street house that was the home of longtime Pembroke banker Charles Johnston. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown, Hoptown Chronicle)

Cathy Poland (left) watches her daughter-in-law, Ginny Poland, string Christmas lights from a ladder while her granddaughter, Catie Poland, sets up another ladder on the front porch — just 10 days after they rode out an EF2 tornado in a storm shelter. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

Julia Hunter

Hoptown Chronicle

Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Editor's Picks

History on Tap: Ghosts of Christmas Past planned on Dec. 10

Community Thanksgiving service planned Nov. 26 at Freeman Chapel

mechanical horse

Mechanical horse conjures strong memories of Hopkinsville’s past

Don't Miss

Kentucky League of Women Voters President Jennifer Jackson at podium

Public is still shut out of Kentucky’s legislative process, says League of Women Voters

Rethinking screen time: A better understanding of what people do on their devices is key to digital wellbeing

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce panelists on stage

KY will cut income tax again, but local tax reform would be more daunting, legislative leaders say