Local churches invited to ring bells to celebrate liberation of Hoptown’s Sister City in France

Hopkinsville, KY — On June 6, bells will chime in Carentan, France —Hopkinsville’s Sister City— at 6:44 pm to celebrate the 76^th anniversary of liberation from Nazi Germany rule. In Hopkinsville, 4,193 miles away, bells will also chime to honor this historic event, as local churches are encouraged to participate.

“We are so proud of our relationship with our Sister City, Carentan, and look forward to recognizing this extremely significant date and time in history,” said Hopkinsville Mayor Wendell Lynch. “We invite all churches and organizations that are able to join us, in ringing their bells.”

With a seven-hour time difference, bells will chime in Hopkinsville at 11:44 am (local time) on Saturday, June 6. The historic clock tower, which sits atop the Woody Winfree Fire Station Museum, will be rung by local clock caretaker Russ Hayes.

“The ongoing pandemic crisis has led to the complete cancellation of all our D-Day anniversary events,” Carentan Les Marais Jean-Pierre Lhonneur said. “But this does not mean that we, in Carentan, Normandy and all over France, will let these days pass unnoticed. Quite the opposite really.”

The city of Carentan has dedicated much of its city website to telling the story of what happened in their town 76 years ago and how the people of Carentan have been honoring and celebrating the liberators ever since. 

On June 6, 1944, the 101st Airborne Division began its amphibious invasion of Normandy — a high-risk maneuver code named Operation Overlord, according to a Fort Campbell Courier article on March 10, 2016. Fighting to consolidate Omaha and Utah beaches, the soldiers made their way through the town of Carentan in the days following D-Day. From June 10 until 14, the 101st suffered heavy casualties in their battle against the German Wehrmacht.

At the end of the battle, German forces withdrew and the small town was liberated from Nazi occupation.

“There was something to do,” said Co-Founder of the Normandy Victory Museum and coordinator of the Bells of Freedom event in Normandy Patrick Fissot. “In recent days, we have lost several of our veterans, such as Bob Noody or Gorges Schenkel, who both returned regularly. We had to show those who stay that we don’t forget them.”

Fissot also serves as an instructor at the high school in Carentan and chaperoned a group of 20 students to Hopkinsville last March for a week-long visit.

For additional information about participating in the Bells of Freedom event, please contact Brooke Jung, Executive Director, Hopkinsville Convention & Visitors Bureau at 270-887-2300 or [email protected].

Enjoy these Hopkinsville and Christian County puzzles of our iconic landmarks and scenic views! Please let us know if there are any other pictures you would like to see added by emailing [email protected]

We hope you have fun!

FULL LIST OF INFORMATION AND UPDATES

As of October 12, 2020, at 4:30 p.m., there have been
1,594 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Christian County.
1,336 individuals have recovered; 26 have died.

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KY Statewide Mask Mandate Still in Effect:
KY Governor Andy Beshear issued an executive order that went into effect on July 10th requiring that Kentuckians in public must wear a mask. This executive order was in effect for 30 days.  On August 6th, this order was extended for another 30 days. On September 4th, this order was extended for another 30 days.

To read the executive order and exemptions, click here.

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Healthy at Work – Find phased approach plans to reopen the economy here.    The City of Hopkinsville’s Reopening Plan may be found HERE.

These Hopkinsville facilities have resumed some public operations.

Bruce Convention Center: Operations have been resumed at 33% capacity.  Complete reopening plans, on-site regulations, and details on available offerings may be found at www.the-bruce.com.  For more info or to book an event, call (270) 707-7000 or email [email protected].

Driver’s Licenses: Circuit court clerks statewide resumed providing limited driver’s license services June 1. Individuals with a driver’s license, permit or ID card that expired or was lost between March 1-June 30, 2020, who wish to obtain a renewal or reissuance must apply through a remote application process and obtain new credentials issued through an in-person visit to the Justice Center.  Additional details are avilable here.  If you have questions about court cases or jury duty, please email [email protected].  If you have questions about drivers license, please email [email protected].  You may also call (270) 889-6539.

Parks & Recreation Facilities:  If you have any questions, please call 270-887-4290, check out updates on the Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation Facebook page, or visit www.HoptownRec.com.

Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex:  Call (270) 985-1700 for more information.

Thomas Street Recreation Center:  Call (270) 887-4290 for more details.

Public Library: Visit hccpl.org/reopening-policies for the latest info.

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In light of the national emergency declaration due to the virus, local officials have taken a number of precautionary measures.

Free COVID-19 Testing

The Christian County Health Department (partnered with the Kentucky Department of Public Health) is now offering FREE COVID-19 testing for ANYONE who wants to be tested. Testing will be offered Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Tie Breaker Park (4400 Lafayette Rd).

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Restaurant & Business Support

Don’t forget to support local restaurants and other businesses with pick up orders, by purchasing gift certificates, or leaving positive Yelp reviews.  Here’s a list of downtown restaurant and beverage establishments as well as others around town.  These restaurants are offer takeout options.

Click HERE or on a link below for information on Small Business Administration loans, Unemployment Insurance, and other benefit program resources.

Christian County Chamber Resources

Kentucky Chamber Resources

United States Chamber Resources

Check out these ways you can support our local businesses here in Hopkinsville!

 

• Purchase a meal to-go from a delicious local restaurant or buy a gift certificate to use in the coming weeks!
• Stock up on craft beverages made locally. Whether you prefer moonshine, bourbon, beer or wine, we’ve got you covered!
• Peruse the social media pages of local boutiques and pick out outfits and accessories to purchase. Contact the retailer for the best way to purchase and pick up your new wardrobe!
• Take a cell phone tour from the comfort of your car, at your own pace. Learn more about the history of Hopkinsville!
• Purchase art supplies from one of our local art shops to create a masterpiece at home!
• Pick up a free book from the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library and then pass it along to someone else! Transport yourself to a different time and place through the pages of a novel.
• Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. If you decide running is your thing, make plans to sign up for the 2nd Annual Hoptown Half Marathon this fall!

Download the Visit Hopkinsville app for a full list of ideas and ways to explore Hopkinsville in new ways!

Now more than ever, it is so important to support our local restaurants! Check out our full list of restaurants here in Hopkinsville and call in your order to pick up. If you don’t currently need a meal, consider purchasing a gift card for future use.

Whatever you decide to do, please support our local business owners during this time and post pictures of your food or gift cards to encourage others to do the same!

**Please note information and open times are ever-changing, so be sure to call and confirm restaurant details upon ordering.