It’s back — I’m referring to that old familiar refrain: “There’s nothing to do around here.”

Most recently, I saw this comment repeated again and again in connection with a social media post. Someone had inquired about teens hanging out in a local business parking lot at night. They wondered what was attracting the crowd. Apparently, the business owner simply has no problem with kids gathering there, while some other local establishments have reported the youngsters for loitering.

I, too, liked to simply hang out with my friends when I was a teenager. Sometimes we gathered at one of our homes or at one of the local parks or lakes. Most often, however, we would park our cars somewhere on or alongside a dirt road, roll down the windows and turn up a radio to provide background music while we socialized.

There were plenty of other things to do, though. Sometimes we roller skated at the rink in St. Clairsville. Other times we went bowling. Some nights we went to a movie or wandered around the Ohio Valley Mall, not really shopping but occasionally buying some neat thing. In the summer months, we might attend a dance at the White Palace at Wheeling Park.

Of course, not all of these options are available these days. The roller rink is long gone, for example. But the mall, the movie theater, plenty of restaurants and many other options are all around the region.

I don’t believe that there is nothing to do around here, whether you are a teen or an adult. Instead, I think the problem is that we either don’t want to put forth the effort to find an entertaining activity or that we have all become bored with just about everything. That likely is due to our obsession with technology and our inability to put down our cellphones.

So, here are a few suggestions about some fun ways to pass some time:

∫ Visit Barkcamp State Park or a similar locale, such as Piedmont, Seneca, Salt Fork, Tappan or Clendening. All of these destinations offer plenty of ways to get some exercise, have a little adventure or just relax in a beautiful setting.

Some offer beaches where you can sunbathe or swim. All provide the opportunity to go fishing, day or night. Many have hiking, biking or equestrian trails. Other amenities at such sites include camping (primitive, RV or in a cabin), archery ranges, mini golf, picnic tables, charcoal grills, boat rentals, playgrounds and more.

Best of all, most of the available activities at such parks are free or inexpensive.

∫ Play a round of golf or visit a driving range. Golf courses exist in nearly all parts of the local region, or within a relatively short drive. Sure, playing golf can be expensive, but hitting a bucket of balls on the range is a pretty affordable activity. And if your golf skills are anything like mine, doing so also provides an opportunity for a good laugh, as mistakes inevitably will be made.

∫ Spend a morning or afternoon exploring one of our local downtowns. Many communities, including Barnesville, St. Clairsville, Martins Ferry, Woodsfield and Cadiz have specialty shops and eateries that many of us have never visited. In some cases, there are businesses that offer access to pool tables and video games. A few artisan shops even offer classes and workshops that you might find enjoyable.

∫ Attend a local show. Now that COVID-19 restrictions are being loosened for people who are fully vaccinated, concerts, plays and all sorts of live entertainment are making a comeback.

Several local municipalities, including Mount Pleasant, St. Clairsville, Barnesville and others have plans to revive their community concerts. These often are held at outdoor venues, where social distancing may be easier and masks may not be required.

High schools and colleges are resurrecting their drama clubs and departments and putting on shows and musicals. Some theaters, such as the Monroe Theatre in Woodsfield, are beginning to offer regular entertainment with limited seating once again.

Plenty of information about most of these activities can be found at the Belmont County Tourism Council’s website, visitbelmontcounty.com.

These are just a few suggestions to help get you thinking about the many entertainment options that are available in the local area. Not all of these ideas will appeal to everyone, but the variety is broad.

Regardless of what type of activity you are looking for, with a little thought and effort you should be able to find things to do that will satisfy everyone in your group.