Category Archives: Uncategorized

An Open Letter to Decatur Officials

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Doug Cumming

Re: Zoning Board of Appeals variance decision for Commerce Drive curve, June 10, 2024 Dear City of Decatur Leaders: Our city is trying hard to accommodate growth with intelligent urban planning. We see this with the projects for pedestrian and … Continue reading →

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Daddy’s history. I follow in his footsteps (with a map)

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Doug Cumming

There’s this memory I have, but it couldn’t have been mine because this is before I was born. It’s 1946, thereabouts. The memory is of a college campus high in the Cumberlands of Tennessee, misty Gothic buildings, professors in loose … Continue reading →

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My W&L class with Dan Wakefield

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Doug Cumming

Dan Wakefield, an American journalist, memoirist and novelist, died in Miami two days ago, March 13. I had met him when he came to speak to us Nieman fellows in 1986 or ’87. (Dan had been a Nieman Fellow 22 … Continue reading →

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Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM)

Posted on January 30, 2024 by Doug Cumming

In the pretty courtyard of dogwood trees on the ground floor of Holy Trinity Parish facing Sycamore Place, Decatur’s hungry and dispossessed arrive one or two at a time for help. They are welcomed as expected guests, for most have … Continue reading →

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A mentoring program that needs volunteers

Posted on January 29, 2024 by Doug Cumming

Every Monday afternoon during the school year, Path to Shine brings adult volunteers together with a hand-picked group of about 12 students from Avondale Elementary School. The goal is lofty. The students have potential for academic success, even for college … Continue reading →

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‘Worldview’ Cul-de-Sac

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Doug Cumming

A favorite book of intellectual conservatives is “Ideas Have Consequences,” by Richard Weaver, a University of Chicago academic who dug deep into a lost intellectual culture of his native South. In another book, “The Southern Tradition at Bay,” he unearthed … Continue reading →

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Music School Scholarship Honors Former Student

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Doug Cumming

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 19, 2023 Sarah Cumming was a dedicated student of songwriting, singing, guitar and harmonica at the Frank Hamilton School, a music school in Decatur built around the vision of legendary folk music figure Frank Hamilton. Sarah, … Continue reading →

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The Prickle of Truth

Posted on December 16, 2023 by Doug Cumming

Yes, we need to be careful about saying there are multiple “truths,” your truth and my truth. But I know for a fact that there are these two truths – the truth of an individual and the truth of the … Continue reading →

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Unsung Hero

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Doug Cumming

Ed Davenport, a high school classmate, died on 9/11 this year. His family asked me to write this obituary, and later, to say a few words at his memorial service, which I was honored to do. Edward E. Davenport, of … Continue reading →

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A prison ministry

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Doug Cumming

“I was in prison, and you visited me.” – Matt. 25:36 Twice a year, in the gym of Phillips State Prison in Buford, Ga., the love of Christ pours out on more than 50 inmates selected to be in a long … Continue reading →

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