Since we posted a pic of one of Decatur’s newly painted signal boxes last week, we’ve received more pics of the other painted boxes around the city. Check them all out below!
North McDonough @ Trinity (photo courtesy of Al)
North McDonough @ Trinity (pic courtesy of Gwyneth)
Ponce @ Clairemont (pic and art! courtesy of Larry Holland)
Ponce @ Church Street (pic courtesy of Gwyneth)
Decatur residents, led by long-time resident Chris Billingsley, placed flowers on the Decatur cemetery graves of those lost in military service over the weekend.
Above, CSD student Ford Parler places a flower on the grave of Lt. Robert Springfield, who’s story of service only recently resurfaced thanks in part to the marvels of 21st century technology. Chris explained in a comment last week…
Last year, I mentioned in a post that the grave of Robert Springfield, a pilot who was killed on a training flight in New Mexico and later buried in the City of Decatur cemetery, could not be found. Six months ago, I heard from Springfield’s great nephew who read my post on Decatur Metro and described where Springfield was buried. He sent me pictures of Springfield and other crew members including this account from Bobby Lee Silliman who edits the Carlsbad Airfield Facebook page, “I know a lady in her nineties who served at C.A.A.F as a WAC during WW2 ( she lives in Youngstown Ohio ), and she tells me that she recalls that horrible accident and how a hush fell over the air base out of respect for all who perished in it”. Springfield’s gravesite is located near many of his DHS classmates who were killed while serving during World War II.
Springfield’s great nephew Jones Fowler followed up with a note to us and sent a report of Springfield’s service in he had pieced together over the last year. He writes…
Thank you very much for remembering my relative on this Memorial Day. Robert Springfield was my father’s aunt’s first husband. Early on in World World II he joined the Army Air Corps and was sent to Carlsbad, New Mexico for training to become an aircrew member on a B-24 Bomber. Unfortunately on a stormy night he and his training crew of 4 others were killed in a plane crash. Dad’s aunt Dot got remarried and never spoke a word about him ever again. Honestly I think his memory would have been lost forever had I not found a medal that was inconsistent with my grandfather’s service as a pilot. Given that medal, largely with the help of Chris last year I was able to dig up and string together the report attached. I am very happy that we have found out his story and amazed at the honor you all have shown him. I will certainly visit the grave the next time I’m in Atlanta.
Thank you to Lt. Springfield and all those lost in service to our country.
Cemetery photo courtesy of Chris – used with Parler’s father’s permission.
Photo of Lt. Springfield courtesy of Jones Fowler
I took this photo of the former Sheepish space on West Ponce (MAP) a couple of weeks back, but hadn’t found time to post it since.
Found Co’s website describes this new Decatur shop as…
A shop of collected objects & apothecary for the home and body — grounded in nature and inspired by the organic.
One of the owners described the shop to Decaturish a couple of weeks back as a “home and gift shop”.
West Ponce has lost two of its most popular gift shops in the last couple of years – 17 Steps and Heliotrope – so it’s great to see new ventures like this one.
Chris writes in…
If you would like to help place flags and/or flowers on the graves or memorials in the Decatur Cemetery for those who were killed while serving in the military as part of your Memorial Day Weekend activities, please contact Chris Billingsley at [email protected]. You can also show up for any of the following:
Thursday, May 26, 6:00 P.M. Place Flags On Graves- Meet at the Veteran’s Rock in the new cemetery (enter Church Street gate).
Sunday, May 29, 6:00 P.M. Place Flowers On Graves- Meet at same location described above, Veteran’s Rock.
Monday, May 30, 5:00 P.M.- Brief Remembrance Ceremony. Afterwards we will pick up all flags and flowers from graves.
Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics not yet discussed over the past week.
Gwyneth points out that the unattractive signal boxes around Decatur are looking a lot more spiffy recently. And she provided this lovely photo!
The Decatur Arts Alliance’s Angie Macon tells us that thanks go out to Larry Holland and his team of artists for making downtown Decatur a little less boring.
If you come across other revitalized signal boxes around Decatur, please send in photos!
So cool! Thanks Larry!
From Decatur City Commissioner Brian Smith and Mayor Patti Garrett….
Show Your Support for the New Crosswalk on South Candler Street!
DATES: Wednesday, May 25th & Thursday, May 26th
TIME: Approximately 7-8:30amWe need your help. Come out for a morning walk or bike ride at the new crosswalk located at South Candler Street near East Davis Street this week to show your support for safe pedestrian crossings.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will be conducting pedestrian counts this Wednesday and Thursday morning at their new crosswalk located on South Candler Street near East Davis Street. Based on their observations, they will determine what type of pedestrian signal to install. GDOT hopes to collect this data before school lets out so that they can make the improvement before the fall.
Who’s Invited?
Folks of all ages are encouraged to get active on your way to school, work, or even just a morning stroll. Walkers, cyclists, skaters, and even dogs can join in the fun.Where Should I Walk?
Participants are asked to cross South Candler Street at East Davis Street, using the new crosswalk installed by GDOT this week. GDOT officials will be on hand to conduct pedestrian counts.Questions?
Contact Lena Stevens, [email protected]<mailto:[email protected] com >
