Delightful Diverse Decatur ... And Goats

When I went on Facebook this morning there was a post from my neighbor about goats in the Old Decatur Cemetery.  Goats?  You just gotta love a community that does something that spectacular.  Laughing, and shaking my head, I knew I wanted to share a little about this hidden "gem" in Metro Atlanta that I lovingly call home.

Situated five miles East of Downtown Atlanta, straight down Ponce de Leon Avenue, is the City of Decatur.  Like a lot of southern cities it evolved around the Old Courthouse Square.  Today, MARTA has a station immediately beside the Courthouse(s) and businesses fan out from there.

Old DeKalb County Courthouse

On the Square... From "Downtown Decatur" on Facebook.  More HERE ...

Just a block away, on Commerce Drive, is the Old Decatur Cemetery.

Apparently in need of some grooming after all the rain we've had this summer, an innovative individual or two scheduled a few new "caretakers."  I love this!  It is so much better than the huge machines most cities employ to maintain their public areas.

But just in case that's not enough to convince you of Decatur's uniqueness, in front of the Old Courthouse sits "Valentine," a bronze sculpture by George Lundeen, depicting a couple's enduring love.  The artist met them in their early life together and returned many years later to sculpt this piece.

The day I interviewed for the job that precipitated my move to Decatur, I saw this sculpture and fell in love with the sentiment and the city.  How can you not be affected by a community that showcases people and their relationships?

Valentine 
By George Lundeen
(Photo by rroberts41, Flickr)

Decatur is also home to Agnes Scott College and Emory University.  There are family concerts every Saturday night in May and September at the Gazebo on the Square.

There's an annual Decatur Arts Festival over Memorial Day weekend, and the Decatur Book Festival over Labor Day.  They also block off the streets and bring in tons of sand for the Decatur Beach Party during the summer... you can see more HERE.

With more than 200 restaurants within a couple of miles radius there is no excuse for not knowing where to go for dinner unless, like me, there are too many choices.  My all-time personal favorite is Cafe Alsace HERE.   In my opinion, there's no better fare in Metro Atlanta.

So, goats in the cemetery? ... just another "charming quirk."
And because my surroundings influence me,

 I'm sure I'll be sharing more about my delightful, diverse,
incredible community in the future.

In the meantime, thanks for stopping by...