Tenacious dedication

Carbon Hill’s honored citizen for the 2023 Homecoming is Todd Cumming, whose familiar smiling face is only matched by his detailed lists, meticulous work habits and tenacious dedication to results.

Cumming has provided for so many events and programs in Carbon Hill Park over the years, accomplished through his network of companies, individuals, ball league players, union volunteers and so many others—all who are generous with time, materials, equipment, and whatever is takes.

Over the years, Todd’s volunteer projects—that spectators and visitors may take for granted—include the village’s ball field lights, maintenance and improvements to the playing field, building a press box and storage building, organizing a long list of ball tournaments, clean up and planting trees in the park, as well as the amazing and appreciated Coal City High School Reunion Palooza event that began in 2013.

High school yearbooks provide a glimpse into Todd’s resourcefulness tower tank painted in 1976, the first pin in Coal City wrestling, musician and a year as a class officer.

Cumming was born Aug. 28, 1958 to Rogers and Katie [Haynes] Cumming—a smart, fun, personal couple. So Todd naturally inherited his twinkle of clever wise cracks. He grew up in Coal City where his parents owned Cumming Music Center and his father was a school principal.

His sister, Beth; brother Tom, and next door “older brother” Paul Onorato, rounded out Todd’s home team, and Onorato remains part of his adventures today.

Given his interests in sports, music, social/community life, along with his state scholar recognition, its no surprise that Cumming became a high school teacher of accounting, bookkeeping and business—all require lists, charts, stats and checkmarks next to a completed task.

One of his passions has been the sport of baseball and softball. He played baseball in high school and at age 15 he started playing the middle infield positions in the local softball league.

Kenny’s Liquors was the first team he joined taking the field with Greg Hill, Arden Wills, Jerry Heavens, Joel Micetich, John Gilmore, Greg Lyons, the Manietta men and others. A few of these same guys later joined the strong Sip n Stuf team sponsored by the late Red and Barb Finger.

In 1985, Cumming and his young family moved to Carbon Hill and settled into a home on Judson Street directly across from the village park.

It was that same year that the ball league had an outfield fence installed at the park and Cumming helped with the installation. A short time later, Cumming took over the league from the former president, Jerry Jones. Cumming continues to oversee the league and the annual Homecoming tournament.

This year marks the 13th annual Josh Cumming Softball Tournament that awards the traveling trophy in memory of Todd's oldest son, Josh. Fifteen teams will participate in 2023 Homecoming tournament that got underway Monday and will conclude with the championship game and trophy presentation on Sunday.

Cumming’s selection as Homecoming grand marshall is rooted in his dedication to the village he calls home. When other people say it can't be done, Todd shows it can.

Although year-long management is not his job—he is a snowbird—Todd does hold a seasonal payroll job for the village mowing the park. He weeds and feeds and helps plant trees in addition to the volunteer work with the ball field and Homecoming tournaments.

This year’s Homecoming festivities will kick-off at 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 21 with a plaque presentation to Cumming at the park’s flagpole—at the entrance to the park. Mayor Adam Johnson and the Village Board will speak and the community is invited to take part and recognized the grand marshall personally.

Cumming’s children, Ryan and Tori, along with their families will join in the Homecoming week festivities that will include the 1 p.m. parade on Sunday that will be led by Todd. And, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, a celebration will be held in his honor just outside the bingo stand.

The display kiosk located in the park will be filled with pictures of Cumming throughout the festival.

Cumming acknowledges all who have contributed to the Josh Cumming scholarship fund and any and all the projects in the park over the years particularly. Greg Hill ‘s Indicom Electric, Operators Union Local 150, Carpenters, and so many others. Meanwhile, the community says, “thank you, Todd.”