03-2024 College Park Here & Now

INSIDE

Residents remember iconic coach, P. 3

Area food banks face record demand, P.10

New shop showcases local talent, P.12

Branchville fire station turns 100

Construction on College Park Woods Clubhouse to begin soon

By KATELYNN WINEBRENNER

Construction on the long-awaited College Park Woods Clubhouse could begin as soon as March and finish by the end of the year, when it will officially open to the public, according to city projections.

On Feb. 13, the College Park City Council approved a $1.3 million contract with Waldorf-based Rainbow Construction Co. to bring to fruition more than half a decade’s worth of preparation.

“This is a dream come true,” Bonnie McClellan, the vice chair of the College Park Woods Neighborhood Watch, said. “It will make a very big difference for our community — and the entire community — because it's going to be a very usable space.”

The new community center has been in the works since July 2018, when the city bought the old College Park Woods Swim Club facility.

The city contracted Broughton Construction Co. to demolish the

By SHARON O’MALLEY

College’s Park’s oldest fire station turns 100 this year.

Founded in 1924, the Branchville Volunteer Fire Co. will celebrate its anniversary with an invitation-only September gala, complete with dress uniforms and appearances by firefighters and “friends of the company” whose service dates back half a century.

“We’re counting the minutes, literally,” said Fire Chief Michael T. Hughes, who oversees approximately 60 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders, along with a fleet of two lime-yellow fire trucks and three ambulances.

Hughes, who joined the company in 1974, has served as chief for 12 years on and off since 1987 — something of a family tradition, as his grandfather, both parents, uncle and brother

served in some capacity over the years. “We’re talking about 280 years of combined service,” Hughes said.

The chief’s fondest memories are of “being 25 and crawling down those houses on fire,” Hughes said. “I’m not 25 [anymore] and there’s nothing like it. It’s the biggest wow factor.”

Over the years, Hughes said, the job has changed. Of the 2,400 calls the department answers each year, 60% to 80% are for emergency medical services rather than fires. At the same time, the number of fires has gone down, while their intensity has increased, Hughes said.

“Everyone and their mother calls 911 for an ambulance,” he said, noting that car accidents, falls, heart attacks and other traumas dominate the calls for help.

City considers imposing tax on vacant, blighted buildings

By SAM GAUNTT

The College Park City Council voted on March 5 to form a subcommittee to look into how to potentially tax blighted and vacant properties in the city.

The subcommittee’s first task will be deciding how to define what properties count as blighted or vacant. It will then determine how to impose a potential tax on these properties, according to College Park City Manager Kenny Young.

“We're in a position now that [we] kind

of have to force the issue and get people to take more of an interest in making sure properties are maintained in College Park,” Young said.

Councilmember Stuart Adams (District 3) said hundreds of buildings and properties in the city might be vacant or in ill repair.

“It's depending on what the subcommittee recommends [as the definition of blighted] and what the council decides that we do but I would

COLLEGE

Once a regular in local parades, the Branchville Volunteer Fire Co.'s open-top fire truck now leads the funerals of past firefighters. The company celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. COURTESY OF BRANCHVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE CO.

Commission proposes change to park name to honor Lakeland history

By KATELYNN WINEBRENNER

A new report by the College Park Restorative Justice Commission calls for the city council to establish a scholarship fund for Lakeland residents.

In a presentation to the council on March 5, the city’s racial equity officer, Kayla Carter, also said the commission would like to rename Lake Artemesia and the College Park Community Center.

The scholarship and name changes would “not only preserve [the Lakeland] legacy but also educate future generations about the important role that this area has played in shaping the city,” Carter said.

Carter added that council support for the commission’s requests would be an acknowledgment of the “enduring spirit and resilience of Lakelanders.”

The city council established the commission in 2021 to create a process for restorative justice for Lakeland.

“This community is a historic part of College Park and has been significantly affected by various urban renewal issues over the years,” Carter said.

An urban renewal initiative undertaken by the city from the 1960s until the mid-80s resulted in the demolition of 104 Lakeland homes. That project effectively halted the spread of generational wealth through homeownership and displaced families.

“These changes, [which] aided in development, led to the alteration of the community's landscape and historical assets,” Carter said.

Carter presented the fourpart report, which called on the council to adopt the Lakeland

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The scholarship and name changes would “not only preserve [the Lakeland] legacy but also educate future generations about the important role that this area has played in shaping the city.”

Kayla Carter College Park racial equity officer

Legacy Scholarship Fund to open avenues of knowledge for Lakeland residents.

To be eligible for scholarship consideration, individuals must have lived in Lakeland for at least 10 years and must be committed to restorative justice education, vocational education or traditional higher-level education.

The commission proposed that the council ask the MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission to rename Lake Artemesia Natural Area and the College Park Community Center. The suggested new names are Lake Artemesia Natural Area at Lakeland and Lakeland College Park Community Center. Councilmembers said they would consider the commission’s report.

“I just want to thank you all for the very thoughtful steps to try to address some of the harder parts of our history here in College Park," Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1) said.

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For Love of Lakeland: Reparations Education Project

Partial Schedule of Events

March 19, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

RJ Book Club Introduction to Root Shock, by Dr. Mindy Fullilove

April 2, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Men of Lakeland and their Stories

April 16, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Workshop with Dr. Mindy Fullilove, “Lakeland and Root Shock”

April 17, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Town Hall: Lakeland and Root Shock with Dr. Mindy Fullilove

April 30, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

RJ Book Club with Nkechi Taifa

May 14, 7:3 to 9 p.m.

Narrative House, The Case for Reparations Virtual

May 18, 4 to 6 p.m.

Town Hall: Restorative Action: What and How

July 27, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Town Hall: Legacy Percussion, “Shadows of Lakeland”

Lectures, workshops come to Lakeland

By LILLIAN GLAROS

College Park’s Restorative Justice Commission has joined with a consulting and training organization to host a series of events in Lakeland about the community’s history and restorative justice initiatives.

Vice President & General Counsel: Michael Walls

Treasurer: Joe Murchison

Secretary: Melanie Dzwonchyk Bette Dickerson, Nora Eidelman, Joseph Gigliotti, Maxine Gross, Merrill Hartson, Marta McLellan Ross, T. Carter Ross

Ex Officios: Katie V. Jones, Griffin Limerick, Sharon O'Malley, Kit Slack

Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in College Park. Additional copies are distributed to popular gathering spots around town. Total circulation is 9,600.

CPH&N is a member of the National

The events, which begin on March 19, include book club conversations, a musical performance, lectures and panel discussions. Some of the events will be open to the public, while others will welcome only Lakelanders.

“You know, there are a bunch of quotes out there by famous people that talk about the importance of history, and one of the things they talk about is that if you don't learn your history, you're destined to repeat it,” Maxine Gross, chairwoman of the Restorative Justice Commission, said.

More than 100 homes in Lakeland were demolished from the 1960s to the 80s as part of an urban renewal project, displacing many families in the largely Black community.

“It's important to not just recognize that thing happened, but also to take positive action on assisting that community and heal it,” Gross said.

“And part of that process is understanding what happened.”

The first event is a webinar from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 19 on the book Root Shock, by Dr. Mindy Fullilove, about urban renewal and its impact on people of color. The Rev. Joanne Braxton, CEO and president of the Braxton Institute, will lead the discussion. The institute partnered with the city to organize the events.

Gross said the events will help raise awareness about urban renewal in Lakeland and how restorative justice can be accomplished.

College Park City Councilmember Susan Whitney (District 2) said the program will help city residents understand the impact of urban renewal on Lakeland.

“I think a lot of people by now have heard the story,” Whitney said. “But it's different to hear the facts of what happened and to really go into the impact of them and how other other communities have felt about that and how it has impacted people psychologically.”

The city’s Restorative Justice Commission will host a series of lectures and events in the Lakeland community.

COURTESY OF LILLIAN GLAROS

College Park residents remember UMD’s Lefty Driesell

By KATHY BRYANT and SHARON O’MALLEY

Long-time College Park residents remembered legendary University of Maryland (UMD) basketball coach Lefty Driesell, who died on Feb. 17 at age 92, as a larger-than-life figure who was effective, fun and devoted to his players.

Driesell, head coach at UMD from 1969 to 1986, was one of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s winningest coaches. He was the first coach to win at least 100 games at each of four different universities.

“Lefty helped put College Park on the map,” Berwyn resident Faith Rodell recalled. “He created a real hometown vibe, bringing the University of Maryland and the residents closer together with a joint sense of community spirit. We were proud of the team, even if we were not students, and had a double burst of pride if we were alumni.”

Driesell was forced to resign as head coach in 1986 after star player Len Bias died of a cocaine overdose in a campus dorm room two days after the Boston Celtics drafted him for the pros.

Still, hometown fans said they have fond memories of Driesell, who went on

to coach at James Madison University and Georgia State before retiring in 2003.

“Being a basketball enthusiast, I was glad to see a coach that could make the game matter and be exciting,” said College Park Woods resident Mike McClellan, a former UMD computer sciences professor. “When we passed by each other, I saw he was a big man and was intensely discussing something, no doubt, basketball. He was, in fact, bigger than life.”

McClellan said he initially thought Driesell was amusing and a bit goofy.

“That was true, but I came to understand

over the years that he was dead serious and dedicated to the game, and a great coach,” McClellan said. “My respect for Lefty grew as I learned that he taught a disciplined game with detailed instruction to be incorporated into each player's performance.”

John Krouse, of Hollywood, said he’ll never forget Driesell’s temper and the Lefty stomp.

“His foot stomping was legendary,” agreed Heidi Biffl, who works at the university and owns a home in Old Town. “He was a good coach, fun to watch and devoted to his players.”

“Lefty was a very emotional coach,” Old Town resident Mike Crossman recalled. “He would win a few games a year that he probably should have lost, but also lost a fair amount of games that he clearly should have won.”

Some UMD fans remembered Driesell for the superstars he recruited.

Robert Thurston, who lives in Lakeland, said he became a fan in 1974 after Driesell recruited Moses Malone, who bypassed college after initially accepting the offer and went pro. Moses went on to play for the Washington Bullets and Philadelphia 76ers, among other teams, and became one of the NBA’s greatest players.

“I admired his determination to make it work when most thought he couldn't make it work,” Thurston said of Driesell.

Dennis Herschbach, an Old Town resident, agreed.

“Lefty was a great coach and he was good at recruiting excellent players, but he also understood that basketball was entertainment, and he was very effective in generating public enthusiasm,” Herschbach said.

Still, some fans soured on the iconic coach after Bias’s death, which came three years after Driesell was accused of intimidating a female student who accused another player of sexual misconduct.

“He might have done better by [Bias and the accused player] if he had worked harder to correct their negative behaviors rather than enable them,” Biffl said. “I wasn't surprised or very sad when he left UMD. I know my take is probably not very popular.”

McClellan said the scandals sullied the coach’s reputation.

“I was sorry to see his passion for the game sullied by [allegedly] trying to cover up after the Len Bias disaster,” he said, but noted, “I will remember Lefty Driesell for keeping the game of basketball, and my love of it, alive and well, and bubbling.”

Legendary University of Maryland basketball coach Lefty Driesell leaves College Park fans with good memories. COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

Commanders move headquarters to UMD’s Discovery District

By KATELYNN WINEBRENNER

The Washington Commanders’ move to the University of Maryland’s Discovery District could entice other companies to follow the team to College Park and the surrounding area.

In addition, the move could broaden local internship and employment opportunities.

“They’ve got a real track record of hiring interns … from the University of Maryland,” the Discovery District’s Chief Strategy Officer for Economic Development Ken Ulman said.

The three-time Super Bowl champions moved their headquarters and more than 200 employees — not the athletes, though — to the top floor of 4600 River Road in January. The university, which owns the Discovery District, had the secure, four-story building constructed in 2020.

The Discovery District is a 150-acre research park close to the UMD campus that has largely focused on supporting university-related startups and federal agencies, including IonQ, a quantum computing company, and the Food and Drug Administration.

“As we have matured as a district, we are now starting to be seen as a goto location for companies of all types,” Ulman said. “The Commanders are a

significant business with a lot of needs for diverse talent.”

The proximity to campus, the Metro system and eventually the Purple Line will make it easy for employees of the company to visit local restaurants and shops. The team also will be able to recruit future employees from the local talent pool.

On the team’s move-in day, Testudo, the university’s mascot, welcomed employees to their new home.

“We’re really working very hard to make sure that tenants and partners in the Discovery District feel a connection to the university,” Ulman said. In the aftermath of the pandemic

and the rise of hybrid work, Ulman has found that highlighting local amenities and partnerships with the university differentiates the Discovery District from competing office space.

“When people are choosing where to locate an office, it’s that much more important to offer that value proposition to make sure people feel like they’re a part of a community, not just picking one of many office buildings that somebody could choose to rent space in,” Ulman said.

Not only is the Commanders’ move beneficial for the Discovery District, but having a household name based in College Park could also be an asset for the city as a whole, according to College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir.

“So certainly we’ll be highlighting this exciting news as we try to attract new businesses in College Park,” Kabir said.

The Commanders have operated out of their Landover stadium, formerly called FedEx Field, since the late 1990s. The team’s contract to use the stadium will end in 2027.

Speculation about where the team will move includes rumors of a return to RFK Stadium, in the District, especially as legislation to upgrade the facility makes its way through Congress. But team officials have said staying in Maryland or moving to Virginia are also options.

Administrative offices of the Washington Commanders moved to the Discovery District in January. Shown, the team’s building at 4600 River Road. COURTESY OF THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT

After a month of protests from firefighters and the community, Prince George’s County has backed away from a recommendation to remove paid firefighters from the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department.

The plan reportedly was to remove 20 career firefighters from the station house, which county officials had deemed unsafe. Volunteers were to be allowed to stay.

The move might have had a negative impact on College Park, as Beltsville is one of the local fire departments that routinely sends trucks to the city when fire breaks out here. In addition, according to College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir, the Branchville Volunteer Fire Co. in College Park, which often is called as a backup to fires in Beltsville, could have become overtaxed with those requests if the Beltsville career staff had been moved out.

During a crowded midFebruary hearing, county Fire Chief Tiffany Green announced Prince George's County would bring in residential trailers to house both career and volunteer firefighters while the Beltsville station undergoes repairs.

GOOD EATS

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema selected Northwest Chinese Food, located in College Park (7313 Baltimore Avenue), as one of his five favorite restaurants in February.

Sietsema, who does not identify himself as a food critic when he visits restaurants to review, sampled the housemade

liang pi, or wheat-flour noodles, and what the chef calls a “burger,” or rou jia mo, a filling of lamb, sweet onions and cumin wrapped in fresh bread.

“Then there are the dumplings to consider,” Sietsema wrote in a Feb. 20 review in the Post. “Make mine pork dumplings draped with a creamy blanket of sesame seeds and lit with chile oil.”

Sietsema called out the Shenyang-born owner, whose dishes feature “bold flavors and Korean influences.”

GREEK SUSPENSION

Some downtown College Park neighborhoods have been quieter lately since the University of Maryland (UMD) indefinitely suspended certain activities at 21 fraternities and 14 sororities pending an investigation into allegations of hazing.

College officials, in a letter to students’ families in late February, said behavior at some fraternities or sororities “posed a threat to the safety and well-being of members of the university community.” The letter did not name specific organizations.

The suspension applies to activities related to new members and those involving alcohol on or off campus.

Some members of UMD’s Greek community have objected to the suspension,

saying it is not fair to punish all fraternities and sororities for the actions of a few.

TENANT SUBSIDIES

The College Park City Council is considering expanding a proposed student housing subsidy to include low-income city renters.

The council could vote as soon as March 19 on a subcommittee recommendation to include non-students in a pilot program that would grant $1,500 to tenants of the Route 1 high-rise apartments.

The proposed revisions also offer the council the option to include some single-family home rentals in the expanded program.

To be eligible for the subsidy, students would need to qualify for Pell Grants. Non-students with incomes below the area

median income could qualify for the grant, according to the recommendation.

More than a dozen College Park residents had objected to the original plan’s dedicating $225,000 to the program.

EASTER EGGS

College Park will host an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at Calvert Park. Youngsters up to 10 years old will receive a basket to collect eggs and prizes. Refreshments are included.

SOCIAL SPORTS

The city is polling residents to gauge their interest in an adult social sports league.

The city has $30,000 in this year’s budget to spend on organizing opportunities for residents, including seniors, to

participate in social sports like pickleball and bocce ball.

To fill out the survey by the March 13 deadline, go to surveymonkey.com/r/ QHF995F or request a paper copy by visiting the Department of Youth, Family and Senior Services at 4912 Nantucket Road.

WOMEN’S HISTORY

An exhibit on female activism will be on display on the first floor of College Park City Hall during March in recognition of Women’s History Month. College Park is the latest stop for the touring presentation, which is called, “Agents of Change: Female Activism in Virginia from Women’s Suffrage to Today,” organized by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Viewing hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema writes some kind words about the rou jia mo, a sort of Chinese hamburger, at College Park’s own Northwest Chinese Food. ADOBE STOCK

Children, adult musicians mingle for winter concert

By LILLIAN GLAROS

Performers of all ages, from white-bearded singers to tiny violinists whose feet did not reach the ground, gathered March 3 at Northwestern High School for a winter concert.

The concert started with a boisterous performance of “When the Saints Go Marching In,” punctuated with the chimes of a xylophone, by the College Park Youth Band, which consists of sixth- to eighthgraders.

Sarah Winston, the band’s director, followed the opening number with a tromboneinfused version of “Turkish March” before the students grooved to the more modern vibe of “Soul Rock,” which featured fast, military-style drumming.

The band kicked off the annual concert, which also featured performances from four other groups: a Primary Ensemble and an Intermediate Ensemble, whose performers are in late

elementary school through high school; the College Park Youth Orchestra’s Chamber Ensemble, with many students who previously performed with the other groups; and an adult College Park Choir and Chorale.

Winston said the youth band, which started in 2018, gives students without music programs at their schools an opportunity to play instruments together. The band is open to students who have a couple of years of experience.

Nicola Netto White, a College Park resident whose seventhgrader plays percussion, said she likes the opportunities the band offers to the children.

Netto White said her daughter enjoys playing instruments and was in band in middle school, “but we thought this would give a different, varied experience.”

Following the youth band’s performance, the Primary Ensemble of the College Park Youth Orchestra played two songs, “Variations on an Irish Tune” and “Russian Sailor’s Dance.”

Justin Newberger, the ensemble’s director, said he does not require the students to audition. Instead, Newberger, who started working with the ensemble last year, requires that they have an outside music teacher.

Playing in the ensemble allows students without much orchestral experience to play in an orchestra, and Newberger said he does challenge them.

“It's just kind of listening to the orchestra, getting to know your musicians, what they can handle, and pushing them just enough so they don't ever feel like they're [not] capable of meeting the challenge of the performance,” he said.

The Intermediate Ensemble, which Newberger also directs, played “Slavonic Dance No. 8” and two selections from the “English Folk Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Smoothly transitioning from slow to staccato, the students harmonized their instruments. Students must audition for

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the Intermediate Ensemble, which plays more advanced music.

Esme Newman, a ninth-grade violinist from Bethesda, said she likes the environment the orchestra creates.

“I really liked doing orchestras, and the main two … around here, PVYO, [Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra] and MCYO [Montgomery County Youth Orchestra] … they're both super competitive, and I didn't like that very much, so yeah, I’m here,” Esme said.

The College Park Youth Orchestra’s Chamber Ensemble played “American” before

joining the adult College Park Choir and Chorale for performances of songs by Mozart and Brahms.

The Chamber Ensemble, which Claudia Chudacoff directs, is the most advanced ensemble in the orchestra. Chudacoff said the kids she directs are passionate about music.

“We have a really fun time,” she said.

Closing out the evening, the adult choir and chorale sang “Wondrous Love,” and ending on a more folksy note, sang “Wesley,” a hymn also known as “Come, Children of Zion.”

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The College Park Choir and Chorale is one of five ensembles to perform at Northwestern High School on March 3. The concert blended children musicians with adult singers. COURTESY OF LILLIAN GLAROS

COLLEGE PARK POST

Edition 46

Spring is about going green!

Spring into Action

Green policies in the City of College Park your residential lot, visit www. collegeparkmd.gov/trees.

As we soak up the sunshine and embrace the season of renewal this March, we’re encouraged to think about what we can do to make the planet more sustainable for generations to come. The City is dedicated to preserving the environments, wildlife, and waterways that make College Park habitable and enjoyable.

From renewable energy sources to waste reduction, City policies ensure sustainable practices. For more information, visit www. collegeparkmd.gov/sustainability.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Stations and Solar Panel installations offer alternative energy sources for cars and municipal buildings.

Tree Plantings throughout the City enhance the tree canopy and beautify our landscape. To learn how to request a tree planting on

Storm Drain Murals raise awareness about water pollution by encouraging all of us to be more conscious about what goes down our storm drains. By ensuring “only rain down the drain,” we can preserve the lives of plants and animals in the Anacostia watershed.

Better Bag Ordinance restricts the use of non-reusable plastic bags to reduce waste and litter and protect the health of local waterways and tributaries. The City has customized reusable bags for City residents - visit www. collegeparkmd.gov/betterbag to claim yours!

Curbside Food Scrap Collection Program encourages residents to recycle their food waste to help reduce harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

Register your household for the program at www.collegeparkmd. gov/foodscraps.

No Mow April encourages City residents to reduce or refrain from mowing their lawns during the month of April. By letting grass grow, bees and other pollinator habitats can thrive. You can also grow pollinator-friendly plants to support the health of local pollinators. Learn more at www. collegeparkmd.gov/insects.

NEW: Electric and Manual Lawn Equipment Rebate Program offers an incentive to switch to electric or manual lawn care equipment. Gas-powered lawn equipment is highly polluting, emitting carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, and hydrocarbons. Because this equipment burns fossil fuels, it also adds CO2 to the atmosphere. Submit a rebate at www.collegeparkmd.gov/ lawncarerebate.

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BE PREPARED

In an emergency weather event, hazardous conditions pose a threat to everyone’s safety. Be prepared by building a disaster kit with needed supplies.

Agents of Change: Female Activism in Virginia

Women’s History Month traveling exhibit at City Hall

Throughout March, we honor the resilience, strength, and achievements of women, past and present.

The City presents “Agents of Change: Female Activism in Virginia from Women’s Suffrage to Today,” a signature project of the Virginia Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemoration and made possible by The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. G. Gilmer Minor III.

GATHER THE SUPPLIES AND LEARN THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY

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Flashlight

The exhibition uses text and imagery to recognize a century of women’s social and political activism in and highlights the efforts and impact of a selection of female change-makers, including suffragists, officeholders, community organizer educators, and social reformers.

Join us in celebrating their contributions - browse the twosided, eight-panel exhibition on display at City Hall on the first floor (7401 Baltimore Avenue) from 8AM- 5PM March 1st – 31st.

Lawn Care Equipment Rebate

City residents can recieve rebates on electric or manual lawn care equipment

Personal Hygiene items

Water (1 gallon per person, per day) Non-perishable food Medications + Medical Equipment

Important Documents (Passport, Driver’s License)

A disaster kit is a collection of basic items members of your household may need to survive on your own for 7-10 days, in the event of an emergency.

Make a plan for emergency situations today! Visit ready.gov and learn how to create an emergency preparedness strategy for your family, household, and community by:

Creating an emergency communication plan that includes contact information for the group, as well as any important doctors, schools, or service providers. Keep multiple copies, including one kept in a central location in your home.

Making an evacuation and shelter plan that will help you decide whether to evacuate or shelter in place. Always follow the orders and advice of local government authorities and first responders.

Practicing disaster plans to test your evacuation, shelter, and communication plans. Tailor your plans according to the special needs of individuals in the group.

Getting connected with Alert Prince George’s (alert.mypgc.us) and the City of College Park for emergency alerts and tips. To receive important City emails, visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/cpconnect

For more tips and resources, visit collegeparkmd.gov/publicsafety

Lessen your carbon footprint by pruchasing electric or manualpowered lawn care equipment! City of College Park residents can now receieve a rebate when they switch to electric or manualpowered lawn care equipment.

Gas-powered lawn equipment burns fossil fuels and is highly polluting, emitting carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, and hydrocarbons. When you purchase electric or manual-powered lawn care equipment, you help reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution in our community.

Residents are eligible for rebates on the following equipment:

• electric mowers or manual reel mowers ($100)

• electric weed whackers, leaf blowers, and hedge trimmers: ($50 each)

• Rakes - up to 2 ($20)

• multi electric equipment combo kits (e.g., leaf blower, hedge trimmer, weed wacker all share one battery) ($150)

The maximum lifetime household rebate is $250. Each rebate requires proof of purchase.

Learn more about the program and apply at www.collegeparkmd.gov/ lawncarerebate.

City Announcements

TAX FILING SEASON TOOLS

The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals, including people who generally make $64,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.

Visit irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to find a provider near you if you qualify. If you do not qualify, IRS Free File allows you to do your taxes online for free. The IRS Free File Program is a public-private partnership between the IRS and many tax preparation and filing software industry companies who provide their online tax preparation and filing for free. It provides two ways for taxpayers to prepare and file their federal income tax online for free:

• Guided Tax Software provides free online tax preparation and filing at an IRS partner site. IRS partners deliver this service at no cost to qualifying taxpayers. Taxpayers whose AGI is $79,000 or less qualify

for a free federal tax return.

• Free File Fillable Forms are electronic federal tax forms, equivalent to a paper 1040 form. You should know how to prepare your own tax return using form instructions and IRS publications if needed. It provides a free option to taxpayers whose income (AGI) is greater than $79,000.

The AARP Foundation TaxAide is providing free in-person and virtual tax assistance and preparation through April 15. This is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-based tax assistance and

votes to select the ideal location for the new green space. Due to the nature of the location, environmentally sensitive options are being considered. Submit your opinion by March 23 at www. collegeparkmd.gov/roanokepark.

CITY OF COLLEGE PARK TUTORING

The City of College Park offers free online tutoring for all College Park Students during the 20232024 school year! This program is offered through Imagine Learning and offers support with GED, College Prep, reading, and math for residents of College Park. Learn more at www.collegeparkmd.gov/ Tutoring to fill out an interest form.

COLLEGE PARK CONNECT

The City of College Park is excited to launch College Park Connect, a new mobile resident engagement application and website powered by GOGov.

To report any non-emergency concern or issue, visit www. collegeparkmd.gov/tellus. To download the free app, go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and search “College Park Connect” to find the app. As always, residents can call the City’s 24/7 Hotline at 240-487-3588 to report non-emergency issues including noise complaints. For emergency assistance, call 9-1-1 immediately for police, fire, or EMS assistance.

COMPOST AVAILABLE

Smartleaf® compost is available!

Purchase and pick up material at the Department of Public Works (9217 51st Avenue, College Park)

Monday-Friday 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Deliveries start mid-March.

Visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/ compost for information.

City staff will leverage powerful dashboards and reporting tools to identify hot spots, increase productivity, streamline communications, and prioritize projects.

This app will further support the City’s Department of Public Works’ Bulk Trash Program by tracking and reporting all bulk trash collection data.

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Available for youth (K-12 for school year 2024-2025) who reside in College Park. Scholarships are up to $400 to

European vacation: Experience spring’s bounty in your College Park backyard

By RICK BORCHELT

It’s barely past snow season, and already stores are stocking displays of sunscreen and sandals for the big March event — Spring Break. But for those of us not so fortunate to be traveling anywhere exotic anytime soon, not to worry: We can experience our own European vacation without leaving our own backyards and local parks.

On a warm day in March, you can step out along neighborhood sidewalks and find early spring flowers nestled in the grass everywhere. And not just ornamentals from the nursery trade, but showy yellow dandelions, bright purple henbit and deadnettle, deep blue ground ivy and skyblue speedwell. Some have even been blooming off and on during warm spells since Thanksgiving. What do all these festive spring blossoms have in common?

They are invasive European weeds. You could just as easily be standing on a sidewalk or park trail in Vienna, Paris or London.

Most of our native wildflowers are not foolish enough to bloom this early in the season, when cold snaps and ice storms are still a distinct possibility. And many native plants need native bees, most of which are still hibernating in March, to pollinate them.

While these European plants are weeds to us, they are as welcome in the Old World as trilliums and phloxes and spring beauties are here. But once they reached American shores, many of these plants settled in so well they became insidious infiltrators of our lawns and gardens.

Because they come from generally milder climates, these plants are programmed to bloom during warm winter spells — spells when our native plants are mostly dormant. And they don’t even need to depend on native bees for pollination; luckily for them, another European import stands ready to assist — the western honey bee (Apis mellifera), which is active during warm winter weather.

So let’s go European sightseeing in the neighborhood.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is easily the most familiar of the European imports. It’s a perennial, meaning individual plants survive year after year, and has the distinction of being intentionally introduced to North America — colonists aboard the Mayflower had dandelion seeds with them. Every part of a dandelion plant is edible, from the toothed leaves for salad to the thick rootstock, which can be made into a coffeelike brew to promote urine flow.

If you were a Saxon brewer, you’d know our next aromatic migrant well: ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea). But

you’d probably have known it by its other common name of ale-hoof, so named for its use in flavoring ales.

Ground ivy also made a passable substitute for rennet in cheesemaking and was esteemed for thousands of years in folk medicine for treating a variety of illnesses. These domestic uses led to ground ivy’s intentional introduction to American shores. The dark blue flowers are born in pairs along the vining stem, and like the dandelion, it’s a hardy perennial.

Two look-alike annual mints also make the list of European vagrants: henbit (Lamium amplixcaule) and purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum). Both sport reddish-purple single flowers, usually clustered toward the top of the stem, and they

often grow together in lawns and along roadways. Henbit’s stem leaves have no stalk and encircle the stem; in deadnettle, the lower leaves are always on individual, distinct stalks. Both plants grow more or less upright instead of vining or twining, which helps distinguish them from ground ivy, which is also a mint.

The two Lamiums are annuals that germinate in the fall and die by summer; it’s easy to spot the dark green leaves of their overwintering rosettes throughout the cold months. These leaves are superficially similar to the leaves of stinging nettle (Urticaria) but they don’t have stinging hairs, hence the common name dead nettle.

Perhaps the most exotic stop on our European tour is, as its name implies, more accurately considered Eurasian. Persian speedwell (Veronica persica)

was well known to ancient Asian and Middle Eastern apothecaries and flourished in medieval European herb gardens before it escaped into the wild. Unlike the flat flowers of dandelion or the tubular flowers of the three mints, Persian speedwell has an open, sky-blue flower with darker blue lines against a light-blue base color. Another annual, its seeds germinate in the fall, and its tough, light-green leaves persist all winter. We have native speedwells, too, but Persian speedwell is far more common today.

Like all spring breaks, our European tour doesn’t last long — all of these invasive flowers are finished by the time our hot summer weather sets in. But for that brief window in March and April, you’ll be forgiven for humming “April in Paris.”

Have questions for Rick about the world of nature in and around the city, or suggestions for future ”College Park Wild” columns? Drop him a note at rborchelt@gmail.com.

Some European spring mints (left to right): ground ivy, henbit and purple deadnettle RICK BORCHELT

New tenants union to advocate for lower rent in College Park apartments

By SAM GAUNTT

Two University of Maryland student leaders on Feb. 27 proposed establishing a tenants union for students who rent in College Park.

At a meeting on campus, Dhruvak Mirani, one of the university’s two liaisons to the College Park City Council, said the goals of the union are to lower the cost of rent, help improve living conditions and address maintenance issues.

“We can't really address housing prices in a vacuum without talking about all of the other issues that go along with it,” Mirani, a sophomore government and politics and computer science dual major, said. “This is one way that we think we can kind of tackle both at the same time.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median monthly rent in College Park between 2018 and 2022 was $1,838.

Mirani said he and Gannon Sprinkle, the university’s deputy liaison to the city council, have spoken to many students who support the idea of a tenants union.

“It's important that we take advantage of the collective power that we have as students,” Mirani said. “There's 30,000 of us as undergraduates, another 10,000 graduate students. That's 40,000 students all facing, or most facing, a really common central problem.”

Sprinkle, a sophomore government and politics major who co-presented the plan to a small crowd at the meeting, said of the students the two have talked to, all agreed the College Park area lacks sufficient affordable housing.

“We need something to rally behind, a force to fight for better

“We need something to rally behind, a force to fight for better living conditions and lower rent prices.”

Gannon Sprinkle

University of Maryland student

leader

living conditions and lower rent prices,” Sprinkle said. “That's what we're here to do.”

Mirani described the creation of the union as a soft launch.

Mirani and Sprinkle have not officially formed an organization, but Mirani said they have spent time meeting with similar groups in the area, such as Stomp Out Slumlords, a tenants union in Washington, about how to proceed.

“The advice we've been getting is, ‘Go for it and just start,’” he said. Some students at the meeting expressed their support for the idea.

William Edwards, a senior studio art major, said he has been looking for an organization like the tenants union for a long time.

“I'm sort of on my last semester here, so I don't know how useful it will be to me, but I'm glad to help out and help other people who will be staying for longer,” Edwards said.

The pair invited the students at the meeting to join them in early March to canvas students living at the Terrapin Row apartments to hear their concerns about housing in College Park. The group’s next meeting is on March 26 on campus.

Two University of Maryland student leaders proposed establishing a tenants union for students who rent in College Park. ADOBE STOCK

NATIVE GARDENING

Thinning, splitting and transplanting natives

By JIMMY ROGERS

This time of year, gardeners of all stripes open their calendars and almanacs to figure when to sow seed, when to cut stems and when to plant tender plants. If you have native plants entering their second spring, there’s another activity to consider: thinning.

Traditional American gardens position plants at least a foot apart, so that they will only touch when they reach their mature size. In functional native gardens, designers favor denser plantings to crowd out weeds and increase diversity. As these designs mature, some plants will begin to spread more than others. Most of the time this is OK.

For instance, you may want to see black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) fill out along the sidewalk, both wowing passers-by in the summer and suppressing winter weeds with their basal florets. However, an overzealous wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) spreading into that same bed might intimidate pedestrians with its 5-foot-tall stalks.

Thinning enables beautiful gardens to remain gardens instead of gradually morphing back into natural landscapes. Those landscapes are also beautiful, but plants growing beyond convenient borders or crowding out other plants can prove inconvenient or unaesthetic to the humans who

share close quarters with them. Additionally, regular thinning will give you an opportunity to open a plant library for friends and neighbors to take some of your most vigorous plants back home to their own gardens. Human interest drives all of this thinning, splitting and transplanting; the plants don’t need us to move or divide them. Always consider the wait-andsee option, as your garden may reorganize itself in ways you will appreciate. However, when we put plants into garden beds, we are creating an artificial situation and need to step in occasionally to ensure they meet our needs.

TRANSPLANTING

When you find a volunteer popping up in an inconvenient place, first choose a new home for your bonus plant. Consider these options:

- Fill in any bare soil or empty spots with lower-growing plants.

- Partner plants that bloom early with plants that bloom late.

- Position lower-growing plants along pathways and next to lategrowing tall plants.

- Arrange a bed with different flower shapes and colors.

To remove the plant, grab a small shovel or trowel and imagine a circle surrounding the plant’s leaves. Double the width of that circle and place the tip of your shovel anywhere

along the edge. With the blade pointing straight down, cut into the soil. This technique will avoid slicing as many roots as possible.

Once you have made your first cut, lean back and lever the dirt up a little bit. If the soil is rich and very wet, the plant may come right out. If the soil won’t yet release the plant with a gentle tug, remove your shovel and place it 90 degrees around the circle from your first cut (15 minutes on a clock). Make another vertical slice and lean back again. See how far you can lift the soil. I often find that young plants will come out after the second cut. If the soil detaches from the ground, then you have completed the first step. If not, keep working your way around the circle until you’ve fully excavated the plant.

Leave some soil attached to the plant, as it has already established a web of tiny roots that take up water and nutrients. However, if you consistently remove a lot of soil when you uproot volunteers, you’ll end up with a lot of holes in your garden. Most of the soil won’t yet be full of roots, so you can crumble or even smack the soil back into the hole. Press the remaining soil back in or fill the hole in with another plant that would go better in that spot.

Your uprooted volunteer can now be planted again, ideally that same day. For very small plants, first try what I call the

crevice method. Make a first vertical cut and wedge open the soil just enough to slip in all the roots, and then reseal the crevice, putting good pressure on the roots. If you need more space, excavate more soil the same way you did for uprooting and plant into the hole. With either method, you’ll want the plant to be exactly as deep in the soil as it was before transplanting. Transplanting will leave air pockets in the ground, so the last step is to water your volunteer. Watering for a count of 10 seconds will flood those air pockets, hydrate the plant and settle the soil around the roots.

SPLITTING

If a plant is mature, consider splitting it. Some plants are organized into lots of little plants (sometimes called offsets or pups) that are loosely connected. After uprooting, force them

apart by hand with gentle pressure at the underground connection points. These can now each be planted singly or be grouped together for a fuller look.

If a plant doesn’t form obvious offsets, then it will need to be divided more forcefully. After uprooting a plant, always check if it can be ripped in half, ideally keeping clean vertical sections of the plant intact (stem connected to roots). For a large or tough plant, make a clean strike with a shovel along the vertical plane. After being planted, the divided portions will grow back into a more uniform shape.

Jimmy Rogers is an avid native gardener and a member of the Laurel Environmental Affairs Committee.

Each year the pollinator garden in Laurel's Sweitzer Park can be thinned. COURTESY OF JIMMY ROGERS

Area food banks face unprecedented demand

By ADELIA MCGUIRE

College Park's two food pantries are grappling with an unprecedented surge in demand, echoing the strain felt by food banks across the nation.

An increase in demand from members of the College Park community and the University of Maryland (UMD) student body is emptying the shelves of the College Park Community Foodbank and the UMD Campus Pantry at unparalleled rates, according to the pantries’ operators.

“Comparing now to before the pandemic, it's just like apples and oranges,” College Park Community Food Bank President Lisa Bartusek said. “Before, we were [open] once a month, now we are every week. Before, we were serving about 100 families a month. Now we're like 1,500, 1,600.”

The sudden rise in demand is not unique to College Park; it mirrors a nationwide trend highlighting the profound challenges of food insecurity experienced in communities across the country.

According to Bartusek, the food bank has seen a marked increase in the number of visitors over the past year.

“In the last quarter of fiscal year 2023 we had extremely high demand,” Bartusek said. We keep records of most individuals served, most food packages distributed, most

BLIGHTED

FROM PAGE 1

Because of surging demand, the pantry has recruited additional volunteers and stepped up its efforts to bring in more donations of food.

“Comparing now to before the pandemic, it's just like apples and oranges. Before, we were [open] once a month, now we are every week. Before, we were serving about 100 families a month. Now we're like 1,500, 1,600.”

Lisa Bartusek College Park Community Food Bank president

families served, and we basically broke all of our records.”

Bartusek attributed the heightened demand for food banks to high food costs, despite the cooling of inflation.

Bartram Hipple said the UMD Food Pantry is experiencing the same high demand.

“It has almost doubled since

assume we're in the hundreds,” Adams said.

The subcommittee will create the definition of blighted and vacant properties and decide the best way to formulate a tax by studying how other cities, such as Frederick and Washington, have already imposed similar taxes, Young added.

The subcommittee’s membership will include four College Park residents nominated by councilmembers from each of the city’s districts and three members chosen by Mayor Fazlul Kabir.

Adams has advocated for a tax on blighted and vacant properties since serving as president of the Calvert Hills Citizens Association in 2019.

Adams blamed the issue in the city, in part, on large, national chains that closed their locations and left the properties vacant.

It is sometimes more profitable for a property owner to keep a building or piece of land vacant than to fill it with a new tenant, especially if the departed tenant is still under contract to pay rent, Adams said.

the same period the year before,” said Hipple, assistant director of marketing and communication for UMD dining services.

“What we wrestle with here is we're not sure how much of that is through increased visibility of the pantry, through the increased variety of food that we're able to offer or a greater need.”

“The intent of the vacant and blighted property tax discussion, substantially in the commercial space but also in the residential space, is to mitigate some of the tax incentives that can occur for property owners to keep things vacant,” Adams noted.

Adams added that a tax on blighted and vacant properties would “move us in the right direction.”

“It makes landlords think twice about what they're doing with their property and compels them to make a few extra calls on filling up those retail spots,” he said.

Young said any new policy will need to give enough notice to property owners so they can fix the issue before having to pay a tax.

After deciding on the definition of what qualifies as a blighted and vacant property, the subcommittee might also create a list of properties in College Park that fall under the definition, Young said.

“We want to make sure that our property owners within the city of College Park are getting the best bang for their buck, in terms of the city services we offer as well as helping to maintain their property values,” Young said.

“We have had to be creative and find ways to get food,” Hipple said. “The campus pantry manager, Larry Tomlin, has been tremendously creative in creating partnerships with businesses in the region.”

The College Park Food Bank purchases 75% of the canned goods and fresh produce it stocks at reduced rates from the Capital Area Food Bank and local farms; the balance is donated.

In 2023, the food bank created a food-raising committee to

figure out how to reduce costs, Bartusek said.

This is the second year Clagett Farms, an initiative of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, has donated to the food bank. Elissa Planz, a vegetable grower at Clagett Farms, said that in 2023 the farm gave more than 30% of its harvest — 25,000 pounds of produce — to the food bank.

“I know the demand for actual food — and the logistics and storage for it — is such an obstacle for the smaller food pantries,” Planz said.

Both food banks are staffed almost entirely with volunteers.

According to College Park Community Food Bank President Lisa Bartusek, the food bank has seen a marked increase in the number of visitors over the past year. COURTESY OF LISA BARTUSEK

A Blessing Box Food Pantry in College Park ADELIA MCGUIRE

BRANCHVILLE

FROM PAGE 1

The volunteers have changed, too. During Hughes’ heyday, a tightly knit core group of volunteers would arrive at the fire house every day to wait for the calls to come in. Today, many volunteers ride only the required three, 12-hour shifts a month, and most of them are University of Maryland students.

“Kids around [Branchville VFD] volunteered from the ’50s to the ’90s,” Hughes said. “We knew we were going to stay there for 15 years. We drank beer together, chased girls together. And then we got older. People filtered out … got married, had kids. [Those kids] are more into computer stuff. Boys Clubs have folded. People don’t get out to play ball anymore. Fire companies suffered. Now

CLUBHOUSE

FROM PAGE 1

nobody from the community joins fire houses.”

In fact, volunteer fire departments nationwide are short on volunteers, as the job becomes more complex, training requirements — and their cost — increase, and family commitments take priority over volunteer work.

Branchville’s crew felt that shortage most acutely after Prince George’s County, which paid Branchville’s career firefighters from the 1960s until 2003 and again, briefly, five years later, cut off funding.

“That hurt,” Hughes recalled. “That was a historical moment” that forced the department to rely solely on volunteers to staff all shifts. “Our well dried up … and we had to make do.”

Then, in the mid-2000s, a group of Branchville regulars set up a table at Maryland Day on the University of Maryland (UMD)

outdated facility and fill the old pool before starting construction. Production and permitting setbacks during the pandemic forced Broughton to leave the agreement before starting construction, which paused the project until now, according to College Park Director of Public Works Robert Marsili.

The lack of a community center has meant local neighborhood groups have had no indoor space to gather, College Park City Councilmember Maria Mackie (District 4) said.

“Many of our activities have been underneath the gazebo in the pouring rain,” Mackie said, “so it'll be a nice thing to have for the District 4 community, but also for the city.”

The clubhouse, to be located at 3545

campus, and fortunes changed.

An infusion of UMD students made the volunteer rolls robust again, Hughes said. “With them, we became stronger; you could say we thrive. … That’s what’s keeping us going.”

Three students live full-time at the fire station, which has six individual rooms and a 12-bunk dormitory. Several others crash there during overnight shifts.

Still, Hughes speaks wistfully of the days when the fire house was a social hub, sponsoring softball teams and bowling leagues and hosting social events.

“It’s kind of sad,” he said. “Like a lot of things in the country, it gave way to computer games and people having to work and cut back on the volunteer status [because] they don’t have time.”

Instead, the fire hall carved a place for itself — and a steady stream of income — from Casi-

Marlborough Way, will provide indoor space for a variety of gatherings and events. Blueprints depict two main meeting rooms separated by a noise-reducing, accordion-style divider that can open to combine the two spaces.

“

The timeline looks very reasonable that if we get moving in the spring, hopefully by the end of the year it will be built,” Mackie said.

The property was once a flourishing swim club until its pool facilities fell into disrepair under private owners. The city will own the community center.

“I think there's a lot of really precious history,” Mackie, who grew up and also raised her children in College Park Woods, said. “I'm excited. We have lots of fond memories of crab feasts and taco night, and, you know, playing shuffle ball.”

Developers imagined the space to accommodate a variety of different

Branchville VFD’s greatest historical hits

1922. A group of locals started planning to open a fire department on Branchville Avenue. In 1924, the service officially opened.

1954. The Branchville Fire House was built on the site of the VFD’s small, original station. Today, a lounge and kitchen sit on the original site.

1959. Fire engine driver Jim Melton, a lieutenant, died on the job from a heart attack he had at a fire. Melton is the only on-duty casualty in Branchville VFD’s history.

2001. Branchville firefighters, along with other VFDs in the county, were dispatched to the Pentagon on Sept. 11. Branchville Chief Michael T. Hughes served as the incident commander for Prince George’s County that day.

2003. Prince George’s County stopped paying the salaries of career firefighters at the VFD, saying the proximity to College Park and Berwyn Heights volunteer fire departments made paid staff at Branchville unnecessary.

2008 or 2009. University of Maryland students began volunteering at the VFD en masse after the Branchville crew recruited them at Maryland Day.

2024. Branchville VFD celebrates its 100th anniversary.

no Nights, which started in the 1990s and allowed administrators to “pour our resources into a newer and more modern fleet. … We had almost no money in the late ’80s,” Hughes noted, “but by finally pulling the trigger on starting the Vegas Night at our firehouse, that enabled us to do things we could only dream of.”

That dream ended, of course, with a county ban on charity gambling. So the VFD turned to bingo, and the county started charging residents for ambulance calls

activities, such as tutoring, parties, low-impact workouts like yoga, choir practices and more. Mackie said there have been many visions for the outside of the building, including plans for butterfly gardens and walking paths.

Eventually, the city will look into adding sustainable upgrades like solar panels on the roof, Marsili said.

The building amenities will also include a gender-neutral bathroom complete with a baby-changing station, as well as a kitchen with a coffee bar.

The city used a state Program Open Space grant to fund the purchase of the old swim facility for about $580,000, according to city officials.

The program administers funds to local communities for recreational space. It is a source of funding for other areas around College Park as well, such as the now-completed

and sharing the money with local fire houses.

“It keeps a lot of companies afloat,” Hughes said.

The company also does an annual fundraising drive, sending an envelope to every resident’s home to ask for donations.

For all the success of the century-old company, Hughes said, nothing compares to the “satisfaction of kicking that fire in the ass. The red man — as the fire is called in the service — doesn’t care who you are … if things go wrong, they go wrong. … Maybe things will go right.”

improvements on the Hollywood Commercial District Streetscape and planned renovations on Duvall Field in north College Park.

The city had planned to renovate Duvall Field in the early 2000s but lacked funding and deferred the project until 2018. Completed that year, Phase 1 of the project included a new concession building and restroom.

The budget for Phase 2 would allow for new turf, irrigation, small fields, an amphitheater and a playground. Those amenities were approved in August 2019 as part of the ordinance that authorized the new College Park City Hall.

The project is in its final design phase, according to the city’s website, and construction could start this year as well. The website advises that the field will be closed to the public for a year, starting March 1.

The look of the Branchville Volunteer Fire Co. has changed along with its crew. Shown, historical photos from over the years. COURTESY OF THE BRANCHVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE CO.

Shop Made in Maryland makes room for locally made crafts and snacks

By KAYLA NAZAIRE

A new store on the first floor of College Park City Hall is showcasing everything from novelty food to art, candles, skin and body care, apparel and home decor — all crafted by Maryland residents.

Shop Made in Maryland is a marketplace for goods and crafts created exclusively by Marylanders, with 60% of participating makers hailing from Prince George’s County.

“We wanted to see what would happen if we created a space with only goods being made in the community,” Stacey Price, the owner, said. “Could we grow and scale businesses? Could we build community? And could we change the consumer mindset about what is locally made? The answer is yes, yes and yes.”

The store is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Price opened her first store, Shop Made in DC, in 2017. Since then, the Shop Made Brands chain has expanded to 10 locations in the District, Maryland and Virginia.

The College Park store is the brand’s only Maryland location.

Grants from the city and Prince George’s

KAYLA NAZAIRE

County enticed Price to open in College Park’s new city hall in December.

A small placard in front of each handmade product for sale includes the crafter's name, photo, neighborhood and a short message from the maker.

A placard with a $22 body butter made by Prince George’s County resident Noel Nicole

reads: “My maker status is directly tied to being a woman: quite naturally a creator in all things. I create the vibe in my home, a nurturing environment for my children, and solutions to problems at work.”

In fact, 87% of the Shop Made Brand’s crafters are women, non-binary individuals or people of color, Price said.

“One of our most important lenses is to curate any demographic that’s being underserved,” Price said. “It’s very important for us to reserve shelf space for those individuals.”

Prices in the store range from $2, the current price for a bag of Old Bay-spiced popcorn, to $350 for a pair of 14-karat goldand-topaz earrings.

During Women’s History Month in March, Shop Made in DC will host its annual SHE:DC initiative to uplift women entrepreneurs through events and microgrants for women-owned businesses.

The College Park store includes a café that serves locally roasted coffee and graband-go foods. Come afternoon, the café offers beer, cider and wine at the bar. The store serves drinks in glassware made by a Maryland small business owner.

Darren McNulty, the shop’s general

manager, said the café attracts University of Maryland students each morning.

Kelsey Calabrese, a senior public health and public policy major, agreed the store has become a spot to grab a good coffee and do homework with her friends.

Some of the crafters teach classes in skills like cake decorating, candle making and relief printmaking. Classes are open to people of all skill levels. Fees range from $20 to $150 and include all the materials required for the lesson.

Guests can bring their own creative projects to the store during Crafty Hours, which are from 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, or during Crafternoons from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends. Crafty Hours double as happy hours, when the café offers discounted drinks.

“We really are a third place for creatives,” Price said. “I think that really resonates with people. … People are also hungry for something outside of traditional bars and restaurants to meet colleagues and friends.”

Price noted that classes tend to be full, so the store is looking for more local crafters to teach additional courses.

Those interested in selling their goods at Shop Made in Maryland can apply on the chain’s website.

“Just tell us about who you are, what you make and what you’re hoping to achieve with us,” McNulty said.

Beginning in April, the store will offer a Saturday marketplace on the city hall’s outdoor plaza for makers whose products aren’t on the shelves.

Shop Made in Maryland’s newest location is on the first floor of College Park City Hall. All of the items for sale are made by Marylanders, mostly from Prince George’s County.