Mayor swears in newly elected councilmembers
By NANCY WELCH
During a brief ceremony Nov. 24, Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor swore in the five representatives elected earlier in the month to serve on the 44th city council. Ward 1 Councilmembers Kyla Clark and Jeffrey Mills, along with Ward 2 Councilmembers James Kole and Adrian Simmons, all of whom served on the 43rd council, were reelected and will continue to serve their wards without interruption. They have been joined by Brencis Smith, who is returning to the city
council after a brief hiatus, during which he ran for mayor.
Smith served on the city council from 2019 to 2023 and was council president from 2021 to 2023. He is serving as the city’s at-large representative during his current term. The newly elected council held their first meeting after the swearing-in ceremony and selected Smith to again serve as council president.
The 44th council was seated only after Clark gavelled out the last meeting during her term as council president. Clark dedicated much of this last meeting to recog-
nizing councilmembers and city staff who had made particularly noteworthy contributions to the council and its work. Outgoing Councilmember Christine Johnson (AtLarge) was the first individual called to the podium, where she was lauded by Sydnor and the council for her service to the city. Clark spoke first. “Councilwoman Johnson, you have been a true partner in service to the people of Laurel. Your voice, your wisdom and your commitment to doing what’s right have made a real difference in our city,” she said. “You set an example of what
it means to serve with excellence, and we’re grateful for everything you’ve contributed to our city.”
Clark then awarded Johnson both a citation and a proclamation from the city council recognizing her service, along with a large bouquet. Johnson spoke briefly, recounting how she rose through the city ranks, starting as a staff member with the department of communications and holding a number of positions before stepping into her role as an elected official. As she spoke, Johnson
Saint Nick is a hit at annual breakfast
By AYLIN AARHUS
Laurel residents put on their Christmas best and joined Santa for a festive breakfast at the Laurel Police Department’s Partnership Activity Center Dec. 6. The city’s parks and recreation staff hosted the event, which has been an annual tradition for more than 30 years.
“It’s magical,” said Divina St. Peter, recreation programs specialist with the department. “You can just feel a shift in energy right before Santa and Mrs. Claus roll out.”
Parks and recreation staff spent two weeks decorating the hall with stockings, wreaths and presents — and a Christmas tree, of course. St. Peter said about 90 people attend the breakfast each year. Parks and recreation staff served up scrambled eggs, bacon and hashbrowns while participants waited to take photos with Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman and Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Laurel resident Chichi Anako brought her kids to Breakfast with Santa for the first time this year. “You can tell the kids
are having a good time,” she said. “That’s what Christmas is all about.”
Gail and Teresa Hogan, who also live in Laurel, said their family comes to the event every year. “We’re the famous
Students get a look under the hood
By JAKE TIGER
On a field trip to a Laurel body shop, high schoolers studying collision repair got to sand bumpers, tally up estimates and catch a glimpse of the lucrative work that might be ahead of them. The students are studying collision repair at the Center for Applied Technology North (CATN), in Severn.
Jimmy Mudgett, an owner of Maryland Collision Center Silver Spring, on Muirkirk Road, encouraged the students to stick with their studies. He boasted about how much money they could make in collision repair not too long after graduating. One of his employees, a 22 year old, completed a four-year apprenticeship out of high school and now makes around $150,000 a year, he said. The students looked at each other with excitement.
Santa Claus waves to attendees at the Laurel Parks and Recreation Department’s Breakfast with Santa. COURTESY OF AYLIN AARHUS
A community newspaper chronicling the people and events of Laurel, Maryland. LaurelIndependent.com
StreetcarSuburbs.News
Submission Information
The Laurel Independent is published monthly. We welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted to katie@streetcarsuburbs.news
Managing Editor Katie V. Jones
Katie@streetcarsuburbs.news
Associate Editor
Nancy Welch
Nancy@streetcarsuburbs.news
Columnists
Rick Borchelt, Agnes Pasco Conaty, Jimmy Rogers
Writers & Contributors
Aylin Aarhus, Agnes Pasco Conaty, Katie V. Jones, Joe Murchison, Jake Tiger, Nancy Welch
Layout & Design Editors
Valerie Morris, Ashley Perks
Advertising Information
For advertising inquiries, please email catie@streetcarsuburbs.news or call (301) 284-8611
Streetcar Suburbs Publishing
Business Manager Catie Currie Catie@streetcarsuburbs.news
Executive Director Kit Slack Kit@streetcarsuburbs.news
Marketing Director Ashley Perks
ashley@streetcarsuburbs.news
Board of Directors
President: Marta McLellan Ross
Secretary: Melanie Dzwonchyk
Treasurer: Joe Murchison
General Counsel: Michael Walls
Nora Eidelman, Merrill Hartson, Alec Lynde, Carter Ross, Stephanie Stullich, Tara Susman-Peña
Ex Officios: Katie V. Jones, Nigel F. Maynard, Sharon O’Malley, Kit Slack
Laurel
is a member of the National Newspaper Association and the Institute for Nonprofit News.
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Give today to support public service journalism
The Laurel Independent comes to you free of charge every month, and we deliver to every other resident in the city, too. Our paper brings you hyperlocal news and information about city events, along with voter information when elections roll around. We aim to connect you with each other and strengthen your community.
Producing independent, quality, comprehensive local news does come at a cost.
Thank you to the more than 150 donors who have helped our nonprofit, Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, raise close to $12,500 since Nov. 1. Every dollar brings us closer to meeting our year-end goal of $20,000!
This year, a group of local donors stepped up to double the match we receive from NewsMatch, a national philan-
SCAN TO DONATE
DONATE BY MAIL
Send a check made out to Streetcar Suburbs Publishing to PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781
thropic movement supporting public service journalism.
With their help, reaching our $20,000 fundraiser goal will mean triple that in funds to support quality, sustainable journalism across our three cities, supporting our coverage of local issues, from new devel-
REWILDING ROUTE 1
Merry Mistletoe!
By RICK BORCHELT
When I was growing up in the Missouri Ozarks, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas were always given over to the hunt for mistletoe — not for its wellknown canoodling connotation, mind you, but for cold, hard cash.
As soon as the leaves blew down in late November, exposing the evergreen mistletoe clumps high in the oak trees that grew on the flinty hills and ridges, I’d be out with my favorite .22 caliber rifle and a handful of shells. I’d have been practicing my marksmanship to be able to hit the mistletoe boughs precisely where they attached to the tree in order to bring down the entire cluster without shooting the mistletoe itself to bits.
On a good day, I’d down a dozen or so big boughs that I would then hack into saleable twigs (each with a few white berries). I’d raid my grandmother’s sewing basket for red ribbon to festoon them and sell them to local markets and groceries for the princely sum of a quarter each. I’d buy a lot of my family’s holiday presents each year with mistletoe money.
©2025 Streetcar Suburbs
501(c)(3)
Kissing under the mistletoe is a European Yule custom brought here by colonists. While their mistletoe was European mistletoe (Viscum album), our American version (Phoradendron leucarpum) was a close enough look-alike for transplanted colonials to keep the mistletoe make-out tradition alive.
Both the European and American species, after all, are evergreen hemiparasites: For most of their lives, they derive water and nutrients from their host tree, which they attach to with a root-like
opment plans to crime trends to city council decisions to volunteerism and community events.
We need your help to keep high-quality content coming in 2026.
You still have time to join the community of donors who
strengthen hyperlocal, nonprofit news. During December, every donation we receive up to $1,000 will be matched dollar for dollar, twice. That means a $100 gift becomes $300 —tripling your investment in The Laurel Independent We’re counting on you to help us reach our goal of $20,000. Are you in?
Give at StreetcarSuburbs. News/Donate, or send a check to Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, P.O. Box 132, Hyattsville, Md. 20781.
organ, the haustorium, that siphons off food and moisture to nurture the mistletoe.
Both mistletoes are members of the plant order Santales, named for their fellow hemiparasitic plant, aromatic sandalwood (Santalum), much used in perfumery and incense. Both have bright white berries beloved by fruit-eating birds. European mistletoe is much larger than its American counterpart when fully grown and much more common; it’s a major winter food source for all kinds of birds, including the aptly named mistle thrush. It’s also a significant drain on the health of trees, especially oaks.
In Maryland, though, American mistletoe mostly eschews oak for red maples and is common in the coastal swamps
on the Eastern Shore, where red maple is abundant. While Phoradendron occurs north into New Jersey, scientists have found that it can’t survive winters where the mean January temperature is lower than about 40 degrees F. A warming climate, however, means that American mistletoe is inching northward every year, especially along bays and waterways that moderate winter’s cold. Locally, it’s seen in D.C., Laurel, University Park, Riverdale, Takoma Park and Glenn Dale; a few winter hikes in the woods would likely turn up many more locations.
Mistletoes comprise a large group of some 1,500 mostly tropical species. One thing they all have in common is that
Kit Slack is the executive director of Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, which puts out The Laurel Independent
Independent
American mistletoe on a high branch of red maple COURTESY OF WAYNE LONGBOTTOM
NEWS BRIEFS
A RUNAWAY SUCCESS
A cold Thanksgiving morning didn’t dampen the excitement for Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (LARS) 21st Race Against Hunger and Homelessness. More than 1,000 people — including 850 runners, walkers and bystanders, and what Shannon Mouton, the nonprofit’s executive director, said was a “small army of volunteers and staff ” participated. A total of $95,000 was raised for LARS programs, Mouton said.
“This was the best we’ve done so far,” she said. “It was our largest one.”
Past races have attracted runners from all over the country, Mouton noted, as well as the world.
“We’ve had people from Germany, Denmark,” Mouton said. “This year there was someone from California.”
She credits the race’s growing success to the holiday.
“There are more 5Ks on Thanksgiving than any other day
of the year,” Mouton said. “It’s a thing. I am not a runner. I had no idea.”
-Katie V. Jones
LOCAL LOCKSMITH CLOSES BELOVED BUSINESS
Dianna Bootz enjoyed every minute of her job as a locksmith and owner of Laurel’s Lock Shop, on Montgomery Street. When she and her late husband, Bill, opened the shop in 2010, after working in a mobile lock shop for years, she never dreamed she would ever close its doors.
“It is so cool, picking a lock. It is fun when you can really finesse them,” Bootz said. She was even featured in a local paper for opening a 1940s voting box, last used in the 1950s, for the Laurel Historical Society (LHS) after several locksmiths failed to do so.
“My late husband first learned how to smoke a key,” she said, of the technique she used on that lock. “We don’t use [that technique] much anymore, but we did it and got it open.”
Bootz kept the business going after Bill’s death, several years ago. Her recent hip replacement and a second marriage changed her mind about retirement.
“It is more physical than you think,” Bootz said, of the work. “It was getting harder.”
Bootz and her father used to visit the society’s museum to see each year’s new exhibit, and she purchased a commemorative brick at the society’s museum in recognition of the shop. LHS held a small ceremony Nov. 20 marking its installation.
“Dianna has a long history with the historical society. She helped solve some mysteries for us in terms of our collection ,” Kristen Norton, LHS executive director said. “It was nice to have a brick for her.”
Bootz now lives in Las Vegas and is enjoying retirement.
“It is just beautiful,” she said. “It’s a very different lifestyle. I don’t have to do any weeding.”
-Katie V. Jones
STUDENTS
“Pretty cool, right?” Mudgett said, speaking over the roaring engines and whirring power tools inside the garage.
Tim Miller, general manager at the center, said that the field trip was a first for the shop. The center had previously tabled at CAT North career fairs, but the field trip gave the mostly 10th and 11th graders a sampling of work in a body shop.
“It stirs up interest in hopes of getting more body guys, painters that come through from those programs,” Miller said, of the experience. “And it teaches them. It lets them know what they’re working to and what they’re learning.”
Small groups of students rotated among three stations in the shop - parts, paint and the body shop, and also got a look at the office.
At the parts station, a student asked about the most expensive cars to come through the shop.
Miller said they had worked on Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Another group of students were
downstairs in the body shop looking under the hoods of a couple of Corvettes.
Deana Jones, a CATN collision repair instructor, encourages her students to envision themselves in the jobs they’re working toward. She sees field trips as an integral element of their education, and has organized other trips to car shows and the Volkswagen port in Baltimore “[The students] love getting to see each department. And of course they love seeing how much the pay is going to be. [Field trips] set them up for their future and where they think they want to be.”
CATN student Liam Quinlan said he began to focus on collision repair as a potential career when he realized how expensive college could be. He realized he could make as much as a college graduate — but without the student loans.
“I’m excited about just visiting the body shops and learning about body work and possible job opportunities,” Quinlan said. “Cars will always be around, so it’s nice to know the job will never go away.”
their seeds lack a hard coat, which most flowering plants’ seeds do have. Instead, their berries are covered with a viscous slime. This is a clever adaptation to keep the seeds from falling to the ground, where they would invariably perish. The seeds need to fall into a crack or crevice or ridge
on a branch of an appropriate tree species to make a go of it. Sometimes this is accomplished when a fastidious bird wipes the gooey mess off its beak onto a nearby branch or trunk; sometimes birds poop out the seeds in sticky masses or strings that adhere to branches or bark as they fall. It takes American mistletoe about a year to infiltrate bark and tap into a tree’s food stores;
From Traditions to Legacies
Protect what matters most
Learn how estate planning can help you preserve your legacy and protect your loved ones
during that year, it’s on its own, photosynthetically.
Some etymologists believe this scatological natural history shows up in the common name mistletoe, believed to be a combination of Anglo-Saxon words for dung, mistil, and twig, tan. Literally, “poop on a twig.”
(That’s probably not something you want to share with your liplocked partner as you’re rocking to the tune of “I Saw Mommy
Kissing Santa Claus.”) The etymology of the scientific name is more suited to amorous discourse: Phoradendron comes from the Greek and translates as “thief of the tree,” leucarpum means “white fruit.”
There is an historical connection between mistletoe in Europe and various pagan practitioners, some of whom revered mistletoe as sacred to the gods and would harvest the clumps at winter solstice with a golden sickle. European mistletoe berries gave rise to the Greek name that means oak sperm, while the Celts associated the glistening white berries with the semen of their thunder god, Taranis. (Probably another tale best not told while bussing under the bough.)
One of the niceties of the mistletoe-kiss tradition that seems
to have been lost in American translation is that for every kiss you claim, you need to remove a berry from the clump. When the berries are all gone, so, too, is the power of mistletoe to compel a smooch.
All parts of the Eastern and European mistletoes are toxic, especially the berries, so be sure to keep your kissing confined to underneath the bough instead of holding the sprig in your teeth between you and your partner!
Rick Borchelt is a science writer, field naturalist, and garden and botany enthusiast.
Reach him with questions about this column at rborchelt@gmail.com.
Guiding Graceful Transitions and Preserving Family Legacies, since 1995
HEAD OF THE CLASS
All residents and students mentioned below are from Laurel.
The following University of Maryland Global Campus students were elected into Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest collegiate honor society: Alaysia Barrot, Brandon Sama, Regina Ekhator and Shana Mashack
University of Maryland Global Campus announced the following residents graduated in June: Christine Moore, Master of Science in accounting and financial management; Nauman Memon, B.S., summa cum laude/ president’s list in management information systems; Charisma Wooten, B.A. in English; Garrett Lalone, Associate of Arts; Robert Bannerman, B.S. in management information systems; Susana Virgin, Master of Science in management: human resources management; Yolanda Johnson, B.S. in management studies; Dong Lim, Master of Science/president’s list in cybersecurity technology.
The following residents were named to the summer 2025 dean’s list at the University of Maryland Global Campus: Ricardo Coleman Jr, Michelle Thomas, Justin Turner, Ellen Wube, Sabrina
Mikell, Mayra Hernandez, Matthew Latham, Gaetano Lehn, Rebecca North, Kevin Soderberg, Iman Hussain, Marc Stallings, Oluwakemi Akinsehinwa, Ebony Frederick, Typhanie Alexis,Jamal Allen, Yousaf Asad, Joseph Bamisaiye, Kristina Bockover, Matthew Braxton, Zean Hussain, Nikitta John, Fabrice Numbu, Megan Peterson, Manuel Ruiz, Jessica Chauvin, Barbara Afoakwa, Hannah Brown-Reid, Marcia Daniels, Tobias Estes, Tyrique Pratt, Keera Pugh, Kevin Vargas, Richard Hosier, Mary Bonds, Kevin Pierce, Jessica Brown, Noura Abo Issa, Robert Bannerman, Laura Nunez, Ehouan Koffi, Jennifer Valentin, Thomas Tendonge, John Dodson, Maribel Awungacha, Maximiliano Salazar, Kristyn Lehn, Oluyomi Oshiberu, Ashley Klinikowski, Mark Chema, Jenelle Hinnant, Roslynn Beavan, Shana Mashack, Caroline Osekre, Adam Cole, Rodolfo Roldan, Krishnaben Joshi, Henry Leadbeater, Aneeqa Tajammal, Alexis McCain, Jerraldy Morales Lemus,Sana Khan, Jennifer Parada, Richard Agamah Narh, Cole Porter, Sebastian
Zayas-Bazan Chabrier, Danielle Gadesseh, Lorelle Christian, Edward Akateh, Chao Feng, Brian Cano, Gbenga Bolaji,Emmanuella Addoteye, Nauman Memon, Rian Riden, Shamieka Covington, Ronny Chavez, Letia Anderson, Gavin Leavitt, Unnati Patel, Uliana Nurullin, Delphine Akwo, Hannah Kamara, Rohan Temple, Vanessa Caby, Ashleigh Holmes, Richmond Osei-Boakye Jr, Ribha Gondal, Samantha Thomas, Alexandria Abelstad, Adedoyin Adejayan, Anetrice Hicks, Khadijatu Cole, Aysia Williams, Areej Edwin, Scott Swan, Nathalia Teixeira, Nyia Stancil, Edgardo Ruiz, Faith Robinson, Natalie Nwandu, Gillian Johnny, Kandy Woods, Kaiden Miller, Rachel Gumnitz, Mohammad Khan, Williany Perez Marte, Ashish Sharma, Roger-Donathan Soeu, Naomi During, Barry Dozier, Alejandra Ramirez, Berthony Rene, Kaitlyn Harmon, Matthew Egbufoama, Jean Rossy Donlefack Kadjo, Elizabeth Khorn, Aminat Hanson Bassey, Vincent Lopez and Gabriel Puga
Southern New Hampshire announced the following were
named to the summer 2025 president’s list: Karen Denis, Ellena Cherry, Avondre Riggs, Cleveland Ware, Gloria Gardiner and Teresa Wills
South Hampshire University also announced the following were named to the summer 2025 dean’s list: Olufunke Tanimola, Gwendolyn Johnson, Danielle Fenner, Shainna Medina, Elma Jazvin and Kevin Guzman Marquez
McDaniel College awarded Joseph Arthur with an Educator Legacy Scholarship valued at up to $132,000 (or $33,000 annually over four years).
Brianna Frey received a B.A. degree in May from Berea College, in Kentucky. Frey was also named to the spring 2025 dean’s list.
BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS
Adil Karim was appointed chief technology officer for Antenna Research Associates, a Laurelbased provider of antenna and RF systems for defense and industrial applications. Karim will lead the development, integration and execution of the company’s product roadmap in support of its defense and national security customers.
BRIEFS
FROM PAGE 3
LAFAYETTE AVE PROPERTIES PURCHASE APPROVED
At their Nov. 10 meeting, city councilmembers ratified the resolution authorizing the city’s purchase of properties at 114 and 122 Lafayette Ave., south of Laurel Park Race Track.
The city allocated $5.5 million for the purchase and an additional $200,000 for security enhancements. The funds will be drawn from the city’s unassigned fund balance and from public safety surcharge funds.
The four buildings currently on the properties will provide 42,765 square feet of additional space and will require only minor modifications to accommodate selected city staff and operations.
Public works will move portions of the department’s resources to the property, though some functions and resources will remain at the current 1st Street location. Several of the police department’s units will relocate here, and the department will establish an evidence laboratory as well. Parks and recreation will house some of its large equipment on the property and will use additional space as storage for special events supplies.
-Nancy Welch
CRIME WATCH
OCT. 17 - NOV. 17, 2025
This is not a comprehensive list of all police related activity for the city of Laurel for the dates posted.
ARMED ROBBERY
10/27 - 14800 blk Belle Ami Dr
11/3 - 14700 blk Shiloh Ct
11/15 - 100 blk Bowie Rd
11/16 - 14100 Blk Riverbirch Ct
VEHICLE THEFT
10/17 - 14100 blk Yardarm Way: Dodge
10/17 - Ashford Blvd / Oxford Dr: Lexus
10/18 - 9300 blk Palmer Pl: Hyundai
10/20 - 14200 blk Yardarm Way: Nissan
10/20 - 14100 blk West Side Blvd: Dodge
10/21 - 15600 blk Plantation Ct: Dodge
10/22 - 14800 blk Fourth St: Dodge
10/22 - 300 blk Montrose Ave:
Acura
10/23 - 14200 blk Yardarm
Way: Yamaha
10/24 - 8200 blk Harvest Bend
Ln: Ford
10/28 - 300 blk Thomas Dr: Nissan
10/28 - 7200 blk Split Rail Ln: Acura
10/29 - 200 blk Fort Meade Rd: Honda
10/30 - 14400 blk West Side
Blvd: BMW
11/1 - 6900 blk Andersons
Way: Honda
11/2 - 14700 blk Fourth St: Ford
11/4 - 7200 blk Old Sandy Spring Rd: GMC
11/5 - 9400 blk Spring House
Ln: Honda
11/10 - 1480 blk Hardcastle St: Hyundai
11/12 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Chrysler
11/14 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Two vehicles
11/16 - 14200 blk West Side
Blvd: Acura
11/16 - 7800 blk Braygreen Rd: Multiple vehicles
ATTEMPTED VEHICLE THEFT
10/22 - 700 blk Montrose Ave
10/28 - 14200 blk Oxford Dr
10/31 - 14700 blk Fourth St
REGISTRATION PLATE THEFT
10/17 - 1000 blk West St
10/19 - Contee Rd / Andersons Way
10/21 - Unit blk A St: Multiple plates
10/21 - Unit blk A St
10/22 - 8000 blk Laurel Lakes Ct
10/22 - 900 blk Eighth St
10/24 - 800 blk Fifth St
10/25 - 8200 blk Harvest Bend
Ln
10/28 - 800 blk Eighth St
10/28 - 14700 blk Philip Ct
11/5 - 7800 blk Kilcroney Ct
11/6 - 8300 blk Ashford Blvd
11/12 - 800 blk Fifth St
VEHICLE BREAK-INS
10/19 - 14600 blk Baltimore
Ave: Multiple vehicles
10/28 - Unit blk Morris Dr
10/28 - 15900 blk Dorset Rd
10/31 - 14900 blk Fourth St
10/31 - 500 blk Main St
11/3 - 7800 blk Contee Rd
11/3 - 14600 blk Baltimore Ave
11/6 - 9700 blk Fort Meade Rd
11/7 - 9400 blk Trevino Ter
11/11 - 13600 blk Baltimore
Ave: Multiple items stolen
11/12 - 13600 blk Baltimore
Ave: Multiple items stolen
11/14 - 6900 blk Andersons Way
11/14 - 14500 blk Edenmore
Ct: Multiple items stolen
11/16 - 14600 blk Baltimore
Ave: Multiple vehicles / items
11/17 - 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd
SHOPLIFTING
10/17 - 9600 blk Fort Meade
Rd: Male suspect fled
10/17 - 800 blk Washington
Blvd: Male suspect fled
10/18 - 600 blk Washington
Blvd: Male suspect fled
10/18 - 600 blk Washington
Blvd: Male suspect fled
10/19 - 400 blk Sandy Spring Rd: Male suspect fled
10/19 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Female suspect fled
10/19 - 300 blk Montrose Ave:
Male suspect fled
10/20 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Female suspect fled
10/20 - 600 blk Seventh St:
Male suspect fled
10/21 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Female suspect fled
10/22 - 9600 blk Fort Meade
Rd: Male suspect fled
10/22 - 14600 blk Laurel Bowie
Rd: Multiple unknown suspects fled
10/22 - 300 blk Montrose Ave:
Male suspect arrested
10/23 - 9600 blk Fort Meade
Rd: Male suspect fled
10/23 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Multiple suspects fled
10/24 - 300 blk Montrose Ave:
Male suspect fled
10/25 - 300 blk Montrose Ave:
Male suspect fled
10/26 - 15100 blk Baltimore
Ave: Male suspect fled
10/26 - 14600 blk Laurel Bowie
Rd: Male suspect fled
10/26 - 300 blk Montrose Ave:
Group suspect fled
10/28 - 300 blk Main St: Fe-
male suspect fled
10/28 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Group suspect fled
10/28 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Group suspect fled
10/30 - 15100 blk Baltimore
Ave: Male suspect fled
10/30 - 9600 blk Fort Meade
Rd: Male suspect fled
10/31 - 15100 blk Baltimore
Ave: Male suspect fled
11/1 - 14700 blk Baltimore Ave:
Group suspect fled
11/1 - 15100 blk Baltimore Ave:
Male suspect fled
11/4 - 15100 blk Baltimore Ave:
Male suspect fled
11/5 - 15100 blk Baltimore Ave:
Male suspect fled
11/5 - 14600 blk Laurel Bowie
Rd: Male suspect fled
11/6 - 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd:
Male suspect fled
11/7 - 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd:
Male suspect fled
THE LAUREL LEDGER
LAUREL CITY COUNCIL: THRIVED IN 2025!
It has been a productive year for the Laurel City Council! In preparation for the 2025 General Election, the Council adopted several amendments to the City’s election laws to ensure that voting in the City of Laurel remains fair, transparent, and as accessible as possible. Visit https://www.cityoflaurel.org/193/Legislation -and-Executive-Orders.
The Council also introduced and passed legislation updating and clarifying the City’s Organics Composting Program. Ordinance No. 2037 was adopted on July 28, 2025.
Additionally, Ordinance No. 2040, the City of Laurel ’s Elderly and Veteran Tax Credit Program, was adopted on March 24, 2025. Amendments were made to remove the time limit for eligibility and to clarify the property value ceiling.
The City’s General Election for all five (5) City Council seats was held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. On Monday, November 24, 2025, Mayor Keith R. Sydnor administered the oath of office to the following newly elected Councilmembers: Brencis D. Smith - Councilmember, At-Large; James Kole - Councilmember, Ward 1; Adrian G. Simmons - Councilmember, Ward 1; Kyla M. Clark - Councilmember, Ward 2; and Jeffrey W. Mills - Councilmember, Ward 2.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the new Council elected returning Councilmember Brencis D. Smith as President. President Smith appointed Councilmember Adrian G. Simmons to serve as President Pro -Tem. The City Council wishes everyone a Happy Holiday Season and looks forward to serving the residents of Laurel in the coming months!
HOW TO FIND WHAT’S H APPENING IN LAUREL.. .
One of the most common questions we encounter is, “We didn’t know this was happening! How can we find out about all the programs and events you offer? ” The City of Laurel actively shares information about upcoming events across various platforms. To help you stay informed, here’s a clear outline of how you can stay in the know:
1. Website: The City’s calendar, available at www.cityoflaurel.org, is an excellent resource for discovering local happenings. If you have an upcoming event, please email your flyer or information to ckoubek@laurel.md.us. Additionally, you can receive notifications via email and text when new items are added to the calendar or website. Simply visit www.cityoflaurel.org/list.aspx?Mode=Subscribe#calendar, select the items you'd like to be notified about, and they will appear in your email or texts as they are posted!
2. Newspaper: The Laurel Independent is delivered to homes within the City of Laurel and in select neighborhoods outside the city limits. Within this publication, you ’ll find the Laurel Ledger, your go -to source for all things Laurel! If you ’re reading this now, you’re already receiving it!
3. Social Media: Many of our Departments are active on platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. To stay informed, be sure to follow or like the following accounts: @LaurelPD, @LaurelMaryland, @LaurelParksandRec, @LaurelCityOEM, @LaurelECD, @LaurelMarketonMain, and @LaurelSustainability.
4. Digital Signs: Keep an eye out for digital signs located in front of various City facilities and parks, which showcase both City events and events from local non -profits.
Regardless of how you obtain your information, it's essential to stay updated! If you have any suggestions on how we can impr ove the way we share information with residents, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can call us at 301 -725-5300 ext. 2109.
2025 LAUREL CITIZENS UNIVERSITY GRADUATE S!
On November 24th, the City proudly celebrated the 2025 graduation of its fourth class of residents and business workers during the Mayor and City Council meeting! Thanks to the residents for their engagement and enthusiasm for the program!
This 8-week program empowers participants to gain a deeper understanding of how each Department in their local government operates. Through active participation and engagement with staff, residents and businesses become familiar with the purpose, processes, and structure of the City of Laurel government. Sessions are offered at no cost and include all course materials, a graduation ceremony, a class p hoto, and a diploma upon successful completion of the program. This program takes place every Fall, beginning in October. Be sure t o check our website and social media around August 2026 when registration opens. Congratulations to our 2025 graduates!
It’s Easy B eing Green!
SUSTAINABILITY YEAR IN REVIEW!
Our Sustainability Year in Review ! Join us on December 18th, 6:00 - 8:00pm, at the Joseph R. Robison Laurel Municipal Center to hear about our sustainability progress from the City and community. During the meeting, we will review the Sustainability Plan, will hear from residents about our successes, learn about new initiatives like Native Plants Landscaping for Stormwater runoff, and you can give us ideas on what you want us to focus on next. If you are interested in participating, we will be forming additional focus groups to work on specific actions highlighted in the Plan! All are welcome! Bring your ideas for 2026 and let ’s keep the momentum going! Refreshments will be served, so please RSVP by December 12th to mblair@laurel.md.us. To learn more, please contact us at greenliving@laurel.md.us. And a big thank you to everyone that filled out our short survey! It will help give us a better idea of how you, the residents, want us to keep you up to date on City events and programs!
Questions about organics recycling? Recycle right! Check out the Green Living Resource Page and Recycle Coach app at www.cityoflaurel.org/green, and follow us on our Facebook page, @SustainableLaurel. This is a place where we can share ideas, highlight upcoming events and residents can stay informed on all things Sustainable. We’ve been working hard to update our pages, so make sure to stop by and find out how you can be sustainable, how our neighborhoods are doing on our new dashboard and find the resources you need to continue composting right!
New Resource Guide in 2026! We are trying something new! Look for the 2026 Guide to Services: Sustainability and Public Works, where you will find in-depth information about how to recycle right, best practices for organics diversion, monthly event reminders and much more!
Don’t forget to “Tree-cycle!” Once the holidays are over, reminder to tree -cycle your Live Christmas tree by placing them at the curb by 7:00am every Wednesday throughout January for recycling. Your tree will be tree -cycled into a variety of new products, like mulch, compost, or animal bedding. Remember to remove all decorations, icicles, lights, wire, tree skirts, stands and na ils. And if you plan on tree-cycling, DON’T use fake snow on your tree or we won’t be able to accept in January. DO NOT place your tree in a plastic bag, use an old sheet to take your tree outside, place it at curb and remove the sheet.
There is so much you can do to help make Laurel a Sustainable community! If you have any questions or need some guidance, ema il us at greenliving@laurel.md.us! Thank you for helping us make 2025 a Green year!
AYUNTAMIENTO DE LAUREL: ¡PROSPERADO EN 2025!
¡Ha sido un año productivo para el Ayuntamiento de Laurel! En preparación para las Elecciones Generales de 2025, el Ayuntamiento adoptó varias enmiendas a las leyes electorales de la Ciudad para garantizar que la votación en Laurel sea justa, transparente y lo más accesible posible. Además, presentó y aprobó legislación que actualiza y clarifica el Programa de Compostaje Orgánico de la Ciudad. La Ordenanza No. 2037 se adoptó el 28 de julio de 2025.
Las Elecciones Generales de la Ciudad para los cinco (5) escaños del Ayuntamiento se celebraron el martes 4 de noviembre de 2025. El lunes 24 de noviembre de 2025, el alcalde Keith R. Sydnor juramentó a los siguientes concejales recién elegidos: Brencis D. Smith, concejal general; James Kole, concejal del Distrito 1; Adrian G. Simmons, concejal del Distrito 1; Kyla M. Clark, concejal del Distrito 2; y Jeffrey W. Mills, concejal del Distrito 2.
¡El Ayuntamiento les desea a todos unas Felices Fiestas!
LAUREL POLICE MONTHLY CRIME REPORT OCTOBER 2025
List of Laurel Police Crime Reports can be found at www.cityoflaurel.org/1896/LPDCrime-Reports
Legislation
Listed below are recent legislative actions taken, if any, by the Laurel City Council during the past month of Mayor and City Council meetings. For further information on any of these legislative actions, please feel free to contact the Office of the City Clerk at 301-725-5300 x2121 or at clerk@laurel.md.us. For full agendas, visit www.cityoflaurel.org
Adopted Legislation:
• Ordinance No. 2051 - to amend the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and to Provide an Effective Date.
• Resolution No. 9-2025 - to approve and authorize the Purchase of 114 and 122 Lafayette Avenue, Laurel, Maryland, 20707, for the Purpose of Acquiring Real Property for City Operations.
Swearing In of Councilmembers
• Brencis D. Smith - At-Large
• James Kole - Ward 1
• Adrian G. Simmons - Ward 1
• Kyla M. Clark - Ward 2
• Jeffrey W. Mills - Ward 2
Election of President
• Brencis D. Smith - President
• Adrian G. Simmons appointed President Pro Tem by Council President Smith.
Bid Recommendations:
• No Bid Recommendations for November.
Appointments/Reappointments:
Abdul Ruknudin - Senior Residents and Persons with Disabilities CAC (11/10/2025-11/10/2027 )
Roy P. Gilmore (Reappointment) - Emergency Services Commission (11/10/2025-11/10/2030)
Jay Meashey - Director, Department of Economic and Community Development
Government Meetings
(Dates and Times Subject to Change)
December 2025 Mayor and City Council Meetings
December 8th - Possible Virtual Special Work Session (5:00pm)
December 8th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)
December 15th - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm) (MOVED from Dec. 22nd due to holiday)
December 2025 Boards and Commissions
December 4th - In-Person Master Plan Committee (6:00pm)
December 9th - Virtual Planning Commission (6:00pm)
December 16th - Virtual Historic District Commission (6:00pm)
December 18th - Virtual Board of Appeals (6:00pm)
January 2026 Mayor and City Council Meetings
January 7th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Work Session (6:00pm)
January 12th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)
January 26th - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)
January 2026 Boards and Commissions
January 13th - Planning Commission (6:00pm)
January 20th - Historic District Commission (6:00pm)
January 22nd - Board of Appeals (6:00pm)
City Announcements & Events
(Dates and Times Subject to Change)
December 12th - Employee Holiday Party at 1pm - City/Passport Offices Close Early.
December 22nd - Photos with Santa - 4 - 5:30pm at Laurel Police Partnership Activity Center, 811 5th Street. Bring a donation for LARS.
December 22nd - Holiday Movie, “Elf” - 6:00pm - Partnership Activity Center, 811 5th Street.
December 25th - Christmas - City/Passport Offices will be Closed. Visit www.cityoflaurel.org for details on adjusted collections.
January 1, 2026 - New Year Day - City/Passport Offices will be Closed. Visit www.cityoflaurel.org for details on adjusted collections.
January 19, 2026 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - City/Passport Offices will be closed. Visit www.cityoflaurel.org for adjusted collections.
January 19th - Dr. King, Jr. Day of Service - 10am - 2pm at the Laurel Multiservice Center, 204 Ft. Meade Rd. Community Service Hours available.
Laurel Parks and Recreation Winter Brochure is out! All their classes, excursions, events, sports and more are listed! Family fun in the new year!
STAY IN THE KNOW: Scan the QR Code and it will take you to the City of Laurel ’s Web Site Calendar. Stay up to date on what’s happening when and where in the City!
Weaving tapestries of winter holiday traditions in Laurel
By AGNES PASCO CONATY
We celebrate the winter holidays enriched with customs and traditions of many cultures of our diverse communities in Laurel. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, our city is made up of approximately 49% Black or African American, 21% Hispanic and Latino, 16% White (non-Hispanic) and 8% Asian. Interestingly, 32.7% of our city’s population is foreign born. This mix brings a rich tapestry of celebrations and festivities in our area.
A big chunk of Laurel consists of Black and African American families. Beautiful in their national costumes and matching traditional outfits like Aso-ebi, they celebrate Christmas with church services, gospel music, family reunions and community. From Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, many celebrate Kwanzaa, a cultural way to honor African heritage, community and family values. On New Year’s Eve, they have the Watch Night services to welcome the new year. Food, fun and family are trademarks of many African communities, like those from Nigeria or other areas. Foods like jollof rice, roasted chicken, meat pies, steamed bean pudding or moin-moin, stews or soups, and drinks such as zobo, a hibiscusbased drink, and palm wine grace the African table.
Hispanic and Latino families from El Salvador, Mexico and other areas celebrate Christmas in a religious way with nacimientos (nativity scenes), at home. They also have the posadas, which is a procession or reenactment of Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. On Noche Buena (Christmas Eve), some attend La Misa del Gallo (midnight mass) in estrenos or new clothes, then they go home and feast on tamales and lechon.
On Ano Nuevo (New Year’s Eve), families eat 12 grapes at one minute to midnight to bring in good luck for the 12 months of the new year. El Salvadorans crack an egg in a glass of water right at midnight and interpret what the new year brings based on the shape of the yolk. And then comes la hora de los abrazos, the hour of hugs. On Fiesta de Los Reyes, the Feast of the Three Kings, they give little treats to their children just like the wise men brought gifts to the infant Jesus.
As I write my column a week
before Thanksgiving, my heart is filled with gratitude and nostalgia for the family traditions I grew up with and brought with me to Laurel. In a few weeks, my family will retrieve the parol, our Philippine lantern adorned with pulsating lights inside starshaped capiz shells gifted by my oldest brother. As Catholic Christians, the central focus of our Christmas is the Niño Jesus, a woodcarved image of the Baby Jesus gifted by my mom during one of our family visits to the Philippines. Where I grew up, the birth of Jesus is celebrated as early as September, when houses and malls are decked with Christmas trees and carols are played on the radio before the rest of the world does. Right before Christmas, our custom is to go to Simbang Gabi, the nineday novena mass at night to prepare for the birth of Christ, which culminates with the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Then we have the family noche buena, a stew that combines beef, pork, chicken and chorizo sausage in bone broth, cabbage, potatoes and green beans, and is a recipe by my maternal grandfather, Lolo Julian. We have it with bread and quezo de bola (the familiar Edam cheese found in local markets), and dessert is Lola Maria’s kala-
may ube - a purple yam mixed with sugar and milk cooked for hours in a huge cauldron over a low fire.
On Christmas Day, we visit our godparents who bless us with aguinaldo (Christmas money), and we honor them with our mano po (kissing their hands as a sign of respect). On New Year’s Day, we hold the yearly family reunion with potluck lunch, dancing, singing and games.
We relish the native delica-
cies like a charcuterie of lumpia (spring rolls), atchara (grated papaya salad), mango cilantro salad (my Canadian cousins’ recipe), pancit bihon and chicken barbecue, etc. Many Filipino (and Hispanic) families in the area include roasted pig, called lechon, as part of the special treat. The closest Filipino markets we could get ingredients for the festivities are the Super Best International Supermarket along the Laurel-Bowie Road or dishes made to order from Ma-
nila Mart in Beltsville. These are some of the traditions and practices during the winter holidays in and around Laurel which help build community and a way to celebrate together.
Looking for a few good writers!
The Laurel Independent is looking for volunteer reporters and columnists interested in building writing portfolios by covering events and issues important to Laurel residents. Please contact Managing Editor Katie Jones, katie@streetcarsuburbs.news if you are interested in writing!
We will also be hiring early this spring for our first email newsletter editor, who will write and send a weekly roundup of Laurel news and events.
Please reach out to Executive Director Kit Slack, kit@streetcarsuburbs.news, by Jan. 15 if you may be interested in this new part-time paid position.
Agnes Pasco Conaty is a college math and environmental science adjunct professor.
Christmas with the Conaty family in their West Laurel home. COURTESY OF AGNES PASCO CONATY
Thank You to Runners, Walkers, Donors and Sponsors for all you did to make the 21st Annual LARS Race Against Hunger & Homeless (aka The Turkey Trot) such a success! Your support will allow us to provide more than 3,900 bags of groceries to hungry families in South Central Maryland.
A Special Thank You to our Presenting Sponsor, Sheehy Toyota of Laurel, and our Grand Patron, Cutlass Systems Engineering. And thank you to all our sponsors and partners, without whom the event would not be possible.
SPONSORS
PARTNERS
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Find more local events all month long in our new, continuously updated online calendar at streetcarsuburbs.news/events.
Please send notices of events taking place between Jan. 10 and Feb. 10 to nancy@streetcarsuburbs. news by Dec. 23.
DEC. 11
Holiday Music. Veronneau, a husband and wife duo, perform holiday classics. $15. Noon. Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road. 301.377.7800
DEC. 13
Holiday House Tour. Sponsored by the Laurel Historical Society, a visit to historic homes and buildings decorated for the holidays. Ticket prices vary. 1 to 6 p.m. 817 Main St. 301.725.7975
DEC. 14
Arts Center Open House. Resident artists, demonstrations, studio talks, exhibits and receptions for photographer Berchel Doug and painter/printmaker David Brosch. Music, crafting and more. Free. 1 to 3 p.m. Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road. 301.377.7800
Christmas Concert. Choir, Praise team, strings, brass, handbell choir and organ, along with sing-along carols. Reception following concert. 3 and 7 p.m. Free; please bring canned goods to serve the community. Our Savior Lutheran Church, 13611 Laurel-Bowie Road. 301.776.7670 or go to oslclaurel. org
DEC. 17
Campfire Storytime. Learn what animals do in the winter while sitting by a campfire. 4 p.m. Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract, 230 Bald Eagle Drive. 301.497.5887
Foreign Policy Discussion: Sovereignty and World Order. Part of a series sponsored by the Laurel Branch Library. Free. 6 p.m. 507 7th St. 301.776.6790
DEC. 20
“Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!” The Eric Byrd Trio, Ambassadors of Jazz, celebrates the season with festive music from the Peanuts special. $15. 2 to 4 p.m. Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road. 301.377.7800
DEC. 22
Photos with Santa. Free photo. Bring non-perishable food items to donate to Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services. 4 to 5:30 p.m. Laurel Police Department Partnership Activity Hall 811 Fifth St. 301.725.5300
Free Movie: “Elf,” a comedy starring Will Ferrell. Free. 6 p.m. Laurel Police Department Partnership Activity Hall 811 Fifth St. 301.725.5300
DEC. 31
Nearly Noon Year’s Eve. Staff from the Savage Branch Library will lead stories, dancing and a special countdown for children. Carroll Baldwin Hall, 9035 Baltimore St., Savage. 410.294.3561
ONGOING
Laurel Rides the Rails: Tales of Trains and Trolleys. Through Dec. 21. Free. Laurel History Museum, 817 Main St. 301.725.7975 or laurelmuseum.org
2025 Regional Textile Showcase and Artists’ Boutique. Local contemporary and tra-
“Our old neighbor got all the pine cones for his Christmas wreaths.”
ditional textile artists works in embroidery, rug hooking, quilting, felting, needlework and more. Through Dec. 22. Montpelier House Museum, 9650 Muirkirk Road. 301.377.7817
Hollingsworth Gallery. December: “Land of the Fallen Giant,” Ann Rohlfing’s photos of a storm-felled, 300-year-old southern red oak. January: David Jonathan Cohen returns with his new photo exhibit, “In the Galapagos Islands.” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772
RECURRING
Second Friday Senior Book Club. January’s selection is “The Vegetarian,” by Jan Kang; February’s read is “The Lion Women of Tehran,” by Marjan Kamali. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Laurel Armory, 422 Montgomery St. Call or text Gail Gibson at 301.452.7700 or email gibsongail65@gmail.com
Game Day. Play the board game “Wingspan” and learn about birds. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 12. No experience needed. Games provided (personal sets welcomed). Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772
HOLIDAY SEASON
Ready to Read Storytime. Mondays at 10:30 a.m. (ages 2 to 3), Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (ages 3 to 5) and Thursdays at 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. (ages 0 to 2). Laurel Branch Library, 507 7th St. 240.455.5451
Italian Club. Weekly meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. All are welcome. 6:30 p.m. St. Mary of the Mills Church, 114 St. Marys Place. For more information, call Jo Saunders at 301.490.8237
Chess. All levels welcome. Thursdays at 2 p.m. Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, 7120 Contee Road. Need info? Call Mike Farmer at 240.302.9133
MAINTAIN NEWYEARS NOVEMBER PARTIES PLAYFUL SEASON SENSE THANKSGIVING TRADITIONAL TREES VALUES VOLUNTEERING WILLINGNESS WONDER
LAUREL SQUIRREL By Agnes Pasco Conaty
noted that she’d initiated the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service program during her years with the city.
In accepting her honors, Johnson emphasized her dedication to the city and its well-being. “I’m not going anywhere … just a different capacity. I’ll continue to serve the city, you all will see more of me,” she said. “Thank you so much for allowing me to serve.”
Gesturing to her fellow councilmembers, Johnson added, “I’ve learned so much from these guys, and we’ve had some fun. [I] appreciate everyone allowing me to grow in this position and learn.”
Clark then awarded Mills a plaque in recognition of his outstanding service as pro tem on the 43rd council. She also recognized
Laurel City Clerk Sara Green and Maria Morales, administrative assistant in the city clerk’s office, for their dedicated support of the council. Clark closed the awards ceremony by thanking her fellow councilmembers, Sydnor and the city staff for their support and collaboration throughout her tenure as council president. She credited Valerie Nicholas, the city’s first Black female council president, for “blazing a trail that made it possible for me to serve in this capacity.”
Clark also spoke to the heart of her experience of serving on the council. “One thing I’ve learned … is that no one person can make this city run,” she said. “It takes all of us working together … showing respect, compassion and support. That’s the type of unity that makes Laurel strong and well respected as it is today.”
Laurel & Surrounding Areas
NATIVE GARDENING WITH JIMMY
Residents earn rebates
By JIMMY ROGERS
The Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program has had a rocky ride this year. Last March, I wrote an article here about the program’s new option to replace turf grass with native plants, called conservation landscaping. Before that story made it to print, I was dismayed to see the entire program defunded due to a budget crunch. Many locals protested the loss of the county’s only resident-focused stormwater program, and the county council listened. In July, they reinstated the program and began taking applications again.
While the program was in hiatus, I had been working with two Laurel households to convert portions of their front lawns to native gardens. Here’s the story of these Laurel residents, who are some of the first to get their native gardening rebate.
Chris Sasiela, who lives in West Laurel, had trouble with weeds along her fenceline and hired me to help her create a native hedgerow. I designed a long stretch of native shrubs including Carolina rose (Rosa carolina), ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) and aromatic sumac (Rhus aromatica), all surrounded by perennial groundcover plants. And Chelsea and Max Van Tassell, in Old Town Laurel, wanted to stop the erosion of their grassy front slope and convert a large portion of their lawn to a lively meadow-like garden. These homeowners hoped these projects would be the first phase in a larger lawn reduction plan, as they wanted to mow less and support wildlife more.
For both of these projects, we hadn’t expected the possibility of a conservation landscaping re-
bate. As soon as the program was restored, we had a short timeline to turn in their applications if we were to get a preapproval before September planting. We were motivated, as the county pays $5 per square foot of new garden. Megan Andreasen, our Chesapeake Bay Trust program manager, helped us move quickly through the preinspection, design review and preapproval phases. Chelsea Van Tassell described her as “knowledgeable, helpful and supportive.”
I had not been through the county’s design review process before, and I definitely learned a few lessons. The first hurdle had to do with property maps. A part of the Van Tassells’ lawn, which we had already smothered deeply with wood chips to kill the grass, was technically in the right of way (though not obviously so from the sidewalk). We found this out by consulting the county’s official mapping tool, PGAtlas (pgatlas. com).
Since municipalities will occasionally dig up right of ways for maintenance, that portion of my design for the Van Tassells was denied, and we also needed to add a second area to meet the program’s minimum size of 250 square feet. Since we were out of time to kill any more lawn, we planned to plant a second bed this coming spring. After some hectic design work on my part, I got the second design approved a week ahead of when the first plants were scheduled to go into the ground. The Van Tassells’ rebate will be delayed until after spring planting, but at least the project is back on track.
A second hurdle arose with the design itself. Typically, I try to find the smallest plants I can, like twoinch landscape plugs, as they are inexpensive and will grow to full
size in a few seasons. The county’s rebate program requirements assume that all of the plant pots will be the same size. If you choose plugs, the county requires that they be planted six inches apart, while if you choose quarts or gallons, they can be as much as 24 inches apart. I was never able to identify a reason for this spacing requirement, as a plant’s mature size has more to do with its species than how much soil its pot contains. Native plant sourcing is complicated, and I’ve yet to plant any garden that only used one pot size.
In order to meet the county’s requirements, I did some complicated math to figure out how much square footage the larger plants would cover so I could determine if the plugs would cover the rest. I was lucky that my designs for both gardens met the requirements; if they hadn’t, I would have had to swap some of the plugs for quarts, which would have complicated sourcing and cost more.
Despite these complexities, we planted both projects right on schedule. Chris Sasiela’s garden was recently inspected, and she has received her full rebate — about half of the cost of this phase of the project. And when I asked Chelsea Van Tassell about her experience, she said, “So far the process for the rebate program has been positive for my husband and I. … Our garden is still young, and about to go dormant for winter, but I am happy to have a pollinator garden now and I am so excited to see it grow next year!”
city of Laurel.
Jimmy Rogers is an avid native gardener in the
11/12 - 9600 blk Fort Meade
Rd: Male suspect fled
11/13 - 15100 blk Baltimore
Ave: Male suspect fled
11/16 - 15100 blk Baltimore
Ave: Female suspect fled
11/17 - 200 blk Fort Meade
Rd: Male suspect arrested
THEFT (OTHER)
10/17 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Electronics stolen
10/19 - 15100 blk Baltimore
Ave: Food items stolen
10/20 - 15100 blk Baltimore
Ave: Household items stolen
10/23 - 900 blk Nichols Dr: Bank information stolen
10/24 - 800 blk Fifth St: Money stolen
10/26 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Clothing stolen
10/27 - 300 blk Montrose Ave:
Clothing stolen
10/29 - 7600 blk Woodbine
Dr: Package stolen
10/31 - 500 blk Ninth St: Furniture stolen
11/3 - 14800 blk Baltimore
Ave: Bike stolen
11/5 - 15700 blk Dorset Rd:
Airbag stolen from Honda
11/6 - 900 blk Fourth St: Wallet stolen
11/6 - 14800 blk Baltimore
Ave: Tires stolen
11/6 - 14260 blk Baltimore
Ave: Perfume stolen
11/12 - 14300 blk Baltimore
Ave: Electronics stolen
11/16 - 800 blk Eighth St: Purse stolen
BURGLARY – BUSINESS
10/23 - 800 blk Second St: Business broken into, multiple items stolen
10/23 - 300 blk Main St: Business broken into
BURGLARY – RESIDENCE
10/29 - 8300 blk Ashford Blvd: Residence burglarized
11/9 - 1000 blk Fifth St: Unknown suspect broke into residence
11/17 - 7800 blk Contee Rd: Armed suspect broke into residence
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (DUI)
10/18 - 15100 blk Baltimore
Ave: Male arrested
10/22 - 14700 blk Baltimore
Ave: Male arrested
11/10 - Fourth St / Montrose
Ave: Male arrested
11/16 - Second St / Laurel
Ave: Male arrested
SANTA
family here,” Teresa Hogan said.
“Every year, we look forward to all of it,” Gail Hogan added. “Taking pictures with Frosty and Rudolph, and with Santa and, you know, laughing and joking, and just having fun.”
The Hogans aren’t the only ones who consider the breakfast a family tradition.
Alison Grier, who was born in Laurel, has been coming to the event since she was a child. “I’ve been coming here since I was younger, and now I get to bring my kids,” she said.
The event was an opportunity for kids to share their Christmas wishes with Santa, too. Laurel residents Chichi Anako’s son Obinna, 9, asked Santa for books from the series “Wings of Fire” and “Dragon Ball Z.” Avery, 7, who came to the event with her mother, Danielle Clardy, asked Mr. Claus for $10, plus some dolls and a makeup organizer.
And Grier’s 3-year-old son DJ asked for a T. rex. It might be a few million years too late for that, but hopefully Santa can work some Christmas magic.
FRED FREDERICK
