Pallotti falls to St. Frances in IAAM championship
By WILL CHASE
On Saturday, Feb. 14, the Pallotti Lady Panthers faced conference rival St. Frances Academy of Baltimore for the third and final meeting of the season — this time with
the IAAM championship on the line. St. Frances, which won the previous two matchups, completed the sweep with a 53-44 victory.
The loss ended the Lady Panthers’ 2025-26 season. The IAAM championship game was played
Youth club teaches girls about domestic violence, trafficking
By ANIKA STIKELEATHER
Sisters Mia and Makel Doughty learned that love and healthy relationships are not always like they appear in the movies.
On Feb. 7, the siblings joined 17 girls at the Laurel Multiservice Center for the “Safe Hearts. Strong Minds.” event, which aimed to educate and empower girls ages 9 to 18 about teen dating violence, healthy relationships, safety and self-confidence.
“When you see movies or things in the news, it’s mostly either young adults or adults being mistreated,” said Mia Doughty, 17, of Bowie. “I barely see anybody our age or younger, so it was very shocking to hear about that.”
For nearly two hours, participants learned about preventing human trafficking, domestic abuse and the importance of consent. The event, organized by the Tau Delta Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. in partnership with the City of Laurel, focused on helping girls recognize the difference between healthy and toxic relationships.
“Human trafficking, trafficking in general, abusive relationships — those are all real-world issues,” said Makel Doughty, 17, a junior at Bowie High School. “They can affect older or younger people my age — girls, males, whatever.”
Members of Tau Delta Zeta said they hope to address growing concerns about dating violence and human trafficking in Prince George’s County and the Washington metropolitan region by equipping girls with personal safety skills and prevention training.
“As much as we would like to avoid these things
at a neutral site, Howard Community College.
Pallotti advanced to the title game with a 58-31 semifinal win over St. Mary’s of Annapolis. The Lady Panthers led for most of the contest and held a 13-point
advantage after three quarters.
Senior forward and Virginia Tech commit Arianna HarrisMott led Pallotti with 21 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.
In December, Harris-Mott surpassed 1,000 career points.
The Lady Panthers finished the season 20-9 and ranked No. 5 in the MaxPreps Maryland girls basketball poll. Pallotti was led by four seniors: Noelle Crockett, Skylar Elliott, Harris-Mott and Savannah Whitley.
New gym tests Laurel’s saturated fitness economy
By JALEN WADE
In one of Laurel’s most crowded commercial sectors, new fitness center Powerhouse Gym is betting there’s still room to grow.
The gym recently celebrated its official grand opening inside the Corridor Marketplace shopping center along Route 198 just outside the City of Laurel, an area where several national chains and locally owned gyms
already compete for members.
The 25,000-square-foot facility features 30 strength-training machines, 26 cardio machines and amenities including physical therapy sessions, boxing classes, Zumba, yoga, Xtreme Hip-Hop step, conditioning programs and a 25-yard track. The gym employs 15 staff members, including six personal trainers.
“I want it to be a holistic wellness [center] long term,” said Kelly Mattfeld, owner of the gym. “I really like to focus on having
an all inclusive environment.”
Although the gym opened last year, Mattfeld said she delayed the grand opening ceremony while resolving permitting issues and waiting for a storefront sign to be installed.
During the grand opening, Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor performed a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Although the gym is outside the city limits, Sydnor said he wanted to show support because it serves as a busi-
Robert Crawford instructs Ayden Williams, 9, at Powerhouse Gym, a new fitness center that recently celebrated its grand opening. RACHEL LAWRENCE
A community newspaper chronicling the people and events of Laurel, Maryland. LaurelIndependent.com StreetcarSuburbs.News
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Managing Editor Joshua Garner Joshua@streetcarsuburbs.news
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Columnists
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Writers & Contributors
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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: Joshua Garner, Nigel F. Maynard, Sharon O’Malley, Kit Slack
The Laurel Independent is a member of the National Newspaper Association and the Institute for Nonprofit News.
NATIVE GARDENING WITH JIMMY
New invasive plants banned in Maryland
By JIMMY ROGERS
This month brings good news for wild spaces such as the banks of the Patuxent River. After years of advocacy and regulatory work, Maryland has prohibited the sale of a new list of invasive plant species. Additional plants will be assessed each year and added to the list if they meet the criteria.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an invasive species is nonnative to an ecosystem and causes economic, environmental or human health harm. Invasive plants overtake natural areas and replace native species, degrading wildlife habitat. At Riverfront Park, for example, invasive species often outnumber native plants. Each year, the City of Laurel organizes volunteer days along the Patuxent River to remove invasive vines and shrubs. But nearby residential gardens continue to grow many of these same plants, allowing wind, rain and birds to carry seeds back into the park.
In 2023, the Maryland Native Plant Coalition drafted the Biodiversity and Agriculture Protection Act, creating a process for experts to classify plant species as invasive and prohibit their sale. The General Assembly passed the measure, and it was signed into law in 2024. After regulations were written and initial assessments completed, the Maryland Department of Agriculture on Jan. 15, 2026, announced a list of 13 invasive plant species now prohibited for sale.
Part of the delay in passing the bill and implementing regulations centered on how prohibitions would be enforced. Lawmakers agreed to a phaseout period with the Maryland Green Industry Council, which represents
Plants prohibited for sale in MD as of 1/15/26:
Aralia elata (Japanese angelica tree)
Berberis thunbergii (Japanese barberry)
Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom)
Euonymus alatus (Burning bush, Winged euonymus)
Ligustrum obtusifolium (Border privet)
Nandina domestica (Nandina, Sacred bamboo)
Phyllostachys aurea (Golden bamboo)
Phyllostachys aureosulcata (Yellow groove bamboo)
Pyrus calleryana (Callery ‘Bradford’ pear)
Tetradium daniellii (Bee bee tree)
Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria)
Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria)
Wisteria x formosa (Wisteria floribunda x sinensis hybrid)
Plants to be assessed for prohibition in 2026:
*Hedera helix (English ivy)
*Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf mahonia)
*Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese/Japanese silvergrass)
*Akebia quinata (Chocolate vine)
*Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa or Silktree)
*Buddleja davidii (Orange-eye butterfly bush)
*Cenchrus purpurascens (Chinese fountain grass)
*Hemerocallis fulva (Orange daylily)
*Vinca minor (Common periwinkle)
*Vinca major (Largeleaf periwinkle)
Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn olive) Glechoma hederacea (Ground ivy, creeping Charlie)
Acer platanoides (Norway maple)
Ligustrum ovalifolium (Garden privet)
Ligustrum sinense (Chinese privet)
Ligustrum vulgare (European privet)
Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle)
Paulownia tomentosa (Empress tree, Princess tree)
Phyllostachys bissetii (Bisset bamboo)
Pseudosasa japonica (Arrow bamboo)
Plants with an (*) are the top priority for assessment.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Snow removal needs to be held to a higher standard
Ijust read the article “Winter Storm Prep and Goals Fulfilled” [in the February Laurel Ledger] regarding snow removal preparation. But after Winter Storm Fern in late January, the “preparation” just didn’t cut it.
I am appalled at the way snow removal was handled — not just in Prince George’s County, but in surrounding counties as well. Nearly 12 days after the snowfall, people were still struggling to leave their homes for work, supplies and medical care.
Adding to the frustration were streets that were barely passable and roadways left partially cleared for days. It was as if the Department of Public Works and Transportation preferred the snow would simply melt on its own rather than adequately performing its duties.
In the City of Laurel, along Cherry Lane, cars had to squeeze toward the center of the road because of poor snow removal. This happened throughout the area. I came from Lowe’s on Route 1 and had to sit through the traffic light four times to turn onto Cherry Lane. In front of Laurel High School, buses and cars were forced to squeeze past each other.
In West Laurel, near Montgomery County, the same problems persisted. Drivers had to sit through the light at Bond Mill Road and Sandy Spring Road/Route 198 two or three times. The same conditions existed in Columbia and Burtonsville — roads narrowing to a single lane at traffic lights.
I give this year’s snow removal an “F.” That article is incorrect unless standards have significantly dropped. In fact, this has been the worst snow cleanup in the 37 years I have lived in and around Laurel.
Prince George’s County, the City of Laurel and neighboring jurisdictions need to do better in planning and executing snow removal services for residents and their communities.
Randy Cardinal, retired homeowner,
West Laurel
Local winery plans resort-style expansion
CORRECTION
©2026 Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, Inc.
501(c)(3) non-profit publisher of the Hyattsville Life & Times, the College Park Here & Now, The Laurel Independent, StreetcarSuburbs.News, and The Streetcar Spotlight.
PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781
Our January news briefs stated that Sharon Gibbs Cooper completed a University of Maryland Emerging Leaders program. Gibbs Cooper completed the Emerging Leaders program of Leadership Maryland, a statewide nonprofit founded by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. The program is not affiliated with the University of Maryland.
By JOE MURCHISON
Laurel’s only winery plans to expand its operations with a 41-acre site along Duckettown Road near Old Bowie, where it will cultivate a second vineyard and construct resort lodging and banquet halls.
Clyopatra Winery and Vineyard owner Ifeoma Onyia announced the plans at a Feb. 6 press conference at the new site, located at Duckettown and Jupiter roads. In a later interview, she said the company will plant grapes on 10 acres and construct 20 “village resort” bedrooms and a 400-seat banquet hall with a kitchen on the property.
A second construction phase would add bedrooms, bringing the total to 40, and include a second banquet hall capable of
accommodating up to 1,000 people, Onyia said.
Onyia lives on Brooklyn Bridge Road in Laurel, where she planted her first six-acre vineyard in 2023. A native of Nigeria, she previously said her winery was the first in the United States founded by an African immigrant.
Clyopatra also operates a wine bar at 24 C St. in Laurel, open Thursday through Sunday afternoons and evenings. The venue hosts special events, including tastings and sip-and-paint sessions.
Onyia noted that new vineyards typically take three to five years to mature enough to produce usable grapes. In the meantime, Clyopatra will continue sourcing grapes from other vineyards to make its wines.
CRIME WATCH
This report includes incidents reported by Laurel police from Jan. 20 to Feb. 9.
STOLEN VEHICLES
1/23 - 6900 blk Andersons Way (Honda)
1/25 - 14000 blk Korba Pl (Honda) 1/28 - 8300 blk Ashford Blvd (Honda)
1/30 - RECOVERED - 15900 blk Dorset Rd (Honda)
2/6 - 7600 blk Woodbine Dr (Honda)
2/6 - 15600 blk Dorset Rd (Honda)
2/6 - 7800 blk Contee Rd (Acura)
2/7 - 14400 blk West Side Blvd (Honda)
VEHICLE BREAK-INS
1/28 - 7600 blk Lexington Ave
2/2 - 14300 blk West Side Blvd
THEFT FROM AUTO
1/22 - 7800 blk Contee Rd (all four tires)
1/22 - 14100 blk Bowsprit Ln (electronics)
1/28 - 8300 blk Ashford Blvd (registration plates)
1/28 - 800 blk Fifth St (registration plates)
1/31 - 14000 blk Vista Dr (all four tires)
PACKAGE THEFT
1/30 - 14900 blk Bowie Rd
SHOPLIFTING
1/23 - 15100 blk Baltimore Ave
1/23 - 700 blk Washington Blvd (group)
1/28 - 200 blk Fort Meade Rd
1/29 - 14700 blk Baltimore Ave (food)
2/2 - 14200 blk Baltimore Ave
2/2 - 15100 blk Baltimore Ave
2/3 - 15100 blk Baltimore Ave
2/3 - 14700 blk Baltimore Ave (group)
2/4 - 14700 blk Baltimore Ave (beauty items)
2/6 - 6900 blk Van Dusen Rd (food)
2/7 - 14700 blk Baltimore Ave (beauty items)
THEFTS – OTHER
1/24 - 10 blk Sharon Ct (cellphone)
2/4 - 14900 blk Silver Trail Ln (food)
2/4 - 300 blk Domer St (power tools)
2/8 - 1 blk Second St (electronics)
HIT AND RUN
1/21 - 300 blk Main St (driver transported to hospital)
SHOOTING
2/1 - 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd (two victims transported to hospital)
DUI ARREST
2/1 - 14900 blk Bowie Rd
VEHICLE ACCIDENT W/ INJURIES
2/7 - 600 blk Talbott Ave (driver transported to hospital)
The Laurel Independent used AI to help organize data received from Laurel police.
ness destination for the region.
“We want business to benefit from the City of Laurel,” said Sydnor, who is also a member at the gym. “We all benefit because they all travel through our region.”
The Laurel location is the second in Maryland for the Powerhouse franchise, following Hanover. The chain began as a
family-owned business in Michigan in 1974 before expanding nationwide. Mattfeld said she developed a relationship with the franchise while a member at the Hanover location and later decided to become a licensee after working part time as a personal trainer for six years.
Still, the path to small-business ownership presented challenges, Mattfeld said.
Powerhouse is one of four
small businesses inside the Corridor Marketplace shopping center, which is anchored by large retailers such as Target, Kohl’s and Hobby Lobby.
Mattfeld said she relied on small-business loans to open the gym and acknowledged the challenges of operating alongside national retailers and established competitors. She has spent more than $500,000 on equipment and plans to add a
$70,000 sauna by next winter.
“It’s a struggle, for sure, but every business is hard,” Mattfeld said.
“As a small business owner, there aren’t enough classes or things like that to give you other means of how to make it easier.”
Powerhouse is entering a crowded fitness market in the Laurel area. Fitness Evolution, Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, 9Round Kickbox Fitness and Cloud 10 Transformations are all located within a three-mile radius along the Route 1/Route 198 corridor.
24 hours. He added 20 treadmills and three StairMaster machines, installed new flooring and a new air-conditioning unit, and hired a professional painter to create custom artwork.
“All my colleagues tell me, ‘you’re crazy. You’re never gonna get your money back because you’re charging very little [for] this,” he said. “When people see that you bring them the best [equipment], they like it, and then they become more loyal, and that attracts more people.”
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Mattfeld said membership rates range from $45 to $65 per month, slightly higher than smaller gyms such as Fitness Evolution, which charges about $30 per month.
Powerhouse’s pricing is closer to LA Fitness, which starts at $35 per month, and more than double Planet Fitness memberships, which begin at $15 per month.
Jose Santillan, owner of Fitness Evolution in Laurel, said he was surprised that Powerhouse opened given the number of established gyms already operating in the area. Santillan said Laurel remains attractive to fitness businesses because of its concentration of young adults and families.
To remain competitive, Santillan said he has invested $400,000 in equipment over the past two years and expanded operations to
Gyms are not just workout spaces — they also contribute to the local economy. According to data from the Health & Fitness Association, gyms in Maryland’s 4th Congressional District, which includes Laurel, generate approximately $15 million in annual wages and contribute about $40.5 million in economic output.
Still, residents and business owners said they were intrigued by the addition of another gym to the area.
Robert Crawford, a boxing coach at Crawford Training and Fitness, moved his 20-year-old business inside Powerhouse last year to reduce costs and attract new clients. He said he wanted to support a fellow small business. “It takes a community to make something truly work,” he said.
Guiding Graceful Transitions and Preserving Family Legacies, since 1995
today
WSSC Water customers brace for higher bills
By JALEN WADE
Higher water bills could be on the way for WSSC Water customers in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties after the utility proposed a 5% rate hike as part of its $1.94 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 during a recent public hearing.
The meeting, held over Zoom due to Winter Storm Fern, was the first of two public sessions intended to discuss the proposed budget and solicit customer feedback. During the call, the utility announced a 5.9% increase in its fiscal year budget, including a $44.8 million increase in the capital budget and a $63.5 million increase in the operating budget.
Munetsi Musara, chief financial officer at WSSC Water, said customers can expect a 5% rate increase to water and sewage bills. This will result in a $4.92 monthly increase, a $14.75 quarterly increase, and an annual increase of $59.
Musara cited rising costs due to inflation and tariffs, as well as a reduction in federal funding.
“The clawing back of federal awards and the ending of the infrastructure investments and Jobs Act has led to constraints on available federal funding to supplement our budget,” Musara said.
More than 30 residents from Prince George’s and Montgomery counties joined the call, questioning why their bills continue to rise and how the proposed budget would affect them financially.
“My charges are going up and up and up each year,” said Robert Lovisa of Silver Spring. “And now I’m learning today that it’s going to go up another $14.75 ... per quarter for the next year.”
Lovisa added that although affordability was addressed in the presentation, he did not feel it was reflected in practice.
Musara said the proposed rate hike would allow the WSSC to continue making required capital investments in future budgets, noting that the average residential water bill is about 1% of the median household income for customers.
Mark Smith, WSSC Water
commission chair for Prince George’s County, said the agency has worked to contain rising costs.
“As we move into 2026, it’s been a difficult year for us and for our customers,” Smith said. “We know whether it’s the government shutdown, layoffs, etc, they have had a very significant impact on those who we serve.”
Some residents, however, questioned leadership decisions at WSSC Water and why the utility did not fully adopt recommendations from a recent audit of the Patuxent Raw Water Main project. The report outlined ways capital improvement projects could remain within scope and budget.
“All these issues point to a lack of senior leadership and [a] system that has little if any accountability to other government entities and the public at large,” said Laurel resident Paul Gentile. “These recommendations point to the lack of leadership and ineptness that requires replacement of the current business practices.”
By KIT SLACK
Developers building in Laurel will have to sell some new homes at lower prices under an updated rule approved by the Laurel City Council last week.
“We’re setting the standards in Prince George’s County,” said Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor as he voted to support the measure, “not only looking out for renters, we’re also looking out for people buying homes.”
Prince George’s County does not require developers to sell homes at reduced prices. Laurel is the only city in the county with its own zoning authority, giving it the ability to set development rules. Under the updated rule, any home builder developing 20 or more houses or condominiums must offer at least 8% of those homes at a price no higher than 70% of market value. For example, a house that would sell for $500,000 would instead be priced at $350,000. The requirement applies only to new construction homes.
Under the updated rule, any home builder developing 20 or more houses or condominiums must offer at least 8% of those homes at a price no higher than 70% of market value.
homes. Area Median Income is set annually by the federal government and varies by household size. For a family of four, 80% of the Area Median Income is currently $131,120.
After reviewing public comments, WSSC will approve the budget and send it to Prince George’s and Montgomery county committees for approval in May and adoption in June. SEE HOMES ON 10
Buyers earning no more than 80% of the Area Median Income will be eligible to purchase the
The updated rule revises a 2018 ordinance. It clarifies the 70% price requirement, lowers the threshold from developments of 50 homes to 20, and expands eligibility from households earning 60% of Area Median Income to those earning up to 80%.
LAUREL LEDGER
OF FICIAL NEWS FROM THE CITY OF LAUREL, MARYLAND
SPRING IS COMING: FI RE MARSHAL AND PERMIT SERVICES
It’s finally time to ditch the parkas and grab gardening gloves! As the spring/summer months approach, we would like homeowners to be mindful of the property maintenance violations the Code Enforcement Division of the Department of Fire Marshal and Permit Services (FMPS) typically receives during warmer months. Those violations include, but are not limited to, excessive grass, weeds, trash and debris and having home improvement work done without a permit.
issues are standing water, rodents and vehicles.
• Make sure that your downspouts or sump pumps do NOT drain onto public sidewalks.
• Standing water on your property can become stagnant and attract mosquitoes, so be sure to correct any ponding that happens on your property.
MARCH 2026
time to remind you to have an escape plan in place and to practice that plan at different times of the day and night to ensure you will be prepared. Also, have a meeting place picked out so everyone can be accounted for.
Excessive Grass and Weeds
April showers, bring May flowers...and tall grass! Grass in the City of Laurel is deemed excessive in Sec. 18-181 of the Municipal Code when the height of the grass is about 8 inches tall or higher. This can attract rodents, along with excessive trash, so make sure to keep your property trash free and mowed. The only exception is during No Mow April and you MUST sign up for that program to participate or you will get a notice on your door that the grass is too high! Details are under the Green Living section in this edition.
Property Maintenance
A few of the of the biggest complaints we receive related to property maintenance
• Do NOT park vehicles on the grass and make sure they are properly tagged and have a current registration.
• Rodents are attracted to excessive trash, so be proactive and keep your property clean and keep trash inside your trash bins with the lid closed.
When Are Permits Needed
We understand the desire to put in a new patio, build a fence or get a new deck built. However, please be sure to apply for all necessary permits before starting your project. If you have any questions about permits or the permitting process, you can find out the details at our web site, www.cityoflaurel.org/fmps, or call 301725-5300 ext. 2238. A member of our Permit Team will be happy to assist you.
Life Safety
There was a recent fire that happened in the Laurel community. Thank goodness no one was injured, but this is the best
It is important that our fire departments can find your house easily, so make sure your house numbers are a minimum of 4 inches tall, so first responders can read them easily in case of an emergency.
Finally, keeping your smoke detectors maintained is key to alert your household in case a fire should occur:
• Test your smoke detector monthly.
• Change the batteries every 6 months. A good time would be when we change our clocks for Daylight Saving Time.
• Clean your detectors with a vacuum every 3 - 4 months.
• If a smoke detector is older than 10 years, or you don’t know how old it is, it is required to be replaced immediately with a 10-year sealed smoke detector. Keep you and your family safe and check those out now!
If you have any questions about these or any other issues, please call our experts at 301-725-5300 ext. 2238. Or visit our web page at www.cityoflaurel.org/fmps.
Thank you for joining us on February 19th for our first workshop in the series of Native Plants and Stormwater Management, Native Plants 101. We were honored to have Master Gardner Mary Allen speak about the positive effects native plants have like providing support for more beneficial insects, providing habitats for wildlife and pollinators, and help control soil erosion, just to name a few. Then Chesapeake Bay Trust educated audience members about the Rain Check Rebate Program and how it offers rebates to property owners that install approved stormwater management practices on their property. And audience members left with native starter planting from Howard EcoWorks. Missed it? Visit cityoflaurel.org/green and check out their presentations!
Our next community initiative involves working at the Larry T. Smith pollinator garden. If you're eager to get your hands dirty and support our pollinators, please reach out to Carreen Koubek at 301 -725-5300 ext. 2109 or email her at ckoubek@laurel.md.us to volunteer for this and other upcoming Green projects! Many hands make light work!
Speaking of community, we are trying something new! Look for the 2026 Guide to Services for Sustainability and Public Works . Inside this new resource you will find in -depth information about how to recycle right, best practices for organics diversion, monthly event reminders and much more! Follow Sustainable Laurel on Facebook, @sustainablelaurel and we’ll be sure to post the link to the digital guide!
It’s Easy B eing Grreen!
HOW CAN YOU HELP LAU REL WITH ITS SUSTAINABILTY PLAN?
Our Sustainability Year in Review! Third time is a charm! Due to weather conditions and parking challenges here in the City, we decided to change the date to SPRING! Join us on March 19th, from 6 - 8pm, at the Joseph R. Robison Laurel Municipal Center to hear about o ur sustainability progress from the City and community. During the meeting, residents will see our successes, learn about new in itiatives (Native Plants Landscaping for Stormwater runoff) and give us ideas on what you want us to focus on next. We will review the Sustain ability Plan and form additional focus groups to work on specific actions highlighted in the Plan …everyone is welcome! If you are interested in becoming a part of the sustainability group, please contact greenliving@laurel.md.us. The full plan is available on our Green Living Resource page at www.cityoflaurel/green.
Early spring is a time where floral resources are often limited for pollinators, especially in urban and suburban landscapes. The City’s No Mow April initiative allows residents to pause mowing their lawns during the month of April to allow flowering plants to help provide f ood for pollinators. Residents will be able to register online at www.cityoflaurel.org/green. Once you’ve registered for No Mow April, you will be able to collect your yard sign at the Joseph R. Robison Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Road: Mon -Fri - 9am - 5pm; the Laurel ArmoryAnderson and Murphy Community Center, 422 Montgomery Street: Mon -Fri - 9am - 9pm, Saturdays - 9am - 5pm and Sundays - 10am - 4pm; and the Robert J. DiPietro Community Center, 7901 Cypress Street: Mon-Fri - 9am - 9pm; Saturdays 9am - 5pm. Contact greenliving@laurel.md.us if you have any questions. Registration and yard signs are FREE, but registration and yard sign is REQUIRED to participate. Farmer’s Market News!!! We will begin our 2026 Season in April! The Farmer’s Market will open on Thursday, April 2nd, and run every Thursday through October 29th, 3pm - 7pm, at 378 Main Street. Many of your favorite vendors will be returning, as well as some n ew faces we are excited to have joining the Market! Residents can enjoy fresh fruits/vegetables from our local farmers, locally -sourced meat and poultry, organic handmade skin care products and candles and freshly baked goods from area bakeries. Music and cooking demonstrations are just a few of the special activities we have planned for our 2026 market season. If you or someone you know is interested in being a ven dor for the 2026 season e-mail greenliving@laurel.md.us. Follow @LaurelMarketOnMain on Facebook or visit www.cityoflaurel.org/laurelfarmersmarket . Do you want to get the most recent information about the City’s sustainability initiatives? Follow us on Facebook at @SustainableLaurel. This is a place where we can share ideas, highlight upcoming events and residents can stay informed on all things Sustainable. Also c heck out the new look of the Green Living website at www.cityoflaurel.org/greenliving.
¡LA PRIMAVERA LLEGA!
¡Por fin, hora de dejar atrás las parkas y ponerse los guantes de jardinería! Con la llegada de la primavera/verano, queremos que los propietarios tengan en cuenta las infracciones de mantenimiento de la propiedad que la División de Cumplimiento del Código del suele recibir durante los meses más cálidos. Estas infracciones incluyen, entre otras, exceso de césped, maleza, basura y escombros, y realizar reformas en el hogar sin permiso. Algunas de las quejas más frecuentes que recibimos relacionadas con problemas de mantenimiento de la propiedad son el agua estancada, los roedores y los vehículos. Asegúrese de que sus bajantes o bombas de sumidero NO drenen hacia las aceras públicas. NO estacione vehículos sobre el césped y asegúrese de que estén correctamente identificados y tengan la matrícula vigente. Los roedores se sienten atraídos por el exceso de basura, así que sea proactivo y mantenga su propiedad despejada y guarde la basura dentro de los contenedores de basura con la tapa cerrada. Llame al 301 -725-5300 ext. 2238 para más
LAUREL POLICE MONTHLY CRIME REPORT JANUARY 2026
List of Laurel Police Crime Reports can be found at www.cityoflaurel.org/1896/LPDCrime-Reports.
You can also read the full monthly Laurel Police Crime Reports in the Laurel Independent!
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. 2053 - Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel for FY July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026; and to provide an effective date.
Bid Recommendations:
• Comprehensive Safety Action Plan - Safe Streets for All Federal Grant Program - Public Works
• Staggers Road Improvement Project - Engineering and Design Services - Public Works
Appointments/Reappointments:
Jonathan Plater (Appointment) - Board of Trustees2/9/26 - 2/9/28
Jennifer Bronson (Appointment) - Pride CommitteeNo Term Limits
Vicki Rambow (Reappointment) - Public Safety/ Transportation - 2/9/26 - 2/9/28
Mary-Eileen Leszcz (Reappointment) - Historic District Commission - 2/9/26 - 2/9/29
Michael Maxwell (Reappointment) - Environmental Affairs - 2/9/26 - 2/9/28
Gavin Brown (Reappointment) - Clergy Advisory Council - 2/9/26 - 2/9/28
Dougles Redd (Reappointment) - Emergency Services Commission - 2/9/26 - 2/9/2029
Government Meetings
(Dates s and Times Subject to Change)
March 2026 Mayor and City Council Meetings
March 4th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Work Session (6:00pm)
March 9th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)
March 23rd - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting - (6:00pm)
March 2026 Boards and Commissions
March 10th - Planning Commission (6:00pm)
March 17th - Historic District Commission (6:00pm)
March 24th (Tentative) - Master Plan Committee (6:00pm)
March 26th - Board of Appeals (6:00pm)
April 2026 Mayor and City Council Meetings
April 1st - Virtual Mayor and City Council Work Session (6:00pm)
April 13th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)
April 27th - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)
April 2026 Boards and Commissions
April 14th - Planning Commission (6:00pm)
April 21st - Historic District Commission (6:00pm)
April 23rd - Board of Appeals (6:00pm)
City Announcements & Events
(Dates and Times Subject to Change)
Women’s History Month Meet Up - March 6th - 6 - 8pm. The Mansion at Laurel, 13910 Laurel Lakes Avenue.
Women’s History Month Celebration - March 14th - 10 - 12pm - Laurel Police Partnership Activity Center, 811 5th St.
Sustainability Plan Year in Review - March 19th - 6 - 8pm, Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Rd.
Eggstravaganza - March 28th - 12pm SHARP! - Granville Gude Park, 8300 Mulberry St. Join us for our annual egg hunt & photo op with the Easter Bunny!
Patuxent River Clean Up - April 4th - 10am - Riverfront Park, 22 Avondale St.
4th of July Yard Sale - April 4th - 8am - 1pm - Laurel Multiservice Center, 204 Fort Meade Rd. Call Beth at 443- - for information on signing up.
Volunteer Fair - April 18th - 10am - 2pm - Laurel Multiservice Center, 204 Fort Meade Rd.
Electronics Recycling/Paper Shredding Event - April 18th - 8am - Noon, DPW Facility. Visit cityoflaurel.org/dpw for details!
To learn more or register for Parks and Recreation Classes/Events, visit www.cityoflaurel.org/parks or call 301-725-7800.
Senior Services provides recreational and leisure opportunities at multiple locations throughout the city, as well as exciting trips. Call 301-776-6168.
Scan the QR Code for the online volunteer application and start to get involved in your community today!
MARCH COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Find more local events all month long in our continuously updated online calendar at streetcarsuburbs.news/events.
Send April events to jalen@streetcarsuburbs.news by March 20. More events at streetcarsuburbs. news/events.
March 2. Makerspace - create 3D rings by designing in Tinkercard. Ages 13-18. 3:30pm Laurel Branch Library.
March 2 and 16. Jim Whitney Toastmasters Club. 7pm St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. For more information, email contact-1063187@toastmastersclubs.org
March 5. Laurel Women’s Club monthly meeting. 7pm Laurel Women’s Clubhouse.
March 7 Goode Inventions STEAM Program featuring African American women inventors including Sarah Goode. 11am to 3pm Montpelier Historic Site & Museum.
March 10 Chess Club. All ages, 6pm Laurel Branch Library.
March 20 Jazzmeia Horn, Grammy nominee, sings jazz. $30. 8pm Montpelier Arts Center.
March 13 and 28. “Wingspan” Game Day. Play the board game “Wingspan” and learn about birds. No experience needed. Games provided (personal sets welcomed). 10am to 1pm, Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract. Registration required: tinyurl.com/5n8thbe2 or call 301.497.5772
March 3, 17, 31 Seventh Street Ravelutionaries crocheting and knitting group. Bring your project and exchange tips, ideas and conversation. 6:30pm Laurel Branch Library.
March 17 Veterans Dinner and Book Group. Active service members and veterans join this monthly small-group reading and discussion dinner series centered around books which relate to military experiences or offer a veteran’s perspective. Ages 18 and up. Free; registration required. 7 to 9pm Montpelier Arts Center. For more information and to register, call 301.377.7800
March 24 Book discussion, “The Tennis Partner: A Doctor’s Story of Friendship and Loss,” by Abraham Verghese. 7pm Laurel Branch Library.
March 24 Game on: Magic the Gathering. Teens and adults. 6pm Laurel Branch Library.
VENUE INFORMATION
Event details change! For confirmation, ticket prices, and cancellations, visit websites or call.
Gude Mansion/ The Mansion at Laurel 13910 Laurel Lakes Ave. 301.725.7800 cityoflaurel.org/parks
Laurel Branch Library 507 7th St. 301.776.6790 pgmls.info
Laurel Mill Playhouse 508 Main St. 301.617.9906 laurelmillplayhouse.org
Laurel Women’s Clubhouse 384 Main St.
Montpelier Arts Center 9652 Muirkirk Road. 301.377.7800 pgparks.com
March 27 Fresh Voices Open Mic by Dialect Poets of Prince George’s County. 4pm Laurel Branch Library.
March 27 Halley Schoenberg plays jazz originals and standards on saxophone and clarinet. $25. 8pm Montpelier Arts Center.
March 28 Women’s History
Month Guest Speaker Valerie Nicholas, former councilmember and founder of Love is Not Enough nonprofit (1pm) followed by Women’s History Month Tea (2pm). Montpelier Historic Site & Museum.
March 28 Meet wild Eastern Screech Owls. 2-2:30pm Patuxent Research Refuge.
March 29 Sitong Liu, emerging lyric soprano. 4pm Montpelier Arts Center.
THEATER
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, play by Lynn Nottage about a Black maid in the 1930s who becomes a film star. March 1, 8 & 15 at 2pm. March 7, 14 & 15 at 8pm. $20. Laurel Mill Playhouse.
ART Exhibitions run all month unless otherwise noted. Check venue websites for hours.
Uhuru Quilter’s Guild Black History Month Exhibit at Montpelier Historic Site and Museum. Through March 6.
Patricia Phillips Bowden: Travel Collaged and Painted. Through
Montpelier Historic Site & Museum (Montpelier Mansion) 9650 Muirkirk Rd. 301.377.7817 pgparks.com
Patuxent Research Refuge
South Tract & National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772 fws.gov/refuge/patuxent
St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church 114 St. Marys Pl. 301.725.3080 https://stmaryslaurel.org/
St. Phillips Episcopal Church 522 Main St. 301.776.5151 stphilipslaurel.org
The Hideout 9855 Washington Blvd N. 240.360.4713 hideoutlaurel.com
March 8. Montpelier Arts Center.
Artists on the Rise: Juried Teen Art exhibition. Starts March 7. Public reception March 21 1pm.
Amanda Spaid: Locals. Detailed drawings of local birds. Starts March 12. Public reception 2pm March 14. Montpelier Arts Center, prints exhibited at the Hollingsworth Wildlife Art Gallery at Patuxent Research Refuge starting March 14.
Chesapeake Woodturners Exhibition. Starts March 13. Montpelier Historic Site & Museum.
Chris Kirages: Making the World a Better Plate. Art dinnerware. Starts March 14. Public reception 2pm March 14. Montpelier Arts Center.
SENIORS
March 4. Laurel Senior Friendship Club. Business meeting and musical entertainment or a speaker. Doors open at 9:30am LaurelBeltsville Senior Activities Center, 7120 Contee Rd. 301.206.3380
March 7. Get Active: Chair Yoga and Movement Class for Seniors. 11am Laurel Branch Library.
March 12 Ignatius and Friends. Funk music. $15. 12pm Montpelier Arts Center.
Mar. 13. Second Friday Senior Book Club. “The Black Angel,” by Maria Smilios. April 10: “Pineapple Street,” by Jenny Jackson. 2 to 3:30pm Laurel Armory, 422
Montgomery St. Call or text Gail Gibson at 301.452.7700 or email book62worm@hotmail.com
March 25. Elder Fraud Prevention 101. 6pm Laurel Branch Library.
Chess. All levels welcome. Thursdays. 2pm Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center. Call Mike Farmer at 240.302.9133.
BINGO. Every Tuesday at Laurel Senior Friendship Club, doors open at 11am, bingo starts at noon. Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activities Center, 7120 Contee Rd. Also Every Tuesday at Laurel Elks Lodge #2283. Doors open at 5pm, bingo starts at 7pm, 8261 Brock Bridge Rd. Every Friday at American Legion Post 60. Doors open at 5pm, bingo starts at 7:30. 2 Main St.
KIDS
Play and Grow. Ages 0-3 with and without special needs. By PGCPS Infants and Toddlers Program for their students and up to 12 community families. March 6 & 20 10:30am Laurel Branch Library.
Robobuilders robotics. Ages 6-10 with caregivers. Saturdays March 7, 14, 21, 28, 2pm Laurel Branch Library.
Get Active: Yoga for Families. Ages 6-10 with caregivers. March 6, 4pm Laurel Branch Library.
Kids’ Discovery Center. Crafts, puzzles, games, nature exploration. March: frogs & toads. Ages 3 to 10, w/adult. Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10am to noon (35-minute time slots, onhour). Patuxent Research Refuge.
StoryTrail March. Walk our outdoor paved Loop Trail; enjoy our winter storybook display featuring Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. All Ages. Sunrise to sunset (except Tuesdays, grounds close at 4 pm). Patuxent Research Refuge.
Library storytimes. Mondays at 10:30am (ages 2 to 3), Wednesdays at 7pm (ages 3 to 5) and Thursdays at 10:30 and 11:15am (ages 0 to 2). Reservations not required. Laurel Branch Library. Tail Waggin Tutors. Kids can read to therapy dogs. March 5, 4:30pm. Laurel Branch Library.
LANGUAGES
ASL Conversation Club for Beginners. 4pm Wednesdays at Laurel Branch Library.
Virtual Spanish Conversation Club. Beginners meet at 4pm and intermediate learners at 5pm every Wednesday. Reservations not required. Laurel Branch Library.
Italian Club welcomes all on the second Wednesday of each month. 6:30 p,m, St. Mary of the Mills Church, 114 St. Marys Pl. Call Jo Saunders at 301.490.8237
within our community, it is happening around us,” said Sabrena Ball, president of the chapter.
Tau Delta Zeta has worked in Prince George’s County for more than 20 years raising awareness about domestic abuse and sex trafficking. Organizers said this was the first event focused specifi-
cally on young girls through the chapter’s youth program. “We can increase the awareness of what unhealthy relationships look like,” said Koretta Skelton, the chapter’s domestic violence coordinator. “So when girls enter relationships, they’re aware of signs and behaviors of their partners and able to seek help or get out before something occurs that can be fatal.”
Recent data reflects the broader need for awareness. Over the past four months, Prince George’s County recorded 2,045 peace and protective order hearings — including 32 juvenile peace order hearings — according to Maryland Judiciary domestic violence reports. That averages about 17 hearings per day.
Peace and protective orders, commonly known as restraining
orders, are used in cases involving domestic violence, stalking or harassment, said Sgt. Anthony Miskovish of the Laurel Police Department, who attended the event.
Juvenile peace orders apply when the person accused of harmful behavior is under 18, according to the People’s Law Library of Maryland.
Prince George’s County reported more domestic violence court incidents in 2025 than Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Howard counties during the same period, according to data compiled by The Laurel Independent. Prince George’s County’s rate is 49.3 hearings per 10,000
residents, compared with an average rate of 25.7 per 10,000 in surrounding counties.
However, officials cautioned that statistics do not capture the full scope of the problem. Dating abuse and human trafficking are often underreported, Miskovish said.
Makel Doughty said the program was eye-opening and encouraged families to start conversations earlier.
“You only talk about relationships in health class, and you only take that once or twice in high school,” she said. “Parents and other people need to know that kids aren’t too young to learn about consent.”
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Members of the Tau Delta Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.’s youth clubs participate in a self-defence demonstration on the afternoon of Feb. 7, 2026. PHOTO BY ANIKA STIKELEATHER.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR WORD SEARCH
Words may run forward, backward, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
ARMORY
ARTSHOW
BINGO
BOOKCLUB CHESS
CLARINET
COLLAGE
COLLAGED
CROCHETING
DIALECT
DINNERWARE
DISCOVERY ELKS
EPISCOPAL EXHIBITION
FIELDMICE
FRIENDSHIP
FROGS
FUNKY JAZZ
JURIED KNITTING LAUREL LEGION LIBRARY LYRIC MAKERSPACE MANSION MIGRATION MONTPELIER MUSEUM OPENMIC OPERA OWLS PATUXENT PLAYHOUSE POETRY PREVENTION QUILTERS RAVELUTIONARIES
RECEPTION REFUGE ROBOTICS SAXOPHONE SCREECHOWL SENIORS SOPRANO SPARROWS STEAM STORYTIMES THEATER TINKERCAD TOASTMASTERS VETERANS WELLNESS WILDLIFE WINGSPAN WOODTURNERS YOGA
The Laurel Independent used AI to generate this word search based on our community calendar. Please reach out if you would like to volunteer to be our new puzzle-maker! Joshua@streetcarsuburbs.news.
Beyond the 4th: Stories of Laurel’s Freedom Celebrations explores how Laurel has celebrated independence and freedom, from the 1876 Centennial through the 1976 Bicentennial to the present. Alongside Laurel’s patriotic traditions, the exhibit also highlights celebrations that reflect the community’s broader understandings of liberty, including Emancipation Day, Juneteenth, Laurel Pride, and Hispanic Heritage Month. Through artifacts, photographs, and personal stories, discover how Laurel has come together to honor freedom and community.
OPEN WITH FREE ADMISSION
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY 12:00 to 4:00 PM
growers statewide. Wholesale and retail nurseries have one year to sell existing stock, or two years for woody plants grown in the ground. Some retailers may clear shelves immediately, while others will wait until required.
These plants have remained popular in part because they are profitable. Many commercial landscapes feature Japanese barberry, burning bush or nandina. During the 2024 bill hearing in Annapolis, one of the few opposing witnesses was a grower who said he had more than $1 million in barberry planted in the ground. In conversation afterward, he acknowledged that porcelain
berry planted by his grandfather now dominates nearby woods.
Several well-known invasive species are scheduled for review in 2026. Each year, Maryland’s Invasive Plant Advisory Committee will assess species listed in “Plant Invaders of the Mid-Atlantic,” a regional field guide available. This year’s review includes English ivy, Vinca species, several privet species and leatherleaf mahonia, all of which are spreading in local wild areas, including along the river.
Residents who want to help can identify and remove invasive plants on their property, research nursery purchases to avoid invasive species, volunteer for local removal efforts or document invasive
plants through the iNaturalist app, which provides research data used by the advisory committee.
Banning these plants will not remove them from forests, but it may slow their spread. As invasive species become less available for sale, gardeners and landscapers may increasingly turn to native plants that help restore lost habitat.
Jimmy Rogers is an avid Laurel gardener and owner of Laurelbased Vibrant Gardening LLC. Send your native gardening questions to him at: nativegardenguy@gmail.com.
HOMES
FROM PAGE 6
About 438 homes are planned in the City of Laurel through various builders as of early 2025. However,
LAUREL SQUIRREL By Agnes Pasco Conaty
“Hey, Phil and Bob, people are tired of shoveling snow so get your act together...”
one council member questioned how effective the updated rule would be, given that many projects were approved before the changes.
Council member Jeffrey Mills
(Ward 2) said he does not believe there is development within city limits to which the new rule would apply.
“I just don’t see this time being used wisely,” he said.
is hope and help for families and friends of alcoholics in Al-Anon.
Al-Anon Family Groups, call 1-888-425-2666 (1-888-4AL-ANON) Al-Anon.org
At public hearings on Jan. 12 and Jan. 26, the only speaker was attorney Edward Gibbs, representing Pulte Homes, developer of Corridor Center. Gibbs spoke in favor of the updated ordinance.
A new exception in the ordinance allows Pulte Homes to designate 6% of homes as affordable housing under a development plan approved by the city in 2025. All council members voted in support of the updated rule.
VOLUNTEER WRITERS WANTED!
Laurel’s community newspaper, The Laurel Independent, has hit the ground writing and reporting, but we need your help to bring home the news every month.
If you have a local story to tell or if you just have a writing itch that needs to be scratched, contact our managing editor, Joshua Garner, at Joshua@ StreetcarSuburbs.News.
New grant breathes life into Laurel food pantries
By JALEN WADE
A $70,000 food grant is helping three Laurel food pantries replenish supplies and purchase new equipment in the fight against food insecurity.
Prince George’s County Councilman Tom Dernoga (District 1) is sponsoring the funds for nonprofit food distribution efforts. Fish of Laurel Inc., Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (LARS), and Faith Village of Greater Laurel will each receive a portion of the funds in late winter to support food distribution and operational additions, including vehicles and refrigeration.
“This has been an incredibly stressful year for many of our residents, where so many families have been forced to rely on our local nonprofits to get by,” said Dernoga in a statement.
“That increased need is also straining our network of amazing nonprofits who always step up during tough times,”
According to the 2025 hunger report from the Capital Area Food Bank, Prince George’s County had the highest percentage of food insecurity in the Washington region. The report states that in 2025, the county had a food insecurity rate of 49% — essentially the same as 2024’s 50% but up from 2023’s 45%.
Shannon Mouton, executive director of LARS, said the organization cannot function without donations. Over the last two years, the kitchen has donated 95,590 meals. LARS is receiving $15,000 from the grant.
“We went through a lot of food in November and December,” Mouton said. “We will use this money to really replenish some of our traditional stockpiles.”
Dernoga said grant funding is typically allocated to nonprofits broadly, not solely to food pantries. This year, food insecurity became the focus after discussions with constituents, nonprofits and fellow council members who identified it as a top concern.
“We tried to spread it all around the district, not just Laurel,” said Dernoga, whose district includes Beltsville, Calverton, and parts of Adelphi and College Park. “You can touch more people with food money.”
Food insecurity has remained a major issue through 2025 due to the economic slowdown and reductions in the federal workforce, Dernoga said.
In March of last year, the Food and Drug Administration announced cuts to food bank supplies as part of $1 billion in federal reductions from the Trump administration.
Fish of Laurel will receive $50,000.
Will Bronson, president of the board of trustees for Fish of Laurel, said funding has been challenging due to reduced federal support flowing through state agencies. He said the $50,000 grant will bolster operations. The organization serves 249 individuals and operates pantry services twice a week. Hot meals are served every evening at the Elizabeth House, 308 Gorman Ave.
“These extra funds are going
THE LAUREL INNER SPACE
Celebrate a Laurel teacher
By AGNES PASCO CONATY
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, one group we ought to celebrate is our teachers. Collectively, they are a quiet force — steadfast, shaping minds and character every day — yet too often underappreciated.
My Laurel neighborhood is fortunate to have excellent schools, highly rated in large part because of dedicated teachers who have taught generation after generation of successful students. Some have devoted their entire lives to the profession. Their legacy lives not only in test scores or diplomas, but in the kind of citizens their students become.
nomics at the elementary school I attended, at a time when learning to cook, sew, arrange flowers, clean properly and manage a household budget was considered as important as balancing a chemical equation. She designed the school’s Skill-o-Rama program, elevating homemaking skills and rewarding excellence. Out of propriety, I did not have her as my sixth-grade teacher — but I was blessed to have her as my teacher for life. She later became the province’s division home economics supervisor, mentoring younger teachers.
to be a wonderful leveling tool for us to be able to continue to provide a level of service to our clients,” Bronson said. “Especially with regard to frozen foods and frozen meats that we would not have been able to provide otherwise.”
Faith Village of Greater Laurel at Faith AME Church will receive $10,000.
Lubrina Bryant, the church’s bookkeeper, said the funding will primarily support food purchases, bags, rodent extermination, and the potential purchase of a second delivery van.
“We want to purchase another van,” Bryant said. “So then there’s gas. There’s higher insurance because we’ll have two vehicles, betterment of our shed, keeping up.”
I have deep admiration for teachers in Catholic schools in Laurel and beyond who teach strong academic content while reinforcing enduring values: love of God, love of country, love of family and responsibility to others. These are not “extras.” They are foundational to forming good Americans. Why teach? Some may ask. Everyone knows few people become wealthy through teaching — aside from rare, extraordinary maestros.
Teaching runs deep in my maternal family. All my aunts — and several cousins — were elementary school teachers. One cousin was even my preschool teacher before I was old enough to enroll in first grade. My maternal grandfather was a local college professor of Spanish. A half-Spanish mestizo, he taught himself the language while also serving as the town sheriff. In our family, education, service and citizenship went hand in hand.
My mother was a natural teacher. She taught home eco-
When a person or a family chooses to serve a generation by standing before a chalkboard or whiteboard and becoming a light in someone else’s life, it may be one of the most important decisions anyone can make.
Not every moment announces itself as a teaching opportunity, but a teacher at heart recognizes each moment as a chance to guide, correct, encourage or steady a young person still finding their way.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we need teachers who do more than cover content. We need teachers who help students understand what it means to belong to this country — who teach respect, responsibility and love of nation not as slogans, but as daily practice. That kind of teaching does not always show up on a test. Sometimes it appears years later.
Faith Village Director Sheila Armstrong (left) and volunteer Tyrina Haridman distribute food. JALEN WADE
Agnes Pasco Conaty is a college math and environmental science adjunct professor.
