Russett/Maryland City
- Brenda Zeigler-Riley
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Local news covering the Russett and Maryland City areas
Russett Unveils First Community Garden
New things are growing in Russett! Known for its park-like setting, the community is nestled next to the Little Patuxent River, encompasses 613 acres, and has 12 miles of walking trails and 70 acres of wetlands, which are part of the Oxbow Lake, a natural preserve. Originally farmland and undeveloped woodland, the area is now a bustling residential suburb.
In the spirit of Russett’s farming origins, a new and exciting development was recently announced: the creation of a community garden, spearheaded by the Russett Community Association’s Amenities Committee.
The idea for the garden was brought to the committee by a resident. It was taken up by the Amenities Committee, whose responsibility is to recommend and suggest ways to conserve, uphold, and improve amenities and facilities for the community’s pleasure. After receiving community input, the committee put a plan in motion, selecting a location and working out the details for running a community garden. A photo taken by Russett resident Rick Goddard shows eight raised garden boxes, each one seemingly divided in half. The beds sit on crushed stone and are enclosed by a fence.
When asked about the next steps and whether additional plots would be added in the community, committee member Felicia Bond said, “Right now, this is a trial, and we will see how it goes.”
The rental plots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The Committee is hard at work developing procedures for the allocation of the limited spaces.
Coming Soon: The Shops at Watershed
If you’ve driven east on Route 198 just past the BW Parkway recently, you probably noticed construction underway on the righthand side of 198. That is the future site of a retail development called The Shops at Watershed.
Real estate brokerage firm KLNB has produced a brochure to attract businesses to the retail space, pointing out the site’s proximity to Laurel, Fort Meade, and major highways—and of course to the Watershed community itself, which will have over 1,300 townhomes and 633 apartments when construction is complete in late 2027. The brochure shows that at least four buildings will each hold multiple retail spaces, with a daycare center and adjacent play area to be added in the future.
Special Zumba Classes Offered This Summer
This summer, Sundays are for Zumba classes taught by Jess Deinlein. A teacher at Monarch Global Academy for 10 years, Jess is described as a “shero” by many who attend her free Zumba classes. When asked why she doesn’t charge, her response was, “There’s so much negativity and sadness. I wanted to help the community. And what better way to give back to the community than by providing a way for others to get and stay fit and meet new people.”
Classes will be held at Brock Bridge Elementary School parking lot, 405 Brock Bridge Road, Maryland City. The 9 am class will be sure to have you moving, grooving, and feeling good.
PJ’s Coffee Offers Exclusive Deals for Russett Residents
PJ’s Coffee, located next to Wal-Mart on Russett Green East, recently announced a special deal for Russett residents. Between 3 and 6 pm every Thursday and Friday, Russett Green residents can save $1 on a coffee beverage 20 oz. or larger; or, buy one and get a second 50-percent off. This applies to hot, iced, or frozen coffee beverages. To receive the discount, show a copy of their digital ad, which was posted to social media, including the Laurel MD Connect group on Facebook. So, sip, connect, unwind, and choose your coffee-hour perks.
Einstein Bagels: Coming Soon?
Alert Laurel residents have posted photos to Facebook showing signage for Einstein Brothers Bagels at the Maryland City Plaza. The presumed new Einstein location is next to Navy Federal Credit Union and a nail salon. Although the official Einstein website doesn’t list the site as upcoming, official signage on the shopping center can’t be wrong, can it? I’ll keep an eye on this potential development.
Brenda Zeigler-Riley is a retired educator and entrepreneur with a marketing, public relations, and fundraising background. Please send information on Russett/Maryland City (historical pieces, stories from first responders, hometown memories, resident profiles, etc.) to russett.mdcinfo@gmail.com.
Comments