Local news covering the West Laurel and Burtonsville areas
Winter offers opportunities to enjoy a cozy fire or to curl up with a good book when the weather is too cold or windy outside. While it can be a depressing time for many people, I try to push myself to see a positive aspect of the season. When I was an exchange student in Sweden almost 50 years ago, I learned how the people there coped with the cold and the extended darkness—they lit up their world at Christmas time to celebrate the joy of the season. There were lights everywhere, inside and outside! West Laurel is fairly dark at night, but if you drive around the neighborhood you will see there are many houses all lit up—some of them are quite spectacular.
The West Laurel Walking Club started the first week of October 2024 with the “Walktober” promoted by Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation. The West Laurel group started walking around Fairland Park on Old Gunpowder Rd, which turned out to be 1.5 miles. At that time, there were nine seniors walking. The group subsequently decided to walk the Riverfront Park path in Laurel, starting at City Pool at the end of Ninth and Main Streets and walking along the Patuxent River to the end of the park and then back to the pool. This walk ended up being approximately three miles. The change in location increased the group’s membership to 16 walkers. The program has turned out to be a fun, social, and safe one for seniors. They meet every Friday at 10 am and plan to continue, weather permitting. New walkers are invited to join! Contact Nancy Whipple at: njwhip54@verizon.net
The West Laurel Recreation Council held its annual holiday party on Dec. 6 at the West Laurel Community Building (T. Howard Duckett Building). Approximately 150 people attended, keeping the face painters, balloon artist, and musician busy the entire time. A group of young girls performed an impromptu number with the musician, playing “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Jingle Bells” with hand instruments, which the audience enjoyed immensely! Santa arrived, performed a little dance, and passed out candy canes. Hats off to the volunteers who helped with this event—you did a great job.
Blood Drive in Memory of Melissa Daston
The West Laurel Civic Association (WLCA) sponsored a blood drive on Nov. 19 in memory of West Laurel resident and community advocate Melissa Daston, who passed away on June 9. Melissa had suffered from lymphoma and Lyme Disease and had received blood transfusions every three weeks. The drive was a huge success and collected 27 units of blood, bringing the total from nine WLCA blood drives to 282 units—enough to save up to 846 lives. All who knew Melissa are certain she would have been delighted!
Want to get in touch with me? Send me an e-mail at WestLaurelVoices@gmail.com, and please call me Ginny!
Virginia May Geis is a native of Laurel and a graduate of Laurel High School, class of 1975. After a few decades away, she has been a Laurel resident again, since 2018.
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