What’s New With The Laurel History Boys
- Staff Writers
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
Grants and Donations
Thank you to Connie Lucas and James Bowman for their monetary donations. We appreciate the continued support.
We also received an interesting item from one of our readers. Mary McNeil sent us this photo of her dad’s 4th grade class at St. Mary’s in Laurel. Her dad was Vincent Knox, who was the youngest of nine children that attended St. Mary’s and then St. Mildred’s Academy (now St. Vincent Pallotti). Both her parents grew up and lived in Laurel during the 1940s. Her dad lived on the Knox farm that was just across the Patuxent River from the Laurel pool where Settlers Landing is now. Mary asked us to see if anyone knew who any of the students in the photo were. The photo was featured on our Saturday photo of the week on our Facebook page.
Spotlight in NBC Preakness Coverage
In early May, we were contacted by NBC Sports, who came across our Voices of Laurel newspaper and asked if we could share some images that reflect the long history of Laurel Park! NBC’s national coverage of the historic running of the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park featured an historical look back at the track’s history with numerous photos we provided. We were honored that the national audience got a taste of our work.
Wider Distribution for Voices of Laurel
The list of outlets where printed copies of our newspaper are available continues to grow! Every effort to replenish copies is made throughout the week, with our boxes receiving priority treatment.
Food Lion (Sandy Spring Road)*
Food Lion (Montpelier)
Joseph R. Robison Laurel Municipal Center
Laurel-Beltsville Senior Center
Laurel Branch Library
Laurel Museum
Laurel Post Office*
Laurel Train Station*
Maryland City at Russett Library*
Montpelier Arts Center
North Laurel Community Center
Oliver’s Old Towne Tavern*
Robert J. DiPietro Community Center*
Savage Library
Savage Post Office
Victoria Falls Community Center
*Voices of Laurel newspaper box or rack on site
Forty Years of Heavy Metal Parking Lot
Jeff Krulik, a member of The Laurel History Boys’ Board of Directors, marked the 40th anniversary of his landmark documentary Heavy Metal Parking Lot on May 31 with a special event at AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring.
Krulik and co-creator John Heyn premiered the original 60 minutes of unedited footage they filmed outside the Capital Centre in Landover before a Judas Priest concert on May 31, 1986. The screening also included the iconic 16-minute documentary, which has become one of the most celebrated rock documentaries ever made, along with live commentary from the filmmakers and appearances by several of the film’s memorable participants.
Scenes from the AFI Silver Theatre's 40th anniversary event for Heavy Metal Parking Lot. Clockwise from top left: filmmakers Jeff Krulik and John Heyn on stage with several of the film's participants; Voices of Laurel's Angie Kozlowski, Diane Mezzanotte, and Richard Friend display commemorative posters; a memorabilia display included The Laurel History Boys' Capital Centre book, which Krulik co-produced.
Upcoming: Laurel History Boys’ 3rd Annual Book Fair
This year’s book fair will be held on Aug. 23 at Oliver’s Old Towne Tavern on Main Street from 3–5 pm. Every year the number of authors grows, and we anticipate up to 15 authors for attendees to talk with. Check with our Facebook page as the event draws near for a full listing of the authors. The event is FREE to attend.
Upcoming: Wallace Presentation
On July 22, Kevin will present the 1972 “Shooting of George Wallace” with an emphasis on the police investigative files that reveal much information that was never released to the public in the aftermath of the attempted assassination of the presidential candidate at the Laurel Shopping Center. Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore at 6:30 pm. FREE. The presentation will be filmed and streamed live on the the library's YouTube page.
Laurel Light Award Call for Nominations
We are seeking nominations for our 2026 Laurel Light Award, which was created in 2024 to recognize everyday people who make our community a better place.
Let us know who you’d like to nominate for the next Laurel Light Award:
Tell us what is special about this individual or business and the work they’re doing.
Explain how they are making a positive difference in our town.
Be sure to include your name and contact information, as well as that of the person, organization, or business you’re nominating.
The nominee does not have to be a current resident of the city, and anyone is eligible. Nominations can be submitted by messaging us directly, via email, or by traditional mail via the addresses below:
The Laurel History Boys, Inc.
P.O. Box 759
Laurel, MD 20725
Our Commitment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. — First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The staff of Voices of Laurel takes very seriously the responsibilities that come with being part of a free press. We also uphold and promote the ideals of free speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment.
As historians and journalists, we are committed to preserving the history of Laurel by telling its story through the voices of its people; telling that story honestly, both the good and the bad; giving a voice to the history of minorities and women; and reporting in a non-partisan fashion.
Voices of Laurel is staffed by an incredibly talented and dedicated group of volunteers who make this commitment to our equally dedicated readers. We owe our readers—and ourselves—nothing less.
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