What’s New With The Laurel History Boys
- Staff Writers
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Grants and Donations
Thank you to Linda Lemar, Charlie Nickell, Michael Sciscenti, and James Bowman for their monetary donations. Your support means a lot, and helps us cover printing and website expenses.
We also received an interesting item from Joann Robison, who donated some oversized bound copies of the Laurel Leader from the 1960s to the 1980s. These are some of the same binders available for public research at the Laurel Museum. It’s an interesting story how she came to have them. Years ago, her husband, former Laurel Mayor Joe Robison, saw the binders on the sidewalk outside the Leader’s offices on Main Street. When he inquired about them, he was told the Leader was moving its office to a new location and was discarding these duplicate binders. Joe was having none of that and took them home, where they’ve been until now. They are already being put to good use, as the cover image of this issue is based on a photo from the October 23, 1969 edition.
Voices of Laurel Collection Addition
Copies of Voices of Laurel are now part of the permanent collection at the Hornbake Library at the University of Maryland, College Park.
New Novel from Rick McGill
Rick McGill, who wrote a column about his time as an officer with the Laurel Police Department for Voices of Laurel for five years, has released his first novel, Wait For Me: A Granite Ghost Story. The book is available on Amazon, which includes this blurb:
When two tourists witness a real ghost at a small Montana museum and hear his story, they’re transported back in time to the gritty days of mining.
A young and very Irish Jack Fallon arrives in the 1890s mining town of Granite, Montana. His life takes a sudden turn when he’s beaten and robbed. He lands in the local hospital, attended by nurse Jillian Brandt.
They resist their growing feelings. After all, she’s happily married to the town doctor. Mostly happily. But love blooms. Their plans to run away are complicated as the great Silver Crash of 1893 disrupts the mine and the town.
Do they stay or do they run?
A real ghost town and unforgettable characters lend unique flavor to a love story that spans centuries.
This story doesn’t end when you think it does.
Look for an excerpt from Wait For Me: A Granite Ghost Story in our Spring issue.
More Newspaper Boxes
We have added new Voices of Laurel receptacles at the Maryland City at Russett Public Library and the Robert J. DiPietro Community Center. Many thanks to our dedicated group of volunteers who fill the boxes and, most of all, our growing number of dedicated readers. Currently, the newspaper can be found at the following locations (with more planned for the future):
Food Lion (Sandy Spring Road and Crystal Plaza/Montpelier locations)
Joseph R. Robison Laurel Municipal Center
Laurel-Beltsville Senior Center
Laurel Library
Laurel Museum
Laurel Post Office
Laurel Train Station
Montpelier Arts Center
North Laurel Community Center
Oliver’s Oldtowne Tavern
Robert J. DiPietro Community Center
Russett Library
Savage Library
Savage Post Office
Upcoming Events
On March 24, Kevin Leonard will present the “History of the Laurel Race Course,” a timely topic with the 2026 Preakness being run at Laurel, followed by the presumed demolition of the historic venue. North Laurel Community Center, 10:30 am. FREE.
On Saturday, April 25, join The Laurel History Boys and the Voices of Laurel team for our second Day at the Races event at Laurel Park. More details will be shared as the date nears, but plan on enjoying a fun afternoon watching thoroughbred racing up close and learning about the history of the track. Time TBD. FREE.
New Endorsements
We are proud to announce that our book, Capital Centre: A Retrospective, has been endorsed by both Captain Maryland and Santa and Mrs. Claus. We hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. Happy New Year!
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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