I want to give a shout out to Kathie Peterson - She helped organize a group of neighbors this past weekend to walk around their neighborhood picking up trash and helping things look tidy. Then afterwards, hosted brats and beverages so the dedicated crew could enjoy time just socializing together. It’s something she used to help spearhead before the days of COVID, and wanted to revive.

To me, that’s what Laurel is all about: folks reaching out to say “hi” to the neighbor next door or down the street, taking time to share some stories of what’s going in their lives, and even doing various things around town that help make a place a community.

Thank you to Kathie and all those who were able to come out on Saturday! And I know I find inspiration in it for myself as well – Doesn’t have to be something big, sometimes low-key/ no-frills is even better, but connecting with those around where you live in small ways is what helps create the welcoming sense of coming home all across Laurel.

(P.S., And if you’d like to have a simple ‘cleanup day’ in your neighborhood, also know the Parks & Rec Department has ready-to-go “Community Cleanup Kits” they’ll provide for free with easy-to-carry trash buckets, hand trash grabbers, and more. Simply give a ring at 301-725-7800 and they’ll get you setup!)