»Laurel Police Department Citizens Academy Graduation« I was coming from coaching t-ball practice and only caught the tail end of the event, but I was glad to have at least been able to congratulate a handful of the latest graduates of the LPD Citizens Academy. It’s a multi-week course that orients enrolled residents to all the various functions of the Laurel Police and provides a hands-on experience of what it’s like: from fielding calls in the Communication center, to ride-alongs in Police vehicles, to processing evidence, to close quarters firearm simulations, and more. Congratulations to all the graduates & hope to see you join the Police Auxiliary and also share your newfound knowledge with neighbors around town!

»Laurel Volunteer Fair« In April, it was an enheartening experience to visit the Laurel Multiservice Center and connect with many of the non-profits and City Committees in Laurel sharing about their work and recruiting folks to get involved in their outreach and service. Included were Laurel Cats, Laurel Amateur Radio, Univ. of MD Black Girls Vote chapter, Peace on the Patuxent, the 4th of July Committee and more. (Including the City Committee I serve, the Citizens Advisory Council for Senior Residents & Persons with Disabilities.) 😉 There really is something for everyone in Laurel and I encourage you to find an area that interests you and help get involved lifting Laurel even higher!

»Arts Poem Unveiling at Avondale Pavilions« Then it was across town for the unveiling of the Michael Glaser poem, “A Blessing in the Woods”. What a creative and beautiful inspiration to place a reflective piece of poetry inside a pavilion roof where passers by can stop for a moment, be drawn into thought, and absorb the sights and sounds of nature around them. We were graced the presence of the poet’s son who shared with us about his dad’s background and recited the piece chosen for this place. And other members of the Laurel Arts Council also shared poems they had written and reflections, before we dove on into the treats gathered (I always find it hard to resist a good cookie). Thank you Arts Council for bringing beauty to our town and I know this poem will be enjoyed by many in the years to come!

Auto-generated description: A group of people is gathered outdoors under a wooden shelter, some standing and some sitting on picnic benches, engaged in conversation. Auto-generated description: A person stands speaking under a covered pavilion while two others sit at a table with lush greenery in the background.