» Laurel Kid’s Bike Parade «

The bike parade is always a big highlight each year kiddos around town, including my own. 🙂 Hosted by Laurel’s Parks & Rec + Police, there’s bike decorations, bike safety briefing from a Laurel officer, bike helmet giveaway by the Police, plus kids get to demonstrate their skills on a course and closed-off street, all capped off with a great ice cream. Some of my kiddos have literally marked their progress in bike handling with this annual event and it’s a good reminder of how traditions like this help build memories and community. Thank you Parks & Rec and LPD for making this possible!

Auto-generated description: A family with three children wearing helmets and bicycles is posing indoors while a man and a woman stand behind them smiling. Auto-generated description: A man holding a young child converses with a woman in a gymnasium setting where other children and bicycles are also visible.

(Photo: City of Laurel)

» Laurel Father’s Day Breakfast «

A thank-you to Councilman Mills for hosting this now second annual Father’s Day Breakfast to help celebrate the vocation of fatherhood in our town. I was honored to share stories about my own father and father-figures in my life, including lessons learned about the ‘ministry of presence’, the importance of embracing both dimensions of gentleness and firmness, and how the most important things don’t happen on the internet. I was also deeply moved by the stories and exhortations shared by guest speakers like Arthur Thompson and Walter Fields. And I went home recharged after the event strengthened by the great testimony and camaraderie!

Auto-generated description: A man in a green plaid shirt is speaking into a microphone while pointing at a large photo of a person with a bicycle at sunset, with four other men seated at a table nearby listening.

(Councilman Mills shares a photo of him teaching his son to fish.)

» Laurel Elementary School’s 100th Anniversary «

One Hundred Years – that’s a minute. ;) What a special opportunity to gather with educators, community members, and students to pause, reflect, and appreciate the thousands who have walked the halls of Laurel Elementary over a century, inspiring a love of learning, building lasting human connections, and preparing for what lies ahead. I was particularly struck by the kids choir singing the school song at the end – there’s nothing quite like kid voices joined in unison. :) Congratulations Laurel Elementary, and here’s to another 100 more!

Auto-generated description: Four men are standing on a stage, with two of them shaking hands while holding a certificate. Auto-generated description: A speaker is addressing a large group of adults and children seated at cafeteria tables in a school multipurpose room decorated with colorful murals and banners.

(Photo: City of Laurel)