More News

A Russett Cub Scout's question on an outing to the Laurel Museum has led the Laurel Historical Society to create a new patch depicting the old mill boarding house that houses the museum. The Laurel City Council and Mayor Craig A. Moe honored Matthew A. Leight, 8, and the rest of Den 6 at its Dec. 14 meeting by presenting the boys with certificates and a plaque.

Council President Gayle Snyder said the scouts, who live in Laurel and Russett, visited the museum several months ago to earn their citizenship patches. After a tour, Matthew asked whether he could purchase a Laurel patch from the museum's gift shop. Scouts traditionally collect patches to sew on vests and blankets, Snyder said.

When they learned the museum did not have a patch for sale, the scouts collaborated with Lindsey Baker, the museum's executive director, in creating a design.

"Were it not for the simple question from a young Cub Scout ... Laurel Museum may not have its lasting, new collector's item," Snyder said.

The patch, which is now available in the museum's gift shop, features the museum, four red stars and the words: "Preserving Laurel's Past -For the Future."

The cub scouts of Den 6 include Matthew, Caleb A. Collins, Chris Ditch, Jack A. Hummer, Matthew Laskey, Vincente A. Maltagliati, Ted McWithey, Angelo Menendez, Kyle Nagle, Javier Roman, Ronny Steger and Alex A. Wu. The den is led by Jon Hummer and George Laskey.

Largo school's developmental clinic receives award

The Children's Developmental Clinic at Prince George's Community College in Largo, which provides service to children with various developmental difficulties such as learning problems, physical fitness and coordination, mental retardation and emotional or orthopedic challenges, recently received the 2009 Volunteer of the Year award from the Prince George's County Department of Family Services Commission for Individuals with Disabilities.

The clinic's staff, volunteers and Paul Hahn, the college's former clinic director, were recognized for their commitment toward enhancing the quality of life of individuals with disabilities.

"Volunteers for the Children's Developmental Clinic have a direct impact on the educational and emotional growth of our students," Yvette J. Snowden, the PGCC director of community education said in a statement. "More than 20,000 volunteers have been trained to be positive influences in the community during the clinics 40 year history."

Children are accepted into the program through professional referrals from teachers, pediatricians, psychologists and therapists.

The Children's Developmental Clinic is a community service program with the College of Health and Human Performance of the University of Maryland, College Park. 

Special election in University Park

University Park will hold a special election Dec. 29 to fill its vacant Ward 7 Town Council seat.

The election will be held to replace former Councilman Ed DeSaussure, who resigned Nov. 2.

The lone registered candidate is Jacqueline Bradley Chacon, an attorney who has lived in the town since 2004. If elected, she would finish DeSaussure's term and be up for re-election in May.

Only registered town voters in Ward 7 are eligible to vote. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Riverdale Presbyterian Church, located at 6513 Queens Chapel Road in University Park.

Largo community holiday lighting contest postponed

The Largo community's Holiday of Lights contest is postponed to Saturday.

County police hold Christmas party for deserving children

The Prince George's County Police Department's Community Services Division with numerous community partners hosted its 26th annual community Christmas party on Dec. 12 at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt. Over 500 underprivileged children were selected by their teachers and school staff to attend the party. The selection process was individually determined by each school. 

"This is such a magical time of year and we are grateful once again to have the opportunity to provide these children with so much joy," said Police Chief Roberto Hylton in a press release.

At the party, each child was served a hot meal by the police commanders and watched performances by magician Joe Romano; Artistic Dance Academy; Mama Ayo storyteller; and the Prince George's Rhythm in Blues Band. The children were also given an opportunity to have their pictures taken with Santa.

Coffee shop back in Upper Marlboro

After a nearly three-month period of a coffee shop-less downtown Upper Marlboro, a new store has opened along Main Street.

Viet Net Cafe opened its doors on Dec. 15, taking over the location its predecessor — More Than Coffee! Lounge — occupied until it closed in September. 

Upper Marlboro has been without a stand-alone coffee shop since September, when the Starbucks location in town also closed. There were places to get coffee inside the courthouse and county administration buildings, but no spots readily available to the public.

Don Le, who owns C.F. Brandt Jewelers also on Main Street, said he decided to take on the responsibility of providing residents and visitors with their caffeine fix after hearing complaints from customers coming into the jewelry store.

"Upper Marlboro just needed something besides bail bonds," he said. Le added that he hopes to add a kitchen to the space and offer Vietnamese food in the future. 

Elementary school counselor nationally board-certified

Daisy Anderson-Dickers, a professional school counselor for Port Towns Elementary School in Bladensburg, earned certification for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The award is often recognized as the highest achievement for teachers in the country. It typically takes educators one to three years to complete the voluntary program, which is meant to develop and retain accomplished teachers.

Police holds first soccer tournament with local students

The District I station of Prince George's County Police held its first soccer tournament Dec. 10 with teams from two local elementary schools.

Students from Langley Park-McCormick Elementary School in Langley Park and Rosa Parks Elementary School in Hyattsville played two games against each other. The store Stripe 3 in College Park donated shin guards for students to wear during the games.

To our readers

Happy holidays.

You will notice that this week's and next two weeks' editions of The Gazette are a little unusual.

The flow of news is not as robust and there are a greater number of advertisements.

With end-of-the-year vacations for our staff, and the large number of advertisers wanting to reach the community with their end-of-year sale ads, we decided to continue a tradition we started last year, and run a modified version of the paper for these weeks, which we hope gives you the most important news you need, plus many shopping ideas.

We wish you a happy holiday season, and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

We will be back to our normal format with the usual amount of local news and advertising starting the week of Jan. 14.

Frank Abbott

Publisher

P.S. — Feel free to contact me anytime at fabbott@gazette.net with any thoughts or questions you have about the paper.