It's raining and it's pouring proud grandparents here in West Laurel. Families who have raised their own children here in our own small town USA are welcoming their grandchildren with great pride and joy. It's fun to hear about the neighborhood kids who have grown up after summers of Wahoo swim team, years of Bond Mill Elementary or St. Mary's School, Scouts, all kinds of sports games, birthday parties with friends -- and the list goes on and on. So now we hear from the parents of the new parents.

John and Sandy Martin are very happy to announce the birth of their first grandson, Chase Martin Garver. Chase was born on April 16, 2009 weighing 10 pounds 2 ounces, and was 21-3/4 inches long. John and Sandy's daughter, Holly, is the lovely mother with her husband and new father, Phil Garver. The new family now resides in Hagerstown where John and Sandy will make frequent trips. Cousins Haylee and Rayna, daughters of Scott and Chris Martin, are looking forward to taking care of the new little guy in the family.

John and Cindy Dollen announce the birth of their first grandchild, Mason James Riner, born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on May 26, 2009 to proud parents Lizz Boyd and Todd Riner. Grandpa John was present at the birth. Uncle Eric and Aunt Sara are especially excited to welcome their first nephew.

Proud West Laurel grandfather Carl Roeder wishes to share the good news about the birth of his handsome grandson, Brennan Cody Roeder. Brennan's mom and dad are West Laurel's Mark Roeder (Laurel High School) and Laurel City's Lauren Fink (Pallotti High School). Mark and Lauren have been married since 2006 and now reside in Suffolk, Va., where Mark is stationed in the Navy at Norfolk. Mark has been in the Navy since 2005, and has had an eight-month tour in the Persian Gulf on the Dwight D. Eisenhower. He is currently assigned to the Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, finalizing its retro-fitting in Newport News, Va., and getting ready to return to duty back at sea. Other proud grandparents include Stephanie Roeder of Virginia Beach (formerly of West Laurel), and Pat and Andrea Fink, of Laurel.

The West Laurel Recreation Council is sponsoring the annual Ice Cream Social and Bike Parade on Friday June 12 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the West Laurel Community Building. This event is free but donations are appreciated to help defray costs.

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