Our beautiful West Laurel is graced with lovely trees, many of which are very large and old. Autumnal shades of orange, red, yellow and brown leaves have been magnificent this year, but now the leaves are falling and the monumental job of cleaning them up has presented itself.

Unfortunately, the Prince George’s County government is no longer vacuuming the leaves at the curb as they always have. It appears that some residents have not gotten that message because there are mounds of leaves on the sidewalks and streets. The county’s elimination of leaf vacuuming has put a huge burden on a lot of people to rake and then bag the leaves, which is a lot more time consuming and physically difficult. You can still put your yard waste, including bagged leaves, at the curb for Wednesday pick up. Do not rake your leaves to the curb
this year; the county will not pick them up. That service was cut from the budget. Please share this information with your neighbors.  

On Oct. 25, a dedicated group of about 30 volunteers participated in a community planting project on the corner of Bond Mill Road and Route 198. There was a lot of digging, planting and mulching going on as the group framed a future West Laurel welcome sign with lovely flowers, ornamental grasses, crepe myrtles and holly trees. The site was prepared with mowing, roto-tilling, composting and a lot of landscape planning. In all, about 50 people, ages 4 to 86, were involved in this project. Mary Lehman led this effort with a lot of determination and enthusiasm and applauded the teamwork of her West Laurel neighbors. Tom Dernoga, our neighbor and Prince George’s County Councilman, was present to lend his support and dig some holes.

The eighth annual Tom’s Reindeer Run will be held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28 at 9 a.m. at the West Laurel Community Building. The 5k run (or walk) began in 2002 by the Linsenmeyer family after the death of their beloved Tommy who was a well-known teenager and loved in our community. Each year Tom’s Reindeer Run donates all proceeds to Sarah’s House near Fort Meade. This is a well-attended holiday event. Entry donation is $35; you can register online at www.tomsreindeerrun.org. 

Cub Scout Pack 1673 tied bags to our mailboxes last weekend for the annual Scouting for Food Drive. On Saturday, Nov. 14, the Scouts will pick up the bags you filled with canned food and deliver them to LARS or Elizabeth House. If anyone has canned food that is not picked up this Saturday by dusk, call Amy Brennan at 301-490-7662 and she will come and pick up your bag.

The Woman’s Club of Laurel will host its annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 6. This is a great way for parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles to spend a little holiday time with the little ones with a pancake breakfast and pictures with Santa. There are four seatings and reservations go fast. Call Rosemary Remsberg for reservations at 301-490-8053. 

The 27th annual Bond Mill Elementary craft fair is Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shopping, good food and lots of old friends to visit and catch up with.

The West Laurel Civic Association will hold a meeting for Area 2 residents on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the West Laurel Community Center, 16501 Supplee Lane. Representatives from Councilman Tom Dernoga’s office, the county police and Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission will attend.

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