Neighbors, Legacies, and Community Spirit! 💙

Hey Laurel!

Sometimes the most powerful stories are the simplest: a West Laurel homeowner found an elderly man alone in his driveway during freezing temperatures and didn't hesitate to help. Thanks to quick thinking and neighbors who shared information online, the 74-year-old man with dementia was identified and reunited with his family. This week we're also honoring Hall of Fame trainer King Leatherbury and celebrating Black History Month with local stories that inspire.

Let's dive into this week's stories!

On February 12th, during freezing temperatures, a West Laurel homeowner opened his door to find an elderly man standing alone in his driveway. The man appeared confused and unable to speak. He was wearing only one shoe and had no socks, gloves, or identification, which immediately raised concern given the dangerous cold.

The homeowner didn’t hesitate. He helped the man get warm, provided clothing, and called 911. First responders arrived quickly and transported him to Laurel Hospital, where he was treated for cold-related injuries. At that point, no one knew who he was, and he was temporarily considered a John Doe.

Soon after, details of the situation were shared in Laurel MD Connect, asking if anyone recognized the man or had information that could help identify him. Community members began sharing the post, comparing details, and connecting it to a missing person report that had been released earlier that same day.

Because of those connections, the man was identified as a 74-year-old Laurel resident who suffers from dementia and had wandered away from home. The information was quickly relayed to police, allowing them to connect him with his family and ensure he continued receiving proper care.

There was no drama or debate surrounding this moment, just neighbors paying attention and stepping in when something didn’t feel right. In a time when so much online conversation feels divided or unproductive, this was a reminder that community, at its best, is still simple and human.

This story may not travel far beyond Laurel, but it says a lot about who we are here. When someone needs help, people notice, speak up, and show up — and sometimes, that makes all the difference.

David Michael Crawford, 74, the former Laurel Police Chief who served from 2006 to 2010, was sentenced to 55 years in prison last week for setting three fires at properties owned by his stepson and daughter-in-law in Montgomery County between 2016 and 2020. Crawford pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree arson and one count of second-degree arson.

The fires occurred at two Clarksburg homes owned by Justin and Mariam Scherstrom. Two fires were set at their Majestic Elm Court townhouse in 2016 and 2017, with a third fire set in 2020 at their Peppervine Drive home after they moved. Investigators determined gasoline was used in each case. The first two fires occurred in attached townhomes, posing significant risks to neighboring residences.

Crawford is already serving two consecutive life sentences plus 75 years for similar crimes in Howard County, where he targeted people he knew including family members, former co-workers, a former Laurel official, three former law enforcement officials, two former physicians, and a neighbor. Under the plea agreement, Crawford's 55-year sentence will run concurrently with his existing sentence. Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said the sentence serves as a safeguard to ensure Crawford remains incarcerated if his prior convictions are overturned on appeal. At sentencing, the Scherstroms urged the court to ensure Crawford is never released, describing ongoing fear and shock over the crimes. Judge James Bonifant said Crawford's law enforcement background was an aggravating factor. Authorities have linked Crawford to additional arsons across several Maryland counties between 2011 and 2020.

The Maryland horse racing community mourns the loss of Hall of Fame trainer King T. Leatherbury, who died at his home on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at age 92. Known as the "King of the Claimers" for his ability to turn cheaper horses in lower-level claiming races into winners, Leatherbury's remarkable career spanned more than six decades and left an indelible mark on Laurel Park and Maryland racing.

Leatherbury retired in 2023 as the third trainer in history to win at least 6,000 races, with a final total of 6,508 victories and purse earnings of $64,693,537. He won an astounding 52 training titles in Maryland—26 each at Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park—and four meet championships at Delaware Park. "He's one of a kind," said one of his twin sons, Taylor Leatherbury. "There's never been a man more appropriately named than my father."

Born in Shady Side in Anne Arundel County on March 26, 1933, Leatherbury was raised on a farm where his father had horses. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in business administration, he earned his trainer's license in 1958 and won his first race in 1959 at Sunshine Park, now known as Tampa Bay Downs. Leatherbury, along with fellow Hall of Famer Bud Delp, Richard Dutrow Sr., and John Tammaro Jr., were known as the "Big Four" of Maryland racing, dominating the state in the 1960s and '70s and helping modernize training of thoroughbreds for speed and stamina.

The best horse of Leatherbury's career was Ben's Cat, whom he bred, owned, and trained to 32 wins—26 in stakes races—and more than $2.6 million in purse earnings from 2010-17. Ben's Cat was named Maryland-bred Horse of the Year four times. His remains are buried near the paddock at Laurel Park. Leatherbury was a first-ballot inductee to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in 2015. Laurel Park honors Leatherbury annually with the King T. Leatherbury Stakes for 3-year-olds and older at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda Marie Heavener Leatherbury, 82; twin sons, Taylor and Todd, 58; and grandson Heavener, 18.

As we celebrate Black History Month, Greater Laurel's Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard is gaining well-deserved recognition as a trailblazing business breaking barriers in Maryland's wine industry. Founder and CEO Ifeoma Clyopatra Onyia has built not just a business, but a legacy that's creating pathways for future generations.

Onyia's journey from watching palm wine tappers in her native Nigeria to opening Maryland's first African immigrant-owned winery is a story of resilience, faith, and determination. After losing two brothers between 2012 and 2020, Onyia's perspective on life transformed, fueling her drive to pursue her dream. In 2023, she opened her tasting room in Laurel's Arts & Entertainment District, offering 18 unique wines ranging from bold reds to sweet blends.

The wine industry includes few Black people overall—and even fewer Black women. Black wine producers comprise less than 1% of the approximately 11,000 such businesses nationwide. But Onyia isn't intimidated. "When it comes to Black owners, we are the pioneers," she said. "I want the legacy to be: Black folks can join this. Most Black people that own wineries are all first generation. We haven't built that generational wealth. So let me use part of this here—we're also going to be teaching the kids everything about farming and horticulture."

Recently, Clyopatra celebrated the groundbreaking of the Vineyard Village Resort on 40 acres in south Laurel, a multi-million-dollar private investment that will feature a 20-bedroom boutique-style hotel, tasting room, golf range, and vegetable garden where Onyia plans to offer internships and apprenticeships. Once complete, this expansion will make Clyopatra the largest Black-owned winery on the East Coast. The project is expected to create 50 to 100 jobs spanning agriculture, hospitality, events, operations, education, and management.

Mayor Keith Sydnor is hosting his annual Black History Month Essay Contest, inviting elementary and middle school students to share their perspectives on Black history and its significance today. This is a wonderful opportunity for young writers in Greater Laurel to express their thoughts and creativity while learning about the contributions of Black Americans throughout history.

The contest has two categories: elementary students (grades K-5) should submit essays between 250-400 words, while middle school students (grades 6-8) should write 400-600 words. Students are encouraged to explore themes related to Black History Month, whether focusing on historical figures, events, movements, or contemporary issues of racial equality and justice.

The deadline to submit essays is Tuesday, February 18, 2026, at 4:30 PM. Essays can be emailed to [email protected] or dropped off in person at the Laurel Municipal Center, located at 8103 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel, MD 20707. Winners will be announced at the City's Black History Month Celebration on Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Laurel Municipal Center. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to have their voices heard and be recognized for their writing!

Our community photo spotlight continues! Each edition, we feature a photo from a Laurel resident that captures the beauty and spirit of our town.

This week's stunning photo comes from Laurel resident Gretchen Stelger, who captured this impressive sunrise in Montpelier. The vibrant colors painting the morning sky showcase the natural beauty that surrounds us in Laurel.

📸 Congratulations, Gretchen! Thank you for showing us your Laurel and reminding us to find beauty in every season.

Want to be featured? Email your photos to [email protected] with the subject line "Show Us Your Laurel" and you might appear in an upcoming edition!

Looking for something to do this week? Here are some great events happening in Greater Laurel:

Thursday, February 19, 2026

City of Laurel: Native Plants 101 Workshop 📅 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM 📍 Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Rd, Laurel, MD 20707 Learn about native plants for your garden!

Friday, February 20, 2026

Annual Black History Month Exhibition: Public Reception 📅 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📍 Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Rd, Laurel, MD 20708

An Evening of Jazz, Rock & Pop w/DIY Jazz and South Hill Revival 📅 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📍 Carroll Baldwin Hall, 9035 Baltimore St, Savage, MD 20763

Free Friday Indoor Movie: Elio (2025) 📅 7:00 PM 📍 Partnership Hall, 811 5th St, Laurel, MD 20707

By The Way, Meet Vera Stark 📅 8:00 PM 📍 Laurel Mill Playhouse, 508 Main St, Laurel, MD 20707

Sunday, February 22, 2026

City of Laurel: Black History Month Celebration 📅 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM 📍 Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Rd, Laurel, MD 20707 Join us for this special celebration!

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Lunch Business Networking @ Acapulco Restaurant & Grill 📅 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM 📍 Acapulco Restaurant & Grill, 643 Main St, Laurel, MD 20707

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Teen Trip: Snowtubing Adventure 📅 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM 📍 Robert J. DiPietro Community Center, 301 8th St, Laurel, MD 20707 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center.

Friday, March 6, 2026

Women's Month Meetup: Ladies Night Out 📅 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM 📍 The Mansion at Laurel, 13910 Laurel Lakes Ave, Laurel, MD 20707

Adult Trip: Rod-N-Reel Resort (21+) 📅 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 📍 Robert J. DiPietro Community Center, 301 8th St, Laurel, MD 20707 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center. 21+ only.

Saturday, March 7, 2026

The Gold Rush @ North Laurel Community Center 📅 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM 📍 North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd, Laurel, MD 20723

Friday, March 13, 2026

Acoustic Jam Presents: A St. Patrick's Day Musical 📅 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM 📍 North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd, Laurel, MD 20723

Teen Trip: "The Wizard of Oz" @ Atholton High School 📅 6:00 PM 📍 Robert J. DiPietro Community Center, 301 8th St, Laurel, MD 20707 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center.

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Adult Trip: MGM Resort (21+) 📅 12:00 PM 📍 Robert J. DiPietro Community Center, 301 8th St, Laurel, MD 20707 Departs from Robert J. DiPietro Community Center.

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Eggstravaganza 📅 12:00 PM 📍 Granville Gude Park, 8300 Mulberry Ave, Laurel, MD 20707

That's all for this week! Let's continue celebrating Black History Month, honoring the legacies that shape our community, and supporting local businesses and events that make Greater Laurel special.

Until next time,

— Mike Mondy
Founder, I❤️LAUREL

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