🌱 Patch AM: Laurel’s own Samantha Merkel races to NCR Trail Marathon victory

Good morning Laurel! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Laurel’s own Samantha Merkel races to NCR Trail Marathon victory

Also on today's calendar: AUSOM Bingo - to benefit the Autism Society of Maryland and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one volcano say to the other volcano? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high of 42 and low of 24 degrees.
• Monday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 42, low: 30.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 48 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• NCR Trail Marathon Dominated By Hugus And Merkel: Lobo And Bateman The Champions of the Half (runnersgazette.com) — Laurel resident Samantha Merkel claimed the women’s title at the 36th Northern Central Trail Marathon, finishing in 2:57:31 after leading from the 10K mark. The long-running Hunt Valley race also saw Columbia’s Paul Hugus win the men’s marathon and Baltimore’s Hannah Betman set a new women’s half-marathon record, highlighting strong performances from runners across Maryland and beyond.
   

📸 Around Laurel

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Laurel

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday January 8

• AUSOM Bingo - to benefit the Autism Society of Maryland
  Ridgely's Run Community Center, 8400 Mission Rd, Jessup
  6:30 pm

Saturday January 31

• Feast & Fettle Brings a New Standard of Home Dining to Laurel
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday January 5

• Ready 2 Read Storytime: Ages 23
  Laurel Branch Library Laurel - Large Meeting Room B
  10:30 am

Tuesday January 6

• Story Explorers: Dwight D. Eisenhower Eagles Reading Ambassadors
  Laurel - Large Meeting Room A (Dorothy Height Room)
  5:30 pm
• Needlework Social: Knitting and Crocheting
  Laurel - Large Meeting Room B
  6:30 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Get Active: Quick Sweat Zumba
  Spauldings - Large Meeting Room
  12:30 pm
• Lawyer in the Library: Tenants Rights and Housing Clinic
  Spauldings - Large Meeting Room
  2:00 pm
• ASL Conversation Club: Beginner
  Laurel - Conference Room 1
  4:00 pm
• Craft and Create: Junk Journaling
  Laurel - Large Meeting Room A (Dorothy Height Room)
  6:00 pm
• Ready 2 Read Storytime: Ages 35
  Laurel - Large Meeting Room B
  7:00 pm

📣 Laurel Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday January 4

• ICE! Holiday Event at Gaylord National, MD
  Laurel, MD Calendar
  1:00 pm

Monday January 5

• Ready 2 Read Storytime: Ages 23
  Beltsville - Program Room
  10:30 am

Tuesday January 6

• Story Explorers: Dwight D. Eisenhower Eagles Reading Ambassadors
  Laurel Branch Library Laurel - Large Meeting Room A (Dorothy Height Room)
  5:30 pm
• Needlework Social: Knitting and Crocheting
  Laurel Branch Library Laurel - Large Meeting Room B
  6:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Laurel PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• VivaVets Animal Hospital — (443) 542-2938
  Bringing Trusted Care Back To The Former Pet+ER Location
• Greenbelt SITY Stars — (301) 679-5100
  35% Off - Jump Rope Classes

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Good morning neighbors 👋🏽
  I’m a local handyman based in Laurel and I have availability today and this week for: • TV mounting • Light electrical (switches, outlets, dimmers) … (Nextdoor Laurel Crossing)
• There is a fox that looks ill and walks through the backyard of my house, and continues going thru other yards.
  I have seen it through my window several times now, for weeks, and glad I have been inside as it travels in the area. Does anyone know who to call as… (Nextdoor Montpelier)

• Merry Maids posted a job opening for Future Opening: House cleaner in Laurel. Apply here.
• Wendy's posted a job opening for Assistant Manager in Laurel. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Laurel here.

🗞 Nearby News

Greenbelt

• As NASA Shuts Space Library, Scientists Worry About the Loss (newser.com)
• First full wolf supermoon of 2026 will reach peak early Saturday (wsbtv.com)
• Links 03/01/2026: Twitter Turns From Disinformation Powerhouse to Production and Dissemination of Child Pr0n, "New China Cybersecurity Law Becomes A Reality In 2026" (techrights.org)

College Park

Ok Laurel! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I lava you.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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