By now, you’ve heard me talk about an exciting opportunity I was recently approached about—hosting a Lost Laurel TV show for the City of Laurel’s newly revamped Laurel TV. For the pilot episode, we focused on historic Main Street, and tried to cover the entire span block by block.
It’s highlighted by interviews with Laurel Historical Society Boardmember Jhanna Levin, who discusses the history of the Laurel Museum; Marvin Rogers, President of the Laurel Mill Playhouse; historian and Laurel Leader columnist Kevin Leonard, who tells the story of the 1911 robbery of the Citizens National Bank; and Jim Cross of the Laurel Board of Trade, who recalls the early history of the Main Street Festival.
My job is to introduce the show, and then mercifully tell the majority of the stories through historic photos and voiceovers.
Now, when I say “my job,” I want to make sure you understand that this is all entirely voluntary for me. I have no experience as a TV guy, nor am I a City of Laurel employee. In fact, I’m not even a resident—and it’s been quite a logistical challenge volunteering the time to produce a show about Laurel’s history when I live in Northern Virginia. But I’ve been willing to give it a shot, because I enjoy sharing the material.
And with Laurel TV being a completely rebooted venture for the city, there will understandably be a few growing pains on their end, too.
That being said, we shot the Main Street episode in September, and it has been airing on Laurel TV (Comcast channel 71 and Verizon FiOS channel 12); also streaming on their website every Sunday morning at 11AM. I just received a copy of it on DVD, which I’d hoped would correct an audio glitch at about the 10:18 mark. Unfortunately, it didn’t, but I’m going to upload it anyway. (As I mentioned, growing pains.)
The plan is to air a new episode every month, and we’ve got a special Halloween show coming up next that I’m really excited about—that’s already going to be airing next Sunday, October 26th. I’ll be archiving each episode and posting them here on the blog, as well.
So, without further ado, here’s the very first episode of Lost Laurel, the TV show. Hope you enjoy it!
Lost Laurel 
Thoroughly enjoyed the first episode and look forward to those that follow. I moved into Laurrel with my young family in the early 70’s to the Arbory development. My 2nd husband and I finally left Laurel from my Mayfair townhome in 2006 to relocate to South Carolina. Laurel will always have a special place in my heart and memories.
Richard…This is awesome. I am quite impressed with the presentation. I look forward to the next edition. I forwarded it to my dear friend Adele (Boose) Connelly in Florida. She is a former reporter for the Laurel Leader in the early 70’s. You make a fantastic Host and you are really good at this too. Keep up the great work of Keeping the Laurel History alive and well.
Kirk Felix
Richmond Hill, Ontario Canada
The first episode was fantastic.I was born on the 300 block of Prince George’s street in 45′.It seems like yesterday that I was walking down main street with my dad to go Blocks & Lights to get clothes & shoes.I sincerely appreciate all the effort you put into this endeavor.Thanks!
Estic Tempesta
Laurel,Md
I love the episode and look forward to the future ones. I live in Jessup now and unfortunately seem to be just out of range of “Laurel TV” on Comcast, so I am grateful that I can catch it here online. Keep up the great work!
I was about 2years old when we lived in a rented house on Post office Ave. I still have some pictures of me, my aunt, parents and my uncles sisters. One day I wanted an Ice cream so I just walked out of the house and went to Devilles ice cream parlor.I knew where it was because I had been there with my aunt and uncle lots of times. I was sitting on the counter eating that ice cream when my father found me. Needless to say I didn’t try it again. I don’t remember it because that was 79 years ago but my parents used to tell me about it all the time.
Super job, Richard. I enjoyed seeing the past of Laurel…some of which I remember. Some I don’t. Keep up the good work!!
Glad to see Denny McCahill’s Town Tavern in the beginning of your show. Thanks for posting this on Facebook.
Thanks, Richard! Nice job. I spent my high school years (in the 60s) there growing up, and always feel like it’s my “home”. I’m in Mesa AZ, and miss Laurel…