Life On The List Serve

I’m a member of the Old Town Laurel List Serve. Not only is it a window into “hot” news in the local area, but it provides a window into what local issues concern one small part of the Laurel community. Traffic safety is big, as are pet and animal related issues and so is information about shops, businesses and other local topics. Wednesday, the emails were flying fast and furious about two very different, but equally passionate topics: A lost dog, and the unexpected, overnight closing of the High's Dairy Store at Fifth and Main Street.

The news that High's had closed was first out of the gate when “Dave” sent our well-informed neighbor Rick Wilson an email and query about the closure at 11:52pm Tuesday night and Rick posted it on the listserv. The local High’s for those who may not be familiar, was/is located at the corner of Main and Fifth. 

While not the most aesthetically pleasing store, the manager was nice, the milk and eggs reasonably priced, and it served as a convenient place for last minute ingredients or health care needs. I suspect that many of the seniors at Selborne House, directly across the street, found it particularly important.

I counted 19 e-mails on the listserv on this topic. Questions flew on the site’s fate, and according to our intrepid former councilwoman, and soon to be moving Gayle Snyder, the High’s is scheduled to be replaced by another convenience store, maybe with a deli. I'll be holding my breath, and regretting having to plan to have milk and eggs in the house, since my easy fix is gone.

The lost dog, who belonged to the daughter of Old Town’s Washington Post/Sun/ delivery person extraordinaire Gail Turney, occupied folks for much of the day. My walk group encountered a searcher around 7:45 and we suggested he get it up on the listserv. It was up by 8:32. I counted at least 16 different messages as folks tried to track down the Daisy – who was a vigorous little pup, going up Prince George's Street, through St. Mary’s, evading Animal control and ending up at Patuxent Place. All documented through folks’ comments on the listserv.

Coming up a distant third – what’s going to happen to Mangoes and Irene’s if/when the Walgreens is approved.

Listservs are a great tool to find out what’s happening in your own back yard, (like Patch.com) and I’m always puzzled by those who haven’t signed up for their local one. There’s no obligation to respond to anything. Susie, who monitors the site does a great job, like many who’ve taken on this often thankless job. Thanks Susie. And folks, keep those posts coming.