Cancer is a diagnosis no one wants to hear. There have been enormous steps made in the treatment of the disease during our lifetime, yet even the strongest of the strong can face an uphill battle against the illness that preys not only on the body, but the human spirit as well.
My father succumbed to the disease just weeks shy of his 49th birthday. He bravely battled for more than a few years, undergoing radiation therapy and, what were then, cutting-edge treatments. The disease ravaged not only his body and mind, it destroyed his playful, fun-loving spirit. In later years the dreaded illness would also claim my mother.
The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life movement is among the efforts to wipe out the malady. Communities around the globe join together to rally against the illness.
McCullough Field, Eighth and Montgomery streets, will again be host to the local effort. Kickoff is Saturday, June 11 at 5 p.m., and will carry on until 5 a.m. on Sunday, June 12. Your donations provide groundbreaking research into the causes and cures of cancer, and an effort to find and treat the earliest stages of the disease. More that 4 million people will participate in relays around the globe. If you need more information or want to register online, go to relayforlife.org/LaurelMd.
What I alluded to a few weeks ago in this space, is now near completion. Another Old Town Icon has fallen victim to the wrecking ball. Since opening in 1929 at 312 Main St., Laurel Theatre has been a gathering place for movie buffs of all ages. The building has seen a number of changes since its inception, including a transition to dinner theater and later a comedy club.
The structure's demise has been a long time coming. Vacant for more than a few years, we all realized that it was just a matter of "when." Still it has been somewhat sad to stand and witness as the building crumbles to the ground, while bits and pieces of the fallen structure are hauled away.
The movie house itself may be gone, as are the long lines at the box office, crowds at the concession stands and mischievous preteen boys, looking to secure a seat in the lofty balcony. When you told a friend you were "going to the movies," they didn't have to ask which one. For decades it was the only spot in town to view a flick on the big screen. The old adage that says "all good things must come to an end" is proven true once more.
In my last column dated April 28, I listed the wrong date for Navy Brass Band concert at Laurel Presbyterian Church, 7610 Sandy Spring Road. The correct date is Saturday, May 14. I apologize for the error, and any confusion it may have caused. If you need more information; call 301-776-6665. My thanks to Randall Kleck who made me aware of the mistake.