VOL. 14 NO. 40
THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010
News PRIDE - Laurel Council supports ‘Pride in Bloom’ and special worship event. Page 59 REACHING OUT - Two funds established to help family hurt in explosion. Page 58 WARNING - Beware of email hoaxes and don’t pass them on. Page 57 HEROES - Carolyn Calio serves at helm of fundraiser for 20 years. Page 8 LEGENDS - Local author promotes the legacy of Class D baseball. Page 17 SCHOOL NEWS - Student accomplishments, included honor rolls, are highlighted. Pages 22-29 POLICE - Copper wire thefts and arrests are key items in the Police Journal. Page 42 MOTHER’S DAY - Five generations of women and gift ideas for Mother’s Day. Pages 53-56
Sports FIELD DEDICATION - Laurel High School held a field dedication last week in honor of a former coach and teacher. Page 45 WILDCATS - The Delmar baseball and softball teams hosted Polytech last Friday in a pair of battles of playoff contenders. Coverage begins on page 45. STARS OF THE WEEk - A Sussex Tech baseball player and a Delmar softball player are this week’s Laurel Stars of the Week. Page 47
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50 cents
Area teen brings joy to the elderly
By Lynn R. Parks Catherine Brewington, a resident of the Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center in Millsboro, was getting a facial. The 87-year-old woman sat quietly in her wheelchair while Daisy Wharton, a senior at Sussex Tech High School and president and founder of the school’s chapter of Glamour Gals, cleaned and massaged her face. At the end of the facial, after Daisy had applied foundation and lipstick, Brewington checked out the results, holding a small pocket mirror in front of her face, and then nodded her approval. “I love these girls,” she added. “How can you not?” Daisy and members of the Glamour Gals chapter visit the nursing home once or twice a month, offering the women who live there facials as well as manicures. Daisy, a resident of Laurel, also gives facials and mani-
Daisy Wharton, 17 and a senior at Sussex Tech, gives a facial to Catherine Brewington, a resident of Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center in Millsboro. Daisy is founder and president of the Glamour Gals chapter at Sussex Tech. Photos by Lynn R. Parks
cures to shut-ins. There is no charge for the treatments. Makeup is provided by Glamour Gals.
“I am learning leadership skills and also how to communicate with older
I have begun a process to address improving community relationships between the Laurel Police Department and the African American community,” he said. Shwed said he believes “life is a continuous journey of learning” and it is important to take steps to begin a healing process. On Monday, April 19, a group African-Americans led by Dannora Elzey, a member of New Zion U.M. Church, told the council that there is a need in Laurel to improve the relationship between the Laurel Police Department and the community. “There is a continued misuse of power and authority by the police,” Elzey said.
“Police officers are using both verbal and physical abuse against community members. The situation is getting worse and it is spiraling out of control. People fear for the safety of their family and friends. They feel as though they are living in the 1960s.” One after another, members of the group described what they termed “police abuse and misuse of power.” Laurel’s Police Chief Jamie Wilson was in attendance at the meeting and while responding to questions from the group, said following the meeting that he had not previously been made aware of the majority of allegations that had been levied at the meeting.
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Laurel Mayor responds to allegations against police By Tony E. Windsor
Two weeks after a group of largely African-American people turned out at Town Hall to express allegations of police abuse, Laurel’s Mayor has taken time to use the same forum to respond to the allegations. During the Monday, May 3 meeting of Laurel Mayor and Council Mayor John read from a prepared statement. He said he has taken the group’s comments seriously and has held meetings to find a path forward. “Since the last council meeting I have discussed these issues with several members of our community, both African American and Caucasian. I have reflected upon what was said that evening ... and
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