Melissa Sites | Article Author |

21 Jul 2022

Powerful Storm Disrupts City

by Melissa Sites

“I’ve never seen anything like it in the 33 years I’ve been working here, through hurricanes and different storms,” said Brian Townsend, assistant director of Greenbelt Public Works, echoing the sentiments of many Greenbelters regarding the storm that slammed into … Read More

1 Jun 2022

Rally to Bridge Communities Advances Racial Equity Here

by Melissa Sites

Around 70 people rallied in a show of unity on the Library/Community Center lawn on the evening of May 25, promoting the theme of Bridging Communities to Stop the Violence and Advance Racial Equity. Many Greenbelt groups working for justice … Read More

11 May 2022

Green Man Festival Brings Joy Despite Wet and Cold

by Melissa Sites

With music pulsating around Roosevelt Center and bustling happy crowds, the Green Man Festival brought a return of joy to Greenbelt in 2022. A cool and damp weekend could not discourage the flowering of the festival. After the long hiatus … Read More

13 Jan 2022

Springhill Lake Classes Tie Wildlife and Crafts Together

by Melissa Sites

Building nests, examining oak leaves and fox dens, constructing realistic models of cicadas and dragonflies – students at Springhill Lake Elementary are making fun art projects with the help of innovative online programming, provided by Greenbelt Recreation in partnership with … Read More

30 Dec 2021

Greenbelters Help an Afghan Family Create a New Home

by Melissa Sites

During the week before Christmas, my husband Ian got an extra day off, so I knew it was time to spring into action and deliver donations from Greenbelt to Afghans setting up an apartment in Northern Virginia. Two different people … Read More

7 Oct 2021

Three Sisters Volunteers Reflect on Season’s End

by Melissa Sites

The Three Sisters Garden at Schrom Hills Park on Hanover Parkway is nearing the end of its season. Volunteers who have faithfully tended the garden all summer, putting in long hours watering and weeding, now reap the harvest, including a … Read More

1 Sep 2021

Healthy Food Program Was Fun, Educational and Yummy

by Melissa Sites

Under the broad shady leaves of a pawpaw tree, Shaymar Higgs led a healthy food program near Springhill Lake Recreation Center, hosted by CHEARS (Chesapeake Education, Arts and Research Society). Founder and director of The Space Free Art for All, … Read More

15 Jul 2021

Shaymar Higgs’ The Space To Expand at Beltway Plaza

by Melissa Sites

The Greenbelt community is bringing culture and new experiences to parts of the community that are typically underserved. If you pass by the New Deal Café, you can see Shaymar Higgs’ artwork, including brightly painted acrylic panels and three-dimensional work, … Read More

30 Jun 2021

Thirty-two Years Later, Palau Retires, Looks to Her Future

by Melissa Sites

If Beverly Palau were writing this story, it would have a hundred photos showing the subject moving around the city. An accompanying video would interview someone, like this reporter, explaining how the subject’s work communicating the life of the city … Read More

20 May 2021

Sculpture Gets a Makeover As Conservators Do a Scrub

by Melissa Sites

Roosevelt Center’s Mother and Child statue got a special scrub-down last week as a team of three skilled art conservators arrived to clean and maintain Greenbelt’s beloved statue as well as the Community Center Preamble reliefs. The first step was … Read More