Published on: Wednesday, February 13, 2013

By Peggy Dee

Lawson’s pharmacist still working at 90

In a recent city publication, there was a letter from Alfred Lawson, the original owner of Lawson’s Pharmacy on Hamilton Street. Mr. Lawson purchased the pharmacy in1948 and operated it successfully for 40 years before selling the business to Richard Sabatell, the current owner.  Although he is 90 years old, Mr. Lawson still works as a staff pharmacist in Fredericksburg, Va.

His father, Dr. Lawson, operated the Cottage City Pharmacy, which opened for business in 1926 and continued until he sold the business and joined his son on Hamilton Street. Mr. Lawson can remember when Route 1 was a two-lane dirt road and there was not a bridge over the railroad tracks on Rhode Island Avenue.

Rest in peace, Bernie

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Bernie Morgan. Bernie and his wife, Mary, were long-time residents of our city before moving to Riderwood Village. The Morgans were very active walkers and could be seen strolling through our city. Bernie very generously helped his neighbors shovel their snow. He was a long-time librarian at the University of Maryland.

New city clerk

Best wishes to Laura Reams, who recently became our new city clerk. Laura, along with her husband, Dustin Franco and their two children are residents of our city. Laura’s in-laws live on Longfellow Street. She is a wonderful addition to our city staff.

Get ready to boogie!

Mark your calendars for Surf’s Up, a parent and child dance party. It will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at our city’s municipal building.  To make reservations, please call our city offices at 301-985-5021. This one should be a lot of fun.

Hyattsville history: 1964

A furor arose when the Melrose Crossing was closed to traffic in September. The official action came following an accident in which a mother, Melba Martin Bruno, her two small children and her mother-in-law barely escaped before their vehicle was demolished by an oncoming train.