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Community Rallies to Support Family and Bakery of Les Délices Owner Killed by Driver

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The community is rallying around the family of Harry Kazanjian, owner and pastry chef of Les Délices French Bakery, following his death earlier this month. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support his family and assist Les Délices French Bakery during this difficult time.

Family members said Kazanjian was struck by a vehicle on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the intersection of Norbeck Road and Avery Road in Rockville. He died at the scene. For nearly four decades, Kazanjian served the community through Les Délices, the family owned bakery he opened in 1987 that became known for its French pastries, cakes and specialty desserts across the Washington region.

According to the bakery, Kazanjian spent 38 years crafting desserts and developing signature creations such as Hazelnut Crunch, Mango Passion Pistachio and Lychee Guava cakes, along with a wide selection of gluten free pastries. The shop has long operated as a family business, with his wife, sister in law Maria and other family members working alongside him over the years.

Organizers of the fundraiser say donations will help support Kazanjian’s family and assist the bakery during this difficult time. A funeral service for Kazanjian is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11 at St Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Family members are also asking anyone who may have been traveling on Norbeck Road near Avery Road between approximately 6:10 pm and 6:35 pm on March 1, or who may have dash camera footage from the area, to contact the bakery at info@lesdelicesbakery.com

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scm7sc
16 hours ago
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MD, USA
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Germantown Historian to Walk 750 Miles Retracing Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad Route

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Thirty years after retracing the path of the Underground Railroad on foot, a Germantown historian plans to make the journey again, this time marking the nation’s 250th birthday while highlighting the legacy of Harriet Tubman.

In 1996, Anthony Michael Cohen walked from Maryland to Canada in search of traces of Tubman’s Underground Railroad. At the time, Cohen was a 32-year-old graduate student with a backpack and time to spare. By the time he completed the journey, the experience had brought national attention, including an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and helped shape what would become his lifelong career as a historian.

Now 62, Cohen plans to retrace that journey in 2026 with a message centered on reflection and unity. “Let’s take pride in all the great moments of our past as we look forward to our collective future,” Cohen said.

The 750-mile pilgrimage, titled #FreedomWalk2026, will begin May 4 at the Sandy Spring Slave Museum. From there, Cohen will travel through Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York before concluding the journey in Toronto, Canada on July 4, 2026.

The walk will be funded primarily through a per-mile pledge campaign supported by the public through Cohen’s organization, the Menare Foundation. According to Cohen, that grassroots support reflects the collective effort that helped make the Underground Railroad possible during Tubman’s time.

Unlike his first walk three decades ago, which he largely completed alone until national media attention brought wider recognition, Cohen will be joined this time by a small team of supporters. The journey will also include a 2,200-pound bronze sculpture of Harriet Tubman created by North Carolina artist Wesley Wofford.

“The mission of the walk is to bring attention to what Harriet Tubman stood for as an American,” Cohen said. “Harriet means unwavering courage, liberation, and humanitarianism.” The sculpture, titled “Journey to Freedom,” will travel along the route and be displayed during stops designed to encourage community engagement.

As Cohen moves from town to town, he plans to stop at historically significant locations each day to highlight key landmarks connected to the Underground Railroad. On weekends, the team will host “Activation Days,” where the sculpture will be displayed for public viewing.

These events are expected to include presentations, service projects, music, food, and community walks that allow members of the public to participate in portions of the journey.

In addition to the Menare Foundation, the #FreedomWalk2026 initiative is supported by several nonprofit organizations, including Coming to the Table, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, Washington Revels, and the Potomac Community Foundation.

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scm7sc
16 hours ago
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MD, USA
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Gov. Kay Ivey Commutes Death Sentence of Charles ‘Sonny’ Burton

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The move by Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, is extremely rare. The inmate, Charles Burton, was scheduled to die even though the gunman’s sentence had been commuted years ago.

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scm7sc
21 hours ago
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MD, USA
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'Fighter' Kartal stuns Keys in Indian Wells comeback

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Britain's Sonay Kartal shows her "fighter" spirit to stun former Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the third round at Indian Wells.
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1 day ago
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Bottom of the league, magic in the cup - Port Vale's 'incredible' run

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Port Vale are bottom of League One, but they have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for only the second time in their history.
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scm7sc
2 days ago
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MD, USA
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Clumber spaniel named Bruin wins best in show at Crufts 2026

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Handler Lee Cox said Bruin was the "dog of a lifetime" as he accepted the award.
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2 days ago
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