Dec 1, 2017
Growing up, Nathan Householder spent his days flipping through the pages of a Gray’s Anatomy book while other kids his age were reading R.L. Stine books. His grandmother was a nurse for more than 50 years; his father was a medic for 30 years and remains active in the fire service with Potomac Fire Company in nearby Westernport. To no surprise, he had access to all kinds of reading materials.
Fast forward to the present: Householder is a graduate of the Garrett College paramedic training program working as a flight paramedic for Valley Med Flight out of Dickinson, North Dakota. A typical day consists of briefings with the medical crew and pilot, in addition to case reviews, case study reports and continuing education sessions. As a flight paramedic, one has to apply the skills and knowledge to assist critical care patients.
Back in August 2017, Householder’s base in Dickinson received the call and was activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for deployment to the FEMA Operational Command Center (OCC) in San Antonio for air evacuations, as a result of the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.
“Our crew, consisting of a nurse, paramedic, and two pilots, gathered medical and other equipment in preparation for the deployment. The crew’s deployment was estimated to be seven days. We were transported to San Antonio via one of the company’s fixed wing assets, A Pilatus PC-12,” Householder stated.
“Upon arrival in San Antonio, our crew reported to the OCC for assignments (aircraft and crew). Our crew was among many crews staffing 25 rotor wing aircraft,” Householder explained. “We were assigned to an A-Star 350 N859MB, identical to the aircraft we use on a normal basis. We inspected and stocked aircraft with medical equipment brought from home base.”
Householder reported that although he and his crew did not complete any missions during the time they were in San Antonio, they were utilized as a back-up crew on-site. He reflected on the overall experience he was able to observe, from his perspective, as a flight paramedic, based on the many activities and efforts that were taking place around them.
“Crews were utilized for the transport of patients from intensive care units (ICUs) of affected facilities to those unaffected. Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) were set up in the Beaumont, Dallas and Houston areas,” Householder said. “Crews would assist in the MMU’s with patient care until a transport was necessary for a patient presenting to the MMU.”
Householder said aircraft were used to get patients to the facilities that could offer the most appropriate care.
“Patients were transported from the MMU’s to an airfield nearby where fixed wing aircraft were stationed. The aircraft were utilized for most expedited transport of patients to appropriate facilities as several facilities were affected by Hurricane Harvey,” he explained.
Now, having more than 20 years of experience, being on the receiving end of more bad calls than good, while witnessing some very interesting situations that included both moral and ethical dilemmas, Householder said the philosophy is simple: this is the patient’s emergency, not yours.
Flip back the pages, and one will find that Householder’s passion for EMS and fire service, coupled with his rich family history and the paramedic training program at Garrett College, allowed him to get to where he is today.
He began with Tri-Towns EMS once he completed his EMT basic in 1997; Householder finished Firefighter I the fall of the same year. In 1999, he joined his father and became a member of Potomac Fire Co. In July 2014, he completed the paramedic training program at GC and received national registry certification.
“Jim (Koon) and Jean (Tressler) were there from the beginning of my journey to become a paramedic,” Householder said of his time at GC. “They were supportive and understanding through several setbacks that prevented me from completing this program. I’d also like to thank Doug (Beitzel) for the role he played, later on in my educational journey. My family were big supporters, be it immediate family or my new extended family in fire/EMS. My father and mother were my live-in study buddies.”
In addition to the supportive learning environment, he also credited the program for providing him with the rudimentary assessment skills, anatomy, and basic algorithms, all of which equipped him for his experience in the real world. To those considering the program, he offers the following advice:
“All the practices, procedures and treatments provided by Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers, such as paramedic, are based on an assessment. If you do not have a strong set of assessment skills, the care you provide could be amiss,” Householder said. “Any experienced advanced care provider will tell you, assessment comes first.
“Couple this with the paramedic program and a working knowledge of anatomy and physiology, you will be able to provide strong pre-hospital care,” continued Householder, adding, “This is no easy course. You will have to dedicate many hours, to the tune of 1,000- plus hours with classroom time, in the hospital through their various departments, field time, and studying.”
In terms of the value of his certificate and today’s paramedic job market, he spoke very highly of the education he received at GC.
“Many jobs today, and I’m talking in the millions, are available to those with skill or trade experience. The certificate I obtained upon completion of the paramedic program along with the National Registry Certification, has allowed me to gain licenses in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Dakota, all without attending another paramedic program,” Householder stated.
“Attending a four-year school or obtaining an associate’s or bachelor’s degree is not for everyone. There is no shame in trade work,” he said. “This country was built by tradesmen and tradeswomen – there will always be a need for those with a trade.”
Pictured is Nathan Householder, graduate of Garrett College’s paramedic program and flight paramedic for Valley Med Flight out of Dickinson, Colorado.
Dec 1, 2017
The weather for today will be mostly sunny but colder with temperatures staying in the 30s. Saturday and Sunday have identical forecasts at this point: mostly sunny with a low of 29/30 degrees and a high of 44 degrees.
Moonshadow is presenting the Fly Birds Friday evening and the Glenn Strother Project Saturday evening.
First United Bank & Trust are proud sponsors of the 2017 Christmas Charity Tour of Homes on Friday and Saturday. The proceeds from this tour will be donated to the local charity – Samantha’s Funding the Arts – a non-profit organization that helps keep the ARTS alive in our schools and our community in Garrett County.
Spruce Forest is presenting the 32nd Annual Christmas in the Village, Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 pm and Saturday from noon until 8:00pm. Come enjoy live music in the Village Church, and activities throughout the Village buildings, and luminaries throughout the Village and over the Casselman River Bridge.
The Little Crossings Holiday Market will also take place all weekend, hosting over a dozen local vendors and artisans Friday 4-8 pm, Saturday 12-8 pm, and Sunday 10 am-4 pm.
If you are thinking about getting your Christmas tree this weekend take note: It will likely be harder to find Christmas trees this year and prices may be up 5% – 10%, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. It takes 8 – 10 years for a tree planted to mature and be ready for sale. Less trees were planted at the beginning of the great recession, hence the shortage.
On the topic of Christmas Trees: Woodlake Tree Farm was the pick-up site for the annual Trees for Troops program in Maryland on November 27th. More than 50 Garrett County-grown Christmas trees were transported – courtesy of FedEx Corporation – to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for Trees for Troops weekend, Dec. 1-3.
Don’t forget the Christmas Market at our Town Theater on Saturday from 9:00am – 3:00pm. There’s also other activities going on in Downtown Oakland over the weekend.
Thank you to Michelle Ross for sharing the video clip below of the light display outside of the Oakland Armory designed by CHIPS Network’s Paul Browning. The LED tree syncs up to a local radio station to put on a dazzling light and sound display.
Also, Monday through Friday evening is the Joy of Christ celebration held each night beginning at 6:3pm at the Armory.
Dec 1, 2017
Continuing Education and Workforce Development of Garrett College will be offering Welding classes starting in December. The welding program prepares students to earn an industry-recognized certification upon completion of the class.
The welding program consists of three classes; preparation for welding, welding one, and welding two. The preparation for welding class is slated to begin on December 5, 2017 at 5 p.m. at the Garrett College Career Technology Training Center (CTTC) in Accident, Md.
Welders are employed in almost every trade and work in a variety of locations including below ground, under water, on high-rise buildings, and bridges. Welding classes are held one to two evenings per week, and the time to complete the program is approximately 10-12 months. Method of instruction includes classroom time, hands-on experience in a welding shop, and independent Computer-Based Training (CBT).
At the conclusion of the preparation for welding class, students will be able to demonstrate standard safety procedures and earn an OSHA certification, apply basic math to prepare materials, read a welding print to prepare and complete a welding project, and identify the skills required to obtain and retain employment.
At the conclusion of welding two, students will be prepared to take the horizontal and vertical American Welding Society (AWS) Welding Test. Additionally, upon completing the welding training program, students are also prepared to earn a credential through the American Welding Society.
For additional information or to register, persons may contact Kaitlyn Fike at 301-387-3087.
Dec 1, 2017
The Ruth Enlow Library has added hoopla digital – a unique digital entertainment/media service – to its online resources for patrons. This service provides thousands of movies, television shows, music albums, eBooks, audiobooks, comics, and graphic novels – all available for mobile and online access with a valid library card.
Ruth Enlow Library card holders can download the free hoopla digital mobile app on their Android or IOS device or visit hoopladigital.com to begin enjoying thousands of titles – from major Hollywood studios, record companies and publishers – available to borrow for instant streaming or temporary downloading to their smartphones, tablets, and computers.
“hoopla digital has a simple sign-up and attractive, easy-to-use interface, so it’s easy to get to your listening and viewing experience,” said Director Thomas Vose. “There’s also no waiting period to borrow popular items, and hoopla digital’s automatic return feature eliminates late fees. The checkout limit is four items per cardholder per month.”
To access the system on mobile devices, patrons should visit hoopladigital.com or download the free hoopla digital app from the App Store on their Android or IOS device. Then they can simply sign up to get started. There is no need to download an app or extension for an Internet browser.
Funding for this service is provided by the Western Maryland Regional Library, the regional resource center for the public libraries of Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties.
For additional information, patrons should contact their local library branch or call the main library at 301-334-3996.
For listing of events and services at the Ruth Enlow Library, visit the website at www.relib.net. Follow the library on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RuthEnlowLibrary.
Dec 1, 2017
More than 120 guests gathered at the Community Aquatic and Recreation Complex (CARC) gymnasium as former athletes were inducted into the Garrett College Athletic Hall of Fame on October 28.
The second class of inductees to the Athletic Hall of Fame included Michele Duling, Benny Shreve, Ed Wildesen, and the 1994 men’s basketball team.
Duling, an All-American women’s basketball player, was the first inductee of the evening. A Garrett County native and Southern High School graduate, she was also Garrett College’s first Kodak-All American. A prolific scorer, Duling had a career-high 40 points in a game against Baltimore City Community College, scoring more than 30 points on numerous occasions. In addition to her all-American award, she was both first-team all-Region XX and first-team all-Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference.
Coach Lawrence Nesselrodt, introduced two-time all-Region XX baseball player Benny Shreve. He reflected on the time Nesselrodt and coach Phil Caruso and initially met Shreve in Elkins, West Virginia and recruited him to play at Garrett. “Benny made it real easy to be a recruiter, because he was the guy that had that ‘it’ factor, and every team he played on he led by example, and he got the job done.”
At Garrett, Shreve set personal single-season team records for hits (64), runs (53) and triples (6). Finishing with a .429 career batting average, he received a full-tuition scholarship to play baseball at West Virginia University for two seasons before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs.
Shreve commended both of his coaches, Nesselrodt and Caruso, for his success and ultimately, recruiting him to play at Garrett. “I believe Garrett is one of the finest institutions in the country, both academically and athletically. It was one of the best decisions I made in my life.”
Wildesen, a former Laker baseball player and Southern High graduate, returned to Garrett College as head baseball coach in 1994. Wildesen posted a 216-173 record (.555 winning percentage) while leading the baseball program from 1993 to 2003. He was a two-time Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, winning a conference title in 1997 and the Division I conference crown in 2003.
Wildesen coached eight Lakers who were taken in the Major League Baseball draft, including two who reached the majors. He was instrumental in a major renovation of GC baseball facilities, including adding lights, a press box, bleachers and a scoreboard to the baseball field.
Growing up on a dairy farm, Wildesen always had a dream of playing major league. When he didn’t make the major leagues, Wildesen said the next-best thing for him was coaching.
He began his coaching career at Southern High School, and he found himself pondering what it would be like to coach at the college level. “It takes a village to realize a dream and to make something special. Those people that made my dream back then were Dennis Fearnow, Phil Caruso, Lawrence Nesselrodt, and my family,” said Wildesen. “That village helped me realize my dream, and I’m thankful for that.”
Wildesen acknowledged Fearnow, Caruso, and Nesselrodt for their dedication and support of the success of the GC baseball program.
Both Fearnow and Caruso were inducted into the inaugural class of the Garrett College Athletic Hall of Fame. Fearnow was the first athletic director, basketball coach, baseball coach, and first inductee into the Region XX Hall of Fame. He also was Director of Athletics at GC. Caruso revitalized the GC baseball team after a two-year hiatus, and recruited numerous Region XX selections while coaching baseball at GC.
“Denny Fearnow had a vision that baseball would work at a small school, in a cold climate,” he said. “Phil Caruso changed and probably saved baseball in Garrett County. I learned more from him than I did anyone else. I learned so much from him and Lawrence Nesselrodt.”
Additionally, he recognized the support of past GC administration and staff, as well as the County commissioners for funding of the baseball facilities and improvements, noting once again how thankful he is for the entire village and level of support that came together.
The 1994 men’s basketball team became the first team in the history of Garrett College athletics to win the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference Championship, Region XX DII championship, and play in the NJCAA national tournament. The team’s overall record of 28-7 was also the overall record for most wins in a single season.
Members of the 1994 team include: Jason Brenneman, Brett Coleman, Kenneth Gross, George W. Hilton, III, Oliver Jones, Jermaine Jones, Pat Lee, Andy Scott, Shane Scott, Troy Sexton, and Wesley Tubbs. Oliver Jones was all-MD JUCO and Tubbs was all-Region XX and all-MD JUCO. Leadership for the team was led by Dennis Gibson (head coach), the late David K. Martin (assistant coach), and Jamie Workman (assistant coach).
“As a former player, coach and GC alumni, this event means a lot to me,” stated Dennis Gibson, athletic director and head men’s basketball coach. “Not only the fact that all of our 1994 men’s basketball team responded and tried to make it to the event but the comradery that still exists. To see Michele Duling, one of my former players and arguably one of the top local female basketball players ever to play here get awarded, was very deserving and personally fulfilling for me. What I really admire is that we as an institution of coaches, staff and instructors, were instrumental in helping shape our athletes academic and athletic careers.”
Gibson continued, “playing sports at Garrett is not an easy route sometimes and takes a high level of dedication and perseverance. We cannot thank these athletes enough as a college community, no matter when you became involved here. I cannot say enough thanks to everyone involved in shaping this event.”
Dr. Richard Midcap, attending his first Athletic Hall of Fame induction as Garrett College’s president, said he appreciated the “opportunity to honor truly exceptional athletes and coaches who are also truly exceptional people. I congratulate all of tonight’s honorees, and everyone who played a role in their successes.”
Dec 1, 2017
For the sixth straight year, Woodlake Tree Farm was the pick-up site for the annual Trees for Troops program in Maryland Nov. 27. More than 50 donated Fraser Christmas trees from local tree growers were transported – courtesy of FedEx Corporation – to Fort Bragg, North Carolina during Trees for Troops weekend, Dec. 1-3, according to Ann O’Connor, coordinator of the effort for the Christmas Spirit Foundation.
Military families based at the U.S. Army’s Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, N.C. received the fresh-cut Garrett County-grown trees, donated by Taylor Sines, owner of Woodlake Tree Farm; Pinetum Christmas Trees; and Pineview Veterinarian Dr. Rick Jenkins, who owns a tree farm. The trees were loaded onto a truck with the help of FedEx driver Rodney Gawthrop of Bruceton Mills, W.Va., as well as Cody Myers, Rob Sebolt, Mark Sines and Taylor Sines.
In addition to the Garrett County free trees, Fort Bragg was scheduled to receive hundreds of other donated Christmas trees from other parts of the country. All told, under the Trees for Troops initiative, some 17,000 trees were headed to 65 bases in 17 countries this holiday season.
The Garrett County tree farmers are all members of the Maryland Christmas Tree Association, for which Taylor Sines volunteers as a board member. Across the state, about 75 tree farms belong to the organization, which promotes growing and marketing real Christmas trees.
FedEx partners with the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Christmas Tree Association. This fall, the Trees for Troops effort was the recipient of the 2017 Spirit of Hope Award at a ceremony at the Pentagon. Established in 1997, the award is named for comedian and actor Bob Hope and recognizes civilians and organizations that epitomize Hope’s values of patriotism, loyalty, freedom and dedication.
“The Trees for Troops program is about more than just delivering trees – we are delivering a piece of the Christmas spirit to our U.S.military and their families,” said Mike Ducker, president and CEO of FedEx Freight. “To be able to say we’ve helped bring more than 200,000 trees (in 13 years) to so many of our heroes is an honor, and it shows our appreciation for the sacrifice these men and women and their families have made for our country.”