Feb 14, 2018
Garrett College has received final state approval for a new Sport Management degree program designed to make graduates employment-ready.
“As a four-season resort region, Garrett County offers a wide variety of employers who will value GC graduates with a degree in sport management,” said Kim Windstein, director of physical education programs at Garrett College. “We intentionally built a field experience requirement into the program so that students are connecting with local employers before they graduate, which increases the opportunity for employment after graduation.”
While graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree – meant for immediate entry into the workforce – Windstein said Garrett College will be working on articulation agreements with universities offering baccalaureate sport management programs. The goal will be to clearly identify with each partner the transferrable credits so that students who wish to seek a baccalaureate degree in the field have a clear pathway.
“While the associate’s degree will help students enter the workforce, we also want the degree to provide the foundation for a four-year degree for those who wish to continue,” said Windstein. “Particularly for jobs in professional and intercollegiate sports, a four-year degree is either required or desired. We want students to have as many options as possible to either go directly into the workforce or go on for a baccalaureate degree.”
Dennis Gibson, Garrett College’s director of athletics, said a career in sport management allows sports enthusiasts “to turn their passion into a career.”
“Very few people are going to be professional athletes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work in the sport management field,” said Gibson. “There are all kinds of careers that involve working in the sports world – sports agents, sports attorneys, events management, public relations and marketing, or managing sports-related businesses like ski resorts or fitness clubs. A lot of these occupations require four-year degrees, but our program can serve as the educational foundation.”
Gibson said Garrett College is a perfect location for a sport management program.
“First, there are all kinds of internship opportunities, starting right here on the GC campus with the Community Aquatic and Recreation Center and our intercollegiate athletic department,” said Gibson. “You also have all of the businesses that support the resort activities in Garrett County. And for students who want to go on for four-year degrees and work in pro or college sports, we’re within several hours of major sports cities like Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia.”
Garrett’s new degree blends business coursework – Intro to Business, Intro to Management, Principles of Marketing, Business Law, Economics – with sport management-specific classes. Intro to Sport Management, Sport in Society, Event Management, and the individually tailored field experience are all included in the program.
Garrett College is one of only three Maryland community colleges with a sport management program, and the only one in which a field experience is required.
“We think having the field experience ensures that we are blending classroom instruction with real-life work experience,” said Windstein.
Feb 14, 2018
A slight chance of rain on this Ash Wednesday; especially in the early afternoon. Warmer — a high of 54 and a low of 51. Note: Moderate to heavy rain should result in elevated river and stream levels, and a potential for flooding Thursday afternoon through Friday. A flood watch may be needed.
Happy Valentine’s Day! 💕
Garrett College is holding a talent show tonight from 8pm-10pm in the Auditorium. Questions? Contact Jacob Hannah at 301-387-3020 or at Jacob.hannah@garrettcollege.edu.
Our Town Theatre’s play Silent Sky opens tonight at 8 pm. Doors open at 7:30. Tickets are $8.00/each.You can make reservations by going online to www.ourtowntheatre.org or by calling the theatre’s answering machine (301-334-5640) and following the instructions.
Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF) took a group of Northern and Southern Garrett High School students to see the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and a presentation of “Tosca” over the past weekend.
A small tech firm based in nearby Salisbury, PA is controlling the snow machines during the current 2018 Winter Olympics. It’s pretty neat to have a nearby Olympic connection!
Garrett County Commissioner Paul Edwards recently participated in Leadership Allegany! session on local government.
The state of Maryland has made Naloxone (a lifesaving medication that can quickly restore the breathing of a person experiencing an opioid overdose) available without a prescription beginning in June 2017. Now, the Garrett County Health Department is partnering with local pharmacies to distribute packets of information to clients who are purchasing Naloxone. For more information on this project, call the health department at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.
Hill has been named the Garrett College Head Golf Coach.
Salvation Army has started a campaign to collect 40 Items in 40 days. Starting today and for each day during Lent, simply place one gently used item you no longer need in a bag. Then, on Apr 1, you will have 40 items to donate. The closest Salvation Army in our area is in Kingwood, W.Va. However, I think this is a great way to get started on spring cleaning and, locally, we have the following donation centers: Christian Crossings in Loch Lynn, two Goodwill stores, St. Matthews Episcopal Church Nearly New Shop in Oakland, the Highland Thrift Shop in Grantsville and Pick of the Litter Thrift Shop in McHenry.
Valentine’s Day Facts by Wallet Hub: $19.6B: Total Valentine’s Day spending projected for 2018 ($143.56 per person celebrating) // $191 vs. $99: Men plan to spend nearly twice as much as women, on average, for Valentine’s Day 2018 // $8.5 Billion: Amount Americans will spend on jewelry ($4.7B), flowers ($2B) and candy ($1.8B) // 9 Million: Number of marriage proposals made each Valentine’s Day.
Feb 14, 2018
Max Hill has been named the Head Golf Coach for the 2018 season. The team’s first match will be on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the College of Southern Maryland.
Max has been playing golf for 38 years. Before coming to Garrett College he served as the Director of Golf at Oakland Golf club in Oakland, Maryland for six years. Prior to Oakland, Max was the Assistant Golf Pro at Wisp Resort in McHenry, MD from 2006 – 2010.
Max has been employed with Garrett College since October of 2017 as the Coordinator of Business Solutions.
Feb 13, 2018
The Garrett Lakes Arts Festival sponsored a trip for Northern and Southern High School Students to attend the presentation of “Tosca” by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and HUB Opera.
Theatre students from both Northern and Southern High Schools were provided with tickets and transportation to this event held on February 11, 2018. This opera was presented as a semi-staged production in Italian with English supertitles and featuring guest artists: Hub Opera Ensemble.
This opera leads the audience to “Step into the web of politics, police brutality, betrayal, jealousy and murder in Puccini’s blood-soaked and intense Tosca. In Rome, the fiery and celebrated singer Floria Tosca has no idea that her life, and that of the man she loves, will irrevocably change the very next day. In a whirlwind of events, Tosca is forced to save her rebellious lover from the tainted hands of the treacherous chief of police and must take a stand while looking death in the face. Will she murder for the man she loves? Will she save her lover in time? What will become of her? With passionate arias and soaring, sensuous melodies, Tosca’s power and raw emotion will leave you breathless.”
The students had the opportunity to meet with MSO Conductor/Music Director, Elizabeth Schulze after the performance to discuss the opera and the dramatic turn of events in contract to the last opera, Carmen, that some of them were able to see two years ago at the Maryland Theatre.
The education portion of the GLAF mission is important and vital to the future of arts in our community and GLAF is partially funded by grants from the Garrett County Arts Council, The Maryland State Arts Council and Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area.
Feb 13, 2018
Temperatures in the low 30s today; rain showers likely.
Today is the Town of Friendsville Municipal Election; to be held at the Town Hall, the polls are open from 11am to 7pm. The persons who filed are as follows: Petition for the office of Mayor: Spencer R. Schlosnagle; Petition for the office of three open council seats are: Jerry C. Fike, Pamela S. Humberson, Edward B. Kelley and Julia V. Sines.
MoonShadow is having a game show night today from 7:00pm-10:00pm. The game is The Chase; answer trivia questions and take on THE BEAST to WIN BIG! Prizes are a $25 Gift Card, Menu Items and Free Music Nights.
The Shepherd of the Hills L.A.F.F. Dinner is today from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
We heard that the Food Resources brochure that we linked to yesterday may have a few errors and omissions; stay tuned for the updated copy.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources has been making plans for the state’s young anglers when spring and summer finally arrive. This year, 38 different organizations in 11 counties across the state are hosting free
youth fishing rodeos to help ensure everyone has a chance to earn their “first catch”. Maryland’s youth fishing rodeo program receives financial support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.
First United Bank & Trust sponsors the upcoming Childhood Connections Conference.
The Tucker Community Foundation has more than 35 scholarships available for high school and college students in Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Preston, Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties, W.Va. and Garrett County, Md. Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000 with most of the awards around $1,000. Scholarship applications available here.
Some members of the Garrett County Planning Commission believe that more paid emergency medical services personnel may be needed in the future to counter a decrease in volunteers. The discussion was part of the planning commission’s review of community facilities in the county comprehensive plan. Currently, all fire departments in the county are staffed by volunteers. In fiscal year 2015, the county had 10 full-time and six part-time providers. During the fiscal 2017 budgeting process, the county’s public safety/emergency services budget was increased by nearly $877,000 to more than $1.5 million.
Feb 12, 2018
A chance of snow showers this morning and then clearing for the remainder of the day; less than 1/2 inch of accumulation possible. High of 39 and low of 20.
Congratulations Southern Garrett Wrestling Rams for winning over Patterson Mill and Sparrows Point for the 1A State Dual Championship!
Also, the Mini Toxic Twist Crew of Jessica’s Dance Creations placed second at JAMfest in St. Louis over the weekend. Go girls!
Qing Yuan has been named the Chief Academic Officer at Garrett College.
The 2018 Maryland State Parks and Trail Passport has been announced; it grants you unlimited day-use admission and boat launching, as well as a 10 percent discount on boat rentals and state-operated concessions. Golden Age Passes are also available, granting seniors 62 and older free entry to parks, half-price weekday camping and unlimited boat launch access.
At the County Commissioner’s meeting on Monday, February 5th Gary Aronhalt, Watershed Coordinator, gave an update on the activities of the Administrative Council and the Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan. Here is the presentation.
Do you know someone who is hungry? Help is available. Check out the Western MD Food Council’s Guide to Free Food Resources in Garrett County.
Here’s a short clip of the torch parade from the Gold Medal Weekend Kick-Off at Wisp Resort on Friday night:
Wisp Gold Medal Weekend
Feb 9, 2018
The weather today will be cloudy with a high near 41 and a low around 34. Saturday there will be rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 48 and low near 41. Rain is likely again on Sunday, mainly before 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 50 and a low of 27. New precipitation amounts between a tenth of an inch to over a half of an inch possible over the entire weekend.
The water conservation notice has been removed for Friendsville, MD. You can read more here but the Town water was safe to drink and at no time did contaminated water enter the system.
Southern Garrett Wrestling Rams are West Region Dual Champions! Best of luck at the State Dual Championship Saturday starting at 12 pm at North Point High School. Go Rams!
Wisp is hosting their Gold Medal Weekend this weekend. There are lots of things going on. I would love to attend but I will be skiing the Giant Slalom in Korea as part of team USA. Just sayin’…
Here’s something a little different: Local business A Touch of Class Limousines is offering bus tours of distilleries, wineries and breweries out of Frederick. Trips are February 10th and 17th. You can book online or contact ATC at 301.698.2650 with questions.
For tasting a little closer to home, check out the wine tasting at McHenry Beverage Shoppe or the tour starting at Deep Creek Beverage.
MoonShadow has music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
Crocheting Basics, at Garrett College’s Southern Outreach Center (the Armory) in Oakland is scheduled for Wednesdays, February 21st to March 14th, from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm. Call 301.387.3069 for information or to register.
Please don’t cry! Sunday is officially Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day.
Feb 9, 2018
Dr. Qing Yuan hopes to leverage technology to increase the value of a Garrett College education and build stronger partnerships in her new role as the college’s chief academic officer.
“What most impresses me about Dr. Yuan is that she combines exciting, forward-thinking ideas with the discipline and hard work necessary to fully implement them,” said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president. “One of Dr. Yuan’s initiatives of using Open Educational Resources (OERs) is an excellent example. With the increasing cost of traditional textbooks, Dr. Yuan wants us to be a leader in OER adoption, and she’s working very hard with a committed and visionary faculty team to realize that goal.”
Leveraging technology is just one strategy the college plans to employ to increase the value of Garrett College education, according to Dr. Yuan. Another significant thrust will be strengthening the college’s partnerships with Garrett County Public Schools and the college’s chief transfer partners.
“Over the years, Garrett College has established good relationships with the public schools, especially the high schools,” observed Dr. Yuan. “We’ve been expanding our Dual Enrollment course offerings and increasing our emphasis on attracting students graduating from our local high schools. I think it’s important we offer as seamless a transition as possible from high school to Garrett College to our four-year transfer partners.”
Paul Edwards, director of secondary education for Garrett County Public Schools, praised Yuan’s selection.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Qing for several years on partnerships between Garrett College and Garrett County Public Schools and know she is very dedicated to the students of our county and the success of the Garrett College students,” said Edwards. “I can’t think of a more deserving choice, and I’m very happy for her.”
While GC should create seamless transfer paths with as many four-year institutions as possible, Dr. Yuan said she plans to emphasize creating those paths first with Frostburg State University and West Virginia University.
“FSU and WVU are two of the most popular four-year options among Garrett College students,” observed Dr. Yuan, who just concluded an articulation agreement with FSU in which all 60 GC credits in the Associate of Science degree in Computer Science can be applied to FSU’s 120-credit degrees in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems.
Dr. Yuan is also looking forward to the grand opening of GC’s new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Building in the fall.
“The new STEM building will open more educational opportunities for our students.” said Dr. Yuan. “We expect to use our new STEM Building to help expand STEM offerings.”
Dr. Yuan, who has worked at Garrett College since 2009, emigrated from China to the United States in 1987. “Coming to America was a dream for everybody – except Americans,” Dr. Yuan said with a laugh. “I flew into New York City and didn’t know anybody. I didn’t know enough to be scared.”
Dr. Yuan earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English at Northeast Teachers’ University in Changchun, Jilin Province, China before emigrating to the United States. She completed both a master’s degree in computer science and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis at East Tennessee State University.
Dr. Yuan started her academic career at Walters State Community College. She began as a programmer and analyst before moving over to the computer science faculty and eventually becoming department chair.
Dr. Yuan later returned to ETSU as an associate professor of computer science. Prior to the current role as the dean of academic affairs and chief academic officer, Dr. Yuan served as the director of GC’s Business, Information Technology and Engineering Program since 2009.
After living in Garrett County for nearly 10 years, Dr. Yuan said “looking back, coming to Garrett College was one of the best choices in my life – I love the area and the people as well as my job.”
Feb 9, 2018
On Wednesday, February 7, 2018 the Garrett County Department of Public Works – Utilities Division issued a Conserve Water Notice for the Town of Friendsville water system.
This Notice was issued when what appeared to be fuel oil was observed in the Youghiogheny River. Due to an abundance of caution, the water intake at the Friendsville plant was closed. The Maryland Department of the Environment has isolated the source of the spill, evaluated the situation, and authorized the start-up of the Friendsville Water Plant. The Garrett County Department of Public Works – Utilities Division will conduct additional enhanced water quality testing. During the time the water plant was off-line there was sufficient water in the system to supply the needs of the Town.
The water was safe to drink and at no time did contaminated water enter the system. The water conservation notice has been removed.
Feb 8, 2018
Scattered snow showers this morning and turning partly sunny. Highs of 23 but with wind chills of 0. A low of 17 tonight.
The Department of Public Works, Utilities Division, is asking their customers on the Friendsville water system to conserve water through Monday, February 12th. We are unable to produce water at the water treatment plant due to a residential fuel oil spill into the Youghiogheny River.
Friendsville Elementary School will be operating under normal hours and conditions on Thursday and Friday (February 8-9, 2018), pending any weather related delays or cancellations — Friendsville School will be able to conserve water in normal operations mode and there will be bottled water available for students and staff.
The Ruth Enlow Library’s Adult Book Club meets today at 11:30 at the Accident branch. Newcomers are welcome.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations just announced the launch of a new workforce development and skills training program focused on the environment and natural resources.
There’s a Women’s Networking Lunch today at Ace’s Run Restaurant starting at Noon. For profit NeuBeam and non-profit HABco will be the speakers. Cost is $15 per person.
You can donate blood to the Red Cross on Tuesday, February 13th at Garrett College from 11:30am -4:00pm. Call 1.800.RED.CROSS to schedule your appointment.
Know a want-to-be entrepreneur? Please tell them to consider the College’s Business Plan Competition, which kicks off on February 15th; deadline for entries is February 12th. Call Jodi McClintock at 301.387.3069 for more information.
Hey, Garrett County homeowners. Did you know that interest on a home equity loan will no longer be tax deductible under the new tax law? Check out this interesting study by LendEdu for some insight on borrowing habits/perceptions.
Our apologies again for a late post yesterday – this is a photo of a fire from a downed line West of Oakland that caused a power disruption. The “square” in the image is a storage shed and the fire was down over the bank:
Feb 7, 2018
Recently, several Garrett College students participated in a joint community service project in coordination with Cherry Glade Mennonite Church held on Martin Luther King Day at the McHenry campus of the College. Student peer leaders, men’s basketball players, and women’s basketball players, assisted with the service project and attributed to a total of four quilts being created.
The quilts that were made were shipped to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, where they will be processed and sent to countries around the world to aid in situations of crisis, such as natural disasters and war. Last year, MCC sent 51,062 comforters to the following countries: Jordan, Bosnia, Herzegovnia, Korea, Ethiopia, and more. According to organizers of the project, “it is a tangible way of sharing love and compassion, reminding people around the world that their needs are not forgotten.”
Photo: Working on creating one of the four quilts on Martin Luther King Day is Simun Kovac (bottom left), Ray Hinton (bottom right), Nick Osborn, Malik Tilman, Ariel Watson, Vincent Collins (top far left – right).
Feb 7, 2018
We are getting a slow start this morning as the power was out any my house in West Oakland.
Garrett County Public Schools are closed today due to the forecasted snow, sleet and freezing rain on top of snow, sleet and freezing rain from overnight. New snow of up to 5 inches could happen before the system moves all the way through our area. High of 39 degrees; low of 14 degrees.
Learn more about an innovative schooling approach at Crellin Elementary in our Cover Story.
There’s a meeting this evening at 7:00pm at the American legion Hall in Oakland to discuss the planned Oakland Bypass project. I am a little surprised about the bypass, but I don’t have all the facts yet. Attend to learn more about the pros and cons.
Parents take note: Garrett College and Frostburg State University just have signed articulation agreements in computer science and computer information systems that will allow students to move seamlessly from GC to FSU, graduate in four years and lower their overall cost of borrowing. Call Garrett College at 301.387.3044 for more information on these new transfer agreements.
The CARC has it’s “Wet and Wild Wednesdays” this evening. It’s a lazy river without the river; enjoy floating away while listening to summer jams in the pool. Call them at 301.387.3786 for timing and more information, as their website is down.
Swimming’s not your thing? Check out Team Trivia at the Greene Turtle tonight at 7:00pm. It’s free and anyone can play. Contact them at 301.387.7800 for more information, or check out the information on our events page.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering a Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day statewide February 10th. Hunters 16 years of age or younger can hunt a variety of waterfowl on both private and public land this day when aided by an unarmed adult, at least 21 years old. Licenses required.
Here is a great snap by Bob Carney for the Deep Creek Winter Sports Team during the Taylor Made Vacations & Sales USSA SL Race this past weekend at Wisp Resort.
Click here for the race gallery.
Feb 7, 2018
Crellin Elementary School leads the way with innovation in studying math, reading and farming. They have a greenhouse, a garden, goats, sheep and hens.
Learn more in this PBS special at 11:10 below:
Feb 6, 2018
Oakland Jazzercise is partnering with Garrett Regional Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center to build healthier hearts beyond the dance floor during American Heart Month. Customers are being challenged to incorporate more dance and strength training into their schedules throughout the month of February. When they reach their goal, they will earn a limited edition Dance Your Heart Out tank.
A portion of all registration fees from the challenge will be donated to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center to support the purchase of a new row machine to help the Center’s patients build healthier hearts and stronger bodies as part of their road to recovery. The goal is to raise $1,000 during the challenge. In addition to donating a portion of the registration fees, additional donations are being accepted during February to help reach the goal.
“Heart disease is the number one killer for both women and men in the United States,” notes Oakland Jazzercise owner, Lisa Nichols. “It is part of the Jazzercise mission to help customers create stronger, happier and healthier lives through fitness. As a member of the Garrett County community, we want to find opportunities to reach beyond our dance floor and help the broader community create stronger and healthier lives. Partnering with GRMC’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center as part of the American Hearth Month Challenge serves as an exciting opportunity to work with another community organization to improve the heart health of Garrett County.”
Community members can join the Oakland Jazzercise challenge for $50 and receive unlimited classes in February. Oakland Jazzercise is located at 13227 Garrett Highway in Oakland and offers 36 dance cardio and strength training classes each week. Sign up for the challenge or make a donation to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center goal at Oakland Jazzercise or by calling 304-685-4778. Learn more about Oakland Jazzercise at www.gcjazz.com and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at www.gcmh.com/services-provided/cardiac-pulmonary-rehab.
Feb 6, 2018
The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking sponsors for our Business Before Hours for March 20, 2018 (Maryland Elections Preview) and November 20, 2018 (Tourism Update). The fee for sponsorship is $500. There are several benefits to becoming a sponsor for a Business Before Hours event.
They are:
1. Company logo on all promotional materials, including weekly E-Flash Electronic Newsletter, social media, flyers, website, press release, and What’s Happening Electronic Newsletter (the week of the event);
2. Sponsor may provide company banner to be hung at event;
3. Sponsor will have access to a display table for promotional items;
4. 2-minute commercial at event; and
5. 4 complimentary tickets to event.
If you would like to be a sponsor for one of these events, please contact Jenny Kahler at 301-387-5237.