Continuing Education & Workforce Development announces community courses for October

Oct 3, 2018

Continuing Education & Workforce Development recently announced several upcoming courses scheduled for the beginning half of the month of October.

Saving Money on Purchases: Explore the World of Coupons, Rebates & Discounts
October 1^st, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Garrett College McHenry campus

Learn how to save money using coupons, discounts and refunds. Join instructors Jesse Ketterman Jr. and Lisa McCoy as they guide participants using social networking, cell phones, newspapers and even websites to save money on everything from vacations, groceries, to clothing and more. Participants will receive a packet of information that will include references to websites for couponing as well as grocery shopping tips, etc.

Ketterman, Jr. works with the University of Maryland Extension in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis on financial literacy. McCoy also works with the University of Maryland Extension as a Family and Consumer Sciences educator in healthy living, and is a registered dietician.

Conversational Spanish
Wednesdays, October 3^rd – November 7^th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Northern Outreach Center

The course provides an introduction to Spanish pronunciation, basic vocabulary, common phrases and communication for simple conversations – all at a relaxed pace.  If you have been considering the study of Spanish for business, travel, or for the sake of learning itself, this course is for you.

Ashley Emerick, local resident who graduated from Frostburg State University with a double major in Psychology and Spanish, is the instructor for the course.

Name that Bug:  Pest Identification
October 4^th, 1-3 p.m., Northern Outreach Center in Grantsville

Learn steps for identifying bug damage as well as identifying some of the most common bugs found in gardens through the use of live and preserved specimens.  Controlling bug damage will also be discussed.

Instructor for the course is Ashley Bodkins, who works for the University of Maryland Extension and answers home horticulture questions and coordinates the Maryland Master Gardener Program in Garrett County.  She received a bachelor’s in agronomy and an associate’s in horticulture.

Computers in the Workplace
Thursdays, October 4^th-25^th, 6-9:15 p.m., Northern Outreach Center in Grantsville

Designed for the computer and office professional that wants to increase his or her knowledge of Microsoft Office applications in the workplace. Topics include navigating the latest Windows operating system and managing files and folders. Learn how to utilize Microsoft Office applications to create memos, documents, budgets, databases and presentations for the workplace, including how to share information and track changes on shared documents. Find out how to work with PDFs, safeguard personal information, backup data and work from the Cloud and mobile devices. 

The instructor for the course is Kristine Ayers, a graphic designer and director for Bethel Christian School. As an educator she has helped young people open up and help them realize their dreams. She has also educated people with disabilities to help themselves and become more independent.

Living in Retirement
October 9^th and 16^th, 6:30 – 9 p.m., Northern Outreach Center in Grantsville

 Be informed, comfortable and in control of your retirement. This course will discuss four misconceptions of investing, important income strategies for retirees, and help pre-retirees and retirees prepare for the unexpected. Participants will discover ways to mitigate the risks of inflation, long-term health care expenses, market fluctuations, and efficient ways to leave a legacy for your family.

This class is presented by Doug Kramer who has over 25 years’ experience as a Financial Advisor specializing in retirement. He has successfully guided hundreds of families into and through their retirement years. There will also be a guest speaker from Pittsburgh to discuss some of the psychology of retirement and how it relates to investment decisions. 

EBay and PayPal for Buyers and Sellers
Wednesdays, October 10^th and 17^th, 6-9:15 p.m., Northern Outreach Center

This course will help students take advantage of online auctions as a buyer or seller. Topics include the following: why it is so easy to find buyers, what sells, insider tips for making listings, generate more bids at higher prices, advertising copy, creating and uploading photos, financial transactions, credit card payments, packing and shipping, fraud, and mistakes one can make and how to avoid them.

The instructor for the course is Kristine Ayers, a graphic designer and director for Bethel Christian School.

Basic Cake Decorating
Tuesdays, October 16^th-30^th, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Northern Outreach Center

Learn the skill of cake decorating in this introductory course. Get in touch with your artistic side learning a variety of techniques from how to bake a great cake, icing ingredients, frosting a cake perfectly smooth, filling bags and piping borders, writing on cakes, and making roses.

Kits will be provided and will include a practice board, variety of tips, plastic icing bags, three couplers, rose stem, and plastic scissors. For the first class, students just need to bring their creativity. For the final two sessions, students are to bring icing and a baked cake to class.

The course is being instructed by Tracy Sanner, owner of Dough Girls Cakes, in Rockwood, Pa. specializing in cakes, cookies and much more.

DIY- Make Your Own Feedbag Tote
October 16^th, 6-8:30 p.m., Garrett College McHenry

 Tap into your creative side and learn the steps to turn a feedbag into a sturdy and useful tote for groceries, the beach, books or kids overnight bag – almost anything you can think of.  This is a project for those with basic sewing skills and knowledge of a sewing machine.  Feedbag totes are inexpensive and eco-friendly, and are ideal for gift giving.

 Bring your own (clean) feed bag (woven plastic bird seed, chicken feed or similar), a yard of cotton fabric to line the bag, along with the following: cutting mat, large cutting ruler, rotary cutter, scissors, pin cushion, upholstery thread, heavy duty sewing needle (denim/jeans), and sewing machine.

GC’s Jean Tumbarello is the instructor for the course. ​She has been sewing since high school home economics class. Her biggest project was making her wedding dress in 1973 then remaking it into her daughter’s communion dress in 1992.  Since discovering Pinterest, Tumbarello has been concentrating on quilting and crafts and finding ways to reuse or upcycle items that would normally be thrown away.

Walk this Way
Wednesdays, October 17^th – November 4^th, 4:30-5:15 p.m., Garrett College McHenry

This is an indoor walking class focusing on proper walking mechanics, postural alignment, interval training, balance and flexibility.  Expect to walk about 1-2 miles in an hour-long class. Not only will it help in losing weight, walking can help manage heart disease, high blood pressure, strengthen bones and muscles, improve mood, balance and coordination. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing, walking shoes/sneakers, bring a water bottle and a small towel, as this is an exercise class.

Terry Whalen, a certified Zumba and LaBlast Instructor, and member of “KickIt” Country Dance, is the instructor for the course. Whalen supports and promotes dance fitness to people of all ages and fitness levels.

Line Dancing
Wednesdays, October 17^th – November 4^th, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Garrett College McHenry

Participants in the Line Dancing class can expect to learn a variety of dances to all genres of music. Line Dancing is a choreographed dance usually at least 32 counts that repeats until the song is over, making it a fun and simple way to learn how to dance to a song without learning different dance steps for every beat of the music. Line Dancing is a solo dance, meaning there is no need for a partner.

Terry Whalen, a certified Zumba and LaBlast Instructor, and member of “KickIt” Country Dance, is the instructor for the course. Whalen supports and promotes dance fitness to people of all ages and fitness levels. Her philosophy is that line dance fitness creates a wellness program boosting health and engagement, creating a strong culture of overall well-being and more focused energetic individuals.

Course registration fees apply. For additional information on the above courses, contact Terry Beachy at 301-895-4700 or terry.beachy@garrettcollege.edu.  To register, persons may contact Garrett College Continuing Education & Workforce Development at 301-387-3069.

“Black Tie & Tails” Gala Benefits HART for Animals

Oct 2, 2018

HART for Animals, with Honorary Chairs, Michael and Mercedes Pellet, will host the “Black Tie & Tails” Gala, to benefit the HART Adoption Programs. The second bi-annual event will take place on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at the Lodge at Wisp Resort.  The Gala will feature dinner, dancing and a silent auction that features national and international luxury trips. Proceeds from the Gala will provide funds to keep homeless pets in a safe place while waiting for their forever homes.

“The Gala will be a tremendous help by raising funds for the homeless and abused animals in our area,” says Kelli Palamar, President of HART. “We have found homes for 791 dogs and cats since opening the wing. It’s an honor to have the Pellets as our honorary chairs.”

Since 2009, Michael and Mercedes have worked tirelessly for the homeless animals. “The HART Animal Center would not be here if not for the tenacity and drive of this selfless couple,” says Paula Yudelevit, Executive Director. “They are truly the heart of HART and a blessing to the people and the animals of Garrett County.” The Pellets moved to the county permanently in 2006 with the expectation of retiring. After seeing the need for a facility to help lower the high euthanasia rate in the county, the former business owners began a capital campaign to build a center where homeless cats and dogs, as well as potential adopters, could feel at home. The Pellets have worked full-time pro bono. Mercedes is the Development Director and Treasurer, and Michael is the Facility Manager and past President.

The décor of the “Black Tie & Tails” Gala will have a silver and gold harvest  theme. “You won’t see cornucopia,” says décor chair, Meg Collins. Silver and gold pumpkins, mood lighting and up-dated harvest glam will be the style of the evening!” Farmhouse Fete owner, Leigh Clarke, will be providing many of the decorations from her party-planning collection.  Food chair, Ann Horton, is working with Wisp Resort on the dinner menu.

“A gala of this magnitude could not happen without the generosity of our sponsors,” says Paula Yudelevit. The sponsors to-date include: Drs. Pat & Sue Bredel, The Squires Group, Dick & Deb Alderson, Wisp Resort, Susan & John Pucciano, Fragasso Financial Advisors, Farmhouse Fete, Ann Smith, First United Bank, Dr. & Mrs. Melissa Walch, BB&T Mortgage, Russell Bounds, Neil & Cynthia Whitton, Ace’s Run Restaurant, Exelon Generation, Rob Michael, Nu-Way Interiors, Bill’s Marine Service, Jared & Laura Fike, Deep Creek Dog, Garrett Container Systems, Steve & Amy Bortz and John & Shelia McCracken,”

HART’s charitable programs include: animal rescue, adoption and sheltering, low-cost, and no-cost spay/neutering, veterinary care, and behavior modification. The monthly cost to care for 50 or more cats and dogs awaiting adoption is $20,000, with adoption fees covering only a portion of their veterinary care. It is through donations, sponsorships, grants, and fundraising opportunities that HART can sustain the Adoption Wing operation.

Tickets to the “Black Tie & Tails” Gala are available online at www.hartforanimals.org, at the HART Animal Center, or by phone at 301.387.7729.

For more information on a sponsorship opportunity to help support the Gala and HART, please call or email Paula Yudelevit, at 301.387.7729 or paula@hartforanimals.org.

For additional information on HART, the HART Animal Center or any of its programs, or to donate, visit the HART web site at www.hartforanimals.org or become part of the HART for Animals community on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/HARTforAnimals.

Photo: Mercedes & Michael Pellet, Honorary Chairs of the 2018 “Black Tie & Tails” gala

United Way of Garrett County Announces Myers and Wildesen as 2019 Campaign Co-Chairs

Oct 2, 2018

United Way of Garrett County is pleased to announce Mrs. Sarah Myers and Dr. Jane Wildesen as its 2019 Campaign Co-Chairs. The annual campaign for United Way will kick-off on October 3 with a collection drive during Farmer’s Market. Volunteers will be on location at the intersection of 2nd Street and at a table at the market with signs and United Way buckets to encourage motorists and shoppers to give a little to help boost and kick-start the annual campaign season, which will run through March 30.

All dollars raised by United Way of Garrett County remain in Garrett County to serve individuals and families through various programs. Volunteers from throughout the community make all funding decisions for the health and human service organizations who can align their work with the goals and objectives of United Way, which are determined by the most pressing needs related to education, health and human services and basic needs.

“We are excited to have Jane and Sarah as our campaign representatives this year. They will help us make presentations to local businesses, connect us with new contacts and serve as a point of contact for or donors”, said Juli McCoy, executive director of County United Way.

Sarah Myers is an operations and marketing professional serving small and large businesses in the Deep Creek Lake area and Appalachian region. She founded her business Curb Appeal Marketing in 2015 as the only Google Trusted Photographer in the area. Part creative and part strategist, Mrs. Myers enjoys helping businesses think differently. She earned her undergraduate degree from West Virginia University with a major in advertising and a minor in entrepreneurship and earned an MBA from Mississippi State University. She has served on the United Way of Garrett County Advisory Committee for four years and served in the role of secretary for the committee since 2015.

A former teacher and principal, Dr. Jane Wildesen is currently the Director of Human Resources for Garrett County Public Schools. She earned a Doctor of Education at Frostburg State University in Educational Leadership in May 2015.  She earned an Administration & Supervision Certification at Frostburg State University in May 2005.  She received a Master of Arts in Special Education at West Virginia University in Learning Disabilities in December 1997.  Dr. Wildesen received a Bachelor’s of Science at Frostburg State University in the area of Early Childhood/Elementary Education in May 1989. She has been a part of the Advisory Committee since July 2017.

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Garrett County. The office is located in Cumberland, MD, with three staff and is led by an Advisory Committee of volunteers from Garrett County. Volunteer positions are available at the committee level, as well as for events throughout the year. County United Way individually serves Allegany, Garrett, Hampshire and Mineral Counties. For more information, email info@cuw.org or visit cuw.org.