Apr 30, 2019
Yesterday was a nice day with some nice sunshine. Today will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 66 and a low around 56. Slight chance of showers this afternoon.
Congratulations to Kim Green Folk, who has just joined the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce as the new Heritage Area & Groups Director, which includes oversight of the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area. Glad we have someone as talented as Kim in that important position and wish her and the rest of the team much luck as they promote our area’s heritage.
We have two new items for sale on our Online Marketplace. There’s a super cool vehicle and a nice patio set. If anyone wishes to purchase the vehicle and gift it to me just to be nice, I am very open to that idea. Actually, I am open to the picnic table as well.
Do you have ideas on how Maryland forests can be better? The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is looking for some of those good ideas for their 2020 State Forest Action Plan and is holding listening sessions and also has a survey. The State Forest Action Plan guides funding and priorities for the Maryland Forest Service and its partners. Here’s more information.
Just heard the Garrett Community Concert Band will be performing this Saturday, May 4th at the Garrett College Auditorium at 7:30 pm. The concert is titled “Ushering in the 20th Century” and is priced nicely for families and those on a budget at only $8 for adults and $2 for students (free for all under 6 y/o). Tickets are available at the Garrett Arts Council Gallery Shop and at the door.
Garrett County has an interesting community history as well as a great and beautiful natural history. Here’s an old photo of a now demolished farmhouse on Route 40 just west of Frostburg. Note the interesting mansard roof design and Victorian features. It was built in the mid-1870s. Just a little history for you from the Maryland Historical Trust by way of our friend and local historian Al Feldstein, curator of Feldstein’s Historical Stuff and other great offline collections.
Apr 29, 2019
The weekend weather had a little bit of everything: sun, wind, rain. The weather for today will be partly sunny, with a high near 60 and a low around 56. A chance of showers, mainly between midnight and 5am.
I heard the Ramp Cook Off at the Deep Creek Lake State Park Discovery Center on Saturday went very well. Always a nice event. Speaking of the state park, here’s a nice photo of their beach to get you jazzed for summer (compliments of the State Park and Caroline Blizzard):
Here’s an unabashed plug for a great local organization, Garrett Trails, and their upcoming events. I specifically want to mention their Taste of Garrett event on May 5th, which will have food available from a variety of local restaurants, bakeries and others. My wife and I try to attend every year and it is always fun and of course, benefits an important cause. Check out Garrett Trails latest newsletter for more details and more events.
Ashley Bodkins from the University of Maryland Extension will be at the Kitzmiller branch of the Ruth Enlow Library from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm this evening to present a demonstration on Appetizing Edible Plants: Flowers, Greens, & Weeds. This program is free and open to the public.
Speaking of classes, the Continuing Education and Workforce Development Department at Garrett College tells me there is still room in their Introduction to QuickBooks class that starts this Thursday evening. Call the college at 301.387.3069 for more information or to register.
Earlier this week we provided information concerning how the 2019 SLPR Funds were going to be spent at the lake and state-wide. Bruce Michael, Director, Resource Assessment Service Department of Natural Resources, has provided the Property Owners Association of Deep Creek Lake with more detail related to projects at the lake and they have shared them with us. Approximately $420,000 has been allocated to support Deep Creek Lake protection and restoration projects. Projects include the following: ~$200,000 towards shoreline erosion stabilization projects; ~$200,000 towards the control of aquatic invasive species, specifically hydrilla; and ~$ 20,000 towards the creation of fish habitat structures.
Click here to see a scary video of an extra large mouth bass (I think) eating a Brenda’s pepperoni pizza (I think), at the lake (I think). I didn’t know large mouth bass had such big teeth. Not sure, you decide…
We haven’t verified but it looks like a new Dean Cain movie is casting in nearby Bridgeport, WV May 7-11. For detailed info please visit:https://www.jcfilms.org/casting
Have a Happy Monday folks and a great week as well…
Apr 26, 2019
On Saturday, April 13th at Wisp Resort, The American Association of University Women (AAUW) – Garrett Branch hosted 64 women from 11 different counties throughout the state of Maryland, including five women from newly formed AAUW Frostburg State University branch for the AAUW Annual State Convention. The day’s theme was “Making Ends Meet: Financial Security for Women of All Ages.”
The program addressed financial issues for women in all stages of adulthood: college, career, and the planning for and enjoyment of retirement. The convention featured many prominent speakers, including several locally celebrated women such as Dr. Sunshine Brosi, Barbara Miller and Crellin Elementary Principal, Dr. Dana McCauley (pictured left with basket, with Susan Wierman and Kate Campbell Stevens, AAUW-Maryland Co-Presidents, and Judy Carbone, AAUW-Garrett Branch President). AAUW members visiting from around the state also had the opportunity to take a tour of the state-of-the-art STEM facility at Garrett College before the convention convened on Friday, April 12th. The tour was immediately followed by an anniversary dinner at Ace’s Run Restaurant & Pub to celebrate AAUW – Garrett Branch’s 70th(+3) anniversary as one of the longest running women’s organizations in Garrett County. The beautiful event featured 1940’s music, decor, and a signature cocktail.
Ace’s Run provided a lovely meal, and AAUW – Garrett Branch president Judy Carbone gave a presentation about the history of the chapter (pictured right, dressed as 1940s icon “Rosie the Riveter”) . The state of Maryland formed a statewide organization of AAUW in 1942, with Garrett County following in 1946. In 2017, a student chapter of AAUW formed at Garrett College, and in 2018, one was formed at Frostburg State University. As the number of women seeing advanced education grew, so too did membership in AAUW with over 170,000 members and supporters today. AAUW-Garrett Branch is one of over a thousand branches throughout the country, and the student chapters at Garrett College and Frostburg State are among the approximately 800 student chapters.
Over three-quarters of a century, AAUW nationally, including AAUW-Maryland and the Maryland branches, has been instrumental in advancing the status of women, advocating for legislation focusing on women’s equity, working for high standards and continuing improvement of higher education for women, and providing grant and scholarship opportunities for women of all ages to attend college. This remains a priority of the AAUW-Garrett Branch, which currently funds over $4,000 each year for local women to attend college. Other present day priorities include mentoring middle school girls and providing leadership and career development opportunities to women and girls.
Although circumstances and opportunities have changed throughout the last 73 years, the group’s greatest work, especially in education and women’s equity issues, is still to come. To learn more about becoming a member of AAUW-Garrett Branch, please call Judy A. Carbone, Branch President, at 301-616-5036
Apr 26, 2019
After rain on Thursday, Friday will have showers likely with a high near 58 and a low dipping to around 34. South wind around 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Saturday will be sunny, with a high near 51 and a low of 44. Breezy, with a west wind around 23 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Showers are likely on Sunday, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50 and a low around 34.
How about checking out a hometown ball game this weekend and rooting for one of the local high school baseball teams. Northern hosts Rockwood Friday afternoon and Southern hosts Frankfort at the same time.
It’s National Parks Week this week (April 20th – 28th) and it is a celebration of America’s 419 treasured sites throughout the country. Here in Maryland, there are 18 sites managed by the National Park Service, with some close by or on the way to the lake. Here’s a listing of all in Maryland along with some impressive statistics you can use to amaze and amuse your friends.
Well, April is also National Donate Life Month, a month-long dedication to encourage organ donation registrations, and a celebration of those that have saved lives through donating. Last year, more than 36,000 organ transplants were performed throughout the country, with more than 800 happening right here in Maryland.
Tomorrow morning, Friendsville’s Going Batty — installing a few bat houses and maybe a little celebration in the Friendsville Town Park. 10am.
Ramps (the wild onion, not the wood or metal kind) have a special place in Appalachian culture and cooking. I frankly had never tasted one until I moved to Garrett County a number of years ago. I have since sampled a variety of dishes incorporating them and they are all good. You can find out for yourself at the 18th annual Ramp Cook Off at the Discovery Center this Saturday. You can also tour their great facility or take a hike on one of the trails before or after the Cook Off.
Music, you want music? As always, there’s a nice variety of talented local, regional and national acts around town this weekend. Black Bear Tavern seems to always have some strong acts, as does MoonShadow, Mountain State Brewery and SipSide Lounge also often offer musical entertainment to accompany their food and spirits. Check out this weekend’s musical offerings here at our Entertainment Guide.
According to the Department of Natural Resources’ Maryland Fishing Report, “fishing at Deep Creek Lake is entering a new stage, as warmer water temperatures tease several species of fish to become more active. Smallmouth bass are active along rocky shores and points. Largemouth bass can be found in the cove areas.” There’s also some good trout fishing in the area according to the report.
Here’s a link to the latest edition of HabiChat, for stewards of Maryland’s backyard habitat and which is published by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This issue talks about native and non-native plantings among other things.
Please check out our Events Guide for local events I haven’t mentioned above and also our other guides for dining and other offerings, including specials. Have a great weekend.
Remember the “World’s Hardest 400 Meter Run / Walk / Crawl” is coming up soon:
Apr 25, 2019
Yesterday was another nice day at the lake. I washed my car over the weekend and due to the weather and a little luck, it is still clean as I write this Wednesday! Today’s weather will be a chance of showers and thunderstorms all day. Cloudy, with a high near 62 and a low around 53.
It’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Garrett County Department of Social Services, along with a number of local sponsoring organizations, is active helping protect those that cannot protect themselves. Here’s a photo of Sherri Heldreth and Max Hill of DSS spreading the word at their display table at the county Jobs Fair yesterday. Thanks folks.
Garrett County residents and visitors have access to five public beaches as well as two recreational water attractions. The Garrett County Health Department conducts two monitoring programs to ensure safe recreational environments and to advise the public of any unsafe swimming conditions (which rarely occur here).
Registration is now open for Summer session courses at Garrett College. A total of 23 courses are being offered this summer, with 17 of these courses being online. The remaining six courses will be held on the College’s main campus. All courses are open to current and future Garrett College students as well as students that attend other institutions and that may be “home” for the summer. A great way to accelerate progress towards a degree at a low cost.
Fill it out! A survey is being conducted by the Garrett County Health Department with the Garrett County Local Management Board, Garrett County Behavioral Health Authority, Mountain Laurel Medical Center, and Garrett Regional Medical Center. The results of the survey will help determine the prioritization of the next Garrett County Community Health Improvement Plan.
It’s Music Express Karaoke Night at Black Bear Tavern this evening starting at 8:00 pm.
A great cause: Mark your calendars for dinner at Dutch’s this Sunday, April 28th! From 11:30 am – 9:00 pm, a portion of sales will be donated to the Dove Center! $5 appetizers available, in addition to their regular menu items! Here’s a link to the Dove Center website. Check it out to learn more about their work and services.
As you know, I like to share studies and information that provides insight into our world here at the lake and beyond. I have been hearing that the real estate market around the lake is doing very well these days and thought I would share this broader study from WalletHub on real estate agents, and specifically, the attractiveness of their profession in various locations throughout the country. Some interesting and even surprising results.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will undertake restoration projects at lakes throughout Maryland under the new State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund, which provides $1 million for each of the next three years to improve state-owned lakes.
Share the things you love …. Deep Creek Lake, MD <3
Apr 25, 2019
Warm weather is finally upon us and with that the start of the 2019 lake and beach season. Garrett County residents and visitors have access to five public beaches as well as two recreational water attractions. So what is the Health Department doing to keep these beachgoers safe? Environmental Health conducts two monitoring programs, one for the public and private beaches and another for Deep Creek Lake. These programs help provide a way to minimize exposure to potential risk.
Both of these programs include routine site assessments and testing for the presence of E. coli bacteria in order to advise the public of unsafe swimming conditions. E. coli is naturally occurring in the environment and found in all warm-blooded animals, including birds, and is an indicator of fecal contamination. While E. coli may or may not be harmful to your health, other organisms also associated with fecal contamination that can cause illness may also be present. You should expect these levels to rise after a heavy rain event or when migratory birds have settled onto the beach.
The State of Maryland has issued guidelines indicating what level of E. coli can present a risk to swimmers. During routine testing, if these levels are exceeded, signs will be posted on the beach to inform the public. To keep you and your family safe, Environmental Health recommends not swimming after a heavy rain event until the waters have cleared, shower after swimming, and try not to swallow beach water.
For more information on the Maryland Healthy Beaches Program and for up to date postings on beach advisories or closures, visit marylandhealthybeaches.org.
Apr 24, 2019
Yesterday was just about perfect: sunny and 75 degrees. Today’s weather will be mostly sunny, with a high near 61 and a low around 47. Slight chance of showers overnight.
Today is Administrative Professionals Day. Thanks to all of our readers that support their colleagues as administrative professionals!
The annual Garrett County Jobs Fair is being held this afternoon starting at 1:00 pm at the CARC on the Garrett College campus. I heard there are over 50 employers that will be present looking for employees for all sorts of positions and for all levels, including seasonal jobs at the lake.
Looks like they are doing roadwork (repaving) on 219 a couple of miles south of Glendale road. It ends (or starts, if you are coming north) about where the Dental Health Group office is on 219. Yesterday afternoon delays were at about 15 minutes, so please plan accordingly as I think they have more work to finish.
The town of Oakland is looking for sponsors for a number of events and initiatives, including: downtown flower pots, the town mosaic and the Little Yough Music Festival. If you have a potential interest, please call or email Michelle Ross at 301.334.2691 or mainstreetgoba@gmail.com
We have a used dock newly listed and for sale in the Deep Creek Times Online Marketplace. It has a Trex and vinyl top and is a single slip dock with a swim platform. It is located in McHenry cove and you would have to pick it up. Here’s the link to the listing Online Marketplace.
The Garrett Institute of Lifelong Learning (GILL) just announced their May schedule. One course readers (and/or their relatives) might be interested in is Practical Boating on Deep Creek Lake for Seniors, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 4th, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon at Bill’s Marine. Call GILL at 301.387.3069 for more information.
Here’s a double shout-out: Donald E. Bossi is the president of the global nonprofit FIRST® — the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit helping young people discover a passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Bossi just gave an online shout-out (see below) to Garrett County’s FIRST teams (think LEGOs and robotics) and their great outreach to get FIRST teams in every school. Many readers and even locals may not realize what a great program we have in our schools and Sarah and I keep telling everyone that will listen how blessed we are here on the mountain. Go kids, mentors, coaches and visionaries like Don!
Apr 23, 2019
Yesterday was a nice day at the lake with a few boats out even if the temperature was on the cooler side. Today’s weather will be mostly sunny, with a high near 74, a low around 45 and a chance of showers tonight.
Here’s an interesting factoid for you: NASA estimates that there are 117 million lakes on Earth, covering 3.7 percent of the continental land surface. About 90 million of these lakes are less than two football fields in size, or 0.5 to 2.5 acres. And we have one of the nicest lakes of all here in Garrett County!
Here’s an innovative way to say thanks to the administrative professional in your life: Garrett College is holding a special conference for administrative professionals this Wednesday, with some nice speakers scheduled along with a lunch session. It goes from 8:30 am – 1:30 pm. Contact Jodi McClintock from the college at 301.387.3142 or jodimcclintock@garrettcollege.edu for more information and to register.
Here’s a not-so-nice factoid for my readers. Since you read Deep Creek Times, we know you are online, so I wanted to share this information. Unfortunately, there’s a new cyber crime scam out there targeting Instagram accounts and their followers, and while it is now targeting larger accounts, I am pretty sure they will migrate down to accounts with less followers. The scam alleges “copyright infringement” and you can find out more here. Please help spread the word.
With measles cases currently increasing at an alarming rate in the U.S., the Garrett County Health Department is urging all Garrett County residents to know their immunization status and get vaccinated if needed. The Health Department is available to provide information on measles and the measles vaccine to residents. You may call the Garrett County Health Department at 301.334.7770 or 301.895.5355.
Put the Mountain Maryland Native Plant Festival on your calendar for May 11th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at New Germany State Park. My wife and I try to get there every year and it is always nice, with lots of opportunities to buy local/regional, native plants for your yard and to gain some insight from experts. It is sponsored by the Maryland Native Plant Society in cooperation with a number of other organizations.
Apr 22, 2019
Yesterday was fairly mild but was overcast for most of the day. Today’s weather will be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 61 and a low around 47.
We hope you all had a nice Easter weekend. We sure did. We are blessed to be in beautiful, peaceful Garrett County and we want to extend our thoughts and prayers to all those impacted by the senseless bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.
There are buds in all stages of development on trees and shrubs around the lake and yards and meadows are filled with the yellows of daffodils and forsythia. That means summer is coming soon! I found this photo on the Internet and I think it really captures the excitement and energy of summer at the lake. Can’t wait!
The Maple Street Bridge over the Youghiogheny River in Friendsville will be closed for repairs for about six weeks. A news release issued by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration said the closure, which begins Monday, is necessary to protect work crews and motorists and expedite the $500,000 project. General concrete repairs will be made.
Let go of my Lego! Actually, there will be plenty of Lego blocks to go around at the Grantsville branch library’s Lego Club session this evening from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The program is designed for children ages 4 and up and features free building time with lots of building bricks. Children are encouraged to build a creation based on a new theme each month. For more information or to register, contact Hannah at 301.895.5298, or email hannah@relib.net.
Want to help preserve our regional biodiversity? Bring your work gloves, kneeling pads, favorite weeding tools and some elbow grease to remove unwanted plants from the native plant garden at New Germany State Park. As you work, you’ll learn how to identify common weeds and why protecting native plants is so critical for wildlife. The next session of “Weed or Wildflower” is April 26th.
Registration is now open for the 6th Annual Garrett County Birdfest which is taking place the weekend of May 3, 4, 5 at a variety of local state park venues. Even if you are not a super-duper birder, these guided walks look like they would be a fun learning experiences.
Live at the lake? Second home owner? Planning a visit in early July? Have an interest in living history? Then consider experiencing the special Chautauqua “Then and Now” festival to be held in Mountain Lake Park (just East of Oakland and about 15 minutes from the lake), the original home of Chautauqua in Maryland. The 25th annual Chautauqua living history series will take place over three days (July 5,6,7) and will include full days of activities and special presentations, Each evening, the activities will conclude with interactive presentations from Maryland Humanities Chautauqua 2019, “Making Waves.”
Finally, as the lake-area continues to “awaken” from winter’s slumber, we welcome any and all photos of plant and animal life (including human animals) that you think worthy of publication to share with other readers. We can’t promise we can publish all of them, but we will do our best. Please send all submissions to info@deepcreektimes.com. Thanks in advance for your submissions.
Apr 19, 2019
The weather today will be showers, with thunderstorms also possible; a high near 67 and a low around 49. Saturday will be partly sunny with a chance of showers, mainly after 3pm. High near 56 and a low around 39. Wind gusts as high as 24 mph. Sunday will be mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers; a high near 51 and a low around 42.
With Passover starting on Good Friday and Easter occurring this Sunday, we wanted to wish all of our readers a Happy Passover and Happy Easter. Since the two overlap this year, I thought I would include this interesting piece on the commonality between these two religious holidays. Have a great holiday and weekend whatever your religion.
I had the pleasure of attending the Power of Possibilities Summit Thursday. Congratulations to the winners and to Jodi McClintock and team at the college for a nice event. I especially enjoyed the keynote presented by Jeff Tobe, author of Coloring Outside the Lines. I have not read the book yet, but if it has as much simple, practical management insight as his talk, it is worth a read and I wanted to pass along.
Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William Pallozzi recently presented Bittinger Volunteer and EMT Heather Christner the Maryland State Police PCO of the Year award! Heather is the daughter of Glen and Patty Champlin. Congratulations Heather!
Greg Short & Friends will be at Sipside Lounge tonight beginning at 5:30.
The last indoor ‘Winter’ Farmer’s Market this coming Saturday (April 20). Then there will be two outdoor Markets at the Mt Fresh Pavilion, May 11 & 25, before the 2019 Summer Season starts June 1st. A reminder the indoor market is held at the Garrett County Community Action Conference Room at 104 E. Center Street in Oakland.
Last week’s An Evening with the Stars (#AEWTS2019) raised $47,000 for Cindy’s Fund. Tad Rodeheaver, Mason Wolf, Jake Sweitzer, and Brayden Warnick earned Crowd’s Choice with their Mötley Crüe‘ act and 5 doctors Becky Crowell, Margie Fridkin, Lynda Dougherty, Stephanie Sisler, & Abby Feathers earned Top Fundraiser and Judges Choice awards with their Spice Girls show.
The Maryland ALS and BLS July 2019 protocol updates are now available online for EMS providers. We wanted to share the cover as Garrett County represents with JT Collins and Phillip Rumor on the statewide manual!
Since Easter is later this year, the local egg hunts have been really spread out. Here are a few happening this weekend:
Annual Easter Egg Hunt (Indoors!)
April 19 @ 6:00 pm at the Bloomington Fire Dept
Join us for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Bloomington Park and Pavilion. Lots of eggs to find and everyone leaves with a prize! A yummy snack and drink for each participant is also provided. Everyone is welcome!!
EGGstreme Easter Egg Hunt
April 20 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
This event is designed for families to experience the outdoors together and will feature over 1,000 eggs strategically hidden along 10 miles of trails within the park.
Easter Egg Hunt!
April 20 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Sponsored by Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations and Sales — Hop on down to Monkey Business Adventure Park for Taylor-Made’s 2nd annual Easter Egg Hunt! Bring your basket and be ready to start hunting at 11!
Natural Egg Dyeing
April 20 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center to dye Easter eggs using our homemade natural dyes made from ingredients like coffee and beets. Please bring six (6) hard-boiled eggs with you. Easter Bunny is on site!
Something different: A Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt @ New Day Church
April 20 @ 7:30 pm
Sign Ups – 7:30PM Hunt Begins – 8:15PM // Ages – 2-12 // Rain or Shine // Bring your own flashlight Eggs contain candy or tickets for prizes
Register to win The Grand Family Prize
Easter Egg Hunt
April 21 @1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Stop by the lawn at UNOs on Easter Sunday for a free egg hunt and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
AND:
An Adult Easter Egg Hunt
April 20 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Come hunt with Mountain State Brewery at the pub and win swag, drink discounts, food discounts, and more! 21+, one egg per person. (We will have some kid friendly eggs for the little ones too)
Apr 18, 2019
Yesterday at the lake was sunny, warm and wonderful.
Here’s a short summary of the April 16th Garrett County Commissioners public meeting if you were unable to attend.
The Grantsville branch of the Ruth Enlow Library is hosting Garden Planning 101 this morning from 11:00 am – Noon in their library meeting room. If gardening is not your thing, the Accident branch of the library is holding their monthly Coffee, Books and More meeting this afternoon from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, where you can discuss the library staff’s favorite reads and recommendations.
Black Bear Tavern is hosting Music Express Karaoke this evening from 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm. I would participate, but Black Bear is an advertiser and if I “sing” (and that is being generous), I would likely scare away all of their other patrons. That said, I have heard these are fun nights, so check it out.
On May 7th, from 4:45 pm-7:00 pm (including a discussion at 6:30 pm) the Garrett County Suicide Prevention Committee will present a special screening of Suicide: The Ripple Effect. This important documentary will be aired at the Garrett College Auditorium.
I am putting in a plug here for a very nice, smart, honest, hard-working student of mine: Susan Liller. Susan owns the L&L Cleaning Service in Garrett County (named after her daughters) along with managing Ari’s Pizza in Oakland. If you are looking for a home cleaner, please consider Susan, who can be reached at 301.616.0443 or susan@iceweb.net.
This one is troubling and important at the same time, especially when you think of Garrett County’s aging population and relative affluence around the lake. Research firm Comparitech estimates that there are five million cases of elder fraud in the United States each year, resulting in a combined loss of $27 billion! They estimate Maryland seniors lose over half a billion dollars due to fraud each year. Here’s the link.
Apr 17, 2019
Yesterday was a really nice, windows open-wide, day around the lake. Today’s weather will be partly sunny, with a high near 67 and a low around 50.
We made the back cover of the new Deep Creek Marry-land magazine!
Garrett Regional Medical Center (GRMC) keeps impressing us with their new programs and efforts. GRMC just announced that their new MHealth mobile app is available to provide GRMC patients with such information as lab results, radiology reports, visit history and billing.
A sailboat and a jet ski have been recently added for sale on our online marketplace – look under the “BOATS” tab. Also, we have a reader looking for an aluminum dock.
You can stay in Garrett County this evening and still experience another “world” by attending a lecture on Benazir Bhutto, the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Chautauqua-style lecture, from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, will be given by local entrepreneur Kam Gillespie, former employee at the World Bank and currently owner of Haley Farm in Oakland.
You have two choices for something a bit different this evening and they are both from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. There’s an Acoustic Rock Jam at MoonShadow (bring your instrument and join-in or just listen) and Team Trivia at the Greene Turtle (six rounds open to all). Both establishments have nice brews and nice eats too.
Don’t forget the Power of Possibilities (POP) Summit is this Thursday at the college. Sarah and I founded POP in 2014 and Jodi McClintock has been running it the past couple of years. This year’s session includes business plan competitor pitches and an interesting keynote on creating a new customer experience. Check it out and support entrepreneurship in the county. I will be there. Call 301.387.3069 to register.
If you are around for Easter, please check out our Dining Guide for some ideas. I know Penn Alps, Ace’s Run and Dutch’s have nice buffets planned and you can call any listing on our Guide to check their hours and if they have any specials planned for Easter Sunday.
On April 25th the Strategic Facilities Committee of the Garrett County Board of Education will hold an all-day informational workshop at the Board of Education Central Office in the Board Room. Topics to be presented will include student enrollments, educational programs, facility conditions and expenditure, the cost of ownership, school system finances, county demographics and housing, and county finances related to school operations and capital needs. The presentations will be preceded by a brief business meeting of the Committee beginning at 8:30 am. The workshop and meeting are open to the public.
Apr 17, 2019
On May 7, from 4:45pm-7pm (film shown 5pm-6:30pm, discussion at 6:30pm) the Garrett County Suicide Prevention Committee will present a special screening of at the Garrett College Auditorium, located at 687 Mosser Road in McHenry.
With strong endorsements from some of the world’s leading suicide prevention experts, this film has screenings planned around the world starting in March.
“Kevin Hines’ Suicide The Ripple Effect is a marvel of inspiration, a film that should be seen by anyone who has known despair, and anyone who is or has been close to someone in a suicidal crisis.” – Dr. John Draper, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The film chronicles the story of Kevin Hines, who at age 19 attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Since then, Kevin has been on a mission to use his story to help others find recovery and stay alive, and has become the world’s most prominent suicide prevention speaker and advocate. The film also features some of the world’s leading suicide prevention experts and shines light on people who are using personal experiences with suicide to help others find the hope they need to stay alive.
Following the screening there will be an important Q&A and discussion on the topic facilitated by Thomas Killian, Executive Director of Garrett County Lighthouse, Inc.
This screening is supported by Garrett County Suicide Prevention Committee and Garrett County Behavioral Health Authority.
Apr 17, 2019
GRMC patients now have the option to utilize MHealth, a free mobile device application to review their health information. MHealth is a mobile app that allows you to access your health information from your smartphone or tablet.
Downloading the MHealth app to your smartphone or tablet is free. Mobile devices need to be iOS 10- plus or Android 5-plus compliant. The MHealth app is provided by MEDITECH, which is GRMC’s electronic record provider. Connecting millions of patients in over 750 healthcare organizations worldwide, MEDITECH is a healthcare software company that provides an electronic health record system to healthcare providers.
The app provides GRMC patients the option to have direct, streamlined access to their patient portal information. By searching MHealth in your smart phone or tablet’s app store, you can easily download the app. Once downloaded, the user will be prompted to select the state of Maryland and then a list of hospitals that includes GRMC will appear. Once GRMC is selected, the user will be taken to a login that is similar to the internet browser login for GRMC’s patient portal.
The MHealth app can provide patients with such information as lab results, radiology reports, visit history and billing. If you are a GRMC patient and you need to more information regarding your user identification for the patient portal, you can visit https://www.grmc-wvumedicine.org/patient-portal or you may call 301-533-4000.
Apr 16, 2019
Yesterday morning saw what was hopefully the season’s last snow, with a dusting and temperatures around freezing. Today’s weather will be mostly sunny with a high near 61 and a low around 50. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Sarah’s other local business, The Deep Creek Wedding, is launching the first edition of their magazine today! Check out the Deep Creek Marry-land magazine for 40 pages of details, vendors, and insider tips on getting married here in our Deep Creek area. Sign up via email to receive your downloadable copy!
Garrett County Sheriff Rob Corley has put out an advisory stating that individuals claiming to be from the power company have been attempting to get into residences in the Oakland area. Potomac Edison does not have crews doing that at this time so it is believed to be a scam. Residents are advised to not allow anyone they do not know or are not expecting into their homes. Please help spread the word.
The County Commissioners have been holding open-to-the-public budget work sessions where county departments and other organizations present their budget requests for the next fiscal year. There is another work session scheduled for this afternoon at 4:30 pm at the county court house. The Garrett County Health Department and various County Departments will present their budgets to the commissioners at this session. Here’s more information including the schedule for the public presentation of the FY 2020 budget in late May.
Congressman David Trone is hosting an Opioid Epidemic Workshop from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday in Hagerstown. The workshop features a discussion about the impact on our residents and will feature a panel of experts in the field. Representatives from local and regional organizations will also provide resources and information to attendees.
The Chamber has scheduled its bi-monthly Business Before Hours for Tuesday, May 21st in the Sundown Village Cafe Yurts at Wisp Resort. The 2019 “Legislative Wrap-up” will provide information that impacts Garrett County and/or your business. Hear directly from Senator George Edwards and Delegate Wendell Beitzel as they provide a summary of this year’s Maryland General Assembly session. https://www.visitdeepcreek.com/events/details/business-before-hours-legislative-wrap-up-2019-25439
Rides are filling up for the 2019 Garrett County Gran Fondo bike race on Saturday, June 22nd. Actually, the Gran Fondo, sponsored by Garrett Trails, is a number of races, for “almost” all level of cyclists.
Thanks to Jonathan Miller for this fun Deep Creek video: