Jul 18, 2023
Got old water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, or any other old boat “stuff” cluttering up your boat house? The Deep Creek Lake Lions Club will gladly take it off your hands and “up-cycle” them into a new community landmark!
Earlier this year the club built and presented to Wisp Resort a “Ski Throne” at the Blind Skier 50th Anniversary Gala to recognize their support of the program. The throne was made of old skis donated to the club and even included a set engraved with local legend and long-time club member Ed King’s name.
The club is now building another ridiculously large throne, this time with water skis to commemorate its Blind Camper Program, and will be located at the McHenry Community Park, which the club operates and uses as a basecamp for the Blind Camper Program.
If you’ve got contributions to this project you can drop them off any time at the park on 1249 Bumble Bee Rd, Accident, MD, in the area next to our shed. There is a blue barrel with a sign for ski Deep Creek Lions Club
Collecting Old Water Skis By Chris Nichols donations there. The club is also always accepting donations of any kinds of boats or other recreational vehicles to support these programs. Donors receive a tax deduction, free up space for their next toy, and the club auctions off these items annually.
For more information on the club, its service programs, or any donation opportunities, persons may visit deepcreeklions.org or email DCLLIONS@gmail.com or call 323 325-5466.
Jul 14, 2023
It’s really starting to feel like summer in Garrett County, and it wouldn’t be complete without a farmers market adventure!
Through our current SPINE grant and partnerships, which includes Garrett Growers, Western Maryland Food Council, the Garrett County Economic Development Agriculture Business Office, a nonprofit (in development), and community meal and food bank providers, we are excited to bring back the community markets from last year!
This year, the community markets will be available in Friendsville on Tuesdays at the Ruth Enlow Library of Friendsville (beginning tomorrow, July 11th), and at the Meadows in Mountain Lake Park on Wednesdays. (Don’t forget about the SNAP match program too! Details on flyers below.)
If you have any questions, please reach out, and we’ll forward them to our network of partners.
Jul 14, 2023
Jul 13, 2023
The fight for gender equality in the U.S. Constitution continues for the 100th year since the 1923 Seneca Falls Convention, where Alice Paul first introduced the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution. AAUW-Garrett Branch will be represented at the 2023 Seneca Falls Convention, July 21-23, along with representatives from all 50 states.
Says Judy Carbone, AAUW-Garrett Branch president, “I am proud to represent and stand on the shoulders of the women from Garrett County who fought for the 19th Amendment affording women the right to vote and who have continued the fight for full gender equality since. The right to vote was hard won a hundred years ago, but we clearly are not done attaining equality.”
Advocates of the ERA note that gender-based discrimination in areas such as employment, education, and reproductive healthcare has been weakened over the past decade by recent legislation and court rulings. To guarantee freedom from sex discrimination by the government it is necessary to enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment in the Constitution.
Maryland and Virginia advocates attending the Equal Rights Amendment Centennial Convention, hosted by GenerationRatify, in Seneca Falls, NY, will be meeting in Hagerstown, MD, on their way to the convention, on Thursday, July 20, 8:30 AM -10:00 AM, at the Starbucks at 17326 Valley Mall Road. They invite the public to learn more about the ERA, get swag, enjoy donuts and coffee, and join them in a joyful sendoff as they move on to Seneca Falls.
Volunteer advocates from VoteEquality, the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Generation Ratify, Maryland Chapter of National Organization of Women (NOW), and the League of Women Voters are joining forces to ensure that equality, democracy, and voting rights are enshrined in the U.S. Constitution with the publication of the ERA.
On July 19, the 28-foot branded VoteEquality RV nicknamed the Ruthless Voter Getter (RVG) will lead a caravan of supporters to educate people about the fully ratified, yet-to-be-published ERA. The caravan begins in Richmond, VA, and will travel to Hagerstown, MD; Williamsport, PA; Corning, NY; and Seneca Falls, NY. At each stop of the Ruthless Centennial Tour, volunteers and community organizers will register voters, engage in personal conversations about gender equality, and raffle ERA-inspired artwork from the Artists4ERA (www.artists4era.org) collection.
Says Tracy Lantz, President of AAUW Maryland, “I am proud of AAUW Maryland and its support of the 2023 Ruthless Centennial Tour. More importantly, I look forward to our organization continuing to stand with our sister organizations, especially the young people of Generation Ratify, as we work to end gender-based discrimination — in all its forms — through the long overdue publication of the ERA.”
Among the general public, gender equality and the Equal Rights Amendment are not partisan issues; in fact, 85% of American voters support Congressional action on the ERA.
“I’m attending the Seneca Falls Convention because it is where the women’s suffrage movement was set in motion. We are here now, more than one hundred years later, and we still have yet to affirm the 28th Amendment: the Equal Rights Amendment. We must continue fighting for its affirmation federally,” notes Chichi Lu, VoteEquality intern.
Mary Ann Gorman, ERA Task Force Chair of Maryland NOW states “Maryland NOW is proud to join the RVG caravan to the ERA Centennial Convention in Seneca Falls and continue in the centuries-old fight for gender equality. We will not rest until the ERA, passed 50 years ago and ratified three years ago, is fully affirmed by Congress, published in the Federal Register, and recognized as foundational to liberty for all Americans.”
It is past time for the US Constitution to protect all Americans — women, minorities, and LGBTQIA+. Together we can raise awareness, educate voters, and ensure the publication of the ERA in the US Constitution. The full VoteEquality RVG tour schedule is available online at VoteEquality.US/2023-Tour.
For more information on the ERA Centennial Convention, including purchasing tickets and to see the schedule, go to eventbrite.com/e/era-centennial-convention-tickets-461810366237.
Jul 4, 2023
Garrett College’s summer session credit-hour enrollment increased more than 17 percent compared to summer 2022, according to recently released enrollment data.
Summer session credit hours increased 17.4 percent compared to last summer, going from 436 hours last year to 512 in 2023. Headcount enrollment increased by 10.7 percent, with 124 students enrolled this summer compared to 112 in 2022.
GC experienced increases across most enrollment categories. The College reported increases in first-time students (+38 percent), returning students (+4 percent), high school dual-enrolled students (+16 percent), and both male (+36 percent) and female students (+2 percent).
“We’re seeing a continuation of the post-COVID bounce-back,” said Dr. JR Kerns, GC’s dean of student affairs. “This summer, we were only 10 students off our summer enrollment in 2019, our last pre-COVID summer semester.”
Kerns said GC is seeing increases “in everyone from dual enrollment students looking to accelerate their college education to traditional college students picking up needed courses they might have missed earlier.”
Early fall semester enrollment trends are also positive, according to Kerns. As of June 26th, trend data showed GC up 24 percent in credit hours and 27 percent in headcount enrollment.
“It’s pretty early in the fall enrollment cycle, but those are very good early indicators,” said Kerns.
Jul 3, 2023
Founded in 1990, The Raleigh Ringers is an Emmy-nominated, internationally-acclaimed concert handbell choir based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The group has been dazzling audiences with unique interpretations of sacred, secular, and popular music, including rock ‘n’ roll tunes that the group has become noted for, along with original compositions written just for The Raleigh Ringers.
Under the direction of David M. Harris, The Raleigh Ringers has performed in 39 States and the District of Columbia, France, England, and Canada; live on the nationally syndicated “Bob and Tom Show” radio show; and on the “Hour of Power” at the Crystal Cathedral in California. In addition to seven albums, The Raleigh Ringers have released two full-length holiday concert videos. From those videos, three one-hour concert specials were created and broadcast on over 250 American Public Television stations in 45 states. The most recent PBS special aired over 400 times in 38 states in its first year of national distribution.
“The Raleigh Ringers sold out the house and was one of the most successful performances we have had at the Lincoln Theatre. The audience was engaged and entertained throughout the solid performance, and we received great feedback from patrons for several weeks after the event. Truly a one‐of‐a‐kind show that everyone enjoyed.”
— Duane Cregger, Executive Director, The Lincoln Theater, Marion, Virginia
Times and dates for in-person performances are subject to change based on local and state health regulations.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE
Jul 3, 2023
Originally published by Smart Approaches to Marijuana.
With sales of commercial marijuana beginning tomorrow in Maryland, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) President Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, released the following statement:
“Looking to score a quick payday that may never come, Maryland’s lawmakers opened the floodgates for high-potency THC drugs in their own communities. While many who championed this cause claimed it would serve as a form of social justice, we fully expect wealthy White investors from Big Marijuana to dominate the commercial landscape. As we’ve seen occur in other states, people in Maryland will soon see more youth use, greater rates of DUI crashes, and more workplace accidents attributable to marijuana.
“The marijuana industry repeated a set of practiced lines that Maryland politicians were all too eager to believe. No matter how you spin it, the industry relies on making higher-potency products, downplaying the mental and physical health risks of marijuana, and increasing usage rates – especially among young people and minorities. That’s the pattern we’ve seen in other pot-legal states.
“The public needs to know about the harms this industry is willing to inflict on their communities. Public education about mental and physical health impacts, addiction, and safety risks must be expanded significantly. The development and implementation of a youth-focused statewide prevention campaign is imperative. Parents and law enforcement, alongside addiction specialists, need additional support to minimize the damage done by this addiction-for-profit industry. Legalization won’t make Maryland safer or healthier, and it won’t be the cash cow pandering politicians sold the public.”
Jun 13, 2023
Oakland resident Teresa Wolf, right, graduated with the highest grade-point average among members of Garrett College’s 2023 graduating class. Wolf finished with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Pictured with Wolf is Dr. Ryan Harrod, Garrett College’s dean of academic affairs and chief academic officer.
Garrett College officially graduated 97 students as part of its 51st commencement on May 20th.
Degrees awarded include Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE). The conferrals include:
AA, Arts & Sciences: Fine & Performing Arts: Lucas A. Zewatsky, Magna Cum Laude, and Marlysse I. Calling, both of Oakland.
AA, Arts & Sciences: Mathematics/Science: Riley M. Zang, Finzel.
AA, Arts & Sciences: Psychology: Richard E. Woodward, Cum Laude, Friendsville; Audrey C. Metts, Cum Laude, and Kylie M. Mark, Magna Cum Laude, both of Grantsville.
AA, Arts & Sciences: Social & Behavioral Sciences: Connor M. Saladin, Annapolis, and Luis A. Rodriguez, Coral Springs, FL.
AA, Business Administration: Eli N. Wallace, Cumberland; Alexis N. Meyers, Summa Cum Laude, Friendsville; Evan N. Shadel, Magna Cum Laude, Frostburg; Beckett M. Bowser, Cum Laude, Grantsville; Jennifer M. Koach, Mountain Lake Park; Emmalie N. Thomas, Magna Cum Laude, Teresa M. Wolf, Summa Cum Laude, and Tobias Unger, Summa Cum Laude, all of Oakland; and Kody Fedkow, Tampa, FL.
AA, General Studies: Josias A. Mickens, Baltimore, Arianna Richardson, Bowie; Angela D. Olinzock, Caleb S. Frazee, Cum Laude, and Gabriell M. Blamble, all of Friendsville; Levi A. Schroyer, Cum Laude, Grantsville; Korey A. Mitchum, McHenry; Brycen D. Seib and Cambria N. Snyder, Magna Cum Laude, both of Oakland; Nadine G. Diaz and Rachel C. Duggan, Cum Laude, both of Swanton; Mitchell J. Poppek, Westminster; Nicholas J. Basso, Coral Springs, FL; Deylana J. Forrest, Groveland, FL; Zachary R. Swanger, Magna Cum Laude. Bellefonte, PA; Tyler Dellinger, Mount Jackson, VA; Hailey Paige, Stephens City, VA; and Anthony J. Crosby, Woodbridge, VA.
AA, Teacher Education: Early Childhood Education: Krista N. Maust, Cum Laude, and Sarah M. Wotring, both of Accident; and Deja Mckoy, Clarksville.
AA, Teacher Education: Elementary Education: Madeleine C. Savage, Swanton.
AA, Teacher Education: Secondary Education: Zackary R. Tusing, Oakland; and Aimma A. Miller, Cum Laude, Confluence, PA.
AAT, Elementary Education/Special Education: Emily G. Sines, Cum Laude, Friendsville; Emily M. Helms, Summa Cum Laude, Oakland; and Olivia P. Warne, Summa Cum Laude, Swanton.
AS, Computer Science: Evan N. Shadel, Magna Cum Laude, Frostburg; Jaydason G. Miller, Magna Cum Laude, and Whitney F. Reall, Summa Cum Laude both of Oakland; and Nyrek M. Wheeler, Covington, GA.
AAS, Business & Information Technology: Graphic/Web Design: Whitney F. Reall, Summa Cum Laude, Oakland.
AAS, Cybersecurity: Paxton J. Wertz, Cumberland; Ryan T. Dalton, Magna Cum Laude, McHenry; Jakob D. Long, Oakland; and Elijah J. Hunter, Cum Laude, Mechanicsville, VA.
AAS, Natural Resources & Wildlife Technology: Luis Cervantes, Catonsville; Hannah G. Moore, Magna Cum Laude, Cresaptown; Cody H. Mason, Dundalk; Reillee D. Beeman, Frostburg; Wyatt A. Orner, Grantsville; Valerie G. Stemac, McHenry; Chancellor M. Friend and Richard P. Johnson, both of Oakland; Bella A. LaRosa, Acme, PA; Cole Bryner, Connellsville, PA; Joshua J. Weister, Dawson, PA.; and Michael C. Gillert, Morgantown, WV.
AAS, Paramedic Studies: Bradley J. Nesline, Bittinger; and Anthony A. Oliverio III, Friendsville.
AAS, Sport Management: Josiany K. Canales Esquilin, Mascotte, FL; Matthew D. Hutson, Clarksburg, WV; and Darrick H. Broadwater, New Creek, WV.
ASE, Electrical Engineering: Carder P. Stakem, Summa Cum Laude, Grantsville.
Certificate, Cybersecurity: Antonio Nguyen, Oakland.
May 30, 2023
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May 15, 2023
May 8, 2023 Bill Signing HB695, Joe Andrucyk, Patrick Siebert, govpics.maryland.gov
The Rural Maryland Council celebrated the signing of House Bill 695– Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund – Allocation of Grants (Rural Communities Improvement Act of 2023) by Governor Wes Moore on Monday, May 8, 2023 at the State House in Annapolis. This bill promotes and expands the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund to include workforce and cooperative development projects and programs in rural Maryland through a formula-driven grant program administered by the Rural Maryland Council. “We thank our sponsors Delegates Sheree Sample-Hughes (D-District 37B) and Chris Adams (R-District 37A) for their support,” said Susan O’Neill, RMC Executive Board Chair and Executive Director of the Upper Shore Regional Council.
“The strength of the Council’s impact is dependent on the resources provided to them through the State’s operating budget. The Council members and rural non-profit community leverage these funds with local and federal funds to improve the lives of rural Marylanders’, continued O’Neill. “RMPIF funding allows many rural organizations to provide innovative programming that creates jobs, and educational opportunities and enhances the quality of life in our rural communities. For many nonprofit organizations and stakeholders, RMPIF provides the critical support needed to fuel healthy, resilient rural communities.”
The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) is an independent State Agency housed in the Department of Agriculture. RMC is known as the collective voice for Rural Maryland and its mission is to convene stakeholders to collectively address the needs of rural Maryland communities. The Council administers two grant programs – the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) and the Maryland Agricultural and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF). This legislation focuses on the RMPIF program. The RMPIF funds are distributed through a highly competitive grant program to the State’s five Rural Regional Councils and programs and projects eligible under entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and health care. A portion of funds is retained by the Rural Maryland Council for operational expenses consisting primarily of staff salaries.
Demand for RMC programs is high. Over the past five years, in Fiscal Year 2019 through 2022, the RMC grant programs have had an average of 155 applicants requesting $10,819,991. With this funding, RMC has funded on average 66 applicants at $6,080,255. In FY2023, RMC received 50% in additional funding and was able to provide more grants that are helping build stronger rural communities. In Fiscal Year 2023, RMC received 215 grant applications totaling $19,130,407, of which 84 grants were awarded totaling $8,369,629. These grant-recipient projects have had significant outcomes such as improved education outcomes of at-risk,
minority children by providing educational summer enrichment programming; supporting general contractor and infrastructure costs for a new 72-unit affordable housing community; expanding broadband internet connections to new homes; and, providing medical transportation, personnel, and services to those in need.
The Council sought to add Cooperative Development and Workforce Development as focus areas under Rural Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Development as a technical update to the RMPIF statute. Through Rural Workforce Development, the Council will support apprenticeships and community colleges so young adults can stay in rural areas and become part of the rural workforce. Efforts to improve career and technology education through the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future will be a main component of this program. Through Cooperative Development, the Council will support programs that improve the economic conditions of rural areas by helping individuals and businesses start, expand, or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses.
The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) is an independent state agency governed by a nonpartisan, 40-member board that consists of inclusive representation from the federal, state, regional, county, and municipal governments, as well as the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. We bring together federal, state, county, and municipal government officials as well as representatives of the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to identify challenges unique to rural communities and to craft public policy, programmatic or regulatory solutions.
Feb 10, 2023
Feb 8, 2023
Jan 27, 2023
Jan 10, 2023
The Youth Day Mentored Waterfowl Hunt is intended to give youth hunters an opportunity to hunt waterfowl under the guidance of experienced mentors. For this event, only hunters ages 11-16 years old will be eligible. Space is limited, and participants will be selected via lottery. You will be notified via phone and email if you have been selected for the hunt by January 20, 2023. (Please note: only those selected will be notified)
This event is brought to you by a partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Sportsmen’s Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and Delta Waterfowl.
No experience is necessary to participate in this event, including Hunter Education or a current hunting license. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers an Apprentice Hunting License, which can be obtained and used for one hunting season. All applications will be reviewed for acceptance into the program.
If selected, once notified, you will be required to obtain a valid Maryland Hunting License or Apprentice License within 3 days of acceptance into the program, as well as appropriate stamps. Youth hunters, including those possessing an
apprentice license, must purchase a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp but do not need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp if under 16 years of age.
There is no cost to participate in this event!
Location: Properties throughout Maryland (mainly Eastern, Southern, and Central parts of the state)
*Important Dates*
Application Deadline: January 18, 2023
Acceptance Notification: January 20, 2023
Hunt Date: February 4, 2023
Mar 30, 2022
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners Public Meeting will be held on Monday, April 4, 2022.
Meeting will also be Live Streamed at https://www.facebook.com/garrettcountygovernment/
Agenda Session Times are Approximate
The Board of County Commissioners may close a portion of this public meeting and move into Executive Session to comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicial requirement that may prevent public disclosure about a particular proceeding or matter
*To comment on agenda items – please send them to comments@garrettcounty.org
- 3:00 Administrative Session
Mr. Null will review a number of administrative and managerial matters under his authority and jurisdiction with the Board of County Commissioners
- 4:00 Call to Order of Public Session, Invocation, and Pledge of Allegiance
County Administrator – Additions/Deletions to Public Meeting Agenda
Approval of Public, Administrative, and Executive Meeting Minutes
- 4:05 Arbor Day in Garrett County Recognition – Proclamation and Arbor Day Poster Contest Winners
- 4:10 Recognition: Maryland Young Women Leaders Award Recipient – Sara Huelskamp
- 4:15 Resolution Approval and Execution – 2022 Garrett County Tax Sale Date & Time
- 4:20 Garrett County Purchasing Department
Bid Awards:
- Avilton Community Association Sidewalk Construction – Bid #22–0310
- Deep Creek Lake WWTP Office Building Roof & Gutter Replacement – Bid#22–0303
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
- 4:30 Garrett County Board of Education – Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Presentation
Public Issues or concerns that are to be presented to the Board of Garrett County Commissioners during any Public Meeting should be scheduled with Carol A. Riley–Alexander, Executive Assistant to the Board of County Commissioners/County Administrator.
