A new nonprofit organization, Refuge Mountain Ranch, has been officially established in Garrett County, Maryland with a mission to provide a Christ-centered home and school for at-risk girls. The organization also announced the launch of its new website at www.refugemountainranch.org, which outlines the vision, leadership, and ways the public can get involved.

Located in the mountains near Grantsville, Refuge Mountain Ranch will offer a safe, structured, and faith-filled environment for girls facing trauma, neglect, or instability. The nonprofit is currently laying the groundwork for a long-term residential program that will include educational support, equine-assisted therapy, and biblical mentorship.

“We are excited to officially launch Refuge Mountain Ranch as a nonprofit organization and introduce our mission to the community,” said Ben Riegsecker, executive director. “Our purpose is to serve girls who need refuge—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—and to walk with them as they discover hope and healing through Christ.”

A Vision for Healing and Hope
The newly launched website provides information about the organization’s founding, program model, and future plans for development. It also offers opportunities for donations, volunteer involvement, and church partnerships.

Plans include constructing residential homes, developing a Christ-centered school, and building facilities to support equine therapy—all designed to foster healing and growth through responsibility, community, and love.

“We believe that every child is worthy of safety, purpose, and restoration,” Riegsecker said. “Refuge Mountain Ranch will be a place where those values are lived out every day.”

Built on solid ground
Refuge Mountain Ranch is inspired by the established successes of Chestnut Mountain Ranch in Morgantown, West Virginia and Eagle Ranch near Atlanta, Georgia. There, our founding board of directors witnessed firsthand the transformative power of a loving and structured Christ-centered educational environment.

With the guidance of Steve and Dawn Finn, who bring wisdom from their tenure at Eagle Ranch and Chestnut Mountain Ranch, Refuge Mountain Ranch is developing our educational model to support girls and their families in rediscovering the joy of education and the strength of positive, faith-based values.

Get Involved
Refuge Mountain Ranch is currently in the startup phase and is actively seeking individuals, churches, and organizations interested in supporting its mission through prayer, funding, and service.

To learn more or get involved, visit the newly launched website at www.refugemountainranch.org.

Lakeside Creamery North is now open! In addition to the original Lakeside Creamery located right on Deep Creek Lake, the business has expanded to a new location at 25297 Garrett Hwy, McHenry, MD 21541 (next to Archie’s BBQ)! Lakeside Creamery North offers scoops and soft serve (sorry, no quarts).

Lake&Lure will open its very own country store at Deep Creek Lake in late summer 2025!

FOREI, Sarah Myers Marketing, and Garrett College are offering a 12-hour workshop for aspiring and current business owners in the outdoor industry, with sessions on July 24, July 31 (at Garrett College’s Northern Outreach Center), and August 7 (at New Germany State Park), all from 2–6 PM. Topics include business foundations, leadership, marketing, and customer experience, with a hands-on outdoor session to wrap it up. Space is limited and participants should plan to attend all three dates.

The Dollar General Market is now open at the intersection of Glendale Road and Route 219, bringing convenient shopping options to the area.

Well, it is official! On June 2, 2025, the new owners take over the Little Crossings Property – including the restaurant, retail store, cottages, barn (which houses the Garrett County Arts Council Gallery Two), and the 6 riverfront acres.

We’re thrilled to announce, it is longtime employee, Emily Newman-Edwards, and her husband, Paul! Emily has worked for us since 2010 through Savage River Lodge, and the creation of The Cornucopia Cafe, Grant’s Mercantile, and Little Crossings Pantry.

“I’m excited to bring two new brands to the property to highlight our culinary strengths and incorporate my passion for wine tasting and education! Being instrumental in the construction of this property and brands 10+ years ago, made it so important to me to carry on Mike and Jan’s legacy and continue to offer a premier hospitality experience on the banks of the Cassleman River!”

Martin Galloway, who has spearheaded the Cornucopia Cafe since 2020, is staying on with The Mountain Grape Tavern, and is the Director of Culinary Services for the property in charge of MGT menus, Maple & Vine Market carry-out chef’s meals, and events and catering.

Martin looks forward to bringing you the best pasta and steak experience in the area, along with bespoke weddings, wine tastings, chef’s dinners, and more!

Do you want to learn about Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County while winning cool prizes? You’re in luck because 6 Experience Passes are available right now to help you do just that!

These passes will guide you to a variety of spots in the county where you can check in and earn points that you can use for great Deep Creek Lake gear! The passes are completely free, and there’s no new app to download. All you need to do is sign up on your mobile device, and you’re ready to explore and win!

The prizes include Deep Creek Lake Centennial swag (coins, pins, patches, stickers, keychains, wallets, and magnets), maple syrup, hats, and more!

Tour the county. Experience its heritage. Win prizes!

Deep Creek Fitness is moving back to the Shop ‘n Save plaza, and our Grand Opening is happening on May 3rd from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM! They’re located between Bear Creek Coffee and Deep Creek Salon. Stop by for a $5 day pass and take advantage of our discounted membership sale!

Get ready for a tasty treat this May! Polska’s Pierogi N’at, a new pierogi food cart, will be serving up delicious Polish dumplings every Saturday in the parking lot of Polska Polish Pottery of Deep Creek Lake.

Polska’s Pierogi N’at plans to offer catering and attend events in both Garrett and Allegany Counties.

For more details, give them a call at 240-442-5086. Don’t miss out on this exciting new food stop this May!

Located in the heart of McHenry with stunning views of Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Resort, McHenry Heights is a high-end mixed-use development blending modern elegance with natural beauty. Four thoughtfully designed buildings feature premium commercial spaces on the lower levels—ideal for boutique shops, upscale dining, and wellness services—with leases starting at $25/sq ft.

Above, luxury condominiums offer elevator access, open layouts, gourmet kitchens, spa-style bathrooms, and private balconies, priced from the high $800s to $1.25M. Whether as a weekend escape or year-round home, McHenry Heights offers a refined lifestyle where mountain charm meets sophisticated living.

Garrett Christian Academy, now home to over 140 students from more than 60 families and representing 34 area churches, has officially become an independent school. Formerly operating as a satellite campus of Calvary Christian Academy, the school’s Board of Directors made the prayerful decision to establish Garrett Christian Academy as a standalone institution. As of April 22, 2025, the school is officially recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

The Board expressed deep gratitude to the Calvary Christian Academy team for their support during the school’s formative years, as well as to the dedicated staff, generous donors, and faithful supporting churches. They remain committed to the school’s mission and look forward to continued support from the community in this new chapter.

Request a free estimate to remove that tree hanging dangerously over your home or garage. With years of experience, 3G Tree is licensed and insured, ensuring quick and safe removal of any tree hazard to protect your property.

Now through 10 AM today, get two FREE Trout’s Signature Crab Dips 🦀 (8 oz.) with any online order! Place your order soon and enjoy a taste of Maryland this Easter Sunday!

Herbal Earth Apothecary & Gardens at Yorkie Acres Farm has exciting news—they’re opening a storefront in Friendsville, Maryland! 🌿 This new space will offer herbal products, body care, wellness items, a botanical beverage bar, farm-to-table soups, and more! They’re also partnering with Holistic Rhythms Wellness & Sleep Center for wellness services like herbal consultations and sleep testing.

The farm store will remain open by appointment, and Yorkie Acres will continue offering events and farm stays.

Stay tuned for more updates and the official opening date! ✨

The cat’s out of the bag, and we couldn’t be more excited to finally share this with you…

Coming EARLY THIS SUMMER, we’re launching our brand-new venture- HARVEST HOUSE!

What started as Meadow Mountain Microgreens has grown into something bigger, bolder, and more delicious

Harvest House will be a one-of-a-kind hybrid hub bistro located at Market On 42 in Friendsville- a gathering place for locals and visitors to enjoy incredible food, craft libations, and a direct connection to local agriculture

On-site microgreens grow operation
Farm-to-table fresh eats
Agro-tourism experiences
Meadow Mountain Hemp influence and products

This has been three years in the making, and we’re beyond thrilled to bring our vision to life and share it with YOU!

To keep up with all the updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, and our grand opening date – we’re transitioning our Meadow Mountain Microgreens pages to Harvest House DCL!

Be sure to LIKE, FOLLOW & SHARE to stay in the loop!

Tag a foodie, a friend, or anyone who loves fresh eats & good vibes!

Cheers to New Beginnings,
Haeli & Darryl