Deep Creek Lake MD News and Local Resources: Daily Notes

The weather for today will likely include rain, mainly between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. The high will be near 55, with a low of about 37. There will be a southeast wind of 8 to 13 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. For a national look here’s an update post from AccuWeather on a potential winter storm for the Northeast (with rain in lower states) this weekend. We will likely see a mix.

It’s Taco Tuesday again at Black Bear Tavern all day today.  You get two for $2, either soft or crunchy.  Check them out in McHenry and tell them Deep Creek Times sent you!

It’s shred day, it’s shred day!  What the heck is that you ask?  Well you can click here to find out and learn how to un-clutter for the new year! Hint: it is at the Oakland branch of the Ruth Enlow Library.

There’s a Tele-Townhall meeting this evening for all those interested in learning more about the 2020 census and the Maryland Fair Maps Act. It starts at 7:00 pm and you can learn more and register here.

Not trying to make a political point here at all, but the first state-sponsored Climate Leadership Academy starts February 20th, with registration closing the end of January and a class size limit of 75 individuals. The Maryland program is the nation’s first state-sponsored institution providing continuing education and executive training programs specifically designed for state and local government officials, infrastructure executives, and business leaders around climate change.

Well, someone must be living right! Ira Miller is turning 103 years young on January 27th!  His family has asked any and all readers to help him celebrate by sending Ira a birthday card.  His address is: Ira Miller, 1330 Glendale Circle West, Sarasota, Florida 34232  You can also ask Ira to send some sun up our way.

Have a great day folks and may you all live to see 103!

The weekend had some interesting temperature shifts.  Saturday was in the mid-sixties, Sunday got back down to the 30s and was dreary with a little “spitting” precipitation.  Regardless, I saw tubers and skiers at the Wisp on both days. I guess there are no bad days on the slopes.  I certainly understand. There was also a power outage of a few hours on Saturday south of the 219 bridge and into the northern reaches of Oakland.

Today’s weather will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 50 and a low around 37. There’s a slight chance of showers Monday night in the wee hours.

Speaking of the weather, there was an interesting and challenging mix of weather across the mid-west and into Canada this weekend, with the lake-area being spared. High winds, rain, ice and multiple tornados were reported.  The cold weather will stay north early this week, but I wanted to make readers aware in case they were traveling by auto or air.

Thinking about getting your life and/or home a bit more organized in the New Year?  Here’s a simple suggestion piece from Zillow to get you started.  Some people resolve to get in better shape or get rid of troublesome credit card debt. Here’s a link to a study that found Maryland had average per-capita credit card debt of $4,228 to rank third among all of the states. Here’s a link to the study.  Interesting stuff I think.

Also at the state-level, but certainly impacting, and of use to, all at the lake, is the Department of Natural Resources January 2020 newsletter.  It covers such topics as trout stocking, turkey season, and a variety of other topics including 2020 being designated by Governor Hogan as the year of the woman.

This one hurts to report:  The sudden and unexpected passing of Paul Weiler on December 20 has deeply saddened the Deep Creek Watershed Board and advisors and many at the lake. Paul was a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and served as its Project Manager following his turn as president of the Foundation. His kindness, analytical insights and tireless generosity will be greatly missed. Paul’s family would appreciate donations to the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation at www.deepcreekwatershedfoundation.org. I (Mike) have had the pleasure of working and interacting with Paul on a number of boards and committees and he was a gentle, kind, caring and talented man that will surely be missed.

Paul Weiler

The weather today will be cloudy with a high near 53 and a low around 47. South wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Saturday will bring a chance of rain, mainly after 10am. Overall, cloudy with a high near 60 and a low around 47. South wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Sunday will be mostly sunny with a high near 50 and a low around 37.

MaryMeBlogger shared this snowy overlook photo with us!

The Maryland Board of Public Works yesterday unanimously approved more than $18.8 million in Rural Legacy Program grants for conservation easements in 18 counties. Funding from these grants will permanently protect more than 4,500 acres of working farms, forests, open space, shorelines, and wetlands — plus cultural and historic resources — throughout the state.

There are no 2020 easements in Garrett County but an area called “Bear Creek” is part of the Rural Legacy Program. Bear Creek is 31,457 acres protecting the Bear Creek watershed.

Enjoy fun (and free) gaming with Mountaintop Tabletop at the Grantsville Ruth Enlow Library. From 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.!

TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced today that its programs: Rural Business Innovation Initiative (RBII Fund), Builder Fund (Builder Fund), Seed Funds (Seed Fund) and Maryland Venture Fund (MVF) are now accepting applications for investments.

The Board of Garrett County Commissioners presented an overview of county projects, mandates, and projected costs as an annual county update on Monday, January 6, 2020.

The next Business Before Hours will be held on January 21, 2020. The keynote speaker will feature Dr. Daraius Irani, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research at Towson University giving an economic forecast. The event will be 8 am – 9:30 am in the Crawford Room at Wisp Resort.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces the opening of the winter turkey season, which runs statewide from January 23-25 for hunters who did not harvest a turkey during the 2019 fall season. Hunting hours are from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. The bag limit is one turkey of either sex.

The weather today will be partly sunny, with a high near 36 and a low around 31. Southeast wind 9 to 14 mph.

Is this just Deep Creek in one winter photo?!

Did you know: Deep Creek Lake is just a short drive from “one of the greatest architectural triumphs of the 20th century” known as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater? Have you seen it in person?

The Fallingwater Institute invites students 8 to 13 years old to participate in its annual Gnome House Design Challenge — a program set up o work through the steps of the architectural design process like a real architect.

HART for Animals continues to work hard through grants and fundraising to help save the lives of homeless animals; they gave us some year-to-date numbers:
Low-Cost/No-Cost Spays & Neuters: 677
Rescue & Transports: 702
Adoptions: 297
Thanks to HART for Animals for all they do!

You may have a chance to get out on the cross country ski trails today! I know Herrington Manor State Park and New Germany State Park received about 5 inches of snow! Call the park offices to be sure they’re renting — Herrington Manor is 301 334-9180 and New Germany is 301-895-5453​.

Dear readers: note that we have received a few messages to our page over the last few weeks that did not include contact information. If you are waiting for a reply from us, will you try again?

The weather today will be snow showers likely, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28 and a low around 13. Windy, with a west wind 21 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Be careful out there today!

Take advantage of this fresh snow! ❄️Visit our new advertiser Deep Creek Ski & Snowboard Rentals!

What’s New Around Town

The Deep Creek Art and Wine Festival has announced the date for the 2020 festival! There won’t be a beer tent, but, they will have a football tent and local craft beers for purchase on tap!

Do you live or work in the City of Cumberland? The city is preparing its FY 2020 through FY 2024 Consolidated Plan to guide the use of approximately $1 million in federal funds; take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KSXYBCV.

There is a Winter Weather Advisory in place today from now until 4pm today. Snow, mainly before 4pm. High near 30 low around 25. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible with overnight snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

The Garrett County Commissioners gave the Annual County Update last evening. The slide deck can be found here: http://bit.ly/36qPskx

Garrett County Economic Development, Garrett County Public Schools, and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce have partnered to launch a new program called Virtual Job Shadow.

WHOA! Thank you to all of the HART Volunteers! These folks donated a total of 753 hours in the month of December and 11,478 total hours in 2019!

Purchase a Paw Print at any of the following DCT advertisers locations and help save homeless animals by providing emergency medical care with HART. Now thru Feb. 29:
Schoolhouse Earth
Trader’s Coffee House
Mountain State Brewing Co.
Black Bear Tavern
Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations and Sales

Maryland Department of Natural Resources crews stocked 4,350 trout last week in Deep Creek Lake.

Maryland Park Service registered 3,834 hikers participating in First Day guided hikes, while 1,152 people hiked 1,516 miles on their own — a grand total of 4,986 hikers. It was very cool! We were counted among the 38 at Herrington Manor State Park. And also, locally, there were 85 hikers at New Germany State Park and 5 hikers at Swallow Falls State Park.

The weather today will be cloudy then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 32 and a low around 25. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph.

Welcome back to the routine!

Zoe Spencer’s puppers says, “Happy New Year!”

The Annual Garrett County update will be presented tonight by the Garrett County Commissioners; the event will be immediately following the public meeting that begins at 4pm. Both meetings will be held in the public meeting room at the Garrett County Courthouse.

A portable hunting cabin has been listed for sale in our Online Marketplace. See the details and photos under “Miscellaneous”.

The Maryland State Police in McHenry are investigating a hit and run and looking for a silver Chevrolet Suburban or similar style SUV with damage to the driver’s side rear. It should be missing the fuel door, have a broken/missing driver’s side tail light, and have part of the plastic bumper cover broken off. Anyone with information is asked to call Corporal Doug Arnold 301-387-1101. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Garrett County Steps to Better Health Committee has announced Saturday, April 4th, as the date for the next Garrett County Health Fair and Family Fun Festival. The 2020 event takes place at the CARC (Community Aquatic & Recreation Complex) at Garrett College in McHenry from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

My apologies for a late start this morning — one word: technology! Thank you for your patience!

The weather today will be rain with a high near 50 and a low around 35. Saturday will be occasional rain with the temperature falling to around 40 by 5pm. Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 8pm. Low around 26. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Sunday has a chance of snow showers and will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 33 and low around 27. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Vaughn (@15_335m on Instagram) shared this photo with us! Wow!

All-day today is Hero’s Day at Wisp Resort! There’s a complimentary 1-day extended day lift ticket given to military, fire, police and rescue personnel (EMS).

Speaking of Wisp, don’t forget to send us A PHOTO OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF THE DECADE to be entered to win a 2-pack of all-day lift tickets! We must receive your photo by 11:59pm EST.

Tomorrow is a Buckwheat Cake dinner at the Swanton Community Center — beginning at 4pm until sold out. Take out available; call 301-387-9191.

The State of Maryland has raised the minimum wage to $11 per hour (for companies with 15 or more employees). Ultimately, the minimum wage will reach $15 in 2025.

The Maryland Heritage Areas Program is now accepting grant applications for heritage tourism and education projects located in Maryland’s thirteen heritage areas. Learn more here and attend one of the program’s workshops or webinars in January for detailed information about eligibility and the application process.

The Garrett County Commissioners have announced the public meeting agenda for their January 6th meeting. Note, the Annual County Update will be immediately following the public meeting.

It’s not too early to think spring! Here’s an article (from the Eastern Shore) on why to join a Master Gardener program. You can learn more about our local Garrett County program here.

The weather today will be increasing clouds and rain tonight. A high near 49 and a low around 42. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

The New Year seems like it’s off to a great start! T. Wiltison captured this sunrise today:

What are your New Year’s Resolutions? Mine is to see more of these amazing sunrises in person!

There are several events and entertainment acts coming up as January gets underway. Tonight, it’s a virtual open house for Pressley Ridge Foster Care. From 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. They will be discussing their need for foster parents and how you can become a foster parent.

Our friend and colleague Mary Callis has joined the state-wide Maryland Humanities Board of Directors.

It’s flu season. I SAY, YUCK! Here is some advice from the Garrett County Health Dept: Flu season advice

Congratulations to John Anderes for winning last month’s “Where Am I?” contest! The correct answer was the Thayerville Fire Tower. Be sure to take your guess for January’s contest!

The weather today and tomorrow will be snow showers with a high near 33 and a low around 25. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible and total nighttime accumulation of around an inch possible.

New Year’s Day: Isolated snow showers before 8am. Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 34. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

The Garrett County Health Department wants to help you quit tobacco and nicotine. Classes begin on Thursday, January 2nd, at the Oakland office of the Health Department, and Wednesday, January 8th, at the Northern Garrett Rescue Squad in Friendsville. Classes meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the designated days.

Here are the Deep Creek New Year’s Events! ????

The weather today will be a chance of showers before 10am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a temperature falling to around 45 by 5pm. Southwest wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Tonight is a chance of rain and snow showers with a low around 31.

It looks like LeAnn and her crew had a good time snow tubing at Wisp this holiday week:

Speaking of #good times and #deepcreektimes at Wisp, we will have a few lift tickets, rentals vouchers, and tubing tickets available for a few lucky readers! Stay tuned in 2020!

Have you signed up for our newsletter? One weekly email will be sent on Saturdays so you can Keep Up with the Times. If you’re already signed up, why not share it with a friend? https://deepcreektimes.com/newsletter-sign-up/

The U.S. Census has started sharing stories with its America Counts 2020 Census campaign. It’s critical that everyone in Garrett County is counted since Maryland, and our county, receive funding that is based largely on census population counts.

The Maryland Farm Bureau is offering five $2,000 scholarships for the 2020-2021 academic year. Applicants must be current high school seniors with plans to start college autumn semester 2020, or may be current full-time college students at any accredited community college or four-year institution. The deadline for application is February 10, 2020.

On December 27, Maryland Department of Natural Resources crews stocked 3,450 trout into the Savage River Reservoir.

The weather today will be a chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 51 and a low around 40. West wind around 9 mph. Saturday will be partly sunny with a high near 52 and a low around 42. Sunday will be showers mainly after 1pm. High near 53 and a low around 46.

This was a special sunset at Deep Creek Lake, MD shared by Jenn Sherman:

Wisp Resort has an app! Download at: https://www.wispresort.com/wisp-app/

HART for Animals has two positions available as Kennel Assistants at the Bed ‘n Bark Inn pet hotel. Kennel assistants work with several important aspects such as animal care and treatment, customer service, and pet hotel cleanliness. Weekend and holiday hours are required and must be able to lift 50 lbs.

Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations and Sales has two new pages on Deep Creek Times — take a look at the TM real estate and TM rentals pages and share them with your friends and family! They still have a few home rentals available for New Year’s, too — call 301-387-5999.

Double Oak Farms is having a huge sale! Hamburger Patties on Sale from $5.99/lb to $4.75/lb while supplies last. They also have Brisket, Sirloin Steak, Cube Steak, Roasts, Ground Beef, Stew Meat, Soup Bones, Short Ribs, Baby Back Ribs, etc. Open Saturday from 9am to 6pm. Visit or send Megan and Josh a message.

AccuWeather is currently reporting that we may see some snow flurries in the forecast for New Year’s Eve.

What do you have planned?

The weather today will be mostly sunny with a high near 55 and a low around 40.

The days have been warmer but the evenings have been perfect for this (thanks to Jennelle Cyr for sharing her view!)

It’s a quiet day today – I think every one must be enjoying a little downtime.