Deep Creek Lake MD News and Local Resources: Daily Notes

The weather for today is cool: sunny, with a high near 63 and a low around 53. West wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Saturday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 72 and a low around 64. Sunday will be showers mainly before 10am. High near 73 and a low around 65. West wind 14 to 17 mph.

Thanks to reader Cathy, she reports: a mama black bear and two babies in their yard on Hazelhurst Road around 11:00pm Thursday evening.

This little lady Laceyn was having a great time here at the Lake feeding the ducks!

From the Baltimore Sun – “But, away from the lake and its restaurants and amusements are other places, preserved in state parks and forests, worth getting on the itinerary next time you head for the hills.”

The most recent presentation made by Scott Weeks on the proposed Garrett County Fiscal Year 2020 Budget has been posted online here.

Please plan on joining us at the 2019 Walk For Hospice this Sunday at 2:00 at the Glades Town Park in Oakland! A generous $50.00 and up contribution to their mission will get you an event hoodie! There will be raffles, food, music, corn hole tournament and much more!

Make sure to check out all of the events happening this weekend! It’s a full weekend! Note: Our list of events is being a little wonky this week 🙁 Click through to “Next Events” (at the bottom right of the events section) to see the full weekend, but, if you don’t see the full list click “Previous Events” (at the bottom left of the events section) to see the complete list. We do have a ticket into our tech team on this!

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has started construction on the realignment of U.S. Route 219 (Chestnut Ridge Road) between I-68 (National Freeway) and Old Salisbury Road in Grantsville. This isn’t about traffic issues but, rather, interconnectivity between states.

A Touch of Class Limousines is offering a special Father’s Day Deal: Purchase a $250 Gift Certificate for $200 for his next special event or any hourly services.

See the recording of the Garrett County Board of Education Meeting Live Stream from June 11, 2019 here.

The weather for today will be showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon; a high near 61 and a low around 44. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.

Tonight is the first Pocket Park movie of the season! Mary Poppins Returns will begin at dusk in the Mountain Fresh Pavilion in downtown Oakland.

The Garrett County Arts Council 2019 Annual Membership Meeting and Reception is tonight at Ace’s Run from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

Deep Creek Times is happy to congratulate Hugh Umbel as the winner of the 2019 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for success in local business as well as strong community support.  Hugh owns or has founded a number of local businesses including Bear Creek Traders and has been active in the Deep Creek Lake area for decades. Well deserved Hugh!

So, this happened yesterday…. note the bike’s speed in the lower left corner. Thanks Phillip Fadul for sharing:

Maryland State police have located a missing girl, Ruth Evelyn Harlow, this morning. She was a runaway from Salem Children’s Trust.

The WGW Benefit Golf Tournament is coming up on June 20, 21 and 22 and the Landon’s Library basketball league is in need of baskets for the basket raffle! If you are willing to put together a basket, please drop it off at Boal and Associates at 317 E Oak Street by Wednesday, June 19th.

The Town of Oakland is holding a public meeting on its new Downtown Wayfinding Project at Oakland City Hall on Monday, June 17 at 2pm. This project will make it easy for visitors to navigate around downtown as well as highlighting its attractions and offerings in an appealing and informative manner. The Town is looking to discuss the overall wayfinding approach and to receive input regarding 3 design options for new pedestrian signs and kiosks.

The weather today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 68 and a low around 53. Showers possible after 3am. Southeast wind 11 to 15 mph.

Wow. By photographer Gordon Fisher:

The Grand Opening for the Believe in Tomorrow home is today from 3-5pm. Stop by if you can.

Tonight at 6:00 p.m. in the Garrett College Auditorium is the Public Hearing on the Proposed FY2020 Budget. The public invited to attend and public comments will be allowed.

DID YOU KNOW? Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed?! There were 5 ticks in yesterday’s muffin photo…. sorry to ruin your breakfast! Advice from the CDC on how to prevent tick bites and protect yourself is here http://bit.ly/2WcRqnr.

This weekend, the BlueShift dance group is coming to Deep Creek to share a workshop, masterclass, and a performance. The workshop on Saturday (Into to Modern Dance for Non-Dancers) is open to the public, ages 13 & up and no experience needed.

2019 Art, Wine, and Beer Festival Tickets are available! Visit the festival website to buy tickets, register to volunteer and get your discounted volunteer tasting ticket, and to learn about wine pairing dinners and accommodation specials. The fest is on September 7!

Do you ever wonder what the current Lake water temperature is? We have you covered with our temperature gauge! The blue line is the water temperature and the red line is the air temperature.

The weather today will be SUNNY! A high near 65 and a low around 49. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Today is the last day of school for Garrett County Public School students! Also, apparently it’s National Corn on the Cob Day and National German Chocolate Cake Day! Let’s celebrate!

Friends of mine, Bill and Sally, are avid birders and are sharing their morning bird walks — meet at the park in Friendsville at 8 am. Friendsville has a habitat is ideal for the yellow-throated warbler, Black-throated green warbler, yellow warbler, blue-gray gnatcatcher, great crested flycatcher, kingfisher, wood ducks, solitary sandpiper, Baltimore oriole, and more! Connect with them via the event link.

It’s Ladies Lounge at Sipside Lounge and Team Trivia at MoonShadow tonight!

Special shout out to Cash Vansickle for collecting donations for the adoptables at HART for Animals instead of presents for his 7th birthday! What a generous gift!

Here’s a photo of a poppyseed muffin from the CDC. Do you have any idea why? We’ll tell you the full story in tomorrow’s notes!

Clear Mtn Bank has announced its annual photo contest! The bank is requesting photos of our local community — if your photo is a winner, it could be published in the 2020 calendar and you could win $50! Deadline for submission is July 31.

Check out this trailer video for Mark Stutzman’s upcoming Mountain Chautauqua Stories. This is a series of “digital films that illustrate a vibrant Victorian resort founded on Christian values, neatly nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Maryland. From the original founders of 1881 to the Chautauqua’s decline in the 1930s, director, Mark Stutzman assembles a collection of archived postcards, family photos, documents, and captivating interviews from historians, residents, and eye-witnesses.” The project is funded in part by the Maryland Heritage Area Authority, the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West, and the Town of Mountain Lake Park.

The weather for today will be scattered showers (possibly a thunderstorm after noon) with a high near 69 and a low around 49.

“Through the Willows” was shared with us by @bstuck1 on Instagram.

Tomorrow is the last day of school for Garrett County students! Have a great summer!

Garrett County Public Schools has announced the details of the summer feeding sites — please share with those in need.

There is a new opportunity for Appalachia through the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) program. the program will support workforce development activities that prepare eligible participants for good jobs in high-demand occupations aligned with a state, regional, or community economic development strategy. Vist the link for more on how to apply by July 15.

There is a cancer screening program available for Garrett County residents ages 50-64 who are uninsured or underinsured and meet income guidelines. Breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate, oral, and skin cancer are evaluated by local participating providers. Appointments are required — call the main number 301-334-7770 for more information.

The Garrett County Chamber has announced the 2020 Chamber Trip from March 21-28, 2020 will go to Peru: Ancient Land of Mysteries! if you may be interested, mark your calendar and register for the trip preview on August 12.

If your church or if you know of a church doing vacation bible school, please send us a message so we can share the details on our calendar!

The weather today will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 72 and a low around 57. Saturday will be partly sunny, with a high near 73 and a low around 57. Sunday will be mostly cloudy with chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. High near 67 and a low around 59.

Today is national donut day! Glazed & Confuzed Donuts is doing a FREE cinnamon sugar donut all day! Tell em Deep Creek Times sent ya! ????

A group of road cyclists take on a climb near Deep Creek Lake, MD yesterday.

Today is the Shawny Marley for Cindy’s Fund Lions Club Chicken Barbecue at the Oakland American Legion from 11am-7pm. Chicken dinners will be available for delivery to businesses, pick up or dine in at the Oakland American Legion.

Tonight is the Relay For Life of Garrett County United from 6:00-11:00pm at the Garrett County Fairgrounds; honoring the strength and courage of every cancer survivor and lighting a luminaria for every life taken too soon.

The State Parks have several events, there is entertainment each night and there are many other events this weekend. To name a few: the Discovery Center at the Deep Creek Lake State Park will do an Aviary Feeding today at 2:00pm, tomorrow is a Board Game session at the Accident Library with the Mountaintop Table Top Club, and Sunday is Family Day at Spruce Forest Artisan Village.

Tomorrow, Saturday, is also the second Maryland License-Free Fishing day and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and tickets are still available!

A delegation from Garrett County travelled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Congressional members and federal agency leaders on four priorities for Garrett County: (1) funding for the Oakland-Trout Run Combined Sewer Treatment Plant, (2) funding for Required Infrastructure Projects for Small Rural Municipalities (3) Better data of existing Broadband and funding for continued development, and (4) Market-rate Workforce Housing Development funding assistance.

Garrett College – President’s Office will be hosting the June Chamber Business After Hours next Thursday, June 13th from 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm.

The weather for today will be partly sunny, with a high near 71 and a low arounnd 57. Isolated showers before 11am.

Tonight is the Watershed Moments: The Past, Present, and Future of Climate Change event at the Appalachian Lab at FSU (6:30-8:30pm).

Purchase your tickets now for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra on June 8th starting at 7:30 pm.  A a romantic summer program will feature works by Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky, with Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition finalist Yuliya Gorenman as soloist.

What’s New Around Town? Slopslide Market in McHenry just installed new Maryland Lottery machines. Also, The Rooster’s Nest restaurant is now open in Grantsville.

Garrett County reported the highest harvest numbers during regular spring and junior hunt seaons with 429 turkeys. Overall, Maryland hunters reported harvesting 4,002 wild turkeys.

Garrett College has announced their rescheduled Resource and Success Fair which will now take place at the college on June 25th. They have an interesting program for all impacted by the Verso plant closure, including information on job hunting, starting a small business, educational opportunities, financial aid and much more.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce the award of 19 Community Parks and Playgrounds grants, totaling $2.5 million, to municipalities across the state. Garrett County was awarded over $158,000 to construct a walking trail, waterfalls and historical signage at the Leo Martin Memorial Park in Mountain Lake Park.

Governor Larry Hogan declared 2019 the Year of the Veteran and MD DNR has several programs and special rates for military veterans, active duty service members, and prisoners of war including:

• Any active duty military personnel, Maryland National Guard member, or veteran can enter any Maryland state park day-use area without paying the entry fee.
• If you are a resident of Maryland on active duty with the armed forces and are on leave with official leave orders, you may fish without a fishing license in Maryland.
• A complimentary lifetime hunting license is available to Maryland residents certified as a former prisoner of war or a disabled American veteran.

The weather for today will be cloudy with a chance of showers before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 71 and low around 60.

Thanks to Kendall Ludwig for sharing this baby turtle found at Herrington Manor State Park yesterday:

Mountain Fresh Producers Association sponsors a “Producer-Only” farmers market in Oakland. Fresh fruits, vegetables, berries, baked goods, crafts, jams, jellies, herbs, plants, flowers, and more today from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

The newest Wildfulness podcast (#53) is posted: The Lost Art of (Wildful) Listening & How to Get it Back.

A second rabies case was reported for 2019.

Buy your tickets now for the Hidden in Plain Sight Club Night event to be held on August 24. Your $50 ticket admits one to the secret location for the fundraiser benefitting the Oakland A&E District. Tickets sold out well before the event last year.

We are counting down to RAAM! The bicycle Race Across America has riders passing right by Deep Creek Lake through Timestation 47. There are 39 solos riders of RAAM 2019 that will depart from Oceanside, California on June 11 and the team start (relay) will begin Saturday, June, 15. This year, solo rider Christoph Strasser will try to complete the race across the country in under 8 days.

Mountaintop Soccer Association (MSA) is extending the registration deadline for this coming fall soccer season until June 30, 2019. They have also extended the early-bird $50 registration fee through June 14, 2019. (the fee is $75 after June 14th). June 30th will be the hard deadline for signups.

Welcome to our newest advertiser, Glazed & Confuzed Donuts! Located at Funland in McHenry, Glazed & Confuzed is open Fridays 7am-2pm, Saturdays 7am-2pm and Sundays 7am-1pm until JUNE 13. Also, if you have an order for 4 or more dozen, you can get a custom order at anytime! 301-387-7134.

Get ready for this breakfast of champions on Friday! 🙂

I’ll say it: it’s cold! I saw photos of a frost in Bittinger this morning. The weather today will warm up and be sunny with a high near 70 and a low around 56.

This photo is awesome – taken at Swallow Falls and shared with us by @mamaa_mel and @erin.cos on Instagram:

Today is the Lawyer at the Library event — offering free civil services. At the Oakland Branch of the Ruth Enlow Library from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.

Later this evening is a unique concert for our area — the group Wana Wõromaa Wunkorkestri (WWW) from Oakland’s sister city in Estonia will be performing at the Oakland Community Center. The concert is free.

Congrats, Grads! Northern and Southern High School’s held their graduation ceremonies over the weekend. Also, 32 students were honored with the first Work Ethic Diploma from our local Chamber.

Did you know? AERS is a Maryland Medicaid funded program that is available locally. AERS provides comprehensive evaluations for anyone 18 or older, and also for older adults and functionally disabled adults who need connected to resources, need long term care, or are at risk for institutionalization.

Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is looking for more information regarding a boat fire involving four boats at Xtreme Power Sports in Accident over the weekend. Anyone with information is requested to contact 301-387-0437 or 301-766-3888.

The weather for today will be sunny, with a high near 57 and a low around 40. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph.

The Verso Luke Mill ceased operations after 131 years on Friday. This will have a huge impact and ripple effect for our community. Here is an opinion piece by Logan Ray Kitzmiller, trustee, United Steelworkers Local 676.

Mike took this photo off of the docks at Stilwater:

The weather for today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 70 and a low around 56. West wind 7 to 9 mph. Saturday will be sunny, with a high near 73 and a low around 57. A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunday is mostly cloudy, colder, with a high of 67 and a low around 45. Showers likely before 11am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Accident Elementary is holding an Art Gallery, Entertainment, Silent Auction Food & More.

Tomorrow is the first of three license-free fishing days in Maryland.

This weekend has tons of entertainment and outdoor events like the Garrett Trails Clean-up day, the Garrett County Celtic Festival, and the first outdoor Farmer’s Market of the season. Have fun!

Garrett College sophomore Zack Harvey shot a 163, to take fourth place overall in the DIII Region XX golf tournament, to advance to the NJCAA Golf DIII National Championship Touranment for the second year in a row.

Here’s a simple graphic and article related to, what seems to be, a surge of ticks this season:

NBC’s ‘The Voice’ to hold auditions in Pittsburgh on June 19.

The Garrett County Arts Council is hosting three events for the BlueShift Dance group — a masterclass, a workshop and a performance the weekend of June 15th and 16th. BlueShift Dance offers unique and immersive experiences with the human body in performance. The masterclass is for dancers, the workshop is for those who would like to learn dance, and the performance for the general public. Tickets are limited!

In light of the recent severe weather, State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci is reminding Marylanders about the life-saving precautions to take when operating portable generators:

• It is important to remember to NEVER use portable generators inside a home, garage or shed. Generators should be used OUTSIDE ONLY.
• While in operation, portable generators should be in a well ventilated area away from all doors, windows and vent openings.
• Regardless of whether your garage is attached or detached to the house, do not use the generator inside of it.
  • Even opening the garage door does not make this a safe option.
  • Remember to allow the generator time to cool down before refueling, and never refuel while in use. Fuel must be stored in a proper, approved container that is outside of all living areas.
  • Make sure to have working Carbon Monoxide detectors properly installed in your home.

*Information contributed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Fire Protection Association.

The weather for today will be mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms expected after 1pm. High near 69 and a low around 56.

Glen Champlin of Glen’s Home Inspections shared this bear in his backyard:

Tonight from 600pm-900pm, the last Have a HART Guest Bartender Challenge will be at Ace’s Run Restaurant & Pub — there will be fun and some amazing silent auction items that supports HART for Animals.

The Celtic Festival is this Saturday from 10:00am-6:00pm offering 5 stages and 3 fields of all-day entertainment in Friendsville, MD. Some highlights are: Shanty Irish, Iona, Aurora Celtic, Greg Latta, Lynn Dale and more! Also, Chautauqua speakers, living history and the MASA Highland Athletic Games. Visit their website for the complete list!

The Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting & Dinner is June 6th with a registration deadline of Friday, May 31. The dinner celebrates the Chamber members but also the Volunteer of the Year and the Heise Entrepreneurial Spirit Award are presented.

The closure of the Verso Luke Mill will have a big impact on our region —  state officials have appealed to the U.S. Department of Labor to rule that the plan closure was due in part to trade practices that disadvantaged the workers at Luke. A favorable ruling from the federal government will result in an extended severance for workers along with extra benefits for training and education. Also, the mill provides all the water and sewage service for the town of Luke that will need to be addressed.

Speaking of displaced Luke Mill workers, Camp Dawson in Kingwood, Preston County, WV, will be holding a Job Fair at the Oakland Armory, 14 North Eighth Street, Oakland, MD, tomorrow, May 31, 2019, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The event is open to the public.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on June 1 to celebrate the completion of the Phase IV extension of the nearby Western Maryland Rail Trail.

The weather today will be partly sunny, with a high near 74 and a low around 64. Scattered showers and a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. West wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Thanks to Russ Dijak for sending in this photo from over the weekend:

A reminder here to get our Daily Notes, news, and events right to your email inbox – sign up for our once-weekly newsletter here: https://deepcreektimes.com/newsletter-sign-up/

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites anglers to three license-free fishing days: June 1, June 8 annd July 4, 2019. These annual events allow everyone the chance to fish without needing a license, trout stamp or registration. Read more.

The GOBA (Greater Oakland Business Association) Annual Dinner will be on Tuesday, June 18th at 6:00 pm at the Elk’s Lodge. It is open to the public, GOBA business and/or their representatives and volunteers and the meal will be catered by the Elk’s Lodge.

Season 2 Episode 2 of Lakefront Bargain Hunt Renovation will air this weekend on June 1 at 9pm on HGTV. About the episode: “Fix Up on Deep Creek: A couple heads back to their favorite spot from their college days to search for a new vacation home. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Deep Creek Lake is the largest freshwater body of water in the state of Maryland and the couple thinks it will be a great place to settle down. They’re searching for a fixer upper they can customize with three bedrooms, an open concept design, a large outdoor living space and easy lake access for everyone in the family.”

The Garrett County Board of Commissioners Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2020 Constant Yield Rate will be held at 5:30pm (after the public meeting) on June 3, 2019 at the Garrett Information Enterprise Center at Garrett College.

The weather today will be mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms. High near 76 and low around 64. West wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

We had a nice long weekend and some of our readers shared their photos with us! It wasn’t all play for Michael Baumstark over the holiday but at least his office has this great view:

We’d love it if you share your DCL photos with us!

I spent the weekend all over the county: First, the town-wide yard sale in Friendsville. Then, the Downtown Oakland Kick-Off to Summer (where I was able to get the always-delicious Rotary french fries) and then kayaking with my family on Jennings Randolph Lake. Monday was more somber as we honored the loss and sacrifice made by our military members and families at a picnic in Swanton.

A local family celebrates 50 years working the same tree farm. Congrats to the Bittinger-Helbig-Miller family who owns 60 acres in southern Garrett County!

There was a major accident on I-68 Eastbound that had traffic stalled for several hours on Friday afternoon; we are thankful there were no fatalities. Maryland State Police McHenry investigated and was assisted by the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office, Natural Resources Police, MSP Aviation, Northern Garrett Rescue, Grantsville VFD and Eastern Garrett VFD.

The Mountain Fresh Farmer’s Market summer season will start June 1st and run through Oct 31st with markets on both Wednesdays and Saturdays. These markets will be held outdoors at the Mountain Fresh Pavilion (in the Oakland Town Parking Lot) from 10:00 am til 1:00 pm come rain or shine.

Maryland is often referred to as “America in Miniture” and we love our mountains here on the Western side of the state. Deep Creek Lake was named an “essential summer outing mountain getaway” by the Washington Post. Read the article about the best in DC, Maryland and Virginia.