Deep Creek Lake MD News and Local Resources: Daily Notes

Yesterday was breezy but sunny. Today’s weather will be partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 34 and a low around 20.

I know I don’t have a lot of readers that are between the ages of three and five years old, but this post is for them (and their parents and grandparents). The Kitzmiller branch of the Ruth Enlow Library is holding its Children’s Story Time this morning from 10:30 am -11:00 am. Kids can look, listen, sing, and play while learning through stories, crafts, and other fun activities.

The County Commissioners invites the public to their Holiday Open House at the Courthouse today from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm. You can browse the new art installation and there will also be entertainment and light refreshments. Now, if you have a few outstanding warrants for your arrest, you may want to pass on this one. Only kidding…

The Cindy’s Fund Cancer Support Group meets this evening from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm in the Garrett Regional Medical Center’s boardroom.  This is open to all that are dealing with cancer, in recovery or providing support.

If you are planning to stop by the Garrett County Chamber’s Visitors Center please note that it will be closing at 2:00 pm on December 24th and closed all day on December 25th. It will also be closing at 2:00 pm on December 31st and closed all day on January 1st.

The office of the Maryland State Fire Marshall has some good advice on holiday fire prevention for all of us. Their information release yesterday covered everything from frying turkeys (never when frozen) to keeping your live Christmas tree fresh. You can check out their tips here.

Well, the holiday season is always followed by the tax season. Fortunately, Garrett College has two courses to help you become more knowledgeable about taxes:

• Income Tax Preparation 101 – January 8th and 19th, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Garrett College McHenry campus; and
• Tax Reform with AARP Maryland – January 18th, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm, Grantsville Senior Center

Please contact the college’s Continuing Education & Workforce Development department at 301.387.3069 for more information.

The Garrett County Board of Education (GCBOE) is seeking a professionally-qualified consultant/firm to work with its members to create a strategic plan to address its strategic issues through a comprehensive, data-driven, and community-engaged planning process. The deadline for receipt of a proposal is Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 5:00 P.M. (EST)

The weekend was rainy but not as rainy as some places downstate, where the ground is truly waterlogged, with severe runoff issues. Today’s weather is partly sunny, with a high near 35 and a low of 22. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

We just received the latest Dispatch (Fall/Holiday edition) from the Property Owners Association of Deep Creek Lake.  This issue covers some important updates and information for all that live on/around the lake and/or use it for recreation.  You can find the complete edition here.   

The Garrett County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling  announced their Holiday Hours on Friday:
-The landfill will be open normal hours on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day
-The refuse collection sites will close at 12 noon on Christmas Eve and remain closed on Christmas Day
-The Landfill and collection sites will also be closed New Year’s Day

Governor Larry Hogan will join Dr. Karen Salmon, Maryland’s State Superintendent of Schools, on Tuesday to announce the newest Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools. I will keep an eye out to see if any Garrett County schools make it this year.  Some visitors and second homeowners may not realize we have some exceptional schools and a highly regarded school system here in the mountains around the lake.

State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci is reminding the Citizens of Maryland to take care in the use of portable generators.  Many people use portable generators during power outages.  The most common risks of using the generators are carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical shock, electrocution, and fires. The photo they sent is a bit fuzzy, but here’s a link to their page for a better view.

Did you know that the average American expects to spend $633 on Christmas in 2018, with $341.82 (54%) going towards gifts, $132.93 (21%) going towards travel, $88.62 (14%) going towards other expenses, and $69.63 (11%) going towards decorations? With Christmas so near, I thought I would share that little factoid from LendEDU along with the rest of their recent study on holiday spending. Remember, there are plenty of great small shops in Garrett County that have great, unique gifts for sale.

Its half-price pizza Monday at Brenda’s every Monday, and the Greene Turtle has their senior night buffet from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm this evening. Check out our Dining Specials for some other listed specials on pizza, wings, etc. from other local establishments.

This weekend’s weather will be mostly rainy. Rain today, mainly after 1pm. A high near 43 anda low around 38. Saturday will be periods of rain. High near 46 and low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Sunday, rain likely, mainly before 10am then cloudy, with a high near 40. East wind around 6 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible and a low around 31. Rain and snow showers possible into Monday morning.

Wisp Resort is opening today from 9am-9pm for the 2018-2019 season! The Mountain Park will open on Saturday, December 15 from 10am-7pm and Sunday, December 16 from 10am – 5pm with Snow Tubing and Mountain Coaster. Here’s a photo I took one evening this past week:

Interesting facts: Wisp Resort began snowmaking on Wednesday, November 21 and as of 6:00 am Thursday, December 13, a total of 56 million gallons of water had been pumped equating to approximately 367 acre feet of snow while running the system for 319 total hours.

Congratulations are in order for Alice Blayne Allard, whom Sarah and I first had the pleasure of working with through the Power of Possibilities entrepreneurship program and business plan competition (which Alice won in 2016).  Alice just purchased a site to construct her new building in the McHenry Business Park to build her cooperage business. She will be making barrels there for the local and not so local distilled spirits industry. We are very proud of her.

The Grantsville branch of the Ruth Enlow Library will be having their Christmas Open House Friday from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm.  They will have live music, crafts, prize drawings, refreshments and (based on a tip from an elf we know) a special visit from Santa.

Proposed new textbooks for the elementary band program are on display for review by the general public on the first floor of the Central Office and at Accident Elementary School. Please feel free to provide comments about these textbooks on the comment sheets provided at each location or contact Mrs. Penny Proudfoot, Director of Elementary Education, at 301-334-7644, for questions or for more information.

Local pet adoption center HART for Animals has a holiday tree with wishlist items for adoptable animals. Stop by and pick up a tag.

Also of note and deserving of our congratulations are those recently recognized by the Oakland – Mt. Lake Park Lions Club: Eric Robison, Gene Flinn, Regis Marucci, Mark Marucci and Chuck Olssen. The Lions and these fellows do some important work making our community a better place and we tip our respective hats to them!

Don’t forget that there will be s’mores, store specials, Santa, sleigh rides, a petting zoo and music in downtown Oakland on Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm as part of their Great Small Town Christmas celebration.

Even though it’s winter, there are still fish looking to be caught in the lake. According to the latest edition (and last of the season) of the Maryland Fishing Report, fishing for yellow perch and walleye along the steeper shorelines has been good with minnows under a slip bobber or fishing close to the bottom with a lip hooked minnow on a jig head. The report also comments on fishing action for other lake fish. I always thought the fish went down to Florida for the winter! Who knew?

The weather for today will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 41 and a low around 33.

Speaking of the weather, I noticed the Wisp has been taking advantage of the cooler weather and making snow on their slopes.  Their tube park, which is a lot of fun for us non-skiers, also looked covered and groomed yesterday evening. Yeah!

Garrett County has some great things going on all around for the holidays, but if you live downstate or are traveling there for the holidays, there’s a lot of things going on state-wide this month, some of which might be of interest to our readers.

In nearby Cumberland, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is hosting “WinterLand on the Western Maryland” train rides Friday’s, Saturday’s and Sunday’s through December 23rd.

The Hickory Environmental Center’s Open House is this afternoon from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Guests are welcome to tour the nature hall and see short demonstrations in the planetarium. There is no admission fee, and all are welcome.

Garrett 8 Cinemas is upgrading the seating in each of their theaters.

Like games? You can come out to Mountain State Brewing Company this evening at 6:30 for a free and fun game of Team Trivia! Team Trivia allows you and any amount of players on your team to compete and test your knowledge for some nice prizes. It’s free and they have great pizza and make their own beer.

The Community Development Network of Maryland is hosting Western Maryland Community Stakeholder Meetings on December 20th in Cumberland and Frederick. You can register for either session here.

The PACE Committee is excited to share that registration for the 43rd Annual Mountain Maryland PACE event held in Annapolis is now open! You’ll find all the details you need on their website.  By the way, PACE stands for Positive Attitudes Change Everything.  Isn’t that the truth!

Today’s weather will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 37 and a low around 31. A slight chance of snow and freezing rain from 11pm through Thursday morning.

The Lake is beginning to freeze in places, too. I’ve even seen a few coves with people standing on the ice so far this year. As a reminder, the ice thickness can drastically vary so PLEASE be cautious if you are venturing out onto the ice at any time. Here are the MD DNR guidelines for lake-ice safety. You can see our Lake temperature reading is hovering right at 32 degrees.

The Polar Express Pajama Party arrives this morning at 10:00 am at the Oakland branch of the Ruth Enlow Library and then proceeds to the Oakland B&O Railroad Museum train station. There will be stories and crafts at the library followed by a movie and activities at the train station.  Sounds cool for all the young ones in town.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released the results of a survey of 2,200 Maryland residents regarding deer hunting. More than 70 percent of those surveyed think that deer should be hunted to help manage for a healthy population and over half of those surveyed think the department does a good job conserving and managing the deer population. Click here to read more.

Don’t forget that the LED Community Christmas Tree along with music is still around every evening from 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm. You can pull up and tune your car radio to 87.0 for the rolling 45 minute show.

Like the library? Want to play a role in making it even better? Join the Friends of the Library and share your ideas for fundraising and for programs this evening from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm at the Oakland branch. They do a great job and want to keep giving the community what they want and need, so go over and share your thoughts and ideas.

Don’t forget that there is Team Trivia this evening at the Greene Turtle in McHenry from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm.  It’s free and fun and they have good food and nice beverages.  Any number can play.

Tomorrow — the Hickory Environmental Education Center is holding their annual Christmas Open House. Tour the nature hall and see short demonstrations in the planetarium. I heard they have a few really great murals to see, too!

The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation does some great work for us all protecting the lake and the surrounding area and asked me to post this Holiday Greeting to all our readers.  I urge you to go to their site to learn more about the organization and their work and also to please consider a donation.

The weather for today will be sunny, with a high near 30 and a low around 24. West wind gusting as high as 29 mph.

I bet you didn’t know that today is International Mountain Day! Well, it is, as it was designated by the United Nations General Assembly back in 2003.  There may be bigger or taller mountains in the world, but we are the only mountain with Deep Creek Lake “on top.”  The theme for this year’s International Mountain Day is mountain farming, which is very appropriate for our area.

Here is a photo from @jwampler14 on Instagram:

The Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF) is holding its annual meeting and open house this afternoon from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm in the office of GLAF Executive Director Mary Callis (room #329 at Garrett College, across from the new STEM building).  There will be free cookies and hot chocolate and you can ask questions and learn about the upcoming 2019 season, which should be another great one.

There was a propane leak on Glen Meadow Road last evening. A faulty check valve was to blame; HazMat teams, EMS and several Fire Departments were on site about 7 hours. There were no injuries.

On Friday Garrett County officials met with representatives from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Deep Creek Lake Policy Review Board, the Deep Creek Lake Property Owners Association, the Friends of Deep Creek Lake and the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation to discuss developing the scope of work for a Deep Creek Lake Sedimentation Plan. Here’s the summary from that meeting.

State Comptroller Peter Franchot has announced that nominations for the Cornerstone Award for Local Business Excellence are now being accepted. This new award celebrates businesses that strengthen Maryland’s economy, generate jobs and tax revenue, develop new ideas and are a leader in their local community.  I can think of at least a dozen Garrett County businesses that are deserving. The nominating period closes the end of December.

There’s a “Stand Together – Opioid Town Hall Meeting” this evening from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Bloomington Volunteer Fire Department. I continue to be impressed with our county’s response to the Opioid crisis and this is one more example.

Also on the Opioid front: We just heard that the county has received a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration called the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Planning Grant.  The grant runs for one year and will address the gaps in opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, and/or recovery services and access to care. The Health Department, along with other county groups are the recipients of the grant. That’s good news indeed and congratulations are in order.

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting their December Business After Hours on Thursday, December 13th, from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at M&T Bank in Oakland. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the local “Toys for Tots Campaign” to this Business After Hours and you will receive a free ticket to a future Business After Hours event.

Yesterday was quite cool but was a nice day. Today’s weather will be sunny, with a high near 32 and a low around 18.

Every once-in-a-while something unexpected and truly wonderful happens.  Saturday, I had the honor of attending the wedding of my former student Josiah Hannah and Lily Rembold. I witnessed a truly amazing and unbelievably moving ceremony and offer my public congratulations here to this very special couple!

The Ruth Enlow Library experienced a good number of visitors at their open house Thursday and received lots of input on possible styles for the new Friendsville library. People who missed it can drop by the library any time between now and next Thursday to see proposed designs and comment, or they can take a 3-minute picture survey online.

Congratulations are in order for Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone. Many of our visitors pass Rocky Gap on the way out to the lake, so I wanted to let you know that Rocky Gap received 25 awards from Casino Player magazine’s “Best of Gaming Awards” for 2018.

Speaking of congratulations. Second-grade students at Broad Ford Elementary School recently participated in a poster contest in conjunction with Red Ribbon Week to educate others about the risks of tobacco use.  The contest was sponsored by the Drug-Free Communities Coalition (DFCC) Action Teams and coordinated by Suzanne Wilburn who is a member of the DFCC Action Teams and also a Classroom Intervention Teacher at Broad Ford.  Here’s a photo of the student winners.  Great work kids!

The State of Maryland has a nice program going called TREE-MENDOUS Maryland where you can order a tree to be planted in honor of a loved one.  Not only a creative gift but helps the environment.  You can even purchase a small grove of trees.

Here’s the updated agenda for the December 19th Board of Public Works meeting to be held in Annapolis.  Readers may remember that the meeting scheduled for last week was canceled and “merged” into this one, so if public works are your thing, we have the latest agenda for you here.

Get your hiking shoes ready. The State of Maryland has announced the statewide schedule of First Day Hikes for January 1st. Of course, our own state parks are on the list and hosting hikes, so check it out.

We have some sun in store! Today’s weather will be mostly sunny, with a high near 24 and a low around 17. Saturday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 24 and a low around 18. And, Sunday will be partly sunny, with a high near 28 and a low around 22.

Spruce Forest Artisan Village is hosting the 34th annual Christmas in the Village this Friday and Saturday. The event runs Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 pm and Saturday from noon to 8:00 pm.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is being presented by the Cumberland Theater through December 23rd.  I’ll bet the drive to Cumberland is worth it, as White Christmas is a true classic and they do great work.  

The Mountain Fresh Farmers Winter Market is headed inside for the season and will be at Community Action in Oakland this Saturday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Check out their newsletter for offerings, pointers and a schedule for all the winter dates.  Enjoy!

Every year the Garrett College Wildlife Club puts out a neat calendar with photos from the students’ field experiences. The calendars are for sale ($10) at the college and select area retailers and the earnings go towards helping Natural Resources & Wildlife Technology program students in the club take their winter and spring field trips. Here’s the photo of a family of northern raccoon’s taken by Mike Mosser that will be on the cover of this year’s edition. Please consider purchasing to help this worthy cause.

There’s lots of holiday-related events going on in the area this weekend.  Please check our Events section to see all of the good things going on.  Have fun.

The Frostburg Holiday Lamppost Committee is hosting the annual Frostburg Candlelight Tour of Homes, on Sunday, December 9th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Call 240.529.8312 or Click Here for more information!

I bet you didn’t know that December is Small Business Administration Write a Business Plan month? Well, it is and if you have been considering a new business as a career move or as a “side hustle,” or just to pursue a dream, this may be a good time to get started. There are almost 1,000 small businesses in Garrett County and we are adding new ones all the time. The next one could be yours! Here’s a link to get you started.

Well, it snowed most of the day yesterday, but with limited accumulations. Also noticed the lake is starting to freeze in places. Today’s weather will be mostly cloudy and a chance of snow showers. High near 31 and a low around 20. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch and nighttime accumulation of around an inch possible.

I almost forgot to wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah. Lucky for me these two fur balls from HART for Animals reminded me as they send their own well wishes. Note their collars!

Don’t forget today’s Women’s Networking Lunch at Ace’s Run starting at Noon.  There are two local featured speakers (Leigh Clarke and Elizabeth Williams) as well as good food and relationship building.

Microsoft on Monday announced its intent to expand the Airband Initiative and bring broadband to three million unserved people in rural communities by mid-2022. Declaration Networks Group (including their brand Neubeam, which serves Garrett County) is a Microsoft partner in this endeavor. This is good news for all in need of rural broadband and the county as a whole.

There’s an Input Session for the new Friendsville Library today from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm to allow patrons to share their opinions and provide input on the proposed new library’s design and style.  Share your input and shape your library!

There are still holiday events going on this evening (and into the weekend) at the Oakland Community Center: The LED Community Christmas Tree and the Joy of Christ.  Check them out if you need to get a “dose” of Christmas spirit.

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce just announced its 2019 Legislative Agenda. The issues included in the Chamber’s agenda are those items that the Garrett County Chamber believes could have the biggest impact through legislative action. Their top legislative priorities are as follows:

1. Oppose Increasing the Minimum Wage
2. Amend Maryland Healthcare Access Act of 2018 to Allow Maryland Small Businesses to Participate in Association Health Plans
3. Support Additional $2 Million Annual Allocation for State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund
4. Support Improvements to and Oppose Expansion of Mandated Paid Leave
5. Support Reduced Fees & Recommended Methods for Shoreline Erosion Prevention

Local Crisis Manager for Maryland State Police Special Ops, Erica Carlson, had her photo (taken during a training) published on the cover of Police magazine.

Yesterday brought us some snow, but with limited accumulations.  Today’s weather will be snow with a high near 27 and a low around 20. Light west wind increasing to 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible and nighttime accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

The Garrett County Commissioners held their latest public meeting on December 3rd at the Courthouse in Oakland.  The commissioners made the county’s 2019 legislative requests to Senator Edwards and Delegate Beitzel. Here’s a link to the summary of the meeting, including details on the legislative requests.

Lots of activities for children and adults at the various branches of the Ruth Enlow Library today and this evening.  Check them all out on their website.

This one makes me happy to report: After years of stream restoration efforts, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently discovered native brook trout returning to once uninhabitable streams in the Casselman River watershed.  The 66-square mile watershed now has reproducing stock due to some special efforts by area experts and citizens.

If you and the family were dreaming of a… LED Christmas, there is a LED Christmas Tree “playing” to the music on 87.9 radio this evening at the Downtown Community Center (Old Armory) from 5:00 pm –  11:30 pm. Just pull up and tune your car to 89.7.  Really.  It’s magic I think and it will continue for additional days.

I just heard that the Dairy Queen in Oakland will be closing for a few days for renovations.  It looks like they will be closing this Sunday at 6:00 pm and reopening on the 14th of December. Better get your Blizzard “fix” before they start their renovations!

There’s a Women’s Networking Lunch at Ace’s Run on Thursday at Noon. Bring lots of business cards and meet other area business and non-profit executives.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced yesterday that the second segment of the muzzleoader deer hunting season opens December 15th and runs through December 29th. Hunters may use muzzleloading firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this season.

Read this short, touching story by Bridget Nolan Manley:

Today’s weather will be mostly cloudy, scattered snow and flurries until about noon. A high near 29 and low around 22. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

As I write these Daily Notes Monday evening I am in a thoughtful state of mind, as it is my 63rd birthday today.  I am reflective, thankful and even a little anxious over what the future holds, or specifically, how long my future will be. I went to a memorial service for a friend, Millie Shilke, this weekend who lived to the ripe old age of 95 and it reminded me of how fortunate I am to be alive and well in this great country of ours and in this beautiful county we live in. Life is good here in the mountains!

I know a number of our readers work, live or visit Allegany County and/or have an interest in economic development in Western Maryland, so this one’s for you: Allegany County is holding a Economic Development Visioning Session this evening from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. There will be an open house, workshop, panel discussion and presentation.  The folks in Allegany and Garrett are really trying to find that “magic sauce” to drive organic economic development in the region.

Here’s a link to Generation West Virginia for events for millennials all around West Virginia in December. I am guessing you will flip (and also have a smile on your face) when you see the very short video embedded in the site. Click the link to see why!

Cindy’s Fund Cancer Support Group twice monthly meeting tonight from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm at the Garrett Regional Medical center. This group is informal and open to all that are touched by cancer.

Don’t forget that tonight is the second evening of the Joy of Christ performance at the Oakland Community Center (and the site of the LED Community Christmas Tree light display). Not only is the event free but there is free food and gifts as well. This event is produced by a number of area churches.

It’s never too snowy or cold to ride in Garrett County — we have some of the best roads and trails! Photo by Pat O’Hammy at the Meadow Mountian Overlook.

What’s new around town? Unfortunately, a local retail store is closing its doors.

Notice: The Maryland State Board of Public Works meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, December 5th has been cancelled due to the closure of state government offices to honor former president George Bush (41).  The agenda that had been planned for the meeting this week will be moved to the next meeting on December 19th. RIP president Bush.

Sunday was sunny and warm, with the temperature nearly reaching 60 degrees. Today’s weather will be a chance of rain and snow showers before 3pm, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36 and a low of 25. West wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible overnight.

The Ruth Enlow Library has some nice programming scheduled for today in Grantsville (Story Tails at 4:30 pm) and Oakland (Needlework at 6:00 pm) and also a number of Open Houses coming up at the various branches, with the first one this Wednesday at the Friendsville branch.

Our congratulations go out to Jodi Taylor Refosco, co-owner of Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales in McHenry. Jodi has been named the new president of the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA), a national organization of vacation rental professionals and suppliers. Way to go Jodi!

The first quarter of Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019) is off to a good start for tourism in the Deep Creek Lake area and Garrett County in general.  According to the Chamber of Commerce, Garrett County experienced an 8.0% increase in county accommodations sales, a 6.3% increase in Admissions & Amusement collections, a 128% increase in Visitor Guide requests and a 17.13% increase in visitors to the Chamber’s website. I’m not surprised based on all the area has to offer, which is communicated very effectively by our Chamber.

Various local congregations are presenting the 20th annual Joy of Christ celebration which is set to kick off this evening at 6:00 pm and run through December 7th. Each night will feature Christmas music, free dinner, a warm festive atmosphere, crafts for the kids (and kids at heart), and a focus on the birth of Jesus Christ. This event is completely free to all, is casual and open to anyone wanting to join throughout the night. Nothing is sold and gifts will be given away. It is at the Oakland Community Center (old armory).

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Forest Conservancy District Boards invites all Maryland fifth-graders in private and public schools to participate in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest. The theme for 2019 is: “Trees Are Terrific…and Forests are Too!” Read more.

Unfortunately, the first death in the State attributed to cold weather this winter has been recorded. The death occurred in Garrett County and was an adult male in the 65+ age range. There were 61 cold-related deaths in Maryland during the 2017-2018 winter weather season. From November through March, the Department of Health monitors temperature conditions and incidences of cold-related illnesses and deaths. Weekly reports can be found online at https://goo.gl/UHaaX8. The site also includes the state’s Extreme Cold Emergency Plan and fact sheets about cold weather health issues, carbon monoxide, driving tips for extreme cold weather, and warning signs of a heart attack.

Today will be cloudy with a chance of light rain; a high near 42 and a low around 36. Saturday will be showers likely, mainly between 10am and 4pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy, with termperatures staying near 42. Southeast wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Sunday will be a chance of showers, mainly before 9am then partly sunny, with a high near 54 and a low around 38.

Check out the local, live music scene Friday evening: Jason Shaw is playing at Black Bear Tavern Friday evening from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.  Sally Mae Foster is playing at Moonshadow Friday night from 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

The Center on Rural Innovation just announced a Rural Innovation Initiative that will work to bridge the opportunity gap in rural America by helping communities build the capacity to create resilient, innovation-based jobs. I am sure there are opportunities for Garrett County that could be enabled and funded by this effort.

Well, they finally called out the Marines!  Garrett County Marine Corps League Detachment 1234 will be collecting Toys For Tots at Walmart on Saturday from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Stop by if you can and donate something to this worthy cause.

Speaking of Toys for Tots, local Internet Service Provider NeuBeam, a service of Declaration Networks Group, is donating $10 to Toys for Tots (toysfortots.org) for every Internet installation completed through the end of 2018.  Not only do new subscribers get the benefits of the Internet, but they also get to help others in need.  Nice job.

Oakland Weight Watchers has changed their name and has two new meeting times – see the details on our What’s New Around Town page.

If you want to venture to Morgantown on Saturday, there will be a book signing by the authors of A Perfect Tree for Mrs. B, which is a children’s book authored by two Garrett County teachers, Deborah Wagner-Brenneman and illustrator Melinda Bishoff.

Closer to home,  Herrington Manor State Park will be hosting a holiday open house on Saturday from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, with Santa expected to make an appearance. Also on Saturday (and Sunday) the Oakland Volunteer Fire House is holding an open house to commemorate their 125th anniversary.  That is impressive and congratulations are in order for all those that work so hard to protect us all. Thanks folks.

On Sunday, the Garrett Community Concert Band will present its holiday concert on Sunday at 2:30 pm in the Garrett College auditorium. The title of this year’s concert is “Good Tidings at Christmas,” and it will feature a variety of holiday favorites, both secular and religious, plus a special Hannukah piece dedicated to the people who lost their lives recently in the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. That’s a nice touch I think.

Yesterday was snowy and windy all day, but it appears without a lot of accumulation.  Today’s weather will be cloudy, with a high near 35 and a low of 32. A chance of freezing rain before 2am, then a chance of rain. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

I have heard from many of our loyal readers that they enjoy the Daily Notes every morning with a good cup of coffee.  So here’s a few facts I just picked up from the Wall Street Journal: More than two billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide every day; The industry employs 125 million people; Beethoven’s morning coffee was made from exactly 64 beans each time. Now you know!

The Black Bear Tavern has a Music Express Karaoke Night this evening from 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm.  They invite all to come over and “sing your lungs out.”

Even as the weather grows colder, there is still good fishing at the lake and in streams according to the State of Maryland DNR Fishing Report.  They report everything from trout, to chain pickerel on the hooks. I am sure, as the report notes, that fishermen are looking forward to the ice fishing season once the lake freezes over to a safe thickness.

Oakland and its “A Great Small Town Christmas” program has a lot of activities and shopping events starting with the Our Town Theater Christmas Market on December 1st and the official tree lighting on the 7th outside the B&O Railroad Museum.  They are also having another Lucky Elves (that’s Elves, not Elvis) contest.

The Red Cross is holding a blood drive on Friday December 7th at the American Legion from 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm.  Call 1.800.RED.Cross to schedule an appointment to donate.  Thanks!

“Job” opportunity: St. Peters Church in Oakland asked us to spread the word that they are looking for a new Santa for their activities this season. Their past Santa has stepped down. Perhaps a contract dispute or he moved to the North Pole permanently or he may have gotten a promotion. But, what’s higher than Santa?  Seriously, if you are a member of their parish (or not) contact Patricia at Secretary@GarrettStPeter.com to learn more.  Ho, ho, ho.

OK, here’s more on coffee or specifically on a few “fillers” mentioned by the Wall Street Journal that used to be included by greedy coffee merchants way back in the day: baked horse liver, burnt rags and brick dust. Really. I think it is safe to say you will not find any of those in the coffee provided by our local Garrett County merchants.  Have a great one folks.