Deep Creek Lake MD News and Local Resources: Daily Notes

Yesterday’s weather was wonderful. The weather for this weekend will be mostly SUNNY the entire weekend! Today will have a high near 73 and a low around 49. Saturday will have a high near 77 and a low around 61. Sunday will have a high near 83 and a low around 67.

I went to what was likely the best Chamber Business After Hours event last evening at Trader’s Coffee House. Saw Brenda’s cool new take-out area, had some great conversations with folks and had some amazing food, including my favorite, Brenda’s meatballs!

The Masons appear Friday evening at 8:00pm at Black Bear Tavern in McHenry.

Check out Shakespeare in the Park at the Spruce Forest Artisan Village Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening at 7:00pm. The Cumberland Theater will be performing Twelfth Night.

There have been multiple counterfeit $100 bills used at local Oakland businesses recently. The $100 bills do say “For Motion Picture Purposes”, but they look very realistic. If you have any information on these counterfeit bills, please contact the Oakland Police Department at 301.334.2100.

Fish at the lake appear to be transitioning to their summer mode and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has the details and also recommends bait for everything from Bluegills to Walleye.

The Canaan Valley Mountain Bike Festival is being held this weekend. There are a number of components so check out our events listing and then go to their site for details. Garrett County Artist Annie Simcoe designed the festival poster and will have her work displayed at Blackwater Bikes during the festival.

Did you know that the Lodestone Golf Course at Wisp was ranked the “#2 course you can play in Maryland” by GolfWeek Magazine, 2018? They also have stay and play deals. Call 800-462-9477 for details.

The 23rd Annual Walk for Hospice of Garrett County will be held on Sunday at Glades Town Park in Oakland starting at 2:00pm. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Hospice.

Learn about our state’s transportation plan; Every five years, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) develops a 20-year vision for transportation in the state known as the Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP). Comments and questions can be emailed to 2019MTP@mdot.state.md.us and all comments received through June 29th will be addressed in the draft plan anticipated in Summer 2018.

Calling for makers! The Civic Club is looking for a few makers for their Antiques, Makers and Collectibles Fair during Autumn Glory – makers of rugs, pottery, re-purposed, cast iron, quilts, wood work and the like. They already have a basket maker and blacksmith joining them. Email gfwc.oakland@yahoo.com for more information.

Yesterday was a really nice day. Today’s weather will be sunny with a high near 72 and a low around 51.

Hurry up and get dressed! Why, you ask? So, you can take the guided hike at 10:00am this morning with a naturalist to the historic Brant Mine. The hike begins at the Discovery center and once at the mine site you will see the remnants of a coal mine that was operated in the 1920’s.

Heard that Paul and Naomi Yoder who own the farm next to Heidi’s Bakery & Café (Heidi is their daughter) named their newborn horse after my friend Millie Shilke.  That is a nice honor for a wonderful lady. Thanks folks and I wish Millie the Philly a long and wonderful life just like my friend Millie.

As I write this Wednesday evening, my wife jean is out with some of her friends at their monthly needlework night. Well, you also can enjoy your hobby with some folks today at the Oakland branch of the Ruth Enlow Library from 2:00pm – 4:00pm.

New Germany State Park has some nice programs for kids and adults throughout the second half of June.  And, most of them are free!

School’s out for summer! The Superintendent of Garrett County Schools, Ms. Barbara Baker, has announced Mr. James Maddy will be the new principal of Northern Garrett High School beginning July 1, 2018.

Don’t forget that the Chamber’s Business After Hours is this evening starting at 5:30pm at Trader’s Coffee House (under Brenda’s Pizza). You should be able to pay at the door as a walk-in. I hope they serve Brenda’s famous meatballs, as they are my favorite.

On a more serious subject, there is an Opioid Town Hall Meeting at the Southern Garrett County Rescue Squad from 6:00pm – 8:00pm this evening. My opinion:  I have been very impressed with the response to the Opioid epidemic from our law enforcement professionals, health department and other local organizations. Thanks folks.

I bet you didn’t know this was sea turtle week!  Well it is and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a nice site with some very interesting information and videos for you to visit.

Today’s weather will be scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76 and a a low around 57. Some of the storms tonight could be severe.

The Mountain Fresh Farmers Market is today at the Pavilion in Oakland from 10:00am – 1:00pm. Here’s a listing of what you can expect to see.

Bear Creek Traders is celebrating the 93rd birthday of Deep Creek Lake with a number of specials throughout the month including souvenirs for $.93.

The Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park has two nice programs scheduled for today. They have “Buzz into Pollination” where attendees can learn about pollination and pollinators at 11:00am. They also have “Aviary Encounters” at 2:00pm where you can meet the center’s raptors, learn about them and even watch them eat.

There’s a “Poetry Corner” at the Ruth Enlow Library’s Accident branch this afternoon from 5:00pm – 6:30pm.

After you learn about bees at the Discovery Center this morning you may want to attend this event in Frostburg in the evening. The Draft Sports Bar and Grill will be hosting Sharon Ryan from 7:00pm – 9:00pm. This paint night is dedicated to raising awareness of several types of bees that have been put on the endangered species list. There is a fee for supplies and food is available for purchase.

Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO) does some really important work state-wide and has worked with entrepreneurs here in Garrett County over the past few years. They just announced a new “partner fund” to provide funding and technical support for entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds. If you are thinking about a tech start-up or know someone that is, check this out.

The Garrett County Health Department has schedules rabies clinics around the county from 5-6 p.m and the cost is $5 for each animal.

Garrett County Sheriff’s Office will be absorbing Animal Control duties. According to Sheriff Rob Corley, the new Animal Control officers will streamline the process because they are also deputized and will handle all of the animal bites, quarantines as well as attacks.

There is FREE Taco Bell nationwide today because the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the NBA playoffs.

There is a boat in the Online Marketplace that has recently been reduced in price.

Yesterday was a drizzly and dreary day. Today’s weather will be cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 68 and a low around 60. A chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight.

You can stop by Sang Run State Park today or any day the Park is open through June 24th for traditional crafts and activities: wood craft, quilt squares, tin punching, corn hole, and more.

There will be a property lot auction today at 12pm; auction to be held at the intersection of Gallatin Drive & Tree Top Way in the Gallatin Woods subdivision.

I spoke to Big Bird and he told me to tell our readers to go see Little Bird. The band, that is. Little Bird is playing at MoonShadow in McHenry this evening at 8:00pm.  Originally from Annapolis, this Indie band now hails from Charleston, SC. and plays a mix of modern R&B and ambient soul.

The Garrett County Arts Council Annual Membership Meeting and Reception will commence this evening beginning at 5:30pm. The evening will include a Friend of the Arts presentation, grant award announcements, and light refreshments. MoonShadow Cafe is hosting. Free for members, $20 fee for guests. Call 301.334.6580 for more information.

Sponsorships and ads for the Little Yough Music Festival are due in to GOBA this Wednesday.  Contact Michelle Ross at 301.334.2691 to learn more or to secure a spot. Wednesday is also the deadline to vote and register for the annual GOBA dinner.

Unfortunately, the 2018 Downtown Jubilee, scheduled for July 6 in downtown Oakland, has been cancelled.

Neighboring Preston County, WV has started a summer school readiness bus; designed to allow children to think outside of the box and grow in knowledge through physical and scholastic activities.

The Dove Center was recently awarded $20,000 to expand and improve their facilities to shelter the pets of their clients on site.

We love Traders Coffee House across the street from TS47. But they can’t top a tasty and authentic espresso made at dawn by an Italian crew member on a RAAM team shared with a TS47 volunteer. Race Across America starts Tuesday and racers and crews from around the world w. We can’t guarantee Italian espresso for volunteers, but the odds are good you’ll have fun and walk away with a story to tell having had a front row seat to this majestic race. To help out – click the SIGN UP button on our FB page and check out available shifts or DM us and we’ll get back to you.

Here’s something a LOT different for you.  This video is about the Bad Boys Club in Baltimore and how they are using coding to counter the Opioid crisis, which impacts lives all over the USA, even here in bucolic Garrett County.

Even with the threat of rain, there were lots of people at the lake and boats on the lake this weekend. The weather for today will be showers likely, cloudy, with a high near 61. Tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Here’s an “action” photo of Lucy our kitty enjoying the great weather Saturday and doing what she does best – hanging out and doing nothing at all.

Kids seven and older can join a naturalist on the shores of the Discovery Center for fishing basics. Poles, bait, and tackle are provided. $4/person, adults (16+ must have a license). Pre-registration is required as space is limited.  Call this morning if interested to see if there is still room.

The Grantsville Library will host Daisy Beiler Townsend, former resident of Grantsville and author of Sarah’s Legacy, a work of historical Christian fiction set in Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, on Monday 3:00pm – 7:30pm.

WoodmenLife Chapter 11 is sponsporing a food drive to support the food pantry through the Mountain Laurel Medical Center. A collection bin will be in place at the Oakland Shop N Save store (old Browning’s Foodland) from June 4th – 16th, and is open to public donations.

Tom and Sara Jane Kuhn from Funland Family Fun Center announced as the 2018 Heise Entrepreneurial Spirit award. Their business, Funland Family Fun Center, opened in 1971.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Monty Pagenhardt and wife Nancy as their home was destroyed by fire last week.

A 20,000-square-foot shell building will be constructed at the McHenry Business Park in partnership with the Maryland Economic Development Corp. and the Department of Commerce. “We’re contributing the land for the building,” Commissioner Jim Hinebaugh said. “So, it’s an attempt on our part to try to get some activity going in the McHenry Business Park.”

Garrett County/Deep Creek Lake have seen record increases in tourism during fiscal year 2018 with a 6.3% increase in county accommodations sales, a 12.2% increase in “heads on beds,” a 3.9% increase in admissions/amusement collections and a 5.5% increase in tourism sales tax revenues.

We have some really talented photographers among our readers, so here’s a reminder that the Department of Natural Resources photo contest is now open and accepting entries through August.  And, keep your submissions to Deep Creek Times coming as well.  We love to see and share your work!

Need a headshot for marketing material, or just want a nice one for your Facebook or LinkedIn account?  HABco on Friendsville Road is hosting a headshot photo event on Tuesday evening for just $25.

The Ruth Enlow Library invites adults to participate in their system-wide Adult Summer Reading Club running from June 18th – August 31st. Designed to be easy for adults to participate, you can sign up at your local branch and also receive a copy of the reading log free.

The weather this weekend will be partly sunny, with a high near 76 and a low around 60. Isolated showers and potential for scattered thunderstorms after noon On Saturday, showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. A high near 76 and a low around 59. The weather will be similar on Sunday: showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69 and a low around 56.

Settle in for a long one today ????

The Chamber put on a great membership dinner last evening.  Congratulations to Patty Manown Mash, the newly elected chairperson and to 2018 Heise award winners Tom and Sara Kuhn.  Here’s a photo from my table that shows the great turnout.

There’s a free Celtic Harp Concert with Lynne Dale and Avalon Folmsbee at the Oakland branch of the Ruth Enlow Library this afternoon from 3:30pm – 4:30pm.

MoonShadow has some good shows this weekend including Future Funk w/ DJ Nuce Friday evening, Kid Pro Quo Saturday evening and Jim Neville on Sunday.

This sounds interesting: The Discovery Center is conducting an “Edible Plants Stroll” led by Jerry Knutson right on their grounds Saturday morning starting at 10:00am.

The Habitat Home Store Community Fair will be held on Saturday, from 11:00am – 3:00pm. The Mountaintop Cruisers Car Club along with antique tractors will be set up in the parking lot.  Music will be provided and there will be food for purchase. Proceeds go to local non-profits.

Unlike people, some animals are actually born with a bad reputation! The free “First Impressions” workshop at the Discovery Center on Saturday starting at 11:00am will show that even “creepy crawlies” have an important role is nature.

Lots of events in town this weekend, from farmers markets to music to fishing to…  Check out our Events Page for the latest.

Railey Realty has announced that Railey Mountain Lake Vacations and Deep Creek Lodging have all partnered to create Railey Vacations. Thirty-six years ago, a novel idea was born: supplementing the income of second homeowners by opening up personal vacation homes to renting guests.  The Railey family was the first to introduce this cutting-edge concept to Deep Creek Lake and it soon grew to be a stunningly successful concept that has exploded across the country and even the world.

OK, it’s the weekend so I know you are hanging around wondering which are the safest states in America and where Maryland ranks? Well, here you go!

So, now that you have “digested” the study on safest states, here’s an interesting piece on spicy candy and its popularity to “digest.”

Check out the special from Double Oak Farms! A new advertiser with Deep Creek Times, Double Oak Farms is located in Swanton, Maryland offering Angus cattle that are raised naturally on grass and finished with grain without added hormones, growth promotents & antibiotic residues. Open Monday-Friday 5:30-8PM, Saturday 9AM-7PM, and Sunday 1-7PM the current special is 10% OFF GROUND BEEF and 10% OFF PATTIES! Tell em Deep Creek Times sent ya!

A community yard sale will be held at the Swanton Community Center tomorrow starting at 9am! Anyone can set up and sell what you have for no charge. The Center will be open for bathroom facilities and there will be a community chicken BBQ at 12 noon

Garrett College (I am the Director of Enrollment Management) is now holding New Student Advising Days for Fall enrollment.  There’s still room and scholarship money available for this great value in education. As the photo below shows, even the local duck population is trying to get in! Call 301.387.3044 for our Admissions team.

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Yesterday was cool and the rain held off for the day. Today’s weather will be mostly sunny, with a high near 70 and a low around 54; light west wind.

Join the Sang Run State Park naturalist at 11:00am this morning for a Square Foot Garden Area Demonstration and learn how you can grow and harvest veggies in a small confined space.

The Chamber’s annual membership meeting and dinner will be held tonight at the Herrington. I’ll be there, and so apparently will a lot of other local folks, as it is sold out.  Great to see our business and other leaders get together and I always look forward to hearing Martin Heise speak.

I know Garrett County’s population is aging and has been basically “flat” the past few years, but the Leadership Garrett County program, which just finished its second year, is doing its part to develop future leaders.  Congratulations to all this year’s graduates (pictured below with various college and school officials)!

There’s a meeting on the proposed Oakland Bypass at 6:00pm this evening at the Southern Garrett County Rescue Squad on Baltimore Avenue. If you miss the meeting you can watch the video of it after on YouTube starting at 9:00pm.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is recruiting young adults for the Maryland Conservation Corps, an award-winning AmeriCorps program. Members, ages 17-25, engage in extensive conservation, environmental and natural resources management projects across the state. Looks like a really nice program.

Registration is open through this Friday for the Chamber’s presentation on “The Value of Heritage Tourism” on Monday, June 11th from 9:00am to 11:30am at the GIEC, Room 111.

Finance Director Scott Weeks presented the proposed FY 2019 Budget on June 4th. The Budget is expected to be adopted by the Commissioners on June 19th during a public meeting at the Bloomington VFD. Click on the following link to view the proposed Budget: http://ow.ly/Pdpz30kmKjJ

Yesterday was very breezy. Today will be partly sunny, with a high near 59 and a low around 45.

The Mountain Fresh Farmers Market will be back today from 10:00am – 1:00pm in the Downtown Pavilion in Oakland.

The CARC at Garrett College is holding a free P90-X class at 5:15pm this evening and last I heard they had some spots available. P90-X is an all-body workout and the class will be led by Susie and Maney, who have received certification in P90-X instruction. Call 301.387.3786 for more information or to register.

HART for Animals is one of those great non-profit institutions that help make Garrett County THE place to live (and visit) for so many of our readers. Year-to-date through May, HART has conducted 111 adoptions, 93 rescues and transports and 308 spay & neuters. Wow!

Our Town Theatre in Oakland is re-presenting their first production from 20 years ago – The Dining Room – starting this evening at 8:00pm and running through Sunday, June 10th.

The Hogan Administration announced yesterday that the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention has made more than $2 million available to protect Maryland children as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children grants initiative. These funds are available to child advocacy and law enforcement organizations.

The Chamber is holding their June Business After Hours at Traders Coffee House on Thursday, June 14th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Brenda, Jean and colleagues have done a remodel and want to show it off!

Here’s a fun way to introduce your child into the upcoming school year — see the flyer for you child’s school below and sign up by calling 301-334-4211 (click to enlarge the photo).

We had a rainy weekend, especially yesterday. Today’s weather will be partly sunny, with a high near 65 and a low around 51. A little windy with potential gusts as high as 29 mph.

My wife and I went to the movies Saturday afternoon and watched “Life of the Party” with Melissa McCarthy. Lighthearted and fun “with a message.” It won’t be up for any academy awards, but it was entertaining.

The Board of County Commissioners will present the draft Fiscal Year 2019 Garrett County Government Budget this evening at the Community Aquatic Recreation Complex (CARC) in Room 931 beginning at 5:00pm.

Please check out the June Cover Story I wrote.  It is a piece on the “art and science” of tipping.  We thought the topic was especially appropriate as the summer season gets under way.

I went in to check out the Gourmet and More shop (Schoolhouse Earth’s sister store at the Fort in McHenry) the other day and was really impressed with the atmosphere and merchandising – a really nice place.

Some new Oakland icons are popping up: Breathe Grace Medical Supply and The Manor Steakhouse are now both open for business.

Here’s a nice, though a bit fuzzy, wDCT report from the lake by Lions Club member Chris Nichols on the Deep Creek lions Boat Parade coming up in July. Go lions!

Today’s weather will be showers and thunderstorms likely, mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Showers and thunderstorms likely through the night and a low around 62. Tomorrow remains with showers likely — a high near 70 and a low around 59. Sunday, still, is a chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67 and a low around 53.

I had the pleasure of presenting some scholarship awards to seniors graduating from Southern High School Thursday evening.  I came away from the evening feeling really good for our young people and their intellect and passion. The future looks bright!

Here’s something a little different: The Kitzmiller Farmers Market at The Park is where the community meets every Friday from 4:00pm – 6:30pm. Kitzmiller Farmers Market is a producer’s only market with various products available each week. Kitzmiller is a bit “out of the way” but has an interesting history as an old coal town.

In Maryland, about 5,000 wildfires are reported each year, and more than 300 volunteer fire departments across the state respond to these blazes. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is once again offering grant funding through its Volunteer Fire Assistance Program to help fortify and strengthen wildland firefighting capabilities statewide. Applications will be accepted until July 16th.

Jeff Grable performs Friday evening at The Black Bear tavern in McHenry.  There is other entertainment during the weekend as well.

Lots of events happening in and around the lake this weekend, from the Garrett County Celtic Festival, Katies 5K Run on Saturday and license-free fishing too!

Music at Penn Alps has announced their season schedule, starting with a performance at 7:30pm on June 16th with a performance by Washington Cornett and Sackbutt Ensemble.

The Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County and Sunrise Shred are partnering to offer a free paper-shredding event for the public on Monday, June 18th from 3:00pm – 6:00pm at the Oakland Library. Contact Traci Royce at Sunrise for more information – 301.334.6212

I know we have a number of dedicated fishermen as readers, so this one is for you:  A state record snakehead (a ravenous, non-native species) was caught in Charles County over the Memorial Day weekend, tipping the scales at 19.9 pounds with a length of 35.157 inches.  Glad they are NOT in Deep Creek Lake.

Here’s a fun mash-up wDCT.live video of the very successful Belle Soiree held at Chanteclaire Farm Wednesday evening. There were over 175 people celebrating the local wedding industry:

Yesterday was a bit overcast and cooler but was still a nice day. Today’s weather will be mostly cloudy, scattered showers with a high near 76. Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then scattered showers with a low around 66.

The Loar Auxiliary Gift Shop at the hospital is holding a $6 jewelry and accessory sale today from 8:00am – 4:00pm.

Just received a “lake-oriented residential” real estate update from Mike Kennedy at Railey Realty:  49 homes sold year-to-date through April, with an average 12-month sales price of $524,274, and with an average 159 days on the market. Source: MRIS

Need work?  Actually Needlework!  You can bring your own needlework – whether it’s knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, embroidery, or lap quilting and join others for two hours of relaxation and fun from 2:00pm – 4:00pm this afternoon at the Oakland library.

I have been hearing about a new venture coming to downtown Oakland. Actually, it is two ventures in one. Flipside Sounds, with a planned opening in July, will be offering new and vintage vinyl records and related items. The Sipside Lounge, with a planned opening in October, will be offering craft beers, and fine wines and spirits. Sounds interesting.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resourceshas released a new online resource to help residents and visitors of Deep Creek Lake stay up to date on water quality data and information.

Eyes on Deep Creek Lake is a new interactive feature on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources webpage and places the Garrett County lake’s comprehensive water quality data readily available to the public.

Did you know that the Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake state park is now open every day for the season?  As always, they have great programs to amaze, amuse and educate all ages.  Plus, admission to the discovery Center is free. Check out their June calendar of events for June, which will be posted with our new edition tomorrow.

Here’s a nice write-up from Lisa Cole’s Wildfulness blog on the upcoming Garrett County Celtic Festival to be held on Saturday, June 2nd.

Just heard that some local folks are trying to get Scottish Country Dancing going again at the end of the year and thought that having a Scottish Night, just after the Celtic Festival would introduce people to this fun activity. The event is June 6th and costs $60 for two. Call or email Victoria Buckel at 301 501-3990 or  vbuckel@hotmail.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

On this last day of May, I thought I would share a few “tidbits” on the month:  May is named for Maia, a Greek goddess. In any given year, no month ever begins or ends on the same day of the week as May does (no, I did not verify this).  And, “across the pond” in the UK, the month of May is recognized as national smile month. Talk to you “next month!”

The weather for today will be mostly cloudy with isolated showers and scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. A high near 75 and a low around 66.

During a recent visit, David Brinkley, Maryland’s secretary of budget and management, said Garrett College’s new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Building will provide the tools necessary for “reeducating our workforce for the new economy.” The building is really taking shape and will be ready for the Fall semester.

If you want to get the kids or grandkids out of the sun for a while, check out some of the children’s activities at Ruth Enlow Library today.

The Belle Soirée, a Fancy Affair at Chanteclaire, will be held this evening at Chanteclaire Farm to celebrate the contribution the wedding industry makes in Garrett County.  Open to all, there are about 10 last minute tickets left and I wanted to give a shout-out to the event and the industry, which is an integral part of our county’s economic vibrancy.

Make sure to enter your guess for the “Where Am I Contest” .. one random winner will be drawn from the correct answers to win a $25 Ace’s Run Gift Card!

New Germany State Park has announced a number of nice programs for early June.  They range from races to music to fishing and education. We are really blessed by all the outdoor, and indoor, activities available to us here in Garrett County.

The annual clean-up day for Accident will be June 4. Residents are asked to set their items at curbside by 8:00 am. Items taken will be white goods, furniture, tires and up to 100 pounds of construction debris per household. NOT allowed are appliances with refrigerant, paint and chemical cans and over 100 pounds of construction debris per household.

The Commissioners just announced their next public meeting and agenda which is scheduled for June 4th at 4:00pm at the CARC on the Garrett College campus.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!  No, not the movie, a course on bugs. The class will be held on Thursday, June 14th, from 1:00pm -3:00pm at the Garrett College Southern Outreach Center in Oakland. Participants will learn about insects and how they can be a help in one’s gardening adventure or how to manage the pesky pests. The course is being instructed by Ashley Bodkins from the Extension Service.  Call 301.387.3069 for more information or to register.

Ruth Enlow Library begins this year’s Summer Reading Club with a kick-off event presented by comedy ventriloquist Tom Crowl, one of the top professional ventriloquists in the United States. Two performances of “Puppets Rock: The 2018 Library Tour” are scheduled for Wednesday, June 27th. The event is free and open to all registered Summer Reading Club participants.

Here’s a wDCT.live report from Sarah’s biking this weekend:

We hope all our readers had a very nice, safe holiday weekend.  The weather was mostly wonderful and it was certainly a magnet for tourists and locals alike to get out on the lake or outdoors at the numerous events and destinations around the area.

The weather for today will be partly sunny, with a high near 78 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight; low around 64.

I want to acknowledge the severe weather, devastation and the heroic efforts by public safety personnel in Old Ellicott City over the weekend. I lived there for well over two decades and it is a wonderful place, but this second massive flood in two years will really test the community and its citizens. Our thoughts and prayers are with all, including our readers from that area.

There’s a children’s lap sit session this morning at the Oakland branch of the Ruth Enlow Library from 10:30am – 11:00am for children and caregivers.

Congratulations goes out to Southern Garrett Ram athlete Alec Horner for winning the State Championship in pole vault!

As part of the outreach for A Better Maryland, the Maryland Department of Planning has posted an online survey for those who were not able to attend one of its recent listening sessions.  The survey will be active through the end of May. If you have not already, visit the survey page and take the five-minute survey.

The Town of Grantsville shared that the park basketball courts were repaved over the weekend and ask that patrons do not use the courts until the cones are removed.

The Garrett County Democratic Central Committee is hosting a Democratic candidate forum this evening at Garrett College from 7:00pm – 9:00pm. I believe it is open to all but that is not confirmed.

Mountain State Brewing Company in McHenry has a dog friendly back patio. Bring Fido and have a beer and a flatbread pizza. Or, bring the kids to the Greene Turtle as it is “Kids Eat Free Tuesday.” Check our Specials List for more deals for today.

The State Highway Administration will remove the top layer of asphalt, pave and then restripe U.S. 219 (North Third Street) between Oak Street and Orchid Street (through the town of Oakland). The project will begin this week and is estimated for completion in mid-June.

Just a few days left to check out the “Turns and Transitions” exhibit at the Saville Gallery on Centre Street in Cumberland. The Allegany Arts Council always puts on a great show.

Here is a sunset photo Sarah captured last evening: