Deep Creek Lake MD News and Local Resources: Daily Notes

March 3, 2023: It’s already started snowing and sleeting and raining outside my window…  be careful if you’re out and about today!

The weather today will be freezing rain with a slight chance of sleet. Rain, with a chance of snow in the morning, then rain with a slight chance of snow in the afternoon. Snow and sleet accumulation up to 1 inch. Ice accumulation of up to one-quarter of an inch. Windy, with highs in the mid-30s and a low of 31. Southeast winds of around 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is near 100%. Saturday will be snow showers in the morning. Mostly cloudy. Very windy, with highs in the upper 30s and a low of 30. West winds of around 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph. The chance of snow is 90%. Sunday will be mostly sunny, with highs in the upper 40s and a low of 28.

Due to the Ice Storm Warning, High Wind Watch, and Wind Advisory, Garrett County Public Schools will be closed today, Friday, March 3, 2023.

Wisp Resort operations for Friday, March 3 have ceased due to conditions. Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and the mountain coaster will not operate on Friday, March 3. The resort plans to have all of these activities operating on Saturday, March 4, weather permitting…. my fingers are crossed that the temps drop and they can make just a bit more snow to extend the season.

You can win a $25 Ace’s Run Restaurant & Pub gift card: Make your guess in the March “Where Am I?” contest!

New items listed in our Online Marketplace: A nice foosball table is under miscellaneous and a television armoire is listed in the furniture category.

Today, March 3, marks the deadline for writers to submit their work to be considered for inclusion in the 2023 edition of Ginseng, a local literary journal. The publication is both an online collection and a printed booklet, and all submissions are subject to review by a jury.

Join us for a fun and relaxing Saturday morning at Accident Library’s “A Stitch in Time” sewing circle! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced seamstress, all skill levels and age groups are welcome to participate.

Are you ready for a weekend filled with fantastic music and good vibes? Our entertainment calendar is bursting with a lineup of incredible local bands that are sure to get you dancing and singing along. Come and be a part of the energy and excitement as these talented musicians showcase their skills and entertain the crowd.

March 2, 2023: The Garrett County Public School system presented on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation last night. This plan has the following considerations:

Pillar 1: Early Childhood Education
Pillar 2: High Quality & Diverse Teachers and Leaders
Pillar 3: College and Career Readiness
Pillar 4: More resources to ensure ALL students are successful
Pillar 5: Governance and Accountability

As soon as the presentation is shared online, I will be sure to link to it.

The weather today will be mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers in the morning, then partly sunny in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 50s and low of 32. West winds of around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. The chance of rain is 50%.

The Maryland State Board of Education (SBOE) and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released Phase 2 of the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan will be released in three phases leading up to June 2023.

The percentage of Maryland students receiving a high school diploma in four years remains consistently high, according to data released today by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

Fox’s Pizza Den of Oakland will celebrate its grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday, March 10, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the dining room. Everyone is welcome to attend and indulge in refreshments.

On March 10, 2023, a laser light show will be presented in the planetarium at Hickory to the music of Pink Floyd. The show will start at 6:30 PM. The show will include 8 songs and a short astronomy program. Space is extremely limited.

Garrett County DoTcom Staff will be participating in the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Broadband Bootcamp.

Today at MoonShadow’s is Wild Game Dinner and Open Mic Night! This will be the wildest thing on this side of the Moon! This month’s feature: A plate of 3 different Wild Game sliders (Venison, Wild Boar & Elk).

The Garrett Regional Medical Center Foundation invites you to Making a Difference Together, a behavioral health benefit, today from 5:30 PM until 8:30 PM at the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College.

February 28, 2023: The question of the week: Will we get a big snow on Friday? The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington has announced: “A complex area of low pressure will track near the area late in the week. If the storm center tracks to our south, colder air and more wintry precipitation would be possible. If the storm center tracks to the north and higher end rainfall amounts are realized, flooding would be possible. If the threat materializes, it may cause travel disruptions and closures. At this time, confidence is low. There is an unusually high amount of uncertainty in the storm track and resultant precipitation types and amounts.”

The weather today will be mostly cloudy, with a slight chance of rain in the morning, then mostly sunny in the afternoon. Breezy, with highs in the mid-40s and a low of 32. West winds of around 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph. The chance of rain is 20%.

GRMC is named a 2023 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by the National Rural Health Association and The Chartis Center for Rural Health, based on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™ results.

The Garrett County Health Planning Council was awarded funding from the Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control (Center) at the Maryland Department of Health. The grant was given to implement the Building Local Health Improvement Coalition Food Security Committees project for a second year.

Cool Schools Dunk 2023 was held last week, where Northern and Southern Garrett Middle and High School students raised over $40,000 for Garrett County Unified Sports programming.

The Garrett County Republican Women’s Club will hold its upcoming meeting on March 15, 2023, at Pine Lodge Steak House in McHenry. Social time for members will commence at 4:30 PM, with dinner orders starting at 5:30 PM.

It’s Tuesday Movie of the Week at Garrett 8 Cinemas featuring 80 for Brady. This movie follows a group of lifelong friends as they embark on a journey to meet their football hero, Tom Brady, and attend the Super Bowl.

Ruth Enlow Library is delighted to offer a range of exciting programs designed for kids! Kids of all ages are welcome to join in on the fun with Story Time sessions, lively Book Club discussions, and creative Lego Club activities.

February 27, 2023: Wow! What a weekend! The second annual fat bike / MTB ride event went very well. The real feel was 19 degrees at the start! Keep your eyes peeled for the full article out later today. But, since the Deep Creek Dunk was on Saturday and we were missing the fun, one of our riders, Eric, went ahead and took a quick dip! This was after he finished about 24 miles of mountain biking!

I also attended the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics Maryland 2023 Winter Games last evening! Welcome back to Garrett County! The schedule of events can be found here!

The weather today will have a chance of rain in the morning, then rain in the afternoon. Breezy, with highs in the lower 40s. Southeast winds around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is near 100%.

3,500 Americans were surveyed on their dream home preferences – including style, location, kitchen type, bedrooms/bathrooms, garden/pool, open-plan living, and wellness amenities. A Garrett County home could be ideal!

The Appalachian Regional Commission and the National Broadband Resource Hub are hosting a six-week Zoom bootcamp covering all aspects of broadband for local leaders. Sessions will cover broadband basics, planning, funding, partnerships, mapping, and digital inclusion, with Q&A time for specific community concerns.

The final day of classes for seniors at Northern and Southern Garrett High Schools is May 31, 2023. Graduation will take place on June 3, 2023, at the Garrett County Fairgrounds in the Ag Hall, with separate ceremonies for each school at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. respectively, and no tickets are required.

The Civic Club of Oakland will be holding its 3rd Annual Anything and Everything Goes Event on April 29, 2023, at the Mountain Fresh Pavilion in downtown Oakland. Hours for the event will be 9:00 AM to noon.

It’s Pizza Monday at Brenda’s offering 1/2-price pizza!

Are you looking for a great deal to start your week off right? Look no further than Mountain State Brewing’s Happy Hour Special! Every Monday and Tuesday, join them for half-priced appetizers and let them treat you to some delicious snacks to go along with your drinks.

Attention, all kids! Come and join the excitement at Ruth Enlow Library today! They’ve got a range of activities for you to enjoy, including their popular Children’s Story Time and the super fun Lego Club.

February 24, 2023: Stop me if you’ve heard this story before but one of my absolute favorite college classes was cultural geography. At the beginning of each class, the professor showed a map of the United States by county. And each day, there was something to be learned about how geography played a role in the culture of an area. You could see along the Mississippi River and in Louisiana was a hot spot of French speakers. Around Atlanta and in the South, folks refer to a dark carbonated drink as “coke” but further Northeast, it is “soda” and in the midwest its “pop”.

I saw this page of maps last night (and, mind you, it’s pretty dated information) but it reminded me of that class and I read through each of these infographics.

The weather today will be partly sunny in the morning and then clearing. Breezy and much cooler, with highs in the upper 30s and a low of 23. Northwest winds of around 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 45 mph, decreasing to 35 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 30%. Saturday will be mostly cloudy with highs in the lower 40s and a low of 30. Southeast winds of around 5 to 10 mph, becoming southwest in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Sunday will be partly sunny and breezy, with highs in the upper 40s and a low of 34. The chance of rain is 20%.

In August 2022, GCBR held a school supply drive, and Mr. Merrick donated but found out there was a need for winter coats. He donated funds for 21 winter coats, which will be distributed to local students by Garrett County Public Schools. If you know a student in need of a winter coat, contact your school counselor.

It’s a Special Olympics Maryland weekend in Garrett County, with the MSP/NRP Deep Creek Dunk!

Maryland Department of Natural Resources crews stocked 5,000 trout in Garrett County.

Garrett County’s Board of Commissioners has asked DNR to reallocate trail funding.

Garrett 8 Cinemas is celebrating Free Popcorn Friday! You can grab a large popcorn with every ticket purchase, but please note that refills are not available.

Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) has set dates for the Route 40 and Swan Meadow school closure advisory presentations and public hearings. Each School Closure Advisory Committee will present to the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education, then make its recommendation on the future status of its respective school.

Route 40 Elementary’s meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in the school cafeteria.

Swan Meadow School’s meeting will take place on Thursday, March 9, 2023, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at the Pleasant Valley Community Center.

Join Friends of New Germany State Park volunteers on an easy 1-mile walk this Friday and discover 16 native trees that have been labeled with species tags. During the walk, you’ll learn about the different clues that can help you identify these species.

This Friday, the Mountain Lake Park community and the surrounding area can receive substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery education from the Garrett County Health Department.

It’s not too late to sign up! The second annual Herrington Manor Fat Bike Ride this Saturday at Herrington Manor State Park and Garrett State Forest! This ride is open to all skill levels!

Come to the registration tent this Friday in the Honi Honi parking lot to sign your waiver, pick up your official Dunk sweatshirt and dunk zone wristband and avoid the lines and be ready to enjoy the day on Saturday! Then enjoy the evening a Goosebumps, Grapes, and Growlers.

Don’t miss out on the upcoming “Shred Day” 2023 hosted by the Ruth Enlow Library! Head on over to the Main Library in Oakland this Saturday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and bring along any old documents you have lying around. Sunrise Shred’s Mobile Document Destruction truck will be there to provide free shredding services for all patrons.

And… The Greene Turtle Hosts DJ Leroy after The Dunk! Entertainment starts at 8:30 PM.

What can be more fun than grabbing your bes-teas and enjoying Valentine’s Day-themed tea at the bou-tea-que? Join Cashmere Clothing for You and Me and a Cup of Tea this Sunday!

The weekend is finally here! Make sure you don’t miss out on some amazing local bands playing in the area.

February 23, 2023: Railey Realty West Virginia Properties is happy to announce the addition of Garrett Ayersman to their team of sales agents. As a professional athlete and native of West Virginia, his drive to succeed and passion for hunting and recreation have taken him all over the world and have brought him back home again.

The weather today will be mostly sunny. A chance of rain this morning. Breezy, with highs in the mid-60s and a low of 31. West winds of around 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. The chance of rain is 50%.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources crews recently stocked 4,200 trout in Garrett County.

Today, The Greene Turtle is organizing a Funds 4 Friends event aimed at raising funds to support the Chapman family, who holds a special place in Garrett County’s community.

Come and participate in the Needlework event hosted by the Oakland Library today at 1:00 PM. Bring your own needlework projects and enjoy working on them alongside other craft enthusiasts.

Join the Grantsville Library for a game of Mah-Jongg today between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and challenge your mind!

Join the fun at Mountain State Brewing DCL today at 6:30 PM for TEAM TRIVIA! Challenge your knowledge while enjoying some refreshing brews and great company.

February 17, 2023: Yay! It’s the Annual Winter Fest weekend in the Town of Oakland. This year’s event will feature kids’ activities, downtown store specials, live music and performances, a race up Alder Street on sleds, and the return of the Winter Fest Wine Walk. Note: the $20 Wine Walk ticket allows you to taste 12 different wines at a number of locations throughout town. And! We’re expecting winter weather tonight and tomorrow!

The weather today will be patchy fog in the morning. Rain Showers in the morning, then a chance of snow showers in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Breezy, with highs in the upper 40s. Temperature falling into the upper 20s in the afternoon. West Winds 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is near 100%. Saturday will be sunny, with highs in the upper 30s. West winds of around 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the morning. The chance of rain is 20%. Sunday will be mostly cloudy, with highs around 50 and a low of 37. The chance of rain is 10%.

Now is a good time to take a look at your insurance policies and Dave Jochynek State Farm Insurance would love to help! It won’t cost you anything to review your policies and provide you with a quote, regardless of the carrier you’re currently with and, additionally, Dave offers a $10 gift card to anyone who obtains a quote.

Deep Creek e-Bikes is offering a President’s Day special! The Specialized Turbo Levo is on sale for $4,999. I have a friend who rides this bike and let me say, it is amazing! It’s not about “cheating” or getting out of work but, rather, a full suspension bike (like below) is an equalizer and allows everyone to get out on the trails and have more fun. Tell ’em that Deep Creek Times sent ya!

NOTE: ebikes are not allowed as part of my Fat Bike Ride next weekend but you plan to ride with us anyway! There is a “short” loop for beginners and will only be about 3 miles and fat bikes are available for rent.

Mountain Fresh Farmers Market is now accepting applications for the 2023 Market Season.

Visit the JTF Ice Rink and take note of the special President’s Day hours! Join them for a delightful skating experience.

Be sure to check out the complete entertainment schedule for the holiday weekend.

The Cumberland Astronomy Club is hosting a meeting today that promises to be out of this world! Joseph Grikis, an amateur astronomer from Oakland, will be the guest speaker, providing a sneak peek into the upcoming space missions that are geared toward exploring the possibility of life beyond our planet. Anyone who has an interest in space exploration is welcome to attend and experience this captivating event.

The First Annual Western Maryland Hardwater Tournament was scheduled for Saturday but it may be have to be adjusted due to a lack of hard water…..

Mark your calendars and get ready to hit the slopes for some exciting winter fun! Wisp Resort invites you to their second Rail Jam of the season on Saturday. If you’re interested in joining, registration will be open from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Main Lodge at Wisp Resort.

Experience the Mountain Fresh Farmers’ Market for yourself tomorrow from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  If you have children who are interested in robotics, the market has a special treat in store for you. During the Winterfest Celebration on the same day and time, you’ll have the chance to meet the current robotics team and drive their robot.

I stopped by Espresso Alley yesterday and really enjoyed my specialty red velvet latte!

February 16, 2023: Fox’s Pizza Den in Oakland is under new ownership: my brothers have purchased the store from long-time owner Evie Fike. Stop in and say hi and get — my favorite — an original crust taco pizza!

Check out What’s New Around Town…. and the live road condition cameras are back!

The weather today will be rainy, with highs in the upper 50s and a low of 32. South winds 5 to 10 mph, increasing to southwest 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is near 100%.

Check out the movies playing at Garrett 8 Cinemas today.

What do you think? According to a recent study, there is a disconnect between blue-collar workers and college-educated individuals in Maryland. The study found that 34% of blue-collar workers felt that their college-educated peers did not respect or value them. Additionally, individuals in Maryland who did not attend college tended to have social connections and friendships primarily within their local community rather than beyond it.

Garrett County Public Schools will dismiss students three (3) hours early tomorrow Friday, February 17, 2023, for Staff Development in the afternoon. This will be a county-wide professional development day and also, in honor of Presidents’ Day, all schools and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2023.

Garrett County Public Schools is now collecting feedback on the proposed 2023-2024 school calendars.

Representatives from the Garrett County Department of Social Services will be at the Kitzmiller branch library today as part of their assistance outreach program, providing support to the community.

The Women’s Networking Event happening today at noon at Ace’s Run Restaurant & Pub.

Join the volunteers from the Friends of New Germany State Park for an outdoor class to learn more about our native plants. Don’t forget to bring hot chocolate and bundle up to stay warm! There is so much to discover, and this is a great opportunity to get to know more about the plants in our area.

Are you registered for the fat tire ride next weekend? We welcome everyone!

February 15, 2023: The weather has been especially warm for a February in Garrett County but it looks like Thursday night and Friday will get into a chance for snow! I’ve even seen some “ramp rumblings” on social media… it’s still a smidge too early to pick them but it’s definitely something to look forward to!

The weather today will be partly sunny in the morning, then clearing. Breezy, with highs in the lower 60s and a low of 49. Southwest winds of around 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. The chance of rain is 45%.

Register now for the Grow Your Own Shiitake Mushrooms workshop on April 22, 2023! Learn how to grow your own mushrooms while supporting a good cause – all proceeds will benefit the Garrett County Forestry Board Scholarship Fund.

Just a quick reminder that the Garrett County Republican Women’s Club is having its next meeting today at the Pine Lodge Steak House in McHenry. Join for dinner and good company, starting at 4:30 PM and with orders being taken at 5:30 PM.

There’s an exciting lineup of high school games today!

February 10, 2023: Last night I attended the Business After Hours event at the new Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. If you haven’t seen a performance there, you are missing out! This facility with state-of-the-art sound and lighting and really plays a strong supporting role in the productions that are held there. I’m so happy to see our community with a facility like this!

The weather today will be mostly sunny. A slight chance of rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Windy and much cooler, with highs in the upper 30s and a low of 22. West winds of around 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, Diminishing to 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 20%. Saturday will be mostly sunny, with highs around 40 and a low of 27. Northwest winds of around 10 to 15 mph. The chance of rain is 15%. Sunday will be mostly cloudy, with highs in the upper 30s and a low of 26. The chance of rain is 20%.

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Heise Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.  The award, given in honor of Helmuth & Evelyn Heise, is presented to local entrepreneurs for their contributions to the economic growth of Garrett County.

A new study of 3,000 respondents by HelloPharmacist has found that the average Marylander believes they will live until the age of 80 – a full year above the state average* of 79, and 2 years above the national life expectancy. Turns out, people in The Old Line State are among the most optimistic in America about their longevity.

Congratulations to the fifth-grade students from Broad Ford and Crellin Elementary Schools who have advanced to the final round of the National Scholastic Hardest Math Problem Challenge.

Every year, County United Way aims to attract top-notch service providers to become potential grant recipients, with the goal of building the strongest possible pool of programs and services for our community and provide an outcome in one of the following areas: health, education, and financial stability. The process of selecting partners has now begun.

The first Women’s Networking Event of 2023 has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 16 at noon at Ace’s Run Restaurant & Pub! Bring your business cards and/or event flyers. Introduce yourself, your event, business, or cause. Make new connections and friends.

Representatives from the Garrett County Department of Social Services will be on hand to offer their assistance outreach program to the community at the Accident Library today. This is a chance for the community to come together and receive valuable support and resources.

Van Hollen, Lierman, Miller, Legislators, and Advocates will highlight Maryland Easy Enrollment Program that allows Marylanders to sign up for Health Insurance at tax time. This is a first-of-its-kind program in the nation that makes it simple to enroll in affordable health coverage.

The Accident Library invites all to join the “A Stitch in Time” sewing circle this Saturday morning at 9:30 AM. All skill levels and age groups are welcome to attend and meet other sewing enthusiasts. Participants will have the opportunity to make new friends and bond over their shared love of sewing.

The Discovery Center invites you to a fun-filled Saturday filled with turtles and creativity! Learn about Maryland’s Slowpokes, design a turtle shell accessory, and meet Rocky the Woodland Box Turtle for autographs.

Whooooo wants to know what an owl eats? Come to the Discovery Center this Sunday and dissect owl pellets to find out!

Looking for a sweet way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Look no further! Join Cashmere Clothing this Sunday for “You and Me and a Cup of Tea” – a special Valentine’s Day tea party at the bou-tea-que. Grab your closest friends or your special someone and enjoy a fun-filled day sipping on delicious tea, surrounded by love and laughter.

Get ready for a jam-packed weekend of entertainment! Check out the full schedule here and dance to the beat of some incredible bands that will be playing in the area.

February 9, 2023: It was so spring-like yesterday! I was able to get out and take a bike ride without my heavy fleece pullover. We stayed off the singletrack trails and went out on the snowmobile trails at Herrington Manor State Park since the ground was muddy and wet. Did you know that the freeze / thaw process is actually good for trails? NOTE: “If you leave a track, turn back”.

The weather today will be cloudy. A slight chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers in the afternoon. Breezy, with highs around 60 and a low of 36. South winds of around 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, increasing to 45 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 50%.

An interactive quiz with 3,000 respondents showed that 58% of those polled in Maryland would support such a law to protect their state’s dialect.

WalletHub today released its nationally representative 2023 Valentine’s Day Spending Survey, which found that more than 1 in 4 Americans expect their Valentine to not spend any money on gifts this year.

If your child has ever participated in the school’s Play Hard, Live Clean campaign and received a medal, he or she can get into the Friday, Feb 10 basketball game for free by wearing their medal. All students will also be recognized at the start of the varsity game. Please arrive by 7:00 PM to be recognized. JV game is at 6:00 and varsity starts at 7:30 PM.

Cashmere Clothing is looking for feedback! If you have a couple of minutes to spare, Marcia has prepared this quick survey. And the best part? You’ll have a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards! 

The Garrett County Arts Council has announced the Ginseng Literary Journal is accepting submissions. Writers must be members of GCAC and live in Garrett or a contiguous county and submit by March 3rd! For more information and to submit an entry, visit this link: https://garrettarts.org/ginseng.

Are you signed up for the ‘Finding Your Roots Through Research’ Genealogy Workshop series this spring 2023? Don’t miss out on this beginner-to-intermediate level virtual workshop, brought to you by Maryland Public Television and the Maryland Genealogical Society.

The Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program is hosting Q&A Sessions today at 10:00 AM, and you’re invited to join. Get ready to discuss your specific project and ask any questions you may have. Whether you want to dive into the details of your project, find out more about the program as a whole, or simply listen in.

I’ll see you at tonight’s Business After Hours 2023 event!

February 8, 2023: Today is the day to have Greene Turtle for lunch or dinner! By ordering from Greene Turtle, you’ll support the Boundless Energy dance team and their trip to Disney World this summer to dance. All you have to do is show this coupon and Greene Turtle will donate 20% of the sales to the team.

The weather today will be partly sunny. Scattered rain showers in the morning, with highs in the upper 40s and a low of 36. West winds of around 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the morning. The chance of rain is 50%.

Distance might not make the heart grow fonder. A survey of 3,000 Americans found that, on average, the maximum time the average Marylander would travel for a long-distance relationship is 5 hours and 27 minutes, compared to the national average of 6 hours and 12 minutes.

Beginning February 13, 2023, at 8:00 AM, Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will be accepting applications online for the Pre-Kindergarten Program for 3-Year-Olds (PK3), Pre-Kindergarten Program for 4-Year-Olds (PK4), and for the Kindergarten Program (K) for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Garrett County Republican Women’s Club invites all supporters of the Republican Party to attend their upcoming meeting on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at the Pine Lodge Steak House in McHenry. Members will gather for a social time starting at 4:30 PM, followed by dinner at 5:30 PM.

Unleash your child’s imagination and kickstart their love for learning with Oakland Library’s storytime! Designed specifically for kids ages 3 and up, this fun-filled program blends stories, STEM activities, games, music, and crafts to boost creative expression, social skills, listening comprehension, and school readiness.

Members of the community are invited to visit the Friendsville branch of the library today where representatives from the Garrett County Department of Social Services will be offering their assistance outreach program.

Unfortunately, the free cross-country ski lesson today has been canceled (since there’s no snow) but Ranger Luke is offering a free guided hike.

Calling all LEGO enthusiasts! Today is your chance to let your imagination run wild at the LEGO Club meeting, happening from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. The Kitzmiller Library has got you covered with all the LEGO bricks you need. No matter what your age, everyone is welcome to join in on the fun!

February 7, 2023: The temperature is getting all the way up to the mid-50s today. Spring is definitely around the corner! But, I read a forecast that mentioned “polar vortex” may be in the works next week…. my fingers are crossed for more cold weather and more ski season! According to Ski South East: “winter is 58% over. Gone. If you consider that the official start to most ski & snowboarding seasons is around Thanksgiving Day/Weekend and move forward on the calendar until the last days of March (and MAYBE a day or two into April) each year – you’ll count about 133 days (+/- a day or two) that we get to play on the snow each winter….”

The weather today will be mostly cloudy. A chance of rain in the afternoon, with highs in the mid-50s and a low of 38. South winds of 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph, becoming southwest of 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 50%.

Garrett Family Medicine, one of two primary care clinics operated by Garrett Regional Medical Center, is pleased to announce it is accepting new patients. Located at 69 Wolf Acres Drive in the same building that formerly housed Dr. Daniel Miller’s practice, Garrett Family Medicine provides comprehensive primary care services for the entire family.

The Performing Arts Center will be hosting the February Business After Hours on Thursday, February 9, from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. View the stunning new Daniel E. Offutt III Theatre while savoring delicious food and drinks.

Don’t miss out on the event of the year! The Deep Creek Lions Club invites you to celebrate the Blind Skier 50th Anniversary Gala at the Wisp Resort today, February 7. This is a night you won’t want to miss, packed with delicious dinner and drinks, breathtaking fireworks, fantastic auction items, toe-tapping music and dancing, inspiring speakers, and surprise after surprise.

Get ready for a cinematic experience as the Tuesday Movie of the Week makes its grand return at Garrett 8 Cinemas! This week’s featured film is the highly anticipated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Unleash your inner adventurer and join the volunteer team from Friends of New Germany State Park for an invigorating 4-mile hike today! Prepare to push your limits and discover the rejuvenating effects of outdoor exercise as you explore the breathtaking scenery.

Bring your imagination and curiosity, kids! The Ruth Enlow Library has a wonderful lineup of programs just for you. Take a look at today’s schedule and discover the exciting world of books and learning.

Step out of your comfort zone and join the Oakland Library today for a fun-filled journey to develop your public speaking skills! Each month, you’ll have the opportunity to work together with a supportive community of teens and adults through engaging games and activities.

Calling all high school seniors and college students. Maryland Farm Bureau is awarding five $2,000 scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year. Read more about the scholarship requirements and apply by March 24. Don’t miss out!

February 6, 2023: Happy Monday! It was a great weekend, wasn’t it?! Chairs 4&5 were opened at Wisp and, at the same time, the weather was awesome yesterday! Very spring-like!

The weather today will be cloudy with a chance of rain and snow showers in the morning, then partly sunny in the afternoon. Little or no snow accumulation—highs in the upper 30s and a low of 24. Northwest winds of around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

There is a new study by Smartest Dollar that claims Maryland is the 5th best-paying for working seniors. Seniors employed full-time in Maryland are paid $64,016 annually, compared to the national median for working seniors of $55,000.

Did you know Garrett County is home to several Big Trees?

The Garrett County Community Action VITA program will help you get your taxes done! The goal is to #EarnIt, #KeepIt, and #SaveIt! Tuesdays & Thursdays, noon to 4 pm; Wednesdays, 4 to 7 pm; Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm. For more information, call Garrett County Community Action at (301) 334 – 9431 or email ContactUs@GarrettCAC.org.

Lebanese Taverna has returned to the neighborhood! ORDER NOW and pick it up on February 9 at 3:30 PM at the Taylor-Made Vacations Parking Lot.

Show your pet some love this February! Celebrate National Pet Dental Health Month with a free oral screening and assessment at the Bredel Clinic. Give your furry friend the gift of a healthy smile!

Bring your little ones to the Grantsville Library for a magical adventure at Children’s Story Time starting at 11:00 AM! Immerse yourselves in an hour of captivating stories, creative crafts, and fun activities that will inspire a lifelong love of reading. Also… Get ready for some fun and games at Grantsville Library’s bingo hour! Test your luck and win big by choosing a book from our selection of brand-new and gently used children’s and adult books.

Escape into a world of imagination and adventure by joining Oakland Library’s book club for fans of fantasy, sci-fi, and thrilling tales! This month, delve into “The Eye of the World” by Robert Jordan with fellow book lovers today from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.