Deep Creek Lake MD News and Local Resources: Daily Notes

March 10, 2023: Today is National Mario Day! Yes, “that” Mario from the Nintendo games. Growing up Super Mario Bros. on the NES was my favorite game. Do you love Mario, too?

The weather today will be freezing rain. Snow and rain in the morning, then rain in the afternoon. Snow accumulation is around an inch. Ice accumulation of up to a tenth of an inch. Highs around 40 and a low of 21. Southeast winds of around 10 to 15 mph, becoming southwest at 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is near 100%. Saturday will be mostly cloudy, with a chance of snow showers in the morning, then partly sunny in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 30s and a low of 21. Northwest winds of around 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the morning. The chance of snow is 50%. Sunday will be snow and rain likely, with highs in the mid-30s and a low of 31. The chance of precipitation is 70%.

I did a silly little contest asking folks about their favorite cereal and the winner is Carolyn McGeehee! Carolyn wins a free t-shirt!

Unfortunately, the Harriet Quimby LIVE event has been canceled due to the bad weather. Stay tuned for updates on the rescheduled date!

Garrett County Public Schools will have a synchronous virtual learning day today due to winter weather conditions. In-person learning is cancelled, and students are required to take all necessary learning materials home yesterday, including digital devices.

Are you excited for Spring? The Garrett County Judy Center Early Learning Hub sure is, and they’re hoping we won’t have to hunt for eggs in the snow this year! They’re hosting an event for families with children ages birth-5 in different school districts on March 30th and 31st. Don’t forget to register before March 27th if you want to participate!

The Northern High Wrestling team had top honors as the State-level competition! Congratulations!

The Bears lacrosse registration is open!

Local freshman student Cadence Natividad placed 3rd in an oratorical competition. Way to go!

Garrett College is continuing the entrepreneurship program I had a hand in developing a few years ago called Power of Possibilities! Note the introductory class coming up!

Join for a delicious fish fry hosted by the Bittinger Volunteer Fire Department today from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Enjoy beer-battered haddock, fresh-cut fries, coleslaw, and dessert for only $15 per meal. It’s a pick-up, take-out event!

Come and be a part of the Mountain Fresh Farmers’ Spring Market this Saturday, located downtown in Oakland, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM!

Indulge in a cozy movie night by a warm, crackling fire with a free showing of “Happy Feet” at the New Germany Lake House! Don’t forget to grab some popcorn and drinks available for purchase at the Snack Bar and treat yourself to complimentary s’mores.

Embark on a thrilling 3-mile hike of the Turnpike Trail, Dog Leg Trail, and Acorn Loop with Ranger Noah this Sunday! This moderate-to-difficult hike offers an opportunity to learn about the local animals that are waking up from hibernation.

Celebrate International Women’s Day at Little Crossing Pantry’s Second Sunday Wine Series! Join Emily as she savors a selection of wines made by women winemakers. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to honor the late Mary Sincell McEwen.

Be a part of the upcoming production of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” at Our Town Theatre! Auditions will be held on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM and on March 13 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM with Phil Wotherspoon. The show will run from June 1-3 and June 8-11 and calls for 3 females and 5 males aged 30s+.

Don’t let the bad weather dampen your spirit as the town’s entertainment scene still thrives! Keep yourself informed by checking the calendar and the movie schedule!

Here’s a photo of my happiness last evening:

March 9, 2023: A survey is being circulated to collect the experiences of those living, working, visiting, and/or raising a family in Garrett County. Will you take a few minutes to share your story?

The weather today will be mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-40s and a low of 29. North winds of around 5 to 10 mph.

The last night’s presentation on Route 40 school closure was live-streamed.

A neighbor from Terra Alta has a beloved pet as a finalist in the Cadbury Bunny contest. You can vote daily for your favorite.

Discover the new take on coffee opening on March 10! Indulge in the welcoming atmosphere and treat yourself to the exceptional coffee drinks that MoonShadow Cafè has waiting for you! This is in the newly remodeled front room of MoonShadow restaurant and will be open Thursday to Tuesdays from 6am to 2pm (closed Wednesdays).

Garrett Lakes Festival Arts invites you to enjoy two captivating shows this March! On March 10th at 7:30 PM, head to the Performing Arts at Garrett College to watch Actress Sara Sincell depict Harriet Quimby, the first American woman to obtain her pilot’s license and fly solo across the English Channel. Then, on March 19th at 6:00 PM, don’t miss the Makin’ Cake show at the same venue, featuring Kelly Hamilton leading thought-provoking arts-based conversations on race and class.

Don’t miss out on the chance to create unforgettable memories on the slopes! Purchase the 2023-24 Mission Affordable Season Pass now, on sale for $399 for all ages until March 27th.

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Autumn Glory King and Queen.

The Maryland State Education Superintendent, Mohammed Choudhury, visited Garrett County Public Schools to shadow different roles and observe a day in the life of a student, principal, and superintendent. This was his second visit since starting his term in July 2021, and GCPS was honored to host him.

Over the past six months, the Garrett County Health Department has bid farewell to four of its employees with 122 years combined years of service.

The Ruth Enlow Library is inviting the public to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Celtic Harp concert featuring Lynne Dale on March 17, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Oakland Main Branch. The concert will include a selection of popular and Celtic tunes, with opportunities for audience participation. The event is free and open to everyone. Interested individuals can sign up by contacting Allen at events@relib.net or 301-334-3996 x0112.

The Greene Turtle Deep Creek expresses gratitude to the men and women who have served by providing a 15% Military Discount that is available all day, every day throughout March. In addition, Wisp Resort has special offers for active members of the military on lodging, skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing as a way of showing appreciation.

Come join the Ruth Enlow Library today and discover a wide range of exciting programs that are tailored to your interests! Whether you’re an avid reader who loves discussing books, or someone who enjoys learning new skills like needlework projects, or even if you’re looking for a fun way to spend time with friends while playing Mah-Jongg, there’s something for everyone!

Get ready to groove to the beats of the Honi House band tonight at the Honi-Honi Bar! Come and join one of the top bars in town for a fantastic evening filled with live music and good vibes.

March 7, 2023: Today is national cereal day! I would love to have a big bowl … mixing bowl size!…. of Cap’n Crunch right about now! What about you? Comment or email me the name of your favorite cereal and you’ll be entered to win a DCT t-shirt! (I’ll pick the winner Friday, March 10 at 9am EST).

The weather today will be mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers in the morning, then sunny in the afternoon. Breezy, with highs in the upper 30s and a low of 21. Northwest winds of around 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 30%.

A DRAFT version of the GCPS Blueprint Implementation Plan is now available for review. This document is a continuous work in progress, will have ongoing updates regularly, and reflects progress through March 6, 2023.

Do you have a stream, pond, drainage ditch or another wet area on your property where you would like to plant trees? Packets of 25 bare-root seedlings are provided at no cost.

Join Garrett 8 Cinemas for its Tuesday Movie of the Week featuring Ant-Man Wasp Quantumania. Super Heroes Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and The Wasp.

Come and learn the art of crocheting at the Friendsville Library today! The library welcomes everyone, whether they’re new to the craft or already have some experience. It’s a great opportunity to improve your skills and meet other crochet enthusiasts. The library provides all the necessary materials for the first project, and if you’re already working on a project, feel free to bring it along. The classes will run from March to May, so there’s plenty of time to develop your crocheting abilities.

Improve your public speaking skills with The Ruth Enlow Library! Join a supportive community of teens and adults as you play games and participate in engaging activities that will boost your confidence.

March 6, 2023: Whew – that weekend flew by! It seems that we take a bike ride to a regional destination just about every weekend — have you visited Douglas Falls in Thomas? It’s 35 feet tall and really a special spot in any season.

The weather today will be mostly sunny, with highs in the upper 50s and a low of 34. Southeast winds of around 5 to 10 mph, becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) needs public and private non-profit organizations to act as meal sites for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SFSP provides free, nutritious meals to children and teenagers during summer when school is not in session. The program is available to children and teens under 18 who attend public or non-profit schools and those above 18 with a mental or physical disability. Applications to become a summer meal site should be submitted by June 15, 2023.

The Deep Creek Adventure Bureau’s fat bike / MTB ride results are posted.

If your business has participated in any recycling activities, in this county/state or any other county and state, from January 1st – December 31st, 2022, please complete the 2022 Maryland Recycling Act (MRA) Tonnage Reporting Survey.

The Garrett County Commissioners reported that they are exploring affordable housing initiatives.

Come on down to Brenda’s for Pizza Monday! Whether you choose to dine in or carry out, they’ve got you covered with our amazing deals available all day. Don’t miss out on the chance to indulge in some delicious pizza.

Join Grantsville Library for Children’s Story Time today beginning at 11:00 AM for an hour of stories, crafts, and activities designed to foster a love of reading in young children.

The Board of County Commissioners will have its public meeting today. You may also watch the live-streamed here.

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.