Deep Creek Lake MD News and Local Resources: Daily Notes

January 20, 2023: There’s more snow in the forecast! Wooooo! I get excited to hear that and I enjoy making the most of the four seasons by getting out and biking in the snow. If you’d like to try it sometime, let me know. It’s a great way to get exercise and to see beautiful places.

Did you know we have our own little weather station and keep track of the snow totals for each winter? You can check out the current snow totals for Garrett County here.

The weather today will be snow showers, likely mainly in the morning. Snow accumulation is around an inch. Windy, with highs in the lower 30s and a low of 31. West winds of around 25 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph. The chance of snow is 70%. Saturday will be cloudy in the morning, then becoming partly sunny, with highs around 30 and a low of 23. West winds of around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. The chance of rain is 55%. Sunday will be snow and rain, with highs in the mid-30s and a low of 28. The chance of precipitation is 90%.

Bring your son or daughter to the Northern vs Southern girls basketball game on Monday, January 23rd, at Northern High School. If your child has received a medal for participating in the school’s Play Hard, Live Clean campaign, he or she can get into the game for free by wearing their PHLC medal. All students will also be recognized at the start of the varsity game. Please arrive by 7:00pm. The JV game is at 6 pm and the varsity game starts at 7:30 pm.

According to a survey, Maryland residents are willing to drive 5 hours and 6 minutes instead of taking a one-hour flight due to current uncertainty in airport conditions.

The Garrett County Health Department’s Dental Care Center is partnering with Mountain Laurel Medical Center, CareFirst, and Allegany County Health Department to increase access to dental services for their patients. The program, which is funded by grants, will provide qualifying patients with a range of services, including exams, cleanings, extractions, X-rays, fillings, and preventative care.

Join the Accident Library’s ‘A Stitch in Time’ Sewing Circle this Saturday at 9:30 AM. Open to all ages and skill levels. Meet other sewing enthusiasts and make new friends, one stitch at a time.

Unleash your inner detective on this easy 1-mile, hourlong hike at New Germany Park this Saturday. Search for tracks and scat and test your detective skills.

Honor and raise funds for Harper Chapman at the Benefit Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament. Registration begins at 3:00 PM, and the tournament starts at 4:00 PM.

Join Ranger Noah for a moderate-to-difficult 2.5-mile hike this Sunday, and discover the native woodpecker species in the park, as well as the top locations to spot all seven.

Looking for a fun night out this weekend? Be sure to check out our entertainment calendar for some amazing bands playing live.

January 19, 2023: Today is National Popcorn Day! One of my favorite treats is a popcorn (with extra butter) from Garrett 8 Cinemas! Have you tried their snack pack? A drink, a chocolatey candy and a small popcorn is the best. I know, I know, it’s not necessarily the healthiest snack but everything in moderation. It’s my rainy day go-to! Catch a movie and enjoy! ????

The weather today will be rainy—patchy fog, with highs in the upper 40s and a low of 30. Southeast winds of around 10 to 15 mph, becoming south in the afternoon. The chance of rain is near 100%.

As of January 18, crews from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources have stocked a total of 5,100 trout. Whoa!

The Kitzmiller Library will host representatives from the Garrett County Department of Social Services today at 11:00 AM as part of their assistance outreach program to serve the community.

Join fellow crafters and bring your own needlework projects to work on at 1:00 PM today.

Catch Scott Brooks perform live tonight at 6:00 PM at MoonShadow.

Mountain State Brewing DCL has TEAM TRIVIA every Thursday at 6:30 PM. Test your knowledge with cold brews and good friends.

January 18, 2023: It’s been rainy and dreary. I’m tired.

Has anyone found Wednesday motivation?

The weather today will be cloudy. A chance of rain showers in the morning—areas of fog in the morning. Windy, with highs in the lower 40s and a low of 32. West winds of around 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph. The chance of rain is 40%.

The presentation from the Garrett County Public Schools grade band and facility use community meeting is available.

The next public meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will take place on January 24, 2023, at 3:00 PM.

The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation invites you to attend the 2023 Virtual Brunch and Learn Educational Series today, led by the University of Maryland Extension in Garrett County. The session starts at 10:00 AM and is open and free to anyone interested in learning about Deep Creek Lake and its surrounding watersheds. Please register prior to the meeting to receive the virtual meeting link.

Oakland Library has a lineup of programs for you to attend today! The first program is a storytime at 10:30 AM, specifically designed for children ages 3 and up. This program aims to promote creative expression, social skills, listening comprehension, and school readiness through the use of stories, STEM activities, games, music and crafts. Following that, at 5:30 PM, The Friends of the Library, an advisory group, will be meeting to discuss new ideas for the upcoming year and are always looking for new members to join.

Special shoutout to Mark Richards for sharing his sunrise photo with us!

January 17, 2023: January 17th is also known as International Mentoring Day. The idea is to foster an understanding of the mentoring movement; the movement where a more knowledgeable person shares wisdom with someone who has less experience. The Garrett County Commissioners also just recognized January 2023 as Garrett County Mentoring Month – here’s an excerpt from that proclamation:

WHEREAS, mentoring plays a pivotal role in career exploration and supports workplace skills by helping young people set career goals, equipping mentors with the skills needed to support the professional growth of young people, and drives positive outcomes for young people and businesses;

When I was just beginning my career, I was fortunate to have several mentors. One of my first bosses, Amy, taught me so much … especially about how to dress and how to answer the phone. My next boss, Norm, instructed me on the little “unspoken” things to get me started in my career and really trusted me with the work. I think mentors are so important to help grow the necessary skills and attitude to be successful.

The weather today will likely be rain in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon—highs in the mid-40s and a low of 37. Southwest winds of around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 70%.

From 10:30 am to 11:00 am at the Kitzmiller Library is the Children’s Story Time event. Geared for children ages 3-5, kids will look, listen, sing, and play while learning through stories, crafts, and other fun activities. Also, at the Oakland library, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am is Story Time for Ages 6-36 months.

From 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, meet with the Garrett County Department of Social Services at the Grantsville library and learn about the assistance programs available.

At 1:00 pm today is the General Program Overview for prospective applicants of the Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program.

The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its January 17 Board Meeting in the cafeteria of Grantsville Elementary School, and @ 5:00 pm is the dedication of the school,

The Young Readers’ Book Club (today) is a book discussion group for children in grades 6 and up.

January 16, 2023: Today we reflect on the principles of racial equality and honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK was born on January 15, 1929 and he fought tirelessly to end discrimination, racial segregation, and poverty. A Gallup poll showed that in 1966, 63% of Americans had an unfavorable view of King. Now, today, he is one of the most respected people in the country.

Through an Act of Congress in 1968, known as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, today’s federal holiday is celebrated on the Monday closest to his birthday.

The weather today will be mostly sunny, with highs in the upper 40s and a low of 35. South winds of around 5 mph.

The Garrett County Health Department had successfully achieved reaccreditation status from the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). This reaccreditation is a testament to the department’s commitment to providing high-quality public health services to the community and demonstrates that the department meets or exceeds the standards set by the PHAB.

Are you looking for a fun and exciting job? Come join the team at New Germany and Dans Mountain State Parks!  Plus, you’ll get to spend your days surrounded by beautiful scenery. Please note that applicants must be available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as scheduled.

Just a heads up, all the branches of Ruth Enlow Library will be closed for Martin Luther King Day 2023.

Today is packed with deals! Brenda’s has their famous Pizza Monday, and Mountain State Brewing is giving you half off on appetizers every Monday and Tuesday. Time to grab some friends and head out!

At last check, Wisp still has daily lift tickets available for today.

January 13, 2023: A fear of Friday the 13th is known as paraskavedekatriaphobia.

It’s also National Sticker Day today in honor of R. Stanton Avery, who was born on January 13, 1907. Avery was the original creator of an adhesive label with removable backing. Do you have your DCT Sticker yet? Many of you have one of these but I also have a few “specialty” stickers I can send out if you let me know you’re interested.

The weather today will likely rain in the morning. Areas of fog in the morning. Snow likely. Snow accumulation is around an inch—highs in the lower 30s and a low of 21. Northwest winds of around 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. Saturday will be mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers in the morning, then partly sunny in the afternoon—highs in the mid-20s and a low of 15. Northwest winds of around 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. The chance of snow is 50%. Sunday will be Sunny, with highs in the mid-30s and a low of 21.

You’re invited to the University of Maryland Brunch and Learn Webinar Series on January 18 at 10:00 AM. Dive into the topic of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation at Deep Creek Lake. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and engage with experts in the field. Please register before the meeting to receive a virtual meeting link.

Yes, today is Friday the 13th and National Sticker Day, but it’s also National Rubber Ducky Day! Stop by the Cashmere Clothing shop today, pick a duck and win a prize!

Today, Southern Garrett High School is hosting the final session of Rachel’s Challenge, a program aimed at promoting academic success and social-emotional learning.

Join Wisp Resort on January 14th for the season’s first Rail Jam! Register in the Main Lodge between 10:00 AM and noon. Skiers, snowboarders, and spectators are all welcome to participate in or watch the competition.

“A Stitch in Time” sewing circle meets every Saturday at 9:30 AM at Accident Library. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Come meet other sewing enthusiasts and make new friends.

A Benefit Cornhole Tournament for Harper Chapman will be held on January 14 at 1:00 PM.

Hey there! Looking for something delicious to eat on Saturday? Come chow down on some all-you-can-eat Buckwheat Cake dinner on January 14 from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM (or until it’s gone). Just $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Dine-in reservations are required. Don’t miss out!

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to ski by candlelight on Saturday at New Germany SP! The Turnpike Trail (blazed green) will be lined with candle luminaries until 8:00 PM, and cross-country ski rentals will be available at the Lake House throughout the evening.

Join the local state parks this weekend for a variety of activities, including snowshoe experiences, reptile encounters, creek crafts, make-and-take bird feeders, and movie night. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore the great outdoors and learn something new. Check here for more information and the complete schedule of programs.

Looking for something to do? Why not check out some great music in town? Check out our entertainment calendar for the full schedule of events.

January 12, 2023: Garrett 8 Cinemas has two movies with a little hype playing at the Lake this weekend. A Man Called Otto is an American adaptation of the Swedish novel by Fredrik Backman. I saw the Swedish version of the film in 2015 and it was very good. The two versions of the movie are similar, but, from the start, the American adaptation keeps the motivations of the main character hidden. Also, The Whale movie (about a reclusive teacher attempting to reunite with his daughter) will open tomorrow. I’m going to try to see both of these!

The weather today will be cloudy. A chance of rain in the morning, then rain likely in the afternoon—highs in the upper 40s and a low of 29. Southeast winds of around 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 70%.

Here’s some not-so-good news…The Pest Dude, a pest control expert, predicts rodent activity in Maryland will pick up and offers 7 tips for prevention and dealing with invasions.

Last January 9, the Board of Garrett County Commissioners held its most recent public meeting. A summary of the meeting can be found at this link, along with a recorded broadcast of the meeting. The next scheduled public meeting of the Board will take place on Tuesday, January 24th, 2023, at 4:00 PM at the Garrett County Courthouse.

All Garrett County Public Schools are closed on Monday, January 16, 2023, in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Another Rachel’s Challenge (to stimulate academic achievement and social-emotional learning) is taking place today at Northern Garrett High School.

TODAY: Garrett County Public Schools and Grimm & Parker will hold meetings with members of the Northern Area Grade Band and Facility Use Committees. Additionally, a community meeting will be held from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM in the Northern Garrett High School Cafeteria specific to the northern area grade band and facility study.

Mountain State Brewing DCL plays Team Trivia today at 6:30 PM! Come test your knowledge over some cold brews & good friends.

January 11, 2023: Maryland state law provides that all real property is subject to property tax. If you are a property owner in Garrett County (and one of a “lucky” 1/3 this year), you may have recently received an assessment notice.

Assessments are based on the fair market value of the property and are issued by the Department of Assessments and Taxation once every three years. Garrett County has 3 regions so 1/3 of the properties are reassessed each year.

ASSESSMENT multiplied by TAX RATES equals TAX BILL. NOTE: the value is appealable within 45 days of the Notice of Assessment, as discussed here.

The weather today will be mostly cloudy. A slight chance of rain and snow in the afternoon, with highs around 40 and a low of 34. Southeast winds of around 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

Garrett County Commissioner Paul Edwards was recently installed as a 2023 member of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Board of Directors by Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford. This will be his first term serving on the MACo Board.

Southern Mat Club wrestling raised $3,200 for the family of Harper Chapman by winning wrestling matches over the past weekend. The family is still collecting funds to assist with medical and living expenses.

Rachel’s Challenge (to stimulate academic achievement and social-emotional learning) is taking place today at Southern Garrett Middle School.

The representatives from the Garrett County Department of Social Services will hold an assistance outreach program at the Friendsville Library today at 2:00 PM.

Garrett Workforce Housing Alliance will be hosting a casual get-together over dinner and drinks today from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, where you can talk about ideas and, most importantly, build critical connections.

January 10, 2023: The Wisp tubing park looks like a winter wonderland this morning. See this view (and others) from the mountain cameras page.

The weather today will be mostly cloudy, with highs around 40 and a low of 28. Southwest winds of around 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain is 10%.

The Youth Day Waterfowl Mentored Hunt, organized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and several partners, will be taking place on February 4. Young individuals between the ages of 11 and 16 can participate by applying for the lottery hunt. No prior experience is required, and the hunt is free of charge. However, as the number of spots is limited, it is important to apply before January 18.

Garrett Regional Medical Center’s subacute unit has been recognized as one of the 2022-2023 Best Nursing Homes by U.S. News & World Report. This marks the ninth year that GRMC’s subacute unit has received national recognition.

Plan to attend the Cindy’s Fund / Garrett County Snowdrifters Pink Ribbon Radar Run on January 28, 2023. Gates open at 10:00 AM, and the event begins at 1:00 PM.

Garrett County Public Schools is working with Rachel’s Challenge to stimulate academic achievement and social-emotional learning by focusing on the connection between students, faculty, and staff. It will take place today at Northern Garrett Middle School.

The Ruth Enlow Library is hosting some cool programs today, and they’re inviting kids to come to join in the fun. There are plenty of activities for you and your little ones to enjoy.

January 9, 2023: In Friday’s Daily Notes blog, I asked if anyone had a local picture of home price increases since I had a link to a national report. Here’s one of the takeaways from a report that local agent Chris Nichols put together:

The average residential sale price in the DCL area* in 2022 was $827,833, an increase of 59% of the previous ten-year average. Including DCL with the “rest of Garrett County”, the average residential price was $550,884. Chris is an agent with Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales.

The weather today will be patchy fog in the morning. Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the morning, then partly sunny in the afternoon. Little or no additional snow accumulation, with highs in the lower 30s and a low of 25. West winds of around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. The chance of snow is 30%.

Garrett County Public Schools would like to remind everyone of the Second Grading Period Dates.

It’s Pizza Monday at Brenda’s! Check out their specials today!

Every Monday & Tuesday s Happy Hour Special at Mountain State Brewing Co.; all appetizers are half off!

New Germany State Park is now scheduling private, custom, ranger-led snowshoe experiences. Each lesson and the guided hike will take into account the guests’ unique needs and abilities.

Don’t forget to support your favorite local high school team for their games today. I’m a Southern Ram fan through and through!

January 6, 2023: Heads up, the Deep Creek Lake Policy and Review Board is holding a hybrid public meeting on Monday, January 9, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. The public may participate virtually by Google Meet or by telephone at 1-419-684-0187​‬‬. PIN: 968212513​#​ or in person at the Deep Creek Lake State Park Discovery Center. The meeting agenda is available online.

The weather today will be snow showers, mainly in the morning. Total snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches, with highs in the lower 30s and a low of 26. West winds of around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. The chance of snow is near 100%. Saturday will be mostly cloudy in the morning, then become partly sunny—highs in the lower 30s and a low of 21. West winds of around 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. The chance of rain is 20%. Sunday will be partly sunny, with a chance of snow and rain—highs in the upper 30s and a low of 31. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

As the new year begins, it’s usually the time we start to think about what we want to do, or achieve, over the year ahead and make some resolutions. According to research, the average Marylander plans to save $10,410 (which would be $867 per month) in 2023, according to a survey.

A study by Construction Coverage looks at the most stable housing markets in the U.S. Ssince the year 2000, the median home price has increased by 150%. Who has a sense of the local numbers?

The Maryland Medicaid managed care provider, formerly known as Amerigroup Maryland, is now officially Wellpoint.

A warm welcome to Steve Kelley, as he recently accepted the position of Director of Planning and Community Development. This newly created position joins the administration and implementation of Economic Development, Planning, Land Development, and Permit functions.

Today is Hero’s Day at Wisp Resort! A complimentary 1-day extended day lift ticket is given to military, fire, police, and rescue personnel (EMS). A valid service ID must be presented at the ticket window.

See all the new things HART for Animals has this weekend at Pick of the Litter! or did you get any duplicate gifts this holiday? Donate them as you will not only be saving space, but you’ll also be helping to save homeless animals.

Accident Library invites you to join the sewing circle: “A Stitch in Time” on Saturday morning at 9:30 AM. All age groups and skill levels are welcome, so come meet other sewing enthusiasts and make new friends, stitch by stitch.

Otters, fishers, and minks, oh my! Join Ranger Noah on Sunday for this easy-to-moderate 1.5-mile hike, and learn about the fascinating lives of these small but mighty predators, known as weasels.

Enjoy the first weekend of the year with some great music in town! Check our entertainment calendar for the complete schedule.

January 5, 2023: Last I checked the forecast, it looks like we will be getting some fresh snow this weekend! I’ve heard a lot of visitors saying their kids are too young or too short for tubing at the Wisp so they’re looking for sledding options. Here’s my local take on sledding!

The weather today will be mostly cloudy in the morning, then becoming mostly sunny—highs in the mid-40s and a low of 28. West winds of around 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. The chance of rain is 30%.

New Year, New State? A poll of Maryland families finds that most would relocate to Florida in 2023… and they would head to Canada if they were to move abroad. Check here the study and an interactive map of this research.

Make your New Year’s resolution one that can save your life – kick the nicotine habit! Quit Now! classes are scheduled throughout each year, and the first one in 2023 starts today at 3:30 pm in the conference room at the Health Department’s Oakland office.

The American Lung Association also provides tips and resources on how Maryland residents quit tobacco for good.

Garrett County Public Schools is working with Rachel’s Challenge to stimulate academic achievement and social-emotional learning by focusing on the connection between students, faculty, and staff. Check the schedule for Rachel’s Challenge here.

The Maryland Historical Trust is hosting an in-person workshop today from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM for prospective applicants of the Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program.

Have some fun at the Open Mic Hosted by Kim Alexander tonight at MoonShadow.

Mountain State Brewing DCL plays TEAM TRIVIA every Thursday at 6:30 PM! Come test your knowledge over some cold brews & good friends.

January 4, 2023: Today is a tough day. Follow this Prayers for Harper Facebook group to see the story of this sweet babe.

The weather today will have numerous showers in the morning, then showers in the afternoon—highs around 60 and a low of 38. South winds of around 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain is near 100%.

The Board of County Commissioners will have its next public meeting on January 9.

The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on January 17. The Board will meet in the cafeteria of Grantsville Elementary School. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed.

Join Oakland Library today at 10:30 AM for a storytime designed for children ages 3 and up. This program promotes creative expression, social skills, listening comprehension, and school readiness through stories, STEM activities, games, music, and crafts.

Relax with your fellow book lovers today at the Accident Branch Library as they share their latest reads.

Support your favorite high school team today.

January 3, 2023: I am not feeling great this morning. Sorry to be a downer but the shiny New Year loses a bit of its luster when you’re sick. I guess it’s going around .. here’s a reminder that the Garrett County Health Department has a Respiratory Illness Snapshot that’s updated weekly.

The weather today will be showers, with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then a chance of showers in the afternoon—highs in the lower 60s and a low of 52. Southwest winds of around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. The chance of rain is 80%.

It’s rainy this morning:

New Germany State Park is now scheduling private, custom, ranger-led snowshoe experiences. Couples, families, youth groups, and others are invited to learn about the sport, practice new skills, and explore the park with an experienced park ranger.

Keep the New Year’s momentum going by joining Ranger Noah on this challenging 4-mile hike. The first 10 participants to complete three Take-a-Hike Tuesdays will receive a free Ultimate Garrett County Adventure Guide Map.

Join Oakland Library today and develop your public speaking skills together with others with fun games and activities each month to build your confidence – teens and adults welcome!