Deep Creek Lake MD News and Local Resources: Daily Notes

The weather today will be increasing clouds with a high near 63 and a low around 46. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Planning your summer getaway? Railey Vacations just updated their summer featured rental homes list.

I thought this was really cool: I saw this artist, Lauren Kaplan Rutley, on Instagram. She painted a wonderful piece from a reference photo of Deep Creek Lake from an ad in Southern Living Magazine.

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) asks you to share how your transportation behavior has been altered by the pandemic. Individuals over the age of 18 who have lived or worked in the state of Maryland since January 2020 are eligible to participate.

NOTE: all coronavirus vaccines are free. Please see this Maryland Insurance Administration advisory for more information and how to report potential fraud.

If you’re a regular reader, you know that Mike Tumbarello and I (Sarah Myers) started the Power of Possibilities initiative when we worked together at Garrett College. Wow… I believe that was in 2014…  Anyway, this business education, training and mentoring program is very near to my heart. The annual “POP” conference is this Thursday.

Today will be mostly cloudy with Snow showers likely, mainly in the morning. Total snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible, with highs in the lower 30s and northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the evening. Cold with lows around 18. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the evening. Chance of snow 40 percent. Bundle up folks!

Happy April to all our readers! And, that’s no joke… April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, the fifth in the early Julian, the first of four months to have a length of 30 days, and the second of five months to have a length of less than 31 days. Its name is derived from the Latin word aperit, which means to open. It is considered that April is the month of the growing season and when trees and flowers begin to “open”.

Here’s a nice photo submitted by regular reader and contributor Chip Mathieson.  Great photo before the snows come and we appreciate your sharing Chip.  Thanks!

Reflection in Orange

Speaking  of growing and opening, Sarah and I are both opening up to new challenges.  I have sold my share of Deep Creek Times to Sarah and she will take over full operations, including Daily Notes, going forward. I know she will do a great job and has some great plans for the future. We will still be partners in GeoComm Media Group (marketing and strategy consulting) and I will be guest blogging here on the Notes from time-to-time.  I must say, writing Daily Notes for almost four years has been fun and rewarding and I hope you have enjoyed reading my musings and news items.  Thanks for “tuning in” and I wish you all the very best…

Put-and-take trout anglers had their day last Saturday — no matter what your pursuits are, there is nothing like opening day. Here’s a link to the latest State of Maryland Fishing Report, which is produced by Maryland DNR.

Here’s a good deal for you for today only: The Lodges at Sunset Village in McHenry is holding their biggest sale of the year offering 25% off any new reservation in 2021. Today only, rates will appear online starting at 12:01AM, 1/01/21 and will close 24 Hours later at 12:01AM, 1/02/2021. Any date, any stay! Don’t miss the sale of the YEAR! You can call them at 301.387.2227 or go to their website to check availability.

Don’t forget that this afternoon is the cutoff to order your complete Easter Dinner tray for take-out at Alpine Lake Resort.  Chef Debbie has assembled quite a “package” of goodies for 6-8 people and a la carte.  Here’s the scoop.

If you have questions about COVID-19 or the the vaccines available for COVID-19, consider attending this free, online webinar this evening from 5:00 – 6:30 pm.  It is sponsored by the Ruth Enlow Library and includes some insight from some very good health authorities.

If you, or someone you know, is looking for a job in food services, Brenda’s Pizzeria, Ace’s Run, Trader’s Coffee and Firewater are holding a job fair for a variety of positions this Saturday, from 9:00 am – 12:00 Noon. I know that Brenda and team are a cohesive group that treat one another very well and have quite a good retention rate among employees.  But visit the job fair and engage and inquire for yourself if interested. Good luck.

Have a great one dear readers…

Yesterday was clear, warm and quite nice.  Today we are expecting showers, with highs in the upper 50s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Chance of rain is 90 percent. Rain showers will continue in the evening. Snow showers after midnight. Cooler with lows in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

For those planning to travel this week, note that a blast of cold air that is projected to slash temperatures by 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit in much of the Northeast is coming by April 1st. And AccuWeather forecasters say the winterlike weather is “no joke.” Snow is forecast to fall and accumulate in part of the NE region as cold winds add to the winterlike feel late this week.

Wow! Garrett Regional Medical Center (GRMC) has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Rural and Community Hospitals in the United States in the annual ranking of rural hospitals compiled by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and the Chartis Center for Rural Health. The rankings are based on a rigorous assessment of patient data from hospitals across the country using the Hospital Strength Index. Congratulations to the GRMC team!

Hey there fishermen and fisherwomen! Maryland DNR just added 2,500 brown, golden, and rainbow trout to the Youghiogheny river in Friendsville and Oakland! Now you have no excuse not to catch one in Garrett County…

And, speaking of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, they caution homeowners to be alert for non-licensed tree contractors who take money for work that never gets done.

The Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission (recreational fisheries) and Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission (commercial fisheries) have membership seats expiring June 30, 2021. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a seat, please apply online by May 1, 2021. The commissioners are appointed by the governor and they advise Fishing and Boating Services on all matters brought to the commissions.

As mentioned in previous Daily Notes, Sarah and I are offering a workshop on Real Marketing (sm) at Garrett College starting April 15th from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm for a total of eight sessions (ending June 3rd).  Real Marketing (sm) for Small and Non-Profit Enterprises is a hands-on workshop series that is designed to help small businesses and non-profits better understand and practice effective marketing. Too often smaller enterprises (and some larger ones) focus on “just” the latest campaign or social media posts, but effective marketing requires much more. Contact Continuing Education and Workforce Development at 301.387.3069 for more information and to register.  FYI, there is scholarship money available!

Finally today, here’s some interesting “factoids” from a recent study conducted by WalletHub on Easter-related spending:

• $21.6 Billion: Total Easter-related spending expected in 2021 ($180 per person celebrating).
• $3 Billion: Projected Easter spending on candy.
• $49,000: Price of the world’s most expensive chocolate Easter bunny.
• 78%: Share of people who eat chocolate bunnies’ ears first.
• 60%: Share of parents who plan on sending Easter baskets to their children after they’ve moved out.

Today’s weather will be sunny, with a high near 66 degrees. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Tonight we have a chance of showers after 2:00 am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 46. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

As I mentioned yesterday, early blooming plants such as daffodils are emerging with their vibrant colors.  Here’s a (bit blurry) photo of another, smaller plant that has begun blooming on the mountain.  I don’t know the name of these fellows but they are all around and a sign of what is to come!

Spring Wildflower

Jean and I went for a nice dinner at Ace’s Run Saturday evening.  From our window seat we could see the “action” at Firewater, with lots of folks waiting in the neat outdoor waiting area.  It was a constant flow of folks coming to the site and then being seated. From the crowds it looks like Brenda has another winner on her hands.  Well done!

March Madness is taking place at Cashmere Clothing Co. in McHenry! Stop in and grab a deal! It is also the Military March, and the shop is a very proud supporter of all active and veteran military members! Show your ID for your special savings.

Maryland providers have administered a total of 2,564,507 COVID-19 vaccines and are averaging a new record-high 49,732 shots per day. According to the CDC, 37.9% of Maryland’s population age 18 and older has received a vaccine, including 73.9% of Marylanders 65 and older.

Join CCPL and A Likely Story Bookstore for New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray, in conversation with author Karen White. Stephanie’s new book, The Women of Chateau Lafayette, is an epic saga based on the true story of an extraordinary castle in the heart of France and the remarkable women bound by its legacy. This is a virtual event starting at 7:00 pm this evening.

With Spring upon us, the traditionally busy real estate sales season gets under way.  While real estate is hot these days and inventory is down due to demand, here’s some interesting data-driven tips from Zillow that show features and verbiage that impact home sales and prices realized.

With April being Stress Awareness Month and America’s biggest stressors in 2021 being money problems and the COVID-19 pandemic, the personal-finance website WalletHub yesterday released its report on 2021’s Most & Least Stressed States, as well as accompanying videos. Maryland came out pretty well.  To see Maryland’s and other states’ rankings check out the report.  And, don’t get stressed over it…

Got a serious thunder storm in the wee hours Sunday morning after a really great Saturday. Sunday night we got a slight dusting of snow! Expect today to be partly sunny through mid morning, then becoming sunny, with a high near 48 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 11 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Tonight should be clear, with a low around 32. Calm wind.

Thinking of all of our readers and friends celebrating Passover this week… God bless…

Even after a somewhat harsh winter, plants of all types are starting to emerge.  These daffodils in my yard were just a small “shoot” a few days ago and then they bloomed Saturday.  The lake area is transforming for Spring.

Spring’s First Flowers

The latest Action Group created on the Garrett County Planning Tool found @ mygarrettcounty.com originated as a collaborative effort of medical providers in the community who have an interest in reducing childhood obesity. The group is just beginning to lay out the goals, strategies, and how they will measure their progress. Check out the brand new Healthy Weight Workgroup here: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/increase-adolescent-well-child-checks/healthy-weight-workgroup/

Monoclonal antibodies appear to be a viable early treatment for COVID after some administration to patients and evaluation of results. Maryland moved quickly to offer the antibodies, the same thing used to treat then-President Donald Trump’s infection in October. And the state has been working since to promote and expand access to the lab-made immune system builder — the lone therapy for those who are not hospitalized. The Baltimore Sun has an article on the topic.

Make a commitment to get more physical activity this month! For practical advice on how to get started check out the blog post titled, Haley’s Top Ten Tips at https://gogarrettcounty.com/haleys-top-ten-tips-3-prize-points/

A new report by Outdoorsy looking at the U.S. states that generate the most revenue from RV parks and campgrounds and ranked states according to annual sales at RV parks and campgrounds. On average, Maryland generates $54,997,000 from RV parks and campgrounds each year, or $90,969 per year for every 10,000 residents. RVing has certainly caught on during the pandemic and with all of our area’s natural beauty, the Deep Creek Lake region will likely be a prime destination.

And, speaking of Maryland, with participation from dozens of citizens across the Free State, Maryland Public Television has created an American Portrait TV special showing what makes you and your fellow citizens uniquely Maryland. Join the virtual premiere screening event to get a sneak peek of the PBS American Portrait – Maryland Special. It is tonight at 7pm.

Finally today, here’s a photo submitted by reader and regular contributor Dee Dave of a “local” exploring the area as Spring emerges.  It is the simple natural, unplanned experiences like these that make our area so neat to live in and visit.  Thanks for sharing Dee.

Exploring

Have a wonderful Monday and rest of the week dear readers…

The weather today will be partly sunny with a high near 59 and a low around 43. Windy, with a west wind 23 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. A high wind warning is in effect until 5pm this evening. Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.

Saturday will be mostly sunny with showers likely after 2am. A high near 67 and a low around 51. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph in the morning. Sunday will be showers before 11am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. High near 62 and a low around 29. Sunday night will be a chance of rain showers, mixing with snow after 1am, then gradually ending.

Yes, snow.

The total snow accumulation for the year (so far) was….. drumroll, please….

Our friend Tina is holding a Swing into Spring Market tomorrow at her store Shabby Patina. She is really great at refinishing and repurposing items and it will be worth checking out!

For the fishermen and women, nearby West Virginia is holding a “Gold Rush“! Between March 23 and April 3, an estimated 50,000 golden rainbow trout will be distributed to 42 lakes and 20 streams throughout West Virginia. Those who real in a golden with a numbered tag are entered to win prizes. Here’s a list of the stocking locations!

The Deep Creek Lake Lions Club is seeking comments and support for Garrett County’s first pump track planned for the Club’s community park in McHenry, MD. A pump track is a looped sequence of rollers and banked turns for bicycle riders designed to be ridden completely by riders “pumping” – generating momentum by up and down body movements –  instead of pedaling or pushing.

Here’s an interesting article about how to pump your bike according to physics. Did ya know?!

According to Club spokesperson Chris Nichols, “Pump tracks are accessible for bikers of all skill and age levels and provide a place to build skills and muscle memory that riders can take to more advanced trails. They become focal points for future recreational development and for community socialization.” Read more details here.

Save the Date: A fundraising bike rodeo is planned for June 26, 2021. Organizer Brooke McConnell told me there will be a planning meeting at the DCL Lions club park on Wednesday, April 7th at 6pm for anyone interested in getting involved with the rodeo.

Also, in nearby Cumberland, MD there is a petition to build a skatepark. You know I love biking so I’m all for giving our kids (and adults) options for activities to get outside!

Place your Alpine Lake Resort: Easter Dinner Takeout order by April 1.

We’re compiling Easter Activities at Deep Creek Lake! Please share and send us any community activities we don’t have listed! Have a great weekend!

The weather today will be increasing clouds and showers likely after 2pm. A high near 69 and a low around 50. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tonight will have a South wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Friday morning through midday, a cold front will move in and strong winds are possible late tonight and likely Friday. An enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires is possible Friday afternoon and early evening. The potential for gale-force winds is possible late Sunday into Sunday night.

There was a beautiful sunrise over the lake this morning — here’s one of the views from our Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales and Don Nemith Builders webcam:

The first aerial drone competition for middle and high school students in West Virginia will now take place on Saturday, May 15th, 2021 at the Tri-State Airport in Huntington, West Virginia. Learn more about this exciting challenge that was built around NASA’s newest MARS mission!

Maryland Public Television (MPT) is holding a fundraiser raffle. The next Early Bird drawing will be today at noon and the $10,000 grand prize winner will be selected on April 15 at 8 pm.

The Garrett County Health Department is in the process of sending out email invitations for vaccination appointments to Garrett County residents who have filled out an interest form and are currently qualified to receive the vaccine. The email comes directly from the scheduling software Vaccination Clinics (no-reply@multistatep4p.com). Please open the email and click on the link to schedule your appointment. Links are not shareable because they are designed to only work once.

Yesterday started off sunny but it turned cloudy by late morning.  Today we have a chance of rain, mainly before noon. Patchy fog before 11:00 am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 62 degrees. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced yesterday that the state would by the end of April double the amount of mass coronavirus vaccination clinics in the state by opening, or expanding existing, clinics in six of its most populous counties.

Locally, Garrett County has a 7-day case rate of 7.39 per 100,000; 1,889 confirmed positive tests to-date; 61 COVID-related deaths to-date; zero current COVID-related hospitalizations; 35,407 COVID-19 tests administered to-date; and 24.3% of the County population has been vaccinated to-date.  Thanks go out to all involved at every level of testing, treatment and vaccination.  We appreciate you!

Consulting firm 1:1 decided to look at the number of searches for the most common keywords used by consumers searching on Google for a golf course to play, comparing 2019 searches to 2020.  Searches for Maryland courses were up a very respectable 80% year-over-year.

A shout-out to the Garrett College Lady Lakers basketball team. They have been hard at work since early this fall, with many practices in preparation for this shortened season.  The Lady Laker’s record is currently 3-3.  “We have been improving as a team each game, and everyone on the team plays an important role,” according to Head Coach J.T. Lewis.

Even as the snow season seems to be coming to an end this year, many will never forget the massive blizzard of 1996 that paralyzed the state for days on end with record snowfalls.  Here’s a link if you want to check it out.

I heard from Kelly McDonagh at St Peters in Oakland about a virtual conference being put on by the Augustine Institute. The virtual bible conference is scheduled for Saturday, March 27th and is free on Zoom.  Here’s the scoop on registration.

Well, the nice weather “party” looks to be over for the time being folks. We are expecting rain for all or part of most days this week and into the weekend.  Today will be partly sunny, with a high near 57 degrees. Tonight we have a chance of light rain before 2:00 am, then a chance of rain after 2:00 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Southeast wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

After posting the photo of the tree and plaque on the GRMC campus in yesterday’s Notes, I heard from Anne Forrester, former Civic Club of Oakland president from 2000 – 2002.  Anne reports that the Civic Club has a long history of planting trees in memory of deceased members.  Two that come to mind for Anne are trees for Dottie Leighton and Anne Grant that were planted on the grounds of the Historical Society when she was president. Thanks for the info Anne…

Attention all Mission: Four’dable quad pack holders at Wisp! Now’s the time to use all those tickets up after a great winter. Be sure to utilize all of your Mission: Four’dable quad pack tickets before they expire on Wisp’s projected closing day of Sunday, March 28th.

As we have reported previously, real estate around the lake is VERY hot at present.  Here’s a photo of a postcard I received from Railey Realty yesterday.

Hot Real Estate Market

Don’t forget to submit your nominations for a special mom to get what she really wants for Mother’s Day – a family photo session in a flower field. Winner will receive a shopping experience with Cashmere Clothing Co, a cupcake bouquet by Mountain Flour Bakery, flowers, and location of shoot by Three Sisters Farm. Nice idea!

The weekend was great.  Today’s weather will be sunny, with a high near 61 degrees. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 34.

During a visit to the doctor on the GRMC campus the other day, I parked next to a stone marker and tree that I had probably “seen” 10 times before but never noticed.  One more example of the history (man-made and natural) all around us that we may not notice in our daily travels.  Here’s a photo of the marker.  Not sure of the date, though the tree looks “old.”

A piece of the past

If anyone has any history on the plaque and tree let us know at info@deepcreektimes.com and we will share with our readers.

As Sarah reported the other day, it appears that Rolling Pin Bakery is taking over the space at Annie’s Country Kitchen in Accident. Glad the space will be utilized and hopefully, jobs will be saved/created.  I also heard that Annie’s has already closed due to the fact that they “ran out of food.” I guess a lot of folks, including me, wanted to have one last visit.  Good luck to the Annie’s team and to Rolling Pin as well.

The Property Owners’ Association of Deep Creek Lake has been busy this winter working on several important items for the health of the lake. Along with the Policy and Review Board, they attempted to get Brookfield to lower the lake for a month to help kill off near-shore sub-aquatic vegetation (SAV). Brookfield responded that it could not do it this year due to power generation commitments but would try to accommodate in the future. Here’s the POA’s latest newsletter with lots of good information.

Governor Larry Hogan announced in a press conference on Thursday that Maryland will open up Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccination eligibility in waves based on risk factors, including age, essential occupations, and underlying health conditions.

The State Board of Education will host its monthly meeting today (starting at 10:00 am) and tomorrow in a hybrid format. The meetings will be conducted via livestream with some Board Members attending in-person. I wanted to share this since school openings are very much on everyone’s minds across the state and the nation. Today’s meeting will begin at 10:00 am, and the agenda and materials are available at:
http://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Pages/meeting-agendas/2021/2021-03-22.aspx  The Tuesday meeting will begin at 9:00 am, and the agenda and materials are available at: http://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Pages/meeting-agendas/2021/2021-03-23.aspx

The State of Maryland and the Forever Maryland Foundation are proud to announce that 91 Keep Maryland Beautiful grants totaling $312,500 have been awarded toward environmental education, community cleanup, and beautification projects through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program. I must say that I was a bit disappointed to learn that none of these grants went to Garrett County organizations.  Not sure why…

Finally, a “factoid” on Cicadas for you all: This is the year that Brood X makes its appearance from Georgia to New York after hiding underground since 2004.  Cicadas can sometimes reach a density of 1.5 million adults per acre! Not sure if it will get bad around these parts, but thought the density statistic was interesting.

Have a great day dear readers…

The weather will be sunny! Today, will be sunny with a high near 45 and a low around 24. Northeast wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 50 and a low around 28. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Sunday will be sunny with a high near 54 and a low around 30. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon.

AccuWeather National Reporter Dexter Henry asked the National Park Service (NPS) Public Affairs Specialist Michael Litterst when he expects this year’s bloom to reach its peak, given last year’s exceptionally early blossoming. “The historic average day of peak bloom is right around April 3, April 4…” Litterst said. The peak bloom date is the period during which 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open, and it varies each year depending on weather conditions, according to the NPS.

I read this on social media yesterday: The three black lines or “rub rails” on school buses serve a purpose. The bottom line is the floor of the bus. The middle line is the seat line. The top black line is the top of the seats. These lines of the bus reinforce the walls of the bus but they also let firefighters know where to cut in case of an accident.

Governor Hogan has announced updates to the Go Vax COVID-19 implementation timeline:

• Maryland will enter Phase 2A of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan on March 23, making the vaccine open to people 60 and older. Effective immediately, any Marylander over 60 can pre-register at one of state’s mass vaccination sites by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov or calling 1-855-MD-GOVAX.
• On March 30, Phase 2B will start for all Marylanders age 16 and older with underlying medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19 illness.
• On April 13, Phase 2C will start for all Marylanders age 55 and older, as well as essential workers in critical industries (construction, food services, utilities, financial services, IT and other infrastructure).
• Phase 3 will start no later than April 27, when eligibility will open to every single Marylander over the age of 16.

Hogan said that just because you become eligible for a vaccine does not mean you can immediately get a vaccine. Supply will be ramping up to meet the demand, but state officials expect demand to continue outpacing supply for at least the next several weeks.

The Knights of Columbus are raffling off a beautiful handmade afghan to raise funds for charities. Tickets are available for $1.00 each in the St. Peter the Apostle Church Parish Office at 208 S. Fourth St., Oakland, MD 21550 or 301-334-2202 or from any Knight. The drawing is Mother’s Day, May 9.

Here is the most recent trout stocking update:

• Jennings Randolph Lake: 1,500 golden and rainbow trout
• North Branch Potomac River, Gorman: 1,000 golden and rainbow trout
• North Branch Potomac River, Kitzmiller: 1,500 golden and rainbow trout
• North Branch Potomac River, Westernport: 2,000 golden and rainbow trout

The DCL Property Owners Association sent this message out regarding local contributions:

United Way of Garrett County has helped fund education, food distribution and family needs for decades in our community. It is only through your continued generosity that our friends and neighbors who struggle can have hope for a better future. The POA has supported the United Way of Garrett County for the last 13 years and helped raise well over $100,000. They are the hand-raisers, the game-changers and the problem-solvers in our community. United Way’s local website at CUW.org is undergoing an upgrade this Spring, so please use the following info in making contributions. Mail contributions to United Way of Garrett County, PO Box 394. Oakland MD 21550. To make a credit card payment or arrange a monthly contribution, please call Misty Deal at 240-362-8647.

Weather-willing, nearby Alpine Lake Resort will open their 2021 golf season on April 9!

Check out the events in our online calendar: a diverse set of topics and many are free and virtual!

The weather today will be rain. Patchy fog before 11am. High near 56 and low around 27. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tonight will be rain before 3am, then rain and snow likely. Patchy fog after 9pm. Northeast wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

Isolated instances of wind damage and hail from thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, mainly south of US Route 48.

Mike mentioned the other day that, unfortunately, Annie’s Kitchen in Accident will be closing as the owner is retiring. There is a silver lining as Rolling Pin Bakery has announced they will be moving into the space along Main Street. YUM … I’m drooling thinking about their fresh donuts now …

Also, Fast Cash Grantsville will be opening in early April. Located in the Grantsville plaza.

A reminder for those visiting us from outside of Maryland: Our state government has said that masks are required in public settings indoors and recommended when gathering with people outside of your household. For more information, see Masks on Maryland.

Although the Closure 1 and 2 put-and-take trout fishing areas are closed until March 27, the Closure 0 areas continue to be stocked with trout. Most of these trout waters are lakes and ponds and they are getting generous stockings. The ponds offer safe and easy access for our younger anglers, and some are set aside for their exclusive use. Be sure to check the trout stocking website to see the areas stocked this week.

I found this photo of the lake from this time last year. I love it:

The United Way survey we shared yesterday didn’t have a clickable link. Here it is: uwcm.org/COVIDsurvey

The Wild Women of Maryland: Grit and Gumption in the Free State is happening today from 1pm – 2pm online.

Craving comfort food for this rainy and cold day? Nearby Alpine Lake Resort is having their Family Night special from 4pm – 8pm.

And I wanted to post about the Sounds of Spring virtual event tonight from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

Yesterday was mixed: clouds, then a little rain, then the sun came out.  Today, expect patchy drizzle and areas of fog before 10:00 am.  Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 60 degrees. Tonight we will have showers, mainly after 2:00 am with a low around 44.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day folks.  Saint Patrick’s Day is a feast day honoring St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned about 432 to convert the Irish to Christianity.  Just thought I would share a little history to complement all of the modern revelry.  Have a great day!

United Way in Maryland yesterday announced a joint effort to survey families affected by the pandemic throughout the state. The COVID-19 Survey will aim to gather information from residents about how their employment, housing and basic needs have been impacted. This survey is confidential; no private information will be shared. For more information, and to help United Way in Maryland accurately assess the need in their communities, visit uwcm.org/COVIDsurvey.

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is collecting information from Chamber members for in-county events running from May 2021 – May 2022, and select events* will be printed free of charge in the upcoming 2021/2022 Activities Guide. To submit your event for the Activities Guide, please send the event name, date and website url or a phone number to sarah@garrettchamber.com close of business today. Just the event name, date and a website url or a phone number are needed and will be printed.

Deep Creek Lake area real estate is hot at present so I thought I would share a new study from Inspection Support Network looking at the U.S. locations with the most, and fewest, homes for sale. At the national level, a combination of strong demand and weak supply resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has drained inventory and pushed prices to record highs. However, not all real estate markets have been affected to the same degree. In Maryland, there was an average of 11,834 active listings per month in 2020. Altogether, there were 81 active listings per 10,000 owner-occupied homes, compared to the national average of 124. Out of all states, Maryland has the 5th fewest homes for sale. Interesting.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, in collaboration with Morgan State University and University of Maryland Global Campus, Maryland Public Television (MPT) invites you to join them for a special event honoring the legacy of Black women suffragists and their impact on the leaders of today.  The virtual event will take place starting at 7:00 pm on March 31st.  Sounds interesting.  Here’s the link to register.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has sure been busy.  Here’s the latest trout stocking efforts in Garrett County as of yesterday:

• Accident Pond: 700 golden and rainbow trout
• Bear Creek Closure 1 until 5:30 a.m. 3/27/21): 3,000 golden and rainbow trout
• Broadford Lake: 3,000 golden and rainbow trout
• Glades Park Pond (Youth & Blind): 800 golden and rainbow trout
• Herrington Lake: 1,500 golden and rainbow trout
• Mill Run Closure 1 until 5:30 a.m. 3/27/21): 1,000 golden and rainbow trout
• Piney Reservoir: 1,000 golden and rainbow trout

Happy St. Paddy’s Day to all…