Deep Creek Lake MD News and Local Resources: Daily Notes

The weather today will be scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 50 and a low around 31. Breezy, with a west wind 14 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Saturday will be sunny, with a high near 58 and a low around 48. Northwest wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Sunday will also be mostly sunny, with a high near 71 and a low around 54. West wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Fishing at Deep Creek Lake is beginning to evolve as waters warm up. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye and trout can all be found at this time of year.

A virtual launch event for the New Era PAC will be tomorrow, May 1st.

The Maryland Transportation Authority has launched DriveEzMD: the new home for all road-toll programs in Maryland. While we don’t have any toll roads in Garrett County, I often travel the roads near Baltimore and Washington, DC. and I know our readers do, too.

If you encounter a fawn in the wild, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources advises the public to avoid disturbing it and resist the urge to feed or handle it in any way. Keeping a deer in captivity is against the law in Maryland.

Be sure to make your guess in the April “Where Am I?” contest! It’s an easy chance at a $25 Ace’s Run Gift card!

???? You heard it here first: I will be aiming to launch a revamped Deep Creek Times web design by the end of May! My focus is to make your favorite pages easy to find and easy to read. Stay tuned for more on this over the next few weeks – I will be sure to keep you, dear readers, in the loop!

Note: Some of the DCT website content is pulled in from other sites. One example is the National Weather Service for the radar. Unfortunately, NWS changed their site so I am limited to how I can pull the radar videos onto Deep Creek Times.

Keep Mom in mind! Mom’s Day Giveaway continues with Cashmere Clothing Co through the weekend.

Also, Alpine Lake Resort for Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet: Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, Roasted Vegetable Frittata with Feta Cheese, Braised London Broil with a Red Wine Reduction, French Toast Bread Pudding Topped with Bourbon Caramel Sauce and more.

Are you planning to attend the Oakland Civic Club’s Everything Goes! Flea Market? TOMORROW at the Pavilion at the Town Parking Lot in Oakland.

The weather today will be showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. High near 67 and low around 44. Southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New daytime rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible and a half and three quarters of an inch overnight.

Maryland Governor Hogan has lifted the emergency order to require masks outdoors (for non-ticketed events). Also, bar standing service is allowed outdoors… the Governor’s updated emergency order from April 28, 2021 is linked here.

Here are two videos related to COVID-19 vaccinations. The first one answers vaccine questions from the Maryland Department of Health and the second one reviews the local mobile vaccination unit from the Garrett County Government:

This morning at 11:00 AM, Maryland’s SNAP-Ed program will be taking a tour of Crellin Elementary School’s garden via live stream. During the live session, the principal and students will showcase the grow bag project and Crellin garden.

Tri-County Council for Western Maryland (TCCWMD) is offering businesses located in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties low-interest financing through Summit Financing Solutions Revolving Loan Fund Program. Contact Chris Funk, Business Development Loan Officer, at 301-689-1300 or cfunk@tccwmd.org.

The Trout stocking continues! Muddy Creek received 500 golden and rainbow trout, the Youghiogheny River received 1,500 golden and rainbow trout and the Yough in Oakland received 1,500 golden and rainbow trout.

The weather today will be mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. High near 73 and a low around 58. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

“High temperatures soaring to levels more typical of June will put some long-standing records in jeopardy across the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic, but forecasters say the summer preview will come to an abrupt end as the calendar flips to May.”

Garrett Baseball reaches 25 wins.

In other Garrett College news, the college’s natural resources and wildlife technology degree program received positive attention across the state. This unique program offered a virtual mock interview scenario with professionals in the natural resources industry.

Maryland DNR has issued a new map that shows the locations of all Maryland State Parks. The reverse has information about the amenities available at each park. We will add this information to our State Parks page as well.

Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc. is seeking a part-time Site Manager for the Swanton Senior Nutrition Site on Mondays & Tuesdays. This is a permanent part-time position 12 hours per week at $ 11.75/hr.

Habitat for Humanity is raffling off the chance to win a $1,000 gift card to Nemacolin. There are a 100 raffle tickets at a cost of $50 a chance. Email Steve Bortz (and tell him Deep Creek Times sent you): stevebortz@garrettcountyhabitat.org.

I made it to the Vagabond group bike ride last evening. What a great ride through Pleasant Valley! It was the perfect “summer” weather and now the AccuWeather report above has me nervous for the weekend…

The weather today will be sunny with a high near 73 and a low around 59. West wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Don’t forget about the Mom’s Day Giveaway from Cashmere Clothing Co. that ends this weekend.

What a great capture of the pink supermoon over Deep Creek Lake by Matt Dugan:

The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation continues to support the Zebra Mussel Detection Project, the project to neutralize Acid Mine Drainage in Cherry Creek, and provides ongoing Virtual Training Initiatives concerning watershed topics such as Storm Water Management. Also, in an effort to further educate boaters on the risks involved in launching “dirty boats” into the DCL, DCWF has initiated the Invasive Species Prevention Campaign designed to reduce the number of boats entering DCL that are carrying invasive creatures or plants from other bodies of water to ZERO. Read more on this great group effort to protect Deep Creek Lake here.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has been notified about a fraudulent “Publisher’s Clearing House” (PCH) letter circulating to Maryland residents.

Happy Monday! The weather today will be sunny with a high near 59 and a low around 44. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Here’s a great photo from over the weekend! It’s an osprey at Deep Creek Lake, MD by Lynn Murphy:

During March, the Crellin Community took part in the Garrett County Health Department’s Remove the Risk Campaign. Families signed pledges to secure and monitor their prescription drugs and those pledges were used as a prize drawing for a tandem inflatable kayak.

A 2001 Monterey 220 Explorer Bow Rider was recently listed in our online marketplace (under BOATS).

Getting outside is great! The new TowpathGO! program is a fundraiser challenge to earn serious C&O swag.

In Maryland, 71.3% of working moms work full-time. Adjusting for the cost of living, full-time working moms earn a median annual wage of $55,710, compared to the national average of $45,000. Out of all states, Maryland is the 3rd best-paying for moms.

The Town of Oakland Spring Cleanup is this week.

A GoVAX COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic is today from 11am – 7pm. There is no charge.

Do you have a possible civil legal issue? Join The Ruth Enlow Library in Oakland for FREE help tomorrow from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. No appointment is necessary. For inquiries, you may contact Kim Connaughton at 240 702 3284 or email at kconnaughton@mdlab.org

The weather will be increasing clouds, with a high near 51 and a low around 33. West wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. On Saturday we will expect rain after 2pm. High near 56 and a low around 42. Sunday, showers likely, mainly before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54 and a low around 32. Northwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

I missed wishing everyone a Happy Earth Day yesterday. I know I am so thankful and blessed to live in such a perfect area with four-season natural spaces and public lands. This week several state parks throughout the state are hosting volunteer opportunities for stewardship of these important resources.

There are no official state park events planned for this weekend in Garrett County but feel free to make your own! Pick up trash, plant some trees, or go plogging!

For the next two weeks, several organizations – including FEMA – are hosting a mobile vaccination unit in Southern Garrett County. The unit will be stationed at the GCC Technologies and clinics will be operating from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday, April 26 through May 1, and again May 4th – 8th.

This is the first Maryland example of this I’ve heard of, but, approximately 800 members of the military community who received COVID-19 vaccines at Fort Meade will likely need to get a third dose after it was discovered some of the vials of the Moderna vaccine were improperly stored.

More fish have been stocked. The North Branch Potomac River in Kitzmiller has received 1,500 golden and rainbow trout. Has anyone caught one of the golden trout? I’d love to see a photo!

What in the world is going on in the photo below?! If you’re a fan of The Bachelor, you may know what’s going on…. At any rate, local dock company, Deep Creek Docks installed the docks that were used in this episode! How cool!

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged is tonight at 6:00 pm.

Join Garrett Trails for “Celebrate Trails Day” tomorrow from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Stop by my friend Tina’s market tomorrow — the April Showers Market — from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Tell her Sarah from Deep Creek Times sent ya and hopefully you’ll find just the perfect piece for your home!

Have a great weekend!

The weather today will be snow showers likely with a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41 and a low around 26. West wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

The Garrett County Health Department has announced that Walgreens is the only location in Oakland that has the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (as of this week) — the only vaccine approved for 16 and 17 year-olds. Please direct questions to the GCHD or Walgreens.

I personally received my second dose vaccine this week. I’m doing well.

Walk-ins for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination will be accepted TODAY, April 22, at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Thanks to Dot Sisler for sharing the April snowfall at Deep Creek Lake, MD:

Register now for a Virtual Brunch & Learn. Several local organizations, including the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation, will give homeowners information on what agency they should visit to get their Deep Creek Lake questions answered.

Garrett College CEWD is offering a paddleboard class beginning tomorrow April 23rd – April 25th from 8am-5pm. For more information and to register, students should contact Terry at 301-387-3327 or email therese.peterson@garrettcollege.edu. Although not required for class, you can get your very own paddleboard (or trampoline or boat) from our online marketplace.

How many DCT readers have wanted to get out on a road or mountain bike but have been too hesitant to try it? This is me in the video thumbnail below… my first-time mountain bike riding the Indian Turnip Trail (mostly) at Deep Creek Lake State Park. What a blast!

Watch a faster section at 6:38 below. Video courtesy of Pat O’Hammy:

The weather today will be cloudy with rain and snow showers likely. The temperature falling to around 33 by 10am; low overnight of 25. West wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70% and total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

For 22 years, the American Lung Association has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile the State of the Air report.

More trout have been stocked in Garrett County.

• Accident Pond: 750 golden and rainbow trout
• Deep Creek Lake: 1,500 golden and rainbow trout
• Herrington Lake: 1,500 golden and rainbow trout

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources was awarded a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) State Highway Administration Federal Aid Grant to supplement funding to restore the Casselman River Bridge.

I received an alert that Shamoyia Gardiner is the new leader of the statewide advocacy group Strong Schools Maryland. In reading their website, I found this summary document related to the 2020 passage and 2021 veto override of the Blueprint for Marylands Future. This law creates the funding formula to implement the statewide Kirwan Commission Recommendations.

Talking about legislation, SB 66 (HB 97) Digital Connectivity Act was recently approved — this creates a Statewide Office of Broadband to ensure that every resident of the State is supported by high-quality, affordable broadband Internet service and has the tools necessary to take advantage of the Internet.

A skiff (I think that’s an Appalachian term) of snow has arrived this morning:
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The weather today will be mostly sunny with a high near 62 and a low around 41. West wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Scattered showers before midnight, then scattered showers after 4am.

There is snow in the forecast for Wednesday morning.

There are several items listed in our online marketplace: A sailboat price is newly reduced and there is a new paddleboard and a large backyard trampoline for sale.

Trout stocking is continuing in Garrett County. Bear Creek had 3,000 golden and rainbow trout stocked and Casselman River (Delayed Harvest) had 2,500 rainbow trout stocked.

Make your guess in the April “Where Am I?” contest! Correct answers will be entered to win a $25 Ace’s Run gift card.

Garrett County Government has secured grant funds from the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF) to provide grants to businesses that have incurred expenses to establish or expand online sales and/or telework assistance during COVID-19 (after March 1, 2020). 

Also, Garrett County Government has secured grant funds from the Maryland Department of Commerce to be used to provide grants to certain food and beverage providers.

Here’s a photo from yesterday by Gena Sweeney. Just spectacular!!

The weather today will be mostly sunny with a high near 58 and a low around 41. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

The Garrett County Judy Center is holding a Family Fun Picnic on April 29 for Garrett County residents with children ages Birth-Kindergarten. ALL SPOTS ARE FILLED but here is the waiting list link: https://forms.gle/LKZWJNvBRvMCytvV6

SAVE THE DATE! The annual National Road Yard Sale will be held May 22.

The Garrett College Wrestlers that are headed to NJCAA Wrestling National Championship in Council Bluff, IA April 21-22, 2021 are: Brandan Myers – 125lb, Esdras Castillo – 133lb, Brady Villa – 141lb, Trey Weinell -149lb, Noah Korenoski -157lb, Justice Hefley – 165lb, Nickolas Kelbaugh – 174lb, Declan McCann – 184lb, Loic Tueguo – 197lb and Damon Lemin – 285lb. See the 2021 NJCAA Wrestling Championship Brackets here.

The Garrett College Men’s Basketball Team is headed to Danville, IL for NJCAA DIV II National Men’s Basketball Tournament. Lakers will face Dallas (TX) College- Richland Tuesday, April 20th at 10am in the first round of the tournament.

GO LAKERS!

Garrett County Public Schools selected Ms. Lindsay Krishner as the 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year.

Northern Garrett High School will be presenting “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged” from April 22-24, 2021, at 6:00 PM, in the Northern High School back parking lot. This is a hilarious interactive comedy making fun of Shakespeare’s entire body of work by donation only.

Creative COVID Fundraising Strategies will be offered on April 21 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

The weather today will be a chance of rain and snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46 and a low around 34. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Saturday will be mostly cloudy, with a slight chance of showers; a high near 52 and a low around 36. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunday will be partly sunny with a chance of showers after 2pm. A high near 53 and a low of 36.

The Kennedy Center is streaming their 2016 production of The Marriage of Figaro through April 21! This is a story about one happy couple that just wants to get married and one unhappy couple that’s already married…and not doing so well. Watch now.

The Allegany Arts Council’s 7th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition and Exhibition is happening through April 24.

Garrett County is “pausing” the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine distribution per CDC recommendations.

There is a Blood Drive today from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Southern Garrett County Rescue Squad.

Penn Alps Restaurant and Craft Shop is having their all-you-can-eat Friday buffet today from 11-7 for $17.99!

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is considering several fishing regulatory ideas and proposals. The department is making the public aware of the issues and would like public feedback on these topics.

Shop local artists and enjoy a spring day with live music at the Cornucopia Cafe’s Spring Fling event tomorrow from 10am-4pm.

Grace from Lebanese Taverna has reopened the ordering for Deep Creek delivery tomorrow! Place your order by 5pm today.

The weather today will be cloudy — a chance of showers — with a high near 47 and a low around 34. A chance of rain showers before 11pm, then rain and snow showers likely. West wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

The nearby Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal Towpath was recently named one of the “10 Best Recreational Trails” by USA Today. The towpath runs for 184.5 miles along the historic C&O Canal, once used by canal mules to tow boats along the waterway. This dirt and stone path makes it possible to walk, run, or bike between Georgetown and Cumberland, Maryland.

Here’s a virtual contest for students to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the C&O Canal National Historical Park: Winning projects will receive a scholarship from the park’s non-profit partner, the C&O Canal Trust. The Elementary/Intermediate Contest is open to all Grade 3-5 Classrooms. The Middle/High School Contest is open to all Grade 6-12 Students.

Learn about the Maryland 4-H Youth Development Program: 4-H provides a supportive and inclusive setting for all youth to reach their fullest potential in a diverse society and youth will learn beneficial and cognitive life skills. Garrett County 4-H clubs are located throughout the county and designed for youth ages 8-18 as well as Cloverbuds ages 5-7.

Are ya catchin’ anything? Anglers at Deep Creek Lake will see the walleye season open on April 16, with a daily limit of 5 fish per day. Many will be trolling Rapala type lures along deep rocky and grass edges. Drifting minnows down deep is also another popular way to fish for walleyes, with an added chance for large yellow perch and smallmouth bass. Floating docks are becoming more numerous each week and they provide great cover for largemouth bass to lurk in the shade…

Christopher Marwood sent us this sunset at Deep Creek Lake, MD:

Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd K. Rutherford has ruled out a run for governor. Kelly Schulz, the state’s commerce secretary, however, announces she will run for governor in 2022.

Place your order with Lebanese Taverna this week! I know I am getting baklava… yummm…. Orders close at 5pm today and DELIVERY will be to Deep Creek on Saturday.

The weather today will be showers likely, mainly between 8am and 2pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 56 and a low around 40. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

From the Garrett County Health Department; COVID-19 vaccination appointments are currently being scheduled for individuals in Phase 1 (including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities), Phase 2, and Phase 3. Garrett County residents who are 18 and older are now eligible at Health Department COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Other sites that have the Pfizer vaccine may be able to vaccinate 16 and 17-year-olds.

The Garrett County Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccine equity plan is 11 pages and discusses significant challenges with the vaccine in Western Maryland. “Garrett County is geographically separated … [and] there is no public transportation to reach that site,” the plan states. “The entire county (614 square miles) has been designated a Medically Underserved Area … [and] has a “low income” designation.”

“The median household income is $52,617 compared to $84,805 in Maryland. The population density is 41 persons per square mile as compared to 594 for the State of Maryland.”

This tool can be used to see all Maryland vaccination sites.

The raffle by Maryland Public Television (MPT) is drawing to an end: purchase your tickets before 4pm on April 15 for a chance to win $10,000! Those who purchase 2 or more tickets will receive a one-year MPT membership, including access to MPT Passport for an on-demand library of public TV programming.

The Maryland State Parks annual State Parks and Trails Passport grants unlimited day-use admission and boat launching at state parks, and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals. The pass is $75 for Marylanders and $100 for out-of-state visitors.

This lovely photo was shared by Michelle Duez. WOW!

The Western Maryland Food Council’s virtual conference was recently held and three western Marylanders engaged in a follow-up session to discuss their roles in regional food accessibility. Charles DeBerry, president of Garrett Growers Cooperative, spoke about the co-op’s 11 member organization, established in 2010. “We try to make buying local food as easy as possible,” DeBerry said.

The weather today will be patchy fog before 9 am, otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 61 and a low around 43. West wind 5 to 9 mph.

Garrett County Public Works will continue flushing fire hydrants on the Mt. Lake Park and Loch Lynn water systems from April 12th through April 23rd, weekdays between the hours of 7am and 3pm. Please check your cold water for discoloration before doing laundry or dishes and allow the cold water to run until clear if discolored.

Lebanese Taverna will be making a Deep Creek DELIVERY! Pick-up will be at 3:30 pm on Saturday, April 17 in McHenry.

West Virginia officials unveiled a new program on Monday to attract outdoor enthusiasts with remote jobs to the state; starting with the nearby City of Morgantown. After moving to the state, participants in the Ascend WV program will receive a package valued at over $20,000. The package includes a no-strings attached $12,000, outdoor recreation, coworking space and social events.

April 5th through 11th was National Public Health Week — a special “thank you” goes out to the public health practitioners protecting and improving the health of everyone in our community.

April is also Flood Safety Awareness Month. More details can be found on page 48 of the Garrett County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Did you know? In 2020, the median price per square foot in Maryland increased by 5.93% in 2020 to $175.58 per square foot? According to Inspection Support Network, Maryland has the 16th most expensive homes per square foot. As always, we did not confirm the methodology for collecting this data but we thought it was interesting. Locally, and despite the significant increase in price, there has been a limited inventory available for purchase in Garrett County.