Friday March 20, Saturday March 21, Sunday March 22

Yesterday stayed overcase but was warmer.  Friday’s weather will be cloudy with rain and the possibility of thunderstorms. We’ll have a high of about 64 degrees and a low around 30.  Saturday is forecast to be rain-free and partly sunny, with a high around 42.  Sunday will stay around the same temperature but there is a chance for rain and then snow showers.

Attention SGHS Parents and Students! SGHS and Garrett County Public Schools are brainstorming educational options during this school closure as they await further guidance from our State Superintendent, Dr. Salmon and MSDE. In an effort to be proactive, they need accurate information regarding student access to internet and devices. They are asking that you take this short survey as soon as possible. Just. Do. It.

Heard that In accordance with Governor Hogan’s emergency actions to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are closing Maryland Park Service playgrounds at all parks. Also heard that New Germany State Park’s EGGstreme Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for April 11th has been canceled. At this point so much is closed and so many events/gatherings have been cancelled/postponed  that it is safe to assume any event you are interested in may have been cancelled, so contact the event organizer in advance.

The Garrett County Health Department asked us to spread the word that County WIC benefits are still being dispersed, some rumors to the contrary. While the office is closed, teams are working behind the scenes to get payments out. For all individuals who have appointments from now until the end of April, WIC will be extending certification periods for at least 30 days. Food benefits will be issued for a minimum of one month up to as long as three months. Please contact the WIC office at 301.334.7710 with inquiries or questions and please help spread the word.

Also, according to the daily Update from Garrett County Health Department: There are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Garrett or Allegany County as of Thursday, March 19th at 10:00 am. There are 107 confirmed cases in Maryland, with the nearest cases in Frederick County. In Pennsylvania the nearest confirmed cases are in Washington County and in West Virginia there are confirmed cases in Jefferson and Mercer Counties.

I went to WalMart around lunchtime Thursday and there were a considerable amount of people shopping (and a lot of children that were off from school).  Drove by Lowes parking lot on the way to WalMart and it was packed too.  I am guessing some folks either have cabin fever and/or are planning some stay-at-home projects during this down-time period.  WalMart also had some depatments/shelves that were bare, including wipes/sanitizer, eggs and milk.  So, if you are planning on coming up here, you may want to get at least some provisions before you leave on your trip. If you live in Garrett County, actively manage your supplies and don’t wait until you are completely out to replenish. Here’s a few photos that I took:

Empty sanitizer shelves

No eggs to be found

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a number of Youth Fish Rodeos scheduled for coming months.  While the dates for Garrett County are still a “go” at present, here’s the listing with contact names and numbers to confirm closer to the event dates. Since all of ours are in May, they may be on or they may be off, depending on the status of the virus, new cases and government decree.  You can put these dates in your calendar now for the kids or grandkids, but be sure to check closer to May.