Monday June 8

We had a great weekend weather-wise.  Saturday had a bit of cloudiness, but the sun won out and Sunday was perfect! The weather for today will be sunny, with a high around 76 degrees and a low of around 56.  Enjoy!

Took a hike Sunday with Jean on the Meadow Mountain Trail off New Germany.  A relatively easy trail of .75 miles out to an observation deck.  We were rewarded, in addion to the great view from the deck, of this close-up view of Lady’s Slippers.  A little past peak, but special nonetheless:

Mike T. Meadow Mountain 6-7-20

Meadow Mountain – Lady’s Slippers

Note that a lot of the trees and underbrush have been removed from part of the trail-area.  The Forest Service is harvesting timber.  See the photo below, but still definitely worth the hike:

Mike T Meadow Mountain 6-7-20

Harvesting Timber Adjacent to Meadow Mountain Trail

There are a lot of visitors and locals out and about at the lake these days.  I welcome all and remind all to please follow regulations/guidelines, including social distancing and the wearing of masks.  I went to a local retail establishment the other day and very few patrons and no employees had on masks. One fellow was even coughing (right in front of the cashier). I was surprised and will not be back, at least for a while. I firmly believe we need to all keep one another safe.

Along those lines, I went into another retail establishment over the weekend.  It was a busy place and they (the retailer) definitely had “their act together” on all levels. They did a great job but, some patrons, both locals and visitors, seemed to be challenging or laughing at the “counting of entrants” and the resulting line to get in and distancing on the line.  Really?  We are all in this together, and in addition to the serious health impact of COVID-19, a second wave will cause great harm to the economy. OK, I feel a little better now.

On the positive side, we heard from Maryaland officials on Sunday that COVID-19 hospitalizations have reached their lowest level in eight weeks. That is surely great news.

The Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County begins its 2020 Summer Reading Challenge today. This year the theme “Imagine Your Story” brings to life stories of fairytales, fantasy, and folklore. All participants will receive a free book at their first visit and various prizes for each level of completion. Then, they can visit the library starting in July for take-home activities to go along with all of your literary adventures. Pick up a physical copy of the log at your local library branch or go to www.relib.net to download your own copy to print at home. Nice stuff here to keep those young minds engaged and sharp during the summer.

Saying goodbye to Hydrilla! The first of four Deep Creek Lake hydrilla herbicide treatments is scheduled to take place today. Treatment is always subject to change due to weather conditions. During the treatment process, boaters are asked to stay clear of the treatment boat while it is underway so that the proper dosage of herbicide can be administered. Once applied, there are no recreational restrictions associated with the herbicide.

I saw this post on Facebook from a friend and thought I would share. I do not know the author, but it is timely insight from the restaurant and server’s perspective… “IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT EATING OUT…..

Yes! Restaurant patios will be open ! This is a new world though. You’re most likely going to a restaurant that threw together a patio in hopes of making some money. The building was not designed for this. They are trying their best but everything may not be perfect. Eating in the streets is fun but it’s going to be hard on the employees. They have to wear a mask and gloves no matter how hot and go possibly a few hundred feet to get more water. They are going to be hot, sweaty and most likely overwhelmed because these restaurants are not set up for this. Please help your servers in this journey by doing the following

1. Don’t run your server. Try your best to ask for everything you need at once. Remember it’s going to be a long walk from the street into the building for more water or anything else. Help us out by asking all at once

2. No mask jokes or your views on them. The server has to wear it. They have no choice and really your opinion of them while you’re eating not wearing one means nothing to them.

3. The server is wearing the mask to protect you and you have nothing on to protect them. Wash your hands.

4. You eat. You go.
Eat your meal. Have some drinks but please do not sit at a table all night unless you continue to spend money. These restaurants are working with very limited space. They can’t afford for you to order 2 side salads and water and sit there 4 hours. Yes people do do that. All the time.

5. Don’t come out if your sick.

6. Social distancing. Keep your kids at the table. Yes. They’re cute but if they are running around they are getting too close to other people.

7. Cut everyone some slack. Everything may be a bit slow because this is basically a new job for everyone. Be kind.

8. Tip. They are going to be sweating wearing masks all to make a buck. Please treat them right and leave a decent tip. If you can’t afford to tip you can’t afford to go out.

9. Be pleasant. You should be happy. You’re finally out.

10. Realize that the staff is doing their best.

11. Remember you have 3 meals a day every day of your life. This is only one of them. Calm down and enjoy it!

12. Please copy and paste!”

Finally, I want to recognize all of the brave men and women who fought on D-Day (June 6th anniversary was Saturday) and served our country in so many ways in WWII and before and after.  We are the land of the free, because of the brave. Times are a bit challenging now in our country on a few fronts, but we are America and will get through this as we always do – together. Be kind, be safe and stay healthy, and have a great week dear readers…

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