Well, Happy November folks! This year has been a doozy and is drawing to a close, and hopefully we will have a better 2021. Nonetheless, we all have much to be thankful for, including the fact that we live in a free and great country, we live in a beautiful part of that country and that most all of us have the basic things that we need including food, shelter, etc. So while America is not perfect and there are many challenges facing us at this time, we are better off than most of the world.
It was cold, blustery and snowy (late) yesterday, with light accumulations. Today we will have isolated snow showers before 10:00 pm. Mostly cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 33 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 28. Breezy, with a west wind 21to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40.
First Snow
I went to the Country Club Mall in LaVale Saturday afternoon. There were some folks there, and it was clean and had a friendly feeling, but it was quite desolate compared to the pre-pandemic world. With three of the four anchor stores closed, along with many of the smaller shops, I hope they can find a buyer and/or turn things around and get it filled with retailers and patrons. I couldn’t help but think of all the jobs that have gone away due to the closures.
This month is World Kindness Month, with November 13th being World Kindness Day. As a result, our November Cover Story talks about the history of the month, how we can all perhaps spread a little kindness around the Deep Creek Lake area and also shares some personal trials my wife and I experienced, to illustrate that we never know all that a person is experiencing and that all could use a little kindness from time to time. Read the Cover Story to see how that all comes togther.
The Garrett County Health Department has received seven additional positive COVID-19 results, bringing the current county total positives to 167. The new positive COVID-19 cases include: one male age 0-9 years of age, one male 10-19 years, one female in her 20s, two males in their 30s, one female in her 40s and one male in his 50s. Currently in the county, 61 persons are isolating due to a positive COVID-19 test. If you know you are a close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case, you should get tested 3-5 days after you are exposed, whether or not you have symptoms. If you develop symptoms, get tested at that time. This can be anywhere from 2-14 days after exposure. Visit garretthealth.org for the most up-to-date COVID-19 information.
I went into a local convenience store the other day. Six people that I could see were in the store, three had masks on and three did not, including the cashier. I just don’t get how hard it is to put a mask on to protect your fellow citizens. Masks and social distancing seem to be the easiest and most effective prevention for COVID-19 at present. Why not be a little inconvenienced to help fellow citizens, businesses and the community?
The Deep Creek Lake Policy Review Board will hold an in-person meeting at 4:00 pm on November 10 at the Discovery Center (for board members) and online, for the public. They will be discussing budgets, wake zones, wake boats and other issues. Here’s the link for more information: https://deepcreeklakepoa.z2systems.com/np/clients/deepcreeklakepoa/viewOnlineEmail.jsp?emailId=ccb0762a83270bd3b43837bc969f22f1cm285041ccb Login/call in Instructions for the public are as follows: Google Meet – meet.google.com/vub-cciy-nub Join by phone – 1 904 330 1017 (PIN 352775504)
The State Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has been notified that some voters have been called and asked to verify their Social Security Numbers in order to process their ballots. This is a scam. Do not give your Social Security Number (SSN) to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call and know exactly why you are providing it – for example, if you call your bank and do not have your account number, the bank representative may ask you for your SSN.
Have a great week dear readers. And, don’t forget to vote!
