The Deep Creek Blog

Garrett County Chamber Hosts Business Before Hours Legislative Wrap-Up on May 21st.

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce will present a Legislative Wrap-up at the next Business Before Hours on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at Dutch’s at Silver Tree, sponsored by Susquehanna Bank and The Greater Cumberland Committee.

The Business Before Hours begins at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast and time for networking followed by guest speakers Senator George Edwards and Delegate Wendell Beitzel as they provide a wrap-up session of the Maryland General Assembly. This is a great opportunity to learn what took place during the session and what bills will impact Garrett County and/or your business.

The cost for members is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. The cost for non-members is $30. Register online at www.visitdeepcreek.com or by calling Carol Hauser at 301-387-6171 by noon on Monday, May 20 to receive the advance payment discount for members. Space is limited so early reservations are recommended.

The Business Before Hours breakfast programs are bi-monthly events designed to focus on specific topics with formal presentations. Non-competing sponsorship opportunities are available for each forum. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Paula Thomas at 301-387-5237 or paula@garrettchamber.com. 

Garrett County Hosts the Grand Re-Opening of the Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center

Garrett County will be holding a Grand Re-Opening of their Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center on May 24 at 10 am. The Welcome Center is located in Friendsville, Maryland, off of Interstate-68 Eastbound at mile marker 6, between Friendsville (exit 4) and Rt. 219 (exit 14).

The event will feature a ribbon cutting, refreshments and remarks from various speakers and dignitaries including Garrett County Commissioner Jim Raley. This event is free and open to the public.

The Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center offers travelers not only information about Garrett County but the entire state of Maryland as well. The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce will be staffing the center which will be open Thursday - Sunday from May 24 – October 13, 2013 and Friday -Sunday from October 18 –May 18, 2014. The re-opening of the Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center will give Garrett County two welcome centers, as it joins the current Garrett County Visitors Center in McHenry, Maryland.  
 

Fishing Contest Winner for Week Ending May 11

The Garrett County Fishing Contest, sponsored by Deep Creek Outfitters Hardware and Bait House and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is in full swing. There are two winners for the week ending May 11, 2013:

Crappie: 2 lbs.; 14 ½”, caught by Cody Kahn of Oakland, MD.

Walleye: 5 lbs.; 24 ¼”, caught by Jason Loutsenhizer of Murrysville, PA

Weekly winners are awarded a certificate, and certificates are also awarded for the season’s largest catches of bluegill, brown trout, chain pickerel, crappies, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, rainbow trout, walleye and yellow perch. To enter the contest, enter your catch at Deep Creek Outfitters Hardware and Bait House at 32 Outfitters Way, McHenry, MD. 

Mini-Marina Decision by June 1

The Times-News reports, a Garrett County judge will render a decision on the mini-marina controversy by June 1st. 

"Finding the Nature in Painting Workshop with Robert Yonke

Join local artist and instructor Robert Yonke June 17-June 19 for a nature inspired art workshop:  "Finding the Nature in Painting".  This workshop is designed for experienced artists who are looking to enhance the use of nature in their work.

Being in the outdoors can lift your spirits and stoke your creativity, yet often the scale of a natural seascape or landscape can be so overwhelming that it can be hard to find a painting in it. Rather than try to copy some impressive vista, sometimes it is better to isolate a feature within and build a painting around it. Students will address nature this way and explore some simple design techniques as aids. Building on these found designs, students will work on overall page design and the employment of limited palette colors to create drama and maintain unity.

The 3-day workshop will be held at The Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park, Monday-Wednesday from 10am-3pm. Experience working with visual media such as watercolor, acrylics, pastel or oil is required. Class size is limited. Cost is $100 per student. To register or for more info, call 301-334-6580.

"Deep Creek Lake" by Robert Yonke

Amphibians and Reptiles Featured Topic at AHC Annual Meeting

The Allegheny Highlands Conservancy (AHC) will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 15th at The Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park. The meeting will begin promptly at 6:00 pm with a covered-dish supper. At 7:00 pm Kevin Dodge, Garrett College Director of Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology, will present “Amphibians and Reptiles of the Allegheny Highlands”. The annual election for AHC officers and board members will take place following Dodge’s program. The public is welcome to attend both the covered-dish supper and evening program, but those coming to the covered-dish are asked to make a reservation in advance by phoning Ron Boyer at 301-895-3686.

The forests, streams, and wetlands of Garrett County and the surrounding Allegheny Highlands are home to a variety of interesting reptiles and amphibians, including an especially rich diversity of salamanders. Kevin’s presentation will cover a number of species frequently found in our area, as well as some less common species unique to the region. The conservation issues faced by these species will also be addressed.

Kevin Dodge received his B.S. in Biology from Southwest Missouri State University in 1981 and his M.S. in Biology from Michigan Technological University in 1983. Since 1987, Kevin has worked at Garrett College where he is Professor of Wildlife and Biology and Director of the Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology program. Kevin’s courses emphasize field experience and many classes include field trips to other parts of the Mid-Atlantic/Central Appalachian region. Active in natural resources issues in Garrett County and the surrounding area, Kevin is president of the Allegheny Highlands Conservancy, a board member of the Youghiogheny River Watershed Association, and a member of the Savage River State Forest Citizens’ Advisory Board and the Garrett County Commissioners’ Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Advisory Committee. He is a frequent local consultant to The Nature Conservancy. Kevin has traveled extensively, studying the natural history of many locations, including Arizona and Alaska. Kevin lives in Bittinger with his wife, Carolina, and their daughter, Rhiannon.

This northern red salamander was found crossing a local road during a thundershower late one recent April evening. Normally found in streams and seeps and under rocks and logs throughout our region, this species is enticed to the surface during rainy or very humid weather. Salamanders and other amphibians and reptiles are lured onto roads during rainy nights following warm, sunny days. These “cold-blooded” animals take advantage of the heat radiating from the sun-warmed pavement. Snakes slither and frogs and toads hop across the road, while salamanders literally appear to “swim” through the water running across the road surface. The northern red salamander is just one of the species of amphibians and reptiles that will be featured during the presentation.

For additional information about AHC or becoming a member contact info@AlleghenyHighlandsConservancy.org

Youth Fishing Rodeo to be Held at New Germany State Park

The annual Youth Fishing Rodeo at New Germany State Park will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 8 am to noon. All children ages 15 and under are welcome to participate, and the event is free. 

Registration will begin at 8:00 am, and the first 50 participants to register will receive a free “grab bag” stocked with a variety of fishing tackle. To encourage beginners, a limited supply of fishing equipment will be available for loan during the event. Fishing will take place from 8:00 am – 11:00 am, followed by the awards ceremony and prize drawings at 11:15 am. 

First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded for the longest fish caught in three age groups: 6 and under, 7-11 and 12-15. A variety of door prizes will also be available, courtesy of Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle, The Bassin’ Box, Wal-Mart (LaVale), and Friends of New Germany State Park. 

Additional activities will be available after the rodeo, including a Pro Cast Challenge at 11:30 am and a fish painting craft at 12:00. Those participating in the fish painting craft are encouraged to bring a white t-shirt or purchase one at the park. Food, refreshments, and gift items will also be available for purchase at the New Germany Snack Bar & Gift Shop, located inside the Lake House. 

During the Rodeo, fishing will be restricted to children 15 and under, with limited adult assistance. Boating will not be permitted. 

For more information, please call the Ranger Station at 301-895-5453 or email lmongrain@dnr.state.md.us.

Deep Creek 2014 Announces Events and Programming

Deep Creek 2014, the host event production company for the 2014 Canoe/Kayak Whitewater Slalom World Championships, announces events and programming for the May pre-World's Test event and USA Team Selection to be held May 17-19 at the Adventure Sports Center International. 

Deep Creek 2014 and the Adventure Sports Center International will host the 2013 USA Canoe/Kayak Slalom Team Trials and Deep Creek Open on May 17-19, 2013. 

Athletes from all over the US will be competing along with 3 Olympic Gold Medalists.

The USACK Senior Team Trials is open to USA athletes and will serve as the selection for the 2013 National Slalom Team.

Admission is free and there will be food, beer, and great music in addition to Olympic level whitewater action. This will be an event you won’t want to miss!

In addition to the racing, Deep Creek 2014 announces these other activities:

Media Day -- May 17, 11am-2pm
Open invitation to all regional and local media outlets to come and learn about media opportunities and the significant impact of the World Championships on our region. The World Championships will put Garrett County on the world stage as we play host to over 40 international countries, 21.5 million broadcast viewers and the largest inbound sporting event to be held in the United States in 2014.

Media Day will feature a general presentation by Deep Creek 2014’s Executive Director Todd Copley and will be followed by a VIP lunch at the Island Tent with a brief presentation by Joe Jacobi, US gold medalist and current CEO of USA Canoe/Kayak.

Media must pre-register by going to Media Day at DeepCreek2014.com. Special lodging rates are also offered through our WISP Resort partner.

Community Open House -- May 18, 11am-2pm
An opportunity for local businesses, civic organizations and Garrett County's general public to learn more about the preparations for the World's Event and see the infrastructure improvements necessary to host a World Championship. Recently Deep Creek 2014 and the Adventure Sports Center International were awarded a one million dollar State Bond to support necessary capital projects at the venue.

Includes a presentation by Executive Director of Deep Creek 2014, Todd Copley

Children’s Adventure Series and Kids Day at The Races -- May 19, 11am-2pm
A great day for local and regional school aged children to come see the Adventure Sports Center International and have a chance to meet and see Olympic athletes and paddlers. Kids will get a great overview of the sport of Slalom Canoe and Kayak and have unlimited access to the interior Island and close viewing of the action. Admission is free and includes a free hot dog and drink for the kids.