The Deep Creek Blog

Sincell Named to Press Association Hall of Fame

The late Robert B. Sincell has been named to the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association Hall of Fame.  The Republican, published by Sincell Publishing, has the details on this honor. 

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Maple Syrup Time in Garrett County

Did you know that Garrett County used to be a major production center for the maple syrup industry?  While it may not be the largest producer of the syrup anymore, you can still find this traditional spring activity in the county.   Maple syrup season varies every year, depending upon the weather.  Today does not offer ideal conditions for tapping the trees, as the best days reach forty-five to fifty degrees with a temperature around twenty-eight degrees at night.  Nevertheless, the sap was running in February, thanks to some warmer conditions, and will be again soon. 

Steyer Brothers Farm on Rt. 560  is a working maple syrup farm.  The Steyer family has been making the syrup for over 100 years. They offer tours to the public during the season and sell the product on site year round.   If you are interested in a tour, your best bet is to call the farm at (301) 334-2900 to schedule a visit, as the weather determines whether or not they can collect the sap.    

Also, the Steyer family partners with the State Parks to provide activities for the public. Maple syrup demonstrations are scheduled at Swallow Falls State Park from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm on Saturday March 8th. They will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate the use of an evaporator in the syrup making process.  Pure maple products will be offered for sale during this time.  For more information call 301-334-9180.    On Sunday March 9th, pancakes, buckwheat cakes, pure maple syrup, sausage, orange juice and coffee will be served at Herrington Manor Park.   

In nearby Allegany County, the Savage River Lodge makes syrup on the premises as well.  Mike Dreisbach tells me that guests come to help collect sap, with the added bonus of getting to take some of the syrup home.  Also, the Lodge sells their finished product and uses it in the restaurant.  For more information, visit www.savageriverlodge.com.

Happy Leap Day!

Happy Leap Day!  Wisp Resort is having a Leap Year Party today.  Anyone with a birthday today gets to ski for free. You must present a drivers license or some other form of valid id for the ticket.

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Garrett College Library Open House

The public is invited to an open house at the new Learning Resource Center (aka "library") at Garrett College today from 4-6pm. 

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Beitzel Proposes Billboard Regulations

Delegate Wendell Beitzel is proposing a new bill to regulate billboards in Garrett County.  Sarah Moses reports on this in the Times-News. 

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Wisp Video from WBAL

Here is a short aerial video of Wisp Resort from WBAL TV in Baltimore. 

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Weekend Calendar Updated

The Weekend Calendar was just updated.  There aren't as many events this weekend at Deep Creek Lake as last...but there's plenty of snow!

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Lakefront 101

Railey Realty's Blog has a good post up about things to consider when looking for lakefront property at Deep Creek Lake.  _________________________________________________________________________________________

"Night Watch" at Our Town Theatre

Night Watch is playing at Our Town Theatre this week in Oakland.  The Republican has more detail.

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Student Latin Ensemble Debuts at Frostburg State University

The Frostburg State University Department of Music will debut its Latin ensemble “El Sabor” on Saturday, March 1, at 8 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of the Performing Arts Center.

The ensemble is entirely student-run and consists of music and non-music majors who participate in other departmental ensembles. Directed by senior Annie Lewis, “El Sabor” has a full Latin ensemble and a Latin combo, “El Sabortina.” The full Latin ensemble includes trumpets, trombones, saxophones, piano, voice, timbales, bongos and guiro. The Latin combo features timbales, bass and saxophone. Both ensembles will perform in the concert.

Tubonium! will make a special appearance at the start of the concert and play “Swing La Moderna” by Barretto.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Department of Music at 301-687-4109.

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Residents Request More Time to Comment on Clipper Windpower Project

The Clipper Windpower project proposed for Backbone Mountain was discussed at last night's Commissioner's Meeting.   Residents requested more time for public comment, as detailed in the Times-News.  A public hearing is scheduled for March 6th in McHenry.  Garrett County is requesting the additional time from the Public Utility Commission today as reported on WJZ in Baltimore. 

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WinterFest This Weekend in Oakland

Don't forget, Oakland Main Street will be sponsoring its inaugural "WinterFest" event with the town of Oakland on Saturday, March 1 and 2, 2008, from 10 AM –4 PM.  Visitors to WinterFest get to watch an ice carving from the very beginnings of stacking the ice blocks through the carving process to the finished work of ice art. Each carving would be tied to a theme chosen by the individual sponsor. The carving takes place during the daylight hours for the pleasure and enjoyment of the audience!

Just added to the event will be some special things for the children.  While supplies last, each small child who comes will get a personalized block of ice to take home (moms and dads, please make sure the kids have gloves on!)   There will also be a campfire where everyone can roast marshmallows and make smores.

Take a horse drawn sleigh ride and see beautiful historic homes, along tree-lined, lamp lit streets and a distinctive downtown shopping district providing the perfect backdrop to Oakland Main Street’s WinterFest.   One final note, a historical progressive dinner by horse drawn sleigh is scheduled for Saturday night. Seats are limited to 12 available and they went fast the last time we did it! Cost will be $75 per person.

WinterFest is a free and fun family-oriented winter celebration should entertain visitors young and old while also highlighting the many sculptures lining Alder, Liberty and Second Streets in Oakland. For more information contact Jack L. Cougle, Oakland Main Street’s Manager at 301-334-5095.

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Environmental Photography Contest

The Environmental Planning and Land Management Institute at FSU invites photographers to submit photographs to its fifth annual Environmental Photography Contest. The Institute is a joint venture between FSU’s Department of Geography and the Maryland Bureau of Mines of Maryland Department of the Environment. The competition is open to any amateur photographer over 11 years old who lives, works or attends school in either Allegany or Garrett counties. Images should depict environmental or natural habitat scenes of Allegany or Garrett counties that reflect the environmental beauty that defines Western Maryland. Photographs should be 8” x 10” matted images and can be black & white or color. Entry forms are available online at www.Frostburg.Edu/Dept/Geog/Einstitute. Participants may submit no more than three photographs. There are three place winners for the contest each year as well as an award for “the people’s choice” that gives the public the opportunity to vote either in person or on the Internet for their favorite photography from the 20 finalists. For additional information call Gale Yutzy at 301-687-4369 or MaryLynn Pegg at 301-687-4721. Entries can be delivered to either Gunter Hall 201 or Dunkle Hall 307 on the FSU campus.  The deadline is April 11, 2008.

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Impressive Even in Alaska

The story about Husky Power Dogsledding  in the Washington Post that I linked to last week was referenced in the Anchorage Daily News. 

Born to run … but in Maryland? Sled dog racing is at the height of its season in Alaska, what with the Fur Rondy races over the weekend, the just-completed Yukon Quest, and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race coming up this weekend. But sled dog season in Maryland?

According to a Washington Post story, a dog sled touring operation in western Maryland is making a go of it. The region gets 100 inches of snow a year, has 90,000 acres of parks and forest lands, and a lot of people show up to ride. The operation claims to be the southernmost dog sled touring company in the U.S

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New Executive Director for ASCI

Congratulations to Matt Taylor who was recently appointed Executive Director of Adventure Sports Center International.  The Times-News has more detail. 

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