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The Garrett Community Concert Band, under the direction of Moe Turrentine, will perform a free concert on Friday July 4 at 7:30 under the tent on the Garrett College lawn. Enjoy "Fire on the Mountain" from this great viewing spot as well after the concert.
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Governor Martin O’Malley has proclaimed Friday, July 4th Take Me Fishing™ Day, and is encouraging Maryland citizens and visitors to take a young person out for a fun, fishing adventure on Maryland’s third and final free fishing day of 2008.
While children under 16 do not need a license to fish in Maryland, Free Fishing Days allow those 16 and over to catch and possess fin fish in the tidal and non tidal waters of the State for recreational purposes without an angler's license, Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license, or any fishing stamp normally required by the State.
“Take me fishing day is one more opportunity for everyone to enjoy Maryland’s great outdoors this holiday weekend,” said the Governor.
Take Me Fishing™, is sponsored by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating and thereby increase public awareness and appreciation of the need for protecting, conserving and restoring this nation's aquatic resources. RBFF is funded primarily through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
For more information about fishing in Maryland, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/.
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Ensemble Gaudior, a Historic Performance group presenting chamber music from the Baroque and Classical eras will perform as part of the 2008 Music at Penn Alps Concert Series on Saturday July 5 at 7:30 pm in Penn Alps Great Hall. You can read more about this ensemble at www.ensemblegaudior.com.
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Precision Rafting emailed last week with information that the Savage River will release on Sunday July 6th.
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First time hunters now have another option for completing the Maryland Hunter Education requirements. Effective July 1, Maryland will offer an internet-based course for students 14 or over. Other classes will continue to be available throughout the year for all students, regardless of age. The internet-based portion of the course is completed when the student passes a test and is provided with a voucher to attend a Maryland Hunter Education Field Day. There are presently 20 Field Days scheduled throughout the State this fall. Satisfactory completion of the field day will give the student the certification necessary to purchase a hunting license in Maryland or any other state in the country. Click here for additional information.
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Forty-plus artists will show and sell their work at the 9th Annual Art in the Park in one of Western Maryland’s most magnificent settings – Deep Creek Lake State Park at the Discovery Center, July 12-13. Arrive by boat, car or foot and enjoy free admission. Dixieland music, food, and naturalist programs are featured in addtion to the great art.
“Art in the Park is an event for the whole family to enjoy,” said Fred Schaich, President of the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers, Inc. (WGCSPVI) “Hands-on activities and delicious food will delight children and parents alike. We are proud to offer such programs that can bring family, fun and education together.
All artwork on display is available for purchase. The variety of artistic and handmade pieces at the event include: jewelry, photography, wood turned items, native wildflowers and habitat boxes, pottery, fused glass, original artwork, wood painted furniture, tatting, hand-woven baskets, wool rugs, handmade soaps, children’s books w/ the author and much more.
For more information about this event and other programs offered at the Discovery Center, please call 301.387.7067 or visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/western/discovery.html
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The Republican reports on water and sewer rate increases in Garrett County.
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The Times-News Bear Watch reports sightings of sows with cubs at Deep Creek Lake State Park have been common in recent days. The DNR publishes Living With Black Bears, if you're not familiar with these inhabitants.
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Help fuel area patients’ blood needs this July and August, and you could be among six lucky individuals to win up to $2,400 in free gas courtesy of the Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross.
Anyone who presents to donate blood or platelets from July 1 through August 31 will automatically be entered in a grand prize drawing for a year’s supply of gas, valued at $2,400.00, or one of five $100.00 gas cards offered as runner-up prizes.***
“Because of vacations and most schools being out of session, it’s challenging to have enough blood supplies on hand for any and all patients in need,” stated Jim Starr, CEO, of the Greater Alleghenies Region.
He explained that 20% of the 100-county blood region’s annual blood donations are given at Red Cross blood drives held at high schools, colleges and universities.
“There is an ongoing need for blood donors; we need to collect an average nearly 1,000 units of blood each weekday to meet patient need at the 97 hospitals served by our blood region.
“We’re hopeful that this raffle will generate additional interest in giving blood this summer so that we can provide an uninterrupted supply of blood products for accident victims, cancer patients, surgery patients and others.”
To donate blood, individuals:
· Must be at least 17 years old (16 years old in Maryland and Pennsylvania with parental consent; 16-year-olds in Kentucky and Virginia will be eligible to donate with parental consent as of July 15, 2008)
· Weigh at least 110 pounds
· Be in generally good health
Starr stated, “Many individuals taking medication for chronic conditions may continue to donate blood. Those with specific eligibility questions should call 1 (800) 542-5663 and ask to speak to someone in Nursing Collections.”
Donation appointments may be scheduled at many Red Cross blood drives. To schedule your blood donation appointment where available, or to find a blood drive near you, visit www.redcrosslife.org or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543).
The Greater Alleghenies Region directly serves hospitals, patients and donors in a 100-county area in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, with more than five-dozen blood products and related services, and also supports blood needs experienced by patients elsewhere in hospitals served through Red Cross Blood Services.
*** “Gas for a Year” value based upon 12,000 miles driven annually at 20 mpg at $4.00 per gallon of gas. For complete raffle rules, visit the campaign section of redcrosslife.org.
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Bob Downing provides a thorough review of the Adventure Sports Center International in the Akron Beacon Journal's Ohio.com.
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Today is the Great American Backyard Campout Day in Maryland. Children and families are encouraged to embark on an outdoor adventure either in their favorite state park, a private campground or in their own backyard.
“Summer months can be the best time for children and their families to enjoy the outdoors together,” said Governor O’Malley. “State parks and forests all across Maryland offer affordable recreational activities for people of all walks of life and Great American Campout Day creates another great reason for friends and families to learn and play together outdoors.”
“Overnight camping is a great way to immerse yourself in Maryland’s natural wonders,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin. “Last year, 735,465 campers took advantage of the affordable, accessible overnight facilities at state parks and forests.”
Maryland’s state parks, forests and other public lands offer more than 2,340 affordable campsites and 129 cabins. Camping reservations can be made online at www.dnr.maryland.gov or by calling 1-888-432-2267.
For a complete list of state parks that offer camp sites and facilities, visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/campinginfo.html. For more information about Great American Campout Day visit www.backyardcampout.org.
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Frostburg State University’s Cultural Events Series was recently awarded an ArtsCONNECT grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in support of a 2008-09 tour of “Kathy Mattea: Moving Mountains.” CES, a lead presenter for 11 partners from seven states coordinating the tour of Mattea’s programming, was chosen from 105 applicants.
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation officers praised CES’s efforts in securing the grant and their presentation of such promising performing arts programming.
“The panelists were so inspired and excited about this project, and impressed with the collaborative application package, that they rated this the highest ranking project in the pool of 22 projects,” said MAAF program officer Krista Bradley.
In “Moving Mountains,” Mattea, an American Roots musician, pays tribute to her heritage and the life and struggle of the Appalachian coal-mining community. Her exploration of the music and culture of coal mining is inspired by her childhood in Appalachia, as well as by the recent Sago mining disaster.
Mattea will perform at Frostburg’s Mountain Ridge High School on Sunday, Nov. 9, and participate in a public outreach program titled “Our People, Our Place, Our Coal” on Nov. 10 at FSU’s Pealer Recital Hall. “Our People, Our Place, Our Coal” will bring together experts from the coal and ecological communities and regional historians for a panel discussion that explores the economic, environmental and social aspects of the coal industry in Western Maryland. The project is presented with the support of the Maryland Department of the Environment Water Management Administration Mining Program, Bureau of Mines and the FSU Library Special Collections Department.
For more information on the Kathy Mattea: Moving Mountains tour and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, visit matteamaafproject.googlepages.com. For more details on CES events and the upcoming performance, visit ces.frostburg.edu or e-mail ces@frostburg.edu.
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Cindy Stacy has a special feature story in The Baltimore Sun today about a vintage Harvey Gortner home located in Grantsville.
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Fireworks will light up the sky this July 4th over Deep Creek Lake at the annual Fire On The Mountain Fireworks Display sponsored by Wisp Resort. The display is set to begin around 9:15 pm. The fireworks are launched from the top of the Bear Claw Tubing Park at Wisp Resort. Prime viewing locations include the Scenic Overlook on Route 219, Wisp Resort and from a boat on the lake, particularly around McHenry Cove. The rain date is July 5.
Along with major sponsor, Wisp Resort, additional sponsors of this year’s Fire on the Mountain Display include the Deep Creek Lake Property Owners Association, Bill’s Marine Service, Devlin, Inc., Garrett Container Systems, My Bank First United Bank & Trust, Railey Mountain Lake Vacations, Accident Garage, Lake Pointe Inn, Rush Services, Double G RV Park, and Garrett Automotive
“I would like to thank all of our wonderful sponsors for their generous donations of time and resources,” said Charlie Ross, President/CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “Enjoy activities throughout Independence Day, including those at Wisp Resort’s Luau on the Mountain from 4 – 8 pm and the Garrett Community Concert Band at 7:30 pm at Garrett College before wrapping up your Independence Day celebration with a big bang the Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display.”
For more information, please stop by www.visitdeepcreek.com, call 301.387.4386 or email info@garrettchamber.com
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The Times-News reports on discussions regarding affordable housing at the McHenry Business Park.
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