The Deep Creek Blog

2009 SavageMan Triathlon Festival Dates Set

Here's a great goal to set for the New Year!   How about participation in the 3rd Annual SavageMan Triathlon Festival, scheduled for the weekend of September 19-20, 2009 in Deep Creek Lake State Park. Both the SavageMan Half and SavageMan International races will take place concurrently on Sunday, Sept. 20.

2009 Registration Opens on January 1, 2009 at 10:00am.  Early bird rates of $125 for the SavageMan Half and $95 for the SavageMan International apply through Feb. 28. If slots remain available, rates for the Half and International distances increase to $150 and $110 on March 1, and $180 and $125 on July 1, so don't delay.

Registration is limited to only 400 athletes per event, and both the Half and International distances races SOLD OUT for 2008, so do not delay in signing up for 2009.

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Walgreens Coming to Oakland

The Times-News reports on Walgreens  coming to Oakland.  _________________________________________________________________________________________

Waterfowl Artists Invited to Enter 35th Maryland Game Bird Stamp Design Contest

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites Maryland waterfowl artists to enter the 35th Annual Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest.

“Proceeds from the sale of these stamps help fund waterfowl and migratory game bird projects as well as much needed research,” said Jonathan McKnight, acting director of DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service.

All entered designs must be the artist's original work, neither copied nor duplicated from any previously published paintings, drawings, prints, or photographs of the contestant, or any other artist. Each contestant may submit up to three entries. The entry fee, signed "Agreement to Enter the Contest" form, and entries with completed "Entry Identification Forms" attached to the back must be received via mail by 4:00 p.m. on March 20, 2009 at The Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest, Friends of Patuxent, Patuxent Research Refuge/National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop Laurel, MD 20708-4027.

Entries will be judged at noon on Saturday, March 28, 2009 in conjunction with the 20th Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show at the National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel. Contestants and the public are invited to attend the contest judging process. Admission is free.

The stamp can be purchased by any citizen for $9 and is required for all migratory game bird hunters in Maryland. For a list of species eligible for depiction and full contest rules visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/duckstamp or contact Doug Wigfield, Contest Coordinator, at 410-713-3852 or dwigfield2@dnr.state.md.us.

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13th Annual Maryland Black Bear Stamp Design Contest Announced

The Maryland DNR invites artists to submit original artwork for the 13th Annual Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest. Both Maryland residents and non-residents may enter now through March 20, 2009.

“The proceeds from the sale of the Black Bear Stamp and other related products are used to compensate farmers in Maryland experiencing agricultural damage caused by black bears,” said Jonathan McKnight, acting Director of DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service.

All entries must be original, previously unreleased artwork. Each contestant may submit one entry for a non-refundable $10 entry fee. Contest entries will be judged on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Patuxent National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, Md., in conjunction with the 20th Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show.

For contest rules and more information visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/bbcp/bbstampcontest.html, call Doug Wigfield at 410-713-3852 or e-mail dwigfield2@dnr.state.md.us.

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Firsthand Report at DCSki from Wisp's Birthday Celebration

Jim Kenney from DCSki provided a firsthand report from a day out at Wisp during the 53rd Birthday Celebration a few weeks ago. 

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Simon Pearce Factory Sale Underway

Simon Pearce is offering handmade glass and pottery factory seconds at half price! For a limited time, until January 18, and while supplies last.  Take a tour of the factory when you visit.  The factory is located at 265 Glass Drive in Mountain Lake Park. 

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2009 Backbone Mountain Review

The Allegany Arts Council, the Garrett County Arts Council, and the Frostburg Center for Creative Writing are pleased to announce the publication of the 2009 Backbone Mountain Review (BMR). The BMR is an annual, literary journal that features original poetry and fiction by area writers. Copies of the 2009 BMR are now available from the Allegany Arts Council, and are free to the general public while supplies last. To help celebrate the 2009 issue, a special reading and reception will be held on Sunday, February 1, at 2PM at the Avilton Inn in Garrett County (just off I-68 at the New Germany State Park exit). The reading and reception are free and open to the public. Also, through a special arrangement with Mountain Maryland PACE, an extra 400 copies of the publication will be given as gifts to State legislators and their staff. For questions about the 2009 BMR, please call the Allegany Arts Council at 301-777-ARTS (2787).

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Pro Freestyle Skier to Host Freestyle Skier Clinic at Wisp

On Tuesday, December 30, Pro Freestyle Skier, Tom Wallisch, will host a Freestyle Skier Clinic at Wisp Resort in the Pro Terrain Park at the Base of Face from 10 am – 4 pm.  There is limited availability for the clinic, the fee is $89 and includes instruction and a 1-day lift ticket.  Reservations can be made by phone or email:  301.387.4911 / mvalach@wispresort.com.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA, Wallisch called Wisp Resort his ‘home mountain’ since he began skiing.  While at the resort, Tom noticed some local kids busting 360’s off little jumps on the side of the trails and was intrigued.  At the age of fifteen, Wallisch acquired his first pair of twin tip skis and the first day out began jumping.  Throughout Wallisch’s youth, he spent most winter weekends in the Terrain Parks at Wisp Resort jumping bigger, spinning further and improving his freestyle skills.

After graduating from Chartiers Valley High School in Pittsburgh, PA in 2006, Wallisch headed to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.  “I geared my class schedule around skiing.  My friends and I began filming on the slopes and putting together short freestyle films.  We submitted a six-minute flick to a contest called the Superunknown.  I won and my professional ski career took off!”  Wallisch travels around the globe competing and filming videos for Level 1 Productions of Denver, Colorado.

At the age of twenty-one, Wallisch already has quite a long list of accolades.  In the 08/09 season alone, he has claimed first place in AST Dew Tour Rail Jam, Jibassic Pro Rail Jam and Ski Pass Big Air in Modena, Italy.  Tom Wallisch’s sponsors including Amplid, Spy, Skullcandy, Sweet Protection, Jiberish, Kombi, Full Tilt and EC Headwear.

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Merry Christmas!

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  Thanks to my regular readers, advertisers, friends and family for supporting my efforts this year.   I'll be in Pittsburgh with my family celebrating the holiday.  Wherever you may be this Christmas, I hope it is a joy filled day for you and yours.  If you have a moment, take some time today to read one of my favorite Christmas stories, Christmas Truce at the World War I Front.

Above is artwork by my nine year old nephew Joseph.  Pretty cool!  We sure have some artistic genes in our family.   

Becky

Maryland State Parks Holiday Schedule

All Maryland State Parks will be operating on a holiday schedule and closed to day use Dec. 24 through Dec. 26, 2008 and Jan. 1 and 2, 2009.  Individuals with cabin and camping reservations will not be affected by the holiday schedule.

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Maryland Park Service Issues Public Safety Warning For Deep Creek Lake

The Maryland Park Service advises individuals recreating on Deep Creek Lake to be alert for safety hazards on the lake, particularly at night.

“Snowmobiles, ice fishermen, hikers and cross-country skiers traveling on the lake should exercise caution,” urged Mark Spurrier, Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area Assistant Manager. “Wearing a personal flotation device could prevent a tragedy. If you encounter people, pets or wildlife that have fallen through the ice, call either 911 or the Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-628-9944 for assistance.”

Road salt and abrasives plowed from highway bridges may affect the quality of the ice underneath and unseen snowdrifts can act as ramps and cause sleds and snowmobiles to become airborne leading to a loss of control and accidents.

Deep Creek Lake is a part of the designated ORV trail system permitting use by registered snowmobiles only. Permits are available by mail or at any of the local state park offices during normal business hours. Snowmobiles may operate at night if equipped with working head and taillights. Access to the lake may be made at Deep Creek Lake State Park or with permission from a private landowner adjacent to the lake.

For further information on ice conditions at Deep Creek Lake, individuals can contact a park ranger by calling 301-387-5563 during the week-day or the Discovery Center on weekends at 301-387-7067. _______________________________________________________________________________________

New Year's Eve Celebration At Wisp Resort

Ring in 2009 at Wisp Resort with the New Year’s Eve Celebration on December 31, 2008 from 7:00 pm – Midnight in the Main Lodge. 

Four different buffets will feature cuisine from different countries around the world.  Guests will be entertained from 8:15 pm – Midnight with live music by No Bad Ju Ju of Pittsburgh, PA.  Enjoy a break from the festivities with a ride on Wisp’s year-round attraction; the Mountain Coaster.  Watch the ball drop from our Times Square Big Screen, then top the evening off with slopeside fireworks at Midnight provided by Zambelli Fireworks of New Castle, PA.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under.  Tickets include the buffets, music, fireworks, party favor and one ride on the Mountain Coaster.  Alcoholic drinks not included however a cash bar will be available. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 301.387.4911 or visiting www.wispresort.com.  Limited quantities available, reservations strongly recommended.

Kids can have their own celebration with the ‘Kids New Year’s Night Out’ on December 31, 2008 from 6:00 pm - Midnight.  Children 5 – 12 years of age will enjoy an evening of fun, games, activities, food and fireworks.  Activities include Mountain Coaster, snowman building and other outdoor snow play.  Kids will be dropped off and picked up at the Willy Wisp Children’s Center.  The cost for ‘Kids New Year’s Night Out’ is  $89 per child, limited quantities available, reservations strongly recommended.  (Kids New Year's Night Out is a separate event from the New Year's Celebration.)

Wisp Resort’s 32 slopes and trails will operate until 9:00 pm on December 31 for skiing and snowboarding, lift ticket purchase required.  The Bear Claw Tubing Park will operate in 2-hour sessions until 11:00 pm, tubing ticket purchase required.

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Ski Gear Storage Tips

Here's a handy article from The New York Times Great Homes and Destinations providing tips for ski gear storage.  Even if you don't have a "ski room", the information in Have Your Gear Ready to Go by Steve Bailey could be used to set up your home or condo to be more gear friendly.  _________________________________________________________________________________________

Maryland Geological Survey Analyzes Depth of New Germany Lake

A group of five scientists and engineers from the Maryland Geological Survey recently collected fifteen core samples of the bottom sediments of the lake at New Germany State Park.   The samples provided information on the original, pre-lake topography and subsequent sedimentation.

Richard Ortt, an engineer with the Maryland Geological Survey, led the team that collected the samples. The group was engaged to determine the original depth of the lake.

“Visitors to the lake have noticed a decrease in water depth over the years; that has a negative impact on recreational activities. Currently, the lake measures 7 feet deep at its deepest point, with the majority measuring between 2.5 and 5 feet deep. Analysis of the samples we collected will help guide future management actions and determine the feasibility of restoring the lake to the depth that was created when the Swauger Dam was reconstructed in the 1930s,” said Ott.

The researchers identified several layers of sediment under the lake including sand, clay, organic matter (possibly caused by a significant weather event like Hurricane Agnes), a layer most likely formed by construction of the dam and a "soil horizon" that represents the once dry landscape that existed prior to the original Swauger Dam.

After several days of core collections, the team held a public meeting to discuss their findings.

Popular for picnicking and camping, New Germany State Park lies within the boundaries of Savage River State Forest. The 13-acre lake was formed when Poplar Lick Run was dammed for mill operation. _______________________________________________________________________________________

Deep Creek Winter Sports Team and NASTAR Tip

The following comment was posted by Mike Kennedy regarding the Nature Valley NASTAR Pacesetting Trials post: 

For those of you that have a second home at Deep Creek or visit the Wisp frequently I highly recommend getting your kids or grandkids involved with the Deep Creek Winter Sports team and the NASTAR racing program. I have two kids on the team that also race, ages 9 and 6 - it's amazing how good they ski now. Plus, for those of you that only visit on weekends the team has practices Saturday and Sunday morning from 9 to 11. Here is a link to their website if you want more information.

http://groups.google.com/group/dcwst/web

Thanks Mike!
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