The Deep Creek Blog

Discovery Center Hours

The Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center is now closed during the week.  Hours are Friday through Sunday, 10am - 4pm, starting Friday September 4th. 

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Potomace String Quartet at Penn Alps

As part of their 17th Season, Music at Penn Alps presents the Potomac String Quartet at Windsor Hall in Cumberland on September 5th at 7:30 pm.  The program will feature compositions wrought from responses to the Holocaust. Cellist Steven Honigberg was chamber music director of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum from 1994-2002. He will be joined by violinists Sally McLain and Jane Bowyer Stuart and violist Tsuna Sakamoto. There will be a pre-concert lecture by Steven Honigberg at 6:30 PM.  

This event is sponsored by Allegany Arts Council and the Community Trust Foundation. Tickets are $12 adults, free for ages 19 and under. Ten ticket pack $90. There are no reserved seats. Ticket holders should arrive by 7:20PM. Box Office opens at 7PM on concert nights. For program and ticket information, call 443-257-9177 or visit the web site at www.musicatpennalps.org.

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New SRWA Executive Director to Present Overview

The Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA) will hold their regular meeting at the Route 40 Elementary School on Thursday, September 17th at 7:00 pm.  Each meeting brings local citizens and SRWA members together to talk about issues within the watershed.  The guest speaker will be Laura Haynes, SRWA Executive Director, who will present an overview of current projects within the Savage River watershed.  The public is invited to learn about the conservation work of SRWA and how they can participate in these efforts as volunteers.

During her presentation, Ms. Haynes will give a brief background of SRWA and details about the programs and projects that SRWA is currently working on. These projects include ongoing efforts to address threats from invasive species; conduct volunteer water quality monitoring; restore brook trout habitat; provide educational workshops; and build organizational capacity.

Laura Haynes began her part-time temporary position as the Executive Director for the organization this summer.  She has been tasked with building the financial capacity and long term sustainability of SRWA, including finding sources to fund a permanent Executive Director position. Ms. Haynes earned a Masters of Science Degree in Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology from Frostburg State University in 2008.  She has served as an officer and board member with the SRWA since 2006. 

The SRWA is a group of local landowners and other citizens dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rural nature and natural resources of the Savage River watershed.  Members assist interested landowners and public land managers with environmental stewardship efforts and educational outreach.  Anyone who is concerned about the Savage River watershed is invited to join.  SRWA meetings are held at Route 40 Elementary School on the third Thursday of odd numbered months, beginning at 7 p.m.  The school is located at 17764 National Pike, a few miles west of Frostburg.  For more information, persons may contact SRWA via email at SRWAcoordinator@gmail.com or by telephone at 301-689-7156.  The SRWA is a non profit charitable organization.  Donations may be sent to: Savage River Watershed Association, PO Box 355, Frostburg, MD 21532.

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DNR Invites Comments on 10 Year White-tailed Deer Management Plan

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the opportunity to comment on the new White-tailed Deer Management plan. Through September 10, 2009, citizens can comment on the 2009 – 2018 White-tailed Deer Management Plan developed by the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service. The plan will provide the Department guidance on deer management for the next ten years.

“White-tailed deer are one of Maryland’s most charismatic wildlife species,” said DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service Deer Project Leader, Brian Eyler. “Nearly every resident and visitor to Maryland has had an opportunity to interact with white-tailed deer. Most of these interactions are positive, while some are less so. In the end, few species give rise to the same level of cultural and ecological importance. We encourage all citizens to participate in this process and offer suggestions on how DNR can improve upon its plan to manage white-tailed deer during the next decade.”

Maryland’s first 10-year deer plan was created in 1998. The revised Deer Management Plan is intended to represent the interests of all Marylanders and non-resident stakeholders who have an interest in Maryland’s deer population. The revised plan provides information on white-tailed deer history, biology and management in Maryland, outlines DNR’s deer management responsibilities, and identifies major deer management goals, objectives and strategies for the future.

The draft plan and instructions for submitting comments are available at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/dmpforum.asp.

For more information about deer in Maryland, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/deerhunting.asp.

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New Additions to the Springs Museum

The Springs Museum in Springs, PA showcases history, folklore and tradition from the Casselman Valley area.  Recent acquisitions  from the Jacob J. Otto family are highlighted this week in the Cumberland Times-News. 

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CAST Will Present Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona" at FSU

Frostburg State University’s Department of English will host the Cambridge American Stage Tour presentation of Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona” on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center’s Pealer Recital Hall.

One of Shakespeare’s early comedies, “Two Gentlemen of Verona” tells the story of Proteus, Valentine and their affections for Julia and Silvia. Over the course of the play, the meandering journeys of these lovers bring them into contact with several servants, two clowns, three forest-dwelling outlaws and a small dog. Above all, “Two Gentlemen of Verona” is a charming and carefree story about the universal experience of being young, confused and in love.

Founded in 2000, CAST is proud to be celebrating its 10th Anniversary Tour and continues to present Shakespeare with the finest talent from Cambridge University in England. This production, like the others before it, is directed and produced entirely by members of the Cambridge student body.
Ticket prices are $6 for students and $12 for the general public. For information or reservations, call 301-687-4145. For CAST information, visit www.castonline.org.

This event is being sponsored b the FSU Department of English, with support from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Office of the Provost.

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Governor Taps Karen Myers for Economic Development Commission

Karen Myers, president of Wisp Resort Development, Inc., and Mountaineer Log and Siding Company, was among the 25 members of the Maryland Economic Development Commission sworn in by Gov. Martin O'Malley during an Aug. 18 ceremony in Annapolis.

Created in 1995, the commission has been inactive since 2006. Christian S. Johansson, secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, made it one of his priorities to revive the group. The commission’s task is to develop a 10-year strategic plan for Maryland’s economy and provide its recommendations to the governor. Members serve three-year staggered terms.

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High Mountain Sports Bust Largness Wakeboard Contest

Enjoy some video and photos from the recent High Mountain Sports Bust Largness Wakeboard Contest held on Deep Creek Lake.  Karlo Gesner was event photographer and Mountainstone Media produced the video. 

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Online Petition for the Garrett County Community Athletic and Recreation Center (CARC)

Tomorrow, August 25th is the deadline to sign an online petition supporting the Garrett County Community Athletic and Recreation Center (CARC).  Visit http://www.PetitionOnline.com/09GCCARC/petition.html to make your voice heard. 

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Art, Wine and Music Highlight the 5th Annual Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival

The fifth annual Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival, September 11-13, 2009, benefiting the American Red Cross, Western Potomac Chapter, features beautifully handcrafted works by local and regional artisans, wine tasting from over 200 Maryland and national wineries, live music, children’s activities, wine pairing dinners, lodging packages, and more. Deep Creek Lake is located in the mountains of western Maryland.

“The festival has been a huge success from the first year,” says Paula Yudelevit, co-chair. “We see new faces as well as those who have come since our first festival. It’s just that much fun and of course the weather and the fall foliage is gorgeous!”

The Art & Wine Festival begins Friday night, September 11 with area restaurants offering special pre-fix wine pairing dinners, teaming up with national wineries to pair pre-selected wines with specially prepared dinner courses. The menus will be published on www.deepcreekwinefest.com several weeks prior to the festival weekend.  Reservations are suggested as these wine pairing dinners have become popular with visitors as well as residents.

The weekend continues on Saturday, September 12, from noon until 6:00 PM at the Garrett County Fairgrounds in McHenry, Maryland.  Over thirty professional artisans and craftsmen will display and sell their art, from handcrafted jewelry and wood carvings to oil paintings, and hand painted furniture and accessories. National distributors and Maryland wineries will offer samplings of a variety of over 200 wines to satisfy even the most discriminating tastes. Guests may purchase the wines at the festival’s retail store (open until 7 PM), with net proceeds donated to the Red Cross.

Kids too will enjoy the festival with free activities just for them including face painting, balloon art, carriage rides, moon bounce, and more, including wine bottle label design for kids. Lindsay Karroll, Miss Deep Creek Lake 2009, will be on hand to sign autographs and chat with the kids.

Guests will have the opportunity to chat with locals and frequent visitors who are elevated to a new status for the afternoon as they become the festival’s “celebrity pourers.”  Past participants include State Senator George Edwards, Maryland Delegate Wendell Beitzel, and other state and local officials.
Rounding out the afternoon is live entertainment by local and regional musicians and a silent auction that features donated wines, wine accessories, art and children’s gifts. Live entertainment includes music by Jimmy Flanigan, Dmitry Kubin, Brother Short, and The Remedy.

On September 13, Sunday brunch will be offered at participating restaurants.
“September is such a beautiful time to visit Deep Creek,” says co-chair Vianne Bell. “The fall colors are magnificent and we’ve been very fortunate to have perfect weather every year – even in 2008 with hurricane threats surrounding our area.”

Tickets for Saturday’s festival are $25 for adults, 21 and over and include entry fee, wine tastings and a commemorative wine glass.  Admittance only is $5 and children five and under are free.

Art & Wine Festival lodging packages are available at participating hotels, B&B’s and resort rental agencies. The packages include entrance to the Art & Wine Festival, wine tastings, commemorative wine glass and Friday night wine dinner gift certificates to be used toward wine pairing dinners at participating restaurants. For more information, guests may call (888) 387-5237 or visit www.deepcreekwinefest.com.

The Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival is sponsored in part by local & regional businesses including Wisp Resort, Long & Foster REALTORS, Inc., Railey Mountain Lake Vacations, Taco Bell, McHenry Beverage, Maryland Life Magazine, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, My Bank First United, Taylor Made Vacations, The Lake-Front, Nu Way Interiors, Humberson Homes, Clear Mountain Bank, Junior Women’s Civic Club, Little Mountain Promotions, Knights of Columbus, Good Timber Bed & Breakfast, and MarketWorks, LLC.

 

Ridgeview Valley Bluegrass Concert To Benefit TAY

A participant takes a deep breath and steps off the ledge with tremendous apprehension, repels down a fifty foot rock wall, and has just conquered his fear of heights.  A participant is beaming with self-confidence because she just climbed a very difficult route up a fifty foot climbing tower.  A participant has a grin from ear to ear after carving a perfect snowboard turn at the Wisp Resort.

You can make these experiences happen for more Garrett County children and enjoy music by Jim n’ I at the Ridgeview Valley Bluegrass Benefit Concert on Saturday, August 29, 2009 located in Ridgeview Valley, Deep Creek Lake’s newest planned community.  Tickets are for sale in advance by calling 301-387-4040 or 240-321-5010 or stopping by the Ridgeview Valley Preview Center located at 912 Gravelly Run Road, McHenry.  Ticket cost is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students 13-21 and children under 12 are free.  The concert begins at 7:00pm, but come early and bring a picnic or purchase a scrumptious sandwich from Jearbryo’s who will be onsite and open at 6:00pm.  This concert is outside under the stars so bring a blanket or a chair.  In case of rain the concert will be moved inside of the Barn at Ridgeview Valley.

Organized and hosted by Ridgeview Valley, the event benefits the TAY (Transition Age Youth) program, a youth development program providing outdoor adventure programming for Garrett County 8th graders.  TAY’s mission is to develop economically and socially responsible young leaders through meaningful outdoor adventure sports experiences and mentoring.  The program operates as a partnership of Adventuresports Institute of Garrett College, the Garrett County Board of Education, and Garrett County Health Department’s Core Service Agency.  Garrett College Adventure Sports program professional staff plan and deliver the adventure programming while college students who are Adventure Sport program majors act as mentors building unique bonds with TAY participants.  “We want to help these kids find their passion with outdoor programming and use this enthusiasm to encourage them to stay in school and know that they can be successful in life,” stated Scott Richardson, TAY Coordinator.

Funding for a program like TAY is always a challenge in tough economic times.  “We are grateful for the support given by local service organizations, businesses, and private citizen groups,” noted Richardson, “and one such activity is being hosted by Rosie Versteegen and Paula Thomas at Ridgeview Valley.”

If you would like to learn more about or help support the TAY program, contact Scott Richardson 301-387-3323 or email at scott.richardson@garrettcollege.edu.

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One Month Remaining in 6th Annual Natural Resources Photo Contest

The Maryland DNR reminds photographers that under a month remains to enter the 6th Annual Natural Resources Photo Contest. The contest invites student, amateur and professional photographers to submit photos of Maryland’s diverse natural resources through September 11, 2009.

“This is a great opportunity for photographers of all skill levels to compete for exposure in a contest that highlights the natural beauty of Maryland,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin.

Last year, Milton Tierney of Waldorf topped more than 300 other photographers with his winning image entitled “Resting Dragonfly,” a photograph of a dragonfly resting on a flower. Second place winners included Edward Lowe of Colora, Md.; Michael Eversmier of Cockeysville, Md.; Sharon Pyle of Arnold, Md.; Sabine Dickens of Montgomery Village, Md.; Larry Hitchens of Easton, Md., and Robert Ramirez of Bowie, Md.

Photographers of all ages can win more than $1,200 in prizes and a chance to have their outdoor images published in print and online. Winning entries will be featured in the winter issue of The Maryland Natural Resource magazine as well as the 2010 DNR calendar.
Photos entered into the 2009 contest will be judged within five categories: birds, wildlife (from fish to frogs to foxes), insects, from mountains to the Bay (landscape), wild plants and Maryland State Parks.

All qualifying photographs must be taken in Maryland. Photographers may submit up to three entries for a $10 entry fee. Photos cannot be more than two years old or previously published. Non-residents may participate as long as the photos were taken in Maryland. Winners will be announced online October 15.

Official rules and contest entry forms are available online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/photocontest/.

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Black Bear News Updates Now on Twitter

The Maryland DNR is using the micro-blogging website, Twitter, to reach out to its customers. "MDblackbear" is the name for the account being used to now give messages to black bear hunters and prospective hunters every few days. Those checking out MDblackbear or those "following" the name can find out about the history of black bear hunting in Maryland, read testimonials from hunters in the 2008 hunt, and even get a handy guide to hunting black bear.

"What is new and exciting this year is that the account will be managed by our DNR Black Bear Project Leader just prior to the hunt and during the hunt,” said Gene Deems, eGov and Online Services Manager. “Hunters will be able to receive the messages using their phones and mobile devices."

Harry Spiker, DNR Black Bear Project Leader, will be tweeting tips, status reports and actual hunting results each day directly from the field.

"Even though twitter is a relatively new online service, it has been growing in popularity and we hope that it will help us in our quest to grow business models that allow us to connect with our customers in an efficient and timely way," Deems said.

You can sign up to follow MDblackbear by going to http://twitter.com/mdblackbear

Those wishing to enter the lottery may do so by going to http://blackbear.dnr.state.md.us  now through September 1, 2009 until 11:59 p.m. Those applying earn a preference point for the following year, if they are not selected thereby increasing the odds of their receiving a permit in the following years.

A $15 application fee must be submitted via credit card, check, or money order by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Checks and money orders should be made payable to MDDNR Black Bear and mailed to MDDNR Black Bear, P.O. Box 360, Frostburg, MD 21532.
For more information, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/BlackBearGuide.asp.

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Sanctuary Studio's "Photographic Salon" Contest

Sanctuary Studios is having a reception tomorrow evening to showcase winners in the recent "Photographic Salon" contest.  The reception kicks off an exhibit of area photographers, including one of my favorite's - Marcia Warnick.  The Times-News has more information.  ________________________________________________________________________________________

Helmuth "Ace Heise"

I learned today that Helmuth "Ace" Heise passed away yesterday.  I didn't know Mr. Heise personally, but know that he was a beloved member of the community.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family.