The Deep Creek Blog

"Honoring Chip Evans" Exhibit and Reception

The Garrett County Arts Council is pleased to announce a special exhibit that will run from November 2 through November 14 in The Backroom at The Gallery Shop in downtown Oakland.  “Honoring Chip Evans” is a collection of work by local watercolor and oil painter Charles “Chip” Evans.

Evans is a primarily self-taught artist.  A resident of southern Garrett County, the area has inspired him to paint for many years.  His subjects include various local landscapes and landmarks.  Now in his 80’s, Evans’ work has been collected by locals and visitors to the region.

Most of the work on display is the collection of John Blundell, a part-time resident of Terra Alta, West Virginia.  “Chip’s paintings really capture the feel and the history of our region in an extraordinary way” said Mr. Blundell.  “Over the past 7 to 8 years it has been a real joy for me to build a small collection of his paintings which I display at my Alpine Lake home.  They give me enormous pleasure and every visitor comments on them.”

A wine and cheese reception will be held on Saturday, November 7th from 4-6 pm at The Gallery Shop, 206 E. Alder Street in Oakland.  Both Evans and Blundell will be present.  The public is invited to come out to view the collection and speak with the artist about his work and share memories of Garrett County.

For more information, contact GCAC at 301-334-6580 or visit www.garrettarts.com. _________________________________________________________________________________________

"Who's Who?" in Garrett County: Meet Caroline Blizzard

The "Who's Who?" series of posts provides information about people active in the Garrett County community.

Meet Caroline Blizzard, a Park Ranger with the Maryland Park Service, currently serving as the Director of the Deep Creek Lake State Park Discovery Center.  She grew up in nearby Allegany County and originally came to Garrett County as a Law Enforcement Ranger at Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls State Park.   The Discovery Center is the State’s largest nature center operating year round with a full time staff.  In this role, Caroline oversees interpretive programming and education for visitors as well as the local community.   She and her team have worked hard to make the Center a frequent destination spot and hub for people to enjoy and learn about nature around Deep Creek Lake.  

Caroline is also a photographer, and her love of nature is reflected in her photography.  She began taking photos after receiving a camera as a present from her grandparents.  Shortly after receiving the gift, both grandparents passed away.  The tragedy spurred Caroline to pursue this art with a passion.   Her work can be viewed around the area in various venues, including the Four Storm Artists Gallery, and at local events such as the Autumn Glory Festival’s Heritage Craft Show and Art in the Park.   

Four Storm Artists Gallery, located on Swallow Falls Road, was opened by Caroline and her family this past June.  The gallery features art inspired by nature as well as the local Garrett County area.   Caroline and her talented family’s work are showcased along with some other local artists. 

Caroline's favorite things about Garrett County include its natural elements, the small community and varied seasons.  When asked about one of Garrett County’s "Best Kept Secrets" she mentions Herrington Manor State Park.  According to this experienced park ranger, most visitors only make it as far as Swallow Falls and forget about this nearby gem.

It’s no surprise that her favorite activities are found in the outdoors including fishing, hiking, kayaking all the while keeping her camera close at hand.  Heavily invested in the area, Caroline is a Board Member for Garrett Trails and is also involved with other local organizations such as the Civic Club, Garden Clubs, and the American Cancer Society.   

The upcoming Mountain Maryland Studio Tours, November 7,8, 15 and 16, is a good opportunity to go visit the Four Storm Gallery and see Carolyn's work for yourself.

FSU Cultural Events Series Presents Weeklong Celebration of Tap Dancing

Frostburg State University will celebrate the art of tap dancing with a weeklong series of events highlighting films, workshop presentations and a live tap dancing performance.

The celebration began with a tap dance film festival held yesterday.

A tap workshop will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Lane University Center Loft. Presented by Nicole Frost, this dance workshop will demonstrate how the “tap dance” has evolved from “Broadway style” to “rhythm tap” and the newest “jazz dance,” since the early 1900s. This program is geared toward the beginning to intermediate tap dancer. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring tap shoes if possible, or wear shoes that will “click” and move easily on a wood floor. This program is free, but reservations are required. For more information about the tap workshop, contact Melanie Moore at 301-687-7420 or cesoutreach@frostburg.edu.

The main event of the week comes alive when the Frostburg State University Cultural Events Series hosts, “Thank You, Gregory! A Tribute to the Legends of Tap,” which pays tribute to the late Gregory Hines and past and present “hoofers.” The performance will be on the Drama Theatre stage in the Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. and closes with an invitation to the audience to put on their tap shoes and join the cast in the “shim sham shimmy.”

Tickets for “Thank You, Gregory! A Tribute to the Legends of Tap” are $20 for adults and $14 for young people under 17. Group rate tickets are also available. Tickets may be ordered by calling 1-866-849-9237 or 301-687-3137, or by visiting http://ces.frostburg.edu.

This tour is made possible by a grant from Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program, and is sponsored in part by the Allegany Arts Council with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council. The Cultural Events Series is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. An agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development, MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities. Funding for MSAC is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301-687-4102 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1-800-735-2258.

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FireFly Farms Celebrates Six New Awards in 2009 Award Competitions

Garrett County's FireFly Farms, producer of artisan goat cheeses, proudly announces six additional individual awards received by its goat cheeses in its 2009 competition season. The full press release is available on their web site at www.fireflyfarms.com.

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That's a Big Bear!

I, er... I mean my daughter, just finished a diorama about the black bear for a school project.   I did not share this article with her, as I don't want to give her nightmares.   Yikes, look at that bear!   _______________________________________________________________________________________

Farmers Market Update

The Mountain Fresh Farmers Market in Oakland is still open, with two more weeks to go.  The last market date is October 31. Get your gourds, winter squash, pumpkins, potatoes, and other storage crops!   This is the last week to ask your questions of the Master Gardeners. _________________________________________________________________________________________

Medicinal Plants Topic at Next Maryland Native Plant Society Meeting

The Western Mountains Chapter of the Maryland Native Plant Society will hold its regular meeting at the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg on Tuesday October 20th at 7 pm.  The guest speaker will be Natalie Walsh, Graduate Assistant, Department of Biology, Frostburg State University.  Ms. Walsh will give her PowerPoint presentation called “Nature’s Medicine Chest”.  Her program will begin immediately following a brief business meeting.  The public is welcome to attend.

Ms. Walsh will focus on the history of Appalachian medicinal plants during her presentation. Walsh, who researches black cohosh, will describe the traditional uses of this plant and many others.  She will also draw on the latest research on medicinal plants and share tips on how to cultivate, harvest, and prepare plants for medicine.  Natalie Walsh is a graduate of Michigan State University.  From 2005 to 2007, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar.  She is currently a master's degree candidate in the Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology program at Frostburg State University. 

Directions to the program: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit).  Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road).  There is plenty of parking in front of the building.  

The Maryland Native Plant Society uses education, research, and community service to increase awareness and appreciation of native plants and their habitats leading to their conservation and restoration.  Membership is open to all who are interested in Maryland's native plants and their habitats.  Preserving Maryland's natural heritage, increasing knowledge about native plants, and helping to further the Society's mission are our goals.  MNPS sponsors monthly meetings, workshops, field trips, and an annual fall conference.  For more information, visit www.mdflora.org  

The Western Mountains Chapter has formed to expand the efforts of MNPS on the Allegheny Plateau and Ridge & Valley physiographic provinces of the central-Appalachians.  Residents of western Maryland, nearby Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and anyone else interested in learning more about and conserving the native plants of this region are invited to join.  For more information call Liz McDowell at 301-895-3686 or visit the chapter web site at www.mdflora.org/chapters. ________________________________________________________________________________________

Natural Gas Drilling Meeting October 20

The Chambers of Commerce for Garrett and Allegany Counties are planning to have a series of meetings over the next several months to help the landowners and citizens of both counties better understand the impacts of drilling for natural gas in Garrett County. The next meeting is planned for October 20th at the Finzel Fire Hall starting at 6:30 pm.

The topic for the October 20th meeting will focus on understanding natural gas leases. Tom Murphy with Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lycoming County will be the guest speaker. Tom has been working with natural gas exploration and drilling in Pennsylvania and has developed a number of educational programs to help land owners better understand natural gas drilling and will address the importance of understanding your natural gas lease and discuss the terms that should and should not be included. There is no fee for the meeting and no registration is required.

If you have any questions about the natural gas meetings, call Willie Lantz at the Garrett County office of University of Maryland Extension at 301.334.6960 or Joyce Bishoff at the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce at 301.245.4400 ext 12.
   

Black Bear Activity Increases in the Fall

The Maryland DNR reminds Marylanders that cooling temperatures will encourage black bears to begin a period of increased feeding activity prior to hibernation. During this time, bears may be attracted to human-provided food sources such as trash, pet food and birdfeeders. Bears exploiting human-provided food may lose their natural fear of people, potentially leading to encounters and conflicts.

“The best way to avoid problems is to keep your trash, birdseed and pet food in a place where bears can’t get to it,” said DNR Game Mammal Section Leader Harry Spiker. “Taking preventative steps now will help reduce potential bear problems in the future.”

Bears may travel many miles searching for food in the Fall. Motorists traveling in Maryland’s western counties are reminded to watch for bears crossing roads, especially during October and November. Also, citizens should delay feeding songbirds until the winter months to avoid attracting bears. Bears in Maryland will begin entering dens in mid-November and most are denned by mid-December.

To learn more about Maryland’s black bears, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov and click on the Wildlife and Heritage Service link or contact a Wildlife and Heritage Service staff person in the western region at 301-777-2136 or statewide at 410-260-8540.

Take a Virtual Hike Along The Potomac River

Take a virtual hike along the banks of the North Branch of the Potomac River with this post by Vince Lombardi of Abrams Creek Lodge and Campground.  Don't miss the photos. 

For Darvin Moon Fans

Here's an interview with Darvin Moon from Poker News Daily. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Visit Maryland State Parks with a Park Passport

The 2010 Maryland State Park Passports are now available online.  A passport gets you unlimited day-use entry for up to 10 people in your vehicle at state parks with a 2010 Maryland State Park Passport. Buy it now online and use it for the remainder of this year. The passport is $75 for state residents, $100 for non-residents. You also get unlimited boat launching and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals. __________________________________________________________________________________________

Haley Farm Wins Best of Bed and Breakfasts

Haley Farm B&B, Spa and Retreat Center was selected as Best in the Mid-Atlantic in the annual Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards, 2009-2010. The Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards are based upon a qualitative and quantitative review of the nearly 50,000 independent reviews submitted to BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online B&B directory.

Haley Farm is a beautiful Bed and Breakfast, Spa and Retreat Center nestled in the mountains of Western Maryland, minutes from Deep Creek Lake and Wisp ski slopes. The B&B offers lovely suites with Jacuzzis and fireplaces and gourmet breakfasts. The Romantic Getaways with flowers, champagne, dinner and spa treatments are very popular. The 3 bedroom lakefront cottage, minutes from the B&B, is also an added attraction.  The Retreat Center offers a number of retreats including Girlfriends Getaways, Yoga retreats, and Quilting retreats. Prospective guests can visit the website www.haleyfarm.com to see a virtual tour and video of the B&B.

We're delighted that inn goers agree that Haley Farm is deserving of high praise from travelers, explained BedandBreakfast.com's Sandy Soule, one of the most highly recognized authors and a spokeswoman for the B&B industry. "Clearly, Haley Farm B&B earned its stellar reviews from inn goers for its quality accommodations, breakfasts, amenities, and wonderful hospitality and service," commented Soule.

"It's a true honor to be chosen for a Best of BedandBreakfast.com award, and we thank our guests for all the positive reviews that led to this award, said Bobbi and Pete, innkeepers at Haley Farm."It’s really gratifying that our guests took the time to share their comments about our hospitality, accommodations, breakfasts and attention to detail which set Haley Farm apart," Here's a sampling of what our guests have to say about Haley Farm.

”From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed, and were awed by the lovely setting, beautiful rooms, and great food. Bobbi and Pete really helped make our girls' weekend more memorable” “We just came back from a great long weekend at Haley's. What a wonderful place! We fell in love with the dogs and cats and of course with Bobbi and Pete! Breakfasts (and snacks served all day!) were wonderful and Bobbi really went out of her way to prepare me my own versions of her magnificent breakfasts without milk and cheese. She also prepared special meat free dishes for some of the other guests. Thanks Bobbi and Pete!”

“This is a hidden gem in the Deep Creek area about a 10 minute drive from the lake. It is in a scenic rural farm setting and the rooms and common areas are spacious, comfortable and nicely appointed. Snacks, coffee, and cold drinks are available all day, and the sumptuous breakfast is enough to fill you until dinnertime. Most memorable of our stay is Bobbi and Pete who are outstanding innkeepers, warm and friendly and professional. We also enjoyed their dogs and cats.”

“We had a wonderful time at the Haley Farm Bed & Breakfast in Deep Creek, Maryland. Pete and Bobbi were awesome innkeepers. They were super nice and Bobbie made an exceptional breakfast every morning. We didn't even need to eat lunch after the huge breakfast we had. The house and farm is beautiful!! The room was decorated very nice and very spacious. It was also very peaceful there. We had a great time at the Haley Farm Bed and Breakfast and can't wait to go back. Thank You for a great weekend.”

For a complete list of all winners, including regional and international Best of BedandBreakfast.com Award winners, please visit www.BedandBreakfast.com and click Winners 2009-2010. The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com, is welcomed at over 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada, including Haley Farm B&B.
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GLAF Presents the 2010 Garrett Performing Arts Series

Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF) is pleased to announce its 2010 Garrett Performing Arts Series.   Season Subscriptions are now available at a 20% discount until December 31, 2009, at the special price of $120 for adults and $24 for students. Season subscriptions represent one ticket for each event, and guarantee “preferred seating”. Subscriptions may be purchased on-line at www.artsandentertainment.org or by calling the GLAF office at 301-387-3082.   

The Garrett Performing Arts Series begins with the Saturday, April 24 performance of The Yu Wei Chinese Dance Collection at the Garrett College auditorium.  Yu Wei’s captivating dance visions have been holding American audiences spellbound.  Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for students and free for children five years and younger.  This community event will also correlate with school performances for Garrett County students.

GLAF will present The West Virginians on Friday, May 21 at the Garrett College auditorium. The West Virginians are a nationally recognized 13-member choral ensemble, originating from Alderson-Broaddus College, with a repertoire of Christian contemporary, rock, country, jazz and chamber music.  Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for students and free for children five years and younger. This community event will also correlate with school performances for Garrett County students.

The groundbreaking, category-shattering trio, Time for Three, takes the stage at Wisp Resort on Saturday, June 19. This charismatic and enthusiastic ensemble (two violins and a double bass) transcends traditional classification with elements of classical, country western, gypsy and jazz idioms forming a blend all its own.  Tickets are $30 for adults, $5 for students and free for children five years and younger.

July is just not July without the free Independence Day Concert and three free days of Chautauqua, under the tent on the Garrett College lawn. July 4 will feature a joint performance by the Garrett Community Concert Band and the Garrett Choral Society.  The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by the perfect vantage point to view fireworks off of Marsh Mountain. During the July 5-7 Chautauqua tent performances, scholar performers bring to life the personalities and accomplishments of important figures in history.

Garrett Lakes Arts Festival is proud to announce the return of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to Deep Creek Lake.  2010 marks the fourth summer hosting the PSO!  This must-attend weekend includes a pops concert on Friday, July 16 and a classical performance on Saturday, July 17.  Both concerts are the result of tremendous support by Wisp Resort, and will be held in The Lodge at Wisp, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets for each evening are $35 for adults, $5 for students and free for children five years and younger (but tickets are required).

GLAF’s 2010 Performing Arts Series will conclude Saturday, August 7, at Garrett College with the six-time Grammy Award nominee, John McCutcheon. The folk musician, composer and singer will perform traditional, topical and instrumental works for people of all ages.  McCutcheon is a master of the hammered dulcimer, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and guitar. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for students and free for children five years and younger.

Garrett Lakes Arts Festival’s mission is to enrich the lives of our community by offering high quality arts and arts education programs.  True to the mission, GLAF offers its outstanding performances at the lowest possible cost. Ticket income represents only about one-fifth of the actual expense of providing the performances.  

The season would not be possible if it were not for the generous support of donors and sponsors!  The 2010 Season Sponsors are First United Trust and Investments and Wisp Resort.  Large gifts and grants have been given by Audrey and Howard Naylor, The Garrett County Arts Council, The Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Businesses and individuals interested in becoming a 2010 Sponsor are invited to contact the GLAF office at 301-387-3082.  Contributions are always welcome by mailing a donation to GLAF at 687 Mosser Road, McHenry, MD 21541.

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Friends of Deep Creek Lake Present to Commissioners

The Friends of Deep Creek Lake presented a proposal to the Garrett County Commissioners at Tuesday's meeting.  The Times-News reports.  ___________________________________________________________________________________________