The Deep Creek Blog

Photos from Backbone Ski Farm

Thanks to Crede Calhoun, of Vision Quest Studios, for the great photos taken at Backbone Ski Farm.  

Cross Country Skiing Options in Garrett County

I've been posting ski conditions at New Germany and Herrington Manor State Parks and will continue to do so, as it looks like more snow is on the way.  There are also some other options for Cross Country Skiing in Garrett County. 

Backbone Ski Farm offers ski lessons at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm every Saturday and Sunday.  As of yesterday, it was reported that skiing is gorgeous.  Grooming is progressing with a 2-3 foot base.  Most trails are packed and the 3.5 mile Cabin Road loop is packed and set tracks.   An all day rental-lesson-trail fee is $35.00 Call 301-334-5633 to make a reservation. Visit their website to see great photos and read about the full Backbone experience. 

Ridgeview Valley also permits cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. Please call ahead or check the blog and/or Facebook Page. to see if trails have been groomed.  Please do not go alone and keep a cell phone on you in case of an emergency.

Wisp Resort also has a Nordic Center that offers cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. 

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Lifeguards Wanted for State Park System

The Maryland State Park System is recruiting lifeguards to work from Memorial Day Weekend until Labor Day.  Current certifications required and the the job includes paid pre-season training.  Please call the parks below for more information:

Deep Creek Lake:  301-387-5563

Herrington Manor:  301-334-9180

New Germany:   301-895-5453

New Date for Garrett County Planning Commission Public Hearing

The Garrett County Planning Commission will conduct a hearing on March 6 at 10:00 am concerning proposed revisions to three principal land development ordinances currently implemented by the County. The proposed revisions would affect the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance; Garrett County Subdivision Ordinance; and Garrett County Sensitive Areas Ordinance. 

If the above hearing is cancelled due to inclement weather the alternative hearing date is March 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Garrett College Auditorium. All interested citizens are invited to attend. 

 

Turkey Neck in the Snow

Snow photo from Turkey Neck...and this was before the most recent storm blew through.

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Herrington Manor Snow Report

Herrington Manor State Park Snow Report:  From the MD Park Service at 12:00 pm today. 

Forecast Temperature (ºF)     Low 18   High 27
Snow Conditions    Powder on packed base
Base   30-40"
New Snow   6 "
Last Snowfall  2/18/10
Grooming 0

Weather Forecast    TODAY: Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6:00 p.m. today 2 – 6 additional inches possible mixed with freezing drizzle.  Wind gusting to 28 mph, with blowing and drifting snow

Park Open    Daily, 8:00 A.M. – Sunset
Call the park for more information,
301-334-9180

Notes: 
And so it continues…!!
There is a service charge of $2 per vehicle in effect on weekends and holidays.  Out-of-state residents add $1.  With the additional snow accumulation some trails will be groomed prior to the weekend.
Ski, snowshoe and sled rentals are available at the Lake House or the park office if the Lake House is closed.
Rates are as follows:
Ski and snowshoe;  $13.00/half day (4 hours) & $15.00/full day (8 hours)
Sled rental; $3.00/ half day, $6.00/full day

Garrett County Arts Council Represented in Annapolis

Members of the Board of Directors of the Garrett County Arts Council along with staff, volunteers, and representatives of several other county art organizations recently traveled to Annapolis for Maryland Arts Day.

This year’s theme was “Many Voices, One Song” representing hundreds of voices together to create one song of support for the Arts across the state. While the day was curtailed somewhat due to the inclement weather, a considerable crowd was still in attendance to demonstrate the importance of art in our communities.  Garrett County was the only county west of Frederick to make the trip and was recognized for the courageous spirit of the group.  In addition to the county arts council, members of Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF) and Our Town Theatre were on hand to show their support.

Maryland Arts Day is the most important arts advocacy event of the year, bringing the many, varied voices of the artistic community together in support of state funding for the arts and the Maryland State Arts Council.  In addition, Maryland Arts Day acts as the only state-wide annual meeting for the Maryland arts community.

Organized by the Maryland Citizens for the Arts, the day’s events were held in the Miller Senate Building.  Attendees were greeted by numerous dignitaries including Senate President Mike Miller, Speaker of the House Michael Busch, Christian Johansson, Secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development, and the Governor’s Chief of Staff Matt Gallagher.  Maryland Citizens for the Arts is a statewide arts advocacy organization, founded to represent all Maryland artists and arts organizations.  Their principal mission is to promote adequate funding for the Maryland State Arts Council and to advocate for the arts at the state and federal levels.

While in Annapolis, the Garrett County group visited Senator Edwards and Delegate Beitzel’s offices.  A framed photograph of a Garrett County scene by local photographer and GCAC member Jim Lawrence was presented, on loan, to hang in the offices for the remainder of the session.

Each year the Garrett County Arts Council provides monetary support to other local art projects.  In 2010, GCAC will be distributing $42,000 in grant money to 18 Garrett County projects or organizations.  GCAC receives funding from Garrett County government, the Maryland State Arts Council and support from members.  For additional information, call 301-334-6580 or visit www.garrettarts.com.

Chamber Reschedules February Business After Hours for March 24th

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce has rescheduled their February Business After Hours to March 24th from 6 pm – 8 pm at Mountain Laurel Medical Center’s new location behind the Health Department in Oakland. The event will be a social evening of networking with fellow businesses, employees, guests and the Chamber staff.  Be sure to bring your business card to enter to win door prizes.

“Our most recent Business After Hours gatherings have been very successful with lots of new faces and great interaction with our Chamber members,” said Joyce Bishoff, Interim President of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited to bring our Business After Hours networking event to Oakland area residents and business owners. Bring your friends, employees and neighbors to network, socialize and support this terrific event.”

Mountain Laurel Medical Center is a family practice medical center providing comprehensive health services in Garrett County. Their mission is to provide quality, safe, accessible primary health care, wellness promotion and education to all individuals in Garrett County and surrounding areas.

The cost is $6 per person, payable at the door. To register to attend, please RSVP to Charlotte at charlotte@garrettchamber.com or by calling 301.387.4386 ext. 22. The Chamber is also looking for businesses from the southern end of the county to display at the event. If you would like to display, please call Charlotte at 301.387.4386 or send an email to charlotte@garrettchamber.com

For additional information about the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.garrettchamber.com or call 301.387.4386.

Winterfest

This weekend, February 20 and 21, is Oakland's Winterfest Event .  

Saturday's activities include the ice dragon slide, ice throne, ice sculptures, live ice sculpting displays, ice bowling, horse-drawn sleigh rides, music by Preston Madrigals, snowmobile races, wine tasting, snowman competition and arts & crafts vendors.

Sunday's activities include ice dragon slide, ice throne, pancake breakfast at the fire hall, ice sculptures, live ice sculpting display, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice bowling, music by Maria Rose and Danny Elswick and arts and crafts!  

Maryland Park Service Issues Public Safety Warning for Deep Creek Lake

The Maryland Park Service reminds all snowmobilers of the potential for unseen safety hazards on Deep Creek Lake, particularly at night.  Starting on Wednesday, February 16th, an area of ice will be removed near Uno Chicago Grill on Garrett Highway to create open water for the Special Olympics Deep Creek Dunk. This area will remain unsafe for quite some time and will be marked with reflective traffic cones.

Also be aware that lake surface conditions under bridges where road salt and abrasives are plowed from the pavement are often particularly hazardous. Other conditions that may cause unpleasant situations are unseen snowdrifts or pressure ridges that can act as ramps and cause sleds 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 with a permit site adjacent to the lake.

Ice fishermen, hikers and cross-country skiers traveling on the lake should also exercise caution.  The wearing of or having readily accessible life preservers could prevent a tragedy.  If you encounter people, pets or wildlife that have fallen through the ice, contact either 911 or the toll free DNR Communications number 1-800-628-9944 for assistance.

 For further information on ice conditions at Deep Creek Lake, contact a ranger at the Park Headquarters office (301) 387-5563 or the Discovery Center on weekends at 301-387-7067. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Local Ski Patrol Tackle Ultimate Storm Training Experience

Local ski patrol recently participated in a National Ski Patrol Mountain Travel and Rescue training mission. 

Graduates included Fred Fargotstein, Laurel Highlands Nordic Patrol; Andrew Scott, Laurel Hill Nordic Patrol; John and Angelina LaForge, Wisp Alpine Ski Patrol; Eleonore Randolph, Laurel Highlands Nordic and Wisp Alpine patrols; John Majhan, Laurel Mountain Alpine Patrol; John Dyke, Seven Springs Alpine Patrol; and Stephan Kaltwasser and Catherine Patterson, students at Garrett College.

Read more about this challenging experience in the Times-News. 

WinterFest Preparations in Oakland

Mountain Stone Media presents WinterFest preparations in Oakland.

DNR Advises Anglers of Poor Savage River Conditions

Fisheries Service closely monitoring the situation 
 
Annapolis, MD (February 8, 2010) –The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service is closely monitoring the fish population at the Savage River Reservoir during the repair of the outlet gates, which currently present a serious public safety concern.  The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reported draining of the Reservoir on January 31, to give contractors for the Upper Potomac River Commission (UPRC) access to the large gates, which are urgently in need of repair.
 
“The drawdown of the reservoir and disruptions to the system were unavoidable,” said Assistant Fisheries Director Don Cosden. “The DNR Fisheries Service is committed to restoring over time the reservoir fishery and the excellent tailwater trout fishery that anglers have enjoyed in the Savage River system over the years.”
 
As anticipated, the draining process has substantially impaired river conditions with the flow of accumulated sediment from the dam. During the drawdown process, fisheries personnel observed accumulations of organic and inorganic materials downstream.
 
Fish kill surveys in the Savage River Tailwater area have revealed a handful of dead shiners, sculpin, yellow perch and blue gills from the reservoir. While no dead trout have been observed at this time, it is expected that the high turbidity conditions will impact the trout population and the aquatic insects that are the base of the trout food chain.
 
DNR biologists will continue to assess these impacts as the weather and water conditions allow. Restoration plans in coordination with UPRC will follow and will likely include the use of high flows from the reservoir to clear sediment from important gravel and cobble bottoms, where tout spawn and invertebrate food sources hide. The agency may also restock brook trout and invertebrates from un-impacted areas upstream and plans to restock the reservoir as the appropriate fish become available from the state hatcheries.
 
The requirement to repair the gates came as a result of inspections in 2007, which uncovered the problems with the ageing gates. A $3.92 million grant under President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was awarded for the project.
 
The removal of the old gates and installation of new ones will occur throughout February and early March. Refilling of the reservoir is expected to start by mid-March after repairs are inspected and approved.
 
While the impacts to the fisheries are extremely unfortunate, the broken gates presented a serious public safety concern. The Maryland Department of the Environment’s Dam Safety Program ensures all dams in Maryland are designed, constructed, operated and maintained safely to prevent dam failures and the consequences of failure.
 
In June 2009 the Environmental Protection Agency awarded the Maryland Department of the Environment a $121.6 million to fund Maryland water quality and drinking water projects under President Barack Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). ARRA funding will enable construction of water infrastructure projects that are estimated to create hundreds of jobs, and that will protect public health, improve the environment, and help clean up the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland waterways.
 

Chamber Holds Next Business After Hours February 17 at the Mt. Laurel Medical Center

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce will be holding a Business After Hours event on February 17 from 6 pm – 8 pm at Mountain Laurel Medical Center’s new location behind the Health Department in Oakland. The event will be a social evening of networking with fellow businesses, employees, guests and the Chamber staff.  Be sure to bring your business card to enter to win door prizes.
 
“Our most recent Business After Hours gatherings have been very successful with lots of new faces and great interaction with our Chamber members,” said Joyce Bishoff, Interim President of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited to bring our Business After Hours networking event to Oakland area residents and business owners. Bring your friends, employees and neighbors to network, socialize and support this terrific event.”
 
Mountain Laurel Medical Center is a family practice medical center providing comprehensive health services in Garrett County. Their mission is to provide quality, safe, accessible primary health care, wellness promotion and education to all individuals in Garrett County and surrounding areas.
 
The cost is $6 per person, payable at the door. To register to attend, please RSVP to Charlotte at charlotte@garrettchamber.com or by calling 301.387.4386 ext. 22. The Chamber is also looking for businesses from the southern end of the county to display at the event. If you would like to display, please call Charlotte at 301.387.4386 or send an email to charlotte@garrettchamber.com
 
For additional information about the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.garrettchamber.comor call 301.387.4386. _________________________________________________________________________________________

Comedy Blast at Wisp Resort

On Friday February 26, Wispers Bar at Wisp Resort presents Comedy Blast with Mike Diesel and Steve Bix. 

Mike Diesel has become a fantastic comic, tapping into stories of his youth as well as going after current day subject matter with a vengeance. Mike is am accomplished commercial actor, a voice over specialist, and he has been booking the talent for a very successful comedy club called Wiseacres Comedy Club for the last 10 years.

Master of all, Steve Bix has worked with some of the best in the business, such as Jon Stewart, Davey Jones, and many others. Steve has apperared on Comedy Central's "CLASH" and DC's Top rated Capital Comice Live.  - You will never read newspapers, menus, or telephone books the same way again after seeing Steve's brand of unusual and visual comedy!

Tickets are $16 per person.  The event offers a full cash bar.   **Show contains strong adult content, no one under the age of 18 permitted without parent/guardian.