The Deep Creek Blog

The Garrett County Google Video

Here's the Garrett County Google Video created by Mountainstone Media. Lots of familiar faces. Nice job.

Save the Date: Taste of Garrett County

Save Monday May 17th for the Annual Taste of Garrett County along with a new event, "Race to the Face"....details to come.   

 

Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Forum and Lunch April 8

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce invites Chamber members to attend its annual Membership Forum and Luncheon from 9 am – 2 pm on Thursday, April 8th at Will O’ Wisp Resort. The theme of this year’s Forum will be Together – Working on the Vision.

 

“The annual Membership Forum & Luncheon is a terrific way to receive feedback from our membership,” said Joyce Bishoff, Interim President of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “We encourage all of our Chamber members to attend since this forum gives the Chamber membership a chance to discuss their involvement with the Chamber and the Chamber’s involvement with their business.”

 

The forum will include a State of the Chamber presentation and a Board visioning discussion before breaking into sessions regarding Tourism, Education, Economic Development and Business Support Services. The day will also include a complimentary buffet lunch.

 

Chamber members should RSVP by April 5 to Charlotte at 301.387.4386 ext. 22 or email charlotte@garrettchamber.com. For additional information about the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.garrettchamber.com or call 301.387.4386.

 

Video from The Deep Creek Lion's Club Cardboard Box Derby

Brad Nesline was out and about again with his video cam.  Here is footage from last weekend's Cardboard Box Derby during Beachin' Weekend at Wisp Resort. Proceeds from the event benefited the Deep Creek Lions Club. 

 

Cabin Fever Fundraiser to Benefit Local Non-Profits

The third annual “Cabin Fever Fundraiser” to benefit Friends of New Germany and Savage River Watershed Association will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Saturday March 27th at New Germany State Park.  The entrance fee covers an evening of homemade soups, breads and desserts, plus door prizes and live music by the Sugar Foot Stompers.  There will also be a 50-50 raffle and a silent auction where individuals can bid on a variety of fine items and services.      

 Despite the poor economy, local businesses have been especially generous in their donations for this important fundraiser.  Many great products and services will either be featured at the silent auction or given as door prizes including: artwork from Appalachian Studio and Whispering Pines; gift baskets from Casselman Inn & Restaurant, Firefly Farms, Herbal Innovations, Main Street Books, Stanton’s Mill and Trader’s Coffee House; home, car and garden items from Grantsville Ag Service, Grantsville Foodland, Green Valley Foods, Mark’s Harness Shop, Martin’s Food in LaVale, Red Ridge Auto, and Shady Grove Market and Fabrics; entertainment and recreation treats from Allegany Expeditions, Brenda’s Pizzeria, Cabela’s, Confluence Cyclery, Garrett 8 Cinemas, New Germany Guest House, Penn Alps Restaurant & Craft Shop, Santa Fe Grille, and The Herb Barn; as well as special event tickets from Music at Penn Alps and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.  In addition, Goehringer Catering will be donating food services for the event.

New this year, participants will be able to bid on a ride to school in a sheriff’s vehicle sponsored by the Garrett County Sheriff’s Department and coordinated by Lt. Rob Corley.  Countless other unique items have been donated for the silent auction and raffle by individuals including: assorted antiques, bagpipe performance, blacksmith lesson, cord of firewood, ecotour, fitness center memberships, French dinner for 6, massage session, rain barrel, silk flower arrangements, steaks from Capital Meats, and flags from Maryland and the USA.  

Admission at the door is $10 for adults and $5 for children age 6 to 12 but if you buy your tickets in advance at Beachy’s Pharmacy in Grantsville or Red Ridge Auto in Frostburg you pay a discount price of $8 and $4 respectively.  The public is welcome to attend this event which will be held at the New Germany Lake House and Rec Hall.  In case of severe weather the event will be held on Sunday March 28th from noon to 3 pm.  For more information contact the Savage River Watershed Association at 301-689-7156 or srwacoordinator@gmail.com. 

Friends of New Germany is a non-profit organization of local and state-wide persons interested in enhancing and preserving the beauty and quality of the recreational resources of New Germany State Park.  Savage River Watershed Association (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, by assisting interested landowners and public land managers with environmental stewardship efforts and educational outreach.

GLAF Bus Trip - Ticket Deadline March 27

Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF) is pleased to sponsor another fundraiser bus trip.  Come to experience the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre in Morgantown at West Virginia University on Saturday, April 10, 2010 for this 7:30 pm concert.  The cost of this bus trip is $50 per person, which includes both the ticket to the performance and the bus transportation. Tickets may be purchased separately for $38 for those who wish to provide their own transportation.  

The evening is called “The Human Spirit.”  With Stephen Hough at the piano, Yan Pascal Tortelier conducts the orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2, a rapturous piece requiring extraordinary poetry and technique.  Following the concerto is Symphony No. 5 by Prokofiev.  While he was living in a government-sponsored refuge for composers in the Soviet Union during World War II, Prokofiev composed this symphony to glorify the human spirit.  The ending of this piece will surely bring the audience to its feet!

Call the GLAF office at 301-387-3082 by March 27 for reservations.  Bus transportation is from the Garrett College McHenry campus at 5:45 pm.  Call for details. 

                            

Natural Egg Dyeing at Discovery Center

Once again this year, the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center is hosting a natural egg dyeing event on April 3rd from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.  Visit any time during these hours to enjoy the activity.  Children will enjoy an egg dyeing session using natural dyes.  Participants should bring no more than six hardboiled eggs.  Wipe the eggs off with mild vinegar solution so the eggs will take the dye.  

The Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos and will have treats as well.  This event is sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers.  

The Discovery Center is open Friday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.  For more information contact the Discovery Center at 301-387-7067 or visit www.discoverycenterdcl.com.

Trout Stocking Update

The Times-News reports on some changes to trout stocking schedules due to the weather. 

Bear Creek Crossing B&B Weekend

Last summer I was asked to spend a complimentary weekend at Bear Creek Crossing B&B with my family to blog about the experience.  We had originally scheduled the trip for the first weekend in February, hoping to experience the perfect Garrett County winter weekend, but the timing of the blizzard got in our way.  We scheduled again for this past weekend. It was not exactly a winter wonderland...but rather like Brigadoon, which was perfect just before St. Patrick's Day. 

If you've never stayed in one, a bed and breakfast (or B&B) is a home or other small inn that typically offers lodging along with breakfast.   The word "B&B" often brings to mind formal Victorian homes crammed with antiques along with shared bathrooms, but many are evolving to comfortable places to make yourself at home while you unwind.  Bear Creek Crossing proves to be one of these.   My husband, like many men, used to be leery of B&Bs, but we've had some positive experiences in the past.  So, when I brought up the project, he was a willing participant, along with my daughter.

Peggy and Buzz Gosnell's Bear Creek Crossing is not your grandma's B&B, that's for sure.  It is warm, inviting, modern and clean.   Their website describes the place as "traditional, quaint, classic charm with a modern day appeal".  This is a good description, as the inn is decorated tastefully, yet comfortable enough for us to feel right at home upon entering. 

There are two spacious rooms, each with comfortable king beds, television and private baths.   Both are decorated in warm soothing earth tones.  There is also a cottage bedroom, the Sunflower Room, with a double, four poster bed.  This room is perfect for guests needing an extra room for children.   Outside of the bedrooms there is a sitting loft where guests can enjoy relaxing on sofas, tv, games or reading.   There is also a second sitting area in the main living room of the house. 

It rained most of the weekend, so we did not get to experience the outdoor amenities. I have visited in the summer, so I've seen the place in full bloom.  Some of the extra bonuses of staying here include a gated campfire and picnic area along with a country garden.  Guests can enjoy a quiet afternoon on the hammock in the country garden or an evening of family fun roasting marshmallows over the campfire.  The large front porch makes for a great meal time or just a moment to relax. 

Guests have experienced everything from quiet romantic getaways to family birthday weekends.  This past year, weekend visitors who braved epic winter storms were able to have great ski weekend getaways.  The B&B is located little more than a five minute drive to the Wisp Resort, making it a great location for winter warriors. 

In the warmer months, the B&B makes a great location for weddings, and the venue is available for special events. Bear Creek's wedding planner works with couples to plan a full-service wedding on the premises and can arrange for lodging for all of the guests attending as well.  Guests have also made use of the inn for mother-daughter retreats, birthday weekends and anniversaries.  

As the website states, you can truly make yourself at home in this B&B, and even have access to a living and dining area.   Other amenities include central air and high speed internet access.  

All told, it was a great weekend, and we enjoyed our B&B experience in Garrett County.  Enjoy the pictures below, some taken by me and some provided by Bear Creek Crossing. 

Enjoy the large front porch during warmer weather.

This campfire and picnic area is gated, great for keeping an eye on the kids. 

 

My daughter was sad the hammock was put away for the season.

The main living area, with a gas burning fireplace, is great for relaxing...especially on a rainy day.

The Sunflower Room is perfect for extra guests or children.  

 

Dining area where we enjoyed great breakfasts.  

Peggy's Coast Toast

Water, Water, Everywhere...

Here are some photos taken around Garrett County this weekend.  These scenes were repeated over and over everywhere we went. 

 

 

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I really like this video below, again from Bradley Nesline.  Very cool with the video on the helmet thing.  Notice how high the river is when he goes under the Casselman Bridge.

Sunday Morning at Bear Creek Crossing B&B

This morning we enjoyed breakfast with another family here at Bear Creek Crossing B&B.  They came in on Saturday for a one night stay.  They also had children, so it was fun for our daughter to have some other kids on the premises.  Peggy is family friendly, but is also careful not book couples desiring a romantic getaway on the same weekend when children will be at the inn.   

We enjoyed fresh fruit along with Coast Toast, a recipe Peggy discovered on a trip to San Diego, and ham.

 

Rainy Saturday in Deep Creek

Although there were people skiing and snow tubing yesterday at Wisp, the rain was really coming down, and we decided to pass.  In pursuit of something fun to do, we headed over to the Discovery Center...a great stop on a rainy day.  Apparently a number of people had the same idea, because at 2:30, when it was time for Critter Encounter, a whole bunch of people streamed into the Center. 

After the Discovery Center, we headed over to Lou DiCarlo's Stained Glass Gallery.  My better half had never been there and I have always wanted him to see it.  If you've never been, Lou is a master stained glass artist and his home is packed with loads of his creations.  I have my eye on a lamp in there, so it was time to drop a few hints. 

After that, we plunked around to a few other places and then settled down for an early dinner.  This is the scene we arrived home to on a foggy evening.  

 

Rise and Shine

After a great night's sleep in the Hemlock Room, we woke to a quiet morning here at Bear Creek Crossing B&B.   The rain and mist made it very peaceful looking out from the front porch.  The sound of Bear Creek's flowing water can be heard all the way up here at the inn. 

Breakfast consisted of fresh fruit, homemade buttermilk biscuits and omelets.  Since the rain had put somewhat of a damper on the outdoor activities that we had planned, we enjoyed taking our time over breakfast without feeling a need to rush out the door.  It ended up that the meal filled us for the entire day and we never even had to stop for lunch.

Friday Evening at Bear Creek Crossing B&B

We rolled into Garrett County in the midst of some fog and rain yesterday, ready to enjoy our first night at Bear Creek Crossing B&B.  There is still snow in Garrett County, but it is slowly melting as the rain and warmer temperatures have descended upon the area.

The B&B is located off of Rt. 219 in Accident.  If you're headed south on 219, Bear  Creek is first spotted by white signs with a little black bear right before the driveway.  Winding up the drive, some of the hemlocks are still covered in snow. The inn is so pretty with little white lights decorating the outside.  There is still enough snow here to make it look just right.  After checking in, Peggy, the proprietor, gave us the tour and showed us to our rooms and then we relaxed with some wine, cheese and crackers. 

We decided to head out to Brenda's Pizzeria for a quick bite, and then back to the Inn to relax.  The lake area was really quiet, as it appears that the rain has scared off many would be visitors.   Anxious to get back to relaxing at the inn, we didn't stay out for long.  Before turning in, we enjoyed some conversation with Peggy hearing stories about the B&B as well as her family. 

I have to say, it was wonderful to drive into the lake and not really have to "do anything" upon arrival, such as open the house, cook, put groceries away, etc...I really needed a night to kick back, so this was a perfect start to a great weekend. 

Checking out the Sunflower Room upon arrival...perfect for kids!!!

Live Blogging from Bear Creek Crossing Bed and Breakfast

The Deep Creek Blog is taking on a new project.  My family and I are spending the weekend at Peggy and Buzz Gosnell's Bear Creek Crossing B&B and I'm looking forward to bringing you the experience via some "live blogging".

This trip was originally scheduled for the weekend of the Snowpocalypse...the first one, early in February.  We finally managed to get it back on the schedule and we are coming, rain or shine!    We are looking forward to some great food, relaxation and general fun around Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County.  The plan was to take in activities such as snow tubing and ice skating, but we'll keep our options open depending upon the weather. 

Check back this weekend for blog posts complete with photos and perhaps even some video.