The Deep Creek Blog

Garrett County Arts Council Presents "Page to Stage"

Garrett County Arts Council Presents an Evening With Local Authors

Page~to~Stage
Friday, November 4th
Our Town Theatre
121 Center Street
Oakland

Fourteen local authors will read original poetry and prose during our second annual "Page~to~Stage" event.  Authors participating include Laura Bentley, Willis Carrico, Helen Fitzwater, Rose Gordy, Ginny Grove, Paula Hudson, Sue Lisantti, Ginni Neff, Leonard Paul, Tom Pessini, Betty Rouse, Jack Spencer, Rhoda Trooboff, and Kathy Vitek.  Several of the authors have published books that will be available for sale and book signings will be done.  Doors open at 6pm. Light refreshments will be served.  Beer and wine will be available for sale with proceeds benefiting Our Town Theatre. 

Readings begin at 7pm.  The event is free.  Seating is limited and reservations may be made by calling Garrett County Arts Council at 301-334-6580.


 

Winter Storm Upgrade to Warning

Garrett County Weather can keep you abreast of the winter storm, just upgraded to a "warning" in effect for the Deep Creek Lake area.

Maryland Black Bear Hunt Closed

Colton Lucas, 12, of Kitzmiller, Md. took a 376 pound male

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) closed the 2011 black bear hunting season at 9 p.m. today with hunters reporting 65 bears to mandatory check stations in Western Maryland. DNR opened the season Monday, October 24 in Garrett and Allegany counties.

“Maryland’s black bear hunters enjoyed another safe and successful hunting season,” said Harry Spiker, Game Mammal Section Leader for DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service. “The cool, mild weather during the first two days kept hunters in the woods and helped DNR meet its management goal in four days.”

The average live weight of the bears taken this year was 154 pounds. Colton Lucas, 12, of Kitzmiller, Md., took the largest bear of the season, a 376 pound male.

The hunt by the numbers:

    65 bears taken
    59 from Garrett County, 6 from Allegany County
    154 lbs. average weight
    69% of the bears were taken on private land
    533 hunters participated in the hunt and 3,915 hunters applied for a permit
    55% of the successful hunters were residents of Garrett and Allegany counties

For more information about Maryland’s black bears visit dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife.

Bearly a Gala!

The Bears Are Getting Ready to go to their final dens.  

The Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers, Inc. (WGCSPVI) project that fostered twenty carved and painted wooden Bears throughout the summer in Garrett County is coming to a close.   “Discover the Bears, Carve a Memory: Only in Garrett County”, was launched in May 2011 to raise funds for educational projects to study the treetops at the Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park.

In addition to supporting the education projects, the original natural wood bears have benefited the community in other ways.   Many people said they discovered places in Garrett County they did not know were there if they had not been searching for the Bears!  The Bears will be auctioned off and the Trail Guide prizes drawn at the Bearly a Gala event on November 5th at Wisp Resort.   

The Gala will provide the one and only opportunity for the public to ever see all twenty Bears in one location.  The evening will include a chance to meet the artists and fostering businesses, a live auction, great food and drink, and the music of John Mackin and Bob Yonke.  

Please visit  www.discoverycenterdcl.com or  Facebook at Discovery Center/Deep Creek Lake State Park for information about the Gala and for on-line ticket sales. 

Alfreid Geis Memorial Woodcock Habitat Demonstration Area Dedicated

The Frederick News Post reports on a recent  ceremony dedicating the Aelred Geis Memorial Woodcock Habitat Demonstration Area at Mount Nebo Wildlife Management Area. The event included a tour that showcased the habitat management techniques that support woodcock and other young forest wildlife.

Mt. Nebo is approximately 3 miles north of Oakland along the west side of MD 219. Access to the area is via parking areas located along Route 219 or Oakland/Sang-run Road. For additional information, contact the Mt. Nebo Wildlife Office at (301) 334-4255 or visit http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/publiclands/western/mtnebo.asp.

Mountain Maryland Art Sale and Tour

This weekend kicks off the 2011 Mountain Maryland Art Sale & Tour, coordinated by the Allegany Arts Council on behalf of the  artists in Western Maryland and nearby West Virginia.

The dates for the 2011 Tour are Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23 and Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30. On all four days of the event, all participating Tour locations will be free and open to the public from 11AM to 5PM.   Visit this dedicated web site for all of the tour details. 

Winter Weather Prediction

Garrett County Weather weighs in with a prediction for the upcoming season. 

Chain Gang in the News

The Chain Gang, a robust group of cyclists based out of Garrett County, is featured here in Delmarva Now.

New Germany State Park to Host Autumn Jubilee Festival

New Germany State Park will host a free fall festival featuring a variety of family-friendly activities including hayrides and a spooky haunted house, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 29.

“There’s nothing like the comfort of an old-fashioned hayride to celebrate the spirit of the season,” said Ranger Crystal McCann of New Germany State Park. “Children will have a great time making corn-husk dolls, exploring the spooky haunted house and showing off their costumes.”

Other activities will include arts and crafts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a children’s costume contest at 1 p.m., and a woodsmen demonstration at 2 p.m. The festival will also feature an “Old-Time Jam” of old-fashioned Appalachian music, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

All events will take place at the New Germany Lake House and Recreation Hall. Tasty treats will be available for purchase from Lakeside Creamery and Archie’s BBQ.

For more information, please contact 301-895-5453 or park-new-germany@dnr.state.md.us

Loretta Hummel Releases Album

Congratulations Loretta Hummel on the release of her new album, "Sweet Spirit Comfort Me". 

Cuts from the album's 11 tracks include, "Garrett County Memories" in which words of imagery evokes reminiscence of the local landscape and pleasant memories. "I Know Jesus Is My Savior", is one of her several songs that share the word of the gospel. This new album reveals some of Hummel's talents: A light bit of yodeling, a Christmas song, and even a soldier's song are included. A tribute to our men in service, "God Bless the Soldiers", has the voice of a soldier's personal plea for God's blessing.

The album CD is available at Mountain City Traditional Arts in Frostburg, at the Kids Corner near Grantsville, or Loretta can be contacted at 301-689-8160. Hummel's music can also be downloaded from iTunes. Hummel has been getting radio play on several stations including WFWM 91.9 in Frostburg, WMSG 1050 AM in Oakland, WVSB 104.1 FM in Romney, and WQZS 93.3 FM in Meyersdale.

Garrett County CARC Grand Opening This Weekend

The long awaited Garrett County Community Aquatic and Recreation Center is holding a Grand Opening Celebration this weekend on Saturday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. 

DC Development Files for Bankruptcy

DC Development, owners of Wisp Resort,  announced their bankruptcy filing on Sunday, as reported in The Baltimore Sun yesterday.  The filing will not affect the opening of the Wisp Resort this season, critical to Garrett County's winter tourism. 

DNR Reminds Citizens Black Bear Activity Increase in the Fall

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds Marylanders that as temperatures cool, black bear feeding increases to prepare for hibernation. During this time, bears may be attracted to human food sources such as trash, pet food and birdfeeders. Bears exploiting human food may lose their natural fear of people which can lead to dangerous encounters and conflicts.

“Keeping trash and pet food in a place where bears can’t get to it is the best way to avoid problems,” said Harry Spiker, DNR’s Game Mammal Section Leader. “A little prevention can go a long way.”

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. Bears in Maryland will begin entering dens in mid-November and most are denned by mid-December. Citizens should delay feeding songbirds until the winter months to avoid attracting bears.

To learn more about Maryland’s black bears, visit dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/blackbear/index.asp or contact a staff person in the Western Region at 301-777-2136 or statewide at 410-260-8540.

Autumn Glory Festival!

Well, it's that time of year again.  For a complete listing of all of the Autumn Glory Festival events, visit www.autumnglory.com. 

October Events at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center

Saturday October 15:                                                                                                                                     
11:00 a.m. Story N’ Craft -Vulture- Join our Park Naturalist for the story ‘Vultures View’. Take part in a craft to take home! The program is $2.00 per child. Appropriate for ages 2-5.

1:00 p.m. Wilderness Survival Hike If you were lost in the woods, would you survive? Join our Park Naturalist for some tips on how to stay safe. Also, learn about what should be included in a Survival Kit.

Sunday October 16                                                              
11:00 a.m. Slithering Snakes Kids of all ages! Slither your way over to the Discovery Center for an afternoon of Snakes! Hear stories, learn interesting facts, participate in a craft, and even get the chance to see and touch these resident reptiles.

1:00 p.m. Avian Encounter Fly over to the new aviary to get up close and personal with our birds of prey. Bring a camera because they will be perched for a great photo opportunity!

                                                                                                                                                     Saturday October 22
11:00 a.m. Amazing Amphibians Come over to the Discovery Center for a hoppin’ good time! Learn about one of the resident frogs or salamanders. Life Cycles, adaptations, and other topics will be discussed.

1:00 p.m. Black Bears and You Take a hike with the Naturalist to discover the life of a Black Bear and see how it revolves around their sense of smell. Dive in, nose first and learn some interesting facts. Appropriate for all ages.

Sunday October 23                                                              
11:00 a.m. Slithering Snakes Kids of all ages! Slither your way over to the Discovery Center for an afternoon of Snakes! Hear stories, learn interesting facts, participate in a craft, and even get the chance to see and touch these resident reptiles.

1:00 p.m. Avian Encounter Fly over to the new aviary to get up close and personal with our birds of prey. Bring a camera because they will be perched for a great photo opportunity!

Saturday October 29
11:00 a.m. Story and Craft -Spiders- Join our Park Naturalist for a Story about Spiders. Participate in a craft about these creepy critters and learn about why they are so important!

1:00 p.m. Going Batty! Join the Park Naturalist for a fun afternoon about Bats. Discover the way they survive through activities and games!

Sunday October 30                                                              
11:00 a.m. Slithering Snakes Kids of all ages! Slither your way over to the Discovery Center for an afternoon of Snakes! Hear stories, learn interesting facts, participate in a craft, and even get the chance to see and touch these resident reptiles.

1:00 p.m. Avian Encounter Fly over to the new aviary to get up close and personal with our birds of prey. Bring a camera because they will be perched for a great photo opportunity!