The Deep Creek Blog

Commissioners Schedule Second Land Use Management Ordinance Work Session

The Board of Garrett County Commissioners will conduct an administrative work session on Tuesday March 13 beginning at 9:00 AM. Certain agenda points will be held in executive session. At 1:30 the Board will conduct the second work session relative to the draft Garrett County Government Land Use Management Ordinance. John Nelson, Director of the Department of Planning and Land Development will be in attendance to facilitate this review.

The public is welcome to attend this session and listen to this discussion. Questions on this matter should be address to Monty Pagenhardt, County Administrator.

Historic Barns of Maryland

Maryland Public Television will air a special on "Historic Barns of Maryland" this Wednesday February 29 at 8pm.  The special will include a segment on Garrett County Barn Quilts.  You might recognize some familiar faces and/or places in this preview below. 

 

Below is a picture I took of "Snail's Trail" on Bittinger Road this past summer. 

 

 

Chamber Hosts Next Business After Hours at Railey Mountain Lake Vacation Property

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Railey Mountain Lake Vacations will be hosting the next Business After Hours at the Herrington House on March 7th from 6 pm – 8 pm.  Enjoy delicious food and drink as you mingle with Chamber members and Chamber staff at this monthly networking event. It is a great opportunity to meet new members and generate new contacts. Don’t forget your business card to enter to win prizes.

With 17,000 sq. ft., the Herrington House will make you feel as if you were living in a castle and is ideal for large groups, retreats, events and more. From the circular driveway, beautiful estate, and 11 acre lake, to the grand entryway, ballroom, and elaborate pool room - this is a must see!

The cost is $6.00 for members paid in advance and $10 for non-members and members paying at the door. Please RSVP by March 5th to charlotte@garrettchamber.com or call 301.387.6171.

GLAF Updates

Some news from GLAF includes a new website at www.artsandentertainment.org and season ticket discounts have been extended until April 1, 2012.  Also, this weekend, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is performing at The Creative Arts Center, WVU Evansdale Campus in Morgantown.  GLAF has discounted tickets available for their patrons.  Visits GLAF's  Events page for more information. 

 

Winterfest 2012

This weekend is Winterfest 2012 in Oakland, Maryland.  Visit the official site for event details. 

Gardener's Critical Role in Maintaining Biodiversity at MNPS

The Western Mountains Chapter of the Maryland Native Plant Society will hold its regular meeting at the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg on Tuesday February 21st  at 7:00 pm. The guest speaker will be Liz McDowell, local native plant enthusiast. McDowell’s presentation titled “Going Native In Your Backyard” will begin immediately following a brief business meeting. The public is welcome to attend.

Switching to native plants and using conservation landscaping techniques is crucial to the long term health of the environment. As habitat is lost and exotic species invade the most wild and rural areas of our region, gardeners can play a key role in maintaining regional biodiversity. Many native alternatives to the exotic invasive plants commonly used for landscaping in our region will be highlighted. Discover the connection between native plants, wildlife and people. Enhance and preserve regional biodiversity by simply 'going native'. 

Liz McDowell has over 30 years of experience in education and the environment. She earned her MS in Wildlife Management at the Appalachian Laboratory at Frostburg University in 1983. Liz's varied career has included park naturalist and resource biologist for the MD Department of Natural Resources, environmental specialist for the MD Department of the Environment, science teacher at Northern Garrett High School and owner-operator of a native plant nursery. She currently coordinates the Western Mountains Chapter of the Maryland Native Plant Society, serves on the boards of the Allegheny Highlands Conservancy and Savage River Watershed Association, and assists with the Frostburg University Arboretum Task Force. In her spare time, Liz along with her husband, Ron Boyer, manage a demonstration wildlife habitat garden at their private Elk Ridge Native Plant Preserve.  

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.  

 

Snow!

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at GLAF - Date Change

There has been a date correction for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's GLAF performance this summer.  The date has been changed to Friday July 13th, 2012 at Wisp Resort. 

Mild Winter Weather Allows for Early Trout Stocking

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has begun spring stocking, releasing the first of approximately 326,000 rainbow and brown trout into freshwaters throughout the State.  For trout stocking information and updates, contact the DNR trout hotline at (800) 688-3467. The stocking schedule and maps to stocked and special trout management waters are available at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/stocking.

Anglers may also pick up the updated (green) Spring Stocking Schedule charts at DNR Service Centers and tackle shops across the State.Some stocked streams and ponds are reserved for delayed harvest to sustain quality angling between stocking periods and through late spring.

Please note that the Put-and-Take closure dates for certain areas are incorrect in the published 2012 Maryland Fishing Guide.The correct dates are:
Closure Area 1: 10:00 p.m., March 11 to 5:30 a.m., March 31
Closure Area 2: 10:00 p.m., March 25 to 5:30 a.m., March 31
Closure Area 3: 10:00 p.m., April 15 to 5:30 a.m., April 21
Closure Area 4: 10:00 p.m., April 22 to 5:30 a.m., April 28

In order to protect our fish populations and keep their habitat healthy, DNR reminds anglers to clean and dry their gear between streams and outings. Field and laboratory research has confirmed that the felt used for waders is an ideal medium for collecting and transporting microscopic invasive species or fish disease. A good scrubbing with dish soap or a five percent salt solution is an easy way to prevent the spread of invaders such as didymo and whirling disease. Convenient wader wash stations are available at several key wild trout areas including the Gunpowder River, Savage River, the North Branch of the Potomac (Barnum area), and Big Hunting Creek. Anglers should also know that felt soles are prohibited in all Maryland waters and first offense fine is $125.00.

DNR invites everyone to follow Fisheries Service news through Facebook at facebook.com/MDDNRFisheriesService and through Twitter @MDDNRFISH.To subscribe to the DNR Fisheries email lists, visit dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/emailcontact.asp.

Military Family Films Reality Travel Show at Deep Creek Lake

A Washington DC area military family was chosen to film their vacation experience on a new travel television show, Getting Away Together.

Michael Piet, from Arlington Va, entered his family and friends’ story to win the Dream Vacation contest at Deep Creek Lake and the opportunity to share their trip on an episode of the new PBS show Getting Away Together. The series has begun to air in select cities across the country. 

Each episode features a different group of travelers at vacation destinations across the country. The Deep Creek Lake episode features the Piet family who is usually scattered across the globe on military deployment and work for the Foreign Service. Michael Piet, an Afghan War veteran and his wife, a US Naval Academy graduate and Marine, have served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. The family has served the country for over 30 years all over the world making this a rare opportunity for them to come together. Michael, who became familiar with the area while participating in the annual Savage Man Triathlon, submitted his entry in honor of his wife and to give the family a vacation where they could get together one last time before Michael and his wife relocate overseas.

The show filmed the Piet family as they enjoyed a weeklong vacation at the lake,  where they stayed in a rental property provided by Railey Mountain Lake Vacations. 

Getting Away Together is being filmed exclusively for PBS member stations. For more information on the series, visit www.gettingawaytogether.com

Here's a great preview. 

 

Garrett County Commisioners Reschedule Land Management Work Session

The Garrett County land use management ordinance work session originally planned for Tuesday February 7 at 11:00 AM will be rescheduled for Tuesday February 14 at 1:30 PM. The public is welcome to attend and listen to the review of the draft ordinance. Questions should be addressed to John Nelson, Director, Department of Planning and Land Development or Monty Pagenhardt, County Administrator.

Tom Wallisch Wins Gold at Winter X Games

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review has an article on  Tom Wallisch and his recent Gold at the Winter X Games.   Wallisch is a native of Pittsburgh and started out at Wisp as a kid.   If you missed it, here's a video from the event. 

 

The Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center - February Events

Saturday, February 4

11.00 a.m. Hoot of a Time Come down to the Discovery room to learn cool facts and meet one of the owls that live at the Center!

1:30 p.m. Turtle Talk Come learn about the different species of turtles found in Garrett County.  Explore the shell from the inside out and get the chance to touch these resident critters!

Sunday, February 5   

11.00 a.m. Critter Feeding!  Join the Naturalist as we feed the critters who live in the Discovery Center! Learn cool facts and find out what they eat in the wild!  

1:30 p.m. Wildlife Investigation This self guided program allows you to become a detective for the nature world.  Open your eyes and see the clues left behind by nature.  Can you tell the difference between the details and solve the puzzle? 

Saturday, February 11 11:00 a.m. Turtle Talk Come learn about the different species of turtles found in Garrett  county.  Explore the shell from the inside out and get the chance to touch these resident critters!

All Day Scavenger Hunt!   

Sunday, February 12 11.00 a.m. Critter Feeding!  Join the Naturalist as we feed the critters who live in the Discovery Center! Learn cool facts and find out what they eat in the wild!     

1:30 p.m. Wildlife Investigation This self guided program allows you to become a detective for the nature world.  Open your eyes and see the clues left behind by nature.  Can you tell the difference between the details and solve the puzzle?

Saturday, February 18 Wildlife Investigation This self guided program allows you to become a detective for the nature world.  Open your eyes and see the clues left behind by nature.  Can you tell the difference between the details and solve the puzzle?

Scavenger Hunt!   

Sunday, February 19   Aviary Encounter Come to the aviary to get up close and personal with our birds of prey. Learn some interesting facts and hear stories. Bring a camera because they will be perched for a great photo opportunity!

Scavenger Hunt! See the front desk to complete an indoor scavenger hunt and win a prize!       
Saturday, February 25 11:00 a.m. Lake Critters Lean about the animals that call Deep Creek Lake their home and discover the importance of watersheds.  Make a fish print to take home!

1:30 p.m. Critter Feeding!  Join the Naturalist as we feed the critters who live in the Discovery Center! Learn cool facts and find out what they eat in the wild

Sunday, February 26   Aviary Encounter Come to the aviary to get up close and personal with our birds of prey. Learn some interesting facts and hear stories. Bring a camera because they will be perched for a great photo opportunity!

Scavenger Hunt! See the front desk to complete an indoor scavenger hunt and win a prize!