The Deep Creek Blog

12th Annual MSP/NRP Deep Creek Dunk Set for February 27, 2010

Winter-Time Tradition Expected to Attract as Many as 1,000 Dunkers to Deep Creek Lake for Full Weekend of Fun Benefiting Special Olympics Maryland

Baltimore, MD – Winter weather in Deep Creek Lake can only mean one thing – people all around the state around getting ready for their annual dip into the lake as part of the MSP/NRP Deep Creek Dunk!  The annual charity fundraiser for Special Olympics Maryland is set for Saturday, February 27 and as many as 1,000 Dunkers are expected to take part in the event.  Also back in 2010 is the Friday night “DunkFest” with a bonfire, music and more.

Last year’s 11th Annual MSP/NRP Deep Creek Dunk raised $162,000 with the help of just under 800 Dunkers, with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Maryland and its year-round sports training and competition programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Once again, the fun starts early this year with Friday night’s “DunkFest” featuring the Toast Your Buns Bonfire from 6-10 p.m., live music beginning at 8 p.m., an outdoor pizza party and carnival games for the whole family, and fun drink specials both inside and out.  Plus, those who are Dunking on Saturday can pre-register anytime between 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Friday evening and skip the lines altogether on Saturday.

In order to join the event and take a daring dip into Deep Creek Lake, participants must raise a minimum of $50 in pledges.  For that contribution they will receive a complimentary meal from Uno Chicago Bar & Grill, a commemorative event sweatshirt, a group color photo, and the great feeling of freezing their fur off for a great cause.  Special prizes will also be awarded for the top 3 fundraisers, the top law enforcement fundraiser, the best costume, and the top fundraising team.  Heated changing tents are available on the lawn for both men and women to change in before and after.

Day-of registration begins at noon on Saturday, and the Dunk will take place at 2 p.m.  There is no fee for spectators, and Dunkers of all ages are welcome – though participants under the age of 18 will need signed parental consent.  To register, visit www.dunkmd.com or call 800-541-7544 x503 (MD only) or 410-789-6677 x503 and register through the 24-hour Dunk hotline.

“The Deep Creek Dunk is not just an event – it’s an experience,” said Tom Schniedwind, Exec. VP of Sports Marketing for Special Olympics Maryland.  “There is just an amazing energy throughout the crowd before, during and after the Dunk as people embrace the spirit of fun and craziness that defines the event.  And the best part is that all that positive energy ultimately translates into a better tomorrow for Special Olympics Maryland athletes in all of our communities.”

Dunk-day activities include music by DJ Johnny Rock, great food, a wacky costume contest and a live remote by WKHJ 104.5.  Following the main event, The Black Bear Tavern is hosting the official Post-Dunk Party from 6 p.m. – close, complete with live music.  A suggested $5 donation to Special Olympics Maryland gets you the official Deep Creek Dunk oval sticker and the chance to win great prizes all evening.

The MSP/NRP Deep Creek Dunk, presented by Uno Chicago Bar & Grill and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, is coordinated jointly by the Maryland State Police, Natural Resources Police, Maryland Park Service and several other local law enforcement agencies.  The Dunk –follows its sister event, the MSP Polar Bear Plunge, scheduled for January 24 at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis.

The MSP/NRP Dunk is just the beginning of a full weekend of activities for Special Olympics Maryland, with the annual SOMD Winter Games beginning the following evening, Feb. 28.  Winter Games features competition in alpine skiing, modified alpine, cross-country skiing, and the newest addition, snowshoeing.  Approximately 350 athletes from both Maryland and Delaware will travel to Garrett County for this state-level event.  Things get underway at 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening with the exciting Opening Ceremony featuring a 10-minute fireworks display, followed by a full day of competition on Monday and a half day on Tuesday.  Volunteers are needed and anyone interested should call 410-789-6677 x111 or visit www.somd.org for more information.

The Deep Creek Dunk is made possible by the following sponsors:  Uno’s, and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce – Presenting Sponsors; Wisp Resort – Founding Partner; Comcast, 104.5 WKHJ and 92.3 The Train – Media Partners; Long & Foster Resort Rentals – Official Lodging Partner; Aerotek, Constellation Energy, and the Council of Ravens Roosts – Legacy Partners; Saucy Salamander Catering Company, Sounds Fun Entertainment, Arrowhead Condominium Association, and the American Legion – Dunk Partners.
 

SOMD is a year-round sports organization dedicated to providing quality sports training and competition opportunities to Maryland’s children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or closely related development disabilities.  SOMD currently serves 10,000 athletes statewide, and offers 24 sports, all at no cost to the athletes or their families.  For more information about SOMD visit www.somd.org or call 410-789-6677 x117.

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Register Now for Popular Garrett County Events

The 4th Annual SavageMan Triathlon Registration opened on New Years Day.  The Festival will take place the weekend of September 18-19, 2010.  Registration is limited to only 500 athletes per event, and both the Half and International distances races SOLD OUT in 2009, so do not delay in signing up for 2010.

Register for the upcoming Deep Creek Dunk, taking place on February 27. 

Snowflake Chase 2010

The Snowflake Chase 2010 takes place on Saturday January 16, 2010 at the Deep Creek Lake State Park.  The five mile run and two mile fun run/walk is sponsored by the Garret Lakers Mens Basketball Team and benefits the David K. Martin Legacy.  For more information, visit the Queen City Striders site. 

Ridgeview Valley Photography Show

Ridgeview Valley is hosting a photography show tomorrow from noon until 3:00 pm in the barn.  Six photographers will be exhibiting work as well as offering prints for sale.  Proceeds from this event will benefit Garrett Mentors.  Light refreshments will be served. 

SavageMan 2010 Update and Gifting Ideas

The 2010 SavageMan Triathlon Festival will be held on September 18 and 19, 2010. Registration opens on January 1 at 10am.

Sign up at the early-bird rate and experience what Jay Prasuhn of Triathlete Magazine has called "definitely one of my top 5 favorite races ever!"


2009 SavageMan Photos and Jersey Holiday Sale
 
Looking for the perfect gift for your special SavageMan? For the holidays, "TRI-TO-WIN" Events is offering a discount on all photos purchased from the SavageMan Media Library. Visit the Media Library to learn more about the discount.

A limited number of SavageMan bike jerseys remain available for $95.

Holiday Open House at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center

The Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers are sponsoring a Holiday open house at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center on Saturday December 12th from 10am until 1pm.  Santa will be on hand for family photos.  Make and decorate a nature frame for the picture.  Stop by and enjoy coffee hot chocolate and homemade cookies.  For more information on this or other programs, please call 301-387-7067.      

Chamber Holds Next Business After Hours on December 10 at the Visitors Center

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce will be holding the last Business After Hours networking event at the McHenry Visitors Center on Thursday, December 10 from 6 pm – 8 pm.

Exhibitors include Friend Consulting, Think Outside, Friends of Deep Creek Lake, AXA Advisors, 1st Team, and MTS. Refreshment donations are being provided by Will O' Wisp Resort, Mountain State Brewing, Savage River Lodge, Deep Creek Foodland Fresh Bakery & Deli and McHenry Beverage Shoppe.

“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. “Bring your friends, employees and neighbors to network, socialize and support this terrific event.”

The cost is $6 per person. To register to attend, please RSVP to Charlotte at 301.387.4386 ext. 22 or email charlotte@garrettchamber.com. If you are unable to attend after making a reservation, please be sure to notify Charlotte.

In an effort to allow smaller Chamber member businesses an opportunity for additional participation, the 2010 Business After Hours events will be held at a central location in different communities throughout Garrett County. Following the motto that 'people do business with people they know', whether you have a small office, are home-based, or work out of a business vehicle, Chamber members will now be able to join in as hosts for a Business After Hours just like those with storefronts or meeting rooms have done in the past.

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

OTT Christmas Market on December 5th at St. Peter's Parish Social Hall

On Saturday, December 5th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Our Town Theatre's 3rd Annual Christmas Market will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church Parish Social Hall, as part of Oakland, Maryland’s “A Small Town Christmas.” OTT’s Christmas Market will enable shoppers to support Garrett County artists and contribute toward Our Town Theatre's Backstage, which is the new scenery, costume and prop shop on Center Street in Oakland. Market activities include shopping for handmade gifts, a Christmas Cafe with chili and Fair Trade coffee and tea, Bake Sale, Gift Wrap, and Christmas music and readings.

New artists this year include Laura Stutzman, who will autograph and sell books she has illustrated: “B” is for Blue Crab, an alphabet book of Maryland, and The Happy Prince. Ms. Stutzman will give half-hour presentations at her booth at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to share her experiences with the process of illustrating books and working with a publisher. Artist Robert Yonke will also be selling his acclaimed watercolors and Christmas cards. Deborah Robinette will sell her unique handmade tables, birdhouses and bird feeders from recycled wood, and Marla Sines, of M-DZINES, will sell her natural handmade soaps, candles, flaxseed pacs, and pampered pet products.

Handmade fine stoneware, nature photography and cards, art glass jewelry, ornaments, bottle stoppers; crocheted, hand-knit and felted gifts, animals, and dolls; wooden puzzles, baskets, cutting boards, handmade rugs, silk Christmas flower arrangements and wreaths; sock animals, Gortner folk art, handmade Christmas cards, Amish cookbooks, Fair Trade coffee, tea, and chocolates; and sign-up for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares are some of the gifts shoppers can choose from at OTT’s Christmas Market on December 5th.

Sherry Remley, Celtic harpist, Rick and Margie Jordan on guitar and violin Marci McClive and Ruth Seib of Marsh Mountain Consort, , and Richard Hill, guitarist and singer, are among the local musicians who will play throughout the day on December 5th. Members of Garrett Reading Council will also read holiday children’s books in the afternoon.

Another new booth this year is Angel Photos. One to three angels at a time will be photographed in 15-minute intervals by photographer Angie Sincell. Reservations must be made by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4th, by calling Our Town Theatre at 301-334-5640. Each digital photograph will be $10. Costumes will be those worn in Our Town Theatre’s recent production of Best Christmas Pageant Ever, so they will best fit children ages 5-12.

50/50 raffle tickets will also be sold, and the drawing will be held Saturday at the Christmas Market. The winner will not need to be present. A door prize, from the 50/50 raffle tickets, will be given away every hour. OTT’s board encourages all to come and support local artists and theatre at OTT's Christmas Market. For more information, call OTT at 301-334-5640.

Dance Camp!

Western Maryland Artist Tour

The second and closing weekend of the annual Mountain Maryland Artists Studio Tour is Nov. 14-15. Visitors can stop by the studios of 37 artists in Allegany and Washington counties and the surrounding areas. Hours are 10-5.  Guidebooks are available from the Allegany Arts Council, The Gallery in Oakland and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center.

Dance Camp with Jennifer Christophel

Learn to dance with Jennifer Christophel at "Dance Camp tomorrow night at Wisp Resort.  Enjoy two hours of dance instruction, dinner and two beverages for $70 per couple.  Learn to rhumba, cha cha, and tango from 3-7pm.  Preregistration and prepayment is required.  Call 301-387-7585. 

2009 Mountain Maryland Artists Studio Tour

This weekend is the first of two weekends in the annual Mountain Maryland Artists Studio Tour, coordinated by the Allegany Arts Council.   The event includes thirty-seven participating artists from Allegany, Garrett County and West Virginia.  The Tour will be open from 10AM-5PM over two weekends: Saturday and Sunday, November 7th & 8th and Saturday and Sunday, November 14th & 15th.   A Mountain Maryland  Artists Studio Tour Guidebook can be picked up at the Allegany Arts Council,  the Gallery in Oakland, The Visitor's Center and at any participating artist's gallery.  Artists from Garrett County include Julie Turrentine, Caroline Blizzard and the Four Storm Artists Gallery, Alan Arnson, Sue Arnson, Karl Gargulinski, Ann Jones and Kenny Braitman.

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Our Town Theatre Christmas Market on December 5th

On Saturday, December 5th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Our Town Theatre's 3rd Annual Christmas Market will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church Parish Social Hall, as part of Oakland’s “A Small Town Christmas.” OTT’s Christmas Market will enable shoppers to support Garrett County artists and contribute toward Our Town Theatre's Backstage, which is the new scenery, costume and prop shop on Center Street in Oakland. Market activities include shopping for handmade gifts, a Christmas Cafe with chili and Fair Trade coffee and tea, Bake Sale, Gift Wrap, and Christmas music and readings.

Artist Laura Stutzman will autograph and sell her books B is for Blue Crab, a Maryland alphabet book, and The Happy Prince. Handmade fine stoneware, watercolors, nature photography and cards, art glass jewelry, ornaments, bottle stoppers; crocheted, hand-knit and felted gifts, animals, and dolls; wooden puzzles, baskets, cutting boards; handmade rugs, silk Christmas flower arrangements and wreaths; sock animals, Gortner folk art, handmade Christmas cards, Amish cookbooks, Fair Trade coffee, tea, and chocolates; and Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares are some of the gifts shoppers can choose from at OTT’s Christmas Market on December 5th.

Marci McClive of Marsh Mountain Consort, Celtic harpist Sherry Remley, Rick and Margie Jordan on guitar and violin, and Richard Hill, guitarist and singer, are among the local musicians who will play throughout the day on December 5th. OTT’s board encourages all to come and support local artists and theatre at OTT”s Christmas Market. Garrett Reading Council members will read holiday stories for young shoppers periodically as well. For more information, call OTT at 301-334-5640.
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Garrett County Thrilled the World

On Saturday October 25th, Brenda Brosnihan of Brenda's Body Shop led a group of zombies and ghouls through a performance of Michael Jackson's Thriller dance to raise money for the House of Hope.  That they did, as they raised over $30,000 while they participated in the event as it occurred simultaneously in forty countries that night.  Kam Gillespie of Haley Farm blogged about it last week and also shared this video link. 

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. ________________________________________________________________________________________