The Deep Creek Blog

Friends Store at Sang Run to Open Memorial Day Weekend

The Historic Friends Store will reopen for the summer season beginning Saturday May 29th.
 
The Maryland Park Service acquired the 81 acre property in 2008.  “We have been working hard to reopen the store as an Appalachian heritage showcase for the area” according to Ranger Caroline Blizzard.  The store will be replicated as closely as possible to keep its historic nature and place in the community.  We hope to bring to life through interpretive programming the traditions of Garrett County.  Programming of this nature will help insure that our heritage is preserved and passed on to the next generation.  Topics of interest will include gardening, native plant uses, and musical and craft traditions. Nature study such as bird walks, reptile programs, Jr. Rangers and hikes are also slated.
 
The store will also serve as a point of contact for river activity by rafters and tubers.
 
The Friends Delight shelter, now open to public use through reservations, and the Friend’s Store are great additions to our park. Our staff has worked hard to find ways to showcase this wonderful new addition to the Maryland Park Service. So stop by and see us or become a volunteer.  The store will be open Saturday, Sunday and Monday’s through the summer.
 
For more information call 301-387-7067
 

Discover the Cumberland Road Project

 "In Search of the Lost Highway" is a newsletter and blog for The Cumberland Road Project.  If you love history, then you'll enjoy Steve Colby's website.  Next year marks the 200th Anniversary of the start of the construction of the National Road, which was the motivation behind Colby's project.  He is documenting the history of the Road and towns, businesses and people of the road from 1811 to the 1950s. If you have traveled the road for some time, you have to agree that it is a special and unique historical treasure that is worthy of attention. 

Open House at Friend's Store

Deep Creek Lake State Park is hosting an Open House at the historic Friend’s Store on Sang Run Road, October 3rd from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.  Bring your friends and family to see what has been done to restore and preserve the history of Friend’s Store in the Sang Run area.  Park staff and Volunteer groups have been working hard to prepare for the re-opening of the store in the Spring of 2010. 

At 8:00 am Birding at Sang Run will be offered by Connie Skipper, one of Garrett County’s most avid birders.  Bring your binoculars and discover local breeding birds.   Learn how to bird by ear and listen for distinctive songs. Meet Connie at the Sang Run kayak put-in parking lot, just past the Store. 

All day long people can enjoy Monarch Butterfly tagging, hay rides, pumpkin carving, basket weaving demonstrations, Historical talks about the grounds and building and much more.   From 12:30 – 3:00 pm, there will be demonstrations of Apple cider pressing and tasting.  For more information on this event and others offered, please call the Discovery Center, open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, 301-387-7067.

Pictured above is "Friend's Store" by Robert Yonke. 

______________________________________________________________________________________

New Additions to the Springs Museum

The Springs Museum in Springs, PA showcases history, folklore and tradition from the Casselman Valley area.  Recent acquisitions  from the Jacob J. Otto family are highlighted this week in the Cumberland Times-News. 

________________________________________________________________________________________

Johnny's Baithouse Memorabilia up for Auction

The world's largest fishing bobber and the World's Longest Rod, collectibles that used to hang in Johnny's Baithouse, are up for auction on February 7th at Gateway Gallery in Chambersburg.  It's a live auction, but online absentee bidding will also take place.   How cool would it be to have these hanging in your lake house?  Read more in Public Opinion Online.   Photo courtesy of Gateway Gallery. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Edison, Ford and Firestone History Continues

If you're following the Times-News series about Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone's adventures in Western Maryland, the latest article is now available at http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_337082939.html.  ________________________________________________________________________________________

Albert Einstein at Deep Creek Lake

The Times-News provides some more Garrett County history in Einstein Visits Deep Creek Lake for Secret Vacation. 

According to the article, Einstein enjoyed the same feeling of rest and relaxation while visiting the area.  He particularly enjoyed sailing around Turkey Neck and evidence of his visit can also be found at the Yacht Club. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"Famous Travelers" Provides Interesting History

Francis Champ Zumbrun's "Famous Travelers" in the Times-News provides a good start to learning about the historical travels of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone through Allegany and Garrett Counties in 1921.  _________________________________________________________________________________

"Working on a Building"

The Times-News has an article about today's gospel music benefit for the restoration of Mount Beulah New Germany United Methodist Church on Twin Churches Road.  Below is the painting Country Church that Robert Yonke painted of the church.  Prints will be raffled off to benefit the cause as well. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Henry Gassaway Davis

Frederick Rasmussen in The Baltimore Sun provides some interesting history on Henry G. Davis, a political figure who had ties to Garrett County, in Oldest Running Mate Ever Had MD Roots. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grantsville Home Featured in The Baltimore Sun

Cindy Stacy has a special feature story in The Baltimore Sun today about a vintage Harvey Gortner home located in Grantsville. 

________________________________________________________________________________________

Old Bridges

Mike Kennedy of Railey Realty has a post up about the old bridges of Deep Creek Lake and some other history.  Pictured below is Glendale Crossing from Robert Yonke.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Country and Gospel Music Gathering to Benefit Mt. Beulah Methodist Church

“Working On A Building”  - a Country and Gospel Music Gathering will be held on Saturday July 19, 2008 from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm at Trinity United Church of Christ on Twin Churches Road in New Germany. The event will benefit the Historic Mt. Beulah Methodist Church Restoration Fund.  Enjoy "Good Old Mountain Music by a Good Old Mountain Band" all day.  Lunch will be available.  There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome and appreciated.  For more information, call (301) 895-5735. 

________________________________________________________________________________________

Our Mountains

Geography and geology buffs will enjoy this article by Paul Wiegman about the Allegheny Mountains. 

________________________________________________________________________________________

Maryland National Road in National Geographic Traveler Magazine

National Geographic Traveler Magazine's Appalachian Driving Tours Map lists Garrett County's Casselman River Bridge as one of the Points of Interest.  You can view the Western Maryland component of the map here. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________