The Deep Creek Blog

Friends of Deep Creek Lake Holding Community Forum on State of the Watershed

Below is a press released received today from the Friends of Deep Creek Lake. Given the recent sewage spill and the fish kill, this is a timely meeting. 

Friends of Deep Creek Lake will be hosting a major community forum on the State of the Watershed on Saturday, August 7 from 9 to 11 am at the Garrett 8 Cinemas.

Our goal is to provide to the community an overview of research and water monitoring which has taken place in the lake and tributaries so we all have a better understanding of the conditions of our wonderful watershed. 

Dr. Kelsey from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science will provide the big picture view of the lake and tributaries drawing from existing research.  Lee Karrh from DNR will talk about submerged aquatic vegetation mapping taking place this year.  Tony Allred from Maryland Department of Environment will be released the Total Maximum Daily Load report on phosphorous impairment in the lake.

We will have an update on the current fish kill from the hard working MDE and  DNR staff on the scene.

This forum is underwritten in part from a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and co-sponsored by EcoCheck, NOAA, Youghiogheny River Watershed Association and the Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Association. 

We will allow plenty of time for questions and answers and supplemental information will be available.

 

Allegheny Highlands Conservancy Presents Marcellus Shale Webinar

The Allegheny Highlands Conservancy (AHC) will hold their regular board meeting on Wednesday, July 21st at 7:00 pm in the CAOS building at Garrett College.
 
They will be viewing a webinar presented by Margaret Brittingham, Professor of Wildlife Resources and Extension Wildlife Specialist, at Penn State University.  This webinar which was originally broadcast on 3-18-09 is titled "Above the Marcellus Shale - Minimizing Impacts to Forests and Wildlife".

This is one of a series of webinars offered by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Cooperative Extension.  The webinars cover a variety of topics ranging from local government's role in gas exploration to the effects of deep-well drilling methods on water supplies.  The series is targeted at extension educators, federal and state agency representatives, and interested citizens.  For more information about this and other Marcellus Shale webinars visit http://naturalgas.extension.psu.edu/webinars.htm.  The public is welcome to attend. 
 

Budget Travel Names Deep Creek Lake One of the Top Summer Lake Towns

Deep Creek Lake and the town of Oakland in Garrett County, Maryland has been selected by Budget Travel as one of America’s Top Summer Lake Towns of 2010.
 
“We are thrilled that Budget Travel has chosen Deep Creek Lake and Oakland for this honor,” said Joyce Bishoff, Interim President of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “As one of only eight towns selected in the country, we are honored to be included in this prestigious national listing.”
 
The article notes area eateries, lodging, marina offerings, state park activities and the Garrett County Historical Society along with photographs of Deep Creek Lake and downtown Oakland.  Deep Creek Lake/Oakland is the only town selected from the Mid-Atlantic region and one of only two towns selected on the east coast.
 
For more information about Deep Creek Lake, Oakland, Garrett County, Maryland and to see the full Budget Travel article, please head to visitdeepcreek.com.
 

Savage River Lodge Recommended in "10 Short Trips"

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette lists the Savage River Lodge in "10 short trips from Pittsburgh for the long summer". 

Hugh Umbel Companies Sponsoring the July 4th Fire on the Mountain Fireworks

Hugh Umbel Companies is the Major Sponsor of the 2010 Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display on July 4th. Hugh Umbel companies include Bear Creek Traders, Deep Creek Foodland Fresh, Legacy Home Corp., McHenry Beverage Shoppe and Perkins Restaurant & Bakery.

“I would like to thank Hugh Umbel Companies for their continued sponsorship of the Fire on the Mountain Fireworks display,” said Joyce Bishoff, Interim President of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “We could not put on such a fabulous show without the support of Hugh Umbel Companies and our other generous fireworks sponsors. We are looking forward to a terrific fireworks show!”
For more information about the 4th of July Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display, please stop by www.visitdeepcreek.com, call 301-387-4386 or email info@garrettchamber.com. 

 

Red Cross Encourages Donors to be a Lifesaver this Summer

During June, July and August, each month’s presenting donors in the Greater Alleghenies Regio to be entered in a monthly drawing for a $5,000 vacation of their choice
 
In the summer, a baseball coach balances his busy work schedule while still making time to donate blood after the big game. A physical therapist works to better patient lives every day and helps save them by donating blood every eight weeks.
 
What many don’t realize is that during the busy summer season, blood donations often decline due to vacations and summer activities, while the need for blood remains constant. That’s why the American Red Cross is telling individuals that no matter what your occupation, “You Can Be a Lifesaver This Summer. Donate Blood.”
 
By donating early in the season, blood donors can donate two or more times during the summer months, helping ensure blood is available for patients throughout this critical time.
 
And, when individuals present to donate blood or platelets in the 100-county Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region during June, July or August they are automatically entered in that month’s drawing for a $5,000 vacation of their choice, announced John Hagins, CEO.
 
“For people who help to save lives every day through blood donation, we offer something you don’t see every day – a chance to win a dream vacation for up to four people to a destination of their choosing.”
 
One winner will be drawn from among presenting donors in the local blood region each month during June, July and August; drawing participants must also be at least 18 years of age or older, in compliance with state regulations. For complete drawing rules, visit www.redcrossblood.org/greateralleghenies.  
 
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The Greater Alleghenies Region provides lifesaving blood to patients in 97 hospitals. Nearly 1,000 people need to give blood or platelets each week day to meet hospital demand.
 
The Red Cross encourages people who are in good health to donate so that hospital patients have the blood or platelets they need to make a full recovery. Blood is needed to help treat a variety of patients including accident victims and individuals undergoing surgery and cancer treatment.
 
Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
 
Those with specific eligibility questions should call the Red Cross Donor Client Support Center at  1-866-236-3276. Many donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days.
 
Call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to learn more about giving blood or platelets or to schedule an appointment to donate.
 
Platelet donations must be scheduled in advance. For appointments at the Altoona, Beaver, Greensburg, Johnstown and State College donor centers, call 1-800-542-5663, ext. 2633, 2637 or 2657.
  
Individuals may also follow the Red Cross on Twitter: www.twitter.com/redcrossGAR.
 
The Greater Alleghenies Region directly serves hospitals, patients and donors in a 100-county area in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, with more than five-dozen blood products and related services, and also supports blood needs experienced by patients elsewhere in hospitals served through Red Cross Blood Services.

Farmers Market Starts Tomorrow

The Mountain Fresh Farmers Market starts tomorrow.   Look for asparagus, greens, green onions, home baked goods, crafts and more this week.   For more information visit www.mountainfresh.org.

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
 

Marcellus Shale Workshop May 26th

 

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Cumberland Committee are co-sponsoring a workshop on Marcellus Shale: Natural Gas Extraction - Understanding the Water Allocations Permitting Process on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at Frostburg State University. The speaker is Tom Beauduy, Deputy Director & Chief Counsel of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and topics will include process and policies developed by SRBC in approaching natural gas extraction from the Marcellus Shale.

The workshop is open to all landowners, business people, elected officials, agency representatives, media and the academic community. Registration is $20, with lunch included. Registration is from 10 am - 10:30 am, the program runs from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. The workshop will be held at 226 Compton Science Center at Frostburg State University. Seating is limited. Please RSVP to Linda Steele, lsteele@frostburg.edu or 301.687.4137.

Group Petitions to Extend Normal Water Levels at Deep Creek Lake

Mike Kennedy at Railey Realty posts about an online petition to extend normal water levels at Deep Creek Lake in the boating season. 

Savage River Lodge Guest Bartender Donating Tips to Benefit Animals in Mountain Maryland

Coleen Peterson, Executive Director of The Greater Cumberland Committee will be the Guest Bartender at Savage River Lodgeon Saturday, May 15, 2010.  She will be raising money by donating her tips to the Allegany County Animal Shelter Management Foundation, and HART for Animals.
 
HART for Animals, Inc. in Garrett County has been rescuing over 500 homeless animals per year since 2003, through a network of volunteers and rescue groups.  The number of animals grows monthly, exceeding the County’s facilities and budget.  For a lasting solution, HART has launched its “Build a Home Campaign’ to build an Adoption Center with private donations.  For more information visit their website at www.hartforanimals.org
 
The Allegany County Animal Shelter Management Foundation was created to assist the work of the Allegany County Animal Shelter in helping those who can’t help themselves.  The Foundation’s goal is for each healthy shelter animal to find a loving home and to educate members of the community on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets.  For more information visit their website at www.alleganycountyshelter.com
 
Savage River Lodge is dedicated to helping the community through a variety of fund raising events throughout the year for local non-profit organizations.
 
Come out and support our animals in need while having a great evening.  Colleen will be bartending from 4:00 – 8:00 pm on Saturday, May 15.  She will be working for tips and any additional donations will be appreciated.
 
For more information, contact the Savage River Lodge at 301-689-3200, info@savageriverlodge.comor visit www.savageriverlodge.com.

New Regulations for Children on MD Waterways

Governor Martin O’Malley today signed a bill into law to strengthen protection of children on Maryland waterways. Under the new law, effective immediately, any child under the age of 13 is required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while aboard a vessel that is underway. The law will also require children under the age of 16 to possess a certificate of boating safety education before they can operate a vessel unless they are supervised by an adult or someone 16 or older who has a boating safety certificate, effective Oct. 1.

Formerly, any child under the age of seven had to wear a PFD on a recreational boat 21 feet or smaller, unless the boat is moored or anchored or the child is below deck in an enclosed cabin.

The State averages 12 boating related fatalities a year. In 2009, Maryland had 17 boating related fatalities;16 of the victims were not wearing PFDs. 

Raising the age requirement puts Maryland in line with federal regulations and 34 states, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Washington, DC. The federal regulations do not supersede the state, but the National Transportation Safety Board strongly encourages states to update their PFD requirements.

Existing Maryland law requires that anyone born on or after July 1, 1972 must have a Certificate of Boating Safety Education in order to operate a mechanically propelled vessel on Maryland waters. NRP offers both in-person and on-line boating safety courses to receive that certificate. For more information go to http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/safety/basiccourse.html


The full bill can be viewed at http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/bills/sb/sb0092t.pdf

Garrett Chamber Holds "Appreciation Marketing" Brown Bag Lunch on April 20

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce will be holding a Brown Bag Lunch on Appreciation Marketing on April 20 in the Chamber conference room. Bring your lunch to this 12 pm – 1 pm meeting while you learn how you can make your guests feel appreciated.
 
What sets you apart from your competition? Who do you do business with and why? It’s time to reinvent yourself! Deep Creek Blog’s Becky Sciullo and Paula Yudelevit of MarketWorks LLC will present “Appreciation Marketing – Achieving Greatness through Gratitude,” a presentation on the art of appreciating your clients and customers, friends, family, and acquaintances, followed by a demonstration of Send Out Cards, an appreciation marketing product that will allow you to take professional and personal relationships to the next level.
 
To RSVP, please contact Charlotte at the Chamber at 301.387.4386 ext. 22 or charlotte@garrettchamber.com by April 19th.
 

2010 Autumn Glory King & Queen Applications Due April 30, 2010

Applications for the 2010 Autumn Glory King & Queen are currently available at both Northern and Southern High Schools.
 
Students may pick up an Autumn Glory application in the Main Office of both schools.  Along with the application, students are required to submit a 300 word essay detailing why he or she should be selected as the 2010 Autumn Glory King or Queen. If selected, the Autumn Glory King & Queen must be able to attend the following events: The Buckwheat Festival Parade and from October 2: the Autumn Glory Kick-off Dinner Rehearsal on Oct. 4 , Kick-Off Dinner on Oct. 6, Fireman’s Parade on Oct. 7, Banjo Championship on Oct. 8, Breakfast at Towne Restaurant on Oct. 9, Parade on Oct. 9, Fiddle Contest on Oct. 9, Craft and Car Shows on Oct. 10, Sundae Eating Contest on Oct. 10 and various other events as needed.
 
Applicants must currently be Garrett County high school juniors who will be entering their senior year in the fall of 2010. Two applicants will be chosen and each will receive a $250 educational contribution. Completed applications must be submitted by April 30, 2009.
 
For further information about the Autumn Glory King & Queen, please contact Katie Kimmel at the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce at 301.387.4386 ext. 10 or katie@garrettchamber.com. For more information about Autumn Glory, please visit www.autumngloryfestival.com
 

Garrett Chamber Announces 2010 Young Enterpreneur and Over the Top Customer Service Award Winners

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce awarded the 2010 Young Entrepreneur award to Jodi Refosco of Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations and the 2010 “Over the Top” Customer Service award to Parker Jacobs of the Aquatic Center at the Chamber’s annual Membership Forum on April 8 at Will O’the Wisp.

“Over the Top” Customer Service award nominees must be a person or a business who exemplifies high standards giving priority attention to every customer, client, or guest. The nominated business’s focus must be first and foremost service to the customer and have a policy in place that demonstrates that attitude. If employees are involved in that business, all employees must demonstrate the customer service attitude through training and/or incentives, and there must be a policy of customer care and service through objectives and strategies that can be demonstrated, particularly in how this has driven business growth.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year nominees must be between the ages of 21 and 40 during the calendar year of the award presentation, an owner or partner in a business located in Garrett County at least 1 year old (12 months), and must demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, growth potential, current success and drive in the business and their community.

Garrett County Chamber of Commerce members attended the annual Chamber Membership Forum and Luncheon from 9 am - 2 pm on Thursday, April 8th at Will O'the Wisp. The theme of the forum was Together - Working on the Vision. The forum included a State of the Chamber presentation and a Board visioning discussion before breaking into sessions regarding Tourism Education, Economic Development and Business Support Services.