The Deep Creek Blog

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.

Adventure Sports Center International Defaults

ASCI announced that it has defaulted on loan payments and change of ownership may be in the works.   The Center will reportedly remain open. 

MD to Survey Public on Elk Reintroduction

The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation (MLSF), the Maryland DNR  and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation announced plans to conduct an extensive public opinion survey to determine the viability of elk reintroduction to Western Maryland.
Elk once roamed Maryland, but have been absent since the 1700s.Social, cultural and economic questions will dominate the survey, which is scheduled to begin in February and conclude with a final report and analysis in April.

The survey will reach a sample of residents across Maryland with a focus on residents of Western Maryland. Consensus from DNR’s experts and impacted stakeholders will be necessary for the final decision.“We are pleased to announce this important step toward evaluating elk reintroduction in Western Maryland,” said MLSF Chairman David Sutherland.The MLSF signed a contract with Responsive Management, a professional survey firm that specializes in public opinion and attitude surveys on wildlife management issues. The RMEF will underwrite the survey through a MLSF grant. DNR will assist with the technical review of the survey instrument and the final report.“We recognize the need to ensure a scientific review of public opinion on this extraordinary and important question,” said David Allen, President and CEO of the RMEF. “Restoring elk requires a supportive community. We are pleased to be a key partner to that end.”

Local Business Owner Runs Event for American Girl

Jennifer Christophel recently produced and directed a special event for the American Girl Company at their Tyson's Corner store in  on January 1st and 2nd, to help debut the new 2012 American Girl doll. Jennifer presented a gymnastics team from Cumberland Gymnastics and Cheer to perform as part of the event. This is Jennifer's second opportunity to debut an American Girl doll. Jennifer previously produced and directed a similar event in September, in honor of the new 2011 historical dolls, "Marie Grace and Cecil". For the September event, Jennifer brought some of her students from the Dancing Classrooms Western Maryland Youth Dance Company to demonstrate ballroom dancing. Jennifer Christophel owns the Balanced Body Studio in McHenry and Cumberland, MD and is the founder and director of Dancing Classrooms Western Maryland.

Cardin Visit FireFly Farms

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin visited the FireFly Farms Creamery and Market in Accident on Friday to tour the new award-winning goat cheese production facility and to congratulate them on their success.  Since 2010, FireFly Farms has increased employment by 80 percent company-wide.  Senator Cardin also met with members of the Garrett County Commission.

FireFly Farms is a privately owned company dedicated to the art of cheese making.  The business began in 2002 in Bittinger and recently opened its new facility in Accident.  Its artisanal cheeses are made according to time-honored tradition; and each piece is produced and ripened with handmade care. 

FireFly Farms Creamery cheeses have received many awards for its cheeses. Among its most recent awards are: In 2011, First Place Ribbon from the American Dairy Association for its Mountain Top Bleu (aged goat blue cheese), which was also named by Saveur magazine as one of its editor’s favorite 50 American cheeses in 2005.  Mountain Top Bleu also received a Gold Medal at the 2010 World Cheese Awards and was selected as America’s top goat’s milk blue cheese at the American Cheese Society Conference. FireFly’s Bella Vita was one of only two cheeses from the United States to receive Super Gold recognition at the 2010 World Cheese Awards. 

Garrett County Releases Statement on Possible Land Use Policy

The Garrett County Commissioners released a statement last week regarding a possible land use policy.

 

DNR Invites Wildlife Artists to Enter 16th Annual Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites artists to submit their original artwork for the 16th Annual Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest. Both Maryland residents and non-residents may enter now through Friday, March 16, 2012.

“The proceeds from the sale of the Black Bear Stamp and other related products are used to compensate farmers in Maryland who experience agricultural damage caused by black bears,” said Patricia Allen, Information & Education program manager for DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service.

All entries must be original, previously unreleased artwork. Each contestant may submit one entry for a non-refundable $10 entry fee. Contest entries will be judged on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at the Patuxent National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, Md., in conjunction with the 23rd Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show.For complete contest rules and entry forms visit dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/StampContests/BlackBear/ContestBrochure.pdf, email Patricia Allen at pallen@dnr.state.md.us or call 410-260-8537.

 

Savage River Lodge on Going Green

The Savage River Lodge, winner of the MD Office of Tourism's 2011 Green/Sustainable Tourism Award, shares on "going green" in Maryland Life. 

Burglaries at Deep Creek Lake

From the Garrett County Crime Solvers Web Site:

The Garrett County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on a series of burglaries that have been occurring at homes around Deep Creek Lake. Most of these are rental homes and are located around Deep Creek Lake. Burglars are typically stealing flat screen televisions and other related electronic entertainment equipment. 

Anyone with information regarding these thefts is urged to leave a tip at this site or, if phone contact is necessary, call the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office at 301-334-1911. Calls can remain anonymous. 
Anyone with information that leads to the arrest of the individuals and/or recovery of the stolen property may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.00. Not all tips are eligible for compensation.
The reward is being offered through crime solvers by Railey Mountain Lake Vacations Rentals.
When leaving a tip, please be as detailed oriented as possible and check back to the site frequently to see if your tip was eligible for reward. Don''''t forget to document your Crime ID # and Pass Code. Tips that are authorized and not responded to by the tipster within 30

Wisp Resort Slated to Open This Weekend

 Wisp Resort is slated to open this weekend.  The Wisp Resort Lift Status and Grooming Page will keep you in the know on conditions at the resort. 

Dancing Classrooms at Grantsville Elementary School

Dancing Classrooms Western Maryland is currently conducting the Dancing Classrooms program for all the 5th grade students at Garrett County's Grantsville Elementary School. The program is being taught by Teaching Artist and Executive Director, Jennifer Christophel. The 10 week, 20 session program will conclude with a Culminating Event will be held the first part of February and will showcase all the ballroom and latin dances, social skills, and character development the students learned throughout the session. This is the first year that Grantsville Elementary School has hosted the Dancing Classrooms program.

Arts Council Seeks Creative Writing and Artists for "Ginseng"

The Garrett County Arts Council is seeking submissions for the 2012 edition of Ginseng, the council’s literary journal.  Writers of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction or plays who reside in the Garrett County area and members of the Arts Council are eligible for consideration.

Any written genre or combination of genres will be accepted with a maximum of eight pages or 2,500 words per author.  All entries must comply with the established guidelines and have accompanying information in order to be reviewed for publication.  Entries must be previously unpublished, original works by the submitting authors.  Details are available through the GCAC office.

In addition to the written entries, local visual artists are encouraged to submit photographs, drawings or prints for the cover and content of the book. Entries for both will be accepted from now through December 30, 2011.  

To receive a copy of submission guidelines or for more information, contact the Garrett County Arts Council at 301-334-6580 or stop into The Gallery Shop at 206 E. Alder Street, Oakland. 

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad to be Featured on "Jeopardy"

Watch "Jeopardy" on Friday November 25th to see the episode where Alex Trebek fulfills one of his "Bucket List" wishes by driving a locomotive on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad from Cumberland to Frostburg.

Ski Season Preview

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette provides an overview of what to expect this season at Wisp and other area ski resorts.