The Deep Creek Blog

Win a Deep Creek Lake Kayak Tour & Lesson with Casey Eichfeld on EBay

High Mountain Sports is auctioning off a Deep Creek Lake Kayak Tour & Lesson with Olympian Casey Eichfeld on EBay.Olympic whitewater paddler Casey Eichfeld will be giving a private flatwater kayak lesson/tour to a few special guests on Deep Creek Lake. All proceeds go toward supporting him as a whitewater athlete. The tour includes all necessary equipment including: a kayak, life vest, and paddle from High Mountain Sports. The 1 hour tour/lesson will start at 8:30 AM on Saturday July 31st and the winning bidder may bring up to five guests.  Traders Coffee House will provide pastries and beverages before or after the tour. If there are substantial competing bids they will consider a second chance offer to the second highest bid. The Auction ends on July 28. 

High Mountain Sports spokesperson Steven Green commented “We are excited for this opportunity to help an Olympian who has been training in our backyard.  We were discussing fundraising for his Olympic Training Fund with Oakland resident Sarah Anderson and were super stoked to come up with this idea to help out Casey.

Garrett County Arts Council Published Literary Journal

The Garrett County Arts Council has published the 2010 edition of its literary journal Ginseng featuring poetry and creative writing by local authors.  After an absence of several years, the new edition includes more pages than ever before and features a full-color cover.
 
“The arts council is extremely proud of this publication,” said Melodee Hill, GCAC board member and chairman of the Literary Committee.  “Volunteers have devoted a great deal of time and talent to the production of a journal designed to reflect the best works of local creative writers.”
 
The writings of the following local authors are included in this year’s edition:  Laura Treacy Bentley, Rose Gordy, Ginny Grove, Melodee Hill, Richard Hill, Julia Jordan, Sue Lisantti, Rob Michael, Ginni Neff, Cathy Paine, Leonard Paul, Betty Rouse, Kristina Schurg, Sarah Shawley, Sheila C. Smith, Jack Spencer, Kathy Vitek, and Debra Wolf.
 
2010 Ginseng also features the artwork of GCAC member artist Bob Yonke.  The graphic designer was Richard Hill.  Jack DuBose, Melodee Hill, Betty Rouse, and Jack Spencer reviewed manuscript submissions and acted as editors.
 
Ginseng is a free publication and is available at Ruth Enlow Libraries and The Gallery Shop, 206 E. Alder Street, Oakland.
 
Operations and programs of the Garrett County Arts Council are supported by an annual grant administered by the Maryland State Arts Council.  Additional funding is provided through membership dues and contributions, community support, and Garrett County government.  More information is available by calling 301-334-6580 or visit www.garrettarts.org.

Barn Quilt Festival Planned

The Barn Quilt Association of Garrett County, Inc. will host the first annual Barn Quilt Festival on Sunday, August 1, 2010.  The Festival is a celebration of Garrett County’s Barn Quilt Trail, the first of its kind in the state of Maryland.
 
Barn quilts are painted quilting designs displayed on the sides of barns.  The Barn Quilt Trail is a self-guided driving tour across the area to view the artwork and enjoy the countryside.  The project focuses on the agriculture, heritage and natural beauty of the area while giving folks an activity to enjoy with the entire family.

 
This year, the Barn Quilt Festival will be held on the grounds of Cove Run Farms Corn Maze, Griffith Road, Accident.  The event will take place from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. and include the unveiling and dedication of a new barn quilt block which will become part of the tour.  Admission to the festival is free.
 
Included in the day’s fun will be art and craft vendors displaying and selling their wares, a brown bag auction, recognition of current barn quilt owners and sponsors, carriage rides, and live music.  Children’s games and a coloring contest will take place.  The tour of the corn maze will be available at a reduced cost.  The popular local band The Sugar Foot Stompers will provide the musical entertainment throughout the day.  Food will be provided by Jearbryo’s and Lakeside Creamery will be selling their locally made ice cream.
 
At approximately 2:00 pm, a live auction will be held.  Numerous donors have provided a variety of items to be sold with the proceeds benefiting the Barn Quilt Association.  Attendees can bid on golf packages, overnight stays at local bed and breakfasts, a beautiful stained glass hanging, an Amish made replica of an old barn, wood burned barn quilt plaques, a watercolor painting of a local farm scene, restaurant gift certificates, quilted wall hangings, a butter churn and other antique items, and many other items of interest.  In addition, the Barn Quilt Association will be selling collectible merchandise with the images of the current Garrett County quilt block designs.  Limited edition lapel pins, magnets and a poster featuring the first series of barns will be available.
 
Festival attendees are encouraged to take the entire driving tour as part of the day’s events as well.  Maps and locations are available from the association’s web page and be provided on site on August 1.
 
The mission of the Barn Quilt Association of Garrett County, Inc. is “to provide a sustainable heritage tourism attraction/activity while preserving and celebrating the unique agriculture, history and arts culture of our area through visual combinations of barns and quilt designs, to educate the public and showcase our Appalachian tradition.”
 
For more information on the Barn Quilt Festival or the association, visit the web site at www.garrettbarnquilts.org , email info@GarrettBarnQuilts.org or call 877-577-BARN (2276).

Garrett County Artist Studio Tour - July 24 and 25

Artists of Garrett County, in conjunction with the Garrett County Arts Council, invite the public to visit their working studios on Saturday and Sunday, July 24 and 25. Studios will be open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday and noon to 4:00 pm Sunday. The tour will encompass a broad section of the county and includes 35 artists at 13 separate locations. Artists will provide demonstrations and artwork for sale, as well as the opportunity to talk with them about their artistic process and the business of art in the region.

The Artist Studio Tour is free. An array of work will be featured including pottery, jewelry, fused and stained glass, furniture, photography, wood crafts, painting, sculpture, and pressed flowers. This is the third annual event. “This is a chance for the community and our guest to really make contact with the variety of talent we have locally. Some of the locations are not generally open to the public.” said an Arts Council spokesperson. A map brochure is available at a number of locations including The Gallery Shop, the Visitors Center in McHenry, Ruth Enlow Libraries, various businesses and real estate offices throughout the area. There will also be directional signage along the tour route toguide drivers to the sites.  For more information, contact the Garrett County Arts Council at 301-334-6580.

Junior Ranger Program Offered Statewide

This summer, the Maryland Park Service will host over 30 sessions of their iconic Junior Ranger Program in Parks throughout the state. The Junior Ranger program is a six-session program during which young people will explore the parks’ natural and historical areas, learn stewardship, and explore recreational opportunities. Junior Rangers can receive patches upon completion of the program and have the opportunity to continue on to other programs with the Maryland Park Service.

Throughout the year, Rangers and naturalists lead children and teens, ages 7- 14 years, through the fundamentals of environmental education and stewardship. Junior Rangers can earn three achievement awards: Basic, Advanced and Expert. Once they complete their Expert Achievement award, they begin to earn patches in self-guided levels, such as Naturalist, Explorer, Conservationist and Guide.

Additional programs offered by the Maryland Park Service in conjunction with Junior Rangers are the Sprouts program for children ages 2-4 and the Park Pal program for children ages 3-7. Check online for additional information and Junior Ranger schedules at www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/jrranger.asp.

Wanted: Diamond Jim

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is putting out an all-points bulletin for the elusive Diamond Jim striped bass, easily recognized by its DNR tag. DNR recommends corralling a posse, beating the heat, heading out on the water and finding that fish! Caution is advised—Diamond Jim was last seen swimming with a gang of 320 tagged stripers called imposters, each worth $500 a piece. The elusive Diamond Jim and his buddies are wanted for escaping during the 2010 Maryland Fishing Challenge.
 

WANTED: $20,000 REWARD

DIAMOND JIM
Reward offered for the capture of the elusive tagged rockfish
 Aliases: DJ, The Big Fish, Golden Gills, Silver Striper, The Big Gilled Gravy, Fiscal Fins, The Great Catch, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Booty Fish, the Rockafella-fish, El Guapo 

 
The Maryland Fishing Challenge is a free, year-round tournament sponsored by DNR’s Fisheries Service, 27 recreational fishing organizations and generous donors across the State. The purpose of the event is to promote Maryland’s excellent fishing opportunities and the importance of children in the nature as an essential key to future environmental stewardship.
 
DNR Fisheries Service has released 320 specially tagged striped bass so far this summer into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and will release up to 200 more in August. Each month, one of the released fish will be secretly selected as the official Diamond Jim, worth $20,000 this month. If no one catches that Diamond Jim, DNR will release another batch of tagged fish in August, including a new Diamond Jim worth $25,000. The other tagged fish are imposters worth $500 or more.
 
More than 60 species of fish are eligible for the Maryland Fishing Challenge including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass caught in Maryland waters off the Atlantic Coast.
 
Anyone who catches an award-qualifying fish and enters the challenge becomes eligible to participate in the grand prize drawing for a boat and trailer package from Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats. Other prizes include thousands of dollars in fishing gear, merchandise from Under Armour, fishing trips from Bill’s Outdoor Center and a seven-day dream excursion to the island of Tobago courtesy of the World Fishing Network.
 
The contest is open to everyone fishing legally in Maryland, which amounts to more than 350,000 anglers, making this the largest fishing tournament in the country. Participating anglers can submit their catch and complete a citation award entry form at any of the 84 official citation award centers (tackle shops) to receive a certificate and invitation to the finale. Catch and Release anglers may also participate by submitting a Catch & Release Report using this online form www.dnr.state.md.us/fishingchallenge/pdfs/catch_and_release_form.pdf and by attending the Grand Celebration. Anglers can also report their catches through DNR’s Maryland Angler’s Log at www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/log.
 

Rachel Eddy and Kristian Herner Bring Old-Time Music with International Flair to Mountain City Traditional Arts

Musician and regional favorite Rachel Eddy returns to Frostburg for a special performance with her Stockholm, Sweden, connection, Kristian Herner, at Mountain City Traditional Arts, 25 E. Main Street, Frostburg, on Tuesday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m.

Just over a year ago, Eddy relocated from Morgantown, W.Va., to Sweden. Since then, she’s been taking Europe by storm, traveling with the popular Uncle Earl and recording a CD with Herner. The summer months bring her back home where she and Herner are dazzling audiences as a powerful duo presenting American old-time music with a tinge of European flair.

Described by Pete Peterson of the Old Time Herald as “a dynamic old-time singer and banjo player with a strong artistic vision,” Eddy began receiving international attention with the release of her 2009 solo recording, “Hand on the Plow.” Local residents know her from her days with the Morgantown Rounders and her several solo performances at the Frostburg State University Appalachian Festival. In May, she visited Allegany County to perform at DelFest with Uncle Earl.

On the opposite side of the pond, banjo player and singer Herner performs with the Rockbridge Brothers, Sweden’s leading old-time band. Together, his and Eddy’s voices blend in rich harmony, providing listeners the unique opportunity to witness the duo’s multifaceted talent. Voice, fiddle, banjo, guitar – between them they offer a rich sampling of traditional old-time music.

Suggested donation is $5. Children 16 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. This performance is supported in part with funding from the Maryland Traditions Program of the Maryland State Arts Council and the Frostburg State University Foundation.

Dedicated to the education, sales, documentation and perpetuation of traditional art in the Appalachian region, Mountain City Traditional Arts is a partnership of Folklore & Folklife Programming at Frostburg State University, the Allegany Arts Council and FrostburgFirst: A Main Street Community. For more information about the show or the venue, or to register for the workshops, call 301-687-8040, e-mail mountaincitytradarts@gmail.com or search for Mountain City Traditional Arts on Facebook.

FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301-687-4102 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1-800-735-2258.

Mountain Maryland Photo Facebook Photo Contest

The Mountain Maryland Facebook Page is looking for a photo to use as the page's logo for the month of August.  In addition to exposure on Facebook, the winning photographer gets two tickets for a ride on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.  Visit the Mountain Maryland Facebook Page for more details. . The deadline is July 15, so act fast. 

Support GLAF and Win an Original Watercolor from Robert Yonke

Support Garrett Lakes Arts Festival by purchasing a raffle ticket and enter into a drawing for this Robert Yonke original watercolor entitled "Dusk til' Dawn".  The art is 20x26 inches and comes framed and matted.  Tickets are $5 each or five tickets for $20.  Purchase tickets this weekend before both PSO concerts at WISP, from any GLAF Board Member or at the upcoming John McCutcheon Concert on August 7th at Garrett College.  The winning ticket will be drawn at the concert and the winner need not be present to win. 

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. 
 

Art in the Park at Deep Creek Lake State Park This Weekend

From Patty Mash at the State Park:

A reminder for people heading to Art in the Park at Deep Creek Lake State Park – Saturday from 10 – 5 and Sunday from 10 – 4,  everyone will be entering through the main gate of Deep Creek Lake State Park.  Bring your friends and family to enjoy the day.  Keep in mind that Ronald McDonald will be here Saturday from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, sharing fun and smiles for all ages.  There are over 50 vendors this year and food vendors throughout the Park.

Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center - July Schedule Updates

Here is an updated schedule for July at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center. 

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.
 

Wakesurfing on Deep Creek Lake

Mike Kennedy at Railey Realty has a great post up on wakesurfing, something I'd like to try out this summer.

Help Fight Unwanted Species in the Deep Creek Lake Watershed

From the Friends of Deep Creek Lake:

HELP STOP SPREAD OF UNWANTED SPECIES IN THE DEEP CREEK LAKE WATERSHED

1.       Report sightings to Friends of Deep Creek Lake: contact@friendsofdcl.org or call 301-873-1519.

2.        Reduce nutrient runoff on your property. Report other pollution entering tributaries and the lake.

3.       Check your boat to be sure you are not bringing in or distributing any unwanted species in the lake.

Here are a list of species to look out for. 

Crayfish

Virile Crayfish:

A red-shelled crayfish. Much larger and more aggressive than native species. They will reduce diversity and abundance of native aquatic plants, insect larvae, mussels, snails, frogs, turtles, and native crayfish. They will become the dominant crayfish.
If seen: Remove and destroy (or steam and eat).

Eurasian Watermilfoil:

This plant has slender stems and feathery leaves. It forms a dense canopy that shades out native aquatic plants, reduces fish habitat, and reduces recreational use. Reproducing by fragmentation, it is easily spread by boats, trailers, or bait buckets.

If seen: Pull whole plant with roots from lake bottom. Bag and destroy.
   
Pondweed:

This plant has oval floating leaves. Growth is caused by high nutrient levels and runoff from pastures, lawns, and septic systems. Massive beds support algal blooms, stunt beneficial submerged aquatic vegetation, create dead zones, nasty odor and causes fish kills.

If seen: Pull or rake plants before blooming in mid to late July. Remove dead plants from beaches in late summer.