The Deep Creek Blog

Landon's Library Encourages Love of Reading in Garrett County

If you're in Garrett County on the first Saturday of the month with a child, discover Landon's Library.  Landon's Library is a not-for-profit organization that Oakland residents Brian and Crystal Roberson-Boal started back in 2006 after the sudden, unexpected passing of their son Landon.  Landon died during a routine afternoon nap in September of 2006 at age two from SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death of a Child).   The Boal's founded Landon's Library to keep his love for books alive in the community.   

A monthly Landon's Library Playdate is held on the first Saturday of each month at the Ruth Enlow Library in Oakland, with a different theme each month.  Children board choo choo trains and visit various activity stations based around themes such as Landon's Fun and Games, Landon's Sing A Long, and Landon's Color Me Purple.  Also, different members of the community including the fire department, policeman, GLAF, band members, teachers, and others are involved every month.  The kid's all leave with a special hardback book related to the theme of the event.  The monthly play date programs are in their third year.    Every event has been booked solid.  The kid's can sign up each month at www.landonslibrary.org

The playdates are just one benefit this group brings to the community.  The organization is dedicated to putting books in the hands of the children of Garrett County.  To date, Landon's Library is proud to have distributed over 10,000 children's books throughout Garrett County. The number is currently growing by over 1,000 books per month now due to the organization's involvement with the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library through the Dollywood Foundation.  Through this relationship, over 1,000 children receive a free hardback book each and every month delivered to their home.  There are 1,500 total eligible children in the County, and they've signed up 1,000 in only 7 months of the program.  The Dollywood Foundation predicted it would take them three years to get to the point they achieved in just three months.   The cost for this program is $30 per child per year.  The public is invited to participate by sponsoring a child for just $30 per year.  
  
Other missions include joining with the Oakland Rotary Club each year to distribute books as a part of their annual Christmas Project and partnering with Waldenbooks and First Book to distribute complete children's libraries to kids of Garrett County.   Over twenty children have each received a complete library of over sixty books each  delivered to their home.
 
Landon's Library encourages volunteers to help with the project and contributions for Landon's Library are accepted at the following address: 
 
Landon's Library
704 Red Oak Circle
Mt Lake Park MD 21550

 
One hundred percent of the money Landon's Library receives goes to serve children in Garrett County.  For more information, visit www.landonslibrary.org. 

______________________________________________________________________________________

"Who's Who?" in Garrett County: Meet Nancy Jo Fratz!

"Who's Who" in Garrett County is a series of posts highlighting people active in the Garrett County community.

Meet Nancy Jo Fratz, another familiar face at Deep Creek Lake.  Born and raised on a farm in Garrett County, Nancy Jo is an established realtor with Railey Realty, where she started selling real estate in 2002.  Prior to her real estate career, she co-owned a local hardware store while raising three sons.  She loves working with the public, meeting new people, as well as living in Garrett County - so going into real estate was a perfect step for her.

Nancy is involved in many activities in the community and is a member of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce.  One of the organizations she enjoys working with is the Dove Center.  The Dove Center works to empower victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, helping individuals to take control of their lives as well as to promote and foster public awareness of these issues.  

In her spare time, Nancy enjoys being on the lake with friends and family.  Her favorite seasons are the summer with warm weather and great sunsets as well as the fall with the beautiful foliage. 

______________________________________________________________________________________

"Who's Who?" In Garrett County: Meet Skip Case!

This is the first in a series of "Who's Who?" posts, providing information about people active in the Garrett County community.   

Meet Skip Case, the Executive Director of Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF).  Skip has lived with his family in Garrett County for twenty one years.  He and his wife Sue have two children, Katherine and Charlie, and three grandchildren, Isabel, Ian, and Ella.  They owned a second home at the lake six years prior to making the area a permanent residence, drawn in by the rustic setting, bountiful lake activities and snow skiing. Skip particularly enjoys sailing, tennis and kayaking and is an active member of the Deep Creek Yacht Club.  In addition to his position with GLAF, Skip is a Certified General Appraiser and the owner of Deep Creek Appraisal Associates. He's also performed with the Oakland Oomp-Pah Band, the Garrett Community Concert Band and the Mountaintop Dixieland Band. 

Skip applied for the Executive Director position after learning of the job opening through a friend.  Although he had not been directly involved with the organization prior to applying, he knew it was a worthwhile mission.  As Executive Director he directs and supervises all aspects of administration, growth and development for GLAF.

When asked about his favorite thing in Garrett County - the friendly people and the scenic landscape.  Skip feels the best kept Garrett County secret may very well be the availability of music and the visual arts in Garrett County.  "We have many high quality arts performances here, not just with GLAF but with other fine arts organizations.  Collectively we offer something for everyone.  We need to do a better job marketing the arts and the benefits they provide for entertainment, education, and economic development."  

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Meet the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers

The Western Garrett State Park Volunteers Inc. is the official volunteer organization of Deep Creek Lake State Park, Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls. Members assist park staff in the operation of programs, staffing facilities, special events, fund raising, maintenance and interpretive hikes.  They are a vital part of the day to day functioning at the parks and assist with many popular events such as the Ramp Festival and Art in the Park.  The biggest project that the group is currently working on is funding for the Forest Canopy Walkway. 

Established in 2000, WGSPV currently has twenty eight members and is open to new membership. Members are rewarded by knowing that they are giving back to the Parks and the community. They are able to share their love of the parks by offering their skills and knowledge in many area.  Volunteers are treated as one of the staff, have fun and enjoy each other's company.

In order to become a member of the group or find out how you can support them, contact Volunteer Coordinator Patty Manown Mash at (301) 387-7314 to get an application.   

_________________________________________________________________________________________