Deep Creek Living

Deep Creek Lake's Winter Weather

2012-01-20T13:59:00.002-05:00

With the predicted icy conditions this weekend, I thought it may be nice to remind everyone of their driving safety tips on icy roads. This excerpt was taken from www.weather.com:

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop.

2. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

3. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

4. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists. Keep your lights and windshield clean.

5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

For a complete list of winter driving safety tips, please visit the following link, and BE SAFE! http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/drivingsafety/drivingsafetytips/snow.html

Family Traditions

2011-12-22T15:03:00.004-05:00

It is a Family Tradition!

This time of year is always a time we reflect on years past and cherish our family and friends, so I wanted to share with you a little bit about our family traditions.

As a child it was always important to me to know some of Grandma’s recipes. I was always her constant companion as she cooked away in the kitchen. And, I think even back then I knew it was something I would want to share with my children and grandchildren so our legacy of love could be continued for generations.

Every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas, one of our favorites would be homemade pumpkin pies from scratch. No recipe, just cooked pumpkin (fresh from the garden), canned milk, eggs, brown sugar to taste, a little vanilla, and some pumpkin pie spice. Stir until well mixed, pour in pie shell and bake. And, still to this day, I take the time to make homemade pumpkin pie for my family! A little secret I’ve learned over the years, however, is to bake the pumpkin in the oven until it becomes soft, then scrape it from the shell with a spoon.

Another family favorite is “Dutch Fried Potatoes”, but that’s a secret recipe that I’ll have to save for another post! Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t complete without “real” pumpkin pies, Dutch fries and fried oysters. (Yummy)!

Wanna share some of your traditions?

2011-11-28T14:38:00.004-05:00

The Festival of Trees was a great success for our first year in a new location. I think the children had the most fun! They decorated cookies, made their own sundaes, got to do their own Christmas shopping in the Kid’s Korner, and had Breakfast and Pictures with Santa. All the trees were auctioned; and this year we accepted donated trees for several area “Hospice Families”. Mark your calendars for next year.

Festival of Trees 2011

2011-11-14T10:33:00.003-05:00

Festival of Trees 2011 will be held Friday and Saturday November 25 and 26th to benefit the Dove Center. (A domestic violence shelter that provides shelter, safety, advocacy, and counseling to victims of domestic violence).

The Festivities will begin Friday with a Breakfast with Santa. Games and activities for children will be held throughout the weekend. Other special features include decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses. An auction will be held at 6:00 Friday night for your opportunity to bid on donated trees etc. Saturday’s entertainment will include Jessica’s Dance Creations and Dancing Classrooms. Many vendors will also be on sight with specials and a silent auction will be ongoing both days.

This year the Festival of Trees is being is in McHenry, Md at the Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall.

Don’t miss this fun filled weekend, a great kickoff for the Holidays. Be sure to click on the link to get your discount entry coupon.

I am a bad blogger!

2009-11-13T16:05:00.005-05:00

Okay, I'll admit it! I was on a good roll, then it went downhill fast. Not because I have nothing to blog about, but because I don't seem to have enough hours in the day. We've had some really good listings lately and believe it or not, some closings! And, I'm sure most of you avid followers already receive our annual calendar and if you don't, drop us an email and we'll send you one, but that has consumed a lot of time over this past month. But it's all worth it in the end!

A special event coming up over Thanksgiving weekend that you just won't want to miss is the annual Festival of Trees and this year promises to be better than ever! Starting out Wednesday evening with the "Twas the Nite Before" party and auction. Be the first to browse the specially decorated displays and bid on a tree at the auction and all your decorating dilemma's will be solved for this year! Then follow up on Thanksgiving night with Family Night and bedtime stories. Friday promises to be fun for everyone even though it's labeled as Senior's Day with Bingo and a Fashion Show on the schedule. And, who wouldn't agree that Kid's Day on Saturday will be the most fun beginning with Breakfast with Santa and loads of "Reindeer Games" throughout the day! Wouldn't you agree that it sounds like too much fun to pass up? And, the entire event benefits the Dove Center of Garrett County. Need I say more? Visit their website, see us for tickets, and have fun!

"Check out this little elf from last year's Santa's Bakery. Looks like she's having a wonderful time!"

It's Autumn Glory Fun Fall Friday

2009-10-09T13:47:00.003-04:00

Now I realize that I've missed a Friday last week, however, we were actually busy in the real estate world! So, I really do have a legitimate excuse, and, I started a little early, so I should be ahead of the game, right? I promise that I'll try to keep up with my blogging along with the real estate from now on.

On to Fun Fall Friday . . . what else could we be talking about today except for the 42nd annual Autumn Glory Festival! The weekend was kicked off on Wednesday evening with the Kickoff Dinner where the Golden Ambassador, Bob Rudy, was announced. Then we proceeded to last evening featuring the annual Fireman's Parade followed by Oktober Fest and the Oom-pah Band performing at the Oakland Firehall. If you've never attended the Oom-pah celebration yet, maybe you should plan on attending next year! It's like a big street party where every either already knows everyone else, or you will know everyone before the evening is over. Nancy Jo was in attendance last evening and she had a wonderful time.

This evening boasts the annual Banjo contest to be followed up tomorrow evening with the Fiddle contest both held at Southern Garrett High School. Saturday's main event is the Grand Feature Parade beginning at 1 pm, but if you want to find seating, it probably wouldn't hurt to show up a bit early since several roads are blocked and the crowd starts pouring in long before the parade starts. The Grand Marshall for Saturday's parade is Art Rooney, Jr. and Michelle Wright from WTAE will be making a special appearance as well as Miss Maryland and many more. But, the fun doesn't stop on Saturday! On Sunday don't forget to visit downtown Oakland for the featured Car Show beginning at 9 am. Last year there were well over 150 cars in attendance. Remember that all proceeds will benefit local charities, so be sure to grab your 50/50 tickets from one of the car club members. If cars aren't your thing, then head on down to ASCI for the 3rd Annual Great Pumpkin Race benefiting the Dove Center. They promise Pumpkin Mania and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

These are only a few of the features, but all weekend long, there will be craft festivals, glass blowing, fine art exhibits and tons of family activities. And, my favorite - Turkey Dinners will be served all over the county to help celebrate the great tradition that started Autumn Glory all those years ago. Hope to see you this weekend for the Funnest Friday (and Saturday & Sunday) of the whole year!

Time is really flying between Fridays!

2009-09-25T16:12:00.005-04:00

Here it is Fun Fall Friday again and I'm totally unprepared. Of course, most of the week was tied up with our post Savageman high. And, I have to say that the athletes that compete in Savageman deserve a big applause! What a tough course. And, everyone involved, including our Railey Killer Miller group really worked hard to pull off another successful event. Here's our very own Russell Bounds at the top of Miller Hill and as you can see, he has no clue a photographer is even in his face, he's just concentrating on making it to the aid station:

Now on to what today is all about - Fun Fall Fridays. One thing that I love to do, but admittedly don't do enough of is hiking at the State Parks. I've visited Swallow Falls State Park twice this year and realized that as a local, I don't enjoy what this area has to offer nearly enough. According to the DNR website, Garrett County hosts 10 State Parks offering everything from hiking trails, cross country ski trails, and camping while some offer unique opportunities like rapid whitewater areas for kayaking or snowmobile and off road vehicle trails. There is a whole host of opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast right in our backyard! Why not plan a trip to one of the State Parks today and enjoy all that rugged Garrett County has to offer?

*As you can probably tell, this happens to be my favorite spot in all of Garrett County, Tolliver Falls. Located in Swallow Falls State Park a bit off the beaten path lies this peaceful little waterfall and it happens to be a subject of lots of pictures by me. I can't wait until snow flies to go over and get a snow covered falls!

It's Fun Fall Friday Again!

2009-09-18T11:31:00.004-04:00

Or should I say already. Where did that week go? We've been busy planning and preparing for the Savageman Triathlon as posted last week. Don't forget to join us Miller Road where we will host an aid station to assist the bikers as they ascend what is rightfully referred to as Killer Miller. Should be a good time, and we hope to see you there!

Now on to this weeks Fun Fall Friday feature . . . how about sailing? Now, I won't pretend that I'm a sailor and know what I'm talking about because I've never been on a sailboat in my life, however, I love to watch the majestic sails every Sunday at the southern part of the lake when the sailboat races are taking place.

Sailing has a deep history in Garrett County. In 1958, the founder of the Flying Scot company, Gordon "Sandy" Douglass, moved the company from Ohio to the Oakland area, where he and subsequent owners have built the Flying Scot brand to be well known around the world as a "Hall of Fame" design. With over 50 years of continuous production, the Flying Scot company is still located in the Deer Park area where they still continue to add the personal touch to each design.

If you would like to be more than just a spectator of sailing, and would like to learn more, contact Flying Scot at 301-334-4848 or try the Deep Creek Sailing School at 301-387-4497.

I Couldn't Wait Any Longer!

2009-09-11T10:52:00.003-04:00

Today is the day! The much anticipated Fun Fall Friday! Our first Fun Fall activity isn't something that Larry, Nancy Jo, Bill nor I will officially participate in, but are participants of. Now you are really confused, right?

Coming up on September 20th, Garrett County will again host the Savage Man Triathlon where participants will attend from all over the world including several Olympic Athletes. And, by now you are probably wondering how much fun can that be? . . . but Railey Realty has taken ownership of the "Killer Miller" Aid Station high atop Miller Road. So, why not plan on joining us that Sunday for what promises to be the ultimate spectator spot and cheer on the bikers as they pass us wearily by. You will see first hand how much "fun" these Fall Friday's can be! See you there!

This Just In . . .

2009-09-10T11:27:00.002-04:00

Docks are out at Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center! Darn it, that and the color of the changing leaves must mean that Summer is officially over and Fall is beginning. You know what that means - the much anticipated Fun Fall Friday's should be ready to roll out possibly tomorrow (even though the calendar still indicates I have a few weeks left), so stay tuned . . .

Remember that the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center is open on the weekends, so be sure to stop by and see what you can discover!

Deep Creek's Annual Art and Wine Fest is this weekend . . .

2009-09-10T10:40:00.004-04:00

. . . again this year, Garrett County Fairgrounds will be the place to be on Saturday, Sept. 12th! Benefiting the American Red Cross, local and regional craftsmen and wineries will showcase some of their finest work. Events begin Friday evening with Wine Pairing Dinners with specially prepared dinners at local restaurants. Saturday will feature the actual festival at the fairgrounds with activities for the entire family beginning at noon. Then, the weekend wraps up on Sunday with Brunches being served by local restaurants. So, bring the family and enjoy the weekend! Be sure to visit their website for further details and to check out the special lodging packages available for the weekend.

Made You Look!

2009-09-04T14:36:00.003-04:00

Well, I guess you are checking in much anticipation for Fun Fall Fridays that I promised to begin this Fall, however, if you check your calendar, Fall does not begin until later in September. And, I plan on enjoying this beautiful last unofficial weekend of Summer at Deep Creek Lake without having to worry about Fall yet! (Between you and I though, I do plan on beginning Fun Fall Friday's before the first day of Fall, so keep checking back!)

August is Officially Over

2009-09-01T14:27:00.003-04:00

Can you believe it's September 1 already! Kids are back in school and Labor Day is this weekend which means Summer is officially over. Darn it! But, there's no better time to visit Deep Creek Lake than in the Fall, so don't let the calendar deter you.

We got our sale flyer in the mail from High Mountain Sports this week and it looks like you really don't want to miss out. They have winter accessories on sale as well as end of season summer gear. It's not exactly the circus, but check out what they are offering under the big tent!

Speaking of Labor Day, I was curious to see how it all began and did a search to find out. It looks like it all started in the late 1800's when the average person worked 12 hour days 7 days a week just to make a living. So, the unions formed marches to protest the poor working conditions and participants would take an unpaid day off to march which evolved into Labor Day Parades. It looks like there is some debate as to first proposed it as a holiday and it has undergone several observance date changes and now is the first Monday of September. For more interesting facts, visit the Dept. of Labor website or the History Channel's website. Isn't it amazing that any questions you may have are right at our fingertips! Gotta love it!

You've probably seen this shot already, but I took it across from High Mountain Sports. so in honor of their big Labor Day Weekend Sale, I've posted it again.

Introducing a new feature to Deep Creek Living

2009-08-27T15:39:00.002-04:00

We are very excited to announce that starting this fall, we will be featuring Fun Fall Fridays. Each Friday we will have a new post about a different fun fall event that you just won't want to miss while at Deep Creek Lake. And, don't worry, the fun won't end at the end of Fall (how about that play on words?), we plan to carry it over to Wonderful Winter Wednesdays, etc. . . so, Stay Tuned!

Mountain State Brewing Company . . .

2009-08-27T15:28:00.004-04:00

is celebrating their 1st Anniversary at Deep Creek Lake. Wow! It doesn't seem like a whole year has passed already, but good for them. They will be holding an anniversary party on Sunday, August 30th with The Hillbilly Gypsies performing beginning at 4:30 pm. In case you've never visitied the Mountain State Brewing Company, here's the basic lowdown taken from their website:

"Located on Sang Run Road just past the Wisp Resort entrance, Mountain State Brewing Co. is bringing hand-crafted ales back to the Deep Creek Lake community.
Along with our proprietary kegged Sangria and homemade MSBC Root Beer, beer lovers can enjoy our wood-fired flatbread pizzas as they saddle up to our signature saw horses.
Stop by and enjoy one of our ales over our hand-made bar or grab a growler and flatbread to go. Be sure to check out our one of a kind MSBC Gear too! "

And, I can attest that the flatbread pizzas are awesome as well as their ales! Well worth a visit!

What were you doing in 1979?

2009-08-25T15:17:00.005-04:00

This past weekend, Nancy Jo enjoyed her class reunion with her fellow Northern High School classmates and a good time was certainly had by all. Can you remember 1979? Check out a few of these facts:

The cost of a gallon of gas was 86 cents

The Sony Walkman was introduced and cost $200

A JVC VHS Video Recorder cost $695 (wow)

The first Post-It Notes were invented (what would we do without them now?)

Popular music makers were Bee Gees, Blondie, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd and let's not forget the Village People

Popular TV Shows were Charlie's Angels, MASH, The Walton's, Happy Days, Mork-n-Mindy and still going strong is Saturday Night Live

And all the fashionable people were wearing Bell Bottoms, Platform Shoes, Leisure Suits, Floral Patterns and Peace Signs.

My how time flies when we least expect it, right?

The Circus is Coming to Town Again

2009-08-24T11:54:00.002-04:00

And, who doesn't enjoy the circus? Friday, Aug 28th and Saturday, Aug 29th, Walker Brothers Circus will be holding 4 performances at the intersection of Rt. 135 and Webber Road in Mt. Lake Park. For show times and further information, visit their website or call 301-334-8477

The Dove Center is Selling Spring Bulbs!

2009-08-20T14:01:00.003-04:00

If you don't contact Nancy Jo to place your order, come Springtime, you'll be envious of your neighbors who did!

Or, you can always visit their website and place your order online.

Big News - Just In!

2009-08-19T16:22:00.003-04:00

We just got word from our good friends at Schoolhouse Earth that the new fall merchandise is now arriving and they will be starting their End of Summer Sale on September 1 with mark downs of 20 - 60% on select merchandise! Holy Cow - mark your calendars! That's a sale we won't want to miss! And, while you are there, don't forget to stop by and feed the animals.

Fair Week is Officially Over . . .

2009-08-18T13:48:00.004-04:00

Which saddens me greatly since (as stated in a previous post) the kids are thinking about going back to school, then fall will arrive sooner than we anticipate.

But, before the kids go back to school, there is plenty of summer left to enjoy Deep Creek Lake! Why don't you try checking out these local events coming up this weekend:

The 15th Annual Country Fest and Auction held at the Garrett County Fairgrounds with fun family events planned all day.
Close by at Jearbryo's Restaurant will be their Custom Car and Rod show with music, vendors and fun planned starting at 11 am.
And, at nearby Friendsville will be hosting the Yough River Fest beginning at 3 pm.

See, the Summer fun isn't quite over yet so I'll quit worrying about Fall arriving too soon (for now).

A Good Friend of Deep Creek Lake Needs Your Help!

2009-08-17T10:58:00.002-04:00

There will be a Bone Marrow Screening and Replenishing Blood Drive at Wisp Resort on Tuesday, August 18th from 1 - 7 pm. Your help is needed!

While Dennis and his family are from Pittsburgh, he has enjoyed many years visiting Deep Creek Lake. In February, 2008, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and has been receiving routine transfusions of red blood cells and platelets and now needs a bone marrow transplant. Among many agents at Railey Realty, he is also a personal friend of Becky of Deep Creek Blog and she has more information posted on her blog about how to register and what is involved in the process. So, please go over and visit Deep Creek Blog and do what you can to help out our friend in a time of need. By the way, you don't need to be in Deep Creek Lake, there will be drives in the Pittsburgh area as well.

Fair Week is Well Under Way!

2009-08-12T12:03:00.002-04:00

Although the weather has not really cooperated fully, it has still not been too bad for the Garrett County Fair visitors. Nancy Jo will be there off and on all week either manning the Railey Realty booth or working Bingo to benefit the Dove Center, so be sure to look her up and say hello. Still to come on the schedule this week is:

the Stock and Modified Truck Pull on Wednesday at the Grandstands
on Thursday, the Farmer's Parade at 6:30 and the Tractor Square Dance and Skid Steer Rodeo
the Modified Tractor and Smokers Pull on Friday at 7 pm
then on Saturday is the 4 & 8 Cylinder Demolition Derby at 5 & 7:30

These are just the major highlights. Don't forget about the other fun events and entertainment happening throughout the week. Check the Fair website for a complete schedule.

What's Happening this Weekend?

2009-08-05T09:52:00.002-04:00

The weekend is quickly approaching and if you plan on being at Deep Creek Lake, why not check out the local happenings? Here's what I have so far:

Wisp Resort is hosting the 4th Annual Deep Creek Chili Splash on Saturday from 11 am - 6 pm. There will be live entertainment, contests, kids activities, vendors, and fun, fun, fun!
Do you know how old Smokey Bear will be on Sunday? 65! And to help him celebrate, the fire tower at Deep Creek Lake State Park will be open to visitors from 11 am - 2 pm. Come out on Sunday to wish Smokey a Happy Birthday. He'll be at the base of the fire tower greeting visitors.
And, of course, don't forget about the Garrett County Fair from Aug. 8th-15th. Saturday's events are mostly entering exhibits, but at 5pm, there will be a Regular and Hot Stock Tractor Pull at the race track. Sunday will be another entry day as well as judging day, but at 6pm a Horse Pull is planned as well as the crowning of the Fair Queen at 8pm. Check out their website for a more complete schedule.

Can you believe July is over already?

2009-07-31T16:36:00.003-04:00

We all know what August brings - the Garrett County Fair! And, I hate to mention it, but it seems like once the fair is over, school starts, then summer is over . . . but we won't mention summer being over again until Fall officially arrives! This year, the fair runs from August 8th - 15th and there will be lots of fun on the agenda. I'll post more about that next week as we get closer, so stay tuned . . .

A Big Thank You to Deep Creek Lake State Park Lifeguards

2009-07-27T15:09:00.005-04:00

I'm not sure who was responsible for coordinating the Little Lifeguard Program at the Deep Creek Lake State Park, but they need to be congratulated. I was there to check it out Saturday morning and even though only one little guard showed up, the girls were so patient with her and she learned how they look for people who need help, how to help those people by various means, how the whistle and radio are used as well as just basic State Park safety, such as why no dogs are allowed and why visitors shouldn't leave trash lying around. Excellent program for 5 - 7 year olds, so if you are in the area on Saturday mornings, and have little ones, I highly recommend it!

Again, my blogging habits are in the outhouse!

2009-07-24T10:44:00.008-04:00

However, this time I have a legitimate excuse. I had to make an emergency trip to the Midwest.

While I was away, though, Nancy Jo was featured as "Who's Who" in Garrett County by The Deep Creek Blog. Be sure to stop over at Becky's blog and check it out.

This weekend the Garrett County Arts Council will be hosting the Artist Studio Tour where you can visit artists at fourteen different locations around the county. Various types of artwork will be represented including jewelry, watercolor and oil painting, pottery, wood working, photography, stained glass and more. A brochure and map is available around the county, at the Chamber Visitor Center or the Gallery Shop in Oakland. For more info call 301-334-6580. The tour will be both Saturday and Sunday from 10 - 4 both days.

Also on Saturday the Deep Creek State Park will be hosting a Little Life Guard program for 5 - 7 year olds. The program will run every Saturday (except Aug. 1) from July 17th - August 29th 9:30 am - 10:30 am and will teach the children water safety, sun protection, radio importance and understanding and respecting the environment. No swimming is required so all abilities and skill levels can participate. No pre-registration is required, just be there by 9:15 and the cost is $5 per child. Sounds like a good experience for the kids to learn more about life guarding.

And, I realize that it is still summer and none of us really want to think of winter yet, however, if you purchase your Wisp Season pass now, you have until July 31 to save 20%! So think snow even if it is only long enough to buy your ski pass.

Looks Like we have a Nice Week Ahead!

2009-07-06T11:28:00.003-04:00

After a chilly July 4th weekend, the weather man calls for a nearly perfect week ahead. If you missed the fireworks over the lake, you missed a spectacular display. And, to see all the boats moving away afterwards was an awesome sight. Thank you to all the sponsors who made it possible again this year.

If you missed being at Deep Creek Lake last weekend, don't worry, there is plenty to do this weekend! Don't forget about the 10th Annual Art in the Park at Deep Creek Lake State Park where over 40 artists will display and sell their work. Admission is free and docking is available if you want to come by boat.

And, don't forget about our furry friends this weekend when the Garrett County Humane Society hosts it's annual "Christmas in July" on Saturday at the fairgrounds. There will be a silent auction, a flea market, a Fido Costume Contest and so much more. Events will take place from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm and admission is free (although donations are gladly accepted), so put on your pet's best costume and join the fun!

Happy Indepedence Day!

2009-07-03T16:15:00.004-04:00

You can tell already by the traffic on the road that it's a holiday! So, please slow down, enjoy the ride and have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

I can't believe it's July already!

2009-06-30T15:19:00.004-04:00

Can you believe that July 1st is tomorrow already - holy cow, where has my summer been? As you can imagine there are lots of activities planned for this weekend at Deep Creek Lake and the surrounding area. Some of the highlights are:

Independence Day Celebration on Friday at Broadford Lake Park with a Brother Short concert and fireworks at dusk. Call 301-334-2691 for further information.

Accident's Homecoming on Saturday from 9 am - 10 pm with craft shows, chicken dinners (my favorite), tours, entertainment and a parade at 11 am. Call 301-746-6346 for further information.

Wisp Resort's July 4th Celebration on Saturday beginning at 1 pm with live entertainment, games and the Fire on the Mountain Fireworks being launched from the Bear Claw Tubing Park at dusk.

And, don't forget Free Fishing Day all day on Saturday. Statewide, no fishing license is required to fish in any of the fresh waters.

If that's not enough to keep you busy, be sure to visit our Chamber website for more fun activities. I see they have a rodeo listed at the fairgrounds for this weekend - woo hoo - that sounds exciting! And, that last I checked, the weather sounds like it will be perfect for the upcoming weekend - good news for all the vacationers. I'll see you at the Lake!

This shot was from the annual Grantsville Days celebration that took place last weekend.

I Guess Deep Creek Does Have Talent!

2009-06-26T10:58:00.004-04:00

And, the most talented person at Deep Creek Lake is no other than Bill's daughter, Holly! Here is a direct quote from one of the judges, Rob Michael of State Farm Insurance:

"Holly was the overall winner having been both the crowd and the judge's favorite. Myself, Kate Collins and Pam Trickett were the judges once again this year, and when Holly Weissgerber sang her first song, there wasn't a dry eye at the judge's table. The community and county visitors were treated to some real entertainment. This was the second of what will now be an annual event. Contestestants paid an entry fee of $50 and then solicited funds from the general public throughout the year. The overall top money winner was Patsy Baker who raised over $4,700, and the event raised nearly $13,000 for the Deep Creek Lake Blind Skier program."

Big congratulations to Holly and we look forward to hearing you sing again next year.

Summer Has Arrived!

2009-06-24T15:12:00.003-04:00

According to the calendar, summer officially arrived on Sunday and by the weather, I have to believe that to be just about right. Of course, it took until later in the day on Sunday before the sun finally broke through, but once it did, the weather has been pretty much perfect with a 7 as the first number of our temperatures finally. And aside from a threat of a few thunderstorms I see nothing but sunshine in the forecast.

Which will make a perfect weekend for the 32nd Annual Grantsville Days kicking off with the Grand Parade Friday evening beginning at 6:45 pm. The entire weekend consist of continuous live entertainment, locally prepared foods, Lions chicken BBQ, children’s games and more. Both Friday evening and Saturday evening will be a spectacular fireworks display and I've heard that since one night last year got rained out, they've held them over and Saturday night's fireworks will be the biggest they've ever had. With me being a Grantsville native, that's where I plan on being this weekend. And, I encourage everyone to at least stop by, try the chicken BBQ, listen to the live music and watch the fireworks. You won't regret it!

Speaking of perfect weather, I ran over to the Yacht Club the other evening just to sit by the quiet shore for a bit and enjoy the perfect weather. Here's the proof that our weather is perfect:

Some sad news to report this morning

2009-06-19T09:58:00.001-04:00

I read in the Cumberland Times News that Freddie Holliday II, son of our county commissioner, has lost his battle with cancer. Our thoughts will certainly be with the family as they go through this hard time.

Deep Creek Lake is a Circus!

2009-06-17T14:57:00.003-04:00

No, that's not right . . . Deep Creek Lake is hosting the circus at the Garrett County Fairgrounds tonight and tomorrow night, two shows each night. And, don't let the weather deter you, they are setting up in one of the barns for the big show.

Also, the fairgrounds not only holds the annual county fair, but also hosts horse shows, truck and tractor pulls and events year round. Check out their website for additional information.

Just Released from the Garrett Arts Council . . .

2009-06-17T10:03:00.004-04:00

International Artists will be visiting Garrett County next week -

"En plein air is a French expression which means “in the open air”, and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. The last week in June, Garrett County will host a group of international artists who have come to paint the beauty of western Maryland.

Journées de Internationale Peinture will be in the county from June 20 through 27. The group is comprised of 23 artists and spouses from Switzerland, England, France, and the United States. Members of the Garrett County Arts Council are serving as host families while the artists are in the area.

The visit to Western Maryland was planned by members of the group from the Wheeling, West Virginia. Organizer Kathy Thompson, a former Garrett County property owner, says “I have always loved the scenery and natural assets of Garrett County. When planning this year’s group tour to the United States I could think of no better location.”

The artists will be visiting Deep Creek Lake State Park, downtown Oakland, Swallow Falls State Park, a private farm in the Friendsville area and the studio of a local painter. Time is allowed for the group to relax and enjoy the county.

It is expected that each person will be able to complete several works during the week. On Friday evening, June 26, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. the artwork will be on display at
Will ‘O Wisp at Deep Creek Lake. Some of the paintings will be available for sale.

The group will meet again in Saddleworth, England in 2010."

How exciting for Garrett County! If you see any of the artists around next week, be sure to give them a warm welcome.

Did You Hear? . . .

2009-06-15T10:16:00.004-04:00

. . . Deep Creek's Got Talent! And, on Saturday, June 20th, the Honi Honi will find out who the most talented person at Deep Creek Lake is and you can join in on the fun. If you think you are the most talented, pre-registration is required so be sure to contact them. Or, if you are like me and have no talent, just stop in from 6 - 9 pm and see who else does. Proceeds will benefit the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club Blind Skiers Program.

To quote Alice Cooper . . .

2009-06-11T13:43:00.006-04:00

School's Out for the Summer! As of yesterday afternoon, Garrett County schools are (finally) dismissed for the summer. Now if summer would only get here. Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of one or two sunny nice days and then the grey settling back in? But, don't worry if you are planning on heading to Deep Creek Lake for the weekend because the weatherman predicts sunny skies again just in time for your arrival.

Don't forget about Flag on the Mountain at Wisp Resort on Sunday. I've tried to find additional information, but the only mention I can find is on the Chamber of Commerce website where they give a number to call.

Speaking of Chamber of Commerce, we saw our friend and previous Chamber President, Charlie Ross yesterday and he will be attending to a few things here this week, then head on to his new position in Pennsylvania to start work already on Monday. Charlie has done an awesome job in his role at the Chamber by spreading the word about Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake and it's possible that he's partially responsible for us no longer being Maryland's Best Kept Secret. Good luck in your new endeavor, Charlie, and you'll be missed by many.

Notice of Public Hearing

2009-06-10T15:59:00.002-04:00

Continually a hot topic in Garrett County, there is a hearing scheduled for public comment on the new wind turbine proposal to be held Thursday, June 11 at 7 PM at Garrett College. If you cannot attend and want to make written comment, you must do so with the Public Service Commission by June 11th. For additional information, please visit their website at www.psc.state.md.us or call them at 410-767-8000.

The Boardwalk is Scheduled to ReOpen

2009-06-10T15:41:00.003-04:00

After some lengthy renovations, The Boardwalk Lounge which is located lakefront next to Point View Inn (which is not reopening) along Deep Creek Drive is scheduled to open it's doors again this week. What a great opportunity to sit overlooking the lake and enjoy a refreshing beverage. Hope to see you there!

In case you are wondering about Point View Inn, it is currently listed for sale and if you would like further information, give Bill, Nancy Jo or Larry a call at 301-387-2000.

Free Fishing Again the Weekend

2009-06-09T14:11:00.006-04:00

In case you missed the free fishing day last weekend, it's not too late to plan ahead for this Saturday, June 13th when you can fish without a license in the freshwaters across the State of Maryland. But, remember, fishing without a license is only good for specific free fishing days, and the next one won't be until July 4th.

Also this weekend, Wisp Resort is planning Flag on the Mountain to honor Flag Day on Sunday. I'll gather additional information and hope to have more to post later this week, so . . . Stay Tuned!

Funny Story from This Morning . . .

2009-06-03T15:43:00.004-04:00

I had to go to Thousand Acres before heading to work to open a door for an inspector and the sun was just beneath the clouds which made the light perfect for picture taking. So, after I opened the door I grabbed my camera and headed toward the lake looking for a shot. Needless to say, by the time I got anywhere near the lake, the sun was already behind the clouds, my good light was gone and it was threatening rain. But I would not be defeated! I was certain I could pull off a good shot under those not so perfect conditions, so I snapped a few when the rain drops started to fall. I thought, "I better get back to the car before I get all wet." But, being the dedicated photographer I am, I just had to turn around to see if there might possibly be another shot I missed and that's when I noticed the name of the boat right in front of me . . .

There it is, my shot and my laugh for the day. Maybe not such a great shot, but a good laugh. So, Mike, if you are reading this, thanks for my morning chuckle!

Shine your bagpipes and get your kilts ready!

2009-06-02T15:27:00.005-04:00

Or whatever it is you do to bagpipes. The McHenry Highland Festival is again returning to Deep Creek Lake this weekend. There will be musical performances, highland dancing, food, crafts, and my favorite - Scotch Whiskey Tasting! So get your tickets now and have a rocking good time!

This Saturday is also a Free Fishing Day where anyone can fish in Maryland's freshwaters without a fishing license, so if Celtic isn't your thing, then shine your fishing rod and head out to the Lake and catch a fish.

And, I used my fishing photo on the last post, and we all know that blogs are better with pictures, so here you go:

Seriously, what has happened to the weather?

2009-05-29T14:49:00.003-04:00

It started out this morning beautiful. I woke up early and there was a very cool orange glow to the atmosphere and the sun came out if only briefly and I thought - it's going to be a wonderful day. Well, I couldn't have been much more wrong. It has just turned ugly! The wind is blowing rain and the fog has settled in. I took a short drive at lunch time and passed a pasture of horses and they were all standing under the trees so I guess they aren't enjoying the weather today either. But take heart if you are planning on being at Deep Creek Lake for the weekend, the weather calls for it to get nice. Let's hope so!

This picture was taken earlier this spring, but it reminded me of today. Enjoy!

It's Official - Nancy Jo's Head is in the Clouds!

2009-05-27T14:20:00.002-04:00

The much anticipated billboard was finally placed this afternoon. As you are driving toward Deep Creek Lake on Rt. 42 right by the Bunny Hop, but sure to look up at Nancy Jo's smiling face. Then drop us a line to let us know your thoughts. With this being the first billboard I've tried to design, it's been a learning process.

Your Help is Needed

2009-05-27T11:53:00.003-04:00

A fundraising effort is underway to assist our local county commissioner's son, Freddie Holliday II. Freddie is terminally ill with Stage 4 cancer throughout his body and as you can imagine, his medical bills are becoming overwhelming.

My parents have known Fred and Joan Holliday most of their married lives, which means I've known them forever. In the early 70's, along with my parents and other citizens from the Grantsville area, Fred and Joan were very instrumental in starting a much needed service for our community - the Northern Garrett County Rescue Squad. And it was while they were volunteering to help the community that I got to know them so well. And, writing this brings mixed feelings because it is a grim reminder that we can all use a little assistance at some point in our lives.

So, no matter what your political views are, please put them behind you and either go to the fundraiser at the Avilton Community Center on Sunday, May 31 from 1-5, or please make a donation to Freddie and his family at: M&T Bank, Attn: Bonnie Sines; P O Box 300; Grantsville, MD 21536

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day.

2009-05-25T09:44:00.002-04:00

As we gather with our friends and family to celebrate the beginning of summer, let's not forget to pay tribute and remember all those fallen soldiers who gave their lives so that we can continue to enjoy our freedom.

With that being said - Have a Safe and Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day Weekend is quickly approaching!

2009-05-20T10:59:00.003-04:00

Already, it's the first real weekend of what we consider summer! The weather has been very cool so it's hard to believe summer is here already. But, don't worry, if you are planning a trip to the Lake this weekend, it's been warming a little each day so by the time you get here it will be beautiful. Speaking of beautiful - the lake was perfectly still and reflective this morning. It doesn't get much better than that! It reminds me of why I love living at Deep Creek when I see that every morning on my drive to work.

If you are at the Lake this weekend, check out the Kayaks, Tunes & Brews scheduled for Saturday at ASCI atop Wisp Mountain. Nancy Jo will be manning the Railey booth in the afternoon so be sure to stop by and say Hello. From their flyer - "The family-oriented event will feature bands, microbreweries, and activities for every member of the family, including the dog! The spectacular whitewater course and the spacious grounds of the Adventure Sports facility will host many children activities, including a Moon Bounce, a slide, pony rides, buggies, scooters and games. There will be food and specialty vendors, as well as dog demonstrations and contests." Sounds like great fun, sorry I'll be missing it.

Where will I be, you ask. I'll be in nearby Cumberland at the Super Cruise on Industrial Blvd. I'm sure all the local car enthusiasts already know about the Super Cruise, but for those of you who aren't aware, there are generally hundreds of cars gathered in one location for an evening of music, fun and cars of all makes and models. All you chrome enthusiasts will certainly get your fill. And, if you are in that area, stop by to say Hello to me - I love meeting fellow car fanatics. This shot was from last year taken behind the car wash and before it filled up:

(That's my white mustang in the front.)

Taste of Garrett County

2009-05-12T13:51:00.006-04:00

Last evening, Nancy Jo and I went to the Taste of Garrett County and had a great time as always. What a wonderful sampling of tastes our area has to offer! I think the most interesting thing I tried was elk from Pine Lodge Steakhouse, and I have to admit it was very tasty. Although, I passed on the wild boar from Savage River Lodge, I hear it was good as well. Brenda's was there with a sampling of pizzas, which were tasty as always, and I was quite pleased by the sampling of her new Mediterranean Pasta. The list goes on and on, so if you missed it this year, put it on your calendar for next year for sure! And, last but not least, who could pass up a scoop of Creamery ice cream? Cake Batter is always my favorite!

It was a pleasure to run into my friends Al and Sue Arnson last evening. They are both local artisans and operate The Loft Shop in Bittinger. If you have never visited The Loft Shop, by all means, you should. It's located in an old barn and features not only their art work, but shows off the work of other local artists as well. Also, Sue has her watercolor studio and Al has his wood turning shop on site - again, worth a visit.

Another place that's is worth a visit is The Riverside Hotel in Friendsville. Owned by our friends Mike and Agnes, The Riverside Hotel is a completely renovated historic hotel offering riverfront rooms in a bed and breakfast atmosphere and simple vegetarian dinners served family style. And, their baked goods are out of this world. During growing season, the entire meal is picked from the garden out back. Delicious!

And, this is what the flower beds really look like (see yesterday's post)!

April Showers Brought May Flowers

2009-05-11T16:03:00.007-04:00

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this lonely tulip in my flower garden this weekend. It was sort of hidden behind all the dandelions that have taken over and I had to do some creative photography to capture only the tulip. And, about an hour after I snapped the shot, my granddaughter picked it. It was pretty while it lasted and it made a perfect Mother's Day flower from her. Speaking of Mother's Day, I hope everyone had a good one.

The Friends of New Germany Fishing Rodeo is coming up this Saturday at New Germany State Park. The event is open to the public and is limited to participants from 4 through 15 years old. For additional information, please give the State Park a call at 301-895-5453.

Our friends at Taylor Made Vacations mentioned on their blog that Deep Creek Lake was named among the Top Ten Boating Lakes by "Destinations for Leisure". We made number 10 of 10, but an honor, nonetheless!

Don't forget about Taste of Garrett County tonight if you are in the area. I'll see you there!

When I take a break, I really take a break!

2009-05-06T16:23:00.004-04:00

Wow! Quite a little sabbatical I took, huh? I did take a vacation, but that's really no excuse for neglecting to keep you informed about Deep Creek Lake! The whole truth is that we've had a lot of new listings and that is what has really kept me busy. But, I promise to not neglect the blog so much in the future.

So, what's happening, you ask. Monday, May 11th is Taste of Garrett County at Wisp Resort. If you have never attended, I highly recommend trying it. For a nominal fee ($22 in advance or $25 at the door), you have an array of different foods offered by an array of different vendors. A touch of what Garrett County has to offer all under one roof. Not only good food, but entertainment and give aways, now that's a night out! Contact the Chamber office for further details at www.visitdeepcreek.com.

Bill Weissgerber, representing Railey Realty, will be the guest bartender at JG's Pub tomorrow night, May 7th, and all tips benefit PAWS. Again, good company, good drinks, entertainment and give aways - all for a good cause. Nancy Jo has already had her turn to guest bartend so we'll see who raises the most money this year. Remember, Nancy Jo's group was the overall "bread winner" last year.

And, how can I possibly pass up a mention about the weather? If I ask for an ark, it's because we are under water! It's been raining for what seems like forever. We did, however, have a brief reprieve this morning when we saw a huge glowing object in the sky and if I recall correctly, it was the sun. But, that was short lived because we are again under rainy skies. But, the good news is that it has really turned green with all the rain and the brief bit of sun, so I guess it's not all that bad.

And, since blog posts are always better with a picture, here is one I took this morning on my way to work. It kind of reflects how my blogging activity has been lately - in the outhouse:

What's Happening at Deep Creek Lake?

2009-03-19T12:03:00.005-04:00

I think we've been lost in the fog this week! Every day was foggy and dreary for what seemed like the entire week, but man when the fog lifted it was beautiful! Almost summer like yesterday with temps reading about 72. But, sadly to say it's back down to more normal temperatures for the weekend with the weather man calling for mid 40's and low 50's but we need to keep reminding ourselves that it is March!

Although, participants in Beachin Weekend at the Wisp this weekend may be wishing for those more summer like temperatures! Break out your flip flops, put on your bikini and construct your cardboard box derby car and head on over to the Wisp for some great fun and entertainment!

Although not in Garrett County, but nearby Meyersdale, PA, I plan on heading over to the 62nd Annual PA Maple Festival being held this weekend and next with activities happening throughout the town. My favorite is the "All You Can Eat Pancakes" with pure maple syrup. Trust me, it's well worth the short drive just north of the border. But that's not all, they feature craft shows, quilt shows, maple syrup demonstrations, a parade, horse pulling contests, car shows and cruise-ins, which are also my favorite and if the weather cooperates, I may even wipe the dust off my car and participate.

Spring Must Be Here!

2009-03-10T11:07:00.003-04:00

Now I know I mentioned in my last post that it's too early for flowers to be blooming, but I guess after the warm weather over the weekend, these little guys must have caught Spring Fever as well. I was checking out my flower beds to see how much work I have ahead of me, and there they were peeking their little buds out to greet me. So, Robins hopping all over the yard, buds blooming and the time change last weekend must mean Spring is here, right?

Nancy Jo's son, Zach, competed in a ski race at the Wisp this past weekend and had the best overall time. I'm getting better details but they won't be available until later in the week, so "Stay Tuned!" Also, Wisp Resort sent an email blast that they plan on ski events all the way in to April. While I see they still have plenty of snow on the slopes and I see people skiing, I hope they don't think winter will return!

And, the Friday night PAWS event was a big success. Just to recap, Nancy Jo guest bartended at Moonie's Pub in the Oakland Country Club and all the tips she earned benefited PAWS. I hear she made over $800 in tips - way to go Nancy Jo! This was the first in a series of PAWS Guest Bartending events and I'll post additional information of when and where as I get it so you can join in on the fun too!

Don't forget to Spring Forward this Weekend!

2009-03-06T14:03:00.005-05:00

I know it's not quite time to start seeing flowers yet, but I'm keeping with the Spring theme and the weather has been somewhat springlike, so I thought - why not!

As you all probably already know, it's time to turn the clocks forward at 2 am Sunday morning. Now I just know every one will be staying up just waiting for that time change and while you are up, just think about how nice it will be to have that extra hour of daylight.

Don't forget to come by Moonie's at The Oakland Country Club tonight and say hello to Nancy Jo as she is guest bartending for the first PAWS night of the season from 6 - 8 pm. And, tip big! All tips go to benefit our local PAWS organization. Good fun for a good cause!

Deep Creek Dunk Pictures

2009-03-04T14:20:00.006-05:00

Our buddy Jon Bell read about my lack of Deep Creek Dunk pictures and emailed me some to post! Thanks Jon!

There were reports of record number of attendees and it looks like they were right!

Looks like the crazy people, oh, i mean dunkers, are getting ready for the big plunge into the freezing waters.

Even Santa couldn't stay away!

Now I know that I've continually referred to the dunkers as crazy people, but all kidding aside, they do a wonderful thing for a wonderful cause. So, a huge heart felt thank you to all those good hearted people who continually support Special Olympics!

March Blew in Like a Cold Hearted Lion!

2009-03-03T10:35:00.005-05:00

Here we are into March already and boy is is cold! The majority of the snow coming up the east coast missed us and dare I say - thank goodness! I guess it was past due for our neighbors to the east to finally get more than we did, but boy did we get some cold temperatures in the deal. It was 7 at my house this morning and that's just a bit too cold for me to function properly. But, the weatherman calls for it to warm up as we proceed toward the weekend, so that's encouraging news. But if the old wive's tale holds true, March will be going out like a lamb, and we can all look forward to that!

I heard on the radio this morning that the Deep Creek Dunk had record numbers of crazy people, oh, I mean dunkers, this year and they brought in record numbers of donations to Special Olympics! Way to go crazy people! While I haven't been able to locate any pictures to upload on this site, I've seen many on other sites. Marta of Deep Creek Times had some good ones and Deep Creek Blog had a link to another site with pictures loaded. Looks like everyone had a great time.

Coming up this weekend are Maple Syrup Demonstrations at Herrington Manor State Park, Freestyle Skiing at Wisp Resort, and certainly don't forget to "Spring Forward" on Saturday night. I think that extra hour of daylight will be just the ticket to give everyone spring fever and help us get over those winter blahs. Also this Friday night, Nancy Jo will be guest bartender at the Oakland Country Club to benefit PAWS, so if you are in the local area stop by, have a good time, and donate some tips to help a good cause.

Since I don't have any dunk pictures, I'll throw in one last picture of Oakland's Winterfest from a few weekends ago. This is the talented artist at work and watching him create those masterpieces from a square block was just amazing to watch! I highly recommend marking your calendars for next year if you missed it this year.

Another Fine Day at Deep Creek Lake!

2009-02-24T16:15:00.004-05:00

The sun is shining perfectly in my window making me think that it's warm outside! I'm not sure of the temperature right now, but the weatherman calls for it to warm up a lot this week. I've heard a rumor of 60 on Thursday - hmmmm - we'll see.

I got an email from my friend Patty Manown-Mash of the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center today letting me know of scheduled special events at the State Park and Discover Center so I'll keep you posted. The first one isn't until April, so I'll save the information until closer to that date! It sounds like they have lots of fun family oriented activities in the works, so "stay tuned" :)

I noticed on the Ridgeview Valley blog that they had to cancel the Cross Country Ski day because of lack of snow (imagine that!), but they are planning lots of fun and exciting activities for spring. Dare I say it again - "stay tuned!"

I drove through Oakland today and most of the ice sculptures from this past weekend are still standing. I did notice that some are getting a little beat up, but it was still cool seeing more that weren't carved yet when I was there on Saturday.

And, last but certainly not least, don't forget to "Get Your Dunk On" this weekend at the Annual Deep Creek Dunk. Now we've already established the fact that I'm NOT getting into the cold water, but I'll try to locate someone who will be there for pictures to post next week. And, again, if you can't attend, sponsor a dunker - it all benefits Special Olympics.

Here are a few more shots of the incredible ice sculptures from Saturday:

Doesn't this just make you think of Spring? It was a flower vase located (where else) in front of Jan's Florist.

This one was some Autumn Leaves sponsored by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce and was located in front of the train station.

Winterfest in Oakland

2009-02-23T13:51:00.005-05:00

Wow! I went to Oakland on Saturday morning to check out all the Winterfest activities and I'm so glad I did! The weather was just a little chilly, but the sun was shining beautifully. And the sun on the ice sculptures was so cool - it made them look like glass sculptures instead of ice. There were so many cool themes - a snowman, a pair of sunglasses, a dog, a dumptruck (the list goes on and on!), and Lowe's had a really awesome castle with a slide! Just ask all the kids how awesome it was if you don't believe me! Of course I couldn't even get close enough to that one to get a good pictures since kids were all around it, but I did capture a few of them and will try to post as many as I can here throughout the week. Here's the really cool (no pun intended) snowman sponsored by Rob Michael of State Farm Insurance:

And, who can resist a sleigh ride on a beautiful sunny day:

Mountain State Brewing Company

2009-02-19T15:47:00.013-05:00

Last evening Nancy Jo and I joined fellow Garrett County Chamber of Commerce members at Business After Hours at Mountain State Brewing and had a wonderful time. We saw old friends and met new ones while learning about what is happening in the area. I'll touch on a few highlights here and I hope I don't miss anyone that we had the pleasure of visiting with!

First of all, we visited briefly with Rosie Versteegen of Ridgeview Valley and it was a pleasure as always. They are planning another Cross Country Ski Day this weekend and I highly recommend you check it out. And, if you can't make it this weekend, be sure to visit their blog to see what a great time it is.

We also visited with a crew of people from Will-O-the-Wisp and they informed us of their new happenings - happy hour is Monday - Friday starting at 5 and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they offer 1/2 price appetizers. We plan on visiting them real soon to find out how good the appetizers are, but everyone I spoke to last night just raved about them.

And, last but not least, if you've not tried Mountain State Brewing yet, you really must stop by! They are located on Sang Run Road just beyond the Wisp entrance. Their atomosphere is rustic and friendly and among other things, they offer hand crafted ales and wood fired flat bread pizzas. Again, you really need to stop in to check them out. I think you'll be pleasantly pleased.

A Little Shameless Self Promotion!

2009-02-17T16:34:00.008-05:00

Those of you who have been following our blog already know that I've been concentrating a little more seriously on my photography. I'll have some of my work displayed at the "More Art of Photography" exhibit at Sanctuary Studios from February 21st - March 1st. There will be an opening reception held on Sunday afternoon from 3-6 at the studio which is east of Flintstone, MD. So, if any of you are in that area on Sunday and have nothing better to do, stop by and say hello. If you would like directions, email me and I'll be happy to provide them.

I've also been accepted at the Star Gallery in Frostburg, MD and will display there the whole month of March. I'm not sure of the date of the opening reception yet, but will post here once I know more.

While photography has always been a passion of mine, I'm just now getting my work out there for everyone to see, so it's somewhat of a new, albiet exciting, experience! The photograph on the header is a cropped version of one that I recently took of downtown Oakland at night and will be available at the Oakland Art Gallery soon. This is one that will be on display at Sanctuary Studios and Star Gallery:

This image has also been selected as Picture of the Day on Digital Image Cafe on 2/12/2009 and is a night shot at the Western MD Train Station in Cumberland, MD.

Upcoming Events

2009-02-16T11:41:00.004-05:00

Last week I got a flyer for the upcoming Winterfest to be held in Oakland this weekend - February 20, 21 & 22. I missed it last year for some reason, but I hope to be there this year since it looks like an awesome event with ice sculpting and many fun family events like ice bowling and sleigh rides just to mention a few. Sounds like a great place to have a good time, eat some good food and get some great pictures!

I see on Ridgeview Valley Blog that they will be hosting another Cross Country Ski event this coming Saturday. Sounds like a good time was had by all last time so why not polish up your skis and hit their groomed trails or try some free lessons if you're not already experienced.

And, don't forget the Deep Creek Dunk next Saturday, Feb. 28th. I'm pretty sure the water will be way too cold for me to dunk, but it is for a good cause so if you are like me and won't get into any water less than body temperature, why not donate a few dollars for someone else to dunk? All proceeds benefit Special Olympics of Maryland and I can't think of anyone more deserving!

Cedar Creek Development and Upcoming Events

2009-02-13T13:44:00.010-05:00

I had the pleasure of visiting one of our newest developments - Cedar Creek - today to check out the progress and the awesome view. They are moving forward nicely on the exteriors and the interior studs are up so I got a good feel for what the interiors will be like. And, the best part - check out the view of the slopes from the deck:

It's not the best picture I've taken, but it was kind of spur of the moment!

I received information from the Garrett County Chamber office today regarding the upcoming Winterfest next weekend in Oakland. Look's like they have a lot planned and I'll post more next week, so as I like to say - Stay Tuned!

And, don't forget about the Deep Creek Dunk coming up on the 28th! Great fun to benefit a great cause! Again, stay tuned - I'll get more information out next week!

Have you been to Schoolhouse Earth?

2009-02-12T11:12:00.003-05:00

If you haven't, you need to! Schoolhouse Earth offers a unique collection of everything! If you are looking for a perfect gift for someone special (or yourself), gourmet foods, collectibles - they even have a petting zoo! Their new spring florals and Easter merchandise is out and more new arrivals are expected soon. The next time you are visiting Deep Creek Lake, don't forget to stop by to see what's new. And, if you aren't visiting anytime soon, check out their website and order online.

Again with the Weather!

2009-02-11T14:59:00.003-05:00

Once again, I bore you with weather news! But there is only one thing to say about today's weather - BEAUTIFUL! I'm not sure what the actual temperature is but it must be at least 60 and the sun is shining.

As I drove to work this morning, there was a bit of mist rising from every place that still had snow on the ground which made it look really pretty! I tried to capture it in picture, but they didn't do much justice. The first picture overlooks Waterfront Greens and my thought was - no wonder that little section is called Misty Meadows. And the second one was taken from atop Mountainside, but the mist must have just been hovering right above the frozen lake because you can't really even tell it's mist! Take my word for it - it was awesome actually being here!

Misty Meadows

From atop Mountainside

A Few Quick Updates from Previous Posts

2009-02-10T12:05:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I gave race results for the Wisp Cup sponsored by the Deep Creek Winter Sports Team, but realized that maybe some of you don't know who Deep Creek Winter Sports Team is. They are a local non-profit organization created to offer competition opportunities geared toward junior skiers and snowboarders. It's a wonderful program for young people and I encourage you to read more about it on their website or get in contact with them to see if there is an opportunity for you to possibly assist in the program or get your children involved.

Several weeks ago, I talked about the real estate statistics. Mike Kennedy, our office manager, ran the end of year numbers and Railey Realty continues to be number one not only at Deep Creek Lake, but in the entire county. I'll try to get him to put it all in chart form as previously and I'll repost then.

And, how can I not talk about the weather since I now feel like the local weather reporter! This week we are experiencing warmer than usual temperatures and it's raining and gray right now, but the good news is - if you are planning to visit this weekend, the cold and snow are expected to return. You know what that means don't you? Excellent skiing!

The Wisp Cup Slalom Race

2009-02-09T16:21:00.003-05:00

The Deep Creek Winter Sports Team hosted “ The Wisp Cup slalom race” on Sunday, February 8, at Wisp Resort. Dustin Stough of Friendsville captured the men’s overall Wisp Cup title with the fastest combined time while Elizabeth Green of McHenry skied the fastest in the women’s division to take the overall female Wisp Cup award.

The race results are as follows:
7-8 year old Girls 1st place Kaylee Workman
9-10 year old Girls 1st place Ashley Wilhelm, 2nd place Bethany Philips
11-12 year old Girls 1st place Victoria Alms, 2nd place Kelsey Patelunas
13-14 year old Girls 1st place Elizabeth Green, 2nd place Jenna Kyser,
13-14 year old Girls Snowboarder 1st place Haley Margroff
15-16 year old Girls 1st place Cara Stough, 2nd place Macayla Mischler, 3rd place Keara Pitman
19-20 year old Girls Snowboarder 1st place Jessica Harvey

7-8 year old Boys 1st place Trey Rouse
9-10 year old Boys 1st place Jake Vernon, 2nd place John Wagner, 3rd place Payton Kennedy
11-12 year old Boys 1st place Jack Havens, 2nd place Kyle Rouse 3rd place Simon Ilisevich
11-12 year old Boys Snowboarder 1st place Collin Ruginski
13-14 year old Boys 1st place Casey Hager
15-16 year old Boys 1st place Derek Fratz-Orr 2nd place Thomas Bruno
17-18 year old Boys 1st place Dustin Stough 2nd place Derek McDonnell 3rd place Zach Fratz

Men’s Master 1st place Elliott Perfetti 2nd place Steve Green 3rd place Alan Mischler

The next race will be the Governor’s Cup on March 7 & 8 at the Wisp Resort.

Garrett County Artwork

2009-02-05T14:26:00.006-05:00

After receiving several calls regarding the pictures in our calendar, I thought I should mention that the pictures could be sold as prints if anyone were interested. All you need to do is drop me an email and I can give you the details. Another wonderful place to see all the artwork that local Garrett County artisans has to offer is the Garrett Arts Council Gallery on Alder Street in Oakland. I have recently been accepted as an artist and I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised to see the amount of talent represented there. If you are in the area, don't forget to stop by to see what they have to offer and the displayed pieces are swapped out several times per year so stop by often!

We still have a few copies of the calendar left so if you didn't receive one and would like one, email me and I'll be happy to mail you one.

What was Nancy Jo doing on Super Bowl Sunday?

2009-02-04T10:30:00.005-05:00

She joined a few good friends for a whole day of fun! They stood around a bonfire, went sled riding and, of course, watched the game. Doesn't that sound like a ton of fun? I'm trying to locate some pictures and will post them if I do.

Speaking of sled riding, I heard on the radio this morning that so far in 2009 we have gotten just over 38 inches of snow! That's perfect for all the winter activities Garrett County has to offer. If you visit before the winter is over, along with your day of skiing, why not try a sleigh ride or maybe a dog sled trip? I'll be including some local links and information soon so your next trip to Deep Creek Lake will be filled with fun and excitement!

Quick update on my "Who Left the Gates of Winter Open?" picture from below - it won Picture of the Day on The Digital Image Cafe today! That may not sound like much to you, but it's very exciting for me! I'll write more about pictures and where to find some great work by local artists at a later date! As I like to say - Stay Tuned!

How About that Game?

2009-02-02T16:28:00.005-05:00

Wow! What a game yesterday! I don't care who you were routing for, you have to admit that both teams came to win and they both gave their best efforts. So, congrats to the Steelers and all their fans out there. Well done.

I missed mentioning that the Honi Honi celebrated their 40th birthday this past weekend. I haven't spoken to anyone who attended yet, but I'm sure a good time was had by all.

And, by now, everyone knows that the Groundhog saw his shadow (here we go, back to the weather again) this morning, but if my calculations are correct, there are approximately 6 weeks until the first day of Spring anyhow. But, we gotta love the Groundhog, right? Paula of Ridgeview Valley did a little research about Phil - she's much more interested in winter than I am, so go to her blog and check out the interesting history.

I tried to get out this past weekend to snap some shots since the weather was almost perfect and I got this one:

I called it "Who Left the Gates of Winter Open?" I'm not sure who left them open, but I wish someone would close them now, don't you?

It's Been Too Long Since My Last Post!

2009-01-28T12:37:00.005-05:00

Oh Boy, it seems like forever since I've posted last! I finally decided that instead of talking about the weather every day, I needed to wait until I had something to say.

But . . . how can I not talk about the weather today! We woke up this morning with the crusty, ugly snow/sleet/ice combination that the weather man called for and right now it's raining. Can we all say - ugly! For now the ice has melted but the forecast calls for snow during the night. I know I've been raving about how beautiful Deep Creek Lake is in the winter, but not today. If you are among the part of the country that has received the ice and power outages, my thoughts are with you. It's bad enough to deal with and I have power!

As of yesterday, the lake was frozen over and I've seen a lot of ice fisher people (is that the politically correct way of wording that?) dotting the lake trying to catch dinner. It always reminds me of the Grumpy Old Men movies without all the fishing huts.

I heard from Paula Thomas of Ridgeview Valley that last weekend's Cross Country Ski event was a great time. Check out their blog for pictures and details.

And, Jodi Refosco of Taylor Made Vacations left the cat out of the bag about the former first twin visiting Deep Creek Lake. How exciting! You can read about it at the Everything Deep Creek blog.

This Sunday is Superbowl Sunday and our local Steeler's fans are showing their colors. I've been asking around to see if there is a Superbowl Party anywhere and I just got an email from Silver Tree that they are having dinner and drink specials while you watch the game. So, if you want some good food and good company, head on over there! I'll let you know if I hear of any more "Super" events for Sunday.

With all that being said, I'm still not sure I said anything with much substance, but don't forget to check back soon because I know I'll have some real news to report some day!

Railey Realty is still #1

2009-01-21T15:05:00.008-05:00

First of all, let me get the weather out of my system! It's a beautiful, sunny day on the mountain top, however when I came to work this morning the icicles outside my window were hanging straight down. Now they are slanted to one side which means it must be as windy as they called for, but it makes me wonder how the wind makes them slant so much since they've been frozen all day. Any of you science guru's out there that may know the answer, please share it with the rest of us puzzled people. UPDATE . . . One of the agents at our office who obviously is smarter than I just informed me that the sun has heated the top of the icicles and that allows the wind to blow them sideways. Now we know!

On to the rest of the story . . . Our office manager emailed us the local statistics today and Railey Realty continues to be the top producing office in Garrett County. Which, in case anyone is curious, we have been since 1995. All information comes from our multiple list system and the numbers just don't lie! Here is the chart showing how it all breaks down:

These statistics are from 1/1/08-9/30/2008, and I'll let you know how the end of the year pans out.

If you plan on visiting Deep Creek Lake this weekend, Ridgeview Valley and High Mountain Sports are teaming up for a Cross Country Ski Day. Check out Ridgeview Valley's Blog for all the details. Sounds like fun!

Am I Sounding Like a Broken Record Yet?

2009-01-20T13:22:00.003-05:00

Another beautiful day at Deep Creek Lake! What else can I say? The sun came up so orange and pretty this morning and there were still a few flakes in the air that you can't help but think it's beautiful! Of course, now the sun has gone and it's somewhat cloudy again, but seeing a bit of sun sure shakes away the winter blues.

As I drove to work this morning, I saw snowmobile tracks across the lake. I guess it has been cold enough to freeze the lake, however, I will say that it will NEVER be me riding on the lake or even walking on the lake, but those of you who are brave enough please be careful. It may be fun, but you also want to be safe.

Thank you to those of you who wished Nancy Jo a Happy Birthday - it's nice to know that someone is reading this. This picture was taken a few days ago, but it was very similar to what it looked like this morning. And, as you can see, we are now tired of shoveling and I saw the snowflake icon everyday in the forecast. Gotta love Deep Creek Lake!

Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to Tampa

2009-01-19T11:35:00.003-05:00

I'm sure it's old news to everyone already, but if you are Steelers fan, congrats on the win. If not, let's all look forward to next year! I, personally, am a Minnesota Vikings fan but they left me hanging early in the playoffs which I'm used to now since they seem to do it every year. Oh well.

If any of you see Nancy Jo today, wish her a Happy Birthday! Or, why not drop her an email at nfratz@railey.com and give her your best wishes. I can't divulge how old she is since I'm right up there with her, so let's just say we aren't teenagers anymore and leave it at that!

And, once again, I need to mention the weather. What another beautiful drive to work this morning. Again, the snow is laying in the trees making the whole area look like a winter wonderland. Since it's a long weekend, I'm sure a lot of vacationers got to see why we love Deep Creek Lake so much during the winter. I didn't get around to getting any new pictures this morning, so stay tuned . . .

Deep Creek Lake Property Values

2009-01-15T14:29:00.006-05:00

Mike Kennedy of Railey Realty wrote a good article on his blog today regarding property values at Deep Creek Lake. In essence, he's showing statistics that indicate the number of sold properties are down from previous years, but the values have increased. Great information if you are considering a purchase at Deep Creek Lake.

Upcoming Events at Silver Tree

2009-01-14T12:37:00.002-05:00

Okay, I will only say one word about the weather today - BRRRR!

I just got word today that the Silver Tree Restaurant will be having Football Day on Sunday, January 18th featuring the Steelers vs. the Ravens with a $10 buffet and drink specials. I can't think of a better way to enjoy the game!

Also, if you plan on being at Deep Creek on Tuesday, why not join the Inauguration Party at Silver Tree from 5 - 9 pm? Again, a $10 buffet and Happy Hour drink prices. Sounds like more fun than fighting the crowds in Washington, DC to me.

Frigid Weather on the Way!

2009-01-13T14:07:00.004-05:00

While I promise not to turn this blog into a running weather report and eventually write of something with substance, please note that the weather man has called for some frigid temperatures to be headed our way. So, if you are planning on visiting the Deep Creek Lake area this week and into the weekend, please dress appropriately - especially if you are planning any outside activities like skiing! Remember, we are in the mountains so our temperature will most likely be a bit colder than it would be once you drive off the mountaintop. If you don't heed my warning, your nose could start to look like this:

Welcome to Deep Creek Living!

2009-01-12T12:33:00.004-05:00

Welcome to Deep Creek Living's blog. My goal for this blog is to update you on the happenings at Deep Creek Lake and through out Garrett County from a local's perspective. I'll try to keep it light and informative, and as always, if you have any suggestions - let us know!

To begin, I would like to say how beautiful the weather was this morning at Deep Creek Lake. There was just enough freezing rain on the branches to make the little bit of snow we got throughout the night stick. It looked like a winter wonderland - all white and pretty. I couldn't help but notice that the smaller pine trees drooped just enough to remind me of scolded children. And, the sun thought about peeking out as I started on my drive to work, but then changed it's mind and hid behind the clouds again so it turned out being another gray winter day. Oh well, it is winter in Garrett County!

Here is a picture of the brief bit of sunshine we received this morning.