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Rural editor who railed against Trump retires

Twelve years after the Civil War, a Union Army veteran named James Hayden established a newspaper for Garrett County, and called it The Republican in honor of Abraham Lincoln. One hundred and forty years later, the Lincoln kind of Republican is long gone, and those who live in the Western Maryland county where Hayden’s newspaper is still published each Thursday voted overwhelmingly to make Donald J. Trump the commander in chief.

Donald W. Sincell, the longtime editor of The Republican, who opposed Trump’s election in November, is still shocked by Trump’s 4-1 margin in Garrett County. The Republican, published in Oakland, does not have a history of directly endorsing political candidates. But it was clear from editorials in 2016 that Sincell did not think a Trump presidency would be good for the country. The Republican refrained from endorsing Hillary Clinton, but in words and in cartoons, it railed against Trump.

If you were not a regular reader of The Republican, and just picked up a copy while vacationing at Deep Creek Lake, you might have found that remarkable, even courageous.

“I get criticism all the time because I tend to take a more liberal stance on a lot of issues,” says Sincell. “People will write or they’ll call and say, ‘You need to change the name of that paper to The Democrat.’ And my response has always been that I didn’t name the paper, first of all. And, second of all, as the editor, as an individual human being, I consider things for their fairness, for their logic, for what seems right, and I don’t care if it comes from a Republican or a Democrat.”

When I contacted Sincell to talk about life in Garrett in the time of Trump, I did not expect him to report the following news: The Republican has just been sold to a West Virginia media company, a publisher of rural weeklies. Sincell, 65, retires this Friday after more than 40 years at the editor’s desk, ending a long run for one of Maryland’s last family-owned weeklies.

Don Sincell’s great-grandfather bought The Republican from Hayden in 1890. His grandfather, great-uncle and father ran the paper for many years. Don Sincell became editor in the 1970s. There have only been four editors in the 140-year history of the newspaper.

The decision to sell to NCWV Media was a tough one, Sincell says. But he says the new owner is better positioned to take The Republican across the digital divide.

For more info, click here.

 

NCWV Media purchases The Republican of Oakland, Maryland

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — NCWV Media continued its growth efforts on Thursday, purchasing The Republican, a weekly newspaper based in Oakland, Maryland.

The deal is effective June 30, said Donald W. Sincell, president of Sincell Publishing Co. Inc., Oakland, and editor of The Republican newspaper.

The newspaper, which was founded in 1877 by James Hayden, has been owned and operated by five generations of the Sincell family since it was purchased from Hayden in 1890 by Sincell’s great-grandfather, Benjamin H. Sincell.

“This has been a difficult decision for our family,” said Donald Sincell, who has served as editor of the weekly for nearly 40 years.

“There is no one in the next generation of our family who is interested in taking over management of the business for the future, so the timing for such a decision seemed right.”

There will continue to be family involvement and management from members of the family, as Sincell’s younger sister will become the new editor of the paper, and his daughter will continue to be part of the news staff.

“In fact, we are so pleased that the majority of our long-time employees will still have their jobs upon the transfer of ownership, which was a significant concern for our family,” said Sincell, who added that all the employees “are like members of our family.”

Sincell said he is optimistic about the continued publishing of The Republican, stating that the new owner is “on the cutting edge” of the publishing business, in both print and online.

“Brian Jarvis, president of NCWV Media, also comes from a multi-generation family involved in newspaper publishing and clearly understands all of the aspects of ‘rural living,’ which was another important factor in our decision-making process,” Sincell said.

“He and his leadership team are passionate about local media and grasp so well the vitally important role that a local newspaper plays in the community. And they will be adding some exciting new and innovative content and services, giving our paper a fresh look overall.”

Jarvis, whose company publishes The Preston News & Journal, The Exponent Telegram daily, as well as The State Journal, The Bridgeport News, The Fairmont News, The Weston News, The Blue & Gold News and NCWV Life Magazine, said the Oakland paper fits the company’s strategic mission well.

“We are very excited to be part of The Republican. We plan to build on what the Sincell family did for several generations by continuing to provide great local reporting, being a proud partner of local businesses and creating a strong digital presence for the area,” Jarvis said.

Jarvis also said he believes the proximity of the Oakland paper to Preston County creates synergy between the two.

“Garrett County is located adjacent to Preston, which could naturally create many unique opportunities for the readers and customers of both publications,” Jarvis said.

NCWV Media purchased Preston Publications, which includes the Preston County News & Journaland the weekly shopper the Penny Saver, in November 2014.

Since it was brought into the NCWV Media family, it has won several awards from the West Virginia Press Association, as well as being named “Business of the Year” by the Preston County Chamber of Commerce at its April awards dinner.

The Republican will continue to be published for Thursday distribution, and at least for the short term, both the main office in Oakland and the satellite office in Grantsville Plaza will remain at the same locations.

“Our pledge is that The Republican will continue to provide great news and marketing delivered to the homes of Garrett County residents and those of many of our subscribers all across the country,” Jarvis said.

“We hope to improve on this local news coverage and distribution by increasing reporters and correspondents. Garrett County is large in geography, so having the resources to cover all the towns will be pivotal,” he said.

For more info, click here.

NEW LISTING- 2247 Herrington Manor Road

 

Brick rancher with plenty of upgrades in an incredible setting! You’ll love where you live – surrounded by horse farms, state forests/parks and some of Garrett County’s most scenic vistas!

3 bedrooms, 2 living areas and 3 acres of level and partially wooded ground. Big views of the mountains from your yard! Detached garage, wooded setting.

For more info, click here.

 

Summer Safety Tips from GRMC Medical Associates of Grantsville

School is out, vacations are booked and warm weather is right around the corner.  Because we care about your health and safety, Dr. Crable, from Medical Associates of Grantsville has put together a list of tips for a safe and happy summer.

Stay hydrated– Being hydrated is essential for good health and consuming water is necessary to keep a body functioning properly. This is especially important in the summer months when our bodies require an intake of more water to counteract the effects of warmer weather and higher humidity. It is recommended to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. To avoid dehydration be aware of the heat and temperature and modify your summer activities appropriately. 

Sun Safety and Protection– It’s natural to want to get out and enjoy the sun during warm summer days, but it should also be a priority to take steps to protect your skin from the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and other sources like tanning beds are the #1 cause of skin cancer.  Avoid consequences of overexposure to the sun like sunburns, premature again of the skin and damage to the eyes by practicing proper sun protection.  Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, wearing proper clothing, a wide –brimmed hat and sunglasses and limiting direct exposure to the sun are some tips to stay sun safe.

Summer Insect Safety– The warmer temperatures of summer mean more outdoor family time, but warmer temperatures are just as appealing to insects.  Most insect bites in the Garrett County area are irritating but otherwise harmless; however, some insects can transmit viruses and diseases. Ticks are also very prevalent in the area and can transmit Lyme disease, which can be treated if recognized early. To prevent bugs from biting avoid perfumes and scented soaps that can attract some insects, stay away from stagnant water and heavily wooded areas, dress appropriately if you plan to be in a wooded or grassy areas, and be conscious of the DEET concentrations that are used in insect repellants.

Outdoor Activity Safety– Children love playing outside in the summer time and the Garrett Region offers unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation. At the playground make sure that all equipment has been carefully maintained, that children can’t reach any moving parts that may pinch or trap them and always supervise children on playground equipment.   To ensure bicycle safety a helmet should be worn at all times and should fit properly and be securely fastened.  

Finally, it’s recommended to always keep a first aid kit handy.  For a list of first aid kit contents from the American Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org.

And for those problems the first aid kit can’t handle, Dr. Crable and the staff at Medical Associates of Grantsville Urgent Care are able to provide excellent, patient-centered care at the state-of-the-art urgent care center seven days a week. The office can be reached at 301-895-8750, or visit us at 32 Corporate Drive, Grantsville, MD. Walk-ins are welcome.

For more info, click here.

Testimonial Tuesday

In short : Jay Ferguson and Taylor-Made Real Estate are the best! Jay sold our home in record time and made it a great experience to boot.

From day one Jay told us ” I am going to sell your home,” and there was an offer on the table less than 8 hours after the house was listed. Jay did his homework. He had a thorough understanding of pricing trends and of the strengths of our unique development before the unit went on the market.

The results : our unit sold faster than almost any other house in our community that had been listed over the past five years and it sold at a higher price than most if not all of those same units.

Jay and his wonderful, friendly staff at Taylor-Made have created a digital marketing juggernaut. They take the time to get it right the first time and are very effective in making sure potential buyers will easily find your home’s listing online with accurate information on well designed, eye-catching web pages.

Jay is honest and straightforward. Jay never made a promise he did not deliver on. Jay is an expert negotiator and we always felt he was looking out for our best interest first. Jay very patiently walked us through all the steps we needed to sell our home. Jay was readily available to answer any questions or to update us on any developments regarding our contract. Jay’s knowledge and acumen are second to none. He is just a great upbeat guy and a pleasure to work with. He is also a cool cucumber. Selling a home can be a stressful situation at times but thanks to Jay’s people skills he always kept things on an even keel.

His excellent support staff (including Megan, Susan and Allie) were also tremendously helpful and friendly. Everything Jay does is deliberate and has purpose. Jay is truly there to serve his clients and exceed his client’s expectations which he definitely did in our case.

I would recommend Jay to anyone who is considering selling their home. Jay is one of the hardest working, most positive, talented professionals we have had the pleasure to work with in any field. While there are a lot of great agents in Western Maryland Jay is in a class of his own. We were blessed to have him in our corner and I promise you will feel the same if you choose Jay to sell your home.” – Rob Paine

 

Planning for 40th annual Grantsville Days nearly finished

GRANTSVILLE — Planning is nearly completed for the 40th annual Grantsville Days June 23 through 25. The event includes food prepared by local, nonprofit groups, a parade, two nights of fireworks and entertainment throughout the event.

The schedule this year includes the Grantsville Fire Department parade Friday at 6.45 p.m. Food and other booths are open at the Grantsville Park after the parade and Saturday and Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. Fireworks will be featured Friday and Saturday, Lions barbecued chicken will be available Saturday and Sunday and an interdenominational church service coordinated by Grace Community Church will be held Sunday at 11 a.m.

This year’s music entertainment schedule will bring Jimmy B to perform Friday night after the parade. On Saturday the entertainment features the return of the Vandells at 12:30 p.m. For the first time, direct from Broadway, “Beatlemania Again,” the musical history of the Beatles, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, beginning at 2 p.m., the Fabulous Hubcaps will be back for its annual event in Western Maryland.

The lawn tractor pulls begin Saturday at 9 a.m., with registration at 8 a.m. Championship Pro Wrestling will make its inaugural appearance in Grantsville at 4 p.m. on the basketball courts and will feature WWE superstar The Patriot.

Also new this year will be crafts and arts vendors at the tennis courts and a classic car show Sunday beginning at noon. Dashboard plaques will be awarded.

All events are free and open to the public. The event is family friendly and no alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Grantsville Days is fully funded by donations from regional businesses. Sponsors of each event are listed in the Grantsville Days brochure available at sponsors’ businesses.

Parade and booth applications are being accepted and are available upon request by email at gbeachy@comcast.net or by calling 301-895-5387. Questions about the event can be sent to the same email address.

The Grantsville Lions Club is the coordinator of Grantsville Days and 100 percent of the proceeds from the event are returned to the community in the form of eyeglasses, scholarships and donations to other groups helping those in need.

For information about joining the Lions Club, contact Grantsville Lions Club Secretary Gerry Beachy or visit the Grantsville Lions Facebook page.

For more info, click here.

NEW LISTING- 565 Glendale Road #308

Check out my listing at Silver Tree Suites.

Take a closer look at this over-sized unit at Silver Tree Suites. You will feel the difference that this 722sf offers over smaller units – and so will your guests!

This in-demand unit rents more often than most because of the added size and attractive layout with loft bedroom.

Best priced unit compared to other similar floor-plans. Enjoy the lakefront amenities & added bonus of rental income!

For more info, click here.

 

NEW LISTING- 167 Tenderfoot Road

Check out my new listing!

Yellowstone log home on 4.31 wooded acres. 3BR/2BA on the main and upper levels, and 2 more BR + BA on the lower level are framed, dry-walled, just waiting for paint and flooring.

Construction is 90% finished and most materials needed to finish are stored in basement.

Property is priced $50k under assessment! Two impressive fireplaces and a peaceful front porch. 5BR rental projections ~$25k+/yr.

For more information, click here.

 

NEW LISTING- 209 Sante Fe Trail

Check out my new listing!

Affordable lake view chalet in the heart of Deep Creek Lake! 10 years new, this chalet offers spacious bedrooms, wide open living areas and plenty of natural light.

Located just off of Lake Shore Dr, the location couldn’t be better. Private, yet just around the corner from popular destinations like Wisp & DCL state park. Finishing the 1400sf +/- on the lower level can add more BR’s or game room!

For more info, click here.

 

 

Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales Raises Money for Local Animal Charity

Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales is a leading vacation rental and real estate firm located in McHenry, MD. With a strong commitment to the local community, their team is involved in a wide variety of charitable activities through sponsorship, donations and volunteer work throughout the year.

In May of 2017, Taylor-Made owners and members of the Deep Creek Lake real estate team broke out their bartending skills to host a Guest Bartender Night at JG’s Pub to benefit HART for Animals, a local non-profit with a mission to improve the condition of animals in Western Maryland. Their adoption center has become a model for compassionate animal rescue.

Lots of members of the Taylor-Made Deep Creek staff were on hand as servers or to help with the silent auction and raffles. The company has partnered with Kate and Fred Collins, JG’s Pub owners, on this event for over ten years. They are always happy to roll up their sleeves for HART for Animals. The event was a huge success raising over $2,300.

Later that month, staff stepped-up to support the Adopt-A-Road program in Garrett County. Members of every department at Taylor-Made volunteered their time to pick up litter prior to the busy summer season on the four “adopted” roads.

“A strong commitment to community plays a key role in our company culture,” stated Jodi Taylor Refosco, Owner. “It strengthens our team and benefits the Deep Creek Lake area as a whole.”

Taylor-Made is family owned and operated by Jodi Taylor Refosco, her husband, Joe Refosco, and her brother Chad Taylor. Betsy Spiker Holcomb and Jay Ferguson are co-owners of the real estate company that was started in 2014.

With over 370 homes, Taylor-Made is the largest vacation rental management company at Deep Creek Lake. Their sister Deep Creek Lake real estate company has become the fastest growing brokerage in the area in recent years.

About Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales

Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales has become a frontrunner in Deep Creek Lake vacation rentals, real estate, and property services. Taylor-Made rental homes and sales listings are conveniently located within a few hour’s drive from Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Washington, DC.