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Residents concerned about Deep Creek Lake's future

Some of the facts need to be checked with this article (lack of no wake zones? – I can show you at least 10 no-wake buoys on the lake), but there some legitimate concerns voiced here. I’m anxiously awaiting the water analysis results from the state labs – I am confident that the answers to all of the speculation will be found in those results.
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MCHENRY — — Something’s killing the fish at Deep Creek Lake. The die-off appears to be weather-related, but some people wonder if it’s an omen for the future of this mountain resort, as the “crown jewel” of rural western Maryland becomes increasingly crowded with vacation homes, boaters and tourist attractions.

Over the past couple of weeks, about 1,000 yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, catfish and bluegill have been found floating belly-up on the 3,900-acre manmade lake. Though the fish kill is small compared with die-offs around the Chesapeake Bay, it’s the largest here since the state Department of the Environment began keeping track.

“This is too depressing,” said Barbara Beelar, 68, as she piloted her outboard boat among dead perch scattered across the water near her lakefront home. A retired community organizer who began summering here in her childhood, she worries that the dead fish are “canaries in the coal mine,” harbingers of an ecosystem increasingly stressed by all the people drawn to the lake to live, work and play.

Two years ago, thick mats of bright green algae formed on the southern end of the lake, prompting Beelar to form the Friends of Deep Creek Lake. She and other residents say they’re concerned about polluted runoff from farms and vacation homes, about leaking septic tanks, sewage leaks and about shoreline erosion muddying the water and filling in the coves. The number of homes there has grown by 50 percent in the past 25 years and is projected to nearly double in the next two decades.

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Changes At Fair Result From New Hall Construction

Support the Republican Newspaper! It’s only $9.95/year for the online edition!

Aug. 5, 2010

Work continues to progress on the new 30,000-square foot trade and exhibit hall at the Garrett County fairgrounds, with completion anticipated later this fall. According to the Garrett County Fair Board, the construction work will require that a number of changes be made during the fair, which runs from Saturday, Aug. 7, through Saturday, Aug. 14.
“The board asks for everyone’s understanding as we grow, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the 54th annual Garrett County Fair,” a spokesperson said. “While the changes associated with the construction project will cause some inconveniences, the addition of the new building to the grounds is very positive, and should more than compensate for any temporary inconvenience that we all might experience.”

Although the walk-in gate on U.S. Rt. 219 will remain open, all vehicle traffic must enter the grounds via the upper gate on Mosser Road.

Handicapped parking areas have been designated near the Rt. 219 walk-in gate, the walk-in gate at the track, and the walk-in gate off the Mosser Road exit.

Bleachers in front of the previous stage area have been removed as part of the construction project. The stage area itself will host small events and activities such as the pet show and senior citizens’ day activities.

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Plans Finalized For This Weekend's Annual Friendsville Days Celebration

Aug. 5, 2010

Friendsville Days 2010 will be held this weekend, beginning on Friday, Aug. 6, and ending on Saturday, Aug. 7. Admission is free to the two-day event, which will be held rain or shine.
Friendsville Days will begin with a free picnic dinner sponsored by the Northern Garrett Rescue Squad Station 3 on Friday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. Donations are not expected, but any received will benefit the Friendsville Library in honor of the Friendsville Area Quilters.

The annual Cancer Walk, a Friendsville Community Watch sponsored event, will also be held on Friday. Ribbons can be purchased in memory or honor of a loved one stricken with cancer. The Friendsville Days 2010 Queen will be announced at 6:45 p.m., with Miss Maryland Lindsay Staniszewski, along with Miss Friendsville Days 2008 Hannah Sines.

A Christian puppet show will present a program for kids of all ages at the pavilion at the play area. Musical entertainment will be provided by Girlz in Black Hats beginning at 7 p.m., sponsored by Northern Garrett Rescue Squad.

Saturday’s activities will begin with a volleyball tournament at 9 a.m. in the sand volleyball court. The 30th annual Friendsville Days parade will begin at noon. The grand marshal for the parade will be the Friendsville Area Quilters, who yearly have been providing handmade quilts to be raffled to benefit the Friendsville Library. The quilters will be selling chances for the latest quilt at the door prize booth.

After the parade, activities will continue at the community park. Opening ceremonies with a flag raising, 21-gun salute by local veterans, and the national anthem sung by Miss Maryland will begin at 1:30 p.m. Miss Maryland is sponsored by Friendsville Pharmacy.

Black Diamond will be performing gospel and country music beginning at 2 p.m. Bingo will also begin at 2 p.m. at the senior citizen building. Kids’ games will be held in the pavilion at the softball field, as well as a dunking booth. Rides will be provided by Fun Factory.

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Garrett Cooperative Ministry, Inc. – Christian Crossing Thrift Shop

I wanted to showcase one of Garrett County’s finest non-profit’s: Christian Crossing Thrift Shop in Loch Lynn (Mt Lake Park). You can donate unwanted furniture, clothing, appliances and more and they re-distribute those items to those in need. It’s a great program and it helps a lot. I have hundreds of clients, friends & family who have donated and expressed gratitude about how easy the process was, etc. If you have something that can be re-used, don’t throw it out – donate it!
Garrett Cooperative Ministry, Inc.
Christian Crossing Thrift Shop Phone: (301) 334-6339
Paul Shogren, President
2 West First Avenue E-mail: shogren@verizon.net
Loch Lynn, MD 21550
http://www.ilovedeepcreek.com/blog/index.php/site/garrett_cooperative_ministry_christian_crossing_thrift_shop/

Christian Crossing Thrift Shop meets various needs of residents of the Garrett County community by operating a facility to collect and distribute donated furniture,
furnishings, appliances, clothing and housewares.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Deep Creek Lake Law – Gary Sabo – Attorney

I had an opportunity to close a few deals with attorney Gary Sabo last week. Gary is a good friend of mine and I actually sold him his place here at the lake when he decided to move down here from Pittsburgh.

It was a pleasure working with his staff (Brandy & Sherry) – they are very knowledgeable and professional, and they were always a step ahead of everyone in their planning, etc. The office is quite impressive. It was a very laid back closing with children’s coloring books at the table and lots of beautiful artwork and furniture. Overall, a great experience. I highly recommend Gary & his services.

Here is some info from his website:
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Deepcreeklaw.com is the online home of the law firm of Gary E. Sabo, Attorney-at-Law.

Gary received his bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University, and his Juris Doctor from the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Law, where he served as managing editor of the Law Review.

Gary began his legal career at a large Pittsburgh law firm, where his practice concentrated in areas of corporate litigation, business law, and real estate.

In 2006, Gary moved to Deep Creek to open the Deep Creek Branch of Sage Title Group, LLC which covers western Maryland, southern Pennsylvania, and northern and eastern West Virginia where Gary serves as Managing Attorney. Gary also serves as regional counsel to Sage Title and services branch offices in western Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Gary frequently lectures to real estate agents on topics related to the real estate and title industry. Gary is approved by several education providers to instruct continuing education classes to agents.

Gary is a member of the Maryland Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, and West Virginia Bar association. In his free time Gary is also an active wake boarder and head snowboard coach of the Deep Creek Winter Sports Team.

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Gary E. Sabo, Attorney-at-Law
24449 Garrett Hwy. Unit 4
McHenry, MD 21541

Phone: 301-387-7380
Fax: 301-387-7381
Email: gary@garysabo.com
www.deepcreeklakelaw.com

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for aill of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Tree falls, killing bicyclist

Strong winds move through area causing fatality, widespread property damage
Bob Likens
Cumberland Times-News

— CUMBERLAND — High winds swept through the area Wednesday evening, resulting in the death of a 49-year-old woman who was riding a bicycle on a paved portion of the Great Allegheny Passage in the city.

She was struck and fatally injured by a tree that reportedly was brought down by the severe storm.

Cumberland Police officers responded to the popular hiker/biker trail near the Valley Street intersection after first being alerted to the incident at 6:14 p.m. Officers found the victim under an 18- to 20-inch locust tree, immediately began to render aid and requested the city fire department and its emergency medical services personnel to respond.

The victim was freed from beneath the tree and transported to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center where she died of her injuries, said police.

Local law enforcement was at the scene of the accident after 7 p.m. Wednesday, keeping residents out of the area because of live power lines that were down. The identity of the victim was withheld, pending notification of family members.

From Garrett County to neighboring counties in West Virginia, numerous trees were reported down, keeping emergency dispatchers hustling by calling out fire departments to clear away debris and preventing people from getting close to any live wires. Also, trees were reported across power lines and into houses at a number of locations throughout the area.

Hundreds of residents were without power for a variety of problems ranging from blown fuses, overhead wiring or equipment problems, underground wiring, transformer fires and a host of related problems.

Around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Allegheny Power reported about 4,000 customers were without electricity in Allegany, Garrett and Mineral counties.

Bryan Miller, shift supervisor for Allegany County 911 Center, said things began going downhill shortly after 6 p.m. when the storm starting moving through the area.

“We handled more than 200 calls,’’ Miller said. He said there were numerous calls about tree and power lines down “throughout the county.’’

Miller also said off-duty dispatchers were called in to handle the large amount of calls.

“We started with a normal shift of six and went up to 10. We have eight in here now,’’ he said, that being about 9:45 p.m.

“We have about four to five units out right now,’’ he said, “and we’re looking at the weather maps because it looks like we’re going to be in for more severe weather Thursday.’’

And on top of it all, Miller said, Orleans firefighters were sent to Morgan County, W.Va., to assist with battling a house fire there.

Residents and business employees were working Wednesday evening, clearing up the damage brought by Mother Nature.

Frank Lynch, a driver for NAPA Auto Parts, 446 N. Mechanic St., and Floyd Friend, NAPA store manager in Keyser, W.Va., were busy putting cardboard up to replace a large store window that was blown out by the wind.

“I heard about it on my scanner,’’ Lynch said. He said he heard Cumberland Police needed some help at the location because of glass all over the sidewalk. “That was about 6:30 p.m.,’’ he said, “so I came in and yelled for help and Friend came down.’’

At 200 Maple St., Janet Stegmaier was sitting on her porch looking at the tree that was down across the road from her house.

“I heard a crash, then thunder and the wind was very strong,’’ she said. Stegmaier said her home did not sustain any damage and she was told by a Cumberland Police officer who showed up at the scene that someone would be there some time during the evening to clear the tree from the road. As Stegmaier sat there she did say she was enjoying the beautiful rainbow that was over the city.

A dispatcher at the Garrett County Emergency Center said Friendsville, Accident and the Deep Creek Lake area were the hardest hit.

“We have a lot of trees down, a lot of lines down, a lot of utility poles down, but there are no injures,’’ the dispatcher said.

The dispatcher also said that two Garrett roads were closed due to high-tension lines being down.

A dispatcher for Hampshire County (W.Va.) Emergency Services said the storm started moving through about 6:30 p.m. and the area had a lot of trees and power lines down. Around 9:30 p.m., she said a handful of emergency personnel were still on calls, but they were beginning to clear and return to their stations. She also reported no injures caused by the storms.

Mike Pigott, a meteorologist with AccuWeather, told the Times-News Wednesday evening that the region had been placed under a severe thunderstorm warning and a squall line of strong storms moved through the area with winds gusting to 40 mph at the Garrett County Airport.

“You’re not out of the woods yet,’’ Pigott said. “There is another round of strong storms that is forecast to move through the area Thursday morning.’’

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Garrett officials nix sprinkler requirement

Megan Miller
Cumberland Times-News

— OAKLAND — New homes built in Garrett County will not be required to contain automatic sprinkler systems, a statewide proposal that sparked heated debate in many Maryland counties.

The county commission removed the sprinkler re-quirement from the building code it adopted July 27.

The measure is included in the 2009 International Residential Code, adopted by the state of Maryland, which applies to one- and two-family homes. The revised code requires a minimum of two sprinkler heads to spray 26 to 30 gallons of water per minute for a 10-minute period, for a total of 260 to 300 gallons of water.

Counties had the option to adhere to the IRC as-is or to adopt it with local amendments, as Garrett County did.

“The argument for the sprinkler system did not measure up to the many objections against it,” said commission chairman Ernie Gregg. “You can argue the safety factor, but in our opinion there are adequate safety measures in place with things like smoke detectors. … You can’t weigh a person’s life against cost, but this would have placed an additional considerable financial burden on people.”

Despite the commission’s decision, modular homes must contain sprinkler systems, according to County Administrator Monty Pagenhardt. That state requirement could not be waived by the commission.

Pagenhardt said the commissioners received roughly 20 to 25 comments from the public on the proposed sprinkler requirement, but only two supported it.

“The commissioners listened to that commentary and agreed with the majority opinion that they heard,” he said.

Many of the opponents, such as Roger Sines of McHenry-based Roger Sines Construction Inc., argued that the added cost of a sprinkler system would deter people from building new homes in the county.

The cost of such a system could add anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000 to the cost of a new home, Sines estimated.

Previous estimates have figured sprinklers at a cost of between $1.60 and $2 per square foot of space, meaning that a system for an average 2,000-square-foot home would cost between $3,200 and $4,000. And many factors could drive up that cost. For example, homes relying on a private well could also be required to install a reservoir and fire pump to drive the sprinkler system.

The Western Maryland Home Builders Association submitted a letter to the commission requesting that the sprinkler policy be postponed to 2012.

But proponents of the measure said it would make homes safer for occupants and firefighters, and could lower the cost of homeowners’ fire insurance.

Dennis Mallery, president of the Allegany-Garrett Counties Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, wrote to association members in June that the sprinkler issue comes down to a question of safety.

“There should be no debate over this issue,” Mallery said in his letter to firefighters. “The WMHBA continues to voice their concern that it is not the right time economically to require residential sprinklers in new 1-2 family homes. When is there a ‘right’ time? After a family member or firefighter is injured or killed?”

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Moonshine Classic 10k Saturday – Big Run State Park

BIG RUN STATE PARK — Local running club Queen City Striders will hold the Moonshine Classic 10k Run and 2-Mile Walk on Saturday starting at 8 a.m. at Big Run State Park in Garrett County.

The 10k course (6.2 miles) is a double out-and-back trek that runs along Savage River Road. The starting line and registration activities will take place near the pavilion at the intersection of Big Run Road and Savage River Road. Race-day registration will be available at a cost of $15. Race day T-shirts will be available while they last. Registration will begin at 6:45 a.m. and run until 7:45 a.m. Awards will be given to the top overall male and female and the top three finishers in several age groups in the 10k run, and overall male and female as well as first male and female over 60 years old for the 2-mile walk. This race is run to provide funding for the numerous races and events put on by the Queen City Striders throughout the year.

Following the race and awards ceremony, the Striders will hold their annual club picnic at the pavilion near the starting line. The club will provide meat and drinks and those planning to attend are asked to bring something for all to enjoy. All are welcome, and participation in the race is not required to attend the picnic.

For more information, contact race director David Ritchie during evenings at 301-876-4985. For more information about the Queen City Striders, e-mail qcstriders@gmail.com or visit http://www.qcstriders.org

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Clean energy isn't pretty – Baltimore Sun blog

Like them or not, wind turbines are apparently coming to Maryland. If the wind turbines are in your backyard, or in your line of sight, you probably oppose them. If they are not, it is probably easier to regard them as a clean way to produce energy.

This week, as the first of 28 wind towers were being erected on Backbone Mountain in Garrett County, environmental groups were contending the turbines were likely to harm federally protected Indiana and Virginia big-eared bats. Their challenge mirrors an action in West Virginia where a federal judge temporarily halted construction of a wind farm.

Meanwhile, at Monday’s Baltimore County Council meeting, a pilot wind power program was withdrawn when community groups complained that the turbines would be eyesores, create noise in residential areas and drive down property values.

More and more, the question of how we generate the electricity we need to run our lives comes down to tradeoffs. Getting energy from coal-fired plants has been our traditional practice, but it pollutes the environment. Nuclear power is an option, but building nuclear plants is expensive and there is the nasty question of what to do with the spent fuel. No one wants nuclear waste in their backyard.

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!

Year to Date Real Estate Stats – Railey still #1

I will have a comprehensive update of the July sales tomorrow, but through August 2nd, 2010, Railey Realty is #1 in virtually every sales category (by a long shot)! Check out the stats here.
I love Railey Realty because its a locally owned company. These days, its nice to support those local companies who support local sports teams, events & charities – and Railey Realty certainly has Garrett County covered!

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!