Jay Fergusonjay@deepcreekvacations.com301-501-0420
Menu

Marketing Roundtable: Garrett County’s Big Funky Blues Festival

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce invites all Chamber members to the next Marketing Roundtable on Wednesday, May 10 from 11 am – 12 pm in the Chamber conference room.

The meeting will feature the owners of OMG Relax, LLC, Christine and Randy Anderson, providing an update on their new summertime event, Garrett County’s Big Funky Blues Festival. Slated for Saturday, August 12 from 10 am – 9 pm at the Garrett County Fairgrounds, the festival includes live music from nine bands, food, crafters, artisans, axe throwing, glass blowing, blacksmithing, kid’s zone and more. A portion of each ticket sale will benefit Camp Caring of Garrett County, a summer day camp for children with special needs. This is a terrific opportunity for area marketing professionals and Chamber member businesses to learn more about this exciting new family-friendly event in Garrett County.

You can attend the Marketing Roundtable in-person or virtually via Zoom. The event is free to attend but is limited to Chamber members and registration is required as space is limited. The meeting will be held in the Chamber’s conference room at the Visitors Center. To register, click “Register” above right to reserve your spot!


Date and Time
Wednesday May 10, 2023
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM EDT

Location
Chamber Conference Room
15 Visitors Center Drive
McHenry, MD 21541

Fees/Admission
FREE but registration is required

Contact Information
301.387.8746
Send Email

Garrett County Diversity and Inclusion Committee Meeting Scheduled

Garrett County Government

The Garrett County Diversity and Inclusion Committee is having a meeting on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 3 PM until 4:30 PM at Garrett College in the Offutt STEM Building in Room 211.

Call for Art: County Collector Coin Project

Call for Art: County Collector Coin Project


The County Collector Coin for 2023 will celebrate the National Road in Grantsville. The Casselman River Bridge, which
was apart of the road was erected in 1811 and travel over the bridge began in 1813. The stone arch bridge was the
largest single span bridge in the US at the time. This area holds a tremendous amount of history from George
Washington’s troops marching through this area to the National Road it is certainly worthy of a celebration. We
encourage you to share with us your vision for this collector coin.


Eligibility:
Anyone living in Garrett County is eligible to enter art to be considered for the county collector coin.


Deadline:
All submissions must be received by May 1
st. Submissions can be emailed to kim@garrettchamber.com
All artwork should be provided in the following format files: .jpeg, .png, .pdf


Rules:

  • Any medium can be used but a digital copy must be submitted as the final product.
  • Artwork must commemorate the National Road in Grantsville.
  • Artist must provide name, address and how long they have lived in Garrett County.
    Judging:
    All art will be judged by the Heritage Area Board of Directors. The board is comprised of 15 local members that
    represent various areas of business and government agencies within Garrett County. The entire board will vote on
    submissions based on the following criteria:
  • How well the art depicts the history of the National Road. Does it celebrate the history?
  • Will the art present well on a small coin.
  • How creative is the design.
  • Marketability of the art on a coin
    Each item will be worth 10 points. Making the maximum score available 40. The winner will be notified via the email
    used to submit the original artwork. The artwork will be on display with the coin at the Visitor Center during the sale of
    the coins. The artist will be credited in all marketing materials. Including press releases, sales flyers, social media posts,
    etc.
    For questions contact kim@garrettchamber.com

Two Minute Deep Creek Market Update

Taylor-Made Deep Creek Sales

Here’s a quick overview of the Deep Creek Lake real estate market as of April 14, 2023.

  • Average sold price lake area residential – Average: $1,002,723, Median: $639,500
  • Number of sales pending for Garrett County – 55 (28 went under contract in March)
  • Number of homes for sale Garrett County – 133 (51 were listed in March, down from 5 year average which is 66)
  • Number of sales closed Garrett County – 37, down from 5 year average of 46


Written by Admin on April 17, 2023. Posted in Deep Creek Lake Real Estate, Market

Line Stripe Work to Begin on County Roadways 4-19-23

Department of Public Works – Roads Division

The Garrett County Department of Public Works – Roads Division advises that Alpha Space Control Contracting will be initiating line stripe work this season on various County roadways. Line stripe work will begin on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 and is expected to continue into the summer months.
The public is advised to be aware of the line stripe work crews and be cautious when approaching the line stripe machinery and wet paint areas on County roadways. The public is urged to adhere to line stripe crews’ warning signs and flashing signals.

GLENDALE ROAD REALIGNMENT PROJECT TO BEGIN MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023

Department of Public Works – Roads Division


The Garrett County Public Works Department – Roads Division announces that Excavating Associates, Incorporated will be starting the Glendale Road Realignment project on the date of Monday, April 24, 2023. Traffic flow will be impacted during the project phase, and the public should expect travel delays.
The public can address any questions to Excavating Associates at 301-777-0444.

FSU awarded $250K grant for outdoor recreation economy

Greg Larry, Cumberland Times-News, Md.

Apr. 4—FROSTBURG — Frostburg State University has been awarded a $250,000 grant for educational programs designed to support a regional approach to growing Western Maryland’s outdoor recreation economy.

The grant, from the Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism in conjunction with the federal Economic Development Administration, will fund initiatives in workforce development, training and certification in Allegany and Garrett counties, and will be administered by FSU’s Division of Regional Development and Engagement.

“DRDE is very excited to be leading this regional initiative to collaboratively address the immediate outdoor recreation workforce needs in Mountain Maryland and create a pipeline of students interested in enjoying the outdoors and with the skill sets necessary to adequately support our local businesses,” said Al Delia, FSU’s vice president for regional development.

The projects will be a collaborative effort between FSU, Allegany College of Maryland, Garrett College and local outdoor recreation businesses. Supporting partners include the Maryland Office of Outdoor Recreation and county government offices in Allegany and Garrett counties.

“DRDE is uniquely situated to lead this initiative and we look forward to growing our partnerships with our community colleges and local small businesses in the outdoor recreation economy,” said Jennifer Walsh, regional initiatives coordinator for the Division of Regional Development and Engagement, and executive director of The Greater Cumberland Committee.

Funds will be used to support a bicycle mechanic program at ACM and a marine mechanic program at Garrett College, while FSU will purchase outdoor recreation equipment to support its Center for Advancement of Natural and Outdoor Experiences, led by Natalia Buta. A paid internship program will also be created to place students with local outdoor recreation-related businesses.

“The bicycle repair training through ACM will immerse students into a 4-day experience in bicycle mechanics, covering all the essential maintenance material in greater detail with hands-on training,” Cynthia Bambara, president of Allegany College of Maryland, said. “Students who complete the program will earn an Apprenticeship Bench Tool Kit and will be prepared to further their studies and participate in a paid internship with a local bike shop.”

Garrett College will partner with Deep Creek Lake-area marinas and boat companies to provide an introductory marine mechanic program.

“Upon completion of the proposed 100-hour training, a student will receive a non-credit certificate of completion from Garrett College,” Julie Yoder, the school’s dean of continuing education and workforce development, said.

According to Yoder, once a student has completed two years of experience, they will be eligible to take a certification exam through American Boat and Yacht Council to become a certified technician. Paid internships with local companies will also be available.

Ashli Workman, director of tourism for Allegany County, said Western Maryland has much to offer the sector.

“Allegany and Garrett counties are gateway communities, home to 31% of the state’s public land,” she said. “With over 600 miles of developed trail systems, one national park, three state forests and 12 state parks, our region’s outdoor recreation economy and access to natural resources offers the opportunity for sustainable economic and community development.”

Greg Larry is a reporter at the Cumberland Times-News. To reach him, call 304-639-4951, email glarry@times-news.com and follow him on Twitter @GregLarryCTN.

The 5 Best Maryland Lakes For Swimming

a-z Animals

What’s better than swimming to get great exercise while having fun and staying cool with your family and friends during the summer? Swimming is not only a fun activity, but it is a great way to exercise the entire body and improve your fitness. Swimming is also an activity all ages can find ways to enjoy, especially if you visit the best Maryland lakes for swimming!

There are over 100 lakes within the state of Maryland today. Each one of those lakes is, however, a man-made reservoir (either for recreation, utility, or both). Deep Creek Lake, for example — with its nearly 4,000 acres of lake water — powers a hydroelectric dam that has operated since 1925, but also offers recreational activities for residents and vacationers.

So, let’s take a look at five of Maryland’s lakes that are the best lakes for swimming!

Greenbrier Lake
Deep Creek Lake
Lake Habeeb
Cunningham Falls
Kilgore Falls

Deep Creek Lake (Deep Creek Lake State Park)

Most Maryland lakes are much smaller than Deep Creek Lake, with many covering less than 50 acres. Deep Creek Lake, on the other hand, is known for being the largest lake in Maryland. It covers nearly 4,000 acres! The park gets its name from the lake. The Youghiogheny Hydroelectric Company created a 1,300-foot-long dam in the 1920s for a hydroelectric project.

So why go swimming at Deep Creek Lake? Is it more than just a hydroelectric dam project? Yes!

With its mile-long shoreline and two swimming beaches, along with 20 miles of trails for hiking and biking, campgrounds, and an enormous Discovery Center, Deep Creek Lake State Park offers year-round activities for everyone.


The natural beauty of Deep Creek Lake is only matched by its diverse wildlife and stunning scenery. With deer, bald eagles, ospreys, black bears, and more, visitors can expect to see a wide range of nature’s creatures while they swim and explore.


It’s a Maryland State Park, so the lake’s water is well-kept, and convenience factors are much more amenable. There are public restrooms, places to stay overnight that are close by, and convenience stores.

7 Most Beautiful Lakes In Maryland

World Atlas

As is the case all over the world, the lakes of Maryland are a popular destination for locals and tourists looking to relax. They are a focal point for outdoor recreation, fishing, and enjoyment of the natural world. Unlike many places, though, not a single one of the lakes in Maryland was formed naturally. Most natural lakes are formed by glaciers, but during the last Ice Age, glaciers didn’t reach the area that is now Maryland. Other lakes are caused by faulting, volcanic activity, or landslides, which again didn’t happen in that area.

There are now over 100 artificial lakes in Maryland, and though they were the result of human development, especially due to the need for hydroelectric energy, nature has made good use of them. Some of the most beautiful of these lakes have become an important part of the area’s ecosystem and are now part of larger parks. The land, plants, and animals have adapted to the lake’s presence, so these parks have become important habitats for fish, birds, and animals large and small.

Deep Creek Lake

As the largest lake in the state, Deep Creek Lake is also perhaps the most well-known of Maryland’s lakes. It can be found near Oakland, in Deep Creek Lake State Park, which sits high on a plateau in the Allegheny Highlands. Created as the result of a hydroelectric dam, it has been an important source of energy for the area since 1925.

The lake itself covers approximately 3,900 acres and is surrounded by 69 miles of shoreline, some of which is sandy beach. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating of all types. Nearby, the state park offers cabins, camping spots, and over 100 miles of trails from which to try to spot elk or mule deer. But the park is also home to bobcats and black bears, so caution to all hikers is recommended. Also in the park is a 6,000 s6,000-square-foot Discovery Center with an aviary that features rescued eagles and ospreys.