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Commissioners recognize Swiftwater Rescue Team

From The Garrett County Republican

OAKLAND — The county commissioners recognized the recently formed Garrett County Swiftwater Rescue Team during their public meeting Tuesday afternoon at the courthouse in Oakland.

“I’m very pleased,” said Emergency Management Director John Frank about getting a team started. “It’s been a long time coming for Garrett County.”

He noted the team is organized under Garrett County Emergency Services, known as Company 8.

“Emergency Management just kind of helps facilitate, administer and approve deployments,” Frank said. “It’s our volunteers who have this kind of commitment.”

The Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Company serves as the team’s coordinator. Six other volunteer departments participate in the effort — Deer Park Community, Oakland, Kitzmiller, Eastern Garrett, Bloomington and Friendsville. Deep Creek Fire Chief Jason King is team leader.

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25th-annual Country Fest and Auction scheduled Aug. 24

From The Garrett County Republican

McHENRY — The 25th-annual Country Fest and Auction is set for Aug. 24 at the Garrett County Fairgrounds in McHenry from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Billed as “an event for the whole family,” the festival is traditionally held the fourth Saturday in August.

Planning, setting up, running and cleaning up takes a large team of volunteers.

“Each church member from the age of 10 and up is assigned something to do,” said Lucy Maust, festival secretary. “We all just pitch in and do it.”

The fundraiser is sponsored by the Bittinger and Pillar of Life Mennonite churches in the Bittinger/Accident area. Maust stressed that 90 percent of all proceeds go toward Christian education for the church members’ children. The remaining 10 percent is donated to Christian Aid Ministries — a nonprofit Mennonite group headquartered in Berlin, Ohio — to minister to the “physical and spiritual needs of the world.”

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Deep Creek Lake author publishes two more books

From The Garrett County Republican

DEEP CREEK LAKE — Local historian Ed King recently completed not one but two books: “Deep Creek Lake: The Founders (Book 1)” and “I Love Deep Creek Lake: Another in a Series of Vignettes.”

“It’s taken me about four years to write ‘The Founders,’” he said, noting there was much research to conduct and many people to interview for the publication.

King will sign copies of both books this Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Garrett County Historical Society Museum in Oakland. Weather permitting, he will be set up in the gazebo.

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Federal grant received to improve Garrett County Airport

From The Garrett County Republican

McHENRY — A grant award from the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) will 100%-fund the construction of eight corporate hangars at the Garrett County Airport.

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, both D-Md., jointly announced the DOT grant award last month.

This renovation project has been a priority for the community airport and has been included in the strategic improvement plan since 2015. The addition of eight hangars and a ramp directly into to McHenry Industrial Park were identified to better serve customers.

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Lowdermilk chosen as 2019 Garrett County Farm Queen

From The Garrett County Republican

McHENRY — Rileigh Lowdermilk was crowned as the 2019 Garrett County Farm Queen on Sunday during the annual ceremony at the Garrett County Fairgrounds.

The fair will continue through Saturday, with various events scheduled for each day in the show ring and on the track, musical entertainment and carnival rides and games by Reithoffer Shows.

Lowdermilk is the 74th farm queen, as noted by Terri Rodeheaver of the Garrett County Board of Directors.

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Mountain Lake Park mayor seeking restoration of town’s lake

From The Garrett County Republican

MTN. LAKE PARK — Mayor Don Sincell would like to put the “lake” back in Mountain Lake Park.

He discussed the issue with state officials during the recent Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference in Ocean City.

“One of the main reasons I wanted to go there was to find out about the possibility of eventually restoring Mountain Lake,” Sincell said during last week’s town council meeting.

The former 35-acre lake was part of a planned Chautauqua resort established by a group of businessmen and Methodists from Wheeling, W.Va., in 1881. The water body provided swimming and boating opportunities for program participants and other visitors. The site is now owned by the town.

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Volunteers, arts council host 20th-annual Art in the Park

From The Garrett County Republican

DEEP CREEK LAKE — Once again on the shores of Deep Creek Lake, be inspired.

More than 45 artists — including several new to the festival — will display and sell their work at the 20th annual Art in the Park on July 14-15 at Deep Creek Lake State Park.

Arrive by boat, car or foot — enter thru the gate at Deep Creek Lake State Park (service charge applies.) Food, naturalist programs and children’s art tent will be among featured activities.

“Art in the Park is an event for the entire family to enjoy,” said Caroline Blizzard, volunteer coordinator of the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc. “Beautiful artwork, hands-on activities, delicious food will delight children and parents alike. We are proud to offer such programs that can bring family, fun, art and education together.”

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Garrett County Board of Realtors active in county for decades

From The Garrett County Republican

OAKLAND — For more than 30 years, the Garrett County Board of Realtors has been active throughout the county, not only working to assist its membership, but volunteering in numerous programs, as well.

These include Habitat for Humanity, Community Action programs including first-time home buyer programs, annual school supply drives, clothing drives, Garrett Mentors and several other organizations.

Member Larry Smith has been in real estate since 2002 and involved with the GBCR since 2005. He has served in various roles during that time, including three times as president.

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