Who Was Joanna Nicolay? The Inspiration Behind The SavageMan
Support the Republican Newspaper! It’s only $9.95/year for the online edition!
by Mary Sincell McEwen
A host of athletes from around the world will arrive in Garrett County this weekend, each prepared to put him or herself through a grueling test of stamina, strength, and mettle. They will jump into the fifth annual “Tri-to-Win” SavageMan Triathlon, slated for Sept. 17 and 18, and will run, swim, and bike multiple miles on one of the most difficult courses in the world.
All the while, the athletes will be raising funds and awareness for the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation, known as “the voice for melanoma prevention, detection, care, and cure.” Each year the name of the organization is included in all the stories and publicity, and each year thousands of dollars are raised to support the organization’s mission. But who was Joanna M. Nicolay, and how did she inspire such a movement?
Joanna was a loving wife and mother, a woman whose own mother died when she was only 12. She was kindhearted and funny and devout. She was dedicated and hardworking and brave. And after a very long and arduous struggle, she died of melanoma in 2003. Because of her legacy of courage and faith, her family and friends were inspired to build something in her honor. The Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation was born a year after her death.
Joanna was first diagnosed with melanoma in the mid-1970s. Her daughter, Denise Nicolay Safko, remembers that time well.
“My mom always had a small spot on her forehead – she wore bangs to cover it. She told us it was caused from when she was a teenager and was playing in a softball game and was hit in the head with a bat!” Denise said. “Something about the mole changed and she went to see a doctor. She was in her 40s and I was in high school. When she got the diagnosis of skin cancer, we really didn’t think much about it. But when it came back again and we learned more – that is was melanoma – and could be deadly – I was scared. I kept thinking, ‘My mom has cancer…’ With each recurrence of the disease, in the ’70s and ’80s, the melanoma became dramatically more aggressive.”
Despite the illness, Joanna was a busy mother, with both Denise and son Keith, and a happy wife to Robert (Bob). Lifelong Baltimore area residents, they met as teenagers and married when she was 18. In addition to caring for her family, Joanna, a devout Catholic, had a daily habit of praying for people.
“She had a prayer list of people for whom she would pray several times a day,” Denise said. “She would add people she didn’t even know to her list. She would ask me every now and then, ‘How is so and so – do I need to keep praying for him/her?’ She would not take someone off her list until she knew.”
The melanoma continued to grow in Joanna, and she continued to beat it back down. She endured a 12-hour operation in 1985 to stem the disease.
“That surgery was to remove the cancer and do reconstructive surgery,” Denise explained. “The stress of waiting through the surgery was incredible for us. I had recently started my first job after college and had to call in sick the next day because I was so exhausted from the stress.”
This experience taught the Nicolay family firsthand how strenuous, frightening, and arduous the “cancer journey” can be for both the patient and loved ones.
“Surgery and waiting for biopsy results is very hard on everyone,” Denise said, “They call it the ‘waiting game.’ After that surgery we really didn’t think we would have my mom very long. The melanoma had made it through the bone to the protective covering of her brain. My dad was able to retire a year earlier around that time, and I remember praying for them to have five cancer-free years together. We got that and more. For 15 years after that procedure, she was cancer free.”
During this time, Joanna lived her life with as much enthusiasm as she could muster, and her family cherished the days with her.
“We were so fortunate to have her that much longer,” Denise said. “She was prepared to go back then, and we all knew what a gift it was to have her with us. As a result, her joy of life came through stronger and stronger every year. She loved the extended family that came when I married Greg [Safko] and then had our two sons, Trevor and Robbie. Everyone who met her during that time felt her joy and outreach of love.”
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Garrett Co. Officials Take Information Gathering Trip To Bratislava, Slovakia
Support the Republican Newspaper! It’s only $9.95/year for the online edition!
Sep. 15, 2011
Gregan Crawford, Board of Garrett County Commissioners, and Director Jim Hinebaugh, GC Department of Economic Development, traveled to Bratislava, Slovakia, to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to stage an international sporting event.
The capital city was hosting the 2011 International Canoe Federation’s (ICF) World Championship Canoe and Kayak Slalom Races. More than 400 athletes from 49 nations competed. Garrett County will host a similar event in 2014.
“It was a very productive week,” Crawford said during the commissioners’ public meeting on Tuesday. “A lot of areas that were typically off limits to many, we were fortunate to have access to. It’s extremely rare. There were eight different categories, and we had access to all eight areas.”
Those included the athletes’ village and medical, judging, video review, and protest areas.
Crawford indicated the ability to observe the race and talk with ICF members from around the world provided valuable information and would help the county prepare for its own event.
Following its April 15 board meeting in Paris, the ICF awarded the Adventure Sports Center International’s (ASCI) bid to host the federation’s 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships. ASCI beat out competing entries from Austria and Poland.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Grand Opening Of New Museum Set For Sept. 24
Support the Republican Newspaper! It’s only $9.95/year for the online edition!
Sep. 8, 2011
The ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the new transportation museum of the Garrett County Historical Society in downtown Oakland has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24.
The museum was constructed with funds donated by the Howard and Audrey Naylor Family Trust, with additional monies for sidewalks and landscaping coming from state grants obtained through the town of Oakland.
According to Robert Boal, society president, while the official opening of the museum is set for Sept. 24, a “soft opening” will begin on Monday, Sept. 19, with the public invited to visit the museum between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
DNR suspending fishing licenses of 60 offenders
New regulations implemented in spring
Michael A. Sawyers
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Wed Sep 14, 2011, 11:31 PM EDT
CUMBERLAND — Acting for the first time on newly implemented regulations, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources intends to suspend the fishing licenses of 60 recreational anglers.
“We were given legislative authority in 2009 for suspensions and revocations and this spring the guidelines were implemented,” Thomas O’Connell, director of the Fisheries Service, said Wednesday. “Fishermen need to follow the rules or know that there are consequences.”
Even first-time offenders may face a suspension for violations such as exceeding the trout creel limit in put-and-take waters or possessing trout while in a catch-and-return area. Other qualifying violations include the possession of trout in a zero-creel-limit area, too many or wrong-sized yellow perch and keeping or possessing trout in a delayed-harvest area during prohibited times.
The use of bait or artificial lures where they are prohibited are violations, but will not trigger suspensions, according to Fisheries Service spokeswoman Sarah Widman.
“These 60 anglers were sent letters on Aug. 26 informing them that their licenses would be suspended and telling them that they have 30 days to appeal,” O’Connell said. Appellants will meet with an administrative law judge — in Annapolis, Hunt Valley or Centreville — who has the options of upholding, lessening or eliminating the suspension.
Suspensions range from 30 days to one year, depending upon the violation.
“This time around, we have recommended the maximum suspensions for the particular violations,” O’Connell said. Suspensions are proposed only after conviction in court or prepayment of fines.
Four of the proposed suspensions, each of 180 days, are for violations committed in far Western Maryland.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Amazing New Solar Incentives Hit the East Coast
It’s no wonder solar leasing is the fastest-growing sector of the industry. By removing the upfront cost barrier to solar power installations, solar leasing enables people across the country to go solar. Solar providers and solar contractors alike have been quick to add leasing to their services.
Now, a new player is entering the solar leasing market.
Constellation Energy, the nation’s largest wholesale power seller, announced that they are offering residential customers in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio and Pennsylvania the option to lease solar panel power systems.
Constellation Energy has already been leasing home solar systems for commercial customers.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Barn Dance And Silent Auction To Benefit Mentors
Support the Republican Newspaper! It’s only $9.95/year for the online edition!
Sep. 8, 2011
Garrett Mentors Inc., a non-profit organization that provides adult mentors/study buddies for local elementary school students, will hold its annual Barn Dance and Silent Auction on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Ridgeview Valley Barn in McHenry.
“We depend greatly on the kindness and generosity of our community,” stated Tricia Cheesman, GMI director, adding that the program currently serves 102 children in the county’s nine local elementary schools.
Tickets for the Sept. 17 event may be purchased at Marvin’s in Oakland or by calling the GMI office at 301-334-1783.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Garrett school board meets today
OAKLAND — The Garrett County Board of Education will take action on its capital improvement plan today at 6:45 p.m. Public comment will be accepted at 4 p.m. and again at 7 p.m.
Other agenda topics include recommendation of a contractor for the detailed energy audit, a discussion of the master plan, and presentations on Dancing Classrooms and the Lions Club vision screening.
The board will meet in its Central Office, 40 S. Second St.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
DCL Park Visitors Advised Of Closings, Crowding For Fest
Support the Republican Newspaper! It’s only $9.95/year for the online edition!
Sep. 8, 2011
The roads of the Deep Creek Lake State Park, as well as the boat ramp and beach area, will be heavily congested for most of the weekend of Sept. 17 and 18 as a result of the 5th annual SavageMan Triathlon Festival.
The competition will begin and end at the Deep Creek Lake State Park beach area. Visitors should expect traffic congestion and a large number of people moving throughout the park from 6 a.m. until late afternoon each day, officials said.
There are more than 500 athletes registered to participate each day of the event, which is a fundraiser and a melanoma cancer awareness campaign of the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation. For additional information, persons may go to the event web site at savagemantri.org/
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Price drop! 5+ acres Spring Glade Rd - 2 percs - GA7389583
SPRING GLADE RD
OAKLAND, MD 21550
Part of 3 parcels totaling 5.21 wooded acres (map 66 parcels 495, 496, 497). Scenic pastoral & mountain views, 2 different perk sites on the property. Can become member of Valley View Estates, if desired, or remain outside community with a driveway on Spring Glade Rd. ATV trails, hunting potential. Close to Oakland and the lake. Owner financing available.
Contact Jay Ferguson @ 301-501-0420 or DeepCreekLaker@Gmail.com for more information or to setup a private showing for this property.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
McHenry Water System Follow-Up Hearing Scheduled
Support the Republican Newspaper! It’s only $9.95/year for the online edition!
Sep. 8, 2011
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners will conduct a follow-up public hearing on the McHenry Water System – Water Connection and User Fees and Connection Amortization Policy on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m. in the Garrett College auditorium.
According to a release from the commissioners’ office, this hearing is scheduled to review and receive public commentary to consider changes to the existing policy and to address questions on expansion of service to the water district.
Also, the commissioners and the Department of Public Utilities staff have compiled answers to a number of questions that were presented during the public hearing on August 27. These are now available on the Garrett County Government web site at www.garrettcounty.org.
Interested persons who have questions on this matter are encouraged to attend the October 1 hearing, and prior to that date may contact the Department of Public Utilities at 301-334-6983, or the county administrator or the commissioners at 301-334-8970.
More here.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
