Tag: maryland
Federal cuts hit Deep Creek Lake State Park
MCHENRY — Jake Bonner, a member of the Maryland Conservation Corps, partially funded by the federal AmeriCorps program, is proud of the work of his crew, based at Deep Creek Lake State Park.
“We did a lot of trail work, chain-sawing, replacing signs, assisting with park events, and helping wherever we could,” said Bonner. The work was an “amazing way” to build a strong resume to pursue his goal of being a full-time park ranger.
His crew’s accomplishments included assisting Habitat for Humanity and the Deep Creek Dunk, clearing invasive plants at New Germany State Park, helping Maryland Special Olympics events at Wisp Resort, and treating hemlocks at Swallow Falls for insect infestation. The MCC’s work also took members to other state parks, including Rocky Gap and Assateague Island.
On April 26, Bonner and his co-workers and tens of thousands of other young workers across the nation — working in a multitude of sectors — were blindsided when the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency cut Americorps funding.
AmeriCorps, first authorized in 1993, is a public-private partnership. Volunteers receive stipends during their one-year service requirement and can receive scholarships at the end of their service. Before the cuts, the program had 700 staff members and supported 200,000 members.
In Maryland, AmeriCorps employed 4,949 members and funded 25 service programs.
In response to the cuts, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown helped lead a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia suing the Trump administration to save AmeriCorps.
“In Maryland alone, programs that educate children, care for the elderly and rebuild homes are being wiped out overnight,” said Brown.
Calling the White House’s actions “unlawful, arbitrary and capricious” and in “defiance” of the Constitutional separation of powers, the suit said the program’s participants and beneficiaries were not given sufficient public notice of its termination.
Bonner would certainly agree. He was working at Fort Frederick State Park’s Market Fair when he and other Conservation Corps crew members, preparing for a lunch break, were told that funding had been cut, and they needed to go home.
“Both crews and the staff around us were extremely emotional, not knowing what was going to happen and when/if we’d see each other again,” said Bonner, who shared a house provided by the state near Deep Creek. “We went from being complete strangers to an inseparable group of friends and colleagues.”
Bonner credits members of the Maryland Park Service staff for being “incredibly supportive” and said he’s hopeful “we will find a way to keep going.”
Answering critics who say AmeriCorps dollars are “wasteful spending,” Bonner says: “All across the state now, we have MCC members who are left jobless, still volunteering with parks while we still can, because we love what we do, and we still want to get things done. It was never just a job to us. It was our chance to pursue our careers and do what we love in a way that helps people. Unfortunately, our absence will definitely be felt.”
Founded in 1984, prior to AmeriCorps, the Maryland Conservation Corps joined AmeriCorps in 1994. AmeriCorps’ administrators have consistently weighed costs and benefits, publishing reports in 2024 detailing the significant short, medium and long-term return on investments in areas like school dropout prevention, weatherization of homes and serving families at risk of homelessness.
DOGE cuts will also severely hamper the work of ASTAR (Appalachian Service Through Action and Resources), a statewide program based at Frostburg University. The program includes 26 site partnerships, many between Frederick and Garrett counties.
Nineteen of the 26 programs will be completely shut down, said Patrick O’Brien, director of civic engagement at Frostburg.
“Nonprofits in rural areas are usually pretty small,” said O’Brien. ASTAR, he added, is an “intermediary program that builds capacity,” placing members at non-profits like food pantries, Special Olympics Maryland, the Children’s Literature Center and Evergreen Heritage Center, a historical farm that hosts middle schoolers on field trips. ASTAR also places students in Frostburg’s Education Department as interns in schools, helping with lesson plans and technology.
“I am a product of AmeriCorps,” said O’Brien, formerly a business major. “The program changed my views and my life, shifting my focus to civic engagement and service.”
What's Happening In Garrett County-Garrett County Chamber Of Commerce
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County Commissioners Announce Public Meeting Agenda
County Commissioners Announce Public Meeting Agenda
PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA
Monday, May 5, 2025
Agenda Session Times are Approximate
Meeting will also be Live Streamed at https://www.facebook.com/garrettcountygovernment/
The Board of County Commissioners may close a portion of this public meeting and move into Executive Session to comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicial requirement that may prevent public disclosure about a particular proceeding or matter.
*To comment on agenda items – please send to @garrettcountymd.gov
3:00 Administrative Session
Board Appointment: Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc.
Petition for the Opening of a Public Roadway – McHenry Business Park Drive
Mr. Null will review a number of administrative and managerial matters under his authority and jurisdiction with the Board of County Commissioners
4:00 Call to Order of Public Session, Invocation, and Pledge of Allegiance
County Administrator – Additions/Deletions to Public Meeting Agenda
Approval of Public, Administrative, and Executive Meeting Minutes
4:05 Proclamation – Garrett Regional Medical Center – 75th Anniversary
4:10 Garrett County Department of Financial Services – Appalachian Regional Commission Proposed Projects:
Garrett County Public Schools – Northern Garrett High School Culinary Arts Lab
Town of Oakland – Water Street Revitalization Project Planning
Reflection House – Pathways to Purpose: Workforce Development for Addiction Recovery and Reentry
Garrett College – Continuing Education & Workforce Development Program Expansion: Welding
Garrett County Department of Public Works – GC Water & Sewer SCADA Modernization Project
4:25 Public Commentary
ADJOURNMENT
4:30 FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET PRESENTATION:
Garrett County Department of Public Works – Road Division
Public issues or concerns that are to be presented to the Board of Garrett County Commissioners during any Public Meeting should be scheduled with Carol A. Riley–Alexander, Executive Assistant to the Board of County Commissioners/County Administrator.
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners’ next scheduled Public Meeting will be on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the Garrett County Courthouse beginning at 4:00 PM.
April 21 - April 27, 2025 Events- Garrett County Chamber Of Commerce
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Grants Given To State Parks
April 14th, 2025 by WCBC Radio
Friends of Maryland State Parks has awarded 22 grants totaling over $37,000 to state parks across Maryland. Funding through the non-profit’s “Small Grants, Big Impact” program will support projects that enhance cultural history education, protect dunes, expand recreation, and promote conservation. Grants range from $900 to $2,000. Deep Creek Lake State Park received funding to expand a rain garden, and plant native species around the park’s aviary.
What's Happening In Garrett County-Garrett County Chamber Of Commerce
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Public Hearing Set For Solar Facility
April 8th, 2025 by WCBC Radio
More than 1,800 acres along Route 36 near Westernport and Barton may be used to build a 300 megawatt solar project. A virtual public hearing on the project is scheduled for April 15 and will include a presentation by Jade Meadow LLC, the applicant for the facility along with statements by the Department of Natural Resources and the Office of the People’s Counsel, the state’s ratepayer advocate. The project also touches a portion of Garrett County. To sign up for the hearing, visit psc.state.md.us.
Projected Population For Each Maryland County in 2030
The U.S. Census Bureau conducts its decennial national census every 10 year. The census directly shapes federal funding allocations and congressional representation. According to 2020 data, Maryland’s population stands at 6,177,224, ranking it 18th nationally. The state has maintained steady growth of at least 7% per decade, positioning it as the 22nd fastest-growing state relative to population size. Below, we’ve listed Maryland’s 23 counties from smallest to largest projected 2030 population based on current trends.
23. Kent County: 20,900
22. Somerset County: 27,450
21. Garrett County: 30,250
20. Dorchester County: 35,160
19. Caroline County: 37,700
18. Talbot County: 39,650
17. Queen Anne’s County: 56,320
16. Worcester County: 57,150
15. Allegany County: 72,150
14. Calvert County: 97,900
13. Cecil County: 112,050
12. Wicomico County: 115,700
11. St. Mary’s County: 131,260
10: Washington County 164,900
9. Carroll County: 174,150
8. Charles County: 184,470
7. Harford County: 271,860
6. Frederick County: 300,580
5. Howard County: 356,860
4. Anne Arundel: 608,990
3. Baltimore County: 846,590
2. Prince George’s County: 940,960
1. Montgomery County: 1,124,790
Information courtesy of Maryland State Archives
Big Log Lodge-Vacation Rental In Biltmore At Lodestone
Big Log Lodge is a newly built, charming log home in North Deep Creek Lake, MD, offering a perfect blend of rustic appeal and modern amenities. With 4 bedrooms (each with its own full bath), it comfortably sleeps 12 guests, making it an ideal choice for families or groups of friends. The home features a spacious great room with cathedral ceilings, a gas fireplace, and large windows with scenic woodland views.
Key Features:
Accommodations: 4 bedrooms with queen beds and smart TVs; a queen-size futon in the loft.
Amenities: Private hot tub, sauna, pool table, dart board, and a well-equipped kitchen with stainless appliances.
Outdoor Space: Wrap-around deck, two rear decks, fire pit, and BBQ grill.
Activities: Located near Lodestone Golf Course, Wisp Resort (skiing, tubing, ziplining), and Swallow Falls State Park. Sledding hill available on the property during winter.
Additional Info: A 4WD vehicle is required in winter.
Ideal for a mountain retreat, Big Log Lodge offers both comfort and adventure for an unforgettable vacation experience.
Amenities
View
Wooded View
Location
On Mountain
Lake Area
Golf Course
Ski Area
Pool
Hot Tub - Private
Pet Suitability
No Pets Allowed
Property Features
Air Conditioning
Balcony
Cable/Satellite
Deck
Patio
Fireplace
Iron & Ironing Board
Linens Provided
Pool Table
Wireless Internet
Washing Machine
Grill - Gas
Heating
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Dryer
Smoke Detector
Private Entrance
TV (s)
Fire Extinguisher
Fire Pit
Laptop Friendly
Living Room
No Smoking or Vaping Allowed
Private Sauna
Self Check-in (Keyless Lock)
TV (s) - Smart
Hot Water
Dining Room
Elite
Partial/Mid-Week Stays
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee Maker
Keurig Coffee Maker
Cookware
Dishwasher
Full Kitchen
Ice Maker
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stove
Toaster
Dishes and Utensils
Mini Fridge
Bathroom
Hair Dryer
Bath Towels Provided
Walk In Shower
Parking
Parking Available - Free
Parking /Access- 4WD Required for Winter
Resort/Shared Amenities
Gated Community
Sauna
Community Lake Access
Fitness Room
Nearby Activities
Boating
Restaurants
Fishing
Golf Course(s)
Miniature Golf
Hiking
Snow Skiing
State Parks
DCL Lakefront Real Estate History Explored
Interested in lakefront property for $500?
No problem – you just need to time travel back to 1925.
Local Realtor Karen Myers explored the history of Deep Creek Lake waterfront lots – including average cost through the years – last Thursday night in a lecture at the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College in front of a packed conference center audience. Myers served as the fourth and final presenter in a month-long lecture series celebrating Deep Creek Lake’s 100th anniversary.
While Myers said you could indeed buy lakefront property for $500 in 1925-35, she also sought to put that in context.
“In 1925, $5,425 was the average income for people with a high enough income to submit a tax return,” said Myers, noting “$5,425 in 1925 had the same buying power as $99,000 in 2024.”
One reason the initial cost of lakefront property was so affordable was the lake’s somewhat murky reputation. Myers said many people simply weren’t impressed with the man-made body of water: “ ‘It’s an artificial lake . . . it’ll never amount to anything,’ ” was a fairly common point of view, according to Myers.
Lakefront prices actually declined over Deep Creek Lake’s first few years in existence. That phenomenon had a clear cause – the Great Depression that started in 1929. Myers highlighted a five-lot parcel that sold for $500 in the 1930s – three of which she and her brother purchased in 2003 for $675,000.
While lots remained relatively affordable for decades – they could still be had for $20,000 to $35,000 in the mid-1970s – Myers said wily developers could still make money with the right deal.
“Eastern Land Corporation sold 1600 acres of land in two tracts for $38,000 in 1938. The buyers re-sold the 400 acres in the second tract that same day for $50,000 – but ‘with no title or interest in the artificial lake or pond,’ ” said Myers, noting both transactions had payment terms over a number of years.
Myers noted that the early lakefront owners lacked a lot of things that 21st-century people would consider basic necessities.
“In the ’30s, the Deep Creek Lake Association reported there were 139 private cottages and 80 cottages for rent. There were also 81 sanitary privies – outhouses – and 52 unsanitary privies,” said Myers, who then asked the question everyone was thinking. “What in the world is an unsanitary privy?”
Some of the biggest changes around the lake have taken place during its second 50 years. Those changes have included the implementation of zoning ordinances and more stringent regulations for onsite septic systems.
“Homesites had to be pre-perked before they could be sold,” Myers said of one significant change.
In the 1980s, under Sanitary Commission Administrator Wendell Beitzel, a sanitary system was created that dealt with a potentially serious problem. Myers said it would have been “a huge black mark if we had septic-contaminated water,” which had become a distinct possibility. The first phases of the Deep Creek Lake sewer system were completed in 1984-86.
Meanwhile, the 26-year project to create Interstate Route 68 transformed Deep Creek Lake into a highly attractive tourist destination.
“In 1990, on the old Route 40, it was normal to take 5½ to six hours to get to Baltimore or Washington. Once 68 opened, that time was cut to about three hours,” said Myers, noting that positioned Deep Creek Lake as a prime vacation option.
“Studies have shown that most people want their vacation destination to be between two and four hours from their home,” Myers said. “After Route 68 opened, we had five of the wealthiest counties in the country less than four hours away.”
Myers summarized the history of lakefront lots in the Deep Creek area, showing the highest lot sale price rising to $1.75 million in 2024 – an increase of nearly 3500 percent in a century.
Talk about a great return on investment!
Notes: Chris Nichols, chair of the Deep Creek Lake 100 Committee, summarized the list of upcoming DCL 100 events. Those events include a day of free admission to Deep Creek Lake State Park and a boat parade on the lake (both June 21); a sailboat regatta (July 5); the DCL 100 Bash festival at the Garrett County Fairgrounds (July 19); and the Deep Creek Lake Centennial Gala at the Wisp Resort with a “Roaring ’20s” theme (August 23). For more information on DCL 100 events, go to https://dcl100.com/events.
