Tag: maryland

Garrett County tourism is ‘off to a good start’ in FY 2018

MCHENRY — The first quarter of fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017 — June 30, 2018) is off to a good start for tourism in the Deep Creek lake area and other areas of the county, with a 5.9 percent increase in county accommodations sales, according to the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce

There is also a 19.6 percent increase in “heads on beds,” a 8.5 percent growth in visitors to the chamber’s website (visitdeepcreek.com), and a 17 percent rise in Visitor Guide requests.

While the chamber attributes much of the continued growth in tourism to “aggressive” marketing efforts and new advertising strategies, the newly implemented post-Labor Day start for Maryland Public Schools is also being credited for the increases.

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GARRETT COUNTY LEADS THE WAY WITH COLLEGE TUITION PROGRAM

By Meghan Thompson

College students in the U.S. share a common worry that often follows them through their years of post-secondary education: How am I going to pay for this? With the price tag of a degree continuing to grow, creative ways to fund college educations are needed now more than ever. Many students turn to their local community colleges to save on tuition for their first two years of college.

The issue has become politically salient as candidates for governor and other offices debate how best to make higher education accessible and affordable. One Democratic candidate for governor, former NAACP President Ben Jealous, has proposed making public colleges and universities tuition-free. The price tag is likely to be very costly.

Garrett County, in the far reaches of Western Maryland, has created a mechanism to provide its students with a free, two-year community college education. It was the first county in the state to institute a promise program for the graduates of its two high schools who enroll at Garrett College in McHenry, just minutes from Deep Creek Lake.

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‘Adorable Adoptables’ available at county animal shelter

OAKLAND — Among the “Adorable Adoptables” currently housed at the Garrett County Animal Shelter are four felines named Jack, Miss Kitty, Moe and Melissa.

Jack is a large neutered black and white male who was picked up as a stray in Oakland.

“Is he yours?” asked Lisa Baker, Garrett County Humane Society president.

Miss Kitty is an older spayed longhaired white feline who was given up by her owner.

Moe is a friendly 8-month-old male black stray.

“Melissa is a sweet brown tabby who had kittens of her own,” Baker said. “She also fostered some motherless kittens. Now she needs a home.”

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Commissioners approve 2017 Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan

BITTINGER — The county commissioners have unanimously approved the Garrett County 2017 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP). Council signed the resolution during its public meeting Tuesday evening at the Bittinger Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

The commissioners held a public hearing for the plan earlier this month at the courthouse in Oakland. Director Deborah Carpenter, Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Management, reviewed the document at the hearing.

“The Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan is required in order for us to participate in Program Open Space,” she said. “It is required to be updated every five years with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.”

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130 Paradise Ridge PRICE REDUCTION

for more information call Jay Ferguson at 301-501-0240

Fall Foliage and Festival Report October 14 – 15

Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Oct. 14 and 15, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism.

Garrett County’s biggest event of the year, the Autumn Glory Festival, is underway in Oakland and other locations throughout the county. Highlights of the festival include the Maryland State Banjo and Fiddle Championships, Tall Tale Storytelling and Book Festival, Western Maryland Tournament of Bands, parades, a 5K Run, and an authentic Oktoberfest celebration.

For those heading out to the event, the fall foliage will certainly not disappoint! Reports from the region indicate leaf change has really picked up in Garrett County, moving rapidly towards peak with lots of yellow and orange showing. Recent rain did bring a lot of leaves down over the past weekend. Red and sugar maples and hickory species, with their colorful pinkish orange and yellow foliage, are looking pretty good in the county at Big Run State Park, along New Germany Road to Grantsville and east along I-68 to Frostburg. In Allegany County good color change can easily be seen on ridges near and far.

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50th year of Autumn Glory Festival begins next week

OAKLAND — Garrett County’s autumn splendor is gracefully arriving just in time for the 50th annual Autumn Glory Festival, which is set to begin next Wednesday, Oct. 11. Guests from all over either travel or return home to the mountain this time of year to take in the sights and sounds of fall.

The Glorious Harvest Farmers Market & Craft Show will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, and be open various hours Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Mtn. Fresh Pavilion at Oakland Town Parking Lot. A sale and glassblowing demonstrations will be offered daily at Simon Pearce, Mtn. Lake Park. The Cove Run Farms Corn Maze will open Wednesday by appointment, then with a different schedule daily.

The traditional Autumn Glory Kick-off Reception will be held Wednesday evening beginning at 6 p.m. at the Ag Heritage Hall at the Garrett County Fairgrounds in McHenry. Autumn Glory royalty will be crowned and several honors and awards will be given throughout the evening.

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Tenth Annual Festival of Trees - Nov 24 & 25

The Tenth Annual Festival of Trees will be held at the Garrett County Fairgrounds on November 24 and 25. Start your day with Breakfast with Santa on either Friday or Saturday for either 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. and have a professional photo taken with Santa in his sleigh, then decorate your own cookie at Santa’s Bakery. Spend as much time as you want with the many free kids’ activities and the try out the Lego robotics.  Be sure shop for your friends and family for only $1 per item at the Elfenheim Mall.   Don’t miss a visit with our numerous vendors for mostly hand-made unique gifts for family, friends and YOURSELF.  (Pay vendors directly.)  And Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, sponsored by Sorrellee’s Pizza, is open all day until 5 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday – Very reasonably priced and tasty food for the entire family.  You will also enjoy our new BUY ME NOW tables of holiday items instead of the usual silent auction.  No waiting!  Treat yourself to a $3 sundae you make yourself, sponsored by the fabulous Lakeside Creamery.

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Maryland Senators Secure HUBZone Designation For Garrett County

September 19th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and U.S.Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, have secured a provision in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to extend federal HUBZone eligibility to small businesses in Garrett County and in other HUBZone areas around Maryland. The provision, Senate Amendment 510, mirrors the HUBZone Investment Protection Act (S. 690), which was authored by Cardin and cosponsored by Van Hollen.

 “This is a win for Garrett County and will provide a much-needed boost of economic activity and good-paying jobs in the region. The edge in the federal procurement process provided by the SBA HUBZone program is vital to several Maryland communities,” said Senator Cardin. “HUBZone companies create jobs and communities like Garrett County, Baltimore City and Dorchester County will benefit from this bipartisan effort to prevent the loss of small businesses at a time when these communities are still economically vulnerable. It is the smart thing to do for Maryland and for our nation.”

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Garrett County commissioners to hold meeting in Finzel

OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners have announced the agenda for their next public meeting, scheduled for Tuesday at the Eastern Garrett County Volunteer fire hall.

The session will include a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant application for the proposed Bloomington Water Treatment Plant.

In addition, the commissioners will make appointments to the Garrett County Health Planning Council and Garrett County Law Enforcement Personnel Retirement Board, review a real property tax exemption request from the Accident Community Housing Corporation and consider adoption of a resolution to adopt an all-terrain/snowmobile ordinance.

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