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Garrett County planners to discuss mini-marina issue

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — The Garrett County Planning Commission will meet Wednesday to discuss a petition by William Meagher, owner of Lakeside Commercial Properties LLC, to amend the Deep Creek Watershed zoning ordinance.

During a hearing in June in Garrett County Circuit Court, Judge Jim Sherbin found that a zoning amendment that allowed Meagher to run a mini-marina was of no legal effect and ordered that the decision by the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals to issue Meagher a permit be reversed.

The court issued Meagher a cease and desist order June 26 and he had until July 3 to respond.

On June 5, 2012, the county commissioners voted to make amendments to the Deep Creek Watershed zoning ordinance to allow Meagher to have a marina that doesn’t offer the services associated with it.

A boat rental permit was issued by the Board of Zoning Appeals on June 11, 2012, to Meagher. St. Moritz Properties LLC, Bill’s Marine Service Inc. and Silver Tree Marine LLC appealed the issuance of the permit. The Board of Zoning Appeals denied the appeal and upheld the issuance of the permit.

Meagher rents personal watercrafts and pontoon boats.

The planning commission will meet Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the County Commissioners Meeting Room in the courthouse annex.

More here.

Retire Here, Not There: Maryland – Oakland top 5 in state

Oakland

Tucked away in the northwestern corner of Maryland, Oakland is a tiny town with outsize opportunities for outdoor activities. Oakland abuts the 3,900-acre Deep Creek Lake, the largest lake in Maryland. The lake is used for recreation year-round, with ice fishing and cross-country skiing in the winter (the average ice thickness is 18 inches); fishing, canoeing and kayaking in the spring, fall and summer; and swimming and tubing (a favorite with the grandkids) in the hotter months.

Oakland is also within minutes of Wisp Resort, which has 132 acres of ski terrain, and five golf courses. It’s home to Adventure Sports Center International, which has a mountaintop white-water rapids course (one of the few in the world) and is the official venue for the 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships.

All this outdoor recreation comes with a reasonable price tag: The cost of living is roughly average for the country, compared with 20% higher than average statewide, and the median home costs just over $130,000. That said, the town is tiny, with few restaurants or other amenities, and it takes a good 2½ hours to reach the nearest major international airport, in Pittsburgh. More here.

DNR close to living up to trail promise

Michael A. Sawyers Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — Two years after closing a pair of off-highway vehicle trails on state forests in Western Maryland, the Department of Natural Resources is close to living up to a promise to replace one of them with a loop in eastern Garrett County.

Citing environmental damage caused by improper use, the agency in April 2011 closed an 18-mile trail on the Green Ridge State Forest in Allegany County and another along Poplar Lick on the Savage River State Forest in Garrett County.

“The Green Ridge closure cost business in Allegany County $1.6 million,” said Allegany County Commissioner Bill Valentine.

Valentine spoke at a meeting Monday in the county office complex.

The Maryland OHV Alliance organized the gathering that was attended by the District 1 legislative delegation, county commissioners from Allegany and Washington counties, and DNR staffers, including Secretary Joe Gill.

Paul Peditto, who heads the DNR effort to establish new trails, said a 13-mile trail in the St. John’s Rock area is approaching approval.

That site is just south of the Finzel exit on Interstate 68.

Slightly behind in the process are two trails in Washington County proposed for a wildlife management area and a natural resources management area on Sideling Hill.

“There is a lot of energy around this effort,” Gill said. The secretary urged participants to study successful trail programs from other states.

Peditto anticipates a public comment period about the St. John’s Rock trail by late summer. A 12-month construction period would be required for completion.

Allegany County Commission President Mike McKay asked alliance spokesman Ken Kyler to come to a county work session to explain the search for new trails.

“Be prepared to answer all the tough questions,” McKay said. “There will be property owners up in arms because of anticipated noise levels.”

Although the proposed new trails are on public land, substantial discussion took place Monday about establishing them on private land, as well.

“The first question that has to be dealt with is the liability issue,” said Delegate Kevin Kelly.

Delegate Wendell Beitzel said he is concerned about trail users leaving existing paths and wandering on to adjoining private lands that are not part of the established routes.

Much discussion centered on the possible placement of trails on reclaimed strip mine operations.

Sen. George Edwards said he hopes with the thousands of acres owned by DNR in Allegany and Garrett counties that a couple of trails could be established without using private lands.

Kyler, a Middletown resident, said the Hatfield-McCoy trail in West Virginia generates $20 million annually for businesses there.

Development of trails in Maryland could include links that establish larger systems, he said. He said an economic study of a trail in Minnesota discovered that each user spent an average of $190 per visit at local businesses.

Delegate LeRoy Myers Jr. urged the group to assure that small towns become part of the trail loops so that businesses would prosper.

Peditto said a private campground near the proposed St. John’s Rock trail should benefit economically once that project is done.

The use of OHVs is the fastest-growing form of recreation in the country, according to Steve Carr of the DNR.

Peditto said it is likely that OHV trails on public lands would be closed during peak hunting periods such as the deer firearms season.

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.

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A Message From Heaven?

The appearance of a rainbow right at the conclusion of the second annual William George Weissgerber Benefit Golf Tournament was but one of many extraordinary events that occurred over the course of the two-day tourney this past weekend, held at both the Lodestone and Oakland club courses. A number of other activities, raffles, and events were held in conjunction with the tournament, with all proceeds benefiting Landon’s Library, the Andrew S. Woods Memorial Scholarship Fund, and Samantha’s Funding for the Arts. The event grossed an incredible $117,000, with an estimated net amount of $90,000 to be divided among the three programs. Pictured above are the parents of the three in whose memories the programs were founded. From left are June and Charlie McCloskey, parents of Samantha Gibson; Debbie and Tom Woods, parents of Andrew; and Crystal and Brian Boal, parents of Landon Boal. See story for details.

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Adventuresports Institute Awarded $250,000 Grant

Jul. 4, 2013

 

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) announced last Friday that the Garrett County Board of Commissioners has received a $250,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to improve the educational facilities of the Adventuresports Institute (ASI) of Garrett College.

In addition to the grant, the project will be locally funded at $279,024 and with an additional $50,000 in other federal funds.

“Tourism means jobs in western Maryland and across our great state,” Cardin said. “This grant is about equipping young professionals with the important skills they need to showcase the splendor of western Maryland’s natural resources. ARC’s federal-local partnership is investing together in Garrett County’s economy, while raising the bar for new levels of responsible, environmental stewardship.”

The Adventuresports Institute is a wholly owned operation of Garrett College. It was founded as part of a strategy to establish Garrett County as an adventure sport tourism leader. The area’s distinctive four-season climate and diverse geology are supportive of adventure recreation activities.

ASI works with public and private entities to train professionals and produce leaders in adventure sports and recreation industries who have a strong sense of environmental stewardship and community service.

“This federal funding is an important investment in Garrett County’s economic security and the vitality of Western Maryland,” said Mikulski. “These funds will help build an industry that keeps Marylanders on the job and encourages people to visit our state. Tourism spurs all parts of the economy – from the adventure sites to the food stands. I will keep fighting for smart federal investments in Maryland communities.”

She added that this grant comes at an opportune time as its beneficiaries will be instrumental in ensuring that the International Canoe Federation’s Canoe Slalom World Championship in 2014 at Deep Creek Lake is a success.

Cardin is chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, and Mikulski is chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee.

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 More here.

Proceeds Of Benefit Golf Tourney, Other Events, Will Exceed $90,000

Jul. 4, 2013

 

by Don Sincell

Despite rain and threats of rain, the second annual William G. Weissgerber Benefit Golf Tournament held this past Friday and Saturday at the Lodestone and Oakland golf courses was a resounding success, as the tourney and various other fundraisers held in conjunction grossed an estimated $117,000 for three local non-profit programs.

According to organizers, it is anticipated that the profit from the event will exceed $90,000, to be split among Landon’s Library, the Andrew S. Woods Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund, and Samantha’s Funding for the Arts.

Brian and Crystal Roberson-Boal, Tom and Debbie Woods, and Charlie and June McCloskey – respective parents of Landon Boal, Andrew Woods, and Samantha Gibson – spearheaded the effort; however, they were quick to state that the project would not have been nearly as successful without major support from numerous other individuals, organizations, and businesses.

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“Never in our wildest dreams would we have thought that this tournament and the other events would have raised that kind of money,” Tom Woods said. “It’s just a real testament to the kind of people who live here in our community.”

“This tournament started with Bill Weissgerber coming to me two years ago with the idea that we could go a golf tournament and raise a few thousand dollars for Landon’s Library,” said Brian Boal. “He thought it might raise $2,500, but we shattered that prediction, as it generated about 10 times that. The community support has been just tremendous.

“It was truly an incredible weekend, and it seemed very evident that three kids ‘on the other side’ were present,” said Boal, who added that some of his fellow alumni from West Virginia University traveled from as far away as Michigan and Texas to participate in the event.

According to Woods and Boal, there were many examples of what appeared to be “divine intervention” throughout the two-day fund-raiser.

“There was one thing after another that made us really believe we were getting ‘help from above,'” Woods said.

He said that on Friday morning it was “raining buckets” at the Lodestone course at the Wisp in McHenry – that is, until about 15 minutes before tee-time of the event.

“It stopped raining, and it didn’t start again until just as the final foursome was completing the last hole,” he said.

Hundreds of 50-50 raffle tickets were sold at Friday’s round, and after stirring all of the tickets in a large bucket, Woods reached deep into the pile, only to pull out his own ticket. So he simply returned his winnings to the cause.

Another 50-50 raffle was held the following day at the Oakland Golf Club course, and the winner of that one was Bill German, another local parent who lost an infant daughter and in whose memory he and his wife Brittany had started a fund to provide blankets for newborns at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. So the $525 he won will go directly into that charity.

Yet another odd occurrence was the story surrounding the winner of the helicopter golf ball drop.

More here.

Fun things to do July 4th week at Deep Creek Lake & Garrett County

There is no shortage of fun things to do in the Garrett County area this week/weekend! For more items not mentioned on this list (Broadford Fireworks, Rodeo, LEGO events, etc) check http://www.facebook.com/ILoveDeepCreekLakeGarrettCountyMaryland?fref=ts
ilovedeepcreeklake-facebook
Name: Mountain Fresh Farmers Markets in Oakland
Date: July 3, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Event Description:

Mountain Fresh Farmers Markets feature the area’s freshest fruits, vegetables, berries, and herbs as well as plants, eggs, honey, cut flowers, delicious grassfed meats, goat’s milk cheeses, home baked goods, jams & jellies, hand made crafts, and more each Wednesday and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm in beautiful downtown Oakland, just a 15 minute drive south from Deep Creek Lake.

We’re a “Producer-Only” market, meaning that you are purchasing the items directly from farmers, bakers, and artisans, as we do not allow any reselling at our market.

Location:
Downtown Oakland at the corner of South First Street and Alley 3/Town Park Ln, just off Route 39 across the railroad tracks from the Oakland B&O Museum.
Date/Time Information:
Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10 am to 1 pm
Contact Information:
Call 301-334-6960 or email info@MountainFresh.org
Fees/Admission:
Free Admission
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Stage Wisp Concert #1

Name: Stage Wisp Concert #1
Date: July 3, 2013
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Event Description:

Band : The Steve Hussey Band

Band Description: From Johnny Cash to Steve Hussey originals to songs fresh out of a Nashville writing room, the Steve Hussey Band has been entertaining at venues all over West Virignia, Ohio and all over the East Coast for 10 years.
From clubs to concert series to State Fairs, the Steve Hussey Band has done it all! Thier brand of Americana is sure to make shoes tap and get people up and dancing.Event Description: Grab the family and the lawn chairs and head to Wisp Resort’s new Stage Wisp concert series location – The Wisp Outdoors Adventure Park for some great live entertainment and lots of fun! This annual summer concert series will provide nightlife and entertainment for the entire family. Our new locations will place you right in the middle of Wisp Resorts hot spots and only steps away from some great activities such as the Mountain Coaster, All NEW Spider Monkey Adventure, Segway Tours and much more. The Bar and Grill will be open for tasty treats and cold drinks! – No Coolers Permitted!

Location:
Wisp Outdoors Adventure Park (Outdoors)
Date/Time Information:
6 pm – 8:30 pm
Contact Information:
Fees/Admission:

Free

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Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display

Name: Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display
Date: July 4, 2013
Event Description:

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce presents the annual Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display, sponsored by NLP of Maryland, LLC. Fireworks launched from the top of Bear Claw Tubing Park at Wisp Resort out toward the waters of Deep Creek Lake. Viewing spots include the scenic overlook on Rt. 219, McHenry Cove on Deep Creek Lake and businesses in McHenry.

Tune into 104.5 WKHJ, 92.3 The Train or 1050 AM WMSG radio, the official media partners for the Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display, for inclement weather updates and patriotic music to accompany the show.

Rain date: July 5th. If there is inclement weather on July 4th, please check this page or tune your radio to  104.5 WKHJ, 92.3 The Train and 1050 AM WMSG radio for live updates on the status of the fireworks.

 

Major Sponsor: NLP of Maryland, LLC

 

Supporting Sponsor:

Property Owners’ Association of Deep Creek Lake, Inc.

 
Associate Sponsor: Wisp Resort

Media Partners: 104.5 WKHJ, 92.3 The Train & 1050 AM WMSG Radio.

Display provided by Zambelli Fireworks.

Date/Time Information:
July 4, 2013
Contact Information:
301.387.4386

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July 4th Concert

Name: July 4th Concert
Date: July 4, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Event Description:

Join your friends and bring your family and enjoy the Garrett Choral Society and the Garrett Community Concert Band in their annual Independence Day Concert at Garrett College. This year’s concert will be in the NEW gymnasium at Garrett College. After the concert, join us on the lawn of Garrett College to enjoy the magnificent fireworks displayed off WISP Mountain.

Location:
Garrett College NEW Gymnaisum
Date/Time Information:
7/4/2013 7:00 pm
Contact Information:
Fees/Admission:
FREE

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Little Yough Summer Music Festival

Name: Little Yough Summer Music Festival
Date: July 5, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Event Description:

The Little Yough Summer Concert Series will begin its 17th season! Come to downtown Oakland and join us for a night under the stars. Bring your chairs, blankets and refreshments if you would like.   They are every Friday evening from July 5-September 6, concerts begin at 7:00 pm and go until approximately 9:30 pm.  You can also come a little early and get some food from one of our many delicious food vendors. Concerts are held in the Mt. Fresh Pavilion on Town Park Lane next to the Little Yough river. Complete performers descriptions can be found at www.agreatsmalltown.com . Concerts are FREE, but donations are graciously accepted. Hope to see you there!

2013 Line-up

July 5- The Stray Birds
July 12-Dennis McClung
July 19- Mon River Big Band
July 26- Jessica Lee
August 2- Boilermakers
August 9- Scott & Michelle Dalzeil
August 16- Nora Jane Struthers
August 23- Half Time String Band
August 30-The Carper Family
September 6- The Remedy

Location:
Mt. Fresh Pavilion on Town Park Lane in downtown Oakland next to the Little Yough River.
Date/Time Information:
7/6/2013-9/06/2013 Concerts begin at 7:00 pm
Contact Information:
Michelle Ross 301-334-2691
Fees/Admission:
FREE

 

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Boat Parade on Deep Creek lake

Name: Boat Parade on Deep Creek lake
Date: July 6, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Event Description:
The Evening Lighted Boat Parade will be held on Saturday, July 6th, starting from the Boardwalk and ending at Dutch’s at Silver Tree. The flotilla of boats will get underway shortly after dusk (if there are many antique and non-lighted boats, they will leave before dusk) and proceed in single file past a number of judging stations along the route. As the Parade is taking place at night, entrants are encouraged to illuminate their boats with the best lighting show they can produce. Spectators at the judging stations will vote for their favorite boats, and prizes will be awarded in a number of categories, with a Grand Prize consisting of a custom-designed Winner’s Pennant and trophy. Entrants in the parade will need to pay a $50 registration fee at the Grand Marshal’s boat anchored off the Boardwalk, and the number of entries are limited, so be sure to pre-register to ensure your spot.
Location:
Deep Creek Lake departs from Point View area in McHenry cove, proceeds to Glendale Bridge
Date/Time Information:
July 6th, 2013. dusk
Contact Information:
Chris Nichols
Fees/Admission:
$50 entry fee for personal boats, $100 for businesses

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Summer Art Camp

Name: Summer Art Camp
Date: July 8, 2013 – July 12, 2013
Event Description:
Students  will experience fine art in the studio and outdoors during Summer Art School camps.
Each project incorporates a fine artist, art concept, or technique. Students will use various types of paint, pastels, india ink, charcoal, clay, aluminum, wire, glass, printing ink, and much more to create one of a kind projects.Each camp week will focus on a new topic. Each week will include at least two new masters and projects in both 2-D and 3-D.

At the end of the summer, campers will get to exprerience another facet of the fine arts with an art show featuring their work.

Open to children ages 5 – 14

Camps will be held at J.F.Mazur Fine Art Studio in Oakland, MD throughout the week, with the exception of Wednesdays.

On Wednesdays camp will meet in the Pocket Park for Plein Air days, weather permitting.
(Pocket Park Location: 2nd Street, Oakland MD 21550. Between the Cornish Cafe and Newman’s Funeral Home)

Location:
J.F Mazur Fine Art Studio, 12978 Garrett Hwy, Oakland, MD
Date/Time Information:
July 8- 12 (ages 5-11) 9am- noon
(ages 11-14) 1pm – 4pm
Contact Information:
register on www.jillianfaye.com or call 240-321-9212
Fees/Admission:
$145 per week

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Welcome Party Mondays

Name: Welcome Party Mondays
Date: July 8, 2013
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Event Description:
Join us every Monday starting June 17th – August 12th from 3-5pm on the lawn at UNO Chicago Grill Deep Creek for Welcome Party Mondays!  FREE Admission to the Public/Rain or Shine, Promotions and Giveaways from Area Businesses, Complimentary Finger Foods and Refreshments, Complimentary Pontoon Boat Rides from Wisp Resort and Live Band Entertainment at the Honi Honi Bar from 5-8pm.   Learn all about fun activities, happenings and events in the Deep Creek Lake and surrounding area and meet with area vendors to plan your vacation fun!
Location:
UNO Chicago Grill Deep Creek
Date/Time Information:
Every Monday (starting June 17th and ending August 12th) from 3-5pm
Contact Information:
Stacy at 301-387-4020
Fees/Admission:
FREE

Recommended Practices For Marcellus Shale Drilling Released For Comment

Jun. 27, 2013

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released on Tuesday a draft report describing best practices for drilling and production that should be required if horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing for natural gas is permitted in the Marcellus shale in Maryland. The draft report, which was prepared in consultation with an advisory commission, includes recommendations to protect public health and safety, natural resources, and the environment.

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The draft report has been posted on MDE’s web site. The departments will present an overview of the draft report at a public informational meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, in the auditorium of Garrett College. A copy of the draft report will also be sent to the Ruth Enlow Library in Oakland and the Allegany County Library in Frostburg.

Comments on the draft report can be submitted by e-mail to Marcellus.Advisory@maryland.gov or by regular mail to: Brigid E. Kenney, Senior Policy Advisor, Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21230.

Comments must be submitted by August 9, 2013. A final report will be released after all the comments have been considered. According to department spokespersons, when the report is final, the best practices will be incorporated into new, stringent regulations to apply to shale gas development if it is permitted in Maryland.

The report was required under Governor Martin O’Malley’s June 2011 executive order, which established the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative to examine the facts and science to determine whether and how hydraulic fracturing can be done safely in Maryland. No decision has been made on whether such drilling will be permitted. The third and final report under the Initiative is due in August 2014.

The Marcellus shale is a black shale, or rock, formation that underlies New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and western Maryland. In Maryland, the only anticipated areas of potential gas production in the Marcellus are in Garrett and western Allegany counties.

Largely forested and rural, the area offers scenic byways, premier trout streams, whitewater paddling, Deep Creek Lake, hunting, skiing, hiking, and camping. It includes unique ecological communities and natural areas that protect watersheds and water quality, provide homes to threatened and endangered species, and offer a near-wilderness experience.

“These areas are irreplaceable,” said DNR Secretary Joseph Gill. “We must do all that we can to protect them or we will lose them forever.”

To protect these areas and the rural character of the community, the departments propose, among other recommendations, to require comprehensive planning for shale gas development before any drilling permits are issued.

“Maryland would be the first state to require this type of planning,” advisory commission member Harry Weiss said. “If adopted, it could further protect communities and the environment from the landscape-level effects of shale gas development.”

MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers cautioned: “In this report, the departments propose stringent standards for all aspects of drilling and production, but there is more work to be done before a decision can be made about whether hydraulic fracturing should be allowed in Maryland.”

More here.