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Three FireFly Farms' Cheeses Earn Top Honors


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Sep. 23, 2010

FireFly Farms, producer of artisanal goat cheeses from Maryland’s Allegheny Plateau, recently announced that three of its aged goat cheeses received top honors at the American Cheese Society’s (ACS) annual conference and judging held in Seattle, Wash.
The 2010 Judging & Competition saw a record number of entries: 1,462 cheeses and cultured milk products from 225 different producers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A total of 350 ribbons were awarded in 107 different distinct categories.

“The increase in this year’s entries mirrors the fantastic growth we’re seeing in the industry. As more people strive to make excellent cheese, they are turning to ACS for feedback about their products,” said ACS president Christine Hyatt. “The vision of our founders was not only to recognize the best cheeses in our industry, but also to offer feedback and guidance that will improve the quality of all cheeses produced in the Americas. This philosophy is still at the heart of our judging process today.”

FireFly Farms’ aged goat cheese, Black & Blue™, received the first place ribbon competing in a class against other blue-veined cheeses made from goat’s milk. This ribbon is the fourth individual honor received by FireFly Farm’s Black & Blue. These honors now include consecutive first place finishes in the ACS judging for 2008, 2009 and 2010.

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If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

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New Home Sales Jump in June, Pace Remains Slow

Published July 26, 2010
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Sales of new homes jumped last month, but it was the second-weakest month on record. The lackluster economy has made potential buyers skittish about shopping for homes.
New home sales rose nearly 24 percent in June from a month earlier to a seasonally adjusted annual sales pace of 330,000. May’s number was revised downward to a rate of 267,000, the slowest pace on records dating back to 1963. Sales for April and March were also revised downward.

The housing market had boomed earlier in the year on the strength of federal tax credits. Since they have expired, the number of people looking to buy has dropped even with the lowest mortgage rates in decades.

Despite the month’s increase, sales are still down 72 percent from their peak annual rate of 1.39 million in July 2005.

New homes sales made up about 7 percent of the housing market last year. That’s down from about 15 percent before the bust. Weak sales mean fewer jobs in the construction industry, which normally power economic recoveries.

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If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!

Board Of Education Members Question 2010 Maintenance Plan

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Jul. 22, 2010

With discussions of possible school closures on the horizon, the Garrett County Board of Education recently faced controversy over the 2010 Education Facilities Maintenance Plan that was presented by Jim Thomas at the recent board meeting. Thomas is the director of facilities and maintenance for all area schools, and the plan outlines ratings for each school to describe the quality of the facility.

At the start of the meeting, when the agenda was being discussed, it was suggested by board member Thomas Carr that it be added to the agenda a brief discussion about where things are headed with the upcoming school closure issue. Board member Jim Raley commented that it would not be fair to the public to add something “so critical” to the agenda after the original agenda was sent out.

Formal discussion has yet to take place on this issue, and plans are set for the August meeting to address the concerns. The amendment was withdrawn and the original agenda was approved unanimously by the board.

Thomas then took the floor to present the changes recently made to the maintenance master plan, with the ultimate goal being that the board approve the changes and the plan would then be submitted to the state. Thomas and eight other employees give input on the stability and conditions of the facilities currently in use by the county school system.

Raley voiced one of his conerns over the plan, noting that certain facility ratings have dropped drastically in the last year. When comparing the 2009 ratings and the 2010 ratings of Kitzmiller Elementary School, for example, a total of 15 areas dropped from fair or good condition to poor. Raley questioned whether this had something to do with the impending closing of this or other schools.

“I have trouble believing that this document will not become part of a case,” said Raley.

“What you’re saying about our staff is they’ve got some kind of hidden agenda or motive going on,” said member Rodney Durst.

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If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!

Lakefront Price Reduction – 914 Stockslager Rd

An incredibly well built home in a quiet setting near the Deep Creek Dam. The sellers have reduced the price to $1,149,000 (a $50k reduction) and are offering to pay buyers closing costs with a firm contract by 9-15-10. Take a look at the photo gallery here.

GA7294960 – 914 Stockslager Rd – $1,149,000 – 4BR, 3BA, built 1992, remodeled, 2,800+/- sq ft

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!

Meadow Mountain Teacher Named Best In Business

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Jul. 1, 2010

The American Correctional Association (ACA) has named Russell Metz as one of the “Best in the Business” in the United States. Metz is a science and aquaculture teacher at Meadow Mountain Youth Center, a Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) facility located in Grantsville. The facility specializes in the treatment of youth with substance abuse issues. Metz is one of only 17 correctional employees selected by the ACA from hundreds of submissions.
Since 2005, Metz has steadily transformed the classroom-oriented approach to science, math, and engineering into an environmental science program that takes a hands-on approach in the facility’s environmental center. In partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service, Metz and his students study the cultivation of fish and other aquatic organisms, which is also known as “aquaculture.”

“I have always enjoyed teaching, but it is very rewarding to watch the excitement and joy the students express when they partake in these new experiences,” said Metz. “Some of these youth have never been out of the city, so this country, outdoor, environmental experience is all new.”

Metz and his students oversee the state’s only indoor recirculating system for growing hybrid sunfish. The students are responsible for the care and maintenance of the fish by conducting water tests and collecting data for food and growth charts. The fish are then taken to local ponds by the DNR and released to re-stock the fish populations.

“I already know that DJS has some of the most dedicated employees in the country, but it is great to see one of our own receive the national recognition that he rightly deserves,” said Secretary Donald W. DeVore. “Russell’s aquaculture program has achieved remarkable success with youth who previously have struggled to learn in a traditional classroom environment. The youth that participate in Russell’s classes are not just learning about environmental science; they are learning that they can succeed.”

The ACA also recognized three DJS employees as the “Best in the Business” for the state of Maryland: Dwain Johnson, director of the DJS Violence Prevention Initiative; Daniel McCoy, resident advisor supervisor at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center; and Leo Zilka, community detention officer III.

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on www.DeepCreekAlive.com!

Fireworks Shows Slated For July 3-July 4 Weekend

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Jul. 1, 2010

At least two major fireworks events are slated for the Independence Day weekend. Garrett County residents and visitors are invited to Broadford Park on July 3 and to Deep Creek Lake on July 4.
The annual fireworks celebration at Broadford Park is set to begin at dusk on Saturday, July 3. A rain date is slated for July 5. Fireworks will be provided by the American Fireworks Company.

The annual Fire on the Mountain fireworks display is slated for Sunday, July 4, to begin at dark, with fireworks being set off at Wisp Resort. The event is sponsored by Hugh Umbel Companies, and a rain date has also been set for July 5. Fireworks can be viewed from numerous points in the area, including by boat. The show will be preceded by the Garrett Community Band/Garrett Choral Society concert on the lawn at Garrett College, which is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!

Welcome to summer 2010 – Deep Creek Lake state park

85 degrees and sunny at the DCL state park. To celebrate the first day of summer, my family and I took a boat ride, went swimming in Mchenry Cove and by the state park bridge. We stopped by the Discovery Center to see the exhibits and then hit the beach for some sun and sand! Next up, Arrowhead by boat for dinner 🙂

Many more pictures to follow later on 🙂

Enjoy your summer!!!

Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

Deep Creek Lake Maryland Real Estate Sales, Homes For Sale, Water Front, Ski-in / Ski-Out – Jay Ferguson – Railey Realty – Garrett County

EASIEST real estate search engine to use, and the best listings in Garrett County & Deep Creek Lake, courtesy of Railey Realty:

Deep Creek Lake Maryland Real Estate Sales, Homes For Sale, Water Front, Ski-in / Ski-Out – Jay Ferguson – Railey Realty – Garrett County

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

New home sales in March rocket past expectations – Washington Post

New homes sales in March shot up 27 percent from their record lows in the previous month, as home buyers rushed to take advantage of the government’s purchase credit before it expires at the end of this month.

Sales rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 411,000, the biggest monthly jump in 47 years and the strongest month since July, the Commerce Department said this morning.

The sales figure blew past forecasters’ estimates, which expected an annual sales rate of 330,000.

The other good news is that the median sales price of a new home rose slightly compared with last year, up 4 percent to $214,000.

The downside to this good news is that the housing market remains in distortion, thanks to the continued government incentives. We won’t get a clean number on home sales until June, because May will be the first month when homes are sold without any sort of government incentives (assuming that Congress does not extend the credit again).

Read the rest here:
Economy Watch – New home sales in March rocket past expectations

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