National Safe Boating Week!
NRP Steps Up Patrols As Boating Season Gets Underway
With the Memorial Day holiday approaching, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers will be stepping up enforcement of state maritime laws as part of National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22.
Late May begins the annual boating boom and the four-month stretch in which the majority of boating accidents in Maryland occur.
Last Memorial Day weekend, the state recorded eight boating accidents and two fatalities.
“For many people, Memorial Day weekend marks the first time they’ll be on the water since last fall,” said Col. George F. Johnson IV, NRP superintendent. “It’s important to review procedures, do a bow-to-stern inspection, and make sure all required safety gear is on board and in good working order.”
From today through Memorial Day, NRP officers along with allied agencies will be conducting saturation patrols to intercept impaired boaters and educate the public about best practices.
Maryland boasts a flotilla of more than 178,500 registered powerboats and sailboats, and countless smaller watercraft that ply the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic coastline, and lakes and rivers.
Read More Here: http://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2015/05/15/nrp-steps-up-patrols-as-boating-season-gets-underway/
Backbone Farm Keeps Tradition Alive in the Appalachians
Even if Backbone Food Farm didn’t sit below Backbone Mountain, its name still would be very appropriate. That’s because Max Dubansky and his family farm the way he learned from the old folks, letting pigs turn the soil and using horses to work the land.
Max Dubansky and his family farm 50 acres in Pleasant Valley outside Oakland, Maryland, on the edge of the Allegheny Mountains.
I joined Max for a walk around Backbone Farm in early spring. The sun was just breaking through the clouds onto a scene of serene, rolling green hills.
“Being high elevation where we are here, we like to grow a lot of cool-weather crops so, you know, lots of lettuces and greens, carrots,” he said.
The farm also produces several kinds of edible and medicinal mushrooms, along with berries and fruit.
Read More Here: http://wvpublic.org/post/backbone-farm-keeps-tradition-alive-appalachians
It's a Cold Water Swim
6 Hour Qualifying swim: COMPLETED
The Channel Swimming Association requires solo swimmers to complete a 6 Hour swim in 60 degree or less water in order to attempt a solo crossing of the English Channel. On Sunday, May 10th, 2015, I did just that!
Check out this blog from a woman who completed her 6-hour, cold-water swim last Sunday in Deep Creek to qualify to cross the English Channel.
Plan your "Spring Fling"!
If you are at all familiar with Deep Creek Lake and our mountainous region, then you may know that our seasons tend to run a little different than most areas. While most regions get to experience Spring in March and April, our Spring starts closer to May. Once it finally comes to bloom, it is nothing short of spectacular. It’s the simple acting of waiting. Now the wait is over and it’s time to call to book your family’s spring getaway at the lake! Docks are in the water and most marinas are now open and ready to start the boating rental season. Rent a pontoon to take the whole family out and experience Deep Creek from the “inside perspective”! Truly a delight! The trees have buds, wildlife is scampering about, and the mountains are turning a beautiful lush green! Don’t think that there is anything to do? Hiking at one of the many state parks, golfing at our top notch golf courses, boat rides, horseback riding, and our list of activities is long and full of all kinds of family fun!
Maryland lawmakers announce funding for Allegany and Garrett County improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Barbra Mikulski and Ben Cardin, along with U.S. Rep. John Delaney (all D-Md.) announced that $900,000 dollars combined was awarded to Allegany County access road improvements and the Garrett County Memorial Hospital in Oakland for the Department of Health and Human Services Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) received $700,000 of the funding to improve three sections of access roads serving the North Branch Industrial Park in Cumberland, Md. This will be used to make improvements for approximately 1.6 miles of roads including southeast Mexico Farms Road, Burbridge Road and Pittsburgh Plate Glass Road.
“Investing in upgrading and expanding our infrastructure is at the heart of job creation in this country,” Cardin said. “Western Maryland is quickly becoming a new hub for high-tech business. ARC grants go a long way in creating jobs and opportunity in the region, and I will continue to support initiatives to ensure growth in Allegany County.”
