Murals Added To Museum Wall
A strikingly colorful addition to downtown Oakland are several murals placed on the backside of Garrett County’s Transportation Museum. The historical photos, collected by Bob Boal, president of the Garrett County Historical Society, and Don Callis, museum volunteer, are of scenes from virtually every community in Garrett County, with some form of transportation being the common thread.
Several hundred of the photos were then presented to designer/artist Barry Domenick of Domenick Signs, who then worked with members of his creative crew to complete the project. The project was financed in part with state funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, an instrumentality of the state of Maryland. However, the contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. More here.
Ad Valorem Tax Rates To Increase For Some Water, Sewer Customers
Director Linda Lindsey, Garrett County Department of Public Utilities, on Tuesday presented the county commissioners with her calculated ad valorem tax rates for water and sewer service in the Garrett County Sanitary District for fiscal year 2014.
Rates for Bloomington water, Chestnut Ridge sewer, Deer Park water and sewer, Friendsvile water and sewer, Keysers Ridge water, Meadow Mountain sewer, and Mtn. Lake Park/Loch Lynn sewer customers will remain at their current rates.
Lindsey plans to increase the Deep Creek Lake sewer ad valorem tax rate from $.06 to $.07.
“The ad valorem tax rate is based [in part] on the assessed valuation of the properties within the service area boundaries,” she explained about the increased. “There was a decrease in some of the assessments, and then an additional cost for the loan refinancing that we recently conducted. We consolidated all of the [Deep Creek Lake] Sanitary District’s debt.”
The Jennings sewer rate will increase from $.13 to $0.22.
“That’s due to additional expenses for constructing the main line sewage pump station on the conveyance line from Jennings to the Chestnut Ridge area,” Lindsey explained. “That money – $1,000 – was borrowed to do that.”
McHenry water customers will see a $.01 increase.
“It goes from $.04 to $.05, and that is due to the loan refinancing of the previous USDA loan and M&T construction loan,” the director said.
The Mtn. Lake Park/Loch Lynn water rate will go from $.02 to $.05.
“That [increase] is based on the debt incurred for the new the water treatment plant, new 500,000 gallon water storage tank, the new wells for the new water source, and distribution system rehabilitation that’s been undertaken,” Lindsey said.
The rate for the new Thayerville water system will be $.20.
“That’s based on the new construction of the system that’s ongoing at this time,” the director said.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort flush with visitors; 1,000 estimated on first day
Greg Larry Cumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — CUMBERLAND — Nearly 300 people were waiting outside and in the lobby Wednesday when Rocky Gap Casino Resort officials emerged at about 4 p.m. to announce they had received a call from the Maryland gaming commission that they were approved to open.
Those waiting were immediately let inside the casino where the crowd continued to grow through out the evening.
Officials estimated about 1,000 people visited Maryland’s newest casino on its first day.
Casino officials had been waiting for the final approval of a license after a test audit of the casino’s procedures and functions on Monday.
The crowd began to build early Wednesday as expectations of the opening of its doors grew.
Receiving the call from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency was Scott Just, the resort’s general manager, from Lakes Entertainment Inc., the operators of the casino.
“Our team is experienced in gaming and hospitality and is looking forward to providing a great gambling experience and exceptional guest services,” said Just.
A visit to the resort and casino Thursday afternoon found about 200 people playing at the 558 slots and 10 table games. Some players who spoke to the Times-News asked to remain anonymous, while others provided only their first names.
Rip Coulehan and his wife Shawn of Cumberland were among those who came out Thursday.
“It’s impressive. I just hope it brings people out and creates more positive attitudes in the area,” said Rip Coulehan. “It’s like a mini Las Vegas without the vulgarity.”
Another Cumberland resident, Denise, was asked for her impression when she walked through the door.
“I just said, ‘Wow!’ It’s very nice. I think it will do well. We need some excitement in the area,” she said.
Several of those at the casino were from towns throughout the tri-state region.
Husband and wife Tim and Chris Miller of Hagerstown spoke after Tim received $15 on a free spin and Chris receivied $7 as part of a current promotion for anyone who signs up for the resort’s Rewards Club. Upon signing up for the club, which is free, a member may win up to $500 as part of the casino’s Join, Spin and Win promotion.
“I think it’s nice. They have a lot of different machines and the people are very attentive,” said Chris Miller.
“I like that they have free coffee and soft drinks. Other places we’ve gone charge for that,” said Tim Miller.
Chris Miller said the couple’s goal was to “leave with a little more than we came with.”
Allegany County will receive 5.5 percent of casino profits, which officials laud as good news for the local economy. Increased income for the county is expected to help fund increased road improvements, health programs, education and more.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort, which is also constructing a new addition in the form of an events center, is expected to employ around 350 people.
Three women from the Bedford, Pa., area were enjoying playing the Pink Diamond video terminals.
“It’s fun and it’s close for us,” said one woman.
“They’ve done a nice job,” said another.
Another woman from Needmore, Pa., also had words of praise. “I think it’s nice and it’s a good thing for the area,” she said.
Lakes Entertainment officials stressed that gambling at the casino should be done in a responsible fashion.
In addition to the casino, the resort has four restaurants, a spa, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course with walking trails, fishing and other activities.
Greg Larry can be contacted at glarry@times-news.com.
Retired Garrett emergency services chief receives state EMS award
From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — Brad Frantz, former director of the Garrett County Department of Emergency Management, is the recipient of the Leon W. Hayes Award for Excellence in Emergency Medical Services and was honored during a Tuesday ceremony in Annapolis by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems.
Frantz recently retired after 38 years of service and was recognized by MIEMSS for his “many positive changes in emergency services and management over his distinguished career and many years of service to the citizens of Garrett County,” according to the award nomination.
Tuesday’s ceremony also honored children who provided a life-saving service to someone in their community and included presentation of the annual Stars of Life Awards to EMS personnel, citizens and EMS programs.
The award presentations are part of Maryland’s observance of EMS Week, part of a national celebration to honor approximately 750,000 EMS providers nationwide. This year, the theme is One Mission. One Team. This year’s theme emphasizes the true team approach that is practiced by emergency services providers.
Maryland joins the nation in recognizing its 27,000 prehospital care providers, both career and volunteer. “Working as an emergency medical services provider is different from any other career,” said Dr. Robert Bass, executive director of MIEMSS. “You get tremendous satisfaction from helping others and knowing you have made a difference between life and death. Our Maryland EMS providers perform a vital service for their local community and the state of Maryland.”
Eco - Friendly Hobbitats at Blue Moon Rising
By LYNNE OCONNOR on May. 23, 2013
Recently featured on Tiny House Talk, tiny home builder, Hobbitat, was started just over a year ago by Maryland custom home builder and historic restoration specialist, Bill Thomas.
Since 1995, Bill and his wife, Sue, had been designing and building homes as Blue Sky Ventures and, in 2011, they began constructing little buildings with reclaimed materials and decided to shift focus with Hobbitat when they began work on thirteen cabins for the Blue Moon Rising eco-tourism retreat on Maryland’s Deep Creek Lake.
Initially called “Hobs,” the rental cabins have been dubbed “Waldens” after Henry David Thoreau’s masterpiece. Prefabricated off-site using materials that are local and sustainable, reclaimed, or recycled, each Walden is distinct in personality and design.
25 things to do in Maryland this summer - ASCI
ASCI was named by the Baltimore BizJournal as a top 25 thing to do in MD. Check out the rest here.
Memorial Day 2013 Events & Activities at Deep Creek Lake
Check out even more info about the Deep Creek Lake area on the I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County Facebook page!
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“Have a HART” Guest Bartender Night at The Harbor Bar at Dutch’s
View glassblowing until 3:30 on May 24 and 27 and until 5:00 PM on May 25 and 26.
Mtn Lake Park MD 21550
10:00 AM- 5 PM
The Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center offers travelers not only information about Garrett County but the entire state of Maryland as well. The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce will be staffing the center which will be open Thursday – Sunday from May 24 – October 13, 2013 and Friday -Sunday from October 18 –May 18, 2014. The re-opening of the Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center will give Garrett County two welcome centers, as it joins the current Garrett County Visitors Center in McHenry, Maryland, located near Deep Creek Lake.
Hours – 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The largest in the area with over 80 local farmers and craftsmen providing a wide selection of fresh picked produce, home-baked goods, quilts, antiques, plants, tools and flea market items. Enjoy homemade breakfast and lunch at the snack bar. Adjacent to a 1/4 mile easy walking self-guided nature trail. Call 240-310-2086 or 814-662-4366 or visit www.springspa.org for more information. **Out-of-County Regional Event**
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Debbie Carpenter & Girls
Name: Debbie Carpenter & Girls
254 Maple Street
Friendsville Md
Highland Festival
Name: Highland Festival
Garrett College SING Flea Market
Name: Garrett College SING Flea Market
LEGO Robotics: SuGO Sunday.
Name: LEGO Robotics: SuGO Sunday.
SuGO teams form at 1:00pm, and build until 3:30pm. Teams can be families or friends and No experience is necessary. All equipment is provided, and help is available for rookie teams. At 3:30, teams move to the arena and the SuGO bots battle it out tournament style.
This is a great activity for LEGO lovers of all ages.
Experience the latest LEGO Robotics hardware and push your creativity to the limit..
Light refreshments are available for purchase.
Look for the yellow pickup.
HART Fundraiser Held On DCL
“Paddling for Paws” was held at Deep Creek Lake State Park on Saturday. Hosted by Wisp Resort and organized by Michael Valach, director of Wisp Outdoors, the event attracted 20 paddleboarders, who competed in 5K and 10K races. A portion of the paid entries and additional donations totaling $200 benefited HART for Animals Inc. In addition to being a fundraiser, the event also brought exposure to the fairly new sport of paddleboarding. “This is the first year of what promises to become a very popular watersport at Deep Creek Lake,” said HART executive director Paula Yudelevit. High Mountain Sports, Wisp Resort, and Savage River Stand Up sponsored the competition. HART is a charitable animal welfare organization founded in 2003 to improve the condition of homeless animals in western Maryland. HART is a 501(c)(3) corporation and all donations are tax-deductible. For additional information on the organization, the HART Spay/Neuter Clinic, or any of its programs, or to donate to the capital fund campaign for the HART Animal Center along Bumble Bee Road, persons may visit hartforanimals.org.
Crellin Elementary Documentary Aired On PBS
May. 16, 2013
Crellin Elementary School (teachers, students, parents, and community members) was filmed in the fall of 2011 for a documentary to be aired on television’s PBS channel across the nation. The title of the documentary is “Schools That Change Communities” by Bob Gliner. Crellin was one of five schools from across the nation highlighted in the film.
“We were honored they asked us to be part of it, the whole process was a great reflection exercise,” said Dr. Dana McCauley, principal of Crellin Elementary School.
The documentary has already been airing on PBS stations in various states, but will be aired in Maryland on Sunday, May 19, at 5 p.m. The program will air on Maryland’s PBS second station, MPT2.
On the web site for documentary filmmaker Gliner, he states:
“When we think about schools, it usually evokes images of places separated from the larger community, a place where students go to learn.
