Celebrity To Participate In Savage Man
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Triathlon celebrity Dave Scott will be among the elite participants in the 5th annual “Tri-To-Win” SavageMan Triathlon Festival, slated for Sept. 17 and 18, with the start and finish at Deep Creek Lake State Park. Scott is a triathlon legend, having been the champion of the famous Ironman six times. He is joining a field of numerous other accomplished athletes, such as John Kenny (USA) and Zach Ruble (USA), SavageMan 2nd and 3rd placers, respectively, in 2010; Josh Beck (USA), considered one of the world’s top duathlete champions in running and cycling; and Susan Williams, two-time SavageMan 70.0 victor, women’s course-record holder, and the USA’s only Olympic triathlon medalist ever (Athens 2004).
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Shanksville Memorial In The Making
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The drive to Shanksville, Pa., from Garrett County is probably an hour or so, but the flying time between that now-hallowed ground and that of this area is just moments. When the plane came down in Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001, so close to the mountaintop, the fear already present was keenly intensified for Garrett Countians. The unfolding tragedy was suddenly close at hand. There will be two days of commemoration at that location this weekend, with President Barack Obama to speak, as well as former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and Vice President Joe Biden, among others. The drawing above is that of the memorial now being built. Information about the site can be found at http://www.nps.gov/flni/parkmgmt/memorialdesign.htm. Today’s issue of The Republican features a special tribute to the 10-year anniversary of the attacks, complete with essays by local persons who were eyewitnesses to the events, as well as information provided by the Newspapers In Education Institute. The commemoration ceremonies at Shanksville are open to the public. The schedule and other information is included in today’s issue, and can also be found at www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Garrett Countians Reflect On Memories Of 9/11
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Sep. 8, 2011
While it is not customary for the editorial staff of The Republican newspaper to cover national or international news, the events of Sept. 11, 2001, while some distance away, did indeed impact the lives of every resident, and did warrant attention and coverage in our news columns. Our focus at this newspaper has always been on our own, those of our mountaintop home, who either reside here, have made their home here at one time, or have close ties to the area still. Therefore, we deemed it appropriate to ask some of our own who were eyewitnesses to these terrifying events to tell their stories of that day, and to also express how the day changed them, or how they feel the events changed the world. We were pleased to receive several essays, all of which are published below….
…Matthew Sincell
Mtn. Lake Park native, current resident of Park City, Utah
Ten years ago I stood in Hamilton Park looking at the New York City skyline, camera in hand, and watched the two towers smoke. I had moved to Weehawken, N.J., on Sept. 9, 2001. I remember feeling as if I were caught somewhere between sleeping and waking, as if I and the gathering crowd of people around me were moving in perpetual slow motion. I didn’t know quite what was happening, but I knew deep inside that the world as I knew it was stirring. I was witnessing some great change. I found myself snapping a series of photos as each of the two towers fell. Somehow focusing on this tiny action of click, advance, click, advance, allowed me to document this moment with a certain detachment; as if looking through the camera lens made it less real. I understood intellectually that thousands of people were dying before my eyes, but emotionally it was impossible for me to comprehend. I think even 10 years later, it’s impossible for me to fully comprehend. I stayed in the city for nine more years, and watched, and was a small part, I suppose, of its resilience.
I witnessed things during those nine years that have made a permanent mark on me, on my own life-fabric. In a place where hate might have been the strongest, and perhaps most justified, reaction, I found instead that there was an outpouring of compassion. First, the compassion was extended toward the families of the victims. In my own profession at the time, theatre (which immediately after the event seemed about the most useless of professions), I saw fellow actors, writers, directors, and producers begin to write and perform plays to raise awareness and money for the families of the victims. There was a forum for the stories to be written down, remembered, and examined. A couple of years later, after the initial reaction to “protect our own and lash out at Muslims” subsided, I saw plays being written that attempted to get to the heart of why and how this all happened. This was done gingerly at first, because the wound was still so fresh. In some cases it was a matter of “not yet. It’s still too soon.” Gradually pain shifted into compassion and then into understanding, and then into a continued attempt to separate terrorists from a religion, which at its core is a religion of peace. I saw the sun continue to rise every morning. I saw people go back to work. I saw people walking forward, with scars, but walking forward.
Ten years later on Sept. 11, and every year since, my heart aches in remembrance of what was lost, the sacrifices made by those in the towers, the rescuers, and those who continue to work at ground zero today. I think of my friend, Ray Stapleton, my housemate, who spent the better part of four days in hell, with no sleep, climbing into the rubble of the towers hoping to find some small sign of life.
I also think about what was gained. I think about the strength of the human spirit. I think of my family. I think of how impermanent, how precious, and how beautiful life is. When I want to tell someone I love them, I tell them now. Now is the moment to live life. Now is truly what we have. These are the things I think about 10 years later.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Athletes From Across The Globe Register For 2011 SavageMan Race
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Sep. 8, 2011
The 5th annual “Tri-To-Win” SavageMan Triathlon Festival, slated for Sept. 17-18 at the Deep Creek Lake State Park, has attracted athletes from 32 states – including California and Hawaii – Washington, D.C., and numerous foreign countries such as Canada, Great Britain, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Australia. Olympians and world champions will be arriving in Garrett County next week for the three-pronged athletic competition.
This event, which has become internationally renowned as one of the most difficult triathlons in the world, is organized and produced by the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation. Proceeds from the event will benefit the foundation as well.
Philip Graves (GBR) and the Desiree Ficker (USA) will be back to defend their 2010 victory performances, with Graves setting both new overall SavageMan 70.0 course and 55.7-mile bike records; and Ficker a new 13.1-mile run record.
The 2011 starting field will also include John Kenny (USA) and Zach Ruble (USA), 2nd and 3rd placers respectively in 2010; as well as the featured triathlon legend, six-time Ironman World Champion Dave Scott (USA).
Josh Beck (USA), considered one of the world’s top duathlete champions in running and cycling, and who posted a sub-6:00 minute run record on the SavageMan 13.1-mi. run course in 2010, is returning for his 5th consecutive race.
Fronting the women’s field is two-time SavageMan 70.0 victor, women’s course-record holder, and the U.S.’s only Olympic triathlon medalist ever (Athens 2004) Susan Williams.
In the March 2010 Triathlete magazine, an article was published titled “The 100 Best Races in the World,” in which the SavageMan 70.0 was the lead-in two-page feature preface highlight, and was given the “Editor’s Choice” distinction of “Number One Hardest Race on Earth!”
Greg Safko, president of the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation and race director, said the two-day festival has “built a loyal following and solid reputation among athletes worldwide seeking a very unique lifetime experience.”
He also reported that post-race surveys taken by athletes indicate that 100% of athletes recommend the SavageMan Triathlon Festival to others.
“This survey result reflects the phenomenal attraction to western Maryland for the race,” Safko said.
There are a multitude of viewing areas in Deep Creek Lake State Park and across Garrett and Allegeny counties for the general public, he noted. Volunteers to help out with the event are still in need.
“Volunteering doubles the fun for spectators to experience this one-of-a-kind international sporting event up close,” Safko said. “And our volunteers are key to ensuring a safe and successful event for participants from around the country and world, as well as supporting the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation’s mission.”
For further information on volunteering, persons may visit www.savagemantri.org/volunteers.html. For course maps and daily activities, persons may go to the primary SavageMan web site at www.savagemantri.org.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Upcoming Events @ Deep Creek Lake
Sep 2 – Sep 5 41st Annual Rudy’s Labor Day Sale
Celebrate the official kickoff to the 2011 ski and board season at the 41st annual Rudy?s Labor Day Sale! The area?s largest ski & snowboard sale offering an extensive selection of wintersports equipment, apparel & accessories at discount warehouse prices.
Date: September 2, 2011
Website: http://www.rudysclothing.com
Location: Wisp Resort in the Main Lodge
Contact: 301-387-4640
EMail: info@rudysatwisp.com
Date/Time Details: Friday & Saturday 9am to 8pm
Sunday 9am to 6pm
Monday 9am to 4pm
Fees/Admission: None
Sep 2 – Sep 5 Wisp Outdoors Used Equipment Sale.
Date: September 2, 2011
Website: http://www.wispresort.com
EMail: info@wispresort.com
Sep 2 Little Yough Summer Music Festival
Concerts are free…..bring your lawn chair & enjoy the music. Food Vendors On Site 6:00pm – ?. Tonight – Remedy
Date: September 2, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: MountainFresh Pavilion, Second & Alder Streets, Oakland
Contact: Lillian Steele (301) 616-9790
EMail: steelebeatrice@gmail.com
Date/Time Details: September 2, 2011 – 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Fees/Admission: Free
Sep 4 Dogsledding Presentation and Kennel Visit
Enjoy an educational and entertaining dogsledding presentation. Grill mushers; see equipment; hug Huskies; watch films. No reservations needed today.
Date: September 4, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Website: http://www.HuskyPowerDogsledding.com
Location: Husky Power Dogsledding at Mountain MD Kennels, LLC
Address: 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD 21520 — Three Miles from Wisp – near the Airport in McHenry
Contact: 301-746-7200
Date/Time Details: 10 am – noon
Fees/Admission: $20
Sep 4 Family LEGO SuGO Event
Come design, create, and build a LEGO robot that will push your opponent off the SuGO ring. All ages are welcome. The G-FORCE FTC team also demonstrates their robot. http://sugo.gearsinc.org/.
Date: September 4, 2011
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Website: http://sugo.gearsinc.org/
Location: GEARS Center in Accident
Sep 10 Art & Wine Festival
Benefiting the American Red Cross, the festival includes wine, regional artists, children’s area, silent auction, live music and lots more!
Date: September 10, 2011
Website: http://www.deepcreekwinefest.com
Location: Garrett County Fairgrounds
Sep 11 Dogsledding Presentation and Kennel Visit
Enjoy an educational and entertaining dogsledding presentation. Grill mushers; see equipment; hug gorgeous and friendly HUSKIES; watch an exciting film of them working/pulling (or see a real team run if it’s cold enough) and learn a lot! No reservations required this day. It is a two hour program starting at 10 am. Price: $20 each.
Note: We offer this same tour (but by reservation only and with a minimum price) almost every day. Please see our website for more info: “Tours” page.
Date: September 11, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Website: http://www.HuskyPowerDogsledding.com
Location: Husky Power Dogsledding at Mountain MD Kennels, LLC
Address: 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD 21520 — Three Miles from Wisp – near the Airport in McHenry
Contact: 301-746-7200
Date/Time Details: 10 am – noon
Fees/Admission: $20
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Unemployment rate drops in nearly 7 of 10 U.S. metros
30% jobless in El Centro, Calif.; Yuma, Ariz.
By Inman News
Inman News™
Share ThisJobless rates fell in most U.S. metro areas in July compared to the same month a year ago, according to the latest figures released today from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Unemployment fell in 69 percent of the 372 metros tracked by the BLS. A quarter of metros saw their jobless rates rise year-over-year, while rates remained the same in about 6 percent. The national, nonseasonally-adjusted unemployment rate last month was 9.3 percent, unchanged from June, though up from 8.7 percent in May.
Nearly a third (31 percent) of the tracked metros had unemployment rates of at least 10 percent, while 17 percent had rates below 7 percent.
Midwestern states continued to post the lowest unemployment rates in July. Of the 10 metros with rates below 5 percent, nearly all were in that region. Bismarck and Fargo in North Dakota led with rates at 3 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Public says: Don’t divide communities in redistricting
Legislating across borders difficult, but not impossible, lawmakers say
by Sarah Breitenbach, Staff Writer
ANNAPOLIS — As legislators prepare to address the shape of political districts, they are hearing a common refrain from the few citizens who populate public hearings on the topic: Don’t divide communities.
Opponents of the current congressional map say the districts snake around the state in shapes even a salamander couldn’t fit into, grouping unlikely communities under the same representative. The committee tasked with making redistricting recommendations also is hearing the court-drawn state legislative districts disenfranchise communities by drawing boundaries down the middle of cul-de-sacs and across county lines.
“What we’ve done with our maps is we’ve made Maryland into the Balkans,” said William H. Campbell, a Howard County resident who spoke at the redistricting hearing Tuesday evening in Columbia. “We have Croats and Serbs and Bosnians and Slovenians, and because of that I think the politicians feel they have carte blanche to do and say as they please.”
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Number 1 Moved To New Home
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Sep. 1, 2011
With appropriate pomp and circumstance, the noble Number 1 fire truck of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department, a 1930 American LaFrance pumper, was on Tuesday officially housed in its new home, the soon-to-be-opened Garrett County Museum of Transportation. The museum, a project of the Garrett County Historical Society and funded significantly by the Naylor Family Trust, is set to be officially launched later this month, although the doors were opened for the firefighters and many residents who attended the evening ceremony. While some were saddened at the thought of Number 1 no longer being driven, officials explained that the engine can indeed still be used in parades and other events, as it now has a special gas tank that can be quickly attached or removed as needed. (The vehicles in the museum cannot have any gasoline in them, for fire safety.) Photo by John McEwen.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
McHenry Property Owners Object To Mandatory Water Service Hook-Up
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Sep. 1, 2011
The Garrett County commissioners held a public hearing on Saturday morning at Garrett College to receive on proposed fee and policy changes to the McHenry Water System. About 200 people attended the two-hour event, with more than 20 voicing their concerns. Most objected to a waterline connection mandate.
Chairman Gregan Crawford said over 1,500 postcards were mailed to McHenry area property owners, notifying them about the hearing.
“This is part of the standard DPU policy from this point on,” Crawford said about the Department of Public Utilities informing people about such events.
The proposed changes include reducing the connection fee from $2,800 to $2,000 and allowing property owners up to five years to connect to the system. Those who do so within that time period could spread the connection cost over a 15-year period at a 1 percent interest rate. After the five-year deadline, the term would be 5 percent for 10 years. This amortization policy would apply only to McHenry Water System connections.
“These proposals change the amortization flexibility, time frame, and payment structure, and significantly lower the connection rates,” Crawford said.
Though the hearing was about connection/user fees and the connection/amortization policy, most of the public centered on the fact that numerous property owners will now have to abandon their private wells and pay the county to install water lines to their homes, connect them to the McHenry system, and supply them with water.
“This was crammed down our throats,” said Kim Knox, who lives off Pysell Road.
Several speakers indicated their wells are in good working condition and provide good tasting water. Some wondered if the public system would provide enough water/water pressure for household use and fire suppression.
“I’ve never, since this started, felt like I knew what was going on,” said Pysell Road property owner Marie Broadman about the expansion project.
The previous board of county commissioners held a public hearing on Dec. 7, 2010, on expanding the McHenry Water Service District to include Sandy View Court, Winding Estates Drive, Grand Estates Drive, Quiet Quail Way, Golf Drive, Ruffed Grouse Lane, Sandy Shores Road, Fern Loop, Wisp Mountain Road, Fantasy Lane, Barbara’s Way, Susan’s Way, Marsh Hill Road, Pysell Road, Deep Creek Drive, Gravelly Run Road, Ridgeview Valley Development, Sweet Rewards Development, a portion of Mosser Road, the Garrett County Airport property, and McHenry Business and Technology Park.
No written or verbal commentary about the proposal was received at the hearing, and Commissioners Ernie Gregg and Fred Holliday approved the boundary changes.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Stoner Set As Autumn Glory's Grand Marshal
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Baseball player Tobi Stoner will be the grand marshal of Garrett County’s 44th annual Autumn Glory Festival Grand Feature Parade scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 15. The parade is set to begin at 1 p.m.
A native of Garrett County, Stoner attended Southern High School, where he was a first-team, all-area infielder and pitcher. During his tenure at SHS, the Rams won back-to-back area titles and had a 43-4 record in Stoner’s last two seasons. He played at Garrett College before attending Davis and Elkins College (W.Va.). There he was named Male Athlete of the Year in 2006.
That same year, Stoner was drafted by the New York Mets in the 16th round and played for the Mets’ double-A affiliate in Binghamton, N.Y., and its triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y. Stoner was called up to the New York Mets in 2009. He is currently playing in the triple-A division.
Stoner will be holding a Meet and Greet at 11 a.m. during the Autumn Glory Craft and Gift Sale at the exhibit hall at the Garrett County Fairgrounds, Sunday, Oct. 16.
The Autumn Glory Craft and Gift Sale is presented by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Susquehanna Bank. The 44th annual Autumn Glory Festival commemorative posters will also be available for purchase that day at the exhibit hall for $10 each.
The Autumn Glory Festival will run from Oct. 12 through 16 in Garrett County with a kick-off reception at Wisp Resort and two large parades, concerts, an Oktoberfest celebration, the Maryland State Banjo, Mandolin, and Fiddle championships, art exhibits, the Western Maryland Tournament of Bands, and antique and craft shows, as well as other events and amusements.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
