>Program on our natural surroundings and introduction of the Alta Schrock Nature Trail
>3:41 p.m. EDT, May 17, 2011
A program regarding nature around us and the new Alta Schrock Nature Trail will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Folk Meeting House in Springs.
Mitch Miller, naturalist from Frostburg, Md., will guide visitors in an awareness of how man and our natural surroundings affect each other. Weather, mining, timbering, lay of the land and plant life are all interrelated.
Miller and his father, Blaine Miller, Springs, have had an avid interest in nature all of their lives and have acquired a treasure trove of information. As partners in a survey business, their occupation has matched well with this interest.
The Springs Historical Society honors founder Dr. Alta Schrock by the creation of a nature trail, located adjacent to the Springs Farmer’s Market along the Folk Festival Forest Trail. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Schrock’s birth. Alta Schrock was an avid nature lover and held a doctorate in biology. Among many honors, she was an inductee into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame and the Garrett County Hall of Fame.
Read the full article here.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Fracking endangers Susquehanna, group says
>The rush to tap natural gas reserves in Pennsylvania prompted the environmental group American Rivers today to name the Susquehanna River the most endangered water way in the country. One of the nation’s longest rivers, The Susquehanna supplies drinking water to six million people. It’s also the chief tributary of the Chesapeake Bay.
The designation comes as national environmental groups press for a crackdown on the gas drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing, which involves pumping millions of gallons of water laced with chemicals and other substances deep into the ground to extract methane from layers of rock.
American Rivers points to the rash of spills, leaks and contaminated drinking-water wells in Pennsylania that have been linked to fracking, which is being used to get at gas locked in vast Marcellus shale deposits underlying much of Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia and western Maryland.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Garrett BOE to maintain staffing levels thanks to appropriations, retirements
>Kristin Harty Barkley
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Tue May 17, 2011, 11:29 PM EDT
— OAKLAND — Garrett County teachers who received pink slips earlier this month can breathe a little easier.
They’re keeping their jobs — at least for the coming year.
After months of struggle, Superintendent Wendell Teets presented a proposed fiscal 2012 budget Tuesday night that maintains most existing programs, including some that were previously on the chopping block, such as afterschool and athletic programs.
And, thanks to 27 teachers who are retiring through an incentive program, the school system can maintain staffing levels in the coming year.
“That program saved a lot of young teachers and provided an investment in the future of the school system,” Teets said during a special meeting of the Garrett County Board of Education. “We would have had to look at layoffs.”
Though the school system’s budget is 2 percent less than last year, the budget presented Tuesday salvaged far more than many had expected.
Initially faced with a $3.1 million funding shortfall, the board has been considering a variety of painful cuts, including closing its two most-expensive-to-operate elementary schools — Bloomington and Kitzmiller.
After receiving additional appropriations from the county and state, the board voted in April to close Bloomington at the end of this year, saving around $426,000 in the fiscal 2012 budget.
Kitzmiller, it decided, could remain open — for now.
“It’s been a hard year,” said Teets, who is retiring this summer after 14 years as superintendent. “Tough decisions. But we’ve been able to protect our program and support our students, and we’re doing the best we can to support our personnel.”
Education funding is expected to be in short supply for the foreseeable future as Garrett County faces declining enrollment and increasing wealth, based on a state funding formula. Enrollment in Garrett County schools has declined by around 10 percent over the last decade and is expected to decline another 10 percent by 2019, data shows. Currently, there are around 4,200 students in the system.
Like many other residents, Garrett County teacher Mary Jo Johnson anticipated the worst Tuesday when the proposed budget was unveiled.
“It was dread. Total dread,” said Johnson, who arrived just in time to hear a summary of the good news that all teachers will keep their jobs.
The board, which is reviewing the proposed budget, is expected to vote on a final version at its June meeting.
“They reinstated everyone — wonderful,” said Johnson, who teaches second grade at Accident Elementary School. She said two teachers there received layoff notices earlier this month.
“They may not necessarily be back in their same positions, but they have a job. That’s a big thing.”
Also on Tuesday, the board approved the following personnel appointments:
• David Yoder, principal of Accident Elementary School;
• Dawna Ashby, principal of Broad Ford Elementary School;
• Patrick Damon, principal Kitzmiller Elementary.
• Jessica Fratz, principal Swan Meadow School.
• Tracie Miller, principal Friendsville Elementary.
• Todd Shaffer, principal, Dennett Road Elementary.
• Deneice Shultz, pupil personnel worker, Central Office.
• Richard Stevens, assistant principal, Northern Middle School.
• Mary VanSickle, family support worker, Dennett Road Elementary.
• Lynan Friend, cafeteria worker, Broad Ford Elementary.
• Robert Sines, head custodian II, Northern Garrett High School.
• Tim Sines, head sucsodian III, Northern Middle School.
Contact Kristin Harty Barkley at kbarkley@times-news.com
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Green salamander, other rare species, subject of western Md. conservation meeting
>SWANTON, Md. — How private landowners can help preserve the green salamander and other rare species found in Garrett County will be discussed at the annual meeting of the Allegheny Highlands Conservancy.
The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday evening at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center in Swanton.
Ed Thompson, the forest ecologist for the Maryland Natural Heritage Program, will speak about rare, threatened and endangered species of the region. Thompson will also explain how conservation of privately held lands can play a role in preservation of those species.
The Natural Heritage Program is part of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Heritage Service.
___
Online:
http://www.AlleghenyHighlandsConservancy.org
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Enerplus selling portion of shale gas interests
>By Carolyn King
Enerplus Corp. expects to record a significant gain on the $575 million sale of a portion of its Marcellus natural gas interests in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia.
But the Calgary-based oil and gas producer will retain a “concentrated, meaningful position” in the shale play, which it said will enhance its ability to control the pace and level of capital spending going forward.
The buyers of the primarily non-operated portion being sold weren’t identified. The sold interests include about 91,000 net acres in southwest and central Pennsylvania, Garrett County in Maryland and northern West Virginia. Current output is about 5.4 million cubic feet equivalent a day.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Green salamander subject of conservancy meeting
>
Annual event scheduled to be held Wednesday evening in Garrett County
From Staff Reports
The Cumberland Times-News Mon May 16, 2011, 10:16 PM EDT
— SWANTON — Members of the Allegheny Highlands Conservancy will learn about rare species in Garrett County during their annual meeting Wednesday at the Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a covered-dish supper. At 7 p.m., Ed Thompson, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, will provide a slide presentation on the special habitats and rare species found in Garrett County. The annual election of officers and board members will take place following the program.
Thompson is the forest ecologist for the Maryland Natural Heritage Program, which is part of the Wildlife and Heritage Service of DNR. He graduated with a master’s degree in wildlife management from Frostburg State University and has worked in Western Maryland for the Natural Heritage Program since 1983. Most of his work has revolved around the inventory and conservation of rare species and special natural communities.
His program will showcase the rare, threatened and endangered species of the region and explain how private conserved lands can play a role in their preservation.
The event is open to the public and reservations are required to participate in the covered-dish dinner by calling Ron Boyer at 301-895-3686.
The Allegheny Highlands Conservancy is a local land trust dedicated to conserving the natural resources, scenic beauty and rural character of the Allegheny Highlands of Maryland. For more information, go to www.AlleghenyHighlandsConservancy.org.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Historical Library featuring accounts of Civil War events in tri-state region
>For the Cumberland Times-News
The Cumberland Times-News Fri May 13, 2011, 10:27 PM EDT
— CUMBERLAND — As part of the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War observance, Western Maryland’s Historical Library will feature a weekly peek into what was happening in the tri-state region during that time.
Hagerstown newspapers covered the events of the Civil War in their pages, not just the events at Antietam and South Mountain, but throughout the country. Editorials and letters to the editor from both sides of the conflict were printed.
The stories are available at www.whilbr.org or from the Washington County Free Library System’s website, www.washcolibrary.org under “Regional History.”
The following stories are representative of chronicles from the start of the Civil War in Maryland.
• May 16, 1861 — VIRGINIA TROOPS — Eight hundred Virginia troops are quartered in the vicinity of John Brown’s late abode in Washington County. It is said that they have fortified the heights opposite Harper’s Ferry, and have set the mountain on fire, and burnt the undergrowth and leaves and other obstructions to an extensive view of the surrounding country. It is also reported that there are about seven thousand troops at Harper’s Ferry, and a number on the Virginia side of the Potomac for a considerable distance up that river, about one hundred and fifty of whom are reported to be opposite Williamsport.
• May 22, 1861 — TROOPS OPPOSITE WILLIAMSPORT — On Sunday evening last about one thousand Secession troops arrived opposite Williamsport, and about seven miles from this town, on the Virginia side of the river. They are encamped above the Ferry, and are in full view of the good, loyal, Union loving people of Williamsport, who are not in the least intimidated by their formidable appearance. What the object of quartering these troops at this point is, cannot be divined, but the supposition is that they are there for the twofold purpose of guarding the Ferry, and overawing the opponents of the Secession Ordinance in Berkeley at the election tomorrow.
• May 5, 1861 — STICK TO THE UNION — The true policy for our people is to stick to the Union. It has protected us from all wrongs and outrages, and from a taxation for three-quarters of a century. In four years we shall have the privilege of choosing our rulers. Destruction may come “swift as the whirl wind” — the work of reconstruction may never be accomplished. Stick to the Union!
These, and many other stories from the Herald of Freedom and Torch Light, May 5 to May 29, 1861, are now online on the Western Maryland Regional Library’s history website. Others will continue to be added on a weekly basis.
The Whilbr website features images of original source documents from the collections of the public libraries, historical societies and individuals in Western Maryland. Its purpose is to display Western Maryland-related historical documents, images, audio and video.
Western Maryland Regional Library is an organization that provides support and materials for the continued enhancement of resources available through the Washington County Free Library System, the Allegany County Public Library System and the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>Bear Spotted In Woman's Back Yard
>Garrett County, Md., Woman Set A Trap To Catch The Animal
POSTED: 11:37 am EDT May 13, 2011
UPDATED: 7:21 pm EDT May 13, 2011
GARRETT COUNTY, Md. — It’s not what you’d expect to see if you peeked outside your window, but a Maryland woman got a big surprise when she saw a bear in her back yard.
Tammy Lewis, of Garrett County, said the animal has been roaming around her house for more than a month. She had even spotted it taking a snooze on her back deck.
“He wasn’t afraid of me. I could turn on the porch light and talk to him,” Lewis said.
“I put my nose against the glass and he would put his nose against the glass and lick it,” Lewis said.
Slideshow: Bear Spotted In Woman’s Back Yard
Read more: http://www.wtae.com/news/27884189/detail.html#ixzz1Mjc2DOgr
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>For Sale - 2BR Lakefront Condo WIll o the Wisp - GA7588297
>
20160 GARRETT HIGHWAY #104B
OAKLAND, MD 21550
Coveted ground floor unit at Will o the Wisp! Renovated 2BR, income producing ($28k+ in 2010) condo. BIG views of Deep Creek Lake, dock slip per HOA & lots of amenities – sandy beach, indoor pool & cascading hot tub, fitness center, racquetball & on site restaurant. Also, walk to the Creamery, Uno’s, Garrett 8 Cinemas & the Honi-Honi – experience all that WOW has to offer!
Contact Jay Ferguson @ 301-501-0420 or DeepCreekLaker@Gmail.com for more information or to setup a private showing for this property.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
>The LAST remaining snow in Garrett County & Wisp
>I had been keeping tabs from my office window, watch & waiting – this last little bit of snow disappeared over the weekend. Winter is officially OVER 🙂
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
