In a recent press release issued by the Garrett County Government, it has been announced that the anticipated reopening of Glendale Road is facing delays due to a combination of unfavorable weather conditions and disruptions in the supply chain. While the county had initially planned to reopen the road within a certain timeframe, these unforeseen circumstances have prompted a necessary adjustment of the reopening timeline. As of now, a specific date for the road’s reopening has not been finalized.
With the upcoming first day of the public school year in Garrett County scheduled for September 5th, local authorities have taken proactive steps to ensure a smooth transition for students and families. Two school bus routes have been strategically modified to accommodate the detoured traffic pattern resulting from the ongoing Glendale Road closure. It is reassuring to note that the local Transportation Advisory Council group has carefully evaluated the situation and anticipates only minimal disruptions to school bus operations due to the detour.
Since June 14th, the southern segment of Glendale Road has remained closed to traffic as part of a comprehensive realignment project. This extended closure period has been instrumental in enabling crucial maintenance work, including drainage enhancements and road resurfacing activities. The scope of this project encompasses the road section spanning from Route 219 to the entrance of Zeddock Miller Road.
Upon the eventual reopening of Glendale Road, it is important to be aware that Zeddock Miller Road will experience its own temporary closure for approximately three weeks. This closure is necessary to facilitate essential updates to the tie-in entrance connecting Zeddock Miller Road with Glendale Road.
Community members and commuters are advised to stay informed through official channels such as Garrett County Government communications and local news outlets for any further developments regarding the Glendale Road reopening and associated road closures. The county is committed to ensuring the safety and convenience of all residents during these necessary infrastructure improvements, and your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated.
The 19th annual Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival, benefiting HART for Animals and Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF), features beautifully handcrafted works by local and regional artisans, more than 200 wines to taste from Maryland and national wineries, a lounge to watch college football games and purchase beer on tap, a cigar bar, live entertainment, food, wine store, lodging packages and more, all set in the beautiful mountains of western Maryland.
schedule is as follows-
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023: 5-8PM: PREMIUM WINE TASTING
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023: NOON-6PM ART & WINE FESTIVAL
A trail enhancement and maintenance project will temporarily close the Fork Run Recreation Area from August 17 through August 25, 2023. This brief interruption is necessary to ensure the safety of all visitors during construction and maintenance activities.
A new beginner loop will be created utilizing sections of the Red and Yellow Trails near the parking area and will expand access to a wider range of outdoor enthusiasts. Also, rock armoring and realignment of the Silver Trail will improve drainage and prevent erosion.
During this temporary closure of Fork Run, the Garrett Trails organization invites visitors to explore other fantastic outdoor destinations in the area:
For hiking, the Meshach Browning Trail System located at 1249 Bumble Bee Rd, Accident, MD 21520 is recommended. The suggested trails are the blue, green, and red trails totaling a distance of 2.5 miles.
For hiking and mountain biking, Deep Creek State Park located at 898 State Park Rd, Swanton, MD 21561 is an alternative trail system. Signed interpretive walks are available from the Discovery Center and on the Brant Mine Trail. Plus, longer, rocky loop trails ascend to the top of Meadow Mountain, providing an excellent bike adventure with a view of Deep Creek Lake.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this temporary closure but we look forward to welcoming you back to Fork Run Recreation Area on Saturday, August 26 when the new and updated trails will be ready to explore.
For further updates and information, please contact Siera Wigfield, Senior Planner, at swigfield@garrettcounty.org or 301-334-7477.
Glendale Road is estimated to be reopened to traffic by Sept. 1. This schedule is subject to potential weather and equipment delays and updates at any time.
The realignment project has had the southern end of Glendale Road closed to traffic since June 14. The closure has allowed drainage and resurfacing work on the road from Route 219 and the entrance to Zeddock Miller Road.
To access the south end of Glendale Road, motorists should follow the detour signs: Sand Flat Road, to Paradise Point Road, to Zeddock Miller Road. All restaurants and businesses on Glendale Road are accessible with the detour.
Readers can view the detour here https://bit.ly/3OWRke6
Upon the reopening of Glendale Road, Zeddock Miller Road will be closed for approximately three weeks for an update to the tie-in entrance from Glendale Road.
August 10, 2023 – In an effort to ensure the safety and quality of Maryland’s transportation infrastructure, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will initiate a significant right lane closure on the westbound stretch of I-68, commonly known as the National Freeway. This lane closure, scheduled to commence on Thursday, August 10, will span from Midlothian Road in Allegany County to MD 546, also known as Finzel Road, in Garrett County.
While the MDOT SHA and its appointed contractors strive to adhere to a stringent schedule, completion dates can be influenced by external factors such as weather conditions. As such, the comprehensive resurfacing project is projected to conclude by December of 2023, provided that weather conditions remain favorable.
for more information visit the MHA on maryland.gov
Nine incredible bands are taking the Outdoor stage of the Garrett County fairgrounds this upcoming weekend. Inside the AG Hall will feature tons of crafters and artisans. Back Outdoors within close proximity to the outdoor stage will include Axe Throwing, Glass Blowing, Blacksmithing, a HUGE kids Zone, and much more! A wide array of Food, Beverage, and mouthwatering Desserts of all kinds, including Liberated Libations! Tickets are on sale and available now through MDTix. Tickets can be purchased through the event website below. This event is brought to you by OMG RELAX and in partnership with Camp Caring of Garrett County. This will benefit school aged children of Garrett County that are cognitively and physically challenged. One very special event not to be missed! For tickets, Go to www.BigFunkyBluesFest.com Schedule is as follows 10:50-11:00- Announcements and National Anthem by Kim Sweitzer
If you’re looking for a last-minute Labor Day getaway, we’ve got some suggestions. The following Airbnbs—some with water views and docks, others close to cute towns or beaches or good restaurants—are ideal for a long weekend that’s an easy drive from DC—and they currently have rental availability.
Ready to get away? Check out these 10 Labor Day-ready vacation rentals in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.
A Four-Bedroom House in Rehoboth
This family-friendly Airbnb in Rehoboth Beach offers four bedrooms and three-and-half bathrooms and is located in a quiet neighborhood on the south end of Rehoboth, making it walking distance to Dewey Beach restaurants and nightlife, and a short Jolly Trolley ride to the Rehoboth Boardwalk. It’s also walking distance to both the ocean and the Rehoboth Bay. The home includes an outdoor shower and a driveway large enough to accommodate four cars.
A Boutique Hotel Room in Oxford’s Historic District
Walk to pubs, shops, and restaurants from a room at the Sandaway Suites & Beach hotel in Oxford. The hotel offers access to a private beach on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as water views from many of the rooms. It’s an easy drive to St. Michaels, Easton, or Cambridge.
This four-bedroom house overlooking the Chesapeake Bay accommodates 14 guests and offers water views from most rooms. The property includes a grill, covered balconies, and a hot tub, while community amenities include fishing piers, a beach, and picnic areas. It’s a 10- to 15-minute drive to downtown Annapolis and Quiet Waters Park, where you can enjoy a hike or a picnic.
“Honeysuckle Hideout:” A Four-Bedroom Home on Lake Anna
This newly renovated Lake Anna home caters to groups, kids, and pets, with lake and sunset views from the expansive deck, and a bocce-, frisbee- and soccer-equipped lawn. The backyard slopes down to a dock in a secluded cove. Getting away with a larger group? There is a one-bedroom guest house with a kitchenette that can be added to the reservation for an additional fee. Though you might not want to leave, there is a grocery store and two restaurants within five miles.
This three-bedroom (plus a loft) home on Deep Creek Lake offers water views and a boat slip. Fun fact, says the host: The home was featured on HGTV’s Lakefront Bargain Hunt show. Guests can swim and fish right off the dock in the backyard, or enjoy the hot tub. The home is minutes from shopping and restaurants but note, it’s right off the highway which means you can hear the buzz of traffic throughout the day and night.
A Private, Four-Bedroom Waterfront Estate in Onancock, Virginia
This serene, expansive estate offers 550 feet of Chesapeake Bay waterfront on more than nine acres of lawn and woodland on a peninsula—complete with a .8-mile walking path around the property. Ideal for groups, the home has four bedrooms, an exercise room, and an outdoor patio, plus a fire pit and lawn games including croquet, volleyball, and badminton. Guests can also fish or crab from the private dock, or kayak. Nearby historic Onancock is a walkable town with art galleries, restaurants, and shops, plus a movie theater and playhouse.
This historic three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom home is located in the historic West End area of Cambridge near the water on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The quaint property includes a hot tub, a back deck with a grill, a fire pit, and a front porch with rocking chairs, and it’s a short walk from Long Wharf Park, the Choptank River Lighthouse, and the shops and restaurants in downtown Cambridge.
Newer to Airbnb—meaning, as the host says, you’d be among the first to stay (though it does have four five-star reviews at present), this two-bedroom condo in Dewey Beach accommodates up to six guests on the “quieter side” of the resort-like community of the Residences Lighthouse Cove. The home offers ocean and bay views from its private terrace, is walking distance to Dewey restaurants and nightlife, and offers a shared community rooftop deck and pool with fire pits and grills.
This five-bedroom home, built in 1894, is located in the historic district of Cambridge, on the Eastern Shore. With an updated interior that includes three floors of living space, plus a front porch and backyard, the home can accommodate up to 10 guests, who can explore the small town’s shops, bars, and restaurants just two blocks away.
The very first Garrett County Fair was held in 1917 in the Naylor Building on Third Street in Oakland, and the lot between that building and Center Street. Later, sheds were constructed near Center Street on the Sweeney lot to house part of the exhibits, and successful fairs were held at this location until the early twenties.
As interest in the Fair increased, it became necessary to have more space, so the Bradley property west of Oakland was purchased. Some of the exhibits were housed in the Bradley house. A shed was erected for the livestock and poultry entries. The last of the fairs held at the Bradley farm location was in 1931. Most of the earlier Garrett County fairs were held in late September, because more farm products were available for showing at that time of the year. However, many people who had experience with these fairs said that attendance and general support were in direct relation to the weather, and the weather here in late September is often less than ideal for going to the fair.
Several years of bad weather during fair week resulted in financial losses and the Fifteenth Annual Garrett County Fair, September 15, 16, 17 and 18, 1932, was the last until 1957.
Meetings were held early in 1954 to again organize a Garrett County Fair.
H.G. Gortner, Allen S. Paugh, Sr. Walter DeBerry, Baity Ridder, and then County Extension Agent, John Carter, were among those instrumental in working out details for the first Garrett County Agriculture Fair, Inc. held August 13-17, 1957, on the property of Charles H. Bowman, near Deep Creek, McHenry, Maryland, where the present Fair is held. Officers elected were H.G. Gortner, President; John J. Brenneman, Vice President; Charles A. Wilt, Secretary; Allen S. Paugh, Sr., Treasurer; and Claude W. Wagner, Sr., Manager. The Board of Directors was composed of sixteen men and four women to serve for four-year terms.
The property had one Quonset hut for the first fair. Other tents and temporary buildings were used to house the exhibits and animals. Many improvements have been made to the fairgrounds through the years. Today Garrett County Fair stands as one of the true remaining agriculturally based fairs in the state.
In a significant stride towards providing affordable and high-quality prekindergarten opportunities to families in Maryland, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has announced three grant programs with a combined investment of over $35 million for prekindergarten programs across the state.
The grants, a part of the recently adopted Strategic Plan: Maryland Transforms, aim to bolster the early education system in the state and ensure that all Maryland students are socially, emotionally, and academically prepared for success in kindergarten.
Prekindergarten Expansion Grant & Maryland State Prekindergarten Grant: Through the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant and the Maryland State Prekindergarten Grant, MSDE has awarded a total of $28 million in funding to 53 public and private prekindergarten programs. This funding will allow the creation of 2,731 new prekindergarten seats and provide access to full-day prekindergarten for three and four-year-old children from low-income families.
The grants enable schools and early care and education programs to extend the school day from half-day to full-day, employ highly qualified and certified early childhood teachers, and cater to more children who might otherwise lack access to essential early childhood education.
One school that has benefitted greatly from the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant is the Goddard School in Owings Mills. Lisa Ann Dickinson, the program’s Grant Manager, expressed her gratitude, stating that the grant has allowed them to provide free prekindergarten education to 140 students, with an increased capacity of 40 prekindergarten spots this year.
Another recipient, Bright Beginnings Children’s Center in northern Calvert County, is thrilled about the opportunities the grant will offer to families in the area. They plan to implement a project-based inquiry curriculum to strengthen early language, literacy, and mathematical skills, along with a focus on social foundations and emotional learning. The program aims to engage students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), those from non-English-speaking households, and economically disadvantaged students.
Prekindergarten Capacity Building Grant: To further enhance the administration of high-quality prekindergarten programs, MSDE will introduce the Prekindergarten Capacity Building Grant on July 27, 2023. This competitive one-year, one-time grant will provide additional seats for eligible three- and four-year-olds across the state. Furthermore, it serves as a pathway for both local education agencies (LEAs) and private providers to qualify for the Maryland State Prekindergarten Grant or the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant in subsequent school years.
Recipients of the Prekindergarten Capacity Building Grant will receive targeted technical assistance and support in accessing additional teacher credentials and state-approved teacher certification to ensure high-quality instruction. MSDE’s Office of Early Learning and Instruction, in collaboration with Maryland EXCELS staff, will assist grantees in achieving a quality rating of at least 3 or 4, preparing them for future grants in fiscal year 2025.
Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury emphasized the importance of supporting prekindergarten providers for the success of children during their critical brain development years. The Prekindergarten Capacity Building Grant is designed to not only create more seats but also elevate the quality of every prekindergarten program, ensuring a robust early education system in Maryland.
