Tag: mountains
WISP Resort Opening Day
Wisp Resort is set to unveil the season with a lineup of seven exciting trails and a terrain park that includes Squirrel Cage, Sunset Blvd., Happy Camper, Possum, Grouse Way, Boulder Run, and the Central Park Terrain Park.
Join us for the opening weekend, where the winter magic unfolds with the following schedule:
Friday, December 15:
- Skiing and snowboarding: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Snow Tubing: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday:
- Skiing and snowboarding: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Snow Tubing on Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Snow Tubing on Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Excitement builds with our opening weekend rates:
Online Advance Purchase (Friday through Sunday):
- Adults: $89
- Juniors (ages 6-12): $69
(Up to a 16% discount off the window rate)
Ticket Window (Friday through Sunday):
- Adults: $109
- Juniors (ages 6-12): $89
Snow Tubing:
- $45 per person
Secure your spot for an unforgettable winter kickoff by purchasing your tickets online in advance. Don’t miss the chance to save and maximize the thrill of the season!
Recycle Christmas Trees at Garrett County Landfill
The Garrett County Department of Public Works – Solid Waste & Recycling Division would like to invite Garrett County residents to participate in Christmas tree recycling at the Garrett County landfill location during January and February.
Trees will be accepted for recycling during the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, at the landfill location at 3118 Oakland Sang Run Road, Oakland, Maryland.
Christmas tree recycling is available to Garrett County residents free of charge. A residential disposal permit is not required to participate in this program or any other recycling program in Garrett County.
Christmas trees may also be recycled at home by placing cut branches and needles under trees and shrubs as temporary winter mulch — or by chopping them up and adding them to your compost pile.
Please remove all tinsel, garland, and ornaments before recycling Christmas trees at home or the landfill location.
Note, artificial trees are not intended to be recycled.
Remember that a refuse permit is not required to recycle at any of the seven refuse & recycling sites, including the landfill. Additionally, Garrett County businesses are encouraged to recycle at all seven refuse & recycling sites.
Please contact the office at 301-334-7492 or email the Recycling Coordinator, Kimberly Madigan at kmadigan@garrettcounty.org with any questions.

Committee formed to celebrate Deep Creek Lake’s 100th anniversary
At a recent meeting of its Board of Directors, the Property Owners’ Association of Deep Creek Lake (POA) formed a committee to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the lake, which will occur in 2025.
The POA invited representatives from a variety of organizations to participate in this committee, and on Nov. 28, the first meeting of the Deep Creek Lake 100th Anniversary Committee was held. Along with the POA, representatives from the following organizations participated in the meeting: Brookfield Renewable, Deep Creek Watershed Foundation, Garrett County Board of Realtors, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, Garrett County Government, Garrett County Historical Society, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Deep Creek Lake Yacht Club and the Deep Creek Lake Sailing Association (aka the Turkey Neck Yacht Club).
“We had an extremely productive initial meeting with a lot of enthusiasm for this celebration,” said Committee Chair Chris Nichols, “Just getting this many people and organizations engaged really shows the level of interest in this initiative.”
After the initial introductions, the committee discussed a number of potential projects and events, according to Nichols. One of the first projects discussed was the development of informational kiosks at various places with maps, historical information and personal stories of lake memories.
Plans also included the creation of a commemorative coin, publishing a special commemorative book, commissioning a video and creating a dedicated website to store all of the photos, information and stories gathered for the project.
“One theme that committee members kept bringing up was the importance of engaging with county residents, second homeowners and visitors to help us tell the full story of Deep Creek Lake,” Nichols said. “We’ve already identified a number of other groups to reach out to in support of these projects, especially our local schools. One really great idea was to encourage a ‘Foxfire-style’ initiative where students engage with the family members to record stories of what the lake was like ‘back in the day.’”
for more information Committee formed to celebrate Deep Creek Lake’s 100th anniversary | Garrett News | wvnews.com

Oakland Embraces the Festive Spirit with Small Town Christmas Delight
Mark your calendars for the enchanting Small Town Christmas celebration in Oakland on December 8th, 9th, and 16th, 2023. Downtown Oakland is set to host an array of delightful, family-friendly activities that capture the essence of the holiday season.
The festivities kick off with a mesmerizing Light Up Night on Friday, December 8th, at the Oakland B&O Museum. The highlight of the evening is a charming Walking Holiday Light Parade, led by none other than Santa Claus himself, commencing from the Town Parking Lot at 5:30 PM. Everyone is welcome to join this festive stroll, culminating at the B&O Museum for the official tree lighting. This year, there’s a delightful new addition – Santa Paws! Dress up your furry companions in holiday-themed attire and let them be part of the parade. Indulge in complimentary cookies and cocoa courtesy of the Order of the Eastern Star, and treat yourself to a special surprise from Santa. The merriment extends to free sleigh rides for all attendees.
Continuing the jubilation on Saturday, December 9th, is Soup N’ Santa from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Numerous nonprofits will be serving up heartwarming soups (donations appreciated), providing an opportunity to mingle with Santa, engage in kids’ activities, enjoy live music, take sleigh rides, explore local shops with exclusive discounts, and much more. Once again, your furry friends are invited to join in the festive atmosphere and have a memorable encounter with Santa.
In tandem with Oakland’s Great Small Town Christmas Event, the House of Hope presents the Bucks for Hope Drive on Saturday, December 9th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN. Show your support for this noble cause by making cash donations on Second Street in downtown Oakland. While cash donations are preferred, non-perishable food items are also accepted. Originating in 1978 by Chuck Nolan, this food drive has garnered over $65,000 in donations and more than 80 pickup loads of food.
On Saturday, December 16th, immerse yourself in the sweetness of the Cocoa Crawl from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, featuring delectable treats as you wrap up your holiday shopping at select downtown businesses.
And don’t miss out on the Lucky Elf promotion, running through Monday, December 19th. With every $25 spent at participating stores in Oakland, you stand a chance to win a variety of enticing local gifts.
For a comprehensive list of Christmas activities and further details, check out the Town of Oakland, MD Facebook page or visit www.oaklandmd.com. Join us in creating lasting memories and spreading holiday cheer throughout Oakland!

County Commissioners Announce December 4, 2023 Public Meeting Agenda
PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA
Monday, December 4, 2023
Agenda Session Times are Approximate
Meeting will also be Live Streamed at https://www.facebook.com/garrettcountygovernment/
Agenda Session Times are Approximate
The Board of County Commissioners may close a portion of this public meeting and move into Executive Session to comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicial requirement that may prevent public disclosure about a particular proceeding or matter.
*To comment on agenda items – please send to @garrettcounty.org
3:00 Administrative Session
- Mr. Null will review a number of administrative and managerial matters under his authority and jurisdiction with the Board of County Commissioners
4:00 Call to Order of Public Session, Invocation, and Pledge of Allegiance
County Administrator – Additions/Deletions to Public Meeting Agenda
Approval of Public, Administrative, and Executive Meeting Minutes
4:05 Resolution – USDA – ReConnect Program Grant and Security Agreement – Rt. 135 Broadband
Project
4:10 PUBLIC HEARING – 2014 Garrett County Water and Sewer Plan Amendment
4:20 Public Commentary
ADJOURNMENT
Public issues or concerns that are to be presented to the Board of Garrett County Commissioners during any Public Meeting should be scheduled with Carol A. Riley–Alexander, Executive Assistant to the Board of County Commissioners/County Administrator.
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners next scheduled Public Meeting will be Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at the Garrett County Courthouse beginning at 4:00 PM.

GC Diversity and Inclusion Committee meeting announced
The Garrett County Diversity and Inclusion Committee is having a meeting on Wednesday November 29, 2023 from 3 PM until 4:30 PM at Garrett College in the Offutt STEM Building in Room 211.

FishMaryland Master Angler Award Presented to Jason Paugh of Garrett County
Jason Paugh, of Red House, officially became the fourth Master Angler awarded under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program this month. The highest award in the program recognizes the skill and determination required to catch ten trophy-size fish species in Maryland that all meet the minimum award sizes.
Paugh reached this milestone award by catching a largemouth bass (21.25 inches), smallmouth bass (20 inches), crappie (16.75 inches), northern pike (47.25 inches), chain pickerel (25.25 inches), rock bass (10.75 inches), yellow perch (14.25 inches), carp (38 inches), bluegill (11 inches), and wild brook trout (12.25 inches).
“Angler participation in the FishMaryland program has been tremendous since its launch in January 2019,” Maryland DNR Recreational Fishing Outreach Coordinator Erik Zlokovitz said. “FishMaryland showcases the array of freshwater and saltwater species available in Maryland, and we are thrilled for Mr. Paugh to be the fourth angler to receive the program’s highest award. It takes a great deal of talent, drive, and perseverance to earn Master Angler status.”
All but one of these fish were caught in Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, Maryland. Paugh caught the fish on artificial lures. The brook trout was caught in a small tributary of the Savage River system. Paugh is an avid freshwater bass angler, and in 2023, he caught 39 largemouth bass in Deep Creek Lake that met the minimum award size. He fishes primarily with jerkbaits, crankbaits, plastic worms, and small jigs that he designs to use around shoreline structures such as boat docks. The biggest and most surprising catch was the 47.25-inch northern pike, which hit a small jerk bait intended for largemouth bass.
“I am extremely surprised and excited to learn that this is only the fourth Master Angler award granted in Maryland,” Paugh said.
Paugh has coached high school competitive bass fishing for five years, including four years with his son. The team he coached this year, from Northern Garrett County High School, is one of two teams from Maryland competing in the National High School Bass Fishing Finals Tournament next summer. Paugh has worked as a master electrician for a private company the past eight years, and previously was an electrician in Western Maryland’s coal mining industry for 18 years.
More information on the award program and how to submit catches is available on the DNR FishMaryland webpage.
The Vagabonds prepare for a camping trip
Sometimes you just need to get away from work. It doesn’t matter if you are a leader of industry or someone who works for such a leader. In 1914, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs discovered they got along well together and enjoyed each other’s company. They started making plans for summer vacations where they would travel around the country in cars built by Ford on tires manufactured by Firestone.
They called themselves the Vagabonds.
Over the following years, they got together to travel along the East Coast and into the Midwest. These included New England, West Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, Massachusetts and Maryland. They seemed to favor mountain setting like the Catskills and Adirondacks.
They weren’t roughing it on these trips by any stretch of the imagination.
According to The Henry Ford Foundation, “The 1919 trip involved fifty vehicles, including two designed by Ford: a kitchen camping car with a gasoline stove and built-in icebox presided over by a cook and a heavy touring car mounted on a truck chassis with compartments for tents, cots, chairs, electric lights, etc. On later trips, there was a huge, folding round table equipped with a lazy susan that seated twenty.” for full story The Vagabonds prepare for a camping trip | Local News | times-news.com

Festival of Trees planned for Nov. 24-25
Santa’s elves are hard at work again, preparing for the return of Garrett County’s holiday kick-off event, the Festival of Trees.
The event will be held Nov. 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall along U.S.. 219 in McHenry. General admission is $5 per person.
Celebrating its 16th year, this joyful family event has become a tradition for hundreds of locals and visitors to the county. Benefitting the Dove Center, Garrett County’s domestic violence and sexual assault services program, the Festival of Trees was developed by its board and staff to serve as the organization’s major fundraiser.
Since its inception, it has raised well over $200,000, helping the agency to leverage additional state and federal grant funds by acting as a match. The community’s love for the event prompted rapid growth, and soon necessitated a change in venue from the Armory to the Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, where it has been held since.
A committee of volunteers with a passion for the event and the Dove Center’s mission meets throughout the year to plan, improve and expand it. for more information 16th-annual Festival of Trees planned for Nov. 24-25 | Garrett News | wvnews.com

Maryland Hunter’s Giant Black Bear Confirmed as New State Record
A Maryland woman shot a 643-pound black bear on the opening day of the state’s short bear hunting season, and officials at Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) say it is the heaviest hunter-harvested bear on record.
The hunter, identified only by her first name, Melissa, shot the bear on October 23 near her home in Garrett County, according to an MDNR tweet posted October 25. “This Garrett Co. male bear is the largest bear ever harvested during Maryland black bear season and is a new state record,” MDNR reported. The previous record was a 615-pound Garrett County bear tagged in 2007.
for more information Maryland Hunter’s Massive Black Bear Breaks State Record | Field & Stream (fieldandstream.com)
