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Joan Crawford Lecture Series Resumes: Spring Schedule Announced

With the spring semester now underway at Garrett College, the second half of the Joan Crawford Lecture series has been announced. Named in honor of the late educator Joan Crawford, this sequence of presentations will be offered free of charge for the public. The schedule is as follows:

February 15        How to Effectively Manage Your Health Care
                                Presented by Dr. James Damato
                                GC Room 224 – noon

February 21        Doctors without Borders
                                Presented by Dr. David Tuel
                                GC Auditorium – 7 p.m.

February 22        Black History Monologues
                                Terry Kasekamp, Coordinator
                                GC Auditorium – noon
                                (Snow date – February 29)

March 28              Women’s History Monologues
                                Terry Kasekamp, Coordinator
                                GC Auditorium – noon

April 11                 Discover Scuba Diving
                                Presented by Stacy Miller
                                GC Room 224 – noon

Aril 18                   Nepal
                               Presented by Jim Allen
                                GC Room 224 – noon 

For more information on this series of lectures, persons may contact Beth Luers at 301-387-3020 or email beth.luers@garrettcollege.edu

FREE GC HEALTH FAIR SCHEDULED


The STEPS Committee will host the sixth annual Garrett County Health Fair on Saturday, April 14 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm  in the Wisp Resort at Deep Creek Lake. The purpose of the health fair is to increase health awareness through education and prevention in the community. Participants can receive free screenings along with a vast amount of health-oriented information. Local physicians and other health professionals will also be speaking on health topics such as osteoporosis, audiology and sports medicine. Informational booths will be set up to help participants become aware of the many health-related programs, services and providers available in Garrett County and surrounding areas.

STEPS Committee chairman,  Robert Stephens, announced that Garrett College will sponsor and staff the Family Fitness Room during the Health Fair. Also free to participants, the Family Room will include activities and games for all ages as well as the opportunity to play the Wii Fit game, an interactive video game of fitness and fun. Pictured is Robert Stephens (right) expressing his appreciation to Eric Hallenbeck, Head Baseball Coach at Garrett College.  STEPS Committee members present were (l-r) Jeannie Miller,  Kristen Walker, Lori Gregory, Liz Goldsborough, Dorothy Andreas Tuel, Kathy Skipper, Kendra McLaughlin and Rodney Glotfelty.

Additional information on the health fair is available by calling 301-533-4041 or 301-533-4178.

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New Germany State Park is seeking applicants for a Camp Host position for the 2012 camping season.   

Camp Hosts are a valuable part of the volunteer team at New Germany State Park.  Camp Hosts provide assistance with a variety of tasks throughout the camping season, including welcoming new campers, keeping campsites clean, promoting park programs and events, and providing campers with general information about the park and surrounding area.  Camp Hosts are required to contribute at least 20 hours of volunteer work each week, for a minimum of four weeks.  In return for their efforts, Camp Hosts receive a free campsite with electric hook-ups.  Interested persons are encouraged to apply at the New Germany Ranger Station.  A background check is required. For more information, please call 301-895-5453.

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Chamber Hosts Next Business After Hours at Clear Mountain Bank on February 8th

The Chamber is pleased to announce that Clear Mountain Bank will be hosting our February Business After Hours on February 8th from 6 pm – 8 pm at their NEW location in Oakland! Make sure to come for a tour of the new facility. Enjoy delicious food and drink as you mingle with fellow Chamber members and Chamber staff at our monthly networking event. It is a great opportunity to meet new members and generate new contacts. Don’t forget your business card to enter to win prizes from our host.

Locally owned and managed since 1891, Clear Mountain Bank is an independent community bank serving Monongalia and Preston counties in West Virginia, and Garrett County in Maryland.  Clear Mountain offers a complete line of personal and business banking products with friendly, personal service.  Independence...Community...Customer First.  This is Clear Mountain Bank!

The cost is $6.00 for members paid in advance and $10 for non-members and members paying at the door. Please RSVP by February 7th to charlotte@garrettchamber.com or call 301.387.6171.

NEW YOU WORKSHOP SCHEDULED

“It’s time to put yourself first! Remember New Years, are you accomplishing the goals you set?” asks Shelly Argabrite, New YOU workshop presenter. “January is almost over and if you are like most of us, our lives are so busy that we get stuck just keeping things going.” This workshop will address how to begin managing your life instead of reacting to it. A New You is for the energetic, action oriented person who is ready to simplify life and learn proven techniques that will help maximize the quality of life and discuss how to have more time for the things that are truly important to you.

The Wellness Center of Garrett County Memorial Hospital is offering the series titled, “A New YOU”. A hands-on workshop will be held in the Wellness Center of the Community Aquatic and Recreation Complex at Garrett College beginning January 31 at 6:30 p.m.

The workshop will be led by Shelley Argabrite, M.A., a native of Oakland. She returns to Oakland bringing with her ten years of combined experience in the field of Wellness. She has a master’s degree in Wellness Management from Ball State University and is an experienced health educator. “Take an evening for yourself, we will work together exploring the best parts of U in the context of the seven dimensions of wellness,” invites Shelley.

The cost for the series is $25.00 per person. Those interested in further information or to register may contact Wellness at 301-533-4178 or 301-533-4295.

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Snowflake Chase Attracts Intrepid Runners/Walkers

 The 2012 Snowflake Chase 5-Mile Run, 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk certainly lived up to its name.  The event was held on Saturday, Jan. 14, at Deep Creek Lake State Park.  Snow blanketed the ground and continued falling as nearly 150 intrepid souls signed up to participate as either runners or walkers, while the mercury hovered around 13 degrees and the struggled its way up to 20.

The Snowflake Chase follows an out-and-back course, meaning that at the half-way mark racers turn-around and head back. A steep incline and slippery surfaces added to the challenges posed by the frosty air. Volunteers handing out cups of water to race participants needed to continually break up the ice that formed in the cups.

Queen City Striders, based in Cumberland, schedule this annual winter event in Garrett County. The club members managed the finish line and scored the race. According to their statistics, of those hearty individuals who braved the elements to take part in the race, 107 completed the 5-mile run and 22 completed the 2-mile fun run/walk portion of the event.

The ages of the 107 runners who crossed the finish line at the 5-mile mark ranged from 15 to 66 years old.  Dan DeWitt, 24, of Frostburg took the Overall Male Award and Shannon Kovack, 26, of Hurricane; W.Va. earned the Overall Female Award.

Completers of the 2-mile fun run/walk ranged in age from 8 to 82 years.  The Overall Male Award for this part of the competition went to 8-year-old Camden Koontz of Bedford, Penn. Mary Moran, 57, of Frostburg took the Overall Female Award. (All the results of the Snowflake Chase can be found on the Queen City Striders website www.qcstriders.com )

Joining Uno’s Restaurant this year in sponsoring the Snowflake Chase was by the Garrett College Student Veterans Organization (SVO), which is the beneficiary of the event.  SVO president Joshua Armstrong said he was really pleased with the way everyone worked together to make this a success. “The QC Striders had all the technical knowledge to make this work. They have done it many times over and they do a great job. For us it was a first. The GC veterans pulled together along with other volunteers to ensure a great race for everyone involved,” he said.

A spokesman for the QC Striders praised the work of race directors Joshua Armstrong and Kathryn Gardner as well as volunteers from the Garrett College Student Veteran's Organization.  “They did outstanding work assuming responsibility for and organizing this event in a short period of time.  The Queen City Striders would like to thank those club members who managed the finish line and timed and scored the race, including Les Broadwater, Debbie Carpenter, Joe McQuade, Tom Dawson, Tom Ruckert, George Nolan, Cindy Whiteman, Keisha McGeady, Bob Stephens, and Dave Ritchie.  Well done, all!” he said.

Garrett College’s Student Veterans Organization has agreed to sponsor next year’s Snowflake Chase. “So we hope all runners and walkers will be looking forward to the 2012 event and join us at Deep Creek State Park,” said Armstrong.

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DNR Invites Wildlife Artists to Enter 16th Annual Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites artists to submit their original artwork for the 16th Annual Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest. Both Maryland residents and non-residents may enter now through Friday, March 16, 2012.

“The proceeds from the sale of the Black Bear Stamp and other related products are used to compensate farmers in Maryland who experience agricultural damage caused by black bears,” said Patricia Allen, Information & Education program manager for DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service.

All entries must be original, previously unreleased artwork. Each contestant may submit one entry for a non-refundable $10 entry fee. Contest entries will be judged on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at the Patuxent National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, Md., in conjunction with the 23rd Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show.

For complete contest rules and entry forms visit dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/StampContests/BlackBear/ContestBrochure.pdf, email Patricia Allen at pallen@dnr.state.md.us or call 410-260-8537.

DNR Invites Waterfowl Artists to Enter 38th Maryland Game Bird Stamp Design Contest

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites Maryland waterfowl artists to enter the 38th Annual Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest.

“Proceeds from the sale of these stamps help fund waterfowl and migratory game bird projects as well as much needed research,” said Patty Allen, Information & Education program manager for DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service.

All entries must be the artist's original work, neither copied nor duplicated from any previously published paintings, drawings, prints, or photographs of the contestant, or any other artist. Each contestant may submit up to three entries. The entry fee, signed Agreement to Enter Form, and entries with completed Entry Identification Forms attached to the back, must be received via mail by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2012 at The Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest, Friends of Patuxent, Patuxent Research Refuge/National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop,  Laurel, MD 20708-4027.

Entries will be judged at noon on Sunday, March 25, 2012 in conjunction with the 23rd Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show at the National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, Md. Contestants and the public are invited to attend the contest judging process. Admission is free.

For a list of species eligible for depiction and full contest rules and forms visit our website at dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/StampContests/DuckStamp/ContestBrochure.pdf or contact Patricia Allen, Contest Coordinator, at pallen@dnr.state.md.us or 410-260-8537

 

Winter Mailbox Tips

As the Garrett County Roads Department is gearing up for the winter season ahead they offer these tips to prevent mailbox damage during snow removal operations. It is unfortunate that mailboxes are occasionally damaged by Garrett County Roads Department efforts to maintain safe roads during the winter. Plowing of snow can push snow against or in front of mailboxes, limiting access and perhaps causing damage to mailboxes and supports. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure their mailbox is firmly supported so it will be able to withstand snow moved aside by the plow. Check your mailbox and support often, clearing snow from it and depositing the snow properly to maintain proper sight distances.

  • Homeowners should make mailboxes as visible as possible for snow plow operators by placing a six-to-eight-inch piece of reflective tape and/or small, brightly colored flags on the mailbox.

  • Remove snow from around the mailbox but avoid throwing it back onto the road.

  • Homeowners may consider temporarily replacing mailboxes with standard mailboxes for the winter.

  • Homeowners may want to consider relocating the mailbox if previous damage occurred.

  • Make sure the mailbox is firmly supported in the ground to withstand the snow moved aside by the plow.

Remember the homeowner is responsible for making their mailbox and support visible and stable. These tips can also be used toward preventing other road frontage property damage such as fences and entry/lamp posts. For additional information on the County’s policy for handling claims consistently for damage to property resulting from the County’s snow removal activities please visit www.garrettcounty.org

Changes in Courthouse Security

Sheriff Corley and the Board of County Commissioners have decided that improvements to courthouse security were required. The following changes will be in place by December 1, 2011:

1.      317 Alder Street.  This doorway/entrance/exit will be the primary entrance for the public.   The Sheriff’s Department Security Station will be moved to this area.   All persons with the exception that is noted in #2 who require public service in the Court House will enter through this entrance. 

2.      Court House Alley.  This doorway/entrance/exit will be the primary entrance for the public who require handicapped accessibility.   Handicapped persons who require public service in the Court House will enter through this entrance by pressing an available button that will signal for a security officer to open the door.   County employees may also use this doorway/entrance/exit by using their employee card reader and identification number. 

3.      4th Street.   This doorway/entrance/exit will be the primary entrance for County employees by using their employee card reader and identification number.   Due to the fact that this entrance is not secure County employees are not to allow persons to enter at the same time they do.  You are to instruct persons who require public service to walk to the 317 Alder Street entrance.

4.      311 Alder Street and Alley Ramp.   These doorways/entrances/exits will be open for visitors, attorneys, and service personnel to the Detention Center.  In addition persons who need to meet with the Community Service Office will use these doorways.

5.      All other Court House outside doors will be locked and emergency egress/exit will only be permitted.

The IT Department is in the process of issuing card reader identification cards for all County employees who work in the Court House.  Until that process is complete County employees who work in the Court House and who have not been issued a card reader identification card will need to enter through the 317 Alder Street entrance.   County employees from remote locations will need to enter through the 317 Alder Street entrance.

 

Landfill Winter Hours Announced

The Garrett County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling announces winter hours for the Garrett County Landfill.

Effective November 20th 2011 the Landfill will be closed on Saturdays to commercial haulers and large residential loads. Saturday full service hours will begin again on April 21st, 2012.

Residential users may continue to use the Landfill 8AM till 12PM on Saturdays provided that they either have a residential permit or pay the required fees.

These winter hours reflect an adjustment based upon the amount of use on winter Saturdays in the past. This change will result in cost savings for the citizens of Garrett County with a minimum of inconvenience.

Landfill users are also reminded that the Landfill will be closed for Thanksgiving Day Thursday November 24th 2011, for Christmas Day Monday December 26th 2011, and for New Years Day Monday January 2nd 2012. All Collection sites are closed on the actual holidays Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day

Regional Resorts, Wisp Resort, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Hidden Valley Resort, announce the continuation of the Resort Swap Program for the 2011/2012 Winter Season!
Four Resorts. Three States. One Incredible Value for Season Pass Holders!

Maryland’s Wisp Resort and Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Hidden Valley Resort are proud to announce the continuation of the Season Pass Holder ‘Resort Swap’ Program and the addition of West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort for the 2011/2012 Winter Season Program. Each resort’s Unlimited and Limited / Off-Peak / Midweek Season Pass Holders receive more value, more options and more reason to experience great Mid Atlantic skiing for the 2011/2012 ski season.

Unlimited Season Pass Holders at Wisp Resort, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Hidden Valley Resort will each receive one (1) complimentary full day lift ticket and a 50% discount on regularly priced lift tickets for any additional visit to either of the other three participating resorts, excluding Saturdays and Holiday periods. Limited / Off-Peak / Midweek Season Pass Holders will receive one (1) complimentary full day lift ticket for a Monday or Tuesday and a 50% discount on regularly priced lift tickets for any additional visit Mondays and Tuesdays, excluding Holiday periods. By simply presenting a valid 2011/2012 Wisp, Snowshoe, Seven Springs or Hidden Valley Season Pass at the Season Pass Office of the other resorts, Season Pass Holders will be able to participate in the ‘Resort Swap’ Program. Additionally, each resort’s Season Pass Holders will receive special lodging rates Sunday through Thursday nights, excluding holiday periods and subject to availability. Due to varying operating and holiday schedules, Season Pass Holders are encouraged to contact each resort prior to arrival.

"It is exciting to have Snowshoe Mountain join the Resort Swap Program with the other great ski resorts of this region. The pass swap provides a huge value for season pass holders at each area and gives skiers and riders a chance to experience the best of all four great Mid Atlantic resorts," stated Wisp Resort General Manager, Tim Prather. "Snowshoe Mountain is excited to participate in this reciprocal pass program and the added benefits it offers our season pass holders. We look forward to sharing Snowshoe Mountain with regional skiers and the continued strengthening of the Mid Atlantic ski community," commented Frank DeBerry, Snowshoe Mountain Resort COO & CEO.

"Seven Springs is pleased to once again partner with Wisp and Hidden Valley and to welcome Snowshoe to the collaboration. We believe this offer will provide our season pass holders with tremendous value and introduce our mountain and the Laurel Highlands region to a larger audience of dedicated skiers and riders," said Eric Mauck, CEO of Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

The four resorts, all located within the Mid Atlantic, make the area a great destination for those wishing to experience more than one resort on an extended winter vacation.

All four participating resorts are proud to offer this perk to their loyal, dedicated customers and wish to show appreciation in these tough economic times by adding this opportunity to provide a diverse skiing / snowboarding experience.

The Resort Swap Program is available for all customers who purchase a 2011/2012 Unlimited or Limited / Off-Peak / Midweek Season Pass from Wisp Resort, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Seven Springs Mountain Resort or Hidden Valley Resort.

For further information or to purchase a 2011/2012 Season Pass, please contact: Wisp Resort: www.wispresort.com , 301-387-4000; Snowshoe Mountain Resort: www.snowshoemtn.com , 877-441.4386; Seven Springs Mountain Resort: www.7springs.com , 814-352-7777; or Hidden Valley Resort: www.hiddenvalleyresort.com , 814-443-8000.

Adventure Sports Center Wins Bid To Host '14 World Championships

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) has awarded the 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships to Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI), based in McHenry. Following presentations at its April 15 spring board meeting in Paris, ICF selected ASCI's Deep Creek 2014: ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships bid over competing entries from Vienna, Austria, and Krakow, Poland.

The event, to be held September 16-21, 2014, will mark the 25th anniversary of the 1989 World Championships held on the Savage River in Garrett County and represents a return of world championship whitewater canoe and kayak racing to the United States for the first time since the 1989 event. "Deep Creek and Garrett County deserved to win this bid," said Matt Taylor, ASCI's executive director and himself a two-time Olympic canoe racer. "Garrett County has done more than any other rural community in the U.S. to build infrastructure to host international-caliber whitewater events. We have a perfect whitewater venue for the return of the World Championships, and a historically significant date to celebrate the long heritage of whitewater paddling in the region. ASCI is very proud of its bid, and is grateful for the significant support it has received from local business leaders, Garrett County, the state of Maryland, and Maryland's federal delegation."

Letters of support were submitted from U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Senator George Edwards, Delegate Wendell Beitzell, Maryland Sports marketing director Terry Hasseltine, the Garrett County commissioners, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce president Nicole Christian, Wisp Resort owner Karen Myers, and Garrett College president Richard MacLennan.

"The 2014 World Slalom Championship is a transformative sporting event for Garrett County that will place the county on a national and international stage over the next several years," said Garrett County Commissioner Crawford, who accompanied Taylor to France this week to submit ASCI's bid. "This momentous event reinforces the vision for ASCI, as well as allows Garrett County to showcase our region and other outdoor recreation activities. It will allow us to forge new relationships and opportunities with the competitive paddle-sport community that includes out-rigger canoe racing, dragon boat racing, marathon canoe racing, and sprint canoe, which is an Olympic discipline."

He continued, "The county and state benefited economically from media coverage of the 1989 World Championship, and I'm confident that the 2014 World Slalom Championship will provide economic opportunities leading up to the event that will carry over beyond 2014. I'm excited and supportive of the possibilities that this event creates."

The 1989 Worlds attracted more than 600 competitors representing 26 nations. More than 40,000 spectators attended racing events and the opening ceremonies. ASCI's Deep Creek 2014 bid was submitted at the end of February and was reviewed in March by the ICF Slalom Committee. It received high marks by the committee and was formally accepted as the recommended bid, but the committee members stressed the need for a high-level delegation to make a personal presentation of the bid at the Paris board meeting. The presentation was given by Joe Jacobi, CEO of U.S.A. Canoe/Kayak; Commissioner Crawford; Taylor; and Suzanne Nicolas, ASCI's event coordinator.

A formal announcement of Deep Creek 2014's winning bid was broadcast live over European news networks the evening of April 15. Taylor said that the ASCI presentation received high compliments. "And many ICF officials, as well as bidding groups from other countries, commented on how excited they were to see a return of the Worlds to the United States," he said.

Maryland will kick off Deep Creek 2014 as part of the state's Star Spangled 200 celebration (Sept. 9-12, 2014), which marks the key turning point in the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore when Francis Scott Key penned the words to the "Star Spangled Banner." A flag relay will travel on water and land from Fort McHenry to the town of McHenry. The relay will include a canoe paddle on the Potomac River and C&O Canal, bringing the ICF flag and other historic flags to the opening ceremony in Garrett County on Tuesday, September 16, 2014.

The ICF has scheduled a technical visit for May 13-16 to tour ASCI and Garrett County, and to meet the host organizing and advisory committees. Jean Michel Prono, chair of the ICF Slalom Committee and one of France's most celebrated canoe and kayak coaches, will be leading the ICF team, and will be joined by ICF Slalom committee member Eric Lokken of Durango, Colo. Prono was a coach during the 1989 Worlds, who told Taylor that he "remembers Garrett County fondly."

Also planning to participate in the technical visit will be CEO Jacobi, who is also a 1992 Olympic gold medalist; Bill Endicott, 1992 Olympic head coach and U.S. head coach during 1989 Worlds; Dana Chladek, two-time Olympic silver medalist and silver medalist from the 1989 Worlds; Bob Campbell, 2000 Olympic coach and manager; Mike Knopp, USA Canoe/Kayak board member and executive director of the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation; and Maryland's sports marketing director Hasseltine.

ASCI's 2011 whitewater season will start on May 14 with regular guided whitewater rafting. In addition to the guided whitewater rafting, the ICF will also see technical canoe and kayak demonstrations provided by members of the U.S. Olympic and Junior National teams. Most of the athletes will be visiting from the two main U.S. slalom training centers in Bethesda and Charlotte, N.C.

Deep Creek 2014 is part of ASCI, which is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), charitable organization formed to promote adventure tourism and healthy outdoor lifestyles. ASCI is home to the world's only mountaintop manmade whitewater course and has taken more than 44,000 people paddling since it opened in 2007. It offers world-class adventures in whitewater rafting, kayaking, and canoeing to groups and individuals at all skill levels and backgrounds. In addition, ASCI attracts national and international caliber competitions, including last summer's Age Group National Championships in Whitewater Olympic Slalom and the Open Canoe National Championships.

ASCI also offers programs in rock climbing, rappelling, mountain-biking, geocaching, and more. For more information, persons may telephone 301-387-3250, send an e-mail to asci@adventuresportscenter.com, or visit www.adventuresportscenter.com.