Let the weekend begin!  Clear skies today and just a slight chance for some thunderstorms through the weekend.  A bit cooler, too. 

Bill's Outdoor Center is having a huge sale!  Cars were lining the sides of the road yesterday to get it, so it must be a big one.

The latest on the fish kill investigation

10:45 a.m.

Movie Schedule updated through 8/5

Movie night in the Pocket Park in Oakland (next to Decorator's Nook).  Secondhand Lions will begin at 8:30 p.m.  Free admission.  Bring a blanket or chairs.  Popcorn and beverages are available for sale.

9:30 a.m.

Signs show we got some rain overnight.  Slept through that one! More showers could be headed our way before 1 pm, then all clear into Saturday morning. 

Gil McClurg emailed that he had inquired about an animal he saw chasing a duck.  The staff at the Discovery Center told him it was probably a mink.  So, there you go, we have minks.  Learn something new every day.

I haven't seen any reports, but was told yesterday that the commissioners voted "no" to requiring sprinkler systems in new home construction.  Good to hear.  In a perfect world, sure, but not right now. 

Shop Maryland Week will be August 8 - 14.  Tax-free shopping on clothing and footwear.  Here is a list of exempt and taxable items.  Is it just me or does this sound like a nightmare to coordinate for retailers? 

Two releases added to the Latest News page

9:30 a.m.

Perfection continues today, but we do have a chance for some heavy thunderstorms tonight. 

Got an email today of a sighting of four minks at the lakefront near Bill's Outdoor Center.  He was questioning whether we actually have minks 'round here.  Anyone?

Subway takes the stage at Wisp tonight at 6:30 -- an oldies & beach show band. 

More and more blades arriving for the wind turbines.  I noticed at least one tower has the blades attached. 

The first monarch of the season emerged at the Discovery Center.  (photo courtesy of the Discovery Center).  They will tag and release one today at 3 p.m.  Stop by!

Perfect, perfect, perfect weather!  I could totally get used to this!

Decorator's Nook will be closing their store on August 31.  :-(  All in-stock items are currently 30% off. 

Don't forget the Fred Thayer Memorial Golf Tournament this Friday at Thousand Acres Golf Club.  And, congratulations to Barry Dalton on his hole-in-one on #6 at the course yesterday. 

A lovely morning and finally coooool.  We had a thunderstorm roll through yesterday in the early afternoon -- dropped the temp 10 degrees! 

The commissioners could make a decision soon about requiring sprinkler systems in any new houses.  Read more here.  The public comment period ends tomorrow.  Email any comments to the commissioners:  countycommissioners@garrettcounty.org

The state is considering raising the flush tax.  I promise you, this will NOT go over well around here.  The tax is already a controversial issue here since our wastewater doesn't feed into the bay and, let's face it, we have our sewer system issues to deal with.

I received an email that someone found a set of keys to a VW alongside the road.  If you are missing a set email me. 

Here's a release regarding the sewer spill on July 11. 

9:30 a.m.

A sticky, humid morning, but while the forecasters call for temps near 100 downstate we'll be lingering in the 80's here.  I'm just saying...

A little more information on the fish kill in the Times-News this morning.  Officials believe whatever caused the death was in the deepest parts of the lake since most of the fish are adults. Also, most of the carcasses are at the southern end of the lake washing up on Green Glade Cove.  I checked my shoreline and don't see anything.  Extremely disheartening, to say the least, and hopefully we will get an answer soon.

Congrats to little Crellin Elementary school -- ranked #1 in the state for MSA test scores! 

Took an hour-long trail ride on horseback at Circle R Ranch yesterday.  Another fabulous way to spend an afternoon!  A fawn ran up to greet our group along the trail.  Cutest thing ever!  Well, these little one's were cute too!

Here's an updated picture of the pile of dirt that used to be the Point View...

Press Release added today under Latest News.  Ugh!

9:30 a.m.

A perfectly lovely morning leading into a sunny and warm day.  Yesterday turned out to be quite nice, too.

My bird returned yesterday one light pole over (see below).  I don't know why I am so fascinated by this thing because all it does is sit.  I watched for a good while yesterday hoping to see it eat or even just fly.  Just sits, turns its head and makes a mess on the bridge below.  Yet I find myself hoping it comes back again today.  :-)

Good trout news coming from the lower Savage River and great news on our county schools' test scores.

Movie Schedule updated through 7/29

Cover Story changed

9:30 a.m.

Rainy, dark and foggy here this morning with a chance for some thunderstorms later today.

The storms missed us yesterday.  Good for us, as a group of us took a sailing lesson at Deep Creek Sailing School.  Exhilarating, relaxing and sometimes scary, but what a great way to spend a day!  I have a new affinity and respect for the Flying Scot -- made right here in little old Garrett County.

The Steve Hussey Band takes the stage on the lawn at Wisp tonight at 6:30.

Just some rain overnight last night, but otherwise a rain-free day. Storms are expected this afternoon with heavy downpours.

A strange sighting yesterday.  This bird was perched on a light pole on the 219 bridge all day.  According to my bird book, it looks to be a double-crested cormorant. A first for me!  Gone today, though.

Overall, a pretty nice weekend weather-wise.  Busy, busy -- on the roads and the water.  We had a pretty hard rainfall overnight, but the radar looks like we should be rain-free for the rest of the day.  Tomorrow may be a different story.

I met John and Susan Pucciano -- my regular photo contributors -- over the weekend.  Always nice to put a face to an email address.  :-)

Welcome Jerry Merrick,  BB&T Mortgage Lender, as a new advertiser.

8:30 a.m.

Picture-perfect morning.  Just the way I like 'em.  A slight chance for some thunderstorms to roll through -- for the next 5 days, actually.

An earthquake in Rockville?  Really?  Hope everyone downstate is not too rattled. 

They are finally moving dirt at the site of the new Community Athletic Center at the college.

The Pittsburgh Symphony is in town tonight and tomorrow night at Wisp.  Also, don't miss Little Shop of Horrors at the barn at Ridgeview Valley -- tonight through Sunday at 7:30.  Very good!  Also, the Tri-State Relief Sale is happening this weekend at the fairgrounds. 

Sticky, sticky humid this morning, but we are looking forward to mostly sunny skies to burn off the haze.

Still looking for more of your favorite things to do in our fine county.   Email me your favorite thing(s) and I will create a page where we can all share ideas.   

Nice, steady rainfall since yesterday afternoon.  The forecast is calling for partly sunny skies today, but so far, we've got fog and clouds. 

Don't forget the Hillbilly Gypsies tonight at 6:30 on the lawn at Wisp! 

Some good exposure here for the Savage River Lodge in the Washington Post. 

Movie schedule has been updated through 7/22.

Just another bit of rain yesterday -- not even a cover-the-boat-worthy shower, actually.  Good chance for some showers and thunderstorms later this afternoon.  Truly, much needed!

I passed two windmill blades on their way to the Backbone Mountain wind farm. 

Here's some good news for the future of a Garrett Loop trail.

Fishing contest winners have been posted for w/e 7/10 and a couple press releases have been added to the Latest News. 

Classified added under Land for Sale

9:30 a.m.

After just a bit of rain on Friday evening, the weekend weather was perfect!  Mostly cloudy this morning and a band of rain is on the way.

In the "not so good news" category, there was a sewage overflow yesterday morning at the pumping station at Lake Shore Drive and Rt. 219.  My pristine cove and lakefront now looks like a crime scene.  Crews have treated the ground and will continue to test the water quality.  The area has been cordoned off and marked.  Makes me so sad on so many levels, but I trust our local crews will make it right again. 

My girls have begun their second week with the Theatre on the Lake Summer Apprenticeship Camp.  Don't miss the group's performance of Little Shop of Horrors July 14 -18 in the barn at lovely Ridgeview Valley. 

I mentioned this last month, but have been prompted to remind you again.  Oakland/Deep Creek Lake was named one of 8 Perfect Summer Lake Towns by Budget Travel. 

New Cover Story has been posted. 

78 my elbow!  Try 86, Mr. Weatherman and not a drop of rain so far.  Waiting for relief from the heat.

8:30 a.m.

Clear skies, hazy and humid, but just an expected high of 78 today!  Ahh... Rain is expected to arrive today and stick around through tomorrow morning, but  it looks like Saturday afternoon will be dry and Sunday will be clear.  Perfect for the Art in the Park event at the state park!

Movie Schedule updated through 7/13

10:15 a.m.

A reader emailed that he passed 3 windmill blades being transported west along I-68.  We are assuming they were headed to Backbone Mountain.  A hazy day yesterday, but three towers along the ridgeline are now visible from Rt. 219.  (Well, kinda visible.  I'll revisit on a clear day.)

My neighbors,  Brian and Sue Knopp, tried the Flying Squirrel Forest Canopy at Wisp and recommend it highly!  Here are some pictures of their adventure.

The ballots have been set for local elections as the deadline to file was last night at 9 p.m.

New Cover Story has been posted. 

8:30 a.m.

Looks like just one more day of heat and then the rain arrives tomorrow.  Hate to see rain for the weekend, but we really could use some. 

More later...

88 degrees and nice, gentle breeze.  Wish you were here?!  (yes, both a statement and a question ☺)

Welcome Garrett PetMinders as a new advertiser.

10:30 a.m.

The group, Save Western Maryland, has threatened a lawsuit against Constellation Energy citing the windmill farm will threaten some endangered bat species in the area.  Just last week, a letter was sent to residents from the energy company saying blades and tower parts will be arriving soon. 

8:30 a.m.

Still living in an oven.  Heat and humidity blanket the entire northeast... again...

Tonight is the final show of Chautauqua series at the college as Sacagawea will hit the stage at 7:30, but music precedes at 7.  Six Kinds of Crazy takes the stage at Wisp at 6:30.   No blanket needed this time around.  :-)

Here's another great one of the fireworks taken by Adele Kemp.

Information on Truck and Tractor Pull at the fairgrounds on Saturday has been added to our Latest News page.  Spectator information is available here. 

Fishing Contest winners posted for w/e 7/3

9:30 a.m.

Extreme heat and humidity over the next few days with highs in the 90's.  I know other places are expected to reach into the triple digits, so I will try not to complain too much about how hot it is here.  Nothing a quick dip in the lake won't fix!  Luckily, we do cool down overnight, too.

Some great pictures from the spectacular fireworks on Sunday.  This group was taken by Smiley Kessler, from the Lodges at Sunset Village.

This one was captured by Fran Trew on the Taylor-Made Vacations webcam.

And, Here is a video by Railey Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals.  Very cool!

We are under a Code Orange Air Quality Alert.  This a first that I can recall for this area, but those with sensitive breathing issues should avoid strenuous outdoor activities. 

8:15 a.m.

Could not have had a lovelier weekend around here.  The weather was absolutely perfect and it will continue through the week!

Of course, just a madhouse of people everywhere this weekend and I heard too many sirens.  One is too many, but, unfortunately, there was much more than one. 

New Cover Story posted. 

1:30 p.m.

Deep Creek was named one of America's Best Lake Towns. 

9:45 a.m.

Even colder last night -- with a low of 41.5.  Just one more day of unseasonably cold weather and then we get back to some heat.  Think of this as a chance to get reacquainted with your favorite sweatshirt.  :-)

This explains why construction hasn't begun on the new Recreation Center at the college. 

Really just can't believe we are here -- ready to celebrate Independence Day.  Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday!

Check out the mountain buggy pack caught on a Wisp Cam...

9:45 a.m.

Progressively, we will be getting warmer into the weekend and then we can all complain about how hot it is. :-)  Nothing but sunshine and highs in the 80's.