Ridgeview Valley Blog

Wedding at Ridgeview

We had a beautiful wedding despite the rain last Saturday here at Ridgeview.  It seems that Deep Creek Lake is becoming more and more popular for destination weddings.  Thought I would share some photos of the memorable event.

An Appalachian Weekend

There are two really cool events happening in the Garrett County and Preston County area this weekend that showcase our Appalachian Heritage.  On Saturday Oct 3, The historical Friend's Store located on Sang Run Road in McHenry will be open to the public for the first time in years.   John Friend, Jr. inherited this tract of land called "Friends Delight" from his father John Friend, Sr. who purchased the land from Paul Hoye.  It is unknown to me as to when the store first opened but some accounts date it to the late 1760's.  John, Jr. operated the store as a general store and post office.  I have been told that it was actually the first post office for the zip code of 21541.  To this day if you order from certain on-line stores they will only accept Sang Run, MD instead of McHenry, MD.  I have had this happen to me.  Weird!  Although the store has been closed for many years, the structure and a lot of historical content was preserved by the latest owner Mr. Hinebaugh.  Don't miss this chance to see a part of history on Saturday, Oct 3.

The second event, also on Saturday Oct 3 from 2-6, is an old fashion barn dance being held at the Brookside Farm located in Preston County, WV in the community of Brookside just before Aurora, WV and behind Cathedral State Park.   The proceeds from this dance go towards the Aurora Project, a non-profit organization working to preserve the historical aspects of Aurora and Brookside.  Grand hotels graced this area in the late nineteenth century that were dedicated exclusively to health, rest and pleasure.  These hotels.  These hotels boasted casinos, billiard rooms, bowling alleys, swimming pools, riding stables and much more.  Only a short carriage ride from the B&O railroad station in Oakland, these hotels became very popular.  The resort phase came to an end in the 1920's and the 132 acre resort was sold to the state of WV, now the location of Cathedral State Park and some of the very last virgin timber left in the state.  The Aurora Project is working to keep the history alive.  To find the barn follow Rt. 219 South to Rt. 50. Travel west on Rt. 50 just 5 miles from Red House, turn right on Brookside Road.

How Did Jeff Do?

As many of you know this past weekend was the Savage Man Festival, where hundreds of extreme athletes come to Deep Creek Lake to  participate in one of the world's most difficult half-iron man triathlons.  Jeff Gosnell, one of the partners in Ridgeview Valley competed last year on a co-ed team, came in 2nd in their class and decided to try the whole competition on his own this year.  Jeff is an amazing athlete, placing 43rd overall and 7th in his class.  That's incredible!!!!  He completed a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run in just 6 hours and 8 minutes.  I will try to get some photos of the race to post on the blog.
Congratulations Jeff!!

78 Birdsong Way

I have not given you an update on this home in a while.  Boy, is it moving along fast.  Yesterday I stopped by to take some pictures for you and they are already planting shrubs.  This home is being built by Legacy Homes and is listed on the market for sale.  It has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and the great room/kitchen area is amazing.  I believe the square footage is approx. 2525 square feet.  Enjoy the pics.

Looking at the home from Golden Meadow Lane

Looking at home from Birdsong Way

Main floor great room and kitchen area

Kitchen

Master bedroom, main floor

Bedroom #2, upstairs

Bedroom #3, upstairs

Jack and Jill bath on 2nd floor

View from second floor window looking at Golden Meadow Lane

Gosnell Home in Ridgeview Valley

I have not had a chance to update you all on the progress of the new constructions in Ridgeview Valley.  The home located on lot 104 and owned by Mary Bruch is being built by Gosnell, Inc.  This home has recently been listed on the market for sale.  It is approx. 1800 sq.ft. on a crawl space.  This home called The Farmer's Dream is one of Gosnell's signature designs for Ridgeview Valley.  Ridgeview has 2 preferred builders that you can use or you can choose your own builder.  Gosnell, one of the 2, has prepared 3 different floor plans with a farmhouse charm that fits perfectly into our community. The model home is one of the designs called the Milk Maid's Reast.  This home as I said earlier is called the Farmer's Dream and can have a garage added.  The home has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, a gas fireplace in the great room and beautiful decks.  Enjoy the photos.

This is the side of the house facing Birdsong Way

This is the side of the house facing Golden Meadow Lane

Great Room

Kitchen

Master

Great room from the loft

Bedroom 2 upper level

I was unable to take a picture of the third bedroom or the upstairs bath, both had construction material in them.  Hopefully next time.  I am amazed as to the speed of the construction on this house and the one next door.  Both are gorgeous homes!

Fun at Ridgeview Valley

As you know this past Saturday night was the 1st hopefully annual Garrett Mentors Barn Dance here at Ridgeview Valley.  The weather was absolutely perfect all day and all night and it seems that the color in Ridgeview is much further along than the whole rest of the county.  Come see for yourself, we are already in the bright pinks stage of the sugar maples and starting into the yellows and oranges of all of the other hardwoods.  If I had to guess we probably had around 200 people for the dance.  Johnny Moore entertained till well past 10pm and people just hung around.  The silent auction was chalked full of goodies.  Lakeside Creamery was here with their yummy ice cream and the ticket price included dinner from Archie's BBQ.  I got to visit with a lot of friends that I don't get to see very often and overall the evening was just fantastic.  I did get some photos of before the event so you can see how the barn was decorated.  I will post pics of the entire event later.  

More pictures later.

A Savage Weekend for Garrett County

For the past three years elite athletes have gathered at Deep Creek Lake State Park to jump in the early morning cold Deep Creek Lake water to challenge themselves in The World's Most Savage Triathlon.  Sunday morning September 20 those athletes will be doing it again.  The 2009 Savage Man Triathlon Festival  starts at 8:30 a.m. with the plunge into the 69 degree water where athletes will swim for 1.2 miles, then jump out of the frigid water and onto their bicycles for a 55.7 miles trek through Garrett County's toughest climbs (at one point in Westernport the climb is a 31% grade), and then off of the bikes for yet a 13.1 mile run (that's a half marathon in itself).  Wow, these are some really tough athletes.  Do you remember from last year, our very own Jeff Gosnell's team "Fear the Turtle" placed 2nd in the coed relay groups?  Well, Jeff is at it again.  This time he has chosen to challenge himself to the whole race.  If you get a chance, go out and root for him.  Also don't forget to root for Coelian Green of Railey Realty who is competing in the International race, her husband Steve Green of High Mountain Sports who is competing in the Half Iron Man, and Russell Bounds of Railey Realty who is swimming and biking on a relay team in the Half Iron Man.  Best of Luck to all of the competing athletes.

This is Jeff last year on the Westernport Hill

Garrett Mentors Barn Dance

If you haven't already purchased your tickets for the First Annual Garrett Mentors Barn Dance, now is the time.  The barn dance is this coming Saturday night, September 19 in the barn here at Ridgeview Valley.  Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door.  So, you know why I said get them now, they are cheaper.  It looks like this is going to be a great evening of fun.  Johnny Moore is the entertainment.  Ticket prices include a plate of Archie's BBQ (Yummy).  I see that Lakeside Creamery has already delivered the ice cream cart, unfortunately for me, it's empty right now. Darn!!  They are going to have a dessert wagon, silent auction and much more fun.  All the proceeds go to Garrett Mentors, who are committed to the elementary school children of Garrett County by providing a mentor who will have a weekly contact with them.  The mentors will be a friend, a good listener, and provide school support where needed.  For ticket information feel free to call me here at Ridgeview, 301-387-4040.  Garrett Mentors is always looking to recruit new mentors, so if you have an hour to spend each week with a child during lunch please call Tricia Cheesman at 301-334-1783, she would love to hear from you.

September Already??

I can't believe that today is the first day of September.  The kids are back in school today, I know this because I got stuck behind two school buses on my way to the gym this morning.  Now I look out my window and see that the maple trees are already starting to change colors.  The temps this morning were in the low 40's, Brrrr!!  But, I have to say fall is my favorite time of the year!  The days are warm and the nights are cool and the colors are brilliant.  Today is probably a perfect day!  Don't forget to mark you calendars for the 1st annual Garrett Mentors Barn Dance scheduled for September 19 in the barn.  Cost is $25.00 if you purchase early or $30.00 at the door.  Price includes a plate of yummy Archie's BBQ. 
We are also still raising money for TAY.  Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty donated a 2 night stay in one of their vacation homes to TAY to raffle off.  Tickets are $1.00 each and the drawing will be Autumn Glory weekend.  The house is called "Laurel Highlands" and is a beautiful split-lakefront home located on Glendale Road with all of the cool amenities, hot tub, pool table and 7 flat screens.  Let me know if you would like some tickets.