Ridgeview Valley Blog

How Much Snow, I Don't Know...

But this is supposed to be the big "snowpocalypse" of 2010.  So come one come all, snow prognosticators and join the Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty fun.  How much snow will Deep Creek Lake get this time?  Whistlepig Ruth has devised a very sophisticated device to measure snow accumulation throughout this official 2010 blizzard.  See device below.  The official measurement will be taken at noon on Saturday by Whistlepig Ruth on Whistlepig Way.  Send me all of your official guesses!

Valentine Breakfast to Benefit Garrett Mentors

A Few Photos From Around Deep Creek Lake

Pete has sent me some interesting photos from around the lake as well as I snapped a few from out and about in Garrett County.

I think this is at their farm on Rt. 495

Taken along Rt. 219 in McHenry

Dairy barn on Rt. 42

The Cove Accident, MD

Icy Trees at Keysers Ridge

Snow Drift My Driveway - Don't laugh at my Carharts - I just finished feeding cows!

Finally Snow in Deep Creek Lake

I didn't think it was going to happen, but we finally got snow!!!  About 9 inches on Saturday and another 6 or 8 mostly ice over night.  It is a beautiful winter wonder land.  Temps are supposed to drop into the teens for the next couple of days, so Wisp should be able to pump out some much needed white stuff.  Jeff was able to groom a couple of trails here at Ridgeview on Sunday and glide across the fresh snow.  No pics, he never remembers his camera like Pete does.  But I thought I would make the announcement, SNOW IN DEEP CREEK LAKE!

November Already?!

It's November already and I already have that Holiday spirit.  Well that's because I was thinking of 2 very wonderful events that are in November.  The first is the Mountain Reflections, a holiday light tour at Rocky Gap State Park.  A great place to check out on your way to Deep Creek Lake.  This holiday light tour is comprised of 60 different light displays scattered throughout the park and guided by the radio.  You are greeted at the toll booth and then directed to tune in your radio and let the tour begin.  Cost is $7.00 per car, $15.00 per passenger bus and $50 per tour bus.  Proceeds benefit the Western Maryland Chapter of the Red Cross.  This holiday light tour begins Nov 20 and runs through the new year.

The second event that I am very excited about is the 2nd annual Festival of Trees.  Yes, I am doing another gingerbread house, stay tuned as progress begins.  So far I have 3/4 of my template complete.  This wonderful event is held in Oakland at the Armory and benefits the Dove Center.  Exhibitors donate decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, centerpieces, gingerbread houses & cakes to be auctioned, there is a fashion show, bingo, crafting and lots of fun.  This event begins Wednesday, November 25 with the Preview Party & Auction and runs through Saturday, November 28.

Now all we need is some snow and I will really be ready for the holidays.

Happy Halloween

Wishing everyone a Spooky and Safe Halloween.  What great plans are there?  I will be having a spooktacular time at a friend's party on the lake front.

Fire Fly Farms - Accident, MD

Congratulations to Fire Fly Farms of Accident, MD on winning 6 awards for their outstanding cheese.  Read all about it in the Cumberland Times- News

A Little Know Garrett County Tid Bit

Did you know that in the upstairs of the old parsonage at the Zion Lutheran Church in Accident they manufacture Braille Bibles?  I've known this for sometime and did not really take an interest until last night.  My mother-inlaw calls and needs a couple extra hands making Bibles. There are two groups that meet to make two different books of the Bible.  Last night we made 5 copies of the Book of St. John.  Now the interesting part, not only are they in braille but written in Swahili.  So these Bibles that are made in little ole' Accident, MD are sent way off to Africa.  Apparently the Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc. have been making and donating these Bibles since 1949.  There are 7,000 volunteers in the US who produce these braille and large print publication which are then provided free of charge to more than 120 countries in over 30 different languages.  Zion is only 1 of 2 places on the east coast that make these Bibles.  Check out the website for more information www.lbwinc.org. 

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.

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.