The Deep Creek Blog

Expanded Mission, New Home for FSU Center for Creative Writing

2010-02-07T15:27:08-05:00

After physically moving its headquarters into newly renovated space on Main Street in Frostburg, the FSU Center for Creative Writing is now open to expand its mission even more toward outreach to the community, to writers and to lovers of the written word.

And with the move to the last open space in the Lyric Building on Main Street comes an expanded mission focusing on community outreach; new programs for writers, readers and lovers of the literary arts; and a space for writing and reading.

“We want people to come in, to have their imaginations inspired,” says Center Director Gerry LaFemina.

The center now has workshops available for every type of writer. The community writing workshop will be held every second and fourth Monday of the month, a workshop for veterans will be held on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and a playwriting workshop will be held Thursdays at 7 p.m. beginning Feb. 11. The CCW also hosts a creative reading book group every first Monday at 1 p.m., a poetry book club every third Monday at 7 p.m., a science fiction/fantasy book club every second Tuesday at 7 p.m. and a film/book club every fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The goal, LaFemina says, is to give voice to people in the community who may not feel as if their voices are heard, and to allow for the culture and history of this place to survive and thrive.

A $10,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission was key to the center’s move and affirmation that the arts can help revitalize a downtown community.

The historic Lyric Building, a former theatre located in the center of town, was devastated by fire in 2004. Since its renovation, it has become home to the FSU Foundation and University Advancement, a branch of the FSU bookstore, a community gathering and entertainment space and a number of apartments.

For more information, call the Center for Creative Writing at 301-687-4024 or visit the center’s Web site at www.frostburg.edu/cwcenter.

Discover the Cumberland Road Project

2010-02-07T15:24:53-05:00

"In Search of the Lost Highway" is a newsletter and blog for The Cumberland Road Project. If you love history, then you'll enjoy Steve Colby's website. Next year marks the 200th Anniversary of the start of the construction of the National Road, which was the motivation behind Colby's project. He is documenting the history of the Road and towns, businesses and people of the road from 1811 to the 1950s. If you have traveled the road for some time, you have to agree that it is a special and unique historical treasure that is worthy of attention.

Snow Report and More on the Way

2010-02-07T15:22:03-05:00

In case you haven't heard...the Times-News reports on the recent snowfall. The Deep Creek Times is reporting 36 inches. I also heard the same from Peggy at Bear Creek Crossing B&B. Weather sources are reporting the Garrett County could get up to 12 inches again this week.

Garrett County Artists Helping Haiti

2010-02-04T07:12:33-05:00

Sue Arnson at The Loft Shop Blog has posts about an upcoming art show on Saturday February 14th by Garrett County Artists to benefit hopeforhaitinow.org. __________________________________________________________________________________________

Maryland Native Plant Society Presents Scientific and Traditional Uses of Medicinal Plants

2010-02-04T07:00:34-05:00

The Western Mountains Chapter of the Maryland Native Plant Society will hold its regular meeting at the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg on Tuesday February 16th at 7 pm. The guest speaker will be Mimi Hernandez, the new coordinator of the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies. Ms. Hernandez will give her PowerPoint presentation called “Bridging the Gap: Scientific and Traditional Uses of Plants”. Her program will begin immediately following a brief business meeting. The public is welcome to attend.

During her presentation Ms. Hernandez will discuss ways we can bridge a traditional awareness with a scientific understanding of plant medicine. She will describe the difference between scientific and traditional evidence and how we can learn to speak the same language. Ms. Hernandez will highlight examples of traditional applications verses novel scientific uses of plant medicine.

Mimi Hernandez, MS, RH (AHG) is an herbal educator whose courses balance traditional reverence with scientific understanding. A Professional member of the American Herbalists Guild Mimi received her Masters of Science degree in Herbal Medicine from the Tai Sophia Institute. With roots in Asheville, NC, Mimi is the founder of the One World Healing Arts Institute and former President of the NC Herb Association. She also draws upon her rich Latino background & the Granny healers in her life.

Directions to the program: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit). Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road). There is plenty of parking in front of the building.

The Maryland Native Plant Society uses education, research, and community service to increase awareness and appreciation of native plants and their habitats leading to their conservation and restoration. Membership is open to all who are interested in Maryland's native plants and their habitats. Preserving Maryland's natural heritage, increasing knowledge about native plants, and helping to further the Society's mission are our goals. MNPS sponsors monthly meetings, workshops, field trips, and an annual fall conference. For more information, visit www.mdflora.org

The Western Mountains Chapter has formed to expand the efforts of MNPS on the Allegheny Plateau and Ridge & Valley physiographic provinces of the central-Appalachians. Residents of western Maryland, nearby Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and anyone else interested in learning more about and conserving the native plants of this region are invited to join. For more information call Liz McDowell at 301-895-3686 or visit the chapter web site at www.mdflora.org/chapters.