The Deep Creek Blog

The Backroom Gallery Current Exhibit: Ceramic Pottery by Lorie and Ron Skidmore

2010-07-28T17:21:24-04:00

The Backroom Gallery of the Garrett County Arts Council, Alder Street, Oakland, is hosting an exhibition of recent ceramic artworks created by Lorie and Ron Skidmore, local artists with a home business named Laurel Ridge Pottery in McHenry, Md. The show includes functional and decorative stoneware pottery, made primarily on a potter’s wheel, with varying sizes of vases, pitchers, bowls, and wall pieces that suggest landscape forms. The public is invited to a reception which is open to the public in the gallery on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 1 to 3 pm.

Ron Skidmore, Professor of Art at Garrett College, has been teaching a variety of art disciplines for over 25 years. He holds a Bachelor Degree in art education from FSU and Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from WVU. He has continued to study the ceramic arts by participating in various workshops to explore new avenues of expression in pottery making. This exhibition displays his recent endeavors which focus on experimental techniques in ceramics such as glaze formulations and applications to produce specific effects.

Lorie Skidmore is a Garrett College graduate with an A.A. degree in Fine and Performing Arts, and has been making pottery for 15 years. She is currently working with the “College and Me” program at Garrett College, and has been teaching private lessons in her home studio. Her work involves a wide array of functional and decorative pottery, and is especially proficient at firing a wood-kiln.

Friends of Deep Creek Lake Holding Community Forum on State of the Watershed

2010-07-28T17:11:38-04:00

Below is a press released received today from the Friends of Deep Creek Lake. Given the recent sewage spill and the fish kill, this is a timely meeting.

Friends of Deep Creek Lake will be hosting a major community forum on the State of the Watershed on Saturday, August 7 from 9 to 11 am at the Garrett 8 Cinemas.

Our goal is to provide to the community an overview of research and water monitoring which has taken place in the lake and tributaries so we all have a better understanding of the conditions of our wonderful watershed.

Dr. Kelsey from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science will provide the big picture view of the lake and tributaries drawing from existing research. Lee Karrh from DNR will talk about submerged aquatic vegetation mapping taking place this year. Tony Allred from Maryland Department of Environment will be released the Total Maximum Daily Load report on phosphorous impairment in the lake.

We will have an update on the current fish kill from the hard working MDE and DNR staff on the scene.

This forum is underwritten in part from a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and co-sponsored by EcoCheck, NOAA, Youghiogheny River Watershed Association and the Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Association.

We will allow plenty of time for questions and answers and supplemental information will be available.

New Germany State Park - August Events

2010-07-28T10:51:44-04:00

Saturdays, July 31-August 14

Saturday Appalachian Artist Series

1:00 – 4:00 P.M.

Each week will feature a different exhibition/demonstration by a local artist. The artist will have a work space set up in the New Germany Lake House, and demonstrate his/her work from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. The schedule is as follows: July 31- Nancy Biggs (watercolor and photography), August 7 - Judith Zeker (flower pressing/watercolor), August 14 - Sue Arnson (watercolor). Art will also be available for sale. We welcome any additional artists who would like to extend the series through Labor Day! Please contact our office if you would like to participate.

Mondays and fridays

Nature Center Open

1:00 – 4:00 P.M.

Come see what the Schoolhouse Nature Center has to offer. The naturalist will have the building open at this time, and will be available to answer questions. Kids can complete a craft during their visit.

Thursday mornings

Bird Walk

Lake House, 8:00 a.m.

This may be early, but it’s the best time to hear and spot songbirds. Join our Park Naturalist on a walk around the park and check some birds off your life list! Experienced and beginner birders are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars, although we will have a few loaners.

Sunday August 1

Would you Survive?

Lake House, 1:00 P.M.

If you were lost in the woods, could you survive several days without rescue? Our Park Naturalist will lead you out into the woods and show some simple techniques to increase your chance of survival. You will also learn what to include in a hiking survival kit!

Friday August 6

Old Time Jam

Lake House, 6:30-9:30 P.M.

Enjoy bluegrass, folk and gospel music in a relaxed atmosphere! New Germany welcomes musicians of all ages and talents to participate. Spectators are also welcome to join in the fun.

Saturday August 7

Aquatic Adventure

Meet @ Lake House, 10:00 A.M.

Come to New Germany State Park and take a paddle around the Lake. Discover the history of how the lake came to be. Also learn about the Lake’s aquatic plant life. Bring rubber boots and remember to wear sunscreen!

Pre-registration is required due to limited supplies.

(Please contact Ranger Station for registration and information)

(must register before 8:00p.m. on Friday, August 6)

A Hummingbird’s Life

Lake House, 3:00 p.m.

Have you ever wanted to know the life story of a Hummingbird? Our Park Naturalist will uncover the veiled world of Hummingbirds from birth to death. Also learn ways to attract Hummingbirds to your own backyard. Appropriate for all ages.

Appalachian Folk Music with Greg Latta

Lake House @ 7:00 P.M.

Dr. Latta is a self-taught master of a great variety of folk instruments.

This award-winning musician puts on an entertaining and professional show of several different types of traditional music.

Sunday August 8

The Plants Around Us

Lake House, 1:00 p.m

Grab your field guide and test your I.D. skills with the different plants found here at New Germany State Park! Help the Naturalist put together a leaf collection and flower press. Bring a camera and your own supplies if you want to make one as well.

Thursday August 12

Star Party

Nature Center, 9:00 P.M.

Join local amateur astronomers to learn about the night sky. If the weather cooperates, the evening will end with a rendezvous at Parking Lot 5, where you can see some unique features in the sky using a high-power telescope. This is a peak night for the Perseid meteor shower!

Friday August 13

Owl Prowl

Parking Lot # 5, 8:30 p.m.

Have you ever wanted to see an owl in the wild? Come out to New Germany State Park for the opportunity to do just that! Join the Park Naturalist and see how owls survive in darkness. Appropriate for all ages.

Saturday August 14

Smooth n’ Scales

Lake House, 2:00 p.m.

Kids of all ages! Slither your way over to New Germany State Park for an afternoon of reptiles and amphibians! Get close and personal with native species found in Western Maryland. Also learn about similarities and differences between the two. There will be a kids craft available after the program.

Eco-Escort

Lake House, 5:00 p.m.

The Park Naturalist wants to show you different ways to live

Eco- Friendly. Learn money-saving tips along with creative ideas and alternatives to living “GREEN”. Instead of throwing away that old pair of shoes, bring them to New Germany State Park for a fun activity. All ages.

Mysterious Moths, Beautiful Butterflies

Schoolhouse Nature Center, 8:30 p.m.

Can you tell the difference between moths and butterflies? Join the Park Naturalist on the search for the truth. Hunt and catch moths to learn about the different species. A campfire with S’mores will end the program.

Sunday, August 15

Novelty Nose

Lake House, 1:00 p.m.

Have you ever wondered how a bear finds his food? Come out to New Germany State Park and explore the life of a Black Bear. Activities and interesting facts will be presented by our Park Naturalist. Get the chance to touch real bear fur and see an actual skull! Kids of all ages are welcomed!

Friday, August 20

Old Time Jam

Lake House, 6:30-9:30 P.M.

Enjoy bluegrass, folk and gospel music in a relaxed atmosphere! New Germany welcomes musicians of all ages and talents to participate. Spectators are also welcome to join in the fun.

Saturday, August 21

Sandy Adaptations

Lake House, 2:00 p.m.

Grab your buckets and shovels and head out to New Germany State Park! Create a make-believe creature out of sand. Come up with a name and a habitat that matches your creature’s adaptations. The winner of the most creative and believable creature will win a prize!

Recipes with Nature

Lake House, 5:00 p.m.

This program will open your eyes to something pretty tasty! The Park Naturalist will point out certain edible plants and how to properly prepare them- Bring your own wild recipes or come to taste something new! Appropriate for all ages.

Tunes and Tales from the Coal Mines

Schoolhouse Nature Center, 7:00 P.M.

If you live in Maryland, chances are your electricity comes from coal. Learn more about the history of coal mining in the Appalachian Region. Park Ranger Melissa McCormick will present an evening or stories and songs about coal mining – history of mining in the area, life in the mining towns, and struggles of the miners.

Sunday, August 22

Wild Dye

Recreation Hall, 2:00 p.m.

The Park Naturalist will show you 100% Natural Dyes found in the Wild. Participants will be able to purchase and dye a T-shirt for $2.00-

Be creative with the world around you!

Pre-registration required due to limited supplies.

(Please contact Ranger Station for registration and information)

(must register before 4:00p.m. on Saturday, August 21) Ages +3

Friday, August 27

Owl Prowl

Parking Lot # 5, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 28

Hide and Track

Lake House @ 2:00 p.m.

Join the Park Naturalist on the quest to discover what track belongs to what animal! See if you can tell the subtle differences. Also, make a plaster cast of your favorite wild animal. Ages +3

Intro to Fly-Fishing

Lake House, 4:30 p.m.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to Fly-Fish? Ranger Luke Mongrain will show you how! Bring your own fishing pole and learn certain techniques. Also find out where to go fly-fishing in Garret County.

Ages +5

Scales ‘N Tales

Lake House, 7:00 P.M.

This popular program features live birds of prey and reptiles. Hear their stories and learn how you can help protect wildlife.

Sunday, August 29

Honey Do List

Lake House, 1:00 p.m.

Come to new Germany State Park and Learn about the life of a Honey Bee. See what is on their daily to do list in order to survive. Plus get the chance to taste organic honey straight from the hive. Appropriate for all ages.

Final GLAF Event on Saturday August 7 - John McCutcheon

2010-07-28T10:47:59-04:00

Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF) is proud to present John McCutcheon as its final performing arts event of the 2010 season. This renowned folksinger will perform at the Garrett College Auditorium on Saturday, August 7 at 7:30 pm. There will be a “Meet and Greet” with this performer at the conclusion of the concert. Also, Mr. McCutcheon will draw the winning raffle ticket for the Robert Yonke original painting “Dusk ‘til Dawn” (a framed watercolor) at this concert.

A folk musician, composer and singer for over 30 years, John McCutcheon’s catalog of albums “includes recordings of traditional songs, topical material, instrumental works and his own huge cache of original songs for people of all ages.” He is a 6-time Grammy Award nominee with a mastery of playing many folk instruments including the hammered dulcimer, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar. Mr. McCutcheon’s broad appeal brings “music into the lives and homes of one of the broadest audiences any folk musician has ever enjoyed.”

Tickets for the Saturday evening concert are $20 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children five years and younger (tickets are required). Tickets may be purchased by calling the GLAF office at 301-387-3082, or through the GLAF website at www.artsandentertainment.org

Sponsor Partners for this event are Judy and Jan Finkel and Wellspring Family Medicine, PC

Season Sponsors of Garrett Lakes Arts Festival are First United Trust & Investments, Howard and Audrey Naylor Family Trust, Jim O’Connell and Connie Leary, Sincell Publishing Company, and Wisp Resort, with additional funding from Garrett County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council* and PennPAT**.

*Maryland State Arts Council is an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

** This project is partially supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, a state agency; and the Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.