Celebrating The Apples of Western Maryland
“Plant yourself an orchard because there is no better apple than the one you grew yourself!” -Jeannie Frazee, Garrett Soil Conservation District This article is Part 1 of a two-part series about apples. Here in Garrett County, we’re surrounded by an abundant apple...
About the Oakland Elks Lodge
What is the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks? Better known as the Elks Lodge, it is a fraternal order with thousands of members and a 150+ year history. There is a network of nearly 2000 lodges in communities all over the country. With our local lodge being the...
September, Somehow
September in Garrett County looked a lot like this: DOGS ARE FLYING. Dock Dogs brought the big splashes and the even bigger cheers. Remember those two bowls I painted? EMPTY BOWLS was Garrett County’s first. Soup, handmade bowls, and neighbors showing up for...
Fall In Full Color
Editor’s Note: Photos in this story, along with this month’s cover, were taken by Robin Clutter. Great work, Robin! While we live in a four-season area, each with its own beauty, my absolute favorite season is fall. The nights start to cool and the afternoon sun burns...
African American Legacy in Western Maryland Course – PE130
NEW! This course focuses on the African American families of Allegany and Garrett counties. Beginning with slavery, through the post-Civil War era, to the Great Migration, documented and vetted resources detail the lives of these families through the multifaceted...
A Little Sweeter: Discover “Hey Sugar” in Oakland
The Hey Sugar shop catches your eye with its bright orange color palette and contemporary look. Open the door, though, and it’s the amazing sweet smell of fresh treats straight from the oven that really draws you in. Oakland’s newest bakery and sweet shop, located in...
Celebrate Autumn at Fallfest
Fall is a special time of year in Garrett County, bringing crisp air, colorful leaves, and plenty of opportunities to gather with family and friends. This season, Fallfest offers a full weekend of autumn fun, featuring local artists, creative activities for kids,...
Homegrown
At the 69th Garrett County Fair, local 4-H members showed off a year of their hard work. Now they’re already starting the work for their projects for next summer’s event. I spent a good part of fair week walking the barns and the 4-H building with a microphone, asking...
Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums Concert
Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums is playing its annual Autumn Glory Concert on Saturday, October 10 at 10:30AM at the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department, 31 S. 3rd St. GHPD is a traditional Scottish military marching band founded by Fred Thayer, Chip Evans, and John...
October 2026 Issue
Dear Friends, There are a lot of things I love about October in Garrett County. The mountains showing off. The cooler mornings. The sudden realization that just about every road is worthy of pulling over for a picture. (Speaking of driving tours, see page 50.) But...
Get Some Mud on the Tires
Take Your Vehicle Off-Road on an ORV Trail The Deep Creek Lake area has no shortage of vehicles designed to enjoy the great outdoors: boats, jet skis, ATVs, snowmobiles. While some outdoor enthusiasts own their personal recreational vehicle, renting one of these is a...
Crellin: A Double Boom Town
Have you ever been to a double boom town called Sunshine in Garrett County, Maryland? If you have driven through Crellin, Maryland, then you have. Crellin first got its name from the Sunshine Council of the United American Mechanics. Second, it was called Lorawsville...
Play Out Loud: Where Play, Learning and Community Come Together
When Kaylee Livengood and her husband traveled with their children in the past, they made a point of visiting children’s museums and play centers along the way. Their kids loved being able to touch, explore, pretend and figure things out for themselves. It was more...
Coyotes Ride and Grow Together on Trails in Garrett County
Meet the Garrett County Coyotes, a NICA-affiliated youth mountain bike team turning local trails into a place where kids build skills, confidence, and lifelong friendships. As riders gear up to host a race at Deep Creek State Park on September 19, discover how coaches and community are shaping young mountain bikers on and off the trail. Coaches and student athletes also give back through trail maintenance and local volunteer work.
Oktoberfest Returns to the Grantsville Town Park on September 19
Grab your stein, put on your best German-inspired outfit, and get ready for an afternoon of food, fun, music, art and friendly competition when Oktoberfest returns to the Grantsville Arts & Entertainment District on Saturday, September 19, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m....
250 Years of Cookery in the Tablelands
A free history talk exploring 250 years of agriculture, cooking and food in Garrett County and the surrounding region will be held Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. at Garrett College. Presented by George Cowgill and the Garrett County Historical Society in recognition of...
The Flying Scot: Where Sailing Runs Deep
For nearly 70 years, Flying Scots have been built by hand in Garrett County. Along the way, the boat has become part of the fabric of summer at Deep Creek Lake. Earlier this summer, I went sailing for the first time. I had seen sailboats on Deep Creek Lake plenty of...
One Bowl at a Time
Garrett County’s first Empty Bowls event is a reminder that some of our neighbors are struggling with food insecurity. A few days ago, I stopped by Deep Creek Pottery with a very simple assignment: pick a bowl. The bowl I chose was to be painted, then fired in the...
A Skip Around Town (with Sarah)
AUGUST, APPARENTLY. Looking through my camera roll, I realized I did a LOT this month. I WENT SAILING. After seeing Flying Scots on Deep Creek Lake for years, I actually got in one. And then I went to see where they’re made. RIGHT HERE. A tour of the Flying Scot...
22nd Annual DCL Art, Wine & Spirits Festival Set for September 11 & 12
The Deep Creek Lake Art, Wine & Spirits Festival returns to the Garrett County Fairgrounds on Friday, September 11, and Saturday, September 12, and it’s bigger than ever! The festival benefits HART for Animals in Accident, MD. “We’ve added six premium spirit...
Viva la Musica: A Renaissance Musical Journey
Imagine you live in the 15th or 16th century among your musical friends in a parlor. There are recorders from soprano down to the lowest contrabass. And the viola da gamba players are there too, from treble to bass. Oh, and there is a crumhorn quartet. This is the...
September 2026 Issue
Dear Friends, I spend a lot of time telling people there is always something to do in Garrett County. And, apparently, in August I decided to go full send and prove it. Looking back through my camera roll, August included everything from sailing Deep Creek Lake to...
Alpaca Acres Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton and Her Imagination Library for 2026 Corn Maze & Fall Fest!
Alpaca Acres Farm & Fun is bringing a little country magic to Western Maryland this fall with a one-of-a-kind corn maze honoring the life and legacy of American treasure Dolly Parton and her incredible Imagination Library! The collaboration with Dolly's...
“Next Level You”
Leadership. Innovation. Branding. Connection. Your Next Level Starts Here Next Level You is more than a conference—it’s an experience designed to equip leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and aspiring changemakers with the tools they need to thrive in...