I welcomed New Year’s Eve, 1968, flying across the International Dateline before landing in Saigon’s Tan Son Nhut Air Base, assigned to the 366 Tactical Fighter Wing. The intake clerk asked, “What are you doing here?” I learned some stateside clerk typed 355th instead...

Later on this month you’ll be overcome with the irresistible desire to plunge a knife into a fruit...a very big fruit. It won’t be pretty...well...maybe it will be, but you’ll need some practice if you haven’t done this since the Truman administration. Nevertheless,...

AJ’s Adventures, a new off-highway vehicle (OHV) outfitter based in Kitzmiller, is drawing riders to Garrett County with guided and self-guided side-by-side and ATV experiences on some of Western Maryland’s most scenic and technical OHV terrain. The company’s...

When autumn rolls around in Garrett County, the hillsides turn brilliant with reds, golds, and fiery oranges. But if you take a drive along our winding country roads this fall, you’ll notice more than just the changing leaves. Scattered across barns, sheds, and farm...

Mark your calendar: Saturday, October 11 at 11:00 a.m., the Garrett Highlands Pipes & Drums will play a public concert at the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department Firehall (31 S. 3rd St.). Bring a lawn chair, settle in, and you’ll be perfectly placed to watch the...

September came and went in a blur of sunshine, food, friends, and more than a few surprises. The month started strong with our Morning Market at Market on 42. The weather was perfect, the vendors brought their best, and the crowd came ready to shop. Farmers, artisans,...

For one hundred and fourteen years, the Civic Club of Oakland has been active in Garrett County, engaged in many community projects and organizations. For fifty-one years, the Antiques & Artisans Market has been a major fundraiser for the club. The money raised by...

What a wonderful end to summer! The weather the past several weeks has been nothing short of spectacular...warm, sunny days and lovely cool evenings. As beautiful as Deep Creek is any time of year, I spent the first week of September at the beach with Caitlin and her...

Myth 1: Jack Frost and his palette of natural colors are responsible for the autumnal blushes. Nope. Not even close. Jack is responsible for other things but not fall colors. Leaves can change colors even before Jack makes his yearly appearance. Now, get this: the...

I first heard about the pitches when Ruth B., a Garrett County high school entrepreneur and granddaughter of longtime local restaurateur Brenda McDonnell, pulled me aside at Ace’s Run and invited me to a final business plan presentation at the Career Technology...

2025 has been quite a year for Deep Creek Lake, and folks here in Garrett County have been celebrating since January! The lake’s 100th birthday is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s been a year-long reminder of why this body of water, Maryland’s largest...

Is there anyone who hasn’t heard of Deep Creek Lake? Even those from other states know of Maryland’s largest man-made lake. Man-made? Yep. There are no natural lakes here in the Free State. In fact, Maryland is the only state without a natural lake. This probably...

The Birthday Bash celebration on July 19 proved that Deep Creek Lake knows how to throw a party. From the moment the gates opened, coins clinked into the admissions buckets faster than volunteers could count them. That 25-cent entry fee—our playful nod to the lake’s...

Broadford Lake will come alive with the sounds of plunging paddles on Saturday, August 23, for the Fourth Annual Mountain Maryland Dragon Boat Festival. Dove Center will be partnering with Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing from Tennessee to hold this exciting event. Proceeds...