The Smithsonian Exhibit Visits Garrett Historical Society
On July 5, 2025, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit arrived from Washington, DC, and was installed on the second floor of the Garrett County Historical Society’s (GCHS) Museum of Transportation. It was there until August 16. The exhibit’s theme was “Spark!...
Gathering Acorns, Catching Stars: Shining a Light on Local Artist Vivian Michael
This fall, the walls of the Oakland Arts & Entertainment District will welcome new artwork with a burst of color in Banker's Alley. The Garrett County Arts Council is proud to feature the work of Vivian Michael, a local self-taught artist whose passion for...
Arcadian Gallery
Arcadian Gallery is the kind of place that makes you slow down and take a closer look. Tucked on newly reopened Baltimore Street in historic downtown Cumberland, the gallery is co-owned by Christopher P. Sloan, a former National Geographic Magazine art director whose...
Garrett County “Shark Tank” Inspiring Young Entrepreneurs
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...
Deep Creek Lake Centennial: A Look Back
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...
September 2025 Issue
Dear Friends, I think September at the lake is the best time there is! Mornings start with a little mist on the water, evenings ask for a light jacket, and there’s still plenty of daylight for one more paddle, hike, or porch sit. After a full summer (and a centennial...
Deep Creek Lake Art, Wine & Spirits Festival Returns September 5–6
The Deep Creek Lake Art, Wine & Spirits Festival returns to the Garrett County Fairgrounds on Friday, September 5, and Saturday, September 6, 2025. The festival benefits HART for Animals in Accident, MD. “The addition of spirits at the 2024 festival was a huge...
Deep Creek Lake Almost Wasn’t a 450 Foot Advantage
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 of the Century
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...
Paddle with Purpose: Dragons Descend on Garrett County
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...
2025 Little Yough Music Festival Series
The Oakland Arts & Entertainment District is excited to announce the 2025 Little Yough Music Festival series, running on Fridays from July 25 through August 29! Bring your lawn chairs and friends! Each concert begins at 7 p.m., but come early for local food and...
August 2025 Issue
Dear Friends, I’m writing this from my patio table, where a hummingbird keeps swooping in to sip from my husband’s petunias. The morning air is just right, and my hot coffee sends up wisps of steam in the sunlight. It’s my favorite time of day. Last evening, a couple...
Collen’s Picks for the Lake-Front Book Club
Earlier this year, I read a book called “The Old Man. I picked it up on Christmas Day because my brother had gifted it to my father and written on the inside cover: To my Old Man. Love, Brooks. I thought that was funny or at least clever, and I started reading 48...
Kate Collins of JG’s Pub Wins 2025 Heise Award
The winner of the 2025 Heise Entrepreneurial Spirit Award was announced during the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Membership Meeting & Dinner on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Martin Heise made the presentation to this year’s winner, Kate Collins of JG’s...
Patty Mash Receives Peggy Jamison Heritage Preservation Award
The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Patty Mash as the recipient of the 2025 Peggy Jamison Heritage Preservation Award, an honor that recognizes exceptional dedication to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Garrett County. The award...
Art Around Every Corner: The 2025 Artist Studio Tour
The 2025 Artist Studio Tour returns July 26–27, inviting locals and visitors alike to step inside the heart of creativity from 11 am to 5 pm each day. This free, self-guided adventure is your passport to the unexpected: backroad barns turned galleries, lakeside...
Lakeside Creamery Celebrates 30 Years ‘Like No Udder!’ Since 1995
As of April 30, 2025, Garrett County’s favorite ice-cream haven officially hit a major milestone—30 years of scooping joy under the stewardship of beloved local businessman Bill Meagher. What began in the summer of 1995 as a small lakeside shop has blossomed into a...
July 2025 Issue
There’s just something about July in Garrett County that makes me smile. The lake’s buzzing, the mountain laurel’s showing off, and it feels like everyone’s out and soaking it in - chasing sunsets, meeting friends on the water, and grabbing ice cream on a Tuesday...
June 2025 Issue
Dear Friends, Throughout the 34 years I have been publishing The Lake-Front, we have seen many changes, the largest being the death of my husband and business partner, the beloved Skip Around Town. Since then, I’ve been blessed with the talents (and strong backs) of...
May 2025 Issue
Dear Friends, May has arrived and with it some spring weather...finally! The plants and trees are blooming, docks are going in around the lake, and a definite hint of summer is in the air! The Deep Creek Lake Centennial year long celebration continues as Collen DuBose...
April 2025 Issue
Dear Friends, Spring is here! It was a typical Garrett County March with sunshine one day, snow showers the next, but the flowers and trees are budding and Mother Nature is promising warmer days ahead. Warmer weather means even more fun events and we’ve got a bunch...
March 2025 Issue
Dear Friends, Winter continues here on the mountain and that pesky groundhog has promised us it will continue into March. That is good news for skiers everywhere, as conditions at Wisp have been stellar this winter and the season should continue well into this month....
Cove Creek Lodge
Cove Creek Lodge stands as a beacon of modern luxury, redefining the area’s hospitality landscape. The newly renovated boutique hotel combines the charm of nature with the sophistication of upscale comfort. As one of the area’s first boutique hotels, Cove Creek Lodge...
Greene Turtle presents The19th Greene
Located inside the beloved Greene Turtle restaurant in McHenry, MD, 19th Greene is a revolutionary new business that combines cutting-edge indoor golf with a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere. Opened on November 1st, 2024, 19th Greene invites locals and tourists to...