Betsy Spiker Holcomb Real Estate – Page 29

Ramp Recipe Deep Creek Lake

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

Ramp Recipe

Well its official, I have finally found my favorite Ramp Recipe here at Deep Creek lake. My friends had a ramp fest in their hunting cabin this weekend, which gave me a different prospective on ramp dishes other than my old favorites. Fried Ramps in beer batter are definitely how I enjoy them the best.

First you have to go to your favorite ramp patch and dig you a mess. I like the newer, smallish bulbs myself as they fry up crispy and sweet without leaving you with that legendary ramp fume breath.

Next you clean them up and cut the bulbs to 1”-2” lengths. You can leave more of the stems if you want a little more crunch on the ends. I use my Momma Holcomb’s beer batter recipe but McCormick’s in a box will work great too.

You want to heat your vegetable oil up to a medium heat. You do not want your heat too hot or you will brown the outside and the ramps will be raw on the inside.

Cook until golden brown. Strain them on a paper plate with paper towels. Add a little salt. And enjoy.

Note: cook two times more than you think you will eat because these are addicting.

Serve with a Tomato Ramp Martini…

The Spiker Team supports PAWS

The Spiker Team supports PAWS. I am very proud to work for a team here on Deep Creek Lake that continually helps raise money for heartfelt causes and charities in our community. Long and Foster employees and The Spiker Team consistently lead the way in volunteering in events like The Special Olympics, The Deep Creek Dunk, The Lions Club, The Cardboard Box Derby and many other rewarding causes.

Last night at Wispers Bar at Wisp Resort, Long and Foster showed up again to support PAWS aka Partners of Animal Welfare and Safety. This nonprofit volunteer organization has been around since 2001 and has led a crusade to protect the interests of animals here in Garrett County. They help end the suffering of unwanted animals by reducing pet over-population through spay/neuter and feral cat programs. They assist low income residents by paying for portions of vet bills for neutering and spaying their animals. Check out their website and learn a lot more about this wonderful organization and also upcoming fundraiser events.

Legendary and loved Long and Foster agent Ed King was behind the bar with Betsy Spiker volunteering their time as guest bartenders. The PAWS donation bucket was filled up by the end of the night and the raffle tickets that cluttered the bar and restaurant area also raised a lot of money. Thanks to all who made it out and contributed to a fun time for another great cause.

Wild Ramps Deep Creek Lake

Wild Ramps at Deep Creek Lake

Wild Ramps Deep Creek Lake. April is here, and for the Mountains surrounding Deep Creek Lake that means that wild ramps, which are classified as wild leeks, are just about ready to harvest. These wild leeks have a very strong and pungent flavor that taste to me like a mixture between onions, garlic and leeks. My favorite way to eat them is to put them in fried potatoes with some salt and pepper. Cooking them tames down the flavor some but understand they always pack a delicious punch. Eating them raw is another matter. Only the hardcore brave eat these wild treats fresh from the ground. The intense flavor will have you committed to its enjoyment for many, many hours…or days. I’m not sure if tooth brushes and toothpaste ever have a chance at getting the bold taste of ramps off your breath, but when you are up here in the Mountains you are among the majority!

Deep Creek Lake fundraiser for The Little Youch Music Festival

Deep Creek Lake fundraiser for The Little Youch Music Festival. Come join the fun at Deep Creek Lake at The Mountain State Brewing Company on April 9, 2010 6 pm – 9 pm for a fund raiser benefiting The Little Youch Summer Music Festival. Come join Guest Bartenders Rob Michael, Scott Lohr, and Arlene Murray for what is sure to be another successful event. Local favorites The Hillybilly Gypsies will be throwing down the bluegrass jams throughout the night. All bar tips will be donated to the Little Youch Summer Music Festival. Come out and have a homemade brew and munch on some flatbread while tapping your toes to the Hillbilly Gypsies and supporting a good cause. I’ll see you there.

Springtime Water Skiing on Deep Creek Lake

Springtime Water Skiing on Deep Creek Lake

After a record breaking snowfall this past winter which led to epic skiing and snowboarding conditions, spring has opened up the window to warmer summer sports. “Warmer” might be a stretch when talking about water temperatures, but the air temperatures have been midsummer- like for the last 3 weeks. A couple of passionate water skiers disregarded talk about the ice cream headache cold waters here at Deep Creek Lake this time of year and decided to have a go at being the first ones on the lake. The only unorthodox detail that I left out is that these skiers would have to saddle up in 3mm dry suits to be able to tolerate the 45 degree temps the lake is serving up this early in the season. The only vulnerable body parts were the feet, hands, and head which didn’t keep these hardcore guys from enjoying an exciting Easter Weekend on the lake. What a great experience to see friends enjoying a wonderful day of water skiing while watching the snow skiers enjoying the final weekend of winter sports at Wisp Resort.

Lodestone Golf Club Trial Use Privilege

Lodestone Golf Club Trial Use Privilege. The elevated excitement about the grand opening of Lodestone Golf Course is going to a higher level with the introduction of the new Trial Use Privilege Program. This already legendary golf course, on top of Wisp Mountain, has people blown away by the natural aesthetic beauty of this thoroughbred golf paradise. The grassing scheme alone takes this rolling mountain course to the pinnacle…. Lodestone used the most modern bent grass hybrids on the tees, fairways, and greens, while framing it all in with fescue/bluegrass outer roughs. The combination of the upscale grass and the amazing design work that Hale Irwin and Design Workshop executed puts this track in a league of its own by a long shot.

This new trial membership is stunningly affordable considering what this masterpiece has to offer. Sign up now so you can have a chance to walk with Hale Irwin in the spring as he christens 18 fabulous holes. Deep Creek Lake is fortunate to have owners with such a well thought out vision of improving the quality of life and activities while continuing to stride towards excellence in everything they do for the people who live here. Click the picture above for details or call 310 616 4035 for more information.

Easter Sunrise Service at Deep Creek Lake

Easter Sunrise Service at Deep Creek Lake

Next Easter you want to put the Sunrise Service at Wisp Resort on your list of amazing things you want to experience in your lifetime. The whole experience starts with a chairlift ride to the top of Wisp Mountain at 6:00 am. Behind you is the faint glow of dawn that warms the mountain peaks with a calm clarity that intensifies as you near the top of Maryland’s favorite mountain. You are greeted with smiles, hugs, and warm “Happy Easter’s” from friends and strangers as you make your way to a clearing on top of Odin’s Chute that overlooks miles of mountain ranges and beautiful Deep Creek Lake.

As Pastor Scott Robinson started his Easter sermon with the sky slowly blooming fire, and the most magnificent colorful sunrise was cast over a mirror-glassed lake. The service penetrated the soul of spirituality as a new day was being born along the sleepy springtime mountain line. The Easter service ended in perfect cadence with the sun etching into the distant skyline with sunbeams reaching out like hands from our great creator.

Skiing Wisp in March Deep Creek Lake

So this is it, the last weekend of skiing at Wisp Resort in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. March’s warm temperatures have encouraged us to put away the skiis, sleds, snowshovels and boots but there’s a pretty cool opportunity presenting itself this weekend with the help of the awesome weather brought by Mother Nature and Wisp Resort’s promise to keep us skiing until Easter.

Skiing Wisp in March Deep Creek Lake — Shredding Wisp Resort

Imagine this…taking runs on the ski slopes in 80 degree temperatures, then suiting up in your spring wetsuit to take the first passes of the season on DCL with your wakeboard or waterskiis. All in the same day, that is. I’m sold! A very cool proposition we’ve been given by some local thrill seekers. That’s where you’ll find me tomorrow. Slopes at 11:00 and lake at 12:00.. Happy Easter!

Swallow Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake Maryland

There’s a story in ’em ‘er woods…or more like it, a whole lot of stories! Swallow Falls State Park is just outside of Deep Creek Lake, Maryland and stretches to about 257 acres along the scenic Youghiogheny River. Hiking trails will lead you to 2 large falls, Swallow Falls and Muddy Creek Falls, as well as several smaller whitewaters. Tall Hemlocks dominate the silent woods, which are estimated to be 300+ years old.

Swallow Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake Maryland — Muddy Creek Falls

As a native to Garrett County, Maryland I’ve walked these paths on many occasions but I learn something new about the historical park each time I visit. On my most recent trip to Swallow Falls, I noticed a few things about the trees that adorn its forests.

Youghiogheny Grove is a 37-acre area of virgin Hemlock and White Pine and is the last stand of its kind in Maryland. Another grove of trees a little closer to the river is known as Towering Giants. Because of their age, the trees’ root systems are shallow and particularly vulnerable to storm damage. Some of the treetops and limbs have been stripped over the years, but to look up and see the sunlight glistening through them is a spectacle you’ll want to experience.

Deep Creek Lake Cardboard Box Derby

With just under a month left to ski at Wisp Ski Resort, the Cardboard Box Derby is on everyone’s radar this coming weekend. I have been in attendance the last two years and I have been in awe of the creative design and the speed of the entries. I have seen fire engines, ambulances, motorcycles, bi-planes, and even the Flintstones car straight out of Bedrock. The fun really starts when the contestants saddle up on their cardboard, duct tape, and string creations. This year, Long and Foster Manager Bob Carney and I are trying to build an aero-dynamic speed demon to dominate the speed category. Win or lose, everyone competing or spectating understands that we are doing this to raise money for the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club Blind Skiers Program.

Deep Creek Lake Cardboard Box Derby — Cardboard Box Derby

There are three categories by which the entries will be judged: 1.) Design, 2.) Speed, 3.) Judges Choice. The fun starts at 1:00PM at the Bear Claw Tubing Park on Saturday March 20^th. Bring your family and friends and come experience a fun afternoon watching cardboard creations wrapped with miles of duct tape taking center stage for this gratifying cause. If you are interested in participating you still have time.

Here are the rules:

1. Boxes may be constructed only of cardboard, tape and string.
2. Decorations, painting and flags are permitted and encouraged.
3. Push-off at Start by non-rider is permitted.
4. No limit on number of passengers or size of box.
5. Participants are asked to remove boxes/remnants at finish of race.
6. Each entry will run individually against the clock.

Category: Betsy Spiker Holcomb Real Estate