My family in Virginia has been boasting about the abundance of strawberries and other fresh produce and to be quite honest I am very jealous. Growing up in Virginia Beach I have been accustom to eating fresh vegetables out of my dad’s garden as long as I can remember. Thankfully for me from June 6th through October 31, Oakland, Maryland hosts the Mountain Fresh Farmers Market from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, mushrooms, kale, green onions, asparagus, and the list goes on and on.. All fresh out on the garden and ready to tickle your taste buds. There are also homemade baked deserts, fresh spices, and handmade quilts and purses and a wealth of different items of interest. I hear that when the peaches come into season people get there 30 minutes before it opens and wait in long lines to get a taste of some delicious peaches. Check it out next time you are in need of truly fresh farmers market produce.
Last night I had the opportunity to try out the new Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour at Wisp Resort. It was the best hour of excitment that I have experienced this spring. After a short trip up the conveyor belt at the snow tubing park you have your first crash course in zip lining on two very short training runs. Next you get to climb a rope ladder up to your first platform for a fun descent through the trees next to the famous mountain coaster. The feeling of flying through the air on a zip lines is both calming and exhilarating at the same time. After conquering the first three runs and walking over a few cable bridges it’s time for you to experience the tallest, longest, and fastest run of the tour. You are standing on a little platform over 50’ off the ground overlooking the most amazing views of Deep Creek Lake. After a few safety checks by a knowledgeable Wisp staff it’s time to launch across a 400’ zip trip which takes you the width of the entire tubing park. This will surely get your motors running! Finish up with another long zip run and slide into home plate with your endorphins cranking maximum RPM’s. Well worth the $39 for admission.
The countdown starts today and we are a mere three weeks away from Memorial Day Weekend. Do yourself a favor and visit the areas favorite Marina, Deep Creek Marina. With the coming of spring comes the responsibility of preparing your boat for the water with basic spring maintenance. Let D.C.M. and there 5 star certified mechanics get your boat running smoothly and start your season with confidently and safely.
If you are in need of a boat, D.C.M. has a large assortment on both used and new boats. Choose from new boats like Chris Craft, Sea Ray, Bennington, and Malibu. They also carry slalom skis, wakeboards, wake surfers, paddleboards, tubes, and any other kind of accessory you may need. They also have a huge inventory of rental boats. Do yourself a favor and pay them a visit on you next trip to Deep Creek Lake.
I’m going to let you in on a Deep Creek Lake secret… On the first Tuesday night of every month at JG’s Tavern, local guitar Luthier Roger Skipper brings his assembly of musicians to host bluegrass night. The fun starts at 7:00pm, but you had better get there at least an hour early to get a place to sit or you may be listening from the parking lot. That is if you can find a place to park… This is ole school bluegrass from one warm group of good people.
I worked with Scott McMillion, the superintendent of the new Lodestone Golf Club on top of Wisp Mountain for over a year before I heard that he played mandolin on bluegrass night. This transplant from the Pacific North West has a natural ear and talent for playing some amazing mandolin. Roger, his wife and Scott are the nucleus of a local group of musicians that take you on a journey to the heart of bluegrass roots. There group consists of ten or so musicians who gladly share their stage with any pickers who may walk through the door. They rotate around the microphone each getting a chance to sing some of their bluegrass favorites’. The tempo goes from beautiful old ballads, to some hand clapping toe tapping banjo fiddle jams.
The Taylor-Made Vacations and Sales are proud to introduce Bob Holcomb as an integral part of our team. After 23 years of working around the world in golf course construction, the epiphany in Holcomb’s career came when he was hired to supervise the construction of Lodestone Golf Club at Wisp Resort. He subsequently fell in love with Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County. “I haven’t experienced any place that offers the variety of activities such as fishing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, waterskiing, snowmobiling and hiking”.
Bob has had a lucrative career working with some of the world’s legendary golf design greats, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Fred Couples, Rees Jones and most recently… Hale Irwin, at Lodestone private course atop Wisp Mountain near Deep Creek Lake.
While the world’s greatest courses are typically designed by these legends, its guys like Holcomb who take the blueprints and bend them to fit the earth. The result is “a very artistic interpretation of the plans,” Holcomb said. “Having experienced different design philosophies, its enjoyable for me to apply this knowledge in the field…it’s like a hybrid in your mind”. Bob has gained acclaim as perhaps the industry’s finest in golf course construction. His creativity led one architect to describe him as “Picasso” using the earth as his canvas.
He has shaped or reshaped courses that have hosted some of the world’s mightiest tournaments, including Hazeltine, the Atlanta Athletic Club (which hosted both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship), the critically acclaimed Brandon Dunes in Oregon and The Victoria in Portugal (which was host of the 2005 World Championship World Cup and the Portuguese Masters).
Bob’s role with the Spiker Team and Long & Foster will center on Real Estate Sales, as well as being available for questions at Lodestone Golf Information Centers. Please feel free to talk with Bob and learn the Lodestone “behind the scenes” stories that relate the process that blends the brute force of heavy equipment to rip the earth like bulls, then sculpt it like plastic surgeons.
When word broke of the new Lodestone trial membership opportunity there have been a lot of questions regarding the timeline for the golf course opening. I just spoke to Karen Myers, general partner of Wisp Resort Development, Inc., and she has informed me that the front nine will start play tomorrow, Saturday, May 1st 2010 for Lodestone members and trial members.
Lodestone Golf Club play is also available for visitors to try out, for a greens fee of course. For more information you can contact the Membership & Club Director, Karen Forsythe, at 301.616.4035.
The back nine is scheduled to open tentatively in early June, and already has golfers chompin’ at the bit!!
Also, I have been informed that Hale Irwin will be here to christen the back nine July 9th & 10th. Members and trial members will be a part of a small entourage that will be allowed to walk with Hale as he plays for the 1st time a certain classic.
Sign up now and don’t miss your opportunity to play summer golf on this masterpiece, and have a chance to meet Hale Irwin. Feel free to call me, Bob Holcomb 240.321.5335, if you have any questions about the design, construction process of Lodestone Golf Club.
Karen Myers inducted in the Maryland Business Hall of Fame
Last night I was fortunate enough to attend the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award Ceremonies. Deep Creek Lake native and a 10th generation Frazee, Karen Frazee Myers, was inducted into Maryland’s Business Hall of Fame. Karen was recognized by her peers for her decades of promotion of the one-time sleepy Deep Creek Lake/Garrett County area, which has become a go-to destination for Mid-Atlantic residents.
Karen’s “nose to grindstone” work ethic has bloomed several successful businesses throughout her lengthy career. Her flourishing businesses, Mountaineer Log & Siding www.mountaineerlog.com, Wisp Ski & Golf Resort www.wispresort.com, Deep Creek Marina www.deepcreekmarina.com, and real estate business are products of her relentless determination.
Even during the big moment in her life, Karen still recognizes her partners, her family, her friends and her employee’s who have supported her through sometimes difficult years. Her resiliency through the hard times (and the good times) along with her insight into what would make her endeavors successful has paid off long term.
Karen’s career really started 35 years ago in the real estate business when the lake was “undiscovered” as a resort and second home destination. It took many years for Karen to put Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake on a mainstream map.
Her daughter, Betsy Spiker, took over the reigns from her mother to become Deep Creek Lake’s trusted real estate guru.
She has mentored her children throughout their lives to be positive community role models and successful business leaders. Her son, Adrian Spiker, has taken a dream of creating the best marina in Deep Creek Lake and made it a reality. She has influenced and guided him into making the most thriving marina on the lake.
“Not too bad for a country girl” says Karen Myers at the awards podium in Baltimore, Maryland. Not too bad at all for a woman who grew up in a family from White Rock who exceeded, by anybody’s standards, personal success…business success…family success…community success…spiritual success… I have been fortunate to be in Karen’s circle for the past 3 years and understand and respect why the State of Maryland has chose to recognize this special woman with such a prestigious honor.
Have you had a chance to get the garage cleaned out and finish your spring cleaning? Chances are you have a bunch of stuff cluttering your house, we all do. You know how the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure (or woman’s for that matter)”. “Trash” can be substituted with “cool stuff”. Wisp Resort has a solution to your muddled garages and storage areas. Rent a table and bring things that you have no need for to sell them to people who may love them. Kind of recycling if you may. I can tell you from past events to get there early because you will be rewarded with a vast selection of “stuff” that you will throw down the green for.
On May 18th 9:00am – 3:00pm they will be holding a garage sale for your extra items that will surely help it find a home. Who knows, you may find some neat things and come home with more than you bring. Tables will be rented to host your sale, or just drop by to go shopping. Call 301-387-4911 to reserve your site!
10 for 10 at Wisp Resort Deep Creek Lake. It doesn’t get any better than this!! Ten delicious dishes for only $10 dollars each at DC’s Wisp Resort! It’s hard to believe you can eat this good for such an affordable price. What’s the point of cooking at home anymore?
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.