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Deep Creek Lake’s Chili Splash

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor

5^th Annual Deep Creek Chili Splash

Wisp Resort will be holding their infamous CHILI COOK-OFF this Saturday August 7^th from Noon-5:30 pm. Come taste many different interpretations of this famous San Antonio dish dating back to 1731…yes, that’s right…Texas that is! I have researched it and there is a misconception that chili is a Mexican dish. The history books will steer you to San Antonio, Texas where early Spanish settlers by order of King Phillips V arrived from the Spanish Canary Islands and made a spicy “Spanish” stew that later became what we now know as chili.

Deep Creek Lake's Chili Splash — 5th Annual Deep Creek Chili Splash

The key ingredient to this world re-known “stew” is hot peppers and in some cases, a lot of them! Some chili enthusiasts pride themselves in preparing a chili that is nuclear hot with the hot pepper being the star. Other cooks like to layer the smokey flavors of cumin, chili powder, onion, beef, and kidney beans, with a hint of spice from the hot pepper. I believe the key to a great chili is a delicious flavor base, and for me that is a bottle of Newcastle beer. I also like to combine ground beef, ground pork, and ground turkey with the other “regular” ingredients. If you think you can take the heat, then bring your brave taste pallet over to the hot pepper eating contest. Size up your hot pepper eating skills against other fire bellies.

General admission is $5 for adults, $3 Children (7-12yrs), 6 and under is free, which includes entrance to the event, Music, Children’s events and 5 tasting kits.

Cooks may contact John McCracken at 301.387.4911 ext. 2211
or email jmccracken@wispresort.com for information.

Here is a schedule of events
11 am Lighting of the Stoves
12 pm Gates Open
1 pm Mr. Hot Sauce & Ms. Chili Pepper
1:30 pm Salsa Turn In
2 pm Splash Contest
2:30 pm Chili Verde Turn In
3 pm Pepper Eating Contest
3:30 pm Red Chili Turn In
4 pm Wet T-Shirt Contest
5:30 pm Awards

Black Bear Tavern Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake has a lot of admired institutions that have earned the respect of patrons from all over the Mid-Atlantic. Black Bear Tavern leads the way in this department with a lively, entertaining, and fun filled atmosphere that will put you face to face socializing with happy people from many different backgrounds and hometowns. Black Bear hosts the only nightclub here at the lake that gets cranking every weekend and keeps everybody in high spirits with a ever changing musical variety. They cover all the musical bases with rock-n-roll, funk-a-delic-disco, and country. No matter what you choose, you will be dancing on a packed dance floor with friends and strangers who will eventually become your friends.

During the warm summertime, Black Bear Tavern shifts some of the fun out on their huge outdoor patio where you can catch some rays, enjoy good food, drink your favorite beverage, and listen to some great music. There is always a daily lunch special and a huge menu to choose from. I suggest trying the crab cake dinner (The best crab cake on the lake in my opinion) with an icy cold Newcastle to wash it down. The staff will make you feel relaxed and hustle to make your experience there a good one. Take a little time off the lake or the ski slopes on your next visit and go check out Black Bear!! Go eat, drink, dance, and make merry!!!

Deep Creek Lake Summer Season

So it’s already the beginning of August and summer is chuggin’ in full swing here in Deep Creek Lake. The summer season is progressing at a light speed pace and is teleporting us toward winter, being funneled through some out-of-control vacuum vortex of accelerated time. As we all take in the beautiful summer here in DCL there is an internal alarm clock deep within our brains that quietly starts to pulse, reminding us that summer is slowly inching toward the end of the season.

Deep Creek Lake always boasts a long, exhilarating summer season with special moments that are unique to our individual tastes. In the early hours, when the day is blooming, some soulful dawn patrollers set up on their favorite fishing spots waiting for that legendary hook set, or slalom skiers throwing massive rooster tails on perfect glass, or wake boarders launching huge airs across perfect early morning wake. Whatever it is that makes this lake special to you, remember to enjoy as much of it as you can before the cold weather settles in on us. Don’t panic! We still have a lot of summer left. Just a friendly reminder for you to plan your next trip, in case procrastination or work responsibilities impede on your recreational time.

Fish Kill Results Deep Creek Lake

Fish Kill Results Deep Creek Lake. Well, there have been a lot of people locally concerned about the recent fish kill here on Deep Creek Lake, and rightfully so. There have been many different stories about the cause of the kill and the health of the lake. I spend a lot of time in the lake and have never been given any signs that the lake is polluted or contaminated in any way, shape or form. I have been waiting to hear facts about the fish kill before raising any concerns or judgments.

Thankfully, it looks like the scientists have found the culprit to be the recent hot weather that we’ve been experiencing this summer. The Maryland State Department of the Environment said Thursday that high air temperatures this month warmed the lake’s surface and created ideal conditions for an infestation of parasitic microorganisms that affect the gills of certain cold-water fish.

The agency said the fish kill is affecting mainly cold-water species such as yellow perch, walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike.

Environmental regulators and the state Department of Natural Resources are still collecting and analyzing water and fish samples.

Fish Kill Results Deep Creek Lake — Small Mouth fishing Deep Creek Lake Maryland

Traders Coffee House Deep Creek Lake

You want a perfectly scripted morning here in Deep Creek Lake? Do what most of the population doesn’t do. Get up early and watch a spectacular sunrise over the mountain or lake. To really enhance this experience, get on the boat while it’s still early dawn and maybe get in a round of wakeboarding, or fishing, or maybe just go for a mellow ride across the calm waters of Maryland’s favorite lake. Take a minute to exhale and leave your stress behind from your job or your life. This is what DCL is all about in the early morning. Now take a deep breath through your nose and smell the fresh mountain air, listen to the wildlife already in full swing waking up. Look around you and take notice of others like you sitting on a dock along the shoreline, or on another boat taking in this natural therapy. Save your appetite until about 9-10am when the activity on the lake starts to fill in a bit. You have just enjoyed 4 tranquil hours on virtually your own lake and now it’s time to fuel up with a delicious breakfast and an amazing cup of java.

Drive your boat down to about the middle of the lake and visit Trader’s Coffee House for a wonderful breakfast, and a relaxing atmosphere. Choose from a cappuccino, latte, tea, muffins, pastries, scones, waffles, croissants, and breakfast sandwiches. I suggest trying an ‘everything’ bagel with sausage and cheese with a large cappuccino, or maybe try their homemade waffles with whipped cream and strawberries on top. Bring your laptop if you have to catch up on emails. Key words “have to”! Trader’s will smooth out your attitude and put the real world temporarily into another distant, unfamiliar world. After your visit to Trader’s, it’s time to catch up with your crowd and indulge in your normal lake activities. Just be sure to put aside a few mornings each visit to Deep Creek Lake and enjoy my favorite time on this peaceful lake.

Locals Cup Sunset Paddleboard Race Deep Creek Lake

Locals Cup Sunset Paddleboard Race Deep Creek Lake. Tonight on July 24, 2010 is the Locals Cup Sunset Paddleboard Race #2 at Deep Creek Lake State Park sponsored by Wisp Resort. There will be time trials around four different buoys and you can select from different classes to participate in. There is a $10 per person entry fee. The fun starts at 7:00 pm and will continue on until close to midnight. Come out and join the fun and watch the sunset with friends and locals and show your skills stroking to paddle board victory. Call Mike Valach from Wisp Resort at 301-387-4911 ext-0 for entry details.

Wisp Resort Little Tahoe

PONTOON TOUR ON DEEP CREEK LAKE!

Are you seriously considering buying property on Deep Creek Lake? If you are, The Spiker Team at Long and Foster in conjunction with Deep Creek Marina have something that may be of interest to you. On August 4, 2010 at 12pm we will be hosting a Pontoon Boat Tour with lunch provided around Deep Creek Lake to give you a view on the lake through our eyes and show you the many different personalities the lake has to offer. We will start out in the North end of the lake close to Wisp Resort & shopping and continue toward the South end of the lake to what is perceived as the “quiet” end of the lake.

Join us for lunch and learn about the unique areas around Deep Creek Lake and view some of the truly spectacular lakefront and lakeview properties from the water. Just shoot an email to betsy.spiker@lnf.com with your contact information below and we will contact you with the details.

We look forward to having you join us for a fun and informational cruise on the lake. Please include the words “pontoon tour” in the subject line and let us know how many people will be in your group. Seating is limited so reserve your spot today.

Deep Creek Lake’s Summer Weather

Deep Creek Lake’s Summer Weather

Growing up in the South around the beach I know all too well about the stifling, crippling heat that blankets the Mid-Atlantic during the HOT summer months. Consider this explanation/ definition relating to heat index. “Heat index (HI) is an index that combines air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature — how hot it feels, termed the felt air temperature. The human body normally cools itself by perspiration, or sweating, which evaporates and carries heat away from the body. However, when the relative humidity is high, the evaporation rate is reduced, so heat is removed from the body at a lower rate causing it to retain more heat than it would in dry air.” (Source: Wikipedia)

How does all this boring scientific gibberish about summertime heat index relate to Deep Creek Lake? Well…IT DOESN’T!!

Here at Deep Creek Lake we don’t live our summers inhaling oven-like temperatures when working in our yards or doing outdoor activities. Instead, we enjoy comfortable temperatures from May-September that run from the lower 70’s to the low 80’s with much lower humidity. Sure there will be a week or two where we get a spike in heat for a short period of time, but rest assured that it will be short lived. There is nothing more refreshing than it being 80 degrees outside (with low humidity of course) and jumping into a 75 degree lake. Rainfall during the summer roughly averages out to about 4” per month, just enough to keep the yards green and the flower’s flexing. I know and love a lot of great cities along the Mid-Atlantic that have wonderful architecture, culture, and people that I love to visit and explore throughout the year but I have a sacred place in my heart for refreshing Deep Creek Lake in the summertime.

Charts and data courtesy of The Weather Channel

Deep Creek Lake-Hale Irwin-Lodestone Golf Caddy

Deep Creek Lake Lodestone Golf Caddy

Last year around this time I had a great opportunity to caddie for Hale Irwin when he christened the front nine at Lodestone Golf Club. I felt that I nailed it, but after the round Hale half jokingly told me I was the worst caddie he ever had in his career….Ouch!

Deep Creek Lake-Hale Irwin-Lodestone Golf Caddy — Hale and Steve Irwin

Although I have spent 24 years building golf courses, I never really had time to grasp exactly what a caddie does other than carry the bag. It was news to me that each club actually had a specific place in the bag. Go figure. My take on it was the same as when I play and I just stuff the club wherever it fits. It was news to me that I was supposed to bring a wet and dry towel to keep the clubs and golf ball clean. I had to grasp the critical caddy duties that keep the golfer focused on his game. Thankfully for me, this was a practice round and I wasn’t responsible for taking any food off the Irwin family’s table!

This year I made sure I was on my “A” game so that if I was called to duty in the caddying department I wouldn’t be smacked around for my lack of skills! I got back in the gym, got into strong physical shape and studied PGA game films of caddies who worked for the best golfers in the world. Now I felt I was ready to assume the role as super caddy!

This year it was my responsibility to caddy for Steve Irwin, who is Hale’s son. I had a wet towel ready to wipe down clubs and golf balls, and returned clubs to their proper place with scientific precision. Steve actually used a few suggestions about putting lines and shot trajectories into greens. I think Hale even had a chuckle or two about my born-again effort to be a decent golf caddy.

I have hung up my golf course construction boots for good and have happily put on the real estate cap here in Deep Creek Lake, but there will always be this feeling deep down in my heart wondering if my calling all along was to be the best caddie ever on the PGA tour!

Joyce’s Fine Jewelry

If you are a guy that has a beautiful woman that you are madly in love with and want to spend the rest of your life with & marry, you need to buy her that special ring to solidify your love. The wedding ring symbolizes the unbroken circle of eternity. The traditional diamond that sits perched on this meaningful ring dazzles women all over the world, and rightfully so. This elite sparkling gem takes around a billion years to create, give or take a few million years. So, you can understand why we hold these unique gems in such high graces; they are the ultimate romantic token of eternal love.

Now that you know you are going to pop the big question, it’s time go out and find that precious stone that symbolizes your everlasting love for your special lady. I left Deep Creek Lake for Uniontown, PA a bit clueless in the process of finding that perfect stone, and to be honest, expecting to SETTLE for something I didn’t love but hopefully she did. I visited the malls first because even though I had been advised to shop for a ring at a reputable and reliable company (Joyce’s Fine Jewelry to be more specific) I felt I still needed to see what the malls had to offer. After looking through minuscule selections of settings with the companies “premium” diamonds per se, I realized that I had made a mistake. I never really received any helpful advice or got anyone’s input other than “this would look great on her finger”, or “this is our best diamond.” It sounded like a well-rehearsed gig. Looking through the meager inventory, I didn’t see a diamond that dazzled me, and to tell you the truth even their “best” had sort of a yellow hue. But what do I know? I’m not an expert in this department. Is anyone??? The simple answer is ‘yes’.

People, THERE IS A BETTER WAY. I set sail for Joyce’s Fine Jewelry wondering how they could ease the pain of this daunting task. This is supposed to be a special experience, right…? You walk in the door and are greeted by a smiling family business that welcomes you in open arms as part of their family. Joyce and David Katzeff have put 30 years of hard work into building their impeccable reputation in providing honesty, patience, and top-of-the-line jewelry to their customers. April Sabatini sat for hours showing hundreds of amazing settings and even missed her lunch to make sure I was educated on the different styles of rings and how they are made. She had a genuine love for what she was doing and respected the fact that this was a special moment. Never did she rush me or try to “sell” me on something. April provided me her experience and patience in educating me so I was crystal clear in making MY decision.

Ok, the setting is picked and now it’s time to pick THE diamond. My mind instantly flashes back to the malls “premium” diamonds with obvious yellowish color. My mind is set to ease by Brandon Katzeff, who is the son of Joyce and David Katzeff. He sits down with a professional, knowledgeable, family smile and rings the school bell for Diamonds 101. Brandon methodically explains the 4 C’s; Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat and the ratings associated with them so when the time comes to pick THE special diamond, YOU can pick from a first class selection of diamonds with a better understanding of these sacred gems. Joyce’s Fine Jewelry does not even sell the inferior diamonds that you see at the mall because if they did, they wouldn’t be in business for over a quarter of a century. They pride themselves in quality jewelry and excellent customer service, which leads to repeat business and referrals.

Next, the diamond’s come out and Brandon breaks out the 10x magnification eye piece to SHOW you differences in clarity, color and cut and why and how they are graded and priced the way they are. This was an amazingly fun process. I was educated so much that I mixed up all the diamonds we looked at and actually PICKED the premium diamond of the bunch. The funny thing is that all the diamonds we were given to consider were of the finest quality. The entire process is special because all of the misconceptions and distractions are eliminated, and you have the opportunity to pick with your heart. Being educated beforehand makes this process very special and the staff plays a big role in making this whole process one you will look back on with joy.

It doesn’t matter where you live in this great country, do yourself a favor during that special time in your life and visit Joyce’s Fine Jewelry. They will guide you from start to finish with warmth, experience, and a vast understanding of jewelry and customer service.

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