By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 February 7th, 2012 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, Garrett County News, News, Wisp Ski Resort

Former Deep Creek Winter Sports Team member Tom Wallisch recently won his first Gold medal at the Winter X Games held in Aspen Colorado in the freestyle skiing event. Tom was also recently named to the 2014 Olympic team.

Tom is from the Pittsburgh area and grew up learning to ski at Wisp Ski Resort. Tom’s parents have a vacation town home at Deep Creek Village which is within walking distance to Wisp. When Tom was younger he was a member of the Deep Creek Winter Sports team and advanced his freestyle skiing and jumping skills while on the team and at Wisp on the weekends.

If you are considering purchasing or already own a second home at Deep Creek, the Winter Sports Team is another great program and amenity. The team’s training program is designed to teach and advance children of all ages in skiing and snowboarding at Wisp. Practices for the team are held mostly on weekends to accommodate vacation homeowners who visit the area on the weekends. The team also has a training camp the week between Christmas and New Year’s when most kids are on school break. The team also hosts competitions and ski races at Wisp for those members that wish to compete.

Click here for Wisp Ski Properties for sale including houses, building lots, and town homes.

Contact us if you would like a free tour of homes for sale in the Deep Creek and Wisp Ski Resort area.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 February 6th, 2012 Category: Garrett County News, News

Deep Creek Title Group (DCTG) has recently announced that Karen Niner has joined their firm as Managing Settlement Agent. Karen worked at the Oakland, Maryland law firm of Eiswert, Janes & Kepple for over 34 years where she was in charge of all title and settlement services. She now joins local attorney Jonathan Robeson who is the managing member of Deep Creek Title Group. Jonathan remarked that “Karen brings over 34 years of real estate settlement and loan closing services in the Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County area. She has developed a deeply loyal following in the local community by providing quality, professional service while maintaining the highest level of accuracy, integrity, and ethics. We are very excited that she has decided to accept a position in our firm.” Deep Creek Title is a locally owned title and settlement company providing all services related to closings and settlements involving real estate purchases, mortgages, refinancing and home equity loans, construction and commercial loans. Deep Creek Title is located at 113 South Third Street in Oakland, Maryland. Their phone number is (301) 334-1001.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 February 1st, 2012 Category: Garrett County News, News, Vacation Rentals

Legislation has been introduced again this year that would give the Garrett County Commissioners the authority to raise the Accommodations Tax to 6% starting in October of 2012. The current rate is 5%. This is the tax paid by overnight guests who stay in hotels and Deep Creek Lake vacation rental houses. If this is passed, the Garrett County rate would still be one of the lowest in all of Maryland.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 January 25th, 2012 Category: Garrett County News, News

The Deep Creek Lake area and Garrett County, Maryland will be featured in an upcoming reality TV series called “Getting Away Together” now beginning to air on PBS member stations nationwide. The Deep Creek Lake area and Garrett County, Maryland episode will begin airing as early as February on different PBS stations across the country. Check local listings for air times/dates. The series focuses on large groups vacationing together and the Garrett County episode will follow a military family Mike & Alexis Piet from Arlington, VA, their parents and family friends as they visit some of Garrett County’s most well-known attractions, and include Mike’s training for the SavageMan Triathlon. We will keep you posted as we become aware of airing dates for the Garrett County episode and watch your email for more news on “Getting Away Together”.

The episode filmed in Garrett County is made possible in part by Railey Mountain Lake Vacations, Bill’s Marine Service, Bill’s Outdoor Center, Honi-Honi Bar, Uno Chicago Grill Deep Creek Lake, Arrowhead Market, and Garrett 8 Cinemas.

By: NancyJo nfratz@railey.com 301-616-7093 November 14th, 2011 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, News

This year’s Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake Festival of Trees 2011 will be held Friday and Saturday November 25 and 26^th 2011 to benefit the Dove Center.  (A non- profit domestic violence shelter that provides shelter, safety, advocacy, and counseling to victims of domestic violence).  An event for the entire family to enjoy.

The Festivities will begin Friday with a Breakfast with Santa.  Games and activities for children will be held throughout the weekend.  Other special features include decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses.  Friday evenings highlight is the Auction to begin at 6:00 p.m.  This is your opportunity to bid on the decorated trees, wreaths, etc.    Saturday’s entertainment will include Jessica’s Dance Creations and Dancing Classrooms.    Local vendors will also be on sight with specials and a silent auction will be ongoing both days.

This year the Festival of Trees will be at Deep Creek Lake, McHenry, Md in the Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall.

If you are visiting Deep Creek Lake over the Thanksgiving Holiday this is an event you will not want to miss.

By: Jay Ferguson jferguson@railey.com 301-501-0420 September 16th, 2011 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, News

Sep 17 - Sep 18 Savageman Triathlon

The world’s most savage triathlon! Bike, swim and run for a great cause: fighting skin cancer.

Deep Creek Lake and the pristine, rugged Allegheny Mountains of western Maryland, provide a venue of unmatched beauty and stunning scenery, and feature two courses that will certainly bring out the true “Savage” in all who come to conquer, from the competitive Ironman racer to the leisurely back-of-the-pack or novice participant. Whether swimming in the crystal clear Deep Creek Lake, riding the smooth, remote, and challenging roads of Garrett County, or running on Deep Creek State Park trails and the surrounding lakeside roads, the SavageMan Triathlon Festival races will challenge and awe participants.

6x Ironman Race Champion Dave Scott will be participating this year. Dave is a legend in the racing world. Railey Realty will also have numerous agents participating in the race this year as well. Those racing from Railey Realty are Jimmy Railey, Russell Bounds, Coelian Green, and Mike Kennedy. Railey Realty is also running the Aid Station atop Killer Miller Hill again this year passing out water and sports drinks to racers. Join us for food, drinks, and helping these athletes!

Date: September 17, 2011

Website: http://www.savagemantri.org/

Location: Deep Creek Lake State Park, MD

Fees/Admission: Registration is sold out. Free for spectators

By: Jay Ferguson jferguson@railey.com 301-501-0420 September 2nd, 2011 Category: Deep Creek Lake, Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, Deep Creek Lake Events, Wisp Ski Resort

Sep 2 - Sep 5 41st Annual Rudy’s Labor Day Sale
Celebrate the official kickoff to the 2011 ski and board season at the 41st annual Rudy?s Labor Day Sale! The area’s largest ski & snowboard sale offering an extensive selection of wintersports equipment, apparel & accessories at discount warehouse prices.
Date: September 2, 2011
Website: http://www.rudysclothing.com
Location: Wisp Resort in the Main Lodge
Contact: 301-387-4640
EMail: info@rudysatwisp.com
Date/Time Details: Friday & Saturday 9am to 8pm
Sunday 9am to 6pm
Monday 9am to 4pm
Fees/Admission: None

Sep 2 - Sep 5 Wisp Outdoors Used Equipment Sale.

Date: September 2, 2011
Website: http://www.wispresort.com
EMail: info@wispresort.com

Sep 2 Little Yough Summer Music Festival
Concerts are free…..bring your lawn chair & enjoy the music. Food Vendors On Site 6:00pm - ?. Tonight - Remedy
Date: September 2, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: MountainFresh Pavilion, Second & Alder Streets, Oakland
Contact: Lillian Steele (301) 616-9790
EMail: steelebeatrice@gmail.com
Date/Time Details: September 2, 2011 - 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Fees/Admission: Free

Sep 4 Dogsledding Presentation and Kennel Visit
Enjoy an educational and entertaining dogsledding presentation. Grill mushers; see equipment; hug Huskies; watch films. No reservations needed today.

Date: September 4, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Website: http://www.HuskyPowerDogsledding.com
Location: Husky Power Dogsledding at Mountain MD Kennels, LLC
Address: 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD 21520 — Three Miles from Wisp – near the Airport in McHenry
Contact: 301-746-7200
Date/Time Details: 10 am - noon
Fees/Admission: $20

Sep 4 Family LEGO SuGO Event
Come design, create, and build a LEGO robot that will push your opponent off the SuGO ring. All ages are welcome. The G-FORCE FTC team also demonstrates their robot. http://sugo.gearsinc.org/.

Date: September 4, 2011
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Website: http://sugo.gearsinc.org/
Location: GEARS Center in Accident

Sep 10 Art & Wine Festival
Benefiting the American Red Cross, the festival includes wine, regional artists, children’s area, silent auction, live music and lots more!
Date: September 10, 2011
Website: http://www.deepcreekwinefest.com
Location: Garrett County Fairgrounds

Sep 11 Dogsledding Presentation and Kennel Visit
Enjoy an educational and entertaining dogsledding presentation. Grill mushers; see equipment; hug gorgeous and friendly HUSKIES; watch an exciting film of them working/pulling (or see a real team run if it’s cold enough) and learn a lot! No reservations required this day. It is a two hour program starting at 10 am. Price: $20 each.

Note: We offer this same tour (but by reservation only and with a minimum price) almost every day. Please see our website for more info: “Tours” page.

Date: September 11, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Website: http://www.HuskyPowerDogsledding.com
Location: Husky Power Dogsledding at Mountain MD Kennels, LLC
Address: 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD 21520 — Three Miles from Wisp – near the Airport in McHenry
Contact: 301-746-7200
Date/Time Details: 10 am - noon
Fees/Admission: $20

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 August 25th, 2011 Category: Garrett County News, News, Wisp Real Estate, Wisp Ski Resort

Here is a link to the latest article released to the public on the potential sale of Wisp Ski Resort.  The owners of nearby Seven Springs Ski Resort appear to be the most likely candidate to purchase the Wisp. The family that owns Seven Springs also own a majority of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team.

Contrary to any rumors the Wisp Ski Resort is NOT bankrupt and in NO danger of shutting down or closing. In fact, in recent years the Wisp has experienced a record number of skier visits. The current ownership group has actually made the Wisp a year round profitable venture with the addition of new attractions like the mountain coaster and zip line canopy tour. It’s very likely that any new ownership group or the current ownership group will continue to add new attractions and expand the ski slopes at the resort.

The article is a little misleading in blaming “low nearby home sales.” The number of nearby Deep Creek Lake home sales are actually trending upwards - they have been since the end of 2009.  More likely to blame for this potential sale are lower than anticipated building lot sales around the new Lodestone Golf Course atop Wisp Mountain and the high cost to build such a high end 18 hole golf course.

Many people think of the Wisp as one entity but it’s actually comprised of two separate companies - Recreational Industries and DC Development.  Both companies are owned by the same group of people. Recreational Industries is the Wisp Ski Resort and all it’s attractions - ski slopes, lodge, tubing park, and mountain coaster. DC Development is the real estate development company that builds and develops neighborhoods atop Wisp Mountain.

Since 2001, DC Development has been very successful in developing and selling out such neighborhoods and subdivisions atop Wisp Mountain like Boulder Ridge, North Camp, Highline, and Deep Creek Highlands. Those neighborhoods continue to be popular with vacation home buyers in the area.

Wisp Ski Resort will continue to be a huge draw for the Deep Creek Lake area regardless of who owns it. The ski area is a big part and reason why families purchase vacation and second homes in this area. The Deep Creek area is a true four season resort with endless activities and attractions for vacationers and second home owners alike.

If you are interested in pursuing real estate opportunities in the Deep Creek Lake area or at the Wisp Ski Resort please give us a call or stop in our office. We are the local experts and have the largest selection of properties for sale in the area.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 March 27th, 2011 Category: Deep Creek Lake Events, News

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold an upcoming public hearing to discuss noise levels for boats using Deep Creek Lake. The hearing will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 6:00 pm at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center at the State Park.

In recent years many real estate and homeowners around Deep Creek Lake have indicated a desire for more stringent noise level requirements for power boats and personal watercraft.

If you can not attend the meeting and still want to voice your opinion you can contact Mike Grant who is the Regulations Coordinator for Boating Services. His e-mail address is mgrant@dnr.state.md.us.

By: Carol Wills cwills@railey.com 571-214-3544 February 9th, 2011 Category: Garrett County News, News

Great story about a local horse named Cowboy that was recently found running wild in the northern end of Garrett County. Cowboy is now residing safely at Western Trails Stables in Oakland, Maryland due to many local donations and volunteer efforts. You can read more details about the story at the link below;

http://photoblogdeepcreeklake360.com/2011/02/08/railey-realty-deep-creek-lake-adopts-a-cowboy/

Railey Realty takes great pride in donating resources and time for causes like Cowboy and to help numerous local Garrett County charities, hospitals, organizations, and schools.