Biking the Alleghney Passage and C and O Canals

It is one week away from the PETTIE TEAM’s (Linda, George, George’s nephew Seth, his wife Liz,
and a friend Ethan) departure from Pittsburgh TO destination Washington, DC in this year’s David
Pettie Memorial Ride. We have arranged for donations to go to the LIVESTRONG FOUNDATION, an
organization dedicated to’… inspire and empower people affected by cancer”. The ride is approximately
340 miles and the TEAM will be riding it in 5 days.

Take a look at the website Seth posted at www.pettie.net/davidpettie – we would love it if you would
contribute to LIVESTRONG – suggesting a $.25-.50 cent per mile to reach our goal of $10,000. However,
a contribution of any amount would be appreciated.

It’s easy to donate – just go to this website –there is information about the two trails, photos of past
rides and photos of David with friends and family!

Happy Trails!

Caroline A. McNiece

CAROLINE'S PASSING

Carol Anne Caroline Higgins McNiece departed this world on Monday, June 20, 2011 from Portland, Oregon where she had been living since late April since retiring from the Lake Pointe Inn. She was born on June 6, 1945 to Charles H. PatHiggins, Jr. and Bonnie Lee Andrews Higgins in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Carol's passions for traveling, gourmet cooking, design, and learning created a coterie of devoted professional and personal friends. Her love of travel took her around the world. She worked for Braniff Airlines, Journey House Travel, and EZ Communications. A Francophile to core, she adored Paris, France where she visited annually and was sorry the Concord no longer flew.

In 1997, Carol became Innkeeper of Lake Pointe Inn, McHenry, Maryland. The Inn earned membership in Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of America in 2000. Her love of gourmet cooking amazed her guests and friends. Her love of learning about other cultures and languages was endless. Foreign exchange students worked side by side with Carolineat the Inn throughout her tenure.

She is survived by one son, Kelly Carlton McNiece and his wife Krista Marsh of Portland, OR.; mother, Bonnie Higgins of Cassville, MO; sister, Bobbi Higgins Lombard and husband David of Stillwater, OK; granddaughters, Kelsey and Ashlin McNiece of Portland, OR; nieces Kathryn Lombard of Austin, TX and Hilary Lombard of Stillwater, OK; nephew Jeffrey Lombard and wife Chrissy of Tulsa, OK; numerous other family members and many devoted friends.

At Carol's request there will be no services but feel free to gather for a party celebrating her life. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Caroline A. McNiece Scholarship established at The Garrett College Foundation, 687 Mosser Road, McHenry, Maryland 21541 or by calling 301-387-3131.

New Germany State Park

New Germany State Park’s visitors frequently call it a “best kept secret.” This mountain getaway is seated between the 2,900 ft. Big Savage Mountain and the eastern Continental Divide along Meadow Mountain. Named by early settlers due to its resemblance to their homeland, New Germany has diverse forests with ten miles of multi-use trails and a small lake suitable for fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating. This park is ideal for families and individuals looking to “unplug” from the busy pace of life in cities and suburbs. Contained within Savage River State Forrest, this area is not short on history. the nature center can help you with that and much more. there you can find information on the park, safe camping habits, organized nature hikes, and campfires. these campfires feature special guests to talk about tons of different topics from nature to society. So maybe there is a day trip in your future to New Germany State Park.

Herrington Manor State Park

As some may remember from experience ,or history class, the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, went to work to better America through conservation in every state and territory. that is how Herrington manor came to be. In the 30's, the came and dammed Herrington Creek, creating a lake. A park soon followed through this program. Herrington Manor was established as a state park in 1964 and offers visitors a variety of activities such as camping, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, kayaking, picnicking, tennis, volleyball and 20 rental cabins. If you prefer something for the winter, never fear. Herrington manor also offers cross country skiing with 10 miles of trails into the adjoining state forest that are beginning to intermediate level. There is also a 5.5 mile trail that runs between Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls State Parks. The park trails are track-set when conditions allow.

Our Recipes: Part 5

Lake Pointe Inn Best Ever Cherry Muffins

1 3/4 cup flour
2 Tbs sugar
2 1/2 tbs baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp almond extract

1 well beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup oil
1 bag frozen dark cherries

Combine dry ingredients thuroghly. Combine liquid ingredients thuroghly. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in liquids and stir until just combined. Fill muffin tins and bake at 400 degrees for 25 mins(less if small muffins).

While still hot, roll in melted butter then in sugar. If you have butter left over, make a hole in the top of each muffin and pour butter over top.


...Betcha can't eat just one!

Swallow Falls State Park

If you have been reading this blog, you may know by now that Garrett County has many state parks to boast. In my opinion, Swallow Falls State Park has the most beautiful scenery. This park is a snapshot of everything we have to offer here in Garrett County. The waters, rapids, boulders, and forrest make up a park that is one of a kind. The park contains Maryland's highest waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls, a crashing 53-foot waterfall along with its relative waterfall, Swallow Falls. Camping has long been a tradition at the state park boasting visitors in the early 20th century of, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, who often came to camp near Muddy Creek Falls. Now the park has 65 camping sites for people wanting to experience the great outdoors. If you are looking for swimming, this is also a place to be! During low water flow parts of the season, there are a few calmer pools to swim and play in. there are also a couple of areas deep enough to jump into. Though you do need to take caution for at times the water can be dangerous, the water is cool and refreshing. Last, but not least, for you photographers out there, pay a visit in the Autumn. The foliage will take your breath away. Swallow Falls is a namecreated by early tourists for the Rhaeadr Ewynnol, (English: Foaming Waterfall), a waterfall in Wales.

Deep Creek Lake, McHenry, and Oakland

The lake was born in the late 20's when a dam was built to generate electricity for the area through the Youghiogheny Hydroelectric Company. Around the lake soon grew a community that has grown significantly in the last 20 years. Once a very well kept secret, the Deep Creek Lake area has become a regular recreation area for those living in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Deep Creek Lake is the largest inland body of water in the state of Maryland and is home to a wide variety of freshwater fish and aquatic birds. It covers approximately 3,900 acres (16 km²) and has 69 miles (111 km) of shoreline. Like all lakes in Maryland, it is man-made. McHenry is a small community located in Garrett County, Maryland on the northern most shore of Deep Creek Lake. Located on the outskirts of McHenry is the Garrett County Airport, Wisp Ski Resort, and Golf Club at Wisp. Oakland is a community just outside of the lake area that has history in its own. The National Historic Trust designated Oakland as a National Main Street Community in 1998, with its old victorian houses and a queen anne style railway station that has a small museum on the history of the B&O Railroad.