The Backbone

Sarah Myers and Missy Gralish discuss the Garrett 250 Birthday Bash event, emphasizing the need for volunteers and the unique opportunities for community involvement. They also highlight the County United Flag Unfurling project and the call to action for veterans as well as other volunteers. The event is a community undertaking with support from sponsors and the Garrett County Commissioners.

The conversation covers the journey of Traders Coffee House and Brenda's Pizzeria, from its inception to its growth and impact on the community. It also delves into personal stories, employee dedication, and the family-oriented culture of the business. The conversation covers renovation, bakery production, local sourcing, community engagement, coffee shop offerings, new satellite location, outdoor...

James Delligatti, the general manager of Uno's discusses the iconic elephant at the restaurant and its significance to the Delligatti family. He also hints at the replacement of another animal in the near future. The conversation delves into the history, construction, and cultural importance of the elephant, as well as the process of creating a new marine animal sculpture.

The conversation delves into the historical significance, engineering feat, preservation, inspection, and future interpretation of the Casselman River Bridge restoration project. It also highlights the collaboration and coordination efforts involved in the project, emphasizing the bridge's unique features and its impact on tourism and local history. For more information and updates on progress, ch...

The conversation covers the journey of starting and operating a nonprofit organization, Bridging Gaps, to address community needs. It explores the identification of needs, fundraising, logistical feasibility, and community engagement, highlighting the impact and challenges of nonprofit operations. The conversation delves into the impact of food insecurity on academic performance, the importance of...

The conversation with Sandy Bell from Cindy's Fund covers the organization's history, mission, impact, and fundraising events. It highlights the community support and assistance provided by Cindy's Fund, as well as the various fundraising activities and their impact on the community. 6th Annual Great Strides Event Date: Sunday May 17, 2026 Time: 11:00 am Registration Location: Oakland Town Pavilio...

The conversation with Landon Todd, head coach of the Southern Garrett Lady Rams basketball team, highlights the incredible community support and success of the team. Landon shares the electric atmosphere of the championship game and the overwhelming community support that made the victory even more special. He also discusses the influence of his grandfather, the team's strengths, and the challenge...

Linda Carr, founder of the Lakefront Magazine, shares the journey of creating and sustaining the magazine for 35 years. From its inception to the challenges of print production, community impact, and navigating through difficult times, Linda reflects on the legacy and impact of the magazine, expressing hope for its future. Takeaways Community Connection Legacy and Impact Chapters 00:00 Founding th...

The conversation explores the world of Deep Creek Pottery, highlighting its role as a community art space and the process of pottery making. It delves into the surprising glazing process, the art creation opportunities at Deep Creek Pottery, and the introduction of the Empty Bowls Project to Garrett County.

Deep Creek Pottery offers a variety of creative experiences, from pottery painting to clay classes and handmade pottery. The studio's evolution from Laurel Ridge Pottery to Deep Creek Pottery reflects its growth and expansion. The process of creating pottery involves various techniques, including wheel throwing, glazing, and firing. The use of different kiln temperatures and glaze formulas results...

Katie Cantrell, a real estate agent and board member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, discusses an upcoming Retro Prom fundraiser event to support an affordable housing initiative. The event aims to raise funds for a homeowners assistance grant to help first-time homebuyers with closing costs and down payments. The Garrett County Board of Realtors facilitates community engagement, legislat...

The episode narrates the local life article in the February Lakefront Magazine, focusing on the Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Education program at Garrett College. It highlights an immersive alpine climbing course and the support and opportunities available for students. The takeaways include the emphasis on outdoor education at Garrett College and the real-world mountain experience gained by s...

The conversation delves into the early development of Garrett County's tourism industry, focusing on the birth of four-season tourism and the challenges and skepticism faced during that time. Takeaways Four-season tourism Early development of Garrett County tourism Chapters 00:00 The Birth of Four-Season Tourism

Brooks Mead, an 18-year-old from Garrett County, Maryland, shares his recent mountaineering and ice climbing experience as part of an intro to mountaineering class. The conversation covers his enrollment, course components, preparation, gear, accommodations, climbing equipment, hiking experience, ice climbing, and avalanche safety, as well as his learning and takeaways from the experience. Takeawa...

Ashlynn Anderson shares her experience of an alpine climbing trip to Mount Washington, New Hampshire as part of the Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Education curriculum at Garrett College. The trip involved ice climbing, learning climbing techniques, and dealing with extreme weather conditions. Ashlynn shares her thrilling experience of ice climbing, rappelling, and avalanche research in the chal...

Sarah Walter shares her experience participating in the Highlands Fat Bike Race Series event in McHenry. She discusses the challenges of the race course, the therapeutic experience of fat biking, the supportive community, and the unpredictability of fat biking. Sarah also shares her background and how she arrived in Garrett County. Takeaways Fat biking offers a therapeutic and empowering experienc...

Exploring Garrett County with Lynn Beckman In this episode, we sit down with  Lynn Beckman , a lifelong advocate for Garrett County and a key figure in its tourism and community development story. Lynn shares firsthand insights into how Garrett County evolved into a thriving  four-season destination , the challenges of marketing a rural region, and the people whose vision helped shape its future....

In this first episode of The Backbone, Sarah Myers introduces the heart behind the project and the stories it’s here to tell. She shares her own connection to Western Maryland, why she chose to stay, and how years of working in local media and community development led to creating a space for deeper, more human storytelling. This episode sets the stage for what’s coming: community conversations, n...