A4 APG News • October 3, 2019

BY THE NUMB#RS

967,171Delaware�s population as of 2018. It�s the 45th most populated state.

1,954The number of square miles in the state. Delaware is 96 miles long

and ranges from 9 to 35 miles across.

302The area code of Delaware. You read that right, it�s the only area code

in the state.

3The number of counties Delaware has. From north to south, they are

New Castle, Kent and Sussex.

1The number of members of the House of Representatives that

represent Delaware. Lisa Blunt Rochester has been in the position

since 2017.

By JON BLEIWEIS, APG News

DELAWAREDelaware was the first state that was admitted to the union.

Here are some facts about The Small Wonder,

our neighboring state to the north in this week’s By the Numbers.

Illustration courtesy of VAMHCS

DAV Chapter Supports Md. VeteransFrom left, Susan Kern, program manager for Voluntary Services with the VA

Maryland Health Care System, accepts a $10,000 check from Disabled American Veterans Chapter #30 Commander Garvey Jones, who is an information technol-ogy supervisor with the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command.

Kern said the donation will enable VAMHCS to purchase a wheelchair scale, a vascular surgical cart, and two electromyography devices that provide guided injections, which will greatly enhance the health care services provided to Maryland veterans.

“As a veteran with more than 30 years of service in the U.S. Navy, I am very grateful for the support we have received from DAV Chapter #30,” said Dr. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., VAMHCS director. “Their donation will directly benefit the men and women who have worn the cloth of our nation and are now receiving their care throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System.”

By RACHEL PONDER, APG News

OAKLAND, Md. -- Nature lovers can

rejoice in the beauty of the fall season dur-

ing the 52nd Annual Autumn Glory Festival,

in Oakland, Maryland, Oct. 9-13. The festival

includes a variety of indoor and outdoor activ-

ities including two large parades, live music,

music competitions, antique and craft shows,

turkey dinners, a corn maze, a car show and a

veterans appreciation event.

Vice President of Tourism & Marketing

Sarah Duck, with the Garrett County Cham-

ber of Commerce, said about 60,000 people

attend the festival each year.

“Garrett County has some of the best fall

foliage in the state and in the country,” she

said. “Our annual Autumn Glory Festival is

a perfect opportunity to see our fall foliage

in person and enjoy some of our annual fall

traditions.”

According to the official website of Garret

County, the Autumn Glory Festival landed in

the international spotlight in 2007, when the

popular travel website, www.msn.com, listed

it among the top fall festivals in the world.

This year, Good Housekeeping magazine list-

ed Oakland, Maryland, among the “Top 50

Small Towns with the Best Fall Foliage.”

Turkey Trail Duck said the festival’s origins are root-

ed half a century ago when a group of local

turkey growers began organizing fall turkey

dinners for local residents. Today, commu-

nity turkey dinners are hosted by local res-

taurants, churches, grocery stores and other

organizations on the “Turkey Trail.”

Autumn Glory Vet Fest On Friday, Oct. 11, the Western Mary-

land Veterans Network and the Garrett Col-

lege Student Veteran Club will host Autumn

Glory Vet Fest for military, veterans and their

families to “honor those who have served our

country and community.”

The free event will be held at Garrett Col-

lege from 1 to 6 p.m. and will include food, fun

and live music. Federal and state organizations

also will be on hand to provide current infor-

mation about veteran resources and benefits.

“I wanted to do a resource fair so all vet-

erans in Garrett County and the surrounding

area could find the information they need.

Then I thought, why not make it a celebra-

tion too,”said Kathy Fauber, a financial aid

and veterans affairs counselor with Garrett

College.

The Grand Feature ParadeAnother highlight of the festival is the

Grand Feature Parade, on Saturday, Oct. 12,

which will include local professional and

amateur floats, dance teams and dignitar-

ies. The parade begins at 1 p.m. in down-

town Oakland on Omar Street. A children’s

tent and baby comfort station will be locat-

ed at the Oakland B&O Railroad Museum at

17 East Liberty Street and will include chil-

dren’s crafts, popcorn and face painting.

Natural Resources Business Specialist

Cheryl DeBerry, with the Garrett County

Department of Economic Development, said

the festival has something for all ages.

“The Autumn Glory Festival is all about

celebrating the beauty of nature in the moun-

tains and that’s something everyone can

enjoy,” she said. “There are lots of activi-

ties all week, from farmers markets and craft

shows to fiddle & banjo contests to parades.

It’s small town fun for all.”

For More Information The Garrett County official website,

https://www.garrettheritage.com, includes a

link to an Autumn Glory podcast and the

2019 Autumn Glory brochure, listing all fes-

tival events and information about the Tur-

key Trail and fall foliage driving tours.

52nd Annual Autumn Glory FestivalGarrett County

Event Celebrates Fall Foliage

Muddy Creek Falls at Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County is a suggested stop on the Autumn Glory Festival fall foliage driving tour.

Courtesy photo