I recently visited a friend, the Burned Out Old Fool (BOOF), spinning what he calls "real oldies" tunes at the Black Bear Night Club at Deep Creek Lake, Md.

He's actually the affable Skip Carr, who publishes the monthly Lake-Front magazine with his wife, Linda.

It's the bible of dining, shopping, entertainment and events at the vacation center that's only a 90-minute drive from the Mid-Mon Valley.

I've been going to the lake with family and friends since my teenage years and have yet to grow tired of it. There's always something new such as "zip lines" and two-wheeled Segway tours at the Wisp Resort this season.

Carr used to play oldies records regularly, but now only on special occasions, not unlike popular disc jockeys Terry Lee and Jim Dudas hereabouts.

I'm a BOOF like him, but I'm typically among the younger ones compared to some of the old geezers who attend his fun dances that provide welcome respite from today's crazy world.

Years ago, Deep Creek Lake was a favorite destination of "Pittsburgers." A large sign was once posted along Route 219 in McHenry, near headwaters of the 3,900-acre lake. "Maryland's Best Kept Secret," it declared.

"Not anymore," former Pittsburgh/KDKA writer and talk show host Phil Musick always reminded me.

When gaps in Interstate 68 were completed over the Allegheny Mountains west to near Deep Creek, it became an easy drive and convenient getaway for moneyed people from the Washington, D.C., area.

Million-dollar vacation homes replaced trees on lovely mountains, speed boats replaced fishing boats, steakhouses replaced outdoor grills and the "in" crowd replaced the 'Burgh crowd - well, not quite, thankfully!

On my last trip there - the fourth this summer - I ran into at least two dozen people from this area, enjoying life and finding this still-pristine place a bargain compared to summer trips to the shore.

If you haven't visited for a while, I recommend a leisurely day trip via Route 40, itself a treasure trove of tourist sites. You can even enjoy the fall foliage en route to Deep Creek.

To learn what's happening, visit Skip Carr's website .

In addition, the 43rd Garrett County Autumn Glory Festival will be held Oct. 6-10. It's one of the top fall festivals in the world. Go to autumngloryfestival.com for information.

Go before it turns completely into Deep Greed Lake.

For real?

It should have been mercifully yanked off the air by now, but several weeks ago I was somewhat aghast when I first saw a new Dan Onorato political ad on television.

He wore so much makeup that he didn't look quite the same as the Democrat candidate for Pennsylvania governor that I know. A friend sarcastically suggested the "pancake" cosmetics work may have been done by a mortician.

Dan thought voters may have trouble pronouncing his name. "It's Onorato," he said, as in On-o-raht-o.

The announcer must not have been paying attention. He declared: "The change we need: Dan Onorato for governor," pronouncing it On-o-rat-o, as in "rat."

I have yet to understand how correctly pronouncing Onorato's name will help change state government.

For the record, you can call me G-raht-a or G-rat-a. I've been called worse.

Big deal!

Gov. Eddie Rendell made big news when he announced the layoff of 50 state employees.

That's 50 out of 77,248, or .00064 percent of them.

Releasing 50 employees represents an annualized savings of $3.5 million, based on $47,821 average annual salaries and $22,657 in benefits (statistics from the state Department of Labor and Industry).

Layoffs included 19 of 12,277 in the Department of Corrections, but virtually none of 16,443 employed by the Department of Public Welfare.

If Rendell lays off another 100 state employees, he'll have the $10 million he wants to build the Arlen Specter Library in honor of the retiring BOOF of a U.S. Senator.

Thought du jour

Be nice to your kids. They'll be choosing your nursing home.

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