July 6th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

Comptroller Peter Franchot will present the 2017 Bright Lights Award for Garrett County for innovation and contributions to Maryland’s economy to Hobbitat, a tiny home builder based in McHenry that started in 2012 by building 13 cabins or “hobs” at Blue Moon Rising, a vacation retreat in Deep Creek Lake. The company, operated by Bill and Sue Thomas, now uses reclaimed and repurposed materials to create energy efficient spaces.

 

                        Mr. Franchot then will travel to Granstville, where he will present a proclamation to Linda Kling, manager at the family-owned High Country Creamery and Market. The business was founded in 2014 by the late dairy farmer Olen Beitzel with his daughter, Ms. Kling, grandson Brandon Kling and partner Mark Folk. More than 10 cheeses are made from local milk.

 

                        Afterward, the Comptroller will head to Cumberland, where he will present the 2017 Bright Lights Award for Allegany County to Dr. Matthew Allaway, who operates Perineologic with his wife, Kelli Allaway. Dr. Allaway has developed a safer and more accurate device for prostate biopsies and has attracted the attention of specialists nationally and globally. 

 

The Comptroller’s last stop will be to present a proclamation during the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at1812 Brewery – the first farm brewery in Allegany County. The brewery was founded by Cory McCagh and his father, Sean. The younger McCagh is a member of the Comptroller’s Reform on Tap Task Force charged with reviewing the State’s antiquated laws that govern the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of Maryland craft beer.