Shelia McCracken
General Manager
Shelia started her career in 1997 at Snowshoe Mountain WV. She attended Bridgewater College and WVU, then after many years of work in the real estate and travel industry, she and her husband John decided to call Garrett County home. Shelia took over the vacation rental division of Long & Foster in Deep Creek in 2009, and in 2016 the business was acquired by Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales where she joined the team as General Manager. During her time at Deep Creek Lake, Shelia became involved with many local charities in the area, like HART for Animals, and is always a community advocate. If not at work or traveling, Shelia spends her time volunteering, out catching up with friends, on the ski mountain, or simply hanging out at home with John and her 2 puppies Merlin and Annie.
How long have you lived in Deep Creek? Over 8 years.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy skiing, hiking, travel and being involved in local charities. I am on the Board of Directors at HART for Animals and I spend as much time as possible with my dogs Merlin and Annie and my husband, John.
Favorite thing about the area?
I have 2. Wisp Resort-I love Saturday morning first tracts in fresh powder followed by a hot cocoa! My second favorite is the amazing local community and the many great friends that we have made here.
Favorite Local Restaurant? Dutch’s at Silver Tree, though JG's is a local hidden gem that is a close second. Go there and get the Grinder!
Favorite Season? Nothing is more beautiful then Garrett County in a winter snowstorm! Winter hands down, but I love all the seasons.
Favorite Local Events?
The Art & Wine Festival of course, it benefits my charity. I also really like the summertime concert series on the lawn at Wisp.
If you only had a couple of days to spend in Deep Creek, what would you recommend doing? (Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter)
During Spring and Summer I would highly recommend hiking around and visiting the local state parks in the morning, take a boat ride and pull up to Uno Chicago Grill and Honi Honi for lunch, and then go try your luck on the manmade whitewater course at ASCI. That night, check out the Harbor Bar on the lake at Dutch's for great food and live music.
During Fall and Winter, you definitely want to do some local shopping in downtown Oakland, McHenry and Grantsville especially during the Holidays and Autumn Glory. It’s a very festive feeling. Some of my favorites are SchoolHouse Earth, Santa Fe Trading Post, and Spruce Forest Artisan Village.
In the mornings, hit up the slopes for first tracts. Then you can do any of the other activities at Wisp Resort like ice skating, tubing, mountain coaster, ziplines, etc. Another cool thing in winter is cross country skiing at Herrington Manor, or in the fall a round of golf at Lodestone Mountain Course where natures beauty is unmatched. End the day at Deep Creek Seafood and a movie at Garrett Eight Cinemas.
What is the most common misconception about DCL from out-of-towners?
That we can control Mother Nature. Out of town guests seem to think there is only snow on the slopes, but in the winter, there is snow everywhere and it does get icy on the roads and in the driveways. We also have an abundance of bears that live alongside us. We have to be respectful to them, and in return they are respectful to us. Garrett County is in a mountain area, you never know what the weather will do and where the bears will venture.