OTTO’S ABODE - 11/28/2016
Reporting from downtown Wanakena, NY – a few miles north of
which was affectionately described by wilderness activist Bob Marshall as “untrammeled
couchsachrage” (we’ll let you look that one up) in his account of the area in
1922 (as read in Phil Brown’s recent publication of a robust collection of
Marshall’s Adirondack writings). We’ll note - Marshall jotted those words down
in July.
“For most of the year, however, these
deciduous stands are leafless and gray. The boreal forest is dark and cold; its
constituent species of plants and animals adapted to survive long months of
winter when lands and lakes are frozen and the sun appears above the horizon
for only a few hours each day”
Far from July, this description by Ann and Myron Sutton taken
from their Introduction to the Audubon
Society’s Eastern Forest Nature Guide paints a more accurate picture of
where we stand now – even though it was 60 and sunny the day before our recent
foot and a half of snow, and forecasts predict 50 and rainy later this week with
more snow and cold on its way after that.
Who are we kidding? It’s not even winter yet. That being
said - folks who have been around here a lot longer than we have say it’s just
not nearly as cold and snowy as it used to be and as dismal as that sounds we
won’t discuss climate change in depth at this time. For now, among the many
issues faced all over the world, we’ll just hope this winter is nothing like
the last.
Along with hope, in the face of uncertainty, we aim to
practice and promote taking steps in the right direction and follow down a path
created over millennia by the inhabitants of this untrammeled couchsachrage –
and the rest of the world - which we are all a part of and responsible for. We
must work for and with Nature rather than against it. Let us better understand
ourselves and each other, teach and learn the differences between right and wrong,
love and hate, and let beauty – in whatever form it takes - spread like an
aquatic invasive species (love = good; Eurasian water milfoil = bad).
So before the winter season moves in for the long haul (hopefully)
we’d like to say cheers and thank you to all who have joined us along the way
this past warm-weather season and welcome all who have yet to as we continue to
promote the positive force we strive to be.
And as we originally set out to do through this writing
we present to you our first seasonal update describing some things we are proud
to have recently been a part of:
Otto’s Abode hosted and invited local and not-local artists
to spend time to share and exhibit their work and ideas. Some work was
presented in frames on walls, some was spoken word, some was both and some was
neither. Otto’s Abode is currently accepting project proposals.
Otto’s Abode linked-up with Irish Hill Farm and friends – on
summer Saturdays they setup shop out-front and provided their fresh-picked produce
and baked goods. One weekend they hosted arts and crafts indoors.
Otto’s Abode provided space for gatherings and groups including
the local Parent Teacher Organization, Wanakena Historical Association, Cranberry
Lake Boat Club, and the Green Bough Browsers Book Club and held an evening of celebration
in observation of International Women’s Day. Otto’s Abode was open and
celebrating alongside and in conjunction with Wanakena Day, Fourth of July,
Clifton-Fine’s White Out Weekend, The Great Adirondack Garage Sale, and Wanakena’s
Fourth of July Celebration. Otto’s Abode regularly held “you bring ‘em, we spin
‘em” Vinyl nights and took a stab at hosting a Jam Nite. Two yoga Saturday
mornings, a retirement party and one big, beautiful, perfect wedding also graced
our stage.
Being asked: “Are you Otto?” or “Who’s Otto” is both a
blessing and a curse – a blessing because everyone asks and a curse because
everyone asks. Stop in and we’ll tell you all about it.
Otto’s Abode provides ice, newspaper, snacks, doorstoppers, cold
drinks, hot coffee, shoe laces, wine bottle openers, a public bathroom, a front
porch to kick your boots off on, ice cream, hiking directions, and frequently information
on where to eat and where to sleep. We’ve just partnered up with regional co-ops
and provide organic and non-gmo necessities alongside as the oh so necessary
junk food fix.
And as always mail stuff to: Otto’s Abode, PO Box 1,
Wanakena, NY 13695
All for now - stay tuned,
Dave, Sue, Hannah & Nolan