WANAKENA WEEKLY - Test # 2 - 01/30/20 - 01/05/20

Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3… This is a test of Wanakena Weekly. Wanakena Weekly is published online at www.ottosabode.org every Thursday (by noon). Wanakena residents, friends of Wanakena as well as the general public may find interest and entertainment in this attempt to document and archive the goings on in and around Wanakena, NY. Wanakena Weekly aims to be officially debuted Thursday, February 13th 2020 - which is two days from exactly four years after Otto’s Abode first opened its doors to the public.

Happy Thursday!


Exactly a week ago today, Wanakeners woke up to find the mercury in their thermometers had dropped below the “zero” reading. Since then we have remained around thirty degrees during the day, mostly overcast with blips of sunlight here and there. Lots of snow remains clumped upon tree branches, telephone line, and other surfaces apt for its collection and suspension. Lots of these show-forms appear to slump and droop like fat old rope; days of slow melt, droop and re-freeze, slow melt, droop and re-freeze. Some roofs of houses which remain covered in snow wear it like a stylish white beret tilted down and to the side. Over the weekend, cross country skiers fresh off a trip up the Truck Trail to High Rock and back mentioned the conditions were PHENOMENAL! Wednesday brought some flurries and lots of bright sun in the morning. Radio keeps talking snow, snow, snow for the next couple of days -we’ll take it!

Today at Otto’s Abode is the grand opening of WELL, WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT IS? Featuring objects submitted by:

Wayne Allen
Allen Ditch
Nolan Fedorow
MaryManchio
Kathie Nevel
Susan Ziemba
Dave Ziemba


The ad which appeared in the Bargain Hunter some time ago read as such: WE WANT YOU! …to submit objects to a month-long group exhibition we’re calling: “WELL, WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT IS?” We’ve all got ‘em, we’ve all seen ‘em. Maybe you found it at a flea market and bought it even though you didn’t know what it was. Maybe it hides in your kitchen drawer, or hangs on your wall. Maybe you know what it is, maybe you don’t. Mysterious tools. Strange artifacts. Georgous garbage. Oh my! Please drop-off objects to Otto’s Abode during regular hours on or before Sunday, February 2nd 2020. Otto’s Abode kindly asks for a $10 submission fee, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. All ages – all welcome! Objects will be on view during regular hours at Otto’s Abode in Wanakena for the public to ponder Thursday Feb 6th though Sun March 8th 2020. A closing reception celebrating the objects will be held Saturday March 7th 5-7pm. Friends, snack, drink, music, free and open to all!

WHITEOUT WEEKEND TSHIRTS (designed by Vanessa Vaverchack) ARE IN celebrating the sixth annual Adirondack Whiteout Weekend which will be held February 14th + 15th + 16th in the Clifton-Fine region. Weather forecast is looking snowy! See the full schedule of events here: https://sites.google.com/view/adkwow/schedule and be sure to check out WOW’s Facebook.





































This past Friday we heard from Ivan Christo of Jaguardini. Ivan participated in the Gateway To Wilderness Artist in Residence program through Otto’s Abode in which he focused most of his attention exploring the surrounding wilderness, scouting out locations and filming for a music video. THE VIDEO HAS BEEN FINISHED! Here is a link to the youtube video. Check it out! Ivan will be snail mailing us a hard-copy of the video which we will have on display for your viewing pleasure at Otto’s Abode. Stay tuned.

This past spring a storm blew over a large hemlock on the south shore of the Oswegatchie – halfway between the carbridge and the footbridge. The tree fell north into the river and laid there half submerged all summer. It didn’t cause any harm. Though the ice jam on Jan 14th wouldn’t be described as “big” or “crazy” it was enough to dislodge the tree from its resting place and carry it down to its new resting place directly below the footbridge. It is currently causing no harm.


Any questions, comments, concerns, trail condition inquaries, animal sightings, legends, jokes, etc… feel free to email otto@ottosabode.org or call the shop: 3158483008 

All for now! 

Oh wait, one more thing:




Check out this fresh stack!
Also, Happy 81st Birthday Carol!