Happy Thursday!
This past week’s weather in a nutshell: It has been unbelievably nice out. PERFECT weather for jumping in the river. Bugs aren't
too bad either. Smacked a GIANT horse fly the other day, though- yikes. Mosquitos, too. Bugs are buggin'. Last weekend’s cool and rain (which was right on time) made way for dry and hot days. Mid 80s during the day, 60s at night hot and humid.. but not
too humid. Really, perfect. Indian Paintbrush are abloom all around the village. Houses where folks may not have made it up yet for the summer - lawns unmowed – are awash with the orange flower. Swallow tail butterfly everywhere! Someone said they were out for a stroll by The Mill Pond and heard some splashing to find a deer swimming across the pond. A couple nights ago the coyote were out’n’howlin’ over there, too! The normal foam on the Oswegatchie under the footbridge has an extra thick look and brownish, cluttered texture – we’re thinking its from all of the pollen – calm, still water, too. Water level has been reported to be high by some and normal by others. Turtle eggs dug-up by hungry critters.
Weather forcast! Rain! Warm and dry turns into warm and wet. Looks like daytime temps will remain right around 80 degrees throughout the weekend, around 60 for the low though the night. Scattered thunderstorms begin Friday afternoon straight through the weekend and into next week. Get your outside work done NOW!
This weather forecast is brought to you by Wanakena’s own PATTIJACKNAN weather team – a Wanakener garage pole mounted weather station and crew. THANKS, TEAM! This weather station can be found at: https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/ny/wanakena/KNYWANAK8
Bridgework continues. And in the blink of an eye the ol’ green machine is no more. Some Wanakena Scavengers were able to dig through the pile of debris and go home with a piece of the bridge bungee-corded to the back of their golf carts… bumper draggin' on the ground as they puttered back to camp with a 500 pound prize. The rest of the steel shards got scooped and loaded into dumpsters and hauled off. Talk about loud! Next-up is probably the old cement piers in the middle of the Oswegatchie. Carol commented on all of the cardinal flowers which grow around the base of one of them... we'll see. Two of them. Bing, bang, boom. Get em' outta there! You know what they say:
drive fast and take chances!
This past week the Wanakena History Center announced via their
facebook page that they would not be having a grand opening for the 4th of July as planned. They also said they got more grant money. Piers got a hold of some topsoil and was seen spreading it around out front of the new soon-to-be-opened History Center. A recent local debate about the size of Cranberry Lake reminded us of when Wanakena's Jack Williams had a research project of his published in the
Wanakena Historical Association’s Newsletter. Since the newsletter containing the article is not yet on their website, we’ll post it below for your enjoyment.
There were reports that the Ranger School trails were closed; that large unwelcoming barriers and construction cones made visitors feel they are not welcome. This past weekend one of the Ranger School Professors popped in the shop and informed us that is NOT the case. The cones/barriers are to deter folks from hanging out on the property having picnics, campfires, etc... not so much to deter hikers. Although the Fire Tower is closed because, ya know, cooties. In short: TRAILS ARE OPEN. Jean S. informed us that the Ranger School webcam is down.
Browsing the web the other day, Adirondack Daily Enterprise
had a story about a LOCAL (Clifton-fine) student. Here’s what they had to say:
North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has announced that Brianna Hanley, a ninth-grader from Clifton-Fine Central School in Star Lake, is the winner of this year’s NY-21 Congressional Art Competition. Hanley’s winning work, titled “Hope,” is a two-panel piece depicting a cherry tree with mixed tempura and acrylic paint with India ink.“Our district is home to many talented young artists, and I was honored to choose Brianna’s piece,” Stefanik said in a press release. “I especially appreciate her title choice, as hope is something we all rely on during these challenging times. This morning, I had the opportunity to congratulate Brianna over the phone and invite her to visit Washington when the Congressional Art Competition Reception is rescheduled for the fall.”
Down at the Abode things are rockin'. Had a busy weekend with lots of outdoor recreationalists stopping in for provisions and info. Some new books, maps, and gifts. Groceries, too! We had the pleasure of a social distance visit from some
friends, previously exhibited
artists, and past and future
performers. Here’s a shot of writer, poet, musician, etc... W.T. Eckert reading a short story he recently wrote. As you see Bill is NOT wearing a mask. That is because he removed it from his face to read the story. It’s a hankie around his neck - can easily slip it back over his nose/mouth. According to NYS Phase III he is allowed to do that within the space. We clean the counter after such an engagement. C'mon down and see the art! Share some art! We're OPEN!
Last chance to see EIGHT MILES TO HAREWOOD: On View 05/22-06/22/2020
. May 11th, 1893 The Cranberry Lake Village postal name became “Harewood” for a nine-year period. (St. Lawrence County Almanack, Robert LaRou) EIGHT MILES TO HAREWOOD is a of series of seven new postcard-sized drawings which sought to depict the shoreline of Cranberry Lake and surrounding wilderness. This body of work is a continuation from last year’s series of seven drawings depicting Wanakena, Dead Creek Flow and surrounding wilderness called WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE? Historical sites such as “The Wanakena Hotel” or the “Morning Glory Lodge” have not been included in these drawings which seek to represent more of a current snapshot of the area. Though these drawings are essentially maps, they do not wish to function in the same navigational sense. Rather, these maps aim to re-think regions, destinations, and highlight smaller concepts such as bends in the river or passes between hills in relation to the larger whole. The drawings do their best to accurately represent current trails, junctions and destinations and serve as a jump-off point for planning and/or imagining wilderness exploration in the Cranberry Lake Region. Postcard/prints of the series are available for purchase.
Blackwaters Café and Trading Post in Wanakena is open for pick-up/take-out Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat 11-6:30 pm. Picnic tables and port-o-john out front! Order though their take-out window or better yet do it online at their website
www.blackwaterscafe.com
Coffee Fever in Star Lake is BACK OPEN. 8-3pm 7 days a week.
The State announced that ceritan DEC Campgrounds will be open for campers who had previously made reservations. The Cranberry Lake State Campground is one of them. Again, no walk-ins… previous reservations only.
Wanakena Cemetery Association 50/50 raffle is HAPPENING…
Bring out yer dead! Pop in the shop for details.
Stone Manor Diner and Motel in Cranberry Lake, Lakeside General Store in Cranberry Lake, UB’s Mercantile & Adirondack Rustics in Oswegatchie, Todd Hardware, Adirondack Pharmacy and Circle K in Star Lake, Mountain Gate Redemption near Benson Mines, and Sevey Point remain open for business in one way or another (open, take out, pick up, drop off, etc…). Post Offices are open too (Thanks, Mary!)
Duck Decoy and MORE showroom open for pop-ins. “Showroom FILLED” 481 Tooly Pond Rd, Cranberry Lake – 315-848-4223
Always beautiful photography at the
Wanakena Tracks facebook page.
The Clifton Community Library in Cranberry Lake hosts via Facebook Live bedtime stories most nights read aloud by Ms. Kate the Librarian!
Hillside Diner in Oswegatchie, Twin Lakes in Star Lake remain temporarily closed.
Kim’s Lost Dog Report: There are currently NO lost dogs in Wanakena. Wayne says he left his mail on the roof of his car and drove
off, though. OOPS! If anyone finds any of his mail, bring it down to the shop.
All for now!
Any questions, comments, concerns, trail condition inquiries, legends, jokes, animal sightings, etc… feel free to email
otto@ottosabode.org or call 3158483008 or pop-in the shop! Wanakena Weekly archive here:
http://www.ottosabode.org/p/wanakena-weekly.html
There is a time to fish and a time to dry nets – Chinese Proverbs
