Happy Thursday!
WITHINANUTSHELL – Feel like summer yet? Yes it does! Busy around town and HOT and HUMID. We didn’t really get the rain that was predicted. Got some, but not a ton. We’ll see how the river is come time ‘round for the duck race. Duck went on sale Sunday the 27th. Still some left! Multiple Bear Sightings around town; near the Wanakena Sign, Cemetery, rt 3 by Fire tower, etc… Mama with two cubs and a BIG ol papa bear. I guess take down the bird feeders. Boots and flags along rt 3 from Fine to Cranberry (photo below). There was a big ROUST in Wanakena this past Saturday afternoon which doubled as an Art Party for the Black Fly Jamboree Exhibition on-view at Otto's. Many thanks to the artists, musicians, friends and neighbors who came together for a fantastic afternoon in Wanakena. The black flies are not out, but the deer fly and mosquito will STILL bite your head off. WET trails in the woods!!! Think about clomping mud off of your boots BEFORE you leave a wilderness area – please do NOT spread invasive species that could be hiding in the form of seeds, plant fragments, etc… in the mud on the bottom of your boots! The same goes for boaters: Clean your boat, drain out all water, and dry it off BEFORE you leave a waterway and strap it to your car – plants and organisms can “hitchhike” from one lake/pond/river to another via you and your boat. Looks like a rental at the motel next to Blackwaters could be open (more info below). SLOW DOWN WHEN YOU DRIVE THOUGH WANAKENA, PLEASE! Wear a life jacket. Carry it in carry it out, leave no trace. All that good stuff. Also watch out for ticks! Here’s a link to the most recent town board meeting minutes. (06/09/21): HERE
Town of Fine, St. Lawrence County - Wilderness Search: “On June 16 at 8:22 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from New York State Police requesting Forest Ranger assistance in locating a missing 85-year-old woman from Star Lake. A friend saw the woman enter the woods riding her four-wheeler to check the trails on her property off the Oswegatchie trail road. When the subject didn’t return, the friend called for help. Forest Rangers and search crews located the woman’s four-wheeler and quickly found the missing subject. At approximately 12:45 a.m., the woman was evacuated by ATV and transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. source
Town of Clifton, St. Lawrence County - Wildland Search: “On June 19 at 7:39 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two lost hikers in the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest. The hikers were advised to call 911 to determine their position. Initial attempts to gain the subjects’ coordinates were delayed and returned with questionable reliability. The hikers from Bath underestimated the trip to Hedgehog Pond, turned around, attempted to bushwhack as a shortcut, but instead became lost in Bear Swamp for several hours. Forest Ranger Shea directed the hikers using their compass and headlamps back to the trail via phone. Rangers Shea and Curcio met the hikers at the Bear Mountain trailhead. St. Lawrence County 911, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and Cranberry Lake Campground staff assisted with this incident. All units were clear of the scene by 10 p.m.” source
FORECAST – Change of temperature this weekend! Down into the 50s at night! 60s by day! Thursday and Friday maybe some showers. Saturday, Sunday and Monday some clouds but no rain! Fourth of July looks 70s and sun/clouds; perfect(?). 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 HERE Also, always beautiful photography at the Wanakena Tracks facebook page Summer Concert Series information HERE.
ROADWORK – We’ve received comments that we had incorrectly reported the June 23rd paving date. Clearly the roadwork has not been done. We have contacted the source of this information. We know nothing new. Previously reported: Someone told us that the rt. 61 project will begin June 23rd. Here’s more old news: Three culverts installed. Big bump on the curve: GONE! The shoulders have been scraped down alongside the road. Things in the way (fallen trees, boulders) are pushed out of the way. Could this be what we think it is? Is the County beginning to work on RT 61 leading into Wanakena? All the way from RT 3 down to Ranger School Road?! We’ll see! Seems like it. The Town of Fine Board meeting from 3/10/21 said RT 61 (Wanakena Road) will be replaced/resurfaced this summer. So… yeah.
WANAKENA FOURTH OF JULY – Sunday in Wanakena: come by boat, car, bike, train – whatever it takes. Celebrate the Fourth of July in good ol’ Wanakena. Parade begins at noon! If you wish to be in the parade (which you should) show up on the road between the cemetery and the car bridge at 11:30 to set-up!!!! If not, line up by ZPark for spectation. The Historical Association is having an afternoon weenie roast and a bake sale at 10:30am! The big tent is up and and folks are looking to party. Otto’s Abode will be open at 9am. Festivities promotion by Kim of Kim and Thom's lost dog reports:
DOWN AT THE ABODE – A note on the produce: Our produce delivery has changed to Wednesdays; no longer Thursdays. Expect the produce to be fully sorted and available for you by 3pm Wednesday afternoons. Photo below is what is on sale at the stand NOW! Shiitake mushrooms and goat cheese in the cooler. Bread from the Potsdam Coop’s Carriage House Bakery arrives Wednesday afternoons as well. Wanakana’s own Swickamillo’s Sourdough bread hits the shelves every Saturday morning. Baked goods by Mini Swickamillo all week. DUCKS WENT ON SALE THIS SUNDAY THE 27th! There are still ducks for sale as of Wednesday 8pm when we closed. The WAKAKENA Fourth of July Parade is Sunday July 4th at noon. COME EARLY... The Wanakena Historical Association is making hotdogs for breakfast. Black Fly Jamboree and Junk Drawer on view through July 12th. Stay tuned for what’s new. Walk-in beer cooler, groceries, ice cream chest, hot coffee and tea, baked goods, candy rack, snack stacks, music and book shelf, maps and info, t-shirts, hiking and fishing knickknacks, and MORE! WE’RE CLOSED ON TUESDAYS.
ON VIEW – 1st Annual Black Fly Jamboree – June 2nd – July 12th - WELCOME TO THE FIRST ANNUAL BLACK FLY PLEIN AIR JAMBOREE HELD RIGHT HERE AT OTTO’S ABODE IN WANAKENA. LOCAL ARTISTS WERE INVITED TO MAKE ART EN PLEIN AIR DURRING THE INFAMOUS ADIRONDACK BLACK FLY SEASON. FOR ONE PARTICIPATING ARTISTS IT MEANT HIKING HALWAY ACROSS THE WILDERNESS TO CAPTURE A PERFECT PHOTO. FOR ANOTHER IT MEANT CELEBRATING THE FACT THAT THERE ARE ACTUAL BLACK FLYS ON THE SURFACE OF THE PAINTING. WHILE THE BLACK FLYS ARE MOST LIKLEY OUT AND BITING, WE HOPE YOU ENJOY SPENDING TIME WITH THIS COLLECTION OF RECENTLY CREATED ARTWORKS. AN ARTIST MEET-UP WILL BE HELD IN Z-PARK SATURDAY, JUNE 26TH AT 2PM – ALL ARE WELCOME. DON’T FORGET THE BUG SPRAY. Featuring the works of: Annette Swartz, Jack Williams, Jack LaQuay, Carol Cassidy, Deb Roberts, Sara Cibelli, Bernie Siskavich, Bev McKeown, Holly Woodworth, Maria Ortega.
BLACKWATERS CAFÉ AND TRADING POST – BLACKWATERS WILL BE CLOSED ON THE 4th OF JULY. Open Sun, Tues, Wed 8-3pm & Thurs, Fri, Sat 8-7pm (closed Mondays). CHECK OUT THEIR TRAIL CAM HERE. The Motel rooms next door seem to be OPEN.
LEGACY WATER STAYS – We’ve heard they’ve opened! That's what it's called: "Legacy Water Stays". At least one of the rooms (apartments) is open for renting. The internet says so: AirBnB link HERE. Looks like $114 a night. Woohooo here we gooooo!
WANAKENA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION – Historical Association slinging hotdogs with all the fixings Fourth of July during the Parade Festivities; hotdogs for breakfast!!!! 10:30 am bake sale. The Walking Tour around Wanakena is OPEN for the warm-weather season! History Center open in August? That’s what we heard! Maybe a soft opening durring Poker Paddle.
PACKBASKET ADVENTURES – Website says: "We are OPEN FOR BUSINESS and following NYS DOH Guidelines. We are accepting reservations with proof of completed vaccination protocol OR proof of negative Covid test within 3 days of planned arrival. Come have a safe and relaxing stay!"
RANGER SCHOOL - The Dubuar Forest will be open to the public again effective Tuesday June 1. This includes the fire tower. Happy Trails! CHECK OUT THEIR TRAIL CAM HERE.
WANAKENA CHURCH – OPEN FOR SUMMER SUNDAY SERVICES STARTING JUNE 6th – Service starts at 9:15 AM!!! Ring that bell!
WANAKENA CEMETERY ASSOCIATION – Got yer raffle tickets? Announced that Cremation Remains burial has gone up from $150 to $250. Also, there is no longer a backhoe charge for cremation burial because they don’t use a backhoe for cremation burials any longer.
HAREWOOD – Clifton Community Library OPEN 6 days a week: Mon-Fri 10-2pm also Wed 6-7pm and Saturdays 10-1pm. The Library has a Story Walk out-back, Cranberry Lake Pottery by Gail, Poker Paddle Registration and more! The Library has also announced: LIVE MUSIC with The Nelson Brothers 2pm August 29th. Cranberry Lake Book Club first Mondays of the month in community room below the library. Cranberry Lake North Shore Hub has a new break wall. Cranberry Lake Boat Club 5k Firecracker Race July 4th! Register NOW at Library or Otto’s or day of event. Cranberry Lake Boat Club Poker Paddle will be held on July 24th in Wanakena – more info to come! Carl and Maria have retired from Stone Manor Diner and Motel! Congratulations! Therefore, the diner is CLOSED until further notice! New owners say they will re-open ASAP. Cranberry Lake Dry Dock and Marine Services LLC (Billy’s Boat Shop) has a new phone number: 3156032108. Lakeside General Store is OPEN! Tooley Pond Duck Decoy Showroom in Cranberry Lake is OPEN (call first)!!!!!!! John Dragun NEON ARTWORK and MORE down in Windfall… OPEN! We heard that the Cranberry Lake Art Show will be held Sat and Sun August 14th and 15th this summer. What ever happened to Grass River Railway? We spoke with someone who’s workin’ on it! Childwold Church every Sunday @ 11am. Also, check this out: http://cranberrylake.com/defaults.asp
NEWTON FALLS - Recent article about NF development HERE. Robust discussion of Newton Falls on Facebook HERE
OUT WEST – Clifton Fine Economic Development Corporation Public Meeting Thursday, July 8th at 6:30pm at the American Legion. SOS 5k August 1st, 11am – www.adirondackexhibitcenter,org – Regular SOS meeing Wednesday, July 7th @ 7pm. Also, SOS announced an August 14th-15th South Woods Historical Society event. Summer Yoga back at the Star Lake Community Center on Wednesdays, call ‘em up! Big news about Benson Mine solar farm HERE. The Fitness Room at CFCS is OPEN to community members 6pm – 10pm M-F starting May 3rd (paperwork required). Also, volleyball at school Thursday nights at 5:30pm, outside. Mountain Gate Redemption near Benson Mines is open. Golf course is open. Twin Lakes Hotel, Coffee Fever, American Legion, Todd Hardware, Adirondack Pharmacy, Community Bank and Circle J’s in Star Lake are open! Alcoholics Anonymous Friday nights at 7pm in the SOS Building. UB’s, and Adirondack Rustics, Hillside Diner in Oswegatchie are open! The following is copy-pasted from the Fine Town Board Meeting hours from Wednesday 11/11/2020: Jeremy wanted the board to be aware that the Dollar General is looking into putting a store at the former Great American site. This would not be required to go to site plan review since it is not a change of use.
KIM AND THOMS LOST DOG REPORT - As of today, there are NO lost dogs in Wanakena. Town of Fine is doing a Dog Census this summer. All dogs over 4 months are required to be licensed in the Town of Fine.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR - www.ottosabode.org/42020/07/wanakena-weekly-21-062520-070120.html
ALL FOR NOW!!!!!!
Any questions, comments, concerns, trail condition inquiries, legends, jokes, animal sightings, cartoons, 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 Also, we probably wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to publish your submission! Write “submission” in the subject line if emailing! Wanakena Weekly is brought to you by the folks at Otto's Abode.
“A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.” -Alexander Pope (1688 – 1744)