Happy Thursday! Happy St. Swithin's Day!
WITHINANUTSHELL – Summer is here! Flowers abloom, birds achirp, beach afull! People leaving garbage where it doesn't belong, peeing in places where they shouldn't; busy busy busy!!! Weather has been just fine and dandy! Warm, sunny with patches of nice steady rain here and there. Garden beds are doing great, though reports of slow triclking streams in the woods make us think we're still rebounding from a DRY year last year. Oswegatchie isn't running too bad, though. Thank you for bearing with us as week took the week of Forth of July Wanakena Weekly (#74) off! Last week we we would have reported on spectacular Fourth Of July festivities; Third of July meet-up and fireworks, Fourth of July Parade, Duck Race, Historical Association Bake Sale and Weenie Roast and MORE. A fun time was had by all. Lots of pictures from the 4th festivities on the Town of Fine Facebook page HERE. It was an amazing day shared by many friends, neighbors and strangers - great job, everyone!!! This past weekend (June 10th) The Clifton Fine Concert Series held it's first concert of the summer out at ZPark in Wanakena. More info on the concert series HERE. The second concert is THIS SATURDAY! Funk and Soul via JOCAMO at 7pm RAIN OR SHINE. There had previously been more frequent bear sightings in and around town in previous weeks - those sightings have become less frequent; perhaps they've moved on. We're not even going to THINK about reporting on the "roadwork" until we see something happening - maybe next year?!?! Looks like the rental at the motels next to Blackwaters is open. Here’s a link to the most recent town board meeting minutes. (06/09/21): HERE Here's a picture Brian S. sent in from this past weekend, WOOHOO!
FORECAST - Looks like a chance of showers this weekend for the Jocomo concert. This week: steady week of 70 degree daytime temps, down into the 50s at night. Chance of rain most days though the week, too. So, looks like we'll be checking back on the weather a lot this week. Stay tuned for Poker Paddle July 24th in Wanakena! 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.
DOWN AT THE ABODE - We'll be co-hosting the Cranberry Lake Boat Club Clifton Community Library Fundraiser Poker Paddle July 24th out here in ZPark. You can register for the event here at Otto's Abode or over at the Library in Cranberry Lake. We've heard rumor that Mike Hudson of ZPLAN will be performing in the Gazebo 4pm that Saturday the 24th AFTER the Poker Paddle! Mama Mia! A note on the produce: Our produce delivery has changed to Wednesdays; no longer Thursdays. Expect the produce (and milk, eggs and bread!) to be fully sorted and available for you no later than 3pm Wednesday afternoons. Photo below is what is on sale at the stand NOW! Shiitake mushrooms and goat cheese and more in the cooler. Wanakana’s own Swickamillo’s Sourdough bread hits the shelves every Saturday morning. Baked goods by Minimanny Swickamillo all week. 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 - More info on August Exhibition coming SOON! Until then... We've got a couple of spare weeks in-between exhibitions and have on display two POP-UP exhibitions. We've got a GRAND quilt from Wanakena's own Primrose McVey and Carol Cassidy - more info to come. We'll also be exploring invasive species in and around the Cranberry lake Region. Some food for thought concerning invasive species: 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. C'mon down and check out the show while it lasts!
WANAKENA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION – Open House at the NEW History Center Saturday July 17th (during the Poker Paddle!) The Walking Tour around Wanakena is OPEN for the warm-weather season! Bottle and can drive outside of the History Center ALL SUMMER LONG! Get chuggin' and give up those nickels!
BLACKWATERS CAFÉ AND TRADING POST - Open Sun, Tues, Wed 8-3pm & Thurs, Fri, Sat 8-7pm (closed Mondays). CHECK OUT THEIR TRAIL CAM HERE.
LEGACY WATER STAYS - INLET CRANBERRY LAKE WATERFRONT – If it's on AirBnB you know its official. Now renting rooms at the Motel next to Blackwaters Cafe. Go on the internet and google "Air BnB Wanakena" and it wont take you long to find it. Here is a description from the website: Waterfront on Cranberry Lake! A hidden gem! Dock and boat slip included. Boat launch 100 ft away. Kayak rentals available. Automated keypad check-in, fully stocked kitchen, reliable high speed wifi, a/c. Professionally cleaned. Cook or get a bite to eat at Black Waters Cafe right next door! Great for hiking, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, a work-cation, relaxing, and exploring. Wanakena is an adorable little hamlet! After your first visit, you will want to keep coming back! The space: This is one of 3 units on the property. Each has it's own entrance and private indoor space. Outside space (1/2 an acre) is shared. There is a large Pavillion for guests to use (except if booked for an event) with outlets for plugging in while sitting by the water. Ask about our onsite kayak rentals. The Black Waters Cafe is an impressive diner style restaurant right next door! You can order and take your food right out back under the pavilion. They also sell some essentials like bug spray, some fishing gear, etc. Wanakena is a cute little historic hamlet. You will want to walk across the suspension bridge, learn about the history of the area, and walk the 1/2 mile Labyrinth. Visit Ottos Abode for the full experience where there is also an outdoor summer concert series. This is close to local waterfalls, the Cranberry 50, 2 local beaches, and the public boat launch. 43 minutes to the Wild Center in Tupper Lake.
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 – Cranberry Lake Fire Dept. Backwoods Craft Fair this weekend (16th and 17th) at CLFD 9am-4pm! Friends of the Library Book Sale July 24th and 25th at the Library. 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 out back in the pavilion August 8th at 2pm Jonathan Foster will be preforming, also The Nelson Brothers will be preforming 2pm August 29th. Cranberry Lake Book Club first Mondays of the month in the pavillion out back. Cranberry Lake North Shore Hub has a new break wall and the public docks are layed out for YOU to dock your boat in Cranberry Lake! Cranberry Lake Boat Club's Poker Paddle will be held on July 24th in Wanakena more info elsewhere! Cranberry Lake Boat Club has also got a boat race planned for August 7th stay tuned and register at Otto's Abode, register NOW. The race goes from Cranberry Village (Harewood) and out around Birch Island and Back. 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!!!!!!! John Dragun NEON ARTWORK and MORE down in Windfall… OPEN! 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
OUT WEST – Fine Fire Department Chicken BBQ Saturday, July 17th noon till gone. You've seen it! You've read about it! It is here! WHAT'S THE SCOOP? Hard and soft serve ice cream on rt. 3 on the right heading up the hill into Star Lake. Lots going on at SOS in Star Lake. Meeting July 21st at 7pm, 5K on August 1st, August 7th BIG garage sale, August 14th-15th South Woods Historical Society event. Summer Yoga back at the Star Lake Community Center on Wednesdays, call ‘em up! 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 - http://www.ottosabode.org/2020/07/wanakena-weekly-23-070920-071520.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.
"St. Swithin's Day if thou dost rain, for forty days it will remain; St. Swithin's Day if thou be fair, for forty days 'twill raine na mair." unknown
"St. Swithin's Day if thou dost rain, for forty days it will remain; St. Swithin's Day if thou be fair, for forty days 'twill raine na mair." unknown