Happy Thursday!
WITHINANUTSHELL – Wanakena did not experience very strong storm that hit the North Country. Scott, the UPS dude, did show us a video a coworker took of a TORNADO up by West Stockholm. We did have some SERIOUS rain the other day though... nearly sank the boat! SERIOUSLY! WHere did all that rain come from - a few inches at least. This past week was the 26th anniversary of the 1995 MICROBURSTS. The day was warm and sunny. Hikers have described deer fly chaos and wet wet wet wet trails. Happy Hiking! LOTS of mushrooms in the forests! This past week the road heading into Wanakena was paved! BIG NEWS Yes, that's right: St. Lawrence County Route 61 has been ground up and spit back down smooth as can be. It will be surfaced and painted within a couple weeks. This past week was also the second concert of the Clifton Fine Concert Series. The band was Jocamo from Albany, NY. Funk and Soul from a 1976 Ranger School grad. It rained, but a lot of folks came out to see the show! Remember last year when there was NO live music? Dont let a little rain spoil the fun - WE DIDNT! This Saturday in Wanakena there are two BIG events! One is the 17th annual CLBC Poker Paddle! Party ALL DAY! Tell a friend and come on down. ALSO LIVE MUSIC BY ZPLAN at 4pm! The Wanakena Historical Association will host a soft open house event at the new History Center. Check the place out! A bonus POPUP concert will be held July 31st here in ZPARK. Here’s a link to the most recent town board meeting minutes. Busy busy summer time. We're sure we haven't covered everything - dont try to! Oh yeah... THE LEAVES ARE CHANGING!!!! (06/09/21): HERE: Town Of Fine: Minutes: July 14, 2021: Town Board Meeting [Digital Towpath]
FORECAST - 70s and pleasant through the weekend. Maybe some showers Friday. Maybe some thunderstorms Sunday. 70s straight through next week. Nice cool nights in the 50s, too! 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: Wanakena, NY 10-Day Weather Forecast | Weather Underground (wunderground.com)
DOWN AT THE ABODE - We had to capture a WOODCHUCK that had stolen a bag of baby carrots and a bag of broccoli off the produce stand on the porch. It was captured and relocated. It is cute, but not worth the trouble. We hope it does not return. Otto's Abode was OPEN this past Tuesday (we are normally closed on Tuesdays) as GUEST GROCER Dave Ziemba operated the Abode. Stay tuned every Tuesday though the Summer and stop down on Tuesdays for DAVEZ. 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 - $5 raffle tickets. 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 - "Deli case with meats, cheeses, subs, salads, fresh veggies, dairy products! Specialty foods arrive next week." They are open Sun, Tues, Wed 8-3pm & Thurs, Fri, Sat 8-7pm (closed Mondays). CHECK OUT THEIR TRAIL CAM HERE: gotsnowcams.com - New York - paul@NorthernChateau@.com
LEGACY WATER STAYS - Here is the FULL 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: Webcam | The Ranger School | SUNY ESF
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. BOOK SALE THIS WEEKEND 10am - 3pm ! 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 pavilion out back. Cranberry Lake North Shore Hub has a new break wall and the public docks are laid 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
HAREWOOD – Clifton Community Library OPEN 6 days a week: Mon-Fri 10-2pm also Wed 6-7pm and Saturdays 10-1pm. BOOK SALE THIS WEEKEND 10am - 3pm ! 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 pavilion out back. Cranberry Lake North Shore Hub has a new break wall and the public docks are laid 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 – Jrecks Subs OPEN out at the Golf Course Club House. WHAT'S THE SCOOP? Hard and soft serve ice cream on rt. 3 on the right heading up the hill into Star Lake. Clifton Fine Hospital is HIRING! Clifton Fine Central School is HIRING! 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 - Otto's Abode: WANAKENA WEEKLY #24 - 07/16/20 - 07/22/20 (ottosabode.org)
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.
The legend of St. Swithin's Day, July 15th, as the forecaster for the next 40 days dates back to the early 860's. When Swithin, Bishop of Winchester, England die he was buried according to his explicit wishes, outsie the church where the rain would fall upon his grave. Later, another bishop, feeling that was not fitting, planned to move Swithin's body inside the new cathedral. On the day of disinterment, July 15, 917, it rained - and continued to rain for 40 days thereafter. Mare's Tails and Mackerel Skies - Berkshire Travelers Press.
The legend of St. Swithin's Day, July 15th, as the forecaster for the next 40 days dates back to the early 860's. When Swithin, Bishop of Winchester, England die he was buried according to his explicit wishes, outsie the church where the rain would fall upon his grave. Later, another bishop, feeling that was not fitting, planned to move Swithin's body inside the new cathedral. On the day of disinterment, July 15, 917, it rained - and continued to rain for 40 days thereafter. Mare's Tails and Mackerel Skies - Berkshire Travelers Press.