Happy Thursday! Happy New Year!
WITHINANUTSHELL – Yes! Happy 2022 to everyone! A fire was lit out on ZPARK around 1:30pm in the light drizzle. Rain cleared away for a great time! Great crowd! The ball dropped and church bells rang at midnight. The Post Office was CLOSED! Happy Holiday, Mary! The Eberharts of The Narrows sent us some photos (ABOVE) Humans and Beaver take their dips in the Oswegatchie! Otter Prints and belly-slides up the Moore Trail! (Below) Snowmobile trails remain CLOSED. Wilderness Trail conditions: Cross Country Skiing should be good! Some skiers reported the trail to Janack's Landing great! Since then we have received LAKE EFFECT SNOW which would be wetter and therefore stickier on the ol' skis. Higley Flow State Park up by Colton reports lovely, groomed trails. We got a few inches over this past weekend, and it keeps stacking up and remains cold. IT GOT REAL COLD TOO! A report from Ranger School said -11! BIG bear prints reported up The Moore Trail shortly after Christmas - weather is more suited for hibernation, these days. Wednesday night into Thursday brings SNOW! Also, Dollar General is OPEN. Chickadee, warbler, blue jay, sparrows at the feeder. There have still not been sightings of Blackie the Wanakena Wildcat for a couple weeks now. Rangerschool Students home on break, Blackwaters is CLOSED for winter hiatus and will return Tuesday, January 4th! ONLY ***3*** WANAKENA WEEKLYS LEFT UNTIL WW #104 (that would be TWO years’ worth of WANAKENA WEEKLY) Next Regular Town Board Meeting January 12th @ 6:30 Star Lake. Here’s a link to the most recent town board meeting minutes HERE: Town Of Fine: Meetings: December 08, 2021: Town Board Meeting [Digital Towpath] Local COVID info HERE: COVID-19 Daily Update Center | St. Lawrence County (stlawco.org)
FORECAST - La Nina/El Nino ARE things. It's not some weaponized governmental crack pot thing... it is years of evidence and recorded weather pattern. It's not something "out to get you" - it is a literal recorded and predictable weather pattern. It's NOT a BAD thing... it's not a GOOD thing... it's really just a thing. FORECAST SAYS: COLD AND SNOWY! Yes! Winter is HERE! For now at least. Cause, ya know. Weather IS A THING. 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 - Post-Holiday Season is upon us! Happy Winter, everyone. Snow Croquet IS BACK! LOTS of GREAT games payed this weekend! NEW YEARS EVE FESTIVITIES down at ZPARK this past new year's eve. BALL DROPS AT MIDNIGHT. We closed-up shop at 1:30 AM. This is ISSUE #100 which is enough reason to celebrate. We'll wait until issue #104 (TWO YEARS!). FRESH MARTINS' PRETZELS arrive Thursday! Produce rack getting some fresh stuff this Saturday from Juniper Hill Farms! FARM FRESH eggs from Wintonbury Farms arrived this past THURSDAY! $3.59 a dozen. Wintonbury Farm is where we get shiitakes in the warmer months. Over SIXTY varieties of beer, cider, seltzers, etc... in the walk-in cooler. Bread, milk, cheese and many more grocery offerings HERE and NOW! Also: Wednesday 2/2/2022 is GROUNDHOG DAY and it is also the 104th edition of WANAKENA WEEKLY (#104 = two years) therefore we are planning something - stay tuned. ALSO PLAN ON IT: Otto's 6TH BIRTHDAY BASH Friday night of 2022 Whiteout Weekend Festivities in Wanakena; Friday night of Presidents Day Weekend. WE'RE CLOSED ON TUESDAYS!
ON VIEW - Two POP-UP Exhibits: ONE OF A KIND QUILT made by Wanakena's own Primrose McVay and Carol Cassidy. $5 raffle tickets WHA Fund Raiser for chance to WIN IT! Drawing is Fourth of July. Also on view: WHATSYERPACKWEIGH. JUNK DRAWER also remains on view. Lots more to look at and think about, too - c'mon down! Otto's Abode is ALWAYS looking for new exhibitions to exhibit... give us a shout!
WHAT'S WINTER LIKE? - All summer long we get asked questions like: "Are you from here?" and a whole lot of: "What's winter like?" So, in celebration of WINTER we're going to try and compile a list of WHAT'S WINTER LIKE? comments. #3: Lively! Wow! What a fun weekend seeing everyone! Quiet is nice, too. But, great party! Thanks for coming out, everyone! Happy New Year! #2: Sounds different... YES it SOUNDS different. One MAJOR sound difference is the earthy "DUNK" a croquet wicket makes when it's frozen solid in the ground. #1: COLD. Yes, it's COLD. 3 degrees this morning. There, got that one out of the way.
BLACKWATERS CAFÉ AND TRADING POST - Regular hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 8am-3pm & Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 8am - 7pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. "We added a DELI to out cafe and trading post! Daily meat & cheese discounts, veggies, dairy items, bread, specialty foods and gifts, dozens of teas, fishing supplies, local artisan pieces, books. We have two air purifiers, and we have an ONLINE take-out menu if you don't want to come inside. And YES, we still serve beer and wine with your meal!!! www.blackwaterscafe.com 3153094040 - closed the last two weeks of December and the last two weeks of April." CHECK OUT THEIR TRAIL CAM HERE: gotsnowcams.com - New York - paul@NorthernChateau@.com
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 - Student from class of 2021 in the new Adirondack Enterprise. A Video as well, HERE: Tamara Jolly - YouTube. 2022 Students out of town for Holiday Break. NEW Ranger School video on YouTube HERE: The Ranger School - YouTube OH NO! THEY FORGOT TO MENTION THE WALK-IN BEER COOLER DOWN AT OTTO'S! Campus hiking trails remain open to the public. Stay away from the buildings, though. Class of 2022 is IN SESSION! CHECK OUT THEIR TRAIL CAM HERE: Webcam | The Ranger School | SUNY ESF
WANAKENA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION – QUILT RAFFLE Fund-Raiser down here at Otto's! Quilt by Carol Cassidy and Primrose McVay - $5 tickets - drawing on 4th of July. WHA Donation Jar down here at Otto's! The bottle and can cart is GONE for the winter. The Walking Tour around Wanakena is CLOSED for the cold-weather season! The History Center is CLOSED for the cold-weather season! WHA Picture Kiosks can still be seen around town, though. Intriguing artifact at Station #4 (photo below)
WANAKENA PUBLIC BATHROOM AND DOCK - Public Bathroom CLOSED for the season. Public dock CLOSED for the Season. Well, not "closed", rather, moved to its winter hiatus position down-river. Reason? Freezin'.
WANAKENA CEMETERY ASSOCIATION – Under a blanket of snow. 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.
WANAKENA CHURCH – Wanakena Church CLOSED for Fall, Winter and Spring. Service schedule September 12th - May 29, 2022: Star Lake 11:00am. ZOOM meeting # 666 365 4813.
HAREWOOD – Ice is reported to be 6 inches thick. Reports from the Wanakena Narrows say the same. Cranberry Lake Fire Dept's First Strike FISHING DERBY on Cranberry Lake January 29th - sign-up here: Cranberry Lake Fire Department (profishingtournaments.com) CRANBERRY LAKE MOUNTENEERS report: "Our Southern St. Lawrence County Map looks fantastic! We expect to start distributing them to our sponsors in the next 10 days." Cranberry Lake Mountaineers Snowmobile Club - Home | Facebook TRAILS ARE NOT OPEN YET! Clifton Community Library in Cranberry Lake is OPEN Tuesday – Friday 10:00-2:00, Saturday 10:00-1:00, Wednesday Evening 6:00-7:00, ****CLOSED ON MONDAYS****. Library Board holds public meetings the 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 6pm. Cranberry Lake Book Club first Mondays of the month in the basement. Tooley Pond Duck Decoy Showroom in Cranberry Lake is OPEN!!!!!!! John Dragun NEON ARTWORK and MORE down in Windfall… OPEN! Cranberry Lake Boat Club's NEW boating navigation Map is OUT TO THE PUBLIC! Pick up your copy at OTTO'S ABODE in WANAKENA for $11.95. Cranberry Lake North Shore Hub has a new break wall, and the public docks are TAKEN OUT OF THE LAKE FOR THE SEASON - THANKS HUBBAS! Tilly's Stone Manor is CLOSED for the winter BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE GETTING THE OL' NEON SIGN FIXED-UP! Lakeside General Store CLOSED for the season.
OUT WEST - Dollar General OPEN. Mountain Gate Redemption near Benson Mines is open. UB’s, and Adirondack Rustics in Oswegatchie are open! Twin Lakes Hotel, Coffee Fever, American Legion, Todd Hardware, Adirondack Pharmacy, Dollar General and Circle J’s in Star Lake are open! Hillside Diner CLOSING for winter.... will re-open someone in March 2022. Alcoholics Anonymous Friday nights at 7pm in the SOS Building. Community Bank has different/random hours. What's The Scoop has CLOSED for the season. Jreck's too. CFEDC Fitness Room: TEMPORARILY CLOSED OPEN to community members 6pm – 8pm and 5pm - 10pm M-F and weekends 6-10am (paperwork required). GO EAGLES! Also, the school is ALWAYS hiring, various positions. STAR LAKE LOON RESCUE - SLFD Facebook page describes the following: "We cleared a runway for the loon last week to take off but he only flew a short distance and then returned to water hole, acting like he may have been injured. The ADK Loon Conservation group reached out to see if we'd be willing to assist with securing him so they could check him over and relocate him of course we agreed. He checked out alright and is now on his way to Lake Champlain where he'll be able to stay in open water all year."
STAR LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT - Dear Residents and Supporters, First and foremost, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support over the years and ask for some additional support. For those that may not be aware, on November 27, 2001, our fire station burned to the ground causing us to lose almost all our equipment at that time. Since that time we have replaced, upgraded as well as expanded the lost equipment that we use during an emergency response. Initially the focus was put on replacing the building and the safety equipment then came the time for upgrades and expansion to meet the ever-changing needs of the fire service. One area that has not yet been replaced is our Class A or dress uniforms. There are only a few remaining as the majority of them were lost during the fire. Those that remain are in excess of 20 years old. The decision has been made that it is time to replace the Class A uniforms, putting the last piece back together. These uniforms obviously are not used during emergency situations hence the reason they haven’t been at the top of the priority list. Class A’s are worn during special occasions such as parades, banquets and in the unfortunate times of a funeral/memorial service. Some of you may have seen firsthand that the lack of these uniforms has not hindered our participation in these special functions. Our department simply does what they do well: Think outside the box and adapt and overcome. We feel that purchasing the Class A uniforms demonstrates an investment in people who serve, protect and respond when we place a call for assistance. Our community is one of the best around when it comes to showing support for our members. This is why we are asking you to join us in supporting our members by considering a donation to help offset some of the cost associated with the purchase of the new Class A uniforms. Donations marked “Uniforms” may be sent to: Star Lake Fire Department, PO Box 22, Star Lake, NY 13690. Sincerely, Star Lake Fire District Commissioners, Star Lake Fire and Rescue Officers.
KIM AND THOMS LOST DOG REPORT - As of today, there are NO lost dogs in Wanakena. We will note: this time last year we captured Blackie on our trail cam. As of now it has been weeks since Blackie was last seen in Wanakena. Here's a shot from this time last year:
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! Also, we probably wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to publish your submission! Write “submission” in the subject line if emailing! Wanakena Weekly archive here: http://www.ottosabode.org/p/wanakena-weekly.html Wanakena Weekly is brought to you by the folks at Otto's Abode.
"Be at War with your Vices, at Peace with your Neighbours, and let every New-Year find you a better man." - Poor Richard (1755)
ONLY ***3*** WANAKENA WEEKLYS LEFT UNTIL WW #104 (that would be TWO years’ worth of WANAKENA WEEKLY)