Happy Thursday! Happy Spring!
WITHINANUTSHELL – BIG SNOW MELT! BIG THAW! BIG MOON! Ice and snowpack melting quick! Nearly GONE! County Burn Ban in effect! Last week before some rain the ICE JAM DANGER was briefly set at HIGH but has since returned to LOW. That does NOT mean the Oswegatchie is not RIPPIN' though town, IT IS. The danger of ice coming down in the form of a jam is very unlikely and nearly impossible at this time, NO ICE! Two years in a row with NO ICE JAMS. Expect muddy trail conditions on warm days out there in the forest... and expect FROZEN SOLID ground on the cold ones. Really, around here, what's so bad about hiking though a little mud? Get out there and smell the trees! Clomp the mud off your boots BEFORE you leave a wilderness areas - as to prevent the spread of invasive species though plant fragment and seeds. Some Turkey out there, deer ate nearly all the holly bush, grackle blabber, ducks quackin', geese honkin', mergansers rollin the Oswegatchie Rapids, blue jay clusters, chickadeedeedee, eagles circle above, nuthatch, redwing blackbird, squirrels scamper and more! Town of Fine fixed up the culvert at the Mill Pond 0 looks great! Lost keys and lost micro spikes down here at Otto's. New, temporary "MUD SEASON" hours at Blackwaters Cafe in Wanakena. Chicken BBQ American Legion Saturday. Hillside Diner opening April 1st (NO JOKE!). SOS will be hosting After School Sculpture Class for interested teens and adults. Clifton Community Library is looking for BOARD members! Cranberry Lake Boat Club announcing Summer Events. Newton Falls on NCPR. Bargain Hunter experiencing SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES and will be forced to print at 8.5 x 11 for the time being. April 9th is a JOINT Town Board Meeting. PERHAPS THEY WILL TALK ABOUT WHERE CLIFTON-FINE GOT ITS HYPHEN FROM! Regular Town Board Meeting April 14th @ 6:30 Star Lake. Here’s a link to the most recent town board meeting minutes HERE: Town Of Fine: Minutes: March 09, 2022: Town Board Meeting [Digital Towpath] Spring Fling the 26th.
ICE REPORT - We'll let this email we received from one of our readers do the talking: "I see last week you said snow mobiles were still out on the lake. I saw them out there as well. I guess most people out there know the trouble spots. To get to and from my camp I need to cross Dog bay from the camp ground. On my way out to head home on the 14th I broke through he ice. I crossed that spot 4 time over the week I was at camp. Luckily I only drooped to my waste. I think the pole to my sled I was pulling helped keep up. Water enters the lake there and is shallower in that area. I thought I was far enough out from the in flow to be safe. It must run out further then I thought. All along the side was solid so I expected the middle would be just as good or better. 3” fresh snow hid the ice from view so no clues visible to condition of the ice. No warning either. All was fine, then it wasn’t."
FORECAST - Some precipitation and in the 40s this weekend - snowy Spring Fling! - temp dropping early next week - clear! 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 - Snow Croquet Course has taken quite a beating - not mush snow left. The balls roll on! The mallets continue to WHACK. The WINNERS of the CARTOON CONTEST have been announced. ON VIEW NOW! Local BTI guy Tim Nargi brought us down some BLACKFLY larvae. C'mon down to the shop and check 'em out! NEXT FOLK JAM is Easter Sunday April 17th 3-5pm! Cartoon Contest is up on view in the gallery. Take a seat and spend some time. Produce rack remains STOCKED. Nearly half of it comes from Juniper Hill Farm, an organic farm on the eastern edge of the Adirondacks. Bread, milk, eggs and many more dry, cold and frozen groceries. Candy, snacks, ice cream and soft drinks, too. HOT COFFEE and baked goods at the counter. Books, maps, music for your browsing pleasure. Camping/fishing/hiking knickknack patty-whacks. Over SIXTY varieties of beer/cider/etc... in the walk-in cooler. Why be a square when you could be a deconstructed cube?
ON VIEW - FIRST ANNUAL CARTOON CONTEST AND EXHIBITION ----- The other day while mindlessly thumbing through social media, wasting away precious minutes of my short time here on earth, the following inspirational-meme-quote appeared: "Make decisions as if you were on your deathbed.". A couple of days later the surficial "you only live once" interpretation was challenged by a pot of coffee. You see, there was an old, unfinished pot of coffee perched and warming on the machine. It had been there since morning and had cooked down to a dark, burnt-smelling mud. Recalling the meme, I wondered: If I were on my death bed, what I would do? Would I dump-out the coffee-sludge for a new pot and live-up my last moments on earth with fresh coffee or would I poetically drink the old, toasty coffee soup? Had I been on my death bed in that moment perhaps I would embrace the undesired brew and gulp it down deep into my decaying physical form. Considering the fact that I was not on my literal death bed I dumped it and made a new pot. This existential conundrum seemed to me as well-suited for exploring though the cartoon-form. ----- The collection of TEN cartoons will remain displayed ON VIEW on the gallery wall of Otto's Abode for all to see from February 18th - March 28th. ----- Voting occurs in-person during regular operational hours of Otto's Abode February 18th - March 14th. Winners announced Wednesday, March 16th. CASH PRIZES awarded for "Funniest Cartoon", "Best Cartoon", and "Best Artwork". Winning cartoons will also be published in Clifton-Fine's Bargain Hunter the week of Tuesday, March 22nd.
WANAKENA POST OFFICE 13695 - Open for business! Thanks, Mary for running the show!
BLACKWATERS CAFÉ AND TRADING POST - "MUD SEASON HOURS" Open Friday and Saturdays 8am - 7pm. www.blackwaterscafe.com - CHECK OUT THEIR TRAIL CAM OF THE AIRBNB NEXT DOOR!
RANGER SCHOOL - Will there be a RS Reunion this summer? YES, THERE WILL BE! 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. Otto's Abode: WANAKENA WEEKLY #58 - 03/11/21 - 03/17/21 (ottosabode.org)
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!
WANAKENA ACCOMODATIONS - Local cleaning company looking to hire expericed cleaner! Besides that... Lots of primitive camping!!!!!! All free and open to the public!!!!!! Looking for more? Besides Packbasket Adventures Lodge, Wanakena has a number of "vacation" rental homes available. They are all of ADKbyOWNER/AirBnB/VrVo variety. It's someone else's place that YOU stay at. In other words: you can't just show up in Wanakena and expect to get a hotel roof under your head. You need to plan accordingly with your fancy pants smart phone. Do an internet search for Wanakena rentals and stuff will pop-up. WELCOME TO WANAKENA & CRANBERRY LAKE, NY.... no bars and no hotels!
WANAKENA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION – 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. Quilt by Carol Cassidy and Primrose McVay - $5 tickets - drawing on 4th of July.
WANAKENA CEMETERY ASSOCIATION – 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 HISTORICAL 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.
WANAKENA PUBLIC BATHROOM AND DOCK - The Town of Fine took down the BIG NASTY DEAD white pine that has loomed over the beach for the past few years. YAY! Thanks, crew! 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'.
HAREWOOD – CRANBERRY LAKE BOAT CLUB Ice Out Contest submissions are CLOSED - we'll report back with what we hear! The ice has NOT gone out yet. SOON. More information on the CLBC Facebook Page! 2022 CLBC Schedule of Events: Firecracker - Monday July 4th, 2022, Poker Paddle - Saturday July 23rd, 2022, Community Picnic - July 30th, 2022, Canoe/Kayak Race - Saturday August 13th, 2022, Sailboat Races - TBD. Snowmobile trails CLOSED FOR THE SEASON! 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. State Campground CLOSED for the season.
HAREWOOD – CRANBERRY LAKE BOAT CLUB Ice Out Contest submissions are CLOSED - we'll report back with what we hear! The ice has NOT gone out yet. SOON. More information on the CLBC Facebook Page! 2022 CLBC Schedule of Events: Firecracker - Monday July 4th, 2022, Poker Paddle - Saturday July 23rd, 2022, Community Picnic - July 30th, 2022, Canoe/Kayak Race - Saturday August 13th, 2022, Sailboat Races - TBD. Snowmobile trails CLOSED FOR THE SEASON! 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. State Campground CLOSED for the season.
LIFEGUARD NEEDED - Summer work opportunity. Lifeguard for Clifton Town Beach at Cranberry Lake. Info for applications. Must call Nancy Russell at 315-848-2369 to get application/paperwork Requirements: at least 16 years of age. American Red Cross CPR and AED certification (renew every 2 years). FALG waterfront skills, also from Red Cross. $13.20 starting wage. Cost of certifications reimbursed after completion of summer work. Beach open from about July 1st to mid - August. Additional questions - Nancy at 315-848-2369 or Julie at 848-3641
NEWTON FALLS - The Post Office opened March 13th, 1896 in Newton Falls.... Recently The Paper Mill was featured on local public radio: North Country at Work: Running rolls at the Newton Falls Paper Mill | NCPR News (northcountrypublicradio.org)
KIM AND THOMS LOST DOG REPORT - As of today, there are NO lost dogs in Wanakena. Asking for a friend: Does anyone know of any "turtle attacks"?
OUT WEST - Chicken BBQ at the Legion Saturday the 26th! Hillside Diner OPENING April 1st! SOS will begin hosting AFTER SCHOOL SCULPTURE CLASS! First class is Thursday April 7th 3pm 10th grade and older! Coffee Fever appears to remain closed. Ice Rink has closed down for the season. Snowmobile trails CLOSED for the season! Wanakena's closest neighbor, Mountain Gate Redemption near Benson Mines, is open. A little further west Twin Lakes Hotel, American Legion, Todd Hardware, Adirondack Pharmacy, Dollar General and Circle J’s in Star Lake are open! SOS in Star Lake is lookin' good! CF Community Center, too! Still further west within Clifton-Fine, UB’s, and Adirondack Rustics in Oswegatchie are open! Hillside Diner CLOSING for winter - hiring NOW! Community Bank has different/random hours. What's The Scoop has CLOSED for the season. Golf Course and Jreck's too. They'll be back! CFCSD Fitness Room: 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. Clifton Fine Hospital in Star Lake is open. Alcoholics Anonymous Friday nights at 7pm in the SOS Building.
KIM AND THOMS LOST DOG REPORT - As of today, there are NO lost dogs in Wanakena. Asking for a friend: Does anyone know of any "turtle attacks"?
THIS TIME LAST YEAR HERE - Otto's Abode: WANAKENA WEEKLY #59 – 03/18/21 - 03/25/21 (ottosabode.org) AND TWO YEARS AGO!!!!! HERE: Otto's Abode: WANAKENA WEEKLY #7 - 03/19/20 - 03/25/20 (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! Also, we probably wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to publish your submission! Write “submission” in the subject line if emailing! Wanakena Weekly is archived on our website. Wanakena Weekly is brought to you by the folks at Otto's Abode
"The first pleasant days of spring come out like a squirrel and go in again." Henry David Thoreau's journal - March 7th, 1855
"The first pleasant days of spring come out like a squirrel and go in again." Henry David Thoreau's journal - March 7th, 1855