WITHINANUTSHELL – It's official: mosquitos and deer fly bite your face off! Where did the blackfly go? Check for ticks! New moon vibes. Phobe bouncing on the telephone wire. Had some NICE rain this past week. Balanced-out the dry spring we've had. Trails should be in good shape. Folks are swiming, boats are boating. All that good stuff. Also... whoever tells you Wanakena experienced a "bad" winter is simply expressing a personal opinion; in OUR opinion Wanakena experienced a WONDERFUL winter! We had NO thaw (two years in a row), plenty of cold and snow (snomobilers went right up under the footbridge!), and the best snowmobile conditions in the STATE (Cranberry Lake Mounteneers voted best club in the state!!!!). Mama Mia! SPECIAL NOTICE: POP-UP CONCERT Saturday June 18th at 7pm - HIGH ON THE HOG from up near Paul Smith's performing old time and country classics down here at the Gazebo. FLYER SOON! Summer Concert info below. Newspapers back on the porch! Speaking of toilets.... Remember the Potsdam toilet art stuff? Potty Town Documentary | Facebook Seasonal vegetables rolling into Otto's: asparagus, greenhouse cukes, leafy greens! Here we go! GREAT book talk this past weekend in Wanakena! More info below. Also, where do you buy your beer? COLD BEER SOLD HERE! Over SIXTY varieties of beer/cider/etc... in the walk-in cooler. Five Ponds Partners kickstarted and initiated port-o-johns at some local trailheads! This is due to the fact that there are handfuls of outdoor recreationalist who don't know how to responsibly shit in the woods! HANDFULLS! Pickle ball Saturday mornings 9am at tennis court. Check it out. Summer Concert Series announced! Bargain Hunter back to "normal" size!!!! Memorial Day observation in Wanakena this past Monday. BOOK TALK June 11th 1pm AUTHOR, BRAD EDMONDSON at Cranberry Library. Tilly's Stone Manor hints at soft opening for the summer. Many requests for a boat taxi service on Cranberry Lake. New motel: COYOTE DEN in Cranberry Lake. Bridgework at Cranberry Lake. Cranberry Lake Store OPEN for the season. "Regular Town Board Meeting Second Wednesday June 8th @ 6:30 Star Lake. Here’s a link to the most recent town board meeting minutes HERE: Town Of Fine: Minutes: May 11, 2022: Town Board Meeting [Digital Towpath] Today's Ice Jam Danger remains LOW (two years in a row without an ice jam).
FORECAST - Cooler week ahead with highs in the low to mid 70s. 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)
IN THE PINES 20202 - The 21st annual Clifton Fine Summer Concert Series is HERE! Schedule posted on the website cliftonfinearts.blogspot.com and postcards flying about. "More info to come." SPECIAL NOTICE: POP-UP CONCERT Saturday June 18th at 7pm - HIGH ON THE HOG from up near Paul Smith's performing old time and country classics. FLYER SOON!
DOWN AT THE ABODE - Our facebook page appears to be gone! Smell ya later! House plants out on the porch! Important announcement: NEW SUMMER HOURS! Seven days a week through Labor Day-ish. The Book Signing Event this past Memorial Day Weekend Saturday 3pm at Gazebo was GREAT more info below. The book SOLD OUT but more on the way! Next FOLK JAM is Sunday, June 19th 3-5pm. C'MON DOWN! We had discussed a second round of Blackfly Jamboree but have decided to do some empty gallery exploring. Some of our finest moments have come out of this sort of unknown space treatment. Re-imagining the "gallery" space/purpose; please continue to join us. Croquet, anyone? Maple Syrup is IN! Howard Graham's 2022 liquid gold. COME AND GET IT! Gallons, half-gallons, quarts, pints and half-pints! Produce rack remains STOCKED. Eat the fresh stuff and maybe some "misfits" too. Bread, milk, eggs and many more dry, cold and frozen groceries. TAKE A PEEK. Candy, snacks, ice cream and soft drinks, too. Fresh ground HOT COFFEE (since 2016) and baked goods at the counter. Books, maps, music for your browsing pleasure. Camping/fishing/hiking knickknack patty-whacks. COLD BEER SOLD HERE! Over SIXTY varieties of beer/cider/etc... in the walk-in cooler. The Clifton Community Library in Cranberry Lake has installed a fantastic Library Drop Box. Folks in town will be able to drop-off library items and also pick-up pre-ordered items! More info to come. CALL UP THE LIBRARY AND GET IT DONE! Perhaps visit their website, too. Local BTI guy Tim Nargi brought us down some BLACKFLY larvae and pupa samples in jars - come on down and take a look - he'll also be providing some write-ups (see above) and perhaps some more specimens. Why be a square when you could be a deconstructed cube?
BOOK TALK - Dear Wanakena, Please accept my humble and sincere thanks for the amazing hospitality you extended at my book event Saturday, May 29. Your perceptive comments and gentle reminders about how things really are in the hamlet will make me a better writer, and your willingness to accept this Ohio girl into your community touched me deeply. May the coming summer season bring you all great adventures, pleasant evenings, and more tales to enrich the lore of your wilderness gateway. I send you a giant hug! J.E. (Jan) Irvin
J.E. Irvin, a career educator and the award-winning author of five mystery novels, visited Wanakena at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022, for a book talk about her latest novel – BROKEN – which is set in the hamlet. Irvin spoke about her writing process as well as the local activities and events that inspired the novel. Hosted by Ottos’ Abode, the presentation took place in the gazebo. each attendee received a goody bag of book-related items. Books SOLD OUT but more are in the way.
BLACKWATERS CAFÉ AND TRADING POST - Open Tuesdays and Wednsdays 8am - 3pm and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 8am - 7pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays. www.blackwaterscafe.com
RANGER SCHOOL - In the Bargain Hunter: The SUNY ESF Ranger School is proud to host the first leg of the 2022 DEC Forest Ranger Academy. From now through early August, you may notice heightened activity as well as Forest Ranger vehicles and personnel on campus. Please be aware that the Dubuar Memorial Forest is open as usual. Members of the public are welcome to hike the Latham Trail to the firetower and other forest trails. Cranberry Lake 50 hikers will be passing through as normal. Please be respectful and park only in designated areas. The Ranger School is honored to support the NYS DEC in preparing the next class of recruits to join the Forest Ranger force in supporting and protecting members of the public and our environmental resources in the State of New York. --------- That place is packed to the brim right now. Double dipping. Just flown in: about 30 SUNY ESF students up and at'em for the next 4 weeks. Also, the "cadets" have arrived: A NEW experiment at the RS. Forest Ranger Boot Camp. Will there be a RS Reunion this summer? YES, THERE WILL BE! First weekend of August. The past alumni newsletter featured a photo and secrription of CROQUET in ZPARK, last issue featured a photo and description of the CL50 SAWBLADE down in ZPARK. Labyrinth next? Campground? Campus hiking trails remain open to the public. Stay away from the buildings, though. Park way up in the student parking lot if you must. CHECK OUT THEIR TRAIL CAM. Webcam | The Ranger School | SUNY ESF
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 HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION – Spring meeting June 4th 10:15am - church. THEY'RE BACK! From the facebook: "Wanakena History Center - Starting June 18, 2022 regular operating hours: Saturday and Sunday 11AM - 4 PM. Also, June 18th Music Event! With local musicians and reception. Details will follow." The Walking Tour around Wanakena has opened for the season this past week, 5/9!
WANAKENA CHURCH – Service begins! June 5th! 10am! Praise the Lord! Star Lake Church CLOSED for summer. Also: NO ZOOM! Service through September 4th. Did you know this song was performed and recorded via the Wanakena Church Organ in May 2016? Cranberry Lake | Z Plan (bandcamp.com)
WANAKENA PUBLIC BATHROOM AND DOCK - THE BATHROOM AND DOCK ARE OPEN AND IN PLACE AND HERE AND THERE! For your pleasure and necessity.
WANAKENA CEMETERY ASSOCIATION – LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO MOW THE CEMETERY!!!! 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.
WANAKENACCOMODATIONS - "Where do people stay?" is the question... the answer: IN A TENT. Lots of primitive camping!!!!!! All free and open to the public!!!!!! Coyote Den Motel in Cranberry Lake. Looking for more? Besides Packbasket Adventures Lodge, Wanakena has a number of "vacation" rental homes available. They are all of ADKbyOWNER/AirBnB/VrBo 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 ADKbyOWNER/AirBnB/VrBo rentals and stuff will pop-up.
HAREWOOD – BOOK TALK June 11th 1pm AUTHOR, BRAD EDMONDSON at Cranberry Library! Tilly's Stone Manor hints at soft opening for the summer. Lakeside General OPEN for the season. Cranberry Blog is back for the season here: Submit a Blog | CRANBERRY B[L]OG (cranberryblog.org). From Facebook: Dock installation at the HUB is now complete as of Wednesday May 25. Cranberry Lake North Shore Hub OPEN HOUSE July 24th - stay tuned! Cranberry Lake State Campground opened May 20th - Oct. 9th. NEW Motel in town! It's called Coyote Den. Right by the Oswegatchie on Rt. 3. More info to come. The Cranberry Library is OPEN Tuesday – Friday 10:00-2:00, Saturday 10:00-1:00, Wednesday Evening 6:00-7:00, Monday 10-2pm. NEW LIBRARY DROP BOX DOWN AT OTTO'S! Tooley Pond Duck Decoy Showroom in Cranberry Lake is OPEN! 2022 Cranberry Lake Boat Club 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. Tooley Pond Duck Decoy Showroom in Cranberry Lake is OPEN! John Dragun NEON ARTWORK and MORE down in Windfall! Tilly's Stone Manor is CLOSED for the winter BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE GETTING THE OL' NEON SIGN FIXED-UP! Snowmobile trails CLOSED FOR THE SEASON! Cranberry Lake Mountaineers voted BEST CLUB in New York State in 2022. Don't forget about our nearest-by neighbors: Sevey's Point and Thirsty Moose!
OUT WEST - Gym renovations mean NO OPEN GYM and VOLLYBALL this summer at CFCS. CFCSD Fitness Room: OPEN to community members 6pm – 8pm and 5pm - 10pm M-F and weekends 6-10am (paperwork required). Scoops Ice Cream in Star Lake SEVEN days a week 3-8pm. Green Pinky Farm near Oswegatchie is greening-up! SOS in Star Lake... stay tuned via FACEBOOK... SOS, The Adirondack Exhibit Center - Home | Facebook. Wanakena's closest neighbor, Mountain Gate Redemption near Benson Mines, is open. A little further west Scoops Ice Cream, Coffee Fever, Twin Lakes Hotel, American Legion, Todd Hardware, CF Golf Course and Jreck's, Clifton-Fine Hospital, Community Bank, Adirondack Pharmacy, Clifton-Fine Community Center, Dollar General and Circle J’s in Star Lake are open! Still further west in Oswegatchie, Hillside Diner, UB’s, and Adirondack Rustics are open! Also, the school is ALWAYS hiring, various positions. Lots more to discover on their facebook page. GO EAGLES! Alcoholics Anonymous Friday nights at 7pm in the SOS Building. Ice Rink has closed down for the season. Snowmobile trails CLOSED for the season - Cranberry Lake Mountaineers voted BEST CLUB in New York State in 2022.
"TO ALL MEDIA OUTLETS" - From: Director Matthew R. Denner Date: May 26th, 2022 Re: Rescue Operations in Town of Colton - At 8:11 pm on May 25th, 2022, St Lawrence County 911 operators received a call from a 40’s male that had been kayaking all day on the Raquette River, was exhausted and could not move his legs. Victim was wearing a black wet suit and black shirt and possessed a whistle and cell phone with 53% battery life. His location was pinged by 911 and the location was relayed to first responders. Colton and Cranberry Lake Volunteer Fire departments were dispatched. The victim then asked the dispatcher if it was a good idea if he should start a fire. Dispatchers told victim that it was a good idea for a controlled fire. Command post was set up on the side of State Highway 56 in Town of Colton just south of State Highway 3 under a joint incident command of Colton Fire Chief Aaron Johnson (05-01) and Cranberry Lake Fire Chief Chris Backus (06-01). Forest Rangers were requested to respond to the command post. After a joint conference on scene, IC requested a County Fire Coordinator be dispatched to scene and St Lawrence County Car 1 was dispatched and checked enroute to the command post within minutes. Communication was established with first responders and the victim via cell phone. The decision was made for an immediate extrication due to the fear of the victim’s health deteriorating. The 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division was called for support to local first responders on scene after they have exhausted every avenue of a successful rescue. A short venting process was made on Fort Drum’s end and three choppers were in the air at 11:00 pm. Fort Drum dispatched three Black Hawk and two Apache helicopters. Grid coordinates and victim cell phone number were relayed to the responding aviation units from St Lawrence County 911. Potsdam Rescue were put on standby and CPH was notified that possibly Fort Drum medics were going to transport patient to the Potsdam Airport and then to CPH.
At 11:35 pm, three Fort Drum helicopters passed over the command post headed to victim’s location. The location passed on from 911 was spot on and Fort Drum’s Apaches were able to locate patient with in minutes. Apaches are equipped with state of the art equipment in locating individuals. At that time, the Black Hawk was moved into position to perform a rescue. The Black Hawk crew communicated with the victim via text and was asked by the flight crew to extinguish his fire for fear of the prop wash spreading fire which could result in a forest fire. After that time, a crew member was lowered 175’ down to package the patient and hoist back up to safety. Once in the Black Hawk, Fort Drum Medics made the decision to transport patient to Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, for treatment for dehydration, hypothermia, and shock. IC was then notified at 12:04 am that a successful rescue was made. At 12:30 am command post was demobilized and units started checking back into service. At 01:30 am a debriefing was conducted between St Lawrence County Car 1 and Fort Drum flight crew.
I would like to personally thank our two 911 dispatch shifts that were involved. They did an amazing job and a great line of communication with all involved were established. Both Colton and Cranberry Lake Fire and Rescue units, their training, professionalism, and dedication never goes unnoticed. NYS Forest Rangers with their support to our local first responders. Fort Drum their continued support to the neighboring communities, this successful rescue would not have happened last night and this morning without them.
KIM AND THOMS LOST DOG REPORT - As of today, there are NO lost dogs in Wanakena. Woof Woof!
THIS TIME LAST YEAR HERE - Otto's Abode: WANAKENA WEEKLY #69 – 05/27/21 - 06/02/21 (ottosabode.org) AND TWO YEARS AGO!!!!! HERE: Otto's Abode: WANAKENA WEEKLY #17 - 05/28/20 - 06/03/20 (ottosabode.org)
ALL FOR NOW - PINCHIN' PENNIES AND TURNING ON DIMES IN CLIFTON FINE!!!!!
ALL FOR NOW - PINCHIN' PENNIES AND TURNING ON DIMES IN CLIFTON FINE!!!!!
Any submissions, 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! Yeah, 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. www.ottosabode.org Wanakena Weekly is brought to you by the folks at Otto's Abode.