Happy Thursday!
WITHINANUTSHELL - Oh yeah! It was pretty cold last week for a little but there! Red squirrels were seen eating snow, but we made it through. We've got one thing on our mind.... and that's WHITE OUT WEEKEND!!!!! Right now, the 10-day forecast calls for a DROP in temp just in time for WOW! Detailed information about Otto's response to this forecast below (we're really happy about it!). Skiers have reported fantastic conditions this past week! Snowmobilers, too. Ice skating.... meh, not so much. Rain will mess everything up for now, still a lot of winter left. Evening Grossbeak still hanging around in FLOCKS (photos below)! check this out: Store Cranberry Lake | Birch's Lakeside General Store, Campground and Marina (lakesideoncranberry.com) Regular Town Board Meeting Second Wednesday, March 8th @ 6:30 Star Lake. Here’s a link to the most recent town board meeting minutes HERE: Town Of Fine: Minutes: February 08, 2023: February Meeting Minutes [Digital Towpath] Today's Ice Jam Danger remains LOW (two years in a row without an ice jam).
FORECAST - 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! Wanakena, NY 10-Day Weather Forecast | Weather Underground (wunderground.com)
CLIFTON-FINE ADIRONDACK WHITE OUT WEEKEND 2023 - !!!!HOLY SHIT!!!!! It is happening!!!!! Whiteout Weekend ALWAYS lands on Presidents Day Weekend and this year it is February 17th and 18th! Check the website!!!! Check the facebook!!!! CHECK YOURSELF!!!! Bundle-up and get your ass out here!!!!!! Adirondack White Out Weekend | Wanakena NY | Facebook and Adirondack WhiteOut Weekend - Area Info (google.com)
DOWN AT THE ABODE - Here are TWO big announcements! ONE: The weather forecast for WOW is on our view. It looks like a mild week leading up to WOW.... THIS IS GOOD for SNOW CROQUET! It looks maybe a little toooo warm for a little toooo long but roll with it. We'll be able to shape and firm up the already VERY STRONG course. FRIDAY OF WOW the temp DROPS! BOOOM! That is also GOOD! In fact: GREAT! The Croquet course will FIRM UP nicely! AND Friday brings snow. SO we'll have a STRONG BONE COURSE with FRESH FLUFF TO PUFF! ***weather changes, of course*** In case you didnt know: We take winter croquet very seriously. This isn't some half-baked "snow" version of an average game we dug out of the closet last minute. NO! We've been sculpting this course for MONTHS! and WOW will showcase the ZPARK SNOW CROQUET COURSE IN ALL ITS GLORY thanks to the weather. GET READY FOR EXCELENT CROQUET CONDITIONS AND A CAMPFIRE ALL WEEKEND! and... TWO: MATT GWIZDALA WILL BE THERE! That's right. YOU can meet the artist responsible for the fantastic gwiztastic paintings we've been showcasing here at Otto's for the past few months. Okay, this is ALSO very important: We're SUPER excited to announce: OPEN AIR OPEN MIC out in ZPARK Friday, Feb 17th, 2023, 6pm - 9pm. WE'LL HAVE THE FULL SETUP! GUITAR, BASS, MICS, THE WORKS. This event is held in conjunction with Otto's Abode's SEVENTH Birthday Bash and Clifton-Fine White Out Weekend. Campfire and Snow Croquet ALL WEEKEND! MORE INFO TO COME! Oh yeah... this is important too: We're taking a WINTER BREAK! Yes, That's right. We'll be CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY FEB 20 - MARCH 1st. Will be back open Thursday, March 2nd!!!! As of now: Out front the Snow Croquet Course has some strong bones! Fantastic Gwizdala paintings remain on the wall... ART! No more FLOWJAK. Produce rack is STOCKED with a bunch of fresh Juniper Hill greens'n'gourds and more. Organic farm eggs $5.75! Swickamillo Sourdough every Saturday morning and random baked goods throughout the week. Fresh Cheese Curd. Got some great gifts from local crafters here in the shop. Lots more to look at! Not a bad place to hang out, ether. C'mon down to Wanakena and poke around a bit! Otto's Abode is a self-proclaimed Adirondack Art-Centric Travel Agency an Inconvenience Store. Why be a square when you could be a deconstructed cube?
ABODE CONTINUED - SHOP SMALL BUSINESSES AND SHOP LOCAL! Sure, shopping at a big box store saves you a few bucks, but does it help save a small business like Otto's Abode? What are you really saving? If you are ABLE to shop small and shop local, every bit counts. Thanks! Fresh produce stocked all year long. Dry, cooled and frozen groceries galore. Bread, milk, eggs. Beer cave with other sixty varieties of beer, seltzers, hard cider and more! Ice cream, candy and snacks. HOT coffee and tea as well. TONS of Maps for browsing and/or buying. Check out our books, music and art supplies. Fishing, camping, hiking knickknacks. Gifts, goodies and more! "Where's the Art?" Open your eyes! On top of buying/selling stuff we provide local information about events and trail conditions to the best of our knowledge and have often helped outdoor recreationists in a pinch; the cool kids call it a "Trail Center" these days. Community message board out front. Clifton Community Library DROP BOX on the porch. Wee-Kena Library on the porch as well - take a book, leave a book. Missing something? Perhaps what you've lost is in our lost and found? We have every issue of Bargain Hunter from 2018 - Present. And don't forget: Wanakena Weekly online every week! Missed a week? No problem.... CHECK THE THREE-YEAR ARCHIVE! Cheers to us and cheers to you. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to go out of the way to support small, local, family-owned businesses!
WANAKENA POST OFFICE 13695 - Open for business six days a week! Thanks, Mary for running the show! Send us a postcard: POB # 1 Wanakena, NY 13695
BLACKWATERS CAFÉ AND TRADING POST - Open 8AM - 3:30PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Special dinner hours Fridays until 7pm! Closed Sundays and Mondays and Tuesdays and Wednesdays. www.blackwaterscafe.com The business and property are for sale. Check the website.
RANGER SCHOOL - Class of 2023 in session! 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. Alumni newsletter: FALL 2022 Newsletter.pub (nysrsaa.org). CHECK OUT THEIR TRAIL CAM. Webcam | The Ranger School | SUNY ESF
PACKBASKET ADVENTURES – Website says: "For the comfort and safety of our guests and ourselves, we accept reservations only from those with proof of complete COVID vaccination and booster(s). Come have a relaxing stay in safe environment!" Adirondack Lodgings & Adirondack Guide Services: Old fashioned Adirondack Lodge & Guide Services Packbasket Adventures - Packbasket Adventures
WANAKENA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION – There are a few permanent kiosks that stay up all winter long! Worth a look! C'mon out and take a peek. History Center and The Walking Tour around Wanakena has been CLOSED-UP and TAKEN DOWN for the cold-weather months - will re-open end of June 2023. Home (wanakena.com)
WANAKENA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION – There are a few permanent kiosks that stay up all winter long! Worth a look! C'mon out and take a peek. History Center and The Walking Tour around Wanakena has been CLOSED-UP and TAKEN DOWN for the cold-weather months - will re-open end of June 2023. Home (wanakena.com)
WANAKENA CHURCH – Closed for the season! See you in the spring. Did you know this song was performed and recorded via the Wanakena Church Organ in May 2016? Keen Dream | Z Plan (bandcamp.com)
WANAKENA PUBLIC BATHROOM AND DOCK - Funds for the NEW WANAKENA DOCK have been fully raised thanks to donations big and small! Get ready! Here it comes! The old dock has sold! Make way for new this spring. As of 11/16/22 the BATHROOM IS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. Great job everyone! In case you or anyone else was wondering: Wanakena Sewar and Wanakena Water are well and in working order as well. Speaking of pickles: Wanakena Saturday Morning Pickleball has wrapped it up for the season; pickle paddles are packed-up!
WANAKENA CEMETERY ASSOCIATION – First time ever: someone had to get paid to mow the cemetery (no volunteers available). 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 - As the Zplan song goes: "I got the Hotel Wanakena tryna' find a place to stay-a blues" but less-poetically and more often heard: "Where do people stay?" is the question... the answer: IN A TENT. Just kidding - it's more complicated than that. But we'll start with the tent (or hammock, or under stars, etc...) Lots of primitive camping!!!!!! All free and open to the public!!!!!! State Campground when it's open. Looking for more? A roof over-head? Coyote Den Motel in Cranberry Lake. Besides that, Packbasket Adventures Lodge in Wanakena. Wanakena has a number of "vacation" rental homes available. They are all of ADKbyOWNER/AirBnB/VrBo variety -only available during warm months only, usually. 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 – White Out Weekend events on the horizon! Plan accordingly! Contra Dance and Knotty Paddy Celtic Rock LIVE at the CLVFD Fire Hall Saturday Feb 18th 6:30 - 10. GET IT! Folks have been out on the lake - fishing, sledding, etc! Cranberry Lake Mountaineers voted BEST club in the STATE last year! Trails are OPEN! Clifton Community Library in Cranberry Lake is OPEN six days a week (closed Mondays)! Don't forget about the Book Drop Box at Otto's Abode! Bridgework has FINISHED over the Oswegatchie in Cranberry Lake. Vroom vroom! Lakeside Genral Store has CLOSED for the season. The business has been sold to new owners and we should all be excited to see what happens next! NEW Motel in town (CLOSED FOR WINTER)! It's called Coyote Den. Right by the Oswegatchie on Rt. 3. The HUB and TILLY'S are still in early developmental stages. Five Ponds Partners kickstarted and initiated port-o-johns at some local trailheads and will do it again next year! Tooley Pond Duck Decoy Showroom in Cranberry Lake is OPEN! John Dragun NEON ARTWORK and MORE down in Windfall! Cranberry Lake State Campground is CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. Don't forget about our other nearest-by neighbors to east: Sevey's Point and Thirsty Moose! By January 1, 2025, every operator of a motorized boat in New York State must obtain a boating safety certificate in order to legally operate their boats. There are no age exceptions to this law — and, if you're from out of state, New York will recognize your boating safety course certification.
OUT WEST - White Out Weekend events on the horizon! Plan accordingly! Frying Pan Toss at The Legion for WHITE OUT WEEKEND! Chili Conest at the Legion Feb 11th. UB's has live minnows and more! Star Lake Ice Rink ("Town of Clifton") is making ice when they can! Though, it's not looking good.... BUMMER! Cranberry Lake Mountaineers voted BEST club in the STATE last year - TRAILS ARE OPEN! FREE COMMUNITY MEAL at St. Huberts Church Wednesdays at 5PM! Hop on shuttle #22 of the St Lawrence County Volunteer Transportation Bus if you need a lift! Wanakena's closest neighbor, Mountain Gate Redemption near Benson Mines, is open. Western Adirondack Presbyterian Church in Star Lake welcomes you! Quilt Fest folks meet at the Presbyterian Church a couple times a week - join in! Twin Lakes Hotel, American Legion, Todd Hardware are OPEN! Dollar General and Circle J’s in Star Lake are OPEN! SOS is OPEN here and there for programing. CF Golf Course, Clifton-Fine Hospital, Community Bank, Adirondack Pharmacy, Clifton-Fine Community Center OPEN! Still further west in Oswegatchie UB’s, and Adirondack Rustics are open! Have you heard about the Holy Grail Gift Shop opening up this spring in Star Lake? CCL Book drop has moved from the (CLOSED Coffee Fever) to the Star Lake Community Bank. Clifton-Fine Hometown Heros Banner initiative has been engaged... banners on rt. 3 like Harrisville, Croghan and more! More information to follow. AA every Friday night at SOS 7pm. Largest Adirondack solar project to date goes before APA (adirondackexplorer.org) Coffee Fever has CLOSED. "For good." Yikes! That also means NO CCL book drop-box there - luckily there is one at Otto's Abode in Wanakena. Hillside Diner has recently closed for good, also. SCOOPS Ice Cream has closed for the season. Jrecks has closed for the season. Check out Green Pinky Farm near Oswegatchie! CFCSD Fitness Room: OPEN to community members (paperwork required). Also, the school is ALWAYS hiring, various positions. Lots more to discover on their facebook page. GO EAGLES! Need a good port-a-potty? Call-up the H Brothers!
COLTON WINTER FEST - (Info from North Country Now) - After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, the Colton Winterfest is back with a host of events planned for Feb. 10-12.
KIM AND TOMS LOST DOG REPORT - As of today, there are NO lost dogs in Wanakena. Woof Woof!
WHAT ELSE? - 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! How about a 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. We appreciate all of our friends, neighbors, family and strangers who are able to take the time out of their day to go out of their way and support small and local businesses!
"With the fearful strain of war upon me, if I did not laugh, I should die." - Abraham Lincoln
HAREWOOD – White Out Weekend events on the horizon! Plan accordingly! Contra Dance and Knotty Paddy Celtic Rock LIVE at the CLVFD Fire Hall Saturday Feb 18th 6:30 - 10. GET IT! Folks have been out on the lake - fishing, sledding, etc! Cranberry Lake Mountaineers voted BEST club in the STATE last year! Trails are OPEN! Clifton Community Library in Cranberry Lake is OPEN six days a week (closed Mondays)! Don't forget about the Book Drop Box at Otto's Abode! Bridgework has FINISHED over the Oswegatchie in Cranberry Lake. Vroom vroom! Lakeside Genral Store has CLOSED for the season. The business has been sold to new owners and we should all be excited to see what happens next! NEW Motel in town (CLOSED FOR WINTER)! It's called Coyote Den. Right by the Oswegatchie on Rt. 3. The HUB and TILLY'S are still in early developmental stages. Five Ponds Partners kickstarted and initiated port-o-johns at some local trailheads and will do it again next year! Tooley Pond Duck Decoy Showroom in Cranberry Lake is OPEN! John Dragun NEON ARTWORK and MORE down in Windfall! Cranberry Lake State Campground is CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. Don't forget about our other nearest-by neighbors to east: Sevey's Point and Thirsty Moose! By January 1, 2025, every operator of a motorized boat in New York State must obtain a boating safety certificate in order to legally operate their boats. There are no age exceptions to this law — and, if you're from out of state, New York will recognize your boating safety course certification.
OUT WEST - White Out Weekend events on the horizon! Plan accordingly! Frying Pan Toss at The Legion for WHITE OUT WEEKEND! Chili Conest at the Legion Feb 11th. UB's has live minnows and more! Star Lake Ice Rink ("Town of Clifton") is making ice when they can! Though, it's not looking good.... BUMMER! Cranberry Lake Mountaineers voted BEST club in the STATE last year - TRAILS ARE OPEN! FREE COMMUNITY MEAL at St. Huberts Church Wednesdays at 5PM! Hop on shuttle #22 of the St Lawrence County Volunteer Transportation Bus if you need a lift! Wanakena's closest neighbor, Mountain Gate Redemption near Benson Mines, is open. Western Adirondack Presbyterian Church in Star Lake welcomes you! Quilt Fest folks meet at the Presbyterian Church a couple times a week - join in! Twin Lakes Hotel, American Legion, Todd Hardware are OPEN! Dollar General and Circle J’s in Star Lake are OPEN! SOS is OPEN here and there for programing. CF Golf Course, Clifton-Fine Hospital, Community Bank, Adirondack Pharmacy, Clifton-Fine Community Center OPEN! Still further west in Oswegatchie UB’s, and Adirondack Rustics are open! Have you heard about the Holy Grail Gift Shop opening up this spring in Star Lake? CCL Book drop has moved from the (CLOSED Coffee Fever) to the Star Lake Community Bank. Clifton-Fine Hometown Heros Banner initiative has been engaged... banners on rt. 3 like Harrisville, Croghan and more! More information to follow. AA every Friday night at SOS 7pm. Largest Adirondack solar project to date goes before APA (adirondackexplorer.org) Coffee Fever has CLOSED. "For good." Yikes! That also means NO CCL book drop-box there - luckily there is one at Otto's Abode in Wanakena. Hillside Diner has recently closed for good, also. SCOOPS Ice Cream has closed for the season. Jrecks has closed for the season. Check out Green Pinky Farm near Oswegatchie! CFCSD Fitness Room: OPEN to community members (paperwork required). Also, the school is ALWAYS hiring, various positions. Lots more to discover on their facebook page. GO EAGLES! Need a good port-a-potty? Call-up the H Brothers!
COLTON WINTER FEST - (Info from North Country Now) - After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, the Colton Winterfest is back with a host of events planned for Feb. 10-12.
Friday, Feb. 10 - The CPCS Class of 2025 will host a spaghetti dinner in the CPCS Cafeteria. The cost is $8. The dinner is “grab & go” from 3-5 p.m. or guests may dine in the cafeteria from 5-7 p.m., or until meals are sold out. Dinner is followed by senior night for the boys’ basketball team as they compete against Brushton-Moira. The band, Divided Roads plays at Raquette River Pub starting at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 11 - Colton Community Church, formerly Colton United Methodist Church, is having a white elephant sale from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., also offering soup and sandwiches from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Craft & Vendor Show is at Amvets Post 262 from 9:30-2:30. From 10-3 there is a story walk on the inner loop of the E-Z Trail at Higley Flow State Park with free rental snowshoes or cross country ski equipment for those 7 and younger. There will be a nominal charge for those who are older. Rabideau’s Mahogany Ridge Vintage Snow Sleds exhibition will be held from 10-4 with Glazier Hot Dogs served, a wood carver, and in the evening, live music by Bugsy Hammond. There will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Friends of HFSP’s new Sled Shed at 10, followed by a ski-joring demonstration by Bob Platte & Skoda. A $5 per bag book sale will be held at the Book Nook, adjacent to the Library. The Fish and Game Club will offer a free archery course starting at 11 and their 5th annual cardboard sled races starting at 2. The Red Pine Cone will host a family fun day from 1-4 with games and a simple food menu.
Sunday, Feb. 12 - South of the Rock Bait Beer and Tackle is sponsoring a Youth Catch and Release Fishing Derby from 7-3. Youth 18 and younger will be charged a $15 entry. Send picture and measurement by 3:30 p.m. with name, phone and location. After Prom Parents will host a breakfast at CPCS from 8-12. The Colton Community Church is sponsoring a White Elephant Sale from 9-12, at 10 a.m. A frypan toss will be held at the Amvets at 10:30, followed by a cornhole tournament at noon. A 10-mile foot race from John Watson Community Center, organized by Dan and Renee Dominie, will step off at 1 p.m. The Raquette River Pub is hosting a Super Bowl Party at 6:30. On both Saturday and Sunday there will be a free clothing give-away at the CPCS Gymnasium from 8-6 on Saturday and 8-2 on Sunday. A ski challenge will be held at Higley Flow State Park, from 8 a.m. until sunset both days. Skiers add their distance skied to a chart with the goal of all skiers’ distances equaling or exceeding a distance between the Park and another point, possibly Yellowstone, with an intermediate distance of reaching the American Birkebeiner (ski marathon), in Hayward, Wisc. There will also be a snow sculpture contest throughout the weekend with sculptures judged Sunday by Citizen of the Year, Grace Hawley, and announced at the Town Hall. Call the Town Hall with your name and address to enter. Ongoing through the weekend and beyond will be an exhibition by Penny Lou Clark’s Quilts and Creations during Colton Hepburn Library’s regular hours Jan. 28-Feb. 15. Boyce’s General Store will have Winterfest apparel available. Baker’s Sizzling Grill will offer take-out and delivery and Higley Hooch will be open for your spirit needs.
KIM AND TOMS 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 #105 - 02/03/22 - 02/09/22 (ottosabode.org)
AND TWO YEARS AGO, HERE - Otto's Abode: WANAKENA WEEKLY #53 - 02/04/21 - 02/10/21 (ottosabode.org)
AND THREE YEARS AGO, HERE - Otto's Abode: WANAKENA WEEKLY DEBUT - #1 - 02/06/20 - 01/12/20 (ottosabode.org)
WHAT ELSE? - 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! How about a 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. We appreciate all of our friends, neighbors, family and strangers who are able to take the time out of their day to go out of their way and support small and local businesses!
"With the fearful strain of war upon me, if I did not laugh, I should die." - Abraham Lincoln