Happy Thursday!
WITHINANUTSHELL - Rise and shine Clifton-Fine! DONT FORGET: Otto's Abode will be CLOSED most of next week for our annual Thanksgiving Break. Thanks for your understanding and your continued support. The plastic sheeting is up on the porch! We're wrapped up and ready for whatever winter brings. Ranger School reports Red Crossbills on campus. White breasted nut hatch, chickadee, blue jays and a small mystery bird at our feeders. BEAVERS! Last weekend was BEAUTIFUL! Cold, crisp, clear. Got nice and cold for the NEW MOON last Sunday night. Frozen water on the Oswegatchie, setback, Mill Pond, etc! Coated with dusty snow on top. Warmed up and now cold again. "Temps to plummet" they say.... and precipitation, too! What's up with that MYSTERY RING in The Mill Pond? (photo above). CL50 hikers still out and a about. Regular hunting season now. WEAR ORANGE IN THE WOODS! Range School students have ALL of next week off... SEE YA! Clifton Fine School Play THIS WEEKEND!!!!! Holy Grail open LATE Friday nights! CLIFTON-FINE SHOP LOCAL SATURDAY HOSTED BY S.O.S. ADIRONDACK EXHIBIT CENTER OLD SCHOOLHOUSE STAR LAKE is coming up! Saturday Dec 2nd all-day, all-around Clifton-Fine.... Get yer passports stamped! LIVE MUSIC at Star Lake Presbyterian Church 7pm Saturday Dec 2nd also and a sneak peek earlier in the day more info below. NEW ART ON VIEW DOWN AT OTTO'S ABODE now. Doorstoppers and all sorts of other stuff too. Hungry? Don't forget.... place your order on Monday and/or Tuesday for Packbasket Adventures' Take-Out dinners hot and ready Thursday and/or Friday nights! Perhaps stop-in at Otto's to grab some beverages, and/or other groceries while you're out picking it up?!?!? WHAT A GREAT IDEA, PEOPLE! Regular Town Board Meeting Second Wednesday, December 13th @ 6:30 Star Lake. Here’s a link to the most recent town board meeting minutes HERE: Town Of Fine: Minutes: November 08, 2023: Public Hearings, Preliminary Budget Hearing & Regular Meeting [Digital Towpath]. 2024 WHITE OUT WEEKEND PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND FEB 16th & 17th! C'MON!!!! We are less than a year away from the SUPER LOCAL Solar Eclipse on the afternoon of April 8, 2024! Plan on it! It's a Tuesday afternoon... Get up here! Today's Ice Jam Danger remains LOW (THREE years in a row without an ice jam... ever since they built that new bridge...). KIM AND TOMS LOST DOG REPORT - As of today, there are NO lost dogs in Wanakena.
DOWN AT THE ABODE - How about an OTTO'S ABODE GIFT CERTIFICTE?!?! Just ask... we'll mail it to you! Did you see the new cushion on the porch chair!? THANKS, OZZY!!! In other news: WE WILL BE CLOSED TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY. It's our annual Thanksgiving Break, people.... GIVE US A BREAK! We'll be back open Sunday the 26th! Otto's Abode..... OPEN ALL YEAR LONG, BABY! Except for the handful of occasions throughout the year when we need a break. THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING! THANKS FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT!!!! We have a Facebook... here's the link to our profile-----> Facebook. SOS/Adirondack Exhibit Center/Old Schoolhouse's Clifton Fine Shop Local Saturday is coming up.... December 2nd! C'mon out to Clifton-Fine! Write it down: New Years Ever Ball Drop Wanakena, NY.... 2024 WHITE OUT WEEKEND Feb 16th & 17th... Totality Eclipse Event April 8th in WANAKENA... But before all of that: Here we are NOW!!!! New GIFTS by LOCAL ARTISTS in the shop.... Calendars by DeKalb's Joanna Kingsley, Greeting Cards by Wanakna's own Julie Fogden and Hen Island Bags by Trout Lake's Laura Foster!!! NEW ART ON THE WALLS... more info below. CURRENTLY ON VIEW - CHOCK CHECK (KEYS TO THE CITY). The Doorstopper Show. STILL ACCEPTING DOOR STOPPERS. More info to come. We have in-stock the BRAND-NEW 2nd edition Cranberry Lake 50 Guidebook... CL50 maps, too. Happy to mail one to you - let us know. We ALSO have a stack of the GIANT Cranberry Lake Boat Club/Green Goat Maps available for purchase. ALWAYS ON THE SHELVES: FRESH PRODUCE! Outstanding selection. FROZEN RED BARN MEATS! Local and tasty! Bread, milk, eggs, groceries, cheese, ice cream, candy and tons more. Local maple syrup and honey! BEER CAVE with other sixty varieties of beer, seltzers, hard cider and more! BEST BREW SELECTION IN SOUTHERN ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. Hot coffee and tea, too. Susan's Swickamillo Sourdough every Saturday morning and Hannah's random baked goods like scones and banana bread throughout the week. Maps galore... MAPS GALORE! Books, music, art supplies. Fishing, camping, hiking knickknacks. Gifts, goodies and more! We rent bear canisters that also double as conga drum. All sorts of ART and GLORIFIED junk on-display throughout the shop ALWAYS. Out on the porch you'll find a community message board, a Clifton Community Library DROP BOX and the legendary Wee-Kena Library. Out in ZPARK you can have a picnic and play CROQUET EVERY DAY if you want to! ALL YEAR LONG! Mallets-in-hand, balls-in-pockets; hittin' sticks, wicket clicks. Is it Snow Croquet Season yet? Occasional campfires and home of the Clifton-Fine Summer Music Series and OPEN AIR OPEN MIC. And don't forget: THREE YEARS of Wanakena Weekly archived on our website. Why be a square when you could be a deconstructed cube?
ON VIEW - Early Works - Oil Paintings by Joshua Crabtree - Joshua Crabtree is a writer and painter from Canton, N.Y. Although he grew up in a military family, living primarily in the South, he developed a love of the North Country while spending every summer with his grandmother. He eventually returned to attend St. Lawrence University, married and raised two daughters in Canton where he and his wife owned a health food store for 21 years. “This series of paintings was inspired by an old trunk of photographs I've been enamored with since receiving them about a decade ago from my Great Aunt Lyda. I enjoy studying them, especially the backgrounds, for details about what life was like here over a century ago.”
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.
PACKBASKET ADVENTURES – Lodge open for business and PICK-UP DINNERS TO-GO Thursday and/or Friday nights - place your order Monday and/or Tuesday nights. (Perhaps stop-in at Otto's to grab some beverages, and/or other groceries while you're out picking it up?!?!?) Visit their website for more information: www.packbasketadventures.com
WANAKENACCOMODATIONS - "Where do people stay?" is the question. The aforementioned Packbasket Adventures Lodge in Wanakena is a great option. Also, there are all sorts of AirBnB/VRBO/ADKbyOWNER/ places - some are open year-round (Suzie's Guesthouse and Legacy Stays), most are not. Coyote Den Motel, Birch's Lakeside Campground and the Cranberry Lake State Campground are near-by options. And of course: Lots of primitive camping all around in Wilderness/Wild Forest State Parcels - all free and open to the public, first come first serve... LEAVE NO TRACE - CARRY IT IN CARRY IT OUT. Don't forget about the Town of Fine Wanakena Primitive Campground and Picnic Area on South Shore Road by Cat Mountain trailhead.
RANGER SCHOOL - Class of 2024 in session! Visit their website for more information: www.esf.edu/rangerschool
RANGER SCHOOL - Class of 2024 in session! Visit their website for more information: www.esf.edu/rangerschool
WANAKENA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION – Get out here and check out that footbridge! Although the History Center is CLOSED for the cold-weather months, there are numerous informational kiosks located around town for you viewing pleasure all year long.
WANAKENA LABYRTINTH - Unwind the mind... STAY TUNED THIS WINTER FOR ICE SKATING ON THE GRASSY SPOT BELOW THE LABYRINTH!
WANAKENA CHURCH – Sunday services have concluded for the 2023 season. Presbyterian Services held in Star Lake all winter.
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.
TOWN OF FINE WANAKENA CAMPGROUND AND PICNIC AREA - First come first serve. Please leave no trace and carry in what you carry out.
TOWN OF FINE WANAKENA PLAYGROUND - Is in good shape! Lots of Pickle Ball played there this past summer. Town of Fine Crew switched out the gravel for sand - NICE!
WANAKENA SEWER AND WATER - Are operational!
WANAKENA PUBLIC BATHROOM AND DOCK - Public bathroom remains open but will close for the cold-weather months SOON! AS OF 10/24/23 THE PUBLIC DOCK HAS BEEN MOVED TO ITS WINTER HIBERNATION LOCATION!
CLIFTON-FINE SUMMER SERIES - website here---> cliftonfinearts.blogspot.com
HAREWOOD – Clifton Community Library open Tuesday - Saturday. Don't forget about utilizing the Library Book Drop Box at Otto's Abode - it's a fantastic service brought to you by Library folk! Wooden Fish Hatchery closed next week for Thanksgiving Holiday. The Cranberry Lake Mountaineers hosted a free NYS Snowmobile Safety course at the Cranberry Lake Fire Department on Saturday, November 11, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m! A message from the CLVFD: The Cranberry Lake Fire and Rescue Department has decided not to hold the First Strike Fishing Derby in 2024. This decision did not come lightly for us. After many hours of thought and discussions, we decided that we will take 2024 off as a restructuring year. There were multiple issues with the 2023 derby. These issues have been identified and we plan on using this year to recreate our fundraiser. We hope that this will not discourage you from joining us for a great derby in 2025. In other news: Coyote Den Motel OPEN! Down in Windfall you'll find the Tooly Pond Wooden Fish Hatchery & Duck Decoy Showroom and John Dragun Neon shop OPEN for business. Snowing yet? Cranberry Lake Mountaineers gearing up for another great season of snowmobiling. Birch's Lakeside has closed for the season - cheers to many more! Cranberry Lake North Shore Hub protects the historic church & grounds promote regional info and tourism/shopping Facebook stuff on Facebook. Cranberry Lake State Campground closed through May 16th, 2024. Tilly's summer 2024? Cranberry Lake Boat Club still floatin'! 2024 Cranberry Lake Art Show August 10th and 11th! Don't forget about our other nearest-by neighbors to east: Sevey's Point and Thirsty Moose in Childwold! 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 - Clifton-Fine SCHOOL PLAY this weekend!!!!! Oswegatchie First Baptist Church has raised that dough for the steeple repairs! Town of Fine Clerks office CLOSED ALL NEXT WEEK. SOS Shop Local Saturday is coming up DEC 2nd!!!!!!! Santa at The Legion Dec 17th! Buy your Clifton-Fine Hospital Memory Tree $1 lightbulbs! It's also time to order your Lions Club Christmas Wreaths! Clifton-Fine Golf Club accepting donations! Hat and Glove Drive Oct. 15 - Nov. 30 J.S. Forestry and Excavation - Fine, NY. FREE COMMUNITY MEAL at St. Huberts Church Wednesdays at 5PM! Cranberry Lake Mountaineers are gearing up for another fantastic season of snowmobiling! NEW OWNERS at the old Mountain Gate Bottle Redemption center near Benson Mines Dec 3rd XMAS Auction! NEW OWNERS running a bottle redemption at the old Little River Shop - more to come! ADK Holy Grail Gift Shop, Twin Lakes Hotel, American Legion, Todd Hardware, Adirondack Pharmacy, Community Bank, Dollar General and Circle J’s in Star Lake are OPEN! New York State's smallest hospital - Clifton-Fine Hospital - is open! CFCSD Fitness Room and OPEN GYM: OPEN to community members (paperwork required). GO EAGLES! Further west in Oswegatchie UB’s, Green Pinky Farm and Adirondack Rustics (HOME OF THE LEGENDARY "BARGAIN HUNTER" NEWSPAPER) are open! H Brothers! Alcoholics Anonymous Friday nights 7pm @SOS. Hop on shuttle #22 of the St Lawrence County Volunteer Transportation Bus if you need a lift! Fingers-crossed for the Town of Clifton Star Lake Ice Rink will have ice this winter. Newton Falls Paper Mill | Facebook
WHAT ELSE? - Like what you're reading? Tell a friend to tune-in as well! 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!
"No cat which has been bought will ever be any good at catching mice. Indonesians and Malays believe that if you wash your cat, it will bring rain." - from The Cat Lovers Companion
HAREWOOD – Clifton Community Library open Tuesday - Saturday. Don't forget about utilizing the Library Book Drop Box at Otto's Abode - it's a fantastic service brought to you by Library folk! Wooden Fish Hatchery closed next week for Thanksgiving Holiday. The Cranberry Lake Mountaineers hosted a free NYS Snowmobile Safety course at the Cranberry Lake Fire Department on Saturday, November 11, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m! A message from the CLVFD: The Cranberry Lake Fire and Rescue Department has decided not to hold the First Strike Fishing Derby in 2024. This decision did not come lightly for us. After many hours of thought and discussions, we decided that we will take 2024 off as a restructuring year. There were multiple issues with the 2023 derby. These issues have been identified and we plan on using this year to recreate our fundraiser. We hope that this will not discourage you from joining us for a great derby in 2025. In other news: Coyote Den Motel OPEN! Down in Windfall you'll find the Tooly Pond Wooden Fish Hatchery & Duck Decoy Showroom and John Dragun Neon shop OPEN for business. Snowing yet? Cranberry Lake Mountaineers gearing up for another great season of snowmobiling. Birch's Lakeside has closed for the season - cheers to many more! Cranberry Lake North Shore Hub protects the historic church & grounds promote regional info and tourism/shopping Facebook stuff on Facebook. Cranberry Lake State Campground closed through May 16th, 2024. Tilly's summer 2024? Cranberry Lake Boat Club still floatin'! 2024 Cranberry Lake Art Show August 10th and 11th! Don't forget about our other nearest-by neighbors to east: Sevey's Point and Thirsty Moose in Childwold! 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 - Clifton-Fine SCHOOL PLAY this weekend!!!!! Oswegatchie First Baptist Church has raised that dough for the steeple repairs! Town of Fine Clerks office CLOSED ALL NEXT WEEK. SOS Shop Local Saturday is coming up DEC 2nd!!!!!!! Santa at The Legion Dec 17th! Buy your Clifton-Fine Hospital Memory Tree $1 lightbulbs! It's also time to order your Lions Club Christmas Wreaths! Clifton-Fine Golf Club accepting donations! Hat and Glove Drive Oct. 15 - Nov. 30 J.S. Forestry and Excavation - Fine, NY. FREE COMMUNITY MEAL at St. Huberts Church Wednesdays at 5PM! Cranberry Lake Mountaineers are gearing up for another fantastic season of snowmobiling! NEW OWNERS at the old Mountain Gate Bottle Redemption center near Benson Mines Dec 3rd XMAS Auction! NEW OWNERS running a bottle redemption at the old Little River Shop - more to come! ADK Holy Grail Gift Shop, Twin Lakes Hotel, American Legion, Todd Hardware, Adirondack Pharmacy, Community Bank, Dollar General and Circle J’s in Star Lake are OPEN! New York State's smallest hospital - Clifton-Fine Hospital - is open! CFCSD Fitness Room and OPEN GYM: OPEN to community members (paperwork required). GO EAGLES! Further west in Oswegatchie UB’s, Green Pinky Farm and Adirondack Rustics (HOME OF THE LEGENDARY "BARGAIN HUNTER" NEWSPAPER) are open! H Brothers! Alcoholics Anonymous Friday nights 7pm @SOS. Hop on shuttle #22 of the St Lawrence County Volunteer Transportation Bus if you need a lift! Fingers-crossed for the Town of Clifton Star Lake Ice Rink will have ice this winter. Newton Falls Paper Mill | Facebook
WHAT ELSE? - Like what you're reading? Tell a friend to tune-in as well! 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!
"No cat which has been bought will ever be any good at catching mice. Indonesians and Malays believe that if you wash your cat, it will bring rain." - from The Cat Lovers Companion