The weekend saw Clark Lake come together for two great events—Run Clark Lake on Saturday, and Raft-O-Rama on Sunday.  Participants turned out in large numbers.  Without an army of volunteers, the events would not have functioned. So, what follows is a great big Thank You to all who displayed their Clark Lake Spirit leading up to, and the day of, these two events.

Leanne Melling recruits and organizes volunteers for Run Clark Lake, a big task.  Here are the volunteers, in alphabetical order by last name.

Michele Ambs, Tucker & Tricia Boyers, Pam Chmiel, Peggy Collins, Sydney Collins, Jean Dertouzous, Don & Jane Fowler, Lori Grace, Ted & Betty Gulliver, Linda Hones, Diana Hughes, Ron June, Mary Kellogg, Mark Kelly, Pam Kennedy, Bob Luedecking, Roger Lyons, Vic & Gretchen Marshall, Amanda Melling, Katelyn Melling, Mark Melling, Terry Millican, Rick & Mary Miller, Kellie Mulder-Gritzmaker, Cade Munro, Casey Munro, David Munro, Foster Munro, Nate Munro, Melissa Owings, Trav & Armida Pearse, Pam Ricker, Joe Rummler, Teri Schutz, Jerry & Anita Shaughnessy, Hal & Denise Shugarman, Phil & Sandy Simon, Fred Slaby, John Stewart, Lucia Thomson, Charles Timberlake, Ellen Wietecha, Miranda Wilcox, Andy & Jackie Wilson.

Judi Kelly of Doyle’s donated the Kids Run gift bags.  Judi continues to be a strong supporter of Clark Lake projects.

Pat Dwyer founded the Run, and has been Race Director for 47 years.  He deserves high praise.  The Run annually donates a significant contribution to the Spirit Trail.

Although Raft-O-Rama’s big splash on the lake happens once a year, planning for it takes place well in advance.  Did you know that Raft-O-Rama, in conjunction with the Yacht Club, puts on the Kids Triathlon?  They also are make and distribute luminaries to enhance Independence Day at the lake.

Raft-O-Rama co-chair Joe Collins sums up it this way:  Our somewhat weather-abbreviated closing ceremonies did not allow us to acknowledge the people that put on this event. The ‘Commit-Me’s’ on your Raft-O-Rama Committee spend basically eight months of their Spring and Summer doing all that needs to be done to make this Clark Lake’s premier event.  Anyone that took the time to help in any way through this process deserves the community’s thanks and recognition.

Thanks to these Clark Lakers who make Raft-O-Rama possible (in alphabetical order by last name).

Maris Anderson, Justin & Ashton Burgess, Jenna Chmielewski, Bryan Collins, Bentley Collins, Joe Collins, Kenny Eitel, Kris Hull, John & Dotty Karkheck, Kyle Main, Karen Menard, John Menard, Dan Omo, Walt Reed, Pam Ricker, Ann Searles, Brenden & Isabel.

And a special thank you from a participant, Tucker Boyers.

“On behalf of Team #11, we would like to thank everyone for voting for us for the People’s Choice Award. It’s an award that is very special to all of us who participate in Raft-O-Rama!  We would also like to extend a huge thank you to the Raft-O-Rama Committee for all of your hard work. You always put together a great event for the Clark Lake community to come together and enjoy! Last but not least, to the Clark Lake Lions, thanks to your club and all of your members for all you do around Clark Lake. Making are community second to none!

“We’d also like to give a HUGE shout out to Rick Belcher for his outstanding coverage of all of the events of the Clark Lake Summer Festival activities! Great job as always Rick !

“Thanks again to everyone for making memories not soon to be forgotten!

Team #11

Tucker and Tricia Boyers
Beck, Brandi and Noah Ligibel
Crew Clement
Pat Finn
Susan Stearns
Matt and Michelle Kunkel

Check out the Raft-O-Rama committee at their February meeting.

These thank-you’s include sponsors.