Four Spirit Poles are now in place at Clark Lake.  Through their colorful tiles, each tells a story as they help mark the Spirit Trail.

Armida and Trav Pearse

The journey for Armida Pearse’s pole began in October 2019.  That’s when she and her husband, Trav, made the winning bid on a Spirit Pole up for auction at a Harvest Moon fundraiser.

But the story of Armida’s Spirit Pole began before her winning bid.  Annette Fink and her team created the pole, followed by three more.

Mary Miller, Anita Cummings, Annette Fink, Jill Lajdziak, Jane Fowler.

The construction techniques are somewhat similar to Annette’s Welcome to Clark Lake Sign.  Individual pieces are created in clay, colored, and high-fired.  The poles, located close to the road, must face the rigors of Michigan winters.  As the work continued, Annette developed best construction practices.  That included choice of basic materials and how the tiles are attached to the poles.  New poles will be cast in concrete.

A key element is how the tiles are affixed.  In this photo, Hans Klink is applying cement to Armida’s pole.

Hans, originally from Germany, now lives in Findlay, Ohio.

Prudy Christman

Greg Christman had been feeling the loss of his wife, Prudy.  For him, a surprise awaited at Prudy’s Celebration of Life at the Clark Lake Community Center in July 2023.  Prudy was the leader of Fit Chicks, an exercise group.  Her fellow Chicks sought to remember her in a way that would connect with Greg.  Mary Miller came up with the idea.  Annette Fink designed it.  Most Fit Chicks played a role in its creation.  Lois Moyer suggested “make it a surprise on July1st.” Rick and Mary Miller installed it. Patti Kaanan outfitted the Chicks with t-shirts just right for the occasion.

At just the right moment, the Chicks led Greg into one of the Garden Angel’s landscaped areas at the southeast corner of the Community Center.  And there it was – a Clark Lake Spirit Pole of high-fired clay, created in Annette Fink’s studio.  Each icon suggested something that Prudy held dear in life.

To read about more about Prudy, please click here.  For the complete story of how the pole was revealed at the Community Center, please click here.  

Sally McCarthy

Sally McCarthy’s Spirit Pole is located on the Lakeview West section of the Trail, where her son, Mike, now lives.   Like the pole designed for Prudy, the clay tiles reflect upon the life of Mike’s mother.  Sally Patterson McCarthy’s departure was sudden.  The loss was a shock not only to family, but others she was close to.  Sally had been part of a local group of women who formerly lived in large metros, as was Sally’s experience.  Though Clark Lake was definitely her summer place throughout her life, she grew up and spent much of her career in Toledo. Later, Clark Lake became her full time residence.  The group calls itself “Chicks in the Sticks.”

Mike is standing by a Spirit Trail bench.  Sally had arranged for this bench in remembrance of her mother, Mike’s grandmother. It was originally placed at Eagle Point, and is now located adjacent to the Spirit Pole.  Sally, and Ann Swain, who guided the Spirit Trail bench project are pictured below.  Ann passed away on August 28, 2024.  Sally left us on November 27, 2022.

 

Ann Swain

A fourth Spirit Pole was created for Ann Swain. Below, Annette and Ann.

Annette describes the Spirit Pole project in three words: win-win-win. That means bringing people together to help create the Spirit Pole, adding art to the community, and a way to help the Spirit Trail with a financial contribution.

Like the Welcome to Clark Lake Sign, also designed by Annette, the Spirit Poles add color to the environment and become part of the Trail.  If you’re considering a Spirit Pole, Annette says there is a backlog.

The Spirit Trail is a highly popular Clark Lake amenity.  While linking neighborhoods, it enables walkers, runners and cyclists to circumnavigate the lake as never before.  The Spirit Trail is not without costs.  While most maintenance is done by unpaid volunteers, some work requires hiring third party contractors.  Two summers ago, two sections were repaved – the path through the County Park and the one that covers the railroad bed adjacent to Hyde Road.  The cost was over $50,000.  This summer, those sections were seal coated for more than $4,000.

Donations received for plaques mounted on the Welcome to Clark Lake Sign have helped ($1000 donation for individual plaques and $2500 for businesses).

Clark Lake comes together to support the Spirit Trail.  Events offer additional opportunities to help, like Ladies Night Out at the Eagle’s Nest in the spring.

As summers draws to a close, the Ford Field Party hosted by Candie & Andy Willbee, and Marcia & Kent Ford also supports the Spirit Trail.

This year, the Sprit Trail received a donation of over $1000 from the organizers.  They also extend thanks to the neighbors who helped out and special appreciation to Rob Thomas and Cara Willbee.  Flashback to Ford Field 2023 by clicking here.

Others make contributions directly through this website (please click here).