Clark Lake is indeed blessed.  Its natural beauty is enhanced by sparkling water from crystal clear springs.  Beyond its waves, shores and docks, the lake leaves an indelible impression on all who experience it.  These attributes are only a starting point.

Those at Clark Lake are here because they want to be.  Generations of friends and family have created a caring community, adding to its outstanding physical attributes.  For many, it’s not only today, but the way we got here.  There’s a name for it – the Clark Lake Spirit.

It would be impossible to expand fully on this Clark Lake tradition in a short article.  But looking back on website articles of the last 11 years reveals much.  On this Thanksgiving day, it’s worth noting some highlights.

Who would have thought a church bell silenced by fire in 1912 would ring again?  It happened Monday.  It came to pass because the bell had been preserved, recently donated, and combined with the generosity of Clark Lakers, and the work of the Build the Bell Tower volunteers.  Early settlers founded the church in 1868.  Because visitors will be able to read a plaque in the Clark Lake Cemetery, future generations will know about its 152 year history.  Part of the Clark Lake’s Memory means headstones were set right and years of grime are being washed away.

What are some other blessings?  The Spirit Trail links Clark Lake neighborhoods and provides a path for walkers, runners, and cyclists. From its inception in 1996 to now, upgrades continue.  Sections were seal coated this summer following last summer’s repaving.  You don’t have to go back too far to remember the reconstruction  adjacent to the post office, or the new section built between Rita and Grand Boulevard.  That last location leads to the Welcome to Clark Lake Sign.  The donors, whose bronze plaques grace it, helped cover construction costs.  The Sign was inspired and created by a Clark Laker.  As the Spirit Trail connects neighborhoods, the project itself brought the community together.  Those brilliantly colored tiles are the happy outcome.

While the Spirit Trail was under construction, the Graziani cottage floated down the lake.  Once in the County Park, it was then restored.  Twenty-five years later the house again needed restoration.  The outpouring of financial support and work of volunteers now ensure this 125 year old treasure will serve as the Community Center for many years to come. Next time in you’re inside you’ll see the Recognition Display with over 100 names.  These individuals and families are the reason this Victorian lady continues to reign high on the hill, while steadfastly maintaining its mission to preserve Clark Lake’s past and provide a place to gather.

Next to the Recognition Display are names of those who helped the Garden Angel’s amplify the Clark Lake Spirit with the Pretty Pergola.  On the same wall is an illustration of how Clark Lakers rise to challenges.  When the dam was threatened, it didn’t take long for support to form.  The infrastructure was strengthened, not just once, but twice.  Even the name “DamStrong” suggests how this community works together.

When invasive weeds threatened Clark Lake in 2014, residents marshalled efforts to establish a control program.  Volunteers went house-to-house and talked to 70 property owners.  Ninety-five percent signed a petition to start a program.  The results are the envy of some other Michigan lakes.

Clark Lake has a never-ending cornucopia of blessings.  Every year, volunteers in each of the organizations greatly add to this abundance.  Few small communities can tell a story like Raft-O-Rama, the Garden Angels, Run Clark Lake, and Crab Races.   It doesn’t stop there.  The Lions Club, Freedom Fireworks, North Shore paving, irrigation at the Sign,  mowing, Polar Plunge, Haunted Woods, Clark Lake Yacht Club and its Regatta all play a strong role.

Is there more?  Of course.  This article only scratches the surface, nor does it attempt to mention all who deserve credit.  But if you click the links, you’ll learn about many of the players.  Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments.

Happy Thanksgiving from this website and the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation.

In 2017 this website produced a Thanksgiving video.  One of its goals was to show how Clark Lake connects families and friends.