A Summer of Peace story began to unfold in September when an advisor suggested celebrations of peace at both ends of the lake to include all Lake County citizens from the opening ceremonies throughout the 90-day festival. Reflecting the global celebration, the festival was created as a template for ours and other communities to express and share personal and universal ideas of peace.
While county and city governments declared full support, none could provide grants under current economic conditions. In a series of meetings, we invited Rolf Kriken, the noted Lake County sculptor, creator of the Vietnam Memorial in Sacramento, to construct peace monuments for both Lakeport and Clearlake. Rolf kindly donated his design, foundry, equipment and time, leaving only materials to purchase.
However, fundraising proceeds covered only part of one marker, and illness curtailed Kriken”s back-breaking work.
Nonetheless, magic happened. Herb Gura suggested that Clearlake build its own pole in a unique design. Tom Carter, an Upper Lake building contractor/woodworking artist, met with Clearlake officials about an original Redwood peace pole for the rural California setting, and the council approved the pole”s construction and location.
No one wanted to cut a redwood tree for a peace pole, and wood had to be cured. Within a few intense days, Tom searched inventories at his own mill and those of friends, found a 15” foot redwood that had survived a fire, and offered to finish it prior to dedication. Clearlake leaders supported the peace pole as a unique symbol for the city.
On the week of the opening celebration, six men from Tom”s team and Clearlake Public Works/Parks Departments gathered at Austin Park to drill the hole and position the redwood tree. Witnessing their resolution in the stifling heat as they poured the concrete and carefully tamped the dirt around the base provided a moment of deep gratitude and quiet triumph.
Two days later, another dedicated team in Lakeport lifted the stunning marker created by Rolf Kriken, who guided the steel and bronze statuary onto its concrete base in the circular garden graciously tended by the Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club of Lakeport. The marker was carefully positioned outward to the world.
Despite a gray and stormy day, dedication ceremonies proceeded on June 22. Driving down Highway 29 between events, we saw the dark clouds break just enough. Gathering 100 strong in Austin Park, cold, windblown, but dry in the evening light, we watched the rain sweep in from across the lake, then stop.
Following the service highlighted by Pomo drums, sacred music, and ancient wisdom, we joined hands in a circle, lifting more than 100 yards of Carol Prather”s colorful peace flags that flew in both parks. A song spontaneously rang out our dedication, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” The seeds of peace were now planted in both cities.
The Clearlake Peace Pole is rough, not new. It is used, scorched, and of advanced age, expendable like many of us. Completion of the project was harrowing. The redwood survived to symbolize a great and noble message of peace. Little could the old log know that its mission might fulfill a gallant purpose. A liberated redwood tree, a hardy soul, representing a city that has survived the fire of its own struggle, stands alone in dignity beside the American flag.
This is the legend of the peace markers. Both remind us to recommit our daily lives to peace, justice and harmony, demonstrating our mountain-lake community determination to overcome separation and challenges to declare a culture of peace. For more information, visit LakeCountySummerofPeace.com, call 262-0400, or email stjohnt@mchsi.com.
Taira St. John
Founder of the Lake County Summer of Peace
