The Legend of Norman Sanders?

By Julie Berry Traynor

Cleaver Guest Writer

               The truth told, I don’t know if there is a legend of any kind attached to the person Norman Sanders or not, but there just might be. I can tell you that his name and his work came into our household in the 1980s and have never left. Okay, but how does this name figure into Clare County history, you ask? I’m not sure if it does, but I am sure that someone out there has the answer to the question we’ve been asked more than once, “Who is Norman Sanders?” 

               Let me explain, and of course, it’s a bit of a story. 

               I’ve known Lake George my whole life and it’s given me great friends, an entire family, and memories. When I was a kid Shingle Lake was the first place my dad ever took me fishing. I was five. We had hamburgers at the Swiss Inn, dad let me try to row the boat, and I didn’t land a fish. I got a doozie of a sunburn and had a great and memorable time with my dad. Nearly twenty years later I met my husband in Lake George, and some years after that, I met Norman Sanders on Arbor Drive.    

               In the mid 1980’s my sis-in-law and I made a great sport of going to all the yard sales we could find at Lake George. Treasures abounded. It was on one busy July 4th weekend of yard sale going, that I met Norman Sanders. He was sitting on a table in a shady yard, surrounded by the usual sale fodder.  He was patiently waiting for someone to come along and see what a great piece of woodcraft he was/is. 

               Norman Sanders is a fine, wooden black bear, about 9x4x4 inches, and carved with care and skill from a chunk of pine. He stands on all fours, looking straight ahead with his tiny, shiny black nail-head eyes. He has little, round bear ears, and a curious, almost smile on his bear face. 

               We know his name is Norman Sanders. It is carved on his back in capital letters and 1978 is carved beneath his name. We’ve always reckoned that Norman Sanders was the maker, and that year was when he was carved. This bear was the best buy of the summer, although I do not remember his cost. It wasn’t much. He’s been admired by many through the years and is always a friendly guy, no matter how many times he is asked “Who is Norman Sanders?” 

               From time to time, we’ve wondered about this ourselves. Who was Norman Sanders and where was he anyway? I’m not sure when he appeared, but a life-sized bear exactly like our Norman, striking the same pose, stood in a yard on the corner of Old 27 and Mannsiding Rd, south of Harrison for years. We admired him every time we passed and took to calling him Big Norman Sanders. We hoped to stop one day and ask about Norman Sanders, the bear maker. Busy always got in the way, and just a couple of years ago the log Norman Sanders left the yard. Time has flown.

               Norman Sanders the carved bear has now been with us for most of his existence. We enjoy his shape and his smile. He’s stood on mantles, several desks, and has been a bookend. He’s been decked out with a scarf and greens for the holidays, but mostly hangs out with other carved animals, particularly a certain skunk that may be related. Norman the bear has been a favorite thing for nearly forty years. I think it’s time he got his back story. 

               If you know about Norman Sanders, the person and carver of bears please let us know by dropping a line or two to the Cleaver at editor@clarecountycleaver.net or stop in and share what you know.