11/12/2024
The Harveys Lake American Legion is now home to a towering, beautifully crafted wooden eagle statue, a gift from the Harvey’s Lake Women’s Club. Following months of dedicated community support and fundraising. The statue, made from reclaimed teak wood, stands over ten feet tall, if you include the wingspan, and weighs in at an impressive 680 pounds. With an official unveiling and dedication ceremony set for after Thanksgiving, anticipation is high among local residents.
The idea for the statue was spearheaded by Melissa Hooker-Foley of the Harveys Lake Women’s Club, who saw a need for community-based art that reflects the lake’s values and natural surroundings. “It’s more than just a statue,” Hooker-Foley explained. “It’s a symbol for our community—a reminder of the eagles that live here by the lake and everything they represent.”
The club held a fundraising campaign throughout 2024, drawing donations from 30 local businesses, families, and individuals. The American Legion generously donated the land for the statue, while resident AL Brown covered the cost of the base and labor. The installation is being managed by local contractor Mark Calahan, and the Lakeside Skillet restaurant recently held a children’s coloring and naming contest for the statue, with “Valor” chosen as the winning name by Julia, a spirited seven-year-old from the community.
The reclaimed teak wood eagle, sourced from the Apsara Gallery in New Hope, PA, cost $12,000. Funding came from an outpouring of community support, with the total project cost covering not only the eagle but also a polished granite stone base engraved with the names of all 30 donors, which will be installed soon.
