Clausen Memorial Potluck

Half of the incredible couple who built River Ford Farm has died. Victor Clausen was 83 when he passed away in February after several battles with his health. We were sad to hear the news, and we attended a moving ceremony in Vancouver, WA where he and Phyllis have lived for the past year. (We knew we had arrived at the right location when the sign said "Home for the Liberal Religious Spirit!")

Vic and Phyllis used to have a potluck at their place (now our place) in Trout Lake every July 4th, so we offered to Phyllis that we could host a potluck and memorial service, so that all of their Trout Lake friends would have an opportunity to celebrate Vic and show support for Phyllis. It would also give us a chance to meet more of our Trout Lake neighbors.

The whole community pitched in for the event. Our neighbors Dean and Rosie are the hosts of the annual Trout Lake Arts Festival, so they are well prepared for large events and brought their grill and an ample supply of gourmet sausages; Tom and Bonnie brought tables and chairs. The other 40 or so people brought all sorts of good food and stories about Vic and Phyllis.

One of the most amazing things for us to see were the early photos of our property. When they bought this land in the 1970s, it was just a flat piece of land with absolutely nothing on it. Everything that is here now - house, thousands of trees, out buildings, irrigation, etc - was put here by Vic and Phyllis, either by their planning or their direct laboring. Sometime in the near future we hope to spend some time with Phyllis and scan some of those photos for ourselves.

We've only known Vic and Phyllis for a year and a half, but they are an inspiration to us in many ways. We'll miss Vic.

- Mike (& Corinne)