History, mystery & showtunes

Since Tyler Wilson abandoned ship, reviews have become fair game around here so I can't resist taking a stab. I had so much unexpected fun Sunday night and at such a surprising venue that I must share.

Where do luxurious, century-old surroundings meet sandals and flappers (really; two women came in costume)? Where does "The Piano Man" meet Judy Garland and a gorgeous lake view? The Clark House, of course.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the F. Lewis Clark mansion. Graciously entertaining owner Monty Danner is celebrating with special summer rates, a new drop-in piano bar, and $5 appetizers Thursday through Sunday to the tunes of Ron Pass, a surpassed-my-expectations talent Monty found in Puerto Vallarta. Young Ron has an Elton John voice which can belt it out at Broadway volume. He tosses humor into the lyrics from time to time if you're listening carefully.

When he played "Moondance" he had me, but the '30s and '40s showtunes are what brought a dance floor to life. He takes requests; by the time he did Billy Joel's "Piano Man" (complete with perfectly executed harmonica) he had us all singing along. It turned into a real party.

And I thought I'd want to leave early.

There was a bit of summer magic to the experience. Sitting on the back patio, simple tapas and wine on the white table, a hill of beautiful trees and immaculately kept flora to my right, and a perfect view of Hayden Lake to my left gave it a prolonged sense of timelessness.

Part of the ambiance is the mystery. Clark and his wife bought 150 acres (the property used to reach across the lake to about where 95 and Prairie are now) and completed the mansion by 1910. Clark suddenly disappeared on an outing in 1914; he told his chauffeur to stop so he could take a brief walk and never returned. No one knows what happened. Widow Winifred tried to keep the place, but lost it to creditors in 1922.

By 1988 it was in horrible disrepair and slated for burn by the county. The new owners bought the 15,000 square foot home in the nick of time and restored it to its current splendor.

So now on summer evenings locals can sip drinks, choose from simple appetizers such as soup, salad, or hummus (or dinner with reservations), and sing along with the piano man while enjoying the view.

Life is good.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Thanks to Shirley Thagard for luring us there last night. [email protected]