James Cloutier

[1][2] He spent two years in the Navy then came to the University of Oregon (UO) in Eugene on a baseball scholarship in 1958; he also studied art.

[2][4] The card company was inspired by the popularity of the sentiments expressed by Governor Tom McCall regarding an influx of out-of-state migration to Oregon.

[4] The cards both poked fun at Oregon culture and humorously discouraged newcomers by exaggerating, among other things, how much it rained in the state.

[4][5] After Cloutier's mother revealed that she had actually been born in Washington, he created an honorary membership category for people who had lived in Oregon at least 50 years.

[4] Although the group was intended to be humorous, people took it seriously and would hold annual picnics at Champoeg State Park.