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Rick Francona - Interview With an Oregon Editor

© Sue Barton

This is the sixth in a series of monthly articles featuring the Contributing Editors on Suite101.com who hale from the Beaver State, Oregon.

Rick Francona has been the Contributing Editor for Middle East Politics since March of 1999. He writes to us from Southern Oregon, where he lives in and enjoys Port Orford.


In order to introduce you to Rick, his Middle East Politics topic and the Port Orford area, I asked him the questions I thought you would. Here then is our conversation:

Sue Barton: Rick, tell us about Port Orford: What's your favorite restaurant, place to visit, thing to do?

Rick Francona: Port Orford is the oldest townsite on the Oregon coast, dating back to 1851, and is the westernmost incorporated city in the contiguous United States. Originally a deep water port for timber, especially prized Port Orford Cedar (chamaecyparis lawsoniana), the town's primary industry is now commercial fishing. The port is unique - there is no river here and hence no sand bar to cross, so boats can access the port anytime. Since there is little protection from the ocean, all boats are hoisted out of the water and stored on the dock.

We in Port Orford have an ideal climate, being part of the "banana belt," and some of the finest natural scenery on the West Coast. Visitors must see Battle Rock City Park, the former Coast Guard lifeboat station (now a museum) at Port Orford Heads with its spectacular trails, the Cape Blanco lighthouse, and the historic Hughes House. Of course, I have a personal interest as the webmaster for the Port Orford Lifeboat Station and the Hughes House.

While there are a few restaurants in Port Orford, I prefer the Seaweed Café, a local natural food lunch place. Everything is organic, fresh, and well-prepared by a former Portland chef.

SB: If you wanted to send somebody from out-of-state a gift that is the essence of Port Orford, what would it be and why?

RF: Myrtlewood from the Wooden Nickel, local berry products from Misty Meadows, and smoked salmon from Dock Tackle. Noteworthy local artists offer a variety of arts and crafts: unique baskets from Laughing Baskets Studio, hand-made papers and books from Hubbard Creek Studios, wearable silk creations from Spirit Silk, and spectacular glass art from Hawthorne Studios.

SB: How did you get your start writing?

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