Senate Majority Leader visits The Fairgate Inn in Camas

The Fairgate Inn recently welcomed a high profile politician as a guest.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, of Nevada, and his wife Landra stayed at the inn Aug. 13 through Aug. 16, to visit childhood friends and attend a political fundraiser in Portland.

“A friend lives in Camas and recommended us, as she has attended events here and knew it was the right place,” said Fairgate Communications Director Jane Green. “The Reids wanted a comfortable home-away-from-home atmosphere.”

Five Secret Service agents stayed at the inn during the Reids’ visit.

Harry Reid is the Democratic Majority Leader in the Senate.

“They had to have the whole place to themselves for security reasons,” Green said. “The Secret Service came here the week before and toured the entire property to make sure it would work. Once they were checked in, housekeeping could not enter the rooms. The Reids took early morning walks before breakfast, and the agents were always with them.”

The couple visited Multnomah Falls, and Landra purchased gifts for friends in downtown Camas.

They had dinner at Roots Restaurant, and the agents brought pizza from 360 Pizzeria, both of Camas.

“The Reids enjoyed strolling our gardens and reading the daily papers in their room each morning,” Green said. “Their Camas friends joined them in our dining room for breakfast for two of the mornings. The agents always had breakfast with the Reids as well. It was very much like a family.”

The Reids, married for 52 years, stayed in the Cotswold Suite, at the Fairgate.

“The Reids were very down to earth and appreciated all our efforts to accommodate their specific needs,” Green said. “The agents were easy to deal with. It was an organized effort on everyone’s part, and it was very disciplined.

“It really made you appreciate the dedication these folks have to their work,” she added. “There are so many hours on the road.”

Last week, Harry Reid was among the speakers at the Democratic National Convention, in Charlotte, N.C.

Jack Foyte and his wife Chris opened The Fairgate Inn in May 2000. Since then, the Foytes have welcomed guests from around the world including Sweden, New Zealand, Brazil, Belgium and Russia.

Green said Harry Reid is the most notable person in politics who has stayed at The Fairgate. In entertainment, that recognition could go to actor Timothy Hutton — winner of an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his role in the film “Ordinary People.”

Hutton and other cast and crew members of the Turner Network Television series “Leverage” filmed an episode in March 2011, at the inn on Prune Hill.

The Fairgate Inn is located at 2213 N.W. 23rd Ave., Camas. For more information, call 834-0861 or visit www.fairgateinn.com.