Maine delegation talks turkey
11/26/09 | 3 comments

Maine delegation talks turkey


By Kase Wickman
Boston University Washington News Service

WASHINGTON — Thanksgiving is a day for family, friends and altogether too much food.

Even the Maine congressional delegation, whose day-to-day lives are different than most — weathering elections and long floor battles, allocating billions in federal funds to help the folks back home — will give their power suits a break and celebrate a largely traditional turkey day back home in the Pine Tree State.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, said he plans to spend the holiday in East Millinocket, though his plans were not set in stone early this week.

“We’re still working out the details, but I might be hosting Thanksgiving at my house,” he said in an e-mail response to a query about his plans.

Michaud called turkey “a favorite” and said that the bird, along with pumpkin pie and homemade whipped cream, definitely would be making an appearance at the family dinner.

Besides the meal itself, Michaud said, he uses the holiday to remember others’ sacrifices.

“I am also thankful for the service of our men and women in uniform. Here at home, I have been touched by the dedication of our troop greeters and thankful that Americans understand and realize the challenges faced by our soldiers and their families,” he said. “The holidays can be a particularly tough time for military families, and I am thankful for the support our state gives them.”

Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and her husband, former Maine Gov. John McKernan, will head to Snowe’s cousin’s house in Old Orchard Beach for a family dinner on what she called “one of America’s most cherished holidays.”

Snowe said she was thankful for members of the military at home and abroad, as well as for other people in her life.

“We are extraordinarily thankful for the health and happiness of loved ones, and the magnificent beauty and bounty of our great state and nation,” she said in a statement. “And at this challenging economic time we also pause to express appreciation to those countless individuals of good will and compassion who give selflessly of themselves to brighten the lives of so many during these difficult days. They truly embody the enduring resolve and can-do spirit that are the hallmarks of Maine and America.”

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is headed for her brother Gregg’s house in Caribou, where her parents, brothers and sisters, and “many nieces and nephews” will gather.

“I am making creamed onions, a Collins family favorite,” she said in an e-mail message. “And my mother, Pat, is baking all of the delicious pies.”

Collins is also making a donation to the Good Shepherd Food-Bank, which she said she does annually.

“So many Maine families are struggling in this tough economy, and especially during this holiday season, it is important that we remember those who are less fortunate,” she said.

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, has a very hands-on Thanksgiving planned. Pingree, before going into politics, was a farmer in Maine, and one of her family’s Thanksgiving traditions is raising the turkey they will eventually carve in their North Haven home. Most of the vegetables and produce that will be on Pingree’s table were grown at home, spokesman Willy Ritch said.

Pingree will host “a couple dozen” family members for Thanksgiving dinner, including her children, her grandson and others.

“She really likes Thanksgiving,” Ritch said. “It feels like a really relaxed holiday. It’s just making the meal and having the family over.”

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3 comments on this item
On 11/26/09 at 6:15 AM, Ladyslipper wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

On this Thanksgiving Day it is so enlightening to read about the dinner plans that our ELECTED representatives will have. It is also heartwarming to read about the thankfulness and gratitude that they have for our troops . Maybe it's just me, but if I were in a position to actually do something for our troops (like these people are) I would be working day and night to insure our brave troops were not just SITTING DUCKS abandoned on the battlefield.

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On 11/26/09 at 9:04 AM, DTOMAnytown wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789. -- George Washington

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On 11/26/09 at 8:26 PM, untrimmedBver wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

As a veteran, I observe Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

I get so tired of politicians who bend over backwards at every occasion to "remember" me in order to demonstrate their patriotism.

CCR's "Forunate Son" is as timely and accurate now as it was 35 years ago.

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