BETHEL – State Sen. Carol Weston of Montville, Republican leader in the Maine Senate, was the featured speaker at this annual Lincoln Day dinner, honoring the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, who was initially elected in 1860 on a ticket that included Oxford County native Hannibal Hamlin for vice president.

Weston, a native of Aroostook County, married to Peter Weston and the mother of two, served two terms in the State House of Representatives before her election to the State Senate in 2003.

Maine College Republican Chairman Nate Walton of Lewiston, a Bates College student, spoke on his work in preparing for the 2008 election cycle.

The dinner, held at the Bethel Inn Conference Center on Feb. 24, began with a social hour followed by dinner, then the program, which also included raffles and an auction to raise funds for the 2008 election.

Former State Rep. Al Barth served as auctioneer and raffle winner announcer. Various county officeholders and legislators were also recognized as well as members of the Executive Committee.

State Committeeman Stan Howe recognized retiring members of the Executive Committee and presented gifts to Joan Putnam, former vice chairwoman; Louanne Cameron, former treasurer; and Erlon Jones, former chairman. Letters from Maine’s two U.S. senators were read by Rep. Sawin Millett.

Rep. Jim Hamper performed his usual musical parody of life in Augusta. Appreciation was expressed by Chairman Dan Bolling to everyone who worked to make the event a success, citing especially the work of Becky Kendall and Lynn and Jim Hamper. The event ended with the group singing “God Bless America.”