U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe stopped by Simones’ Hot Dog Stand in Lewiston on Friday, celebrating the family-owned business’ 100th anniversary. The Maine Republican toured the restaurant during lunchtime, shaking hands and speaking with constituents. Snowe, the first Greek-American woman elected to Congress, also left a lengthy message in Greek in the restaurant’s guest book.

“They probably won’t even be able to read my handwriting,” she said afterward.

Snowe, who grew up in Auburn, said she was happy to have the opportunity to meet with family members from the area and spend time in a thriving Maine family business. Friday evening, Snowe was joining her husband, former Maine Gov. John McKernan, sitting Gov. John Baldacci and other former Maine governors at the Blaine House in Augusta for the 175th Anniversary Gala Dinner.

Obama campaign office in Auburn

The Maine branch of the Obama presidential campaign is opening its Auburn office on Saturday. Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, and Androscoggin County Sheriff Guy Desjardins will be on hand at 1 p.m. to celebrate the event in the office, located at 1 Great Falls Plaza. The public is invited to stop in.

Allen featured in Working Mother

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Tom Allen is featured in the August/September 2008 issue of Working Mother magazine, his campaign announced this week.

Allen is commended for his track record of employing “working moms,” according to the profile.

“Allen knows that personal needs sometimes trump work needs,” the magazine said. “That’s why his employees have been able to work from home for reasons including bad weather, unexpected child-care issues, home repair and veterinarian visits, among others.”

– Rebekah Metzler