L-A’s upcoming Maine Grains and Grapes Festival is apparently good for what ales the gubernatorial palate of one John Baldacci.

The governor last week squeezed out a proclamation officially naming June 14-20 Maine Beer and Maine Wine Week, and the proclamation officially mentions the festival, which comes to a head on June 20 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.

“Whereas, Maine-made beer and Maine-made wine will be celebrated and showcased at the Maine Grains and Grapes Festival, Saturday, June 20, at the Androscoggin Colisee in Lewiston, with proceeds benefiting the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce,” states a “whereas,” one of the six in the proclamation. No other event is mentioned. The document goes on to urge “all citizens to recognize this observance.”

While Maine-made beer and wine, and the L-A festival, obviously have Baldacci hopped up, his proclamation offers a smooth finish:

” Any consumption of alcoholic beverages should be done so legally and responsibly,” states the proclamation’s last “whereas.”

To comply with the governor’s order, contact the Colisee box office at 783-2009.

Moderator job rather taxing

Annual town meetings don’t always go as planned despite months of planning and preparation work.

Rumford’s on Monday night in the Mountain Valley High School auditorium got off to a rough start when former Rep. John Patrick objected to being elected as moderator after receiving one vote. He wanted seven written votes.

Once that was done in Article 1 and Patrick was sworn in, he promptly bypassed Article 2, which sought approval of the 2008 municipal officers report, and read Article 3, before seeking a motion to approve. Article 3 dealt with setting the tax rate and penalties.

People making that motion and second had to rescind them when the error was noticed.

Patrick, an experienced town meeting moderator, then read Article 2, but forgot to ask for a vote before moving onto Article 3.

Back to Article 2 he went to get the vote, before finally getting to Article 3 and rereading it in its entirety.

Through all the mistakes, all but one of the five selectmen seated on stage adjacent to Patrick had bewildered expressions.

Selectman Robert Cameron simply bowed his head into his hand, slowly shaking his head from side to side.

“You don’t want to know what I was thinking,” he said Tuesday morning.

Tomb of the Unknown

Now that 17 monuments have been unveiled at the Veterans Memorial Park, local veterans are planning more recognition for veterans of the armed services.

According to Korean War vet Joseph Paradis of Lewiston, the next step for this park is to erect a replica tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a symbolic structure representing the unknown war dead “wherever they fell.”

“A replica tomb of the Unknown Soldier will speak in silence and will complement the many names now on the stones in this honorable park,” Paradis said.

If you want to help, contact Paradis at 786-0488.

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