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Log inFormer governors come back to Blaine House
Former governors come back to Blaine House
by Outspoken on Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:46 am
Former governors come back to Blaine House to mark its 175th anniversary
BY CRAIG CROSBY
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal
AUGUSTA -- Five decades of state leadership was on hand Friday evening as five of six living Maine governors and their spouses gathered to help raise money for the Blaine House.
Former Govs. John Reed (1959-1967), Joseph Brennan (1979-1987), John McKernan (1987-1995), Angus King (1995-2003) and incumbent John Baldacci joined approximately 150 guests for an invitation-only dinner in the Hall of Flags to help raise money to maintain the Maine governors' mansion. Later Friday, fireworks were lit as part of the celebration.
The dinner, organized by First Lady Karen Baldacci and the Friends of the Blaine House, was part of a two-day celebration of the mansion's 175th anniversary.
"This is a special event," John Baldacci said during a news conference with the five governors before the dinner.
The governors all expressed their appreciation for having had the opportunity to live in the Blaine House, and acknowledged the responsibility each felt to pass the home along to the next governor in better shape than it was before.
Even King, who commuted from Brunswick during his terms, recalled feeling honored when his family hosted gatherings at the Blaine House.
"This really is the people's mansion," King said.
Reed recalled passing tense evenings when the Legislature was in session skating on the tennis court, which was turned into a rink during the winter.
"It's a great experience," he said. "Wherever you are, the Blaine name is well known and respected."
Brennan, who joked that he got his education inside pool halls around the state, said he felt comfortable knocking around cue balls inside the mansion.
"I'm extremely proud that the pool room is in good standing," he said. "To me it was an honor to be able to live in the Blaine House."
McKernan recalled helping to establish Friends of Blaine House after taking office, and praised the former and current governors for their care of the home.
He remembered the evening he and his wife, U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, hosted a holiday party for the media.
A nicely dressed woman entered the Blaine House and told Snowe she had a beautiful home.
"I think my son and I will take two rooms for the night," McKernan remembered the woman saying.
She retreated when informed it was the governor's mansion and not a bed and breakfast.
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/5320368.html
Staff photo by Joe Phelan
BY CRAIG CROSBY
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal
AUGUSTA -- Five decades of state leadership was on hand Friday evening as five of six living Maine governors and their spouses gathered to help raise money for the Blaine House.
Former Govs. John Reed (1959-1967), Joseph Brennan (1979-1987), John McKernan (1987-1995), Angus King (1995-2003) and incumbent John Baldacci joined approximately 150 guests for an invitation-only dinner in the Hall of Flags to help raise money to maintain the Maine governors' mansion. Later Friday, fireworks were lit as part of the celebration.
The dinner, organized by First Lady Karen Baldacci and the Friends of the Blaine House, was part of a two-day celebration of the mansion's 175th anniversary.
"This is a special event," John Baldacci said during a news conference with the five governors before the dinner.
The governors all expressed their appreciation for having had the opportunity to live in the Blaine House, and acknowledged the responsibility each felt to pass the home along to the next governor in better shape than it was before.
Even King, who commuted from Brunswick during his terms, recalled feeling honored when his family hosted gatherings at the Blaine House.
"This really is the people's mansion," King said.
Reed recalled passing tense evenings when the Legislature was in session skating on the tennis court, which was turned into a rink during the winter.
"It's a great experience," he said. "Wherever you are, the Blaine name is well known and respected."
Brennan, who joked that he got his education inside pool halls around the state, said he felt comfortable knocking around cue balls inside the mansion.
"I'm extremely proud that the pool room is in good standing," he said. "To me it was an honor to be able to live in the Blaine House."
McKernan recalled helping to establish Friends of Blaine House after taking office, and praised the former and current governors for their care of the home.
He remembered the evening he and his wife, U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, hosted a holiday party for the media.
A nicely dressed woman entered the Blaine House and told Snowe she had a beautiful home.
"I think my son and I will take two rooms for the night," McKernan remembered the woman saying.
She retreated when informed it was the governor's mansion and not a bed and breakfast.
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/5320368.html
Staff photo by Joe Phelan
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
