Susan's blog

A few weeks ago I met with some bakers from Maine who told me that the prices of wheat flour and eggs had skyrocketed, and that some grains such as rye were becoming unavailable at any price. I started looking into the causes and found that many experts believe that federal ethanol policies are a significant cause along with droughts, high energy and fertilizer costs, and increased global demand. The more I examined the issue, the more I became convinced that federal policies to spur corn-based ethanol are having unintended consequences for food supplies and prices.

The Republican State Convention was a lot of fun as enthusiastic delegates and volunteers gathered at the Augusta Civic Center last weekend. A record number of volunteers signed up to work on the campaign this fall, and hundreds of supporters wore their red Collins for Senator T-shirts and put on the best demonstration I have ever seen!

Last week was one of the most memorable experiences of my life as I went to the White House ceremony welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to America, attended a dinner in his honor at the Italian Embassy, and participated in the magnificent outdoor mass that the Pope celebrated at the new Nationals Stadium.

Last Saturday, I was in Fort Kent for the Can-Am, the annual dog sled races that draw mushers and their teams from far and near. As usual, Fort Kent, the "little community that could," did a fabulous job hosting the races. Hundreds of volunteers, headed by the extraordinary Rita Cannan, worked hard to build a snow road on Main Street and to prepare the trail for the 30, 60, and 250-mile races.

On Sunday, former New Jersey Governors Tom Kean and Christie Whitman were the special guests at a fundraiser held for me at the home of a friend who is a trustee at St. Lawrence University where I went to college.

When I am not in a hurry, I travel back from my camp on Cold Stream Pond to my home in Bangor along Route 2, rather than on Interstate 95, so that I can drive along the Penobscot River. In the fall, in particular, the reflection of the foliage on the river is absolutely beautiful. That perhaps explains why I am so excited about the Penobscot River Restoration Project.

My travels this week took me to many parts of our state, including two beautiful communities: Port Clyde and Greenville. A fishing community, Port Clyde is also the home of the Herring Gut Learning Center which educates at-risk middle school and high school students. Jamie and Phyllis Wyeth were the ones who encouraged me to visit the Center, and I am so glad that they did. I saw a group of middle-school boys working to spawn and raise oysters, learning marine biology, math, business skills and teamwork as they did.

Maine's contributions to our national security were on full display last week. At the beginning of the week, the new Chief of Naval Operations, Gary Roughead, came to Maine to visit the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Bath Iron Works, and the Brunswick Naval Air Station. I first became acquainted with Admiral Roughead some years ago when he was the head of the Navy's Senate Liaison Office, and I was delighted when he was named CNO.

One of the most rewarding responsibilities that I have as a Senator is to help constituents who are having problems with federal agencies. From time to time, a veteran, usually one who served in World War II, will ask me to assist him in securing medals that he earned but never received or has lost.

Last Friday, I was honored to join in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the World Affairs Council of Maine. I spoke and answered questions on a wide range of issues including Iraq, Iran, and our intelligence agencies at an event that was open not only to the members of the Council but also to the general public.