Another great weekend: Bowdoinham, Lisbon, Turner, Raymond, Lewiston, Windsor

Another great weekend. On Saturday, a large group of volunteers joined me as we marched in the Bowdoinham parade, ate lunch at the famed Italian restaurant Graziano's in Lisbon, campaigned along the main streets of Lisbon, picked delicious MacIntosh apples at Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner, and visited the town of Raymond. At the Turner farm, Jeff Timberlake talked with me about the joys and challenges of a farm that has been in his family since 1803. After more than a century of family ownership, Jeff is worried that "death taxes" could make it impossible to leave the farm to the next generation.

Sunday, I attended the "Blue Mass" at the magnificent Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston where Bishop Richard Malone celebrated a mass honoring firefighters, police and other law enforcement officers, and emergency medical services personnel. I saw Mayor Larry Gilbert, who has had a distinguished career in law enforcement, as well as Auburn Mayor John Jenkins and many other friends. As Texas is recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Ike, the disaster reminds us to be grateful to all those who protect and serve us, no matter how great the risk to themselves.

Then the Collins for Senator bus went on to the "Toy Run," sponsored by the United Bikers of Maine. This extraordinary event is another true public service as motorcyclists from all over Maine bring gifts that will make Christmas much brighter for the needy children of our State. We gathered at the Windsor Fairgrounds, and despite the driving rain, hundreds came bearing gifts for the children of Maine.