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WINDSOR FAIR:

September 6, 2010

Got votes? A measure of political pull

Candidates take turns milking

By Keith Edwards kedwards@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

WINDSOR -- Litchfield's Melvin Newendyke showed his fellow political candidates -- including four candidates for governor -- the value of a firm but friendly grip Sunday with both hands wrapped around the teats of a cow at the Windsor Fair.

click image to enlarge

Independent gubernatorial candidate Kevin Scott, of Andover, milks a cow Sunday during the Windsor Fair political pull.

Staff photo by Andy Molloy

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Newendyke, a Republican candidate for state House of Representatives District 80, pulled more milk from a cow than all 20 plus other candidates, combined, at the fair's annual Political Pull milking contest. He got so much milk from the brown and white cow it nearly overflowed the measuring cup, topping 18 ounces in just one minute.

He triumphantly showed his two-handed milking style off after he had his turn, stopping to thank the cow.

Four of the five candidates on the ballot for governor -- Democrat Libby Mitchell, of Vassalboro, and independents Eliot Cutler, of Cape Elizabeth, Shawn Moody, of Gorham, and Kevin Scott, of Andover -- competed too, but didn't fare nearly so well. Republican Paul LePage, mayor of Waterville, did not attend.

Master of ceremonies of the event, Augusta City Manager William Bridgeo, joked the event provides politicians "a very special opportunity to make fools out of themselves."

Mitchell, in her four-cow heat, squared off against her own daughter, Emily Mitchell, a Democratic candidate for House of Representatives District 58 from Vassalboro. Daughter squeezed slightly more milk from her cow than mom, to take fourth place.

None of the gubernatorial candidates cracked the top three. However all of the candidates got a "participant" ribbon for their efforts.

"Everybody gets a ribbon, just like in school," said a smiling Moody, whose cow nearly kicked over the bucket while he was milking.

Emily Mitchell's Republican opponent, Karen Foster, also competed, with Bridgeo joking her cow was selected in a carefully guarded process to avoid favoritism. Foster is the wife of Tom Foster, president of the Windsor Fair.

Bridgeo assured contestants their milking ability shouldn't impact the likelihood of them winning their contests for office, noting, "Just because you can't milk a cow doesn't mean you don't have a future in politics."

Other Windsor Fair events Sunday included an animal costume event in which both animals and their young handlers dressed as characters, such as a young boy as Shrek and a donkey as, well, a donkey, a sheep obstacle course, horse pulling, and comedy by Bob Marley.

The fair wraps up today, Labor Day.

Today's events include: horse barrel racing; sheep blocking contest; antique car show and parade; horse pulling including the Merle Vanner Memorial Trophy; 4-H baby beef sale; and market lamb sale.

Gates open at 8 a.m., harness racing post time is 1 p.m., and the midway opens at noon. A bracelet is available for $19, providing admission to rides until 6 p.m.

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com

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