It was a fun morning in Lincoln, as Aroostook-county based company S.W. Collins opened its new store in Lincoln. The Governor and Senator Collins' representative shared some laughs, before a very touching presentation to a group that works to support Maine's Veterans.

The store is absolutely beautiful. I love home improvement stores, and this one had me dreaming of remodeling my whole house! But, I settled for picking up a garden rake to take care of some gravel and debris that was carried onto our lawn with the snowplow.

At 10:00 we all headed upstairs for a small ceremony. Owner Sam Collins expressed to the group how happy the family is to be a part of the Lincoln community. His sister, Senator Susan Collins, has a camp nearby and the family fell in love with the region.Which made it ironic that the political member of the clan was unable to attend. A vote in Washington made it impossible for Senator Collins to be there. But her representative did an excellent job in her stead, sharing some laughs.

Then there was Governor Paul LePage who had a suggestion for making the store better. You know, he just might be onto something!

But the highlight for me had to be when the Collins family presented a $2,500 check to the Veteran's retreat known as 'The House in the Woods.' Located in the town of Lee, the camp offers a place for veterans, including those with disabilities, a chance to enjoy all that the Maine outdoors has to offer. At the Sportsmen's Show last year, I saw a wheelchair adapted for the outdoors. It had cargo areas, a place for fishing rods, and tracks instead of wheels! In addition, the facility offers a safe environment for veterans to talk about their experiences and find support and fellowship with others.

Congratulations on your opening, Collins family!

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