Lincoln County Republican Committee chairman Dawn Gilbert said the best way to describe last Saturday's caucus turnout was "Wow!" Over 400 county Republicans participated in the caucuses at the Great Salt Bay School in Damariscotta, for what Gilbert calls the largest attendance she has seen in all the years she has been involved, dating back to the early 1980s. All the chairs were filled, as well as the bleachers.

Boothbay Region High School music teacher Mary Miller sang the Star Spangled Banner, Rep. David O'Donald offered the invocation and Senator Dana Dow led the pledge of allegiance to kick off the event, with Gilbert welcoming all of the candidates and caucus-goers.

One of the highlights of the caucus was the appearance of Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's eldest son, Tagg, and his son Joey. Employed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tagg has taken a year off to campaign throughout the country for his dad, and told the crowd that his father has a proven record as a good businessman with his management of the Olympics, and his record as Governor of Massachusetts to his credit. He also praised his ability to deal with other countries.

Those supporting presidential candidates Huckabee, McCain, and Paul also spoke from the floor.

While Senator Susan Collins was expected to send a representative from her office, she surprised everyone by making a personal appearance, and told her constituents she still maintains a perfect record when it comes to Washington, compared to her opponent, who has missed over 100 roll calls, and promised to continue her efforts to provide jobs for Maine people, and contracts for the state's shipyards.

Tricia Summers, standing in for her First Congressional District candidate dad, Charlie, who is serving in Baghdad, Iraq, told them he is due home for a brief leave in March, but won't be able to campaign at that time.

Congressional candidate Dean Scontras outlined his stand against immigration for the crowd, and listed the credentials he feels he can bring to the office.

Senator Dana Dow announced he will not seek reelection to his District 20 seat, and David Trahan, who will be a candidate for the seat, was introduced.

District 51 Representative Jon McKane was introduced, and it was reported that there will be Republican candidates this year for District 50, 53, and 61.

County Commissioner candidate Lynn Orne spoke, and Bill Curtis spoke on behalf of Jay D. Warren, also a candidate for the same seat, who was unable to speak since he holds a state job from which he will retire at the end of the month.

County Commissioner Sheridan Bond spoke, as did Judge of Probate the Hon. Thomas Berry.

All of the Republican office-holders who are not up for reelection were recognized by Chairman Gilbert, including President Bush, Senator Olympia Snowe, DA Geoff Rushlau, retiring County Commissioner Ken Honey, Register of Deeds Marcia Silva, Register of Probate Chet Fossett, and County Treasurer Don Williams. She also praised the work of State Senator Paula Benoit of District 19, which includes the town of Dresden.

Once caucus-goers broke up into their individual town gatherings, and, for the first time ever, participated in a Presidential Preference Survey. Unfortunately, since the day's events were running late due to the large turnout, some individuals left before their town caucuses. However, of those who voted, 154 supported Romney, 53 McCain, 19 Paul, 13 Huckabee and 7 were undecided.

Town-by-town, the results were:

Damariscotta - 10 Romney, 5 McCain, 1 Paul, 2 Huckabee, l undecided; Bristol - 19 Romney, 5 McCain, 2 Huckabee; 1 Bush; Jefferson - 6 Romney, 1 Huckabee; South Bristol - 10 Romney, 4 McCain; Alna - 3 Romney, 4 McCain, 1 Paul; Boothbay Harbor - 9 Romney, 3 McCain; Dresden - 9 Romney, 5 McCain, 2 Paul, 1 undecided; Southport - 7 Romney, 1 McCain, 1 Paul, 1 Huckabee, 2 undecided; Whitefield - 2 Romney; Edgecomb , 3 Romney, 2 McCain, 2 Huckabee; Nobleboro - 16 Romney, 5 McCain, 1 Huckabee; Boothbay - 12 Romney, 6 McCain; Waldoboro - 19 Romney, 8 McCain; Wiscasset - 13 Romney, 2 McCain, 2 Paul, 2 Huckabee; Bremen - 11 Romney, 3 McCain, 1 Paul, 2 Huckabee;

Caucus-goers participated in a silent auction during the day, and at the conclusion of the gathering, enjoyed a festive get-together at the River Road home of Jim and Christiana Poole.