March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Bush enjoys quiet holiday in Maine: going to church, walking on beach

KENNEBUNKPORT — President Bush spent an hour at church worshipping with neighbors and an hour on the beach power-walking with reporters on what he termed a “gorgeous” Easter Sunday.

“It’s a wonderful holiday up here, no politics, strictly fitness,” Bush declared as he finished a brisk 60-minute stroll across the sand and rocks of nearby Parson’s Beach.

It snowed and rained during much of Bush’s five-day stay at his oceanfront vacation home, but the sun broke through Sunday and the relaxed president played with his dog Ranger on the seashore.

He and wife Barbara began the day at the First Congregational Church, a small white clapboard church filled to capacity with 200 people.

The Rev. Patricia Adams noted that churches are always full on Christmas and Easter with people “looking for their annual booster shot of hope.”

“Most of us want Easter to be a `Wow!’ and it should be,” Adams said. “It’s the most important day in the church. Without Easter and the resurrection, there would be no church.”

She told a touching story of a disabled boy who was asked to bring something in a cardboard egg to church to symbolize Easter. When the teacher opened it and found nothing inside, she assumed the child had misunderstood.

But the child explained it represented the empty tomb and the promise of a bright future for all, the pastor said. And when the child died a few months later, his classmates put an empty cardboard egg on the casket.

Bush confessed later that he and Barbara both were moved to near tears by the story.

He waved off questions about Russia and Ross Perot.

“We’re talking fitness today, that’s it. We’re not talking any politics,” he said.

“Happy Easter to everybody. It’s a very special day at our little church, and a wonderful message of faith,” he said. “I hope it sends a good message to the whole country for many families together on a day like this. It’s just gorgeous.”

Bush’s 3-year-old springer spaniel was reluctant to jump in the chilly Atlantic, but eventually got in the swim as his master repeatedly tossed sticks into the water for Ranger to chase.

“You don’t know how much joy I get out of this dog,” Bush told his companions on the walk. “He comes over to the office — just wonderful. Always glad to see me.”

A local reporter apologized for the wintry weather, but Bush was having none of it.

“It’s all right. We had a great weekend. A good combination: enough to be outdoors and enough to stay in doing work,” he said.

Later, Bush headed off to the Cape Arundel Golf Club to practice his golf swing.


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