Sea Goddess named, 2 officials step down

ROCKLAND – The Sea Goddess Pageant at the 60th annual Maine Lobster Festival was marked with sadness and joy Wednesday night as two officials said farewell before announcing the 2007 winner.

Megan Lynn Ranquist of Owls Head, daughter of Richie Oliver of Owls Head and Michael Ranquist of South Thomaston, was crowned the new Sea Goddess, succeeding 2006 winner Monica Morrison of Rockland.

Ranquist was awarded a $2,000 check for winning.

As the runner-up, Alexandra N. Todd of Rockland, daughter of Richard Todd and Esther Kilgour of Rockland, was named Sea Princess and received $1,000.

Leslie Rachelle Goldsmith of Rockland, daughter of Dana and Carol Goldsmith of Rockland, was voted Miss Congeniality by the other contestants and received a $200 check.

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard and the visiting Navy ship, the USS Nassau, served as the contestants’ escorts during the pageant.

Two festival officials then announced their departure from the pageant.

Ken Bailey, 22-year veteran as master of ceremonies for the Sea Goddess contest, said he was retiring.

Bailey, of Hope, said it was time to let someone else take over the pageant post. He said he has many fond memories of his years on the stage.

Pageant Chairwoman Kay Warren surprised the audience by announcing her resignation after 20 years of service.

“When my integrity comes into question, I will not take that,” she said without any explanation. “I thank all of you for a wonderful 20 years.”

Samuel Collins, retired Maine supreme court justice, was honored as the sole surviving incorporator of the original 16 members of the festival corporation’s board of directors.