WASHINGTON – In the seaside town of Bar Harbor and along Acadia National Park’s mountain roads, politics is a side note to life, but in Washington, D.C., life is a side note to politics. Mainers exiled to the Beltway can escape to the Maine State Society for a touch of home.

“In Maine, the tension that you have down here day to day is gone,” said Wayne Hanson, chairman for the society’s Arlington Cemetery wreath project. “The minute you hit New York your hands start to relax a little bit.”

That relaxed feeling is what Hanson misses most about home and it’s why he has become so involved in the society, which held its annual congressional breakfast on Wednesday.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, made brief remarks at the breakfast before rushing off to a hearing. She updated Mainers on the key pieces of legislation she has supported since the year began, including the economic stimulus package.

After Collins, Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine, emphasized the pivotal role citizens will play in this year’s elections, alluding to his campaign against Collins for her Senate seat.

“You’re a lot more interesting than anything we do here in Congress,” Allen told the members of the society.

Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, also spoke about legislation. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, was not able to attend the breakfast.

A raffle featuring Maine T-shirts, books and totes concluded the morning gathering. One item, a “Born in Maine, Living in Exile” bumper sticker, brought laughter from the crowd of “Maineiacs,” as Hanson calls the society members.

With more than 1,100 members, the Maine State Society is one of the largest state societies in Washington. Members credit the size of their society to Mainers’ love for their state.

“There’s an affinity for the state and that includes the congressional members who show up when you ask them to,” said Lew Pearson, the society’s treasurer.

Then, of course, there are the lobster dinners.

“You look forward to the little lobster dinners, the touches of Maine that you don’t get every day,” said Hanson. “Anything that’s a reminder of your hometown.”

Megan Winterson, last year’s Cherry Blossom Princess for Maine, recently became a member because of her experiences at the festival.

“After being a Cherry Blossom Princess and going to the state society dinner, I just decided I wanted to be more involved because there was such a special Maine feeling at the dinner and I felt proud to be from Maine,” said Winterson.

Eight annual events keep members active and nostalgic for their home state, including this week’s congressional breakfast, a lobster dinner and a harvest festival.

The Maine State Society was founded in 1894 by a group of Mainers searching for a touch of home away from home. Its mission is “to foster and promote interest in Maine, develop and maintain a sense of loyalty and devotion to Maine, and provide for and strengthen the social contacts of its members,” according to its Web site.

More than 100 years later, Democrats and Republicans, Hill staffers and trade workers still join together. All who have a connection to Maine are welcomed to join the nonpolitical, nongovernmental and volunteer-based group.

“You see someone on the side of the road in Maine and you stop. It’s the same here at the society,” said Hanson, “You have a friend from Maine, you have a friend for life.”

Those living far from home can learn how to reunite with fellow Mainers and become a member of the Maine State Society by calling 703-237-1031 or visiting www.mainestatesociety.org.