HALLOWELL — Gov. Paul LePage will be the latest celebrity bartender pouring drinks for charity Monday at the Quarry Tap Room, the restaurant announced Tuesday on its Facebook page.
A spokeswoman for the governor did not immediately return a request to confirm LePage’s appearance at the popular Hallowell watering hole, located at 122 Water St. The Facebook page for the Celebrity Bartender Night event states the governor will be at the Quarry from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Chris Vallee, one of the co-owners, said several people from the governor’s office are loyal customers, so he approached them less than two weeks ago.
“It came together pretty quickly,” Vallee said by phone Tuesday. “It’s going to be awesome.”
Vallee said $1 from every drink sold Monday night will go to a charity of LePage’s choosing, in this case the Travis Mills Foundation. Mills, a war veteran and quadruple amputee, was himself a guest bartender in February; and Monday’s guest, Rep. Matthew Pouliot, R-Augusta, had his proceeds donated to Mills’ foundation. The foundation is working to remodel the former Elizabeth Arden estate in Rome and Mount Vernon so it can be used as a retreat for injured veterans and their families.
Maine first lady Ann LePage has championed veterans’ causes while her husband has been in office. And the governor’s stint behind the bar is reminiscent of her time working as a waitress last year.
Ann LePage worked last summer at McSeagull’s, a Boothbay Harbor restaurant. Last year at a town hall-style event, the governor said his wife had taken the job to “supplement” his $70,000 salary, the lowest of any U.S. governor.
“Paul and Ann have always been big supporters of the foundation,” Vallee said.
The Quarry previously held a “Hallowell Voice” singing competition Monday nights, but Vallee wanted to have the finals this year outside on the restaurant’s patio, which was completed last year.
“This was just an idea for something to pick up Monday nights,” he said. “People absolutely love it.”
Vallee said people can expect drink specials, though he hasn’t decided what they’ll be yet. And he cautioned that depending on how many people attend, the tables in the restaurant might need to be removed and the kitchen closed.
“We want everybody to have at least one drink poured by the governor,” Vallee said. “It’ll be great and it’s for a great cause.”
Other guest bartenders have included Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap; Rep. Charlotte Warren, D-Hallowell; and Rep. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop. Vallee said he hopes to continue the event for another six Mondays, and he already has booked members of the U.S. Army and Zachary Fowler, the Appleton man who won $500,000 for surviving 87 days in the Patagonia region of South America on the History Channel’s “Alone” series.
“I’m also hoping to get Stephen King and Miss Maine,” Vallee said. “It’s bringing new people to the bar because it’s a fun and creative idea.”
Jason Pafundi — 621-5663
Twitter: @jasonpafundiKJ
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