Guess who's coming to dinner....

   Several days ago, the local newspaper did an interview with the athletic director at the local university. He is new to the area but it was not the typical interview one might expect, especially if you are an avid local college sports fan. The interview was criticized by some of the readers because it did not focus on building championship teams or the firing of incompetent coaches. It was a real 'fluff' piece and included questions about his favorite restaurants in the area, what and where he had visited since arriving and Maine, and of course, this year's weather.

   One of the questions he was asked....If you could invite any four famous people, either past or present, to dinner, who might they be and why? I too, thought the question a bit unusual for this type of article, but the question did get me thinking about who I might invite to dinner, or at least invite to a late morning brunch.

   After some serious thought, I decided that it was too difficult to select just four guests. Instead, I decided I would host three different dinner parties . 
   At the first dinner, I would choose four people who represented their century, their time in history, maybe thousands of years ago, I mean way back, the early philosophers, explorers and world conquerors.

   The second group would include early founders and leaders of this country, the architects who built this nation, more contemporary leaders.  
   And the third group, names more familiar in the 21^st century and a direct connection to Maine.

   With the table set and invitations on their way, my first dinner would  include Alexander the Great (and if he is unable to attend, Julius Caesar). Not only a world conqueror, Alex was tutored and taught by Aristotle. Who better to be a tutor. ( Have you ever noticed that folks back in the early days only had one name. Kind of like Cher.)

   World exploration has always been a hot topic at dinner, so my hope is that Ferdinand Magellan, considered the first to circumnavigate the globe, might talk about some of his travels and vacation 'hot spots' he found along the way.

   Galileo or Sir Isaac Newton might be willing to keep the discussion going with some of their latest findings and discoveries. Who doesn't like to talk about the latest in outer space and beyond or perhaps a new star or planet?

   And if they are unable to attend, there is always that guy who made high school so challenging with his theorem, Mr. Pythagoras.

   American history has always been an interest of mine, so my next little 'get together' would include some of early America's more famous.

   Of course, where would we be without Christopher Columbus and his discovery. His real intention was to not discover America but to find new trading partners in China and if his Nuvi- Garman had been working properly, America might not have been discovered for another 100 years. If Lewis and Clark were to show up to dinner, think about what the three could share in the discussion and the lessons they could teach us about travel and exploration in the new world. (Lesson 1...Always book your hotel stays well in advance!!)

   In the early days of nation-building, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin played key roles leading up to the break away from England and establishing the United States of America. Jefferson, known as a fine architect and builder was able to take those skills and craft a document that still stands strong today. And Ben Franklin, where would we be without his ingenuous mind and his chain of department stores?

   My third dinner would include people closer to home, so the travel  might be a bit easier. Maine has been home to many who have had a significant impact on shaping the state and the world. This was a difficult decision so I added a  chair or two, because choosing just four proved to be  too difficult.

   Who has not read some of the work of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Didn't we all learn about Paul Revere and his famous ride through the streets of Boston by reading some of his poems? Just think. He was born right here in Portland, Maine. He must have been vacationing in Boston at the time though. And if he were unable to attend, there is always E.B. White. Now there is someone to chew the fat with!

   I would love to sit down with Joshua Chamberlain and get 'his take' on the Civil War, military leadership and command, teaching and learning at Bowdoin College and life in Maine after the war. And as part of the  dinner group, I am sure that Dorothea Dix would have some things to add to the discussion as well. I wonder what she would say today about the struggle to create a universal health care program?

   On the political side, as Maine's first Governor, what advice might William King have for today's current governor. Joined with the likes of Ed Muskie, Margaret Chase Smith, William Cohen, George Mitchell and Olympia Snowe, what insights and lessons might they share based upon their political and personal life experiences at this "political round table" .

   Maybe the question asked to the new athletic director was not so crazy after all. What it forced me to do was to consider the people, places, ideas, things that may have influenced life and thinking as we know it today. Who, in the past or present, would you really like to get to know better, have dinner with?

  Now...  as to what to serve my guests for dinner........