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Maine Delegation's 2005 Meeting with Castro Was Memorable

PORTLAND, Maine - Not many Mainers can say they've met the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Those who met him on an agriculture trade mission in 2005 will never forget it.

Former Gov. John Baldacci said Castro, who was 80 at the time, wore his gym clothes to a last-minute meeting and proved he was well-versed on agriculture by talking about artificial insemination in cattle.

Baldacci described the discussion as being akin to a scene from "Saturday Night Live.''

The island nation is in the midst of a week-long memorial services after Castro's death Friday night at age 90.

Baldacci had mixed emotions about meeting Castro, but it was good for business. The Maine delegation won a deal to sell farm goods to Cuba.