The Androscoggin River is raging from the deluge we have been receiving, but it makes the Pennacook Falls a really awesome sight to behold. Many visitors stop by the Rumford Information Center to view the Falls and ask questions of our volunteers.

There are many events available now and in the upcoming months to allow for great showcasing for you and your business.

The 10th annual Franklin Savings/Rumford Rotary & River Valley Chamber Golf Tournament is back, scheduled for July 10 at Oakdale Country Club. This is a great community event and there are many ways to become engaged in it. We encourage all to come on out and support the businesses, volunteers and organizations in our area and become “part” of the community. Pride in your community is something to appreciate and we are proud of you!

On June 23, the 9th annual River Valley 5k takes place starting and finishing at the Hosmer Field Complex. The run/walk is hosted by the River Valley Rotary Club and the River Valley Chamber of Commerce with Bangor Savings Bank being the Elite sponsor. This was a highly successful event last summer and will be once again. If you would like to become a sponsor please contact me.

Community Adopt-A Spot: perhaps this is more your style; call today to show your support through caring for a local spot throughout the season all the while showcasing your business. One of the members of our board of directors is Sandra Witas and with her comes a wealth of knowledge. If starting a community garden is more your style, Sandra has the information that you need!

With warm weather comes tourist season and we are here to welcome our visitors. The Rumford Information Center has an amazing group of volunteers on hand to assist the tourists stopping in. The new Four Season Guide Book has arrived and we proudly claim, “It is a must have,” if you live, work, or travel in the River Valley area. The Chamber publishes this guide annually and every tourist who walks into the Information Center will walk out with a printed guide.

As always, we strive to be the “must go-to spot” and why wouldn’t anyone want to stop and visit the beautiful western Maine River Valley region? We are proud to offer one more reason to visit the Information Center: we have an automated external defibrillator placed in our Information Center/Chamber of Commerce office. We are a Heart Safe Community!

It is not too late to join YOUR Chamber. Wonderful benefits are available to you when you become a Chamber member and at a very affordable dues fee. If you are not a member and have a business here in the River Valley area, you are missing out on a great deal of networking, advertising, and potential sales.

Have a voice in your community. Join our board of directors. Community leaders come in a variety of forms and that variety is what makes up a wonderful team. Call today to see what it is that you can do to support this team. Pick up your application to become a director. Take pride in your community and get involved today.

Let’s take the journey together!

Peter Perry

Administrator, River Valley Chamber