What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm

http://www.rumfordfallstimes.com/

Rumford Falls Times, Rumford, ME (2025)

12/13/2025

A great community gathering for the 15th Rumford Annual Festival of Trees, an event of Beautify Rumford. Every single tree was a work of art! The winners, by popular vote at the Festival, are:
Best Non-Profit Tree: Black Mountain of Maine.
Best Business Tree: Heirlooms & Blooms.
Most Festive: Mountain Valley Community School Grade 6.
The event included Mountain Valley High School National Honor Society students for volunteering with Mr. Brent for the art project, Region 9 Culinary Arts students for making and preparing 450 delicious cookies as well as cocoa, and of course Santa (Stew Smith) & his Elf (Ernie Peare).

11/29/2025

Scenes from the annual parade and tree lighting by the Mexico Firefighter's Relief Association, said to have been the largest here in the more than 50 years of the event

11/12/2025

Peru school honors heroes in the community

50 area veterans attend Dirigo Elementary School breakfast, assembly.

PERU — Fifty area veterans were honored Nov. 10 by Dirigo Elementary School, most of them relatives of the students, during the school's annual Veterans Day breakfast and assembly.
"This is real nice," noted World War II veteran Cleon Fletcher Sr., 98, of Dixfield and Wilton. He has attended the past two breakfasts and assemblies here.
He said when he went on an Honor Flight to visit Arlington Cemetery. "There were 94 of us on the plane that went down, and they all got hats like this. But you don't see many of them around."
Cleon talked about his son, also Cleon (Kip) Fletcher, a former teacher. "I'm the senior," he said with a smile, whispering his age.
Principal Charlie Swan said the Veterans Day Celebration has been held here for the past 12 or 13 years.
It began with a box of doughnuts and coffee from Dunkin' and an invitation for veterans that was sent home with students to attend, which was accepted by a dozen veterans.
"This is by far the favorite event that we do all year long. I tell the kids this is the one assembly where we focus on other people and celebrate other people," he said.
About 8 or 9 years ago, Swan said he developed a partnership with the culinary arts program at the Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico to cater the breakfast for the veterans.
Culinary Arts instructor Rachael Robinson said Mountain Valley High School sophomores Paige Bedard, Payton Richard, Adriana Navarro, Vicky Hendley and Tagan Connor, all in year one of Culinary Arts at Region 9, were at their school before 6 a.m. to cook the breakfast items. Robinson was also joined by Christy Fontaine, first year pastry arts instructor.
The food was then taken to DES by 8:15 a.m. to be served by the students to the veterans.
During the assembly, a video was shown to students about the what Veterans Day is and why it's so important. Later, on another video was shown from the students thanking veterans for their service. Students also have been making letters and cards to thank the veterans.
Then, Swan announced each veteran's name, with students taking turns giving their veteran or friend a Cougar tumbler on behalf of the school.
Swan talked about Operation Reboot Outdoors, founded by Dan Waite, a Dirigo High School graduate, a nonprofit veterans' organzation that provides healing for veterans and law enforcement through outdoor recreational activities.
He said, "They've served over 600 veterans and law enforcement people since they started in 2019."
Swan said DES started a few years ago raising money for Operation Reboot as part of their Veterans' Day Celebration "because we wanted to give back to groups who are supporting veterans in our community."
He pointed out the hundreds of crayon colored Cougar Cub drawings on the wall in the hallway across from the gym, each one of them representing $5 that was raised for Operation Reboot and all with a message for veterans.
There were 35 students who participated, with 10 students raising $50 or more.
These seven students raised over $100 -- Alivia Langervin, $100; Emilee Coulombe, $120; Ashton St. Germain, $160; Devin Knowles, $200; and brother and sister, Warren and Hazel Bellegarde, raised $790 apiece, including a bottle drive that raised over $1,000. All received small gifts from Operation Reboot for their efforts.
Raising the most money was Easton Palmer with over $1,600 for Operation Reboot. In his four years of doing this, he has raised over $5,000 for Operation Reboot. As a thank you, Abraham J. Bradeen from Reboot presented Easton with three Boston Celtics tickets and a jersey.
Asked why he put so much time into this, Easton said, "I don't know. I just do it to raise money for Operation Reboot."
He raised those funds by working at the flower shop, holding his own mini bottle drive, helping his Nan with baked goods and collecting donations from family and friends.
Standing in front of the wall of Cougar Cubs, Easton was asked how many of them were his. "Over 300 of them, probably."
Swan said that the goal was to raise $2,000 for the organization. "This year, you guys, all together, raised $4,351 for Operation Reboot. Awesome job!"

11/12/2025

Challenge made to ask a veteran to share their story

Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at Rumford American Legion.

RUMFORD — The guest speaker for the Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at American Legion Post 24 issued a challenge, for veterans and citizens alike.
"When this day ends, don't let the recognition stop," said Army First Sgt. Retired Seth McPherson, a native of Dixfield. "Don't stop at thank you for your service. Ask a veteran to share their story. I promise they have one, and most are very happy to tell it."
McPherson admitted that he really didn't fully understand what it meant to be a veteran until he left active service.
"Back then, Veterans Day to me was a much needed day off, maybe a free meal or two, exchanging 'thank you for your service' with others, seeing older men and women in their veteran cap and shirts. I think to myself, 'that'll be me someday,'" he said.
Again, McPherson noted, "But I didn't fully grasp what it meant to be on that side of service."
As a former first sergeant, he said he understands better than most how deeply the military is involved in every aspect of your life.
"I imagine every branch is the same. When your mission is ready, do what the nation asks at a moment's notice. There's always people checking on you. Where are you? How are you doing? Whether you're ready or not. And as the guy who tracks those things, I can tell you, there's twice as many people in my business," said McPherson.
Then, as his service neared its end, "I heard all the kind words -- We'll miss you. We'll keep in touch. We won't forget," he said. "And when that final day came, calls stopped. The texts disappeared and the email inbox went silent."
McPherson said, "As the song goes, the Army goes rolling along, while I was left to figure out what was next. Don't mistake, I'm not discounting my family and close friends. They were there all along, and still are. But my once vast network had moved on to its next mission, and I had to find mine."
Then he realized that he was part of an even larger force. "The soldiers for life. Men and women who served and moved on to the next mission, some with visible scars, some with invisible scars. Some who wear their service with pride and others who prefer not to speak of it."
McPherson said, "But regardless of our stories, we all share something unbreakable -- a bond to service and sacrifice. We share a title that transends time and rank, veteran."
He said Veterans Day is not just a day of recognition. "It's a reminder to veterans that we are not alone.
A reminder to citizens that veterans walk among you everyday, as teachers, neighbors, co-workers and mentors, carrying the weight of pride and service. Always be proud to witness or take part in ceremonies like this, to see the flags flying, the salutes, the moments of silence."
McPherson noted, "And to my fellow veterans, remember our service doesn't end when we hang up the uniform. We continue to serve as mentors, leaders and examples in our community. We are still our service's best recruitors and our experience can make the world around us stronger."

10/19/2025

Activity at Saturday's 1st annual Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee
at the Peru Town Office, hosted by Community Footprints.

10/10/2025

Dirigo High School homecoming parade Thursday night
Celebrating the decades: Seniors -- the 80s; Juniors -- the 70s;
Sophomores -- the 50s; and Freshmen -- the 90s

10/04/2025

Mountain Valley High School's Homecoming Thursday featured a Disney theme, with the float by seniors being Hercules, the junior float with Alice in Wonderland, sophomores with 101 Dalmations, and freshmen with Jungle Book. And for the first time, the staff had a float, filled with Disney Villains.
There were also floats from the middle school and AYF football, cheerleaders and flag football, and the GRCC gymnasts.

09/28/2025

Falcons girls soccer edged in double OT, 5-4

RUMFORD — In a hard-fought game, the Mountain Valley High School girls' soccer came from behind twice before losing a 5-4 decision to Carrabec in double overtime on Sept. 27 at Hosmer Field.

On a beautiful late-morning contest, the got very physical at times, with numerous stoppages in play due to bumps and bruises from the competitive play. Combine that with the fact the 8-on-8 contest was played on a football field, the players were very fatiqued from all the running involved.

The Falcons tied the game at 3-3 at the 21:29 mark when Madison Blanchard tucked a beautiful direct kick into the unreachable left side of the net.

And just when it appeared the Cobras were going to head to the bus with a 4-3 win, and everyone was getting ready to leave, the Falcons' Kaylynn Washburn connected with the tying goal with just 2.5 second left of the clock.

Carrabec won the game with a goal near the start of the second 5-minute overtime session.

The first two Falcon goals were scored in the first half by Kenzie Gammon, both with assists from Lily Boulanger.

09/26/2025

Back to School Fashion Show at Hope Association

Hope Association participants get real excited this time of year as Sept. 17 as time for the Back to School Fashion Show, when they get to be models and go down the runway in clothing that can be purchased from their What Not Shop.

And people in the community get excited to watch them as well in a tradition that's gone strong since at least 2008.

Adding to their modeling excitement is the accompanying music spun each year by Dan Richard.

After the show, attendees had the opportunity to the What Not Shop's fill a basket for $12 to get some of the clothing they watched displayed by their models.

The Hope Association provides leadership, residential, case management, vocational and community support services to individuals with intellectual and related disabilities and their families. Its programs enhance independence, dignity, choice and individuality.

The association operates outreach programs for people with intellectual disabilities as well as boarding homes for them.

09/26/2025

Rumford Community Forest celebrated as ‘symbol of Rumford’s resurgence’

RUMFORD — Close to a hundred people gathered Saturday to inaugerate the 446-acre Rumford Community Forest at 161 Isthmus Road.
Betsy Cook, Maine State Director, Trust for Public Land, said, "Community forests are created and taken care of by the community for the community. Through all the work that you have done here and will continue to do, you are ensuring that Rumford Community Forest is going to provide educational benefits, environmental benefits, health benefits, economic benefits, but perhaps most importantly, is the benefit of community bonds that have been created and will continue to be."
She added, "These bonds are the fabric of the community and the work to strengthen them through this community forest project is going to have impact far beyond the community forest for decades to come."
The idea for the public forest began a couple years ago because Karen Wilson, a teacher and member of Inland Woods and Trails executive board, and her husband, Todd Papianou, a phys. ed teacher and Outing Club advisor, were tired of always traveling away from this area to enjoy the wilderness.
Town leadership and nonprofits got involved, with business owner Rich Calhoun and his business partner, Kara Wilbur, purchasing the 446 acres to protect the land while plans were finalized.
Also attending the opening was Governor Janet Mills, who said, "After decades of doubt over the future of mill towns like this area, it's only fitting that we're here today to celebrate another symbol of Rumford's resurgence."
She talked about legislation she signed to send out the Maine Trails Bond to voters and "they overwhelmingly approved that bond to provide additional funding to communities to support the longterm maintenance of multi-use trail projects like this one."
Mills said that originally, this land had been slated for significant housing development. "But developing this particular parcel of land would have threatening local water supplies and wildlife habitat, while worsening future flooding events in Rumford and Mexico."
She noted, "Instead, using funding from the State of Maine’s Land for Maine’s Future and the U.S. Forest Service Community Forest, the town of Rumford has been able to complete this conservation project and create the Rumford Community Forest in less than a year."
Mills said the community forest preserves easy access for multi-use year round trails, where people can go hiking, biking skiing, snowshoeing, hunting and fishing pretty close to town. "I'm also looking forward to seeing the new universal trail that people with wheelchairs, walkers and strollers can use to enjoy the beauty of this area of the great outdoors."
Travis Dustin, lands coordinator for Inland Woods + Trails, helped establish the Scotty Brook All Persons Trail, which most of the people attending walked following the grand opening.
Work is already well underway for a 1.5 mile hiking trail called the Porcupine Trail, with an elevation of about 600 feet. Four members of the Mountain Valley High School Outing Club arrived at 9 a.m. Saturday to work on creating a bog bridge for that trail.
Rumford Town Manager George O'Keefe said, "This is grassroots movement that is local to the community, doing the right thing and wanting good thing for the people here. I think about all the people who have worked so hard for so long to make something really beautiful like this happen on a wonderful piece of land."
With plans for two new parking areas close to town and connections to regional trail networks — including the Black Mountain trail network, Pennacook Area Community Trails at Mountain Valley High School — the land also will be maintained and improved for a wide variety of outdoor recreation uses including hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing and motorized uses on designated trails.

09/04/2025

Do you remember? Photos from 2015

08/18/2025

Great memories were shared during last weekend's Mountain Valley Athletics Hall of Fame inaugural induction ceremony.
Athletic Director Jeff Pelletier, who put in so much time in research for this project, said Saturday, "This hall of fame is not only about celebrating the accomplishments of our past, but also a way to use these legacies to help inspire current and future generations of Mountain Valley athletes."
We get to honor the very best of our athletic history from across generations, schools and sports. Today is about our proud history of athletes, coaches, teams and contributors from Rumford, Mexico and Mountain Valley high schools.
From 1970 to the present, these individuals and teams have embodied the values that we strive for within Mountain Valley Athletics' programs. Whether it was under the lights on a Friday night, on a court or wrestling mat in packed gymnasium, or on the ski slopes, each inductee has placed a vital role in shaping the fabric of our athletic community.
Today, we will proudly induct (see graphic) 15 exceptional athletes who inspire teammates and left lasting legacies within our community with their performances. Three influential coaches whose impact on our student athletes stretched far beyond the sidelines. Two unforgetable teams who helped build pride within our community and garnered attention well beyond our town lines. And one devoted contributor, who's volunteer work and commitment to our area athletes help nurture the athletic successes that our community has come to enjoy.
To me, this hall of fame is not only about celebrating the accomplishments of our past, but also a way to use these legacies to help inspire current and future generations of Mountain Valley athletes.
The existence of this Hall of Fame will stand as a reminder of what is possible with hard work and dedication, regardless of what perceived limitations come with growing up in a small rural community like ours.
The legends that we celebrate today grew up on the same streets as our current students. They were labled mill town boys and girls and we likely not given the attention from the media that is so easily garnered from athletes from other regions in our state.
They had to earn it, and they did. And because they did, the student athletes that have come after them know that is possible.
Following the Award Ceremony, there was a reception at Black Mountain of Maine for all attendees.
On Sunday, the MV Athletics Hall of Fame Golf Scramble was held at Oakdale Country Club, with all proceeds going directly to Mountain Valley Athletics.

Committee members for Mountain Valley Athletics are Jill Bartash, Joe Bedard, John Bernard, Tom Danylik, Gary Dolloff, Jeff Garneau, Matt Kaubris, Rich Kent, Craig Milledge, Ryan Palmer, Jeff Pelleter and Jeff Sterling.

Rumford Falls Times

12/13/2025

11/29/2025

11/12/2025

11/12/2025

10/19/2025

10/10/2025

10/04/2025

09/28/2025

09/26/2025

09/26/2025

09/04/2025

08/18/2025

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm