Ice Out Contest Begins

RIVER VALLEY - Help others in need and help yourself with a chance to win a prize package in the fourth annual Rumford Falls Times' Ice Out Contest.
     Just bring your canned good(s), non-perishable food item(s) or pet food along with your ice out entry to the Times' office at 69 Congress St. in Rumford. Readers donated more than three boxes of food items and pet food last year, which were given to a local food pantry and to McKennel's Animal Shelter, respectively.
     Simply fill out the form provided on Page 7 of this paper, with the time and date. The forms will also be provided in our issues through March 24. All entries must be received by noon on Friday, March 26 to be eligible. A random drawing will determine the winner in the event that more than one correct guess is received.
     The prize package from our sponsors include gift certificates to Surry Seafood and Mexico One Stop, two $25 gas cards to Dead River, an oil change and tire rotation at Dan's Automotive, and a three-month subscription to the Rumford Falls Times.
     Dennis Daniel, owner of Ellis Pond Variety, also has his own ice out contest underway at his store in Roxbury, with each chance being for $1 to guess the time and date when the ice out occurs.
     Chances will be accepted there until March 31, with whoever is closest winning half the money collected in the pool, with the remaining half going to the Silver Lake Association.
     Despite the warm temperatures, Daniel indicated last week that the average thickness of the ice measures between 20 to 30 inches on the pond.
     Records of the ice out at Roxbury Pond have been kept at least since 1978, noted Daniel. He said the average ice out has been between April 16-21, which fell in line with last year's ice out of April 19, correctly guessed by Gary Meisner of East Andover.
     Daniel said the earliest recorded ice out was April 6 on 2006-07. The latest was May 8 in 1978.
     He noted that to alleviate any controversy that might arise from such a contest, they have a Game Warden involved to determine the actual ice out.