Ice out contest update

RIVER VALLEY -- Those considering entering for a chance to win a prize package in the seventh annual Rumford Falls Times' Ice Out Contest should be aware that it will still be some time before the ice goes out on Roxbury Pond.

Dennis Daniel, owner of Ellis Pond Variety, said that someone measure the middle of the lake on March 10 and there was still 24 inches of ice. As of Friday, there was still five shacks remaining on the ice, with no water showing on the edges of the lake.

To enter the contest, bring your canned good(s), non-perishable food item(s) or pet food along with your ice out entry (form provided on Pg. 2A of this paper) with the date and time you think the ice will go out of Roxbury Pond to the Times' office at 69 Congress St. in Rumford.

Readers donated food items that went to the local food bank last year as well as pet food to McKennel's Animal Shelter.

The prize package from our sponsors includes a $50 gift certificate to Surry Seafood, a $20 gift certificate from Mexico One Stop, an oil change, lube and tire rotation at Dan's Automotive, and a six-month subscription to the Rumford Falls Times.

Daniel also has his own ice out contest underway at his store in Roxbury, with each chance being for $1 to guess the date and time when the ice out occurs. Chances will be accepted there through March 31, with whoever is closest winning all the money collected in the pool.

Last year's ice out winner was Annette Ross of Rumford, who was closest to the ice out of March 26 with a prediction of March 30.

This was about a month earlier than the April 27 ice out the previous year when the ice was estimated to be between 24 and 30 inches at this time in 2011.

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. The earliest recorded ice out was on April 6 in 2006. The latest was May 8 in 1978.

Daniel 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.