Information Center reducing hours

RUMFORD- Beginning Saturday, January 8 and continuing through March, the Information Center will be open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call it a sign of the times, but it seems there is a lack of volunteers to sustain the current seven-day-schedule.

“It's a slow time of year for the volunteers,” noted Peter Perry, River Valley Chamber of Commerce Administrator. “We're hoping they'll get busier with skiers passing through.”

Perry stated that although they have several volunteers, most of them are only available to donate two days per month to the center. “We have one or two that are willing to fill open slots.”

The Information Center is owned by the town of Rumford and managed by the RVCC, which shares the space for their office.

Volunteers are in charge of inventory of brochures, assisting the chamber in preparing for fundraisers and most of all providing a welcome greeting to visitors.

When asked about the volunteers and the decrease in time donated to the center, RVCC President, Laurieann Milligan noted, “I feel it is to be expected for this time of year. We are blessed with such a wonderful bunch of volunteers, knowing when they commit (to volunteering) their schedules change due to the time of year. We are grateful for what they can offer and wish them all healthy and happy times while they are away and anxiously await their return in May.”

“We are always looking for volunteers who share the passion for the River Valley. In speaking with the volunteers they say it is a lot of fun meeting new people and sharing in the towns history and their own personal experiences. As the volunteers say, 'You never know who will walk through that door'. But, as they do they are all asked to peg the map board to represent where they have traveled from and to sign the guest book indicating what it is they hope to see and go while here in the area.”

Anyone interested in helping out at the Information Center is asked to contact Peter Perry by calling 364-3241 or stopping by 10 Bridge St. for further information.