RUMFORD – Pete Phillips, director of skiing at Black Mountain of Maine, was the featured speaker at Wednesday’s River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition meeting.

He told of plans to make a lighted ski lift to the top of the mountain and to build a lodge to make the recreational area more usable year round.

He spoke of the pilot program that started this week at Dixfield Elementary where students in grades two through four can participate in a special program where they may rent a package of boots, skis and poles for $40 a season. They are given a ski lesson per week and may take the ski package home to practice. There are provisions or students who cannot participate due to the cost.

Phillips also spoke of the new short lift in operation that has opened new terrain, making it easier for teaching.

The coalition was told the Winter Fest scheduled for the weekend has been postponed until Saturday, Jan. 31, due to predicted inclement weather for Saturday.

Kim Sequoia spoke about her program, Families that Care, which addresses concerns of parents with children aged 12 to 15. The first session is March 2 and interested parents may call her at 364-7408.

Mitzi Sequoia said the coalition had received a $500 grant from Oxford County Enrichment through the child health center toward purchase of skates for the Winter Fest.

Angella Roberts, a new chiropractor in the area, will speak Monday night at the Rumford Library on fibromyalgia, a muscle disease.

Jane Bubar announced a workshop on Women and Heart Disease to be held at Rumford Hospital on Saturday, Feb. 7. The speaker will be Dr. Dora Mills, director of Maine Bureau of Health. Bubar can be reached at 369-1143 for more information.

There will be an Abused Women Advocacy Project Winter Walk at the Auburn Mall on Feb. 7.