Moontide fund raising

RUMFORD – Within the last five months, the volunteers who took the reins of leadership of the Moontide Water Festival, July 1-4, have finalized many details. After several attempts at fund raising, the committee has taken a few losses. Since the committee re-formed in January, this has given it a late start in the fund-raising efforts. Another financial difficulty is the rising cost of insurance for the festival. This amount has risen by 120 percent from last year. The committee does have several fund-raisers left including a car wash/bake sale at Wal-Mart on Saturday, June 19. The popular Emmitt canisters will also be set up in the area of businesses. Committee members hope more crafters and flea marketers will sign up. Spaces cost $30. Food vendors are also encouraged to sign up. Those spaces cost $200.

Region 9 announces summer hours

MEXICO – The Region 9 Adult Education Open Learning Center has announced its summer school hours: from 8 a.m. to noon and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, and 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday. The center will offer GED preparation, upgrade of math and English skills, career searches, and credit classes. High school students need written permission from their high school principal to attend.

Summer reading

DIXFIELD – The Ludden Memorial Library has announced their summer reading program theme this year will be Discover New Trails at Your Library, which begins Tuesday, June 29. The schedule of events, which will be held on Tuesday afternoons from 1 to 2 p.m., covers a variety of interests with speakers, demonstrations, craft projects and snacks. During the six-week summer reading program, children are encouraged to read and record the number of books that they have read. There will be sign-up posters for them to record on, and each entry will receive a stamp. Pre-school children are not excluded as parents or older siblings may read to them. Prizes will be awarded to top readers in each age group at the closing program, and all participants will receive prizes donated by local area business. For more information call 562-8838 or visit the Ludden Memorial Library.

Expo registration

The 2004 River Valley Expo will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-25. Early registration will available until Wednesday, June 30, which will save participants up to $50 off the total cost to join the two-day Expo. This is a great way to showcase what your business has to offer and see what other businesses in the area are up to. For more information or to sign up by phone, call the River Valley Growth Council at 369-0396.

Moontide races

RUMFORD – Rotary Moontide Water Festival road races Certified 5K, River Valley 10K and 1M Fun Run are scheduled for Saturday, July 3. Registration is 7 to 8:30 a.m. Start and finish will be at Hosmer Field. Fun Runs for children and parents/friends begin at 8 a.m. 5K and 10K begin at 9 a.m. and run through Rumford and Mexico. For more information phone Paul Jones at 562-7172.

Bethel Common

BETHEL – From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 3, Bethel Common will have more than 50 artists and fine craftspeople showing and selling their wares. There will be live entertainment on Bethel’s gazebo between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your lawn chair and sit back to listen to Maine’s own Women of Note, a group of harmonious women from Yarmouth and Rob Robbins, the professional jazz pianist from the Bethel Inn & Country Club. There will be a variety of food offered by Bethel’s fine restaurants. The children’s area will feature stilt walking, and face painting. Art will be organized by the Mahoosuc Kids’ Program of Bethel and there will be George York’s giant-sized inflatable sculpture. For more information, phone the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-442-5826, or visit the Web site www.bethelmaine.com.

Route 108 construction

PERU – Beginning Wednesday, July 7, and continuing through Wednesday, Sept. 15, Route 108 in Peru will have one lane closed for installation of a culvert at Worthley Brook. Traffic lights have been installed on either side of Worthley Brook and will begin operating on the Wednesday, July 7, start date.