The gloomy news just kept on coming last week. Stock markets diving around the globe, sweet little old ladies losing all their pre-paid heating oil money, political candidates carping unattractively. I’m leaving out the ghastly murder trial that made headlines all last week. Tom Brady, it turns out, is not perfect. Plus you get a 25,000-pound spy satellite heading earthward to land who knows where? What would Chicken Little say to that?

Closer to home, we got news that the mill is shutting down one paper machine, thus eliminating some 60 jobs.

Enough.

Consider the bright spots.

Jen Kreckel & Co. are revitalizing the boosters for Mt. Valley High School. They’ve got plenty to boast about: The Cougar girls are on a roll, the Cougars complete a wrestling sweep and the Cougar boys get a convincing win. And the Cougar cheerleaders took another MVC title. Bright young spots.

And, I learned, that over at Dirigo High, a group of students were spending last Saturday in debate competition. Their coach is Brad Conant. Public speaking is also on offer there. Wonderful preparation for bright futures.

Needing help with a mailing for the Rumford Library Growth Committee, I called a couple of friends to ask for help. Left a voice mail message for Jolene Lovejoy: “Wednesday, 9 a.m., library, bring your own pen.” Now here’s a friend. She had no idea what I was asking her to do, but she came anyway. Bright spot.

And, as of last Thursday evening, the languishing downtown faade refurbishment dollars are finally moving out of Rumford’s grant coffers and onto the Island and Waldo Street. Timely use of those funds will break a log jam for the town’s Revitalization Committee.

In search of good news, hopeful news, bright spots, one cold day last week I tucked into the Tech Center on Lowell Street to get a quick look at the new dental care facility. Still under construction, the new offices have filled the large space that once served as conference room, and the growth council offices have had to move across the hall. Council staffers Beverly Crosby and Lorraine Keeley may miss the windows, but rejoice in the new service and the rental income. Very bright spot

A few days later, Diane Ray, widely known for her role as contracted administrator of the River Valley Growth Council, brightened my day with upbeat talk about short- and long-term prospects for economic development in the River Valley.

Less widely known, perhaps, is that Adelaide Ray is Diane’s mother-in-law. Adelaide will turn 94 next month. Her baby sister Ginny Macfarland just celebrated her 90th birthday. Talk about bright spots!

What, I asked Diane Ray, is going on with the River Valley Growth Council? What are the prospects for meaningful, swift expansion of the region’s economy? What strategies are in play?

Some of her answers:

• “We’ve identified two patents held by the University of Maine that may have commercial applications and uses.”

If so, the River Valley may soon see some home-grown entrepreneurships, and those may benefit from mentoring by experienced business people.

• “We need to focus on job development. We need to go after successful Maine businesses that are ready to expand but can’t do so where they are.”

Our region can provide space and workers.

• “We need to look outside Maine for businesses whose management has a green mind-set. We have to identify those businesses and go to them, show them we’re proud, we’re creative, and we really want them here.” And when businesses based in Maine or beyond express interest in the River Valley, “We need to get back to them in 24 hours.”

Diane stressed the need for the Growth Council to form strong partnerships with the 10 River Valley towns to assist in funding the council’s effort and to go on the road to sell our region.

A promotion piece is in the works. It will include testimonials from people who have moved here recently and it will focus on our assets that include ski areas and the excellent hospital. The promo will also touch former River Valley residents with the message: “Come back home!”

Bright idea for a very bright spot: right here.

Linda Farr Macgregor lives with her husband, Jim, in Rumford. She is a freelance writer and author of Rumford Stories. Contact her: [email protected]