RUMFORD – Citizens gathered Saturday night to honor local businesspeople at the River Valley Chamber of Commerce annual meeting held at Eagle’s Hall in Rumford. The annual event featured a Mardi Gras theme with guests sporting shiny necklaces and holding decorative masks.

During the meeting, Dickson chronicled her eleven years on the board, the last eight years as president, and she said she felt she had accomplished what she had set out to do. The assembly responded with a standing ovation.

Greater Rumford Community Center Program Director Bob Anderson accepted the Non-Profit Organization award.

“This is really a community award,” he said. “Without the community support we couldn’t exist.”

The multi-purpose activity center has about 1,600 members, and offers recreational activities and meals for seniors.

Manager of Franklin Bank, Donald Cummings, was named Business Person of the Year by the chamber.

“I am truly honored by this award,” said Cummings. “It has been a pleasure to spend the last thirty years in the Rumford/Mexico area and I really enjoy reminiscing with customers who have crossed my path in the last thirty years.”

Bob Soucy, manager of Carlisle’s Clothing Store, accepted the Customer Service award, and Dick Lovejoy, a mill retiree, was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for his participation on numerous civic boards and his community outreach.

In addition to the award presentations, Dickson conducted a brief business meeting to announce new directors. The five new directors elected were: Lisette Waugh-Hannaford, an incumbent; Bill Porter, of William F. Porter Inc., an incumbent; Dan Richard, of Dan’s Automotive; Janet Rowley of Western Maine Brokerage; and Melissa Newton-Hannaford. The elected alternate directors were Sonya Janke-Mead Westvaco, an incumbent, for a one-year term and Cindy Giroux-Oxford of Federal Credit Union for a two-year term.