Therapeutic Rec Dept. Assists Autism & Bullying Film Maker

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION DEPARTMENT ASSISTS

AUTISM & BULLYING FILM MAKER

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation Department has partnered with Tony Kennette, owner of KennetteProductions.com. in the upcoming production of Freeman Velocity; a film on autism and bullying.

Kennette has been sharing his film making skills with youngsters for almost a decade, most recently with children enrolled in the Somerset County Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation Movie Makers program. In the program, students with developmental disabilities, more specifically autism, explore the many facets and magic of movie making, learning terminology, production protocol, think-tanking story ideas, and many other aspects of filmmaking.

To be shot on location in Somerville over the summer, the film will offer Therapeutic Recreation students involved in the Movie Makers and theater programs the opportunity to appear in the film. In addition, Therapeutic Recreation staff will share their knowledge and understanding of autism to assist in character development.

Kennette’s involvement in the Movie Makes program has assisted staff in reaching the goals of increasing self- esteem, increasing communication skills, developing imagination and creativity skills, learning how to step outside the comfort zone and be someone different, appropriately expressing feelings and emotions, and learning to be a part of a team.

For more information about Movie Makers and other programs offered the Somerset County Park Commission, TR department please call 908-526-5650 or visit www.somersetcountyparks.org. Information about the film can be found on www.Kickstarter.com

Neshanic Valley Earns Highest Rankings from NJ Monthly

NESHANIC VALLEY GOLF COURSE RECOGNIZED BY NJ MONTHLY

AMONG TOP PUBLIC COURSES IN THE STATE

2 Park Commission Facilities Make the Top 40

NESHANIC STATION, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission Neshanic Valley Golf Course, located at 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, has been recognized as among the top five public golf courses in the state in nine varied categories.

Neshanic Valley ranks statewide as:

            #2 overall public golf course

            #1 county facility

            #1 in Central Jersey

#1 practice facility

#1 best conditioned publicly owned

#2 most female friendly based on multiple tees, modern facilities &

                        approachable staff

#4 most challenging

            #5 most scenic

In addition, hole #7 on the Meadow Course was selected as the best short

par 4 in the state.

Somerset County Park Commission Quail Brook Golf Course on New Brunswick Road in Somerset rounded out the NJ Monthly list, selected as the 40^th best facility in the state.

The NJ Monthly ranking were based on a vote by a panel of 21 New Jersey golf experts who were asked to rank their top 20 publicly owned or privately owned daily fee courses. The panel was also asked to rank courses in 14 categories.

Neshanic Valley was previously honored as the 30^th best municipal course in the nation by Golfweek and among the Best Public Golf Courses in New Jersey by Sports Illustrated and CNN.com.

“Neshanic Valley has maintained its reputation because of its design, its versatility, and the dedicated staff that understands that Neshanic Valley must be maintained to the highest standards,” commented Darrell Marcinek, Director of Golf Maintenance. “We are proud to be able to provide a world-class golfing experience to the people of Somerset County, the state, and the region.”

Neshanic Valley hosted the 2012 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship® last June, one of 13 USGA Championships held nationwide each year.

The complete golfing facility provides an all-inclusive golfing experience with a 27-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Academy Course, the Learning Center, and the Callaway Golf Performance Center.

The state-of-the-art Learning Center includes a double-ended driving range with grass and mat hitting areas, a 12,000 square foot putting green, a practice facility including bunkers and three chipping greens, and two practice holes.

The Performance Center at Neshanic Valley, the only facility of its kind on the east coast, offers a state-of-the-art computerized golf club fitting and swing analysis system, operated by Callaway-trained professionals.

Information on Neshanic Valley, the four other championship county golf courses, and additional Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.