The Raritan River Region has been invited by the Somerset County Library Outreach Program, courtesy of its Director, Bob Allen, to participate in a visit to two senior facilities.  Hey, we might even bump in to friends from the NJ Region AACA.

Take an easy cruise down Rt 22 to Middlebrook Crossing (Brandywine). Conveniently located on the westbound lanes, just past Strike And Spare Bowling Alley. Lost? call 877-427-2639.  Our visit starts at 9 am with a delicious breakfast.  While we nosh, the residents will choose their favorite of the cars on display.  The first place winner will receive a nice gift.

Around 11:30 am we will pack up our marbles and wander off to near-by Eastern Star Home. This will be our lunch stop. We will again have a residents' choice, and the winner will again be a very nice prize. The winner for the first stop is asked to excuse themselves from competition at the second stop. Eastern Star is located at 111 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater NJ. 908-722-4140.

Some people like to show their cars.  Some people like to drive their cars.  Wouldn’t it be great to benefit from the best of both worlds?  We, at the Raritan River Region CLC, are invited to do exactly that.  The Somerset County Library Outreach Program, and its director, Bob Allen again extends a cordial invitation to visit two assisted living facilities in the Somerset County area.

What better way to start the day, than with breakfast?  Our first stop, Chelsea at Bridgewater Assisted Living features a continental breakfast.  We will park our cars and let the residents of this up-scale facility view glimpses of their lives past.  There will be many smiles of reminiscence while this cherished (and often overlooked) segment of our population recalls events and people from days gone by.  While we are sipping our second cup of coffee, the residents will vote on the car they like best.  No rules of judging involved here!  A GIFT CERTIFICATE to a local restaurant will be awarded to their favorite car.

The sound of cheers and applause may still be ringing in our ears, and it will be time to head to our lunch stop.  The residents at Avalon Assisted Living will eagerly await our arrival.  Again we will be treated to culinary delights while the residents view our cars and reminisce of the good old days.  If one listens closely enough, we may even hear one of our pride and joys communicate with some of our senior citizens.  While we enjoy desert, the residents of this facility will vote on their choice of what car strikes their fancy.  Again, a very nice prize will be awarded to the winning car.

Here’s all you gotta do:  Show up at Chelsea at Bridgewater at around 9 am on Saturday, September 20, 2008.  We will leave there approximately 11:30 and head towards Avalon for a twelve noon arrival.  If you can’t make the first stop, make the second.  If your schedule gets busy in the afternoon, you’re more than welcome to attend the first stop only.  The choice is yours.

So, you need directions?

It is easy:  Chelsea is at 680 Rt 202-206 N, Bridgewater NJ (908-252-3400).  Take your favorite highway to the dreaded Somerville Circle.  Continue on 202-206 North, and stay right to avoid getting on I-287.  After the I-287 exit, look for the former Fennessey Buick (future home of Hunterdon BMW) on your left.  Chelsea driveway is immediately on the right.  They are behind other business which front the highway, so it can be easy to miss.

For our second stop, again, take your favorite highway to the dreaded Somerville Circle.  From there take NJ 28 west.  Avalon Assisted Living will be on the right, past the 2^nd traffic light.  Avalon is at 565 NJ 28, Bridgewater NJ (908-707-8800).

And, finally....