Swing into 2010 with FREE Golf!

MERCER COUNTY CONTINUES HOLIDAY TRADITION WITH FREE GOLF JAN. 1

For the past decade, the Mercer County Park Commission has offered a free day of golf to all Mercer County golf card holders on New Year’s Day.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes and Park Commission Executive Director Kevin Bannon are pleased to announce that on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, the tradition will continue.

“A round of golf is a terrific way to usher in a new decade for many of our local golfers who’ve adopted this fun tradition,” said Bannon.

Mercer Oaks East and West in West Windsor, Mountain View in Ewing, and Princeton Country Club in West Windsor will all be open New Year’s Day, weather permitting. (Snow on Jan. 1 would cancel play). Both Mercer Oaks and Mountain View courses will accept advanced tee times by phone or Internet reservation. Princeton Country Club will accept golfers on a first-come, first-served basis. The first tee time at all courses is 8 a.m., frost permitting.

For more information, please contact the individual golf shops:

Phone Reservation System: (609) 989-7398
Mercer Oaks East & West Golf Courses: (609) 936-1383
Mountain View Golf Course: (609) 882-4093
Princeton Country Club: (609) 452-9382

Check Out Web-site

Holiday Light Shows Fun for the Whole Family

I love the Holiday's because of all the Lights. Something about it is just relaxing and joyous!

I stumbled onto Bob Martel's Home on 21 Phillips in Hamilton, NJ as I was driving to AllStars, can't miss his house! Bob has been entertaining families for a mere donation for 22 years and features 90,000 Lights on his property! His electric bill averages $1,600 for the month... that is true passion! This is a MUST See spectacular located right off of 195 and 206 in Hamilton, NJ.

Then we have the famous Shady Brook Farm who is known for their awesome Ice Cream and Halloween Production. This Holiday Light Show is from the comfort of your car or a moonlight Hayride!

Millions of lights illuminate as you drive through the spectacular from the Statue of Liberty to familiar characters. After your ride you can visit Santa's Village the North Pole Adventure for some Hot Chocolate and shopping.

Click Here for a Shady Brook Coupon to the Show!


Last but definitely not least Longwood Gardens the magical journey for wonderful garden designs and Holiday wonders! It's worth the trip and memories of a lifetime!

Give the Gift of Art This Holiday

Hydrate Your Skin for the Holidays!

Tis the Season for Dry Heat, Holiday Spirits and Dry Skin! As we all know this time of year your skin is susceptible to dehydration but never fear, Erika, Owner of “All New You Holistic Spa” in Windsor, NJ has a great product that keeps your skin fresh looking for the Holidays!

Oxygen, the key to keeping your skin revitalized and All New You Holistic Spa only provides the best organic treatments for your face. You can also purchase products like the Vita-o2 Hydra refining Mist to carry in your bag and spritz your face to keep your skin feeling fresh as needed and you can apply right over your makeup!.

Yes, I tried the Oxygen Mist and it truly works! All New You Holistic Spa in Windsor, NJ

Give the Gift of "Cute Tools"

Karen, Owner of Perennial Home in Hightstown carries several “Gifts that keep on Giving” in her shop! This Holiday she has a line of “Home Tools” crafted by a program called “Art for a Cause”.


Each tool is lovingly sanded and primed by a person with special needs, including those with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple scleroses, or a variety of cognitive challenges. Then, the artists hand paint beautiful and custom patterns on each, and then carefully package them in sustainable packaging. An ordinary household tool becomes "cute" and a meaningful gift idea.

Perennial Home is located 119 West Ward Street in Hightstown, NJ http://www.perennialhome.com/

Gifts That Keep on Giving

Tis the Season to Shop for Friends, Family and yourself! Here are some unique Holiday Gift Ideas that keep on giving!

A Bit of NYC In Hightstown carries a new item called Peeky toes. “Made in the USA" working with 20+ businesses including Goodwill Industries and the Autism Society. The packaging is 100% soy ink on 100% Forest Stewardship Council paper, with NO plastic sock hooks! Eco-Peekys keep feet clean after a pedicure or through airport security. Perfect for Pilates, dance or wearing to bed!
Lightweight and breathable, made from Bamboo (a renewable resource) and REPREVE® Recycled Nylon.



By recycling yarns, REPREVE® will conserve 10 million gallons of gasoline by 2010! The Bamboo is dyed with Global Organic Textile Standard approved dyes.

SKATE WITH SANTA!

Santa Claus will make a rare pre-Christmas visit to Mercer County Park’s Public Ice Skating Center on Saturday, December 19, where children can have a chance to skate alongside Santa and then join him for candy canes and photographs in the lobby.

Festivities begin at 5 p.m. when Santa arrives and the family skate session starts. Youngsters are invited to join Santa on the ice until 6:15 p.m. St. Nick will then retreat to the sitting area for an hour.

Parents are invited to bring along a camera to get photos of their children skating with Santa or on his lap afterward when Santa will be accepting Christmas wishes from children.

“This fun, family event offers a chance to slow down and enjoy each other’s company during a busy holiday season. I encourage skaters and non-skaters alike to stop by, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and visit with Santa,” County Executive Brian M. Hughes said.

The skating center, located at Mercer County Park in West Windsor, is open to the public seven days a week during the operating season, which runs November to March. Skate rentals will be free for this event, and entrance fees are charged only to those who choose to skate.

The skating center offers general public skating sessions, family night sessions, birthday parties and ice time for hockey. Group lessons are offered, as are private lessons given by County skating professionals. The Skating Center has group rates, skate rentals, private party rentals on Wednesday and Sunday evenings, a snack bar and a skate sharpening service.

Ticket prices are: Adults, $7; Junior (11 and under), $5; and Seniors (62 and older), $5. Skates can be rented for $2 per pair. Skate rentals are free for this event. Frequent skater passes also are available. For a complete skating schedule, a list of special events or directions, go to www.mercercounty.org and click on Parks Commission listing, or call the Skating Center information line at (609) 371-1669 or rink office at 371-1766.

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.., Friday nights, 8:30-10:30 p.m.; Saturday 1-3:30 p.m., 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m.; Sunday, 1-3 p.m.

Visit Mercer County on the web at www.mercercounty.org