Over 40 visitors were on a winning streak at this year’s Somerset County 4-H Fair in drawings held at the Somerset County Government tents.  Visitors enjoyed displays, played games, learned about the county and entered drawings for prizes, which were generously donated by local businesses and organizations.

“We’re pleased that so many people from our county, neighboring counties and out of state made the 4-H Fair a destination spot and visited the Government tents again this year” said Freeholder Director Patricia L. Walsh. “Thanks to the generosity of many merchants and organizations, we were able to give out wonderful prizes in drawings and contests at various booths, as well as provide giveaways.

“The county looks forward to the annual 4-H Fair as a venue for getting the word out about Somerset County’s many programs and services,” she said.  “County employees enjoy sharing information with residents and their children in a relaxed atmosphere, and the children enjoy learning about the county through games, hands-on projects and game wheels.”

Shelby Sharkey of Bridgewater and Diana Cirianni of Raritan were lucky winners of full access to the facilities of Curves of Bridgewater for one month for themselves and a friend.  

Lady Luck smiled on Nicole Rivera of Whitehouse Station and Richard Leach Sr.

of Old Bridge who won four Leisure Pursuit tickets to various Somerset County Park Commission activities.  Also, Diane Corley of Somerville and Alexandra Divit of Branchburg won tickets to a performance at The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch.

Other fairgoers won gift certificates for tickets to cheer the Somerset Patriots at the TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater for the 2012-2013 seasons. Winners were Diya Anand, Shreya Jayaswal, Tammy Melli and Gregg Sweetman of Bridgewater; Robert H.  Barth of Somerville; John Rech of Belle Mead; Tom Rusowicz of Manville; Rosemarie Halversa of Scotch Plains; and Victorya Salguero of Raritan.

Additionally, several visitors had the good fortune of winning gift certificates toward a meal at local restaurants: Heather Moran of Skillman, Andria Cervara of Somerville, Steve Byland of Warren and Nicole Rivera of Whitehouse Station to Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant in Bridgewater; Sheila Aidukas of Somerville to Outback Steakhouse in Green Brook; and Amelia Apuzzio of Bridgewater to the Bridgewater Diner. Also, Susan Loring of Bridgewater won a gift certificate toward a meal at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Green Brook, as well a cookbook, and Chris Schveler of Bridgewater won a gift certificate for free cooking classes at Taste of Crete in Hillsborough.

Linda Balogh and Daniela Taylor of Branchburg, Bernie Versfelt of Bridgewater, BJ Powelson of Califon and Tarun Shah of Raritan won a duffle bag and a first  aid kit from the Somerset County Health Department Medical Reserve Corps, which they can use to prepare a disaster supplies kit  for possible emergencies. 

Maggie Renna of Bridgewater won a $100 gift card, donated by ShopRite of Somerville.  Leanne Pasch of North Plainfield won a $75 gift certificate to ShopRite and a basket of food items, which were donated by employees of the Somerset County Board of Social Services. For guessing how many candies were in a jug, Owen Miller of Hillsborough won a $40 gift card to Wegmans and the jug of mixed candies,  which were donated by Perry Tchorni, Somerset County Human Services, Office of Operations and Planning director.

Eileen Reisman and Bob Disko of Bridgewater and Steve Byland of Warren won a Dumpster bag, donated by Waste Management of New Jersey in Newark.

Additionally, there were five winners of baskets that promote relaxation, which were donated by the Commission on Child Abuse and Missing Children:  Kasey Alfaro of Bound Brook and Janet Jaquis of Phillipsburg won Serenity baskets, Shelly Brown of Basking Ridge won a Candle basket, Alyssa Giarruso of Belle Mead won a Bubble Bath basket and Anna Hackett of Bridgewater won a Gardenia basket.  Tammy Melli of Bridgewater won a gift basket of school supplies, donated by the Friends of Somerset County Youth.

Kasey Dameo of Flemington won a bear, donated by Build-a-Bear of St. Louis and Tom Clarida of Bridgewater won a crafts gift basket, donated by Candyland Crafts of Somerville.

John Christopher of Neshanic Station was the lucky winner of an overnight group tour for up to 12 guests, arranged through Somerset County Tourism.  He and his guests will have an opportunity to visit several historic and cultural sites in Somerset County. 4A Transportation of Somerville will transport them on that day and the group will enjoy a one-night stay at either Hotel Indigo of Basking Ridge, Somerset Hills Hotel of Warren or Holiday Inn Express of Branchburg.

Also, everyone was a winner at the Superintendent of Schools’ booth thanks to giveaways that were generously donated by ShopRite of Branchburg and the Somerset County Education Development Foundation.  Among the giveaways were crayons, calculators, bookmarks, rulers, erasers, note pads, pens, pencils, a memory card game, neon bracelets and necklaces.

Last but not least, visitors to the Somerset County Community Development Office’ booth were given the opportunity to select books that were collected in a book drive by students of the AVID Program at Monroe Township Middle School.  The books were given out at the 4-H Fair, as well as distributed to families that receive services from a number of agencies in the county.  The idea to hold the book drive was suggested by Matthew Skibniewski.