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Blackstone Valley Spotlighted on TLC's "Kids by the Dozen"

Release Date: 10/18/2007

Contact: Jeannie Hebert
Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitors Bureau
508-981-5782, 508-755-7400 X222, jhebert@worcester.org

Blackstone, Massachusetts: Janine and Jay Gonya have spent the last twenty years raising kids-12 to be exact! But now they face a momentous turning point: their oldest child, Joshua, is heading off to college, and Mom is having a hard time letting go. This is the premise of an upcoming episode of the nationally broadcasted reality show "Kid's by the Dozen" shown on The Learning Channel.

Last July the producers of the show contacted Jeannie Hebert, Tourism and Marketing Director of the Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitor's Bureau and said they had found a family with 12 children living in Blackstone Massachusetts and wanted to build an episode around them. Did she have any suggestions of where to film the family having some fun and educational recreation?

The producers had contacted the right organization to suggest just the right regional venues. The Blackstone Valley region known for the Blackstone, America's hardest working river and the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution is home to historic and scenic landscapes and plenty of outdoor recreation. Working with the crew, they were able to set a schedule of filming at Southwick's Zoo, New England's largest in nearby Mendon and beautiful Riverbend Farm, located on the Blackstone River in Uxbridge, Massachusetts.

The fruits of this filming will be presented to the nation on this Monday, October 29th's episode of "Kid's by the Dozen" The Gonyas: Leaving the Nest at 10:00PM est on The Learning Channel.

The Gonyas spent almost an entire day visiting with the animals at Southwick's Zoo. "We were very happy to host them," stated Justine Southwick Brewer President of Southwick's Zoo. "They spent quite a lot of time here and were very interested in our EARTH educational program."

Val Stegemoen, Riverbend Farm Visitor Services Supervisor, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, said that while at Riverbend the family enjoyed picnicking, biking along the river trail and canoeing the Blackstone. "At The Heritage State Park families enjoy the Blackstone River and Canal and we enjoy hosting people from the nation and around the world to learn a little bit about our history," said Val.

"Kid's by the Dozen" The Gonyas: Leaving the Nest airs Monday October 29th 10:00 PM est on the Learning Channel and an encore presentation airs the following day October 30th at 10:00 PM est also on The Learning Channel, check local listings.