THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT |
🗓️ Week of: August 18, 2026 In this issue: In this issue: how Sparta got its name back in 1778, five fresh local stories, Lavender the cat is looking for her forever home, a full 7-day forecast, and a packed events calendar running through Labor Day weekend. |
Trivia Question❓
Question: This Sparta-connected historical figure served as New Jersey's 5th Governor and later lost a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that changed how interstate commerce is regulated to this day. Who was he?
(Answer at the bottom of this newsletter) |
Our Local News |
Stay Informed:
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SCCC Fall Enrollment Up 10% as Classes Fill Quickly
Project Self-Sufficiency to Host Baby Beginnings Fair
Sussex County Sheriff's Lieutenant Retires After 26 Years of Service
Are Prices Really Increasing?
Sussex County Commissioners Pass Election Integrity Resolution |
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Quote Of The Day |
"There isn't anyone you couldn't love once you've heard their story." - Mary Lou Kownacki |
Sparta & Sussex County History Bite |
Ever wonder how Sparta got its name?
Credit goes to a woman named Phoebe Ogden.
In 1778, Robert Ogden and his wife Phoebe became the area's first permanent settlers, building a home and an iron forge on land Robert had acquired. It was Phoebe who named their new farm and house "Sparta" - the story goes she was struck by the discipline and strength of the local youth, or simply drawing on her familiarity with ancient Greek history and its famously tough namesake city.
The Ogdens are buried in Sparta Cemetery, and their small iron forge helped kick off more than a century of mining that shaped the local economy. Not bad for a name picked almost 250 years ago. |
Our Local Weather |
Day: Tuesday
Day: Wednesday
Day: Thursday
Day: Friday
Day: Saturday
Day: Sunday showers
Day: Monday |
Support Our Local Sponsors |
Sponsored Ad The Hungry Hearth |
Indulge in a Culinary Experience
Whether you're planning a wedding, shower, milestone celebration, or in‑office luncheon, Amy - the creative force behind The Hungry Hearth - brings warmth, flavor, and unforgettable hospitality to every event. Her custom catering menus are crafted with the freshest locally sourced ingredients and tailored to your vision, making each gathering feel personal, delicious, and beautifully memorable.
From elegant bridal showers to cozy baby showers, from Communion and confirmation parties to polished corporate luncheons, Amy transforms your occasion into a feast worth celebrating. Every dish is infused with heart, comfort, and the signature homemade touch her clients can’t stop raving about.
And for busy families, Amy still delivers her beloved dinner‑delivery magic every Tuesday and Thursday - offering generous family‑style meals, individual portions, and irresistible add‑ons that make weeknights effortless.
Let The Hungry Hearth elevate your next event with food that feels like home and tastes extraordinary.
Contact Amy today! Email:thehungryhearth@gmail.com |
Here in Sparta, we know what small towns are really like - the familiar faces, the quiet streets, the stories everyone thinks they already know. Maple Ridge feels a lot like that… until Jack Mercer starts fixing things. Every home he steps into reveals something unexpected: a hidden letter, a long‑buried truth, a secret someone hoped would never surface. And once Jack uncovers it, the whole town shifts, just like it would here when one discovery ripples through the community.
What makes Maple Ridge even more special is how deep the world goes. Jack’s 18‑book Fix‑It Mysteries are only the beginning. New books release every week, building toward a 30‑book arc - and soon, other beloved characters will step forward into their own spin‑off series, expanding the universe to nearly 100 cozy mysteries.
If you love heartfelt small‑town drama, slow‑burn romance, and secrets that refuse to stay hidden, start with Book 1 and settle into a world that feels as familiar as home. |
Fur-ever Friend Feature |
Adopt Me Today! |
🐾 Meet Lanender Goober -Your New Fur-ever Friend!
Breed: Domestic Short Hair | Age: About 1 year | Gender: Female
She's a little shy when she first meets someone new, a side effect of everything she's been through. But give her a little time and patience, and she melts into one of the most affectionate cats you'll ever meet. After a life spent taking care of others, Lavender is ready to be taken care of herself.
Give Lavender the home she's always deserved - fill out an adoption questionnaire today!
He's ready for someone to finally claim him. Could that be you? Fill out an adoption questionnaire at www.fatherjohns.org/adopt |
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Our Local Events |
Featured Event |
Please make plans to join us: |
Please help support our local events: |
📍 Tuesday, August 18
🎨 Toddler Tuesday Sparta - 1:15 PM
📍 Thursday, August 20
🖌️ Intro to Studio Art - 5:00 PM
📍 Friday, August 21
📍 Saturday, August 22
🐴 Member Practice - 2:00 PM
📍 Thursday, August 27
📍 Friday, August 28
📍 Saturday, August 29
🌙 Kallo Farms Sturgeon Moon Witchy Night - 6:00 PM |
Our Local Contacts |
EMERGENCY SERVICES |
Emergency - Police, Fire & Ambulance Call |
UTILITIES: |
Jersey Central Power & Light Sparta Water & Sewer Utility |
TOWNSHIP OFFICES |
Township Manager's Office Township Clerk Planning & Zoning Building Department Tax Collector Recreation Department Public Works |
COMMUNITY RESOURCES |
Sparta Public Library Chamber of Commerce Board of Education Sparta High School Department of Public Works |
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES |
Sparta Township Health & Senior Services |
Answer to Trivia Question |
Question: This Sparta-connected historical figure served as New Jersey's 5th Governor and later lost a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that changed how interstate commerce is regulated to this day. Who was he?
Answer: Aaron Ogden - son of Robert and Phoebe Ogden, Sparta's founding family. Aaron became a U.S. Senator and New Jersey's Governor, but he's best remembered as the losing party in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), the case that established that Congress, not individual states, controls interstate commerce. |
How To Contact Us |
Newsletter Advertisements and Sponsorships Available! Contact Sparta Spotlight: Call or Text: (570) 856-8163 |
Note: We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of event details, business updates, and local news. However, plans can change! Please confirm with organizers or official sources before attending. We appreciate your understanding as we strive to keep our community informed and connected. |