⛈ Storms Roll In, Meet Maple the Cat & The Boardwalk's Hidden Past

⛈ Storms Roll In, Meet Maple the Cat & The Boardwalk's Hidden Past - Sparta's Weekly Buzz

A stormy start gives way to sunshine, plus a sweet rescue cat looking for home and a little-known chapter of Lake Mohawk history.

Randy Booth

Jul 21, 2026

THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT

🗓️ Week of: July 21, 2026
📰 Issue: #85
⏱️ Estimated Read Time: 4-5 minutes

In this issue: storms give way to sunshine by the weekend, meet Maple our sweet rescue mama cat, the shrinking legacy of the Lake Mohawk Boardwalk, three town council seats open up this fall, and Rising Stars Youth Theatre takes the stage Thursday.

Trivia Question❓

Sparta shares its name with a famous city in another country. Which country, and why did our town end up with that name?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Our Local News

Stay Informed: Sparta Board Agendas & Minutes

Planning Board Meeting Wednesday July 15, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Three Seats Open on Sparta Town Council This November
Candidate petition packets are now available for residents interested in running for one of three open seats on the township council this fall. Petitions are due back to the Municipal Clerk's office by 4 p.m. on August 19, and the deadline to register to vote in the November election is October 13.

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/sparta/articles/considering-running-for-sparta-township-council-2026-candidate-petitions-are-ready-for-pickup

Third Quarter Tax Bills Are in the Mail
Sparta homeowners should be receiving their 2026 third quarter estimated tax bills. The township notes the bill is labeled "estimated" only because the county has not yet certified the final tax rate, and any difference will be reconciled on the fourth quarter bill due November 1.

https://www.spartanj.org/204/Tax-Finance

Milton Preschool Open House Set for August 12
The Sparta school board shared encouraging updates on the new Milton Preschool at its July 16 meeting, including a completed system rollover, finalized bus stops similar to existing routes, and full enrollment of waitlisted families for the 2026-27 year. Families can see the building for themselves at an open house on August 12.

https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sparta-school-officials-denounce-fake-job-posting-share-milton-preschool-updates-EC6040402

Rising Stars Youth Theatre Takes the Stage Thursday
Sussex County's award-winning youth theatre company wraps its first summer session with a public showcase of "Legally Blonde Jr." this Thursday at the Sparta Elks Lodge on the Lake Mohawk boardwalk. The nonprofit has trained young performers ages 7 to 18 for a decade.

https://www.risingstarsytc.com/summer

Firefighters Battle Brush Fire in the Summer Heat
Sparta Township Fire Department responded to a brush fire in the woods between Fairway Trail and Golfview Terrace, with two firefighters treated for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. A good reminder to stay hydrated and take breaks if you're working or playing outside this week.

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/sparta/sections/police-and-fire/articles

Quote Of The Day

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Sparta & Sussex County History Bite

Here's one that might surprise you:

Next time you're strolling the Lake Mohawk Boardwalk, know that you're walking a much shorter path than the one your grandparents might have known. The original boardwalk, built in 1928, once wound 2,500 feet around the lake. In 1956 and 1957 it was rebuilt and reshaped down to its present 1,000 feet.

The surrounding White Deer Plaza, built from 1926 to 1928, earned its own architectural name: Lake Mohawk Tudor, a mix of English cottage, German baronial, and vernacular styles found nowhere else quite like it. In 1988, the boardwalk and plaza were added to the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.

There's a sweeter story tucked into that history too. At Lake Mohawk's 10th anniversary celebration in 1937, Princess White Deer, honored in the plaza's name, offered a blessing to the community that's still recounted on a marker near the boardwalk today. I never knew that!

Our Local Weather

Day: Tuesday
Date: July 21, 2026
High: 75°F
Low: 69°F
Description: ⛈ Cloudy with showers, a heavy thunderstorm possible later that can bring flooding downpours and gusty winds

Day: Wednesday
Date: July 22, 2026
High: 83°F
Low: 56°F
Description: ⛅ Clouds giving way to sun, a widely separated thunderstorm possible, humid

Day: Thursday
Date: July 23, 2026
High: 80°F
Low: 51°F
Description: ☀ Mostly sunny and less humid

Day: Friday
Date: July 24, 2026
High: 80°F
Low: 55°F
Description: 🌤 Partly sunny

Day: Saturday
Date: July 25, 2026
High: 83°F
Low: 60°F
Description: ☀ Mostly sunny

Day: Sunday
Date: July 26, 2026
High: 85°F
Low: 61°F
Description: ☀ Sunny

Day: Monday
Date: July 27, 2026
High: 84°F
Low: 64°F
Description: ⛈ Mostly cloudy and humid with showers and a thunderstorm later in the day

Support Our Local Sponsor

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
Website: thehungryhearth.com

Fur-ever Friend Feature

Adopt Me Today!
Proudly Partnering with Father John's Animal House

🐱 Meet Maple - Your New Fur-ever Friend!

Adopt Maple Today!
Breed: Domestic Short Hair | Age: Adult | Gender: Female
Health: Spayed/Neutered, Vaccinated, Microchipped
Temperament: Sweet, gentle, and adaptable

Maple came to Father John's Animal House the hard way. She and her kittens were found living in a wood pile before local animal control stepped in to help. It's hard to believe she was ever an outdoor cat, though, because Maple has turned out to be one of the gentlest, sweetest girls at the shelter.

Her kittens are growing up in foster care, but Maple herself doesn't need to wait any longer. She's already spayed and settled comfortably into the shelter's free-roam room, where she gets along easily with the other cats there. That easygoing nature means she could be a wonderful new friend for a resident cat, or simply someone's calm, loving companion.

From a homeless mother sheltering wherever she could to a cat who deserves nothing less than a home of her own, Maple is ready for her second chance.

She's waited long enough. Give Maple the soft bed and steady home she's earned.

Our Local Events

Please help support our local events:

📅 Tuesday, July 21
🍼 Toddler Tuesday Sparta
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM, 1A Main Street
An immersive little ones' class packed with art, music, and storytelling.

🔮 Psychic Readings Tuesdays
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, ISD Gift Shop, 15 Sparta Ave
A recurring Tuesday tradition for anyone curious what the cards might say.

📅 Thursday, July 23
🎨 Intro to Studio Art at The Art Project
5:00 PM, 1A Main Street
A hands-on evening for young artists to explore a new medium.

🍔 BBQ at the Beach
5:00 PM, 45 Lake Ter
Burgers, dogs, and lake views to kick off the weekend early.

🏛 Time Travelers Camp
Sparta Train Station, through July 24
A two-day history camp for young explorers curious about Sparta's past.

📅 Friday, July 24
🎬 Movie Night (rain date, weather permitting)
8:00 PM, Lake Saginaw Beach
Bring your towels and beach chairs for stars, s'mores, and popcorn under the sky.

📅 Sunday, July 26
💜 Maxwell & Molly's Purple Party
10:00 AM, 4 N Village Blvd
A customer appreciation celebration spanning both Hamburg and Sparta locations.

📅 Monday, July 27
🏑 Sparta Field Hockey Camp
Sparta High School, through July 31
A week of drills and scrimmages for young field hockey players.

📅 Friday, July 31
⛳ Summer Scramble Golf Outing
7:00 AM, SkyView Golf Club
Registration and breakfast kick off a full day of golf, feasting, and raffles.

🖌 BYO Paint & Sip
6:00 PM, 45 Lake Ter
Bring your own bottle and let your creative side loose for the evening.

📅 Saturday, August 1
🚚 Sparta Food Truck & Music Fest
11:00 AM, White Lake Field
A benefit for the Sparta Benevolent Society with food trucks and live music all day.

🎶 An ABBA Candlelight Experience
5:00 PM, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
An immersive evening of music inside a beautifully lit sanctuary.

🧹 Community Clean-up Work Day
8:30 AM, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Grab some gloves and help spruce up the grounds.

📅 Sunday, August 2
🌱 Flora Foundation Launch Party
2:00 PM, 66 Main Street
A community celebration marking the launch of a new local nonprofit.

Our Local Contacts

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Emergency - Police, Fire & Ambulance Call
911

UTILITIES:

Jersey Central Power & Light
(888) 544-4877

Sparta Water & Sewer Utility
(973) 729-7133

TOWNSHIP OFFICES

Township Manager's Office
(973) 729-4471

Township Clerk
(973) 729-4471

Planning & Zoning
(973) 729-4471

Building Department
(973) 729-4471

Tax Collector
(973) 729-4903

Recreation Department
(973) 729-2383

Public Works
(973) 729-7133

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Sparta Public Library
(973) 729-3101

Chamber of Commerce
(973) 579-1811

Board of Education
(973) 729-2155

Sparta High School
(973) 729-6191

Department of Public Works
(973) 729-7133

HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

Sparta Township Health & Senior Services
(973) 729-8093

Sparta Senior Services
(973) 729-2383

Sussex County Division of Social Services (Newton)
973-383-3600

Sparta Community Food Pantry
(862) 266-0563

Answer to Trivia Question

Question: Sparta shares its name with a famous city in another country. Which country, and why did our town end up with that name?

Answer: Greece. When the township was carved out of Byram, Frankford, Hardyston, and the old Newton Township in 1845, the community that gave Sparta its name had already been settled and named years earlier, likely inspired by the ancient Greek city.

How To Contact Us

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Contact Sparta Spotlight:

SpartaSpotlight@gmail.com

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.