THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT

📅 Week of: April 14, 2026

🕐 Estimated Read Time: 8-10 min (or just jump to what catches your eye!)

📬 Issue: #20

✍️ Sections This Week: 17

In this issue:

• Sparta pitcher Jacob Diaz throws a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts
• Sparta resident's inspiring Donate Life Month story
• DAR & Rev250 Committee to honor Revolutionary War gravesites April 18
• SCCC Annual Student Art Show opens Friday April 17
• Warm week ahead - 83°F by Tuesday!
• Meet Mittens - a princess in foster care who just needs her forever throne

Township news Snippets and upcoming meetings

Quote Of The Day

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors - we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb

Haven Of Harmony Holistic Spa

Welcome to Haven Of Harmony, your sanctuary for holistic healing and well-being. Our compassionate, trauma-informed therapists offer a heart-centered approach to healing, guiding you gently on your journey to harmony.

Our Services

• Massage Therapy: Experience customized sessions including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Cupping, Prenatal, Hot Stone, Oncology, and more, designed to relieve pain and support healing.
• Lymphatic Drainage: Gentle treatments to promote detoxification, reduce swelling, boost immunity, assist with hormone regulation, and post-op recovery.
• Therapeutic Aromatherapy: Enjoy therapeutic benefits with the integration of organic, custom-crafted essential oils.
• Energy Healing: Discover energetic alignment through Reiki, Chakra Healing, Crystal Therapy, Shamanic Healing, and Energy Clearings.
• Yoga: Explore Chakra Yoga, Vinyasa, Somatic, Pelvic Floor, and private sessions to restore harmony to body and soul.
• Psychic Readings: Receive compassionate guidance through intuitive card readings, mediumship, and past life sessions.
• Coaching: Access spiritual counseling, life coaching, and support through peri/menopause for holistic growth and well-being.
• Pain & Detox Treatments: Relieve pain and cleanse with TDR Heat Lamp and Foot Detox therapies.
• Events & Certification: Join wellness events and energy healing certification programs to learn, grow, and connect.
• Retreats: Rejuvenate with thoughtfully crafted retreats for deep renewal, self-discovery, and sacred healing space.

Contact Us Today!

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

Honey Garlic Grilled Salmon with Mango Avocado Salsa

Why This Recipe This Week: Tuesday hits 83°F - the warmest day Sparta has seen since last fall. That calls for something that feels like summer showed up early and decided to stay for dinner. A honey garlic grilled salmon with a mango avocado salsa is bright, fresh, zero-effort, and absolutely perfect for an 83-degree Tuesday evening on the deck. 

Cook it Tuesday or Wednesday while the warmth lasts - by Thursday we're back to the 60s.

Serves: 4

For the salmon:

• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
• 3 tbsp honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the mango avocado salsa:

• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 1/4 red onion, finely diced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Whisk together honey, garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, and lime juice. Marinate salmon fillets for 20-30 minutes.
   
   
2. While salmon marinates, combine all salsa ingredients. Toss gently and refrigerate.
   
   
3. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill salmon 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely caramelized.
   
   
4. Plate salmon topped generously with mango avocado salsa. Serve with rice or crusty bread.
   
   

Vibe Pairing: Something that feels like a rooftop in summer - Khruangbin, early Vampire Weekend, or a breezy Latin playlist. Back door open, that warm April air doing its thing.

Mid-Week Reset: Grill Tuesday while it's gorgeous. Then when Thursday rolls around, let The Hungry Hearth handle dinner - Amy delivers Tuesdays and Thursdays so check her menu now.

And if this warm stretch has you thinking about wellness and self-care, Haven of Harmony is your next stop - massage, yoga, energy healing, and spring renewal all in one place on Sparta Ave.

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

🐱 Meet Mittens - Your New Fur-ever Friend!

Adopt Mittens Today!🐾 🧡

Breed: Domestic Short Hair

Age: 8.5 years young

♀ Gender: Female

🏥 Health: Spayed, Vaccinated, Microchipped

💉 ✨ Temperament: Regal, affectionate on her terms, calm - a true princess 🐾

Meet Mittens! 🌟

Mittens is a cat who knows exactly who she is - and she'd like you to know it too. She's a princess. Not in a difficult way, but in the best possible way: she is a calm, loving, deeply loyal companion who simply deserves to be adored. And twice now, through no fault of her own, life has gotten in the way of that.

She first came to Father John's when her owner's health declined and she could no longer be properly cared for. Mittens found a new home - but when tummy troubles appeared, her new owners never brought her to the vet. She came back. The shelter soon realized the troubles weren't medical at all. They were stress. So Mittens went to a foster home, and on the very first day she hopped right into her foster mom's lap and asked for love. She's been thriving ever since.

At 8 and a half years old, Mittens is settled, sweet, and wonderfully low-drama. She's fine with other calm cats who know how to give her space, and she grew up around kids aged 8-16, so a cat-savvy family would suit her beautifully. What she truly wants - what she has always deserved - is to be someone's one and only. A quiet home, a warm lap, and someone who understands that when a princess wants to be left alone, you simply wait. She'll come to you. She always does.

Mittens has been patient long enough. Her throne is waiting - it just needs the right person to claim it with her.

👉 Fill out an adoption questionnaire at www.fatherjohns.org/adopt
📅 Appointments required Wednesdays & Fridays
🚪 Walk-ins welcome all other days (appointments preferred)

50 Father John’s Lane
Lafayette, NJ 07848

info@fatherjohns.org

(973) 300-5909

Father John's Animal House is a no-kill, 501(c)(3) shelter supported entirely by donations. Every animal is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before adoption.

Household Hint of the Week!

Open Your Windows Today - Your Home Will Thank You

With 83°F on tap for Tuesday, this is the best free air freshener Sparta has to offer. Open windows on opposite sides of your home to create a cross-breeze and flush out months of stale winter air in minutes.

 Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans at the same time to pull moisture and odors out before you close everything up again. A simple 20-minute window-open session on a warm spring day does more for indoor air quality than most store-bought products. Enjoy it while it lasts - by Thursday we're back to the 60s.

Please help support our local events:

Toddler Tuesday Today, Tuesday, April 14 | 1:15 PM 1A Main Street, Sparta, NJ 🧒 Happening today! An immersive session of art, music, and storytelling for toddlers. If you're reading this Tuesday morning there's still time to go.

Intro to Studio Art Thursday, April 17 | 5:00 PM 1A Main Street, Sparta, NJ 🖌 Weekly Thursday studio art at The Art Project. A great way to explore your creative side in a hands-on setting.

SCCC Annual Juried Student Art Show - Opening Reception Friday, April 17 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Sussex County Community College, Newton, NJ 🎨 Free and open to the public. Meet students, faculty and emerging artists from across the region. Show runs through May 13.

JazzFest Friday, April 17 | 4:00 PM 70 W Mountain Rd, Sparta, NJ 🎷 Live jazz on a warm Friday afternoon. 11 people going - a great way to kick off the weekend.

Spring Scramble Golf Tournament Friday, April 17 | 8:00 AM 226 Lafayette Rd, Sparta, NJ ⛳ 4-person scramble, $175 per player. Get your foursome on the course for one of the best spring mornings of the year.

DAR & Rev250 Revolutionary War Gravesite Ceremony Saturday, April 18 | Time TBD Sparta, NJ 🇺🇸 The Daughters of the American Revolution and Sparta's RevolutionNJ 250 Committee honor local Revolutionary War veterans' gravesites. A meaningful piece of living history right in our community.

5th Annual Earth Day Event Saturday, April 18 | 11:00 AM 17 Main Street, Sparta, NJ 🌍 199 people interested - the biggest community event of the month. Conservation exhibitors, kids' corner, and a food drive for the Sparta Community Food Pantry. Free admission.

Storytime with Creature Comfort Pet Therapy Saturday, April 18 | 11:00 AM Sparta Public Library | 22 Woodport Rd, Sparta 🐾 Therapy animals meet young readers at the library. A heartwarming Saturday morning for the whole family.

Chunky Hand Knit Purse Workshop Sunday, April 26 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 1A Main Street, Sparta, NJ 🧶 Learn to create a hand-knit purse in this fun creative workshop. A great afternoon out.

Glass Fusion Workshop Saturday, April 25 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sparta, NJ 🔷 A hands-on glass fusion workshop for those looking to try something new and creative this spring.

Grab-n-Go Kits Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15 | 10:00 AM Sparta Public Library | 22 Woodport Rd, Sparta 📦 Pick up a ready-made activity kit from the Sparta Public Library. Quick, free, and fun for kids.

Family Bingo Sunday, April 19 | 2:00 PM Sparta Public Library | 22 Woodport Rd, Sparta 🎱 Family bingo at the library - fun for all ages.

Fish & Chips Dinner Sunday, April 19 | 5:00 PM Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Sparta 🐟 A classic community dinner with fish, chips, and a chicken option available. BYOB. Come hungry.

Casa Mia Dine to Donate Monday, April 20 | 5:00 PM Casa Mia, Sparta, NJ 🍝 15% of your bill goes to Spartans in need. Eat local, give back.

New Moon in Aries - Stellium Ignition Friday, April 17 | 6:00 PM 15 Sparta Ave, Sparta, NJ 🌑 A celestial evening event at Haven of Harmony celebrating the new moon in Aries.

Visit havenofharmonynj.com for details.

Psychic Fair Friday, April 24 | 7:00 PM 15 Sparta Ave, Sparta, NJ 🔮 An evening of readings and intuitive connections at Haven of Harmony.

My Grownup and Me Playtime Happening now - ongoing Sparta Public Library | 22 Woodport Rd, Sparta 👶 A drop-in playtime program for little ones and their caregivers at the Sparta Public Library.

Family Storytime Thursday, April 17 | 11:00 AM Sparta Public Library | 22 Woodport Rd, Sparta 📖 Weekly Thursday family storytime at the library - a wonderful mid-week routine for young readers.

Lapsit Storytime for Babies and Toddlers Thursday, April 17 | 10:00 AM Sparta Public Library | 22 Woodport Rd, Sparta 👶 Songs, rhymes, and stories for the youngest library visitors and their caregivers.

April Industry Thursday, April 30 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Industry Kitchen + Bar, 32 Main Street, Sparta 🎶 Scott Ringle performs at Industry Kitchen + Bar. A fun Thursday night out to close the month.

Mike Oregano at Krogh's Thursday, April 30 | 6:30 PM Krogh's Restaurant & Brew Pub, Sparta 🎸 Live music at Krogh's to wrap up April in style.

Beams & Dreams Thursday, April 30 | 6:00 PM Perona Farms, Sparta, NJ ✨ A special evening event at the beloved Perona Farms. Mark the calendar - details to come.

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