ATTENTION: |
Pavement restorations on Monday June 15th and Tuesday June 16th on Green Apple Road, Warren Court, Tall Oaks Road, and Green Apple Court. Delays maybe encountered. |
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THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT |
🗓️ Week of: June 16, 2026
In this issue:
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Trivia Question❓What is the name of the famous Indian Chief who led the Lenape people of the Delaware Valley, and for whom a major New Jersey county is named? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
Our Local News |
Township news Snippets and upcoming meetings |
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Stay Informed: Sparta Board Agendas & Minutes
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Quote Of The Day |
"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." - John Muir |
Sparta & Sussex County History Bite |
The Lenape People - Sparta's Original Residents
Long before there were lakefront homes, golf courses, or even a town called Sparta, the land we live on was home to the Lenape people - one of the oldest and most significant Native American nations in the northeastern United States. Understanding their story is part of understanding ours.
The Lenape, whose name roughly translates to "the Original People" or "the Common People," inhabited the entire Delaware River Valley and surrounding region for thousands of years before European contact. In what is now Sussex County, they lived in small villages, hunted the forests, fished the streams, and cultivated crops of corn, beans, and squash. The Wallkill River, which flows through our region, was a central feature of their territory - a source of food, transportation, and community life.
When Dutch and Swedish settlers arrived in the early 1600s, they initially traded peacefully with the Lenape. But over the following decades, as land purchases and settlements expanded, the Lenape were gradually displaced westward. By the mid-1700s, most had moved to Pennsylvania and eventually further west, though their presence is preserved in countless local place names we use every day. "Kittatinny," the name of the mountain ridge visible from much of Sussex County, is a Lenape word meaning "endless hills." The Musconetcong River, the Paulinskill, and even "Manhattan" all come from the Lenape language. Every time we say these names, we are speaking a piece of their history.
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Our Local Weather |
Sparta, NJ - Week of June 16, 2026
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Day: Monday |
Support Our Local Sponsor |
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 |
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Fur-ever Friend Feature |
Adopt Me Today! |
Meet Coco - Your New Fur-ever Friend!
Breed: Hound Mix
Coco's story started right here at Father John's Animal Haven - she was brought in as a puppy, found a family, and went home. For a while, everything seemed perfect. But sometimes life shifts in ways no one planned, and when a young child entered the picture, it became clear that Coco was not the right fit for that particular home. Through no fault of her own, she came back. And now she is ready to try again.
At just over a year and a half old and right around 60 pounds, Coco is a fun-loving, social girl who has not let any of it get her down. She loves meeting new people - she practically runs toward every visitor with a wagging tail and a "please take me home" look on her face. She loves other dogs, loves playtime, and soaks up attention the way only a hound mix can. When you meet her, it is genuinely impossible not to fall in love.
What Coco needs is a fresh start with a family that will be her forever one. She has already shown she can love deeply and be loved in return. She just needs someone to give her a home where she can stay this time - where she wakes up in the same bed every morning and goes to sleep knowing she is exactly where she belongs. She has so much love left to give. She deserves a family who will let her give all of it.
👉 Fill out an adoption questionnaire at www.fatherjohns.org/adopt
50 Father John’s Lane
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. |
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Our Local Events |
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Please help support our local events: |
TUESDAY, JUNE 16 🥂 Member Mixer
🎨 Toddler Tuesday Sparta
📦 Grab and Go Kits
🔮 Psychic Readings - Tuesdays 10 AM to 4 PM
✂️ Seasonal/Holiday Drop-In Craft
THURSDAY, JUNE 18 🩸 Community Blood Drive
🎵 June Industry - Scott Ringle at Industry Kitchen + Bar
🧘 Mat Pilates
🎨 Intro to Studio Art @ The Art Project
👶 Lapsit Storytime for Babies and Toddlers
📖 Family Storytime
FRIDAY, JUNE 19 🍦 Chill Out - School's Out! Ice Cream Social
🎉 School's Out Party
SATURDAY, JUNE 20 🎨 Paint Your Pet - Sparta NJ
SUNDAY, JUNE 21 🎭 Opening Day Members Picnic
TUESDAY, JUNE 23 🎤 Krogh's Open Mic Night - It's baaack!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 🎨 Porch Sign Painting Fundraiser
🌺 Possibilities Day - Tropical Celebration!
FRIDAY, JUNE 26 🀄 Mahjong & Mingle
SATURDAY, JUNE 27 📽️ New Jersey Documentary Film Festival
🔬 Saturdays at the Library: S.T.E.M. Station |
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: What is the name of the famous Indian Chief who led the Lenape people of the Delaware Valley, and for whom a major New Jersey county is named?
Answer: Tammany (also known as Tamanend) was a respected Lenape chief of the Turtle Clan. Delaware County in Pennsylvania is named in honor of the Lenape people, while "Tammany" became so synonymous with friendship and goodwill that Tammany Hall in New York City - though later infamous - was named after him. The Lenape's homeland gave us the name "Delaware" for the entire river, bay, and state. |
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. |