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🎉 Sparta Day Is This Saturday, VFW Awards $31K & Meet Blu - She Carries a Stuffed Animal - Sparta's Weekly Buzz
🎉 Sparta Day Is This Saturday, VFW Awards $31K & Meet Blu - She Carries a Stuffed Animal - Sparta's Weekly Buzz
🎉 Sparta Day Is This Saturday, VFW Awards $31K & Meet Blu - She Carries a Stuffed Animal - Sparta's Weekly Buzz
51 years of Sparta Day, a sweet cat with a stuffed animal, Memorial Day week weather, and everything happening now through June.
Randy Booth
May 27, 2026
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THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT |
🗓️ Week of: May 27, 2026
In this issue:
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Trivia Question❓Sparta Day is one of Sussex County's longest-running community festivals, organized by the Junior Woman's Club of Sparta. What milestone anniversary does Sparta Day celebrate in 2026
B) 35th anniversary C) 51st anniversary D) 60th anniversary Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
Our Local News |
Township news Snippets and upcoming meetings |
Sparta Day 2026 Returns This Saturday - 51st Anniversary The Junior Woman's Club of Sparta and title sponsor First Hope Bank are bringing Sparta Day back to Station Park this Saturday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for its 51st anniversary. The beloved annual celebration features a vibrant vendor and craft fair, family-friendly festival atmosphere, and unofficially kicks off summer for the whole community. Vendor spaces were expected to sell out, so expect a packed and lively park day.
Sparta VFW Awards $31,000 in Ralph Rojas Scholarships Eleven local students received scholarship checks from Sparta VFW Post 7248's Ralph Rojas Scholarship Fund at a dinner ceremony held May 21 in the Nobile Hall at the VFW. The scholarships support Sussex County veterans, their dependents, active-duty personnel, and students pursuing higher education. Scholarship committee chair Bill Miller emceed the event, and Bishop Paul Bootkoski led the group in a blessing. A proud night for the community and a meaningful investment in the next generation.
Benny's Bodega Golf Outing Raises Nearly $18,000 for Local Families Benny's Bodega - the Newton-based nonprofit dedicated to helping working families who struggle to make ends meet - raised $17,800 at its third annual golf outing at Farmstead Golf & Country Club. Founders Heather and Ben Davey have built something special in Sussex County, and this year's outing was their biggest yet. If you haven't heard of Benny's Bodega, it's worth knowing - they do quiet, meaningful work right in our backyard.
Living History Comes to Sparta Presbyterian Church About 80 people gathered at Sparta Presbyterian Church on May 21 for a living history performance by the American Historical Theatre. Actors portrayed Abigail Adams and Thomas Jefferson in a program styled as a conversation over tea - a fitting way to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence that Sussex County is commemorating throughout 2026. If you missed it, keep an eye out for more RevolutionNJ events coming this summer. https://www.spartaindependent.com/
Lake Mohawk Golf Club Women's Association Celebrates Opening Day The Lake Mohawk Golf Club Women's Association welcomed members back for Opening Day on May 17, celebrating the start of another season on one of Sussex County's most scenic courses. It's one of those quiet Lake Mohawk traditions that marks the real start of the warm-weather season for the community. https://www.spartaindependent.com/
8-Year-Old Sparta Boy Holds World Powerlifting Record Mike McCourt of Sparta is eight years old - and he holds not just a national but a world powerlifting record. The young athlete was recently featured in the Sparta Independent, a reminder that this community produces remarkable people at every age. Keep an eye on this one. |
Stay Informed: Sparta Board Agendas & Minutes
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Quote Of The Day |
"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." - Henry Ford |
Our Local Weather |
Day: Wednesday Date: May 27, 2026 High: 82°F Low: 58°F Description: 🌤️ Warm and mostly clear - a beautiful start to Memorial Day week
Day: Thursday Date: May 28, 2026 High: 69°F Low: 50°F Description: 🌥️ Cooler and partly cloudy - comfortable and pleasant
Day: Friday Date: May 29, 2026 High: 73°F Low: 52°F Description: ☀️ Sunny and mild - a great Friday heading into the holiday weekend
Day: Saturday Date: May 30, 2026 High: 61°F Low: 48°F Description: 🌤️ Cool and bright - perfect weather for Sparta Day at Station Park!
Day: Sunday Date: May 31, 2026 High: 70°F Low: 50°F Description: ☀️ Sunny and comfortable - ideal for Memorial Day weekend
Day: Monday Date: June 1, 2026 High: 72°F Low: 54°F Description: 🌤️ Warm and pleasant - a lovely Memorial Day
Day: Tuesday Date: June 2, 2026 High: 74°F Low: 55°F Description: 🌤️ Seasonably warm - a smooth start to the new week |
Support Our Local Sponsor |
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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 |
Fur-ever Friend Feature |
Adopt Me Today! |
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🐾 Meet Blu - Your New Fur-ever Friend!
Adopt Blu Today! 🐾 🧡
Breed: Domestic Short Hair Age: About 3 years young Female 🏥 Health: Spayed, Vaccinated, Microchipped 💉 ✨ Temperament: Sweet, talkative, and deeply affectionate - best as an only cat 🐾
Blu came to Father John's Animal Haven through no fault of her own - the resident cat in her previous home simply couldn't accept her. But here's what the shelter staff discovered the moment she arrived: Blu is a lover. She slept in bed with her owner every night. She traveled with the family to their shore house. She's been around everyone from teenagers to seniors and charmed them all. And she has a favorite stuffed animal that she carries around the shelter like a baby.
Read that again. She carries it like a baby.
Right now, Blu is stressed at the shelter - she's sharing space with another cat, and the memory of her last difficult living situation makes her retreat into herself when he's nearby. But the moment he's out of the room, she's right back - rubbing against you, talking to you, asking for exactly what she needs. She knows how to love. She just needs a home where she can do it freely.
At about 3 years old, Blu has so much ahead of her. She'd do best as an only cat or with a very mellow feline companion - and she's proven she can handle dogs just fine. She's already been through more uncertainty than any sweet girl should have to face.
She deserves a warm home to spend every one of those days feeling loved.
👉 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 |
Please help support our local events: |
Today - Wednesday, May 27 🏕️ Community Day at Camp Sacajawea 11:00 AM | Camp Sacajawea, 251 White Lake Road, Sparta NJ Come explore everything Camp Sacajawea has to offer at their open Community Day. Great for families thinking about summer camp options - and with registration season underway, the timing couldn't be better.
Thursday, May 28 📚 Lapsit Storytime for Babies and Toddlers 10:00 AM | 22 Woodport Rd, Sparta NJ A gentle, engaging storytime designed for babies and toddlers. A sweet Thursday morning tradition for the little ones.
Friday, May 29 🎨 Sparta Paint & Sip for Good 6:00 PM | 5 Sparta Ave, Sparta NJ Paint, sip, and give back. A fun Friday night with purpose - a great way to kick off the long weekend.
Saturday, May 30 🌞 Sparta Day 2026 - 51st Anniversary 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Station Park, 100 Station Rd, Sparta NJ The big one. Sparta Day is back for its 51st year - vendors, crafts, food, music, and the whole community coming together to kick off summer. Organized by the Junior Woman's Club of Sparta with title sponsor First Hope Bank. Don't miss it.
Sunday, May 31 🎵 Intro to Sound Healing with Tuning Forks 12:15 PM | 15 Sparta Ave, Sparta NJ A fascinating introduction to sound healing - a natural fit for anyone in the Haven of Harmony community.
Tuesday, June 2 🔮 Psychic Readings - Tuesdays 10AM-4PM 10:00 AM | ISD Gift Shop, 15 Sparta Ave, Sparta NJ Walk-in intuitive readings every Tuesday at the ISD Gift Shop.
Thursday, June 4 ⚔️ Knights of Columbus Council 588 - 125th Anniversary Gala 5:00 PM | The Barn at Perona Farms, 350 Andover-Sparta Rd, Andover Township NJ A milestone celebration for one of Sussex County's most storied civic organizations. Cocktail hour 5-6 PM, dinner and awards 6-9 PM. A meaningful evening for the community.
Saturday, June 6 🧩 Lego League 11:00 AM | 22 Woodport Rd, Sparta NJ A creative, collaborative Lego challenge for kids. Always a hit with the younger crowd. |
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: Sparta Day is one of Sussex County's longest-running community festivals, organized by the Junior Woman's Club of Sparta. What milestone anniversary does Sparta Day celebrate in 2026
B) 35th anniversary C) 51st anniversary D) 60th anniversary
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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. |