THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT |
ποΈ Week of: November 12, 2026 In this issue:
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Trivia Questionβ
Question: In April 1933, a pitcher from Sussex County made his Yankees debut by throwing a complete-game shutout and going 4-for-4 at the plate. He later settled on Lake Mohawk and was elected Sussex County Sheriff. Who was he?
(Answer at the bottom of this newsletter) |
Our Local News |
Stay Informed:
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Dance Moms Stars Bring a Workshop and Q&A to Sparta
Sparta Teen Earns Eagle Scout Rank With an Animal Shelter Project
Volunteers Honor Veterans With a Flag Placement Ceremony
Sparta Special Olympics Craft Fair Draws More Than 60 Vendors
Sussex County Poet Presents New Book at the Sparta Library
Project Self-Sufficiency Hosts Pregnancy and Infancy Summit
Benny’s Bodega Holds a Holiday Food Drive in Sparta |
Quote Of The Day |
“A grateful mind is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the other virtues.” - Cicero, Pro Plancio (54 BC), in a traditional English translation |
Sussex County History Bite |
Swartswood, New Jersey’s First State Park, Began With a Dollar-a-Day Fee
Today you can swim, fish and paddle at Swartswood Lake in Sussex County for the price of a park pass. About a century ago, it was a different story. Newark industrialist Andrew Albright owned the lake and reportedly charged a dollar a day for anyone who wanted to fish its waters. Locals were not pleased.
The public outcry worked. The state bought the lake for $30,000, and with land donated by George Emmons, Swartswood opened in the mid-1910s as New Jersey’s very first state park, giving everyone permanent access to the state’s third-largest freshwater lake. Sources vary between 1914 and 1915 for the exact year, so we are sticking with the mid-1910s.
So the next time you cast a line there for free, you can thank a group of neighbors who decided a lake should belong to everybody.
Sources: |
Word of the Week |
Convivial (kΙn-Λvi-vΔ-Ιl) - adjective
What does it mean?
Where does it come from?
Did you know?
Use it in a sentence: |
Our Local Weather |
Day: Thursday
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Day: Sunday
Day: Monday
Day: Tuesday
Day: Wednesday |
Support Our Local Sponsors |
Sponsored Ad The Hungry Hearth |
Winner of 2025 & 2026 NJ Herald's Favorite Chef of Sussex County
Whether you're planning a wedding, shower, milestone celebration, or inβoffice 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 dinnerβdelivery magic every Tuesday and Thursday - offering generous familyβstyle meals, individual portions, and irresistible addβons 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 |
“The BingeβReady Universe”
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 longβburied 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.
Jack Mercer’s Full 30βBook Saga Is Complete - Start at Book 01 and Binge the Whole Journey.
For the first time ever, you can read the FixβIt Mysteries straight through without waiting. Jack’s entire story is ready - every twist, every reveal, every moment that reshapes Maple Ridge.
And when you finish? Grace’s new series is waiting, opening the door to the next era of the Maple Ridge Universe.
If you love long cozy mystery arcs that grow deeper with every book, this is your moment.
If you love heartfelt smallβtown drama, slowβburn 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! |
πΎ Meet Beast -Your New Fur-ever Friend!
Age: Almost 8 years Gender: Male Temperament: Good with children and dogs; does not care for cats; can be vocal when meeting other dogs, so a proper introduction is needed
With a name like Beast, you might expect a handful. What you get instead is a big, gentle senior boy who has had a rough change of plans. His owner could no longer care for him, and now Beast, who is almost 8, is looking for a fresh start.
He tips the scales at 113 pounds, and the shelter says he could stand to lose about 20 to 30 of them, so an active family who loves long walks would be a perfect fit. Beast is good with children and with other dogs. Cats are not his thing, and he can be a bit vocal when he first meets other dogs, so slow, proper introductions will help him shine.
Seniors like Beast already know how to be great companions. They are past the puppy chaos and ready for a couch, a walk and a person to call their own.
Could you be the one to give Beast his second chapter?
Fill out an adoption questionnaire at www.fatherjohns.org/adopt
Appointments required Wednesdays & Fridays. Walk-ins welcome other days (appointments preferred). |
Our Local Events |
Please help support our local events: |
π¨ Intro to Studio Art
πΈ JP Solo at Industry Kitchen + Bar
π Pope John XXIII vs. Red Bank Catholic Varsity Football
πΈ JP Solo at Sparta Pour House
π Fall Clean Up
π Basketball and Cheerleading Clinic
πΈ Jefferson Arts Committee Photo Walk
πΆ PSX Trio at Lake Mohawk Country Club
πΌ Agape Music Outreach Special Worship
π Poet David Messineo Presents “Trailblazer”
π¦ Cousins Maine Lobster Stops by Sparta Dairy
πΏ Plant Bingo!
βοΈ 100 Minutes War
π Storytime with Creature Comfort Pet Therapy
π Abby Lee Dance Workshop and Q&A
π΅ Faure and Sibelius with the Sparta High School Honors Choir
π³ AK Strong Bowling Fundraiser
π¦ SEF 20th Annual Turkey Trot, Presented by Krogh’s
π§Ά Chunky Hand Knit Blanket Workshop
πͺ Create a Set of Glass Fusion Winter Coasters |
Our Local Contacts |
Emergency - Police, Fire & Ambulance Call
β‘ Utilities
ποΈ Township Offices
π° Tax & Finance
πΎ Recreation & Community
π Education & Library
π₯ Health & Social Services
π’ Business & Commerce
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Answer to Trivia Question |
Question: In April 1933, a pitcher from Sussex County made his Yankees debut by throwing a complete-game shutout and going 4-for-4 at the plate. He later settled on Lake Mohawk and was elected Sussex County Sheriff. Who was he?
Answer: Russ Van Atta! Born in Augusta in 1906 and raised in Franklin, he beat Washington 16-0 on a five-hit shutout in his big-league debut, and he is the only pitcher since 1918 with four hits in a debut game. Babe Ruth even campaigned for him when he ran for sheriff in 1941. |
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. |