Trivia Question❓

Question: Before it became Mountain Creek, this Vernon, NJ amusement park opened in 1978 as one of America’s first modern water parks - thrilling generations of Sussex County kids with its famous Alpine Slide and Tidal Wave Pool. What was it called?

(Answer at the bottom of this newsletter)

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SCCC Cuts the Ribbon on Its New Outdoor Fitness Court
Sussex County Community College officially opened its outdoor Fitness Court on Thursday, October 15, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Newton campus. College President Cory Homer and Board of Trustees Chair Herbert Yardley were on hand for the occasion. The free-to-use facility is open to the community (ages 14 and up) and pairs with the free Fitness Court app for guided workouts.
https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sccc-opens-outdoor-fitness-court-MA6299691

Sussex County Vampire Film Wraps With a Sparta Send-Off
A vampire thriller called “Let Them Die,” starring Matthew Lillard and directed by Bill Whirity, wrapped production on September 25 after filming across Sussex County since mid-August. Locations included The Homestead in Frankford, Kittatinny Regional High School, and the Newton VFW. The film was produced by BarnLight Studios, co-founded by Wantage natives Lauren Magura and Nicole Daya. The cast and crew of 50-60 celebrated with a wrap party at The Industry in Sparta, complete with cocktails from Milk Street Distillery. A release date has not yet been announced.
https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/vampire-film-starring-matthew-lillard-wraps-production-in-sussex-county-FK6286700

Project Self-Sufficiency Seeks Thanksgiving Help for 500 Families
With Thanksgiving approaching, Project Self-Sufficiency is collecting donations to help feed approximately 500 Sussex County families. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at 127 Mill Street in Newton through Friday, November 13. Frozen turkeys are accepted November 18-19 only. Families or businesses can sponsor a complete Thanksgiving meal for $50. For more information, visit projectselfsufficiency.org or call 973-940-3500.
https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/project-self-sufficiency-seeks-thanksgiving-donations-for-500-families-IM6295965

Free Baby Beginnings Fair in Newton This Thursday
Families with newborns and expecting parents are invited to a free Baby Beginnings Fair hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency and Family Connects NJ. The event takes place Thursday, October 22 at 1 PM in Newton, and includes a complimentary lunch and free baby supplies for attendees. Space is limited - to register or get the venue address, call 973-940-3500.
https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/project-self-sufficiency-to-host-free-baby-beginnings-fair-JA6299568

SCCC Foundation Gala Raises Over $130,000 for Student Scholarships
More than 270 guests gathered at Perona Farms in Andover on October 14 for the Sussex County Community College Foundation’s Funding Their Future Gala. The event raised over $130,000, with $180,000 in scholarships already distributed to 150 students this year. This year’s honorees were the Avondoglio family and Project Self-Sufficiency, both recognized for their commitment to community support and education.
https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sccc-foundation-honors-community-supporters-at-funding-their-future-event-JB6298218

Sparta Camera Club Invites Entries for Its 41st Annual Photo Expo
The Sparta Camera Club is accepting entries for its 41st annual Photography Exposition. Photographers can drop off their work through October 28 at locations in Sparta, Newton, and Dover. Judging takes place November 4 at the Sparta Ambulance Squad Building - the public is welcome to attend. The exhibition runs November 14-15. Entry forms and details are at spartacameraclub.org.
https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sparta-camera-club-seeks-entries-for-41st-annual-photography-expo-MH6283680

Sussex County Makerspace and SCCC Bridge the Tech Education Gap
On October 12, Sussex County Makerspace joined forces with Sussex County Community College to bring area educators together for a hands-on technology event. Makerspace President James Hofmann helped organize the gathering, which featured a New Jersey MEP mobile training trailer packed with current equipment. The collaboration aims to help local teachers bring real-world tech skills back to their classrooms.
https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sussex-county-makerspace-sccc-bring-technology-educators-together-AB6298442

Sussex County History Bite

New Jersey’s Most Unusual Town: The Story of Walpack Township

Walpack Township sits quietly in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - and if you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. With just 7 residents counted in the 2020 census, Walpack is New Jersey’s smallest municipality by population, ranking 565th out of 565 towns statewide. It wasn’t always this way.

The name “Walpack” comes from the Lenape word “wahlpeck,” thought to mean something like “turn-hole” or “eddy” - a reference to the swirling waters of the Delaware River nearby. The area first appeared in colonial records as early as 1731, and Walpack Township was formally incorporated on February 21, 1798. For generations it was a modest farming community with a church, a mill, and deep roots.

Then came the plan that changed everything. After devastating floods in 1955, the federal government proposed the Tocks Island Dam - a massive project that would have created a 37-mile reservoir on the Delaware River. Starting in the 1960s, about 72,000 acres were acquired by eminent domain over 15 years, displacing hundreds of families from Walpack and neighboring townships. But opposition grew, the dam was never built, and the Wild and Scenic River Act of 1978 ended the project for good. Most of the residents were already gone by then. Today, Walpack Center - the township’s tiny historic core - is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (designated July 17, 1980). You can still visit its Rosenkrans Museum and the historic Methodist Church during special events. It’s a quiet, haunting corner of Sussex County - and one of the most unusual places in all of New Jersey.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walpack_Township,_New_Jersey | https://walpackhistory.org/walpack-new-jersey/

Word of the Week

Sylvan (SIL-vuhn) - adjective (also used as a noun)

What does it mean?
Relating to or found in a forest; characterized by trees and woodland; pleasantly wooded and rural.

Where does it come from?
From Medieval Latin silvanus, rooted in the Latin silva, meaning “wood” or “forest.” The word entered English in the 1570s, partly through the French sylvain. The “y” spelling isn’t strictly etymological - it was shaped by the Greek hyle, meaning “matter” or “forest.” Over time, the “y” form stuck and became standard.

Did you know?
The ancient Roman god Silvanus was the protector of forests and fields - and his name shares the same root. You can even see it echoed in “Pennsylvania,” which literally means “Penn’s woods.”

Use it in a sentence:

A late-October walk along the Lake Mohawk shoreline is pure sylvan perfection - maples blazing red and gold, the water still, the air carrying that unmistakable crisp edge of autumn.

Our Local Weather

Day: Tuesday
Date: October 20, 2026
High: 63°F
Low: 39°F
Description: ☀️ Mostly sunny

Day: Wednesday
Date: October 21, 2026
High: 59°F
Low: 37°F
Description: ☀️ Sunny

Day: Thursday
Date: October 22, 2026
High: 63°F
Low: 40°F
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Day: Friday
Date: October 23, 2026
High: 58°F
Low: 35°F
Description: ☀️ Sunny

Day: Saturday
Date: October 24, 2026
High: 59°F
Low: 36°F
Description: ☀️ Sunny

Day: Sunday
Date: October 25, 2026
High: 63°F
Low: 36°F
Description: ☀️ Sunny

Day: Monday
Date: October 26, 2026
High: 68°F
Low: 40°F
Description: ☀️ Mostly sunny

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Our Local Contacts

Emergency - Police, Fire & Ambulance Call

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⚡ Utilities

• Jersey Central Power & Light — 888‑544‑4877

• Sparta Water & Sewer Utility — 973‑729‑7133

🏛️ Township Offices

• Department of Public Works — same number as Water & Sewer

• Building Department — 973‑729‑4471

• Planning & Zoning — 973‑729‑4471

• Township Clerk — 973‑729‑4471

• Township Manager’s Office — 973‑729‑4471

💰 Tax & Finance

• Tax Collector — 973‑729‑4903

🎾 Recreation & Community

• Recreation Department — 973‑729‑2383

• Sparta Senior Services — 973‑729‑2383

• Sparta Community Food Pantry — 862‑266‑0563

📚 Education & Library

• Sparta Public Library — 973‑729‑3101

• Board of Education — 973‑729‑2155

• Sparta High School — 973‑729‑6191

🏥 Health & Social Services

• Sparta Township Health Department — 973‑729‑8093

• Sussex County Division of Social Services (Newton) — 973‑383‑3600

🏢 Business & Commerce

• Chamber of Commerce — 973‑579‑1811

Answer to Trivia Question

Question: Before it became Mountain Creek, this Vernon, NJ amusement park opened in 1978 as one of America’s first modern water parks - thrilling generations of Sussex County kids with its famous Alpine Slide and Tidal Wave Pool. What was it called?

Answer: Action Park! Founded by Gene Mulvihill at the Vernon Valley ski resort, Action Park became one of New Jersey’s most beloved summer traditions. It ran from 1978 until 1996, when it closed its gates. The site became Mountain Creek, and a version of Action Park briefly returned from 2014 to 2016 - keeping the legend alive for a new generation.

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