PTO Candidates' Forum RSVP Deadline, Pre-Halloween Celebrations for All Ages

Here's what you need to know for Friday.

• The Hopatcong Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization is inviting those running for seats on the board to present their platforms before the public at a Meet the Candidates Night taking place next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Durban Avenue School. Patch will have more on the event for you next week, but today, candidates need to know that Friday is their deadline to confirm their attendance with HEPTO coordinator Sondra Kiss. To RSVP, send an email by the end of Friday's business day at Miss.Sondra@yahoo.com.
• Friday is two days before the Hopatcong Halloween Parade, so this is your opportunity to make sure last-minute costume considerations are taken care of. Sunday's event at Mordick Park should be a blast: The costume parade kicks off at noon at Hudson Maxim School and ends at the park, where the Halloween fun begins. You'll find rides, hot dogs, soda, treat bags, vendors and more. Plus Hopatcong Recreation will hold a costume contest offering prizes for winners in differnent age groups. Make sure your little devil, witch or superhero is bundled up—the weather is supposed to be crisp and cool, as is the season's wont—for good, clean All Hallows family fun. 
• The bewitching holiday isn't just for the junior set: Hopatcong Recreation will hold a special Halloween Party for Seniors at Pavinci's Italian Grill Friday from noon-4 p.m. The lunchtime fete includes a buffet with dessert for $20 per person. You'll have to make a reservation to attend: Call Joan Major at 973-398-2217. Pavinci's is at 453 River Styx Road.
• All Hallows fun hits Sparta Township early too. The Recreation Advisory Committee presents its Halloween Trunk or Treat and Munchkin March Costume Parade Friday. Event sponsors are CP Engineers and Braen Stone. The Trunk or Treat contest, which offers a prize for the best decorated trunk, will begin at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Sparta Library, 22 Woodport Road. (Those who wish to enter should be present at 5:30 p.m.) The Munchkin March, for kids of all ages, begins at 6:30 p.m. sharp, and will be held at Memorial Field. Prizes for costumes will be awarded, and there will be treats for everyone. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to bring canned and nonperishable items to benefit the Sussex County Food Bank.
• Medication Take Back drives are underway in many northern New Jersey towns this month, but did you know that in Hopatcong, you can dispose of unused, expired and unneeded over-the-counter and prescription medications 365 days a year? The Hopatcong Police Department has a permanent disposal box where residents may drop off unwanted drugs—an important thing to do, law enforcement officials say, to keep the meds out of the wrong hands and to ensure public safety by keeping the substances out of drinking water and landfills. The police, in partnership with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, will make sure the drugs are disposed of safely. For more info, give the police a call at 973-398-5000.
• Keeping It Clean: In Hopatcong, sanitation crews will follow Garbage Pickup Schedule D and Recycling Schedule A. The Recycle Center will be open Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. In Sparta, check with the online schedule.