Lake Hopatcong Plunge Will Benefit Special Needs Kids

Fourth annual Leap in the Lake will be held Feb. 9 at Hopatcong State Park.

Those brave enough to face the freezing waters of Lake Hopatcong for the annual Leap in the Lake plunge Feb. 9 will do so to benefit special needs kids spending time at Camp Moore. This is the fourth consecutive year the program has been hosted by the Lake Hopatcong Elks #782. According to nj.com, organizers are hoping to raise more than $50,000 during the plunge. This year's event will kick off at 1 p.m. at Hopatcong State Park. The Elks will also host a "Post Leap Party" from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elks lodge for $20 a ticket, although plunge participants will receive a complimentary ticket. Plungers will also receive a Leap in the Lake t-shirt. Proceeds from the plunge will benefit the Lake Hopatcong Elks Special Children's Committee, …

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Land Swap Protects Hopatcong Well

Arrangement with state also adds land to Hopatcong State Park.

The borough reached an agreement with the New Jersey Green Acres office on a land swap that will create a wellhead protection zone for a borough well and add some property to Hopatcong State Park. The Borough Council approved the arrangement by resolution Wednesday. The borough will vacate portions of Rand, Lydia and Anita streets, all of which are paper streets, legal rights-of-way that appear  on a map, but in reality don’t exist.  At the same time, the remainder of the Goldmire property will be annexed to Hopatcong State Park. Borough Attorney John Ursin said the action will create a wellhead protection area for the Rand Street well, which the state has been seeking for more than four years. The council Wednesday also authorized the …

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Council Eyeing Property Purchase for State Park

Wants to vacate paper streets near Hopatcong State Park to foster the acquisition.

The Borough Council approved a resolution saying it favors vacating some paper streets near Hopatcong State Park to foster the purchase of an adjacent property that will be added to the park. A paper street is one that appears on a map, but in reality doesn't exist. These are legal public rights of way, though usually not drivable.  Borough Attorney John Ursin said the state Green Acres office approached the  borough about four years ago regarding the Goldmire property. At that time the council said it favored vacating two paper streets, Lydia Avenue and Anita Street, and a portion of a third, Rand Street. Ursin said because a borough well is located on Rand Street, the state and the borough would have to agree to a well-protection …

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Michele Guttenberger

4:38 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Interesting - How do you know these roads? If you don't drive them, how would you know them? So how do you know them and way would you think Watcher would know them? I find your remarks rather Interesting. You seem to have very unique knowledge about the town. Always trying to correct me if you think I was not on the mark about a statement. But when I give you an embarrassing answer back you hide…   more ›

5 Things You Need to Know Today

5 Things About the State Park You Didn't Know

With the warm weather in full effect, here are answers to a few questions you might have had about the Hopatcong State Park.

The sun has been shining on Hopatcong for the last few days. And boaters have taken the chance to clean off their vessels and float out onto Lake Hopatcong. But what about the Hopatcong State Park? With all the warm weather, it's probably also seen its share of visitors. Here are a few things you might not have known about the state park.

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Mild Winter Prompts Earlier Lake Hopatcong Refill

The Hopatcong State Park seals off Lake Hopatcong Dam.

Get Out! Eat Cookies, Leap in Lake Hopatcong

But not at the same time.

Hundreds will descend upon the Hopatcong State Park Saturday afternoon to jump in the water. No, they're not crazy. They're jumping to benefit area special-needs children. The event, hosted by the Lake Hopatcong Elks Lodge, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Last year, the event raise more than $25,000. Wait. That's not your thing? Well, there's plenty happening around the borough, from bake sales to soccer registration and more. Check out "Get Out!," our weekly roundup of exciting things going on in area Patch sites. Leap in the Lake Where/When: The Hopatcong State Park at 1 p.m. Saturday Why go: Because you want to donate to help area special-needs children while leaping into a freezing cold Lake Hopatcong. Or because you want to watch …

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PHOTOS: A Peek at Bertrand Island

Reminisce with these shots of one of Lake Hopatcong's greatest attractions.

Remember Nickel Night? What about the wooden roller coaster? Or the Tunnel of Love? Or the Astro Ride? If you do, then you're going to love these photos of Bertrand Island, courtesy of the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum at the Hopatcong State Park. And if you want to read about one woman's memories of one of Lake Hopatcong's greatest tourist attractions, click here. What kinds of memories do these photos evoke? Tell us in the comments.

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Leap in the Lake (Hopatcong)! [VIDEO]

The annual Lake Hopatcong Elks Lodge fundraiser is coming. Will you join?

Denise Castelli held onto two friends as they lowered her into the lake. So what half of her leg had been amputated due to an infection more than a year before? Castelli, of Netcong, wasn't going to be stopped. That kind of determination was on display everywhere during the Lake Hopatcong Elks Lodge-hosted 2011 Leap in the Lake, which raised more than $25,000 for area special-needs children. The lodge hopes the 2012 version is no different. It will take place at 1 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Hopatcong State Park. The proceeds from the minimum $50 donations and $20 post-party tickets will go toward sending area special-needs children to Camp Moore in Haskell. The post-party will happen at the Lake Hopatcong Elks Lodge in Mount Arlington from 2 p.m…

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Get Out

Are You Single? You Might Want To Try ...

A night where you can cut loose and try to impress the opposite sex.

Bored Thursday night? Are you single? Well, why not check out singles night at Pavinci's Thursday night? Free to attend, why not show off your dance moves to impress the ladies—or gentlemen. Or why not take a look at the other cool things happening this weekend in and around the borough? Take a peek below, and don't forget to add your own events to our calendar. Singles Dance Party Where/When: At Pavinci Italian Grill in Hopatcong at 9 p.m. Thursday Why Go: Because you're single and, wait for it, ready to mingle Cost: Free to attend Comedian Bobby Collins When/Where: Friday at 8 p.m. at Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown Why Go: You want a little more funny in your life. Cost: $37-$57 Buffalo Project band at Hennessey's When/Where: …

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PHOTOS: Hopatcong Soaks in First Summer Day

Shots from around the borough and state park.

Tuesday marked the first day of summer. And how did Hopatcong celebrate? The best way it could, hitting up the lake, shooting some hoops and just plain relaxing. Patch visited a few borough spots and the Hopatcong State Park, snapping photos of people loving the weather. Got any great summer plans? Tell us in the comments.

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