Farewell 2020: Hopatcong, Sparta Stories That Didn't Depress Us

We are counting down the seconds until we can put this incredibly challenging year behind us. And while this may be the year we all want to forget, there are a few things that were too memorable to forget.

And here is a collection of five Patch editor's choice options for some of the not-so-terrible things that happened this year.

Sparta Front Line Sewing Angels Launch 'Read My Lips' Mask

Inspired to help their own deaf children, JoAnn Gregoli and Christine Preston, founders of the nationally-recognized Front Line Sewing Angels mask-making initiative, wanted to develop a mask that would allow for lip-reading.

Read more of the story here

Pro-Trump Boaters In Lake Hopatcong Rip Biden Supporters

It was a supposed to be a relaxing Saturday in his Elba Point yard on Lake Hopatcong. But instead, Ken Beckermen was treated to a serenade of air horns, profanity and harassment because his backyard sported a sign supporting Joe Biden for president.

Read more of the story here.

Hopatcong Pro-Trump Boat Parade 'Invigorating'

The pro-Trump Boat Rally held earlier this month drew the ire of some residents who claimed the proceedings brought with them harassment and prompted multiple police reports. But Susan Priore, a Denville resident who participated in both boat rallies, called those reports something different. Fake news.

Read more of the story here.

The Sparta Dairy Is Back In Business

The new owners of the Sparta Dairy officially opened for 2020 back in March. Customers expecting the same old thing were in for a shock, as the building is completely renovated inside and out. One of the changes is the all-new menu designed by Sparta Chalkboard Artist Anna Blanchette.

Read more of the story here.

Truth Or Tale: Hopatcong's 'Lakeness' Monster

Anyone who lives in the Garden State has heard rumors of haunted happenings and urban folklore close to home. In fact, there was an entire magazine, Weird NJ, devoted to them. Patch explored these myths throughout October in the hopes of compiling a master list comprised of the best of the unexplained throughout New Jersey. One of these tall tales was the "monster" in Lake Hopatcong.

Read more of the story here.

This is obviously just a small slice of what made the local news in 2020, but it is also the kind of news that we want to remember. Thank you for all for reading, this was a landmark year for Patch in terms of audience growth, and we appreciated your support and look forward to serving you in 2021.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.