A Look Ahead at the Weekend

We're in store for a not-so-bad weekend, according to forecasts calling for a warm, but cloudy Saturday and a somewhat rainy Sunday.

So take advantage of Saturday and Sunday by heading out to some of the events happening in town.

Here's a brief list of what's going on:

Saturday

West Side Methodist Church is hosting a chicken barbecue from 5-7 p.m. The costs: $9 for adults, $4 for children. It should be a good time, despite the somewhat late start. Not a bad place to pick up a hearty dinner before heading out for the rest of the night. [Chicken is Hopatcong Patch editor Brendan Kuty's favorite food.]

Not-exactly-local event No. 1: Former Hopatcong resident Michelle Paradise is helping organize an event at Roxbury's Horseshoe Lake. It's called "Grandma Rocks the Park," and it will benefit her grandparents' charity, Your Grandmother's Cupboard. It's an all-day thing. Go play games and have fun with the family.

Not-exactly-local event No. 2: The Jake & Bake Barbeque Benefit will help raise money for the Grimes family. Jacob Grimes is a Lake Hopatcong children battling leukemia. It's being held at the Mason Street Pub in Lake Hopatcong. The cost: $35 per ticket. What you get: Beer and food. There will also be a 50/50 and music. Visit jacobssmile for more information about Jacob's battle.

Sunday

The Hopatcong Men's Softball League starts at 9 a.m. at Jefferson Field. Watch the guys shoot for Jefferson's right-field short porch and its cavernous center field. Competition rolls through November. But take part in the Opening Day festivities.