Hopatcong Kids Turn Down Ice Cream

Hopatcong children turned down ice cream.

At least figuratively.

It was all part of Mayor Sylvia Petillo's visit to Tulsa Trail on Monday. Petillo spent about an hour teaching second-graders about the borough's government, and at the end, the students made the surprising decision to turn down a (pretend) $1,000 donation to install an ice cream machine in a classroom because the third-graders wouldn't be allowed to use it.

"I was proud of their answer," Tulsa Trail Principal Dr. Joanne Mullane said. "We were all proud of their answer."

Petillo had the children act out a council meeting—casting six council members, a business administrator, a recording secretary and a mayor.

"It was a very enjoyable afternoon," Petillo said.

Mullane said the presentation was part of school's attempt to teach about Hopatcong's community.

"It was excellent," she said. "The children got a lot out of the experience. She brought it to their level."

Last week, the school hosted Marty Kane, president of the Hopatcong Historical Museum. Read more about the visit below, courtesy of Mullane.

Mr. Kane gave an overview of Hopatcong’s history. The students viewed various photos of Hopatcong, learned who Hudson Maxim was, as well as, many other interesting historical facts. The children asked a series of questions about Hopatcong's history. They especially enjoyed the photos of Bertrand Island amusement park.