Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why officials are warning Lake Hopatcong visitors after two drownings
Make time for Fire on the Dance Floor Line Dancing Night on the Hopatcong Patch calendar

Morning Hopatcong! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why officials are warning Lake Hopatcong visitors after two drownings
Also on today's calendar: Fire on the Dance Floor Line Dancing Night and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Hopatcong Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Hopatcong Patch AM possible.
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- Thursday: Rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 74 and low of 59 degrees.
- Friday: Pleasant with clouds and sun, temps: high: 79, low: 65.
- Saturday: Humid with a few showers, with a high of 72 and low of 64 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Funds raised for Morris drowning victim's family, mayor talks safety (northjersey.com) — Recent drownings at Lake Hopatcong and nearby Tilcon Lake are prompting renewed safety warnings, especially around paddleboarding and swimming outside guarded areas. Officials stress that life jackets are required on all watercraft and that some lakes, like Tilcon, fully prohibit swimming and boating. A fundraiser is also helping support the family of the Lake Hopatcong victim.
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📸 Around Hopatcong
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Hopatcong
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Fire on the Dance Floor Line Dancing Night →
Jefferson Township Fire Department 1, 162 Milton Rd, Jefferson
5:00 pm
Saturday August 22
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Announces Outdoor Summer Concert Featuring Christian Musician →
246 Woodport Rd, Sparta
7:00 pm - TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park Night Climb →
Treescape Aerial Adventure Park, 414 County Rd 517, Vernon Township
7:00 pm - Classic Car Show for St. Jude's Children's Hospital Miller's Ale House Rockaway NJ →
Miller's Ale House, 325 Mt Pleasant Ave, Rockaway
10:00 am - TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park Night Climb →
Treescape Aerial Adventure Park, 414 County Rd 517, Vernon Township
7:00 pm - Exhibit Highlights →
Van Kirk Homestead Museum, 336 Main St, Sparta
1:00 pm - "Flexible Flyers", Musical Guests →
Van Kirk Homestead Museum, 336 Main St, Sparta
4:00 pm - Hopatcong Celebrates America 250 with a Concert in the Park featuring Who's Johnny! →
28 Hopatchung Rd, Hopatcong
3:00 pm - Hopatcong Monthly Market →
Department of Public Works, 120 River Styx Rd, Hopatcong
11:00 am - Ducks Unlimited Hudson Farm Clays for Conservation Shoot →
Hudson Farm Club, 270 Stanhope Rd, Hopatcong
12:00 pm
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Sunday August 23
Saturday August 29
Sunday August 30
Thursday September 17
📣 Hopatcong Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Thursday Morning Book Club
Roxbury Township Public Library Roxbury Public Library - Talmage Quiet Room
10:15 am - Art Association of Roxbury
Roxbury Township Public Library Roxbury Public Library - Large Meeting Room
1:30 pm - Teen Water Wars
Roxbury Township Public Library Roxbury Public Library - Gazebo
3:00 pm - Zumba with Kelley
Roxbury Township Public Library Roxbury Public Library - Large Meeting Room
6:00 pm
Thursday August 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Hopatcong PatchAM possible:
- Insurcomm Restoration — (866) 708-5357
- Jersey Home and Heart — (862) 259-5268
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Polo Match will Benefit Project Self-Sufficiency —Project Self-Sufficiency Read on Patch
- 🚨 HELP!
I'm overbooked this Thursday! I'm looking for a reliable cleaning company or experienced cleaning team to partner with on a residential cleaning job… (Nextdoor Maxim) - Hi everyone!
We have a few residential cleaning jobs available the next few weeks in the area and are looking to connect with dependable local cleaning teams who… (Nextdoor Maxim)
- Cracker Barrel Old Country Store posted a job opening for Retail Sales in Mount Arlington. Apply here.
- ShopRite Supermarkets posted a job opening for ShopRite - Dairy Clerk (Glass NJ) Salary Range $16.00 - $16.00/hr in Wharton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hopatcong here.
🗞 Nearby News
Roxbury
- Foundation's Gift Puts Better Hydration on Tap at Roxbury High (tapinto.net)
- Returning All-NJAC Field Hockey players for 2026 (nj.com)
Wharton
- New Jersey Events August 21st - 23rd, 2026 (newjerseyisntboring.com)
Sparta
- Can You Afford It? Sparta Police DUI Labor Day Crackdown Begins August 19 (tapinto.net)
- Several police departments in Hunterdon, Morris and Sussex counties receive funding for 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign (wrnjradio.com)
- John Barry Obituary (caledonianrecord.com)
Ok Hopatcong! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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