Name - Robert Rankin

Honor - Senior of the Year 2009

Robert Rankin, Hopatcong's 2009 Senior of the Year, devotes his lunchtimes to serve as a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels Program. Residents who are homebound welcome his cheerful visits along with the hot meal he brings them every day. Bob is always ready to help other seniors by driving them to events and lending a hand to those in need. His kindness is well-known and appreciated by everyone.

Name - Brittnie Bartley


Honor - Miss Hopatcong 2009

Brittnie Bartley was crowned Miss Hopatcong 2009 in July, and represented the Borough at the Queen of the Fair Pageant held at the NJ State Fair/Sussex County Farm & Horse Show in August. She is currently a student at Sussex County Community College majoring in Art.

Name - Danielle Kovach

Honor - Winner $10,000 Classroom Makeover

Danielle was the 2009 Grand Prize Winner of the Got To Be Safe Contest and 2009 Hopatcong Teacher of the Year. She received a professional classroom makeover worth $10,000 for her project "Superheroes of Safety". Her inspiring second grade classroom has been beautifully redesigned with new tables, chairs, updated computers and a special VIP lounge area for her students. For more photos and information on the classroom makeover, click the "Spotlight On" page: Teacher Wins $10,000 Makeover

Name - Hopatcong Woman's Club

Honor - You Make A Difference Award

Officers of the Hopatcong Woman's Club, (standing from left) Ellen Buongornio, Margaret Dam, MaryAnn Lamberski, Pat Anderson, and (seated from left) Marlene Colabella and Monica Cavano, were honored for the Club's community service including; collecting linens for shelters, providing Christmas presents for needy families, awarding 3 scholarships a year, supporting the animal shelter, volunteering in schools and collecting over 3,000 lbs. of food for the town food bank.

Name - Carmen Lo Porto

Honor - #1 Top Child Actor

Hopatcong's own TV Star, Carmen Lo Porto was chosen as the #1 Top Child Actor in the Nelson Ratings. He is the star of the Soap Opera "One Life To Live" amongst many other acting roles in TV and film. Carmen is presently acting in in his first horror film role and thoroughly enjoying the experience. For more photos and information on Carmen click the "Spotlight On" page: Hopatcong's Own TV Star


Name -  Karen Lee Weber

Honor - Award for "Horsedreams"

Karen Lee Weber has won over a dozen national and international awards in her professional career as a fine artist for her oil, pastel and egg tempera paintings. She was awarded the Honorable Mention for her painted photograph "Horsedreams" in the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show and New Jersey State Fair. Ms. Weber's paintography, or painted photographs, involve actual painting on the photographic images with techniques derived from her oil and pastel painting. She uses impressionist techniques of broken color brushstrokes and transparent glazes to express the feel of light flowing across the form. In "Horsedreams", the light flows across the horses, grass and mountains, and radiates in beams from the setting sun.

Name - Cub Scout Pack 88

Honor - 100th Anniversary of Scouting

The 100th Anniversary of Scouting was celebrated at a joyous Blue and Gold Dinner in honor of Cub Scout Pack 88. Five dens were represented from Hopatcong by Tiger Den 4, Webelos 11- Den 7, Wolf Den 3, Webelos 1 - Den 8 and Bear Den 2. Joshua Speizer won The Best Design Award for his colorful, completely edible cake which caught the judge's eye. It depicted an edible green sugar tent, sugared Spruce trees and "chocolate logs" for sitting around the campfire on "grasses" of green grains. For more photos and information click the "Spotlight On" page: Boy Scouts 100th Anniversary

Name - Rosco, and owner Det. Michael Luciani

Honor - Lifesaving Award

Rosco, the Hopatcong Police Department bloodhound, and his owner, Detective Michael Luciani, were given the Lifesaving Award from the National Police Bloodhound Association "for their extraordinary efforts in saving the life of Christina Kean on June 13, 2008". Ms. Kean had been missing for 2 1/2 days and all previous efforts to locate her had failed. Rosco followed her trail for less than an hour until he found her disabled in the woods. For more photos and information on Rosco click the "Spotlight On" page: Rosco on the Trail


Name - Firehouse 3 (Defiance)

Honor - Second Best Appearing Engine

William Steiger, John Russamano and Wade Crowley, volunteer firemen from Defiance Engine Co. #3, proudly stand beside the gleaming red and black firetruck that won the 2009 Second Place Trophy for Best Appearing Pumper function of pumping water during a fire. The trophy was awarded in 2009 the Sussex County fireman’s Parade in Hardyston, NJ.

Name - (from left) Martin Rosenbaum
            Jim Vanderhoof

Honor - Over Fifty Years of Service

Marty Rosenbaum and Jim Vanderhoof are both distinguished members of Northwood Engine Company #2. Both men have reached a milestone representing a lifetime of experience and sacrifice that has earned them respect as role-models and mentors in the Hopatcong Fire Department. Marty has dedicated 50 years of service to the Department. Jim has completed 51 years, and is currently serving as President of Northwood Engine Co. #2. Both men still put in about 10 hours a week each, which adds up to a lot of volunteer time since 1960.

Name - Jim Sutton

Honor - 50 Years of Community Service

Jim is celebrating 50 years of outstanding and dedicated service to the Hopatcong Fire Department. One can only imagine how many times Jim responded to the call of four sirens 24/7 through the cold winters, steamy hot days and middle of the nights of his 50 years of volunteer service. He is esteemed as a mentor of the Hopatcong Fire Department for his experience and perseverance, and is currently serving as President of Defiance Engine Company #3.

Name - Christy Brennan


Honor - Mini Miss Hopatcong, 2010

Christy Brennan was chosen as Mini Miss Hopatcong in the Borough's first ever Miss Hopatcong pageant to include the Mini Miss Hopatcong category for the 5-7 year old age group. Christy is looking forward to beginning first grade, and is already planning a career as a teacher. Her favorite hobbies and interests include Irish dancing, baseball, basketball and gymnastics.


Name - Megan Redstone


Honor - Little Miss Hopatcong, 2010

This year, for the first time, the Borough of Hopatcong added to the pageant the category of Little Miss Hopatcong for 8-12 year old girls. Megan Redstone became the first Little Miss Hopatcong, 2010, and was awarded her crown, ribbon and flowers on the stage of the Hopatcong High School. Megan loves being outdoors and is interested in crafts, bike riding, cheerleading and gymnastics.


Name - Cristina Pena


Honor - Miss Hopatcong, 2010

Cristina Pena was crowned Miss Hopatcong on June 4, 2010 at the Miss Hopatcong Pageant. Brittnie Bartley, the 2009 Miss Hopatcong, assisted Cristina with the placement of the crown which marked the beginning of Christina's reign as Miss Hopatcong in the 18-21 year old category. Cristina plans on attending college and becoming an attorney, and enjoys tennis, cheerleading, track, sailing and dance.


Name - Alexis Mott


Honor - Jr. Miss Hopatcong, 2010

Alexis Mott was the first winner in Hopatcong's new contest for the title of Jr. Miss Hopatcong in the 13-17 year old category. She was given the crown, a banner and a bouquet of flowers when she was announced as the judge's choice for the new Jr. Miss Hopatcong. Alexis plans on attending a fashion institute to prepare for a career as a fashion designer, and ultimately wants to complete her plan by the creation and design of her own line of clothing.


Name - Evyn, Matthew, Alex and David

Honor - Eagle Scout and Life Scout

(Standing from left), Evyn Tarvydas, Matthew Foy, Alex Tarvydas and (seated) David McCorrick. Alex, Matthew and David have earned the rank of Eagle Scout while Evyn is soon to become a Life Scout and begin his Eagle project. The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout program. Their projects are a testimony to their leadership abilities and celebrate the true meaning of selflessness and compassion.

Name - Butch Mendyk


Honor - 33 Years Community Service

Butch is a humble and kind-hearted man who never looks for recognition. He has spent 33 years of his life on the Ambulance Squad simply because he loves to help people. Respected by the entire squad, Butch serves as a mentor and EMS instructor passing his knowledge onto a new generation of squad members. His sacrifice and committment to the community is recognized and appreciated by all.


Names - Marie Catherine Lanoue,
             Leanne Grant and Carly Wolff

Honor - Girl Scouts Gold Award

Marie Catherine Lanoue, Leanne Grant, and Carly Wolff have been awarded the prestigious Gold Award, which is the highest achievement that a Girl Scout between the ages of 14-18 can earn. Their project was to improve the Animal Shelter and organize a Pet Adoption Day. In addition, a small trailer was completely filled up to house the incredible amount of donations they collected for the Animal Shelter.

Name - Bill Sigismondo


Honor - Senior of the Year, 2010

No one could have been more surprised than Bill Sigismondo when it was announced at the Senior Picnic that he had been chosen as a 2010 Senior of the Year. He is proud of his heritage and calls himself an American Sicilian. Bill is a longtime member of The Golden Lunch Bunch sharing meals and good times with the other seniors at the Civic Center on week-days. He is one of the warmest, most congenial and sincere members.......a true gentleman. Bill welcomes all new members with a smile, open arms and a big hello.

Name - Connie Janowski


Honor - Senior of the Year, 2010

In addition to her rewarding and successful career as a registered nurse, Connie has been active in civic, church and charitable affairs. She served for 15 years on the Environmental Commission, and as President of the Hopatcong Seniors Inc., she worked to obtain representation for Hopatcong's Seniors in Sussex County. Connie is always ready for a laugh and is famous for being there with an outstretched hand and a bowl of chicken soup.

Name - Marty Detrizzo


Honor - You Make The Difference Award

Marty has a way about him that makes people feel very special and very appreciated. As the driver for our Senior Citizens, Marty is known for his compassion, smile, helping hand and caring words of encouragement. Amazingly, he is always cheerful, and his very presence evokes a smile from everyone he encounters around town.