Hey neighbors! Hope everyone is staying warm as we head into the final stretch of the year. There’s a lot happening in our "Township of Lakes," so here’s a quick rundown of what’s going on around Byram this week.
🏛️ Town Government Update
Route 206 Roadwork: Heads up! The lane closures on Route 206 due to the gas company work have been extended through January 1. Plan for some extra time if you’re heading toward Stanhope or Newton.
Inclusive Playground: Council has officially authorized the installation of a Completely Inclusive Playground at C.O. Johnson Park. This is a huge win for our community's kids.
Council Meeting: The last regular session for the year was recently held, but mark your calendars for the Reorganization Meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
Winter Maintenance: The town is still actively removing dead and dying trees to prevent power issues during winter storms. If you see crews out, give them some space!
🎄 Special Events & Community
Holiday Decorating Contest: The 2025 winners have been announced! If you’re looking for a fun night out, grab some hot cocoa and take a drive around town to see the displays—the list of winning addresses is on the town website.
Recreation Highlights: The Winter Recreation Brochure is out. Don't forget to check out the 2026 Ski Club info if you have kids looking to hit the slopes after the break.
Last-Minute Magic: If you missed our local festivities, Skylands Stadium is still running its annual Light Show just down the road, and the Historic Palace Theatre in Netcong has performances of Rudolph running through the weekend.
🍎 Schools & Education
Winter Recess: Schools are heading into the holiday break! Byram Township Schools (Lakeside and Intermediate) and Lenape Valley HS will be closed for the next week.
District Leadership: A quick shout-out to our new Superintendent, Kurt Ceresnak, who has been settling in well since taking the helm earlier this year.
Budget Focus: The Board of Education has set its goals for the 2025-2026 cycle, focusing heavily on professional development and "5 Cs" (Community, Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Creativity).
🏀 Local Sports
Lenape Valley Patriots: Our winter season is in full swing! The boys and girls basketball teams are looking competitive this year. Check the LVHS Athletics calendar for home game schedules once we return from break.
Wrestling: It’s a big year for local wrestling; many of our neighbors’ kids compete with the Newton/Lenape programs, and they are currently celebrating a historic 100th season of wrestling in the area!
Pope John News: Congrats to our local Byram students attending Pope John—the school recently celebrated several student-athletes signing letters of intent and their hockey team is off to a strong start with a recent shutout win.
