Our lake is feeling the love

February 17, 2022| Arts & Culture, Community

By: Caitlin Doran

Monday was Valentines Day, and we were inspired to send out this modern haiku by Michael McClintock to our members:
 
mountain lake --
all the blues I ever knew.

Members then sent their own poetry back. We received so many sweet replies, from quick poems to declarations of love for the lake as a “home”, “therapy”, the list goes on…

Here are some quick, loving words from people (like you!) who love Lake Hopatcong:

Kenneth Koenitzer

Beautiful Lake Hopatcong
What a glorious sight
Doesn't really matter
Whether it’s morning, noon or night

Annette Grieco

Lake of blue often calls out to me
One of my favorite places to be;
Kayaking, fishing and dining too
Living by this lake is a dream come true.

Trudy Simms

Reflections of clouds on shades of blue
Pretty glens and coves to sail to
A day on the lake takes your troubles away
Our lake is the best, but you know that don’t you

Kathleen Courter

Lake life living just warms the heart from sunrise to sunset, embrace each day from the start!

Bill Woolley

Ode to Lake Hopatcong

My love for the lake
is melodic like that song.

Although by her shores
I still haven’t sat long.

To be safe upon her
I don’t want to act wrong.

Her name, to my ears,
Is like music: ‘Hopatcong.'

And finally, one from Kyle Richter that he would have liked to have finished, but he was whisked away to a meeting (we like where this is going, Kyle!):

L – Life – may your waters continue to support life from the depths of the lakebed to the surface  

A – Authentic – may you continue to be a place for everyone to come as they are and be welcomed.

K – Kindred – may you provide a space for all your kindred spirits to congregate.

E – Eternal – may your waters be every flowing
 

H – Hope 

O – Optimism

P – Prosperity – may your waters and resources foster a prosperous life to all who call you home.

A – Affectionate

T – Tantalizing

C – Calm - may your breeze and moving water bring calmness to an otherwise hectic schedule.

O – Oneness

N – Native

G  - Grateful

You can help show our lake some love by becoming a member/renewing your membership today. Members get special communications from us, advance notice of and invitations to special programs, and are part of a community of people dedicated to protecting and improving Lake Hopatcong for this and future generations!

*photo of beautiful, blue Lake Hopatcong hues by Lisa Fleischhacker