2019: An Inventory
Swarthmorean editor Rachel Pastan. Photo by Andy Shelter.
It’s the shortest day of the year, and I’m sitting at my computer eyeing a stack of newspapers: all 50 Swarthmoreans from 2019. I know we’re a modest newspaper, but the stack is daunting.
How to inventory a whole year? What to remind you of, and what to skip?
What would you rather forget, but maybe shouldn’t? What have you already forgotten that might interest you to recall?
Collecting (recollecting) these happenings and lives and milestones is a way to consider what we have accomplished and aspired to and worried about as a community, as we take the first steps into 2020. To think about where we have succeeded, where we have more work to do, and where we might want to start all over again.
Activism
Community members from elementary school to old age sent photos and wrote letters all year long telling us about their work in support of reform on a range of issues. These included climate change, the Mariner East pipeline, environmental justice (specifically in Chester), criminal justice, Delaware County’s private prison, election security, and impeachment. The ethic of standing up and speaking out about what you believe in is alive and well around here.
Aging in Place
The Borough of Swarthmore passed two changes to the zoning code, one enabling cooperative senior living, and the other permitting semi-separate dwelling units within houses. These “family/caregiver suites” can be lived in either by relatives of the people living in the main part of the house, or by a caregiver for an elder or a person with a disability occupying the main dwelling. Separately, as part of an effort to make foot (and wheelchair) travel around town safer and easier, the borough eliminated the permit fee for fixing sidewalks.
The Swarthmore Senior Citizens Association (SSCA) moved its headquarters to the Swarthmore United Methodist Church. Upgrades, such as improved lighting and an accessible ramp, are forthcoming.
Art
So many exhibitions, concerts, pop-ups, poetry readings, dance performances, film screenings, and theatrical productions took place that I don’t dare to try to list them!
We make a lot of art around here. It’s wonderful.
Alcohol
2019 saw little action in the multi-year drama transforming Swarthmore from the dry town it used to be to whatever it’s becoming. The lawsuit that Swarthmore property owner Patrick Flanigan brought against the borough, to try to stop it from allowing sales of alcohol at events like the Farmers Market, was dismissed. Jill Gaeiski and Lori Knauer got a liquor license for their wine bar, Village Vine, slated to open this spring. Probably other things happened behind the scenes. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more.
Village Vine entrepreneurs Jill Gaieski and Lori Knauer are cultivating plans for a wine bar and bistro at 6 Park Avenue in Swarthmore.
Animals
Louise Coffin submitted a photograph of a dreadful infestation of spotted lanternflies which she reported was “One swarm of many noted on a maple tree on Dartmouth Avenue.”
A rabid raccoon bit a Swarthmore resident and was subsequently captured and killed.
Beavers established themselves in Crum Creek.
Unfortunately, spotted lanternflies also established themselves pretty much everywhere in the county.
Wildlife sightings in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District began to be collected and chronicled by Robert Scott for publication in this newspaper. Animals spotted included foxes, hawks, snakes, salamanders, butterflies, many species of songbird, interesting beetles, and more. Check back next week for a complete list!
Fundraisers
These highlight one of the best faces of our community. In chronological order: Luminaria (for A Better Chance Strath Haven, whose new students we met this fall), Putt Putt Palooza (for Children and Adult Disability and Educational Services, or CADES), Relay for Life at SHHS (for the American Cancer Society), Rotary Club Fun Fair (supporting lots of local charities), Young People’s Theatre Workshop Arts-A-Thon (for RAICES and Together Rising, to help migrant children at the U.S. border), the HEADstrong Foundation’s 5 K Run and 1 M Walk (for families affected by cancer), Celebration of the Arts at Wallingford Swim and Racquet Club (for WSSD arts programs), Matt Wenger and Out of Order at waR3house3 (to fund the purchase of a car for an exonerated man, Elmer Daniels), the Panther Pajama Run (for WSSD’s Reading for Education, Acceptance, and Diversity, or READ).
If we’ve left any out, please let us know.
Local Government
The year started with Swarthmore Borough Council member Sarah Graden and the borough’s General Government Committee looking for ways to “clearly communicate our commitment to an inclusive, safe community and [to] condemn acts of ethnic intimidation.” Ultimately, the borough’s Human Relations Community was expanded — both in size and in scope — to try to address future problems.
Marty Spiegel was appointed mayor after former mayor Tim Kearney went to Harrisburg to serve in the grander but doubtless less personal role of State Senator of the 26th district. Spiegel was later elected mayor in the November 5 election. In the same election, Jill Gaieski was chosen as a new borough council member. She will replace David Creagan, who retired after eight years on the council, of which he was council president for four.
Swarthmore Chief of Police Brian Craig retired and was replaced by Raymond C. Stufflet, who had previously been a sergeant in the department. A new patrol officer, George Dunn, was hired after a lengthy process. A state-funded assessment of the Swarthmore police department will begin next year.
Swarthmore joins hundreds of other municipalities in pledging to attain 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Under the Ready for 100 plan adopted by the borough, Swarthmore also resolves that all energy used in town (including to heat houses, run cars, etc.) will be generated by renewable sources by 2050. The Environmental Advisory Council is working on specific plans.
Milestones
Alma Trevethick at 100.
The Chester Children’s Chorus (which rehearses in Swarthmore) turned 25.
Swarthmore Ballet Theatre turned 30.
Swarthmore Recreation Association Bocce turned 30.
Dr. Dennis Hoffman’s dental practice turned 50, which was just enough for him: he retired and sold his practice to Dr. Mark Forwood.
D. Patrick Welsh Real Estate turned 60.
Occasionally Yours also turned 30 (and got a makeover).
The Swarthmore Public Library turned 90!
Alma Trevethick, who moved to Swarthmore when she was four and lived here for most of her life, turned 100!
The Chester Children’s Chorus, now in its 25th year, recently performed its annual winter concert at Swarthmore College to audiences of nearly 900 people over two nights. The college provides support to the 110-member choir of students ages eight to 18. Leading the chorus is John Alston, who founded it in 1994 while a music professor at Swarthmore, to give the children of Chester access to superior educational programming. Besides formal music instruction, the program now includes math instruction, a full-day summer learning program, and a new public-private partnership with Chester Upland School of the Arts. In 2013, Alston relinquished his tenured faculty position to focus full time on the chorus. He credits his experience singing in the Newark Boys’ Chorus with setting him on his life’s path. Photo courtesy of the Chester Children’s Chorus
Schools
Strath Haven High School Principal Kristopher Brown
The WSSD studied whether school start times should be adjusted so that students might sleep more. It has not yet reached a conclusion.
The district discussed the sharp rise in the number of elementary school children.
A diversity and inclusion group started meeting at Swarthmore-Rutledge School.
A superintendent for management services — a new position — was installed in the WSSD: Mary Figura.
Whooping cough made an appearance, affecting at least eight students in various schools.
Dr. Kristopher Brown, principal of Strath Haven High School, announced that he will leave the district in early 2020 to take a job as equity officer in Abington township. Assistant Principal Andrea LaPira will serve as acting principal during the upcoming search.
Chester Charter School for the Arts, which is supported by many people throughout the community, graduated its first 12th grade class. The commencement of the 45 students was held at Swarthmore College.
Sports
Strath Haven High School 2019 girls varsity ultimate team. The squad included: Angela Campanella, Marisa Epstein, Bella Garcia, Grace Goldberg, Hope Graham, Sierra Hellman, Grace Hodges, Sophie Kujawski, Dagny Lott, Lilian Liu, Francesca Potter, Farren Quigley, Paige Reece, Mira Sherif, Eva Switala, Victoria Vieira, Meagan Walker, Tianyi Wang, and Theodora Zeibekis. Coaches were Billy Hodges and Lisa Meeden. Photo: Deirdre Abrahamsson
Strath Haven High School boys ultimate frisbee placed 2nd, and girls placed 3rd, at the Pennsylvania State Championships.
SHHS golf had an undefeated season and became champion of both the Central League and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) District 1.
SHHS boys soccer made it all the way to the state finals for the second year in a row.
The Nether-Swarthmore A’s baseball team won the Senior Division title.
Swarthmore College’s men’s swimming won the Centennial Conference championship for the second time in three years.
Swarthmore College’s women’s indoor track had an All-American shot putter, Clay Conley.
Swarthmore College men’s basketball won the Centennial Conference championship, earned a bid to the NCAA Championship, and advanced to the national championship game for the first time ever.
Swarthmore College women’s tennis advanced to the Centennial Conference championship final and was nationally ranked throughout the spring.
Swarthmore College (non-sports happenings)
Wishing tree outside the Swarthmore College Phi Psi house during the 2019 protests before the fraternities disbanded.
The college’s two fraternities voluntarily disbanded after discussion, dissent, soul-searching, and protest, shortly before a college report recommending their elimination was released.
At the 2019 commencement, honorary degrees were given to visual artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby ’04, biochemist Jon Lorsch ’90, and justice advocate Bryan Stevenson.
President Valerie Smith declared a year of celebrating black excellence at Swarthmore.
Swarthmore Town Center
Andy Shelter. Photo: Susanna Hooper
A task force organized by the Swarthmore Centennial Foundation continued to discuss revitalization of Swarthmore’s downtown. A study by urban-planning firm U3 Advisors recommended new retail space, restaurants, housing, and more. Stay tuned for developments.
Photographs of Swarthmore by Andy Shelter were turned into flags, which were raised on Park Avenue over the summer.
Parking meter times were reconsidered and recalibrated.
An electric vehicle charging station was installed in the central town parking lot.
Whimsy
Hot air balloons appeared in the skies over Swarthmore, as resident Jason Fischer gave rides last winter.
What do you remember about 2019? Email editor@swarthmorean.com.
In Memorium
Ellie P. Abboud, Alfreda Anderson, James Moser Anderson, Dr. Andrew J. Bobkowicz, Thompson Bradley, Roberta “Bobbie” Brogan, Ruth Nola Cederstrom, Frances D. Cornelsen, Richard Lee Corrigan, Virginia B. Cryer, William A. Davis, Robert B. Downer, and John J. Eisch Ph.D.
Leslie Anne Fitzgerald, Benjamin J. Gaieski M.D., Betty Garmirian, Beverly Hammond, James Stoddard Hayes, Dietland “Linde” Heintz, Betty M. Herriott, Thomas Hewett, William J. Hickey, and Rosalie Polkowski House.
Lada Hulka, Hallie Jackson, Olive E. Jassmond, Edmund Jones, Elma G. Jones, Kathleen V. L’Armand, Dorothy J. Lamberson, Annabel Liu, Mary Elizabeth Logan, Laurance A. Luder, Eugene L. Melcher, Katherine Lord Miller, Carolyn Montgomery, Marjorie Hopfmann Morgan, Andrew W. Moss, Mary Catharine Mulvihill, Joyce Leet Phillips, and Frederic L. Pryor.
Tate F. Roderick, Edgar Rosenthal, Margery A. Shaffer, Sara Shields Shane, Betty Barbara Smart, Michael S. Snyder, Mark W. Staples, Ann Stevick, Jonathan Stone Sutton, Shirley D. Tallent, Henry F. Thorne Jr., Eva Foldes Travers, Subramanayam Venkatesh, David Walter, and Mary R. Welsh.
