There’s a full roster of celebration in store for the Fourth in Swarthmore this year. Join in on the annual SRA bike race, the children’s parade, the Boy Scout and community group parade, the fire company demonstration and much more!
Blood Donation Events in July
The American Red Cross asks you to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets at a nearby location in the coming weeks.
Register Now and Save on Lions Run/Walk
Preregistration for $30 is still available for the 22nd annual Swarthmore Lions Independence Eve 8K (5 mile) and 2 ½ Mile Walk. The race will go off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening, July 3, on a new course, covering a relatively flat 8K route through the tree-lined neighborhoods of Swarthmore borough. The 2½ Mile Walk route follows the first loop of the 8K.
Three Swarthmore Mail Carriers are ‘Million Milers’
Last Thursday morning, June 20, Swarthmore postal employees paused before beginning their delivery routes, opening customer windows, and processing mail, in order to honor three of their colleagues. Swarthmore mail carriers John Fanelli, William Kane and Francis “Billy” Raymond were inducted into the Million Mile Club, each receiving an award only given by the United States Postal Service to mail carriers who have either driven or walked one million miles or have worked 30 years with the company without incident.
Dr. Hoffman Exits with a Smile
Dr. Dennis Hoffman retired on June 26, almost exactly 50 years since beginning his dental practice in Swarthmore. Over the decades at the 107 Rutgers Avenue office, Dr. Hoffman has served several generations of Swarthmore patients.
Music Director Liz Braden Ends Tenure at Wallingford Pres
Music Director Liz Braden may have chosen to end her 20-year association with Wallingford Presbyterian Church, but not before she was feted in style at the June 23 service.
Technology Can Enhance Seniors’ Independence
At the 2019 Swarthmore Wellness Fair, Dan Snyder provided a user-friendly description of how seniors can use contemporary technologies to sustain and enhance independent living.
A Summer of Book Ideas for Young Readers
For this summer’s list, Carol Kennedy begins with one of the books that the Swarthmore Public Library is featuring in its One Book, One Swarthmore program: All-American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. In this excellent young-adult novel, an incident of police brutality threatens to tear a community apart.
Swarthmore Presbyterian Church Welcomes Alex Evangelista as Minister for Christian Formation
Earlier this year, Swarthmore Presbyterian Church began a quest to find a new Minister for Christian Formation to help lead SPC’s youth and to support various needs of its broader congregation. After interviewing numerous worthy candidates, this spring an SPC search committee recommended Alex Evangelista. Alex accepted the call, and on Monday, June 17, began serving in the new position.
Graduation? Again, Already?
Parents of Strath Haven High School’s Class of 2020 will get a say in whether graduation will be held at George L. King Field next year, instead of Neumann University or Villanova University, which between them have hosted Haven graduations since 2007. The plan, presented by SHHS Principal Dr. Kristopher Brown at Monday night’s Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board meeting, grew out of concerns that with growing class sizes, Neumann could become overcrowded.
The Swarthmore Borough Human Relations Commission (HRC) is expanding and looking for additional members to serve our community. The HRC was originally established by ordinance in 2006 to respond to complaints regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identification, as these are not protected by the state’s anti-discrimination laws. Swarthmore Borough Council recently amended the ordinance to include the ability to provide education and outreach to prevent discrimination and address incidents of bias that may lead to tension between racial, ethnic, and other groups. To address this larger scope, more members are needed.
Swarthmore Public Library Programs Warm up the Summer
School’s out, and hot summer activities and programs for students and adults have already begun.
Starting this Wednesday, June 19, members of the Swarthmorean Senior Citizens Association are invited to meet informally each Wednesday around 2 p.m. at the Swarthmore Co-Op during summer. This is a change to the venue originally chosen and published in last week’s Swarthmorean (although Hobbs would surely still be delighted to see you at other times).
Swarthmore Rotary Takes a New Turn with New Leaders
On Thursday, June 13, the Rotary Club of Swarthmore installed its new officers and board members. Incoming 2019-2020 President Maria Zissimos, General Counsel for Chester Housing Authority, chose as a venue for the celebration the William Penn Homes development and its exciting new Red Brick Café, which has recently opened its doors to the community. A resident-propelled business, Amir’s Catering, provided a first class banquet experience in the heart of this Chester community.
Borough Parking Metrics
Borough Council’s General Government Committee has been considering changes to parking meter payment fees and duration that would make it more convenient for visitors and Swarthmore residents to park in town and support local businesses.
Healthy Foods Vouchers Available for Seniors
The farmers’ market voucher program for seniors age 60+ in Delaware County begins now. It provides $20 in vouchers which can be used at farmers markets (including the Swarthmore Farmers Market) to purchase Pennsylvania grown fruits, vegetables and herbs.
$100K Grant for RV Museum
The Rose Valley Centennial Foundation was recently awarded a grant of $99,788 through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Keystone Construction program. The award was announced by State Representative Leanne Krueger, whose office assisted in identifying the funding opportunity.
Thursday Night Lives Again
Continuing a summer tradition initiated in 2017, Thursday Night Live begins again in Swarthmore on June 27 at the Central Park amphitheater, with music by the Swarthmore hometown band Swukestra, and young local acoustic phenoms The Minor Adjustments. The free concerts begin at 7 p.m. in the amphitheater and run until about 10. It’s a perfect setting for a picnic dinner, with food from a number of Swarthmore eateries open for the occasion, or packed at home for your family.
New Logo Celebrates New Energy in Swarthmore Public Library’s 90th Year
The product of a hometown collaboration, the Swarthmore Public Library’s new logo reflects not only the library’s traditional role as a repository of knowledge and culture but also its modern day missions as a resource for users to read, meet, discover, and grow.
Raising the Flag for Swarthmore
Andy Shelter had an opportunity to apprentice with a photographer. He was coming out of active duty with the Navy and needed a job. But he turned down the apprenticeship — the timing wasn’t right for this kind of work, he decided, as he was newly married with his first child in the way. Luckily for Swarthmore, Shelter saw photography as more than a job opportunity.