On Monday, June 10, 45 students made history as the first graduating class of the Chester Charter School for the Arts in a ceremony at Lang Performing Arts Center of Swarthmore College. All of the students have been accepted into a post-secondary education program, pursuing a wide range of career paths.
Swarthmore Borough Council opened its meeting this Monday night with a public comment session, and Jackie Dering of the 500 block of Cedar Lane quickly took to the podium to address Council on what she called “a neighborhood health issue.” She spoke of an incident last weekend in which a rabid raccoon bit her next door neighbor. Although that raccoon was captured and killed, she said, “That means there are other animals with rabies — that raccoon had to get it from somewhere.” She noted that local raccoons can be fairly bold even when not rabid, appearing by day as well as in their typical nocturnal habit.
Maddie Marks, a graduating Strath Haven senior and recipient of the 2019 Swarthmorean Journalism Award, was also recognized for her creative excellence in the 2019 National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
In celebration of SBT’s 30th anniversary, Mrs. Ardis and her daughter, Amber Flynn, choreographed a sumptuous production featuring the absolute fan-favorite dances from three decades of performances. This production, presented in early June, soared from the sweet strains of The Nutcracker o the drama of Giselle, seeming to touch on familiar work representing all moods in between. The program also sampled original creations, including The Dream Weavers conceived by Ardis & Flynn, and two ballets written by SBT resident composer Ray Lindsey.
Two Strath Haven High School seniors, Abigail MacPherson and Benjamin Wainfan, were awarded $5,000 Rotary/Women’s Club scholarships in May 2019. The scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate community service in keeping with Rotary’s motto of “Service above Self.” The students had a notable record of contributing to the community, either local or global.
At its meeting on Monday night, June 10, the Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board did not come to a conclusive vote regarding a resolution of support for Delaware County Community College’s proposal to open a new campus at the Archbishop Prendergast High School building at 403 N. Lansdowne Avenue in Drexel Hill. Also, the Board announced the retirement of 12 teachers, four of whom were in the audience at the Strath Haven Middle School library that evening.
Sunny skies smiled upon the Strath Haven Class of 2019 on June 6 and 7 as they came to the end of their school journey in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, and took the first steps into what’s next.
Thursday’s Commemoration convened the seniors and their families in the dappled evening light of the Scott Outdoor Amphitheater, and Friday afternoon brought more brilliance as the class converged on Neumann College for graduation ceremonies.
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Delaware County begins its 45th annual summer festival next week on Wednesday, June 12, with a performance by the Delaware County Symphony. The Fabulous Grease Band performs the following night, and thus begins a two month long series of shows Wednesday through Sunday nights with several daytime performances as well.
Today is a big day for us at The Swarthmorean. Ever since Todd and Rob purchased the paper at the start of this year, a primary goal has been to increase our following. This means providing great community coverage in any format you want — print or digital.
Think of the stereotypical World War II flying ace: dashing, handsome, focused, fearless, tireless, and beloved by everyone he knows. You’re imagining a Swarthmore native known to the Miller family as Uncle Harry. He was handsome and slight, full of swagger and charisma. His heroic tale started more than 75 years ago, and the last chapter is still being written.
Among dozens of opinionated and voluble contributors of posts to social media site Nextdoor Swarthmore, only three Swarthmoreans rose to comment at the Monday work session of Swarthmore Borough Council. Isabel Paynter, who ignited a virtual firestorm with her original post recounting her frustration at being given a ticket for parking at a non-operable meter last Tuesday, spoke first during the public comment period at the opening of the Council session on June 3.
Compendium Boutique has closed the 6 Park Avenue location, and on May 1 opened a new main location at 134 East Market Street in West Chester, Pa. “Swarthmore was a really good place for me to start, but not necessarily a place to grow,” owner Emily Scott explained. “I have a lot of great followers, and am very thankful for them, but in order for the business to expand I needed to find a bigger market … with more foot traffic.”
D. Patrick Welsh Real Estate invites neighbors from Swarthmore and beyond to celebrate the firm’s 60th anniversary with a bash this Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Drinks, hors d’oeuvres catered by Occasionally Yours, baklava made by Gassia Melkissetian, and cookies baked by Dave Welsh himself make the real estate office one of the highlight of the June 7 First Friday in Swarthmore.
