Are you interested in serving your community? Getting involved in Borough affairs? Swarthmore Borough Council is looking for individuals to serve on several Boards and Commissions.
Swarthmore High School Class of 1981 Celebrates 40th Reunion
From 20 different states and three different countries, nearly 60 percent of Swarthmore High School’s Class of 1981 descended on Swarthmore to celebrate a magical 40th reunion weekend on October 8th and 9th, 2021. It was the largest gathering of these classmates since the group’s commencement ceremony on June 8, 1981.
Have You Been to an Unconference?
Many of us have attended traditional conferences, with a set agenda, a keynote speaker, and a bunch of pre-planned workshops. Unconferences are different: they leave it up to the participants to figure out what they want to discuss and how to organize discussions. Their purpose is somewhat vaguely defined, their format is a bit mushy, and their outcome is unpredictable.
Spice Up the Garden: The Spice Bushes
No tree is more emblematic of Philadelphia than the iconic Franklin tree, Franklinia alatamaha. In 1770, the Philadelphia botanist and explorer John Bartram discovered this small, flowering, multi-stemmed relative of the Stewartia, Gordonia, and Camellia growing along the banks of the Altamaha River in Georgia. Bartram collected a specimen, and then cultivated Franklinia on his property along the Schuylkill River (now Bartram’s Garden).
Mini-Reunion of the Swarthmore High School Class of 1971
Bill Schmidheiser provides a recap of a mini-reunion for the Swarthmore High School Class of 1971 back in September.
Stefan Roots Brings Change to Chester Politics
Poll workers at the Hayes Senior Center in Chester seemed upbeat and cheerful about the prospect of assisting voters. As expected, early morning turnout was slow, but it picked up toward noon. Some voters had detailed questions about the candidates: For example, they wanted to know more about Stefan Roots: What is he proposing to do about the high incidence of gun violence in their community? What about the recent disturbances at Chester High School—how can they be avoided in the future?
Rose Valley’s Will Price Historical Marker
Nearly 75 history- and architecture enthusiasts gathered Nov. 6 for the unveiling of a historical marker, which honors William Lightfoot Price (1861-1916), who was the founder of Rose Valley and a nationally known architect in the Arts and Crafts style. The marker, provided by the borough following approval by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), is surrounded by Price-designed houses and situated on the grounds of the home where he once lived.
Tax Increase Approved Affordable Housing, Park Avenue Condos & Trash Talked
At its November 8th legislative meeting, Swarthmore Borough Council approved the proposed 2022 budget, which calls for a 3.5% tax increase to fund a $5.66 million operating budget. The public comment section of the meeting was primarily devoted to an update on the progress of a study related to affordable housing development in the borough. Towards the end of the meeting, Borough Manager Billings reported that, pursuant to a recent directive from the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority, all 49 municipalities in Delaware County will be faced with an immediate 20% increase in tipping fees.
Swarthmore Makers Market—A Huge Success
The sun was shining brightly on Swarthmore this past Sunday, November 7, as 75 local and regional artisans and other makers took over the town for the Swarthmore Makers Market. This open-air market, which features a selection of their handmade creations, has typically been held twice a year in front of the Inn at Swarthmore and the SEPTA station. Sunday’s market was the first since November 2019.
Our Community Walks Together
Come out at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 13 (rain date is November 20), for a series of organized and guided walks around town and the area, concluding with a concert and lots of camaraderie back on the lawn at the Swarthmore United Methodist Church, where we will be entertained by the Last Chance Duo.
Vaccination Clinics On the Agenda
A recap of the November 8 WSSD school board meeting, where the Test-to-Stay program, mask requirements, and planned vaccination clinics.
Panthers Pound Upper Merion, Face Marple Newtown in Quarterfinals Friday at King Field
On to Round 2 of the District 1 5A football playoffs, where the Strath Haven Panthers will have the added challenge of facing an opponent for a second time this season. While the #2-seeded Panthers were pounding out a convincing 35-0 whitewash of Upper Merion last Friday night, the possibility of facing #7-seeded Marple-Newtown in the quarterfinals came into focus.
A Unique Collaboration for the Community
The Swarthmore Community Center, a nonprofit established in 1978 and long located behind Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, was recently devastated by the effects of the pandemic and by losing its long-held lease. Happily, the center and Swarthmore United Methodist Church (SUMC) have collaborated to use their existing resources to further their respective missions, both of which seek to promote the greater good of our community: they are pleased to announce that they have entered into a joint agreement to establish a new community center, to be called the Park Avenue Community Center—“the PAC Center” for short. It will be located at 129-131 Park Avenue and will open on January 1, 2022.
New Condo Building – We Can Do Better
I am one of the 26 community members who offered my opinion at the October 20 Planning Commission meeting about the proposed 5-story condominium project on Park Avenue. I appreciate the developers taking the time to respond to the community’s concerns in last week’s issue of The Swarthmorean. However, I believe they still misunderstand the deeper issue: their current vision for this building is fundamentally at odds with the character of Swarthmore.
Roundabout Redux: The Restoration of a Homegrown Playground Structure
A well-used wooden structure on the playground of Swarthmore Presbyterian Nursery Day School (SPNDS) was failing. Protruding nails and rotting boards that had to be removed did not stop children from clambering all over its sprawling surfaces, but something had to be done.
Public Provides Condo Development Feedback at Planning Commission Meeting
As The Swarthmorean reported online on October 22 in a special recap of the October 20 Swarthmore Planning Commission meeting at Borough Hall, 26 community members stepped up to the microphone to voice their opinions about the proposed condominium project that would span 102-104 and 110-112 Park Avenue in Swarthmore. The comments coalesced around several themes.
8-1 Panthers To Face Radnor Raptors
Wins in eight of the last nine weeks have been a pleasure to watch, and suddenly, in what seems like a blink-of-the-eye, the Panthers have just one more contest before the District 1 5A playoffs begin.
Condo Development Team Responds to Community Feedback
“We thank all of those residents who took the time to attend the October 20th planning meeting to share their thoughts on the proposed development at 110 Park Avenue. As long-time residents of Swarthmore, we value community feedback, and appreciate how civically engaged many Swarthmoreans are, so it was gratifying to see that engagement in action at last Wednesday’s planning meeting.”
Test-to-Stay Program a Go
At a meeting of the Wallingford Swarthmore School District’s school board on Monday, October 25, a presentation on the COVID Test-to-Stay program was given by Mary Figura, who is the board secretary and assistant to Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille, and by Deb Sweeney, the district’s lead COVID nurse. Dr. Marseille said he believes that this program will help support the board as it navigates COVID challenges.
Tree Pruning Demonstration Sponsored By Swarthmore Tree Committee
Join horticulturalist Charles Cresson for a free demonstration and discussion to learn basic tree pruning techniques that improve the health and safety of your trees. The event will be held Saturday, November 6, at 1 p.m.