Children’s book author Baptiste Paul visited Swarthmore Rutledge School on January 31. Born and raised on the island of Saint Lucia, Paul and his wife (and co-author) Miranda met in Philadelphia. Paul brought his energy, infectious love of books, and stories to students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Photo: Liz Corson

Peter Callas at the opening of “The Art of Wood-Fired Ceramics” at the Community Arts Center. Callas traveled to Japan in 1973 to study ceramics, then built the first Anagama (wood-fired) kiln in the United States in 1976. Over the past 50 years, he has exhibited on five continents, and his work is included in the collections of over 30 museums worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibition also includes ceramics by 40 other international ceramic artists, as well as a collection of over 150 tea bowls made for, or inspired by, the Japanese tea ceremony. Photo: Paul Downie

Stewart Calloway joined the School in Rose Valley (SRV) as Director of Auxiliary Programs on February 3. He will oversee summer camp, mini-camps, afternoons, pre-day, and more. Calloway has had an extensive career working with children and in schools, including 11 years at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy as Director of After-School and Summer Programs, and most recently as the Managing Director of New Covenant Campus Kids. SRV Head of School Rod Stanton writes that Stewart’s “significant leadership experience, understanding of progressive education, and engaging personality will serve SRV for many years to come.”

Swarthmore Rutledge School (SRS) Home and School Association hosted its annual family bingo night on Friday, February 7. The evening had a Western theme as over 500 students and their families played the classic game. The masters of ceremony for the night were SRS parent Martin Micklin and fifth grade teacher Renee Strehle. A raffle featured prizes donated by students and more than 25 local businesses, and participants corralled $4,000 to support Home and School programs which enhance and enrich education at SRS.

SRS fourth graders Kenzie MacCullum, Lucy Dolle, and Abby Minton show off raffle prizes at bingo night. The event raised $4,000 for Home and School programs. Photo by Shannon Dietzmann Elliott.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, along with a host of local Democratic elected officials, attended the opening of Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon’s 2020 campaign field office at 621 S. Chester Road, Swarthmore, this past weekend. Pictured here (l to r) are the people who spoke at the event: Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer; State Representative Margo Davidson; State Representative Jennifer O’Mara (standing behind Davidson); Delaware County Council Vice Chair Monica Taylor; Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro; Delaware County Controller Joanne Phillips; State Representative Leanne Krueger; Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon; Delaware County Council Member Christine Reuther Casey Stewart, daughter of Congresswoman Scanlon; and State Senator (and former Swarthmore mayor) Tim Kearney. Also in attendance was current Swarthmore mayor Marty Spiegel. Photo: Todd Strine

Gathered here are board members of Wallingford Swarthmore Community Classes, readying the spring-semester mailing containing the roster of adult education courses and registration information. Class span a wide range of subjects from historic houses to gentle yoga, from creating stained class to learning about birds, and from social media basics to Spanish wine. Prices are reasonable, and classes are offered at a variety of times to fit different schedules. To enroll: wscclasses.org.

Pictured around the front table (l to r): Susan Larson, Diane Scott, Peg Christensen, Tracy DiBonaventura, and Babs Fisher. Working in the background are Jill Cortazzo, Laura Diehl, and Carol Fanconi. Also present were Lynn Meza, Bruno Fanconi, and Joan Gallagher. Photo: Joan Gallagher

Hayley Lyman, 11, a member of Girl Scout Troop 57, sponsored by Tree of Life Church in Springfield, helps sort food items as part of the Delaware County Souper Bowl of Caring. Non-perishables delivered to Tree of Life and Chambers Memorial Presbyterian Church in Rutledge will be donated to Chester Eastside, Inc. “Food scarcity is a reality in our community, and Chester Eastside, Inc., is grateful to receive significant donations from our generous neighbors,” said Executive Director Rev. Zuline Wilkinson. “Each contribution enables us to enhance the meals we provide to the families we serve.” Photo: Leslie Krowchenko