Swarthmore United Methodist Church proudly congratulates their pastor, Lydia Muñoz, who recently won a coveted award from Drew University, where she is completing a doctorate in ministry with a focus on public theology. As part of the university’s end-of-year honors, she was awarded the Fellowship Seminarian Award, given annually to the student who displays outstanding leadership in music and/or worship arts. This award makes Muñoz a member of the Fellowship of United Methodist in Music and Worship Arts, a group expanding worship design throughout the world. Photo: Sheila Bell

Robert and Susan Smythe are very proud to say that their daughter, Maggie Smythe (SHHS ‘10; Carleton College ‘14), graduated from Tulane School of Medicine on Saturday, May 16. Maggie will start her residency in Internal Medicine at UConn Health in July. Photo: Pat DeMarco

For years, Pals for Reading has been a popular children’s program at area libraries. Specially trained dogs (and rabbits, and other fuzzy companions) listen while children read to them. It helps kids with fluency, engagement, and so many other important components of becoming a lifelong reader. And the kids love it. We haven’t been able to meet face-to-face these last couple of months, so Helen Kate Furness Children’s Librarian Lori Friedgen-Vietch and Library Director Leah Kulikowski gathered a group of readers virtually and ushered them into Zoom breakout rooms to read to Chloe, a longtime Pals for Reading listener owned by Furness Library board member Joyce Romoff. Lori and Leah kept the kids engaged while they waited their turn. Missing were the noggin pats and behind-the-ear scratches, but it was a welcome taste of normal for Helen Kate’s young patrons.

Photo: Nathaniel Zwitch reads “Captain Underpants” to a furry listener on Zoom. Photo: Jenn Zwitch

With in-person graduation ceremonies looking unlikely, people are finding creative ways to recognize high school seniors. Many families have decorated their front doors to show love to their soon-to-be graduates. This door celebrates Peter Boerth, who will be attending Northeastern University in the fall.

With in-person graduation ceremonies off the table, people are finding creative ways to recognize high school seniors. Many families have decorated their front doors to show love to their soon-to-be graduates. This door celebrates Sophie Bergstrom, who will be attending Franklin and Marshall College in the fall.

When Swarthmore-Rutledge School’s kindergarten field trip to the zoo was cancelled (due to COVID-19 school closures), students set up (stuffed) animal exhibits outside their homes. Abigail Garfinkel was one of them. Her mother, Allison Garfinkel, writes:

Abby chose polar bears, and we were able to borrow three additional bears from family and friends to make our “habitat.” We drove around town to see 18 other animals, and my kids had a great time looking for them from the car. Not exactly the field trip we had hoped for, but it was a nice experience. Not to mention getting excited when friends drove by to see our exhibit!

Today was a really great example of community spirit during such a strange time. Above is a photo of Abby (pretending to be shivering) with the polar bears and her homemade icebergs. Photo: Allison Garfinkel

Vocalist Danielle Tuminelli, a popular performer at the Plush Mills senior living community, gives a concert from the edge of the driveway. Photo: Paul Rosen

Chester Upland Youth Soccer (CUYS), whose executive director Jeannine Fallon Anckaitis lives in Swarthmore, has been named “Community Organization of the Year” by The Community’s Foundation (TCF) of Springfield. CUYS uses soccer to teach healthy living habits and provide mentorship for nearly 500 at-risk students in Chester, Upland, and Eddystone. As part of the award, TCF allows grantees to direct a portion of TCF’s funds to a second local organization. CUYS chose Wallingford’s Lifewerks Inc., which provides food, clothing, and books to people in need. Photo: Terri Douthett

Trinity Cooperative Day Nursery organized a parking lot meet-and-greet with the families whose children attend the preschool, to let the children know their teachers miss them. “Things will be back to normal and we will be at school for them when they return!!!” Photo: Kimberly Mills

The Sparks family (Chris, Emily, Mira, and Aadya) find a way to wish their Grandpop a happy birthday while practicing social distancing. Photo: Leigh Sparks