Congratulations to the twelve Strath Haven High School ultimate players who represented Philadelphia at the USA Ultimate Youth Club Championships in Blaine, Minnesota on August 3 - 5. Photo by Billy Hodges.

John and Alana Snyder are pleased to announce the birth of Owen Arthur Eugene Snyder on July 30, 2019. Owen was born 10 lbs., 2 oz. and 23-1/2 inches long with a full head of dark hair.

John, formerly of 127 Rutgers Ave., son of Nancy and William Snyder, grandson of Jacob and Jean Snyder of Swarthmore, graduated Strath Haven High School in 2000.

John, Alana and Owen now reside in Sioux Falls, S.D., where they own and operate a statewide publication called 605 Magazine, a wedding publication and a media production company.

Monday, August 19 is opening day for Swarthmore Smiles, the new dental practice of Dr. Mark Forwood at 107 Rutgers Ave, Unit S2 (formerly the office of Dr. Dennis Hoffman).

Dr. Forwood, who grew up in Wallingford, welcomes patients of any age, with a focus on preventative care and state of the art dentistry.

A graduate of Strath Haven, Lehigh University, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Mark lives in Wallingford with his wife Christina and 2-year-old son Jackson. He looks forward to becoming part of the Swarthmore community, and invites patients to visit his freshly renovated office, and to make dental appointments at 610-543-7444.

The Swarthmore Swim Club SeaSharks girls 10 and Under swimmers won their Age Group Championship at the Suburban Swim League “A” Championship meet, held on July 27th at Wallingford Swim Club. The team won first place in the Medley Relay and third place in Free Relay. Team members are (left to right) Anna Karpyn, Julia Parker, Lyla Kelly and Julia Smirnova. Photo by Elizabeth Parker.

Swarthmore Swim Club was well represented at the Daily Times Delaware County Elite Meet, held on July 30th at Rose Tree Woods Swim Club in Broomall. Representing the Suburban Swim League in competition against the Delco and Inter-County Swim Leagues were Swarthmore SeaSharks (left to right) Anna Karpyn, Assistant Coach Clare Scharscan, Gavin Shifflett, Lori Mesaros, Ella Shifflett and head coach Brooke Hagen. Photo by Michael Karpyn.

JJ Vavrik of Swarthmore finished as runner-up in the recently concluded Delco Vocalist competition at Media Theatre. Five finalists in the competition were judged on vocal quality, stage presence, and song choice. Contestants were invited based on their performances at recent auditions. JJ sang “Love Who You Love” from A Man of No Importance by Ahrens and Flaherty. He points out the importance in musical theater of understanding the nuances of the character and the context of the songs, as well as “sounding glorious vocally.” The 22-year-old Temple U. Musical Theater graduate has been a singer for most of his life, in august groups like the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale, Pennsylvania All-State Choir, and the Strath Haven Silvertones. However, JJ says, “I used to think of myself as an actor first.”

Now he is intent on “acting in plays, or musicals, or films. I hope to pursue this line of work for the rest of my life.” That career has begun well: he has learned the entire show of the Media Theater’s Forever Plaid and is prepared to step in for any of the four major roles if needed during the run. Following that, he will be understudy for Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. JJ thanks his family for their constant support, and his vocal coaches for making his voice what it is today.

Harvey Oak Mercantile owner Shannon Dietzmann Elliott picked up a “Best of Philly” award recognizing H.O.M. as the “Best Place to Find Celestial Jewelry.” Shannon said that Philadelphia Magazine editors “were interested in trends related to all things spiritual this year, including zodiacs, crystals, and minerals. H.O.M. has a variety of designers specializing in jewelry inspired by astrological signs, birthstones, and chakra stones. These pieces are attractive, easy-to-wear often, and allow shoppers to personalize what they wear and what they give, and most of it is made right here in Pennsylvania.” The photo is by Lucas Elliott

Editorial Summit: Swarthmorean editor Chris Reynolds (beard) and new Panther Press editor-in-chief Evelyn Meeker (no beard) compared notes last week at Swarthmorean offices. Meeker, a rising junior from Swarthmore, takes the reins of the Strath Haven High School newspaper for the next two years, an approach intended to enhance continuity and consistency in the monthly-ish student run print paper and website. She is looking for fresh ideas and talent to keep the Panther Press vital: “I’m honored to help provide a voice for student opinion and journalistic expression. Everyone at Strath Haven cares about something, and in the Panther Press, there will always be a place for music, art, opinion, and all kinds of contributions.” She encourages writers, photographers, designers, and artists to get involved early in the 2019-20 school year – or even before. Reach Evelyn at evelynameeker@gmail.com. Reynolds said the Swarthmorean’s door is also open to Havenites:

“We welcome student writers and photographers who want to get involved in local journalism as contributors, or who wish to explore internships. Give us a call at 610-543-0900, or email editor@swarthmorean.com.”

Four of the athletes who represented the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District in the 2019 Delaware County Senior Games attended the post-games Winner’s Circle reception on July 16 at the Drexelbook. They are, from left, Jean Terrell of Swarthmore, Anthony Valerio of Swarthmore, Sam Parsons and Pat Parsons of Wallingford. This June, 680 athletes aged 50 and older participated in events held across the county, including among many others swimming, track, bowling, bocce and pool. Also competing in the Games were Swarthmoreans Chuck Becker, Samuel Brennan, Carol Brennan, and Sam Hill, and Donald Casey, Ron Conner, Jim Hughes, Richard Kitchin, Nancy Sorg, Ann Swan, and Mary Lou Yancey, all of Wallingford. The Delaware County Senior Games are sponsored by Delaware County Council, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Destination Delco, and the County of Delaware Services for the Aging (COSA).

Upper Darby Summer Stage cast members of Elliot and the Magic Bed prepare for performances on August 7, 8, and 9, with 10:30 a.m. matinees each day and a 7:30 p.m. show on Thursday, August 8. From top, Clockwise: Luke Branes-Huff of Wallingford plays Basil Gruesome, Kenneth Bruce of Drexel Hill plays Greenbeard the Pirate, Ali Buchanan of Upper Darby is Elliot and Genevieve Bruce of Drexel Hill plays Elliot’s mother. Elliot and the Magic Bed, the penultimate show in the six-week Summer Stage season, was commissioned in 2003 for Summer Stage, and was written by Summer Stage alumni Marcus Stevens (writer of the book and lyrics) and Brian Lowdermilk (composer,) both of whom originated in Wallingford and now create works for professional theater in New York and London. Photo by Jim Mergliano.

More than 75 elementary students in this summer’s Chester Children’s Chorus Swim Program learned to float, tread water, swim, and enjoy the water safely, thanks to a dedicated crew of swim instructors from Swarthmore and the area. Gathered at the Swarthmore College pool recently were (left to right) Henry Dawes, Luke Mutz, Max Carp, Megan Laird, Chris Schmucki, Riley Muller, Ben Wolters and Rachel McCabe. Other 2019 swim instructors included Sophia David, Brendan Doherty, Michaela Venuto, Jack Brake, Jasper Kolimago, and Kristine Quintero. If you’re interested in learning more about the CCC swim program, or want to help next year, contact Katie Fisher at 610-888-0451 or Susan Brake at smbrake@gmail.com.