Whether or not you’ve ever experienced the many charms of the Purcell Darrell House, you may feel a pang of regret now that innkeepers Cathy and Chris Darrell have closed the doors of this Swarthmore bed and breakfast to the public.
PECO Plan Calls for Removal of 96 Trees from Swarthmore Borough
PECO claims that the removals are necessary because they want to replace existing electrical poles with ones that are 10 feet higher. PECO said this is necessary to enable them to increase voltage to residential customers from 4kV to 13kV, which they say will allow them to provide more reliable service, to shut down the Morton electrical substation (which is becoming obsolete), and to support an expected increase in the use of solar-generated electricity. Free to read and share
A New Approach to an Old Favorite: Zak Berkman and Son Bring It to People’s Light
A local father-son duo is a big part of People Light’s World Premiere retelling of Charles’ Dickens A Christmas Carol. Swarthmore resident Zak Berkman, People’s Light’s Producing Director, has adapted this yuletide ghost story into a music infused tale that captures the magic, joy, and generosity of the beloved classic in a whole new light. Berkman’s 16-year-old son, Eliot Berkman-Lamm plays guitar as well as several characters.
Hateful Vandalism at WES, Investigation Ongoing
Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille began his remarks at the school board meeting on Monday, November 22, by expressing deep concern about graffiti recently found on Wallingford Elementary School property. He noted that the graffiti, which included a racial slur, was a “gross violation of the school district’s commitment, in its mission statement, to “respect for self and others” and “leadership in the global community” — and he assured those gathered that the district is conducting an investigation into the matter.
Spice Up the Garden: The Spice Bushes
This week, Andrew Bunting highlights spicebushes, part of the genus Lindera, which includes as many as 100 evergreen and deciduous species. All of them can be cultivated locally, are exceptionally deer-resistant, and offer a beautiful suffusion of orange and yellow in the fall.
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.
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. Free to read and share
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. Free to read and share
The Value of Learning—and Having Fun. Coach Terry Lynch on His Nearly Three Decades with Town Soccer
If you have had young kids involved in sports activities with the Swarthmore Recreation Association (SRA), chances are you too have seen Coach Terry in action. Terry Lynch has long been a fixture on our local soccer- and tee-ball fields. With an infectious energy, Terry has dedicated his Saturdays to teaching kids the basics of soccer and baseball, emphasizing the importance of having fun. Greg Hoy chatted with Terry this past week after learning he was planning to (mostly) hang up his black cleats after 27 years on the field. Free to read and share
Change Is Brewing In the Ville
Another milestone has been passed in Swarthmore’s new post-dry era. On September 28, the borough’s Zoning Hearing Board unanimously approved a special-exception application from Ship Bottom Brewing to open its Blendery & Barrel House, which will be located at 5 Park Avenue. The venue will include an indoor tasting room as well as a beer garden. Free to read and share
Brewery Receives Zoning Approval for ‘Blendery’ Tasting Room and Beer Garden
The decision states that Ship Bottom Brewing, Inc. can operate a “blendery” that will ferment and package beer and cider for on/off site consumption, and operate an indoor retail tasting room and outside beer garden.
2021 Summer Travel: Summiting Denali
Sam Sidiqi writes about the joy of summiting Denali this summer, the highest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet. It has been an unlikely journey for a kid who was born in Afghanistan and grew up in Swarthmore. The climb taught him some good lessons and it helps support the development of the country where he was born. Free to read and share
School Board Approves Equity and Curriculum Audits, Appoints Interim Member
A recap of the September 13 Wallingford-Swarthmore School District school board meeting. Dr. Denise Citarelli Jones, WSSD’s Director of Education, led a focused discussion recapping the September 2021 meeting of the Educational Affairs committee, which resulted in the recommendation for an equity audit slated for fall of 2021, and a curriculum audit planned for the spring of 2022. The board also voted unanimously to appoint Republican Amy Caruso on an interim basis to fill the seat vacated by Chapin Cimino in August, 2021. Free to read and share.
Swarthmoreans Can Make a Difference Through CASA Youth Advocates
CASA Youth Advocates is looking for individuals who can commit to volunteering for 10 to 12 hours per month for at least one year, to be a champion for a child.
An Interview with Dr. Wagner Marseille, Part 1: New Superintendent Discusses Race and Equity at WSSD
Dr. Wagner Marseille is the newly appointed superintendent of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. He was interviewed by Strath Haven High School senior (and Swarthmorean summer intern), Morgan McErlean, on Wednesday, September 1. This week’s edition carries Part 1 of our interview with Dr. Marseille.
A Haven Homecoming for Amir
Last Saturday, the Swarthmorean was contacted by former 2006 Strath Haven High School graduate, Wellington Kiiru, to let us know about SHHS English teacher and coach Kevin Haney’s heroic gesture in getting his friend, 2006 SHHS graduate Amir Sidiqi, out of Afghanistan. Wellington and Amir were both students of Mr. Haney. It also appears that another graduate of SHHS piloted the plane that brought Amir to the U.S. Free to read and share
Sara Kelly Signs Up For All Seasons as SRA’s New Exec Director
The Swarthmore Recreation Association, which started as a limited summer program for young children in 1940, has a new leader. Sara Kelly has been named the organization’s fourth Executive Director, taking over for Colleen Murphy. Free to read and share
2021 Summer Travel: Mobile Safari In the Okavango Delta
Swarthmore resident Helge Hartung shares his summer vacation story — a mobile safari with his family through Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Free to read and share
Board Approves Health and Safety Plan
On Monday, August 2, the WSSD school board and school superintendent convened a special meeting to discuss the health and safety plan for this coming school year. The plan was ultimately approved after a period of impassioned public comment. Free to read and share.
Artist Spotlight: Gretchen Elise
Swarthmore’s own Gretchen Walker (née Iversen), also known as Gretchen Elise, is an educator and musician on a mission. Over her more than 20-year career, she’s forged her own path through jazz, soul, and folk, to make music that is at once sophisticated and accessible to audiences of all ages. Free to read and share