Forgive me for arriving late to the Swarthmore pronunciation train, but I didn’t get a chance to see the survey until today. I was surprised that no one commented on how the word Swarthmore may be the most difficult word in the English language for a non-native speaker. An S followed by a W? And then an R smack up against a TH?
All tagged 2020/01
Nominations for a State Department Wall of Fame
The impeachment hearings have shone a bright light on a group of heretofore nameless and faceless career public servants who defied Trump’s demand that they not comply with congressional subpoenas to testify in the House’s inquiry. As a result of their willingness to come forward, these courageous individuals have endured harassment, attacks on their personal character, and even death threats. I would like to propose a Wall of Fame at the U.S. Department of State and nominate the following individuals…
Honoring and dishonoring Martin Luther King Jr.
I am proud to live in a nation whose people observe a holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. As a Christian, I am proud of the “days of service” organized by churches and other faith communities. King would feel grateful and honored that his birthday is celebrated in this way. But MLK would feel dishonored by the churches’ silence in response to his pleas to boldly and publicly oppose racial and economic injustice.
Sugar Maxine Harmer-Leubecker May 27, 2004 – November 27, 2019
Sugar, our precious Pomeranian, also known as “the Heart,” crossed the rainbow bridge on November 27, 2019 — exactly 15½ years after she was born. Since her passing, we’ve realized that dogs teach us to be loyal, to love unconditionally, to have compassion, play, and live in the moment. Some may think when you have a dog, you are taking care of them. But, we’ve learned, all this time, through every major life event as well as the mundane, she has been taking care of us.
Transitory light, lasting impact
We are delighted to report that Luminaria 2020 was a tremendous success, raising over $40,000 for A Better Chance Strath Haven (ABC) and other local non-profit organizations. This good work could not happen without the involvement and support of our Wallingford-Swarthmore School District (WSSD) Community.
Waving goodbye to Mr. Jim
In my life, I’ve learned that there are infinitely special people on this planet and that not one of them is replaceable. I was inspired to pay tribute to our child’s bus driver, “Mr. Jim,” after receiving news from him in the form of a handwritten letter that he will be retiring early. Jim laments leaving the children who ride his bus; he cherishes them as if they were his own grandchildren. As I strolled along afterwards on that balmy winter evening, feeling saddened, I was struck by a sudden reflective appreciation for this significant soul in our lives.
Small symptoms of climate change
At Trader Joe’s in Media three weeks ago, I could find no California dried apricots, only Turkish. “Wildfire in California,” I thought.
Divided on what’s admirable
In a year-end poll, Donald Trump and Barack Obama were tied for being the “most admired” men in the country. How does this happen and what does it say about us, the American people?
Regarding Stefan Roots’ opinion piece of January 3: a perspective from our neighboring town to the south is refreshing, but criticism of a proposed sale of the Chester Water Authority to help alleviate financial problems is unfair. Chester has many ills rooted in multiple causes going back decades under both Republican and Democratic administrations. While I agree that extended one-party rule is unhealthy for democracy, this is not the cause of Chester’s problems.
Making Things by Hand in Swarthmore Half a Century Ago
After reading the Swarthmorean article “Made by Hand” earlier this month, I thought I’d share this almost 50-year-old article about a seasonal crafted Christmas shop that Louise Howe Rowland, Prue Dunning, and I had for two years in Swarthmore.