The Swarthmore Public Library has a nine-member board that helps the library thrive and serve our community. We currently have one open seat for a three-year term.
All tagged 2020/02
Swarthmore Community Center: Its Past and Future
In 1971, the people of Swarthmore decided to establish a community center to meet the needs of seniors, children, teens, and others. At that time, Swarthmore College offered to rent the old Swarthmore Preparatory School gymnasium to the newly formed Swarthmore Community Center for a nominal fee. The building needed extensive renovations, for which citizens raised $76,000 in grants and donations. Through the hard work and perseverance of many community volunteers, and with donated materials, the center opened its doors in 1978. In July 2019, the board of the community center received a notice from Swarthmore College that it would be terminating our lease and that we must vacate the building by August 2020.
A dark foreshadowing
It is difficult not to feel despair over recent events. An image that of late has been in my mind is Canadian artist Greg Curnoe’s 1972 India ink on paper drawing, “Map of North America,” in which the United States is entirely eliminated, leaving only Canada and Mexico.
In the United States in 2020, and for much of the past three years, “performance art” has taken the main stage and dominated our political lives and much of our daily lives as well. The impresario, the “star” of this “theater of the absurd,” is none other than our president, Donald Trump. He is simply a master at pulling the strings and making us, the American people, the entire Republican party — and the media — his puppets.
Bayard Rustin and Quaker values
Learning this week about the deserved pardon for Bayard Rustin, the West Chester-born Quaker activist who championed non-violence and organized the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, I am reminded how much I appreciate the Quaker values embedded in our town.
Thanks for the putts!
On Sunday, January 26, CADES was transformed into an international world of indoor winter putt putt fun with a super turnout from the community (640 golfers), help from 150 plus volunteers, and 18 groups of brilliant mini golf hole makers. The festivities included more than 50 raffle baskets donated by local groups such as the Community Arts Center, Vicki’s Place, the Inn at Swarthmore, and the Philadelphia Eagles, to name just a few.
Remembering Ray Ripper, ladder man
It is with much sadness that I read about the recent passing of Ray Ripper. Ray was a founding member of Swarthmore Friends of the Arts. For many years, he served as our “ladder man,” helping hang art in the high spaces in Borough Hall before we adopted a system that made this job less precarious. He used his wordsmithing talents to craft our mission statement: “….. to encourage the free expression of all forms of art by local artists, and to exhibit these works in our Borough Hall for the enrichment and enlightenment of the community.”
I’m writing to follow up on the article about the upcoming Wellness Fair. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the Honorarium Fund. Everyone who contributes will be recognized as a Friend of the SSCA Wellness Fair in the Wellness Fair program.