All tagged 2020/05

Wildlife Observations: Light Migration

I look forward to fall for the chance to watch the southbound migration of warblers leaving the boreal forests of Canada for Central and South America. Certain patterns are evident. The American redstarts and black-and-white warblers are generally the first to come through, often starting in mid-August, and yellow-rumped warblers close out the migration season in late fall.

One Preschool’s Response to COVID-19

COVID-19 or not, school must go on. The following Monday, teacher Sheri Carney wrote to the parents of her students in the SPNDS kindergarten enrichment program, “Are you familiar with Zoom?” In the days to come, we all would become familiar with Zoom. But for a hands-on school, a shift in perspective has been necessary.

Crum Woods Memories

I moved to Swarthmore in 1987 before the birth of my first child. I had a dream before moving that I was sailing a boat on a beautiful river. That boat became the Crum Woods of Swarthmore College.

Farmers Market Adapts

The Swarthmore Farmers Market is opening on Saturday, June 6. There will be strawberries and scallions, cheese and chickens, peanut butter cookies and portobello mushrooms, just as there are every June. Other things will be different.

Anchor of Historically Black Neighborhood Approaches 100

If you walk down Bowdoin Avenue in Swarthmore, it might escape your notice that number 232 is not a residential house. This is Wesley African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. The building opened its doors in 1927, to serve the small black neighborhood that had grown up at the end of the nineteenth century around Bowdoin, Brighton, Kenyon, and Union avenues. We wanted to share a bit of the church’s story as it approaches its 100th anniversary.

Moving In

Frankly, I never thought I would be living at Plush Mills. Now, 12 years later, I can tell you we made the right decision for the wrong reasons. Oh sure, the healthcare helped, and not having to go out for meals was great. But the best thing about living at Plush Mills is how easy it is to meet your new best friend. 

Staying on the Same Page, Virtually

“There is no substitute for actually being together,” says Andrew Hauze, conductor and music director of the Delaware County Youth Orchestra (DCYO) and a senior lecturer at Swarthmore College. The COVID-19 pandemic has cancelled rehearsals, so he is finding creative ways to help his musicians continue to make music.

Crum Ruins Inspire Short Film

Mark Pappas has been running through the Crum Woods all his life. In the eighties, when he was growing up, he used to ride bikes there with his friends, and explore, and just hang out. But he never saw the ruins until this year. He decided to make a short film about them.

Voter Q&A

Voting — like so much else — is different this year. The Swarthmorean has assembled some information about the upcoming primary, originally scheduled for April 28. 

Remembering Ny’Ques

Several years ago, I dipped my toe into reporting youth sports by covering Chester Panther youth football. Back then, there was one 8-year-old on the Chester Panthers peewee team who stood out. Every game this kid played, he was the highlight reel. As he grew up and moved into the upper divisions of the football program, he continued to dominate. He kept growing, and he kept getting better. I was looking forward to seeing him play this fall as a 13-year-old. And then I got the text that this 13-year-old boy was shot in the head. He died the next day.

Student-to-Student Initiatives Fill Gaps as College Goes Virtual

When COVID-19 prematurely ended the residential semester at Swarthmore College in March, some students were left without clear alternatives. Since the crisis began, the college has raised more than $150,000 in emergency funds, using the money to help students with immediate needs caused by the pandemic. Dean of Students Jim Terhune is proud of the college’s response to this crisis, “particularly with respect to our commitment to low-income/high-need students,” he wrote in an email. However, some students still found their needs unmet.