All tagged 2021/11

Hateful Vandalism at WES, Investigation Ongoing

Hateful Vandalism at WES, Investigation Ongoing

Swarthmorean Staff
WSSD School Board

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.

New Exhibit at Borough Hall —The Page Brothers

New Exhibit at Borough Hall —The Page Brothers

Swarthmorean Staff
Sports

An exhibition of photography and verse by the Page Brothers, Paul (photographer) and David (author), will be on display from December 2 to January 2, 2022, at Swarthmore Borough Hall. The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, December 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This project has been a creative collaboration between the two brothers, an exploration of light, image, and possibilities filtered through a photographic lens and a keyboard.

Panthers to Face West Chester Rustin in District 1 5A Football Championship

Panthers to Face West Chester Rustin in District 1 5A Football Championship

Brian Carroll
Sports

This week’s championship matchup could not look any more even “on paper.” The #1 seed will play the #2 seed. Both teams vanquished a league opponent for a second time in the playoffs. Both teams favor a “ground-and-pound” approach with a Wing-T offense. Both teams have longtime coaches with a history of success. And so, the District 1 5A Championship football game will land as predicted by the playoff bracket, as top-ranked West Chester Rustin will host #2 Strath Haven, with a trip to the state semifinals on the line.

Swarthmore High School Class of 1981 Celebrates 40th Reunion

Swarthmore High School Class of 1981 Celebrates 40th Reunion

Phil Coleman

From 20 different states and three different countries, nearly 60 percent of Swarthmore High School’s Class of 1981 descended on Swarthmore to celebrate a magical 40th reunion weekend on October 8th and 9th, 2021. It was the largest gathering of these classmates since the group’s commencement ceremony on June 8, 1981.

Have You Been to an Unconference?

Have You Been to an Unconference?

Stefan Roots

Many of us have attended traditional conferences, with a set agenda, a keynote speaker, and a bunch of pre-planned workshops. Unconferences are different: they leave it up to the participants to figure out what they want to discuss and how to organize discussions. Their purpose is somewhat vaguely defined, their format is a bit mushy, and their outcome is unpredictable.

Spice Up the Garden: The Spice Bushes

Spice Up the Garden: The Spice Bushes

Andrew Bunting
In the Garden

No tree is more emblematic of Philadelphia than the iconic Franklin tree, Franklinia alatamaha. In 1770, the Philadelphia botanist and explorer John Bartram discovered this small, flowering, multi-stemmed relative of the Stewartia, Gordonia, and Camellia growing along the banks of the Altamaha River in Georgia. Bartram collected a specimen, and then cultivated Franklinia on his property along the Schuylkill River (now Bartram’s Garden).

Stefan Roots Brings Change to Chester Politics

Stefan Roots Brings Change to Chester Politics

L. Van Jones
Chester Matters

Poll workers at the Hayes Senior Center in Chester seemed upbeat and cheerful about the prospect of assisting voters. As expected, early morning turnout was slow, but it picked up toward noon. Some voters had detailed questions about the candidates: For example, they wanted to know more about Stefan Roots: What is he proposing to do about the high incidence of gun violence in their community? What about the recent disturbances at Chester High School—how can they be avoided in the future?

Rose Valley’s Will Price Historical Marker

Rose Valley’s Will Price Historical Marker

Leslie Krowchenko
People of Rose Valley

Nearly 75 history- and architecture enthusiasts gathered Nov. 6 for the unveiling of a historical marker, which honors William Lightfoot Price (1861-1916), who was the founder of Rose Valley and a nationally known architect in the Arts and Crafts style. The marker, provided by the borough following approval by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), is surrounded by Price-designed houses and situated on the grounds of the home where he once lived.

Tax Increase Approved Affordable Housing, Park Avenue Condos & Trash Talked

Tax Increase Approved Affordable Housing, Park Avenue Condos & Trash Talked

Swarthmorean Staff
Borough Council

At its November 8th legislative meeting, Swarthmore Borough Council approved the proposed 2022 budget, which calls for a 3.5% tax increase to fund a $5.66 million operating budget. The public comment section of the meeting was primarily devoted to an update on the progress of a study related to affordable housing development in the borough. Towards the end of the meeting, Borough Manager Billings reported that, pursuant to a recent directive from the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority, all 49 municipalities in Delaware County will be faced with an immediate 20% increase in tipping fees.

Swarthmore Makers Market—A Huge Success

Swarthmore Makers Market—A Huge Success

Swarthmorean Staff
Local Business

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.

Our Community Walks Together

Our Community Walks Together

Linton Stables

Come out at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 13 (rain date is November 20), for a series of organized and guided walks around town and the area, concluding with a concert and lots of camaraderie back on the lawn at the Swarthmore United Methodist Church, where we will be entertained by the Last Chance Duo.

A Unique Collaboration for the Community

A Unique Collaboration for the Community

Swarthmorean Staff

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.