Lunch & Learn

Wednesday, 05/06

Travis Glasson

Temple University professor

Temple University professor, Travis Glasson, joins us to discuss his book. Nobody Men: Neutrality, Loyalties, and Family in the American Revolution uses the Cruger family to illustrate the forty to sixty percent of colonial population who were neither ardent Patriots or committed Loyalists. 

Lunch; lunch, beverages, and Birthday Cake are provided this week!

Lunch starts at 12:00; program begins at 12:30.

Date: Wednesday, 05/06

Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Location: PAC Center, 129 Park Avenue, Swarthmore 

Upcoming L & L:

05/13 - Joe Daniels, member of Delaware County Penn State Master Gardeners - Container Gardening

Many thanks to

Keith Lockhart 

Delaware County Historian

For sharing well known areas of Delaware County and comparing them how they looked in the past to now. What has changed the most? What still looks familiar? It was very interesting to see how Delaware County has changed over the years.

For Keith's website click HERE

Honoring the Earth

With Pastor Ali

A damp and chilly Earth Day forced an abbreviated version of the walk Pastor Ali, a certified Forest Therapist, had planned for us. Our “forest” became the trees and other greenery right around the church, which provided close at hand opportunities for exploration and reflection on the gifts we find in nature. We had just a taste of the longer program which Ali promises to offer again in the near future. Thank you for this sampling, Pastor Ali; we eagerly await the opportunity for the full walk when Mother Nature provides a warmer day!

May Walks and Trails 

We will explore the trails at the Newlin Grist Mill for our first May walk on Friday, May 8. We will check out the mill area and walk the trails along the creeks and through the woods, looking for spring wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife that call these woods home. Trails range from easy to moderate; check them out here:

Meet Beth Lawn at the clock at the Swarthmore train station at 1 to car pool; let us know if you can take others. If you want to drive on your own and meet us there please let us know so we can look for you. Contact Beth at 484-431-3096.

NGM-Trail-Map-Brochure.pdf

Look for information in a future newsletter on a May walk at Delco Woods, Delaware County’s newest and largest park.

Bird Lover’s Opportunity

Saturday, May 9 is Migratory Bird Day! You are invited to join a walk in Swarthmore’s Crum Woods to welcome back the birds who wintered in warmer climates and also experience our year-round residents. The walk will cover a mile to 1 ¼ miles of moderate terrain with some hills. All levels of birding experience are welcome, and children are most welcome if accompanied by an adult. Wear sturdy shoes suitable for potentially rutted and muddy trails and bring binoculars if you have them. No registration or payment is required to attend. Heavy rain cancels the walk. Meet at 7:45 am at the Swarthmore train station. The walk will begin at 8:00 am and last about two hours.

 Please note that there is no restroom available at the Crum Woods. For more information, email advocacy@valleyforgeaudubon.org.

https://www.fws.gov/story/2026-01/world-migratory-bird-day-2026

Friday Friends is just the break you need in the busy holiday weeks! Grab a coffee; the friendly conversation keeps going every Friday. Gather at the Swarthmore Co-op to chat. No agenda, no program, and no special invitation required! Come on by.

Date: Every Friday

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: Swarthmore Co-op located at 341 Dartmouth Avenue

We do Windows! Until recently, the help we provide has mostly been for Apple devices. We’re happy to announce that Valentina Crosson has joined the Help Desk team, and she does windows! So bring us your problems with Windows PCs and Valentina will be glad to help you.

Our Apple nerd is on hiatus so we are not able to accept requests for help with Apple products right now. Watch this space to find out when our Apple department reopens. 

Just ask for help by sending us an email at SwarthmoreSeniors@gmail.com

and we'll contact you to follow up! 

Email Cindi at CulinaryHelpDesk@yahoo.com or drop into Lunch and Learn and ask Cindi in person. 

Do you have a question for the Culinary Help Desk? Cindi Kruth is ready for your email. 

Planning a dinner party or baking a birthday cake? Trying your hand at baking bread? Want hints & tips? How to pick the right pan and why it matters? Do you really need all your ingredients at room temperature? 

Introducing the SPARC Collective for DelCo Gives

(May 6 & 7)!

When local nonprofits come together, the impact grows, making our community stronger and more vibrant. From arts and education to safety, wellness, and essential services, SPARC organizations are working every day to make a real difference right here at home.

This DelCo Gives, be part of something bigger. Support one, or better yet, support several SPARC partners and help multiply the impact across our entire community.

Small gifts add up to BIG change. Join us in celebrating and supporting the organizations that make where we live such a special place. Donate here!

OPENING DAY IS HERE!

Saturday, May 9

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Our acclaimed market returns for its 21st season! Gather with friends & neighbors as we celebrate the season kick-off of this beloved Swarthmore tradition!

Kids Activity in the Amphitheater

Local Artist: Gallery on Park and Harvey Oak Mercantile

Live Music: Out of Order and Ancient Ego 

Remember to bring your reusable shopping bags!

Click here to visit our website for details on the week's vendors, musicians, and kids activity! (Updated on Tuesdays every week!)

Poetry Party at Celia

Friday May 8th, 2026

7:00 PM-8:00 PM

Celia Bookshop

Celebrate poetry at Celia Bookstore with a vibrant evening hosted by poets Dilruba Ahmed and Sham-e-Ali Nayeem! Poetry followed by light snacks, and music. Dancing encouraged!

Plus, mingle with other local writers.

Raina J. León, Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, will read her poetry, along with three Swarthmore College students. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Tickets $5 online or at the door. Register HERE.

Friday Flix

at Swarthmore Pres - 05/08

Friday Flix for May will feature the movie, My Beautiful Launderette with Daniel Day Lewis in the lead. One of his earliest movies, My Beautiful Launderette, is a study of contrasts in 1980's Britain. Margaret Thatcher and the conservatives are governing at a time of contrasts between rich and poor, between upper and lower classes, between native British and the various immigrant groups — some of which, such as the Pakistanis, have started to prosper. To this mixture, the movie adds the conflict between straight and gay. This is a film that focuses on the characters and how they negotiate their lives as outsiders. It earned a 95% rating from Rotten Tomatoes. This will be the last Day-Lewis film for the year. 

Come join us on Friday, May 08 in theStudy at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church at 7PM. for a provocative film and discussion.

As always, admission and snacks are free.

Cookbook Walk in

Little Crum Creek Park

One lovely feature of Little Crum Creek park is the Storybook Walk, which allows families to read the pages of a story selected by the Swarthmore Public Library as they walk through the park. This spring/summer, the 18 pedestals of the Storybook Walk will feature family recipes from our community! The walk will feel like a progressive dinner, moving from appetizers to mains and finishing with dessert. Each recipe will be accompanied by photos and the story behind the dish.

We would love to include recipes from members of the Swarthmore Senior Citizens Association. If you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share, please fill out this form:

To fill out recipe form click HERE.

Alternatively, you can send your recipe, a few lines about your recipe's significance in your family, and a photo or two (of the dish, the person it honors, or yourself as the chef!) to b.pinakidis@icloud.com. Please send all submissions by May 16, 2026. After the walk is installed we hope to have a community picnic to celebrate all the food and stories.

This project is sponsored by the Swarthmore Co-op and the Swarthmore Public Library.

Keep up with the events at Swarthmore College by clicking HERE or by subscribing to the college's biweekly newsletter HERE.

Welcome to the Community Center!

Swarthmore Senior Citizens Association, a Founding Partner of the PAC Center, is proud to be part of this intergenerational place for adults and children to engage in a broad range of educational, recreational, charitable and networking activities, located at 129 Park Avenue in Swarthmore.

SIGN UP FOR THE PAC CENTER NEWSLETTER HERE!

This Week's PAC Center Events

Check PAC Special Events Here

Trip to Arden Theatre

Join us for an unforgettable evening of live theater!

The PAC Center Theatre Club is headed to Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia to see the powerful and moving musical Dear Evan Hansen on Friday, May 29.

$65 cost includes:

Theater ticket, group transportation, post-show wine & cheese reception and discussion with theater artists.

Whether you're a longtime theater lover or just looking for a fun night out, this outing is the perfect way to connect and have fun.

The show starts at 7 p.m.; the van will leave the PAC Center at 6 p.m., and return about 10:30 p.m.

To Register Click HERE

Monday: 9 am to 6 pm

Tuesday: 9 am to 6 pm

Wednesday: 9 am to 7 pm

Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm

Friday: 9 am to 5 pm

Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm

Regular Library Programs for Adults

For the listing of bookclubs, repeating activities, and for more information on any upcoming events, please check the LIBRARY WEBSITE.

Friends' Book & Bake Sale

Swarthmore Public Library

The Friends of the Swarthmore Public Library are holding their semi-annual Book & Bake Sale on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th. Stop by to stock up for your summer reading.

The Rotary Club Invites You!

The Swarthmore Rotary Club invites members and friends of SSCA to come to their meetings and enjoy a lunch and the speaker. Meetings are on Thursdays from 12:15 pm -1:30 pm at the Inn at Swarthmore. Lunch is $20 per person.

Upcoming Swarthmore Rotary Club meetings and events in May:

May 7th, 12:15-1:30 PM

Speaker: Hold for Grey Hoy, Swarthmore's Listening Post

Subject: Hold for talk on Park Ave business

May 14th, 12:15-1:30 PM

Speaker: Mark Hopkins, Moody's Analytics

Subject: A Perspective on the Economy

SSCA Games

The SSCA-sponsored games meet weekly at the Park Avenue Community Center. Email SwarthmoreSeniors@gmail.com to let us know you are interested in playing. Is there a game NOT listed here that interests you? Let us know and we'll try to help organize it!

Tuesdays

• Mahjong - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
• Pinochle - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Fridays

• Canasta/Samba - 10:30 am
• Mahjong - 1:00 pm

Play Canasta/Samba Cards from 10:30 am until 1:00 pm on Fridays. New players are aways welcome! Drop in any time before 1:00 pm, and there will always be a seat for you. We teach the game as we play, if you are new to the game.  

Other Card and Board Games

If you like to play board games or other card games with your friends, come to the PAC Center on Fridays!

Looking for a Helping Hand?

Call 484-437-8272

We will try to connect you and a volunteer to help with your specific challenge.



If it's an emergency call 9-1-1

SwarthmoreSeniors.org