Swarthmore Senior Citizens Association

Slowly but surely, the Gathering Place (129 Park Avenue) is coming back to life with in-person activities. The Board of Directors has established the criteria for groups to gather and play games, work on crafts, meet for programs, and meet for discussion. We are following the guidelines published by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on April 27, 2021. See the graphic below.

Games and other small-group activities are back for those who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and who agree to abide by the guidelines for face masks and physical distancing. Bridge is on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and Canasta is on Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Let us know at SwarthmoreSeniors@gmail.com if you are interested in one or more of these activities. Let us know if you have another small-group activity you would like to see. We are specifically looking for bridge players who are willing to play with developing players, and also for people who want to play pinochle. Scrabble players are also looking for playing partners. There are already one or two in each category, but we need more! Email SwarthmoreSeniors#gmail.com.

Friday Friends will be held at various downtown locations starting on Friday, May 14, and will be every Friday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The Gathering Place will be our back-up location in case of inclement weather. These will also be broadcast on Zoom, so everyone has a choice.

Lunch and Learn programs will be on the lawn at the Gathering Place on Wednesdays starting at 12:00 noon, weather permitting, The program will start at 12:30 p.m. Bring your own lunch and your own chair (chairs will also be available there) and spend some time with your neighbors before the presentation. The presentations will continue to be presented on Zoom as well as live, starting at 12:30. In the case of inclement weather the program will be presented only on Zoom.

Meetings of small groups may be scheduled by emailing SwarthmoreSeniors#gmail.com or calling 484-437-8272. Board meetings, committee meetings, and official and scheduled meetings of SSCA will take precedence over other meetings and gatherings. Like all other SSCA activities, meetings are for those who are fully vaccinated.

In the near future there will be yoga classes and educational opportunities offered by our partners. These programs will follow the same guidelines as our meetings, and they may sometimes require a separate registration and payment.

Group walks are being scheduled by the Walks and Trails committee. Normally these do not meet at the Gathering Place, so watch for meeting times and places in the newsletter. Some walks and hikes may depend on individuals traveling to various sites on their own or in carpools and then walking or hiking together. (Carpooling is considered an indoor activity. The driver in a carpool may impose stricter rules for all carpool participants than have been published by the State Health Department.) Contact SwarthmoreTrails@gmail.com if you have an idea for a walk or a hike in the area.

SSCA Travels will probably restart when our transportation partner (Swarthmore Presbyterian Church) deems bus travel OK. Meanwhile, SSCA Travels organizers may develop a way for individuals to travel to various sites on their own or in carpools and then go on a small group tour, especially of some outdoor venues. (Carpooling is considered an indoor activity. The driver in a carpool may impose stricter rules for all carpool participants than have been published by the State Health Department.) Keep an eye on the newsletter for upcoming trips.