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.

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 and Pinochle are 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 is held at the patio or at the seating inside the Swarthmore Co-op every Friday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The Co-op is at 341 Dartmouth Avenue in Swarthmore.

Lunch and Learn has started up and will go through the academic year.  Programs may be held on the lawn at The Gathering Place, weather permitting, or inside. Bring your own lunch at 12:00 noon.  Programs begin at 12:30 p.m.

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.

Take your own walk using SSCA's maps! We have mapped out over 20 walks and trails in Swarthmore. You can use the AllTrails app on your phone (click here to learn how to do that) OR you can download and print the maps from the Borough's website by clicking here OR you can go to the Library and check out one or more laminated maps.

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.