Community Corner
🌱 How could a roaming robot change Swarthmore’s trash habits?
Happening soon: Join Rock Voices, the community choir that ONLY sings rock music! on the Swarthmore Patch calendar

Hello Swarthmore! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How could a roaming robot change Swarthmore's trash habits?
- What erosion fix worked best in Swarthmore's Crum Woods?
- Why Swarthmore tops Delaware County's quiet day-trip list
Also on today's calendar: Join Rock Voices, the community choir that ONLY sings rock music! and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Humid with some sun returning, with a high of 80 and low of 63 degrees.
- Friday: A p.m. shower in places, temps: high: 85, low: 60.
- Saturday: Partly sunny and not as warm, with a high of 73 and low of 53 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Trash Bot! (swarthmore.edu) — A student-built "Trash Bot" is being tested to improve how waste is sorted within Swarthmore's campus system, using computer vision and robotics to reach about 80% sorting accuracy. Tied to Swarthmore College's zero-waste goals for 2035, the mobile bin also engages students directly, potentially influencing how trash and recycling are handled across the borough's busiest institutional hub.
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2. Soil Erosion in the Crum Woods: Testing and Mitigation (swarthmore.edu) — Researchers tested ways to slow soil erosion in Swarthmore's Crum Woods and found native grasses dramatically outperformed retaining walls at reducing runoff and increasing water absorption. Their results convinced site stakeholders to allow seeding with the successful plant mix, which could help protect local trails, habitats, and the creek area many Swarthmore residents regularly enjoy.
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3. 6 Delaware County Towns Perfect for a Saturday Day Trip (montco.today) — Swarthmore gets a prime spotlight as a quiet, nature-filled day-trip destination, with Hobbs Coffee, The Ville's shops, Scott Arboretum, and Crum Woods all recommended. The piece also notes the borough's recent shift from dry town to having just two liquor licenses, making dinner and drinks at Broad Table Tavern feel like a small but notable local change.
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4. Delaware County Archives (delco.today) — Delaware County's profile here highlights the county's history, economy, and especially its role as an education hub that includes Swarthmore College. For Swarthmore residents, it's a reminder of how the borough's college fits into a broader regional story of industry, parks, and community events that shape daily life around them.
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📸 Around Swarthmore
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Swarthmore
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Join Rock Voices, the community choir that ONLY sings rock music! →
Penn Wood High School, 100 Green Ave, Lansdowne
7:00 pm - Run For The Hills...& Trees! Newtown Square 5K to Support Local Open Space on 10/3 →
On Point Farm, 6114 Goshen Rd, Newtown Square
3:00 pm - Pennsylvania Chocolate and Coffee Festival →
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center & Fairgrounds, 100 Station Ave, Oaks
9:00 am
Thursday October 1
Saturday October 3
Saturday October 24
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Fungi Fest: Entangled Life: A Conversation with Merlin Sheldrake
Science Center 101, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore
6:00 pm - Nature Nook Fall Session
Wister Center, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore
10:00 am - Acrylic Painting Workshop: Homage to "The Florida Highwaymen" →
Park Avenue Community Center, 129 Park Avenue, Swarthmore
6:30 pm - Duck Variations, a play by David Mamet →
Park Avenue Community Center, 129 Park Avenue, Swarthmore
7:00 pm - Gold Out R-Thon Game
Ridley High School Folsom, PA 19033
7:00 pm - Swarthmore Farmers Market →
Swarthmore Town Center, 121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore
9:00 am - Duck Variations, a play by David Mamet →
Park Avenue Community Center, 129 Park Avenue, Swarthmore
3:00 pm - Dom Flemons Talk/Demonstration
Lang Performing Arts Center Room (LPAC) 102 Pearson-Hall Theatr
3:00 pm - CADES 75th Anniversary Community Day →
CADES Inclusive Playground, 401 Rutgers Ave, Swarthmore
3:00 pm
Thursday October 1
Friday October 2
Saturday October 3
📣 Swarthmore Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Swarthmore PatchAM possible:
- Delco Guitar Studios — 6102059461
- Empirical Embrace Counseling — (215) 278-9320
- Ajaxtec Appliance Repair — 2674478580
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Oak St. Health posted a job opening for Store Associate in Swarthmore. Apply here.
- Chuck E. Cheese posted a job opening for Game Room Attendant Cast Member in Swarthmore. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Swarthmore here.
Ok Swarthmore! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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