Holt Association donates rocker to Springfield Library

The Springfield Township Library accepted the donation of a rocking chair and a check for $1,000 on Aug. 23, in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Holt Association of America Inc.

The organization was founded in New York City in 1921 and carries on the Holt family traditions of fostering family ties and providing support in local communities across the country in preserving the Holt family lineage.

The rocking chair is in honor of Oliver Holt Sr., an immigrant from England who settled in Springfield Township in 1843, and is on display in the library’s Quiet Room, where archived pictures and historical documents of Springfield Township history, including the Holt family, are available for viewing.

Springfield Township Library at 70 Powell Road in Springfield, will hold the following programs in September.

• Fall planting with Penn State Master Gardener Richard Kedanis is planned for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7. Fall is for planting and planting perennials in the fall allows them their best opportunity to grow larger root systems. With a little planning and prep work now, home gardeners can enjoy a wonderful spring display as well as blooms and foliage throughout the year.

• Dr. Paul Kahan will present “The Bank Wars: Andrew Jackson, Nicholas Biddle, and the Fight for American Finance,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12. Kahan will talk about his book of the same name, exploring one of the most important and dramatic debates in American history. The Bank War was a manifestation of debates sparked at the Constitutional Convention as philosophical differences that often divide the United States to this day.

• Author David E. Kelly, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps, will lead a presentation on his book, “First Fights in Fallujah: Marines During Operation Vigilant, in Iraq, April 2004,” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26. The library will welcome Kelly, a teacher at Cardinal O’Hara High School, to share stories and images from his new book “First Fights in Fallujah: Marines During Operation Vigilant, in Iraq, April 2004.” His books are available to purchase on Amazon or at the conclusion of his presentation.

All of these programs are best suited for high school age and older. Registration is required for all of the programs at http://www.springfieldtwplib.org/events.

For information, call the Springfield Township Library at 610-543-2113.

The Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) in collaboration with the Rachel Kohl Community Library, 687 Smithbridge Road, Glen Mills, is offering the acclaimed Chronic Pain Self-Management Program developed at Stanford University.

It is free to Pennsylvania residents age 60 and older who live with chronic pain. The program will be held virtually on Zoom on Mondays from Sept.11 through Oct.16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The program provides participants the self-care tools and life skills that support them in reaching their personal goals to manage their chronic pain. Topics include dealing with frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep; learning exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance; using medications effectively; communication; nutrition; and evaluation of new treatments.

Space is limited and registration is required soon, in order to receive program materials before the first session.

The complimentary program is made possible through support from COSA and the Pa. Department of Aging.

To register, contact Ellen Williams, Health and Wellness Program manager, at [email protected] or call 610-499-1937 and provide name, address, phone number and email address.

The winning ticket holder of the Friends of the Upper Chichester Library Annual Gift Tree Raffle will receive almost $600 in prizes, generously offered by local and area businesses.

Tax-deductible tickets are $5 each and three tickets for $10. They can be purchased at the library, 3374 Chichester Ave., #19, Upper Chichester. Tickets also will be available at Booth’s Corner on Sept. 22 and 23.

The winner will be chosen on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Upper Chichester Community Day on Furey Road.

Some of the various merchants participating include Auto Zone, Bowlero, Brandywine Valley Massage, C & J Automotive Specialists, Chi Café, Duffers’ Mill, Eco Wash, Foxy Nails, Great Wall, The Meat House Market, Oriental Pearl, Rebecca’s Dutch Kitchen, Tacos Mexiko and Upper Cuts.

“This is an extremely popular fundraiser,” stated Library Director Terri Smedile. “Even though there is only one winner, every raffle participant benefits by helping us improve our financial resources and offer new programs to residents, from toddlers to senior citizens.”

Aston Public Library, 3270 Concord Road, Aston, will hold chair yoga at 2 p.m. Tuesdays Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26.

• The library will present a day at the movies at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept 8, with the screening of “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.”

• The Crochet and Craft Group meets Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Crafters and needle workers are encouraged to bring their favorite project to work on or learn a new one.

• On Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to noon, an art group meets in a relaxed atmosphere for an introduction to a variety of art styles, techniques and materials.

For the most up-to-date Aston Library information, including children’s events, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n9294n3 or call 610-494-5877.

The Swarthmore Public Library, 121 Park Ave., Swarthmore, announces its September programs.

• “Eyes of the Wild” is planned for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. “Eyes Of The Wild” is an exotic animal sanctuary in New Jersey. Its devoted staff care for animals such as wallabies, porcupines, alligators, and foxes. Come out to the library amphitheater to learn about and meet some of their animals.

• “Summiting Everest: An Evening with Samuel Sidiqi” will be presented Monday, Sept. 18, from 7 to 8 p.m.

In May, Sidiqi, a Swarthmore resident, became the first Afghan national to summit Mount Everest, and in 2021 he did the same at Denali. The library will host Sidiqi to talk about the ascent of the world’s tallest mountain, his love of nature, and the message he hopes to convey to a young generation of Afghan children. For further information on Sidiqi’s foundation, visit Afghan Peaks Charitable Trust.

• A Zoom book discussion about the book, “Chasing Shadows: My Life Tracking the Great White Shark” by Greg Skomal will be held 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20. Then, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. Skomal will lead a discussion, with a question-and-answer session about the book.

This is the story of the great white shark’s return to the eastern seaboard, told through the life of the scientist who found himself in the oftentimes thankless position of having to balance conservation efforts and the drive to do important science with panic and fear in the court of public opinion.

Skomal has spent decades on a quest to tag, track, and demystify this animal, using every high- and low-tech method at his disposal, including those he invented, and he frequently comes face-to-face with these shadows of the deep. He pursues the secrets behind the largely unknown lives of these charismatic creatures and attempts to solve the intricate puzzle of how humans can coexist alongside them.

• The library will hold its monthly Spice It Up! spice-of-the-month club, 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19. This month will be a potluck get-together with the theme, “All Around the World.” Registrants are asked to bring a multicultural dish for everyone to share and sample.

• The library’s In Stitches group will meet Fridays, Sept. 1, 15 and 29, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Anyone who enjoys to knit, crochet or do needle work is invited to stitch, socialize, and share tips and ideas with fellow members. Everyone is welcome to bring their current projects or begin new ones.

• Past Times, the library’s history discussion group, will meet at noon Friday, Sept. 8. History buffs are invited to listen, contribute, and reflect on historical events and people, focusing on a different topic each session. This month, the group will discuss and reflect on the historic events of 9/11.

• The library’s Coffee Talk will meet 10 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at Broad Table Tavern, 10 S. Chester Road, Swarthmore. Everyone is welcome to grab a cup of coffee, meet new people and chat. Topics include book and movie recommendations, suggestions for staying active and occupied, and discussing current events. Coffee Talk takes place on the last Saturday of every month all year.

Registration is required for most of the library’s events. Those interested in attending can register in person, at http://SwarthmorePublicLibrary.org, or by calling 610-543-3171.

Send library events and photos to Peg DeGrassa at [email protected].