Biking cross-country to school | Inquirer Greater Media
Plus, what to know about the regional EMS authority proposal.
Hi, Greater Media! 👋
Do you remember how you got to college? For one incoming Swarthmore student, it involved a 2,000-mile journey on bike. We explore why he took the road less traveled. Also this week, six local municipalities are gearing up to decide on a regional emergency medical services authority, Strath Haven High School earns high marks in a national ranking, plus a nearby Italian eatery has closed after less than two years in business.
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As carloads of students and their families make their way to campuses across the nation, one Swarthmore College freshman has taken a different approach to the journey.
Finn Fremstad spent the past month biking from his hometown of Fort Collins, Colo., to Swarthmore, where he’s slated to start classes next week. A longtime cyclist, the 18-year-old planned the 2,000-mile journey after some of his other summer plans fell through and decided he wanted to see the nation and meet people he wouldn’t otherwise.
The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner spoke with Fremstad about the experience.
💡 Community News
Six local communities — the boroughs of Media, Rose Valley, Rutledge, and Swarthmore, along with Nether Providence and Upper Providence Townships — are hosting a meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Strath Haven Middle School to discuss a proposed joint regional emergency medical services authority. Here’s what that could look like.
Longtime Springfield resident, Springfield School District board member, and Springfield High School hockey coach Phillip Eastman died over the weekend in a vehicle crash. The 68-year-old was remembered as a mentor who helped student athletes “develop teamwork, responsibility, perseverance, and other lifelong skills.”
Nemours Children’s Health is planning to open a pediatric urgent care at its Glen Mills location near the intersection of Routes 1 and 202 next month.
Media resident Florence Lauria was one of 30 artists featured recently at the second annual Older Artists of PA Showcase. Lauria was recognized in the “artist over 60 living with dementia” category for her watercolor of flowers in a vase. She was the only Delaware County resident selected, and at 100, the oldest, the Daily Times reports.
The Walgreens at 51 Baltimore Pike in Glen Mills will permanently close next Thursday. The next closest locations are in Aston and Brookhaven.
A pair of sisters recently gave birth just one day apart at Riddle Hospital, delivering down the hall from one another ahead of their due dates, People magazine reports.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Monday is the first day of school for both the Rose Tree Media and Wallingford-Swarthmore School Districts.
As measles cases continue to climb in the state — resulting in Pennsylvania’s first related deaths in 35 years — several local elementary schools fell under the 95% measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination rate among kindergarteners in 2025, a figure needed to reach so-called herd immunity. Rose Tree Elementary School had a 91.8% rate, St. Mary Magdalen School was at 93.8%, and the School in Rose Valley had 89.3%. Here’s a look at local vaccination rates.
Strath Haven High School earned high marks in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of the best public high schools in the state, landing at No. 17. The school came in No. 578 in the nation.
🍽️ On our Plate
Casual Italian-American spot Testa Rossa has closed its doors in Glen Mills less than two years after it opened in the former Ruby’s Diner space in the Shoppes at Brinton Lake.
🎳 Things to Do
🥾 Full Moon Hike: Adults and teens can hit the trail under a full moon. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 27, 7:30-9:30 p.m. 💵 $12.75-$20 📍 Tyler Arboretum, Media
🪴 Pokémon Shadow Box Terrarium: Create a mini living ecosystem fit for Pikachu. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 29, 5 p.m. 💵 $65 📍 Nimble Craft, Media
👨👩👧 Intro to Genealogy Workshop: Learn the basics about tracing your ancestry. Registration is required. ⏰ Tuesday, Sept. 1, 10-11:30 a.m. 💵 Free 📍 Middletown Free Library, Media
🗞️ What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:
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