Cherry Hill Sun

Tag: cherry hill

  • Cherry Hill Calendar

    Cherry Hill Calendar

    Wednesdays

    Barclay Farmstead public tours Noon to 4 p.m. Barclay Farmstead, 209 Barclay Lane (off West Gate Drive). For more information, visit Barclay Farmstead: A Living History Museum | Cherry Hill Township, NJ. 

    July 16-23 

    Happenings at the Cherry Hill library at 1100 Kings Highway North. For more information, call (856) 667-0300 or email info@chplnj.org. 

    All Summer- Library Closed on Sundays. 

    July 16 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Internet Basic.

    July 16 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    July 16 – 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Tissue Paper Popsicles.

    July 16 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Crafter Hours: Paint (and Sip) by Numbers. 

    July 16 – 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Van Gogh: The Portraits.

    July 17 – 10 to 11 a.m. – Story Time: Color Our World.

    July 17 – 3 to 4 p.m. – Little Artists: Kusama. 

    July 17 – 7 to 8 p.m. – CHPL Teens on Twitch.

    July 18 – 10 to 10:30 a.m. – Pop-up Storytime.

    July 18 – 5 to 6:30 p.m. – Family Fort Night.

    July 19 – 2 to 3:30 p.m. – ArtsPlayTheater.

    July 19 – 2 to 3:30 p.m. – Needlework Meetup.

    July 21 – 2 to 4:30 p.m. – Movie Monday: Fly Me to the Moon.

    July 21 – 3 to 4 p.m. – Drop-In Crafternoon: Aesthetic Bookmarks.

    July 22 – 4 to 5 p.m. – Library Board Meeting.

    July 22 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Summer Social Dance Night!

    July 22 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Teens Anime Night: Studio Ghibli. 

    July 23 – 10 to 10:30 a.m. – We’re Going on a StoryWalk!

    July 23 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Keep Yourself Safe Online.

    July 23 – 2 to 4 p.m. – Paint (by number) Party!

    July 23 – 6 to 8 p.m. – Healing Art For A Hero’s Heart.

    Camden County events

    For more information visit www.camdencounty.com.

    July 16 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Art Workshops with Philadelphia Magic Gardens, M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library: Voorhees, 203 Laurel Rd., Voorhees.

    July 16 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Comic Art with Ryan Brady, M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library: Voorhees, 203 Laurel Rd., Voorhees.

    July 16 – 9-10 a.m. – Morning Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 16 – 10 a.m. to noon – Children’s Summer Gardening Series, Camden County Office of Sustainability, 508 Lakeland Rd., Blackwood.

    July 16 – 12:30-1:30 p.m. – Senior Line Dancing Classes, Carol Norcross Senior Center, 512 Lakeland Rd., Blackwood.

    July 16 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. – R.E.A.L Sports Golf, Camden County Driving Range, 8001 South Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken.

    July 16 – 7:30 to 11 p.m. – The Tisburys/ plus The Describers: Sundown Music Series, Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Ave., Haddon Heights.

    July 17 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Nature Events with Rancocas Nature Center, Anthony P. Infanti Bellmawr Branch, 35 East Browning Rd., Bellmawr.

    July 17 – 10 a.m. to noon – Children’s Summer Gardening Series, Camden County Office of Sustainability, 508 Lakeland Rd., Blackwood.

    July 17 – noon to 1 p.m. – Board of Commissioners Meeting, Camden City Hall, 6th Floor, 520 Market St., Camden.

    July 17 – 5 to 6 p.m. – disABILITIES Boxing Class, TKO Fitness, 1615 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill.

    July 17 – 6 to 7 p.m. – Afternoon Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 17 – 8 to 11 p.m. – Tiffany: Twilight Music Series, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 18 – 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. – Cardio on the Cooper, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 18 – 9 a.m. to noon – Parks & Rec Regrow, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 18 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Virtual Crisis Response Training Series, Virtual Event.

    July 18 – 10 a.m. to noon – Children’s Summer Gardening Series, Camden County Office of Sustainability, 508 Lakeland Rd., Blackwood.

    July 18 – 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. – The Wild Robot Movie Night, Farnham Park, 1648 Baird Ave., Camden.

    July 19 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Art Workshops with Philadelphia Magic Gardens, Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Downtown Branch, 301 North 5th St., Camden.

    July 19 – 10 a.m. to noon – Kirkwood Lake Cleanup, Kirkland Lake, Glendale Rd., Lindenwold.

    July 19 – 6 to 10 p.m. – South Penn Dixie, New Brooklyn Park, Sicklerville.

    July 20 – 2 to 3 p.m. – Together in Song, Virtual Event.

    July 21 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Mlanjeni Magical Theater Storytelling, Gloucester Twp- Blackwood Rotary Club Public Library, 15 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood.

    July 21 – 6 to 7 p.m. – Mindful Monday Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 21 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Dance Class, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 22 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Musical Instrument Petting Zoo with Keep Music Alive, South County Regional Branch Library, 35 Cooper Folly Rd., Atco.

    July 22 – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Senior Line Dancing Classes, Lindenwold Senior Center, 2119 S. White Horse Pike, Lindenwold.

    July 22 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Zumba, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 22 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Fun with Fitness, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 23 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Comic Art with Ryan Brady, Anthony P. Infanti Bellmawr Branch, 35 East Browning Rd., Bellmawr.

    July 23 – 9 to 10 a.m. – Morning Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 23 – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Senior Line Dancing Classes, Wayne Bryant Community Center, 323 E. Charleston Ave., Lawnside.

    July 23 – 7:30 to 11 p.m. – The Moody Blues’ John Lodge, Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood.

    Thursday, July 17

    Board of Fire Commissioners regular meeting 7 to 9 p.m. at 1100 Marlkress Rd. 

    Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting 7:30 to 11 p.m. via Zoom.

    Friday, July 18

    Pop-Up Story Time 10 to 10:30 a.m. at Barclay Farmstead. 

    Monday, July 21

    Planning Board meeting 7:30 to 11 p.m. via Zoom.

    Tuesday, July 22

    Music Under the Stars 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Barclay Farmstead.

    Wednesday, July 23

    Wellness Walk 9 to 10 a.m. at Cherry Hill Mall.

  • ‘Traveling museum’ of art goes to school

    Artistic expression and the appreciation of visual arts can be vitally important for the development of school-age children, but not all students have access to art appreciation education.

    To remedy that, Art Goes to School of Delaware Valley brings arts instruction to nearly 165,000 elementary-school students in the region. Cherry Hill has its own chapter of the Philadelphia-based nonprofit, which has been in operation for 50 years.

    The organization’s volunteers go into classes from first to fifth grade to talk about art works, artists, mediums and forms, usually in a class art period with a teacher. Artistic reproductions are part of the lessons and are provided by Arts Goes to School, which is financed by grants and utilizes poster-board recreations of paintings; drawings; photographs; murals; and scaled-down, three-dimensional sculpture replicas.

    Amy Bash is the grant manager for the organization and has been one of its volunteers for several years.

    “We’re kind of a traveling museum …” she explained. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for kids who may not have been exposed to art, literally, from around the world, from caveman art to modern art to local artists.”

    Art Goes to School’s goal is to help children develop 10 main skills through its teaching: observation; communication and language skills; visual communication; problem solving; imagination; making connections; learning about other cultures; collaboration; curiosity; and self-awareness.

    Because the program is run by volunteers, it’s free to students and school districts. Art Goes to School operates during the academic year, with the township chapter beginning its meetings around the time school begins in September, then meeting once a week through December.

    Discussions at the weekly sessions involve discussing the portfolio the organization has given the chapter for that year. Each chapter member chooses an artist or artwork, researches it on their own time, then addresses how to best present the choice for various grade levels.

    “They discuss how to talk about the art with the students,” Bash noted. “There’s a very big difference between a special-ed class versus first grade versus fifth grade, and their knowledge about art and what type of art they may have been working on in the classrooms, so we customize the presentations.”

    Portfolios are chosen and created by an Art Goes to School formal committee and rotate between the approximately 30 chapters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They feature a mix of various art styles and forms. 

    No experience or specific expertise is needed to become a volunteer educator with the nonprofit, which provides all necessary information and arranges all meeting places and classes.

    “You don’t have to have an art degree,” Bash emphasized. “You don’t have to have been a teacher.”

    Each instructor generally teaches about 10 classes in the academic year, with each one taking about 40 minutes.

    “It’s not like you have to meet every day or every month throughout the year,” Bash offered. “Typically, we’re off when school is off as well. So it’s not a huge imposition in time. But it’s extremely rewarding.”

    Bash went on to say that participation by volunteers can be a rewarding experience given the way they introduce art to students.

    “The great thing about Art Goes to School,” she remarked, “is that while you can’t necessarily touch or talk out loud a lot in the museum, you can speak your heart and your mind, you can share your thoughts and you can touch the samples that we bring in.”

    Volunteers also get an opportunity to socialize.

    “Everyone is really nice, creative, knowledgeable and committed members of our chapter …” Bash observed. “We’re always looking to bring new people into the fold so that we can perpetuate this truly amazing benefit that the community and the school system receives.”

    Anyone interested in volunteering for Art Goes to School can contact Libby DeLuca, the Cherry Hill chapter chair, at libbyd67@comcast.net.

  • Cherry Hill Calendar

    Wednesdays

    Barclay Farmstead public tours Noon to 4 p.m. Barclay Farmstead, 209 Barclay Lane (off West Gate Drive). For more information, visit Barclay Farmstead: A Living History Museum | Cherry Hill Township, NJ. 

    July 9-22

    Happenings at the Cherry Hill library at 1100 Kings Highway North. For more information, call (856) 667-0300 or email info@chplnj.org. 

    All Summer- Library Closed on Sundays. 

    July 9 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Computers for ABSOLUTE Beginners: Part 2.

    July 9 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    July 9 – 3-8 p.m. – Friends Book Sale: Early Access for Friends.

    July 9 – 3:30-4:30 p.m. – DIY Button Art.

    July 9 – 7-8 p.m. – Teen Night: Disney Bingo!

    July 10 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Friends Book Sale: Open to the Public.

    July 10 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Story Time: Color Our World.

    July 10 – 3-4 p.m. – Little Artists: Seurat.

    July 10 – 7-8 p.m. – CHPL Teens on Twitch.

    July 10 – 7-8 p.m. – Concoctions Book Club: Hide. 

    July 11 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Friends Book Sale: Open to the Public.

    July 11 – 10-10:30 a.m. – Pop-up Storytime.

    July 12 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Friends Book Sale: Open to the Public.

    July 14 – 3-4 p.m. – Crafternoon: Polymer Clay Mirrors.

    July 14 – 6-8 p.m. – Royal Icing Workshop: Library Fundraiser Event.

    July 14 – 6:30-7:15 p.m. – Eat the Rainbow.

    July 15 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Rhyme Time.

    July 15 – 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Summer Social Dance Night!

    July 15 – 7-8:30 p.m. – End-of-Life Planning Class: Advice on Leaving Clear Instructions for Your Loved Ones.

    July 16 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Internet Basic.

    July 16 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    July 16 – 3:30-4:30 p.m. – Tissue Paper Popsicles.

    July 16 – 6:30-8 p.m. – Crafter Hours: Paint (and Sip) by Numbers. 

    July 16 – 7-8:30 p.m. – Van Gogh: The Portraits.

    Camden County events

    For more information, visit www.camdencounty.com.

    July 9 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Art Workshops with Philadelphia Magic Gardens, M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library: Voorhees, 203 Laurel Road, Voorhees. 

    July 9 – 9-10 a.m. – Morning Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 9 – 9-10 a.m. – Kids Kapers: Yosie and Eugene Pajama Party, Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Aves., Haddon Heights.

    July 9 – 6-7:30 p.m. – R.E.A.L Sports Golf, Camden County Driving Range, 8001 S Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken.

    July 10 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Comic Art with Ryan Brady, Merchantville Public Library, 130 S Center St., Merchantville. 

    July 10 – 9-10:30 a.m. – Trail Buds, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 10 – 5-6 p.m. – disABILITIES Boxing Class, TKO Fitness, 1615 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill.

    July 10 – 6-7 p.m. – Afternoon Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 10 – 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Chicago 8: Somerdale Summer Concert Series, Passanante Park, 300 Kennedy Blvd., Somerdale.

    July 11 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Musical Instrument Petting Zoo with Keep Music Alive, M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library: Voorhees, 203 Laurel Rd., Voorhees.

    July 11 – 8:30-9:30 p.m. – Cardio on the Cooper, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 11 – 9 a.m. to noon – Parks & Rec Regrow, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 11 – 4:30-8 p.m. – Downtown Camden Art Crawl, Broadway, Camden.

    July 11 – 7-10 p.m. – Fish Eyed Blues, Lindenwold Park, 1000 United States Ave., Lindenwold.

    July 11 – 7:30-10:30 p.m. – Coopers Poynt Waterfront Park, Delaware Ave., Camden. 

    July 12 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Superhero Story & It’s a Great BIG, Really Small World, Merchantville Public Library, 130 S Center St., Merchantville. 

    July 12 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Magic Shows with Brian Richards, Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Downtown Branch, 301 North 5th St., Camden.

    July 12 – 9-10 a.m. – Ryan’s Unplugged Entertainment, N. Park Drive, Berlin Township.

    July 12 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – 31st Annual Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival, 200 Kings Highway, Haddonfield.

    July 12 – 2-8 p.m. – 25th Annual South Jersey Caribbean Festival, Broadway, Camden.

    July 13 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – 31st Annual Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival, 200 Kings Highway, Haddonfield.

    July 13 – 2-3 p.m. – Together in Song, Virtual Event.

    July 14 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Superhero Story & It’s a Great BIG, Really Small World, M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library: Voorhees, 203 Laurel Rd., Voorhees.

    July 14 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Art Workshops with Philadelphia Magic Gardens, Merchantville Public Library, 130 S Center St., Merchantville. 

    July 14 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Musical Instrument Petting Zoo with Keep Music Alive, Gloucester Twp- Blackwood Rotary Club Public Library, 15 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood.

    July 14 – 10 a.m. to noon – Children’s Summer Gardening Series, Camden County Office of Sustainability, 508 Lakeland Rd., Blackwood.

    July 14 – 6-7 p.m. – Mindful Monday Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 14 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Dance Class, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 14 – 8-11 p.m. – Ed Lover presents The Live Mixtape Band: Sunset Jazz Series, Wiggins Park, 2 Riverside Drive, Camden.

    July 15 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Zumba, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 15 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Magic Shows with Brian Richards, Riletta L. Cream Ferry Avenue Branch, 852 Ferry Ave., Camden.

    July 15 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. –  Art Workshops with Philadelphia Magic Gardens, Merchantville Public Library, 130 S Center St., Merchantville. 

    July 15 – 9-10:30 a.m. – Summer Sprouts, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 15 – 10-11 a.m. – Board of Elections Meeting, Virtual Event.

    July 15 – 10 a.m. to noon – Children’s Summer Gardening Series, Camden County Office of Sustainability, 508 Lakeland Rd., Blackwood.

    July 15 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Fun with Fitness, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 16 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Art Workshops with Philadelphia Magic Gardens, M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library: Voorhees, 203 Laurel Rd., Voorhees.

    July 16 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Comic Art with Ryan Brady, M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library: Voorhees, 203 Laurel Rd., Voorhees.

    July 16 – 9-10 a.m. – Morning Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 16 – 10 a.m. to noon – Children’s Summer Gardening Series, Camden County Office of Sustainability, 508 Lakeland Rd., Blackwood.

    July 16 – 12:30-1:30 p.m. – Senior Line Dancing Classes, Carol Norcross Senior Center, 512 Lakeland Rd., Blackwood.

    July 16 – 6-7:30 p.m. – R.E.A.L Sports Golf, Camden County Driving Range, 8001 South Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken.

    July 16 – 7:30-11 p.m. – The Tisburys/ plus The Describers: Sundown Music Series, Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Ave., Haddon Heights.

    Friday, July 11

    Pop Up Story Time: Croft Farm 10 to 10:30 a.m. at Croft Farms.

    Saturday, July 12

    Second Saturday Trail Crew session 9 a.m. to noon. Location to be determined.

    Monday, July 14

    Senior Ice Cream Social 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Carmen Tilelli Community Center.

    Township council Meeting 7 to 9:30 p.m. at N. John Amato Council Chambers and via Zoom.

    Tuesday, July 15

    Music Under the Stars 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Barclay Farmstead.

  • ‘It mattered so much’

    Cherry Hill High School East graduated its class of 2025 on June 20 at Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia in a ceremony that featured 19 valedictorians.

    Students lined up in bright red robes and moved in single file groups to take their seats in the rows of folding chairs after an 11:30 a.m. start. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by graduate Ethan Barroway and the national anthem was played and sung by the CHHSE Symphony Orchestra and choirs.

    Photos by Abigail Twiford
    Cherry Hill High School East graduates enter the Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia before the ceremony.

    Graduate Isabelle Berger then delivered the ceremony’s opening address.

    “I’m definitely still in denial that I’m going to have to do my own laundry in a few months,” said Isabele Berger of how quickly high school went by.

    She addressed how quickly high school went by and advised the graduating class to savor the moment and appreciate the good times they had in four years.

    “Finally, we were about to soak up the last few weeks and months and days of our high-school careers,” Berger said. “And now standing up here today, I’m definitely still in denial that I’m going to have to do my own laundry in a few months.”

    Student government association president Manar Hadi focused on how the graduates should not leave behind the hard work and determination that got them through high school, even as they move on to an uncertain future.

    “This may be the last time,” he noted, “however, it is not a departure from the grit that has brought you here. Continue forward.”

    Student government association president Manar Hadi gives his speech.

    Senior class president Jessica Lazaroiu then delivered a speech focused on what she would do differently if she could relive her high-school experience, a question she was asked by an administrator two weeks before the ceremony.

    “I wouldn’t change a thing,” she remarked. “Not because it was easy or perfect, but because it was ours.”

    Each of the school’s multiple valedictorians had the opportunity to write a speech celebrating their achievements in this chapter of their lives, with all of them printed in the ceremony’s program. Only one valedictorian chosen by lottery, Arden Leslie, actually read her speech.

    She began by joking about everyone wearing the same outfit: a bright red graduation gown with tassel. She then reflected on how far the class has come from their first days as freshmen at East to graduates about to head into the workforce, the military or college.

    The assistant principal for the class of 2025, George Zografos, then took the stage to recognize military service candidates, and class advisors Sharon Mills and Jodi Rinehart presented awards.

    Advisors for the Class of 2025, Jodi Rinehart (left) and Sharon Mills address the class they had advised over the past year.

    “If you ever need us, we will be here for you,” Zografos promised the graduates. “Being a Cougar means that you will fight for what is right, do the right thing when no one’s looking, and will always be my scholars. Best of luck in everything you do.” 

    Two songs were performed by the school’s combined choirs: “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by Peter Christian Lutkin.

    Aaralyn Camp then gave the senior address. Her speech noted the countdown that had been in the background of all of the graduates’ lives since the start of their senior year, with her friends and peers often noting that it would be the last time they would do something together as a high-school class and the fear that came with it that she wasn’t doing enough to remember everything.

    “But that fear, that ache in our chests when we think about the end, is a testament,” she stated. “A testament to our love for the school and the community held within it … If I wasn’t sad about it ending, it would mean that none of it mattered. But it did. It mattered so much.”

    School Superintendent Dr. Kwame Morton gave his own address to the class of 2025 and certified them as having completed all necessary criteria to receive their diplomas. Board of education president Gina Winters then officially accepted the class.

    Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kwame Morton gives his address to the senior class before certifying them as graduates.
    Gina Winters, board of education president, accepts the class of 2025 as graduates.

    Diplomas were then handed to graduates as their names were called and they walked across the stage and down its steps to return to their seats.

    The closing address was given by Madeleine Pierlott, who asked her fellow graduates to take time and appreciate the last moments they would all spend together in the same building.

    “Let’s take one minute to cherish this moment,” she noted, “the last time we’ll all be together as the class of 2025.” said Pierlott.

  • ‘I wouldn’t trade it for anything’

    Cherry Hill High School West celebrated graduation for the class of 2025 on June 20 at Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.

    The late-afternoon ceremony began with the processional, as students in their purple graduation robes made their way up the sides of the stadium, shaking hands and exchanging final words with their teachers and school administrators as they headed to their seats.

    Photos by Abigail Twiford.
    Graduates from Cherry Hill High School West enter the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia greeting teachers and administrators.

    Nate Goldwasser gave the opening remarks, a task he would never have taken on as an underclassman because of insecurities about his voice. But he noted how he began to see things differently when he came upon an old Instagram post from his mom, who died when he was 8. Goldwasser was surprised to realize her voice was very similar in intonation and inflection to his. 

    “The voice was me, or maybe I was her,” he recounted. “At that moment, my voice became something different. It wasn’t a flaw, it was a connection, a living memory. Her voice still lives within mine, and she’s not the only one I’ve heard,” added Goldwasser, reflecting on other loved ones whose voices he can sometimes hear when using his own.

    Nate Goldwasser gives the ceremony’s opening address on the importance of being one’s authentic self.

    He then asked fellow graduates and audience members to be true to themselves and use their real voices as they go on in life. 

    “Your voice is not a flaw,” Goldwasser advised. “Your voice is your gift. Speak not just to be heard, but to lift, to laugh, to share, to love, to think, to change and to remember.”

    After the pledge of allegiance, the combined bands, orchestra and choir performed the national anthem, and West’s Junior ROTC presented the flag. Dr. John Burns, the school’s principal, then offered his remarks to the class.

    “This is a moment that we have all worked towards for four years,” he said. “It is through the commitment of family, students and staff members that gets us to this day.”

    Burns also took a moment to honor faculty and staff, especially those who are retiring this year.

    Cherry Hill High School West Principal Dr. John Burns gives his address to the graduating class.

    Ava Ergood then had the honor of delivering the class of 2025 address. She took the opportunity to reflect on how she spent a lot of her time in high school trying to be as involved as possible, so she didn’t always appreciate living in the moment.

    “We’re always anticipating the next big thing, rather than appreciating what is right in front of us …” Ergood explained, “but if we spend too much time anticipating what’s to come or harping over the past, we will never experience the joy that comes from living in the moment.” 

    Meana Mousa, president of National Honor Society’s Robert E. Hansen chapter, gave the society speech for the class. He focused on how the organization is built on the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and character, and which he thinks is most important: character.

    “The spotlight may celebrate your success,” Mousa remarked, “but your character is revealed in your solitude … Real character doesn’t begin with awards or speeches like this. It begins in private, in daily decisions, in the quiet battles we fight when no one is watching, and those are the moments that will shape who we become, not just what we achieve.”

    Rebekah Bruesehoff‘s address was on behalf of multiple valedictorians and centered on how the class of 2025’s high-school experience wasn’t perfect, but was still meaningful for graduates.

    “If there’s one thing our class has mastered, it’s doing things wrong and finding something real in the process …” she offered. “Our experience was messy. It was contradictory. It was loud and quiet and complicated and beautiful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

    Speaker Ioannis Kyriakou represented the Student Government Organization. He asked his peers to remember who they were in their high-school years, no matter what the future may hold.

    “We grew stronger and closer as a community,” he noted. “It was about finding ourselves, deciding who we are. In my experience, I would say the main purpose of high school is whatever you choose to make of it.”

    Burns then took the commencement stage once more.

    “You’ve learned academics, but more importantly, you’ve learned resilience, creativity and how to keep going when things get tough,” he pointed out. Burns then took a moment to honor graduates who have chosen to join the military.

    School Superintendent Dr. Kwame Morton then certified the class and board of education President Gina Winters accepted the graduates.

    Graduates walk across the stage and shake hands with district administrators as they accept their diplomas.

    After receiving diplomas, the class of 2025 led a West graduation tradition: Faculty and all students stood and gave thumbs up with their right hands.

    West teachers, administrators and graduates performed the graduation tradition of a thumbs up.

    Drew Pullano’s farewell speech focused on the community efforts that go into developing a young person. He then asked the audience to picture a garden.

    “A garden doesn’t grow overnight,” he emphasized. “It begins with seeds and fertile soil. It is a hope, a dream, an intention. Planting those seeds comes with a degree of uncertainty. We don’t actually know how things will turn out, but the fact is, when you do something with all of your heart and all of your effort, you are destined to receive some success.”

  • Cherry Hill Calendar

    Wednesdays

    Barclay Farmstead public tours Noon to 4 p.m. Barclay Farmstead, 209 Barclay Lane (off West Gate Drive). For more information, visit Barclay Farmstead: A Living History Museum | Cherry Hill Township, NJ. 

    July 2-9 

    Happenings at the Cherry Hill library at 1100 Kings Highway North. For more information, call (856) 667-0300 or email info@chplnj.org. 

    July 2 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Computers for ABSOLUTE Beginners- Part 1.

    July 2 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    July 2 – 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Trivia.

    July 2 – 7-8:30 p.m. – Novel Writing 101: 10-Week Series. 

    July 2 – 7-8 p.m. – Teen LEGO Contest.

    July 3 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Story Time: Color Our World.

    July 3 – 2 p.m. – Library Closing Early for Independence Day.

    July 4 – All Day – Library Closed for Independence Day.

    July 5 – 10:15-11:15 a.m. – Yoga for Everyone.

    July 6 – All Day – Library Closed.

    July 7 – 3-4 p.m. – Crafternoon: DIY Mosaic Flower Pot.

    July 7 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Barking Book Buddies.

    July 8 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Rhyme Time.

    July 8 – 5-8 p.m. – Friends Book Sale: Early Access for Friends: Cherry Hill Residents Only

    July 8 – 7-8:30 p.m. – CHPL Book Club: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley.

    July 9 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Computers for ABSOLUTE Beginners: Part 2.

    July 9 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    July 9 – 3-8 p.m. – Friends Book Sale: Early Access for Friends.

    July 9 – 3:30-4:30 p.m. – DIY Button Art.

    July 9 – 7-8 p.m. – Teen Night: Disney Bingo!

    Camden County events

    For more information visit www.camdencounty.com.

    July 2 – 9-10 a.m. – Morning Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 2 – 9-10 a.m. – Kids Kapers: Kids Fun Magic, Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Ave., Haddon Heights.

    July 2 – 9:30-11:30 a.m. – Strengthening Community Wellness Training Series, Virtual Event.

    July 2 – 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Senior Line Dancing Classes, Pine Hill Senior Center, 131 East 12th Ave., Pine Hill.

    July 2 – 6-7:30 p.m. – R.E.A.L Sports Golf, Camden County Driving Range, 8001 South Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken.

    July 2 – 7:30-11 p.m. – Too Many Zooz plus Best Bear: Sundown Music Series, Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Ave., Haddon Heights.

    July 3 – 9-10:30 a.m. – Trail Buds, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 3 – 6-7 p.m. – Afternoon Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 4 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Independence Day Parade, Haddon Ave., Westmont.

    July 4 – 6-11 p.m. – 2025 Freedom Festival, Wiggins Park, 2 Riverside Drive, Camden.

    July 7 – 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Senior Line Dancing Classes, Wayne Bryant Community Center, 323 E. Charleston Ave., Lawnside.

    July 7 – 6-7 p.m. – Mindful Monday Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 8 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Museum of the American Revolution Presents: Spies of the Revolution, Gloucester Twp- Blackwood Rotary Club Public Library, 15 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood.

    July 8 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Musical Instrument Petting Zoos with Keep Music Alive, William G. Rohrer Memorial Library- Haddon Twp Branch: Haddon, 15 MacArthur Blvd., Westmont.

    July 8 – 9-10:30 a.m. – Summer Sprouts, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 8 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Zumba, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 9 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Art Workshops with Philadelphia Magic Gardens, M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library: Voorhees, 203 Laurel Road, Voorhees. 

    July 9 – 9-10 a.m. – Morning Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 9 – 9-10 a.m. – Kids Kapers: Yosie and Eugene Pajama Party, Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Aves., Haddon Heights.

    July 9 – 6-7:30 p.m. – R.E.A.L Sports Golf, Camden County Driving Range, 8001 S Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken.

    Thursday, July 3

    Independence Day celebration and fireworks display 7 to 10 p.m. at Michael J. Santarpio Field, Jonas C. Morris Stadium, Cherry Hill High School West.

    Monday, July 7

    Planning board meeting 7:30 to 11 p.m. via Zoom

  • Library hosts conversation on retirement planning

    The township library hosted a talk called “Introduction to Retirement Planning” on June 19, part of its ongoing Community Conversations series.

    Alberto Portela Jr., managing director and financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual, told attendees how to plan for retirement and offered strategies they could use to protect their assets. He is licensed in 27 states, working in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and as far as Washington state and California.

    “Part of what we do as advisors is not just engaging with individual clients, but being a part of the greater community and providing information, giving resources to those out there who might not be able to, or maybe not have the time to engage personally with an advisor,” Portela said.

    He opened the discussion by handing out packets of material on retirement and financial planning and asking attendees what they wanted to know about.

    “We find that people are most financially vulnerable not while they’re accumulating money, but while they’re actually taking distributions,” Portela explained. “When we’re in retirement and we’re not earning any money anymore, we’re pulling money out. One distribution in a down market can have a hugely negative effect.”

    He then asked a series of true-or-false questions that participants could answer for themselves to determine where they are in their financial journey. Queries included how much money attendees have coming in and going out, credit scores and how much workplace disability income insurance covers and for how long.

    Portela then laid out the four steps to building a strong financial foundation. 

    First is understanding one’s cash flow and where the money goes, he pointed out. The second step is protecting one’s own income, family and assets. Portela emphasized that an individual’s biggest asset is the ability to earn income and that disability insurance is a good idea.

    “When we run illustrations for disability insurance, we typically see the cost of replacement or the cost of that warranty,” he noted. “That disability in relation to the income is typically between 1 and 2%, so for those that are in their working years, 1 to 2% to protect your most valuable assets probably is a smart thing to do.” 

    The third step toward building a financial foundation, according to Portela, is to develop a savings and investment plan. He recommended putting aside 20% of income for savings and investments; 60% for fixed expenses; and 20% for discretionary spending, with room for flexibility in those numbers.

    The fourth step, he said, is to create a strategy to manage debt, specifically getting rid of all credit card debt, finding lower interest rates on student loans, seeking loan forgiveness and looking for ways to consolidate debt.

    “The way you want to think about whether debt is good or bad, (there are a) couple of factors,” he offered. “One of the things before I think about it is, if I had that money invested, could I beat the interest rate that I’m paying on the debt?” 

    Abigail Twiford/ The Sun
    Alberto Portela Jr. laid out four steps for attendees on buiding a strong financial foundation.

  • Library kicks off summer reading with festival

    The end of the academic year signals the start of summer reading for students. Whether they choose an assigned book or a title of their choosing, reading is meant to prevent the “summer slide,” a significant decline in skills that can occur over the season.

    To kick off its summer reading program and mark 20 years in its present location, the township library held a Color Our World Art Festival on June 14 that emphasized why summer reading isn’t just for kids. Its reading program is broken down into four categories: early literacy for infants to children up to 4 years old; children from 5 to 11; teens and students in grades six through 12; and adults 18 or over.

    All four categories feature prizes that include gift baskets and cards, museum and amusement park passes and eReaders. 

    “It’s just getting more people aware that you can sign up and all the great prizes that we have at the end of the summer,” said PR and marketing coordinator Hope Holroyd.

    To further emphasize the reading program’s appeal to library patrons of all ages, the Color Our World Festival featured a variety of activities, crafts and food trucks aimed at different demographics. While rain meant the event didn’t go exactly as planned, the library team was able to make necessary changes so the rain or shine event could continue.

    “We were all set up outside, and it was great,” Holroyd noted. “And then it started to rain, so we moved the crafts inside, but left the food trucks and the performances outside. So we pivoted. But it’s great. I mean, seeing all the people do the bracelets and get the Henna art, it’s been a good day.”

    Stations in the library were used for creating friendship bracelets and decorating tote bags, and A Flick of the Wrist Splatter Paint mobile unit was set up outside the library entrance. A blackout poetry station was also set up on the library’s main floor. The activity has participants take a used book from a pile, choose an anchor word and others on one page and black out all other text on it. 

    Guests could also have caricatures of themselves drawn by artist Bruce Blitz.

    “The festival day was great,” he observed. “Even though it rained outside, we didn’t care about that, because we had a good time inside. I was drawing cartoon portraits and I had a great time doing it. The people have been sweeter and nicer and the kids were great, so I had a great time today.”

    Artist Bruce Blitz concentrates as he draws the caricature of a child at the festival.

    Henna hand art was also available from a professional, and those who wanted temporary tattoos could choose a design from a selection of templates. 

    Four food trucks were set up in the library’s parking lot. Dan’s Waffles sold a variety of both sweet and savory waffle-based dishes, the Food Bus sold classic festival foods like fries, chicken tenders and burgers, Kona Ice sold shaved ice that attendees could flavor themselves. Also on hand was the township’s Mechanical Brewery.

    “We’ve had a few people that were very engaging,” reported its brewer, Rick Vickers, “and it’s been a nice event, talking to people … We like the event and would be happy to do something like this again. Because we like to interact with the community in this way.” 

    Music was available throughout the festival at the back of the library building. Live performances included April Mae and the June Bugs, Mister Boom Boom Play Patrol Company and DJ Hunt.

    Photos by Abigail Twiford.
    Library patrons make their way around the Color Our World Art Festival, engaging with the several different activities and crafts.

  • Cherry Hill Calendar

    Wednesdays

    Barclay Farmstead public tours Noon to 4 p.m. Barclay Farmstead, 209 Barclay Lane (off West Gate Drive). For more information, visit Barclay Farmstead: A Living History Museum | Cherry Hill Township, NJ. 

    June 25- July 2 

    Happenings at the Cherry Hill library at 1100 Kings Highway North. For more information, call (856) 667-0300 or email info@chplnj.org. 

    Through June 28 – School Supply Drive.

    June 25 – 10-10:30 a.m. – We’re Going on a StoryWalk!

    June 25 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Backup Your PC: Protect Your Information.

    June 25 – 7-8:30 p.m. – Feminist Book Club: Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing: Essays by Lauren Hough.

    June 25 – 7-8:30 p.m. – Novel Writing 101: 10-Week Series. 

    June 27 – 10-10:30 a.m. – Pop-up Storytime.

    June 27 – 5-6:30 p.m. – The Hunger Games: An Escape Room Adventure.

    June 28 – 10:15-11:15 a.m. – Yoga for Everyone.

    June 28 – 11-11:30 a.m. – Rainbow Story and Music Time with Ms. Aliya!

    June 28 – 2-3 p.m. – Music Box Crafting.

    June 29 – All Day – Library Closed.

    June 30 – 3-4 p.m. – Crafternoon: Macrame Rainbows.

    June 30 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Tai Chi Chih Monday.

    July 1 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Rhyme Time.

    July 1 – 10:30 a.m. to noon – Using Your iPhone/ iPad: Latest Features of iOS 18- Part 4.

    July 1 – 2-3:30 p.m. – Needlework Meetup.

    July 1 – 3-4 p.m. – Tie-Dye Teddy Bear.

    July 2 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Computers for ABSOLUTE Beginners- Part 1.

    July 2 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    July 2 – 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Trivia.

    July 2 – 7-8:30 p.m. – Novel Writing 101: 10-Week Series. 

    July 2 – 7-8 p.m. – Teen LEGO Contest.

    Camden County events

    For more information visit www.camdencounty.com.

    June 25 – 9-10 a.m. – Morning Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    June 25 – 9-10 a.m. – Kid Kapers: One Man Circus, Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Ave., Haddon Heights.

    June 25 – 9 a.m. to noon – Camden County Alzheimer’s Caregiver Symposium, Camden County Office of Sustainability, 508 Lakeland Road, Blackwood.

    June 25 – 10-11 a.m. – Strengthening Community Wellness Training Series, Virtual Event.

    June 25 – noon to 2 p.m. – Billiards & Bowling for Seniors, 30 Strikes Lanes, 501 White Horse Pike South, Stratford.

    June 25 – 6-7:30 p.m. – R.E.A.L Sports Golf, Camden County Driving Range, 8001 Couth Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken. 

    June 26 – 9-10:30 a.m. – Trail Buds, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    June 26 – 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Senior Line Dancing Classes, Lindenwold Senior Center, 2119 S. White Horse Pike, Lindenwold.

    June 26 – 6-7 p.m. – Afternoon Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    June 26 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Bocce Ball, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    June 26 – 8-11 p.m. – Todd Rundgren: Twilight Music Series, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    June 27 – 8:30-9:30 a.m. – Cardio on the Cooper, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    June 27 – 9 a.m. to noon – Parks & Rec Regrow, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    June 28 – 9-10 a.m. – Kids Kapers: Two of a Kind, Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Ave., Haddon Heights.

    June 29 – noon to 5 p.m. – 68th Annual San Juan Bautista Parade and Concert, Broadway, Camden.

    June 30 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Art Workshops with Philadelphia Magic Garden, Gloucester Township-Blackwood Rotary Public Library, 15 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood.

    June 30 – 1-3 p.m. – Virtual Crisis Response Training Sessions, Virtual Event.

    June 30 – 6-7 p.m. – Mindful Monday Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    June 30 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Dance Class, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    June 30 – 8-11 p.m. – Al Di Meola: Sunset Jazz Series, Wiggins Park, 2 Riverside Drive, Camden.

    July 1 – 9-10:30 a.m. – Summer Sprouts, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    July 2 – 9-10 a.m. – Morning Yoga, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    July 2 – 9-10 a.m. – Kids Kapers: Kids Fun Magic, Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Ave., Haddon Heights.

    July 2 – 9:30-11:30 a.m. – Strengthening Community Wellness Training Series, Virtual Event.

    July 2 – 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Senior Line Dancing Classes, Pine Hill Senior Center, 131 East 12th Ave., Pine Hill.

    July 2 – 6-7:30 p.m. – R.E.A.L Sports Golf, Camden County Driving Range, 8001 South Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken.

    July 2 – 7:30-11 p.m. – Too Many Zooz plus Best Bear: Sundown Music Series, Haddon Lake Park, Hillside and South Park Ave., Haddon Heights.

    Wednesday, June 25

    Wellness Walk 9-10 a.m. at the Cherry Hill Mall. 

    Thursday, June 26 

    Rent Review Board meeting 6-10:30 p.m. at N. John Amato Council Chamber and via Zoom.

    Friday, June 27

    Pop Up Story Time: Barclay Farmstead 10-10:30 a.m. at Barclay Farmstead.

  • Library speaker offers ‘tantalizing glimpses’ of queer history

    Abigail Twiford/ The Sun
    Em Ricciardi gives a presentation to celebrate Pride Month at the Cherry Hill library on June 11.

    June marks Pride Month for the LGBTQ community, and organizations around the area are honoring the occasion with a wide array of events and celebrations.

    The Cherry Hill library is one. It has organized a number of events throughout the month to honor the LGBTQ community and its history. In partnership with Jewish Family and Children’s Service and the township, it presented the talk “Uncovering Queer Figures with the Library Company of Philadelphia” on June 11.

    Em Ricciardi is the cataloger and LGBTQ+ subject specialist for the Library Company. They organize printed materials from throughout history, and curates the Library Company’s Queer History Collection, including printed materials and graphics or visuals. 

    Mayor Dave Fleisher started the event with a few words on Pride Month.

    “I believe that although it’s Pride Month, that the character of a community is defined by how people are treated 365 days a year,” he explained. “And I am very, very proud, not just of the library, but proud to be part of leading a community in a township like Cherry Hill, where people are welcome and treated with dignity and respect 365 days a year.” 

    Ricciardi highlighted historical figures during his talk, from the well-known to the unknown throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

    “We were the Library of Congress when Congress was meeting in Philadelphia,” they noted. “And we’ve been around for about 300 years. So as you can imagine, a lot of our stuff is super old.”

    Ricciardi also went on to explain that the Library Company is unique in its collection of rare books, because it includes only printed materials, no manuscript or handwritten items.

    They began their discussion of queer history figures with actors and performers, including two female impersonators in an early form of what is now known as drag queens, Julian Elton and Richard Harlow. Though it’s not known for certain if the men were LGBTQ, their norm-breaking performances earned them a place in Ricciardi’s library talk. 

    “He was very aware of the way people would perceive him and judge him if they thought that he was purposefully transgressing those gender boundaries,” Ricciardi noted of Harlow. 

    Ricciardi told the story of Charlotte Cushman, a stage actress and lesbian known for her many affairs and documented relationships.

    “Charlotte Cushman was, in fact, as we can confirm, a lesbian and a messy lesbian at that,” Ricciardi acknowledged. “Cushman had a number of female lovers over her lifetime, and often overlapped them.”  

    The presentation also evoked the story of James How, an individual assigned female at birth. How dressed as a man to marry his wife of 34 years, but it is unknown if How was a lesbian dressing as a man to marry a woman, or a transgender man.

    “In some cases, it was certainly just two lesbians trying to be together,” they revealed. “In other cases, there might have been a trans identity going on. A lot of times, we don’t know exactly why one of the partners chose to dress as a man and the other didn’t.”

    Literature was also discussed as a place where queer figures often appear, specifically writers Fitz Greene Halleck and Sarah Orne Jewett. Neither of them is confirmed as queer, but the use of language and themes in their works is often interpreted through the use of literary analysis as reflecting a queer identity.

    Ricciardi also described how many of the accounts the Library Company has access to only feature white queer figures, since it was much more difficult for people of color to have access to printing throughout history.

    “It is obviously true that people of color throughout history were writing their own works and publishing them,” they observed. “However, it is also true that white people had a lot more access to traditional venues of printing and publishing.” 

    Ricciardi also said that many of the historical narratives the Library Company has access to on queer people of color are white people writing about people of color, instead of people of color writing about themselves.

    They also showed photos of figures from history who seemed to be in same-sex relationships, though none of their identities is known. That prompted Ricciardi to speak about how many queer figures from the past are unknown, only leaving small traces of their lives behind.

    “There are a lot of people out there who we just don’t have any information about …” they said. “We have a number of photographs that depict people crossing gender boundaries, sharing close relationships with people of the same sex or gender …

    “We just have these little tantalizing glimpses into a potential queer life that they might have been living.”