News acorns

Film screening: “Endless Summer Syndrome”

The Lincoln Film Society presents “Endless Summer Syndrome” (2023, directed by Kaveh Daneshmand; French with English subtitles) on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 6:00pm. A lazy late-summer weekend is disrupted by a shocking allegation when Delphine gets an anonymous call from her husband’s colleague about an alleged affair with one of their adopted children.

Organization offers financial education, seeks donations

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable (DVR) hosts the first program of its Survivor Series: Domestic Violence & Financial Abuse on Monday, Dec. 8 from 7:00–8:00pm via Zoom. Financial abuse is a pervasive form of control that can trap survivors in dangerous situations by limiting their access to money, employment, and financial independence. Click here to register. Questions? Email infodvrt@gmail.com.

As the holidays approach and many families are struggling with the loss of SNAP benefits and the prospect of higher health care costs, the DVR is conducting holiday drives to make the season brighter for survivors of domestic abuse and their children. Gift cards for Shaw’s, Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Target, Walmart or Visa cash cards are especially helpful. You can also make a cash donation or send a check that allows Roundtable partner agencies to purchase gift cards for the families they serve. For more information on the webinar or the holiday drive, click here.

Coming up at the deCordova

DeCordova Performance Series: Antje Duvekot
Friday, Dec. 19 from 6:30-8:00pm

Solstice Stargazing with Aldrich Astronomical Society
Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21 from  5:00–7:00pm

Teen pageant winner launches toy drive

Kathryn “Kit” Walkup, a sixth-grader at the Lincoln School, earned the title of Miss Massachusetts Pre-Teen with the Royal International Miss organization in her very first beauty pageant. As part of her year of service, she will be completing monthly volunteer projects and public appearances to support families and children in need.

To kick off her community service, Kit has launched a holiday collection drive to benefit The Boston House, a nonprofit organization that provides free housing and support for families whose children are being treated for cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital. Residents can support the drive in two ways:

• Purchase toys and other items from The Boston House’s Amazon.com wishlist. In the Gift section, please write “Kit Walkup’s Collection Drive.”
• Arrange a pickup of donated items between now and December 7 by contacting Kit’s mother Julia at juliawalkup@gmail.com. 

The drive also welcomes snacks, pantry supplies, and laundry essentials to help families focus on caring for their child rather than the costs of everyday necessities.

The Commons earns kudos

The Commons in Lincoln has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for short-term rehabilitation, earning the magazine’s highest overall designation of “high performing.” Across Massachusetts, only 17% of rehabilitation centers received a high performing distinction, according to a press release from The Commons. In earning the honor, the facility demonstrated excellence in safety, management, staffing and patient outcomes, among other attributes.

Nearly 15,000 centers nationwide were evaluated for this year’s awards, which analyze the consistency of registered nurse staffing, the use of antipsychotic drugs, and success in preventing emergency room and hospital visits. Short-term rehabilitation ratings further assess the prevention of falls and serious infections as well as residents’ ability to return home. At The Commons, physical therapist staffing is more than three times the national and state average, and nurse staffing is over 50% higher than the average. Ratings are determined using data submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Earlier this year, The Commons was awarded a five-star rating by CMS and was also named a Boston Magazine 2025 Top Senior Living Community.