The Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a free online chess tournament as part of the Winter Carnival weekend on Saturday, Feb. 27. Registration begins at 8 a.m.; matches run from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. All levels are welcome. You’ll need to create an account at Chess.com to participate. Once you have a username, you will need to join the Lincoln Mass Chess Club. There will be a beginners section (999 and under rapid rating) and a section for those with more experience (rapid rating at 1000 or over). There will be four rounds. Each player will have 15 minutes per match plus 10 seconds per move (rapid 15/10). It will be helpful if you play a few rapid 15/10 matches prior to the tournament so that your rating is fairly accurate. There will be trophies for first and second place for both sections.
On Saturday, Feb. 27 from 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m, the LLCT/RLF and William Jackson Associates will host an ice sculpture demonstration featuring Donald Chapelle, a local artist with 40 years of ice carving experience and founder of Brilliant Ice Sculpture. In addition to showcasing a number of pre-made ice sculptures, which he’ll have on-site, Chappelle will use chainsaws, ice picks, and various carving elements to bring a moose to life out of a block of ice. The demonstration, which takes place on the green at the Mall at Lincoln Station, is a great fun-for-the-whole-family experience (physical distancing protocols will be in place). Twisted Tree Cafe will set up a pop-up shop with hot chocolate and cookies starting at 10:30. Hint: the moose will be the last sculpture on the scavenger hunt (see above).
Farrington Nature Linc is hosting a virtual three-session nature sketching series starting on Tuesday, March 2. Each week, we’ll meet via Zoom with artist and teacher Alex Boersma, a freelance scientific illustrator and designer from Toronto, to learn how to draw natural objects we’ve collected throughout the week. We’ll improve our observational drawing skills while exploring new media: first graphite, then pen and ink, and finally watercolor. No experience necessary.
Classes will meet Tuesday evenings from 6–8 p.m. (the final workshop will go until 9 p.m.). You may attend a single workshop or all three; however, the skills taught in each workshop will build on one another, so organizers recommend signing up for all three. Register online via Eventbrite. The supply list will be emailed once you’re registered for the class (please be sure you have acquired the necessary materials ahead of the workshop).
“On Belonging in Outdoors Spaces” is a free virtual speaker series running until June featuring prominent speakers whose are advancing efforts to strengthen belonging and connection between communities of color and the benefits of time in nature. The series is organized by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Farrington Nature Linc, The Food Project, Mass Audubon, and The Walden Woods Project.
First up in the series is “Meaningful Nature Engagement in Stressed Populations” with Akiima Price on Wednesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. Her innovative programming strategies feature nature as a powerful medium to connect stressed youth, adults, and families in meaningful and positive experiences. She is a former National Park Service Interpretation Ranger and has worked for national work with environmental and social service organizations. Other speakers in the series will be Evelyn Rydz, Dr. Monica White, and Dr. J. Drew Lanham.
To register for any or all of the presentations, visit www.onbelongingoutdoors.org. Additional support is provided by the Ogden Codman Trust, the Lincoln Garden Club, and the Bemis Free Lecture Series.
St. Anne’s in-the-Fields will host its second drive-in Evensong service on Sunday, March 14 at 5 p.m. During the service, which originates from the monastic hours, the choir offers certain portions while the congregation joins in the prayers, hymns, Creed and responses. In the lower parking lot, each singer will sit in their car with a wireless microphone while Music Director Jay Lane conducts from the upper lot. The singing and pre-recorded organ music are mixed in real time and the results are broadcast over an unused FM radio frequency. Parishioner Tom Vollaro is the sound engineer. This 45-minute service will feature Walmisley’s “Magnificat” and “Nunc Dimittis in D minor,” Wesley’s “Lead me, Lord,” and a hymn everyone can sing together. Read about the choir’s first drive-in Evensong in The Boston Globe.
The First Parish in Lincoln is running a Community Woodland Egg Hunt runs from 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 27 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 4. Participants may choose to begin at the Parish House playground or use the QR link to this FPL web page, which has a map giving the general locations of eggs, though you’ll still have some looking to do.
Several camera-ready feline “yogis” will participate in “MeowMaste: Do Yoga with Cats!” on Sunday, March 28 at 7 p.m. Phinney’s — a nonprofit that provides financial assistance and caregiving support to low-income people so they can keep their pets — “is committed to working with people who experience loneliness and isolation, which the current pandemic has exacerbated for some clients, and the class is a way for us to honor that commitment by focusing on an experience designed to give people of all ages and experience levels a way to boost their own mood by interacting virtually with a cast of amazing cats and getting expert instruction on how to do some of the most popular yoga poses,” said Daniela Caride, president of Phinney’s. Register on the Meowmaste web page with a $10 donation.
Musician, storyteller, and educator Anna Adler will lead the First Parish in Lincoln Passover Seder again this year using an adaptation of the 10-minute Haggadah starting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30. Participate in the seder traditions for Passover, then “stay for dinner” — all via Zoom. See this FPL web page for the Zoom link, as well as tips on how to create a Passover Seder plate and some menu ideas and things you might like to have for your table).
Join the LLCT and Matt Burne, senior ecologist with BSC Group, Inc., and vice president of the Vernal Pool Association, for “Vernal Pool Virtual Exploration” on Thursday, April 8 from 7–8 p.m. In lieu of an in-person walk this year, Matt will be sharing his photos and stories via Zoom and will answer audience questions after his talk. Click here to register and get the Zoom link.
Join Farrington Nature Linc and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust on Thursday, April 22 from 2–3 p.m. via Zoom for “Owls Up Close,” a virtual version of “Eyes on Owls.” Naturalists Marcia and Mark Wilson will introduce everyone to six live owls up close and personal, followed by some owl call practice with a hooting lesson. They’ll highlight the owls’ unique adaptations, habitats, and behaviors in the wild, while sharing tips on how you can look for owls yourself. All are welcome at this family friendly program. Register here to receive the Zoom link. This is a free program, but donations are encouraged and help us bring this program to the community. Viewers may purchase copies of Mark’s book, Owling (signed and personalized by the author) by emailing eyesonowls@earthlink.net.
Artist Evelyn Rydz will speak on “Close Attention: Exploring a Creative Practice Inside and Outside the Studio” on Wednesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. Exploring the vulnerability and the resiliency of natural and cultural ecosystems, Rydz invites viewers and participants of her projects to imagine a different future — one shaped by our connections and care for local and global communities. Her talk is part of “On Belonging in Outdoors Spaces,” a free virtual speaker series featuring prominent speakers whose are advancing efforts to strengthen belonging and connection between communities of color and the benefits of time in nature. Register here and get more information about the presentations and speakers.
In honor of Earth Day, the First Parish will host a talk and Q&A with Concord native John Bunker, who has devoted much of his life to seeking out, identifying, and saving as many old apple varieties in Maine as possible. “Changed Forever by an Apple Tree” takes place on Sunday, April 25 at 10 a.m. Click here to join the Zoom meeting (passcode: 749004). Bunker has been farming and homesteading in Maine at the Maine Heritage Orchard for almost half a century and is author of Apples and the Art of Detection: Tracking Down, Identifying, and Preserving Rare Apples.
Monica White, author of Freedom Farmers: Agricultural Resistance and the Black Freedom Movement, will speak on Wednesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. Her talk is part of “On Belonging in Outdoors Spaces,” a free virtual speaker series featuring prominent speakers whose are advancing efforts to strengthen belonging and connection between communities of color and the benefits of time in nature. Register here.
Bird-a-thon, Mass Audubon’s biggest annual fundraiser, takes place Friday and Saturday, May 14-15 (6 p.m. to 6 p.m.) during peak spring migration period when participants of all ages and abilities will compete to identify the most bird species and complete nature activities in 24 hours.
Thirteen teams representing different wildlife sanctuaries will compete in the field, seeking birds and participating in nature activities (with masking and social distancing protocols). Also, in honor of the organization’s 125th anniversary, participants can choose to take on the challenge of completing a 125-item nature scavenger hunt.
Everyone is welcome to join a team virtually or in person, even if they’re a nature newcomer. To participate, donate, and learn more about Bird-a-thon, please visit www.massaudubon.org/birdathon.
J. Drew Lanham, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Master Teacher at Clemson University, on “Coloring the Conservation Conversation” on Wednesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. Dr. Lanham will highlight what it means to embrace the full breadth of his African-American heritage and his deep kinship to nature and adoration of birds. He will discuss how conservation must be a rigorous science and evocative art, inviting diversity and race to play active roles in celebrating our natural world. Register here and get more information about the presentations and speakers in the “On Belonging in Outdoors Spaces” series.
Kids age 5–14 are invited to register for the 17th annual Lincoln Kids Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 14 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Codman Pool. Race distances range from 25m swim, ¼-mile run and no bike ride (ages 5-6) to 150m swim, 4-mile bike and 1-mile run (ages 13-14). Register on the Lincoln Parks & Rec website for $30 and get a T-shirt, a finisher’s medal and lots of memories. Packet pickup is Friday, Aug. 13 from 12:30–7 p.m. at Hartwell Pod A. Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help out during the race; if you have a few hours to give, please email ginger.reiner@gmail.com.
The Lincoln Public Library will host bingo on the lawn with caller Sally Kindleberger on Monday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. All ages welcome and prizes offered; no registration necessary. If necessary, weather-related cancellation will be posted on the library’s website, Facebook, and Instagram pages by 4 p.m.
Join us for a beginner-friendly hatha yoga and meditation class with Little Elephant Yoga’s Julie Aronis. The class starts with centering and grounding exercises with attention to the breath, followed by a solid warm-up with some slow flow. Class will end with a short guided meditation prior to a nice relaxing savasana. No props will be provided so please bring your own yoga mat, blanket, and (optional) blocks and strap. Stick around and make your own s’mores after class.
Tickets: $20/person (purchase here)
Naturalist John Calabria will lead monthly “Noticing Walks” starting on Tuesday, Sept. 14 from 1–2:30 p.m. starting at the back of the commuter lot near Donelan’s (other walks are on October 5, November 2, and December 7). Click here for more information and registration. Sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the Council on Aging and Human Services.
The Conservation Department will start its Tuesday fall trail walks from 9:30–11:30 a.m. (rain or shine) on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at Mount Misery. Other destinations: Drumlin Farm to Weston Woods (September 28), Flint’s Pond East (October 12), Codman East Woods and Hemlock Grove (October 19), and Browning Fields, Pigeon Hill, and Chapman Pasture (October 26). Click here for details on meeting locations. Registration is required to keep group size under 15 and to contact walkers in case of cancellation due to weather or public health concerns. Click here to register (select the tab at the bottom for the date you’re interested in). You may also RSVP by calling the Conservation Dept. at 781-259-2612 or emailing conservation@lincolntown.org.