Mass Audubon’s Bird-a-thon, which typically sends teams of birders rambling throughout the Commonwealth in a friendly competition to identify the most species in a 24-hour period, is staying at home this year to respect social distancing and will take place Friday to Saturday, May 15–16.
Mass Audubon’s biggest single fundraising event is again expected to attract hundreds of competitors of all abilities, but will be carbon-free, safety-focused, and family-oriented. Participants will select bird observation spots—a window, backyard, or a green space within short walking or biking distance from their homes. From 6 p.m. on Friday the 15th through 6 p.m. on the 16th, they’ll spend time observing and identifying species from their birding positions, solo or with other household members.
Competitors join teams representing different Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries and programs. Their pledges can be directed to specific wildlife sanctuaries and programs or to the overall organization, the state’s largest nature conservation nonprofit. Participants can also earn points for their team by completing other fun, nature-based activities or as “Bird-a-thon Boosters,” who raise money while birding for fun (or not birding at all).
Last year’s event raised $240,000 and recorded 273 species, with Drumlin Farm garnering $30,850 for its work through the event. Sponsors this year include presenting sponsors Ream Design of Ayer and Camosse Masonry Supply of Worcester, and media sponsor WBUR.
To participate, donate, and to learn more about Bird-a-thon, visit www.massaudubon.org/birdathon.
In place of Lincoln’s traditional Splash-Mash-Dash kids’ triathlon, the Parks and Rec Department and triathlon organizers invite kids to do their own “duathlon” (run, bike, run) this weekend (June 20-210. Children age 5-14 can complete the suggested distance (see below) and submit their time and/or photos here — no need to sign up or register anywhere beforehand. This can be done around the school campus ballfield (only on the weekend when there is no construction traffic!) or any other route where you can measure out one-third of a mile. Watch this video for tips on how to set up and execute your race.
- Ages 5-6: 3 mile run, 1 mile bike ride, 0.3 mile run (on Ballfield Road this would be 1 lap, 3 laps, 1 lap)
- Ages 7-10: 3 mile run, 2 mile bike ride, 0.6 mile run (1 lap, 6 laps, 2 laps)
- Ages 11-14: 6 mile run, 3 mile bike ride, 1 mile run (2 laps, 9 laps, 3 laps)
Since the roads will not be closed to traffic as they are during the regular triathlon, make sure your kids ride and run safely by following the rules of the road, wearing helmets, watching carefully for hazards, and (when necessary) participating with them. If your child is able to complete the challenge, bring them to the Hartwell parking lot on Ballfield Road on Monday, June 22 between 4 and 6 p.m. to get a free Lincoln Kids Triathlon shirt (choose the color you like from a previous year’s race) plus a certificate to reward them for their efforts.
Bingo is a great way to have some fun, and you can play it online via Zoom. We will be hosting four bingo games this summer with Lincoln-focused organizations and people. The winner of each game will get a prize, and each time you play, you can accumulate points on a Summer Passport towards a grand prize.
- Thursday, July 9 at 10 a.m. — Learn about the history of Minute Man National Historical Park with the Friends of Minute Man National Park.
- Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. — Join the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust to learn about wildflowers in our area.
- Thursday, August 13 at 10 a.m. — Find out more about the history of the Lincoln Minute Men with the Lincoln Minute Men.
- Thursday, August 27 at 10 a.m. — Get the facts about classical music. Information provided by Wanda Paik.
Preregistration required for all sessions. To register, contact gagnea@lincolntown.org.
Bingo is a great way to have some fun, and you can play it online via Zoom. We will be hosting four bingo games this summer with Lincoln-focused organizations and people. The winner of each game will get a prize, and each time you play, you can accumulate points on a Summer Passport towards a grand prize.
- Thursday, July 9 at 10 a.m. — Learn about the history of Minute Man National Park with the Friends of Minute Man National Park.
- Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. — Join the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust to learn about wildflowers in our area.
- Thursday, August 13 at 10 a.m. — Find out more about the history of the Lincoln Minute Men with the Lincoln Minute Men.
- Thursday, August 27 at 10 a.m. — Get the facts about classical music. Information provided by Wanda Paik.
Preregistration required for all sessions. To register, contact gagnea@lincolntown.org.
Bingo is a great way to have some fun, and you can play it online via Zoom. We will be hosting four bingo games this summer with Lincoln-focused organizations and people. The winner of each game will get a prize, and each time you play, you can accumulate points on a Summer Passport towards a grand prize.
- Thursday, July 9 at 10 a.m. — Learn about the history of Minute Man National Park with the Friends of Minute Man National Park.
- Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. — Join the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust to learn about wildflowers in our area.
- Thursday, August 13 at 10 a.m. — Find out more about the history of the Lincoln Minute Men with the Lincoln Minute Men.
- Thursday, August 27 at 10 a.m. — Get the facts about classical music. Information provided by Wanda Paik.
Preregistration required for all sessions. To register, contact gagnea@lincolntown.org.
Bingo is a great way to have some fun, and you can play it online via Zoom. We will be hosting four bingo games this summer with Lincoln-focused organizations and people. The winner of each game will get a prize, and each time you play, you can accumulate points on a Summer Passport towards a grand prize.
- Thursday, July 9 at 10 a.m. — Learn about the history of Minute Man National Park with the Friends of Minute Man National Park.
- Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. — Join the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust to learn about wildflowers in our area.
- Thursday, August 13 at 10 a.m. — Find out more about the history of the Lincoln Minute Men with the Lincoln Minute Men.
- Thursday, August 27 at 10 a.m. — Get the facts about classical music. Information provided by Wanda Paik.
Preregistration required for all sessions. To register, contact gagnea@lincolntown.org.
Lincoln resident and certified hatha yoga instructor Melinda Bruno-Smith is leading free hatha yoga sessions in Pierce Park on the next four Thursdays (September 3, 10, 17, and 24) from 4–5 p.m. Please bring a yoga mat, towel, or blanket to practice on and wear loose-fitting clothing. The session will be cancelled in case of rain. All levels welcome.
This online workshop hosted virtually by Farrington Nature Linc and led by Jenny Hauf from Muddy River Herbals will introduce participants to making and growing their own cocktails. You’ll come away knowing how to make a mojito, simple syrup, and blueberry pine shrub. Jenny will also discuss alcohol-free options so you can treat everyone in your life to a beautifully crafted drink. Click here to purchase tickets.
The inaugural Tour de Codman on Sunday, Oct. 11 will start at Codman Farm and will take bike riders on a nearly 12-mile loop through Lincoln along roads and paths, featuring stops at three remote pastures where farm staff and volunteers will give a short talk on the farm’s sustainable, pasture-based agriculture before returning to the farm for coffee, cider, and donuts. All ages welcome, but riders must be comfortable maintaining a 10-12 mph pace along Lincoln’s roads.
The route will spend as much time as possible on bike paths and quiet roads. Any bike in good working order should suffice. Please plan to bring your own water and snacks for the route. The ride leader will have basic tools but riders should plan to be self-sufficient. The total time for the ride, with stops, should be under two hours. Masks required. Staggered start times beginning at 9:30 a.m., in groups of eight participants maximum. Click here to sign up ($15 per person).
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).
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.
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.
The Scarecrow Classic 5K, an annual event that benefits the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, will hold an in-person run and a virtual option. The in-person race is Sunday, Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m. Anyone wishing to run the race virtually can run a 5K anywhere and any time in the week leading up to race day. Register by Friday, Oct. 4 to have your Scarecrow Classic shirt waiting for you on race day. New this year, the LLCT will offer packet pickup for those who preregistered on October 16 from 2–4 p.m. at Lincoln Station. Registration closes on October 15 at midnight, and there will be limited same-day registration starting at 8 a.m. on race day. Learn more at scarecrowclassic5k.com and click here to register.