The service at the First Parish in Lincoln on “Rally Sunday” on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. will include a blessing of the backpacks for our children and joyful music from the choir. With a bit of history during the service, and cake afterwards on the lawn, we’ll also be celebrating the 275th anniversary of the church.
Join a free public workshop on Monday, Sept. 18 from 7-8:15 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library on “How & Why to Talk to Young Kids About Race” offered by Story Starters. Designed for caregivers and educators, this workshop will explain the research about how racial bias develops in children from a young age, and provide evidence-based strategies adults can use to disrupt that bias and develop children’s antiracist values. Click here to register.
On Friday, Sept. 22 from 1–3 p.m., meet at the famous “twisted tree” in front of Lincoln Public Library for a special Quiet Walks and Poetry for Seekers collaboration. We’ll walk for a mile or two in the neighborhood, stopping four or five times beneath particular trees. Beneath the shade of each tree, we will hear a poem that in some way honors or features that tree species. In between each poem, we will walk in silence. At the end, we will gather in a circle and reflect on what we saw and heard. If the weather looks questionable, email Rev. Nate Klug (nate@fplincoln.org) for the latest updates.
LincFam welcomes new and expecting parents to a meetup for families with children under 2 or expecting a child (both parents and children are welcome) on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 3:30 p.m. Meet at the commuter parking lot next to Donelan’s to walk the Codman trails. No RSVP required. If you’d like to join the list for information on future events and meetups, click here.
Celebrate the freedom to read with a conversation between young people and their caregivers at two discussion groups during Banned Books Week at the Lincoln Public Library. On Monday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., children’s librarian Debbie Leopold will facilitate a talk for kids age 4+ about Answers in the Pages by David Levithan. Email dleopold@minlib.net to register.
Talk with other parents about “Practicing Self-Compassion as a Parent,” part of the First Parish in Lincoln’s “Conversations on Tap” series, on Monday, Sept. 25 from 7:30–9 p.m. in the Tack Room. Led by Rev. Kit Novotny, FLP co-minister, will explore the practice of self-compassion (based on the work of Dr. Kristin Neff and others) as a strategy for parenting with empathy over perfectionism, gently shifting from shame and stress spirals toward cultivating a kind, supportive inner voice. We’ll also explore how self-compassion can be a tool we pass onto our children. Open to the wider community – all spiritual backgrounds (and none) very welcome.
Lincoln author Ray Shepard (A Long Time Coming) will host a session with middle schoolers and caregivers on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. to talk about Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Email sfeather@minlib.net to register.
Codman Community Farms’ annual Harvest Feast returns with a classic pig roast, bluegrass music from The New Grownups, and fun on the farm on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 5–9 p.m. There will be pulled pork family meals and apple crisp hot out of the Codman kitchen, plates and cutlery, plus a tent over the front pasture, table seating and Solo stoves to keep warm. Bring a picnic blanket, other side dishes your family might like to eat (not potluck), and drinks. Family meals include Codman pasture-raised pork, cornbread and coleslaw, plus apple crisp and vanilla ice cream. Family meals start at $60; click here to order.
Join in the fun with old-fashioned family and children’s games at Codman’s Harvest Fair on Sunday, Oct. 1 from noon–4 p.m. Activities include bingo in the sugar shack, a pie-eating contest, rooster run, lots of games, (mostly) Codman-grown food, music, and more. Children’s admission bracelets are $20, which includes ice cream. Kids under 3 are free. Click here to skip the line and order in advance.
The Lincoln Public Library presents a music performance for children and families by Sulinha’s Trio on Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 10:30–11:15 a.m. in the Tarbell Room. Originally from Brazil, Sulinha Boucher’s trio plays bossa nova, baiao, and other styles on Brazilian instruments like berimbau and bandolin as well as acoustic guitar and percussion. No registration necessary. For all ages.
Reading Circle participants will read “The Wellfleet Oysterman” from Thoreau’s Cape Cod and come together for discussion with Walden Woods Project Curator of Collections and resident Thoreau Scholar Jeffrey S. Cramer. “The Wellfleet Oysterman” as well as discussion questions will be provided upon registration. “The Wellfleet Oysterman” (as well as the full Cape Cod text) is available to read on this Walden Woods web page.
The Reading Circle is an event in association with the Thoreau’s Cape Cod Readathon, a first-of-its-kind event sponsored by the Barnstable Land Trust, the Walden Woods Project, the town of Concord, and other partners in Concord and on Cape Cod. The Readathon will be held October 7 and 8 at Fuller Farm in Marstons Mills as well as live-streamed. Find out more here.
The fifth annual Brain Games cornhole tournament and family fun day on Sunday, Oct. 15 from noon–5 p.m. in Pierce Park. Live music, local beer, magician Ed Popielarczyk, raffle prizes, and the Clover food truck! There is no cost to attend the event. Food and beverages are available for purchase — everything else is simply whatever you would like to donate. Please spread the word, and invite your friends and family.
Brain Games is the Doo family’s annual fundraiser benefiting moyamoya research at Boston Children’s Hospital in honor of the care received by their daughter, who was diagnosed with the rare brain disease moyamoya in June 2019 and has had three surgeries since. Their goal this year is to raise $100,000 to continue funding her surgeon’s research, where 100% of the event’s proceeds go.
Tales of the Night, the annual family-friendly, nature-oriented spooktacular at Drumlin Farm, returns on Thursday and Friday, October 26 and 27 from 6:30–9 p.m. Activities range from “not so spooky” to “very spooky,” making Tales of the Night great for all ages. The wildlife sanctuary’s pathways will be candlelit to set the mood, so attendees will be able to spot the illuminated jack-o-lantern display. And don’t be surprised to wander into a story along the Nursery Rhyme Trail! Haunted Hayrides will explore Boyce Field. A variety of wildlife “ambassadors” will also be joining the party, including tarantulas and scorpions as special Halloween guests. Snacks will be available, as will secret “Witches Brew” for the (blood)thirsty. (This concoction may taste like apple cider to young attendees.)
Proceeds from the event ($17 members/$20 nonmembers) provide critical support for Mass Audubon’s nature education and conservation programs. Admission is free for children 2 and younger — and coming dressed in costumes is encouraged! Register and learn more here, or visit massaudubon.org/tales.
Tales of the Night, the annual family-friendly, nature-oriented spooktacular at Drumlin Farm, returns on Thursday and Friday, October 26 and 27 from 6:30–9 p.m. Activities range from “not so spooky” to “very spooky,” making Tales of the Night great for all ages. The wildlife sanctuary’s pathways will be candlelit to set the mood, so attendees will be able to spot the illuminated jack-o-lantern display. And don’t be surprised to wander into a story along the Nursery Rhyme Trail! Haunted Hayrides will explore Boyce Field. A variety of wildlife “ambassadors” will also be joining the party, including tarantulas and scorpions as special Halloween guests. Snacks will be available, as will secret “Witches Brew” for the (blood)thirsty. (This concoction may taste like apple cider to young attendees.)
Proceeds from the event ($17 members/$20 nonmembers) provide critical support for Mass Audubon’s nature education and conservation programs. Admission is free for children 2 and younger — and coming dressed in costumes is encouraged! Register and learn more here, or visit massaudubon.org/tales.
Come to the fourth annual Sinister Spectacular at Lincoln-Sudbury High School on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 1-3 p.m. Halloween-themed games and crafts will be hosted by our students (outside if weather permits; in the cafeteria if it doesn’t). This event is best for preschool through elementary kids. Costumes not required but encouraged. $5 entry and refreshments for sale. Email danielle_weisse@lsrhs.net with any questions.
Spend a crisp fall morning with your family in the Sculpture Park and complete a series of gently ghoulish activities designed for preschoolers and toddlers and their caregivers. Explore in the morning mist, create a creepy crawly park creature, and work with educators to explore spiders through a collaborative rope web installation and sculptures inspired by the eight-legged arachnids. Costumes encouraged and all ages welcome. Preregistration is required — click here for details.
Practice your pumpkin poses and skeleton stretches. This kid-friendly yoga class weaves a rich balance between the imaginative world of the child with the distinct aspects of yoga practice that support mindfulness, self-regulation, and joy. The instructor comes from the teaching team at On The Mat Yoga in Concord. For ages 3-12 with a caregiver; meet on the third floor of the museum and bring a water bottle and mat. Click here for details and registration.
Lincoln resident Alex Chatfield of Stop Private Jet Expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere will speak at an open meeting of the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. in Bemis Hall (coffee and sign-in start at 9:45 a.m.). HE will share the latest information on the proposal to build more private jet hangars at Hanscom Field, the implications for Climate Change, progress to date and next steps. There will be ample time for questions and answers and a short video of the October 2 State House rally.