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.
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.
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.
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.
Learn about commonly encountered wildlife such as deer, coyote, and raccoons, and their intersection with wild and developed spaces. Find out best practices for maintaining bird feeders and attracting visitors and learn about amazing pollinators and problematic mosquitoes and ticks. Led by Tia Pinney, lead naturalist and educator at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary.
The First Parish in Lincoln’s Racial Justice Advocates invite residents to “Food for Thought” on Wednesday, Nov. 8. They will serve a simple supper at 5:30 p.m. in the parish house followed by a presentation and discussion on “Challenges and Hopes for Racial Equity in Maternal Health Care: What’s Happening in Boston.” The speaker will be Mariane McPherson, co-chair of the Neighborhood Birth Center board and is a Senior Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Roxbury. Reservations appreciated for dinner and required for childcare. Suggested donation: $10. Click here to RSVP.
Come to a special community supper for all ages offering a chance to enjoy a simple meal together, and learn and talk with each other at “Food for Thought: Maternal Health Equity” on Wednesday, Nov. 8 hosted by Racial Justice Advocates at the First Parish in Lincoln. Supper prepared by FPL chefs at 5:30 p.m., discussion from 6:30–8 p.m. Speakers include Marianna McPherson from the Neighborhood Birth Center in Roxbury. Reservations appreciated for dinner and required for childcare; form will be posted soon here.
Go into the woods with Farrington Nature Linc Educator and Program Manager Meg Ito to look for “Signs of Animals” on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 2–3:30 p.m. Expect to see some real animal bones, skins, and other signs as part of this workshop (including an introduction to local wildlife and a 45-minute walk around the site) featuring animal track cards and a small piece of snake skin home. Click here to purchase tickets ($25–$45).
Mothers Out Front – Lincoln invites residents to a virtual meeting about HCA rezoning on Monday, Nov. 27 at noon. Select Board member Jennifer Glass will review how the process has unfolded, talk through the five options, and review the voting process to be used at the December 2 Town Meeting. This will be followed by a discussion by Mothers Out Front members regarding the climate and environmental justice considerations of the various options. Click here for the Zoom link (passcode: 593789).
The Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee will hold a listening session for students, families, and community members on Monday, Nov. 27 from 6:30–8 p.m. in the Goodnow Library conference room (21 Concord Rd, Sudbury) where attendees can raise items with members of the Committee. In attendance will be committee members Ravi Simon and Kevin Matthews. Future listening sessions will take place in Lincoln and virtually with up to two committee members at each. These sessions are not public meetings with an agenda, but rather a casual opportunity to meet with School Committee members.
Make holiday snacks and charcuterie plates with Happy Jars owner Jodi Gorman. For children 10+. Please email sfeather@minlib.net to register.
Care Dimensions is offering a grief support group for Massachusetts parents who have lost an adult child on Thursdays, Jan. 25 to March 14 from 10:30 a.m.–noon at the Care Dimensions Hospice House on Winter Stret in Lincoln. To register or ask questions, call 855-774-5100 or email Grief@CareDimensions.org. Although there is no charge for this support group, donations are appreciated.
Start off Saturday of Winter Carnival with delicious pancakes and real maple syrup at the Lincoln Girl Scouts’ annual Pancake Breakfast. Plain, chocolate chip, and gluten-free pancakes with coffee, tea, orange juice, and fruit. Meet friends, catch up with neighbors, and enjoy crafts for kids. Girl Scout Cookies will be on sale. $5 for children under 12, $10 for everyone else ($30 family maximum).
Join us on a guided hike around the trails of Mt. Misery as we look for tracks and other signs of life to understand how our local wildlife survives New England winters. We look for the presence of a variety of animals, including beaver activity, to learn how they spend stretches of winter under the ice. This family-friendly hike will be guided by the Lincoln Conservation Department. Click here to register. Part of Winter Carnival 2024.
Help our farmer take care of the animals! In this hands-on activity, you’ll get to meet and feed the animals their dinner, help keep the barns clean, and make sure everyone is tucked in for the night. Adult & child members: $14. Adult & child nonmembers: $17. Click here to register. Part of Winter Carnival 2024.
1:15–1:45 p.m. OR 2–2:45 p.m.
Winter is cold in New England, but not everywhere. Learn how animals survive freezing temperatures, floods, and other winter challenges in different parts of the world. Who is active and outside? Who is sleeping or hiding? Joys of Nature will share information on how local animals and others around the world survive their winter seasons. Attendees will also meet live reptiles! We are offering two half-hour sessions for families with children ages 4+. For more information, email dleopold@minlib.net. Part of Winter Carnival 2024.
February 7 at 7:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
February 11 at 2 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
This film by Jewish-Israeli director Shimon Dotan traces the history of Israeli settlements in the West Bank (a clear violation of international law by an occupying power) that began in 1967 and continues to this day at an accelerating pace. The settlement population now tops 850,000 (including East Jerusalem) and has mythologized the touted “two-state solution.” Watch the trailer.