The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

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Lincoln getting ready for Winter Carnival

Lincoln’s annual Winter Carnival sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 30. The weekend is designed to foster a sense of community throughout the Town of Lincoln. All events are sponsored by local organizations.

Ongoing

Build your snow sculpture when snow arrives, then snap a photo with you in it and send it to David Sequeira at Parks & Rec at dsequeira@lincnet.org. Submit as many sculptures as you like. Submissions accepted until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb 2. Winners will be announced on Friday, Feb. 7.

Thursday, January 30

FoMA Film: “Visual Acoustics”
6:30–9 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
Friends of Modern Architecture/Lincoln is pleased to present this documentary about the charming and productive life of Julius Shulman, widely regarded as the greatest architectural photographer of the 20th century who played a significant role in bringing to light the architectural Modernist movement. Beautifully crafted by director Eric Bricker (2009). Film begins at 7.

Friday, January 31

Intergenerational sing-along
3:45–5:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
The LEAP after-school program, the Council on Aging, and the Magic Garden Children’s Center invite residents of all ages to enjoy a multigenerational sing-along. Groups from each of the three organizations will sing favorite folk songs, children songs, and more.

LPTO Bingo Night
5:30–7:30 p.m., Brooks Gym
Come celebrate Family Bingo Night with even more chances to win. Prizes awarded for each winning bingo board, plus raffle prizes. Pizza sales start at 5:30 p.m., with additional snacks and drinks available for purchase. Free admission. Bingo cards $5 (15 game multipack); raffle tickets 1/$1; 6/$5; 15/$10 suggested donation.

Saturday, February 1

Girl Scout community pancake breakfast
8–11 a.m., First Parish Church
Start the Saturday slate of Winter Carnival activities with delicious pancakes and real maple syrup! Plain, blueberry, chocolate chip, and gluten-free pancakes along with coffee, tea, orange juice, and fruit. This event is great for everyone from the very young to the young at heart. Meet friends, catch up with neighbors, and enjoy crafts for kids. Girl Scout cookies will be on sale. Tickets: $5 for children under 12, $10 for those 12 and older ($30 family maximum)

Farrington Nature Linc family animal tracking
10 a.m.–noon, Farrington Nature Linc (291 Cambridge Turnpike)
Join us for a family-friendly morning of animal tracking activities on our trails and in our barn! We will head outdoors to look for signs of local wildlife–using snow, mud, dirt, trees, scat, and more–then return inside for tracking-themed craft-making and movement, plus hot chocolate. Free but registration required; click here.

Winter fun at Magic Garden
11 a.m.–1 p.m., Ballfield Road
Come visit with friends and neighbors at Magic Garden. Enjoy carnival games, arts and crafts, story time, and indoor “ice skating” in your socks. This event is best suited for children ages 5 months to 5 years. Free.

4th Annual Lincoln Holistic Wellness Fair
11 a.m.–4 p.m., Pierce House
Join local area Holistic Wellness professionals for the 4th Annual Holistic Wellness Fair as they bring their healing skills and talents to share with the community. The Fair is a rare opportunity for all to experience a varied representation of wellness services from A (acupuncture) to Z (zero Balancing), and many modalities in between. Meet the practitioners who help fill a gap in health care today and find effective solutions to chronic and acute health concerns. Hot beverages and delicious, healthy snacks round out the offerings ensuring a rejuvenating oasis for the senses. Free.

Community skating and bonfire
1–3 p.m., Cemetery Pond
Enjoy skating, hot chocolate, and toasted marshmallows by the campfire. Bring your own skates and stay tuned to www.LincolnRec.com for weather updates.

LFA energy blaster
3–5 p.m., Brooks Gym
Jump in a bounce house, run through an obstacle course, climb, and slide. The gym will be filled with fun ways to let out some energy! Free for 2020 LFA members (join or renew on the spot at www.lincfam.org for $50/year); $10 per child for non-members.

Acoustic Coffeehouse 2020
7–10:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
Our annual night to showcase local musicians and performers! We have a diverse roster of performers — some returning, some new — ready to play for you, and there’s a good chance you know some of them! Coffee/tea and desserts will be served. Doors open at 7pm. General Admission is $10. Table of 8 is $160. Online registration is recommended at www.LincolnRec.com. General admission seats also sold at the door on a space available basis.

Sunday, February 2

Make your own elf/fairy garden
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m., Lincoln Nursery School (deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum)
Create your own garden using natural materials such as moss, acorns, and pine cones. Feel free to bring along anything you would like to add to your garden. Hot chocolate will be served. Free.

Puppy Bowl
12–1:30 p.m., First Parish Church
Let the tailgating and tail wagging begin! Everyone is invited to join First Parish for lunch and the screening of Animal Planet’s 2019 Puppy Bowl. Bring your own lunch or enjoy hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, drink, and cookie $5 for lunch (admission is free). Meet and greet actual tail-waggers. Optional: please bring a pet supply to donate to Buddy Dog.

Awesome Robb magic show
2–3 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
Celebrate Winter Carnival with Awesome Robb and his interactive comedy/magic show. Best for ages 4 and up, but all are welcome.

Family life In Lincoln at the time of the Revolution
2–4 p.m., Bemis Hall
Experience life for parents and children in 18th-century Lincoln. Every man had to have a soldier’s equipment and skills. Every woman had to feed, clothe, and cure the illnesses of her family. Children learned school lessons with quill pens and still had time for games. We debated the important issues of the day and made our own music for entertainment. Come join the Minute Men to talk about life in 1775 Lincoln and try your hand at the tasks, skills, and amusements of the time. Hands- on activities for all. Patriots preferred; redcoats and loyalists welcome. Free.

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LSB Players present “Beanstalk!”

LSB Players, the theater production company of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, present “Beanstalk!” by Ross Mihalko and Donna Swift on Friday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Kirshner Auditorium. The 11 a.m. show will be a special sensory-friendly performance. Audiences of all ages will enjoy this fun adaptation of a classic fable. There will be lobby activities for young children. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens/students, and $5 for children age 5 and under. Tickets may be reserved at LSBtickets@gmail.com and will also be available at the door.

Town Meeting warrant now open for citizens’ petitions

Residents who are interested in sponsoring a citizens’ petition at the Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, March 28 must submit paperwork by the close of business Monday, Jan. 27. Petitions often take the form of resolutions urging local, state or national leaders to take certain action on legislative or public policy matters, or proposed town bylaw amendments. Petitioners are urged to consult with the Town Clerk or Town Administrator’s office to ensure that proper process is followed, and that any contemplated petitions are legally valid.

Massachusetts automatic voter registration now in effect

As of January 1, 2020, Massachusetts has implemented Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) to make registering to vote as streamlined as possible for eligible Massachusetts residents. AVR comes into play when visiting the state Registry of Motor Vehicles and state agencies within the MassHealth and Health Connector programs. Individuals who visit these agencies and are eligible to vote will be registered as Unenrolled voters will (no party) unless they decline the option of registering to vote completely. Only first time voters will be registered as unenrolled; anyone already registered will retain their current status. Lincolnites can still register to vote or change their voter registrations at the Town Clerk’s Office or online at www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/.

 If you are registered as Unenrolled and would like to join a party, come to the Town Clerk’s Office to fill out a Party Enrollment Card, or change your party online (see above). Also note that any name changes when filling out agency paperwork (for example, using a middle initial instead of your full middle name) prompts a notice of change to your voter registration, and you will receive an Acknowledgment Notice by mail from Lincoln’s Town Clerk. Anyone with questions may call Town Clerk Valerie Fox at 781-259-2607.

Architecture documentary, Holistic Wellness Fair during Winter Carnival

Friends of Modern Architecture will show Visual Acoustics on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 6:30–9 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library. The film explores the charming and productive life of Julius Shulman, widely regarded as the greatest architectural photographer of the twentieth century, who played a significant role in bringing to light the architectural Modernist movement. Refreshments and conversation after the film.

The fourth annual Lincoln Holistic Wellness Fair organized by the Lincoln Area Wellness Collaborative takes place on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 1–4 p.m. in the Pierce House. The event is part of the Parks & Recreation Department’s Winter Carnival. Visitors can learn about holistic health methods such as acupuncture, Ayurveda, BEMER therapy, higher brain living, Kundalini yoga, massage and bodywork, reflexology, sound and energy healing, therapeutic touch, zero balancing, and more. Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, and Debra’s Natural Gourmet will donate refreshments. Practitioners will offer free sample treatments, short classes, demos and presentations. For more information or to sign up in advance for demos, email Jai Kaur San Antonio at asanajai@verizon.net.

Click here to see the full list of Winter Carnival events taking place from January 30 to February 2.

Screening of “Un Cuento Chino”

The Lincoln Film Society will show Un Cuento Chino (Chinese Take-Out) on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. In Spanish with English subtitles. A well-ordered hardware store owner in Buenos Aires will see his life turn upside down when he helps a stranded Chinese man who doesn’t speak a word of Spanish find his uncle in the bustling city. But can this coexistence bear fruit? (IMDb.com)

Thoreau Animal Index Blitz

Join the Walden Woods Project to co-create an index of all of the animals mentioned in Thoreau’s journals during its Thoreau Animal Index Blitz on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 1–8 p.m. at its headquarters at 44 Baker Farm Rd. in Lincoln. Like Ray Angelo’s Botanical Index, this will become a valuable resource to Thoreau scholars for years to come. We only have three and a half volumes left to index and we fully expect to finish at this event, with a champagne toast when we’re done. Click here to register.

Girls in STEM Camp at Minuteman

Minuteman High School will hold its fifth-annual Girls in STEM Camp for any interested female students in seventh and eighth grade during February school vacation, from Tuesday to Friday, Feb. 18–21 from 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. The Girls in STEM Camp involves activities led by Minuteman High School students who are in the school’s Girls in STEM mentoring program, along with faculty advisors. The Minuteman students, who are mentored by young women currently attending college or working in a STEM field, get to share their knowledge with middle-school students during the Girls in STEM Camp experience. The camp runs twice a yea,: once during February school vacation and again in August.

Students who live in one of Minuteman’s district towns may attend for free; those from towns outside the district (including Lincoln) will be charged $149. Visit minuteman.org to register or contact Michelle Roche, Minuteman’s director of career technical education, at 781-861-6500 ext. 7236 or m.roche@minuteman.org.

Events coming up at deCordova

  • Join photographer Claire Beckett and Koch Curatorial Fellow Sam Adams on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. for a tour of Truthiness and the News, which includes Beckett’s work and that of other photographers, photojournalists, and conceptual artists who test the limits of believability. Click here to register.
  • Inspired by the plants in Blossfeldt’s photographs, experience a new way of arranging flowers and learn the history, styles, and concepts of ikebana arranging at an ikebana workshop led by Joanna Caccavale, president of the Ikebana International Boston Chapter, on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Click here to register.
  • Enjoy an evening of ceramics activity for couples at Valentine’s Date Night with Clay. Work as a team on the wheel, decorating clay hearts or building your own signature romantic sculptures. Workshop includes firing, materials, and refreshments. Over 1.5 hours of instruction and assistance in building a unique gift. All levels welcome (21+). Valentine’s Day is sold out, but a few spots remain on February 12 and February 13 (click a date to register).
  • Artist Max Razdow will facilitate a Land Art workshop inspired by the Peter Hutchinson: Landscapes of My Life exhibition on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 10:30 a.m.–noon. The program will begin in the galleries, move outdoors to make Land Art, and then into deCordova’s studios. Participants will have a chance to creatively document their projects and bring home a record of their intervention. Click here to register.

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Event looks at adult children and aging parents

Share dinner and discussion during “A Conversation Between Adult Children and Aging Parents” on Wednesday, Jan. 8 from 5:30–7 p.m. in the First Parish in Lincoln’s parish house auditorium. This exploration of how parents and adult children address the challenges of aging while respecting independence and privacy is part of the church’s “Food for Thought” monthly community dinner and conversation. Led by Lincoln therapist Jane O’Rourke, a panel of elders and mid-life children will start off the discussion. Over dessert and coffee, there will be time for you to exchange your thoughts and ideas with your table companions. All are welcome. The First Parish provides child care and supper (including gluten-free and child-friendly options). Suggested donation: $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Ceramics class, snowshoe tours at deCordova

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is offering “Expressive Vessels, Forms and Environments,” a ceramics workshop on five Thursdays starting January 9 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Techniques for building with clay and thematic analysis of decoration will be explored, drawing inspiration from deCordova’s current exhibition, All the Marvelous Surfaces. No experience necessary. All materials provided, and optional studio time is included. Click here for more information and registration.

Looking for a fun new way to explore the sculpture park this winter? Make a day out of a trip to the park with snowshoe tours, lunch in the cafe, and a visit to the museum. Offered every Saturday from January 11 to March 7. Tickets include a guided tour with a deCordova guide and a trained EMS instructor. Rentals are available if needed. For ages 8+. Click here for more information and registration.

Climate Sunday offers workshops on environmental topics

Join the First Parish in Lincoln and the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) for Climate Sunday on Sunday, Jan. 12 starting at 10 a.m. Climate Sunday is a gathering for those interested in learning more about how to take action on environmental justice, clean transportation, zero-waste initiatives, and more. Interactive workshops on issues such as environmental justice, transportation, and zero waste will focus on the current state of environmental advocacy in Massachusetts from experts working on the ground.

Participants are welcome to come for the entire day or just the lunch and afternoon workshops. Below is the schedule of events. Space is limited; please click here to RSVP.

  • 10 a.m. — The First Parish in Lincoln morning service with sermon by Rev. Jenny Rankin and reflections by Peter Shelley, CLF’s senior counsel.
  • 11:15 a.m. — Check-in opens at the Stone Church.
  • 11:15 a.m.–12 p.m. — Environmental fair featuring booths and informal presentations by CLF, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, HomeWorks Energy, and others. Learn what you can do to combat climate change.
  • 12 p.m. — “How to Stay Optimistic in a Warming World,” a lunchtime presentation by CLF President Brad Campbell.
  • 1 p.m. — Workshop #1: Staci Rubin, CLF’s senior attorney, will discuss her work around environmental justice and clean transportation, as well as how you can get involved.
  • 1:45 p.m. — Workshop #2: Kirstie Pecci, CLF’s Zero Waste Project director and senior fellow, will discuss her work on plastics and zero-waste initiatives and how you can take action.

Anyone with questions may contact Katie Ardrey at 617-850-1729 or kardrey@clf.org.

Schools ask residents to create “portrait of a learner”

The Lincoln Public Schools are asking themselves what skills, traits, and knowledge will our students need in order to thrive in and transform the 21st century. Can we create a “portrait of a learner” to ground the curriculum and assessments as we refine what and how we teach, and how to gauge the district’s success? School and community members gathered several times in 2019 to generate ideas and priorities. To contribute your thoughts, please respond by Monday, Jan. 13 to this quick online survey that asks you to think about the purpose of school and the current and future challenges and needs in the country and the world to help the schools create a first draft of a portrait of a learner.

Borrello headlines next LOMA

Matt Borrello

Matt Borrello is the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, Jan. 13 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The event runs from 7–10 p.m., and Borrello will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. He is a Bob Dylan acolyte, regularly performing at Dylan tribute shows, and plays venues like Passim, Lizard Lounge, Toad and the Rose Garden, and further afield through the Mid-Atlantic to the Carolinas. Admission is free and refreshments are provided. Performers can sign up at the event or email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com for a slot. There is a sound system with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups.

Panel explores sexual exploitation in the community

Massage parlors in the area and all over the country have been the focus of police raids targeting sexual exploitation. Do you wonder if people choose this life are are being forced into it? Would legalizing prostitution make things better for all involved? How is the issue of prostitution being addressed locally and within the state of Massachusetts? Join the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable for a panel presentation and discussion on “Sexual Exploitation: It’s Happening In Our Communities” on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 3 p.m. in the Wayland Public Safety Building (38 Cochituate Rd., Wayland).

Panelists will include Peter Qualliotine, co-founder of the Seattle-based Organization for Prostitution Survivors (OPS), and an advocate from RIA House, a local program that supports women with experience in the commercial sex trade and its associated exploitation, trafficking and prostitution. The remaining panelists will be community members who knew something wasn’t right and explored ways to deal with what was happening in their community.

Council on Aging activities in January

Musical jazz lunch
January 3 at noon
Celebrate the end of the week by grabbing a table at Bemis Hall while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with familiar good old tunes. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared at the store to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert.

Explore the poetry of Robert Frost
January 4 at 2 p.m.
Join Stephen Collins for a free four-session interactive seminar on the poetry of Robert Frost at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 4, 11, and 25 at the Lincoln Public Library, and on January 18 at Bemis Hall. Sponsored by the Council on Aging and the library. Stephen performs one-man shows and teaches courses on historical figures like Melville, Walt Whitman, James MacNeill Whistler, and William Shakespeare.

What new discussion groups would you like?
January 6 at 10 a.m.
The COA loves to offer discussion groups for people who would like to discuss their experiences in a supportive group environment where they can share with others their concerns and challenges and get and give tips and strategies. We want to make sure that they are providing the groups you are most interested in. In the past, they have held groups about coping with losses, change, and difficult family issues. Which of these topics would you like to see offered again or what new topics would you like to talk about? Come to Bemis Hall at 10 a.m. on January 6 to brainstorm with the COA, or call Carolyn at 781-259-8811 with your ideas. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in January

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Join the Christmas Bird Count

The annual Christmas Bird Count, a nationwide event sponsored by National Audubon, will take place in Lincoln on Sunday, Dec. 29 when participants record the visitors to their bird feeders. If you have established feeders (meaning they are already up and being used), can watch them for at least an hour, and are confident in identifying the species of birds you see, email Gwyn Loud at gwynloud555@gmail.com and she will send you a checklist and other information.

Library offering automatic renewals

Automatic renewals are coming to the Lincoln Public Library and the Minuteman Library Network. Eligible library materials (books, DVDs, CDs) will be automatically renewed two days prior to their due dates. Items that are automatically renewed must meet the following criteria:

  • There are no holds on that title
  • Your library allows this type of item to renew
  • The item has not reached its maximum allowed renewals
  • Your library card is not blocked or expired

Patrons will receive a courtesy reminder two days before due date if an item cannot be renewed. If you do not have an email address associated with your library account, items will still be automatically renewed. You can check due dates by logging into My Account at the MLN website at www.minlib.net or by calling the circulation desk at 781-259-8465.

Film: “Ayiti Mon Amour”

The Lincoln Film Society will show “Ayiti Mon Amour (Haiti My Love)” on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. In the film (in French with English subtitles), a magical fable weaves together the lives of three different people in Haiti five years after the devastating earthquake.

Lincoln-Sudbury recognized for German program

Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School has been chosen as one of the few recipients of the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) School of Distinction school plaque award, in recognition of its exceptional partnership in fostering long-term youth exchange between the U.S. and Germany.  

Since 2003, the high school’s GAPP coordinator, Joan Campbell, has been organizing exchanges with the Gymnasium Vilshofen in Vilshofen, Germany, bringing students together with host families in their respective countries and building lasting relationships between teachers, administrators, schools and participating communities. GAPP program is supported by the German government, the U.S. Department of State, and the Goethe-Institut.

“With this recognition, we highlight and celebrate the school’s dedication to student growth and inclusion of global perspectives, and we celebrate the work of everyone involved in the GAPP exchange,” said GAPP Executive Director Molly Rowland.

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Ugly sweater party to benefit FELS

The Rustic Twenty-Nine restaurant (29 Hudson Rd., Sudbury) is hosting an Ugly Sweater Party on Thursday, Dec. 26. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury. Bring friends and enjoy holiday movies, festive cocktails, door prizes and raffles in support of FELS. No reservations necessary — just don your ugliest attire and bring what’s left of your holiday cheer. Show your Facebook RSVP at the door to get two free raffle tickets.

Indian ballet performance at Bemis

Biswajit Das, the lead dancer from the international Saptavarna troupe that toured the United States and visited last summer, is returning to the Boston area over the holidays and will perform in Lincoln on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 4 p.m. in Bemis Hall. the event is free for Lincoln residents. Das will perform the traditional new year ritual that takes place each year at the Konark Sun Temple in India.

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Artist’s reception with Chester

There will be an artist’s reception for “Storytelling: An Exhibit” by Lincoln artist Sarah Chester on Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 5–7 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library. For more information, email Chester at schester636@gmail.com.

Toys for Tots drive

The Lincoln Police Department is sponsoring a Toys for Tots drive at the Lincoln Public Safety Building (169 Lincoln Rd.). Donations will be accepted until Thursday, Dec. 12. For more information, please call 781-259-8113.

Cookies and cider at book sale

The monthly Friends of the Lincoln Library book sale and jigsaw puzzle swap/sale on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Bemis Hall from 9 a.m.–noon will include home-made cookies and cider as well as cookbooks galore and many other adult and children’s books. FoLL also has a cart of recently discarded library books for sale at $2.00 apiece on a cart inside the library.

Christmas events at St. Anne’s

  • The high-school Teen Formation group at Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church is planning an Advent service of anticipation at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15. Join us to sing and to ponder the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary as we prepare to welcome Mary’s child into the world. 
  • On Sunday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m., St. Anne’s will offer Christmas Lessons and Carols. This a festive celebration is modeled on the famous and beloved Anglican service of Nine Lessons and Carols held in King’s College, Cambridge, using traditional language, the King James Bible, favorite congregational carols, and glorious anthems sung by the choir. 
  • On Christmas Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 24), there will be worship services at 3 p.m. (Family Holy Eucharist) and and 5:30 and 10 p.m. (Holy Eucharist with choir). On Sunday, Dec. 29, there will be a service of Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m. The normal worship schedule (Holy Eucharist at 8:a.m., Holy Eucharist with choir at 10 a.m.) returns on Sunday, Jan. 5.

Robert Frost series at library

The Lincoln Public Library  the Council on Aging present “Exploring the Poetry of Robert Frost” with Stephen Collins, a four-session interactive seminar on the poetry of Robert Frost, on Saturdays, January 4, 11, 18, and 25 at 2 p.m. All sessions will be held at the library except for January 18, which will be at Bemis Hall. Collins performs one-man shows and teaches courses on historical figures like Herman Melville, Walt Whitman, Frost, James MacNeill Whistler, and Shakespeare. No registration required; come to one session or the entire series.

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Memorial for L-S coach Ando on Dec. 14

Yoshitaka Ando

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 9:45 a.m. at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School for longtime athletic trainer Yoshitaka Ando, who died on December 3. Hundreds of people are expected from all over the country, so please plan to arrive early and carpool if at all possible. More information from the family and comments from the community are available on this CaringBridge web page. His family has also established the Ando Family Fund where people can make online donations to support the education of his four children.

The L-S Music Department’s mattress fundraiser/chamber concert and Music Zoo and chamber concert that were scheduled for December 14 have been postponed until Sunday, Feb. 9. 

Holiday ornament workshop at deCordova

Create a clay ornament of your own design inspired by winter at deCordova on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. For ages 8+ (children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). All levels welcome. Click here to sign up.

“Coping with the Holidays” workshop

Care Dimensions will offer “Coping with the Holidays,” a workshop that will explore ways to manage the stress of the holiday season, particularly if you are grieving the loss of someone close to you, on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The session will be led by a trained Care Dimensions grief counselor. The workshop is free but registration is required; call 855-774-5100 or email Grief@CareDimensions.org.

Holiday events at the First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln is hosting the following holiday events in the parish house at 14 Bedford Rd.

  • Bell Choir Holiday Concert — Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. Come hear the magic sound of the bells as the Lincoln Ringers ring in the music of the season! Admission is free.
  • Hygge for Beginners — Thursday, Dec. 12 from 5:30–7 p.m. in the parish house. Join Margit Griffith and Meredith Jeremiah as they explore the cozy Danish tradition of celebrating coziness, comfort, warmth and family, as well as practicing mindfulness. Email sarah@orgto sign up.
  • Labyrinth of Light — Saturday, Dec. 21 from noon–8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 22 from noon–5 p.m. Walk a labyrinth made of Christmas lights and take a moment to ground yourself in the midst of a hectic season.
  • Live in Lincoln Center Concert — Monday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. Hear Handel’s “Messiah” performed by the artists of the Lincoln Baroque Players and Chorus. Ian Watson will conduct from the harpsichord. The “Live in Lincoln Center” concerts bring top professional musicians and singers to Lincoln. The instruments are authentic to the period in which the piece was written. Suggested donation is $40 per adult, any amount is appreciated. Doors open 6:30pm.

First Day celebration scheduled; volunteers sought

Lincoln’s annual First Day celebration will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 1–5 p.m. at Pierce House with food, drink, music and an activity for children. Organizers are looking for volunteers to help set up, clean up, and work during the open house. If you would like to help, please click here to sign up.

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Winter concerts at L-S

The L-S Choral Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium will feature the L-S Chorus and Choir as well as Achoired Taste and the Acafellas, the L-S Chamber Singers, and the new L-S Treble Choir, as well as performances by the Curtis Middle School and Lincoln School choral groups.

The high school’s Instrumental Winter Concert takes place on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. with performances by the orchestra, concert and symphonic bands. For details, visit L-S Friends of Music at www.lsfom.org.

Gift Local and Touch of Christmas Fair

Heather Ring and her daughter Serena with the wreaths delivered for sale at the First Parish in Lincoln’s Touch of Christmas fair on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The ninth annual Gift Local Artisan and Craft Show organized by the Old Town Hall Exchange will take place in Bemis Hall on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Gift Local is a holiday market hosting a variety of talented local artists, jewelers, ceramicists, woodworkers, and more.

The First Parish Church’s annual Touch of Christmas Fair on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. features baked goods, crafts, gifts, and children’s activities.

Advent/Christmas events in St. Julia Parish

  • Parishioners of St. Joseph Church in Lincoln and St. Julia Church in Weston are asked to take a tag from one of the Christmas Giving Trees now up in both churches. Presents will be given to local families served by St. Vincent de Paul as well as children in the tri-parish collaborative in Dorchester. Presents must be back by Sunday, Dec. 8 to give volunteers a chance to sort and, if necessary, purchase gifts. 
  • The annual parish Christmas luncheon will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 beginning at noon in the Hastings Room of the Embassy Suites Hotel (550 Winter St., Waltham). All parishioners and friends are invited. Tickets are $35; see the parish website to make reservations.
  • Tim Muldoon, a popular local author of Catholic parenting books, will be on hand during and after Café Julia on Sunday, Dec. 15 to talk about the challenges and joys of raising Catholic kids. All are invited to stay in the Parish Hall (St. Julia Parish Center Hall. 374 Boston Post Rd., Weston) for this presentation. On the same day and location at 3 p.m., the parish’s annual Christmas pops concert and singalong will take place.

L-S hosts mattress fundraiser and Music Zoo

Lincoln-Sudbury Friends of Music welcomes children ages 5–13 with their parents to visit the second annual Music Zoo on Sunday, Feb. 9 from 1–3 p.m. at the high school. Touch, try, hear, and learn about a variety of musical instruments with demonstrations from L-S student musicians and enjoy student vocal performances. If your child is interested in music, private lessons or joining a school band, orchestra or choral group, this is a chance for them to explore and experiment with instruments.

This program will be held in conjunction with the L-S Music Department’s annual mattress sale fundraiser and chamber concert in the L-S cafeteria on Sunday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Visitors can browse and try out name-brand mattresses including Therapedic, Simmons Beautyrest and others, saving up to 50% off retail on all styles and sizes while supporting the L-S music program. Local customers can order a mattress delivered to their home within two weeks, or arrangements can be made to pick up mattresses from the warehouse. Ask any L-S music student for a “buy one, get one free” pillow coupon (no mattress purchase necessary). Stop by at 1 p.m. for a free chamber concert in the L-S auditorium featuring a string quartet, violin ensemble, flute choir and Brass Boyz. For more information about any of the events, visit www.lsfom.org.

Get your Christmas tree from the Boy Scouts

Lincoln Boy Scout Troop 127 us now selling Christmas trees ranging from tabletop size up to 10 feet, along with fresh, decorated wreaths at the corner of Lincoln and Codman roads across from the police and Fire Department on weekends from 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and weeknights when the lights are on. Proceeds support the troop’s activities for the year, such as the recently installed Codman Farm trellis.  

Chuck Hall performs at next LOMA

Chuck Hall

Chuck Hall is the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, Dec. 9 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The event runs from 7–10 p.m., and Chuck will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. Chuck originally studied classical guitar but later began performing his own compositions while living in a cabin on Temple Mountain in New Hampshire. He has released several CDs including his most recent, “Down at the Old Canal.”

Admission is free and refreshments are provided. Performers can sign up at the event or email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com for a slot. There is a sound system with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups.

Group hopes to build community/school connections through books

Some of the books on learning and education on display at the library.

The Lincoln School Committee has assembled a list of curated books on learning and education in hopes of sparking conversation within the community. The Lincoln Public Library has copies on display downstairs by the reference desk as well as upstairs next to the parenting section. These are books that educators and community members have read and referenced in conversation and that have influenced the district in some way. Lincoln schools have used some in professional learning, while others have been the focus for school and community book clubs, or titles whose ideas have impacted the schools’ strategic planning. Additional titles will be posted as new topics are undertaken.

Council on Aging activities in December

Lincoln Academy with Craig Donaldson — A holiday story: Massachusetts and the 1917 Halifax explosion
December 2 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Dec. 2 at 12:30 p.m. when Craig Donaldson discusses “A Holiday Story: Massachusetts and the 1917 Halifax Explosion.” On December 6, 1917 the Norwegian vessel SS Imo and French cargo shop SS Mont-Blanc, which was full of high explosives, collided close to Halifax Harbor. The resulting explosion, the largest man-made explosion at the time, destroyed much of the city of Halifax, killing 2000 people and injuring 9000 others. Boston, which had a relationship with Halifax dating back to its earliest days in 1749 as a shipping and fishing settlement, immediately sent people and supplies to help. Learn the story of Boston’s Herculean rescue efforts and the holiday gift given by Halifax in gratitude that we still enjoy today. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Noticing walks in nature
December 3 at 1 p.m.
Come on a gently paced walk through nature with John Calabria on December 3 from 1–2:30 p.m. at a location posted at lincolnconservation.org. Bring walking sticks or walking poles if you like. If the weather is bad, call 781-259-9251 after 10 a.m. the morning of the walk for an update. Co-sponsored by the COA and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.

Musical jazz lunch
December 6 at 12 p.m.
Celebrate the holidays by grabbing a table at Bemis while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with familiar good old tunes. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared at the store to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in December