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

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September activities at the Council on Aging

Join the memoir group
September 5 at 10 a.m.
If you’re interested in writing your memoir or just curious about what goes on in the memoir group, please come to the first meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m.–noon at Bemis Hall and find out what they do. If you want to continue, the cost of the eight-session term is $75. The dates are Sept. 5 and 19; Oct. 3, 17, and 31; Nov. 14 and 28; and Dec. 14. For more information, contact Connie Lewis at 781-259-9415 or conlewis1000@gmail.com.

You’ve been selected…
September 5 at p.m.
To drop by and visit with a member of the Board of Selectmen. Bring your ideas, feedback, questions, or favorite Lincoln anecdote. Whether you stop by for a minute or stay for the hour, the Selectmen hope to see you from 2–3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5 at Bemis Hall.

Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band
September 7 at 12:30 p.m.
Celebrate Fall at Bemis Hall on Friday, Sept. 7 at 12:30 p.m. when the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band share their love of this lively music in a delightfully spontaneous rendering. Tap your feet or get up and dance as they belt out favorites such as Sweet Georgia Brown, Ain’t She Sweet, Carolina in the Morning and others we all know and love. The group are all amateur musicians who give life to the hot jazz of the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
September 11 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m.–noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Services provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Navigating the emotional terrain of “aging with in place” with intent, care, and a sense of humor (1st session)
September 12 at 9:30 am
Join Alyson Lee, a social worker and life coach who has led many Lincoln COA groups, in a new group to share insights into some of the emotional aspects of “aging in place” that are just as important as downsizing or getting your legal paperwork in order. The free group begins September 12 and runs for six Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. This group will not only give valuable information, but will also provide an opportunity to discuss your own experiences and concerns. You may attend all sessions or just those you choose. The topic on September 12 will be “Intent: Becoming the ‘Captain of Your Own Ship’ So You Can Take Action.”

Metamorphosis: art shows featuring the South Sudanese
September 13 at 2:30 p.m.
Come to two art shows running from September 1–30 featuring the South Sudanese. Do you ever wonder what happened to the three young men from South Sudan resettled in Lincoln in the early 2000’s? Come to Bemis Hall’s Metamorphosis: From South Sudan to Lincoln to find out what they went through, what changes they experienced and where they are now. The library’s visual and audio tour Metamorphosis: From South Sudan to Massachusetts tells what changes they have gone through since coming to America. On Septe,ber 13, a COA reception will be at Bemis Hall from 2:30 p.m. to 4 while receptions hosted by the South Sudanese Enrichment for Families will be at Bemis Hall and the Library from 6–8 p.m. the same day with South Sudanese vendors selling cookies, tablecloths and cows. Questions? Email SusanWinship@comcast.net. Both shows curated by Jeff Brown, Ellen Morgan, William Maluil, and Susan Winship.

LGBT-focused group for older adults to share tea and conversation
September 14 at 10 a.m.
All are invited to enjoy tea and conversation at a new LGBT-focused group to be held the second Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Come share your thoughts, ideas, and life experiences. Dates for this fall are September 14, October 12, and November 9. Older adults from other towns most welcome.

How’s your hearing? Free screening with Mass Eye and Ear
September 14 at 10 a.m.
Hearing well is essential for remaining engaged and independent. A wide range of devices can help those with hearing losses ranging from mild to profound. Come to a free hearing screening given by Mass Eye and Ear on Friday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. You’ll receive a private, 10-to-15-minute screening to determine if a comprehensive hearing test is needed. If you have hearing loss, you will receive information on scheduling a ;comprehensive hearing test and possible options for treatment. If you have a known hearing loss and/or wear hearing aids, a hearing screening is not going to provide the diagnostic information needed for your hearing loss. Contact information will be available for Mass Eye and Ear in Concord to book a comprehensive hearing test. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to book a hearing screening.

Lincoln school project update
September 14 at 1 p.m.
Please join us at Bemis Hall on September 14 at 1 p.m. to hear the latest updates on the school building project. The School Building Committee (SBC) has continued to meet during the summer where many topics have been discussed including floor plans, site circulation, sustainable design features and more. It’s been a busy summer so stop by Bemis on the 14th for an update, ask questions and participate in a Lincoln school project conversation. All SBC meetings were videotaped over the summer. To view the meetings please click on the “watch meeting videos” link on the SBC website at www.lincolnsbc.org. 

Lincoln Academy with Judith Foster: How our bodies use food as a fuel  to extract energy and maintain weight… what can go wrong?
September 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Sept. 17 at 12:30 to hear Judith Foster discuss “How Our Bodies Use Food As a Fuel To Extract Energy And Maintain Weight… what Can Go Wrong?” One of the major health concerns in modern, industrialized nations is the alarming increase in both average body weights and obesity, especially among children. In order to understand how an increase in body weight relates to dietary intake and lifestyle, this lecture will review the molecular basics of how energy is stored in food and how it is transformed in our bodies to sustain our basal metabolic rate, body temperature and physical activity. Dr. Foster will discuss the classes of molecules that comprise different food types and their unique effects on metabolic pathways despite having similar caloric amounts. Foster is an Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine. She recently moved to The Commons In Lincoln from Brookline. 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.

Free elder law clinic
September 17 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship or probate? The COA provides a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, Sept. 17 from 2–3 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the thirty-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Senior dining is free in your birthday month
September 18 at 11:30 am
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at St. Anne’s Church. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let them know when you call if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club. Enjoy a lunch free during your birthday month. Just let them know. 

Care: how to prepare emotionally for the challenges of aging in place
September 19 at 9:30 am
See September 12 for details.

Meet Lincoln’s new town nurse and veterans services officer
September 20 at 10:30 a.m.
You are cordially invited to meet Tricia McGean, RN, Lincoln’s new town nurse, and Peter Harvell, our new veterans services officer, on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Tricia, who has 22 years of experience as a community health nurse, will continue offering well being clinics at Lincoln Woods and Bemis Hall but will also investigate cases of communicable diseases and tick/food borne illnesses. Tricia has already set the date for the return of the flu clinic for seniors 60+ on October 19 from 10 a.m.–noon at Bemis Hall. Harvell will be assisting our town’s veterans with their federal, state, and local veterans benefits and navigating federal and state veterans services, offering information and education on veterans benefits and related issues, raising awareness in the town of veterans issues, and more. Peter will have office hours at Bemis Hall each Thursday from 9 a.m. till noon. He retired from the U.S. Army after 23 years of service and was the veterans services officer in Sudbury and Framingham for 13 years.

Cooking for one: a new way of eating
September 21 at 10 a.m.
Cooking for one can be both a challenge and an opportunity to try new foods and ways of cooking. Whether you have lived alone for a long time or it’s a new experience for you, come to Bemis Hall on Friday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. when Karen Halloran of CareOne in Concord will provide a demonstration of how to cook efficiently and deliciously for one and then give some tips on using healthy and alternative food choices. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Make a health care proxy on the spot
September 21 at 1 p.m.
Your health care proxy is one of the most important advance planning documents you have. It designates a person of your choice to make medical decisions and ensure that your wishes are followed if you are temporarily or permanently incapacitated. Come to a “proxy party” on Friday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall when Lincoln resident and elder law attorney Sasha Golden and Tricia McGean, RN, Lincoln’s public health nurse, will discuss the importance of health care proxies and what happens if you do not have an updated proxy in your records, help you complete your form on the spot, and discuss how to begin conversations with your proxy holder and family about your wishes for medical treatment. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Share tips or get help at smartphone meetup
September 24 at 11 a.m.
Do you have a smart phone that you would like to learn more about or be able to use better? Or, can you give smart phone pointers? Come to a group that will be facilitated by Carol Peskin for smart phone users to share tips and get help on Monday, Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. at Bemis Hall. This isn’t a class, but rather a chance for people to teach each other. Whether you’re new to smart phones or a pro, this group is for you.

Lincoln Academy with Lawrence Buell: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at 200—the novel, the films, the legends, the influence
September 24 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Sept. 24 at 12:30 to hear Lawrence Buell discuss “Frankenstein at 200: The Novel, the Films, the Legends, the Influence.” Find out about the amazing story of how a teenager’s brainchild became a literary classic, a household word, and a prophetic fable for modern science. 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.

Sense of humor: strength-based aging
September 26 at 9:30 am
See September 12 for details.

Healing motion for life: a free movement workshop
September 28 at 9 a.m.
Being in touch with the way our bodies move, and working to keep our movements unrestricted and fluid help bring health and clarity to every aspect of our lives. Join Susanne Liebich on Friday, Sept. 28 at 9 a.m. at Bemis Hall to experience a variety of sustainable exercises including expressive movement, breathing and relaxation in a program sponsored by Deaconess Abundant Life Services and Newbury Court. Susanne’s movement practice helps you achieve body awareness, presence, physical strength, balance, focus, and serenity. Other sessions will be held in October and November.

Explore the flora and fauna of our town’s cemetery
September 28 at 10 a.m.
Lincoln’s cemeteries are a uniquely beautiful and rich ecological environment with abundant species of trees, flowers, insects, birds, and other wildlife. Come take a walk through Lincoln’s Lexington Road Cemetery with Susan Harding of Lincoln’s Cemetery Commission and Conservation Director Tom Gumbart on Friday, Sept. 28 at 10 am. Meet by the map of the roadways at the end of the entrance road and park along Pine Way behind it. They will introduce you to the many forms of life that inhabit the cemeteries, discuss these amazing places, and answer your questions.

Social Security overview and update
September 28 at 1 p.m.
Whether you’re getting Social Security soon or have been receiving it for years, come hear Sabrina Feliciano of the Social Security Administration at Bemis Hall on Friday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. Sabrina will give an overview of retirement benefits and Medicare as well as update you on some of the new features of Social Security and Medicare, like doing many transactions online. She will also answer questions and address your concerns.

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Access Day at deCordova.

DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum events in August

Access Day
Wednesday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
All-inclusive programming for children and adults featuring a sampling of deCordova’s accessible programs, including hands-on art-making projects and specially-designed Touch Tours and Paved Access Route Tours, both featuring American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. Click here to register.

Music in the Courtyard: Chavis Chance
Thursday, Aug. 1 from 6:30–8:30 p.m.
The redesigned Café Courtyard is the perfect venue for music and food on a summer night. Sip some wine or a brew, enjoy a snack, and enjoy a live performance by Chavis Chance, a singer-songwriter blending pop, soul, and folk. Food and beverages available for purchase starting at 6 p.m. Click here to register.

Family programs including Play in the Park, MAKEmobile, Yoga in the Park for Kids, ArtFULL Explorations and ArtFULL Play are also taking place in August and September; click here for details.

“Empty Nest” series this fall

Connect, learn and explore what’s next in your life with the “Empty Nest” series. All sessions are at the Pierce House from 1:15–3 p.m. Free, but online registration required at FullyEmbraceChange.com as space is limited.

September 12 — “Promoting Productive Communication with Your Adult Children”
When emerging young adults return home after being on their own for several months, communication between parent and child may change. Dr. Teresa Simonelli will share how to open yourself up to changes and manage difficult emotions while communicating with your adult children. A Welcome Tea will take place from 1–1:30 p.m. to celebrate the beginning of the Embrace Change fall program series, followed by the day’s program.

September 20 — “What’s Next? Finding Purpose”
Do you have new found time now that children have left home? Wondering what you might do next? Deb Elbaum M.D., career and life coach, will share methods that you can use to determine what is next for you and how to find your purpose and passion.

September 26 — “Navigating Transitions with Self-Care”
Often, we equate self-care as self-indulgent, yet research is increasingly demonstrating that taking time for effective self-care, a couple minutes throughout the day helps create stress resilience, a more effective strategy than stress avoidance. Charlotte Sahyoun is a yoga therapeutics specialist with a focus on the intersection of yoga, psychology and neuroscience. She’ll focus on when and how we feel stress and on two-minute tools in which to tune in to the body for creating emotional balance.

October 3 — “Charting Your Own Path: Designing Your Journey Embrace Change Team”
As our children begin to leave the home, we as parents may reassess our personal satisfaction with how we spend our time, prioritize new and older projects, and open ourselves up to various new and ongoing curiosities, relationships, career and/or learning opportunities.  We’ll explore how to better balance this time of transition,  set new goals as your role shifts, and create more opportunities for personal growth while charting a path for your future.

October 10 — “Expanding Your Horizons: Delving into New Activities and Careers Panel”
We’ll engage in personalized exploration of activities and careers and then hear from several guests who have changed careers and explored new interests after their children left home. We w’ll discuss what methods worked for them, the changes they made and how their lives were affected. Their stories will surprise and energize you. We’ll share resources and tools to help you explore the many opportunities that lie ahead in your personal journey.

October 17 — Ready, Set, Go!
Our final program of the series brings everything together. We’ll celebrate fall with seasonal delights, discuss how to move forward when things don’t go as planned, and set healthy boundaries. Council on Aging Director Carolyn Bottum will share tips on how to care for aging parents while taking care of yourself and family, and then, we’ll speak with Lisa Lewtan, author of the website Healthy, Happy, and Hip.

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Lovelane hoedown benefit on Sept. 15

Lovelane’s 2018 Hoedown, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will be held Saturday, Sept. 15 at Duck Puddle Farm in Wayland from 4–9:30 p.m. The jeans-and-boots outdoor tented event features 15 Boston-area celebrity chefs creating mouth-watering specialties just for this occasion.  Returning favorite local band French Lick will kick off the evening followed by the headliner, multi-platinum Nashville recording artist Josh Turner. Billy Costa is also returning as emcee.

Tickets are $500 each, groups of 6+ tickets are $375 each, and a variety of sponsorship opportunities range from $5,000 to $100,000. For additional information about this event or Lovelane or to purchase tickets, click here or contact Eliza Wall at 781-259-1177 ext. 24 or eliza@lovelane.org.  

Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program is a pediatric therapeutic horseback riding program that provides services to 130 children with special needs each week with the help of 197 volunteers. The benefits from therapeutic horseback riding derive from using the movement of the horse to work the muscles of the rider. Therapeutic horseback riding combines occupational, physical and/or speech therapy techniques with the fun of riding a horse, as well as promoting independence, confidence and joy.

“60 Years of Inflatable Arts”

In conjunction with the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum exhibition Sculpting with Air: Ian McMahon and Jong Oh, guest lecturers Mary Hale and Kate Balug will discuss how inflatable structures have been used in architecture, art, and engineering since the emergence of the hot air balloon in a talk titled “60 Years of Inflatable Arts” on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Free admission; registration required.

Lincoln picks its favorite novels

The Great Lincoln Reads results are in, and two books were tied for first place among those who voted: Outlander by Diana Gabladon and Beloved by Toni Morrison. The Lincoln Public Library’s reader survey earlier this summer was based on the PBS series “The Great American Read” about America’s 100 most-loved novels. Other books that received votes included Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Click here for a complete list of titles or check out the list (and the books!) at the library.

Council on Aging activities in August

Italian lunch for veterans and spouses/partners
August 1 at noon
Veterans of all ages and their spouses or partners are invited to come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 1 at noon to enjoy spaghetti with sauce, meat lasagna, and a salad with coffee and dessert. Come have a chance to talk about your service or anything else you like with people who understand. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up so they know how many to expect.

Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band
August 2 at 12:30 p.m.
Jazz up your summer at Bemis Hall on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 12:30 p.m. when the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band will share with you their love of traditional jazz music in a delightfully spontaneous concert! They’ll have you stomping your feet and cheering as they belt out good ole favorites such as “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Sunny Side of the Street” or “When The Saints Go Marching In.” The group are all retirees, amateur musicians who give expression to their love of the jazz of the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s at Bemis the first Thursdays (summer) at 12:30 or Fridays (fall), or the third Saturdays at 1.

LGBT get-together for tea and conversation
August 6 at 1 p.m.
All are invited to a get-together for LGBT elders to enjoy tea and conversation at Bemis Hall on Monday, Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. Spend some relaxed social time, get to know others, and share your thoughts and experiences. If there is interest, the COA will plan more events for the future. Let the COA know what events you would like to attend. Elders from other towns are more than welcome.

Brunch and nutrition tips for healthy summer eating
August 8 at 10 a.m.
Choices for healthy cooking and eating are bountiful in the summer, but with so much health information coming at us it can be hard to know who to listen to and how to follow recommendations. Come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. to have a yummy brunch prepared by the chef from the Commons, hear some tips for eating well with summer’s bounty, and get answers to your nutrition questions from Sadie Daniels, RD, dietician at the Commons. If you have a special nutrition concern, call Carolyn at the COA at 781-259-8811 and let her know and she will pass it along to Sadie before the program. Please sign up by calling the COA by Wednesday, Aug. 1.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
August 14 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Road in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

How has literature enriched your life?
August 15 at 10 a.m.
Seeing life through characters in novels can help us broaden our perspective and find insights into our own dilemmas. As we age, we may find new books that speak to our own situations. Come for three sessions on August 15, 22, and 29 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall in which we’ll talk about books that speak to us now and some of the personal issues they address. Please bring a book you would like to share with others. The group will be facilitated by trained leader Alyson Lee.

Free elder law clinic
August 20 at 2 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship, or probate? The COA provides a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, Aug. 20 from 2–3 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There’s no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Accessory swap
August 27 at 1 p.m.
Go through your accessories to clean out jewelry, hats, scarves, etc., that you just don’t use anymore. Then come on down to Bemis Hall on Monday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. for an accessory swap. Bring some pieces (not more than five)—scarves, jewelry, etc.—put them on a table, and then pick out some to take home. It’s fun and it’s a great way to swap out what’s old to you and breathe some new life, color and style into your wardrobe.

Events at deCordova include outdoor programs with artists

“Taking the Cure” by Cat Mazza.

Earlier this month, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum installed two new large-scale sculptures in the Park, both created specifically for deCordova, and both artists will host events this summer.

Cat Mazza, creator of “Taking the Cure,” will give an artist’s talk at a craft evening on Saturday, July 28 from 4–6 p.m. Her sculpture explores issues of convalescence and self-care through an intricate wooden latticework inspired by New England’s “cure cottages,” which were used to treat tuberculosis patients in the nineteenth century. As she and participants work on a woven textile piece together, Mazza will talk about the history of the cure cottages in New England and how that has inspired her piece for deCordova.
Click here to register.

“Pasture Song” by Nancy Winship Milligan.

Nancy Winship Milliken’s “Pasture Song” features reclaimed cello bow hair woven into a net and suspended from a wooden frame. The horse hair, once used to flick flies on a hot summer day, was fashioned into a bow to make music and then returned to the harmony of nature. Bring your own lunch and join Milliken for a picnic in front of her sculpture on Thursday, Aug. 2 from noon–1 p.n. and  learn about how she constructed the piece, her experiences making art on farms around the globe, and her commitment to environmental practice. Click here to register.

In “Sensing Place: A Summer Photo Workshop” on Saturday, Aug. 4 from 10 a.m.–noon, Concord naturalist and photographer Cherrie Corey leads an exploration of deCordova’s natural and artistic landscape on an outdoor tour focused on how contemporary sculptors devise innovative ways of casting and replication to explore memory, artifice and history. Ages 12+. For emerging and experienced photographers alike. Free with admission or membership; registration requested.

DeCordova announces staff appointments, grant

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum has announced two new staff appointments and an $80,000 grant for a major exhibit in 2020.

Jennifer Klahn has been named Deputy Director for External Affairs. In that role, she will lead the strategic growth of development, membership, corporate art loan program, and marketing functions in support of deCordova’s advancement and greater prominence within the regional, national, and international contemporary art communities. Additionally, deCordova has promoted Sarah Montross to Curator, a role in which she will continue organizing indoor and outdoor exhibitions, sculpture projects, and programming.

Klahn has held senior management development roles with Harvard University Art Museums and Historic New England. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Philanthropy at the Archaeological Institute of America.

Montross joined deCordova as Associate Curator in June 2015. She has curated or co-curated numerous exhibitions and has continued deCordova’s PLATFORM series of commissioned outdoor projects, bringing in work by artists Letha Wilson, Noémie Goudal, and Saul Melman. She has also organized many Sculpture Park loans, including works by Aaron Curry, Nari Ward, and Josephine Halvorson. Currently, she is working on deCordova’s spring 2019 Biennial and spring 2020 Visionary New England exhibition.

DeCordova recently received an $80,000 grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to support its 2020 exhibition Visionary New England, organized by Montross. This grant reflects the foundation’s mission to support work of “a challenging and often experimental nature” and encourage “curatorial research leading to new scholarship in the field of contemporary art.” 

Visionary New England (opening spring 2020) is a group exhibition of contemporary art inspired by the rich history and ongoing impact of New England’s visionary, spiritualist, and utopian practices. From Transcendentalism and utopian agrarian communities in the mid-1800s to the merging of mysticism and psychology in the early twentieth century to the psychedelic experiments of the 1960s, New England has long nurtured alternative ways of creating community and social reform.

Grounded in this legacy, Visionary New England will feature the work of more than a dozen contemporary painters, photographer, sculptors, video artists, and performers with strong ties to the region. Shown together, their artwork will offer a thought provoking perspective on society and power, as well as a hopeful vision for future harmony between humanity and the natural world. An array of public programs, lectures, performances, and partnerships with nearby historic sites will enrich the exhibition. 

The foundation awarded a total of $3.6 million to 42 cultural organizations selected from an applicant pool of 224 nonprofit arts organizations as part of its spring 2018 grant cycle.

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Frisbee show and other events at library

  • On Tuesday, July 17 at 4 p.m., two-time freestyle Frisbee champion Todd Brodeur will put on an amazing Frisbee show with an interactive play shop to follow. All ages; drop in.
  • Kids entering grades 3–6 will enjoy activities and games based on Roald Dahl books on Thursday, July 19 from 4–5:30 p.m. Snacks provided. To register,  call the library at 781-259-8465 ext. 4.
  • A summertime singalong with Ed Morgan takes place on Friday, July 20 at 10:30 a.m. for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
  • Singer Heather Ferrari and pianist Alex Olsen present songs from the Great American Songbook as well as contemporary Broadway repertoire on Monday, August 13 at 7 p.m. Selections range from beautiful ballads to your favorite toe-tapping tunes.

Middlesex Democratic candidates debate next week

There will be a Middlesex District Attorney and Governor’s Council debate on Tuesday, July 24 from 7–9 p.m. at the First Parish Arlington (630 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington). District attorneys are the most powerful people in the criminal justice system—and they’re accountable only to voters. Learn more and hear from incumbent DA Marian Ryan and challenger Donna Patalano, as well as candidates for the Governor’s Council, which has the power to appoint judges and Parole Board members.

HeatSmart extended until Aug. 31

HeatSmart CCL (Carlisle, Concord, and Lincoln) has been extended until August 31. Until then, homes and businesses in the three towns can purchase advanced air-source and ground-source heat pumps and modern wood heating systems at a special, limited-time discount from competitively selected installers to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Visit HeatSmartCCL.org to schedule a free home visit with a HeatSmart selected installer or contact Lincoln HeatSmart coaches John Snell and Belinda Gingrich at HeatSmartLincoln@gmail.com.

Library crawl and challenge

The Lincoln Public Library is on the self-guided Minuteman Library Crawl for the first time this year on Wednesday, Aug. 1 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. A “crawl”, or tour, is a fun way to visit multiple libraries in your area. You can travel from library to library, meet staff and learn more about what libraries in the area have to offer.

The challenge is to visit as many libraries as you can and take a picture of yourself with a designated item in each library. At Lincoln. we have chosen Athena and a very large stuffed bear. If you go to at least five libraries, you’ll get a prize (one per group). All ages are welcome and the route is up to you. Click here for locations and “scavenger” items to find at each library.

Israel-Palestine film series and Moroccan music

Lincoln-based GRALTA presents an Israel-Palestine film series along with a Moroccan music concert. All events are in Bemis Hall.

The Band’s Visit
Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m.
A sensitive, heart-warming tale of an Egyptian police band that arrives in Israel to play at an Arab cultural center but gets stranded in the wrong town with no buses until morning. The Broadway musical adaptation just won 10 Tony Awards.

Ajami
Sunday, July 15 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m.
A dramatic thriller with five linked stories set in Ajami, a Christian/Muslim neighborhood in Tel Aviv.

Speed Sisters
Sunday, July 22 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m.
The Speed Sisters are the first all-woman race car driving team in the Middle East. The film weaves together their lives on and off the track in a surprising journey into the drive to go further and faster than anyone.

They Were Promised the Sea
Sunday, July 29 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
From 1961–1964, 250,000 Moroccan Jews emigrated to Israel. This poignant film explores why they left, the struggles they faced in their new home, and their pride in preserving the Arab-Jewish culture they left behind. Special extra feature: a live performance of Moroccan music with Beth Bahia Cohen, Mohamed Mejaouru, and Boujemaa Razgui.

In Between
Sunday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
This Israeli film focuses on three young Palestinian women from different backgrounds who share an apartment in Tel Aviv as they try to find a balance between traditional and modern culture.

GRALTA launched its Lincoln Project in September 2016 to test and refine a community-based  model that includes learning and discussion to broaden an understanding of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Founders Steve and Barbara Low hope is that others will implement similar programs in their communities to change U.S. policy by shifting its drivers from anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and partisan politics to a demand for human rights equality, justice, and peace. For more information, email steve.low@gordianconcepts.com or call 781-259-1300.

Council on Aging activities in July

Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band
July 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Jazz up your summer at Bemis Hall on Thursday, July 5 at 12:30 p.m. when the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band will share with you their love of traditional jazz music. The group are all retirees, amateur musicians who give expression to their love of the jazz of the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s at Bemis the first Thursdays (summer) at 12:30 or Fridays (fall) or the third Saturdays at 1:00.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
July 10 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Sip and paint by the numbers
July 11 at 1 p.m.
The COA is combining two fun trends into one. Come “sip and paint” with some non-alcoholic wine while you “paint by the numbers,” a hobby from long ago that’s making a comeback and was recently featured in Historic New England magazine. You’ll have a masterpiece in no time. The session will be on Wednesday, July 11 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. You don’t need to bring anything, just a willingness to socialize and have fun. The COA will provide the paint-by-number kits. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up as the number of kits is limited.

Dinner al fresco before the Alter Ego Concert at the Codman Pool
July 11 at 5 p.m.
If you’ve never been to one of the Parks and Recreation concerts at the Codman Pool, you’re in for a treat. The band Alter Ego will play at 6 p.m. on July 11. At 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation, the COA, Lincoln Family Association, and the Girl Scouts invite you to bring a picnic dinner and spend some quality time lounging by the pool. You’ll meet old friends and new and have a great time. You may use the pool for the usual fee. Co-sponsored by the Council on Aging, Lincoln Parks and Recreation, the Lincoln Family Association, and the Girl Scouts.

Draw your pet class for beginners
July 12 at 10 a.m.
If you have always wanted to draw, but didn’t know how to begin, this is the class for you. Artist and Lincoln resident Bernadette Quirk will show you how to draw a lifelike picture from a photo of your pet, 5×7 or larger You’ll learn how to sketch your pet, then fill in shading and other details to make your work more lifelike. You will leave with a drawing that you can finish at home. The class will be given on Thursday, July 12 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Materials are provided, but bring a spiral notebook for notes. The class is free but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 so they know how many to expect. Limited to eight people. If there is interest, they may offer a weekly open studio.

Share tips for or get help using your smart phone
July 23 at 1 p.m.
Do you have a smart phone that you would like to learn more about or be able to use better? Or, can you give smart phone pointers? Come to a group that will be facilitated by Carol Peskin for smart phone users to share tips and get help on Monday, July 23 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. This isn’t a class, but rather a chance for people to teach each other. Whether you are new to smart phones or have them all figured out, this group is for you. If there’s enough interest, the COA will continue the group in the fall.

Who’s in your family tree?
July 24 at 2 p.m.
Tracing your family tree is like a treasure hunt of self-discovery. You will be surprised, moved, enlightened, and inspired—but discovering ancestors takes time and a nose for sleuthing. Whether you are just starting out or have been at it for years, you’ll enjoy sharing your stories, tips, and resources with others (and hearing about what works for others might help you, too) on Tuesday, July 24 at 2 p.m. at Bemis Hall when the COA holds a discussion group for genealogy enthusiasts. If there is interest, the COA will continue the group in the fall.

Picnic in Pierce Park
July 26 at 4 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing early evening picnic at the Pierce Park on Thursday, July 26 from 4 to 6 p.m.. We’ll bring the pizza, cookies, and drinks, or bring your own dinner. There will be intergenerational games and activities for all of us to participate in together, or you can just sit and have fun watching the kids play. If you are a senior, please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up and let them know if you would like pizza so they’re sure there is enough to go around. Co-sponsored by the Council on Aging, Lincoln Parks and Recreation, the Lincoln Family Association, the Girl Scouts, and the Pierce House.

Boston Harbor cruise and clambake
July 26 at 4:45 p.m.
Come with the COA on Thursday, July 26 for the Boston Harbor Spectacle Island Clambake Cruise. You will travel on a comfortable air-ride bus to Long Wharf where you will board a Boston Harbor boat for the cruise to Spectacle Island. On the island you’ll enjoy a classic New England Clambake/ Lobster Dinner, with beautiful views of the Boston Skyline. If you are lucky there will be a lovely sunset. The bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 4:45 p.m., returning approximately at 10 p.m.. This trip is rated moderate, with walking, standing and negotiating stairs. The ramp for embarking and disembarking on the boat is not steady and not level, so, unfortunately, it is probably not safe for those with walkers. The cost of the trip is $68 per person, which includes the cruise and dinner. Beer and wine will be for sale on the island. To reserve a space, send a check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. Your reservation is complete when your check is received. Questions? Contact Donna at 781-257-5050 or donna@ecacbed.com.

Learn how to fall to prevent injury with the Fire Dept.
July 30 at 11:30 a.m.
While preventing falls is always best, if you do fall, do you know how to fall to prevent injury? You need to know both how to land as well as what to do after you fall so that you don’t make injuries worse. Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, July 30 at 11:30 a.m. when Ben Juhola of the Lincoln Fire Department will show you how to fall, discuss fall prevention, and tell you what to do if you do fall. The Fire Department will also be providing lunch, so please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up so we know how many are coming.

News acorns

Yayoi Kusama, “Where the Lights in My Heart Go,” 2016. Collection of Lauren and Derek Goodman, courtesy Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore/Shanghai and Victoria Miro, London/Venice, © Yayoi Kusama.

New sculpture, artists talk at deCordova

On Wednesday, July 5, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum opens “Where the Lights in My Heart Go” by acclaimed contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. The sculpture (the first Infinity Mirror Room to be shown in the Boston area) will be installed outdoors on the Pollack Family Terrace and viewable through October 28. 

The sculpture is a 10-by-10-foot polished stainless steel chamber with a mirrored interior. Small holes in the walls and ceiling allow natural light to penetrate the darkened room. Multiplied by the reflective surfaces, these pinpricks of light create a magical, celestial experience when visitors step inside. Kusama refers to the work as a “subtle planetarium,” an intimate and enclosed space that also gives the illusion of a continuously expanding universe. Support for this special presentation is generously provided by Lauren and Derek Goodman, James and Sabra Alden, Nina and David Fialkow, Kumi and Bill Martin, Andrei Soran, and Marc and Charlotte Zawel.

On Wednesday, July 18 from noon–1 p.m., the deCordova will host an outdoor conversation about Nari Ward’s G.O.A.T. sculptures with Ruth Erickson, Mannion Family Curator at Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art Erickson coordinated the ICA’s celebrated “Nari Ward: Sun Splashed,” the largest survey of the artist’s work to date.

Library hosts the Great Lincoln Read

If you’ve been watching the PBS series “The Great American Read” and America’s 100 most-loved novels, then you’ll know what inspired the Lincoln Library to come up with the Great Lincoln Read List. Vote on your three top favorite titles of all time at the ballot box in the library lobby. There are also books from the Great American Read on display. Vote by Friday, July 13. The library will tally the results and let everyone know what Lincoln’s best-loved books are.

Antique and classic car show at Codman Estate

See more than 200 classic and antique autos, trucks, and motorcycles from all over New England on the picturesque grounds of the Codman Estate at Historic New England’s Antique and Classic Car Show on Sunday, July 15 from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. This annual festival includes entertainment, food, and tours of the Codman House Museum. Rain or shine. Admission is $5 (free for HNE members).

Summer services at First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold summer services on two Sundays, July 22 and August 12 at 10 a.m. Rev. Rosemary Lloyd will preach at the July 22 service and Rev. John Nichols will lead the August 12 service.