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

arts

Lincoln quilters show their wares at Codman Community Farms

The latest projects by the Lincoln Quilters—individual scenes about Codman Community Farms rendered in fabric—are now on display (and for sale) in the CCF farm store.

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Drawn together by a shared interest in quilting and fiber arts, the nine Lincoln Quilters—Anne Crosby, Nancy Constable, Tricia Deck, Linda MacNeil, Margaret Olson, Lucy Sachs, Kate Sacknoff, Jane Solar, and Dilla Tingley—began meeting five years ago to inspire each other, share their creations, get suggestions from others on personal projects, and develop new pieces as a group. They generally have a project going that stimulates and challenges members and their creativity.

The nine framed fabric art pieces by the quilters are on display in the Codman Barn inside the farm store. Proceeds from sales will be donated to Codman Community Farms.

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Paper flower workshop

Working with specialty textured crepe paper, children ages 7 and up (adults welcome too!) will learn techniques to make three-dimensional flowers inspired by botanical beauties: poppies, asters and dahlias on Saturday, May 12 at 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library. Taught by artist Lauren Monroe. Perfect for Mother’s Day gifts. To sign up, call, 781-259-8465 ext. 4.

Library card launch party

Come for cake and celebration of the Lincoln Public Library’s newly redesigned library card designed by staff member Tory Black on Tuesday, May 15 from 2–4 p.m. Get a new card, piece of cake and a special surprise!

Wear a wedding dress to Lovelane fundraiser

Wear a wedding dress to a charity fundraiser on Saturday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at 18 Cerulean Way in Lincoln to benefit the Lovelane Special Needs Therapeutic Horseback Riding and its annual Susan McDaniel Run for Love road race on Sunday, June 10 at the Weston town green. It’s a dress-up party for grown women with champagne, white chocolate cake, door prizes, a raffle, and dress prizes by category. There will also be a live DJ, dancing, and hilarious wedding disaster movies such as “Bridesmaids” and “Wedding Disaster” TV episodes. Wear the wedding dress you wish you had worn, never wore, or would never wear. Borrow one, make one, go to a thrift shop, go all out, or don’t wear one at all. Cost to attend is a minimum donation of $100 to the  Lovelane Fundraising Team. To buy a ticket or just donate, click here. Questions? Call Joanna Schmergel at 617-645-9059 or Allison Moskow, 781-258-8565.

Seamus Galligan appears at LOMA

Seamus Galligan is the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, May 14 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The event runs from 7–10 p.m., and Galligan will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. In 2016, Seamus won the Rose Garden Coffeehouse songwriters competition and was a finalist in the last year’s RISA songwriting contest. He has opened for Ellis Paul, Cheryl Wheeler and Ryan Montbleau. Click here to watch a video of him performing “Song for the Ages,” a song appearing on “The Dream” album.

LOMA is a monthly event. 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.

Artist talk at deCordova

“Lion in Stairwell” by Sarah Malakoff.

In the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s “Lived Space” exhibit, artist Sarah Malakoff’s color photographs examine the home and its psychologically charged spaces and objects. Malakoff will discuss the inspiration behind her portraits of interior spaces and offer a close look at some of the works from this series at an artist’s talk on Wednesday, May 23 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Free admission but online registration is required.

Call for artists: Lincoln Arts Show

Show the town your two- and three-dimensional creations for display or sale at the Lincoln Arts Show, an exhibit of works by Lincoln-affiliated artists and artisans of all ages. There is no commission; artists are responsible for sales taxes. All work must be ready to hang or present. Fee is waived for students. Registration, artist statements, and art labels must be received by Monday, May 28 at 5 p.m. Any late entries will be accepted on a space-available basis. Click here for information on entry fees and a registration link. Questions? Email Sarah Chester at schester636@gmail.com. Sponsored by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department and the Lincoln Council on Aging.

The show takes place in the Hartwell B Pod on three days:

  • Friday June 1 from 3–5 p.m. (opening reception: 5–7 p.m.)
  • Saturday, June 2 from 1–5 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 3 from 12–3 p.m.

Council on Aging activities in May

Piano class with Wanda Paik
May 1 and 15 at 10 a.m.
Dust off your piano music books and come to the piano class at the COA led by Wanda Paik. This class is open to all pianophiles, whatever your level, to play, share, and learn more about how to play and practice to help reach your goals. This class will be held on May 1 and 15 from 10–11:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall.

Mindfulness walks in nature
May 1 at 1 p.m.
Spring can be a very special time to connect with nature through walking in a mindful way. Join naturalist John Calabria for a series of walks in some of Lincoln’s most beautiful places on Tuesdays May 1 and June 5 beginning at 1 p.m. Where the walks will take place is to be determined. Unplug, disconnect from the world for a while and let your senses come alive in nature. These are co-sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the Lincoln Council on Aging. For more information, including locations of the walks, go to lincolnconservation.org.

Surviving and thriving through life’s challenges
May 2 at 9:30 a.m.
No matter what your phase of life or what you have encountered in life, you can learn and apply the scientifically-proven tenants of Positive Psychology to become more resilient and happier. Come to Bemis Hall at 9:30 on Wednesdays, May 2, 16, and 30 and June 13 to learn practical strategies, share practices, build connections and support each other. Facilitated by Alyson Lee, Social Worker, Life Coach, Certified and Licensed Facilitator of Positive Psychology. Funded by the Friends of the COA.

The many faces of loss: a new group
May 2 at 10 a.m.
As we age we confront loss in many forms. It may be the death of loved ones. It may also be dealing with physical health, or cognitive changes in loved ones, friends or in ourselves. It may include regrets about lost opportunities and we may also confront the recognition of our own mortality. Claire Gerstein, LICSW, one of the COA’s social workers with many years of experience helping people navigate the losses of later life, will be facilitating a group that will give people the opportunity to talk about these issues in a supportive environment. The six-week group will run on Wednesdays 10–11:30 on May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and June 6. Signing up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 is helpful but not required. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in May

New York Times art critic to lecture at deCordova

Holland Cotter

Award-winning New York Times art critic Holland Cotter will give the 2018 Paul J. Cronin Memorial Lecture at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum on Wednesday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. 

One of today’s foremost art critics, Cotter is known for his wide-ranging reviews of art that are marked by “acute observation, luminous writing, and dramatic storytelling,” as described by the Pulitzer Prize committee. Cotter plans to speak on the vital role of art in our current social and political moment and will also address the importance of growing up in the Boston area.

“When I was a kid in the late 1950s and early 1960s, deCordova was where I first saw modern art—Abstract Expressionism. I loved it enough to try my pre-teen hand at it. For a short while I took drawing lessons in an upstairs gallery in the museum’s main building. As it turned out, the hands-on part didn’t last, but the love did,” Cotter said.

Cotter, a Weston native, is a co-chief art critic for the New York Times, where he has been on staff since 1998. In 2009, he received the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. Cotter earned an A.B. from Harvard College, where he studied poetry with Robert Lowell. He later received an M.A. from the City University of New York in American modernism and an M.Phil. in early Indian Buddhist art from Columbia University, where he studied Sanskrit and taught Indian and Islamic art.

The Paul J. Cronin Memorial Lecture series was established in 1981 to consider topics broadly focused on changing attitudes towards 20th- and 21st-century art. The Cronin Lecture series is made possible by a generous grant to deCordova from the Grover J. Cronin Memorial Foundation.

Lecture attendees are welcome to arrive early for a casual reception with Holland Cotter at 6 p.m. Wine, beer, and nonalcoholic beverages will be served. Tickets (available online here) are $5 for deCordova members and students with ID, $10 for nonmembers. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

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PMC Kids Ride is on April 29

The fourth annual Lincoln-Sudbury PMC Kids Ride to help raise money for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Center will be held on Sunday, April 29 at the Lincoln School campus on Ballfield Road. Kids aged 2–12 ask for donations from friends and family and then ride their bikes around the center green of the schools (or for little ones, a “village” in the Hartwell lot). The event will take place from 7:30–10:30 a.m., with a bike ride, bouncy house, ice cream and other fun activities. Organizers also welcome volunteers to help with the event; to sign up, contact the Parks and Recreation office at 781-259-0784.

Preregistration is $20 ($25 on the day of the event), and each rider must raise a minimum of $30. For more information, see the Lincoln-Sudbury PMC Kids Ride website or email pattylevy.pmckidslincoln@gmail.com.

Barbershop chorus performs on April 29

The New Sound Assembly.

The New Sound Assembly will perform “The Spirit of America in Song” on Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The New Sound Assembly, a 23-man chorus of singers, presents musical programs all over the region and in England and Ireland. The free hour-long performance for all ages will be a mix of barbershop songs, patriotic, and modern favorites. All songs are sung a capella in four-part classical barbershop harmony.

This program is supported by a grant from the Lincoln Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Hyltons honored at BU School of Law

Professors Maria and Keith Hylton.

Lincoln residents Keith Hylton, the William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor at Boston University School of Law, and Professor of Law Maria O’Brien Hylton were honored with Trailblazer Awards from the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA) at the organization’s 45th anniversary gala. The awards recognize “leaders who have enriched the legal profession and created career pathways for black lawyers,” according to the MBLA.

Keith Hylton is a prolific scholar across a broad spectrum of topics in law and economics, including tort law, antitrust, labor law, intellectual property, civil procedure, and empirical legal analysis. He has published five books and more than 100 articles in law and economics journals and is president of the American Law and Economics Association. Maria Hylton teaches courses on employment law, ERISA, contracts, and insurance law, and has numerous publications to her credit. She is the co-author of Cases and Materials on Employee Benefits Law and Using Civil Remedies for Criminal Behavior: Rationale, Case Studies, and Constitutional Issues.

The Food Project stages “Big Shindig”

The Lincoln-based Food Project will kick off its 27th growing season with the Big Shindig on Wednesday, April 25 at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts. This fundraising event, supported by presenting sponsors Bank of America and Linda and Bill McQuillan, aims to raise $400,000 to support the Food Project’s critical work with youth, food, and community.

This year’s event will feature youth speakers from the Food Project’s Dirt Crew and Root Crew and Leadership Award honorees Cassandria Campbell and Jackson Renshaw, alumni of The Food Project and co-founders of Fresh Food Generation, a Boston-based food truck and catering company..

Proceeds from the Big Shindig will support the Food Project’s youth programming, sustainable agriculture on urban and suburban farms, food system change, promoting community economic strength, and the distribution of fresh produce to expand healthy food access throughout the Boston and North Shore regions. Tickets are on sale now. Visit thefoodproject.org/bigshindig to purchase tickets, get event details, and learn about sponsorship opportunities.

Since its founding, the Food Project has grown from a single two-acre farm in Lincoln to an organization that stewards 70 acres of urban and suburban farmland throughout greater Boston and the North Shore. To date, over 1,800 young people between the ages of 14 and 18 have served on the Food Project’s youth crews, and the organization has harvested nearly 4.5 million pounds of sustainably grown produce.

Little League T-Ball registration now open

Youth baseball in Lincoln starts with T-Ball, which is open to boys and girls currently in kindergarten and those starting kindergarten in the fall. Players will meet on the Smith School fields in Lincoln each Saturday morning from 10–11:30 a.m., right after in-town soccer. The basic mechanics of baseball are taught, and each week features a practice followed by a game. Opening day is Saturday, April 28 and the season runs through June 16. Registration and more information are available at www.LSBaseball.org, or contact Chris Andrysiak at 781-259-3719 or chriscoach33@gmail.com.

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Wine tasting benefits Domestic Violence Roundtable

Sudbury Wine and Spirits (410 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury) will host a complimentary wine tasting for the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable’s annual Shower for Shelters fundraiser on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. Please bring a new, unwrapped housewarming gift to the event.

New household items are vital for helping survivors of domestic violence establish new homes. Requested items include twin-size sheets and pillowcases, summer blankets, and comforters as well as bed pillows, crib sheets, bath towels and face cloths, unscented cleaning products and laundry detergent, laundry baskets, kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes, drinking glasses, and small kitchen appliances. Gift cards are also welcome. Donations also help the Shelters and Transitional Housing Programs of Reach Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, and Voices Against Violence.

Learn about India’s golden period at daylong event

The India Discovery Center‘s next day-long on India’s cultural history will look at “The Golden Period of India: 200 BC to 500 AD” on Saturday, April 28 from 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. in Bemis Hall. There will be survey talks on various aspects of Indian life during the period, including art and culture, language and literature, politics, philosophy and religion, and participants will celebrate the era with a church choir, a Sanskrit song, and a grammar recitation. Organizers request a donation of $20 ($15 for Lincoln residents). For more information, contact India Discovery Center president and Lincoln resident Bijoy Misra at misra.bijoy@gmail.com or 781-259-0029.

Talk focuses on “deeper learning” in public schools

Harvard Graduate School of Education professor and Lincoln resident Jal Mehta will discuss findings from his forthcoming book, In Search of Deeper Learning: Inside the Effort to Remake the American High School, in a talk on Tuesday, May 1 at 7 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The talk, which is sponsored by the Lincoln School Foundation and the Bemis Trustees, will include audience interaction and Q&A.

Drawing on research in 30 schools across the nation, the talk will explore what it means to understand something deeply, why such learning is rare in American public schools, and how some teachers and schools manage to transcend these realities and create powerful, intellectually enlivening education. Mehta will suggest both reformist and radical ways to make the kind of powerful learning which is currently the exception in American public schools the rule.

Lecture series on FDR in May and June

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Lincoln Public Library and the Lincoln Council on Aging present a six-part lecture series on President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Great Depression and World War II on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in the library’s Tarbell Room starting Thursday, May 3. The lecture series is presented by Gary Hylander, visiting professor at Framingham State University and the Boston University School of Education. Come to one session or all; no registration required. The schedule is as follows:

  • May 3 — The Great Crash Turns into the Great Depression
  • May 17 — 1932: The Worst Year of The Depression and the New Deal; Could Roosevelt Meet the Challenge?
  • May 24 — The “100 Days” in Review
  • May 31 — A Growing Threat in Europe
  • June 7 — September 1, 1939: Hitler Invades Poland/the Arsenal of Democracy
  • June 28 — War on Two Fronts

Concert to raise awareness about campus projects

The Lincoln-based cover band Dadda (Mike Killick, Doug Carson, Bryce Wells, and Andy Ory) is hosting a musical event to “rock the vote” on Saturday, May 5 from 7–10 p.m. in Bemis Hall to raise awareness about the campus project vote that will take place at a Special Town Meeting on June 9. The event is free for Lincoln residents. There will be speakers and information available about the school and community center projects now under consideration.

DeCordova hosts Park Fest in June

On Saturday, June 23 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum hosts its second annual Park Fest, a campus-wide celebration of art, nature, and creativity. The event kicks off with a 5K trail run in the morning, followed by a day-long festival for all ages. Visitors can enjoy live music and dance performances, art-making activities, a local artisan market, mini golf, and food and beer for sale.

“Not only will we offer some of deCordova’s signature outdoor activities, but we’re also piloting some fun new creative activities for our visitors,” said deCordova Executive Director John B. Ravenal. This year’s festival will feature an expanded program of activities, including:

  • A 5K trail race through the Sculpture Park and surrounding conservation trails from 9:30–11 a.m. ($20 entry fee for deCordova members, $30 for non-members)
  • Collaborative art-making activities inspired by special exhibitions “Sculpting with Air: Ian McMahon and Jong Oh,” and “Lived Space: Humans and Architecture,” including a giant parachute painting project
  • The Sculpture Discovery Quest, a series of clues to explore, engage with, and learn about the artwork in the park
  • A curated arts and crafts market with local artists, artisans, and vendors (contact Sarah Oh at soh@decordova.org if you’re interested in being a vendor of small artful or edible items priced under $100)
  • Live music by the Crank-Tones and Melvern Taylor and His Fabulous Meltones
  • A special dance performance by Somerville dance company Weber Dance, inspired by art in the park
  • A mini golf course near Jim Dine’s iconic sculpture “Two Big Black Hearts“
  • Ceramic studio demonstrations by resident artist Bruce Barry
  • Food and drink for purchase, including Cambridge-based Compliments Food Truck, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and beer from Acton’s True West Brewery

All activities take place outdoors in the Sculpture Park (rain or shine). Additionally, visitors will have free access to the museum to view the “Sculpting with Air” and “Lived Space” exhibitions. Tickets for deCordova members are $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-17; nonmember tickets are $20 for adults (including Lincoln residents) and $10 for children. Seniors over $65 are $15. Active0duty military families with ID and all children 5 and under are free. Park Fest tickets and details are available at decordova.org/park-fest.

There will not be any public parking available at deCordova during Park Fest except for accessibility needs; parking will occur offsite with shuttle buses running all day. Shuttle service for the 5K run begins at 8 a.m., and Park Fest shuttle service begins at 10:45 a.m. and ends at 5:30 pm.

Sponsored by Boston Properties, Cambridge Savings Bank, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals​, Inc., and Lincoln Tree and Landscape.

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Hazard Mitigation Plan approved

A summary of Lincoln’s existing hazard mitigation measures (click to enlarge).

The Lincoln Hazard Mitigation Plan has been approved by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and will go before the Board of Selectmen for adoption. The document was created as a useful guide for the town of Lincoln  to meet the challenges of natural hazard events such as flooding, hurricanes and blizzards. Lincoln’s Plan will then be in effect for the next five years. Because the Town will now have an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Town it is now eligible to apply for many state and federal grants.

DPW expands hours for brush disposal

To help with the cleanup from the March storms, the Highway Department yard at 30 Lewis St. will be open all four Saturdays in April to accept brush disposal from residents who have a Transfer Station sticker. The yard is normally available for brush disposal Monday through Friday and on the first Saturday of each month from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To limit the use of emergency brush disposal privileges solely to Lincoln residents, staff will be checking vehicles to ensure they have valid Transfer Station stickers. If you are hiring an individual or company to clear your brush, you must contact the Highway Department in advance and provide your address, the name of the individual or company you have hired, and the date when this individual or company is expected to dispose at the yard. Any individual or company who does not meet the above conditions will be denied access to the DPW brush disposal area. Please call the Lincoln Highway Department at 781-259-8999 for more information.

ZBA seeks members

The Zoning Board of Appeals is seeking new members for open seats on the board. The ZBA is a land use board that interprets and applies the town’s zoning bylaw, acting on requests for variances, special permits, and appeals of decisions by the Building Inspector, considering the impact on the town and neighborhoods and the requirements of the bylaws. The ZBA has five regular members and three associate members and generally meets one evening a month. For more information, call the Selectmen’s Office at 781-259-2601 or click here for a volunteer application.

Cultural Council session postponed

Due to a family emergency, the Lincoln Cultural Council introduction meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 7 has been postponed. Anyone interested in learning more about the council and becoming a member should contact Melinda Bruno-Smith at melindabruno@hotmail.com.

Gospel group coming to First Parish

Joyful Voices of Inspiration, a community gospel choir, will perform at the First Parish in Lincoln on Sunday, April 22 at 3 p.m. in the Parish House Auditorium (14 Bedford Rd.) Joyful Voices of Inspiration is non-denominational and represents musicians from a wide range of religious backgrounds who find joy and power in the gospel’s music and message. They often donate their services at civic and fund-raising events in the Boston area. Suggested donation for the concert is $20 per person or $40 for a family. Children under 12 are free. Proceeds will benefit the First Parish in Lincoln.

Annual benefit gala at deCordova is May 12

Tickets are now available for the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s annual Party for the Park gala benefit on Saturday, May 12 from 6:30–10 p.m. The event honors Phyllis and Jerry Rappaport, who have been loyal supporters of deCordova for the past three decades, most notably by establishing and funding the prestigious $25,000 Rappaport Prize. Established in 2000, the Rappaport Prize celebrates contemporary artists with strong connections to New England and a strong record of achievement.

The gala will be chaired by Gerard Frank, a founding partner of Bechtel Frank Erickson Architects and former board president of deCordova. Joyce Kulhawik, the Emmy Award-winning longtime arts and entertainment critic for CBS-Boston, will be a special guest.

Individual tickets are $500 and tables start at $5,000. Proceeds support deCordova’s exhibitions, lectures, and programs, and can be reserved by emailing rsvp@decordova.org or online at decordova.org/party.

FoMA sponsors tour of Modern houses

Friends of Modern Architecture is sponsoring a tour of three Modern houses in the newly created Brown’s Wood Historic District on Saturday, April 29 from 3–5 p.m. Built in 1956, 1957, and 1959, each house has been updated and adapted to the needs of its current owners while successfully maintaining the spirit and intent of the original house. Cost is $35 for FoMA members and $45 for non-members. RSVP to fomalincoln@gmail.com.

Watch installation of spring exhibit at deCordova

Ian McMahon works on a previous installation of “Sculpting with Air.”

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum invites residents to observe and engage with artists Ian McMahon and Jong Oh as they create their work in the “Sculpting with Air” exhibition galleries. The behind-the-scenes viewings are Wednesday–Sunday, April 4–8 and April 11–15 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

There will also be artist talks with McMahon on each of those days at 1 p.m. and with Oh and 2 p.m. The museum will be open for public viewing and artist talks while McMahon and Oh are working, and the completed works will be on view starting April 20. (Reminder: the museum and park are closed every Monday and Tuesday until Memorial Day.)

McMahon and Oh emphasize process in their work and often make their installations at specific locations rather than in their studios. At the deCordova, they will create original, temporary sculptures that respond to the museum’s unique gallery spaces. “Visitors will be able to have a front-row seat to the artists’ creative process and will even be able to chat with the artists about their work. Each day will be a unique chance to see the sculptures as they change and transform into completed works of art right in the galleries,” said Martina Tanga, deCordova’s Koch Curatorial Fellow and curator of Sculpting with Air.

Also opening at the deCordova on Wednesday, April 4 is “Lived Space: Humans and Architecture,” an exhibit of photographs, paintings, and drawings that explore our psychological and physical attachments to the spaces we build and inhabit. Some artworks show the human body merging with the built environment, while others present imaginary structures that exist solely in the artist’s mind. The exhibit runs through September 30.

The exhibition explores three main themes: figure and form, interior worlds, and architectural fantasies. The artists featured in Lived Space” examine the link between architectural elements and our inner world. In their work, interior rooms function as receptacles of memory, emotion, and identity. Some artworks show the human body merging with the built environment, while others present imaginary structures that exist solely in the artist’s mind. Drawn from deCordova’s permanent collection, the exhibition addresses our impulse to adapt and relate to our architectural surroundings, as well as the ways in which these spaces shape and inspire us. 

Shown in the Dewey Family Gallery, “Lived Space” also considers deCordova’s architectural history, which has undergone several transformations since its original construction. Inspired by their travels abroad, museum founders Julian and Lizzie de Cordova remodeled their summer home in 1910 to resemble a European castle. When the building became a contemporary art museum in 1950, the gallery transitioned from a private to public space. These architectural shifts, prompted by Julian and Lizzie’s personal history, dreams, and passions, suggest an intimate exchange between humans and their spaces that extends far beyond one of basic needs.

April activities at the Council on Aging

Lincoln Academy with Dana Robbat—Modern houses proposed for Lincoln Historic District highlight a meaningful legacy
April 2 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 2 at 12:30 to hear Dana Robbat discuss “Modern Houses Proposed for Lincoln Historic District Highlight a Meaningful Legacy.” At the recent Town Meeting, Lincoln residents were asked to support the Lincoln Historic Commission’s proposal to add 29 Modern houses to the Lincoln Historic District, including the Brown’s Wood Historic District. Built between 1937 and 1969, they represent Modernism’s concern for social reform through the subtle, but powerful force thoughtful design can bring to our lives. Much of Lincoln’s quiet, naturalistic aura is due to the scale of these efficient Modern houses carefully integrated into the landscape. 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!

Piano class with Wanda Paik
April 3 and 17 at 10 a.m.
Dust off your piano music books and come to the piano class at the COA led by Wanda Paik. This class is open to all pianophiles, whatever your level, to play, share, and learn more about how to play and practice to help reach your goals. This class will be held on April 3 and 17 from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall.

Mindfulness walks in nature
April 3 at 1 p.m.
PLACE: TBD
Spring can be a very special time to connect with nature through walking in a mindful way. Join naturalist John Calabria for a series of walks in some of Lincoln’s most beautiful places on Tuesdays April 3 and May 1 beginning at 1 p.m. Where the walks will take place are to be determined. Unplug, disconnect from the world for a while and let our senses come alive in nature. These are co-sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the Lincoln Council on Aging. For more information, including locations of the walks, go to lincolnconservation.org. If there is snow on the ground, you may wish to bring pull on grippers, walking sticks, or walking poles.

Surviving… and thriving through life’s challenges
April 4 at 9:30 a.m.
No matter what your phase of life or what you have encountered in life, you can learn and apply the scientifically-proven tenants of Positive Psychology to become more resilient and happier! Come to Bemis Hall at 9:30 on Wednesdays, April 4 and 18 and then every other Wednesday to learn practical strategies, share practices, build connections and support each other. Facilitated by Alyson Lee, social worker, life coach, certified and licensed facilitator of Positive Psychology. Funded by the Friends of the COA.

You’ve been selected…
April 4 at 2 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 between 2 and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4 at Bemis Hall.

Remember the name of anyone you meet
April 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Place: Library
What is the cost to you of not remembering names? Embarrassment? Missed opportunities? Fear of meeting new people? Lost business? Come to the Library for a wonderful workshop on Thursday, April 5 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. (Snow date: April 12, 6:30–8:30 p.m.) with Neil Kutzen that will train you to remember anyone’s name you meet. Kutzen has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and has developed the program MemorizeBest. Open to everyone, pre-registration is required (Kutzen will be testing his own memorization abilities prior to class!) To register please contact Lisa Rothenberg at the Library 781–259–8465 or by email at lrothenberg@minlib.net. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library and the Friends of the COA.

Celebrate spring with the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band
April 6 at 12:30 p.m.
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye, All of Me… you name it. Join in and sing along if the spirit moves you. Where can you get to enjoy this kind of music live these days? On Friday, April 6 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall, the ever-popular Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band will entertain you with such favorites. Don’t miss the free Welcome Spring concert of the old-time jazz you know and love.

Lincoln Academy with Mark Hopkins—Cruising the Balkan peninsula from top to bottom
April 9 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to the Lincoln Academy on Monday, April 9 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall with Mark Hopkins, who will discuss “Cruising the Balkan Peninsula from Top to Bottom.” Mark Hopkins’ camera documents a trip that begins in Athens, Greece and proceeds by small ship through the Gulf of Corinth and up the spectacular east coast of the Adriatic Sea, with many stopovers in Greece, Albania, Montenegro, and Croatia. After eight days at sea, the tour continues overland to the Croatian capital of Zagreb. A final visit to the Julian Alps of Slovenia completes the adventure. Mark’s photographs bring the viewer to the famed Acropolis in Athens, the site of the Oracle at Delphi, the majestic mountains of Montenegro, and the historic port cities and islands of Croatia. Along the way, they capture Albania’s struggles to right itself after years of stifling repression. And they end with some delightful discoveries in Zagreb, capped by scenes of the beautiful valleys of Slovenia. The talk includes discussion of the region’s recent history of political upheaval. 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
April 9 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 is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, April 9 from 3-4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
April 10 at 10 a.m.
PLACE: Lincoln Woods
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Play reading: “The Real Thing”
April 10 at 11 a.m.
Free your inner thespian! Sally Kindleberger leads a group in reading Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing on Tuesdays, April 10 and 17 at 11 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Sally will bring copies.

Staying in touch
April 10 at 2 p.m.
You are invited to join this informal group which focuses their monthly discussion on social, cultural, and technological issues of the day. Please join them the second Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. at Bemis Hall. In April they will meet on April 10. All are welcome and encouraged to bring topics that interest them.

Over 55 and unemployed? Get on-the-job training
April 11 at 10 a.m.
Those 55 and over who are currently unemployed and meet federal low-income guidelines are eligible for a job training program that places you in a nonprofit or government agency where you can get on-the-job training while earning $11 an hour. Update your skills and learn new ones! Add to your résumé! If you are interested, come hear Jill Fainberg of Operation A.B.L.E. on Wednesday, April 11 at 10 a.m. at Bemis to discuss the program and how to apply.

Falls don’t have to trip you up
April 12 at 11:30 a.m.
Falls are the #1 reason why seniors end up in the emergency room, yet they are almost entirely preventable. Join Ben Juhola of the Fire Department on Thursday, April 12 at 11:30 at Bemis Hall to learn how you can make your home safer with easy-to-take actions, stay on your feet while enjoying spring weather outside, and use assistive devices. Find out more about health conditions that may contribute to falls. The Fire Department will be serving a delicious sandwich lunch, so please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Are you getting the best care?
April 13 at 10 a.m.
When physicians and others order tests or treatments you don’t need, bill for services you don’t get, or sell you used equipment as new, you suffer. To learn how you can prevent, detect, report healthcare errors, fraud and abuse, come to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 13 at 10 a.m. to hear a presentation by Patricia McMillen, a representative of the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (MA SMP) program. If you have questions about your healthcare bills, Medicare Summary Notices, or other health insurance explanation of benefits statements, please call the MA SMP office at 800-892-0890. Please call the COA at -781-259-8811 to sign up so Patricia knows how much material to bring.

Tour the new Wellesley COA to see what a modern center is like
April 13 at noon
PLACE: Mall parking lot
Residents of all ages are invited to a tour of the new COA senior center in Wellesley that just opened a few months ago. The center includes a number of design elements and principles that might be used in the Lincoln community center and offers a chance for residents to see what a modern center looks and feels like. The tour will be on Friday, April 13. You must sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 in advance as only 20 may go. Anyone who would like transportation is welcome to come on a Doherty’s bus that will leave the Mall parking lot at noon, but you must tell us you would like transportation when you sign up for the tour.

One-on-one help with library e-books
April 17 at 10 a.m.
Do you have a smart phone, Kindle, or tablet? Would you like assistance using it to check out library e-books and audiobooks? Consider making an appointment for a 30-minute one-on-one help session with Kate Tranquada, Lincoln Public Library reference librarian. Kate will be at Bemis Hall Tuesdays, April 17 and 24, from 10 a.m.–noon. The library has a growing selection of e-books and digital audiobooks available for loan. Kate can help you set up your account and select the titles you want, so you can take advantage of the library’s digital services. When you come for your appointment, be sure to bring your phone, Kindle, or tablet, as well as your Minuteman Library Network card and password. Kindle owners will need their Amazon usernames and passwords; Apple owners will need their Apple IDs and passwords. Questions? Email Kate at ktranquada@minlib.net or call the library at 781-259-8465. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Senior dining
April 17 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, April 17 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!

New group for veterans of spouses
April 20 at 10 a.m.
All spouses of veterans (whether living or deceased) are invited to join a group to be led by Priscilla Leach, Lincoln’s veterans service officer. We hope that the spouses will benefit from getting to know each other, discussing common concerns, and having fun together. This month’s meeting will be held on Friday, April 20 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall and subsequent meeting places will be at The Commons and Lincoln Woods. No need to sign up, but if you would like more information, please contact Priscilla, 781-259-4472 or leachp@lincolntown.org.

Boston Symphony Orchestra matinee in April
April 20 at 10:45 a.m.
PLACE: Mall Parking Lot
Spend a delightful afternoon with the COA on a trip to a matinee performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Friday, April 20. Tugan Sokhiev will conduct works by Britten, Chopin and Mendelssohn featuring pianist Jan Lisiecki. The program includes Britten’s “Simple Symphony,” Chopin’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” and Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 4, Italian.” (Symphony Hall is handicapped accessible.) You may have a sumptuous buffet at Symphony Hall or you may opt to arrange for your own lunch. The cost of the trip is $45.50 with lunch on your own, or $75 with the lunch buffet. This trip is funded by the Hurff Fund and is therefore open to Lincoln seniors only. Space is limited. The bus will leave the mall parking lot at 10:45 a.m. sharp. To reserve a space, send your check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Marilyn Buckler, 12 Hiddenwood Path, Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone and email. Your reservation is complete when Marilyn receives your check. Questions? Contact Marilyn Buckler at 781-259-8886 or mbuckler1@comcast.net.

Learn more about the community center project
April 20 at 1 p.m.
Please join the Community Center Preliminary Planning and Design Committee on Friday, April 20 at 1 p.m. to get an update and learn more about building concepts for the proposed community center! The committee and their architects are busy at work on a number of potential concepts for both siting and building design and they need your ideas and thoughts. This is a great time to ask questions and voice your concerns.

Lincoln Academy with Lucretia Giese—Rivera and Rockefeller: artist and patron
April 23 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to the Lincoln Academy on Monday, April 23 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall with Lucretia Giese who will discuss “Rivera and Rockefeller: Artist and Patron.” A newly “minted” New York skyscraper, a wealthy American patron of the arts and her son, and a volatile and prodigious Mexican painter came together in 1933. These are the ingredients of Diego Rivera’s Rockefeller Center mural “Man at the Crossroads,” which was to celebrate American technology and the American Worker. Join us to learn more about this story that resonates today. 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!

Fireside chat: what to do about firearms
April 25 at 10 a.m.
The COA started these fireside chats five years ago as a result of conversations following the Sandy Hook shooting incident. Seemingly nothing has changed. Come on Wednesday, April 25 as we discuss what exactly the problem is and what can be done. Fireside chats take place in the Community Room at Lincoln Woods on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 10–11:30 a.m. Facilitated by Sharon Antia.

Getting the most out of your iPhone and iPad
April 27 at 9:30 a.m.
The COA’s programs on iPhones and iPads given by Andy Payne have been so popular that they have asked him to come back yet again. Andy will be here on Friday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. to give you more information on the operation and features of iPhones and iPads and answer your questions. You are welcome to attend whether you came to the other sessions or not. If you have tips for using your iPhone or iPad, bring them.

Increase your media savvy
April 27 at 11 a.m.
Are you troubled, or perplexed by the likely presence of “fake news,” “alternative facts,” and phony sources in your email, on Facebook, Twitter or even in your newspaper—all of which seem to have mushroomed in this era of rapidly growing social media opportunities? Do you know the difference between fake news and satire? Do you know how to spot a fake? Do you know about trolls and bots? Are you familiar with FactCheck.org, Snopes.com, or PolitiFact.com? Andy Payne’s workshop on Friday, April 27 at 11 a.m. at Bemis Hall will help participants to become more savvy readers and researchers, discerning more readily what is true and what is not as well as sources that are legitimate and those that are not.

Are you eligible for a property tax exemption, deferral, or abatement?
April 27 at 1 p.m.
Lincoln offers a number of ways seniors, veterans, those with disabilities, and those with low incomes can lower their property taxes through exemptions and deferral. Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 27 at 1 p.m. to hear Dorothy Blakeley and Ellen Meadors of the Board of Assessors, Jennifer Glass of the Board of Selectmen, and Gina Halsted of the Finance Committee discuss the available exemptions and deferral options and how and when to apply. They will also discuss how your property is assessed and how to file for an abatement if you think your property should be valued differently.

The New Sound Assembly: “The Spirit of America in Song”
April 29 at 2 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. to hear the New Sound Assembly perform The Spirit of America in Song. The New Sound Assembly, a 23-man chorus of singers, presents musical programs all over the region and in England and Ireland. The free hour-long performance for all ages will be a mix of barbershop songs, patriotic, and modern favorites. All songs are sung a capella in four-part classical barbershop harmony, a unique and traditional American musical form. This program is supported by a grant from the Lincoln Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Lincoln Academy with Jack Fultz—Winning is an attitude
April 30 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 30 at 12:30 to hear Jack Fultz discuss “Winning Is an Attitude.” Fultz, the 1976 Boston Marathon Men’s Champion and currently training advisor to the Dana-Farber Running Program, which has raised more than $85 million for cancer research, will discuss life’s lessons learned on the marathon trail. He will talk about this year’s marathon as well as how he came to Boston in 1976 and how he went about winning the race, along with other stories from his life in competitive athletics. 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.

Save the date:

International Museum of World War II and Indian lunch buffet
Join the COA to commemorate Memorial Day with a visit to the International Museum of WWII in Natick on Wednesday, May 23. The museum hosts over 500,000 artifacts, letters, and documents including the famous enigma machines, diaries, magazines, photos, secret items used by the resistance, and much more. Many items are hands-on. After a group orientation, you will visit the museum at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour. After the museum tour, you will have a delicious buffet lunch at an Indian restaurant close by. For the short ride to Natick, you will travel on a Doherty’s school bus. The tour will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 11:15 a.m., returning at approximately 3:45 p.m. The trip is rated easy/moderate. There are no stairs to negotiate in the museum, but the only seating is at the orientation area, not along the tour route. The cost of the trip is $25 including the buffet lunch. 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.