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

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Old Town Hall Exchange opens for a day

On Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., the Old Town Hall Exchange will open temporarily as a holiday pop-up with inventory that was in place when the shop closed at the start of the pandemic. Everything but candy and consigned items will be 20% off. Swing by before or after the Touch of Christmas fair. The shop is stocked with lots of Christmas ornaments, stocking stuffers, cards, decorations, and more.

Holiday gift basket drive

During the holidays, the Lincoln Council on Aging & Human Services staff visits homebound needy seniors to deliver baskets full of basic necessities. The Lincoln Girl Scouts have teamed up with them to help collect new, unopened, unscented (if possible), full­-sized items to fill the baskets. Items needed include pharmacy/grocery gift cards, postage stamps, deodorant, dish soap, kitchen sponges, hand soap, body wash. shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste,  toothbrushes, lotion, paper towels, disposable razors, shaving cream, tissues, toilet paper, laundry soap, trash bags, socks, coffee, and tea. There will be collection bins in the Lincoln School office and at Bemis Hall through December 7. Along with the baskets, the Girl Scouts create holiday crafts to help spread some cheer.

LincFam winter caroling and food drive

Join Lincoln’s Kat Chapman for winter caroling on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Twisted Tree. Before starting our caroling loop through Lincoln Woods, LincFam  will collect shelf-stable items (pasta, canned soups, packaged snacks) for the SVdP Food Pantry. If you would like donate money to their financial emergency services, please make checks payable to St. Vincent de Paul. All are welcome.

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Christmas trees on sale

Starting on Saturday, Dec. 3, Lincoln Boy Scout Troop 127 will be selling Christmas Trees and wreaths from 3–5:30 p.m. at the intersection of Lincoln and Codman Roads. Trees will range from 4′ to 10′ and Scouts will also be selling both decorated and undecorated wreaths. After Sunday, the tree lot will be open on Wednesday nights from 7-8 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. until trees sell out.

Christmas events at First Parish in Lincoln

Touch of Christmas fair
Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Parish House auditorium, 14 Bedford Road (across from Bemis)
Homemade holiday crafts, evergreen wreaths decorated with natural materials, jewelry, antique and collectible treasures, and more. 

Christmas tree lighting
Saturday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m.
Rainbow chairs, 4 Bedford Road (across from the library)
Join us to light the Christmas tree in front of the church after the Touch of Christmas Fair. We’ll get in the mood with some holiday carols and enjoy hot chocolate. Santa says he’ll swing by and say Hello or maybe Ho Ho Ho!

Christmas Eve services
Saturday, Dec. 24
Church sanctuary, 4 Bedford Road — livestream at fplincoln.altarlive.com
— 5 p.m.: A service for all ages. Families with younger children are welcome, but so are those who want the full Christmas experience before dinnertime. Special music, lessons and carols, and a short message. Service led by our co-ministers.
— 9 p.m. (with special music at 8:30 p.m.):  Candlelight service featuring the First Parish choir, special music, and lessons and carols. Service led by our co-ministers.

If you intend to join us in person, let us know by taking this brief survey, indicating the number in your group and which service you will be attending.

Tree lighting and service at St. Anne’s

Come to St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Church on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4:30 p.m. for a short, but poignant service at which we remember those who are no longer with us at Christmastime by hanging white ornaments in their honor. Bring your own or hang one of ours, then marvel at the lighting of the tree. For those interested, this is followed by a Blue Christmas service in the sanctuary at 5 p.m., when candles, quiet, and prayers allow participants to reflect in love, grief, and joy. Communion will be available if requested. We welcome everyone from all walks of life and faith. For more information, visit StAnnesLincoln.org or email parishoffice@stanneslincoln.org.

Library-sponsored events

An evening with mystery writers
Join us via Zoom on Thursday Dec. 8 from 7–8:30 p.m. for an evening with mystery writers Sulari Gentill, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and Eva Jurczyk moderated by Rachel Raczka of the Boston Globe. Everything was fine until it wasn’t — a scream in the library, books gone missing the first day on the job, a secret threatening to tear apart a perfect life. Register here.

Talk on New England bike rides
Author David Sobel will give a Zoom presentation on his new book, Best Bike Rides in New England, on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 7-8 p.m. He’ll reveal some of his favorite rides, discuss the variables he uses when designing a ride, explain how to design rides using online tools like Map My Ride or Strava, advocate for incorporating bike riding three to five times a week into your personal wellness goals, and suggest a great ride in or around your community. Register here.

Film screening: “Umberto D”
The Lincoln Library Film Society presents Umberto D. (1952, Italian with subtitles) on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. This neorealist masterpiece by Vittorio De Sica follows an elderly pensioner as he strives to make ends meet during Italy’s postwar economic recovery. Alone except for his dog, Flike, Umberto’s simple quest to satisfy his basic needs — food, shelter, companionship — makes for one of the most heartbreaking stories ever filmed, and an essential classic of world cinema.

“A Christmas Carol”
Join actors Stephen Collins and Poornima Kirby on Friday, Dec. 16 from 1–2 p.m. in Bemis Hall for a funny, heartfelt journey through Charles Dicken’s classic A Christmas Carol. This one-hour adaptation shows Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from a grumpy, selfish misanthrope to a generous and kindly man full of the spirit of Christmas.

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L-S alumni soccer game

The Lincoln-Sudbury alumni soccer game will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26 at noon. It’s a casual game for alumni from any era. RSVP on this Facebook page. Questions? Email Tim Mangini at tim_mangini@wgbh.org.

String and voice concert

“Celebrating Collaborations: Sings and Strings” with Music Street will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Music Street Artistic Director Diana Katzenberg Braun celebrates her work as a collaborative pianist in a concert with award-winning Boston musicians Li-Mei Liang (violin), Alan Toda-Ambaras (cello), Hannah Meloy (soprano), and David Mather (baritone). Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Learn about the history of nutcrackers

“Nutcrackers: A Colorful History” will take place via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. You may never have given those funny painted statues much thought, but the history of nutcrackers involves the development of tools from the Stone Age to the Industrial Age. Led by art historian Mary Woodward, who serves as a guide at several Historic New England properties. Register for the Zoom link here. This virtual event is hosted by the Tewksbury Public Library, in collaboration with several Massachusetts libraries. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Library.

Help families affected by abuse

Each year the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable sponsors a family for the holidays. Families in shelter for the holidays face a sad and difficult time as they are separated from family and friends and are hiding from their abusers. Sponsoring a family can be a wonderful way to help as a family or organization. Three local agencies offer services and programs for families affected by domestic violence. Holiday drives start early so agencies have time to process donations. In some cases, gift cards are being collected so families can shop and wrap their presents. For more information about how to help, please contact:

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Covid-19 regional vaccine clinic

There will be a Covid-19 vaccination clinic sponsored by the Town of Lincoln/Great Meadows Regional Public Health Collaborative on Friday, Nov. 18 from 4–7 p.m. in the Brooks gym at the Lincoln School. Primary and booster doses for those 6 months and older will be offered. According to the CDC, everyone 5 years and older should get an updated booster if they have completed their primary series, and if it has been at least two months since their final primary dose or last booster. Register online by clicking here. For assistance, call 978-793-5663 or email duffL@sudbury.ma.us.

Mystery-comedy: “The Alibis”

When eccentric billionaire J. Leslie Arlington is murdered, a clueless detective finds the suspects are all reluctant to admit their alibis… because they were all committing other ridiculous crimes at the time. Written by different playwrights, “The Alibis” features seven characters each telling the story of their absurd alibi in ten-minute plays. “The Alibis” will be performed by middle-school students at the Lincoln School on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. in the Donaldson Auditorium. With a cast of 22 and a crew of 21, more than a quarter of the students in grades 6-8 are involved in the show.

Tickets ($10 for adults, $5 for students/seniors/Lincoln Public Schools employees) will be sold at the door starting 30 minutes before showtime. Cash or check only. Production budgets are entirely funded by ticket proceeds.

Talk on Columbus and Thanksgiving by Claudia Fox Tree 

Claudia Fox Tree

Missing information, inaccurate stories, and stereotypes perpetuate myths about Columbus and Thanksgiving. Lincoln School teacher and social justice activist Claudia Fox Tree, a Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness board member, will give a talk on “Settler-Colonist Ties to Thanksgiving & Columbus: Taking Back the Narrative” on Monday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. She will explore this colonial system through primary sources and examine how language perpetuates invisibility and how we can dismantle oppression to bring accurate counter-narratives to life.

Fox Tree has also taught professional development and social justice courses at the college level for Initiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for all Students (IDEAS) and presented about decolonizing anti-racism initiatives at national and local conferences. She is currently a doctoral student at Lesley University. Click here to register for the Zoom link. Sponsored by Belmont Against Racism and the public libraries of Belmont, Brookline, Chelmsford, Lincoln, Maynard, Natick, Norwood, Stow, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, and Weston.

Holiday Wreath Happy Hour at Codman Farm

Join a wreath-making class in Codman Community Farms greenhouse on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 2–4 p.m. Using fresh evergreen branches, Codman grown dried flowers, seed pods, fruits, and foraged elements, you’ll learn how to design and make an all-natural wreath to decorate your home for the holidays. All course materials and tools provided, plus some delicious treats from our farm and local vendors. Bring a beverage of your choice. Cost: $95; click here to register. Masks optional. Questions? Email jess@codmanfarm.org.

Librarians offer kids’ book gift ideas

Do you need holiday gift book suggestions for the young readers in your life? Join the Lincoln Public Library children’s librarians on Thursday, Dec. 1 at noon as they review their favorite new books of the year as well as some perennial favorites. The event is open to all adults (feel free to share with grandparents and relatives near and far). Email dleopold@minlib.net for the Zoom link.

Program on biodiversity and climate change

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will host a virtual program on backyard biodiversity, climate change, and solutions to a looming ecological crisis on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 7­–8:30 p.m. Headlines about global insect declines, the impending extinction of one million species worldwide, and three billion fewer birds in North America are a bleak reality check about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at protecting the plants and animals that sustain us. The night’s focus will be on how to create backyard biodiversity in Lincoln, connect habitats throughout town, and increase resilience against climate change. A Zoom link will be sent to all participants who register here.

Tallamy is a Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. His award-winning books include Bringing Nature Home, Nature’s Best Hope, and The Nature of Oaks.

Flashlight candy cane hunt

Grab your flashlight and search for hundreds of candy canes hidden around Pierce Park on Friday, Dec. 9 from 6–7 p.m. Participants will start off the event by decorating a candy cane bag while music and hot cocoa are available. Then we’ll get our flashlights and head into the park to hunt for candy canes. Keep your eye out because you may even find a special candy cane with a prize-winning ribbon! Bring your own flashlight. Free, but online preregistration with the Parks and Recreation Department is required.

Steve Hoffman

Hoffman tapped as CEO of Rova

Lincoln resident Steve Hoffman has been named CEO of Rova, an on-demand delivery platform that connects drivers to businesses. Hoffman was the initial chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission from 2017 to April 2022. He has also served as the CEO of two venture capital-backed technology companies, a Senior Vice President at CSC Index (Computer Science Corp.), and an Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Sapient.

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FELS Thanksgiving pies on offer

FELS, the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury, www.FELSGrant.org, is offering its Thanksgiving pie sale again this year after a four-year hiatus. Pies baked by The Hyve will be sold through Friday, Nov. 11. Pickup will be available at the high school and the Lincoln Council on Aging on Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 3–6 p.m. Pies can also be gifted to staff and faculty at L-S and will be delivered by FELS Board members. For more details, go to www.FELSGrant.org. Pies can also be purchased for donation to the food pantries in Lincoln and Sudbury and the fire and police departments in both towns. Those who are traveling and can’t buy a pie may donate to FELS, a non-profit organization that awards enrichment grants to L-S faculty and staff to pursue their professional and personal interests and passions.

Family portrait fundraiser for food pantry

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Lincoln photographer Corey Nimmer will host a family portrait fundraiser at Flint Farm, where 100% of proceeds will be go directly to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lincoln and Weston, which operates the local food pantry and provides financial support to families in need. Sessions will be about 5 minutes each. To participate, click here to book a time slot; when it’s time to pay, just select “Cheque” as your payment method. The suggested donation is $75, but any amount goes a long way toward helping your neighbors this holiday season, and you can either bring a check made out to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or click here to make an online donation.

See “Seussical” at L-S

Tickets are now on sale for the LSB Players’ production of “Seussical,” with shows on Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 17–19 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.  This bright and energetic musical combines several well-known Dr. Seuss characters to tell the story of Horton the Elephant and his fierce determination to protect the land of the Whos, despite the scorn and disbelief of his fellow jungle folk. This show explores hope, identity, inclusivity, and the importance of having that “one true friend in the universe who believes in you.” Directed and choreographed by Carly Evans, music directed by Michael Bunting, and conducted by Tom Grandprey, and performed in the Kirshner Auditorium at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Click here to buy tickets. Please pick up your reserved, prepaid tickets at the will-call table on the night of the performance. 

Donate gift cards and items for food pantry clients

SVdP board member Alpheen Menachery and her grandchildren with Turkey Tins they’re donating.

Because of high inflation, Thanksgiving will be more difficult than usual for many of the clients of St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lincoln and Weston, which operates the shared food pantry, and its distributor is unable to supply turkeys this year. As a result, the food pantry is asking for donations of $25 gift cards from grocery stores (preferably Donelan’s) and/or items that will go into “Turkey Tin” food baskets. They expect about 130 families will receive the baskets and gift cards. To find out more and to sign up to donate, click here. Questions? Call 781-899-2611 x4 or email svdplincolnweston@gmail.com.

Substitute teachers needed

Lincoln Public Schools need full and half-day substitute teachers at a variety of grade levels in Lincoln and Hanscom Air Force Base. For more information, click here, email Kerry Parrella at kparrella@lincnet.org, or call 508-958-6872.

Another Lincolnite firefighter hired

Michael Goldblatt, Lincoln’s newest call firefighter.

Michael Goldblatt was one of 22 recruits to graduate from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Program on November 1. The program delivers a standard recruit training curriculum, meeting national standards, on nights and weekends. Recruits learn to respond to all types of emergencies including gas leaks, chemical spills, drug overdoses, and trapped people as well as fires. Goldblatt was initially hired in Lincoln as an EMT and had to finish this training before he was allowed to ride on a fire truck or enter a structure fire (the Fire Department has three career firefighters and one per diem call firefighter at night to make up a shift of four.) He’s the third Lincoln-raised candidate who’s been hired in Lincoln as a call firefighter in the last three years. The other were Ronnie Row (who was hired three years ago but left for a job in Maynard) and Tom Blair.

New staffer and a promotion at deCordova

The Trustees of Reservations recently announced a new face and a promotion involving the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. Tess Lukey, who will be based at the deCordova and the Fruitlands Museum, is The Trustees of Reservations’ first-ever Associate Curator of Native American Art, and Sarah Montross has been promoted from Senior Curator to Chief Curator, The Trustees.

Tess Lukey

Lukey, an Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal member and lifelong New Englander, will develop exhibitions and research initiatives related to The Trustees’ Indigenous art collections.

“We are entering a new period in the history of this organization with Tess’s arrival as Associate Curator of Native American Art. We are eager to learn from her, to work with her, and to support her as she develops new partnerships with Native artists and communities throughout North America,” said Jessica May, Managing Director of Art and Exhibitions and Artistic Director at deCordova. “The stories of community and connection that Tess is poised to tell are so important for our organization and our culture.”

“Whether it’s collecting new Native American artists or reinterpreting existing works, my goal is to help expand the narratives, examine stereotypes, and confront biases around Native American art,” she said. “This is a critical and unique inflection point for museums and I’m grateful organizations like The Trustees are hiring Native American staff members to more fully tell Indigenous stories.”

Lukey has worked for the Museum of Fine Arts and the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston, and the John Sommers Gallery in Albuquerque, N.M.  bachelor’s degree in ceramics and art history from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and a master’s degree in Native American art history with a minor in museum studies from the University of New Mexico. In her spare time, she is a traditional potter and basket weaver practicing the techniques of her own Indigenous community. She currently lives in Sutton, Mass., the ancestral home of the Nipmuc Nation, with her partners and children.

Sarah Montross

Montross has successfully organized numerous exhibitions, publications, and outdoor commissions at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum over the past seven years. Notable exhibition projects include Jeffrey Gibson: INFINITE INDIGENOUS QUEER LOVE (2021); Visionary New England; and co-curating the New England Triennial (formerly Biennial) in 2016, 2018 and 2021. She has also activated deCordova’s outdoor sculpture program with loans and new commissions. She’s currently organizing an exhibition and outdoor commission with the artist Hugh Hayden that will open in April 2023.

As Chief Curator, Montross will continue to shape the exhibition and sculpture park program at deCordova while also broadening her oversight of and collaborations with the exhibitions team and guest curators for projects at Fruitlands and across the state.

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Flu, Covid-19 vaccination clinics

The town is sponsoring two free vaccination clinics starting next week. Residents who want a Covid-19 vaccination may opt for the new bivalent booster or any of the previous vaccines.

  • Flu vaccination clinic — Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 1:00–3:45 p.m., Reed Gym, Lincoln School. Register here.
  • COVID vaccination clinic — Friday, Nov. 4 from 3–7 p.m. Reed Gym, Lincoln School. Register here.

“Get to Know Your Neighborhood Birds with Mass Audubon”

Test out your observation skills with live birds, study their adaptations, and discuss why they look and act the way they do on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 1–2 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. You’ll leave this exploration with a nature journal we will begin together, and a sharper eye for what makes our local birds so unique. Intended for families and caregivers with young children. No registration necessary. Mass Audubon and the Mass Cultural Council are funding this event. Questions? Call the library at 781-259-8465 x4.

“Theology on Tap,” blessing of the animals

Join Nate Klug, co-minister of the First Parish in Lincoln, for a beer or soda at the monthly “Theology on Tap” discussion on Friday, Oct. 28 from 4:30–6 p.m. at the Tack Room. The month’s topic: “What is a saint?” Just in time for Halloween (All Hallows Eve) and All Saints/All Souls Day, we’ll review some of the wildly various notions of sainthood that different religions have put forward over time. What did Martin Luther mean when he said that everyone was “equally saint and sinner”? Who do you think of as a saint in your life – and why? No sainthood required to join the discussion, just a thirsty spirit!

For the animal lovers among us, drop by for a short and sweet, family-friendly “Blessing of the Animals” pet blessing service with co-minister Kit Novotny on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. The service will be held outside on the front lawn near the rainbow chairs, with guitar.

Author talk on “Silent Spring Revolution”

The Walden Woods Project is hosting “Silent Spring Revolution: A Conversation with Douglas Brinkley” on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. In his newest book, New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed historian Douglas Brinkley chronicles the rise of environmental activism during the 1960s. Join us to learn more about Silent Spring Revolution and Brinkley’s discoveries during the writing process. There will be a live audience Q&A. Register here. This event is sponsored by the Walden Woods Project, Concord Festival of Authors, and RESTORE: The North Woods.

Fall Fest is October 30

On Sunday, Oct. 30 from noon–3 p.m. in Pierce Park, the Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the second annual Fall Fest with games, food, beer, hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and more. Also featured will be Trunk or Treat, where families, groups and organizations can decorate their vehicle trunk and and pass out goodies. Trunk or Treat setup starts at 10:30 a.m. and runs from 12–1:30 p.m. The registration deadline for Trunk or Treat is October 24. To attend Fall Fest, buy tickets online in advance ($10) or at the door ($15).

Click here to register your car for Trunk or Treat or buy tickets to Fall Fest. Questions? Email Jessica Downing at jdowning@lincnet.org.

Offer ideas for walking, cycling, driving, and public transit improvements

The Town of Lincoln is in the process of preparing a new five-year Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. Complete Streets is a state-funded grant program to help municipalities improve their streets to accommodate users of all ages and abilities, whether driving, cycling, or walking.  Each municipality is allowed up to $400,000 through a four-year rolling period. Lincoln is using an online platform called Wikimapping to gather feedback on where in town you’d like to see improvements for all methods of getting around, including public transit, by October 31. Click here to share your thoughts about transportation issues and opportunities. There will be a public forum on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link (passcode: 783032).

Blues concert with Toni Lynn Washington

All are invited to a free concert by renowned Boston-area blues vocalist Toni Lynn Washington on Friday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Washington has won the Boston Blues Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, had seven Blues Music Award nominations, and released five CDs. This event is generously sponsored by Margo Cooper in celebration of her mother Ronna Cooper’s life.

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Public forums scheduled on Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan

The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee is hosting four virtual public forums to review the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan draft and collect feedback to improve the plan. There will also be a short presentation about the master plan at the State of the Town meeting in November.

The master plan, which was drafted by BPAC in consultation with the Planning Department, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and other town committees and departments, aims to make Lincoln to be more safe, green and accessible for residents and visitors traveling by foot and bike.

The public forums each focus on one region of Lincoln, but the BPAC will review the overall plan at each forum and are happy to discuss any region of town at any meeting if participants desire.

  • Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. — North Lincoln (Route 2 and north). Zoom link.
  • Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. — South Lincoln (Route117 and south). Zoom link.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. — East Lincoln (east of Lincoln Road/Bedford Road, south of Route 2 and north of Route117.) Zoom link.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. — West Lincoln (west of Lincoln Road/Bedford Road, south of Route 2 and north of Route117.) Zoom link.

More information:

Watering restrictions still in effect

With the continued Stage 3 drought, the state requires maintaining water use restrictions. To comply, the Lincoln Water Commission voted unanimously to extend water use restrictions in Lincoln beyond the traditional stop date of September 30. When drought restrictions are ended, a posting will be made on the town website and via other means. Don’t hesitate to contact the Lincoln Water Department if you have any questions (781-259-2669 or lafalamd@lincolntown.org).

During Stage 2 and above, Water Department staff monitors all sprinkler use in town and will stop to remind residents of the restriction policy. A first offence will result in a $100 fine, and subsequent violations will result in a $200 fine. For more information, see this Restrictions, Conservation & Water Use page and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ drought page.

Film screening: “After Life”

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen “After Life” (1998) directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. If you could choose only one memory to hold on to for eternity, what would it be? In Japanese with English subtitles. Free and open to all.

Walk to benefit SVdP food pantry

Join a walk to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston, which operates the food pantry for the two towns, on Saturday, Oct. 22 at St. Julia Church (374 Boston Post Rd., Weston) along Weston’s rail trail (approximately 2.2 miles). Check-in/same-day registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk at 9:30 a.m., with an ice cream social at 10:30 a.m. Pre-register by October 15 to receive an SVdP gift. Suggested donation: $10 per person/ or $25 per family. Click here to register and/or donate. For more information, email svdplincolnweston@gmail.com.

“Opera for Everyone” series returns

The Friends of the Lincoln Library present their annual “Opera for Everyone” series on three Sundays from 2–3:30 p.m. at the library. Opera lecturer Erika Reitshamer returns to enlighten, inspire and entertain while passing along her vast knowledge of opera and opera lore to Boston’s educational institutions. Her last offering for Lincoln Library was a lecture on “It Takes Two to Duet,” just in time for Valentine’s Day on February 12, 2022.

  • October 23 —Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love”
  • October 30 —  Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville”
  • November 6 — Rossini’s “The Italian Girl in Algiers”

Click here for plot details.

Family Halloween activities at deCordova

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum offers moonlit sculpture-building activities with deCordova faculty, self-guided mysteries to solve with friends and family, and a sweet treat or two along the way on Friday, Oct. 21 and Friday, Oct. 28 at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $35 per family ($28 for member families); click here to select date and buy tickets. For more information, call 781-259-3647.

Pumpkin Palooza for kids at library

The Lincoln Public Library will host Pumpkin Palooza on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10:30 a.m.–noon. Wear your costume and join us on the library lawn for Halloween fun: pumpkin painting, activities, crafts, and more. Drop-in; best for ages 6 and under.

Purple lights highlight domestic violence awareness

Why are those buildings purple? Purple, it is said, is the color of courage, survival, honor, and hope. It is also the color recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month each October. For the past several years, the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable, in collaboration with the Lauren Dunne-Astley Memorial Fund and First Parish in Wayland, has chosen to light the towns of Sudbury and Wayland in purple. They have lit numerous faith and public buildings in Sudbury and Wayland and have posted banners and signs in all three communities. The Roundtable invites local businesses and homeowners to join in by adding their own purple lights. Inexpensive 4.5 watt Feit purple LED Electric bulbs are available at Ace Hardware in Wayland and Aubuchon Hardware in Sudbury.

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Apply for Cultural Council grants

The Lincoln Cultural Council is accepting proposals for programs that serve Lincoln residents. Register here for a Massachusetts Cultural Council webinar for new applicants on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. The application deadline is October 17.  Click here to learn more about local grant priorities and how to apply. Questions? Email Meg Ramsey with any questions at meg.ramsey@verizon.net.

Library hosts banned-book discussions

To recognize Banned Books Week, there will discussions about banned books at the Lincoln Public Library:

  • Readers in grades 4-6 and their families: Monday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. Email dleopold@minlib.net to register.
  • Readers in grades 7+ and their families: Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. Email sfeather@minlib.net to register.

Kids’ dance classes for LincFam members

LincFam (the Lincoln Family Association) invites new members to join the group and participate in a series of free classes for children ages 1-5 led by Lincoln resident Margie Topf, founder and artistic director of the Topf Center for Dance Education. Classes take place on four Saturday mornings: September 17 and 24, and October 8 and 15. To learn more, see this LincFam web page or email info@lincfam.org.

Cronin lecture at deCordova

The Paul J. Cronin Memorial Lecture at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum will take place at the museum on Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 6:30–8 p.m. The event is a conversation among leading museum figures Candice Hopkins, executive director of the Forge Project; Julie Decker, director/CEO of the Anchorage Museum; and Jane Winchell, director of the Art & Nature Center and leader of the Museum Climate & Environment Initiative at the Peabody Essex Museum. The panel will share ideas with one another about the relationship of art and arts organization to climate change discourse. Panelists will reveal ways in which their organizations are forging connections between cultural, artistic, and natural resources. Moderated by Jessica May, artistic director at the deCordova and managing director of art and  exhibitions for The Trustees. Click here for more information and to register.