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

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Scarecrow Classic steps off this Sunday

More than 550 participants are expected to join the LLCT for the sixth Annual Scarecrow Classic on Sunday, Oct. 14. The race kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on Codman Road by the fire station and runs along Lincoln’s scenic roads, fields, and trails.

After the race, there will be a raffle with prizes, live music, cider donuts, seasonal soup, and prizes for the top three runners in each age category. Raffle tickets can be purchased in advance at the LLCT offices, from LLCT trustees, or on October 14 before the race. Online registration is open through Friday, Oct. 12 and same-day registration is available starting at 8 a.m. Visit scarecrowclassic5k.com for the route map and online registration.

In keeping with conservation principles, participants are asked to bring a refillable water bottle (they can place it at the finish line ahead of time). There will be a hydration station and limited emergency water supplies for those without a water bottle. All utensils, cups, bowls, and napkins will be 100% compostable.

Diaper drive headed by Lincoln residents seeks donations

Residents are urged to drop off disposable diapers at the Lincoln Public Library for the Metro-Boston Diaper Drive, which runs through Sunday, Oct. 21. Diapers will be donated to the Somerville WIC office, which serves Somerville, Cambridge, Arlington, Watertown, Belmont, Bedford, Lexington, and Lincoln. Donors may also purchase diapers from these Amazon or Target registries and having them sent directly to the WIC office.

The diaper drive began six years ago after Kerstin Sinkevicius (now of Lincoln) and Aimee Mills of Somerville read an article detailing how difficult it was for financially challenged families to afford diapers. Neither WIC nor SNAP benefits cover the cost of diapers. Two years ago, Kim Jalet of Lincoln replaced Mills as co-coordinator. A full list of collection points can be found at mbdiapers.org.

The Metro-Boston Diaper Drive was formerly called the Somerville Moms’ Diaper Drive, but “we changed the name this year to the Metro-Boston Diaper Drive because it has grown far beyond the original scope of Somerville now that we have 31 collection points in eight towns,” said Jalet said. A full list of collection points can be found at mbdiapers.org. Last year, the event donated more than 22,000 diapers. This year, organizers hope to donate at least 30,000 diapers.

College planning seminar at L-S

Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Adult Ed is offering a college planning seminar for parents of ninth- and tenth-graders on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 7–9 p.m. in the L-S lecture hall. Tuition is $20/family and pre-registration at www.lsrhs.net/sites/adulted/ is required. Todd Richman, founder of Achieve Admissions, and Annika Noren, co-founder of InspireDo LLC, will address how colleges evaluate applicants, academic planning during high school, extracurricular and summer activities, considerations for student-athletes, when to take standardized tests, and why sophomore year is important to financial aid. 

Tales of the Night at Drumlin

Put on your favorite costume, grab a flashlight, and come to Tales of the Night, Drumlin Farm’s  family-friendly Halloween tradition, on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 25 and 26 from 6:30–9 p.m. Visitors will have the chance to:

  • Explore the farm at night, lit by a display of over 100 jack-o-lanterns
  • Meet some of the nocturnal wildlife of Massachusetts
  • Enjoy treats, “spider cider,” and “witches’ brew” at the ghoulish graveyard
  • Step into a story on the Nursery Rhyme Trail to meet your favorite characters
  • Venture out into the fields for a haunted hayride full of spooky surprises (7–8:30 p.m.)

Tickets ($15 for Mass Audubon members, $17 for nonmembers) must be purchased in advance—no admission at the gate. Purchase tickets online or register by phone at 781-259-2206.

Amelia Earhart events at library

Actor Sheryl Faye returns to the Lincoln Public Library to portray aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. As attendees learn how Earhart follows her dream with an indomitable spirit, her story will inspire them to pursue their own budding interests and passions. Local historian and Medford Public Library Director Barbara Kerr will discuss Earhart’s Boston-area connections on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Both events are free and open to all.

Seminar covers Hindu period in India history

The next seminar in the India Discovery Project (IDP) covering the Hindu period (500–1500 AD) is on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The seminar is an all-day event with slide presentations, lectures and music; lunch and tea will be provided. Presenters will include Lincoln resident and IDP President Bijoy Misra. The public online registration fee is $25, but Lincoln residents can get a $5 discount by sending a check to the India Discovery Center, 180 Bedford Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773.

Sales of dolls, antiques providing big share of MCC budget

Joanna Schmergel (left) and Erica Gonella, MCC treasurer and director of annual giving, in a room full of dolls to be sold by the organization (click images to enlarge).

What began last year as an eBay auction of donated vintage dolls has turned into a multipronged nonprofit effort that has netted thousands of dollars for METCO and provided summer camp scholarships for 34 kids.

Joanne Schmergel’s Cerulean Way home is slowly being taken over by dolls, antiques and other items she’s collecting and selling to benefit the METCO Coordinating Committee. What was once an office become, in her words, “a full-blown doll shop, and our formal dining room is a living estate sale.”

When the MCC first began supporting the summer camp program, they dedicated a majority of funds from its annual mailing campaign—but this drastically reduced the funds available during the school year to pay for late METCO buses, MCC president Pilar Doughty said. When Schmergel approached the group with her doll sales idea, “we thought ‘we don’t have anything to lose.’ Little did we imagine that she’d be able to raise enough money to make doll sales the new cornerstone of our Boston-based student summer camp funding in 2017-18.”

A donated painting for sale, which Schmergel jokingly titles “Why Did We Buy a Farm Share?”

Last year, doll sales netted $7,800, or 45 percent of the MCC’s total annual budget. This allowed the group offer full scholarships to 48 Boston-based, METCO-enrolled Lincoln School children to the four-week Lincoln Parks & Recreation summer camp, allowing them to attend at minimal cost to them (though only 34 kids wound up participating).

Schmergel, who is in charge of MCC’s fundraising and special projects, collected more donated inventory during the summer, including 30 American Girl dolls (now on sale in individual baskets for $59.99 each) and 200 collectible Barbie dolls donated by Lincoln resident Erica Mason that will likely net $3,500–$4,500 on eBay. The MCC also plans to sell antique and vintage dolls at the Boston Toy Show and is marketing more items on LincolnTalk, including four Chinese mud clay figures and various estate-sale items.

Chinese figurines for sale by the MCC.

The next goal is raising money through various methods fund Boston-based middle-schoolers who would like to attend Lincoln Summer Day Camp. Because the middle camp tuition is costlier and the transportation logistics are tricky, the MCC hasn’t been able to advertise the camp scholarship program widely to middle schoolers.

“The MCC had seen steady, gradual decline in both volunteerism and monetary donations over the past five years, and this seriously impacted the number and frequency of programs that we have been able to offer,” Doughty said. “When Joanna came to the team with renewed energy and a ‘can-do and will-do’ attitude, she provided a breath of fresh air. Knowing that we’re on stable financial ground for the year (because of her fundraiser) allows our leadership team to step out of panic mode and plan more effectively for the future.”

News acorns

Fire station open house

The Lincoln Public Safety Dept. will hold an open house on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in observance of Fire Prevention Month. The day will include interactive demonstrations, a fire safety coloring contest, Smokey the Bear, and free pizza.

Free bike safety event for kids

Do you and your kids love to bike? Help keep your kids safe on the road! As part of her Gold Award project, Lincoln Girl Scout and Senior Ashley du Toit will be hosting a free two-hour bicycle safety event for the children of Lincoln on Sunday, Oct. 14 from 1-3 p.m. in Hartwell Pod B Activities include bike and helmet decoration, an educational course on safety, and a bike obstacle course. Be ready for a day of fun for all ages. Bring your bike and helmet. Questions? Email ashley1dutoit@gmail.com.

Outdoor painting, ceramics event at deCordova

Paint outdoors and celebrate love through ceramics in two events at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. Bring your easel and supplies, pick a spot anywhere in the park, and enjoy creating art outdoors at the Paint Fest Plein Air Competition Sunday, Oct. 14 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Juried and People’s Choice prizes ($50–$250) will be awarded. Click here to sign up. At “The Sweetest Day” Date Night Clay Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 5–7 p.m., come with your spouse, partner, or friend for a ceramic sculpture project for pairs. No ceramic experience necessary. Click here to sign up.

Battle Road committee offers updates

The Battle Road Scenic Byway Committee invites area residents to a meeting to update the public on the group’s recent activities and offer feedback. The event takes place on Monday, Oct. 15 from 6–8 p.m. at the Minute Man National Historical Park Visitor’s Center.

The state-designated Battle Road Byway stretches from the Arlington/Cambridge line through Arlington, Lexington, Concord, and Lincoln to the national park. It traces the route of Colonial and British soldiers during the American Revolution and highlights historical and cultural sites along the way. (There is an additional loop in Lincoln that traverses Bedford Road to Baker Bridge Road and back up Route 126 to Route 2A that loop highlights Lincoln’s special historical, cultural, and architectural landmarks.) MassDOT’s District 4 has been an active participant.

Congress is expected to vote this fall on reinstating the Federal Program for Scenic Byways. If passed, the legislation could qualify the towns for federal money. At the October 15 meeting, the group will review what it’s done to date and invite ideas for future initiatives.

Buy coffee, support L-S Ultimate

Sudbury Coffee Works will donate 10 percent of its proceeds for the day to the Ultimate teams at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, where about 70 students play Ultimate. L-S students receive a 15 discount discount anytime they visit the store.

More from the Masonic Lodge

The October 8 News Acorn item about the October 20 open house to be hosted by Lincoln’s Joseph Warren-Soley Masonic Lodge neglected to include this photo from the group’s Lincoln charity night that included several Lincoln residents. The group raised $17,000 for the following organizations, most of which serve Lincoln: Gifts of Hope Unlimited, the Lincoln Fire Department’s SAFE Program, the Food Project, the Cotting School, Shriners Hospital for Children, the Lincoln Garden Club, the JWS Masonic Angel Fund, Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program, Greater Waltham ARC, the Lincoln School Foundation, the Wayland Public School Foundation, Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Inc., Fischer House of Boston, Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging, and Lincoln’s Parks & Recreation Department. (Click photo to enlarge)

News acorns

Public notices

  • The Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. to consider the application by Lincoln Station LLC, 145 Lincoln Road, Lincoln, MA for the transfer of an on-premises all alcoholic beverages restaurant license.
  • There will be a bank auction of the property at 129 Concord Rd. formerly owned by Richard D. Salwitz and Susan Fulmer Salwitz on Friday, Oct. 12 at 11 a.m.

Open house at Masonic Lodge

Members of Joseph Warren-Soley Masonic Lodge of Lincoln invite the public to an open house on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Residents can learn about Freemasonry, the numerous local charities they support, educational and leadership skills they impart, and the ability for qualified men to seek the best version of themselves. The lodge is in the old South School at 181 Lincoln Rd. On a recent Charity Night, the Lincoln group donated more than $17,000 to regional charities.

Train schedule change will happen Oct. 29

The adjustments to the commuter rail schedule  affecting Lincoln will take effect on October 29, not October 22 as originally announced. Click here for the October 1 News Acorn.

Parent-child ceramics at deCordova

Parents and children age 6-9 can create unique ceramic sculpture together in deCordova’s professional clay studio during “Family Clay Saturdays: Parent-Child Ceramic Series” on Saturdays, October 13 to November 3 from 10 a.m.–noon. Learn basic hand-building and glazing techniques as you work side by side to create a hanging mobile and a seasonal spirit house. Click here for more information and registration. Questions? Contact Julie Bernson at jbernson@decordova.org or 781-259-3649.

Concert, open house at First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln will present a “Live in Lincoln Center” concert on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. in the Parish House (14 Bedford Rd.) with works by Corelli, Handel, Vivaldi, Bach and de Boismortier performed by musicians from the Handel & Haydn Society. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $30.

The following day (Sunday, Oct. 21), the church will hold an open house coffee at 11:15 a.m. in the sanctuary’s Stearns Room (4 Bedford Rd.). following the 10 a.m. worship service. Everyone interested in learning more about First Parish in Lincoln is welcome to attend.

Author talk by Cai Emmons

The Lincoln Public Library will host a talk by Lincoln native Cai Emmons, author of the recently published novel Weather Woman, on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Tarbell Room. Emmons, who grew up in Lincoln, teaches in the University of Oregon’s Creative Writing Program and is the author of two earlier novels, His Mother’s Son and The Stylist. Copies of Weather Woman will be available for purchase and signing.

Talk on Codman Estate portraits

From high-end works by John Singleton Copley and Gilbert Stuart to others by once-famous artists to humble family snapshots, the Codman Estate’s portrait collection extends over 200 years of changing styles. “Portraits and Personalities” on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. takes a fresh look at this collection, including rarely seen works of art. Hear the real stories of the people behind these pictures, both the subjects and the artists. $15 for Historic New England members, $20 for nonmembers. Registration required; call 617-994-6690 or click here.

Two new classes at L-S Adult Ed

Lincoln-Sudbury Adult Education has added two classes to its fall/winter offerings. Lisa Cukier, a partner with Burns and Levinson will host sessions on estate planning and probate administration in Massachusetts on two Wednesdays, Nov. 7 and 14, from 7–8:30 p.m. in Room B330. She will also discuss estate litigation, family disputes, and financial exploitation by caregivers relating to the assets of individuals with diminished mental capacity. “Les Petits Chefs” is a hands-on cooking class for seventh- and eighth-graders 0ffered by L-S faculty members Dot Samsi and M.J. Galano (the ability to speak French is not required). A mini-lesson on French culture will accompany each session. The class will he held on three Thursdays (Nov. 29, Dec. 13, and Jan. 24) in Room C124. Click here for more information and to register for classes.

LSB Players announce 2018-19 season

The LSB Players at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School will stage several plays this year and invite area residents to subscribe.

  • The season begins with the energetic, family-friendly musical Once Upon A Mattress, a goofy take on the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. Performances are November 14–17 at 7:30 p.m.
  • The second main-stage offering, the annual theater-for-young audiences production, is Lion and Mouse Stories. This production will employ audience participation, lobby activities for young children, and a sensory-friendly performance at the Saturday matinee. Shows are January 18–20, with early evening shows at 6 p.m. and weekend matinees at 2 p.m.
  • Two L-S seniors will direct winter one-acts: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Fifth Period and The Insanity of Mary Girard. They will be performed ion February 1 at 7:30 p.m., and on February 2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • The LSB Players will explore a sobering moment in U.S. history with Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory. This historical drama is a compelling examination of the American obsessions with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science. Radium Girls will be performed on April 5–6 at 7:30 p.m., and April 6–7 at 2 p.m
  • The year will end with COLLAGE XXV, a collection of scenes, one-acts and original pieces selected and directed by students on June 7–8 at 7:30 p.m. (free admission for all).

Tickets for all shows are $8 for students and senior citizens, $15 for adults. Benefactors and season ticket holders receive advance notice and reservation opportunities before tickets are available to the general public. Season tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for students and senior citizens. Benefactor tickets are $60. All season ticket holders and benefactors are named in each program of the year. (For the 2018-2019 season, they may use their tickets for only one of the two winter shows.) To​ ​become​ ​a​ ​subscriber,​ please fill out this form and send in payment.

Volunteers are instrumental in keeping the LSB Players vibrant and thriving. The group welcomes help with sets, lights, costumes, makeup, tickets, publicity and more. If interested, please email Carly Evans at carly_evans@lsrhs.net.

News acorns

Talk on Lincoln and the Revolutionary War

“April 19, 1775: The Battle of… Lincoln?” is the subject of a talk by author/historians Rick Wiggin of Lincoln and Don Hafner on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Minute Man National Park Visitor Center in Lincoln. How did the people of this small farming community respond to the April 19 alarm? What effect did a prolonged war have on them? Wiggin and Hafner will discuss the distinctive features of the town of Lincoln, its leadership, and the historical quirks that placed it at the center of American history. Free and open to the public.

Kids invited to apply for philanthropy program

The Foundation for MetroWest is currently accepting applications for its Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program for seventh- and eighth-graders interested in learning about philanthropic outreach in their community and becoming civic leaders. Students from any town in the area are eligible to participate in the program, which meets at the Lexington Community Center on Wednesday nights beginning November 28. Applications are due by Friday, Oct. 5 and are available online at www.yipmetrowest.org.

Twenty students will work together to evaluate grant applications and distribute funds to nonprofits as they learn about understanding budgets, public speaking, reaching consensus, and case-making. Lincoln School students in the program selected Save a Dog and Lucy’s Love Bus to receive grants in 2017. Since 1997, YIP has educated over 1,250 students who have granted over $1.1 million to over 200 MetroWest youth development organizations.

Join others in biking to school

The Cycling Safety Advisory Committee is organizing Bike/Walk to School days each Friday this fall. Organizers hope Lincoln kids will join their friends to get to school under their own power in order to get some exercise, help the environment, and have fun. Anyone interested in being reminded of Bike to School days, finding out who in your neighborhood bikes to school, or contacting other family biking enthusiasts in Lincoln to discuss routes, gear, etc., may join an email list by clicking here.

Monthly book sale benefits library

Support the Lincoln Public Library by shopping at the Friends of the Lincoln Library (FOLL) book sale on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m.–noon in the basement of Bemis Hall. New books are added each week from the donation box in the bemis Hall entryway. Hardcovers are $2 and paperbacks are $1. The FOLL has also added a book sale cart in the first-floor hallway at the library. Bemis Hall book sales take place on the second Saturday of each month except August.

Workshops on special ed at the high school

SEPAC (the Special Education Parent Advisory Council at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School) is hosting four workshops this fall. Each begins at 7 p.m. and offers a chance to ask questions about the special education process and services, transitioning into or out of high school and chat with like-minded parents. For more information, email lssepac.chair@gmail.com.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 2 (L-S conference room B) — An overview from the Federation for Children with Special Needs of the transition planning process for families of students with disabilities ages 14-22 who are on IEPs.
  • Monday, Oct. 15 (Goodnow Library, Sudbury) — “Strategies for Reducing Academic Stress and Creating Successful Students.” Learn how to help your child get “unstuck” when he/she has trouble initiating tasks, help your child keep track of his/her belongings and schoolwork, enhance working memory and sustain attention.
  • Thursday, Nov. 1 (L-S conference room B) — Victor Hernandez, deputy assistant commissioner at the Department of Developmental Services, will review resources available to families of students with special needs, regardless of income.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 29 (Goodnow Library, Sudbury) — “The Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Learning.” Diagnoses including depression and anxiety can significantly alter cognitive functioning, particularly memory retention and the absorption of knowledge. 

News acorns

Free tours of Gropius House, Codman Estate

Smithsonian Museum Day is an annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by Smithsonian magazine. Participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket, which provides free admission for two people on Saturday, Sept. 22. Guided tours of Lincoln’s Gropius House from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and the Codman Estate from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Go to this Smithsonian magazine website for tickets. 

Garden Club to hold open house for new members

All Lincoln residents are cordially invited to the Lincoln Garden Club’s wine and cheese evening for new and prospective members on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. Come hear about the club’s many horticultural events, meet some members and receive information about joining. For location, please RSVP to Ann Parke at annparke@verizon.net or Lucy Sprayregen at lucypage@aol.com.

Korean film on tap

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Rated R, in Korean with English subtitles, written and directed by Ki-duk Kim. A boy is raised by a Buddhist monk on an isolated floating temple where the years pass like the seasons.

Pumpkin events at Matlock Farm

Matlock Farm on Lexington Road Lincoln, continually run by the Flint Family since the 17th century, will be hosting its first-ever pumpkin picking event on each Saturday and Sunday in October from 1–5 p.m., weather permitting. There will be hay rides, farm-themed photo ops, crafts for sale and more for those who swing by the farm for some fall family fun. Pumpkins are priced depending on size. Hayrides are $5 per person (family discounts available) and family photos are $25 per family. Payments by cash or check only.

Town raises over $40,000 for Puerto Rican library

The Friends of the Lincoln Library (FOLL) raised over $40,000 for the Library in Loiza, Puerto Rico by raffling two pair of Hamilton tickets from the Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Family. The lucky winners were Katherine McCarroll of New Mexico and Linda Mae Breen of Hull, Mass.

“I am astounded by the generosity of the Lincoln residents and the raffle purchasers, most of whom were from Greater Boston,”said event chair Julie Brogan. “I got emails from people thanking the Friends of the Lincoln Library for doing this. So many people love libraries and want to help Puerto Rico.” The Hispanic Federation’s UNIDOS Fund for Puerto Rico will match $20,000 of what FOLL raised. The Miranda family created the UNIDOS fund after the Hurricane Maria and has distributed over $60 million in aid to the Island. 

Piano concert of experimental music

Lincoln musician Trevor Berens presents “Sonorous Vessel,” a program of new and experimental piano music on Bemis Hall’s beautiful restored Steinway grand on Friday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. There will be works by Lincoln residents Richard Cornell and Trevor Berens, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Luther Adams, New Englanders Alvin Lucier and Peter Garland, and new music luminaries Helmut Lachenmann and James Tenney complete the program. Berens’ programming has been referred to by a recent audience member as “yoga for the ears” and his music has been described as “transportive.” Free and open to the public.

BioBlitz at national park on September 22

Minute Man National Historical Park (MMNHP) invites all ages to join distinguished naturalists on a quest to document as many species as possible during a BioBlitz event on Saturday, Sept. 22.

A BioBlitz brings together educators, scientists, naturalists, and the public to encourage outdoor exploration and enhance our understanding of biodiversity. The MMNHP event will focus on locating, identifying, and counting as many species as possible within the 1,038-acre park area in Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington. Participants will gain skills in identifying and recording species and a stronger connection to their natural environment.

World-renowned local naturalists Peter Alden and Edward O. Wilson initiated the Biodiversity Day concept in 1998 at Walden Pond, and included MMNHP within the study area. They repeated the event with dozens of experts in 2008, and collectively recorded over 2,700 species within a five-mile radius of Walden Pond.

Concord-Carlisle High School student Liam Beguhn initiated the current event to spotlight the area’s biodiversity on September 22 (National Public Lands Day) and to update the findings by using the iNaturalist app.

The MMNHP event starts in the morning at the North Bridge Visitor Center at 174 Liberty St. in Concord, where guides will begin quests at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., and 10 a.m. Each quest will focus on the guide’s expertise, which will include birds, plants, mammals, insects, reptiles, fungi, and more. After a break at noon (bring a bag lunch), it will continue at the Hartwell Tavern parking lot/park ranger station at 101 North Great Rd. in Lincoln. Guides will begin afternoon excursions from the parking lot at 2 p.m. and wrap up all quests by 4 p.m.

Data collected by participants who want to record findings using iNaturalist will be recorded on the app’s website, and prizes will be awarded to participants for numbers of identifications recorded in the park.

“Thousands of species are here in our community. This event will highlight the wonders of nature and inspire participants to better understand and protect biodiversity,” Alden said.

Questions about the project and program can be directed to Liam Beguhn via Margie Coffin Brown, the Park’s Natural & Cultural Resource Manager at 617-620-2942 or Margie_coffin_brown@nps.gov. 

Visual and audio exhibits focus on South Sudan refugees

Two exhibits of original art created by refugees from South Sudan together with audio segments are on display in Lincoln, and there will be receptions for both on Thursday, Sept. 13. 

At Bemis Hall is “Metamorphosis: From South Sudan to Lincoln and Beyond”—photographs and audio of the three “Lost Boys” who were resettled in Lincoln in the early 2000s. The exhibit shows what they went through, what changes they’ve experienced, and where they are now. There will be a reception on Thursday at 2:30 p.m., as well as a marketplace of with South Sudanese vendors selling traditional crafts.

“Metamorphosis: From South Sudan to Massachusetts” in the Lincoln Public Library is a visual and audio exhibit with artworks by numerous South Sudanese refugees. Thursdays’ reception there is from 6–8 p.m.

Both exhibits are curated by Jeff Brown, Ellen Morgan, and Susan Winship of South Sudanese Enrichment for Families (SSEF). The organization was founded in 2004 when three South Sudanese young men—Kuol, Leek, and Charles—lived at Codman Farm and went to Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. SSEF continued to raise funds for their education and also another 200 Sudanese in the Boston area at that time.

The organization continues to support South Sudanese refugees in the area by offering help with housing, preschool tuition and summer camp. In Lincoln, its Saturday Bridges family program offers care in the Hartwell pods for the youngest kids, an outdoor education program at Drumlin Farm for older children, and tutoring and workshops for adults.

The Lincoln exhibits run through September 30. For more information or to donate, see the SSEF website, call 781-322-0063, or email SouthSudaneseBoston@gmail.com.

Here are some of the paintings that can be seen in the “Metamorphosis” exhibits.

"Girl with Bag"

Image 1 of 9

 

News acorns

Palestinian storyteller at library

Fidaa Ataya

Fidaa Ataya, a traditional Palestinian storyteller, puppeteer, drama-in-education specialist and actress, will tell stories for children age 3-9 at the Lincoln Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. Drop in. Sponsored by GRALTA.

Springsteen ticket auction to benefit Codman Farm

Codman Community Farms is holding a benefit silent auction for a pair of tickets in the first 10 rows of the center orchestra section at a “Bruce Springsteen on Broadway” concert in New York this fall. The winner can choose the date of the show they would like to attend between September 26 and December 14. The auction ends on Saturday, Sept. 22 at noon, and the winner will be announced at the Harvest Feast that night. Click here to enter a bid.

Plans underway for First Day 2019

Plans for the Lincoln New Year’s Day open house (known as First Day 2019) at the Pierce House are underway, and organizers are looking for help. AVolunteer Planning Committee is forming to help with:

  • Ideas for improving the event
  • Soliciting monetary support from other associations, private individuals
  • Planning food and beverages to be served
  • Organize volunteer staffing for day of event (setup/food prep/clean up)

If you would like to join the committee, contact Nancy Beach at nancy@piercehouse.com or call 781-259-9757.

Open house on new adult programs at Minuteman

Minuteman Technical Institute (MTI), a branch of the Minuteman School District, is hosting an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 6–8 p.m. to share information on five new evening training programs for adults beginning October 1. Click here to register for the open house.

New MTI offerings include culinary arts, electricity, metal fabrication and joining, and advanced manufacturing. Students must have a high school diploma or GED. Discounted rates are available to in-district residents. You may also call 781-861-7151 or e-mail MTI@minuteman.org. Click here for details including start dates, hours, costs, and how to apply. Minuteman Technical Institution and Minuteman Community Education also offer additional day, afternoon, and evening programs for adults and school-age students.

Jewelry workshops at deCordova

Design and create unique jewelry made of glass, stone, and found objects as glass artist Emily Bhargava offers three mosaic jewelry workshops at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum:

Each session is $40 for deCordova members or $45 for nonmembers. Sign up for one workshop or all three by clicking on a title above. No mosaic experience necessary; all materials will be provided.

“Rally Sunday” at First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold “Rally Sunday” on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. in the Parish House (14 Bedford Rd.). With the service marking the official start of the church year, new visitors are encouraged and welcome to attend. Interim Senior Minister Jenny Rankin will lead worship. There will be an opportunity to learn about First Parish and register for its religious K-8 education program, which also starts September 16 (and there will be bagels and muffins for kids as well).

Founder of Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives to speak

Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., co-founder and president of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, will introduce the FDFI’s “One Million Abolitionists” project and speak to the issue of abolition from the days of Thoreau and Douglass to the present on Monday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Walden Woods Project (44 Baker Farm Rd., Lincoln). Morris is the great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass and the great-great grandson of Booker T. Washington.

Attendees are asked to donate at least $4 to cover the cost of a special bicentennial edition of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave for a school with limited financial resources. Doors open at 7 p.m. for a wine and cheese reception. Seating is free but limited; click here to RSVP online or register by phone at 781-259-4707. Co-sponsored by The Robbins House; reception supported by the Cheese Shop in Concord.

Adult education classes at L-S

Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Adult Education is offering new enrichment classes this fall including classes on foreign languages, WordPress, creative arts, cooking, fitness, finance, and college planning. Visit the LSAD website for more information, schedules and registration.