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

charity/volunteer

Five days of events coming up for Lincoln Winter Carnival

Weekend-long activities

Online snow sculpture contest
Build your snow sculpture, then snap a photo with you in it and send it to smulroy@lincnet.org. Submit as many sculptures as you like! We will accept submissions until 5 p.m. on Sat, Jan 27, then post them online for voting. Winners will be chosen on Friday, Feb. 2.

Discover Drumlin Farm in winter
See our animals in their winter homes, look for wildlife tracks or other signs of animals in the snow, or check out our feeders at our Wildlife Blind. Drop-in naturalist programs take place on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. Free admission for Lincoln residents. Call 781-259-2200 for more information.

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Lincoln School Student Council: American Red Cross blood drive
1–6 p.m., Brooks Gym
If you’re healthy and eligible to donate blood, please come on out. Ages 17+ can donate blood, and 16-year-olds may donate with parental permission. Learn more and schedule to donate at: www.lincolnschoolbloodrive.org. Questions? Contact Advisors Jaime Moody (jmoody@lincnet.org) or Keith Johnson (kjohnson@lincnet.org).

Thursday, Jan. 25

FOMA movie night: Columbus, Indiana: Different by Design 
7–9 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
Please join us for a film about the architectural odyssey of industrialist J. Irwin Miller of Cummins Engine Co., who re-imagined the architecture in Columbus, Ind. By offering to pay for talented engineers and designers from all over the world, he fostered an architectural environment that would have a positive effect on the lives of people. Peter Sugar, who designed the Grace Lutheran Church in Columbus in 1966, will introduce the film.

Friday, Jan. 26

Intergenerational sing-along
3:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
The LEAP After-School Program, the Council on Aging and Magic Garden Children’s Center invite residents of all ages to enjoy a free Multigenerational Sing-Along including performances from the organizations singing favorite folk songs, children songs, and more.

LPTO Family Bingo Night
5:30–7:30 p.m., Brooks Gym
Come celebrate Family Bingo Night with even more chances to win! Prizes awarded for each winning board as well as awesome raffle prizes. Pizza dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. with snacks and drinks available for purchase. Free entry. Bingo cards are $5 (15-game multi-pack); raffle tickets are $1 for one, $5 for six, and $10 for 15.

Adult cooking class and dinner
7–9 p.m., Pierce House
Ring in the New Year in culinary style as we enjoy an evening of good food and festive flair. Learn the techniques to preparing a mouth-watering dinner with a renowned Boston chef. The evening will include a full meal. Details are available at www.piercehouse.com. Cost is $95 and the class is limited to 10 people.

Saturday, Jan. 27

Girl Scout pancake breakfast
8–11 a.m., Stone Church
Start the weekend off with pancakes with real maple syrup! Plain, blueberry, choc- chip, and gluten-free pancakes with maple syrup along with coffee, tea, OJ, and fruit. Enjoy face painting and crafts! Girl Scout Cookies will be sold. $5 under 12, $10 everyone else ($30 family max).

Snowshoe tours
10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1-2:30 p.m., deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
Enjoy nature and art in winter. Discover a fun and active way to explore the Sculpture Park. Tours are led by a museum guide and an EMS instructor. Click here to purchase tickets. Rent snowshoes or bring your own.

Magic Garden preschool fun
11 a.m.–1 p.m., Magic Garden Preschool
Come and visit with friends and neighbors at Magic Garden Children’s Center. Enjoy carnival games, arts and crafts activities and indoor “ice skating” in your socks! This event is suited for children ages 2-5.

Lincoln holistic wellness fair
Noon–3 p.m., Bemis Hall
Come learn about complementary medicine, including therapeutic touch, essential oils, energy work, reiki, quick energy balance, food as medicine, sound healing with crystal bowls, shamanic healing, gentle Hatha yoga , family yoga, Kundalini yoga, gong meditation and more! Contact Jai Kaur Annamaria at asanajai@verizon.net with questions.

Community skating and bonfire
1–3 p.m., Cemetery Pond (Lexington Road)
Enjoy skating, hot chocolate, and toasted marshmallows by the campfire. Bring your own skates. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will be hosting a capture-the-flag event instead, so stay tuned to www.lincolnrec.com for updates.

LFA energy blaster
3–5 p.m., Brooks Gym
Jump in a bounce house, run through an obstacle course, climb, slide, and joust. The gym will be filled with ways to let out some energy. Free for LFA 2018 members; nonmembers are $10 per child. A new 2018 LFA membership on the spot includes admission. Renew now at www.lincfam.org to bypass the lines.

Lincoln Acoustic Coffeehouse
7–10 p.m., Bemis Hall
Our annual night to showcase local musicians and performers! We have over 12 acts—some returning, some new—ready to perform, and there’s a good chance you know some of them! Coffee and desserts will be served. Tickets are available online at www.lincolnrec.com. General Admission is $10. Table of 8 is $160. Doors open at 7 p.m. sharp,

Sunday, Jan. 28

Make you own snow globe
10:30–noon, deCordova Carriage House
Join Lincoln Nursery School in partnership with deCordova to craft your own Winter Wonderland Snow Globe. Choose from a variety of materials to create your own wintery scene. Appropriate for all ages.

Let the games begin!
12:45–1:45 p.m., Stone Church
An old-fashioned battery-free family event. Join us for an hour of games including from Candyland, charades, Jenga and Twister. There will be lots of prizes for all ages! Laughter guaranteed. Cocoa and community. Visit fplincoln.org for info.

Karen K & the Jitterbugs
2–3 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
Known for their high-energy show packed with humor and amazingly catchy, well-crafted tunes, Karen K & the Jitterbugs has become one of the most buzzed about “kiddie” bands on the East Coast. Described as “power pop sheen that makes them fun for the whole family,” the Jitterbugs have quickly become a favorite among families. Drop in.

Historical Society event: “Lincoln’s Schools and Who was Joseph Brooks, Anyway?”
2 p.m., Bemis Hall
How did our school campus develop, and what schoolhouses came before it? From the 18th century to the Little Red School House to the Joseph Brooks School, learn how schools and education in Lincoln have changed. Then hear graduates tell tales from their school days.

News acorns

Concert to benefit town conservation activities

The Bob Davoli Band

A concert on Saturday, Jan. 6 from 5:30–8 p.m. at Bemis Hall featuring the Bob Davoli Band will raise funds for the conservation, stewardship and educational activities of the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT). The event is being hosted by Bob Davoli and Eileen McDonagh of Lincoln, who are covering all expenses and matching all proceeds. Bob and Eileen are also matching all membership contributions and general donations given to the LLCT in December and January.

Eileen McDonagh and Bob Davoli

The evening concert will include an open bar, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and live music with the band: Bob Davoli on guitar and vocals, Kevin Barry on lead guitar, Dave Clark on bass, Gabriela Martina on vocals, Maureen McMullan on vocals, and Billy Novick on clarinet. There will be information about the work of the LLCT on display, as well as a conservation quiz and a mystery box raffle.

Advance tickets are $25 for LLCT members and $35 for nonmembers and can be purchased at lincolnconservation.org. Tickets purchased at the door go up by $10.

Christmas tree pickup offered by Lincoln Fire Association

Looking for an easy, beneficial way to have your Christmas tree removed? For a $20 donation, the Lincoln Fire Association will dispose of your bare (as in no ornaments; no need to pick the needles off), curbside Christmas tree. Pickup will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6. To schedule, call 781-259-2675.

“Dangerous Pools” movies this month

The Lincoln Library Film Society’s January theme is “Dangerous Pools” and will include the following movies, all on Mondays at 3 p.m. in the Tarbell Room.

  • January 8 –Sexy Beast (2000), directed by Jonathan Glazer, starring Ray Winestone and Ben Kinglsey. Rated R.  Brutal gangster Don Logan recruits “retired” safecracker Gal for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them.
  • January 22 – Swimming Pool (2003), directed by Francois Ozon, starring Charlotte Rampling and Charles Dance. Rated R. A British mystery author visits her publisher’s home in the south of France, where her interaction with his unusual daughter sets off some touchy dynamics.
  • January 29 – La Piscine (1969), directed by Jacques Deray. Lovers Marianne and Jean-Paul spend their vacation in a villa on the French Riviera near St. Tropez. Marianne invites her former lover Harry and his teenage daughter to stay. Tension rises between them, especially when Jean-Paul seduces Penelope.

Georgia O’Keeffe lecture and museum trip

Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia O’Keeffe has been described as one of the most important figures in American Art of the 20th century. Dr. Nancy Scott, author of Critical Lives: Georgia O’Keeffe, will discuss O’Keeffe’s influence on art and her unique style on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library. Scott, a professor of fine arts at Brandeis University, will also offer her perspective on the upcoming “Georgia O’Keeffe: Art, Image, Style” exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum, the focus of a library field trip on Saturday, Feb. 10. Copies of Dr. Scott’s book will be available for purchase and signing. The lecture and book-signing are free and open to all. The field trip is limited to 25 people. The cost will be $20 for a private tour of the exhibit. We will be leaving the library at 10 a.m. and returning by 5 p.m. For information on registering for the trip, please email Lisa Rothenberg at lrothenberg@minlib.net  or call 781-259-8465 ext. 202. Both programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Open house service at First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold an open house service on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. at the church (4 Bedford Rd.). Newcomers are encouraged and welcome to attend. Refreshments and hospitality will be provided following the service, and there will be an opportunity to learn about the First Parish and the religious education program.

Free memory test available 

Everyone misplaces their car keys or forgets an appointment or a name from time to time. Most people even have times when they have trouble thinking something through clearly. But these occurrences can be worrisome if they make you wonder whether you are suffering from memory loss. The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is a short test that can help you determine if you should see your doctor about your cognitive concerns. If you’d like to have a test at the Council on Aging, please call Abby at 781-259-8811. She can give you the exam and advise you if follow-up is needed.

News acorns

Food co-op info session on Thursday

There will be an Assabet Village Co-op Market information session on Thursday, Dec. 28 from 7–8:15 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library. The organization is building a locally sourced, community owned grocery store in the Metro West area and needs 900 co-op members to open.

Activities for kids at library this week

The Lincoln Public Library is offering drop-in winter crafts for kids during vacation week. The crafts table is available whenever the library is open: Wednesday, Dec. 27 and Thursday, Dec. 28 from 9 a.m.–8:30 a.m., and Friday, Dec. 29 from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

The library will also host winter-themed “Movies & Muffins” on Friday, Dec. 29 at 10:30 a.m.
Preschoolers are invited to join us for a screening of short films based on beloved children’s books. Recommended for ages 2 and up. No sign-up necessary.

Christmas tree removal offered

Lincoln-Sudbury students are offering a Christmas tree removal service for Lincoln and Sudbury residents on Saturday, Jan. 6 from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. to benefit the L-S Class of 2020 and the girls’ basketball team. The cost is $20 ($10 for senior citizens). Click here to sign up by Wednesday, Jan. 3. The service is being assisted by K.T. Fenton Masonry in Sudbury and Lynch Landscape and Tree Service in Wayland. Anyone with questions may contact Kathleen Thompson (Class of 2020 advisor and basketball coach) at kathleen_thompson@lsrhs.net.

Moberg to perform at next LOMA event

Kim Moberg is the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, Jan. 8 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The event runs from 7-10 p.m., and Moberg (with accompanist Kathleen Healy) will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. The Alaska native and self-taught finger-style guitarist has appeared at this year’s NERFA DJ showcase, the Cape Cod Playhouse, and the South Shore Music Club Earlier this year she released her extended EP Above Ground, featuring The Call.

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.

Choral concert, Cabaret Night to celebrate music at L-S

In light of potential budget cuts to the Lincoln-Sudbury Music Department that would reduce the number of music classes offered as well as reduce the position of choral instructor, vocal advisor, and music director Michael Bunting, L-S students and alumni will perform a choral concert on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Kirshner Auditorium. The students are requesting that audience members write a memory or a few sentences about what the L-S music department means to them before they leave the concert. Concessions will be available in the lobby. For more information, contact Ruby Carmel at ruby2000carmel@yahoo.com.

The Music Department will also present its annual Cabaret Night on Friday, Jan. 12 in the LSRHS Café at 7:30 p.m. The program will feature select instrumental and choral ensembles in addition to soloists performing jazz, Broadway, and pop selections. L-S Friends of Music will be selling refreshments. Tickets are $5 each at the door. For more information on supporting the Music Department, please visit www.lsfom.org.

METCO to host book discussions

Join the national conversation on race, culture and identity with two book discussions hosted by the METCO program at the Lincoln School. On Thursday, Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. the book to be discussed is The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin. Participants will discuss The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri on March 15 at 6 p.m. Both discussions will take place in the Brooks gym and will include dinner and fellowship. Please sign up on the Lincoln School METCO website.

Lincoln hospice house to feature art from deCordova

Left to right: deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum Executive Director John Ravenal, Care Dimensions President Patricia Ahern, Care Dimensions board member Ellen Smith, and deCordova Director of Corporate Relations and Art Loan Program Sharon Glennon.

The Care Dimensions inpatient hospice house slated to open in Lincoln in February will feature artworks on loan from the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum.

“In choosing design elements for the interior of the new house, we saw a need to enlist help when it came to selecting just the right artwork for our gathering spaces,” said Mary Simboski, vice president of philanthropy at Care Dimensions. “We immediately thought of the deCordova. They have an incredible reputation of inspiring and enriching their visitors, and we are thrilled to partner with them through their Art Loan program.”

Unique to deCordova, the Art Loan Program is a membership benefit that provides area businesses and organizations the opportunity to exhibit artwork of both established and emerging contemporary New England artists in their spaces. Staff from the deCordova will work closely with Care Dimensions to assess artwork needs, determine appropriate exhibition locations, and make curatorial recommendations for exhibition content. The original artworks available for loan are from deCordova’s extensive permanent collection and are augmented by the artwork of lending artists.

“We’re grateful to the talented deCordova staff for providing pieces that blend in with the feel and surroundings of the facility, all the while accomplishing the goal of giving our patients and their loved ones visual arts that are soothing, contemplative and inspiring,” said Care Dimensions board member Ellen Smith.

Letter to the editor: Pierce House gala needs your help

letter

Dear Lincolnites,

We heard you—and we want to thank you for all your offers of help. The Lincoln New Year’s Day Open House at Pierce House is back on! With the generous support from the Celebrations Committee, the Rural Land Foundation, the Police & Fire Association, the Lincoln Family Association, private residents and town officials, we are able to support a scaled-back version of the event on January 1, 2018 from 1–5 p.m.

But we do need your help! In order to make this a wonderful event for all, volunteer staffing is needed for setup, serving, and cleanup. We can’t do it without you! If you could donate an hour or two of your time, we would greatly appreciate it. While food will be covered, we need volunteers:

  • 10 a.m.–1 p.m.:  Set up tables, chairs, tablecloths, food, etc.
  • 1–5 p.m.:  Prep food to go out from the kitchen, refill trays, empty trash, watch over children’s area
  • 5–6 p.m.:  Clean up after the event.

If you’re willing to volunteer an hour or two of your time, please fill out this short online form by Friday, Dec. 23. We will reach out individually to those who have volunteered by December 27 to confirm volunteers.

Thank you again for such a strong show of community support—this could not happen without all of you!

Sincerely,

The Pierce House Committee (Terry Green, chair)

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

News acorns

“Snowman Mailbox” built by Team Webber (11 Minebrook Rd.) in February 2015.

Snow sculpture contest now underway

Given the vagaries of New England weather, the Parks and recreation Department has decided this year to widen the time window for the annual Lincoln Winter Festival snow sculpture contest. Resients can build a snow sculpture any time between now and late January. Once it’s finished, take a photo with a time/date stamp and email it to smulroy@lincnet.org. Email submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27. Parks and Rec will then post everything online for the community to vote on. Winners will be chosen on Friday, Feb. 2. Click here to see photos of the 2015 entries and the winners.

Personnel Board has an opening

The town’s Personnel Board is seeking a volunteer to fill a vacancy. Subject matter expertise isn’t necessary. Anyone who is interested in this position—or any other opportunity to serve on a town board of commission—should fill out and submit this volunteer form.

L-S Adult Ed offers bridge, yoga, tai chi, SAT prep

Lincoln-Sudbury Adult Education is offering a special six-week program in January and February to play and practice bridge with a teacher’s guidance. Bridge players of all abilities are welcome. Muggsie Rocco, a successful tournament player and bridge teacher, will give a brief mini-lesson or “bridge tip” each week, then stay while you play to answer questions as you go. Scoring will be Chicago style and all tables will play the same pre-arranged but randomly dealt hands. This is a great opportunity for newer players to gain some valuable practice under the guidance of a seasoned player/teacher. More experienced players are also invited to play in a friendly, no-pressure setting with new friends and old, ask questions, and gain knowledge of modern bridge techniques. To enroll, you should already know the fundamentals of bridge, as you will launch right into playing in week #1. Bring a partner if you have one; singles are welcome and will be paired up in class. Sessions take place in the L-S library from 7–9 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 18, and 25 and February 1, 8, and 15. March 1 will be a snow make-up date if necessary. The cost is $70.

L-S Adult Ed is also offering special winter classes in yoga, tai chi and SAT preparation. Register online for any of these classes or mail a check payable to “L-S Adult Ed” to LS Adult Ed, 390 Lincoln Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776.

Town offers well-being calls

The Council on Aging and the Public Safety Department offer “well-being” telephone calls to residents of all ages during storms and other emergencies. They will call you when storms cause extensive power outages and during extended spells of extreme cold and other similar situations. If they can’t reach you by phone, Public Safety will visit your home for a well-being check to make sure you’re all right. You may also specify when you would like to be called.

To sign up for this service, please call the COA at 781-259-8811 and give your name, address, and any phone numbers you would like them to call (a cell phone or family member, for example), as well as any other pertinent information you would like to share with them, such as special medical needs. You may ask to be taken off the list at any time.

News acorns

Estate sale of dolls to benefit MCC

The Lincoln METCO Coordinating Committee will have a doll-focused estate sale on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m.–9 p.m. at 18 Cerulean Way in Lincoln. On offer will be American Girl and Pleasant Company doll baskets, vintage porcelain Franklin Mint dolls, and antique and vintage dolls from all over the world. If you don’t have a special someone buy for, you can purchase a doll to donate to the Home for Little Wanderers in Boston. Your purchase will support two non-profit organizations. There will be tea, wine, chocolate, cheese, and music. Cash, checks, debit and credit cards will be accepted.

Gift basket fundraiser for scholarship

On Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 8 a.m.–3 p.m., the Lincoln-Sudbury Teachers Association will hold a silent auction and raffle to raise money for the 2018 the Paul J. Vernon Memorial Scholarship Award given to a graduating senior. Up for auction will be gift baskets from Starbucks Basket, Candy Apple Shop Basket, Movie Basket, Mindfulness Basket, Bath and Body Works, Book Basket, and Duck Soup; gift cards from Target, Sudbury Pizza, Sudbury Coffee Works, CJ’s Pizza, Selections Boutique, Pure Barre; baked goods and more.

First Parish plans several holiday happenings

Karin Levy and Nancy Fleming, co-chairs of First Parish in Lincoln’s Touch of Christmas Fair, display the wealth of greenery to be made into wreaths and centerpieces for the fair on Saturday, December 9th from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Parish House Auditorium at 14 Bedford Rd.

  • The annual Touch of Christmas Fair will be on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.in the Parish House (14 Bedford Rd.). Click here for details.
  • Students in the religious education program at the First Parish in Lincoln (FPL) will perform a Christmas pageant on Sunday, Dec. 17. Come enjoy this annual portrayal of the traditional Christmas at 11:30 a.m. in Bemis Hall. There is no snow date. Goodies donated by the families of FPL will be served after the pageant.
  • There will be a hand bell concert on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Parish House. This will be the eighth annual candlelight concert of Christmas carols and holiday favorites. Admission is free, and there will be a reception to follow.
  • The FPL’s Winter Solstice Service will take place on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Parish House. In the tradition of cultures ancient and modern, the First Parish’s service will include music and meditation, story and song as we welcome the return of the light during the winter season. Ministerial intern Terry Cummings will lead the service along with church deacons. The service will be followed by refreshments and conversation in the new Stearns Room at 4 Bedford Rd.
  • As part of its “Live in Lincoln Center” series, the First Parish will present Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 3 p.m. in the Parish House. The traditional holiday musical production will be performed by Ian Watson (conductor/harpsichord), Guy Fishman, Aisslinn Nosky and more, plus the Lincoln Baroque Players and Chorus. Suggested donation is $40 but any amount is appreciated. Seating is limited and is first-come, first seated; doors will open at 2:30 p.m.

GearTicks students help create prosthetic hands for kids

The GearTicks robotics team. Back row, left to right: Trevor Tsang, Anna Sander, Evan Lee, Jack Hutchinson, Wesley Lo, Ben Morris, Kevin Ji, Alex Payne, and Andreas Muzila. Middle/front row, left to right: Emily Appleby, Olivia Crisafi, Amelia Pilar, Howie Tsang, Irene Terpstra, Audrey Gammack, Ken Hawkey,  and Prerna Karmacharya. All are Lincoln residents; Lee, Terpstra, and the Tsangs are L-S students, Hutchinson and Sander attend Concord Academy, and the others are Lincoln School students (click image to enlarge).

By Anna Sander, Prerna Karmacharya, and Evan Lee

A group of middle- and high school students from Lincoln has partnered with the Maker Club at the Perkins School for the Blind to make prosthetic hands using the Lincoln GearTicks’ 3D printer.

The GearTicks—the robotics team of students from the Lincoln School, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and other schools—used their 3D printing, puzzle solving, and mechanical assembly skills to create low-cost prosthetic hands for children who aren’t able to afford more expensive prosthetics as they grow.

e-NABLE, which provides the designs for the hands, had its beginnings five years ago when founder Ivan Owen collaborated with a South African carpenter who had lost a finger in a woodworking accident. He ultimately developed a set of 3D-printable prosthetic hands and put the designs for them in the public domain so they can be printed and assembled by anyone with access to a 3D printer.

The GearTicks participate in FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), an annual robotics competition whose mission to encourage students to enter robotics and other STEM-related fields. Although the competition involves designing, building, and programming robots, there’s also a focus on community outreach. After hearing about e-NABLE’s project, the team knew they wanted to become part of the global e-NABLE community of hand-builders that’s sprung up to help those who were born without fingers or lost them to due to injuries or disease.

The GearTicks got their first 3D printer, a Flashforge Creator, four years ago, and they were able to print most of the parts for their robot for the 2016-17 season. The machine uses plastic filaments to create a precise layered object based on a CAD (computer-aided design) file. The team now has a new Prusa i3 MK2 3D printer and is in the process of designing and printing for this season’s robot. With the help of GearTicks coach Anne Hutchinson, they even made this video starring and written by team members Anna Sander and Jack Hutchinson explaining how the team uses 3D printing.

This fall, the GearTicks printed several sets of the e-NABLE hands. They used a plethora of colors, mixing and matching fingers, thumbs and various other joints to create colorful and unique hands to ship around the world. Eventually, they expanded the project to other outreach events, such as Boston Scientific’s Bring Your Child to Work Day and the Girl Scouts’ “Geek is Glam” Expo, where they worked with students on assembling the hands. At this year’s Boston Scientific event (which the GearTicks have been involved with every summer since 2015) they hosted about 300 kids over the course of six hours and worked with them to assemble hands, build Bristlebots, and teach them how to drive the GearTicks robot.

Most recently, the GearTicks partnered with the Perkins School’s Maker Club, which began as a group for visually impaired students interested in STEM-related opportunities beyond the classroom. The Lincoln students attended several of the club’s meetings, getting to know the Perkins students by working alongside them on their current projects. Later, the students split into mixed teams with each group receiving a kit of parts for one hand and all the necessary instructions to assemble it. Everyone got to work deciphering the assembly guide, and the sighted students helped the Perkins kids feel how the parts were supposed to fit together. Subsequent visits focused on creating the hands in these groups.

Natalie, a 21-year-old Perkins student, worked in a group with GearTicks members Evan Lee of L-S and Lincoln School eighth-grader Alex Payne. Pushing in the assembly pins for the hands was initially a challenge for her, but she and her group mates completed one full hand and half of a second. The kids also found that they had many common interests beyond engineering—everyone loved Spanish and music. By the third meeting, Natalie had learned the words for different colors and hand parts in Spanish.

Another Perkins student, CJ, worked with Jack Hutchinson, a student at Concord Academy. CJ, who really enjoys puzzles, immediately dove into the project. Despite not being able to see, he had a natural grasp of the project and required little instruction or help. “CJ was a really cool kid to work with. He was really talented with his hands, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he does in the future,” Hutchinson said.

Together, the groups assembled over 20 prosthetic hands. Despite coming from different backgrounds and abilities, all the students found a common passion for using their engineering skills for the benefit of their community. They’re hoping to meet one more time to package the hands and send them to kids who need them.

Other community service projects

In addition to the hands project, the GearTicks have been working on a Deer DeFence project for Minuteman National Historic Park. A landscape architect for the National Park Service contacted them last spring to see if they could design a fastener to support an enclosure to protect trees in the park’s orchards from hungry deer and goats. Over the summer and fall, they designed several iterations of the part and, after a few rounds of testing, recently installed these fasteners on about ten trees at Minuteman NHP.

The team also helped the Solarize Mass group of Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland by creating a sandwich board sign to promote awareness of solar power that required them to design a number of 3D printed parts.

“These projects have been a blast, and we’re always looking for more ways to get involved,” Sander said.

News acorns

Movies for many tastes and ages

(Fair use source via Wikipedia)

In anticipation of the new Star Wars movie The Last Jedi that opens in theaters on December 15, the Lincoln Public Library will be showing the movie that directly precedes it chronologically, The Force Awakens (PG-13), on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. Popcorn will be served.

The Lincoln Library Film Society presents a December homage to French actress Anne Wiazemsky (1947-2017) with three movies, all on Mondays starting at 3 p.m.:

  • December 4 — Teorema
  • December 11 — Au Hasard Balthazar
  • December 18 — La Chinoise 

Magic Garden open house

Magic Garden Children’s Center will host an open house on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.—noon in advance of open enrollment for the 2018-2019 school year. While the event is geared towards answering parents’ questions, children are welcome to attend and play in our classrooms. Children’s activities and a snack will be provided. Please RSVP to 781-259-8161 (walk-ins also welcome).

Magic Garden’s year-round program offers care and education to children ages 15 months to 5 years. Our core program hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–3 p.m., two to five days a week, with earlier arrival and later pickup also available.

Organizations welcome holiday donations

Toys for Tots

The Lincoln Police Department has set up Toys for Tots collection boxes at the Lincoln Public Library and the Barrett Sotheby’s office in South Lincoln. You can drop off new, unwrapped toys during regular hours through Wednesday, Dec. 13. if you have any questions please call the Police Department at 781-259-8113

Toiletries and other basics for seniors

During the holidays, Lincoln Council on Aging staff visit homebound, frail, and needy seniors to deliver baskets full of basic necessities. They are collecting new, unopened, unscented, full-sized items to fill the baskets: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, mouthwash, tissues, paper towels, toilet paper, lip balm, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream, kitchen sponges, trash bags, laundry soap, men’s and women’s socks, coffee and tea, postage stamps, pharmacy gift cards. Please place items in the marked box in the lobby of Bemis Hall.

Donate or purchase items to benefit domestic violence roundtable

On Sunday, Dec. 10 from noon–4 p.m., Mango Tree Artisans (410 Boston Post Rd. in Sudbury) will host a special shopping event to benefit the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable. The store sells handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, baskets, clothing, instruments, and other items from around the world that are ethically sourced and sustainably created. Enjoy light refreshments while you shop. The Roundtable receives a percentage of all sale proceeds from this event.

Each year, the Roundtable sponsors a family from a local domestic violence agency for the holidays. These agencies need help to provide happy holidays for families in shelter and to meet the ongoing needs of additional families who have been victims of domestic violence. Sponsored families are anonymous, though the agency will share the number of family members and their ages. Match yourself with a smaller family to sponsor, or invite relatives, friends, and colleagues to join you in sponsoring a larger family.

For those who can’t sponsor a family, gift cards for food, clothing and other necessities to stores such as Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, CVS, Target, and Stop & Shop are welcome. Wrapping paper, ribbon and tape are also needed. To learn more about how you can help, contact:

News acorns

Lincoln Cultural Council looking for new members

Do you love the arts, the environment, or local history? Do you want to see more innovative performances, events, and happenings right here in our community? The Lincoln Cultural Council is looking for new members! Be part of our small but vibrant team that allocates funding for local cultural initiatives provided by Lincoln’s portion of the Massachusetts Cultural Council grant program. The time commitment is minimal and limited to 2–3 evening meetings per year. Email lincolnculturalcouncil@gmail.com for more information.

Gift Local artisan and craft show

Lincioln’s annual Gift Local artisan and craft show will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3 from noon–4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. On hand will be a variety of talented vendors this year, ranging from jewelry makers, knitters, photographers, painters, soap makers, and more. Dolls will also be sold to benefit the Lincoln METCO Coordinating Committee. Anyone with a vintage doll or doll accessories to donate may call Joanne Schmergel at 617-645-9059.

Touch of Christmas fair

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold its annual Touch of Christmas fair on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m–1 p.m. in the Parish House (14 Bedford Rd.). There will be hands-on activities for children including Christmas cookie decorating, a fishing tree, ornament decorating, and a special children’s shopping room complete with holiday wrapping help. Santa will arrival at 11 a.m., and children can have photos taken on Santa’s lap. There will also be a baked-goods table overflowing with homemade treats for the holidays, a handmade craft table, second-hand antiques, housewares, jewelry, homemade holiday wreaths and centerpieces, and more. Admission is free.

Klyma performs at next LOMA

Greg Klyma is the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, Dec. 11 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The event runs from 7-10 p.m., and Klyma will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. Despite his GenX provenance, Greg is an old-school troubadour in the mold of Woody and Ramblin’ Jack. His latest album is Never Knew Caroline. Click here to see him performing Livin’ the Life off a previous CD.

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.

A capella night hosted by LEAP

LEAP (the Lincoln Extended-day Activities Program) is hosting its fourth annual A Capella Night, a fundraising event that supports tuition assistance and enrichment programs, on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 7–9 p.m. On hand again will be VoiceLab and for the first time, Fermata Town, a semiprofessional Boston-based a capella group. There will also be hors d’oeuvres, desserts, a cash bar, raffle items, and a silent auction. Email leap0165@gmail.com for more information.