The Lincoln Squirrel

News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

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News acorns

Seeking wellness practitioners for Winter Carnival

A winter wellness fair is in the works as part of Lincoln’s Winter Carnival at the end of January. Any practitioner in town whose practice can be categorized as holistic, wellness, complementary, integrative, or alternative is welcome to be present to showcase their practices and share wisdom. The proposed time slot is Sunday, Jan. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. This would be for promotional purposes only and to offer wellness to the community. If you are a wellness practitioner, or know someone who is and would be interested in participating, please contact Jai Kaur Annamaria San Antonio at asanajai@verizon.net or 781-738-1920.

Spring wellness clinics for all ages

Lincoln residents of all ages are invited to meet with a nurse through a free Town service. Come to get your blood pressure checked, ask questions, or learn about wellness resources. Clinics will be held at the Community Building at Lincoln Woods at 50 Wells Road from 10 am to noon on Fridays January 8, February 5, and March 4. These clinics are funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. For info, please call the COA at (781) 259-8811.

Domestic Violence Services Network to hold Lincoln office hours; seeks toiletries

If you are experiencing violence or abuse by a family member, whether physical, emotional or sexual, or you’re concerned about someone who is, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 4 between 10 a.m. and noon to have a confidential discussion with an advocate from the Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN). Come find out more about domestic violence and how to cope with it, as well as learn about available resources in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. All conversations are completely confidential.

Women and children who are in shelters remaking their lives after experiencing domestic violence need toiletries like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, hand and body lotions, and more. If you have unopened toiletries from hotels or stores that you can’t use, please bring them to Bemis Hall by Friday, Feb. 6. A volunteer will take them to local domestic violence organizations for Valentine’s Day distribution.

 

Christmas tree removal offered

Tired of dragging your Christmas tree to the transfer station? As a benefit for the Class of 2020 and the girls’ basketball team, The students of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School will come to your home, pick up your Christmas tree and dispose of it.  (This is for residents of Sudbury and Lincoln only.). Pickup will be on Saturday, Jan. 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $20, or $10 for senior citizens. To sign up, please email LSxmastreepickup@gmail.com by Wednesday, Jan. 4.  Please include your name, address and phone number in your email. Once we receive your request, we will send you a confirmation within 48 hours. If you do not receive a confirmation, please call Kathleen Thompson (Class of 2020 Advisor and basketball coach) at 978-443-9961 x ext. 3410.

Free income tax help

Volunteers certified under the AARP TaxAide program will prepare your federal and Massachusetts personal income tax returns or answer your tax questions. This free service can answer most of the tax issues faced by low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to those over age 60. Appointments begin in February. Call the COA office at 781-259-8811 to schedule a confidential appointment and get a list of documents to bring.

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Standing Rock event Monday night

The movement at Standing Rock is still in need of critical support Lincoln residents Jessica and Jason Packineau, who recently returned from trips to North Dakota, will give a presentation and fundraiser for Standing Rock on Monday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Stone Church (14 Bedford Rd.) Come to hear their stories from the front line and learn why the current situation at Standing Rock deserves as much attention as ever.

Gift cards for Codman Community Farms store

Codman Community Farms is offering prepaid gift cards starting at $25. Recipients can use the cards at the Codman store’s iPad self-checkout terminal to buy eggs, meat and other items. The balances on the cards, which do not expire, can be monitored, and they can be reloaded with more funds as desired. Click here to order a card (mailed to purchaser within 24 hours).

Library events during the holidays

Decorate gingerbread people and hear stories on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. For ages 3 and up; sign up by calling 781-259-8465

  • Winter movies and muffins on Friday, Dec. 23 from 10:30–11 a.m. Winter-themed short films based on beloved children’s books. Recommended for ages 2 and up; drop in.
  • Winter crafts on Tuesday, Dec. 27 all day ( 9 a.m. to 6 p.m). Winter crafts for children of all ages.
  • Make the night sparkle—celebrate the New Year by hearing stories, decorating a paper lantern and taking part in a twinkling light parade around the library on Thursday, Dec. 29 from 4-5:30 p.m. Advance signup required; call 781-259-8465 ext. 4 or email jflanders@minlib.net.

The library will be closed from Saturday to Monday, Dec. 24-26, reopening at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27. It will close at 5 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 31 and reopen at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017.

Winter wellness clinics starting Jan. 5

Lincoln residents of all ages are invited to meet with a nurse through a free town service. Come to get your blood pressure checked, ask questions, or learn about wellness resources. Clinics will be held at the Community Building at Lincoln Woods from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Jan. 5 and Tuesday, Feb. 14. These clinics are funded by the Ogden Codman Trust. Additional clinics will be held at Bemis Hall on Tuesday Jan. 17 and Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 9-11 a.m. These are supported by the Pierce House. Services for all clinics are provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. For more information, please call the COA at 781-259-8811.

Correction

correction-smA December 5 Lincoln Squirrel article headlined “Donelan’s DRAFT,” describing Donelan’s assistance with a Lincoln food drive, was inadvertently published in unedited form. The article has been edited and updated to include a link to an earlier story about work by the St. Vincent de Paul, St. Joseph Conference in Lincoln and Weston. The corrected article is here:

Donelan’s collects, donates hundreds of bags of groceries

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Jason Deveau, store manager of Donelan’s in Lincoln, helps load food donations for the food pantry at St. Joseph Church.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which operates a food pantry at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln, expressed gratitude to Donelan’s and its manager Jason Deveau for organizing a recent food drive and also for donating additional food to its pantry. This will allow the group to give out considerably more food than usual on its next pantry day and spend less money buying food this month.

During the food drive in November, shoppers at Donelan’s purchased over 200 five-item bags of groceries—twice as many as last year. The supermarket also donates day-old bread, cookies and pies throughout the year.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul saw an increase in clients this year. In October, 29 families (most of whom live or work in Lincoln or Weston) came to the food pantry, which gave out an estimated $30,000 worth of food in 2016.

Earlier this year, the organization received a $20,000 grant from Lincoln’s Ogden Codman Trust to help food pantry clients and others with emergency financial needs.

 

Opportunities abound for donating to help kids

L-S Class of 2017 prom and class gift

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Purchases of coffee mugs and tote bags benefit the L-S Class of 2017.

The Lincoln-Sudbury Class of 2017 is selling coffee mugs and tote bags in a fundraiser to help defray the cost of senior prom and to allow the class to gift funds to L-S programs and outreach organizations when they graduate. These are great stocking stuffers for present and past families of L-S students as well as current eighth-graders. All items are $5 each, or five for $20. To order, email Nancy Marshall at nfmarshall23@gmail.com by Saturday, Dec. 10 with “L-S Class of 2017 order” in the subject line, and list the item(s) desired in the text/body of the email. Customers will be emailed regarding COD pickup during a two-hour window in the week of December 12. Make checks payable to LSRHS with “Class of 2017” on the memo line.

Toys for Tots drive

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Left to right: Lincoln Police Sgt. Rich McCarty, Det. Ian Spencer and Sgt. Jon Wentworth are helping collect Toys for Tots.

Lincoln Police are partnering with the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign, collecting new, unwrapped non-violent toys for boys and girls. Bins are located in the Public Safety Building lobby, Donelan’s, the Parks & Recreation office, Town Hall, the Lincoln Public Library, the Council on Aging and The Commons in Lincoln. The campaign runs until Friday, Dec. 16.

Hanscom eighth-grade class trip

Hanscom Middle School eighth-graders are scheduled to take a spring trip as part of their history and civics curriculum but are in  need of funding support. Because of its lower student population, HMS’s per-capita costs are much higher than those of most public middle schools, and because all its families are in the military, their salaries are lower, which puts real strain on their ability to support their children for this trip. Since most Hanscom kids are in the Lincoln school system for only two years, this trip tries to provide them with a lasting memory of their time at Hanscom. To make a contribution, click on this DonorsChoose page.

L-S All Sports Boosters

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A sampling of bricks that have benefited the L-S All Boosters Club.

The L-S All Sports Boosters are selling personalized bricks to support all varsity, junior varsity, freshman and club sports at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Each oversized brick with up to four lines of text on it is installed in the L-S courtyard. Bricks have been purchased to honor graduating seniors, alumni, student athletes, drama participants, L-S musicians, current and future L-S students, teachers, coaches and sports teams. The bricks make an excellent holiday gift and are tax-deductible (L-S Boosters is a 501(c)3 charity).  If you would like to leave your mark at L-S, while also supporting L-S Athletics, go to bricks.lsboosters.org. During the first annual “Leave Your Mark at L-S!” brick campaign, more than 250 bricks were purchased raising over $25,000 for athletics at L-S while also enabling everyone who purchased a brick to leave a legacy at the school.

News acorns

magicgardenMagic Garden open house

Magic Garden Children’s Center will host an open house for prospective 2017-18 families on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon. Magic Garden, which is located in the Hartwell building on the Ballfield Road school campus, offers year-round care for children ages 15 months to 5 years Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with flexible schedules. While this 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. Call 781-259-8161 for more information. Walk-ins are welcome.

‘The Syrian Bride’ screening by GRALTA Foundation

The GRALTA Foundation continues its exploration of the Israel-Palestine conflict with an award-wining Israeli film, The Syrian Bride, in Bemis Hall on Wednesday Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Set in Majdal Shams, the largest Druze village in the Golan Heights on the Israeli-Syrian border, the bride Mona is engaged to get married to Tallel, a TV comedian from Damascus. They have never met, and when Mona moves to Syria, she will lose her undefined nationality and will never be allowed to return home. This “woven” story deals with Mona’s feminist sister, the complex and strained relations within Mona’s family, and government bureaucracy. The film was nominated for seven Israel Film Academy awards and won the Montréal World Film Festival Grand Prix along with three other awards. There is no charge, and light refreshments will be served.

wreathTouch of Christmas Fair

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold its Touch of Christmas Fair on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Parish House Auditorium at 14 Bedford Rd. This annual event features a visit from Santa Claus at 11 a.m., and children can pose for pictures with him. Before and after the visit, attendees can enjoy craft tables, a baked-goods area with lots of holiday treats, and a treasures table with second-hand antiques, housewares and more. Fragrant wreaths and centerpieces are also for sale and made by volunteers the week prior to the fair. Psalm Soup will be available for lunch. There will be a Christmas cookie decorating station, a fishing tree, an ornament-making area and a special children’s Christmas shopping room. For more information, contact Nancy Fleming at nlfleming@comcast.net or Karin Levy at karinlevy54@gmail.com.

How was your home energy assessment?

Have you had a home energy assessment this year? If so, Lincoln’s Green Energy Committee wants to hear from you. We’re working to make these assessments a great experience that results in real savings for you and for our community. Mark Deck is part of the Green Energy Committee team and would like to interview you. Please contact committee member Mark Deck at 781-718-6815 or mark.john.deck@gmail.com. To sign up for a free home energy assessment, call 617-752-1259 or go to LincolnEnergyChallenge.org.

Free classical concert on December 10

Lincoln musicians Jessica Tunick Berens and Trevor Berens present a free concert of modern classical music for voice and piano and for solo piano inspired by Buddhist, Christian and Taoist traditions on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 8-9:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The program will include John Cage’s One, Yuji Takahashi’s For Thomas Schultz, Arvo Part’s Fur Alina, Frederic Rzewski’s The Turtle and the Crane, Paul Humphreys’ The Legend of Lao Tse and Mel Powell’s Levertov Breviary.

Toys for Tots drive

Lincoln Police are partnering again with the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign, collecting new, unwrapped non-violent toys for boys and girls. Bins are located in the Public Safety Building lobby, Donelan’s, the Parks & Recreation office, Town Hall, the Lincoln Public Library, the Council on Aging, and The Commons in Lincoln. The campaign runs until Friday, Dec. 16.

Council on Aging activities in December

bemisJazz oldies concert
December 2 at 12:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band will present a concert of beloved songs from the early days of jazz at Bemis Hall at 12:30 on Friday Dec. 2. Channel your inner Al Jolson, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, or Fats Waller by singing along with the band. Or, if you prefer to get up and move around to the music, feel free to do your best Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Everyone welcome!

Lincoln Academy with Moses Ajou: South Sudanese enrichment for families, its vision and future
December 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Dec. 5 at 12:30 to hear Moses Ajou discuss “South Sudanese Enrichment for Families, Its Vision and Future.” Learn how South Sudanese Enrichment for Families (formerly the Sudanese Education Fund) is embarking on its next stage of organizational transformation through the 2020 Project with a commitment to greater impact, community leadership, a flourishing community center, and innovative approaches in order to advance opportunity, security, cohesion, and sustainability of the South Sudanese diaspora of greater Boston. They envision future community development based on declining reliance on charity-based operations, and a strategic rise in business-based income and practical job skills improvement. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Coffee with artist Donna Hunsberger
December 6 at 2:30 p.m.
All are invited to enjoy coffee with artist Donna Hunsberger on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 2:30 to celebrate her exhibit of delightful, vivid paintings that are on exhibit in Bemis Hall through December. Donna earned her BFA from the University of Buffalo and has had a long career of being a “Sunday painter” ever since. Instead of painting from outdoor views or pictures, this bold colorist paints in abstractionist terms—working mostly from layered memories.

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
December 7 at 10 a.m.
If you are experiencing violence or abuse by a family member, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, or you are concerned about someone who is, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, December 7 between 10 a.m. and noon to have a confidential discussion with an advocate from Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. Come find out more about domestic violence, and how to cope with it, as well as learn about available resources in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. All conversations are completely confidential.

“Mame” at the Stoneham Theatre
Remember, the matinee performance of Mame at the Stoneham Theatre will be on Thursday, Dec. 8. The Doherty bus will be at the Lincoln Mall at 12:45 p.m., and will depart promptly at 1 p.m. Light refreshment will be served at intermission free of charge. This trip is rated easy for physical difficulty with a short walk and no stairs at the theatre. The cost for the trip is $25 and is subsidized by the Hurff Fund. If you have not signed up and would like to see if there are any spaces left, please contact Virginia at vobrien39@yahoo.com or 781-259-1291.

Paint a silk scarf
December 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Silk scarves are elegant and just right for so many occasions. When you paint a scarf you add your own touch in a beautiful and unique way. Join Karen Halloran, community liaison at CareOne at Concord, for a complimentary silk scarf painting class on Friday, Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m. You will leave with a lovely scarf for yourself or a gift for a friend! No experience necessary and all materials included. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up (limited to 12).

Online newspapers: what they are, how to read them and get them
December 9 at 12:30 p.m.
More and more, the latest news is available only online or online first, and we need to know how to find it if we are to stay in touch even if we have a subscription to a printed newspaper. Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, Dec. 9 at 12:30 p.m. when Alice Waugh, editor of the online Lincoln Squirrel, comes to tell us more about what online newspapers are and how to find them on the web, navigate through them for the information you need, and get a subscription to them. It’s easier than you think and you’ll be amazed at the array of news at your fingertips!

Lincoln Academy with Raymond Levy: fathers in obstetrics and pediatrics
December 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Dec. 12 at 12:30 to hear Raymond Levy, Psy.D., discuss “Fathers Can Be Found Everywhere: Fathers in Obstetrics and Pediatrics.” The Fatherhood Project (TFP) at MGH, a nonprofit within the Psychiatry Department, is developing research and programs for fathers to improve child outcomes by helping fathers be more knowledgeable, active and emotionally engaged with their children. TFP has completed original research on fathers in prenatal care leading to changes in the obstetrical service. In addition, TFP has an innovative program in Pediatrics that engages fathers in the lives of their children while learning state of the art parenting skills. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Free legal clinic
December 12 at 2 p.m.
Got a question about a legal issue? The Council on Aging is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, Dec. 12 from 2-4 p.m. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but advance registration is required. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. Register in advance by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
December 14 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold office hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 1 to 2 p.m. on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up. Please note special day for this month only.

COA science group: ethics and climate change
December 15 at 10 a.m.
Climate change has not only a scientific component, but an ethical one as well that relates to political, economic, and other actions on local, national, and international levels. The COA Science and Technology Club invites you to a presentation and discussion led by John Terrell, Ph.D., on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall on the many facets of ethics and climate change. Mr. Terrell will highlight the most recent successful Annual Town Meeting warrant article and a critique of the Paris Agreement including the possibilities of various alternate energy options and the economic and political necessities to effectively combat climate change. Come with your questions, concerns, and ideas!

Coffee with a cop
December 15, 1-2:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 1-2:30 p.m. to meet privately with a Lincoln police officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member or neighbor? An idea for the police should try? Would you like guidance about a situation? Come on down! No need to make an appointment. An officer will be at Bemis on the third Thursday of every month.

Caring for yourself when you’re the caregiver
December 16 at 9:30 a.m.
If you’re a caregiver, whether as a parent, spouse, adult child, relative or friend, you probably give your time, compassion and physical self to your loved one without taking time out for yourself. This one-hour workshop presented by Lincoln resident Catherine Collins, RN, MS, on Friday, Dec. 16 at 9:30 will offer simple self-care practices that can be incorporated into a 10-minute break. Techniques will include breathing practices, imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and gentle movement. You’ll also learn simple, comforting techniques to use with your loved one such as a simple reflexology point and the “hand/heart connection” technique.

Digital photography: capture your holidays
December 16 at 12:30 p.m.
If you want to make sure you have the best photos of the holidays, come to a workshop with Harold McAleer on digital photography on Friday, Dec. 16 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Harold will go over taking digital photos with your camera and your phone, then editing and emailing pictures from your computer. If you have a digital camera, bring it along!

Senior dining
December 20 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at St. Anne’s Church. On the menu will chef’s choice of soup, rolls and butter, roast turkey dinner with stuffing, extra gravy and cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, and pastry chef’s choice of holiday torte. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 at least a week ahead even if you have previously attended. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let the COA know if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club.

Give yourself the gift of forgiveness
December 21 at 10 a.m.
Forgiveness is not simply an attitude or an action towards someone who has wronged you, but a way of living more peacefully and joyfully. Come find out about some of the most up-to-date research on the benefits of forgiveness and exactly what it means to make forgiveness a part of your life when Betsy Connolly, MS, executive director of Traditions in Wayland, comes to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. Connolly will talk about how to view something or someone differently, how to begin to forgive even if you think you can’t, and more.

Fireside chat: political correctness and censorship
December 28 at 10 a.m.
Do we feel the tide is swinging toward being overly sensitive to others? Is it a good idea to ban certain speakers at college events much as we used to ban books from school libraries? Of course we need to be respectful of others when we speak, but is there room for differing views and discussion around what hurts us rather than laying down the gauntlet for all? Come join others in a lively but respectful discussion of this topic using questions and answers on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The Fireside Chats happen on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. and are facilitated by Sharon Antia. The purpose of the Fireside Chats is not to convince others of your opinion, but rather to share information and ideas so as to create dialogue and greater understanding.

Color your life with pastels with Juliet
Express your most vibrant self with the brilliant colors of pastels in a class with Juliet Rago. She will begin with a short introduction to drawing for those who feel they need it. The class will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on January 9, 13, 20, 23, 27 and 30. No experience is necessary. All materials will be furnished. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. Limit of six people. The fee is $40.

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Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren in A Special Day.

Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren in A Special Day.

Screening of  ‘A Special Day’

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen A Special Day starring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni (1977, in Italian with English subtitles) on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. On the day of a huge rally celebrating Hitler’s visit to Rome, which underscored the infamous alliance between the Nazis and Mussolini’s fascist regime, a brief encounter between a weary housewife and a radio announcer unfolds into an intimate drama. Refreshments will be served.

Flower Yoga for Kids

Tara Rachel Jones will lead Flower Yoga for Kids on three Fridays (December 2, 9 and 16) from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Lincoln Public Library. For children ages 2.5-5 years old with an accompanying adult. Register for one, two or all three classes by calling 781-259-8465 ext. 4 or emailing jflanders@minlib.net.

Choral concert tells the story of Mary

Come hear “The Story of Mary: A Choral Concert by Vox Lucens” on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 7:30-9 p.m. at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. The Vox Lucens Renaissance Choir performs a cappella music that tells Mary’s story, including double choir works by Palestrina and Gabrieli, Victoria’s luminous Gabriel Archangelus and Lassus’ heart-rending Stabat Mater. Suggested donation: $20.

Gift Local Holiday Market this weekend

The Old Town Hall Exchange’s sixth annual Gift Local Holiday Market will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5-9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m in Bemis Hall. This event will host a variety of talented local artists including jewelers, painters, knitters, photographers and more. Stop by and get some of your holiday shopping out of the way while supporting local businesses and craftspeople.

Tea party for charity

There will be a “Dolly and Me” tea party for charity on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1-4 p.m. at the Pierce House, sponsored by Barrett Sotheby’s International Realty with all proceeds to benefit Horizons for Homeless Children. There will be a doll promenade, tea and hot cocoa, sandwiches and cookies, craft projects, and a raffle and door prizes including a grand prize, the 2017 Doll of the Year from American Girl. Tickets are $50 for one child accompanied by an adult and $25 for each additional child. RSVP to Terese Surette or Anna Travias at dollyandme@barrettsir.com.

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‘Nutcracker” reading and dancing

The Lincoln Public Library will host a reading of The Nutcracker with dancers from the Commonwealth Ballet Company on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. During the event, which is geared toward young children, dancers will act out some of the parts in rich and colorful costumes.

Give nature-based holiday thanks at Drumlin Farm

On the day after Thanksgiving, join Massachusetts-area artists at Drumlin Farm for the annual “Giving Thanks for Nature and Our Senses,” a family outdoor art experience. Welcome back your senses on a nature walk with interactive artist demonstrations, enjoy art installations throughout the farmyard, and make your own nature-inspired crafts on Friday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Highlights include:

  • 4-H Club Food Drive: Bring non-perishable goods and our 4-H club will donate all items to Open Table in Concord.
  • The Grey Whisker Pickers
  • Wildlife sketching
  • Natural sculpture by William Turville
  • Nature crafts workshop with Musketaquid artists
  • Installations and gallery artwork by local sculptors, painters, and photographers
  • Storytelling with Ron McAdow

Admission: $9 for adults, $6 for seniors and children. Free for Mass Audubon members and Lincoln residents. Cohosted by Mass Audubon and Musketaquid Arts & Environment.

mangotreeSupport families in shelter from domestic violence this holiday season

On Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1-5 p.m., Mango Tree Artisans at 410 Boston Post Road in Sudbury will host a special shopping event to benefit the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable. Enjoy light refreshments while you shop, and mention the Roundtable to have a portion of your purchase donated to the organization.

Each year, the Roundtable sponsors a family from one of three local agencies for the holidays. Those 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:

Ornament workshop at deCordova

Create an ornament of your own design at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s ceramic ornament workshop on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For adults and children 10+ accompanied by an adult. The cost is $25–$45; click here to register.