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

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Build Scarecrows at Stonegate to benefit PTO

Show fall spirit for your town and your school by build a scarecrow during the annual Scarecrows at Stonegate fundraiser. Bring a pillowcase for your scarecrow’s head, old clothing (pants with belt loops and long-sleeve shirts – teen to small adult sizes are best), and fun accessories (hats, masks, wigs, etc.) or old Halloween costumes. Stonegate Gardens provides hay, twine, stakes, additional craft supplies, and step-by-step instructions. Choose to display your scarecrow in Lincoln or take it home (display scarecrows will not be returned).Dates are as follows:

  • Wednesdays, Oct. 6 and 13 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 10 from noon–5 p.m.

Scarecrow-building takes place at Stonegate Gardens (33 South Great Rd.), and caretaker supervision is required at all times (no drop-offs). There is a $15 donation fee per scarecrow, which will be donated to the Lincoln School PTO. Social distancing and masks are required. For more information about how Stonegate is modifying this year’s event to prevent COVID spread and to sign up for a slot, please visit this SignUp Genius link.

Film on Mike Wallace at library

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen “Mike Wallace is Here” on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. The documentary offers an unflinching look at the legendary reporter, who interrogated the 20th century’s biggest figures in over 50 years on air, and his aggressive reporting style and showmanship that redefined what America came to expect from broadcasters. Unearthing decades of never-before-seen footage from the 60 Minutes vault, the film explores what drove and plagued Wallace, whose storied career was entwined with the evolution of journalism itself.

LSB Players start season with “The Addams Family”

The LSB Players at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School have announced their schedule of plays for 2021-2022 and invite residents to subscribe for season tickets. The shows will be:

“The Addams Family”
November 17–20 at 7:30 p.m. (Kirschner Auditorium)
Directed and choreographed by Carly Evans, music directed by Michael Bunting. This hilarious and irreverent musical tells the story of the Addams Family, a loving yet macabre family set in their ghoulish ways, as they face the prospect of their daughter/sister marrying someone far too normal for their taste.

8th Annual Winter One-Acts
February 4 at 7:30 p.m., February 5 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Rogers Theater)
Three L-S seniors will direct “That’s Not How I Remember It,” “As It Was,” and “I, Chorus.”

“Sense and Sensibility”
April 8 at 7:30 p.m., April 9 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., April 10 at 2 p.m.
Kate Hamill’s fast-paced adaptation of the Jane Austen novel takes on the gossipy society of late 18th-century England and examines the societal pressures that affect the lives of sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood.

9th- and 10th-grade play (title TBA)
May 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.. (Rogers Black Box Theatre)

COLLAGE XXVI, a collection of scenes, one-acts and original pieces selected and directed by students
June 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. (Rogers Black Box Theatre)

Tickets for all 2021-2022 shows are $8 for students and senior citizens, and $15 for adults (Collage XXVI is free). Benefactors and season ticket holders receive advance notice before tickets are available to the general public so they can reserve for the evening of their choice. Season tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for students and senior citizens, while Benefactors’ tickets are $60. All Season Ticket holders and Benefactors are named in each program of the year. Click here to order.

Lincoln Cultural Council announces 2020-21 grants

The following organization received funding from the Lincoln Cultural Council to help pay for projects and activities for the community. The LCC is accepting applications for the next round of grants until October 15; see “News acorns” (Oct. 4, 2021) for more information. Questions? Contact Meg Ramsey at meg.ramsey@verizon.net.

Historic New England — “Three Centuries of Lincoln Topics.” The hybrid in-person and virtual three-part series highlighted Lincoln residents who were pioneers of taste, design, and culture over the course of three centuries from great-grandfather John Codman to Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius.

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum — A Thursday outdoor concert and performance series. The 2021 summer season was informed by the work of exhibiting artists Jeffrey Gibson and Sonya Clark. The performance series focused on performers who address issues of advocacy, social justice, and indigenous cultures.

Maitreyee Chakraborty — “Songs and Poems of Rabindranath Tagore.” Tagore was an early 20th-century polymath and Nobel laureate whose poems and songs talk about the joy beyond immediate sorrow, the mettle of human spirit in face of suffering. The program had vocal music, poems, discussions, and dance numbers and told a human story of 2020.

Mass Audubon Drumlin Farm — “Sensory-Friendly Days,” an opportunity for families and children with autism or other sensory issues to connect with nature and each other in a sensory-friendly environment (fewer people, less crowded trails/exhibits, and less noise).

Lincoln Council on Aging — “An Afternoon of Poems by Robert Frost” presented and performed by Stephen Collins.

Lincoln Chipmunk design and launch — The website for the Lincoln Chipmunk (the online successor to the Lincoln Review), a bimonthly publication featuring poetry, artwork, fiction, photography and other creative work by and for Lincoln residents, was designed and linked to the Lincoln Squirrel new website.

Lincoln METCO Committee — Presentation in the Lincoln schools of “Living the Legacy of METCO” by Ron Jones, developed by Boston METCO.

Discovery Museum — Open Door Connections provides a range of ways for families to visit the museum at no or low cost. This includes families with children on the autism spectrum, those with sight or hearing limitations or are EBT and ConnectorCare cardholders, educators, and military families. The grant also funded free admission for all on select Friday evenings.

Wonderland Spectacle Co. — Locally based art and nature videos for kids about discovering the nature in your own neighborhood and across the region.

Lincoln Historical Society — Bringing Lincoln’s rich history into our everyday lives by placing historical road signage on the six roads that extend outward from the town’s historic center.

My Turn: Thanks to “Every Mile Counts Walk” participants

By Karen Salvucci and Ursula Nowak

We’d like to express our deep appreciation to the Lincoln community for the great success of our “Every Mile Counts Walk” last Saturday. The walk was fun, inclusive, and a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and funds to continue our mission of relieving poverty and restoring human dignity. You are truly neighbors helping neighbors and your help means so much.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston is devoted to helping individuals and families in our communities who need critical assistance to meet some of their most basic needs. People in our towns facing challenges like food insecurity, unemployment, health issues, or a sudden change in circumstances have come to us in greater numbers than ever before seeking help and guidance. Thanks to your involvement and support, we have been able to respond when that call comes in. And as the need continues, so do our efforts.

Again, many thanks!

Salvucci and Nowak are president and outgoing president, respectively, of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to share letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

News acorns

Fireside event at Farrington Nature Linc

Enjoy a crisp evening by the fire as Doria Hughes tells stories about the fall, nature and animals on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Farrington Nature Linc. Tickets for Tales & Treats: Slightly Scary Stories and S’mores are $10 each or $30 for a family of four. Feel free to bring blankets and/or chairs to sit around the fire, and wear or bring layers as it gets colder once the sun goes down.

Family fundraiser features cornhole tournament

Form a two-person kid or adult team (age 16+) to play in the cornhole tournament on Sunday, Oct. 17 from 2–6 p.m. at Codman Community Farms. The event is a fundraiser organized by the Doo family, whose daughter Kalea is living with moyamoya disease. The event also features pumpkin decorating courtesy of Stonegate Gardens, live music by Jimmy’s Down Band, a magic show with Ed Popielarczyk at 5 p.m., a bounce house, Hawaiian shaved ice, local beer and hard cider, food trucks and snacks, and a raffle. Click here for more information and to register, donate, or sponsor and keep a custom-made cornhole board. Questions? Email doofam@gmail.com.

Codman Harvest Feast tickets now on sale

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Codman Community Farms Harvest Feast on Saturday, Oct. 23  from 5–9 p.m. The feast will take place under a big tent and feature live music by the Splinters as well as CCF’s slow-roasted, Lincoln-pasture-raised pork served with homemade cornbread, roasted potatoes, bean and green salads, and apple desserts. Dinner will be followed by a special raffle and dancing under the stars. Buy tickets online ($40 for CCF member and $50 for nonmembers) and click here to learn about other fall events at CCF including Sugar Shack Storytime, Harvest Wreath Happy Hour, and a three-session course on growing your own mushrooms.

Kids’ activities at the library

The Lincoln Public Library has several special events for children this month:

“Who Gets to Make History? The Story of Statues and Monuments”
Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
What are monuments for? Whose stories do they hold up for celebration? Whose stories do they erase or keep hidden? In this virtual workshop, Wee the People, a Boston-based social justice group, will explore what monuments mean and reimagine how they can celebrate values of community, equity, and justice. Intended for school-aged children. Email dleopold@minlib.net to register and receive a Zoom invite. 

Pumpkin Palooza
Saturday, Oct. 23 from 10:30–12 p.m.
Wear your costume and join us on the library lawn for Halloween fun: pumpkin painting, fortune telling, crafts, and more. Drop in; best for ages 6 and under. Rain date: October 30. 

Special Halloween Storytime and Parade
Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. 
Wear your costume for some Halloween fun, stories, dancing, and a parade on the library lawn. For babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Click here to learn about children’s book groups and other events, or call 781-259-8465 x4 with any questions.

Halloween at deCordova

Celebrate Halloween at deCordova Sculpture Park on October 22, 23, 29, 30, and 31. Watch the moon travel across the sky as you and your family complete a series of ghoulish activities, all inspired by mysterious artworks. Explore different disguises, create monstrous shadows, and solve tantalizing mysteries. Click here to purchase tickets.

Two from Lincoln earn National Merit Scholar commendations

Two Lincoln students, Amie Jiang and Casey King, are among Lincoln-Sudbury’s Commended National Merit Scholars this year. The others from L-S are Akim Abramkin, Tarkan Ayata, Matthew Boone, Joshua Cohen, Joshua Geel, Jishnu Ghosh, Lyx Huston, Henry Knapick, Benjamin Krasnow, Max Reinhardt, Benjamin Rippy, Zachary Schwarzwald, Madeleine Swire, Sarah Watson, Robyn Wessman, Richard Yao, and Brian Yin.

News acorns

Codman harvest fair and feast are back

After a year off, Codman Community Farms’ Annual Harvest Fair returns on Saturday, Oct. 3 from noon–4 p.m. with games for kids and adults including the Barrel Train, the Rooster Run, face painting, pumpkin decorating, a pie-eating contest, and more. Codman-grown burgers, hot dogs and sausages as well as snacks and treats will be available. Click here to pre-purchase bracelets for kids ages 3 and up for lawn and family games and rides, the Rooster Run, and a ticket for donut-on-a-string.

The Annual Harvest Feast will be held under a big tent on Saturday, Oct. 23 with music by local bluegrass band The Splinters. Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 1. 

Scarecrow Classic 5K steps off October 17

The Scarecrow Classic 5K, an annual event that benefits the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, will hold an in-person run and a virtual option. The in-person race is Sunday, Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m. Anyone wishing to run the race virtually can run a 5K anywhere and any time in the week leading up to race day. Register by Friday, Oct. 4 to have your Scarecrow Classic shirt waiting for you on race day. New this year, the LLCT will offer packet pickup for those who preregistered on October 16 from 2–4 p.m. at Lincoln Station. Registration closes on October 15 at midnight, and there will be limited same-day registration starting at 8 a.m. on race day. Learn more at scarecrowclassic5k.com and click here to register.

Apply for a Lincoln Cultural Council grant

The Lincoln Cultural Council has $5,100 from the state to allocate in grants. Local priorities are:

  • Providing work for performing artists severely impacted by the pandemic
  • Serving families and/or seniors (intergenerational programs are of particular interest
  • Performances/programs in various art forms
  • A focus on local history, environmental issues, and the natural world
  • Collaborations between multiple artists and/or town organizations
  • Events that have secured a local venue, have a backup plan for in-person events, and/or show an ability to successfully present a virtual experience if necessary.

Click here to apply for a grant by Friday, Oct. 15.  Questions? Click here or contact LCC Chair Meg Ramsey at meg.ramsey@verizon.net.

Event features author of book on cold-weather exploration

Every journey begins with a single step, or in Anders Morley’s case, the shush of cross-country skis. Morley will discuss his book, This Land of Snow: A Journey Across the North in Winter, on Monday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The book offers insightful glimpses into life at the edge of the great northern wilderness, the history of cold-weather exploration and Nordic skiing, the right-to-roam movement, winter ecology, and more. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library  For Zoom invitation please, email lrothenberg@minlib.net.

Video on Lincoln’s famous twisted tree

You’ve probably heard about the ongoing project to safeguard and hopefully extend the life of Lincoln’s famous twisted tree (the catalpa in front of the Lincoln Public Library). Jonathan Bransfield, the arborist hired by the Friends of the Lincoln Library and the Lincoln Garden Club, commissioned this video of the project with great drone shots and explanations of what the arborists did. Learn more in these Lincoln Squirrel stories:

Water Dept. superintendent wins recognition

Water Department Superintendent Darin LaFalam has been voted state director of the New England Water Works Association. “Having him in such a high position in this important organization will allow Lincoln to influence the direction of the NEWWA programs and stay current on state of the art activities in the management of public water systems, Water Commissioner Ruth-Ann Hendrickson said. LaFalam, who was hired in Lincoln last spring after many years as Worcester’s Filtration Plant Manager, is a past recipient of the NEWWA Operator Meritorious Service Award and the MWWA Pride Award.

News acorns

Covid-19 vaccination clinic for everyone 12+

To protect younger children and keep schools open, the Lincoln Public Schools is offering a second Covid-19 vaccine clinic (Pfizer first send second doses) for anyone age 12 and up on Tuesday, Sept. 21 from 2–5 p.m. in the Reed gym. Drop-ins are welcome, or click here to schedule an appointment. Children under 18 do not need to have a parent/guardian with them at the time of vaccination but they will need to bring a signed consent form (click here to download).

Free social worker sessions for kids offered  

After a successful summer pilot program, the Council on Aging and Human Services (with help from the Board of Health and the Lincoln Public Schools) has arranged for a social worker to be on the school campus in the Hartwell building every Wednesday afternoon/early evening during the school year. This is a totally free service. Parents can call the COA&HS at 781-259-8811 to ask questions and book appointments. All appointments with Sara Hickey, MSW, LCSW, of Eliot Community Human Services are completely confidential. While appointments are held on school grounds, clinic participation information is not shared with the schools or any other town department.

Registration open for L-S adult ed classes

Lincoln-Sudbury Adult & Community Education offers courses for all interests and ages. Check out the offerings at LSRHS.net/community/adult_ed. Questions? Email adult.ed@lsrhs.net or call 978-443-9961 x3326.

deCordova offers Julia Child operetta, clay workshops

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is hosting “An Evening of Jazz and Julia” on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. Mezzo-soprano Vanessa Schukis portrays 20th-century culinary icon Julia Child in composer Lee Hoiby’s “Bon Appétit!” in a humorous 25-minute one-act operetta, accompanied by pianist Scott Nicholas, based on two episodes from Julia Child’s popular cooking show in which she concocts a chocolate cake. The event will take place in deCordova Cafe. Click here to purchase tickets, which include Julia Child-inspired snacks and beverages.

The deCordova is also offering an outdoor family-style workshop where participants can make clay soap dishes on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 1–2:30 p.m. All levels welcome. Click here to register, or click here to see details on other events at the deCordova.

Walden Woods Project fall events

“Determined to Know Beans: A Historical and Biological Exploration of Thoreau’s Beanfield,” an interpretive walk to Thoreau’s beanfield with historian Richard Smith and biologist Dr. Amity Wilczek, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 11–12:30 p.m. at the Walden Pond State Reservation. The presentation will focus on how the beanfield looked during Thoreau’s time and how it has changed.  Discussion will include the plants that Thoreau would and would not be familiar with, including invasives. Click here to register.

Also this fall: “A Virtual Lyceum: The Art of Perception” on Thursday, Oct. 21 from 7–8:30 p.m. and “Now Comes Good Sailing: A Virtual Conversation” on Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 7–8 p.m.

Chamber music concert at the Pierce House

The Concord Chamber Music Society presents a special outdoor concert at the Pierce House on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m. with the Parker Quartet. The performance (the first hosted by CCMS since March 2019) will feature the Adagio from String Quartet No. 1 by Adolphus Hailstork, the String Quartet No. 1 in A Major by Robert Schumann, and the String Quartet No. 1 “From My Life,” by Bedrich Smetana. Proof of vaccination will be required for admission, and masking is mandatory for tent seating and inside the Pierce House.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.concordchambermusic.org or by calling 978-405-0130. Seating beneath the tent is $50 and $40 for adults and seniors 65+ respectively. Lawn tickets will be offered at the door (weather permitting) on the day of the concert for $20, and patrons will need to bring their own chairs and/or blankets. Patrons may present their ticket stubs at the Trail’s End Cafe in Concord ollowing the concert for a 15% discount off of dinner; advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Group marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month with purple lights, walk, vigil

At any given time in Sudbury, Wayland, Lincoln, and other similar towns, there are 20–40 restraining orders in effect, indicating a judge has found significant evidence of violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this year the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable will again partner with the First Parish in Wayland and the Lauren Dunne Astley Foundation to shine a light on the issues related to domestic and breakup violence. On Tuesday, Oct. 5, walks will commence from several points in Wayland arriving at First Parish in Wayland (225 Boston Post Rd.) for the Shine a Light Vigil at 7 p.m. Visit www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org for walk locations. Purple signifies courage and compassion, and purple lights will illuminate religious and civic buildings in Sudbury, Wayland, and Framingham throughout the month. In addition, community members are invited to place purple light bulbs in their window fixtures, lamp posts, or porch lights. If you or someone in your life might be experiencing relationship abuse, local support can be found here.

My Turn: Walk for the SVdP food pantry

By Ursula Nowak and Karen Salvucci

The Society of St Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston is devoted to assisting individuals and families in our communities who live in dire need due to unemployment, health issues, hunger, and the inability to meet even basic expenses. Over the past two years, more neighbors than ever before have reached out for our help, and the number of food pantry clients has almost doubled. Past support for our mission has enabled us to respond to these requests, but we now need your help to continue this vital work.

On Saturday, Sept. 25 at 9 a.m., SVdP is hosting an Every Mile Counts Walk to kick off our fundraising effort. This is an opportunity to walk together to show our commitment to our community and help us reach our goal of $40,000. Please join us by walking and/or donating to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston. We are neighbors helping neighbors.

To register for the Every Mile Counts Walk (followed by an ice cream social), click here. There is a suggested donation of $10 per person or $25 per family. To donate directly to SVdP of Lincoln and Weston, click here or mail your check (payable to St. Vincent de Paul) to SVdP, PO Box 324, Lincoln, MA 01773. Thank you!

Nowak is president and Salvucci is president-elect of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

News acorns

Three events coming up at the library

The Lincoln Library Film Society is back with screenings at the library starting with Kedi on Thursday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. The film follows seven of the thousands of cats that roam Istanbul who live between two worlds, neither wild nor tame, and bring joy and purpose to those people they choose to adopt. Movies will be screened on the third Thursday of each month using the club’s new AV system purchased with funds from the Friends of the Lincoln Library and the Ogden Codman Trust. Due to the pandemic, food will not be permitted.

Residents are invited to a watch party with Isabel Wilkerson, author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. After the video presentation, there will be a live community conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion led by former State Rep. Byron Rushing and Salem State University professor Roopika Risam. All are invited to participate in the discussion (you need not have read the book in advance). Click here to register. Presented by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Center for the Book, and public libraries across the state in recognition of the National Book Festival.

The library presents an evening with photographer Dmitri Kasterine, author of Who How When Where, on Thursday, Sept. 23 from 7–8:30 p.m. Kasterine was a still photographer for director Stanley Kubrick, and his subjects have included James Baldwin, Mick Jagger and Queen Elizabeth II. For Zoom information, email lrothenberg@minlib.net.

Daffodil bulb sales benefit SSEF

South Sudanese Enrichment for Families invites residents to purchase daffodil bulbs for fall planting to support sending South Sudanese children to preschool. Preorder at SSEFBoston.org by September 12 and pick up bulbs on October 23 at the Lincoln Mall. All to make your yard beautiful and support educational equality.

COA&HS offers art exhibit and more

“Older, Wiser and Better,” an art exhibition via Zoom, will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. Instructor Janet Schwartz will present work focusing on hard and soft pastels by local artists including Carol Bull, Milt Davis, Liz Lane. Gerri Malcolm, Blanche Richlin, and Joan Seville. Email Amy at gagnea@lincolntown.org to sign up to attend the show.

Join naturalist John Calabria in discovering nature that surrounds us in Lincoln. All are welcome on the monthly “Noticing” walks on September 14, October 5, November 2, and December 7 from 1–2:30 p.m. Please preregister to receive walk location and weather cancellation updates. Choose  footwear and clothing appropriate for the weather conditions. Click here to register (email  llct@lincolnconservation.org or call 781-259-9251 for help with registration). Sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the Lincoln Council on Aging & Human Services.

For a full list of COA&HS activities in September — including clinics, exercise classes, regular meetings of interest groups, and online chats with town officials — see the COAHS’s calendar page or September newsletter. Call 781-259-8811 or email gagnea@lincolntown.org for Zoom links and other information.

Ride to support disadvantaged pet owners

Phinney’s, a Lincoln-based nonprofit that helps low-income people in Massachusetts keep their pets, is gearing up for its eighth annual Phinney’s Ride, a biennial fundraiser to help those living with HIV and AIDS care for their pets. To celebrate the nonprofit’s 25th anniversary, Phinney’s invites everyone to participate by performing any type of ride between September 1 and November 1. Tag @PhinneysFriends and use #phinneysride on social media when sharing photos of their rides.

The registration fee is $20 with a pledge to raise $200 or more. Individuals may also form teams with family, friends, and coworkers. Everyone who registers will get a personalized web page with photos and their bio where they can direct their ride sponsors. This year also marks the introduction of the Phinney’s Ride “Couch Potato Hero Certificate,” which gives those who don’t want to ride the option of showing their support with a donation of $100 or more. To learn more, visit phinneys.org/ride.

News acorns

Covid-19 vaccine clinic on Tuesday for those 12 and up

There will be a Covid-19 vaccination clinic at the Lincoln School for children 12 and up, as well as anyone else eligible for a vaccination, on Tuesday, Aug. 31 from 1–4 p.m. in the Reed gym. Children 12-18 do not need to have a parent/guardian with them, but they will need to bring a Lincoln Schools Vaccination Consent Form that’s been printed, completed and signed by a parent. Children attending Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, private school, or home school are welcome. For those receiving their first dose at this clinic, another clinic for second doses will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 21 from 2–5 p.m.

Youth soccer starts Sept. 11

Kids in grades K-2 are invited to learn basic soccer skills, have fun with friends and learn to be part of a team. The Lincoln Youth Soccer fall 2021/spring 2022 season starts on Saturday, Sept. 11 and runs for 10 Saturday, weather permitting. Practice for grades K-1 is on Saturdays at 8 a.m.; for second-graders, it’s at 9 a.m. Click here to register. If you’re a parent who’d like to get involved, please email sallyannecoleman@gmail.com. All abilities are welcome.

Library to take part in 9/11 program

The Lincoln Public Library will participate in “September 11, 2001: The Day That Changed the World,” a downloadable educational exhibition that presents the history of 9/11, its origins, and its ongoing implications through the personal stories of those who witnessed and survived the attacks 20 years ago. Told across 14 posters, the exhibition includes archival photographs and images of artifacts from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s permanent collection. It explores the consequences of terrorism on individual lives and communities at the local, national, and international levels, and encourages critical thinking about the legacies of 9/11. Click here to register and download the presentation.

Donate household items for domestic violence survivors

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable welcomes donations of new household items for its annual Shower for Shelters drive to help families transitioning from a shelter or transitional housing to establish a new home. All gifts collected will be donated to clients of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, and Voices Against Violence. The drive runs from Monday–Thursday, Sept. 20–30.  New unwrapped gifts may be dropped off at Sudbury Wine and Spirits (410 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury). Requested items include: department store and supermarket gift cards, diapers, twin-size comforters, sheets and pillowcases, bed pillows, towels and face cloths, unscented cleaning products and laundry detergent, laundry baskets, kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes, drinking glasses, small kitchen appliances, and other household items.

Monthly used-book sales end for good as revenue source moves online

Although things have opened back up as the pandemic wanes, the Friends of the Lincoln Library (FOLL) will not resume their monthly used book sales in the basement of Bemis Hall.

The FOLL funds all of the library’s programming for children and adults, museum passes and special equipment (items that are not included in Lincoln’s budget). When the book sales stopped in spring 2020, the group turned to another method of collecting and selling donated books to fund its library programs. The materials are picked up by the Bay State Book Company, which sells them online and returns a portion of the proceeds to FOLL.

Somewhat to the FOLL’s surprise, that method is now yielding almost as much income (about $600 a month) as the old-fashioned book sale did — and with a fraction of the effort. Volunteers (mostly seniors) used to put in a total of about 100 hours a month in organizing the donated books and running the monthly book sale, involving a fair amount of physical labor.

“We’re actually getting more books than we did before,” when people dropped off donations in a wooden bin in the Bemis Hall foyer, FOLL book sale manager Cathy Moritz said. “We’re very happy this has worked out.” 

Still, it’s a loss of a Lincoln tradition.”It was a fun thing for a number of people in town,” said Moritz, adding that at least one child in town came to the book sale every month. “It’s sad.”

Moritz expressed gratitude to Larry O’Connor of the Bay State Book Company, which provided the watertight metal collection bins normally costing $1,400 apiece for free. The bins are located in the Lincoln Station parking lot, Lincoln Gas & Auto on Route 117, and Tracey’s Service Station, which has resulted in donations from a new source: commuters and others on Route 2. 

People can drop books in good condition, as well as CDs and DVDs (secured with rubber bands or in grocery bags), in the bins at any time. Books that can’t be sold for various reasons are donated to prison libraries, police book drives, laundromats and other organizations — nothing goes into the waste stream.

The book sale formerly operated in the Bemis basement, which was renovated in 2016 for the Council on Aging and Human Services. The FOLL’s space is now used for medical equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs that residents can borrow, but the group is hanging onto its rolling book carts in case they need them in the future.

The FOLL also sells a few books donated by members and their associates from a cart in the library breezeway. Used books are $1 or $2 each, and buyers are asked to bring small bills (the cash box only takes cash or checks, and the librarians cannot make change).

No more overdue book fines

In an unrelated development, the library’s Board of Trustees recently voted to stop charging fines on overdue materials, with the following exceptions:

  • Items from the Library of Things collection
  • Museum passes
  • Interlibrary loans from outside the Minuteman Library Network

The trustees made the move in recognition of the American Library Association’s 2019 “Resolution on Monetary Library Fines as a Form of Social Inequity. In order for an item to be eligible for fine-free status, it must be checked out at the Lincoln Public Library. A bill for the full replacement cost will be automatically generated by the Minuteman Network if an item is not returned after 42 days after the due date. Once the item has been returned, all costs will be waived.