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

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Lots of opportunities to donate stuff

Several organizations in town are collecting items for charitable causes.Charity hands

Children’s items for Cradles to Crayons
The Lincoln Family Association (LFA) is collecting gently used children’s clothing, coats, shoes, boots, books and toys for Cradles to Crayons. Sizes needed: infant through Adult Small (appropriate for 12-year-olds). We also need books from board/baby books up through sixth grade. Items can be dropped off through January 31 at the Lincoln Public Library lobby or at Sarah Liepert’s house at 108 Trapelo Rd. (leave bagged items by garage door). Contact Sarah Liepert at sarahliepert@hotmail.com with questions.

Toiletries for people in shelters
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. 7. A Council on Aging volunteer will take them to local domestic violence organizations for Valentine’s Day distribution.

Knick-knacks for school art projects
To help Lincoln School second-graders who are starting a puppet project, art teacher Colleen Pearce is looking for donations of toilet-paper tubes as well as interesting sewing notions such a zippers, trim, odd earrings or jewels. Meanwhile, the fourth-graders are starting a weaving unit, so check your knitting basket for thick yarn you could donate. Any amount is fine, but please no thin-gauge yarn. Please leave donations in the Smith office.

Donelan’s receipts
The Lincoln PTO is collecting receipts from Donelan’s (Lincoln and Acton stores only). Through the Register Tapes for Education program, schools earn points for every receipt dollar, which can then be redeemed for free equipment and supplies including pens, pencils, computers, sports equipment, flat screen TVs, and more. Last year the PTO redeemed  receipts for a markerboard, simple machine kits, activity table and more. Receipts dated no earlier than September 1, 2013 can be dropped off at the Whistlestop Cafe, Something Special, the Smith School lobby or the Brooks School office, You need to do nothing with your receipts other than just drop them off. This program runs though the end of March.

Drumlin Farm’s Ms. G goes for statewide groundhog status

Ms. G

Ms. G

By Alice Waugh

Ms. G, Drumlin Farm’s resident groundhog, will soon be called on to predict the weather for the rest of the winter—something she hopes to do in future years as the official state groundhog.

Ms. G will make her prognostication on Groundhog Day at Drumlin Farm on Sunday, Feb. 2, when local meteorologists from WBZ-TV, NECN, and the Blue Hill Observatory will be on hand from 10 a.m. to noon to talk with families about the weather wonders of the seasons as part of Drumlin’s weather science fair.

At last year’s event, just days before the Blizzard of ’13, Ms. G saw her shadow, indicating six more weeks of winter.

Sometime this spring, the state House and Senate should vote on House Bill H2864, a measure proposed by Rep. Alice Peisch that would designate Ms. G as the official state groundhog to encourage students to study weather. The move should also put Lincoln on the map as the go-to Groundhog Day site for predicting the course of the remaining winter season. Also, Ms. G is easier to spell than “Punxsutawny Phil.”

Legislators got an in-person pitch from lobbyists (most of whom were not of legal voting age) during a public hearing on January 8 in Wellesley, where students from the Hunnewell School and staff from Mass Audubon, which oversees Drumlin Farm, testified in support of the bill. They’ve had help over the past year or two from Wellesley resident Mish Michaels, a former TV meteorologist. State residents of all ages can express their support online at MAStateGroundhog.com/vote.

On Groundhog Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ms. G spectators can also visit with other resident wildlife and farm animals, explore the trails, attend special nature and farm programs, warm up by the fire with a story and cocoa, and make some winter crafts to take home. The Drumlin Farm event is free with paid admission of $8 for adults and teens or $6 for children 2-12 (free for seniors and Mass Audubon members).

Conservation group announces events

Here are films and other events sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust in the coming weeks.

Wednesday, January 15

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will  show The Legend of Pale Male as a part of its winter environmental film series at 7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust Office (above the post office at the mall). The Legend of Pale Male is the story of a red- tailed hawk that lived overlooking Central Park in New York City and became a celebrity. This heartwarming tale chronicles how this wild creature captured the curiosity of thousands. Come find out if that can save him from harmful intent of others.

Sunday, January 26

Joan Walsh from Mass Audubon will give an illustrated talk about the recently released “State of the Birds 2013” and the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas II. Come learn about which of our bird species are thriving, which are not, and what we can do about it.

Thursday, February 27

Lincoln resident Julie Dobrow and students from her 2013 Tufts University course “Producing Films for Social Change.” will discuss two of their films, Turning the Tide and USDA Incorporated, as part of the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust’s winter environmental film series.

Turning the Tide looks at how climate change threatens East Boston with the risk of severe flooding. This imminent crisis is overlooked due to apathetic and otherwise preoccupied residents. Chris Marchi is an East Boston resident who aims to raise awareness of this issue. Through his own dedication and the help of local volunteers, Chris develops a project that he hopes will spark discussion in the fight against climate change.

USDA Incorporated shows how the miraculous possibilities of genetic engineering are being methodically ignored, as the argument spurred by the organic food movement, under the banner of health concerns, seeks to undermine some of the world’s largest corporations. The corporations remain unperturbed as they continue their greedy practices. The small farmer, who tries to maintain sustainable practices amidst these conflicting opinions, has to keep one foot in each world in order to survive.

Sunday, March 2
Naturalist and author Mary Holland will give an illustrated program, “Naturally Curious,” taking viewers through the most memorable natural history events occurring in each month of the year. Her books will also be for sale and on display will be collected items from her forays into New England habitats such as skulls, scat, feathers, and antlers. Sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.

Correction on church events

correction-smIn a recent roundup of holiday religious events, the Lincoln Squirrel inexplicably forgot to include St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church.  The original post has been corrected to include this information. The Squirrel apologizes for the omission.

St.-Anne’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

Tuesday, December 24

  • Christmas pageant and family service — 3-4 p.m.
  • Holy Eucharist with choir and string quartet — 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Everyone is welcome.

Sustainability author Brayton Shanley at library

On December 18 at 7 p.m., Brayton Shanley will speak about his 25 years of living off the land, building a straw bale house and running a “grease” car all while working in the community to build a more peaceful and responsible world. Sustainability is a word held dear by Shanley. His new book, taken from his essays in Servant Song, is entitled The Many Sides of Peace: Christian Nonviolence, the Contemplative Life, and Sustainable Living.

Self-defense classes for women in December

The Lincoln Police will offer a three-session self-defense class for women on December 4, 11 and 18 from 7-9 p.m. The class is free and will take a total of six hours.

  • Session 1: Getting to know you; Introduction to basics of defense in everyday life
  • Session 2: Learning and practicing hands-on tactics of defense
  • Session 3: Practicing and full defense against a “red man” (an officer in large attacker padding)

To sign up, please email jenasalon@gmail.com.

“Gobble Wobble” on Thanksgiving morning

gobbleCome join your friends and neighbors on Thanksgiving morning for the fourth annual Gobble Wobble—an event for all ages and abilities where you can get a little exercise before the big feast and make a big difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

The entry fee—one bag of nonperishable groceries per runner—will be donated to Open Table in Concord and Maynard. They have come to count on Lincoln’s wonderful generosity from this event. Check out the Open Table website for items they  need the most.

On Thanksgiving morning, please arrive at Lincoln Mall with your bag of groceries between 7:30 and 8:15 a.m. for an 8:30 start. There will be two routes going along Lincoln sidewalks, crosswalks and back streets. One will be about 2.5 miles and the other will be about 3.5 miles. This is a fun run, not a race, so there will be no bibs, no times, and no first place (or last place!). It’s just an opportunity to get out and join your neighbors for some exercise and goodwill.

Note that roads will not be closed, so don’t leave young children to run or walk on their own. This is not a town-sponsored event, so you will be asked to sign a simple waiver to protect those who are organizing it. Your safety is your personal responsibility. Please walk, run or wobble safely!

We’ll provide  coffee, hot chocolate and munchkins, so an approximate head count would be helpful. If you know you’ll be participating, please email jen@flanagans.us. Also feel free to email with any questions. Spread the word—the more wobblers, the more people we can help!

Coming up in Lincoln

“Taking on Invasives: Invasive Forest Beetles” — October 17

Join Jennifer Forman-Orth, Ph.D., state plant pest survey coordinator, on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Thoreau Institute (44 Baker Farm Rd., Lincoln) for a discussion on the Asian longhorned beetle and the emerald ash borer. Wine and cheese reception supported by The Cheese Shop in Concord. Presented by the Walden Woods Project and the Sudbury-Concord-Assabet River Watershed Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area with support from a SuAsCo Wild and Scenic River Stewardship Council grant. Seating is limited, so please call 781-259-4707 to reserve your seat.

Lincoln Girl Scouts sell pumpkins — October 19

Don’t buy your pumpkins yet—support the Lincoln Girl Scouts and buy your pumpkins at its second annual pumpkin sale on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 2-5 p.m. at Codman Community Farms. The fund-raising event will also include baked goods for sale and face painting.

“Scarecrow Classic” 5K — October 20

The first annual “Scarecrow Classic” 5K road and trail race (run and walk) to benefit the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will start at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20 at Lincoln Station. For more information, see www.ScarecrowClassic5k.com.

Lincoln Fire and Police Ball — November 8

The Lincoln Fire and Police Ball will take place Friday, Nov. 8 at the Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord. This annual event, which has grown in popularity over the past few years, has an important role in supporting the Lincoln Fire Association and the Lincoln Police Benevolent Association. Both organizations use funds from this event to support local scholarships and community organizations, including the Lincoln Family Association, the Lincoln PTO, the Lincoln Council on Aging and others.

Tickets may be purchased for $60 by mailing a check payable to Lincoln Fire and Police Ball to Lincoln Fire and Police Department, P.O. Box 342, Lincoln MA 01773.

Order pies and help L-S teachers

The Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (FELS) announces the 2013 annual thanksgiving pie sale. Orders for apple, pumpkin, pecan and chocolate pies for $15 each are being accepted through November 15. Order online or print a form from the website or pick up a paper copy at the main office at L-S.

Fire Department open house to teach fire prevention

fire engineThe Lincoln Fire Department welcomes families to a free open house on Saturday, October 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. that aims to teaching families fire safety and prevention practices.

The open house, which is sponsored by Papa Gino’s, commemorates National Fire Safety Month in October. Participants will learn about safety tips such as “stop, drop and roll”  and how to plan escape routes, as well as extinguishing simple kitchen fires and other fire-related demonstrations. In addition, Dedham-based Papa Gino’s will provide free pizza and fire safety coloring sheets and certificates for kids.

“This event allows us to reach out to the community and arm local families with fire safety tips and procedures,” said Lincoln Fire Chief Steve Carter. “Our open house allows families to get together and better prepares them to react if a fire does start.”

For the past 19 years, Papa Gino’s has sponsored open houses throughout New England, helping to educate more and 1 million people about fire prevention and safety. Fire department open houses are being hosted throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island in October.

For more information about the open house, call Lincoln Fire Department Lt. Ben Juhola at 781-259-2675.