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health and science

Council on Aging activities in July

Coping with change: a new group
July 6 at 1 p.m.
As we age, we confront change in many forms. It may be dealing with physical or cognitive changes in loved ones, friends or in ourselves. It may be moving to a different living situation or a joyful reveling in the freedom and time to pursue new skills and interests. Claire Gerstein, LICSW, a social worker with many years of experience helping people navigate the changes of later life, will be facilitating a group which will give people the opportunity to talk about these issues in a supportive environment. The three-week group will run on Thursday afternoons at 1 p.m. on July 6, 13, and 20 at Bemis Hall. If there is interest the COA will schedule three additional sessions in August. No need to sign up.

Tai chi in the park
July 11 at 9:30 a.m.
You may sign up now for tai chi in the park, which will begin on July 11 and continue each Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. (Tai Chi I) and 10:30 a.m. (Tai Chi II) until August 8 at a cost of $5 per day. The class will meet at Pierce Park. Bring a water bottle, lawn chair and a hat! In inclement weather, the class will meet under the tent. Participants may use the Pierce House restroom. The class is for continuing students only. Sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Outdoor drawing with Bernadette Quirk at Lincoln Tree Tour sites
July 12 at 9 a.m.
Enjoy the outdoors while learning to draw nature’s glory outside with the COA’s new class, “En Plein Air Drawing” with Bernadette Quirk. The class will take place on six Wednesdays at 9 a.m. beginning on July 12. Meet at Bemis Hall the first week. Then each class will take place at each of the five Garden Club Lincoln Tree Tour locations. Bernadette will e-mail you the list of materials needed for this class. No previous experience necessary, beginners encouraged! The cost is $20 per session. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 and leaving your contact information.

Paint a colorful flower pot to take home
July 12 at 10 a.m.
A painted flower pot is a colorful, cheerful way to express your love of both art and nature. All are invited to join Karen Halloran, Community Liaison of CareOne at Concord, in a fun, free workshop to paint a lovely flower pot for you to take home on Wednesday, July 12 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. No painting experience necessary and all materials are provided. All you need to bring is yourself and your imagination! Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Sizzle your summer style with an accessory swap
July 19 at 10 a.m.
Go through your accessories—clean out any jewelry, handbags, hats, scarves, etc that you just don’t use anymore. Then come on down to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, July 19 at 10:00 a.m. for an accessory swap! Bring one or more pieces (not more than five)—scarves, jewelry, etc.—put them on a table, and then pick out some to take home! It’s fun and it’s a great way to swap out what’s OLD to you and breathe some new life, color and style into your wardrobe!

Canal and mill tour: Lowell National Historic Park
July 25
Join the COA on Tuesday, July 25 for a fascinating day at the Lowell National Historic Park. Find out about the famous Mill Girls, the technology that powered the mills, and how immigrants have contributed to the industrial city. First, you’ll hop a trolley to the Swamp Locks. There you’ll board a canal boat and cruise the Pawtucket Canal, maybe even all the way to the Pawtucket Falls. Then, you’ll have lunch at one of the many ethnic restaurants in the area. Finally, you’ll visit the Boott Cotton Mill Museum and Mill Girls and Immigrants Exhibit. The air-conditioned air-ride bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 9:15 a.m., returning at approximately 4 p.m. This trip is rated moderate for physical ability, as there will be some walking and entering/exiting the canal boat entails steep steps. Non-refundable cost, including lunch is $32, and drinks are on your own. This trip is funded by the Hurff Fund, and is therefore open to Lincoln seniors only. To reserve a space, send a check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Road, Lincoln MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. Your reservation is complete when your check is received. Questions? Contact Donna at 781-257-5050 or donna@ecacbed.com.

Savor summer and be healthier with delicious, nutritious summer salads
July 26 at 10 a.m.
Salads can be exciting and scrumptious while giving your body the nutrients you need. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy crisp, tasty ingredients from your own garden or a local market. Get a fresh take on salads and how to make them when Jamie Parsons, the chef at Lincoln Kitchen/Trail’s End Cafe, comes to Bemis Hall on July 26 at 10 a.m. Chef Parsons will tell you how to get the best vegetables and fruits from local farms and then walk you through creating the most delicious salad you’ve ever made! Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up as space is limited to 15.

What programs would you like the COA to offer?
July 27 at 10 a.m.
The COA would like to know what you would like them to offer as new programs and services or what you would like more of that they already provide. They would love suggestions for one-time presentations, ongoing classes and workshops, one-to-one services, and more. Come have coffee with COA Director Carolyn Bottum at Bemis Hall on Thursday, July 27 at 10 a.m., call her at 781- 259-8811 or email her at bottumc@lincolntown.org.

Coffee with Lincoln’s town administrator
July 31 at 1 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, July 31 at 1 p.m. for Coffee with Town Administrator Tim Higgins. Tim will update you on some of the projects going on around town and news—including the results of Town Meeting, the state of town finances, the Wang property, the Community Center Planning and Preliminary Design Committee, and more, and answer your questions. He would also like to know your ideas and suggestions. Get to know Tim in an informal setting and chat about those aspects of the town that are most important to you.

Two projects under way at Hanscom

Starting in August, residents who live near Hanscom Field may notice more noise than usual as air traffic is temporarily rerouted during two separate runway reconstruction projects. However, another unrelated project—construction of a new hangar for Boston MedFlight—will not result in any increase in noise or air traffic in the area

Logan Airport is now resurfacing its most heavily used runway, meaning it will be closed entirely until late June and open for arrivals only until about November 1. What this means for the Lincoln/Bedford area is that some smaller business-type flights will use Hanscom instead of Logan, according to Amber Goodspeed, MassPort’s manager for airport administration at Hanscom Field.

Beginning in August, one of Hanscom’s runways will also be resurfaced, Goodspeed added. As a result, some of Hanscom’s traffic will be rerouted so their flight paths go more over Bedford and Lincoln rather than Concord and Lexington, Goodspeed said.

Boston MedFlight project

Boston MedFlight is also moving its local base from Hanscom Air Force Base to Hanscom Field. The company is building a new hangar on the site of an older one that’s been demolished. This new facility will allow easier access for training, education, community outreach as well as helicopter maintenance, since visitors will no longer need to go through Air Force base security.

“Nothing is going to change as far as our operations go” in terms of the number of aircraft or staff on site, said Boston MedFlight General Manager of Aviation Rick Kenin.

Boston MedFlight’s fleet (click to enlarge).

Among those who will benefit from the easier access are Lincoln Fire Department paramedics, who get their first-responder training from Boston MedFlight. The company already hosts some visits from community members and groups such as Boy Scouts, “but we plan to greatly expand that once we’re on the civilian side” of the air field, Kenin said. “This will work out much better as far as community activity and outreach.”

The $17 million project is expected to be complete in about a year.

Boston MedFlight currently has two local offices, one on Hanscom Air Force Base and another in the nearby Lincoln North office building, as well as facilities in Plymouth and Lawrence. The nonprofit firm transports about 4,000 patients per year, about half of them via ground transportation and the rest by helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, Kenin said. Most of the flights take critically ill or injured patients from community hospitals (including Emerson Hospital in Concord) to Massachusetts General Hospital and other advanced-care Boston hospitals, but the company also picks up some patients directly from accident scenes.

Boston MedFlight is not taxpayer-funded, relying instead on donations and insurance reimbursements, Kenin noted.

Council on Aging activities in June

Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band
June 2 at 12:30 p.m.
On Friday, June 2, the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band will be in the house once again from 12:30–1:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Once again they will lift your spirits with upbeat favorite tunes for you to tap your toes to or sing along with. What? You’ve never been to even one of the past 38 concerts? Come find out what the regulars are enjoying while you’ve been sitting at home.

Lincoln Academy with Ben Horne—”The Essence of Bhutan”
June 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Ben will discuss, with pictures, a trip he and Jean took last October to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, known for its peace, happiness, and dramatic beauty. While many trips to the Himalayas can be classified as “treks”, this trip was more a brief immersion in the kingdom’s magical, mystical culture and history. 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. All ages welcome.

Tour the New Hanscom Middle School
June 8 at 10 a.m.
The Lincoln Public Schools and the Council on Aging invite you to tour the new Hanscom Middle School. A bus will leave the Donelan’s parking lot at 10 a.m. on June 8 and return about 1 p.m. You must call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up by noon on June 2, giving your full legal name and date of birth in order to be granted access to Hanscom Air Force Base. The new Hanscom Middle School is an 85,000-square-foot serving 300 students in grades 4-8. The $34 million construction cost was funded entirely by the Department of Defense Education ActivityThe firm of Ewing Cole designed the school building to support 21st-century education with grade-level “neighborhoods” where individual classrooms are clustered around common areas and small break-out spaces. This creates a flexible environment that fosters collaboration, accommodates project work, and provides opportunities for small, class-sized, or grade-level groups. The music room, art room, library, full kitchen, and gymnasium all have direct access to a central commons that features a stage and serves multiple functions: cafeteria space during lunch, performance center for music and drama, and a place to practice presentation skills for individuals and groups of students.  The building includes many energy-efficient features. The tour will be led by Superintendent Becky McFall.

Public Safety cookout
June 9 at 11 a.m.
Join Public Safety on Friday, June 9 at 11 a.m. for a cookout at the Pierce House. You’ll start off by finding out more about current trends in frauds and scams and how to avoid being a victim; home safety from both police and fire perspectives; and services offered by Public Safety. At noon, Public Safety will be cooking up hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers with all the fixin’s. Because the event will be under the tent, the cookout will go on rain or shine. Please sign up by June 2 by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Lincoln Academy with James Harrison—”The Food Project and food justice in Massachusetts”
June 12 at 12:30 p.m.
James Harrison, executive director of The Food Project, will provide an update on the organization as well as the current state of food justice in Massachusetts and the role of The Food Project in creating multi-generational communities that work together to build sustainable and equitable food systems. 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. All ages welcome.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
June 13 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Medicare 101: What to know, how to choose
June 13 at 7 p.m.
Come find out the basics of Medicare on Tuesday, June 13 at 7 p.m. at Bemis Hall with Minuteman Senior Services SHINE counselors Don Milan and Anne Meade. This introduction to Medicare is especially for those who will be signing up soon, but is also for those who just wish to learn more and understand their benefits better. Don and Anne will discuss traditional Medicare, Medigap plans, Advantage plans, and medication drug coverage (Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D), how to go about choosing the plan or plans that are best for you, avoiding penalties when you sign up late, and more. Bring your questions and concerns.

Gloucester and the Cape Ann Museum
June 14 at 9:30 a.m.
On Wednesday, June 14, the COA will head to the Cape Ann Art Museum in downtown Gloucester. There the group will have a docent-led tour of the collection of Fitz Henry Lane paintings, the luminist, marine painter (1804-1865) of this historic seaport, the museum’s collection of 18th-century portraits and contemporary art, and the fisheries, maritime and granite galleries. Lunch will be together at your own cost at a nearby restaurant. If the weather is good you will have time to wander Main Street filled with galleries, a wonderful artists’ cooperative, restaurants and shops. The bus will leave the Lincoln Mall at 9:30 a.m. sharp, returning to Lincoln around 4 p.m. The non-refundable cost of the trip is $22. This trip, supported by the Hurff Fund, is open to Lincoln residents 60+. Reservations must be made by June 8. Send checks payable to FLCOA/Trips to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. Please call Donna at 781-257-5050 with questions.

Next steps for affordable accessory apartments
June 14 at 10 a.m.
Come find out more about the Town’s new Affordable Accessory Apartments Program in a forum especially for homeowners and tenants. On Wednesday, June 14 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall, members of the Housing Commission will be here to give information and answer questions. What are the benefits for homeowners and tenants? How does the Housing Commission match up tenants with homeowners? What is the lottery? Why do I have to choose a tenant from your list? How long will I wait for an affordable apartment. Come join the Housing Commission and get answers.

Strawberry ice cream social
June 15 at noon
Celebrate this special time of year at the annual strawberry ice cream social at Bemis Hall on Thursday, June 15 at noon. The event is sponsored by the COA and the Friends of the COA. Bring a bag lunch at noon or just come for dessert. Make your own ice cream sundae with luscious ice cream topped with strawberries, chocolate, and more, then share conversation with friends old and new. Please RSVP to the COA by calling 781-259-8811 and tell them if you will need a ride.

Ethics and climate change
June 16 at 9:30 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. Come hear a presentation and discussion led by John Terrell, Ph.D., on Friday, June 16 at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall on the many facets of ethics and climate change. 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.

Facing our futures with hope and love
June 16 at 12:30 p.m.
Join Rev. Lilian Warner, spiritual director/chaplain of Newbury Court, on Friday, June 16 at 12:30 for informal coffee, pastries, and conversation while she shows a video and shares her thoughts on how we can be molded and mended into new beings—different from who we were and still valuable—and create a better future for ourselves and others with the “Triple L, Double C of Living,” or how we must “Listen, Learn, Love, Care and Connect.” Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Lincoln Academy with Tom Gumbart—backyard butterflies, dragonflies and more
June 19 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, June 19 at 12:30 to hear Tom Gumbart, Lincoln’s conservation director, discuss “Backyard Butterflies, Dragonflies, and More.” Tom will give a photo show and talk on insects and other small critters found locally. Featured photos will be close-up images, especially of pollinator species on flowers. 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 Lincoln artist Loretta Arthur
June 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Loretta Arthur for a reception celebrating her art exhibit that will be in the Bemis Artists Gallery through June on Tuesday, June 20 at 2:30 p.m. A Lincoln resident since 1994, Loretta has recently begun painting again after a 25-year hiatus while she raised three children and practiced with her husband in the firm D.W. Arthur Associates Architecture. She was a studio art major at Brandeis with a concentration in sculpture, and received a master’s in architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design. The paintings for this exhibit include still life and landscapes.

The COA Science and Technology Club—technical challenges of making measurements on human beings
June 22 at 10 a.m.
Both human beings and instrumentation can often be very fragile, especially in medical, transport, and hospital environments. Paul Svetz will lead a discussion on Thursday, June 22 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall on some of the interesting and unusual technical challenges of designing and building devices for making measurements of physiological functions. Everyday contact with physical, electrical, and chemical items that offer little risk in daily life can be quite hazardous in the medical area.

Managing arthritis with exercise
June 23 at 12:30 p.m.
Please join Ryan Stoddard, orthopedic clinical specialist of Emerson Hospital’s Center for Rehabilitative and Sports Therapies, on Friday, June 23 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. The notion of living a long healthy life appeals to all of us. The Center for Rehabilitation and Sports Therapies advocates for a life to be active and engaging. Exercise and activity promote a healthy life. Active longevity is about staying active and engaged as long as possible and improving your quality of life. You will learn some tips on how to manage osteoarthritis as well as some safe exercises to promote joint health and keep you staying active longer.

Fireside chat: the U.S. Constitution
June 28 at 10 a.m.
Do you have a favorite line from the Constitution? A favorite amendment? Something that confuses you or excites you? Have you ever read it? Come to Bemis Hall for a discussion of the U.S. Constitution. Join others in a lively but respectful discussion facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The purpose is not to convince others of your opinion, but to share ideas so as to create dialogue and understanding.

Save the date:

Canal & Mill Tour – Lowell National Historic Park

Save Tuesday, July 25 for a fascinating day at the Lowell National Historic Park. Find out about the famous “mill girls,” the technology that powered the mills, and how immigrants have contributed to the industrial city. First, the group will hop a trolley to the Swamp Locks. There you will board a canal boat and cruise the Pawtucket Canal, maybe even all the way to the Pawtucket Falls. Then you’ll have lunch at one of the many ethnic restaurants in the area. Finally you’ll visit the Boott Cotton Mill Museum and Mill Girls and Immigrants Exhibit. The air-conditioned bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 9:15 a.m., returning at approximately 4 p.m. This trip is rated moderate for physical ability, as there will be some walking and entering/ exiting the canal boat entails steep steps. Non-refundable cost including lunch is $32, and drinks are on your own. This trip is funded by the Hurff Fund and is therefore open to Lincoln seniors only. To reserve a space, send a check made out to FLOCA/Trips to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. Your reservation is complete when your check is received. Questions? Contact Donna at 781-257-5050 or donna@ecacbed.com.

En plein air drawing with Bernadette Quirk at Lincoln Tree Tour sites

Enjoy the outdoors while learning to draw nature’s glory outside with the Council on Aging’s new class, En Plein Air Drawing with Bermadette Quirk. The class will take place on six Wednesdays at 9 a.m. beginning on July 12. Meet at Bemis Hall the first week. Then each class will take place at each of the five Lincoln Tree Tour locations. Bernadette will e-mail you the list of materials needed for this class. No previous experience necessary; beginners encouraged. The cost is $20 per session. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 and leaving your contact information.

 

Council on Aging activities in May

Watercolors with Jane Cooper
May 1 at 9 a.m.
Jane Cooper will offer fun dabbling in watercolor painting of scenes of nature, landscapes or some favorite sky. Two sessions of four classes will be offered Fridays and Mondays in May from 9–11 a.m. beginning May 1 and 15 at Bemis Hall. Cost is $30/session. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up. All materials are included in the fee. No prior experience necessary.

Lincoln Academy with Bijoy Misra: mantra—a chant or a therapy?
May 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, May 1 at 12:30 at Bemis Hall to hear Bijoy Misra discuss “Mantra—A Chant or a Therapy?” A mantra is a repetitious chant that we are supposed to keep in in our memory. It is lately taught as an aid in meditation. In its original form in India, it was supposed to be a therapy that could heal. The healing is caused by the orchestral composition of syllables that are required to be uttered with proper breathing. We will explore examples of composition in Sanskrit and examine the breathing through proper articulation. Lincoln resident Bijoy Misra is a physicist and Sanskrit scholar. 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. All ages welcome.

Coffee with Sarah Chester
May 2 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Lincoln artist Sarah Chester at a reception for her show at the Bemis Artists Gallery on Tuesday, May 2 at 2:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Her work will be exhibited through May. “I paint what strikes my eye and heart: the lights and colors of land and seascapes, the stories that old structures tell, relationships between and among generations, the relationships between generations and the land,” Chester says. “My paintings have been selected by multiple juried shows and are in private collections throughout the Northeast.”

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
May 3 at 10 a.m.
No matter what your age, if you are experiencing violence or abuse by a family member, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, or you are concerned about someone else, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to noon to have a confidential discussion with someone from the Domestic Violence Services Network. Come find out more about domestic violence and how to cope as well as available resources in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. No need to stop at the front desk; just take the elevator to the basement and follow the signs.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
May 3 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold office hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, May 3 from 1–2 p.m. on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up.

Boston Symphony Orchestra matinee
May 5 at 10:45 a.m.
Andris Nelsons will conduct works by Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and Mahler featuring pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and soprano Kristine Opolais. The program includes Shostakovich’s Suite from the incidental music to King Lear, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. (Symphony Hall is handicapped accessible.) If you aren’t signed up but would like to go, you may contact Marilyn Buckler at 781-259-8886 or mbuckler1@comcast.net to see if any spaces are still available. The cost of the trip is $45.50 with lunch on your own, or $75 with a sumptuous lunch buffet at Symphony Hall. This trip is funded by the Hurff Fund and is therefore open to Lincoln seniors only.

Lincoln Trad Jazz Band
May 5 at 12:30 p.m.
A catchy melody you can sing along with? Tap your toes to tunes you know and love when the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band comes to Bemis Hall on May 5 at 12:30. Join the COA’s swingin’ seniors and sing along with the regulars to such good old favorites as When You’re Smilin’, or Ain’t She Sweet. Put a smile on your face with Ain’t Misbehavin’. Do the Charleston or the Lindy Hop if you’re up for it. Or just put your feet up, relax, and enjoy the band.

Lincoln Academy with Akuot Leek: South Sudanese Enrichment for Families update
May 8 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, May 8 at 12:30 to hear Akuot Leek discuss “South Sudanese Enrichment for Families Update.” The South Sudanese Enrichment for Families began in the 1990s as the Sudanese Education Fund with tremendous support from the Lincoln community. Today its wide-ranging initiatives enrich and inspire adults and children alike, giving them the confidence and resources to create thriving futures for themselves. For example, every year they send kids age 8-15 to a sleepaway summer camp. Come find out how the organization has grown, what new programs and services it offers, who they serve and what some of their life stories are, and where the South Sudanese community and the organization are going from here. 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. All ages welcome!

Free elder law clinic
May 8 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship or probate? The COA monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden is on Monday, May 8 from 3-4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
May 9 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Positive Psychology practices class
May 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of strengths and “what is working” to create transformative change, build increased happiness, and lead a more meaningful life. The Ogden Codman Trust is generously supporting a free course Wednesdays at 9:30 at Bemis Hall on proven tactics to try in your daily life. Classes in May will be held on May 10, 17, and 24. No need to have attended previous classes. Instructor: Alyson Lee, co-active life coach, social worker and certified Positive Psychology instructor.

Improve your balance and know what to do if you fall
May 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Losing your balance and falling is one of leading causes of loss of independence among older people. Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. when Steve Menichetti, RN, BSN, discusses causes of falling, how you can reduce your risk through physical and occupational therapy, preventing falls through medication management, and what to do if you do fall. He will provide practical information that you can start to use today. Menichetti is director of care management for Deaconess Abundant Life Services. A light breakfast will be served. Please call the COA to sign up.

In-home senior services: what’s available, how to choose, what does it cost?
May 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Almost everyone wants to stay in their home for as long as possible, and the vast array of senior services now available from various agencies and organizations can help you do that. However, how do you know what’s out there? How do you choose which services you need? How can you decide which provider to use? How much does it cost? Find out the answers to these and other questions on Friday, May 12 at 12:30 at Bemis Hall when Leslie May-Chibani, assistant director at Minuteman Senior Services, and Carolyn Bottum, director of the Lincoln Council on Aging, give information and answer your questions. All ages are welcome. Co-sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging and Minuteman Senior Services.

Lincoln Academy with Karen Keane: What’s hot, what’s not—treasures from Lincoln
May 15 at 12:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered about the value of your antiques and collectibles? Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner, Inc. and an expert in Americana and folk art, will discuss trends in the antique and auction marketplace. In this lecture, Karen will use examples of local treasures found in and around Lincoln. 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.

Be a smarter driver
May 16 at 10 a.m.
The COA is pleased to offer the AARP Smart Driving program on Tuesday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Find out about the new technologies in cars, get a refresher on the rules of the road, and learn to compensate for health-related changes and how to handle road rage. The class involves no tests or driving, and you will receive a certificate upon completion that may qualify you for reduced insurance rates. Bring a lunch. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Senior dining
May 16 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, May 16 at St. Anne’s Church. 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.

The science club: realities of alternative energy
May 18 at 10:15 a.m.
Join Lincoln resident and physicist Stanley Solomon on Thursday, May 18 at 10:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall for a presentation on “The Realities of Alternative Energy.” Solomon will discuss The Department of Energy’s Boulder facility history, the rate at which new technologies can be implemented, and some available and potentially available alternate energy resources. Bring your questions and ideas

Coffee with a cop
May 18 from 1–3 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, May 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. to meet privately with a police officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member, or neighbor? An idea for the Police to try? Would you like guidance about a situation? Come on down—no need to make an appointment. An officer will be at Bemis each third Thursday of the month.

Adapting your home so you can live independently
May 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Even if you’re finding it hard to navigate stairs, the bathroom, or other aspects of your home, you may still be able to stay in your house by making adaptations. Find out more at a special program on Friday, May 19 at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. First, Stuart Parsons, a licensed architect specializing in home renovations to help people age in place, will discuss what kinds of adaptations are possible, both minor and major, and what they may cost. Then Dan Walsh, Lincoln’s building inspector, will discuss how to select and pre-screen a home improvement contractor. Find out how to choose a contractor, get good estimates, determine credentials and insurance, legal requirements for contracts and permits, and what to do if you have a problem.

Lincoln Academy with Rebecca Curtin: pioneer woman lawyer Leila Robinson Sawtelle
May 22 at 12:30 p.m.
Suffolk University School of Law professor Rebecca Curtin will relay the fascinating story of Leila Robinson Sawtelle, the first woman graduate of the Boston University Law School. When Leila was denied admission to the Massachusetts bar, she successfully fought to change the law, eventually being admitted to practice before the Supreme Court and authoring two books about the law. 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. All ages welcome.

Fireside chat: how do you cope with change?
May 24 at 10 a.m.
Change is inevitable in all aspects of our lives. Some people welcome and embrace change while others generally fear and avoid it. Each response can be appropriate at different times. What have been some of the most significant changes in your life? What strategies for coping with or embracing change have you found to be the most successful? Join others in a lively but respectful discussion facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, May 24 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The purpose is not to convince others of your opinion, but to share ideas so as to create dialogue and understanding.

Elders Ensemble dancers
May 25 at 2:30 p.m.
All are invited to experience the wisdom and joy of the Elders Ensemble of Prometheus Dance at a free performance of dance and theater on Thursday, May 25 at 2:30 at Bemis Hall. The Elders Ensemble are eight post-professional dancers, aged 60-94, who create and perform pieces telling the bittersweet stories of their lives as dancers, daughters, mothers, and friends. Following each Elders Ensemble performance there is a post-performance discussion with the aim of reflecting on the work and gaining insight through audience perspective. Many of the dancers studied with the greats of modern dance in the 1930s to 1950s. They perform at community venues, celebrations and arts centers. All ages are welcome.

Veterans Memorial Day BBQ
May 26 at 11:30 a.m.
Veterans and their spouses are invited to a special barbecue on Friday, May 26 at 11:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall featuring a delicious lunch of barbecued pork or chicken or beef brisket. The COA is hoping to create a dynamic veterans community here in Lincoln and would love to see you and your spouse at the barbecue. You must sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 by May 24 so that they will have enough meals. Unfortunately, they will not be able to accommodate those who do not sign up. A $5 donation is requested.

Techno teach-in with teens
May 31 at 10 a.m.
The L-S Senior Class is having a Give Back to the Community Service Day, and they invite you to join them at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Whether you want some tips on texting to keep up with grandchildren, or need help learning to store and play your favorite music and films on your computer, or anything else tech-related, call for an appointment today.

Trip to Gloucester and the Cape Ann Museum

On Wednesday, June 14, the COA will head to the Cape Ann Art Museum in downtown Gloucester. There those on the trip will have a docent-led tour of the collection of Fitz Henry Lane paintings, the luminist, marine painter (1804-1865) of this historic seaport, the museum’s collection of 18th-century portraits and contemporary art, and the Fisheries, Maritime and Granite Galleries. This is a delightful, recently renovated museum in historic Gloucester. Lunch will be together at your own cost at a nearby restaurant, and if the weather is good you will have time to wander Main Street filled with galleries, a wonderful artists’ cooperative, restaurants and shops. The bus will leave the Lincoln Mall at 9:30 a.m. sharp, returning to Lincoln around 4 p.m. The non-refundable cost of the trip is $22. This trip, supported by the Hurff Fund, is open to Lincoln residents 60+. Reservations must be made by June 8. Send checks payable to FLCOA/Trips to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. Please contact Donna with any questions at 781-257-5050.

News acorns

Climate justice series continues with ‘A Plastic Ocean’

St. Anne’s Episcopal Church will screen the feature-length documentary A Plastic Ocean on Tuesday, April 25 as part of the church’s ongoing series of films on climate justice. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a light vegetarian supper and the film will start at 7 p.m.

A Plastic Ocean brings to light the consequences of our global disposable lifestyle. An international team of adventurers, researchers, and ocean ambassadors go on a mission around the globe to uncover the shocking truth about what is truly lurking beneath the surface of our seemingly pristine ocean. The film captures never-before-seen images of marine life, plastic pollution, and its ultimate consequences for human health. The movie was filmed over four years in 20 locations around the world to document the global effects of plastic pollution, and to introduce workable technology and policy solutions that can, if implemented in time, change things for the better. Click here to see the trailer.

Discussion will follow the screening as time allows. The film series is free and open to the public, but donations are accepted to defray the cost of screening rights. St. Anne’s climate justice ministry is working to raise up the issues of climate change and environmental justice and to build a community of concerned persons who can make a difference for future generations.

Lincoln Internet guru to give Bemis Lecture

Andy Ory

“The Next Big Thing: More, Faster… but Better?” is the title of the next Bemis lecture to be given by Lincoln resident Andy Ory on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Ory was named as one of the Boston Tech 30 by Boston Magazine “the most influential movers, shaker, thinkers and connectors on the technology scene right now.” Ory was owner of Acme Packet (acquired by Oracle) and co-owner of the new startup 128 Technology, which aims to rethink Internet routing. After his talk, Ory will lead a conversation of the opportunities, threats and challenges in the fields of technology and entrepreneurship in the 21st century, and the impact on our everyday lives. The Bemis Lecture Series  is free and open to all.

Free 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 at clinics funded by the Ogden Codman Trust  and the Pierce House. There will be clinics at Bemis Hall on Tuesday, April 18 and Tuesday, May 16 from 9 to 11 a.m., and at Lincoln Woods from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 9. Services for all clinics are provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. For more information, please call the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811.

Food Project fundraiser on April 26

The Food Project will kick off its 26th growing season with the Big Shindig on Wednesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts (539 Tremont St.). The event raises over $250,000 each year to support The Food Project’s youth programming, sustainable agriculture on urban and suburban farms, system building to improve community economic strength, and distribution of fresh produce to fill gaps in food access. The Big Shindig will feature inspiring stories from youth speakers from The Food Project’s Dirt Crew and Root Crew, and a celebration of Leadership Award honoree Leah Penniman. Tickets are $175.

Since its founding, The Food Project has grown from a single two-acre farm in Lincoln to an organization that maintains 70 acres of urban and suburban farmland throughout greater Boston and the North Shore. Over 1,700 young people between the ages of 14 and 18 have served on The Food Project’s youth crews, and the organization has harvested almost 4.5 million pounds of sustainably grown produce.

News acorns

Volunteer at Minute Man National historic Park this Saturday

Volunteer at the Battle Road Demonstration at Parker’s Revenge at Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Lincoln and Lexington on Saturday, April 15. Learn about the opening events of the American Revolution and assist with event logistics during  the morning shift (9 a.m. to noon) or the afternoon shift (noon to 3 p.m.). Also learn about the recent archaeological discovery on the Parker’s Revenge battle site and the park’s plan to restore the battlefield landscape, and watch the Battle Road demonstration at 2 p.m. To volunteer, email margie_coffin_brown@nps.gov.

Dinner benefits women and children in South Asia

St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Church is holding its semi-annual Lincoln Child Haven Dinner on Saturday, April 22 at 6 p.m. to raise funds for Child Haven International, which supports, educates and employs formerly destitute women and children in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Tibet. The evening also features a silent auction and craft table with crafts from South Asia. Tickets are $35 per person and are available from Chris Damon (781-879-5870, christinehdamon@gmail.com) or pay via credit card on this Child Haven page.

Learn about raising healthy bees

Beekeepers can learn how to keep bees healthy and raise their own queens with Charlotte Trim at Lindentree Farm (10 Old Concord Rd.) on Saturday, April 22 from 2-4:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 20 from 3-5:30 p.m. There will be a hands-on demonstration in the field, weather permitting (bring your suits). Cost for both sessions is $120. Pre-registration for $30 is required. Email charlotte.trim44@gmail.com or lindentreecsa@gmail.com.

Portrait tour at Codman Estate

One of the portraits at the Codman Estate.

“Painters and Personalities: Portraits at the Codman Estate” will be held on Saturday, April 22 from 1-3 p.m. at the estate (34 Codman Rd.). From high-end works by John Singleton Copley and Gilbert Stuart to other pictures by the once-famous on down to humble family snapshots, the Codman portrait collection reveals over 200 years of changing styles. A specialty tour will take a fresh, focused look at this collection, including the rarely seen. Hear the real stories of the people behind these pictures, subjects and artists both. Space is limited and registration is required; tickets are $15 for Historic New England members and $20 for non-members. Call 617-994-6690 or buy online.

Donate bikes to Bikes Not Bombs

Do you have unused bicycles or biking accessories kicking around in your garage? Wondering what to do with them? Bring them to the Lincoln bike drive on Sunday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hartwell lot on Ballfield Road. The Lincoln Recycling Committee partners with Bikes Not Bombs (BNB), which ships about 4,800 donated bikes from Massachusetts to economic development projects (micro-enterprise bike businesses, sustainable technology projects, and youth training programs) in Ghana, Tanzania, Guatemala, and Nevis Island every year. The remaining collected bikes are used in the BNB’s Jamaica Plain location for the youth Earn-a-Bike programs, and others are repaired by teenage mechanics in vocational training programs. Please note that BNB requests a $10 donation per bike to defray storage, processing, and shipping costs. The organization can provide a signed, dated receipt for the cash donation and the value of each donated bicycle. For information, contact Laure Berland (lauraberland@comcast.net) or Bernadette Quirk (quirkx4@msn.com).

Job fair at Minuteman

Minuteman High School will host its annual Career and Job Fair on Wednesday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open to all students, alumni, employers, and the general public. For more information, contact Joseph Pitta, Minuteman’s Coordinator of Workforce and Economic Development, at 781-861- 6500, ext. 7361 or jpitta@minuteman.org. Employers wishing to set up a booth must register on the Career and Job Fair website. Students and employers can learn more by visiting the online Minuteman job board.

Talk on climate change impact

Ellen Mecray

What will be the impact of global warming on our regional environment? What can we do to delay the process of global warming? The Lincoln Public Library presents “Global Warming” with Ellen Mecray, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s regional climate services director for NOAA’s eastern region, on Thursday, April 27. Due to a scheduling issue, attendees are asked to arrive at 6:45 p.m. so the program can begin promptly at 7 p.m. Mecray helps bring NOAA’s climate information to other federal agencies as well as state and local entities. She has also been an oceanographer with the U.S. Geological Survey.

News acorns

 Park & Rec seeks new member

The Lincoln Parks & Recreation Committee has an open seat and is seeking a resident to fill it ASAP. The term of service would be through March 2019.  We are accepting applications through Friday, April 14. Anyone interested in serving on the committee should fill out the town volunteer form and return it to Peggy Elder in the Selectman’s Office by April 14.

Tick season is here

The Board of Health urges residents to take precautions against deer tick bites, which can cause Lyne disease and other ailments. Preventive measures and tick removal guidelines can be found here.

Volunteers, artists sought for Lincoln Arts Show

The second annual Lincoln Arts Show on Patriots Day Weekend at Bemis Hall is still seeking volunteers for setup, hosting during the show, reception, and take-down. Contact Sarah Chester at schester636@gmail.com. The show is also still accepting entries until Monday, April 10. Click here for entry forms. Come see paintings, photography, ceramics, hand crafts, etc., created by your Lincoln friends and neighbors. Free admission. The opening reception is Saturday, April 15 from 5–6:30 p.m. Show times are:

  • Saturday, April 15 from 12–5 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 16 from 1–5 p.m.
  • Monday, April 17 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Sponsored by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department and the Council on Aging.

Donate household items to Domestic Violence Roundtable

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable invites area residents to donate new household items to help families transitioning from a shelter to establish a new home. The Shower for Shelters runs from Monday, April 10 through Sunday, April 30. New unwrapped gifts may be dropped off at the Lincoln Public Library, the Goodnow Library in Sudbury or the Wayland Public Library. Items may also be dropped off at the group’s free wine-tasting event at Sudbury Wine and Spirits in the Rugged Bear Plaza (410 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury) on Friday, April 21 starting at 7 p.m.

Requested items include twin-size sheets, pillowcases, summer blankets and comforters as well as pillows, crib sheets, bath towels and face cloths, unscented cleaning products and laundry detergent, laundry baskets, kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes, drinking glasses and small kitchen appliances. Gift cards are also welcome. For a complete list of requested items, please visit the Roundtable website. All gifts collected are donated to clients of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, and Voices Against Violence.

Council on Aging activities for April

Lincoln Academy with members of the First Parish: Seeing the Arizona-Mexico borderlands for ourselves
April 3 at 12:30 p.m.

Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 3 at 12:30 to hear members of First Parish discuss “Seeing the Arizona-Mexico Borderlands for Ourselves.” Members of the First Parish group that traveled to “the wall” on the Arizona borderlands last November will present and then discuss Janet Boynton’s stunning 20-minute video showing photographs and interviews from the participants’ experiences with the complex issues of migration and border security. 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. All ages welcome.

Hand drumming for fun and wellness
April 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Come learn to do hand drumming from cultures around the world in a six-week course with acclaimed drummer Mike Connors from the Concord Conservatory of Music. The class will be held for six Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall beginning on April 4 at a cost of $60 for the course, payable to the Concord Conservatory of Music. Topics to be covered include technique for hand drumming, rhythms from Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe, developing a rhythmic vocabulary for improvisation and exercises to improve internal pulse. No need to bring a drum but bring one if you have one. Sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Positive Psychology practices class
April 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of strengths and “what is working” to create transformative change, build increased happiness, and lead a more meaningful life. The Ogden Codman Trust is generously supporting a free, eight-session course beginning Wednesday, April 5 at 9:30 at Bemis Hall on daily practices that build on concepts presented in the fall. No need to have attended the fall class. Learn proven tactics to try in your daily life. Instructor: Alyson Lee, co-active life coach, social worker and certified Positive Psychology instructor. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up!

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
April 5 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, April 5 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.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
April 5 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold Office Hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, April 5 from 1-2 p.m. on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up.

Coffee with photographer Ed Robson
April 6 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Lincoln photographer Ed Robson on Thursday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m. for a reception to celebrate his exhibit that will be in Bemis Hall through April. “I’m a hobbyist photographer who lives at Battle Road Farm in Lincoln,” says Ed. “I enjoy trying to capture and edit creatively what catches my eye, whether it’s people or animals, or scenes in the city or in nature.” The photos in the exhibit range from flowers and trees to a spider and pet pig to Walden Pond and the Boston Women’s March.

Pastels class
April 10 at 10 a.m.
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 April 10, 14, 21, 24, and 28 at Bemis Hall. No experience is necessary. All materials will be furnished. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. The fee is $40. Limit of six people.

Lincoln Academy with Josh Grindlay: Designing and building a Harvard-MIT student instrument to map an asteroid in 2019
April 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 10 at 12:30 to hear Josh Grindlay discuss “Designing and Building a Harvard-MIT Student Instrument to Map an Asteroid in 2019.” Over the past five years, students at Harvard and MIT designed and then built an X-ray imaging spectrometer that is one of five instruments on the OSIRIS REx mission launched in September 2016 to rendezvous with an asteroid in 2018. The REXIS instrument will make X-ray maps of the concentration regions of elements (iron, magnesium, etc.) on the asteroid surface in 2019 to help in choosing a location to gather a sample for return to Earth in 2022. Dr. Grindlay will describe how this project developed, from initial concept to the harrowing schedule to deliver the instrument to the spacecraft for final integration and launch, and the work now underway to prepare for the data. 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. All ages welcome.

Free elder law clinic
April 10 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship, or probate? The COA is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, April 10 from 3-4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Free wellness clinic for all ages                                     
April 11 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. 

Using iPhones, iPads, and social media
April 13 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
Andy Payne will be at Bemis Hall on Thursday, April 13 at 10 a.m. to give you information on the operation and features of iPhones and iPads and answer your questions. If you have tips for using your iPhone or iPad, bring those, too. At 11:30 a.m., Andy will also discuss how to use social media—Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Instagram and such—to get the word out about events and issues and stay in the know. All ages welcome to both classes.

Making ourselves anew in our later years
April 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Join the Reverend Lilian Warner, spiritual director/chaplain of Newbury Court, on Friday, April 14 at 9:30 when she leads a discussion of how, even in our elder years, our spiritual creator, however perceived, can help mold us into new beings, mending and using us in different ways to be of value. She will also touch on her “Triple L, Double C of Living,” or how we must “listen, learn, love, care and connect” with others. Continental breakfast will be served. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Senior dining
April 18 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, April 18 at St. Anne’s Church. 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.

The COA science group: how the Internet works
April 20 at 10 a.m.
How does a web page get from a web site to your browser? Come learn the workings of the Internet when Tom Aprille comes to Bemis Hall on Thursday, April 20 at 10 a.m. Don’t worry, it will be a high-level talk with occasional dips into medium-level explanations. Several applications will be discussed, including World Wide Web page capture, email and streaming. Packet routing and your home network (called an Ethernet network) will also discussed. All ages welcome.

Coffee with a cop
April 20 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, April 20 from 1-3 p.m. to meet privately with a 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 each third Thursday of the month.

Manage your pain with alternative and complementary methods
April 21 at 10 a.m.
Learn about different modalities and treatments used by therapists to help decrease pain and improve one’s functional ability when Pete Frye, doctorate in physical therapy and Emerson Hospital rehab director, comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m. In addition, learn about home remedies that you can do to decrease pain and improve your functional ability.

Paying for long-term care with Medicare, MassHealth, and VA benefits
April 21 at 12:30 p.m.
Many people rely on Medicare and MassHealth/Medicaid to pay for long term care, yet these benefits are usually quite limited. Find out what Medicare and MassHealth/Medicaid actually cover, for how long, and at what out-of-pocket costs when Minuteman Senior Services SHINE—health benefits counseling program comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 21 at 12:30 p.m. They will discuss benefits from the traditional Medicare program as well as supplemental plans, what to ask when considering long term care benefits in those plans, and more. In addition, Priscilla Leach, Lincoln’s veterans services officer, will explain long term care benefits for veterans. Bring your questions and concerns! The program is co-sponsored by the Lincoln COA and Minuteman Senior Services.

Amalgamates a capella concert
April 23 at 2 p.m.
The COA invites all ages to a family-friendly a capella concert by the award-winning Tufts University group The Amalgamates on Sunday, April 23 at 2 p.m. at Bemis Hall. The Amalgamates perform the latest pop hits to oldies rock to spirituals and more in venues from baseball stadiums to street corners to Barcelona, Spain. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lincoln Cultutral Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Lincoln Academy with Christina Thompson—Sea people: the puzzle of Polynesia
April 24 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 24 at 12:30 to hear Christina Thompson discuss “Sea People: The Puzzle of Indonesia.” Christina Thompson, editor of Harvard Review and the author of Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All, shares her quest to understand who first settled the islands of the remote Pacific, where they came from, how they got there, and how we know. 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.

Fireside chat: how we live our values
April 26 at 10 a.m.
How do we live out our core values? Do we even know exactly what our values are? How do they affect our daily interactions as well as our most consequential decisions? Join others in a lively but respectful discussion facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, April 26 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Our purpose is not to convince others of your opinion, but to share ideas so as to create dialogue and understanding.

Answers about long-term care insurance
April 28 at 12:30 p.m.
Is long term care insurance right for you? What does it cover? What might it cost? How do I go about choosing a plan? What are these new hybrid policies that I’m hearing about? How do I make sure it will really cover what it needs to when I don’t know what kind of care I might require? Find out the answers to these and other questions you might have about long term care insurance when independent agent and long term care insurance educator Tobe Gerard comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 28 at 12:30. Tobe has been involved with long term care insurance for 19 years and served on the long-term care committees of both the National and Massachusetts Associations of Health Underwriters for many years. Please call the COA at (781) 259-8811 to sign up so Tobe knows how many sets of materials to bring.

Lyrica Boston Chamber Music performs Schubert’s Trout Quintet
April 29 at 2 p.m.
The Friends of the Lincoln COA cordially invite those of all ages to a free concert by Lyrica Boston Chamber Music on Saturday, April 29 at Bemis Hall at 2 p.m. On the program will be Schubert’s beautiful and renowned Trout Quintet and other works in a surprising array of styles. A reception with light refreshments will follow the concert. The musicians will include Laura Bossert (violin), Annie Bartlett (viola), Mariel Bossert (piano), Mina Kim (cello) and Donald Palma (bass). The Lyrica Boston Chamber Music series was founded by Lincoln resident Laura Bossert to provide a launching ground for young emerging artists to perform alongside seasoned professionals.

Save the date:

Boston Symphony Orchestra matinee on May 5
Spend a delightful afternoon with the COA on a trip to a matinee performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Friday, May 5. Andris Nelsons will conduct works by Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and Mahler featuring pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and soprano Kristine Opolais. The program includes Shostakovich’s suite from the incidental music to King Lear, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. (Symphony Hall is handicapped accessible.) Participants will meet at the Donelan’s parking lot at 10:45 a.m. You may have a sumptuous buffet lunch at Symphony Hall or opt to arrange for your own lunch. The cost of the trip is $45.50 with lunch on your own, or $75 with the lunch buffet. This trip is funded by the Hurff Fund and is therefore open to Lincoln seniors only. Space is limited. To reserve a space, send your check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Marilyn Buckler, 12 Hiddenwood Path, Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone and email. Your reservation is complete when Marilyn receives your check. Questions? Contact Marilyn Buckler at 781-259-8886 or mbuckler1@comcast.net.

Watercolors class
Jane Cooper will offer fun dabbling in watercolor painting of scenes of nature, landscapes or some favorite sky. Two sessions of four classes will be offered Fridays and Mondays in May from 9-11 a.m. beginning May 1 and 15. Cost is $30 per session. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 now to sign up. All materials are included in the fee. No prior experience necessary.

Recap of background stories for Town Meeting

In preparation for the March 25 Town Meeting, the Lincoln Squirrel is publishing an updated and expanded expanded recap of news stories and letters to the editor on some of the issues to be voted on. The full warrant list can be found here.

Wang property acquisition (article 11)

News stories:

Letters to the editor:

Accessory apartments (articles 12-14)

News stories:

Letters to the editor:

School project (articles 33 and 34)

News stories:

Letter to the editor:

Community center feasibility study (article 35)

News stories:

Letter to the editor:

Landfill solar initiative (article 36)

News stories:

Letter to the editor:

Agricultural bylaw amendment (article 38)

News story:

Water bottle/plastic bag ban (articles 41 and 42)

News stories:

Letters to the editor:

GearTicks apply tech savvy to MMNHP project

Margie Coffin Brown and Roger Fuller of Minute Man National Historic Park with three of the GearTicks (Evan Lee, Dante Muzilz and Catherine Appleby) and the park’s donation lanterns.

The Lincoln GearTicks, known for their high-tech robotic wizardry, applied their talents to a historical enterprise when they recently brought two donation boxes into the 21st century.

At Minute Man National Historical Park (MMNHP), visitors often drop coins and bills into the lantern-shaped donation boxes, which have to be designed in a way that prevents tampering and theft, since the money sometimes isn’t collected for several days. To bring the donation boxes up to current security standards, the park needed to added a security baffle to each box.

Margie Coffin Brown, resource manager at MMNHP, reached out to the GearTicks, the Lincoln-based high school robotics team that qualified for the state championship in the FIRST Tech Challenge tournament held earlier this month. After reading the National Park Service specifications on donation box construction, the students felt they could build the internal components needed to bring the old boxes up to standards.

To make the baffles, the GearTicks used a wire-bending jig to make precise bends in sheets of plastic, a common component used in the construction of small, competitive robots. In previous robot projects, the team used a heat gun, but had recently acquired the new jig to improve the functionality of their robot.

The reconditioned donation boxes (whose design was inspired by the signal lanterns hung in the Old North Church on April 19, 1775) were installed at the park late last month.