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

health and science

September activities at the Council on Aging

Join the memoir group
September 5 at 10 a.m.
If you’re interested in writing your memoir or just curious about what goes on in the memoir group, please come to the first meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m.–noon at Bemis Hall and find out what they do. If you want to continue, the cost of the eight-session term is $75. The dates are Sept. 5 and 19; Oct. 3, 17, and 31; Nov. 14 and 28; and Dec. 14. For more information, contact Connie Lewis at 781-259-9415 or conlewis1000@gmail.com.

You’ve been selected…
September 5 at p.m.
To drop by and visit with a member of the Board of Selectmen. Bring your ideas, feedback, questions, or favorite Lincoln anecdote. Whether you stop by for a minute or stay for the hour, the Selectmen hope to see you from 2–3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5 at Bemis Hall.

Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band
September 7 at 12:30 p.m.
Celebrate Fall at Bemis Hall on Friday, Sept. 7 at 12:30 p.m. when the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band share their love of this lively music in a delightfully spontaneous rendering. Tap your feet or get up and dance as they belt out favorites such as Sweet Georgia Brown, Ain’t She Sweet, Carolina in the Morning and others we all know and love. The group are all amateur musicians who give life to the hot jazz of the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
September 11 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m.–noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Services provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Navigating the emotional terrain of “aging with in place” with intent, care, and a sense of humor (1st session)
September 12 at 9:30 am
Join Alyson Lee, a social worker and life coach who has led many Lincoln COA groups, in a new group to share insights into some of the emotional aspects of “aging in place” that are just as important as downsizing or getting your legal paperwork in order. The free group begins September 12 and runs for six Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. This group will not only give valuable information, but will also provide an opportunity to discuss your own experiences and concerns. You may attend all sessions or just those you choose. The topic on September 12 will be “Intent: Becoming the ‘Captain of Your Own Ship’ So You Can Take Action.”

Metamorphosis: art shows featuring the South Sudanese
September 13 at 2:30 p.m.
Come to two art shows running from September 1–30 featuring the South Sudanese. Do you ever wonder what happened to the three young men from South Sudan resettled in Lincoln in the early 2000’s? Come to Bemis Hall’s Metamorphosis: From South Sudan to Lincoln to find out what they went through, what changes they experienced and where they are now. The library’s visual and audio tour Metamorphosis: From South Sudan to Massachusetts tells what changes they have gone through since coming to America. On Septe,ber 13, a COA reception will be at Bemis Hall from 2:30 p.m. to 4 while receptions hosted by the South Sudanese Enrichment for Families will be at Bemis Hall and the Library from 6–8 p.m. the same day with South Sudanese vendors selling cookies, tablecloths and cows. Questions? Email SusanWinship@comcast.net. Both shows curated by Jeff Brown, Ellen Morgan, William Maluil, and Susan Winship.

LGBT-focused group for older adults to share tea and conversation
September 14 at 10 a.m.
All are invited to enjoy tea and conversation at a new LGBT-focused group to be held the second Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Come share your thoughts, ideas, and life experiences. Dates for this fall are September 14, October 12, and November 9. Older adults from other towns most welcome.

How’s your hearing? Free screening with Mass Eye and Ear
September 14 at 10 a.m.
Hearing well is essential for remaining engaged and independent. A wide range of devices can help those with hearing losses ranging from mild to profound. Come to a free hearing screening given by Mass Eye and Ear on Friday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. You’ll receive a private, 10-to-15-minute screening to determine if a comprehensive hearing test is needed. If you have hearing loss, you will receive information on scheduling a ;comprehensive hearing test and possible options for treatment. If you have a known hearing loss and/or wear hearing aids, a hearing screening is not going to provide the diagnostic information needed for your hearing loss. Contact information will be available for Mass Eye and Ear in Concord to book a comprehensive hearing test. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to book a hearing screening.

Lincoln school project update
September 14 at 1 p.m.
Please join us at Bemis Hall on September 14 at 1 p.m. to hear the latest updates on the school building project. The School Building Committee (SBC) has continued to meet during the summer where many topics have been discussed including floor plans, site circulation, sustainable design features and more. It’s been a busy summer so stop by Bemis on the 14th for an update, ask questions and participate in a Lincoln school project conversation. All SBC meetings were videotaped over the summer. To view the meetings please click on the “watch meeting videos” link on the SBC website at www.lincolnsbc.org. 

Lincoln Academy with Judith Foster: How our bodies use food as a fuel  to extract energy and maintain weight… what can go wrong?
September 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Sept. 17 at 12:30 to hear Judith Foster discuss “How Our Bodies Use Food As a Fuel To Extract Energy And Maintain Weight… what Can Go Wrong?” One of the major health concerns in modern, industrialized nations is the alarming increase in both average body weights and obesity, especially among children. In order to understand how an increase in body weight relates to dietary intake and lifestyle, this lecture will review the molecular basics of how energy is stored in food and how it is transformed in our bodies to sustain our basal metabolic rate, body temperature and physical activity. Dr. Foster will discuss the classes of molecules that comprise different food types and their unique effects on metabolic pathways despite having similar caloric amounts. Foster is an Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine. She recently moved to The Commons In Lincoln from Brookline. The COA 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
September 17 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 provides a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, Sept. 17 from 2–3 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the thirty-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Senior dining is free in your birthday month
September 18 at 11:30 am
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at St. Anne’s Church. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let them know when you call 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. Enjoy a lunch free during your birthday month. Just let them know. 

Care: how to prepare emotionally for the challenges of aging in place
September 19 at 9:30 am
See September 12 for details.

Meet Lincoln’s new town nurse and veterans services officer
September 20 at 10:30 a.m.
You are cordially invited to meet Tricia McGean, RN, Lincoln’s new town nurse, and Peter Harvell, our new veterans services officer, on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Tricia, who has 22 years of experience as a community health nurse, will continue offering well being clinics at Lincoln Woods and Bemis Hall but will also investigate cases of communicable diseases and tick/food borne illnesses. Tricia has already set the date for the return of the flu clinic for seniors 60+ on October 19 from 10 a.m.–noon at Bemis Hall. Harvell will be assisting our town’s veterans with their federal, state, and local veterans benefits and navigating federal and state veterans services, offering information and education on veterans benefits and related issues, raising awareness in the town of veterans issues, and more. Peter will have office hours at Bemis Hall each Thursday from 9 a.m. till noon. He retired from the U.S. Army after 23 years of service and was the veterans services officer in Sudbury and Framingham for 13 years.

Cooking for one: a new way of eating
September 21 at 10 a.m.
Cooking for one can be both a challenge and an opportunity to try new foods and ways of cooking. Whether you have lived alone for a long time or it’s a new experience for you, come to Bemis Hall on Friday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. when Karen Halloran of CareOne in Concord will provide a demonstration of how to cook efficiently and deliciously for one and then give some tips on using healthy and alternative food choices. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Make a health care proxy on the spot
September 21 at 1 p.m.
Your health care proxy is one of the most important advance planning documents you have. It designates a person of your choice to make medical decisions and ensure that your wishes are followed if you are temporarily or permanently incapacitated. Come to a “proxy party” on Friday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall when Lincoln resident and elder law attorney Sasha Golden and Tricia McGean, RN, Lincoln’s public health nurse, will discuss the importance of health care proxies and what happens if you do not have an updated proxy in your records, help you complete your form on the spot, and discuss how to begin conversations with your proxy holder and family about your wishes for medical treatment. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Share tips or get help at smartphone meetup
September 24 at 11 a.m.
Do you have a smart phone that you would like to learn more about or be able to use better? Or, can you give smart phone pointers? Come to a group that will be facilitated by Carol Peskin for smart phone users to share tips and get help on Monday, Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. at Bemis Hall. This isn’t a class, but rather a chance for people to teach each other. Whether you’re new to smart phones or a pro, this group is for you.

Lincoln Academy with Lawrence Buell: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at 200—the novel, the films, the legends, the influence
September 24 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Sept. 24 at 12:30 to hear Lawrence Buell discuss “Frankenstein at 200: The Novel, the Films, the Legends, the Influence.” Find out about the amazing story of how a teenager’s brainchild became a literary classic, a household word, and a prophetic fable for modern science. The COA 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.

Sense of humor: strength-based aging
September 26 at 9:30 am
See September 12 for details.

Healing motion for life: a free movement workshop
September 28 at 9 a.m.
Being in touch with the way our bodies move, and working to keep our movements unrestricted and fluid help bring health and clarity to every aspect of our lives. Join Susanne Liebich on Friday, Sept. 28 at 9 a.m. at Bemis Hall to experience a variety of sustainable exercises including expressive movement, breathing and relaxation in a program sponsored by Deaconess Abundant Life Services and Newbury Court. Susanne’s movement practice helps you achieve body awareness, presence, physical strength, balance, focus, and serenity. Other sessions will be held in October and November.

Explore the flora and fauna of our town’s cemetery
September 28 at 10 a.m.
Lincoln’s cemeteries are a uniquely beautiful and rich ecological environment with abundant species of trees, flowers, insects, birds, and other wildlife. Come take a walk through Lincoln’s Lexington Road Cemetery with Susan Harding of Lincoln’s Cemetery Commission and Conservation Director Tom Gumbart on Friday, Sept. 28 at 10 am. Meet by the map of the roadways at the end of the entrance road and park along Pine Way behind it. They will introduce you to the many forms of life that inhabit the cemeteries, discuss these amazing places, and answer your questions.

Social Security overview and update
September 28 at 1 p.m.
Whether you’re getting Social Security soon or have been receiving it for years, come hear Sabrina Feliciano of the Social Security Administration at Bemis Hall on Friday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. Sabrina will give an overview of retirement benefits and Medicare as well as update you on some of the new features of Social Security and Medicare, like doing many transactions online. She will also answer questions and address your concerns.

Council on Aging activities in August

Italian lunch for veterans and spouses/partners
August 1 at noon
Veterans of all ages and their spouses or partners are invited to come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 1 at noon to enjoy spaghetti with sauce, meat lasagna, and a salad with coffee and dessert. Come have a chance to talk about your service or anything else you like with people who understand. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up so they know how many to expect.

Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band
August 2 at 12:30 p.m.
Jazz up your summer at Bemis Hall on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 12:30 p.m. when the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band will share with you their love of traditional jazz music in a delightfully spontaneous concert! They’ll have you stomping your feet and cheering as they belt out good ole favorites such as “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Sunny Side of the Street” or “When The Saints Go Marching In.” The group are all retirees, amateur musicians who give expression to their love of the jazz of the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s at Bemis the first Thursdays (summer) at 12:30 or Fridays (fall), or the third Saturdays at 1.

LGBT get-together for tea and conversation
August 6 at 1 p.m.
All are invited to a get-together for LGBT elders to enjoy tea and conversation at Bemis Hall on Monday, Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. Spend some relaxed social time, get to know others, and share your thoughts and experiences. If there is interest, the COA will plan more events for the future. Let the COA know what events you would like to attend. Elders from other towns are more than welcome.

Brunch and nutrition tips for healthy summer eating
August 8 at 10 a.m.
Choices for healthy cooking and eating are bountiful in the summer, but with so much health information coming at us it can be hard to know who to listen to and how to follow recommendations. Come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. to have a yummy brunch prepared by the chef from the Commons, hear some tips for eating well with summer’s bounty, and get answers to your nutrition questions from Sadie Daniels, RD, dietician at the Commons. If you have a special nutrition concern, call Carolyn at the COA at 781-259-8811 and let her know and she will pass it along to Sadie before the program. Please sign up by calling the COA by Wednesday, Aug. 1.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
August 14 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Road in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

How has literature enriched your life?
August 15 at 10 a.m.
Seeing life through characters in novels can help us broaden our perspective and find insights into our own dilemmas. As we age, we may find new books that speak to our own situations. Come for three sessions on August 15, 22, and 29 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall in which we’ll talk about books that speak to us now and some of the personal issues they address. Please bring a book you would like to share with others. The group will be facilitated by trained leader Alyson Lee.

Free elder law clinic
August 20 at 2 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 provides a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, Aug. 20 from 2–3 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There’s no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Accessory swap
August 27 at 1 p.m.
Go through your accessories to clean out jewelry, hats, scarves, etc., that you just don’t use anymore. Then come on down to Bemis Hall on Monday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. for an accessory swap. Bring some 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.

Council on Aging activities in June

Lincoln Trad Jazz Band
June 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Dance if you wanna dance, sing if you wanna sing, the regulars know what tomorrow will bring… the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band! Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, June 1 when the band returns for another sell-out lunchtime concert from 12:30–1:30. And it’s not just because it’s free—it’s because it’s fun! So take a welcome break from all that weeding and mowing, straighten up and sit up and enjoy. Or sing. Or dance if you can’t resist the urge.

Lincoln Academy with Bijoy Misra: India’s discovery of humanity
June 4 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, June 4 at 12:30 to hear Bijoy Misra discuss “India’s Discovery of Humanity.” What is humanity? What is that special endowment that the humans have that distinguishes them from other creatures? Philosophical reflections on topics like this engaged the Indian scholars around 900BC when they happened to ponder on the cosmology of the universe.  Massive wars and major conflicts had already happened resulting in huge loss of life and long periods of unrest. We will examine the philosophical speculations that have flourished to build humanity as a rational discovery. Humanity is not grandiose, but it is joyful internal peace. The COA 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.

Mindfulness walks in nature
June 5 at 1 p.m.
PLACE: TBD
Spring can be a very special time to connect with nature through walking in a mindful way. Join naturalist John Calabria for a walk in one of Lincoln’s most beautiful places on Tuesday, June 5 beginning at 1 p.m. Where the walks will take place is to be determined. Unplug, disconnect from the world for a while and let your senses come alive in nature. These are co-sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the Lincoln Council on Aging. For more information, including locations of the walks, go to lincolnconservation.org.

You’ve been selected…
June 6 at 2 p.m.
…to drop by and visit with a member of the Board of Selectmen. Bring your ideas, feedback, questions, or favorite Lincoln anecdote. Whether you stop by for a minute or stay for the hour, the selectmen hope to see you from 2–3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6 at Bemis Hall.

Piano concert with Abla Shocair
June 8 at 2:15 p.m.
All ages are invited to a piano concert with Abla Shocair at Bemis Hall on Friday, June 8 at 2:15 p.m. The program will include “Four Impromptus” by Schubert, “Torre Bermeja (Serenata)” and “Leyenda” by I. Albeniz, “La Campanella” by Paganini/Liszt transcribed, and “Mephisto Valzer” by Liszt. The audience will also enjoy performances of an “Old Fashioned Waltz” “Lavender’s Blue,” and “The Bear Went Over the Mountain” by Abla’s grandson Zaineddeen Kawaf, and Beethoven’s “Für Elise” by her grandson Nooreddeen Kawaf. Abla, originally from Jordan, is a civil engineer who started playing piano at age 4.

Free elder law clinic
June 11 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, June 11 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
June 12 at 10 a.m.
PLACE: Lincoln Woods
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, June 12 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.

Playreading: “Summer and Smoke”
June 12 at 11 a.m.
Free your inner thespian! Sally Kindleberger leads a group in reading Tennessee Williams’ romantic drama “Summer and Smoke” on Tuesdays, June 12 and 19 at 11 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Sally will bring copies.

Staying in touch
June 12 at 2 p.m.
You are invited to join this informal group which focuses their monthly discussion on social, cultural, and technological issues of the day. Please join them the second Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. at Bemis Hall. All are welcome and encouraged to bring topics that interest them.

Surviving… and thriving through life’s challenges
June 13 at 9:30 a.m.
No matter what you have encountered in life, you can learn and apply the scientifically-proven tenets of Positive Psychology to become more resilient and happier. Come to Bemis Hall at 9:30 on Wednesday, June 13 to learn practical strategies, share practices, build connections and support each other. Facilitated by Alyson Lee, social worker, life coach, certified and licensed facilitator of Positive Psychology. Funded by the Friends of the COA.

June 13 at 10 a.m.
Cooking for one: a new way of cooking and eating
Cooking for one can be both a challenge and an opportunity to try new foods and ways of cooking. How do you cook without wasting food? How can you eat all those leftovers? How do you downsize recipes? Whether you have lived alone for a long time or it’s a new experience for you, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, June 13 at 10 a.m. when Karen Halloran of CareOne in Concord will provide a demonstration of how to cook efficiently and deliciously for one and then give tips on using healthy and alternative food choices. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 so they know how many to expect.

Public safety cookout
June 15 at 11 a.m.
Join Public Safety on Friday, June 15 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 cook up hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers with all the fixin’s. Because the event will be under the tent, the cookout will happen rain or shine. Please sign up by June 8 by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Newcomers coffee
June 20 at 1 p.m.
Are you new to Lincoln or the COA? Come on down to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, June 20 at 1 p.m. for coffee and conversation with staff from the COA and others who are new. You’ll have a chance to get to know some people, become familiar with the COA and its programs and services, and ask some questions about Lincoln and all it offers. This will be a fun, informal time to enjoy being with others and make some new acquaintances. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to let them know you are coming!

Celebrate summer at a strawberry ice cream social
June 21 at 12 p.m.
Celebrate this special time of year at the annual strawberry ice cream social at Bemis Hall on Thursday, June 21 at noon. The Social 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 (tell them when you call if you will need a ride).

FDR’s America: World War II
June 21 and 28 at 7 p.m.
PLACE: Library
The Friends of the Lincoln COA and the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library invite you to a free series about FDR’s America: The Great Depression and World War II given by Gary Hylander, PhD, of Framingham State University and Boston University. Sessions on Thursday, June 21 and 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the library will focus on World War II, including the beginning of the war in Europe and how the U.S. was plunged into the war in 1941 with Pearl Harbor. All ages are welcome, and you do not need to have come to earlier sessions to attend these two.

What to do when it’s time to retire from driving
June 22 at 10 a.m.
If you’re wondering if it might be time to stop driving or are concerned about someone else’s driving, come to Bemis Hall on Friday, June 22 at 10 a.m. when Michelle Ellicks of the Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles will host an interactive discussion highlighting older driver issues. Topics include reporting procedures, relicensing requirements, liability, older driver assessment, the importance of obtaining a Massachusetts ID card when retiring from driving, functional impairments, and the effects of medications. You’ll learn about the warning signs of unsafe driving, RMV policies and procedures, and best practices to use when talking with older drivers about their driving. Information on disability plates and placards, the application process, eligibility, as well as a list of do’s and don’ts is also provided.

Preventing, diagnosing, and treating tick-borne diseases
June 22 at 1 p.m.
Get the latest information on ticks, how to prevent tick-borne diseases, and what to do if you have a tick bite when Lincoln School nurse and Town Nurse Maureen Richichi, RN, comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, June 22, at 1 p.m. She will discuss the appearance and life cycle of ticks, habitats and activity seasons of ticks, risky times to be bitten and risky activities, tick borne diseases and their symptoms, how tick borne diseases are diagnosed and treated, personal protection—how to do tick checks, safely remove ticks, safely repel ticks, and personal advocacy with your doctors. This program will be of interest and is open to all ages. Bring your questions and concerns.

Fruitlands Museum Hudson River School exhibit with lunch
June 25 at 9:30 a.m.
PLACE: Mall parking lot
Come with the COA on a trip to the Fruitlands Museum and Café on Monday, June 25. You’ll have a guided tour through the exhibition “A New View: Landscapes from the Permanent Collection.” The walls on the South Gallery will be resplendent with a salon-style display of the largest grouping in decades of landscape paintings from the museum’s permanent collection. Featuring more than 50 paintings from Hudson River School painters including Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Cole, and Frederic Church, the 19th-century oil paintings will transport visitors to 1947, when museum founder Clara Endicott Sears first presented them to the public. Expect to be standing and walking. Space is limited. The bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and return by 2:30 p.m. The non-refundable cost of the trip is $35, which includes lunch in the Fruitlands Café. To reserve a space, send your check payable to FLCOA/Trips to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone and email. Your reservation is complete when Donna receives your check. Questions? Contact her at 781-257-5050 or email her at donna@ecacbed.com.

Fireside chat: Town Meeting—is the current format still the best option?
June 27 at 10 a.m.
Town Meeting has served our community well for over 250 years. Is the current format still our best option? Are there tweaks we can make, small or large, that would allow it to be more inclusive without sacrificing its integrity and purpose? Join Town Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden at 10 a.m. on June 27 as we mull over this long-standing tradition. Fireside chats are held the fourth Wednesday of the month in the Community Room at Lincoln Woods.

Council on Aging activities in May

Piano class with Wanda Paik
May 1 and 15 at 10 a.m.
Dust off your piano music books and come to the piano class at the COA led by Wanda Paik. This class is open to all pianophiles, whatever your level, to play, share, and learn more about how to play and practice to help reach your goals. This class will be held on May 1 and 15 from 10–11:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall.

Mindfulness walks in nature
May 1 at 1 p.m.
Spring can be a very special time to connect with nature through walking in a mindful way. Join naturalist John Calabria for a series of walks in some of Lincoln’s most beautiful places on Tuesdays May 1 and June 5 beginning at 1 p.m. Where the walks will take place is to be determined. Unplug, disconnect from the world for a while and let your senses come alive in nature. These are co-sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the Lincoln Council on Aging. For more information, including locations of the walks, go to lincolnconservation.org.

Surviving and thriving through life’s challenges
May 2 at 9:30 a.m.
No matter what your phase of life or what you have encountered in life, you can learn and apply the scientifically-proven tenants of Positive Psychology to become more resilient and happier. Come to Bemis Hall at 9:30 on Wednesdays, May 2, 16, and 30 and June 13 to learn practical strategies, share practices, build connections and support each other. Facilitated by Alyson Lee, Social Worker, Life Coach, Certified and Licensed Facilitator of Positive Psychology. Funded by the Friends of the COA.

The many faces of loss: a new group
May 2 at 10 a.m.
As we age we confront loss in many forms. It may be the death of loved ones. It may also be dealing with physical health, or cognitive changes in loved ones, friends or in ourselves. It may include regrets about lost opportunities and we may also confront the recognition of our own mortality. Claire Gerstein, LICSW, one of the COA’s social workers with many years of experience helping people navigate the losses of later life, will be facilitating a group that will give people the opportunity to talk about these issues in a supportive environment. The six-week group will run on Wednesdays 10–11:30 on May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and June 6. Signing up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 is helpful but not required. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in May

Hospice house in Lincoln welcomes first patients

Care Dimensions President and CEO Patricia Ahern (center), surrounded by board members and senior management staff, officially opens the new hospice house in Lincoln.

(Full disclosure: Lincoln Squirrel editor Alice Waugh is a volunteer at the Lincoln hospice house.)

Patients are starting to fill the newly opened Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln after it opened its doors at 125 Winter St. last week.

The project was approved in fall 2014 and broke ground two years later. Last month before the arrival of patients, the company hosted an open house for staff and volunteers to tour the 18-bed facility, which serves terminally ill individuals needing hospital-level care for pain and symptom management. Although the building is in Lincoln, vehicles use a driveway located just over the town line in Waltham.

“The Hospice House is not a hospital, nursing home or rehabilitation facility, but a home-like setting where hospice physicians, nurses and support staff provide 24-hour care and where visiting family members can spend quality time, including overnight stays, with their loved one,” explained Patricia Ahern, CEO and president of Care Dimensions. The nursing staff includes four hospice nurses who recently graduated from Care Dimensions’ hospice nurse residency program, which provides intensive training to nurses who are new to hospice and palliative care.

In addition to services from medical personnel, social workers and chaplains, Care Dimensions offers complementary therapies including massage, music and art therapy, Reiki, compassionate touch and pet therapy, as well as bereavement counseling for up to 13 months after the death of any hospice patient—even if that person was not a Care Dimensions patient.

The new facility includes sleeping couches in every patient room, two visitor kitchens and cafe areas, a fish tank, children’s play areas, fireplaces, patios off some patient rooms, a contemplation chapel, and a solarium. There are also personal touches such as afghans and prayer squares knitted by volunteers that patients and families may keep.

For the wider community, the hospice house has a conference room with new multimedia equipment that’s open for use to any nonprofit organization. The building also features artwork loaned by the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. This page has more information and a video tour of the Lincoln facility. Click here to learn about volunteering there, or with hospice patients in their homes or other facilities.

Photos of the Lincoln hospice house (click an image to enlarge):

hospice-room-1
hospice-solarium
hospice-play
hospice-pedi
hospice-art

FELS talk on healthy living April 12

“What’s the Buzz About your Health and Wellness: A 360-degree Lens on Healthy Living and a Healthy Earth” is the topic of this year’s annual Faye Goldberg-Scheff Memorial Lecture sponsored by FELS (the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury), on Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m. in the high school’s Kirshner Auditorium. 

The evening will feature professionals in a variety of fields including organic farming, bee keeping, healthy home and personal care, healthy treatments for mind and body, conservation and the environment, and healthy life choices for teens. The panelists will discuss agricultural, environmental, physical, emotional, and mental approaches to our health. For example, how is the health of bees a barometer of the Earth’s health? How does making a change in personal care and household product use impact the health of those using those products? Why organic? What is the impact of stress on our physical wellbeing?

The moderator will be Christopher Collins, environmental science/earth science faculty, Environmental Club advisor at L-S, and filmmaker with National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, and PBS. Panelists (subject to change) are:

  • Jen Barsamian, consultant, Pure Haven Natural, Organic Personal and Home Care Products in Sudbury
  • Ari Kurtz, owner/head farmer at Lindentree Farm in Lincoln, one of the first CSAs in eastern Massachusetts
  • Rick Reault, owner/operator of New England Beekeeping/Carlisle Honey in Tyngsboro
  • Susan Shields, wellness faculty at L-S and faculty advisor to Students Together Empowering Women and the Youth Peer Tutoring program  
  • Judi Weinstein, acupuncturist and owner of Acupuncture Family Practice in Sudbury

The evening will include about an hour of directed questions from the moderator, followed by opportunities for audience questions. Admission is $10. All proceeds will benefit FELS, a nonprofit organization that awards enrichment grants to L-S faculty and staff to pursue their professional and personal interests and passions. 

News acorns

Mindfulness walk with John Calabria at Adams Woods

Join us for the next outing in the mindfulness walk series sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and Council on Aging on Tuesday, March 6 from 1–2:30 p.m. Park along the roadside next to Lindentree Farm on Old Concord Road off Route 126; meet at the chain-linked posts. Unplug, disconnect from the world and let your senses come alive in nature. Free. The series is organized for 55+, but all are welcome. In case of inclement weather, call the LLCT’s general line at 781-259-9251 after 10 a.m. the morning of the walk.

Sap-to-syrup time at Drumlin Farm

The annual Sap-to-Syrup Farmer’s Breakfast weekend takes place at Drumlin Farm Saturday and Sunday, March 10 and 11. From 9 a.m.–1 p.m. each day, visitors of all ages can feast on hearty pancakes with real maple syrup as well as Drumlin Farm sausage and roasted potatoes. Diners are welcome to stay and enjoy special maple-themed activities:

  • See how sap is collected from the wildlife sanctuary’s own sugar maples.
  • Explore the natural history of trees as you learn about the distinctly “Northwoods” product of maple syrup.
  • Learn about Native American sap-to-syrup techniques.
  • Purchase maple syrup made at Drumlin Farm to take home.

Tickets are $15 for Mass Audubon members, $17 for nonmembers. Children under 2 are free. Register online or by calling 781-259-2200.

Take an adult-ed class at L-S

Registration is now open for Lincoln-Sudbury Adult Education spring classes, which include “Learn to Paint: Classical to Contemporary Oil Painting” with artist Joanne Tarlin and “Beaded Herringbone Ropes” with Susan St. Maurice. See the full brochure and register online at www.lsrhs.net/sites/adulted.

Talk on reviving the woolly mammoth

Justin Quinn of Dr. George Church’s Harvard University lab will speak on the Woolly Mammoth Revive & Restore Project on Thursday, March 22 at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library Tarbell Room. This work is the subject of Ben Mezrich’s book Woolly: The True Story of the Quest to Revive One of History’s Most Iconic Extinct Creatures. The program is funded by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library, Inc.

Film series looks at “swinging London”

“Swinging London” is the theme for the March films being screened by the Lincoln Library Film Society. All movies start at 3 p.m. in the Tarbell Room.

  • March 5 — “Darling” (1965) starring Julie Christie and Dirk Bogarde. A beautiful but amoral model sleeps her way to the top of the London fashion scene at the height of the Swinging Sixties.
  • March 12 — “Sunday Bloody Sunday” (1971) starring Peter Finch and Glenda Jackson. Divorced working woman Alex and well-to-do Jewish family doctor Daniel Hirsh share not only the same answering service but also the favors of young Bob Elkin, who bed-hops between them as the mood takes him.
  • March 19 — “Fish Tank” (2009) directed by Andrew Arnold. Mia, an aggressive 15-year-old, lives on an Essex estate with her tarty mother Joanne and precocious little sister Tyler. She begins an uneasy friendship with Joanne’s slick boyfriend, Connor, who encourages her one interest: dancing.
  • March 26 — “Wonderland” (1999) starring Ian Hart and Shirley Henderson. A series of vignettes focus on three sisters’ dreams, conflicts and weekend escapades, all beautifully interwoven into a single tapestry of love, pain and joy.

Council on Aging activities in March

Lincoln Trad Jazz Band
March 2 from 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Come hear the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band on Friday, March 2 at Bemis Hall. Enjoy old-time trad jazz that will have you up on our feet dancing and your hands a-clapping!

Painting in pastels with Juliet
March 5 at 10 a.m.
Express your vibrant self with the brilliant colors of pastels 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.–noon on March 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, and 23 at Bemis Hall. No experience is necessary. All materials furnished. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. Limit of six. Cost is $40.

Lincoln Academy with Karin Flynn: A family divided by the Berlin Wall, 1961–1989
March 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 5 at 12:30 to hear Karin Flynn discuss “A Family Divided by the Berlin Wall, 1961–1989.” Karin will talk about the effect of the Berlin Wall on her family and how they held together despite political pressure trying to divide them. She will also read a few of her poems and tributes to people who helped her and her two brothers when they decided to come to the US and become American citizens. The COA 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!

World hand drumming
March 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Hand drumming is a fun way to express yourself and enhance well being. Come learn the joy of drumming with acclaimed drummer Mike Connors from the Concord Conservatory of Music on 12 Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. beginning March 6. Cost is $156. Sign up now by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. No need to bring a drum.

Piano class with Wanda Paik
March 6 and 20 at 10 a.m.
Dust off your piano music books, and come to the piano class at the COA led by Wanda Paik. This class is open to all pianophiles, whatever your level, to play, share, and learn more about how to play and practice to help reach your goals. This class will meet for 6 sessions, every first and third Tuesday of the month (March 6 and 20) from 10–11:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall.

Mindfulness walks in nature
March 6 at 1 p.m.
Early spring can be a very special time to connect with nature through walking in a mindful way. Join naturalist John Calabria for a series of walks in some of Lincoln’s most beautiful places on Tuesdays March 6, April 3, and May 1 beginning at 1 p.m. Where the walks will take place are to be determined. Unplug, disconnect from the world for a while and let our senses come alive in nature. These are co-sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the COA. For more information, including locations of the walks, go to lincolnconservation.org. If there’s snow on the ground, you may wish to bring pull-on grippers, walking sticks, or walking poles.

Surviving and thriving through life’s challenges
March 7 at 9:30 a.m.
No matter what your phase of life or what you have encountered in life, you can learn and apply the scientifically proven tenants of Positive Psychology to become more resilient and happier. Come to the COA at 9:30 on Wednesdays, March 7 and 21 and then every other Wednesday to learn practical strategies, share practices, build connections and support each other. Facilitated by Alyson Lee, social worker, life coach, certified and licensed facilitator of positive psychology. Funded by the Friends of the COA.

Declutter and get organized
March 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Decluttering and getting organized can seem overwhelming, but you can do it with some help. Come to a new decluttering group facilitated by Pam Mizrahi on March 7 from 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall to talk about why we clutter and learn strategies.

Selectman drop-in
March 7 from 2–3 p.m.
Drop by and visit with a member of the Board of Selectmen. Bring your ideas, feedback, questions, or favorite Lincoln anecdote. Whether you stop by for a minute or stay for the hour, the selectmen hope to see you between 2–3pm on Wednesday, March 7 at Bemis Hall.

Caring for loved ones at home after death and green burial
March 9 at 10 a.m.
For millennia families have cared for loved ones at home after death and buried them directly in the earth with simplicity and dignity. You can do the same today. Come to Bemis Hall on March 9 at 10 a.m. to hear Peg Lorenz  discuss reclaiming these beautiful traditions. Did you know that embalming is not required; the deceased can be kept at home (two to three days is usual); a family can do the paperwork and transport the deceased; a cement vault is not required by law; both cremation and conventional burial have serious environmental consequences. Get the information you need to make an informed decision.

Proposed Town Meeting plastic water bottle and bag ban
March 6 at 3:10 p.m.
Students from the L-S Environmental Club will be at Bemis Hall on Tuesday, March 6 at 3:10 p.m. to discuss the two proposals they are sponsoring at the Annual Town Meeting to ban plastic bags and plastic water bottles in Lincoln. Get information about the impact of plastic water bottles and bags in our environment and why the students are proposing the bans, ask questions, and give your thoughts and ideas.

Town Meeting resolution on gas leaks
March 9 at 1 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, March 9 at 1 p.m. to hear information about a resolution to be proposed at Town Meeting by Mothers Out Front Lincoln to support a bill before the state legislature, “Protecting Consumers of Gas and Electricity from Paying for Leaked and Unaccounted-for Gas.” If Lincoln passes this resolution, we will join many other Massachusetts towns which have also passed similar resolutions in an effort to motivate the utilities to fix the largest gas leaks.

Lincoln Academy with Steve Low—Jerusalem & At Tuwani: international law & local action
March 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to the Lincoln Academy on Monday, March 12 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall with Steve Low who will discuss “Jerusalem & At Tuwani: International Law & Local Action.” A retired business consultant, Steve Low’s frequent travels to the Holy Land have brought the Israel-Palestine conflict into sharper focus. His talk will address two timely questions: (1) Why is moving the American embassy to Jerusalem so contentious? and (2) Can Lincoln play a role in promoting peace? 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
March 12 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, March 12 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
March 13 at 10 a.m.
PLACE: Lincoln Woods
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, March 13 from 10 a.m.–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.

Explore what’s next in a new group
March 14 at 10:30 a.m.
Explore simple ways to have greater joy and meaning in your life in a new group, facilitated by Pam Mizrahi, that will be held every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. beginning March 14 in Bemis Hall. This group will help you discover what is truly important to you and how you want to spend the next chapter of your life. People in the group will share their in-depth knowledge and wisdom, do some brainstorming, and be supported in their endeavor to get more out of life. What you discuss in the group will be confidential.

“The Irish and How They Got That Way”
March 14 at 12:45 p.m.
Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 14 at the Stoneham Theatre. Trip-goers will attend the matinee performance of The Irish and How They Got That Way by Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes). This revue is a celebration of a heritage that confronts adversity with determination, good humor, music, and love of life. It is a fabulous show, with excellent reviews, an uplifting musical that will leave you smiling. A comfortable air-ride bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 12:45 p.m., returning at approximately 5:30 p.m. This trip is rated easy, as it entails a short walk from the bus to the theater with no stairs to climb. Complimentary refreshments are served at intermission. The cost of the trip is $29 and is non-refundable. Space is limited. To reserve a seat, send your check made out to “FLCOA Trips” to Virginia O’Brien, 4 Linway Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. If you have questions you can call Virginia at 781-259-1291 or email her at vobrien39@yahoo.com.

Coffee with the candidates
March 14 at 1:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, March 14 from 1:30–3 p.m. at Bemis Hall, meet all the Lincoln Sudbury High School Committee Candidates who will speak about the issues facing our High School. Two LSRHS School Committee seats are up for election on March 26. This is your opportunity to meet the people who will be making the decisions that affect your life and that of your family and community before you enter the voting booth.

New group for spouses of veterans
March 16 at 10 a.m.
All spouses of veterans (whether the vet is living or deceased) are invited to join a group to be led by Priscilla Leach, Lincoln’s Veterans Service Officer. We hope that the spouses will benefit from getting to know each other, discussing common concerns, and having fun together. This month’s meeting will be held on Friday, March 16 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall, and subsequent meeting places will be at The Commons and Lincoln Woods. No need to sign up, but if you would like more information, please contact Priscilla at 781-259-4472 or leachp@lincolntown.org.

What you need to know about Oriole Landing and zoning proposals
March 16 at 1 p.m.
Important new changes related to planning and land use will be voted on at Town Meeting. Come find out more and have a chance to ask questions at Bemis Hall on Friday, March 16 at 1 p.m. Planning and Land Use Director Jennifer Burney and Assistant Director Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie will discuss a site plan review zoning amendment. Then, members of the Housing Coalition and Civico Development will give information about a bylaw amendment to establish a North Lincoln Planning Development Overlay District and a Preliminary Development and Land Use Plan. Civico Development is proposing Oriole Landing, a 60-unit mixed-income rental community adjacent to the Rt. 2 interchange, Mary’s Way and the Commons including 15 units (25 percent) reserved for those earning a maximum of 80 percent of the Area Median Income.

Lincoln Academy with Jonathan Ammen—Acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine: overview, modern research, and integration
March 19 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to the Lincoln Academy on Monday, March 19 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall with Jonathan Ammen who will discuss “Acupuncture and Traditional Asian Medicine: Overview, Modern Research, and Integration.” Acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine have become popular and enjoyed increasing acceptance in the western world over the last two decades. Today, many hospitals and academic medical centers are integrating acupuncture services with conventional care. This talk will include a quick overview of traditional Asian medicine followed by an up-to-date chronicle of the science behind acupuncture, how it works and what it can treat. Jonathan Ammen has practiced and researched traditional Asian medicine for 37 years. He currently sees patients and conducts research at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Lexington, and Peabody. The lectures last about an hour, including a Q&A period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Senior dining is free in your birthday month
March 20 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, March 20 at St. Anne’s Church. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let them know when you call 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. Enjoy a lunch free during your birthday month—just let them know!

Coffee with artist Owen Beenhouwer
March 20 at 2:15 p.m.
Come have coffee with Lincoln artist Owen Beenhouwer on Tuesday, March 20 at 2:15 p.m. to celebrate his exhibit of photographs in March and April in the Bemis Artists Gallery. Born in Amsterdam, Owen has lived in Lincoln for 45 years, as well as New York City and four other New England states and taught architectural design at the University of Washington. Owen has done photography in black and white, then color, then slides, and now digital. He has been fascinated with patterns and structure and their beauty, both in nature and man-made, and urban oddities including water tanks, and reflections. So come see shots of buildings, bridges, stairs, flowers, glass and windows, overhead wires and more.

Coffee with the candidates
March 23 at 10 a.m.
Get to know the candidates running for local offices at the March 26 election by coming to Coffee with the candidates Ask them your questions, and hear their approaches to the issues facing our community. Come to the Bemis Hall on March 23 at 10 a.m. to meet with candidates for Lincoln offices including Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Housing Commission, Parks and Recreation Committee, Planning Board, School Committee, and more. This is your opportunity to meet the people who will be making the decisions that affect your life and that of your family and community before you enter the voting booth.

Donating your stuff locally after you declutter
March 23 at 1 p.m.
Your 2018 decluttering resolution can be easier than you think. Come learn the best choices for giving your possessions a local home while making great strides to de-clutter your home at a panel discussion on March 23 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Hear about the transfer station with Laura Berland, the library book sale with Sally Kindleberger, Old Town Hall Exchange with Dot Taylor, and Household Goods Recycling in Acton with Linda Svetz.

Lincoln Academy with Evelyn Harris—Music: understanding the art of repetition
March 26 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 26 at 12:30 to hear Evelyn Harris discuss “Music: Understanding the Art of Repetition.” Evelyn Harris invites you to spend an hour with her as she discusses (mostly performs) music by four different composers (Beethoven, Liszt, Debussy, and Gershwin) and their creativity regarding repetition. The COA 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.

Access investment information free through the library
March 27 at 2:15 p.m.
Did you know that all you need to access subscriptions of investment information worth hundreds of dollars for free is a library card? Having a card allows you to get information at your home computer on mutual funds and stocks from Morningstar, Valueline ratings, reviews of stocks, and more! Find out what’s available in the Minuteman Library Network databases and how to use them when Lincoln Reference Librarian Laura Paryl comes to Bemis Hall on Tuesday, March 27 at 2:15 p.m.

The Fireside Chat: coping with grief, sadness and disappointment
How do you handle grief or deep sadness, disappointment? Do you have any strategies to share, or tips to help others who may be struggling? Come to the Fireside Chat on Wednesday, March 28 from 10–11:30 at Lincoln Woods and engage in a lively conversation. Sharon Antia will facilitate the discussion.

School Building Committee update
March 30 at 10 a.m.
Please join the School Building Committee on March 30 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall for an update on the latest building concepts and cost estimates as well as a review of the SBC’s presentation at Town Meeting. The gathering at Bemis provides another important checkpoint for our community in moving collectively closer to a town-wide vote on June 9 for a preferred school building concept. For the latest information on the Lincoln School project, visit www.lincolnsbc.org. Questions or comments, email us at SBC@lincnet.org.

Healing motion for life: a free movement workshop
March 30 at 1 p.m.
Being in touch with the way our bodies move, and working to keep our movements unrestricted and fluid help bring health and clarity to every aspect of our lives. Join Susanne Liebich on Friday, March 30 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall to experience a variety of sustainable exercises including expressive movement, breathing and relaxation in a program sponsored by Deaconess Abundant Life Services and Newbury Court. Susanne’s movement practice helps you achieve body awareness, presence, physical strength, balance, focus, and serenity.

The International Museum of World War II in May
In May, the COA will have a trip to the International Museum of World War II in Natick with lunch at a delicious Thai restaurant. The museum hosts over 500,000 artifacts, letters, and documents including the famous enigma machines, letters, diaries, magazines, photos, secret items used by the resistance, and much more. Check the April COA newsletter for more information.

COA activities in February

Want to try out your singing voice outside the shower?
February 2 at 12:30 p.m.
Come join the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 at Bemis for an hour of old-time jazz. There will be tunes to try out your singing voice in the comfortable company of other seniors as you join them in singalongs and there will be tunes to just listen to and tap your feet. Either way it will be a fun way to spend a lunch hour as the regulars will tell you.

Lincoln Academy with Police Chief Kevin Kennedy and REACH Advocates Jyoti John and Pat Cooper: Update on safety and security issues in our community
February 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Feb. 5 at 12:30 to hear Police Chief Kevin Kennedy and REACH Advocates Jyoti John and Pat Cooper discuss “An Update on Safety and Security Issues in Our Community.” Unfortunately, Lincoln is not immune to the problems of the world outside our borders, whether these be the opioid crisis, crime and scams, domestic violence and elder abuse, and more. Come hear our police chief discuss some of the issues facing our community and how the Lincoln Police Department is responding. We will also hear about a new project to combat elder abuse by REACH Beyond Domestic Violence from Elder Community Advocate Jyoti John and Project Coordinator Pat Cooper. The COA 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.

[Read more…] about COA activities in February

Letter to the editor: support hurricane victims at student-run blood drive

To the editor:

Did you know that January is National Blood Donors Month? On Wednesday, Jan. 24, the Lincoln School Student Council will be hosting their first-ever blood drive in Lincoln in the Reed Field House (Brooks gym).

Soon after hurricane Irma hit Puerto Rico, the Student Council decided they wanted to do something to help all the people whose lives were affected by that tragic event. One student came up with the idea of hosting a blood drive. The other students liked the idea and contacted the Red Cross for more information. Sadly, it turned out that they could not actually send donated blood to Irma victims themselves, as blood had already been sent there immediately after the disaster.

However, the Student Council still liked the idea of hosting a blood drive. They learned that every two seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of blood, and donors are always essential to restock the supply. They also learned that each blood donation can help three at least people in need. Currently, the blood supply is running low, due to many blood drives being canceled due to weather and donors are even more needed.

On the day of the blood drive, students will also be hosting a used book sale and bake sale. They still liked their idea of helping Puerto Rico in its recovery efforts, so all proceeds from the two sales will aid victims of the Puerto Rico hurricane. If you have any gently used books you don’t need any more, you can drop them off at the Lincoln School office anytime before the blood drive, or you can bring them in during the event.

To donate blood, we encourage you to sign up for a time slot, but walk-ins are also welcome. All donors will be rewarded with a $5 Dunkin Donuts Gift Card. To register online, go to www.redcrossblood.org and go to the “Find a blood drive” box. Type in “01773”, then select the “By distance” tab and click on “Brooks Middle School.”

The blood drive is a student-initiated and student-run activity. The whole Student Council is very passionate about this and are hoping for this to be a success. Please spread the word to all your family and friends—we would like to see as many people as possible at the blood drive. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Prerna Karmacharya and Quinn Harnden (Lincoln School eighth-graders)

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