The Lincoln Squirrel

News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

history

Lincoln Minute Men stepping off with historical observances

The Lincoln Minute Men (LMM) have several activities to observe events surrounding Patriots Day starting this Saturday, April 8. Click here for a listing of events at Minute Man National Historic Park or click here for a map of the park.

Saturday, April 8 — The Capture of Paul Revere

March behind the LMM down Battle Road or join them at the capture site where Paul Revere’s ride ended in Lincoln. See Revere, Samuel Prescott, William Dawes, Mary Hartwell, and Major Mitchell tell the true story, despite poetic efforts by special guest Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Music and musket fire.

  • Minute Man National Historic Park Visitors Center, 2:45 p.m.
  • Capture site, 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 15 — Battle Road: Capt. Smith, Parker’s Revenge, and Tower Park

The LMM interpret the home of William Smith and his wife Catharine Louisa in the 1775 home of their first captain. Later, hundreds of British and Colonial soldiers recreate the running battle along the deadly stretch of road on the border of Lincoln and Lexington. Then both sides regroup to battle at Tower Park in Lexington.

  • Captain William Smith House, 9:30 a.m. to noon
  • Parker’s Revenge battle site behind Visitors Center, 2 p.m.
  • Battle of Tower Park (1200 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington), 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 16 — Lincoln Salute: Festival of 18th-century Fife and Drum Music

The LMM host fife and drum groups from as far away as Michigan in a musical performance. Bring your picnic basket and lawn chairs for rousing entertainment.

  • Pierce Park, 2-3:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 16 — Alarm and Muster

An ancient Revolutionary War veteran reminisces about those fateful early hours of April 19, 1775. Capt. William Smith rides down the hill to alarm the citizens of Lincoln. Bells ring, drums roll and the LMM fall in to receive their orders to defend Concord. Then march with the LMM to Pierce House for a firing demonstration.

  • Library lawn opposite First Parish Church (3 Bedford Rd.), 7 p.m.
Monday, April 17 — Dawn Tribute and March to the Concord Parade

The LMM salute the patriots buried in the Old Meeting House Cemetery as they emerge from the mists of the burial ground for roll call. Fifers play a lament and the muskets fire a volley. Then join the LMM on their walk to Concord (3 miles) amid colonial music and musket fire. There will be bus transportation across Route 2 courtesy of Doherty’s Garage. All ages welcome.

  • Outside Bemis Hall, 6:45 a.m.; Concord parade, 9 a.m.
Sunday, April 23 — Old Burial Ground Tribute

March with the LMM and the Regulars from Pierce House to the Old Burial Ground on Lexington Road to honor the patriot dead and five British soldiers killed in Lincoln along the Battle Road. Hear Mary Hartwell tell her story of their burial. Ceremonies include music and musket salutes by both sides. A reception follows, courtesy of the Lincoln Historical Society.

  • Pierce House, 2:30 p.m. (reception at 4 p.m.)

Capital Planning, Community Preservation spending approved

Voters approved a total of $441,760 in Capital Planning Committee (CapComm) expenditures and $740,936 for Community Preservation Committee (CPC) projects at the March 25 Town Meeting.

CapComm received 26 requests and recommended 14 of them for voter approval. along with three capital exclusions totaling $300,000 ($75,000 apiece for a bucket truck and dump truck and $150,000 for a community center feasibility study). Those three requests were approved at Town Meeting and Monday’s town election.

Among the requests not recommended by CapComm:

  • A new command vehicle for the fire chief ($47,000)
  • A school safety/security upgrade ($35,000 )
  • A library facility review ($13,750)
  • A speed display trailer for the Police Department ($1,500)
Capital projectCost
Instructional display and audio technology for schools$163,000
New marked police cruiser$45,185
New unmarked police cruiser$34,015
New operating
system for town IT servers		$30,000
New courier food
service van for schools		$29,000
Radio communications system for the DPW and Communications Department$25,055
Repair existing guardrail$25,000
Additional funds for a ramp and stairs at the end of
the Library Lane sidewalk		$20,000
Electronic vote tabulators$18,000
IT backup
system for town computer servers		$15,000
Replace library's public
access computers		$13,000
Design study for use of the library's first
floor		$10,000
Upgrade
Public Safety Building video recording system		$9,685
Two police cruiser radar units$4,820
Community Preservation requests

Four of the CPC projects totaling $40,000 are for work at the Pierce House (chimney repair, a new kitchen floor, renovated bathrooms, and exterior wood clapboard and trim).

The only item that provoked discussion was a $10,800 request by the library for historic preservation of an embroidered tapestry by Sophia Adams depicting her family register. Some residents questioned whether this was the best use of CapComm funds, but Planning Board Chair Margaret Olson said it was “a no-brainer when I saw it. It’s a very beautiful piece of town history.”

“It’s a rare opportunity for people of the town to see how important the history is of one of our families,” said library director Barbara Myles, noting that Adams made the tapestry as a Lincoln teenager in the early 1800s. Her family tree includes John Adams, the second president of the United States, and great-grandson Richard Adams Williams, whose widow, former Lincoln resident Cynthia Williams, donated the tapestry to the town.

“They really came back to us with a much sharper pencil,” said Chris Fasciano, chair of the CPC, in reference to the library’s original set of  historic preservation project requests. The slate of CPC requests was approved with only a couple of nay votes.

CPC funds come from a 3 percent property tax surcharge and a partial match from the state, and the fund replenishes annually by about $950,000. They may be used only for projects relating to historic preservation, conservation, recreation, or affordable housing.

Community preservation projectCost
Debt
service payment for town office building renovation project		$398,875
Debt service
payment on
Wang property acquisition		$135,500
Debt service payments on permanent
borrowing for previously voted CPA projects		$93,150
Housing reserve$55,257
Transfer to
Conservation Fund for open space		$40,000
Renovation of
two Pierce House interior bathrooms		$15,000
Preservation of
the Sophia Adams family register		$10,800
Replacement of Pierce House kitchen floor.$10,000
Replacement of Pierce House exterior wood clapboards and wood trim$10,000
Preservation of
the poll and estate tax assessments for 1861, 1863,
1864, and 1866 		$7,412
Preservation of
Lincoln School Records Box 7		$6,259
Preservation of Lincoln School Records Box 10$5,940
Restoration of Pierce House chimney$5,000
CPC administrative expenses$3,000

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.

News acorns

Historical Society hosts talk

The Lincoln Historical Society will host a talk, book-signing and reception, with Donald L. Hafner, captain of the Lincoln Minute Men and author of William Smith, Captain: Life and Death of a Soldier of the American Revolution on Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library.

Holy Week and Easter schedule at St. Anne’s
  • Sunday, April 9 — Palm Sunday services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
  • Thursday, April 13 — commemoration of the Last Supper with a Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. The service includes foot-washing and Holy Eucharist.
  • Friday, April 14 — two Good Friday services: one at noon with the Passion gospel and venerating the cross, and a family service at 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 15 — celebration of Holy Saturday with the Great Vigil of Easter beginning at 7 p.m. We kindle the new fire and light a new Paschal candle, and then read bible stories by candlelight. The service ends with the first Eucharist of Easter.
  • Sunday, April 16 —Holy Eucharist with special music and flowers at both 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. (On April 16, there is not a Still Your Soul service.)

All are welcome at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, located at 147 Concord Road.

Jennifer Glass, candidate for selectman in Monday’s election, braved the cold on Wednesday to meet residents including Rick Mandelkorn at the transfer station (right) and hand out flyers.

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.

March activities at the Council on Aging

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
March 1 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, March 1 between 10 a.m. and noon to have a confidential discussion with an advocate from the 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, nonjudgmental environment. All conversations are completely confidential.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
March 1 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Wednesday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Lincoln Woods community room. Get blood pressure checks, nutrition and fitness information, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Parenting after 45 and loving it
March 1 at 1 p.m.
More and more people are becoming new parents after age 45 for a variety of reasons. This can be uniquely rewarding for both parents and children, but also exhausting and frustrating. Join others in a discussion of the special challenges and joys of parenting after 45, including strategies for coping, with Pam Mizrahi, the COA’s Assistant Director and a social worker, on Wednesday, March 1 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. All are welcome, whether you are a parent or prospective parent or not. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

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

Lincoln Trad Jazz Band third anniversary
March 3 at 12:30 p.m.
It’s hard to believe that the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band has been playing here at Bemis Hall each first Friday of the month for three years! Come join in the celebration on Friday, March 3 at 12:30. The musicians are mostly retirees, spirited amateurs who give life to your favorite music of the 1920s to 1940s by greats like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Louis Armstrong.

Lincoln Academy with Lucretia Giese—Winslow Homer and Belmont
March 6 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 6 at 12:30 to hear Lucretia Giese discuss “Winslow Homer and Belmont.” Winslow Homer’s name conjures up images of Prouts Neck, Maine and its craggy coast, his home from the 1880s. But Homer had an earlier home in Belmont. Thirty years before and for over a decade, Homer visited that town again and again. Why? What was Belmont like then? What features attracted Homer? What work resulted and what effect did his stays in Belmont have on his career? Find out more in this Academy talk. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Coffee with artist George Thomas
March 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Join George Thomas on Tuesday, March 7 at 2:30 p.m.to celebrate his painting exhibition in Bemis Hall that will run through March. George is a Korean War veteran who spent most of his career educating aircraft mechanics and being an avid model builder. After retirement, he took classes at the deCordova Museum and began to paint, often painting scenes from places he has visited. He has participated in two shows at the Lincoln Library and also had a showing at the gallery in the Greek Institute in Cambridge.

Lunch and the latest updates on wound care and prevention
March 10 at noon
A wound that will not heal can be both painful and potentially life-threatening. The Advanced Wound Center at Emerson Hospital will be offering lunch and a presentation on wound care on Friday, March 10 at noon at Bemis Hall. Learn to prevent wounds, when you should seek medical care, what the most up-to-date treatments are, and what the center offers. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up for the lunch of sandwiches and salads.

Lincoln Academy with Alex Maclean—Aerial interpretations: the connection between agriculture and climate
March 13 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 13 at 12:30 to hear Alex MacLean discuss “Aerial Interpretations: The Connection between Agriculture and Climate.” The focus of Alex’s aerial photography for the past 10 years has been on the causes and effects of climate change as seen through land patterns. He has published six photographic books on land use and energy related issues. He is now focusing his photography on food production and agriculture in relation to climate change. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Free legal clinic
March 13 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about a legal issue? The Council on Aging provides a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, March 13 from 3-4 p.m. There is no charge for the thirty-minute consultation, but advance registration is required. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. Register in advance by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Coffee with a cop
March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, March 16 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 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.

Getting ready for Town Meeting: School Committee asks the community to start planning a school project
March 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Last year Lincoln applied to get state funding to help with a major renovation of the Lincoln School. In December the town learned that we were not accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funding pipeline. After much discussion, the School Committee has voted unanimously to recommend that Lincoln start planning a town-funded school building project. At the 2015 Town Meeting, the town voted to set aside $750,000 to do a feasibility study if we were accepted by the MSBA. At this year’s Town Meeting (Saturday, March 25), the School Committee will ask voters to allow that money to be used now. Join School Committee Chair Jennifer Glass and Superintendent Becky McFall to learn more about the warrant article and the reasons for the School Committee’s recommendation on Friday, March 17 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall. Please come with questions.

Cabaret concert: Tell me the truth about love
March 20 at 12:30 p.m.
Join vocalist Mary Crowe and pianist Evelyn Harris for a free cabaret concert with historical interludes on Monday, March 20 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. You’ll find out more about this artistically rich and exciting musical style and hear familiar and lesser known songs by Britten, Weil, Sondheim, Rogers and Hammerstein, Mary Crowe and others with different perspectives on love.

Senior dining
March 21 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 21 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. A special dessert will be provided by the staff and children of the Magic Garden Children’s Center.

Fireside chat: Is America still a land of opportunity?
March 22 at 10 a.m.
America prides itself on being a place where anyone can succeed, but is this still true? Do some people grow up receiving a better education which leads to better jobs, health, and other benefits? How much of an advantage does coming from a wealthier family convey? What do the answers to these questions mean for our society? Come join others in a lively but respectful discussion of this topic facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, March 22 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The purpose of the Fireside Chats is not to convince others of your opinion, but to share information and ideas so as to create dialogue and greater understanding.

Visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History and glass flowers exhibit
March 23 at 10:30 a.m.
Join the COA on Thursday, March 23 for a visit to the Harvard Museum of Natural History which will include a docent-guided group tour of the newly restored glass flowers exhibit and time to explore other exhibits. The group will depart the Lincoln Mall via Doherty’s school bus at 10:30 a.m. and proceed to a Cambridge restaurant for lunch followed by the museum visit. They will arrive back in Lincoln by about 4:30 p.m. While there’s plenty of seating within the museum, the tour itself takes place in a gallery where there are no chairs. The non-refundable cost of the trip is $15 with the lunch together at your own cost. The trip will be limited to 24. Reservations must be made by March 20. Send checks, payable to FLCOA/Trips, to Claire Mount, 123 Tower Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. Any questions, please contact Claire at 781-259-8695.

Relax with a mini-massage
March 24 at 11 a.m.
Jai Kaur (Annamaria San Antonio) will be offering seated mini back and neck massages as a gift or by donation March 24 from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up for a 15-minute appointment.

Lunch and jazz piano concert
March 24 at 11:30 a.m.
Traditions of Wayland invites you to a free special gourmet luncheon of delicious seasonal fare and a concert of jazz piano music Friday, March 24 at 11:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. On the menu will be braised stuffed flank steak with gravy, green beans and croquettes, and strawberry cake. Music will be provided by pianist and songwriter John D’Ambrosio, who plays everything from Ellington to the Beatles in an elegant and distinctive style. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up by March 17.

Lincoln Academy with Zach Woods—Why we teach STEAM at smARTroom
March 27 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 27 at 12:30 to hear Zach Woods discuss “Why We Teach STEAM at smARTroom.” Most folks are familiar with the push for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in our schools, but what are the additional benefits of STEA(Arts) M? Why add the arts to the mix? Zach, co-founder of smARTroom, will talk through his experiences in bringing STEAM education and fun to both young and old. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Geology rocks—a musical performed by Birches students
March 31 at 8:30 a.m.
Students from Birches School invite Lincoln seniors to their third annual school musical, Geology Rocks, on Friday, March 31 at 8:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. This 35-minute musical production will feature Birches School students in grades K-6. Professor Rock has disappeared! His loyal students go on a quest to find him, joined by the (mostly unhelpful) Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Along the way they meet volcanoes, sea shores, canyons, suspicious ferns, and even Snow White—and learn about the earth’s geological cycles and features as they go. Who’s behind Professor Rock’s disappearance, and will he ever be found? Find out!

Lunch and learn: keeping your brain in shape
March 31 at noon
Deaconness Abundant Life Services invites you to come to Bemis Hall on Friday, March 31 at noon for a special lunch of assorted entrée salads and homemade cookies and a presentation and discussion of the latest research on what does and does not work, to maintain your ability to think and memory. Steve Menichetti, RN, BSN of Deaconness will explore the role of nutrition and supplements, “brain fitness” exercises, sleep, disease and wellness, and more, give practical suggestions, and answer your questions. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 if you would like lunch.

Save May 5 for the Boston Symphony Orchestra

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.) You may have a sumptuous buffet lunch at Symphony Hall or you opt to arrange for your own lunch. This trip is open to Lincoln seniors only. Space is limited. Look for more details in the April COA newsletter. Questions? Contact Marilyn Buckler at 781-259-8886 or mbuckler1@comcast.net.

Free income tax preparation help

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

Hand drumming for fun and wellness

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. This is a fun and engaging way to learn about rhythm and experience the joy of drumming in a supportive group environment. No need to bring a drum, but bring one if you have one. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 now—space is limited.

Ogden Codman Trust funds Positive Psychology Practices class

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of strengths and “what is working” to build transformative change, increased happiness, and a more meaningful life—whether personal, family, professional or community! The Ogden Codman Trust is generously supporting a free, eight-session course in Positive Psychology Practices beginning Wednesday, April 5 at 9:30. Everyone welcome—everyone benefits! No need to have attended last fall’s class which covered the theory and history of Positive Psychology. Learn proven tactics to increase your own happiness level and take them home to try them on in your daily life. Instructor: Alyson Lee, co-active life coach, social worker and certified Positive Psychology instructor.

Easy yoga your way

Yoga improves flexibility, strength, energy and more. Try gentle yoga on the floor or in a chair, Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. for 12 weeks beginning April 5. You may sign up for the whole course for $120 ($156 for those under 60) or five-class packs, and drop-in is $10/class ($13 for those under 60). Taught by Jai Kaur Annamaria San Antonio. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Minuteman High School prepares for hearings and looks for artifacts

Jennifer Banister and Colin Stevenson of PAL sift soil form the archeological dig near Minuteman High School.

Public hearings with two town boards are scheduled for the new Minuteman High School project starting this week. Meanwhile, a recent archeological dig at the site of the new building in Lincoln did not turn up any historically significant artifacts.

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing for site plan review on Tuesday, Feb. 28 (time TBA). The board will also conduct a preliminary site plan review on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. The Conservation Commission will hold its first public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. All meetings are in the Town Office Building.

Because Minuteman High School is an educational institution, it is largely exempt from local zoning rules for the building itself. However, the two boards will have a say on matters such as parking, landscaping, visual screening and wetlands.

Minuteman documents on file for the Planning Board can be found here, and those for the Conservation Commission are here. Given the size and complexity of the project, the town plans to hire a consultant to assist with the reviews.

Pending permitting by the town, the Minuteman district hopes to break ground this spring and open the new school to students in the fall of 2019.

Archeological dig

Minuteman commissioned a four-member crew from the Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. (PAL) of Pawtucket, R.I., to survey the future construction site for artifacts, but researchers came up empty, finding just one shotgun shell and one piece of broken glass, both of recent vintage.

The survey was undertaken because the site’s proximity to Battle Road, wetlands and water sources meant it might contain items from pre-European Native Americans or colonial-era residents. The work was not required by a government agency but was ordered by Minuteman Superintendent Edward Bouquillon to ease any concerns about the site’s potential historical significance and to ease his own mind about building a school there.

“This area is rich in Revolutionary War history. I had no idea what we might find out there, but I’m glad we did this. It was the right thing to do,” he said. The archeological survey cost the district $15,000, a small fraction of the school project’s $144.9 million total cost.   

The PAL team spent more than 150 hours digging 90 cube-shaped shovel test pits, each about feet on a side, and then used a screen to sift the soil for items for interest.

“No artifacts were identified as part of the survey, which is a little surprising, but I think it has a lot to do with the shallow ledge that covers most of the area,” said senior archeologist Holly Herbster. “Our testing coverage was thorough and we targeted areas that were most likely for pre-contact as well as historic sites, so it appears this area just wasn’t utilized as neighboring areas were.”

Even though no artifacts were found, the dig offered an educational benefit for Minuteman students. Social studies teacher Tracey Sierra brought her sophomore classes out to the site to see the direct connection between science and history, and students they also learned about career pathways they didn’t know existed.

Sometimes PAL has the chance to explore a significant archeological find. The firm recently helped document the discovery of a 19th-century schooner buried deep in the mudflats in the Seaport district in South Boston. The shipwreck was found during excavation on a construction project.

News acorns

Library seeks Board of Trustees member

The Trustees of the Lincoln Public Library announce that there is an opening for a self-perpetuating trustee on the board, and they encourage interested Lincoln residents to apply. A summary of the trustee responsibilities is available at the library circulation desk. Under guidelines adopted for the appointment of self-perpetuating trustees, preference will be given to candidates expected and willing to serve for six years. Interested candidates are asked to apply in writing to Peter Sugar or Kathleen Nichols, c/o Lincoln Public Library, Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 by Monday, Feb. 20. For further information, call Library Director Barbara Myles at 781-259-8465.

A walk through the history of shoes

Are you curious about the footwear of years gone by? If so, explore the evolution of shoes since the reign of Queen Victoria through the 20th century on a “walk” through the history of shoes by Karen Antonowicz of the Rhode Island School of Design on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library Tarbell Room. We will discover the developments that occurred in footwear for women and men of the 19th and 20th centuries, emphasizing the influences that precipitated these changes. The talk is in advance of a trip to see the Peabody-Essex Museum’s “Shoes: Pleasure and Pain” exhibit on Saturday, Feb. 25, but the talk is open to all including those who did not sign up for the trip. Sponsored by The Friends of the Lincoln Public Library .

Seventh-grader chosen for music festival

Emily Feng

Lincoln School seventh-grader Emily Feng was selected through a vigorous audition process to participate in the Massachusetts Music Educators Eastern District Junior Festival to be held at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School on March 3 and 4. The program is offered by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association – Eastern District as an enrichment opportunity that brings together the top musicians in our schools. Over 900 music students in grades 7–9 from 30 school districts auditioned on January 28; less than half were accepted. Emily will play in the first violin section in the orchestra.

 

Council on Aging activities in February

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
February 1 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, Feb. 1 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
February 1 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold office hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 1 on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up.

What you need to know about Annual Town Meeting bylaw proposals
February 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Important new bylaws and changes to existing bylaws that affect your everyday life will be voted on at Annual Town Meeting in March. Come find out more and have a chance to ask questions in an informal setting when Jennifer Burney, Director of Planning and Land Use, and members of committees proposing the bylaws will be at Bemis Hall on Friday, Feb. 3 at 9:30 a.m. One proposal would change the solar bylaw to reflect industry standards, eliminating the 12-inch setback requirement and adding in a waiver provision. Another would impose a possible moratorium on recreational marijuana. An Affordable Accessory Apartment Bylaw would create accessory apartments that qualify for the town’s affordable housing inventory. A proposed tax exemption would allow the portion of the property dedicated to an affordable accessory apartment to be tax exempt. A request to the Community Preservation Committee would create a fund for homeowners to access interest free loans for renovating or creating an affordable accessory apartment. Finally, a proposed amendment to a bylaw would allow the sale of farm products for conforming parcels between 80,000 square feet and 5 acres. Come find out more and bring your questions, concerns and ideas!

Trad jazz band
February 3 at 12:30 p.m.
Come join your neighbors who never miss a session. The Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band be at Bemis on Friday Feb. 3 from 12:30–1:30 to entertain you. There will be some good old tunes to sing along to, maybe Ain’t She Sweet or When You’re Smilin’ or All of Me or maybe something completely different this time. Maybe the music will put you in the mood to get up and dance like some of the audience do. Or maybe you’d prefer to just sit and tap your toes. See you there!

Lincoln Academy with Mark Hopkins—Walking the thornfeld: saving Africa’s most dangerous and beautiful creatures
February 6 at 12:30 p.m.
Join Earthwatch volunteer Mark Hopkins as he hikes 60 miles through scenic thornveld landscapes, accompanied by an armed Zulu ranger, counting wild rhino, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, and a dozen other large mammal species, then returning to the campsite for close-up photographic visits with lions, leopards, hippos and crocodiles. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Coffee with watercolor artist Jack Foley
February 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Lincoln artist Jack Foley for a celebration of his exhibit of watercolors at Bemis Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 2:30 pm. Jack says, “I started painting watercolors in the early ’80s, usually just on vacations. I paint most of my watercolors on site and occasionally at my kitchen table. I sell paintings, donate them to charities, or just paint for fun. Lincoln’s a great place to paint.” His work has been shown at the Clark Gallery, Concord Art, the New England Watercolor Society, the Attleboro Arts Museum, and other venues. The exhibit will run through February.

Communicating across lines of difference
February 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Effective and respectful communication between people with differing characteristics and life experiences has never been more important yet can seem ever more difficult. How do we know if we have inadvertently offended someone and what do we do about it? How do we get started talking to each other about such topics as race, gender, economic status, and other such issues in a way that strengthens relationships as well as recognizes our many commonalities? Mandy Beal, Ministerial Intern at First Parish who has completed special training, will lead a discussion at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 9:30 a.m. about communicating around lines of difference, focusing not on being “good” or “bad” but on effectiveness. The 90-minute session will include a short presentation on current thinking and research followed by a group discussion using reflection and questions and answers.

Drawing
February 8 at 10 a.m.
Drawing is a way to capture the world as you see it and the gateway to painting and other art forms. Learn to draw and you have created a new language for yourself! Get started when Bernadette Quirk, a local artist and experienced art teacher, teaches a four-session course on Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon beginning February 8 at Bemis Hall. This session will start with simple still life objects to develop skills in measuring and perspective. The cost is $20 for the course. No prior experience necessary or expected! We provide all supplies. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up as space is limited.

Reframing as a technique for greater happiness
February 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Whether it is a traffic jam, loss of an opportunity, or a negative life story, reframing can change your perspective and outlook on life. Learn various ways to use this technique of being honest about your situation, but finding new ways to look at its opportunities, advantages, and challenges when Pam Mizrahi, the COA’s assistant director and a social worker, holds a discussion on Friday, Feb. 10 at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The discussion will focus on actual examples you can use every day.

First look at Annual Town Meeting: town and public schools budgets and projects
February 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Selectmen Peter Braun and Renel Fredriksen, Town Administrator Tim Higgins, Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Becky McFall, and Lincoln School Committee Chair Jennifer Glass will present an overview of FY18 budget priorities on Friday, Feb. 10 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Find out what is on the Annual Town Meeting warrant for the town and school budgets. There will also be a discussion of the current status of a Lincoln school building project, and any related warrant articles that might be up for a vote at Town Meeting as well as town-related projects and initiatives. This is your opportunity to discuss the budget, the School building project, and other school and town-related topics in an informal, conversational setting. They welcome your questions, your ideas and concerns.

Valentine’s Day jazz brunch
February 12 at 10:15 a.m.
What could be more fun for Valentine’s Day than a delicious jazz brunch at Trail’s End in Concord? Join the Lincoln COA on Sunday, Feb. 12 when you’ll have a wonderful brunch while listening to some of the best local jazz around! The fun starts by boarding Doherty’s bus at the Mall at 10:15 to go to Concord. Once there, you can choose from menu items including eggs, an omelette, French toast or granola parfait, coffee, tea, juice, sides like bacon, fruit, etc. The venue does have some stairs inside. The cost is $10, with the cost of breakfast on your own. To reserve a space, send your check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Claire Mount, 123 Tower Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone and email so she can send you a menu. Space is limited. Questions? Contact Claire at 781-259-8695.

Lincoln Academy with Tom Gumbart—Backyard butterflies, dragonflies and more
February 13 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Feb. 13, at 12:30 to hear Tom Gumbart discuss “Backyard Butterflies, Dragonflies and More.” Lincoln’s Conservation Director, Tom Gumbart, 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. Tom spent a significant amount of time this past summer taking photos, mostly at his home in Stow, and will share his experiences with the audience. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Free legal clinic
February 13 at 2 p.m.
Got a question about a legal issue? The Council on Aging is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, Feb. 13 from 2-4 pm. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but advance registration is required. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. Register in advance by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
February 14 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Get blood pressure checks, nutrition and fitness information, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Science club: breeding and raising miniature sheep in Lincoln
February 16 at 10 a.m.
In 2008, Ray Tomlinson and Karen Seo began working on establishing Ouessant sheep in the United States, beginning in Oregon, later moving to Lincoln in 2010. This breed is the smallest in the world—25 to 45 lbs. and 16 to 20 inches at the shoulder—about one-quarter the size of an average sheep. Unfortunately, they exist only in Europe, from where it is illegal to import any kind of ruminant (cow, goat, sheep, etc.) into the U.S. So this has meant importing semen and upbreeding from a breed already present in the U.S., using artificial insemination to slowly, generation by generation, build a flock of increasingly purebred Ouessant sheep. Each succeeding generation of females is inseminated laparascopically with 100% Ouessant semen. So the filial generations are half Ouessant, then 3/4, then 7/8, and so on. Join Karen as she talks about her sheep, the statistics and process of upbreeding in a suburban environment, caring for and selling the sheep, and more on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m.

Coffee with a cop
February 16 at 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 1 to 2:30 pm to meet privately with a Lincoln police officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member, or neighbor? An idea for the Police should try? Would you like guidance about a situation? Come on down! No need to make an appointment; an officer will be at Bemis each third Thursday of the month.

Rapture of the senses retreat
February 17 at 11 a.m.
Nourish your body, soul, and heart through this special workshop celebrating loving ourselves. It will be held on Friday, Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Create bath bombs using dried flowers and essential oils, learn how to make a luxurious face cream; let your mind and nerves be soothed with love songs and poems; write a love poem to yourself: tantalize your taste buds with delicious, healthy treats to fall in love with! Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up as space is limited.

Senior dining
February 21 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 Feb. 21 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. A special dessert will be provided by the staff and children of the Magic Garden Children’s Center.

Fireside chat: civic engagement
February 22 at 10 a.m.
What does it mean to you to be a “good citizen,” whether of the town, the nation or the world? What can and should we do as responsible citizens? How can we engage with others in listening and talking about public life? What are some ways we can still be a good citizen when we are limited in our participation, either by physical or other disabilities, a lack of finances or other circumstances? Come join others in a lively but respectful discussion of this topic facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The purpose of the Fireside Chats is not to convince others of your opinion, but rather to share information and ideas so as to create dialogue and greater understanding.

Coloring as a meditation tool
February 24 at 9:30 a.m.
All over the country adults are finding that coloring designs like mandalas, peaceful scenes, and more is a way to center, to express creativity, and to aid in meditation. Plus, it’s easy and does not require supplies other than books of designs and some colored pencils or crayons. Come find out more about adult coloring and meditation and give it a try when Tracey Cornogg comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 so Tracey knows how many sets of materials to bring.

Mini-massage
February 24 at 11 a.m.
Jai Kaur (Annamaria San Antonio) will be offering seated mini back and neck massages as a gift or by donation February 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Massage reduces anxiety and stress, stiffness, fatigue and depression. Jai Kaur is a licensed and certified massage and bodywork therapist offering an integrative approach, yoga teacher and stress management instructor. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up for a 15-minute appointment.

Lincoln Academy with Ron McAdow and Betsy Stokey—A visit to Cuba with Mass Audubon
February 27 at 12:30 p.m.
A highlight of 2016 for Lincoln residents Ron McAdow and Betsy Stokey was their participation in a MassAudubon birding trip to Cuba. Ron and Betsy will show their pictures and describe their impressions of the island nation that has been so close and yet so far for most of our lives. The photos include birds—but plenty of other subjects were also photographed, making this a presentation of general interest rather than just for the “avi-centric.” Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

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

2016: the year in review (part 1)

Kids enjoyed ice cream and other diversions at Lincoln’s “40 Years of Community” fair in April 2016.

June

May

April

March

February

January