history

News acorns – 6/18/15

June 18, 2015

Join Lincoln’s annual Fourth of July parade

Get your float ready for the July 4 parade! This year’s theme (recycling last year’s, as the parade was rained out) is “Lincoln: Something to Crow About!” First settled in the 1650s by farmers, Lincoln today is home to numerous farms and nearly 800 farm animals, including 417 chickens and roosters. Now that’s a lot of crowing! This year the stakes are high as the first-place winner will have their team picture displayed in Town Hall. The top three winners will also receive Golden Rooster trophies.

Download a parade application, fill it out, and scan and email it to eventssubcommittee@gmail.com or mail it to the Parks and Recreation Department at 16 Lincoln Road. On the morning of July Fourth, please meet on Ballfield Road before 9:45 a.m.

May activities with the Council on Aging

May 4, 2015

Arabic conversation
May 4 and May 18 at 9:45 a.m.
Azza Omer from Sudan has generously offered to teach a free informal, light and easy conversational Arabic language class on Monday, April 6 at 9:45 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Learning something completely new is great for brain fitness and for having fun! You’ll learn some common words and phrases. Come give the class a try!

Lincoln Academy with Alison Taunton-Rigby: Biotechnology in Massachusetts
May 4 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, May 4 at 12:30 to hear Alison Taunton-Rigby discuss “Biotechnology in Massachusetts.” 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. [Read more…] about May activities with the Council on Aging

News acorns – 4/13/15

April 13, 2015

Farm and third-graders make syrup for charity

Matlock Farm is selling maple syrup they made with the help of Lincoln School third-graders and donating the proceeds to charity.

After the children collected sap from trees at the school and did a math/science project on the amount they got. Then Nancy Bergen and Ephraim Flint of Matlock Farm added sap from other trees in town and boiled it in their evaporator. The third-graders chose UNICEF as the charity to receive the proceeds from the sale of syrup. Anyone interested in purchasing some should come to Matlock Farm at 27 Lexington Rd. or call ahead to see if they’re at home (781-259-8402). Quart jars of syrup are $25 and there are a few pint jars that sell for $12.50.

This is the second year of the maple syrup collaboration. Organizers hope to beat last year’s tally of $550 that was donated to Partners in Health.

Lincoln Minute Men events coming up

The Lincoln Minute Men (LMM) invite residents to the following activities in the days before and after Patriots Day. For more information, click on one of the event titles on the Lincoln Minute Men website and battleroad.org. For photos of past events, visit the LMM Facebook page.

Tuesday, April 14

7:30 p.m. — Talk on “Finding Parker’s Revenge Battlefield” (Bemis Hall)

Saturday, April 18

9:30 a.m. to noon — Lincoln Minute Men interpret the home of William Smith and his wife Catherine (Route 2A across from Bedford Road intersection)
2 p.m. — Parker’s Revenge Battle (behind Visitors Center, 250 N. Great Road, Lincoln)
4 p.m. — Battle of Tower Park (1200 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington). The Lincoln Minute Men inhabit 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.

Sunday, April 19

2-3:30 p.m. — Lincoln Salute: Festival of 18th-century fife and drum music (Pierce Park)
7 p.m. — Alarm and muster (lawn opposite the First Parish Church, 3 Bedford Rd., Lincoln). 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 on the steps of the church to receive their marching orders to defend Concord. Then march with the LMM to Pierce House for a firing demonstration.

Monday, April 20

6:45 a.m. — Dawn tribute and march to the Concord parade (start outside Bemis Hall). 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 three-mile walk to Concord amid colonial music and musket fire for the parade that begins at 9 a.m. All ages welcome.

Sunday, April 26

2:30 p.m. — Old Burial Ground tribute (starts at Pierce House). –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 at Pierce House at 4 p.m. courtesy of the Lincoln Historical Society.

April activities offered by the Council on Aging

April 1, 2015

Conversation with inventor Jim Nicholson
April 3 at 10:30 a.m.
Have you ever spent time in a hospital bed and they put those big white stockings that inflated and deflated around your legs every so often? Well, come and hear your neighbor Jim Nicholson, an MIT graduate inventor and holder of over 50 international patents, tell his story of how he created this life saving system which has saved probably tens of thousands lives from a deadly blood clot on Friday, April 3 at 10:30 a.m. Jim will be interviewed and videoed taped by Harold McAleer and there will be time for discussion after he tells you his story.

Choosing the right home contractor
April 3 at 1 p.m.
Whether you need ice dam removal, a renovation, or something else, learn to choose and work with the right contractor when Dan Walsh, Lincoln’s Building Commissioner, comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 3 at 1 p.m. He’ll explain about the process for getting good estimates, determining a contractor’s credentials and insurance, criteria for choosing a contractor, legal requirements for contracts and permits, inspecting the work when completed, and what to do if you have a problem. [Read more…] about April activities offered by the Council on Aging

News acorns – 3/13/15

March 13, 2015

Deadline for letters on Town Meeting, election

The Lincoln Squirrel will accept letters to the editor concerning the March 28 Town Meeting and March 30 town election until Tuesday, March 24 at 5 p.m.

Planning Board reschedules meeting on zoning amendments

The Planning Board’s zoning amendment informational meeting on zoning amendments to be voted in at Town Meeting has been switched to Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall’s Donaldson Room so as not to conflict with the multi-board meeting about the school building project.

Middle school dance on March 27; chaperones needed

The Parks and Recreation Department will hold a dance for Lincoln middle school students on Friday, March 27 from 7:30-10 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Admission is $10 at the door. Parents are asked to chaperone one dance while their child is in middle school. Please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 781-259-0784 or dpereira@lincnet.org to volunteer.

Gropius House volunteers wanted

Museum shop attendants and greeters are sought for the Gropius House in Lincoln. Duties include welcoming guests, selling merchandise and memberships, and collecting admission fees. For more information, see this Lincoln Squirrel bulletin board listing.

Hazardous waste collection dates set for 2015

The following is a list of the 2015 collection dates for household hazardous waste at the Minuteman Household Hazardous Products Regional Facility (MHHP) at 60 Hartwell Ave. in Lexington from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are on Saturdays except where noted.

April 18
May 16
June 21
July 18
August 15
September 13 (Sunday)
October 17
November 7

All Lincoln residents must preregister by calling Elaine Carroll at 781-259-2613 or by coming to the Board of Health office at 16 Lincoln Road, 2nd floor. Continuing the policy started in 2005, liquid latex paint will not be accepted at this facility; dried paint may be thrown out in the regular trash. See this MHHP page for details on what materials are acceptable and facility.

News acorns – 2/4/15

February 4, 2015

“Dusk at Flint’s Field” by Susan Richards (click to enlarge image).

Lincoln’s Richards wins art prize

Susan Richards of Lincoln was one of eight winners in the Concord Art Association‘s Members Juried 1 painting and sculpture show that runs through February 15. She was recognized for her painting entitled “Dusk at Flint’s Field.” Click here for details on the exhibit and images of other entries.

Film screening of The Holy Mountain on Feb. 5

Consider the deCordova exhibition Walden, revisited in connection with its cinematic inspirations! Watch and discuss The Holy Mountain, a Mexican-American avant-garde film about what greed can do to the modern world, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5. This film was selected by Walden, revisited artist William Lamson. The screening will be followed by a staff-led discussion. Light refreshments provided. Doors open at 6 p.m. This program is free for all visitors.

Valentine’s Day ceramics for couples

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park on February 13 or 14 with an evening of ceramics activity for couples. During “Date Night with Clay,” work as a team on the wheel, decorating clay “hearts,” or building your own signature romantic sculpture. The workshop includes wine, refreshments, materials and tools for building, firing services, and 1.5 hours of instruction and assistance in building and decorating a unique Valentine’s Day gift. All levels welcome; no ceramic experience necessary. For ages 21+. Please note: Although clay won’t permanently stain garments, participants are encouraged to bring a change of clothes or wear protective garments if dinner arrangements are planned before or after the workshop.

Sessions will be held on Friday, Feb.13 and Saturday, Feb. 14 from 6–8 p.m.The cost is $65 per couple for members or $75 per couple for nonmembers. Limit 10 couples per session. Advance registration is required; click here for details and online registration.

College scholarships available from Lincoln Scholarship Committee

The Lincoln Scholarship Committee’s scholarship and awards application process is now open for 2015. The organization offers funding to Lincoln resident senior high school students who are planning on attending an institution of higher education following graduation. For more information and an application for one-year needs-based scholarships, the four-year Ogden Codman Scholarship and Codman Opportunity Scholarship, and the Fannie Campbell Academic and Sumner Smith Community Service awards, go to this Town of Lincoln webpage. The deadline for applicants is 3 p.m. on Monday, April 6 by mail, email or in person as indicated in the application instructions.

Please note that while the Lincoln Scholarship Committee has a similar name and mission to the Lincoln-Sudbury Scholarship Fund Dollars for Scholars, the LSC is a separate organization and requires applicants to complete a different application form. An application to each of the two groups is necessary to be eligible for the various scholarships and awards offered by the two organizations.

Water Commission still looking for a member

The Water Commission is seeking a resident to fill out the congenial three-member group, which has a small time commitment (about two hours a month) and requires no technical background. Meeting times can be set at the convenience of the new member since the two current members have flexible schedules. Anyone who wants to run, even as a write-in candidate, should call the Town Clerk for instructions at 781-259-2607.

News acorns – 1/29/15

January 29, 2015

Council on Aging events rescheduled

The Better Business Bureau presentation scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30 has been canceled due to the predicted snow. We will reschedule for the spring. The Artist’s Coffee that was canceled on Tuesday, Jan. 27 has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26 at 2:30 p.m.

Coming up at the library

“Orcadian Rhythms: The Films of Margaret Tait”
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Lincoln Library Film Society presents a night of short films by pioneering filmmaker Margaret Tait, whose transcendental, homemade films speak of the poetry of Scotland, and specifically of Orkney (a bit of Scottish and a bit of the Norse). Then, after a two-week break, the group will reconvene on February 17 to begin a six-part retrospective of Ukrainian poetic cinema. For more information, email lincolnlibraryfilmsociety@gmail.com.

Fischman and O’Hanlon at LOMA
The Friends of the Lincoln Library and Lincoln Open-Mic Acoustic (LOMA) will welcome featured performers Peter Fischman and Deb O’Hanlon at the next LOMA event on Monday, Feb. 9 from 7-10 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. They will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30 p.m. The duo has several CDs including their latest, In His Own Words, featuring original songs on topics such as life, home, commuting and vegetables. To hear samples of their music, visit Reverbnation or see their website.

“Voices from the Back Stairs: Domestic Servants in 19th- and 20th-century New England”
Jennifer Pustz of Historic New England will speak about life for domestic servants, with special attention to the servants at the Codman Estate, on Sunday, Feb. 8 from 2-4 p.m.

ICA sculpture-making for kids
Artist educators will lead the sculpture making project related to the Institute of Contemporary Art’s architecture and design concepts on Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 2-3 p.m. for children ages 5 and up. Each child will leave with her or his own sculpture! Signup in advance is necessary; call 781-259-8465 x205.

Robots on the run: build a robot
The Rhode Island Computer Museum presents this workshop for kids ages 10 and up on basic circuits and simple robot making on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 2-4 p.m. You’ll learn programmable electronics and instructions for making a robot with working lights and sounds and a running motor. Learn about interactive software called Arduino and create your own sample robot. Registration in advance is required; call 781-259-8465 x205.

Jump into improv
Come and learn the joy of improvisation on Tuesday afternoons from February 24 to April 7 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for kids in grades 4-7. During improv exercises, participants create characters and stories and act them out. There are no lines to learn—no staging, just lots of creative fun. Learn acting games and skills. No previous experience needed. Lots of fun, laughter and creativity involved. The class will be taught by actor/teacher Sally Kindleberger. To register: visit or call the library at 781-259-8465.

February activities at the Council on Aging

January 26, 2015

Here is the list of February activities sponsored by the Council on Aging.

Do less, accomplish more, feel better!
February 3 at 10 a.m.
We’re all overwhelmed with information about what we should be doing that’s good for us. Simplify to be more productive with a six-week group led by Pam Mizrahi. The group will explore how to determine what you can do to do less while accomplishing more to make you happier and healthier physically, mentally, and spiritually. This free group will meet on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. beginning on Feb. 3 at Bemis Hall. You will benefit from this group whether you were in the fall group or not. [Read more…] about February activities at the Council on Aging

News acorns – 1/23/15

January 23, 2015

Hear about Lincoln’s aluminum house, and the town during World War II

Did you know that Lincoln is home to one of the rare Alcoa aluminum houses that were built in 1957 to showcase aluminum building materials? On Thursday, Jan. 29 from 7-9 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library, Katherine Mierzwa of Friends of Modern Architecture/Lincoln will give a fast-paced, illustrated photo tour of this significant house, the history of aluminum in 20th-century architecture, and an update on how this house has recently been renovated.

What was life like on the World War II home front? How fast did Lincoln mobilize? How did it respond to all the major war challenges such as rationing, training for evacuation, and sustaining morale? Come to a session sponsored by the Lincoln Historical Society on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. in Bemis Hall for an afternoon of reminiscences about “Lincoln During World War II.” Hear reminiscences of wartime Lincoln elementary school students, share your own personal recollections whether or not you grew up in Lincoln, and capture the spirit of the times. “Victory Cake” and other popular foods from the period will be served. All ages welcome.

Both events are part of the Lincoln Winter Carnival.

New book club kicks off

The Lincoln Library is pleased to offer a new book group called the “Who Picked This Book?” club. The first meeting is Monday, Feb. 2 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the library, when we will talk about One Day by David Nicholls. The club will meet on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. to read fairly current fiction (maybe even nonfiction) that’s entertaining and well written. Copies in various formats will be available two weeks prior to each meeting. Refreshments will be served. Bring a list of possible books that you’ve always wanted to read to the first meeting maybe we can all pick the next one together. For more information, please contact Lisa Rothenberg at lrothenberg@minlib.net.

“Voices from the Back Stairs: Domestic Servants in 19th- and 20th-century New England”

Although domestic servants made everyday life in grand houses possible, their identities and roles within the household have long been ignored. On Sunday, Feb. 8 from 2-4 p.m., Dr. Jennifer Pustz of Historic New England will shed light on the role of servants and their relationship to their employers. This illustrated lecture will focus on three Historic New England properties, including Lincoln’s own Codman Estate.

Winter Carnival kicks off next Thursday

January 22, 2015

The Lincoln Winter Carnival, an annual event sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Committee, starts on January 29 and features a pancake breakfast, a snow sculpture contest, poetry, bingo, and lots of other events for both adults and kids.

The carnival is designed to foster a sense of community throughout the town of Lincoln, and all events are sponsored by Lincoln-based organizations. Please check individual event details for age limits, admission fees, pre-registration information, etc.