history

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.

Weeklong events

News acorns – 12/4/14

December 4, 2014

L-S concerts include choral groups tonight

The L-S Winter Choral Concert will be performed on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in Kirschner Auditorium at the high school, while the L-S Instrumental Concert will be a week later on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. in the same location.. Both concerts are open to the public and free of charge.

Tonight’s choral concert will feature the L-S Concert Choir & Chamber Singers, the Lincoln School Chorus and the Curtis Select Chorus. The L-S choirs are singing music of America, Ireland, England, France, Macedonia and South Africa, and selections from Carmina Burana. The L-S student-led vocal groups Acafellas, Accent, Achoired Taste, Coro de Chicas & Musigals will perform a variety of popular music to start the concert.Recording of the concert will be available for pre-order. Concessions will be available.

The Instrumental Winter Concert on December 11 will include large ensembles including the Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and smaller groups including the Flute Choir and Violin Ensemble. Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride will provide the grand finale with 130 instrumental students performing together on stage. Highlights from the program will include:

Orchestra—Marche Slav by Tchaikovsky; Jupiter from “The Planets” by Gustav Holst; selections from Bizet’s Carmen; and the Allegro movement from Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G minor (used for the theme song of the movie Amadeus).
Symphonic Band—Cinicinnatus March by H.A. Vandercook; Blue Ridge Saga by Jim Swearingen; and An American Fanfare by Rick Kirby.
Concert Band—Avenger March by Karl A. King; Albanian Folk Dance by Shelley Hansen; and Chorale and Shaker Dance by John Zdechlik (including the familiar Shaker hymn ‘Tis The Gift To Be Simple)

Dog walkers on the school campus: please scoop!

The Lincoln School has noticed a recent increase in dog walkers failing to clean up after their pets when traversing the campus play areas. Principal Steve McKenna notes that this is not pleasant for the child who steps or rolls in just the wrong place while at recess.

Kids invited to participate in First Parish Christmas Pageant

Rehearsals for the December 14 children’s Christmas Pageant at the First Parish Church will be December 7 and 14 during church services. There’s a part for every child who wants one. Children will gather in the sanctuary (the white church) at 10 a.m., then proceed with the pageant leaders up to the Stone Church for rehearsals and performance at 11 a.m. Invite the grandparents and bring a camera, and be prepared to sing along! The First Parish also invites families to attend the Solstice Service and/or one of two Christmas Eve services. Please see the First Parish calendar for more information.

Old Town Hall Exchange hosts “Gift Local” event

The Old Town Hall Exchange will host the 4th annual Gift Local Artisan and Craft Show on December 13 and 14. This event will host a variety of talented local artists, featuring jewelers, woodworkers, and more. Stop by and get some of your holiday shopping our of the way while supporting some terrific local businesses. The event takes place on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14 from 1-6 p.m.

Talk on bicycling history on Dec. 17

The Lincoln Public Library presents “Boston’s Cycling Craze, 1880-1900: A Story of Race, Sport and Society” with author Lorenz J. Finison on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. Explore the rise of Boston’s cycling through the lives of several participants. Finison details the life of Kittie Knox, a biracial 20 year old Bostonian. Books will be available for purchase.

Council on Aging activities in December

November 29, 2014

Lincoln Academy with Jim Cunningham and Rick Detwiller: A Historical Architecture Journey and the Barrett Farm Restoration Project
December 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Dec. 1 at 12:30 to hear Jim Cunningham and Rick Detwiller discuss “A Historical Architecture Journey and the Barrett Farm Restoration Project.” 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.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Clark
December 3 at 1 p.m.
You are invited to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. to meet with Natalie Kaufman, Constituent Service Representative for Congresswoman Katherine Clark. She will be available to assist residents with Social Security, Medicare, and MassHealth/Medicaid. You are also welcome to discuss other matters with her that she may be able to help with. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in December

News acorns – 11/8/14

November 8, 2014

Family potluck supper at First Parish on Nov. 9

You are invited to a family potluck supper this Sunday, Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish House of the First Parish Church. All are welcome. We will have pizza and cartoons for the kids. Bring a dish to share (no need to cook—purchased food is fine) and wine or beer if you would like. We provide the soft drinks. Come and spend some relaxing time with great First Parish folk. [Read more…] about News acorns – 11/8/14

News acorns

October 21, 2014

Halloween activities for kids at the library

Movies & Muffins — Friday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m.
Watch Halloween-themed short films based on the beloved children’s books Fletcher and the Falling Leaves and Dem Bones, and the “Little Bear’s Moonlight Serenade”TV episode. For ages 2 and up.

Oogly Googly Halloween Puppet Show — Monday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.
Come hear a Halloween story and then make a shadow puppet. Puppeteer Faye Dupras will work with participants and their puppets in a fun shadow puppet activity. Recommended for ages 3-8. Registration required.

“Not Too Scary” Stories and Crafts — Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m.
Halloween stories for kids age 3-5 with Amy and Jane. Wear your costumes if you dare! Drop-in.

Candlelight vigil for victims of domestic violence

At an October 29 candlelight vigil in Lincoln to commemorate victims of domestic violence, District Attorney Marian Ryan will give a keynote address on the collateral impact of domestic violence on children who witness violence and on our communities.

The Domestic Violence Services Network will host its annual candlelight vigil (October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month) on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. at Bemis Hall in Lincoln, to commemorate the victims who lost their lives to domestic violence in the past year. Candles will be lit in reverence of those lives lost to domestic violence, and an honor guard from Hanscom Air Force Base will join in the ceremony.

While the vigil is a solemn occasion, it is also a night of hope. By publicly standing together, we show the victims in our communities that we believe their stories and support their journeys. A gathering with light refreshments will follow. For more information about DVSN’s Candlelight Vigil, please call 978-318-3421.

Evensong at St. Anne’s on November 2

St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Church is hosting a service of choral evensong on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. All are welcome. Evensong is the most particularly Anglican service in all of Christian worship. Originating from the monastic hours, it consists of the distinctive parts of the ancient office of Vespers and Compline. During the last century, Evensong has emerged as a liturgy of rare and mystical beauty. For more information, visit www.stanneslincoln.org or call 781-259-8834.

Lecture on “The Codmans and the Great War”

Come to a lecture about “The Codmans and the Great War” on Sunday, Nov. 2 at the Codman House (34 Codman Rd.) at 1 p.m. After war was declared in Europe in 1914, New England families like the Codmans, who had strong ties to France, felt reverberations. When war broke out, oldest brother and architect Ogden Codman Jr. was at his chateau outside of Paris. While he and his staff made a daring, last-minute escape to the United States, his friend and co-author Edith Wharton remained in Europe to assist the war effort. In Lincoln, the Codman siblings threw themselves into home front activities like knitting and canning. Dramatic letters from family and friends in Europe serving as ambulance drivers, nurses, aid workers, and soldiers kept the family abreast of news from the front lines. Drawn from material in Historic New England’s archives, this illustrated talk focuses on the First World War experience of the Codmans and their community.

The lecture takes place in the Carriage House followed by an optional tour of the Codman House museum. Tickets are $10 for Historic New England members and $15 for nonmembers. Registration is required. Please call 781-259-8098 for more information. Click here to purchase tickets online.

Conservation Commission seeks volunteers

The Lincoln Conservation Commission (ConsComm) seeks volunteers to serve on the seven-member commission. There is at least one immediate opening. Commissioner appointments are made by the Board of Selectmen for a three-year term unless the appointment is to fill out a previous commissioner’s term. The time commitment includes an evening meeting every third Wednesday as well as site visits, which are often held on the same day as the meeting and are typically held on weekday mornings. You may also be asked to participate in a subcommittee or serve as a liaison to another board or commission.

The ConsComm’s work is diverse, but much of it is focused on wetlands permitting and open space management. Those with professional skills in reading and understanding construction plans are especially desirable so a background in fields such as engineering, construction, architecture and surveying is helpful. Also those with legal experience would help round out the current group of commissioners.

If you’re interested, please submit the town’s online volunteer application form and submit it to the Board of Selectmen’s office or the Conservation Department. Attendance at ConsComm meetings is helpful for any interested applicant’ the schedule is also available on the commission’s website.

Buy a Thanksgiving pie for a good cause

Order a gourmet Thanksgiving apple, pumpkin, pecan or chocolate pie and help fund enrichment grants for teachers at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Purchase pies for $18 each from the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury (FELS).

To support another good cause in addition to FELS, you can also donate a pie to the Lincoln or Sudbury fire and police staff, the L-S Senior Dinner, a food pantry or an L-S teacher. FELS will arrange delivery — just indicate your choice on the form if you’re paying by check, or in the “special instructions to seller” area if you’re using a charge card or Paypal. (If you do not fill in anything under “instructions to vendor,” we will e-mail you to ask your preference.) Go to the FELS website to order pies online via credit card or download a paper form to pay by check. Pie orders must be received by Friday, Nov. 10 and will be available for pickup on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Half of your order is tax deductible.

See musical theater gala with Council on Aging

Revel in holiday joy as you experience over two hours of enchanting Christmas cheer at the Reagle Music Theater’s Holiday Gala on Sunday, Dec. 7. You’ll enjoy a breathtaking spectacle including a full orchestra and 150 talented performers featuring Yuletide songs and pageants of the Parade of Wooden Soldiers, Santa’s Workshop, a Victorian Christmas and more.

The Council on Aging bus will leave the Lincoln Mall at 3:15 p.m. on December 7 and return about 7 p.m. The cost, including transportation, is $36 per person. Remember to bring some cash for ice cream and drinks that will be served at intermission. Lincoln seniors and their caregivers, family members and friends who may be visiting (with permission from the trip leader) are welcome.

To reserve your place, send a check made out to “FLCOA Trips” to Claire Mount, 123 Tower Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 by Wednesday, Nov. 19. Please include your name, address, email (if available) and phone number on your check. Questions? Call Claire at 781-259-8695.

News acorns – 9/18/14

September 17, 2014

Open house features Lincoln Minute Men, refurbished historic home

At an open house on Saturday, Sept. 20, the Lincoln Minute Men will do musket-firing demonstrations at 10 a.m., noon and 1 p.m., as well as drills for children, fife and drum music, and demonstrations of sewing, spinning and colonial clothing throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place at the Captain William Smith House in the Minute Man National Historical Park on Route 2A near Bedford Road (park in the Hartwell Tavern lot).

Lincoln Minute Men (soldiers, musicians and townspeople) will greet the public in colonial attire and welcome them into the Smith House, which has been refurbished thanks to the concerted effort of the Lincoln Minute Men and the support of friends through donations. The Minute Men worked with the National Park to locate and donate items similar to those that might have been found on that day in the three ground floor rooms of a New England house: the formal parlor, the keeping room and the kitchen. Come and see the walking wheel for spinning wool, the infant’s cradle with reproduction tick and blanket, the kitchen cupboard stocked with redware and pewter, items for cooking on the hearth, a tilt-top table set for tea, a gate-leg table set for Catharine and William’s dinner, a desk where the Smiths could pay bills and write correspondence, and much more.

Also open to the public on September 20 are two other “witness houses” to the events of April 19, 1775: the Hartwell Tavern, where there will be demonstrations of historic crafts and trades, and the Col. James Barrett House in Concord, where His Majesty’s 63rd Regiment of Foot will be displaying British uniforms of the period.