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Council on Aging activities in October

Celebrate nature in a watercolor class with Jane
October 4 at 9 a.m.
Rediscover your joyful soul through art and nature in Jane Cooper’s watercolor class. Enjoy painting scenes of nature, landscapes or some favorite sky. Two classes of four sessions each will be offered on Fridays and Mondays beginning Fridays, Oct. 4 and 21 from 9–11 a.m. The cost is $30 for each class of four sessions, materials included. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Musical jazz lunch
October 4 at 12 p.m.
Celebrate fall by grabbing a table at Bemis while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with good old tunes. Bring old friends. Make new ones. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared at the store to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The band will play on Friday, Oct. 4 starting at noon.

Lincoln Academy with John Getsinge — Evolution of Science, Episode 2: Tom Swift and the Quantum Annihilator
October 7 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Oct. 7 at 12:30 p.m. when John Getsinger discusses “Evolution of Science, Episode 2. Tom Swift and the Quantum Annihilator.” From the publication of quantum math, matrix, and wave in 1928 to the invention of the digital computer, artificial intelligence, atomic fission, quantum annihilation, Tom swiftly foresees electronics technology, intelligent military robots, atomic bombs and… universal nonexistence. What can Tom Swift do to counter the existential threat to all humanity posed by the possibility of the Quantum Annihilator? Tune in for the thrilling sequel. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Learn and play mah jongg
October 7 at 1 p.m.
Have you always wanted to learn mah jongg? Are you a new or former player looking to improve your skills? Are you an experienced player looking for a friendly game? Come to Bemis Hall each Monday from 1–4 p.m. for mah jongg lessons for those who would like to learn as well as a drop-in game for those who know how to play. Mah jongg is an exciting tile game which offers many of the same cognitive benefits as chess and bridge. Bring your own card or we will provide one for $9. For information or to register for lessons or a game, contact Joan Ingersoll at ingersollj@lincolntown.org or 781-259-8811.
[Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in October

News acorns

Join Sept. 20 climate strike via 9:09 Lincoln train

On Friday, Sept. 20, many members of the Lincoln community plan to attend the Boston Youth Climate Strike at Boston City Hall and will board the 9:09 am train at Lincoln Station (see this letter to the editor). Around the country and around the globe, young people and their adult allies will be leaving school and work to raise their voices to protect the Earth’s climate from further damage by fossil fuel emissions. St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church invites anyone who is planning to take the 9:09 train to join us for a brief Liturgy for the Climate at Lincoln Station beginning at 8:45 a.m. as clergy and congregants offer prayers of blessing for the Earth and acknowledge the climate emergency threatening the future of humanity. See Massachusetts Mothers Out Front for more information on the Boston Youth Climate Strike.

Water Commission seeks new member

The Water Commission is seeking interested volunteers. The commission ensures that the town’s drinking water meets all applicable federal, state and local laws and standards, as well as ensuring that the system revenue covers system operations, debt service, and reserves. The deadline for submittals is Friday, Oct. 4. Send letters of interest to Peggy Elder, Administrative Assistant in the Selectmen’s Office, elderp@lincolntown.org. For information or an application, call the Selectmen’s Office at 781-259-2601.

Drumlin Farm gets $20,000 grant from foundation

Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary has receive a $20,000 grant from the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation to support its full suite of Leaders in Environmental Access for All (LEAF) programs for children up to age 18. Programs include specialized field trips and guided programs, vocational internships, staff training, and adaptive curriculum and equipment for special-needs students participating in Drumlin Farm programs.

“Funding will allow us to continue our robust vocational internships opportunities, grow our adapted curriculum based environmental education programing, and implement a variety of staff trainings on disability and inclusivity,” said Drumlin Farm Education Manager Jennifer Feller.

Talk on women’s suffrage in Mass.

The Lincoln Historical Society  presents Barbara Berenson, author of Massachusetts in the Woman Suffrage Movement: Revolutionary Reformers, on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Massachusetts was at the center of the national struggle for women’s suffrage; in a 1915 referendum, the men of Massachusetts voted two-to-one against woman suffrage. Nonetheless, in a remarkable reversal, Massachusetts ratified the 19th Amendment within three weeks after it was approved by Congress. Berenson is also author of Boston in the Civil War and is senior attorney at the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Walk to benefit SVdP and Lincoln food pantry

Come on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10–11 a.m. to St. Julia Church (374 Boston Post Rd, Weston) for a walk to raise awareness for people in need in Lincoln and Weston, and to benefit the work of our local Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) conference and the food pantry. Suggested donation $10 per person or $25 per family. This will be an easy walk along the new rail trail with an ice cream social at 11a.m. at St. Julia Church. SVdP provides emergency financial help to residents of Lincoln and Weston and operates a food pantry at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln that serves clients from both towns. 

News acorns

“Embrace Change” sessions at library cancelled

All evening sessions of the “Embrace Change” series at the Lincoln Library have been cancelled. Daytime programs will be held at Pierce House as scheduled (see updated News Acorns, Sept. 4, 2019). For more information, see FullyEmbraceChange.com.

Garden Club event for prospective members

All Lincoln residents with an interest in gardening and the natural environment that surrounds us are welcome to the Lincoln Garden Club’s fall wine and cheese party for new and prospective members. Come learn about their activities on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. RSVP to Annparke@verizon.net, Lucypage@aol.com or Membership@lincolngradenclub.org to receive the event location.

Codman Community Farms Harvest Feast rescheduled

Due to concerns about Eastern equine encephalitis and the potential risks of holding evening events before the first hard frost, Codman Community Farms has decided to move its annual Harvest Feast from October 5 to Saturday, Nov. 2. The annual CCF Harvest Fair will be held as scheduled on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Fall events at Farrington Nature Linc

The following children’s events will take place at Farrington Nature Linc (295 Cambridge Turnpike, Lincoln):

Goat Yoga with Chip in Farm and Julie Aronis of Little Elephant Yoga
Sunday, Sept. 15 from 10–11 a.m.
Join us for an outdoor yoga class featuring a herd of friendly baby goats from Chip-In Farm. Goat kids are naturally curious and playful and our little goats love to cuddle. While this may not be the most meditative and relaxing yoga class you’ve ever been to, it will surely be the most memorable. Learn more on leader Julie Aronis’s Facebook page. Bring your own mat, blanket, or towel but be prepared for the goats to potentially taste test everything. We recommend towels for easy cleaning. In case of rain, the class will be inside the barn. $25 class fee includes 50 minutes of yoga instruction with 10 minutes of goat cuddling and photos.

Tales and Treats Family Storytelling with Doria Hughes
Saturday, Sept. 21 from 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Join us for a crisp evening by the fire as Doria Hughes tells us stories about the fall, nature, and animals and everyone makes s’mores.

Wild Edibles with Stephen DeFlorio
Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m.–noon
Led by Naturalist Stephen DeFlorio, a 30-year veteran of outdoor education. Explore the world of ethnobotany. The class will focus on edibles in the woods but also cover medicinals such as lip balms, salves, tinctures, poultices, etc. Geared for adults, but children welcome. Limited to 25 attendees.

Slightly Spooky, Mostly Kooky Fall Fun Fest
Saturday, Oct. 19 from 4–9 p.m.
Come as a family wearing your favorite Halloween costumes to enjoy fall crafts, outdoor games, a hike and some Halloween treats.

Mah Jongg Mondays set to begin

Have you always wanted to learn mah jongg? Are you a new or former player looking to improve your skills? Are you an experienced player looking for a friendly game? Every Monday from 1–4 p.m. beginning on September 30, the Lincoln Council on Aging in Bemis Hall will host Mah Jongg lessons as well as a drop-in game for those who know how to play. It is a four-player tile game of strategy, luck and skill that offers many of the same cognitive benefits as chess and bridge. Bring your 2019 Mah Jongg card or we will provide one for $9. For more information and to register for lessons or a game, contact Joan Ingersoll at ingersollj@lincolntown.org or 781-259-8811.

“Hikes Through History” presentation at library

The Lincoln Public Library presents “Hikes Through History” with Alison O’Leary on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. A hike is more than a stroll through the woods when you know how the land was used in the past. O’Leary is coauthor of AMC’s Best Day Hikes Near Boston. This program is sponsored by Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Tour historic houses and neighborhood

On Sunday, Oct. 6, Friends of Modern Architecture/Lincoln and Historic New England are offering a rare opportunity to compare the interior and exterior of Gropius House and the 1939 home of Walter Gropius’s esteemed Harvard colleague, Walter Bogner. This special, ninety-minute tour begins at Gropius House and continues with a short walk through the adjacent Woods End Road neighborhood. Woods End Road features an exceptional cluster of Modern houses, including a home designed by celebrated Modern architect and designer Marcel Breuer, and the home of Harvard ethicist and housing specialist James Ford and writer Elizabeth Morrow Ford, designed by Gropius and Breuer. Tours start at the Gropius House (68 Baker Bridge Rd.) every half-hour from 1:30–4 p.m. Tickets are $65. Click here to register and select a time.

News acorns

Saori weaving workshop at deCordova

Join artist Mihoko Wakabayashi to explore the practice of Saori weaving, a freestyle contemporary weaving technique that emphasizes spontaneity and freedom of expression, on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum(half-day and full-day sessions available). Create for a half-day to produce a nature-inspired wall hanging, or both parts of the day to create a larger wall hanging, scarf, or placemat. No experience necessary. Click here to sign up.

Charlie Koch to perform at LOMA

Charlie Koch is the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, Sept. 9 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The event runs from 7–10 p.m., and Koch will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. He’s received widespread recognition for providing the bass line and vocal harmonies for partner Cosy Sheridan and was part of the trio Muddy Limo, along with Brad Meyer and Chris Boehmer.

Admission is free and refreshments are provided. Performers can sign up at the event or email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com for a slot. There is a sound system with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups.

Domestic Violence Roundtable hosts “meet and greet”

Join members of the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable for a special “meet and greet” on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 3–4:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room of the Wayland Public Safety Building (38 Cochituate Rd., Wayland). This event is specifically designed to welcome new friends to the Roundtable and to provide new and meaningful ways for old friends to deepen their involvement with the group’s. work. Each Roundtable committee will have a brief opportunity to share highlights of their work. These presentations will be followed by an open meet-and-greet time where attendees can learn more about roles that might interest them. For more information, email infodvrt@gmail.com.

Events mark Minute Man National Historical Park’s 60th

Minute Man National Historical Park turns 60 in September, and the park and community partners have planned several public events and programs to commemorate the anniversary.

Friday, September 20

Realizing the Vision
The Depot (31 Depot Square, Lexington), 7 p.m.
Join park staff and program co-sponsors the Friends of Minute Man National Park and Lexington Historical Society. The speaker for the evening is Lou Sideris, former Chief of Interpretation and Park Planner (ret.) at MMNHP, who will reflect the founding and ongoing development of the park. Reception to follow. Admission is free, but space is limited so reservations are required. Please email your name and number of people in your party to mima_info@nps.gov.

Saturday, September 21

Threads of Resistance: Revolutionary Roles of Women
Whittemore House (near MMNHP Visitor Center), 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
In 1769, Colonial women protested British policies by making cloth in the home, reducing reliance on British imports. Experience the process and learn about political impact of home manufacturing. This program is offered as part of Revolution 250, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. 

Historic Trades Day
Hartwell Tavern, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Our 18th-century forebears knew how to get the job done. Learn about various hands-on trades of the period and see skilled artisans at work.

Patriotic Music with the Concord Band
Field overlooking the North Bridge, 4–6 p.m.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic and enjoy music by the Concord Band (also celebrating its 60th anniversary) in the. The rain location at Walden Performing Arts Center (51 Walden St., Concord) has limited seating; first come, first served.

Sunday, September 22

“Earth Press Project: Witness” — Meet the Artist
MMNHP Visitor Center, 10:30 am–1:30 pm.
Meet artist Nancy Winship Milliken and collaborators, make your own “witness” brick, and engage in conversation around the themes of witness and change and learn more about this publicly generated sculpture.

For general park information, please call 978-396-6993 or visit www.nps.gov/MIMA.

Efforts move ahead to highlight importance of Battle Road Byway

A new regional website, www.battleroadbyway.org, highlights the history and activities along the Battle Road — the path that British troops followed during the battles that started the American Revolution on April 19, 1775.

The route runs along 15 miles of roads in Arlington, Lexington, Lincoln, Concord, and the Minuteman National Historical Park, with an additional loop in Lincoln that traverses Bedford Road to Baker Bridge Road and back up Route 126 to Route 2A that highlights Lincoln’s special historical, cultural, and architectural landmarks.

The Battle Road Byway website provides an integrated overview of iconic sites and events such as Paul Revere’s ride and his capture by the British in Lincoln, the battles at Lexington Common and the Old North Bridge (“the shot heard ’round the world”), and other skirmishes between British troops and Minute Men along the route, including at Bloody Angle in Lincoln and the Jason Russell House in Arlington, where 12 colonists and two British soldiers died — the bloodiest encounter associated with any house during the Revolutionary War.

The byway’s theme is “Roads to Revolution” because it touches on other revolutionary developments that occurred along the famous route. Accordingly, the site has information on Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walden Pond, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, the deCordova Museum, and over 200 other points of interest.

There are pages for each of the four towns as well as on architecture, history, literature, and nature, all of which are cross-linked. Another section highlights opportunities for activities including hiking, biking, canoeing, and nature exploration.

The Battle Road Byway Committee is a joint venture by the four towns and National Park Service that partners with Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area, MassDOT, and other organizations to provide stewardship to the byway’s resources. Lincoln’s liaison is Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie, assistant director of planning and land use.

Congress is expected to vote this fall on reinstating the Federal Program for Scenic Byways. If passed, the legislation could qualify the four towns for federal money, and the committee would apply to have the route designated as a National Scenic Byway.

Last year, Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Burney and Town Administrator approached MassDOT with a request for pedestrian and bicycle improvements along Route 2A in Lincoln, which comprises part of the byway. The agency responded by assembling a stakeholder group with representatives from Lincoln, Lexington, Concord, Hanscom Field, Massport, Minute Man National Historical Park, and the Battle Road Byway Committee.

MassDOT and consultant Toole Design are working on concepts ideas based on site visits, discussions, and review all past studies, traffic counts, etc., Burney said. The stakeholder group will reconvene in late summer to discuss concepts ideas and solicit feedback.

The Battle Road Byway Committee will hold a public meeting on October 15 at the Minute Man National Historical Park Visitors Center from 6–8 p.m.to review what it’s done to date and invite comments as well as suggestions for future initiatives.

Historic but dilapidated Flint homestead plans public event to raise awareness

The Flint homestead on Lexington Road.

By Alice Waugh

One of Lincoln’s founding families is hoping to maintain their centuries-old farmstead for years to come by raising money to turn it into a museum and education center — an effort that will launch with a public event in September.

A few years ago, Tom Flint and his sisters — the 12th generation of Flints who’ve farmed and lived in Lincoln — inherited the original Flint home on Lexington Road, along with about $125,000 earmarked for that building’s property taxes and maintenance. They’re direct descendants of Thomas Flint, who arrived in 1636 as one of the first European settlers in what would later become Lincoln. Some time around 1700, Ephraim Flint built the house on the west side of Lexington Road next to Flint’s Field. Tom and his wife Eri and young daughter, together with his mother Margaret and sisters Sarah and Sue and Sue’s husband Corey, live in a larger 100-year-old farmhouse across the road.

Over the last 400 years, Flints have been central to Lincoln’s history. But now the original home is in dire need of repairs. A study done five years ago said it would cost about $300,000 to get the house and barn (which dates from about 1750) to “a maintainable minimum level to keep it surviving,” said Flint, a filmmaker and educator. “This is not to renovate or restore it for modern living — just repairs and maintenance.”

Meanwhile, after a few of the most urgent repairs were done, the estate’s maintenance fund had dwindled to about $60,000, and rental income covers only about half of the building’s annual costs. “By this time it’s become pretty much a white elephant, unusable and virtually uninhabitable,” said Rick Wiggin, a Lincoln historian who has spoken at events outlining the homestead’s past and possible future.

The Flints hope that future includes a new life for the homestead and barn as a nonprofit entity devoted to educational programs on history, agriculture, and land conservation that includes a museum and antiques shop, and might also serve as a destination for weddings and other events. The family hopes to maintain its direct connection to the property, perhaps with a long-term lease arrangement, but the legal and fundraising issues are complex.

“There are a lot of pieces for this, and frankly we’re still trying to fit them all together,” Wiggin said.

Last October, the Flints hosted a pumpkin-picking event at the farm as a way to “strengthen our connection to the community, a growing portion of which is unaware of the unique history that has helped mold the town into what it is today,” Flint said. The success of that venture inspired them to move forward with bigger plans for making the property more accessible.

On September 15, the family will open up the homestead, barns, and fields for free public tours and attractions, including a reenactment by the Lincoln Minute Men. There will be an antiques market in the barn selling some of the thousands of family belongings that have accumulated over the centuries, ranging from farm equipment and furniture to alligator purses and top hats. There may also be an auction, but the Flints will keep a selection of historic items for future public display and as “props” for use by groups that rent the property for events.

Flint envisions a museum that will illustrate the evolution of a house, farm, and family over hundreds of years by exposing structural elements, furnishings, and even layers of wallpaper from many different historical periods (with echoes of the Tenement Museum in New York’s Lower East Side), as well as pointing out features that need repairs. “I want to preserve this historical and cultural relic for both my family and the town of Lincoln,” Flint said.

“We believe the Flint Farm is the oldest farm in New England and perhaps anywhere in the nation that has been continuously farmed and owned by the same family dating back to the 1600s land grants,” Wiggin said. “This property and the family that’s farmed it represent the heart and soul of the town of Lincoln — the living link between the town’s origins and the modern day.”

The Flints through the centuries in Lincoln

1636 — Thomas Flint arrives in America and settles in Concord in 1640s on about 1,000 acres of land that would eventually become Lincoln’s town center (now Five Corners), as well as Flint’s Pond.

About 1700 — Ephraim Flint builds the farmhouse near the end of the North Field, west of Lexington Road.

1745 — Edward Flint donates land for a meeting house. Shortly thereafter, his nephew Ephraim Flint donates land for a village cemetery next to what is now Bemis Hall.

1754 — The town of Lincoln is incorporated from parts of Concord, Weston and Lexington. Ephraim Flint is elected town clerk, selectman, and treasurer at the first Town Meeting that year.

1775 (April 19) — Mary Flint Hartwell (wife of Samuel Hartwell, a farmer and Lincoln Minute Man) plays a crucial role in passing the word about the British troops marching from Boston. Ephraim Flint and his son John march from their homestead to fight the British and return at end of the day with a British prisoner of war. Five dead British soldiers are buried in Lincoln’s cemetery.

19th century — The Flint farm grows and sells produce for the Boston market.

Early 20th century — The Flints are still farming and serving in leadership roles in Lincoln. They build four greenhouses to expand the growing season, but two are destroyed in the Hurricane of 1938 and a third by another hurricane in the 1940s.

1960s — Faced with development pressures and the economic decline of family farms, Warren Flint Sr. and the town create the Rural Land Foundation, selling some of the Flint land to the town to preserve it for agriculture and conservation. Ten lots are also sold privately

1989 — Two parcels now known as Flint Field are donated or sold to the town.

2003 — The Flint homestead is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the family agrees to preservation restrictions on the homestead property. The original home is occupied by Henry Flint, who continues to live there and farm the land until some time before his death in 2012 at the age of 95.

2014 — A study funded by the town’s Community Preservation Act produces a large maintenance and repair to-do list with cost estimates. Using some of the money left for this purpose by Henry Flint, a few of the most urgent repairs are made, including the roof of the 1750 barn. Still high on the triage list: $184,000 for basic repairs to the homestead and $155,000 for the barn, whose floors are unstable. If the homestead is opened to the public as a nonprofit, it will need lead paint removal, new wiring and other work costing more than $1 million.

2019 — The Flint family looks into turning the homestead and barn into a nonprofit entity that would serve as a museum and historical education site, an antiques market, and a location for weddings and other events.

 

Council on Aging activities in June

Free wellness clinics for all ages
June 4 at 10 a.m.
Place: Lincoln Woods
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Road in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, June 4 (note new day this month only) from 10 a.m.–noon or Bemis Hall on Tuesday, June 18 from 9–11 a.m. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Services provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. The Bemis Hall clinic is supported by the Pierce House.

Noticing walk with John Calabria
June 4 at 1 p.m.
Place: TBA
Come for a gently paced walk through nature guided by John Calabria on June 4 from 1–2:30 p.m. at a location posted at lincolnconservation.org. Bring walking sticks or walking poles if you like. If the weather is bad, call 781-259-9251 after 10 a.m. the morning of the walk for an update. Co-sponsored by the COA and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.

Improving communication between you and your parents as they get older
June 5 at 7 p.m.
As your parents age it can be hard to navigate the issues that arise. There can be tension between wanting to respect their autonomy in decision-making but also wanting to voice your concerns for their safety and well-being. Additionally, it can be difficult to know how to raise concerns and discuss sensitive planning issues. If you would like to learn some tips and strategies as well as have a chance to discuss your situation and concerns, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, June 5 at 7 p.m. when Claire Gerstein, LICSW, will present information and then lead a discussion. Claire has many years of experience helping caregivers and elders work together to create the best experience for each. Caregiving is a journey and good communication can only make it better.

Musical jazz lunch
June 7 at 12:30 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the week by grabbing a table at Bemis while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with familiar good old tunes. Bring old friends and make new ones. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert. Friday June 7,  at noon for an hour or until everyone has had enough.

Piano performance with Abla Shocair and her grandchildren
June 7 at 3 p.m.
All ages are invited to a piano concert with Abla Shocair and her grandchildren, Nooreddeen and Zaineddeen Kawaf, at Bemis Hall on Friday, June 7 at 3 p.m. Abla will play works by Beethoven, Bartok, Chopin and the boys will play pieces by Mozart. All ages are welcome. This year’s concert is dedicated to the memory of Abla’s beloved companion and husband, Fawaz Kawaf, who passed away this year and who had attended all her concerts since they met. He was a very bright civil engineer and outstanding project manager with exceptional math skills and was always kind and honest in his relationships with everybody. Abla started her piano lessons at the age of four and is a civil/structural engineer. Born in Amman, she has given many concerts in different venues.

What are your rights as a tenant or landlord?
June 10 at 10 a.m.
Whether you are a tenant in rented housing or a landlord renting housing, knowing your rights and responsibilities can help make sure everything goes well. Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, June 10 at 10 a.m. when Tim Depin, program manager in the Office of Attorney General Maura Healey, will explain tenancy based on a lease versus tenancy at will, obligations of both landlord and tenant, what information must be in the rental agreement, payments at the start of the tenancy, security deposit laws, the sanitary code, the eviction process, housing discrimination, and what to do if you have a problem. Bring your questions and concerns.

Free elder law clinic
June 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, June 10, from 3–4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the thirty-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

“Oklahoma!” trip
June 12 at 10:30 a.m.
Place: bus leaves from Mall parking lot 
On Wednesday, June 12, the COA is going to the North Shore Music Theatre for the matinee performance of Rodgers And Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” The legendary score including, “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “The Surry With the Fringe on Top,” “I Cain’t Say No!” and the rousing title tune will put a smile on your face. The air-conditioned air-ride bus will be in the Donelan’s parking lot at 10:15 a.m., departure is 10:30 a.m. The trip will return at approximately 6 p.m. Before the show you will have lunch at the Danvers Yacht Club. You’ll have your choice of three entrees, salad and dessert. There are just 27 Inner Circle tickets, so don’t delay as this show will sell out. The final count must be given by May 12. The trip is rated easy for physical ability and entails only a moderate amount of walking. There are no steps. The price is $59 including lunch, and is non-refundable. To reserve a space, send a check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Virginia O’Brien, 4 Linway Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. Your reservation is complete when your check is received. Questions? Contact Virginia at 781-259-1291 or vobrien39@yahoo.com.

Strawberry & ice cream social
June 13 at 12 p.m.
Celebrate this special time of year at the annual strawberry ice cream social which will be held at Bemis Hall on Thursday, June 13 at noon. The Social is sponsored by the COA and the Friends of the COA. Bring a bag lunch at noon or just come for dessert. Make your own ice cream sundae with luscious ice cream topped with strawberries, chocolate, and more. Then share conversation with friends old and new. Please RSVP to the COA by calling 781-259-8811. Tell them when you call if you’ll need a ride.

Public safety cookout
June 14 at 11 a.m.
Place: Pierce House
Join Public Safety on Friday, June 14 at 11 a.m. for a cookout at the Pierce House. You’ll start off by finding out more about current trends in frauds and scams and how to avoid being a victim, home safety from both police and fire perspectives, and services offered by Public Safety. At noon, Public Safety will be cooking up hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers with all the fixin’s. Because the event will be under the tent, the cookout will go on rain or shine. Please sign up by June 8 by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Fireside chat: what are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the past 5, 10 or 50 years?
June 15 at 10 a.m.
Place: Lincoln Woods
The world is much different from the one many of us grew up in, or is it? What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the past decades, whether social, economic, political, cultural, spiritual, or other? Have they made life better or worse? Or are the basics of life – love of family, the need for community, human nature – still much the same? Come from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 15 in the Community Room at Lincoln Woods, 50 Wells Rd., for a friendly discussion facilitated by Sharon Antia. Remember to park in unmarked spaces.

All in the family: communication with your adult children
June 17 at 1 p.m.
Communicating with your adult children in later life brings unique challenges as it may feel at times like they want to take control of decision making and planning. It can be hard to bring up certain issues that are of concern for you, and also to listen to their worries for you. This will be an opportunity to think about the conflicts that may arise in even the most loving and well-intentioned relationships. Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, June 17 at 1 p.m. when Claire Gerstein, LICSW, gives tips and strategies for keeping the relationship positive and communication open and offers you an opportunity to share stories and ideas.

Taking care of your family treasures
June 19 at 1 p.m.
Join Kathleen Fahey for a presentation on how to care for your family treasures on Wednesday, June 19 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. You will learn how to clean, polish, store, and display your treasured heirlooms including books, furniture, ceramics, paintings, silver, and textiles. Bring your questions and any items you want to learn more about (or a photo of larger items). Kathleen is the Executive Director of the Bedford Historical Society and has over 20 years of experience as a curator at local historical sites.

VA health system benefits overview
June 20 at 10:15 a.m.
Join Lincoln’s Veterans Services Officer Peter Harvell on Thursday, June 20 at 10:15 a.m. for an overview of the VA’s Health Benefits system. Get an overview of the system and how it works and what benefits it offers and find out if you or a family member might be eligible. Whether you are interested for yourself or a family member, come on down.

Improve your urinary health for overall wellness
June 20 at 2 p.m.
Problems with your urinary tract, such as a urinary tract infection or incontinence, can create major problems with your overall wellness and quality of life. You can take steps to prevent problems or manage those that you already have. Come find out more when Trish McGean comes to Bemis Hall on Thursday, June 20 at 2 p.m. She will let you know some of the basics of urinary health as well as updates on how you can make sure your urinary tract is as healthy as it can be.

Celebrate LGBT Pride Month
June 21 at 11 a.m.
June is LGBT Pride Month and you are invited to celebrate! Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, June 21 at 11 a.m. for delicious refreshments and great conversation! Come share your thoughts, ideas, life experiences. All are welcome.

Get your MBTA Senior CharlieCard
June 21 at 1 p.m.
If you are 65 or older and need to get a Senior CharlieCard for the first time, come to the COA’s Senior CharlieCard event on June 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Bemis Hall. You will need to bring your driver’s license or ID or your passport. They will take your photo, have you fill out an application, copy your license, ID, or passport, and you’re done. The MBTA will mail your Senior CharlieCard in 4 to 6 weeks. No need to sign up. If you need to replace your card, call the MBTA at 617-222-3200 as the COA cannot provide this service.

Memory Café
June 27 at 9:30 a.m.
The Commons in Lincoln, Right-at-Home In Home Care and Assistance, and the Lincoln Council on Aging invite those with dementia and their family, friends, and caregivers to the free Lincoln Memory Café on Thursday, June 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the main building of The Commons in Lincoln. This month, the Café presents guitarist and singer Rick Maida. Future Cafés will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month from 9:30–11 a.m. at The Commons. Contact a.m.y Gagne of Right at Home In Home Care and Assistance, 781-275-1400 or amy@rightathomecare.com or the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811 for more information.

Save the date:

Save the Isles of Shoals
Come sail away with the COA on July 25 aboard the Victorian style M/V Thomas Laighton to experience the fascinating legends of the legendary New Hampshire & Maine Seacoast. The Isles of Shoals, located 9 miles off of the coast, are an intriguing archipelago of nine islands steeped with history. You’ll stop for lunch at Warren’s Lobster House in Kittery, Maine. The bus will depart Donelan’s parking lot at 9:45 a.m. and return about 6:30 p.m. The cost of the trip is $59 and is non-refundable. Questions? Contact Donna at 781-257-5050. To reserve a space please make check payable to FLCOA/Trips and mail to: Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Deadline to reserve is July 5.

Tai chi in the park, and sign up for next fall’s tai chi classes

Sign up now for tai chi in the park, which will meet Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. with tai chi form practice at 10:30 a.m. at Pierce Park from July 9 to August 6 at a cost of $5 per day. Bring a water bottle, lawn chair and a hat. In bad weather, we will meet under the tent. We may use the Pierce House restroom. The class is for continuing students only.

 

New students may also sign up for fall beginning classes, to be held for 13 weeks starting September 16:

  • Mondays, 2:15– 3:15 p.m.
  • Wednesdays, 1– 2 p.m.
  • Thursdays, 9:15–10:15

$60 for one class per week, $80 for two classes per week, and $100 for three classes per week. For info, contact Jane Moss at 781-259-9822 or mindbodyjm@comcast.net.

Council on Aging activities in May

Musical jazz lunch
May 3 at 12:30 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the week by grabbing a table at Bemis while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with familiar good old tunes. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert.

Watercolor class with Jane
May 6 and 20 at 9 a.m.
Rediscover your joyful soul through art and nature in Jane Cooper’s watercolor class. Two classes of four sessions each will be offered on Mondays and Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. beginning Mondays, May 6 and 20. The cost is $30 for each class of four sessions, materials included. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Lincoln Academy with Timothy Johnson, MD: The future of medicine
May 6 at 12:30 p.m.
Dr. Johnson will review current problems with American health care and propose possible solutions for each. He will also predict what will happen in the next ten years. Johnson was the chief medical correspondent for ABC News, giving medical information to millions of Americans in a way that was accurate yet accessible. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Noticing walks with John Calabria
May 7 at 1 p.m.
Location: TBD
Enjoy a gently paced walk through nature guided by John Calabria on May 7 from 1–2:30 p.m. at a location posted at lincolnconservation.org. Bring walking sticks or walking poles if you like. Another walk will be held June 4. If the weather is bad, call 781-259-9251 after 10 a.m. the morning of the walk for an update. Co-sponsored by the COA and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in May

Boy Scouts retrace 1775 Minute Men march through Lincoln

Don Hafner answers Boy Scouts’ questions as Captain William Smith, Commander of the Lincoln Minute Men.

Shortly after sunrise on Friday, April 19, some 60 Boy Scouts and adult leaders met to hike in the historic pathway of American Revolution events of April 19, 1775. They were following the Minutemen’s Pursuit Trail, a National Historic Trail of the Boy Scouts of America that was created by the Spirit of Adventure Council and Concord Scout House.

As the militia-hikers crossed into Lincoln from Concord on the Battle Road trail and approached the Bloody Angle within the Minute Man National Park, they could hear fife music played by Lincoln’s Don Hafner, who portrayed Lincoln Minute Men Commander Captain William Smith and answered hikers’ questions. The music had the same intended effect on this group as it would have in 1775 — reviving tired souls five miles into the 20-mile pursuit. 

Around sunset, with the Boston skyline in the background and the Grand Union Flag hoisted above the tired but proud Scouts atop Prospect Hill Tower, they recognized the heroic actions of those who inspired the creation of this hike. Next year, April 19 will be on a weekend, making it an opportunity for even more Scouts to better understand what happened that day in 1775.

News acorns

Learn about natural burial

There will be an informational session about natural burial on Saturday, April 27 from 3-5 p.m. at the Ryan Estate facilitated by Lincoln resident Carol DiGianni, a former candidate for the Lincoln Cemetery Commission. Participants can learn and ask questions about the benefits of natural burials, which offer an alternative to the expense and environmental toxicity of traditional burial practices.

Spring cleanup at Codman

Some of the volunteers at a previous year’s Codman Community Farm spring cleanup.

Come volunteer at Farms Spring Cleanup Day at Codman Community Farms on Sunday, April 28 from 1-5 p.m. Bring gloves, work clothes, and a sense of fun; the farm will provide snacks and gardening tools. For more info and to RSVP, click here.

Event covers Mughal period in India

The next seminar in the India Discovery Center’s series on the history of India in Bemis Hall takes place on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will cover 1500–1800 AD, when Mughals ruled the country and established Islam and imposed the Persian language. Lincoln’s Bijoy Mishra will be one of the presenters. The organization is asking for a $25 donation but is offering 10 complimentary admissions for Lincoln residents. Click here for more information and registration.

Taraz performs at next open mic night

Diane Taraz

Diane Taraz is the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, May 13 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The event runs from 7–10 p.m., and Taraz will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. She directs the Lexington Historical Society’s Colonial Singers and draws inspiration from Celtic, British, French-Canadian, and American folk traditions. Click here for a video of the title cut from her 2014 CD release “Let’s Do It.” Admission is free and refreshments are provided. Performers can sign up at the event or email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com for a slot. There is a sound system with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups.

“35 Shots of Rum” film screening

The Lincoln Library Film Society presents “35 Shots of Rum” (2008, unrated) directed by Claire Denis on Thursday, May 2 at 6 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. The movie is an intimate family study centering on a widower and his adult daughter in Paris.