kids

Kids and Flints raise $1,400 for charity with maple syrup

April 1, 2016

Jack Doyle, Mira David and Audie Wells sell maple syrup at Town Meeting.

Lincoln School third-graders, with the help of Flint Farm’s Nancy Bergen and Ephraim Flint, successfully raised $1,400 for charity as part of a maple syrup science project.

The children collected and measured sap from maple trees and then correlated daily sap production with temperature, finding that sap flows more quickly on warm days. To collect the sap, they tapped three trees on the school campus, and Flint Farm tapped another 40 trees around town, such as along those Baker Bridge Road.

The Flints donated their time and equipment to boil the sap into delicious maple syrup. Third-graders Mira David, Jack Doyle, Law deNormandie and Audie Wells sold the maple syrup at the recent Annual Town Meeting. They sold a total of 22 quarts and 11 pints, and Flint Farm decided to give half of the proceeds ($700) to Codman Farm to support all of the great work they do in town.

The entire third grade also discussed a number of worthwhile charities to which the rest of proceeds could be donated, and decided that this year they will support Save the Children.

—Submitted by Michelle Doyle

News acorns

March 18, 2016

Spelling Bee registration extended through this weekend

The Lincoln School Foundation‘s annual spelling bee is April 10, and the registration deadline has been extended until Monday morning. Kids who want to participate but don’t have a team can email bee@lincolnschoolfoundation.org to be matched with teammates. Click here to register online.

Kids can create art with Peeps

The Lincoln Public Library is holding its first annual Peeps Diorama Day on Wednesday, March 23 starting at 2 p.m. Kids ages 4 and up are invited to come create a piece of art with Peeps marshmallow candy. Registration required; call 781-259-8465 ext. 4.

Photo exhibit at library

“Plastic Bag Lady” by Ellen Morgan.

“Portraits of Sudanese Women: Photographs by Ellen Morgan, 2009-2015″ is on display at the Lincoln Public Library until March 31. Morgan traveled to South Sudan in 2009 with a young refugee, one of the “lost boys” of Sudan, as he returned to pick out a wife. These photographs are of women at the bride price negotiations in Sudan and also of other village wives here in the Boston area.

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March 13, 2016

Middle schoolers perform “Music Man Jr.”

Come see “Music Man Jr.,” based on the classic Broadway show and 1962 movie, in the Donaldson auditorium on Wednesday, March 16 at 3 p.m., and Thursday and Friday, March 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. The story follows the escapades of of a fast-talking salesman who masquerades as a traveling band leader and his plans to swindle the naive parents of a small Iowa town. Instead, he falls for the town’s librarian and risks everything to be with her. This production features a cast and crew of close to 70 students and has been supported by dozens of parent volunteers. Drama teacher Kristen Hall is the show’s director and producer. Musical direction is by music teacher Blake Siskavich and choreography by fifth-grade teacher Maurisa Davis. Tickets will be sold at the door: adults $10, students and seniors $5. Suitable for all ages.

Library/Aka Bistro discount

The Lincoln Public Library and AKA Bistro are offering a 10 percent food discount (drinks not included) for Lincoln residents with Lincoln Public Library cards. For more information, see the AKA Bistro website.

Environmental film festival from river group

OARS (a nonprofit group that works to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural and recreational features of the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord Rivers and their watersheds) is hosting an evening of films from the largest environmental film festival in the nation on Wednesday, March 30 from 7-10 p.m. at Maynard’s Fine Arts Theatre Place (19 Summer St.) With the theme “A Change of Course,” these engaging films bring theater-goers close to magnificent wilderness, as well as to the people who work to protect their communities’ environment. Sixteen films ranging from 2 to 18 minutes will be shown. including “Denali,” “The Fable of the Wolf” and “The Accidental Environmentalist.” Tickets are $13 and may be purchased online, or contact OARS at 978-369-3956 or office@oars3rivers.org.

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March 3, 2016

Sap to Syrup Breakfast on March 12-13

Maple sugaring season started a few weeks early at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, giving us the perfect opportunity to reap the benefits of a warm winter at the annual Sap-to-Syrup Farmer’s Breakfast on March 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feast on hearty pancakes with local maple syrup, as well as Drumlin Farm sausage and home fries. Diners are welcome to stay at the farm for as little or as long as they’d like and enjoy special maple-themed activities:

Visit Drumlin Farm’s maple grove and see sugaring in progress
Learn about traditional sap-to-syrup techniques
Sample and take home Drumlin Farm’s very own maple syrup

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children age 2+ (free for children under 2). Register online or by calling 781-259-2206.

“40 Years of Community in Lincoln” event gearing up

The Lincoln Council on Aging, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Lincoln Review are all turning 40 this year, and there will be a town-wide celebration with activities, food, performances, arts and crafts, and more on Saturday, April 30 from 1-4 p.m. in Pierce Park (rain date: May 1). Organizers have created this website to provide updates on planning and solicit individuals and town organizations who would like to offer an activity, serve food, or set up a display. Some of the activities already being planned include an obstacle course, an art and photo exhibit, a hayride and more.

Those who would like to participate should fill out this application, which is also available on the “40 Years of Community in Lincoln” website. Organizers also invite exhibits by artists who live in Lincoln or are affiliated with Lincoln-based art programs to fill out an artists’ application. Anyone with questions may call Carolyn Bottum (Council on Aging) at 781- 259-8811 or Dan Pereira (Parks and Rec) at 781-259-0784.

Balancing act (Lincoln Through the Lens)

February 15, 2016

Lincoln resident and Birches School fourth-grader Atticus Borggaard balances on a fallen tree in the conservation land behind the Birches School during a nature play afternoon. (Photo submitted by Cecily Wardell)

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. If your photo is published, you’ll receive credit in the Squirrel. Photos must be taken in Lincoln and include the date, location, and names of any people who are identifiable in the photo. Previously published photos can be viewed on the Lincoln Through the Lens page of the Lincoln Squirrel.

News acorns

February 3, 2016

“The Truth About the L-S Party Scene”

The students of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and their advisors present an annual Community Connections night on “The Truth About the L-S Party Scene” on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the L-S cafeteria. SADD students have assembled a panel of LSRHS students to give honest and candid responses to questions regarding what L-S teens are doing at parties. The evening will be set up with students in one room and parents in the other, and a voice-altering microphone will enable parents and student to remain anonymous to one another. The evening will feature a mutual education for both parents and students as to what’s really going on out there and what parents are wondering about.

February vacation events at the library

The Lincoln Public Library presents a series of children’s events with the theme of “animal antics” during school vacation week.

Tuesday, Feb. 16 — Drumlin Farm’s “Audubon ark” visits the library with two shows. At 10 a.m., kids in preschool/kindergarten can hear “Wild Tales” where they hear a favorite story and the meet the wild creature from the story. In “Winter Survivors” at 11 a.m., kids in grades 1-3 can learn about how wild animals cope with the changing seasons and meet three different animals. Pre-registration necessary; call 781-259-8465.
Thursday, Feb. 18 at 11 a.m. — “The Squirrel Stole My Underpants!” puppet show. Acclaimed puppeteer Bonnie Duncan guides the audience on an adventure to rescue Sylvie’s underpants from a mischievous squirrel. Suitable for all ages. Drop in.
Friday, Feb. 19 at 10:30 a.m. — “Movies and Muffins” featuring gentle animal-themed films based on beloved children’s books. Ages 2 and up. Drop in.

Ms. G predicts six more weeks of winter

February 2, 2016

Ms. G clambered aboard her stump in 2013 as she prepared to make her prediction. (Photo: Alice Waugh)

Ms. G, the Massachusetts State Groundhog residing at Drumlin Farm, saw her shadow this morning, meaning there will be six more weeks of winter—though if it’s anything like this week, no one will mind except the skiers.

Ms. G began her Groundhog Day meteorology career at Drumlin in 2008. Organizers began collecting signatures (mostly from underage voters) in 2010 to get the state legislature to designate Ms. G as the official state groundhog. State Rep. Alice Peisch filed a bill in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2013 and after winding its way through the legislative process, the bill was signed by Gov. Deval Patrick in July 2014.

Ironically, Ms. G’s public prognostication was snowed out a year ago, but she did a private forecast for her naturalist handler and predicted an early spring. Despite the record snow last February, she was right.

This year also marks the debut of a children’s book about the groundhog’s political odyssey—Ms. G’s Shadowy Road to Fame by meteorologist Mish Michaels, Ms. G’s campaign manager. The new Ms. G website also features a history of the rodent’s forecasts (with an accuracy rate reportedly double that of the more famous Punxsutawny Phil) and her story in video form.

Ms. G is getting ready to emerge (or not)

January 21, 2016

Drumlin Farm’s resident groundhog, Ms. G.

Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary is set to host its annual Groundhog Day event on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Watch Ms. G, the official state groundhog of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as she wakes from her winter hibernation and decides whether or not spring will come early this year.

Drumlin Farm will be open on February 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This special event is free with paid admission ($8 adults and teens; $6 children 2-12 and seniors), and free for Mass Audubon members. The live groundhog forecast starts at 10 a.m., followed by winter activities such as meeting Drumlin’s resident wildlife, exploring wilderness trails, and learning how to identify animal tracks in the snow. Hot cocoa will be provided.

Featured activities:

Learn the forecast for spring’s arrival from our woodchuck weather expert
Visit with more of our resident wildlife and farm animals, and explore the trails
Attend special nature and farm programs
Make some winter crafts to take home

Former WBZ-TV weather personality Mish Michaels will be on hand to share the story of the Wellesley school students who joined Mass Audubon in submitting the bill to the Massachusetts state legislature to declare Ms. G the official state groundhog. The bill was successfully enacted into law and signed by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick on July 31, 2014.

News acorns

December 1, 2015

Artisan and craft show this weekend

The annual Gift Local artisan and craft show will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6 from noon to 5 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Gift Local, hosted by the Old Town Hall Exchange and sponsored by the Lincoln Cultural Council, is a holiday market highlighting local businesses from Lincoln, Concord, Wayland, Weston, and other surrounding towns. On offer will be items created by painters, illustrators, photographers, jewelry makers, soap makers, bakers, candle makers, glass artists, and more. Sunday’s event will also include a mobile brick-oven pizza company serving pizza for lunch.

LEAP hosts Hour of Code

For the second year in a row, LEAP (the Lincoln Extended-Day Activities Program) will participate in the national Hour of Code event, and parents and other are invited to the first session on Monday, Dec. 7 in Hartwell pod C. The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science in celebration of Computer Science Education Week organized by the nonprofit Code.org. The organization believes is dedicated to expanding access to computer science and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color and believes that every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science, which helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity.

LOMA features Diamond and Abatelli

Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli will be the featured performers at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) on Monday, Dec. 14 from 7 -10 p.m in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. Admission is free and refreshments are provided. The pair will perform a half-hour hour set starting around 8:30 p.m. The duo has performed with well-known musicians including John Gorka, Peter Yarrow, Joan Osborne, and Amy Ra and have appeared at venues including the main stage of the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Boston’s First Night, and the Wachusett Valley Music Festival. Diamond and Abatelli have realsed fouyr CDs and can be seen performing the title cut from True in this video.

For more information or to sign up as a performer, email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com.

Arts events coming up

November 13, 2015

An updated “Romeo and Juliet” next week

The Lincoln middle schoolers will perform “Romeo and Juliet—Together (and Alive!) at Last” on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m., and Thursday and Friday, Nov. 19-20 at 7 p.m. in the Brooks auditorium. The play tells the story of eighth-graders Pete Saltz and Anabell Stackpoole—in love but too shy to even look at each other—and what happens when their friends concoct a scheme to perform “Romeo and Juliet” with Pete and Anabell in the title roles. What could possibly go wrong with the set, costumes, props, or actors? Find out during this bustling, high-energy comedy about friendship and first crushes, the magic of theater and Shakespeare’s great love story. Written by Sandra Fenichel Asher and based on the book by Avi, the play is appropriate for audiences of all ages but would be most easily understood by third-graders and above. Running time: 90 minutes plus one intermission. Tickets )$5 for students and $10 for adults) will be sold at the door.

Holiday craft workshop at First Parish

The First Parish Church will hold a children’s Advent workshop on Sunday, Nov. 29 at from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. at the Parish House (14 Bedford Road). Children will meet to make holiday ornaments and crafts. Adult volunteers are needed; contact Kathy Cronin at kathycronin@firstparishinlincoln.org if you would like to help.

Stanley Rowan photos on exhibit in December

Lincoln resident Stanley Rowin, who has photographed for magazines including Glamour and Scientific American, is having an exhibit of some of this work in the Lincoln Public Library during the month December, with an opening reception on Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 5:30-7 p.m. The show will include portraits of several Lincoln residents and scenes.

Tina Packer

Legendary Shakespeare director to visit library

Tina Packer will be at the Lincoln Public Library on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. Packer is the founding artistic directory of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Mass. She has directed or starred in a variety of Shakespeare’s plays and has taught William Shakespeare at numerous universities including Harvard, MIT, NYU and Columbia. She’s appeared in various productions of the Royal Shakespeare Company as well as productions for the BBC. Her book Women of Will: Following the Feminine in Shakespeare’s Plays was published this year. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.