The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

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Students stage Legopalooza with help from GearTicks

One of the Legopalooza presentations.

By Victor Han and Olivia Crisafi

On April 3, 11 teams of elementary schoolers from seven towns concluded their FIRST Lego League Explore season at the third annual Lincoln Legopalooza.

FIRST Lego League Explore is a branch of First Lego League for children ages 6–10. Students use motorized Lego bricks to learn robotics and teamwork through a fun interactive game challenge. This year, the challenge titled “Playmakers,” placed emphasis on finding ways to be active and be healthy. 

Lincoln’s high school robotics team, the GearTicks, usually runs the Legopalooza in late November, but in-person events were not possible this season. Given the GearTicks’ own experience with online competitions this year — which have allowed them some semblance of a traditional season — they aimed to provide the same opportunity for these elementary schoolers. With the help of Stephen Green, the Massachusetts FLL Explore Partner, they spent months organizing the logistics of the online event, planning fun activities and virtual judging sessions, and designing laser cut trophies. 

The custom laser-cut trophy given to each team.

The GearTicks were impressed with the younger students’ tenacity through such a challenging season. The FLL Explore kids created masterful posters to showcase their season, gave a spirited online presentation of their models, and demonstrated teamwork in working together virtually.

Some of the project highlights included a walkathon that one team participated in to help their community. Another team learned how to RipStik to challenge themselves over the course of their season, and a third team explored Tinkercad. Every team received a custom laser-cut award to highlight their successes.

“The event was well planned and well executed. The limitations imposed by the need to hold a remote festival seemed nonexistent,” Green said.

While it was a new experience to run a virtual event, the GearTicks were thrilled to be able to celebrate the students’ accomplishments for the third year in a row, and they hope to be back in person next year. 

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Holy Week at St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Church

Palm Sunday (March 28)

  • 8 a.m. — In-person Holy Eucharist (click here to register)
  • 10 a.m. — Live-streamed Holy Eucharist
  • 5 p.m. — Outdoor firepit service (click here to register)

Maundy Thursday, April 1

  • 7:30 p.m. — Live-streamed Holy Eucharist

Good Friday, April 2

  • 12 p.m. — Live-streamed Service
  • 5 p.m. — Outdoor service (click here to register)

Holy Saturday, April 3

  • 10 a.m. — Live-streamed morning prayer
  • 10 p.m. — Live-streamed Service of Light

Easter Sunday, April 4

  • 9 a.m. — Live-streamed Holy Eucharist
  • 11 a.m. — Holy Eucharist with choir in the parking lot
 

Farrington offers nature-themed programs

Join Farrington Nature Linc and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust on Thursday, April 22 from 2–­3 p.m. via Zoom for “Owls Up Close,” a virtual version of “Eyes on Owls.” Naturalists Marcia and Mark Wilson will introduce everyone to six live owls up close and personal, followed by some owl call practice with a hooting lesson. They’ll highlight the owls’ unique adaptations, habitats, and behaviors in the wild, while sharing tips on how you can look for owls yourself. All are welcome at this family friendly program. Register here to receive the Zoom link. This is a free program, but donations are encouraged and help us bring this program to the community. Viewers may purchase copies of Mark’s book, Owling (signed and personalized by the author) by emailing eyesonowls@earthlink.net.

Join award-winning producer, film composer, and author Ruth Mendelson of Lincoln to discuss her new book, The Water Tree Way, on Thursday, April 22 from 7–8:15 p.m. The main character Jai (pronounced “Jay”), filled with spunk, stealth, and courage, leaves everything she’s known to embark on a hair-raising journey. A 240-page children’s book intended for readers of all ages, the story exalts the triumph of the human spirit as experienced by a girl who can be none other than her unabashed self. Register here.

Upcoming talks in “On Belonging in Outdoors Spaces” series

Artist Evelyn Rydz will speak on “Close Attention: Exploring a Creative Practice Inside and Outside the Studio” on Wednesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. Exploring the vulnerability and the resiliency of natural and cultural ecosystems, Rydz invites viewers and participants of her projects to imagine a different future — one shaped by our connections and care for local and global communities. Her talk is part of “On Belonging in Outdoors Spaces,” a free virtual speaker series featuring prominent speakers whose are advancing efforts to strengthen belonging and connection between communities of color and the benefits of time in nature.

Also in the series:

  • Monica White, author of Freedom Farmers: Agricultural Resistance and the Black Freedom Movement, on Wednesday, May 12 at 7 p.m.
  • J. Drew Lanham, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Master Teacher at Clemson University, on “Coloring the Conservation Conversation” on Wednesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. Dr. Lanham will highlight what it means to embrace the full breadth of his African-American heritage and his deep kinship to nature and adoration of birds. He will discuss how conservation must be a rigorous science and evocative art, inviting diversity and race to play active roles in celebrating our natural world.

Register here and get more information about the presentations and speakers. The series is organized by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Farrington Nature Linc, The Food Project, Mass Audubon, and The Walden Woods Project. Additional support is provided by the Ogden Codman Trust, the Lincoln Garden Club, and the Bemis Free Lecture Series.

Azzure Annacacis chosen as Project 351 Ambassador

Azzure Annacacis

Lincoln School eighth-grader Azzure Annacacis has been selected as Lincoln’s 2021 Project 351 Ambassador. She joins other eighth-graders representing the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts for a transformational year of youth-led service, leadership development, and civic engagement.

Azzure was selected by the Lincoln School to represent Lincoln for an inspiring ethic of service and the values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude. In her application, she wrote, “Community service is important to me because it helps underprivileged people change their circumstances and allows them to go back and help their community. Also, because it helps privileged people use their privilege to help less fortunate communities. In addition, it helps humanize each group to each other, thereby creating a stronger bond. Lastly, community service is essential because the community is a strong foundation of society it helps everyone.” When the teachers read this, they could not think of a better representative to be present on behalf of the community of Lincoln.

On March 7, Ambassadors celebrated the official start of their service year at a virtual Launch featuring remarks from Gov. Charlie Baker honoring the legacy of civil rights hero and Congressman John Lewis. Launch marks the start of ten months of community-building and transformational service in support of nonprofit partners including Cradles to Crayons, Hope & Comfort, Wonderfund, and hundreds of food pantries across the state.

Ambassadors are now engaged in a four-week Service Leadership Academy to build the knowledge and skills to lead and serve. Highlights include a community meeting with First Lady Lauren Baker and anti-bias, anti-discrimination training through the Playbook Initiative, a partnership with the Boston Celtics.

Through Project 351, which is funded entirely by the private sector and individuals, Ambassadors gain skills for a lifetime of service, strengthen the ethic of civic engagement, and scale service impacts to address the causes and consequences of poverty. More than 4,000 eighth-graders have participated since the program was founded in 2011.

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Library reopens by appointment

The Lincoln Public Library is now open to the public by appointment. For appointments for adult services, call 781-259-8465 and press 3. For children’s services, press 4. The first hour of appointments on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays are reserved for patrons over 60 or with other high risk factors. Appointments will be for 30 minutes and can be made up to a week in advance. Face coverings are required for all patrons over 2 years old. For details including hours of opening and for contactless pickup of library materials, click here.

L-S to hold virtual pops concert on Friday

The L-S Music Department presents its annual pops concert on Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m. This year’s virtual event will feature live performances by orchestral group cohorts interspersed with video performances from choral, band, and jazz groups. Cohort A will perform “Libertango” and “A Salute to Michael Jackson” Cohort B of Orchestra (shown in this rehearsal photo) will perform “Gabriel’s Oboe” from “The Mission” with guest soloist Superintendent/Principal Bella Wong on clarinet. They will also perform “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The combined student cohorts will perform “We are the World.”

Cohort B of the L-S orchestra in rehearsal.

The video with students from the symphonic and concert band groups will perform “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire as well as the “Theme from Star Wars, The Mandalorian” by Ludwig Göransson. The jazz video will showcase students from the combined symphonic and concert jazz ensembles performing “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Louis Prima. Chamber Singers will perform “Short People” by Randy Newman. Treble choir will sing “Go the Distance” from the movie “Hercules” and the concert choir will perform “I Want You Back/ABC,” a Jackson Five medley. Valentine Quartets will also perform a capella, sharing the popular songs the groups prepared for their annual Valentine’s Day performances.

The concert will air in both Sudbury and Lincoln on Comcast channel 9 / Verizon channel 32, and will live-stream at this link. To learn more about the LSRHS Music Program, visit L-S Friends of Music at www.lsfom.org.

Drive-in Evensong at St. Anne’s

St. Anne’s in-the-Fields will host its second drive-in Evensong service on Sunday, March 14 at 5 p.m. During the service, which originates from the monastic hours, the choir offers certain portions while the congregation joins in the prayers, hymns, Creed and responses. In the lower parking lot, each singer will sit in their car with a wireless microphone while Music Director Jay Lane conducts from the upper lot. The singing and pre-recorded organ music are mixed in real time and the results are broadcast over an unused FM radio frequency. Parishioner Tom Vollaro is the sound engineer. This 45-minute service will feature Walmisley’s “Magnificat” and “Nunc Dimittis in D minor,” Wesley’s “Lead me, Lord,” and a hymn everyone can sing together. Read about the choir’s first drive-in Evensong in The Boston Globe.

Modernism Week online event offered

Friends of Modern Architecture/Lincoln is encouraging attendance at Modernism Week in Palm Springs, an online version of its annual celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture online. Programs are for sale until March 15 and stream through March 31. Go to modernismweek.com for tickets and information.

Get ready for Lincoln Youth Soccer

The Lincoln In-Town Soccer program will kick off the spring season in mid-April. All Covid-19 safety measures from the fall season will continue into the spring and the program will follow and adhere to the Massachusetts state regulations to ensure safety for kids and parents. The season for grades K-2 will start on either April 10 or April 17 on Smith Field depending on field conditions, with K-1 at 8 a.m. and Grade 2 at 9 a.m. If you were registered for the Fall 2020 session, you are already enrolled for the spring season.

The program is also looking for more boys in grade 3 even if they were not enrolled in the fall. Register at www.lincolnsoccer.com.

Library programs coming up

The Lincoln Public Library is offering the following programs via Zoom, in addition to others previously announced in the Lincoln Squirrel. See the library’s website at www.lincolnpl.org for details on all programs.

eBook Help
Fridays, March 12, 19 and 26 from 2–3 p.m.
Would you like to read or listen to library books on a Kindle or iPhone? Elizabeth Creighton and Kate Tranquada can show you how to borrow e-books and audiobooks and are available for troubleshooting as well. Contact Kate at ktranquada@minlib.net to get the Zoom link.

What is Racism?
Wednesday, March 17 from 6:30–7:30 p.m.
School-aged children are invited to join us for a discussion about racism led by Wee the People, a Boston-based social justice group. Kids notice skin color and sense that it matters, and they have questions about how and why. Together we will explore how racism isn’t just one thing, but a problem with many parts working together — problems that take more than individual kindness to solve. Breaking down the fundamental concepts of skin color, race, racism, and injustice, kids will learn how they can help to notice and disrupt racist systems. Email dleopold@minlib.net to get a Zoom invite.

“Stunning Spring Perennials” with Joan Butler
Tuesday, March 23 at 7 p.m.
Whether you garden in sun or shade, learn about how to combine them for best effect in the garden from Joan Butler of Enchanted Gardens. Her gardens have been included in several garden tours and feature a combination of native plants. For a Zoom invitation, please email Lisa Rothenberg at lrothenberg@minlib.net or call the library at 781-259-8465 ext. 202. This program is made possible with funding by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

The Friends of the Lincoln Library offers home delivery of books and other materials to Lincoln residents who are unable to come to the library in person. Patrons may order up to six library items at one time (including DVDs, CDs, spoken-word CDs, and two-week new releases). Patrons may use the Minuteman online catalog to request materials, or they can call the library to request specific items or general selections (e.g., “please send me five mysteries by women authors”). A volunteer from the Friends delivers requested items on need more information about home delivery, contact the Reference Department at 781-259-8465 ext. 204 or email lincoln@minlib.net.

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New Parks & Rec Director among recent town additions

Jessica Downing

Lincoln has a new Director of Parks and Recreation — Jessica Downing, who held the same position in Andover. She succeeds Dan Pereira, who became Assistant Town Administrator in last summer.

Downing was in her Andover role for two years after being promoted from recreation coordinator from 2014–2018 and program assistant before that. She holds a master’s degree in recreation and sports management from Lasell University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire.

Downing was officially appointed last month by the Board of Selectmen, which also named Jennifer Curtin as the new Assistant Director of Land Use and Planning. She succeeds Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie, who held that position until she was named director in December.

Another new face in town is Conservation Director Michele Grzenda, who started on February 1 (see story).

LSB Players presents “What Happens at the End”

LSB Players, the theater production company of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, presents its virtual winter production, “What Happens at the End.” This original song cycle, devised by cast members through improvisation and writing activities, features music and lyrics by L-S alumni Kenter Davies ’15 and Caleb Martin-Rosenthal ’17, who also directed the cast of 26 students with LSB Players Director Carly Evans.  It is recommended for ages 12+ and will run for about 75 minutes.

Performances will be available to live-stream on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for individuals and $40 for families (plus service fee)/ Please use this link to purchase and obtain your unique access code for one of the performances. Also on March 6 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sudbury Pizza Place will donate a portion of its sales to the LSB Players.  Order by phone (978-443-8957) or online at www.sudburypizza.net.

Register for youth baseball this spring

Teams are being formed and uniforms are being ordered for youth baseball in Lincoln and Sudbury with appropriate Covid-19 safety protocols. Register your child now at LSBaseball.org (registration closes for some grades on Friday, March 5).  Click on the appropriate grade range, and then look for “Register Online.”  Additional information is on the Parents tab of the website. Youth baseball in Lincoln starts with T-ball for boys and girls currently in kindergarten, or those entering kindergarten in the fall. Please contact Chris Andrysiak (chris.andrysiak@gmail.com) with questions.  

Speaker series on connecting nature and communities of color

“On Belonging in Outdoors Spaces” is a free virtual speaker series running until June featuring prominent speakers whose are advancing efforts to strengthen belonging and connection between communities of color and the benefits of time in nature. The series is organized by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Farrington Nature Linc, The Food Project, Mass Audubon, and The Walden Woods Project.

First up in the series is “Meaningful Nature Engagement in Stressed Populations” with Akiima Price on Wednesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. Her innovative programming strategies feature nature as a powerful medium to connect stressed youth, adults, and families in meaningful and positive experiences. She is a former National Park Service Interpretation Ranger and has worked for national work with environmental and social service organizations. Other speakers in the series will be Evelyn Rydz, Dr. Monica White, and Dr. J. Drew Lanham.

To register for any or all of the presentations, visit www.onbelongingoutdoors.org. Additional support is provided by the Ogden Codman Trust, the Lincoln Garden Club, and the Bemis Free Lecture Series.

The route and stop for the Lincoln MBTA shuttle bus. The routing is in lavender and the bus stop location is in blue. Keolis will have a member of staff directing customers to the bus stop from the other car park to the south for the duration of the closure. (Click to enlarge)

Shuttle bus schedule for commuter rail

The Fitchburg commuter rail line that includes Lincoln is closed for installation of Positive Train Control technology until May 2 and will be replaced by shuttle buses. The MBTA bas released this shuttle schedule.

Schools begin pool testing for Covid-19; one positive case last week

One school employee on the Lincoln preK-8 campus tested positive for Covid-19 last week after the town’s schools began pool testing of some students and staff.

Under the voluntary six-week program that began shortly after the end of February school vacation, participating Lincoln Public School (LPS) students and staff provide a weekly sample via a quick, noninvasive lower nasal swab. The samples from each classroom are tested as a pool using the common PCR test. If a pool returns a positive result, the members of that pool are immediately tested individually using the BinaxNow rapid test.  

In the first week of testing, 578 school community members in 74 pools underwent pool testing. This included 52% of eligible students (72% of the Lincoln campus students and 33% of the Hanscom campus students) as well as 73% of eligible staff. Students and staff who are on campus full time and who have not tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 90 days are eligible for testing after they sign a consent form.

The person who tested positive was asymptomatic, but all of their close contacts were identified and notified that they must quarantine at home for 14 days dating from their last exposure with the positive individual. As a result, two classroom cohorts of students and staff as well as two additional individuals were moved to remote learning for their quarantine period, according to Superintendent of Schools Becky McFall.

If someone in a child’s pool tests positive, parents will receive a direct notification and information about the follow-up testing. A general notification will be made each week when all test results have been received and no further results are outstanding.

“While it is never good to learn of someone in our community testing positive, it is helpful to know that the pooled testing process worked and identified an asymptomatic positive person who was unaware that they had contracted the virus,” McFall said in a statement to families and staff. “That is exactly what pooled testing should do to help us ensure that viral spread is minimized. Pooled testing is most effective when everyone who is able to participate gets tested.”

Eligible students and staff who have not yet signed a consent form can participate in future testing if they submit a consent form by noon on Thursday to be included in the following week’s testing pools. Consent forms and details on the program are available on the LPS Pooled Testing web page.

The testing program was launched after the schools saw increased numbers of positive cases and close contacts in the weeks following the Thanksgiving recess and December vacation period. Last week, the school nurse on the Lincoln campus recorded 70 students who traveled out of state over the February vacation. Only 15 of these were known in advance. On the Hanscom campus, administrators know of 24 students who traveled; 18 were known in advance.

“We appreciate that many families provided the necessary test result documentation upon return to school. Students who came to school without travel notification or test results were sent home from school when information about their travel became known,” McFall wrote.

The testing program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and supported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Student/staff survey reveals mixed feelings

In a mid-year survey of staff and students, 84% of families and 54% of faculty and staff reported feeling “extremely safe” or “quite safe” at school from Covid-19 with the current safety protocols. Asked how their children are feeling about school this year, 75–90% families reported that their kids have felt “safe,” “engaged,” “happy,” “excited,” and/or “hopeful” — though only 59% of remote students felt excited about school, vs. 80% of in-person students.

Faculty were also asked how they felt about work, whether in-school or remote, and a majority (62–94%) reporting feeling exhausted, stressed out, and/or overwhelmed. More than 80% of faculty and staff said their work felt “extremely or quite meaningful,” though only 56% said they felt extremely or quite effective at their job.

“When you are teaching in an entirely new model, and you are teaching students who are remote and not in front of you, and you teach with masks on and can’t see each others’ faces, it’s hard to gauge your impact,” said LPS Director of Technology Rob Ford, who announced the survey results at the School Committee’s January 28 meeting.

LPS is among only 3% of Massachusetts school districts that are providing a full-day, full-week in-person option along with a remote learning option. In both models, students are grouped in small cohorts with one learning coach and receive additional real-time instruction via technology. As of January 7, 273 students (26%) are learning remotely and 795 students (74%) are at school, the School Committee reported.

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Interfaith Taizé service on Feb. 26

People of all faiths and people in search of faith are invited to join youth from St. Joseph’s/Julia’s Parish and the First Parish in Lincoln as they present a Taizé service on Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Taizé is a monastic community in Taizé, France with an ecumenical emphasis as expressed on their website, which says the community “wants its life to be a sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and between separated peoples.” A Taizé worship service involves sung and chanted prayers, meditation, a period of silence, and liturgical readings. There is no preaching. This style of prayer has attracted many worshipers from around the globe and from many different denominations. Services are usually candlelit, so please have a candle ready when you join using this Zoom link (meeting ID: 954 7757 9039, passcode: 405331).

Weekend Winter Carnival fun

  • The Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a free online chess tournament as part of the Winter Carnival weekend on Saturday, Feb. 27. Registration begins at 8 a.m.; matches run from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. All levels are welcome. You’ll need to create an account at Chess.com to participate. Once you have a username, you will need to join the Lincoln Mass Chess Club. There will be a beginners section (999 and under rapid rating) and a section for those with more experience (rapid rating at 1000 or over). There will be four rounds. Each player will have 15 minutes per match plus 10 seconds per move (rapid 15/10). It will be helpful if you play a few rapid 15/10 matches prior to the tournament so that your rating is fairly accurate. There will be trophies for first and second place for both sections. 
  • The Lincoln Family Association and the Kat Chapman Band are hosting a family-friendly acoustic concert and dance party on Sunday, Feb. 28 from 10–10:30 a.m. on Zoom. Costumes welcome! Those who register can pick up a kazoo and glow stick in the Codman Barn ahead of time (one per per child while supplies last; mask required for pickup). Click here for the concert Zoom link.

No commuter trains from March 1–April 30

The MBTA has informed the Town that there will be Service Changes on the Fitchburg Line so that upgrades can be made for Positive Train Control for a safer commuter rail. No trains will be running on Lincoln’s Fitchburg line from March 1 through April 30 so the MBTA  can make Positive Train Control safety upgrades. Shuttle service will be provided Monday through Friday (since there is currently no weekend train service, there will be no shuttle service on the weekends). For more information and the schedule, click here.

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Winter Carnival features scavenger hunt, ice sculpture demonstration

As part of Lincoln’s annual Winter Carnival, the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust/Rural Land Foundation (LLCT/RLF) invites the public to participate in two of its featured free events:

  • From Saturday, Feb. 20 through Sunday, Feb. 28, the LLCT/RLF will host a Winter Animals Scavenger Hunt. Gear up and take a hike on Lincoln’s many walking trails in search of the various animal sculptures hidden on trails and created by local artists and students at the Birches School. Take a selfie at each sculpture and submit your photos to be eligible to receive a $10 gift card from Twisted Tree Cafe or Something Special (one per household while supplies last). Click here for instructions and scavenger hunt clues.

    Ice sculptor Donald Chapelle with a frog in progress.

  • On Saturday, Feb. 27 from 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m, the LLCT/RLF and William Jackson Associates will host an ice sculpture demonstration featuring Donald Chapelle, a local artist with 40 years of ice carving experience and founder of Brilliant Ice Sculpture. In addition to showcasing a number of pre-made ice sculptures, which he’ll have on-site, Chappelle will use chainsaws, ice picks, and various carving elements to bring a moose to life out of a block of ice. The demonstration, which takes place on the green at the Mall at Lincoln Station, is a great fun-for-the-whole-family experience (physical distancing protocols will be in place). Twisted Tree Cafe will set up a pop-up shop with hot chocolate and cookies starting at 10:30. Hint: the moose will be the last sculpture on the scavenger hunt (see above).

See and hear spring birds in fireside chat

The LLCT is also sponsoring a Zoom fireside chat and photo-sharing session with Lincoln resident and photographer Barbara Peskin about spring birds on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Spring is a time of renewal, return and migration, and Peskin will highlight spring visitors to our yards, woods and fields, including rose-breasted grosbeaks and a scarlet tanager, a pair of cardinals, black-capped chickadees, pileated woodpeckers, and more. She’ll also play some of the calls and songs of these backyard friends. Along with the spring songbirds will be a few local and special photos. After her remarks, there will be time for questions and conversation. The program is free and open to all, but registration is required.

Library works to improve contactless pickup

Since the Lincoln Public Library second closure to the public, patrons have had to rely on reserving books online and picking them up in paper bags in the library vestibule. But because of limited space and demand outstripping the skeleton staff’s ability to quickly fill all the requests, the library has announced some changes.

As of February 18, items will no longer be put into separate paper bags so as to maximize the limited space in the vestibule. Staff are also looking into more temporary shelving in the small space. Empty paper bags and hand sanitizer are available. The staff also asks that patrons fill out the online pickup scheduling form only after they receive notification that they have an item ready for pickup. Complete information and links are available on the library’s Contactless Pickup web page.

Scholarship committee seeks member

The Board of Selectmen seeks volunteers to fill a vacancy on the Lincoln Scholarship Committee. The committee administers the information, applicant review, and selection processes for several scholarships and awards available to Lincoln students graduating from secondary schools. The group also fundraises on behalf of the Lincoln Permanent Scholarship Fund and mails an annual appeal letter to residents of Lincoln. For more information about the Committee, you can visit their webpage or email LincolnScholarship@LincolnTown.org

Letters of interest should be addressed to Select Board Chair James Craig and sent to Peggy Elder, administrative assistant in the Selectmen’s Office, at elderp@lincolntown.org. Residents are also welcome to fill out and submit this volunteer application or call the Selectmen’s Office at 781-259-2601.

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Library offers Boredom Buster Book Bundles, bingo, upcycling

Are you looking to keep your kids entertained this vacation week? We’ve got you covered! Fill out this quick form and you’ll get a bag of librarian-picked books. Your bag will include a variety of books: craft, cooking, game/activity, science experiment, plus a family movie and a read-aloud book. To help the library accommodate as many families as possible, we’ve packed these bags to have something for all ages. Pickup will be at the library starting Tuesday, Feb. 16. 

On Monday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m., join in an evening of bingo for children of all ages with everybody’s favorite bingo caller, Sally K. The whole family can play at home over Zoom. Registrants will receive a printable bingo card, and there will be prizes awarded. Email dleopold@minlib.net to register and receive the Zoom link.

On Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m., librarian Sarah will host a virtual combination craft/upcycling program, using old CD cases to make cool CD case gardens. Bryn Gingrich from the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will discuss recycling in Lincoln, and share other upcycling ideas. Intended for ages 5+ — please email sfeather@minlib.net to register. and get the Zoom link. Craft supplies will be available in the library vestibule.

Drive-through ice cream sundaes for seniors and grandkids

The Council on Aging invites seniors, grandparents and grandchildren to an intergenerational drive-up ice cream sundae cup event on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the parking lot of the First Parish Church. Please help stagger arrivals by coming at the time that corresponds to your last name (A–G, arrive from 12-12:45 p.m.; H–R, arrive from 12:45-1:30 p.m.; S–Z, arrive from 1:30-2 p.m.).

Lincoln author event on Feb. 22

Join award-winning producer, film composer, and author Ruth Mendelson of Lincoln to discuss her new book, “The Water Tree Way,” on Monday, Feb. 22 at noon. The main character Jai (pronounced “Jay”), filled with spunk, stealth and blazing courage, leaves everything she’s known to embark on a journey that would be hair-raising for anyone. A 240-page children’s book intended for readers of all ages, the story exalts the triumph of the human spirit as experienced by a girl who can be none other than her unabashed self. To learn more and read reviews, including Jane Goodall’s video endorsement, visit www.TheWaterTreeWay.com. Please call the COA 781-259-8811, if you would like to pick up an author’s copy of the book (there are a limited number of copies). Click here for the Zoom link.

Event explores healthy masculinity

Rickie Houston

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable is presenting “A Call to Families: Discussing Healthy Masculinity with Young People” on Tuesday, March 9 from 7–8:30 p.m. The keynote speaker is Rickie Houston, director of training for A Call to Men, an organization that works to transform society by promoting healthy, respectful manhood. Houston, a U.S. Army veteran, is pastor of a church in North Carolina, has worked to end violence against women in West Africa and has also worked with professional athletes. He’ll speak about the importance of boys being able to show their emotions and the significance of teaching them about healthy masculinity at an early age. Breakout sessions will run after his talk.

To register for the event, click here. For more information, call Sue Rushfirth at 978-443-0782, email infodvrt@gmail.com, or visit www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org.

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Christmas tree pickup benefits Fire Dept.

The Lincoln Fire department will pick up Christmas trees on Saturday, Jan. 9 from residents who’ve made a $20 donation toward their fundraiser. For details, contact Caleb Hagerty at hagartyc@lincolntown.org.

Send in suggestions for next talent show beneficiary

The deadline is Thursday, Jan. 7 for submitting nominations for a charitable cause that will benefit from the next Lincoln youth talent show. Organizers will keep all suggestions anonymous. Two options have already been presented:

  • Marc Day, a 2018 L-S graduate who is battling Stage 4 cancer
  • The Lincoln chapter of St. Vincent de Paul Society, which runs a food pantry and emergency fund to help people in the community who are having trouble financially

Please email achlagandhi24@gmail.com or kids4covid.19@gmail.com with ideas. Organizers will send out a survey on LincolnTalk next week to let the community can vote. Here are links to videos of the first talent show on December 23: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Event looks at domestic abuse survivors from South Asia

On Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m., the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable will host a talk by Divya Chaturvedi and Rita Shah, co-executive directors of Saheli, about the organization’s work supporting domestic abuse survivors from South Asia. They’ll highlight how Saheli focuses on people’s unique cultural beliefs and backgrounds when offering programs and services. The presentation will include:

  • A closer look at some of the specific cultural factors — such as acculturation stress, limited support structure in the U.S., and limited English proficiency — that make it more difficult for people who have immigrated from South Asia to access support
  • The hows and whys of Saheli’s focus on economic empowerment, awareness of legal rights, reducing isolation, and fostering healthy relationships.
  • Suggestions on how friends, neighbors, and family members can best support people from South Asia who may be living with abuse.

To get the Zoom link to the program, please register here or through the Roundtable’s website. Over the course of the year, the Roundtable will be presenting several programs in its Spotlight Series focusing on segments of our communities that face additional barriers when considering if and how to seek help or support. For questions, please email infodvrt@gmail.com