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

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Town-wide scavenger hunt runs through Jan. 3

Join the Lincoln trails scavenger hunt now until January 3. Go to the six locations in town, find a hidden QR code, and scan it — you’ll be taken to a Padlet page for that location, where you can post a selfie to prove you were there. Visit all six spots and claim a $10 gift certificate to the Twisted Tree Café or Something Special (one certificate er household while supplies last). Open to all who live, work, or go to school in Lincoln. Click here for more information.

If you’ve posted your photos from all six locations, send an email to selectmen@lincolntown.org with your name and address, and indicate which gift certificate you’d like (as of December 28, three groups had already finished the hunt and written in to claim their gift certificates. If you’re having trouble with the technology, take a selfie at each location and send them to the same email address.

Second youth talent show in the works

The Lincoln youth talent show hosted via Zoom on December 23 was a resounding success, and the organizers are planning to make it a recurring event, with the next show on February 12.

L-S seniors Achla Gandhi and Dasha Trosteanetchi dreamed up the event to boost community spirit during the holidays and raise money for Save the Children, a nonprofit currently focused on helping kids who have been impacted by the pandemic. Twenty-two groups performed and almost 50 families attended online. The original fundraising goal was $1,000 but as of December 28, the event was just $30 short of its new $2,250 target. Here are links to videos of the talent show: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

For the February 15 show, Gandhi and Trosteanetchi are letting Lincoln residents decide which charity or cause that donations should benefit. To send suggestions or to register to perform, email kids4covid.19@gmail.com (please include your name, age and talent if you’re an aspiring performer).

You can give Fire Dept. access to your home in emergencies

The Lincoln Fire Department participates in the Knox Box program, whereby residents may purchase a lockbox with a key to their home. The lockbox that mounts on the outside of your home can be unlocked only by the Fire Department with a master key. Click here to purchase a box. If you need one only for a short time, contact Ben Juhola at the Fire Department (781-259-8113) about renting one.

Also, if anyone in your household is on oxygen or other any other medical machine that would create a risk during a power outage, you may let the Fire and Police Departments know by calling 781-259-8113. They can then check on you when the power goes out or let you know of a scheduled outage.

Honor a teacher and staff this holiday season

The Lincoln Public Schools are one of the few districts in the state that has remained open for full-time in-person learning, and this has only been possible because of the efforts of LPS administrators, teachers, and staff. For a special way to thank a teacher, administrator, teaching team, or other staff member, consider giving an Honor a Teacher or Staff (HATS) certificate. The Lincoln School Foundation’s HATS program lets you recognize specific Lincoln educators while supporting the LSF. For a small donation, the LSF will prepare a certificate of appreciation with your personalized message, to be delivered by email. Click here for details. Donations support LSF’s grants to teachers and innovation in the classroom, which have been all the more important this year.

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Youth talent show coming up on Wednesday

The Kids4Covid talent show will be live on Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 23. Entrance starts at 5 p.m., and the show begins at 5:15. Everyone is welcome; donations from adults who watch are requested, but organizers understand that the pandemic has affected everyone differently. All donations will go straight to Save the Children. The goal is $1,000 and the effort has raised $665 so far. Donate here, and watch on Zoom here.

Mass Audubon offers free admission for foster families

Furthering its commitment to connect people of all ages and backgrounds to nature, Mass Audubon is now participating in the Wonderfund Access Card program, which serves thousands of children in foster care with the state Department of Children and Families (DCF). Foster families can now enjoy free access in 2021 for up to four individuals per visit to Mass Audubon’s network of wildlife sanctuaries, including Drumlin Farm. Wonderfund, which serves more than 5,000 DCF foster families statewide, joins other programs for which Mass Audubon is a participating partner year-round, including EBT Card to Culture, ConnectorCare Card to Culture, and Blue Star Families.

College magazine profiles alumna and MCC fundraiser Schmergel

Joanna Schmergel and her successful ongoing estate sale to benefit the Lincoln METCO Coordinating Committee is the focus of a story in the Norwich Bulletin, a publication of her alma mater, Norwich University. Quoting fellow Lincolnites Erica Gonella and Pilar Doughty, the article described how Schmergel, a former lieutenant in the army’s 82nd Airborne division, “jumped in feet-first, Airborne style” when she was first asked for a donation to the MCC.

Library helps connect far-flung families during pandemic

By Lucy Maulsby

Cathy Moritz reads over Zoom to her great-niece and great-nephew in California.

The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed all of us to imagine new ways of doing familiar things, including connecting with friends and family when being together in person is not possible. The Lincoln Public Library has been supporting the community in this effort in a number of novel ways that have stretched well beyond the boundaries of Lincoln to Alabama, California, and even Greece.

Since the start of the pandemic, the librarians have been helping Lincoln residents who are reading virtually to younger family members over Zoom. During the summer months before books were circulating, they recommended books and provided support in setting up and using digital delivery services like Hoopla.

Ruth Ann Hendrickson, for example, is reading to her grandchildren, the youngest of which is 9, in Alabama nearly every day. Earlier in the school year, her grandchildren, no longer as busy with after-school activities and then summer, had time for reading sessions, but their enthusiasm for a good story quickly exhausted her supply of books. Their recent favorites have included R.A. Spratt’s Adventures of Nanny Piggins, Robert McCloskey’s Homer Price, and Ann McCaffery’s Dragon Song.

“I’m enjoying it even more than they are, and they’re loving it!” Hendrickson said.

Cathy Moritz likewise started reading to her great-niece Sylvia and great-nephew Homer, ages 7 and 4, in California last spring shortly after schools closed, when she realized that regular visits would not be possible and that their parents, one of whom works very long hours, needed support. Their appetite for picture books has meant very regular trips to collect books in recent months — sometimes as many as three bags at a time from the library. Children’s librarian Denise Shaver has been especially instrumental in selecting books, focusing on the stories and subjects that interest the children and using those as a bridge to new material.

Even though her young relatives are often busy drawing, sewing, or playing quietly as she reads, Moritz said she’s always “surprised by the intensity with which they listen.” The time she spends reading to Sylvia and Homer has created informal opportunities for conversation, bringing them closer together in a way that might not have been otherwise possible.

In a different vein, Lincoln resident and former library trustee Jenifer Burckett-Picker connected the daughter of a family friend, who was born in Boston and now lives in Greece, with the Lincoln library after their plans to travel Lincoln this summer were canceled as a result of Covid-19 travel restrictions. Erietta, nearly 7, participated in many of the library’s virtual summer programs, including story time, science programs, and virtual trivia. “She had a lot of fun while at the same time staying connected and enhancing her relations with the U.S.,” her mother Maria Kechri wrote. “The creativity and hard work of the people at the Lincoln Library helped to create an ‘open window’ to the world.”

“It’s been really special for us to help patrons during this isolating time in the small way we can — with books,” said Children’s Librarian Debbie Leopold. Indeed, although overall book circulation slowed dramatically after the closure of the library in March, the circulation of children’s books — driven in part by the new ways in which libraries are being used — is now about twice what it was a year ago, with over 4,500 books circulating per month.

As the holiday season approaches, the children’s librarians are putting together winter and holiday Book Bundles, which can be tailored to the interests of young readers, and encourage families to use books as a way to connect with loved ones near and far.

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Youth talent show to benefit Save the Children

To bring the community together in a time of isolation for a good cause, two L-S students are organizing a youth talent show. Performers will be pre-recorded and the show will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 5 p.m. Adults who watch will be asked to make a $10 donation to Save the Children, a nonprofit focused on helping kids impacted by Covid-19. The goal is to raise $1,000. Organizers hope to have prizes for everyone who participates.

To register for free as a performer, email kids4covid.19@gmail.com with your name, age, and talent by Friday, Dec. 11. A few ideas for performers include singing, dancing, instrumentals, group skits, magic tricks, stop-motion, and bike tricks. Click here to donate. All are invited to watch the show; to get the Zoom link, email the address above.

Food drive for St. Vincent de Paul

Residents are encouraged to donate items by Monday, Dec. 14 for a food drive organized by Lincoln resident Devon Das to benefit clients of the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Bring donations to the collection bin to the left of the main entrance to the Smith school building (drive through the bus loop to avoid any construction and please wear a mask). Any nonperishable food is welcome, but here are some specifics of what the food pantry needs:

  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Peanut butter
  • Jam
  • Mayonnaise
  • Baked beans
  • Canned corn
  • Canned peaches
  • Salad dressing
  • Canned tuna

Questions? Email devondas3d@gmail.com.

Boy Scouts selling Christmas trees

Christmas trees are now for sale by Lincoln Boy Scout Troop 127 on the corner of Codman and Lincoln Road, across from the public safety building. Tabletop sizes up to eight-foot trees are available along with wreaths. Scouts will trim the trunk, wrap the tree and fasten it to the customer’s cars. The tree lot is open on weekends from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. and most weeknights from 5–7 p.m. Maximum three families at a time in tree lot.

L-S orchestral concert on Dec. 18

The Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Music Department will present an Orchestral Winter Concert on Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. The concert will air in both Sudbury and Lincoln on Comcast channel 9/Verizon channel 32, with a live stream at this link. It will also be available to view on demand a few days after the concert.

L-S Orchestra Cohort A rehearses for the December 18 concert.


Due to COVID restrictions, student musicians were placed into two groups. Cohort A will perform a scene” from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and “B Rosette” by Su Jin Kim. Cohort B will perform the viola concerto in G major (first and second movements” by G.P. Telemann featuring student soloists Richard Yao and Will Sotiriou, and then themes from the “American Quartet” by Dvorak. Selected movements from “Le Carnaval De Venise” by C. Dancla will also be performed by the L-S Music Violin Ensemble. There will also be video performances from the combined Concert Choir and Treble Choir, Chamber Singers, Guitar Class Level II students, and the combined Symphonic and Concert Bands.

To learn more about the L-S music program and how the community can support L-S musicians, please visit www.lfom.org.

Fridays at Farrington program

Farrington Nature Linc is offering a new Fridays at Farrington program for children from January 15 to February 12 from 2:15–4:15 p.m. Activities (all outdoors and socially distanced with masks) include hiking, art with natural materials, scavenger hunts, exploring around the pond, and more. Registration is open until Friday, Dec. 18. There will be also later series starting in March, April, and May. Click here for more information and registration materials.

GearTicks fill a gap for kids with monthly STEMtastic Challenges

By Olivia Crisafi, Prerna Karmacharya, Amelia Pillar, and Victor Han

When the GearTicks, Lincoln’s high school robotics team, realized that the Covid-19 pandemic would make it impossible for First LEGO League (FLL) robotics teams to meet, they brainstormed alternative STEM activities to offer the town’s youth.

For the past 11 years, the GearTicks have mentored FLL robotics teams in Lincoln, Sudbury, and surrounding towns, making FLL and FLL Explore (a program for kids age 6-10) one of the most popular programs run by the town Parks and Recreation Department. Participating in programs such as FLL and FLL Explore provide students with the opportunity to learn about STEM hands-on through building LEGO robots to complete annual challenges.

Recognizing the lack of STEM activities for the town’s youth during the pandemic, the GearTicks brainstormed about how to best address this need. They developed a series of challenges for students that would expose them to STEM concepts with fun, educational activities for families to do together while also teaching them about the engineering design process. The result: teaming up with the Lincoln Public Library to offer STEMtastic Challenges.

Each month the GearTicks will release a new STEMtastic Challenges on their website. For each theme, the Lincoln Public Library will create a resources list, including books and websites that can be used for inspiration, instruction, and enrichment.

Lucy’s winning plan and build-out of Big Ben using marshmallows and toothpicks.

November’s theme was Marshmallow Architecture. Participants drew inspiration from books and their imagination to build marshmallow structures, which included everything from flying airplanes to earthquake-resistant buildings.

The GearTicks were impressed with the ingenuity and hard work of all the participants and are pleased to announce that the winner of November’s challenge is ten-year-old Lucy, who created a marshmallow-and-toothpick Big Ben. The high school students thought Lucy’s detailed drawing was great, and that she might enjoy learning to use some of the CAD tools they use to design robots.

The STEMtastic challenge for the month of December is Marble Runs. It’s a great opportunity for students of all ages to use materials they have around the house — anything from toilet paper rolls to disposable water bottles — and extra time from school breaks to participate in something fun and educational. It’s open to all ages, and participants are welcome to work together with family and friends over the holidays.

Submissions should be sent to stemsubmissions@gearticks.com by December 31. More challenge details can be found on the GearTicks’ December STEMtastic Challenge web page. To access the library’s resources, click here and scroll down to the blue GearTicks logo.

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Lincoln student wins Rhodes Scholarship

Shera Avi-Yonah (photo by Jon Chase/Harvard staff photographer)

Lincoln’s Shera Avi-Yonah is one of six Harvard University seniors to win a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University next year. As a reporter for The Crimson and now its managing editor, she helped break stories on sexual harassment, workplace abuse, and racism, according to the Harvard Gazette. Some coverage led to legal threats and even a subpoena, which prompted her interest on the limits of legal protections for the press — a topic she plans to focus on at Oxford, where she’ll compare the libel laws of the U.S. and the U.K.

Midway through her first year, Avi-Yonah discovered her love of history, the Gazette says. Her thesis adviser is Drew Faust, Harvard president emerita. “I’m a believer in studying the historical roots of problems you seek to change, and I hope examining the origins of limits to press freedom will allow me to pursue a career working to defend it,” Avi-Yonah said.

Hanscom student wins national fellowship

Morgan Gibson

Hanscom Middle School eighth-grader Morgan Gibson is one of 22 students from across the country selected for an iCivics-sponsored Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship. Morgan is the only middle school representative in the group and one of only two Massachusetts students chosen. As paid student ambassadors, fellows will lead a student-centered discussion on equity in civic education, build a national social media campaign, and launch a virtual showcase in June. Last year’s students attended SXSW EDU, participated in a variety of speaking engagements, and continue to use their experiences to influence the discussion on how to improve civics for all kids. Click here to learn more about the iCivics-sponsored Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship program. 

Outdoor Touch of Christmas Fair

The First Parish of Lincoln’s Touch of Christmas Fair will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. on the parish house playground (14 Bedford Rd.). Shop for treasures, holiday crafts, unique gifts, handmade mittens, sweet jams and sauces, wreaths, and more. Click here to order your wreath ahead of time. Masks required. Rain date: December 12.

COA collecting donations for gift bags

Each year, the Council on Aging visits homebound and needy seniors to deliver a gift basket full of basic necessities to them. The COA is collecting the following new, unscented, full-sized, and unopened items:

[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

  • Pharmacy gift cards
  • Stamps
  • Shampoo
  • Dish soap
  • Paper towels
  • Facial tissue
  • Lotion 
  • Toothpaste/toothbrushes 

[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

  • Sponges
  • Razors/shaving cream
  • Deodorant
  • Kitchen trash bags
  • Coffee/tea
  • Soap
  • Laundry detergent 
  • Men’s/women’s socks

[/su_column][/su_row]

Please bring donations to Bemis Hall by Friday, Dec. 7. Questions? Call Abigail Butt at 781-259-8811.

See pictures and help pets in need

The Phinney’s Godparents Program tree near the Pierce House.

Instead of its annual holiday festival at the Pierce House, Phinney’s (also known as Phinney’s Friends) — a local nonprofit that helps low-income people keep their pets by paying for vet bills, medication, and pet supplies — has moved outside.

A majestic blue spruce on the park grounds has been decorated with multicolored lights and watercolor ornaments honoring pets in need as part of the Phinney’s Godparents Program, which offers a personalized way to provide monthly support to a specific pet or pets in need. Hand-painted ornaments on the tree feature some of the neediest pets in the program, including an elderly dog with cancer who lives with an HIV-positive owner and a lively cat who keeps her owner with cerebral palsy company.

Visitors can scan the QR code posted near the tree to learn more about the featured pets. With a donation of $25 or more, the donor gets a paper holiday ornament painted in watercolor of the sponsored pet that can be hung on the Phinney’s Angels Tree with a unique message along with the existing ornaments, or shipped to them or someone else as a special holiday gift. See their stories and donate by clicking here.

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Casting your ballots

Town Hall is open for early voting in the upcoming election at the following times:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 27 — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28 — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29 — 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Oct. 30 — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You can also vote in person on Election Day (Tuesday Nov. 3) at the Smith gym. Mail-in ballots can be returned by mail in the envelope provided or dropped off at Town Hall. There is a drop box behind the building and a second box to the right of the front door.

Photo project benefits food pantry organization

Corey Flint, who ran Lincoln’s Front Steps Project last spring to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP), is offering to take similar photos of residents dressed in their Halloween costumes on Saturday, Oct. 31. Participants will receive a professional photo of themselves and any family members (taken outdoors at their home for public health safety); in return, they write a check in any amount to SVdP, which supports needy Lincoln and Weston residents with food and funds. Go to his Front Steps Halloween web page to book a time.

Halloween-themed activities from Mass Audubon

Try your hand at pumpkin-carving using stencils.

Mass Audubon’s Fall Fest offers online and in-person activities with seasonal and spooky-themed activities this week up through Halloween night. For family-friendly Halloween thrills and chills, meet creatures of the night (hint: including some that hoot), gather around to hear spooky stories, and unleash your inner wild thing, howling and yowling on the evening of the 31st, when Halloween reveals a “blue moon” (a second full moon in a calendar month).

On the “treat” side, crunch through fallen leaves on explorations of Drumlin Farm and other Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries, join with other crafters to carve pumpkins and make fall-themed gifts, and check out seasonal volunteer projects. An online silent-auction “fun-raiser” offers chances to win exclusive Mass Audubon experiences like private strawberry-picking, visits with goats, Cape Cod adventures, and more.

Thanks to the support of Highland Street Foundation, visitors can enjoy Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary for free on October 30 with a reservation. See all the activities and programs at www.massaudubon.org/fallfest.

Fallen leaves pose a risk for stormwater pollution

Stormwater pollution is the toxic mix of bacteria, chemicals, metals, nutrients, and other contaminants that washes over pavement and other impervious surfaces and flows down storm drains to waterways. As the leaves fall, proper disposal of leaf litter is essential for reducing stormwater pollution and flooding issues. See these tips from the Lincoln Conservation Department for the proper disposal of leaf litter:

  • Keep fallen leaves out of streets – Leaf litter leaches nutrients into stormwater runoff and contributes to pollution in our waters.
  • Clear storm drains of debris – Leaf litter and yard debris plug storm drains and increase flooding issues.
  • Don’t dump in ditches or streams – Decaying leaf litter releases excess nutrients causing eutrophication and algal blooms.
  • Compost leaves and yard clippings – Reduce added chemicals in your yard and garden by creating a natural fertilizer with composted leaves.

Click here to learn more about the town’s initiatives to address stormwater and climate change.

L-S students win prestigious award

Anisha Kundu

Caleb Yee

Superintendent Bella Wong and the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee congratulate Anisha Kundu of Sudbury and Caleb Yee of Lincoln for receiving the Massachusetts Association of Superintendents’ Award for Academic Excellence. To be considered for the award, students must have a cumulative GPA that places them in the top 5% of their class and must also consistently demonstrate traits of leadership, social responsibility, respect for their fellow students, and involvement in various aspects of the school community.

Library open by appointment; pickup now in vestibule

The Lincoln Public Library has moved contactless pickup to the vestibule now that the weather has cooled. The service is offered every day except Sunday. Click here for more information on contactless pickup. The library is also open by appointment. Call 781-259-8465 (ext. 3 for the adult department, ext. 4 for children’s services). The first hour of each day is reserved for patrons over 60 years old or with health risks for Covid-19.

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Guidelines issued for trick-or-treating

Lincoln will continue the tradition of trick-or-treating on Halloween night (Saturday, Oct. 31), but residents are being asked to follow state public health protocols to minimize the spread of Covid-19.

For children and families: 

  • Trick-or-treat in small groups
  • Maintain social distancing as per guidelines and do not crowd doorways
  • Wear masks (costume masks are not a substitute!)

For those passing out candy:

  • Consider “one-way” trick-or-treating — leave treats on trays (not bowls) on porches/front stairs
  • If you greet people at the door, wear a mask and social distance
  • Pre-wrapped treats ONLY – no homemade goodies or items wrapped at home
  • Indoor parties are discouraged and maximum gathering sizes must be maintained

Presentation on saving Lincoln’s twisting catalpa tree

Sean Halloran of Arnold Arboretum with a cutting from Lincoln’s twisted tree.

The Lincoln Garden Club is sponsoring a virtual talk by Sean Halloran, Arnold Arboretum’s plant propagator, on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m. Sean has been instrumental in efforts by the Garden Club and the Lincoln Public Library to preserve Lincoln’s iconic twisting catalpa tree. As the tree is well beyond its expected life span, he is also working with a community group trying to produce a twisting clone of the tree for the library. He will be speaking about those efforts as well as the biology of twisting characteristics in trees. He will also discuss the latest research into tree planting. This topic relates to a proposed community effort to raise a twisted tree from the cloned seedlings. Click here to register for the meeting on Zoom; you’ll then receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.

Middle-school book group forming

A new book share for children in seventh grade and above will met on the third Wednesday of each month starting on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. We’ll share what we’re reading, what we’re making, and how we’re changing the world. Please email sfeather@minlib.net to register or for more information.

Pandemic increases need for diaper donations

The annual Metro-Boston Diaper Drive has begun, and the need is greater than ever due to families affected by Covid-19. The diaper drive, which runs through October 25, is organized by Lincoln mothers Kerstin Sinkevicius and Kim Jalet. All diapers will be donated to the Somerville WIC office, which serves Lincoln as well as Somerville, Cambridge, Arlington, Watertown, Belmont, Bedford, and Lexington. Donors can visit the diaper drive’s website at mbdiapers.org for links to Amazon and Target registries to send donations directly to the WIC office. They also have a Facebook page.

“In normal times, we have about 40 collection sites for diapers in the Metro-Boston area, and we are able to take opened packages of diapers,” Jalet said. “However, the drive has to be entirely virtual this year, so we worry that donations may be down even though need is higher than at any time since the drive started nine years ago.” WIC reports that, due to Covid-19, many income earners in families served by WIC have lost jobs but did not qualify for relief benefits, resulting in difficult decisions between food, diapers, and other needs, as diapers are not covered by WIC and SNAP benefits.

Cultural council invites grant applications

The Lincoln Cultural Council (LCC) is accepting grant proposals until November 15. Submit your request via this link. Based on community input, the LCC gives priority to projects that provide work for performing artists severely impacted by the pandemic, show an ability to successfully present a virtual experience or have secured a local venue, serve families and/or the elderly, or focus on local history, environmental issues, and the natural world. Questions? Please contact Meg Ramsey at meg.ramsey@verizon.net.

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Tour de Codman bike event on Sunday

The inaugural Tour de Codman on Sunday, Oct. 11 will start at Codman Farm and will take bike riders on a nearly 12-mile loop through Lincoln along roads and paths, featuring stops at three remote pastures where farm staff and volunteers will give a short talk on the farm’s sustainable, pasture-based agriculture before returning to the farm for coffee, cider, and donuts. All ages welcome, but riders must be comfortable maintaining a 10-12 mph pace along Lincoln’s roads.

The route will spend as much time as possible on bike paths and quiet roads. Any bike in good working order should suffice. Please plan to bring your own water and snacks for the route. The ride leader will have basic tools but riders should plan to be self-sufficient. The total time for the ride, with stops, should be under two hours. Masks required. Staggered start times beginning at 9:30 a.m., in groups of eight participants maximum. Click here to sign up ($15 per person).

Brain research fundraiser features trivia, DIY cornhole

The Doo family of Lincoln is hosting the second annual Brain Games Fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 18 to benefit Moyamoya Research at Boston Children’s Hospital. Because of Covid-19, this year’s event will consist of virtual Challenge Trivia with the Trivia Brothers (who were featured at the Lincoln Public Library’s summer reading celebration) and “DIY cornhole.” There will be a family friendly version at 2:30 p.m. and an adult trivia competition at 4 p.m. Tickets are $50 per team (up to six players per team).

DIY Cornhole competitors are asked to post a photo or video on social media while playing (tag @wickedcornhole on Instagram or facebook); organizers will pick one creative post as the winner. There’s no charge to play, post, or be entered to win a prize. Post anytime between now and October 18. Additionally, everyone who donates to the Boston Children’s Hospital giving site will be entered into a raffle. Click here for details and registration.

Last year’s inaugural event at Codman Community Farms raised over $12,000 for research into moyamoya disease, a rare brain disorder that affects the Doos’ five-year-old daughter. The progressive disease required surgery for her last year and more is likely.

Register for Halloween Trunk or Treat

The Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its annual annual Trunk or Treat event in a drive-through edition on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 3–5 p.m, at St. Anne’s Church. Click here to register trunks, or go to lincolnrec.com and register under Fall 2020 >> Special Events.  Registration is open until Friday, Oct. 23.

Lincoln teens pitch in to help those affected by Covid-19

Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School made the national news this week after dozens of students attended a party a party on September 11, forcing the school to delay the start of in-person classes due to worries about the possible spread of Covid-19. But other students are getting involved in projects designed to help seniors and the homeless affected by the same disease.

Joanna Schwartz, co-founder of Connections.

Joanna Schwartz, an L-S senior from Lincoln, got the idea last spring to do something to try to counteract the loneliness many people, especially senior citizens, were feeling as the pandemic lockdown took hold last spring. She partnered with the Lincoln Council on Aging to launch Connections, a program where seniors can converse with a high school student via Zoom, phone, or letter. Students can get community service credit, and both young and older participants can forge new bonds by sharing their life experiences or just chatting about their week.

Seniors are invited to a Zoom open house on Monday, Oct. 5 from 4–5 p.m. to learn more about the program. Schwartz will email a survey link to gather information on interests and preferred means of communication to match students with seniors. To get the Zoom link for the open house, contact Amy Gagne at the COA at 781-259-8811 x102 or gagnea@lincolntown.org by Friday, Oct. 2.

“My mom is a general practitioner, and would often tell me how her older patients were expressing feelings of loneliness and isolation during this time,” said Schwartz, a Lincoln resident who got the idea for the program last spring during the initial Covid-19 lockdown. “Moreover, I was frequently talking with my own grandparents on the phone and heard that they too were feeling isolated because of the pandemic. They missed getting together with their friends and seeing their family. I soon learned that just a 10-minute phone call would brighten their day.”

For those opting for Zoom or phone, the program will initially comprise four 20-minute weekly sessions starting in mid-October at times arranged by the participants. “Pen pals” will mail about one letter per week to each other over the four-week period, with the students initiating.

“That said, I hope the program will continue on after the pandemic, as there’s always a need for bridging the generation gap in our communities. And what better way to connect the generations than through conversations?” Schwartz said.

Swapping services for donations

More than 30 L-S students have banded together as the Coupon Collective, offering personal services and products to people in the area in exchange for donations to the Pine Street Inn in Boston.

“We ask the providers of the product to tell us how much they think their product is worth, perhaps for a little markup for charity; then we put that on our website and we ask people to donate that amount,” Rhea Karty, a senior from Lincoln, told Boston 25 News. Instead of pocketing the cash for what they provide, the students donate 100% of what they would’ve earned to the COVID Relief Fund of the Pine Street Inn, Boston’s largest homeless shelter.

The services and products that the group is offering include yard work, babysitting, friendship bracelets, baked goods, custom artwork, web design, and instruction in coding, languages, piano, volleyball, and more. They’ve also “sold” gift cards from businesses who’ve donated, including Learning Express and several restaurants.

Other students from Lincoln involved in the Coupon Collective are Samantha Broglio, Jennie Christenfeld, Bella Omar, Dasha Trosteanetchi, and Caleb Yee. The group has already raised about $2,000 for the Pine Street Inn.

“We’ve been able to have students at our school and others provide things they are very passionate about so they are able to keep doing what they love during a time they may be stuck at home and especially help people who may not have a home,” Sudbury senior Davin Martin told Boston 25 News.

The latest efforts add to the roster of public service projects recently undertaken by Lincoln youth.