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

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20th anniversary event for Domestic Violence Roundtable

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable will host a dinner and documentary play to mark its 20th anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 18 starting at 6 p.m. at t the Trinitarian Congregational Church, 53 Cochituate Rd., Wayland The play, No More Secrets: Survivor Voices from The Second Step, will feature professional actors as well as actors from our local communities. Among the cast are Joyce Kulhawik, Aruna Pundit, Gail-Ann Simon, and Lynnet Sloa. Tickets for the evening are $25 and may be purchased online at the Roundtable website or by sending a check to Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable, P.O. Box 543, Sudbury, MA 01776.

Last hazardous waste collections for 2018

The last two hazardous waste collection days in the area will take place on two Saturdays, October 13 and November 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the hazardous waste collection facility at 60 Hartwell Ave. in Lexington. All residents must preregister with the Lincoln Board of Health by calling 781-259-2614. The next scheduled collection event will be in April 2019. No latex paint will be accepted.

Commuter rail schedules to change slightly

Effective Monday, Oct. 22, new commuter rail schedules will go into effect. On the Fitchburg line that passes through Lincoln, there are four peak-time trains whose stops are changing by more than five minutes:

  • #406 (inbound 6:45 a.m.) – departs Wachusett 5 minutes earlier at 6:40 a.m.
  • #410 (inbound 8:00 a.m.) – departs Wachusett 10 minutes later at 8:10 a.m.
  • #401 (outbound 6:25 a.m.) – departs North Station 10 minutes later at 6:35 a.m.
  • #419 (outbound 5:00 p.m.) – departs North Station 5 minutes later at 5:05 p.m.

The MBTA adjusts commuter rail schedules twice a year to meet changing passenger needs and reflect system upgrades. Schedules are posted at www.mbta.com.

Workshops at Farrington Nature Linc

Farrington Nature Linc in Lincoln is hosting a series of outdoor workshops in October and November. They will take place rain or shine. Minimum age is 6. Tickets are $30 for an adult-child pair, and $10 for an extra person of any age. Click here to buy tickets.

Primitive fire-making
Saturday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m.–noon
Starting with a lighter, you will learn the mechanics of modern fire making tools, and we will move back in time and learn about the bow brill, hand drill, and strap drill friction fire making methods. We will then explore hands-on cordage making (rope from plant fibers) learning the history, how to harvest and prepare fibers, and of course make your own. Perhaps the most important ancient skill.

From tree to table
Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m.–noon
What is there to eat in the woods? Every season and landscape offers unique and nutritious plants to eat and use as medicine. Go on a walk and learn about the most local, organic, and free plants in our area.

Shelter building
Saturday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m.–noon
It can get cold out there. Do you have the knowledge to keep yourself warm by using only materials found on the forest floor? We’ll learn about clothing selection, things to pack in your survival kit, and how to construct a debris shelter using no tools.

Intro to animal tracking and bird signs
Saturday, Nov. 17 from 1–4 p.m.
Go into the woods with Bob Metcalfe of New England Discovery to look for evidence of the animals around us. Tracking can be a very powerful way to learn about nature while seeing first-hand some of the many connections between animals and their environment.

BioBlitz at national park on September 22

Minute Man National Historical Park (MMNHP) invites all ages to join distinguished naturalists on a quest to document as many species as possible during a BioBlitz event on Saturday, Sept. 22.

A BioBlitz brings together educators, scientists, naturalists, and the public to encourage outdoor exploration and enhance our understanding of biodiversity. The MMNHP event will focus on locating, identifying, and counting as many species as possible within the 1,038-acre park area in Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington. Participants will gain skills in identifying and recording species and a stronger connection to their natural environment.

World-renowned local naturalists Peter Alden and Edward O. Wilson initiated the Biodiversity Day concept in 1998 at Walden Pond, and included MMNHP within the study area. They repeated the event with dozens of experts in 2008, and collectively recorded over 2,700 species within a five-mile radius of Walden Pond.

Concord-Carlisle High School student Liam Beguhn initiated the current event to spotlight the area’s biodiversity on September 22 (National Public Lands Day) and to update the findings by using the iNaturalist app.

The MMNHP event starts in the morning at the North Bridge Visitor Center at 174 Liberty St. in Concord, where guides will begin quests at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., and 10 a.m. Each quest will focus on the guide’s expertise, which will include birds, plants, mammals, insects, reptiles, fungi, and more. After a break at noon (bring a bag lunch), it will continue at the Hartwell Tavern parking lot/park ranger station at 101 North Great Rd. in Lincoln. Guides will begin afternoon excursions from the parking lot at 2 p.m. and wrap up all quests by 4 p.m.

Data collected by participants who want to record findings using iNaturalist will be recorded on the app’s website, and prizes will be awarded to participants for numbers of identifications recorded in the park.

“Thousands of species are here in our community. This event will highlight the wonders of nature and inspire participants to better understand and protect biodiversity,” Alden said.

Questions about the project and program can be directed to Liam Beguhn via Margie Coffin Brown, the Park’s Natural & Cultural Resource Manager at 617-620-2942 or Margie_coffin_brown@nps.gov. 

News acorns

Service on Tuesday for Sylvia Kennedy

Sylvia Kennedy

Kennedy passed away on September 5 at the age of 84. Among other things, she was a former president of the Lincoln Garden Club and sacristan at St. Joseph Church. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 8:45 a.m. from the Dee Funeral Home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church in Lincoln. Click here for full obituary.

Story-telling at Farrington

Join us around the campfire on Friday, Sept. 14 from 7:30–10 p.m. as experienced, competitive storytellers, in a “Moth-like” format, share their 5-6 minute true tales on the evening’s theme, “Rooted.” Fugitive Stories, Farrington Nature Linc’s partner for this event, brings “true stories told live” regularly to several suburban communities. This event is tailored for ages 14+ to enjoy an evening of stories. The storytelling begins at sundown, but you’re welcome to arrive earlier (6:30 p.m.) to picnic on the property. Rain or shine; weather permitting, we’ll be sitting around the campfire. Tickets are $12 online in advance or $15 on site on the day of event. 

Library events

  • Knitting Group — Knitters of all levels are welcome to our knitting group that begins on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. Drop in; no registration is required. Beginners should contact Jen James at jenjames@gmail.com to see what materials they’ll need to bring.
  • Neurofeedback talk — Dr. Jolene Ross  presents “Neurofeedback: Brain Training at its Best” on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Neurofeedback is a technique for achieving brain wellness and improved executive function, which includes emotional control, initiation, working memory, planning, organization, and task completion. Ross is a neurobehavioral psychologist with extensive experience in neurobiofeedback treatment, cognitive and behavioral therapy, and behavioral medicine. Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals.
  • “Permission to Pause” workshops — Adults and families today are often challenged to find some “quiet time” in our fast-paced society. This two-part series taught by nurse and a health education specialist Catherine Collins, R.N., M.S., on Thursdays, Sept. 20 and 27 at 7 p.m. will provide an opportunity for participants to pause in their busy week to review the challenges that get in the way of quiet time. Simple strategies such as breathing, imagery, muscle relaxation and mindful movement will be reviewed.  A list of resources will be provided to participants. No registration required. Presented by the Friends of the Lincoln Library.

“Forest bathing” workshop for dogs and owners

Certified Forest Therapy Guide Nadine Mazzola will lead a workshop for dogs and their owners on shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” (gentle walks that support well-being through sensory immersion in forests and other naturally healing environments) in the deCordova Sculpture Park on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 9:30 a.m.–noon. Increase mindfulness and connect to nature using your senses and a series of guided invitations to investigate your surroundings. Your dog will even be your guide. Please only one dog per owner. Click here to sign up ($20 for members, $30 for nonmembers).

Art and drumming at deCordova

Experience Andy Graydon’s PLATFORM 23 project, City Lights Orchestra, as it’s activated by The Harvard Undergraduate Drummers (THUD) on Saturday, Sept. 29 from noon–2 p.m. Graydon created his series of sculptural instruments from discarded street lamps. Rather than casting light, the lamps in City Lights Orchestra are intended to resonate with sound. Graydon based the sculptures on world instruments including Taiko drums and the Indonesian gamelan. THUD performs with nontraditional instruments including brooms, dinnerware, and instruments they’ve built themselves, and their sound ranges from STOMP-style pieces to more classical percussion ensemble music. Free with admission or membership; registration requested.

A tale of two fields (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Two summery views of fields in Lincoln. Top: The Turtle Creek winery grape vines behind the field on Lexington Road (photo by Ken Hurd). Bottom: a deer’s eyes reflect the twilight in a field on Mary’s Way that is destined to be replaced by the Oriole Landing mixed-income housing development once town approvals are in place. “It’s going to be sad to see this field becoming 60 apartments,” said photographer Cathy O’Brien, who lives next door.

Good-chuck charm? (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Woodchucks photographed by Harold McAleer survey the territory and munch, walrus-like, on some tasty blades of grass.

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.

Deer’s ears (Lincoln Through the Lens)

A deer glances back toward camera-toting Lincoln resident Harold McAleer.

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.

A stand-up guy (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Raccoons in Harold McAleer’s back yard will stand for almost anything, it seems.

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.

Bright-eyes and bushy-tailed (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Harold McAleer has caught foxes on camera several times in recent weeks.

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.

Drumlin Farm opens new Environmental Learning Center

Mass Audubon staff and friends at the grand opening of the Environmental Learning Center at Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. Left to right: Jennifer Feller, Bob Delano (Chapman Construction/Design), Laura Krich, Brandt Wild (Chapman Construction/Design), Renata Pomponi (Drumlin Farm sanctuary director), Gary Clayton (president, Mass Audubon), Marian Thornton, Nick d’Arbeloff (Mass Audubon board of directors), Christy Foote-Smith (former Drumlin Farm sanctuary director), Tia Pinney, Susan Madaus, Dick Thornton, Bill Maclay (Maclay Architects), and Robin Stuart. Photo by Heidi Thoren.

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary celebrated the grand opening of its new Environmental Learning Center on June 9, almost two years after construction began.

The gathering at the popular Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary and working farm in Lincoln commenced with a ribbon-cutting followed by building tours, opportunities to meet raptors and Drumlin Farm’s resident fox, hands-on science activities, and educational program highlights.

The 3,700-square-foot Environmental Learning Center (ELC), and its neighboring outdoor classroom structure, the Bluebird Pavilion, are situated between the wildlife sanctuary’s nature center and the site of the former education building. The ELC is about three times the size of the building it replaced at Drumlin, which as of 2017 employed about 15 year-round educators and conducts about 40,000 educational programs (some off-site).

The ELC and the pavilion will serve as the hub from which all of Drumlin Farm’s environmental education programming will flow. They will provide the home base for the programs through which Drumlin Farm teacher/naturalists and other educators support Mass Audubon’s mission to connect people and nature. Featuring a 42.8-kilowatt system of rooftop solar panels and many other energy-conserving construction methods and materials, the building will be net-positive, annually generating more energy than it will consume.

The ELC opening represents another phase in a long-term update plan for Drumlin Farm funded by a capital campaign that aimed to raise $4.7 million. Several years ago, the farm replaced its Farm Life Center, where most programs that involve cooking take place. In late 2016, the New England Wildlife Explorations exhibit opened, replacing the old Drumlin Underground exhibit.

Drumlin Farm Director Renata Pomponi described the grand opening of the new facility as a “watershed moment” for the wildlife sanctuary.

“Mass Audubon’s enduring commitment to nature-based education has never been stronger, and Drumlin Farm is excited about the pivotal role the Environmental Learning Center will play as we build on that legacy, developing environmental and climate science programs that further conservation in the 21st century,” she said.