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

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Town Meeting and election notes

Girl Scouts offer babysitting, food for Town Meeting attendees

The 7th-grade Girl Scouts are offering babysitting at the LEAP pod during Town Meeting on Saturday, March 19. Suggested donations are $25, as this is a fundraiser for the girls working towards a service trip. Please RSVP to mrkarty@yahoo.com or 954-471-1357 by Friday, March 18. All proceeds go to the troop. Also, stop by the 2nd-grade brownie table for freshly brewed coffee, snacks and baked goods beginning at 9 a.m., and grab a boxed lunch prepared by the 6th-grade junior Girl Scouts for only $10.

Learn about green energy

Looking for information on a home energy assessment, solar panels on your roof, or buying more of your electricity from renewable sources? Come to the Brooks auditorium lobby at Town Meeting and find members of Lincoln’s Green Energy Committee and Next Step Living on Saturday, March 19. Sign up any time for an energy assessment at LincolnEnergyChallenge.com or visit the Lincoln Green Energy Committee web page for more information.

Town election ballot

The town election will be on Monday, March 28 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Smith gym (click on image to enlarge).

The 2016 town election ballot (click to enlarge).

The 2016 town election ballot (click to enlarge).

 

 

Holy Week services at Lincoln churches announced

easter1First Parish Church
  • Sunday, March 27 (Easter Sunday) – Ministerial intern Mandy Beal will lead an Easter sunrise service at 6:20 a.m. on Old Lexington Road at the top of the Flint fields. The Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti will preside over Easter Sunday services of reflection and worship at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary at 4 Bedford Road. All are welcome.
St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields
  • Sunday, March 20 (Palm Sunday) – Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m.; Holy Eucharist with choir, 10 a.m.
  • Thursday, March 24 (Maundy Thursday) – Maundy Thursday service with foot-washing and stripping of the altar, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, March 25 (Good Friday) – Good Friday service, 12 p.m.; Good Friday family service, 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 26 (Holy Saturday) – The Great Vigil, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 27 (Easter Sunday) – Holy Eucharist with Choir at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
St. Joseph Church/St. Julia Church
  • Sunday, March 20 (Palm Sunday) – Masses at St. Joseph Church at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses at St. Julia Church at 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 24 (Holy Thursday) – Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 p.m. in St. Julia Church, followed by Eucharistic procession, prayer and adoration in the Parish Center until 9:30 p.m. No morning Masses.
  • Friday, March 25 (Good Friday) – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (with Holy Communion)  at 7:30 p.m.  in St. Julia Church (no Mass on Good Friday). Stations of the Cross in St. Julia Church at 2 p.m. and St. Joseph Church at 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 26 (Holy Saturday) – Easter Vigil,  7:30 p.m.  in St. Julia Church (no morning Mass or 4 p.m. mass)
  • Sunday, March 27 (Easter Sunday) – Masses at St. Joseph Church at at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses at St. Julia Church at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., in church and hall at both times. No 5 p.m. Mass. Note: parishioners are urged encouraged to attend the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Church. It is being added for Easter Sunday only and is likely to be less crowded and lessen the overflow at the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

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acornAntia invite residents to meet Planning Board candidate

Lincoln residents are invited to the home of Sharon and Bob Antia at 165 S. Great Rd. for coffee and conversation on Saturday, March 12 to meet Planning Board candidate Jennie Morris Gundy between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. You are welcome, though not required, to let us know you are coming by calling 617-593-0141 or emailing Sharon.antia@gmail.com.

Self-defense class for teenage girls

High school and college-aged girls who are residents of Lincoln and Sudbury are invited to participate in RESIST (Realistic Escape Strategies and Instinct-based Self-defense Training), a course that teaches how to escape from an attacker by using instinct-based moves. The two-session class is taught by the Lincoln Police Department on Monday and Wednesday, March 14 and 16 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. The class is free, but participants must pre-register and the class limited to 16 students.

On Day 1, we will talk about general safety and dating safety before learning and then practicing physical self-defense moves like strikes, blocks and knee strikes. For Day 2, students and instructors will don protective gear and participants will be “attacked” using the learned moves to escape. This part of the course is intense but amazing and empowering. For questions and to register, please contact Jena Salon at jenasalon@gmail.com. This class is funded by the Ogden Codman Trust, the Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc., and the Lincoln Police Department.

Obituaries

Clockwise from top left: Ray Tomlinson, Lorraine Chur Wang, Katherine Staples, xxx, Hazel MacInnis.

Clockwise from top left: Ray Tomlinson, Lorraine Chur Wang, Katherine Staples, Claire Daniels, Hazel MacInnis.

(Editor’s note: This article has been updated to remove an incorrect link in the Ray Tomlinson segment.)

Ray Tomlinson, 74 (March 5) — inventor of modern email who chose the “@” symbol to connect the username with the destination address. He and his partner Karen Seo raised miniature sheep in Lincoln. See obituaries by the Associated Press and the BBC.

Lorraine Chur Wang, 95 (March 1) — widow of An Wang, founder of Wang Laboratories, Inc.; helped establish Wang Center for the Performing Arts.

Hazel MacInnis, 93 (February 24) — former teacher’s aide in Lincoln.

Claire Daniels, 87 (February 6) — retired employee at the South Postal Annex.

Katherine Staples, 79 (February 2) — 35-year teaching career in Lincoln, Boston and Acton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteer/work opportunities in Lincoln

gardeningWork in gardens at Codman Estate

Volunteer alongside Historic New England’s staff experts and members to care for and learn about historic gardens and landscapes at the Codman Estate. Work includes seasonally appropriate tasks such as weeding the gardens and paths, dividing plants, planting new materials, removing invasive species and other cleanup activities. You may choose ongoing participation or just try it out for a day. Garden volunteers get a $10 discount on a family membership to Historic New England. A special appreciation gathering will be hosted in September followed by a tour of the Codman Historic House Museum.

Volunteer days are on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon on April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21 and October 1 (meet at the Italian Garden). Sign up online in advance or call the Codman Estate at 617-994-6690.

COA needs volunteer drivers

The Council on Aging needs LINC drivers to transport older residents to medical appointments, essential shopping, and to the COA for services and activities, as well as Meals on Wheels drivers to deliver meals to homebound residents. LINC drivers drive one day per month, transporting to destinations in Lincoln and surrounding towns or drivers may be substitutes, driving only occasionally.  Meals on Wheels drivers drive one or more days per month, picking up meals in Concord and then delivering them to several residents. If you are interested in learning more about any of these opportunities, please call the COA at 781-259-8811 and speak with Pamela Mizrahi or Carolyn Bottum.

Volunteer at Minute Man National Historic Park

At Minute Man National Historical Park, there are many different volunteer opportunities from which to choose: visitor center guide, North Bridge interpreter, education program assistant, Battle Road trail guide, witness house guide, living history interpreter, interpretation intern, and trail cleanup crew, to name a few. For more information and how to apply, see the MMNHP volunteer web page.

Gropius House seeks paid guides

Historic New England seeks a seasonal part-time guide to work at the Gropius House. Guides will conduct tours and assist with daily museum operations including tour admissions, museum shop, and opening and closing the museum. Training is provided. Applicants should enjoy working with the public, have an interest in history, and have basic computer skills. Must be available weekends and have a flexible schedule. Please send résumé and cover letter to GropiusHouse@HistoricNewEngland.org. Note: If you are applying for a guide position at more than one Historic New England property, please indicate this in your cover letter. People of color are encouraged to apply. Historic New England is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

Lincoln goes for Kasich, Clinton in presidential primary

Here are the unofficial returns from the March 1 presidential primary in Lincoln.

Republican primary
Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Total votes Total %
Kasich 158 84 242 36%
Rubio 114 66 180 27%
Trump 93 81 174 26%
Cruz 20 19 39 6%
Carson 6 10 16 2%
Bush 7 1 8 1%
Christie 1 0 1 —
Fiorina 1 0 1 —
Gilmore 1 0 1 —
Santorum 1 0 1 —
No preference,
blank, write-in		 4 3 7 1%
Totals: 406 264 670
Democratic primary
Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Total votes Total %
Clinton 748 388 1,136 60%
Sanders 470 287 757 40%
O’Malley 2 1 3 —
No preference,
blank, write-in		 1 1 2 —
Totals: 1,221 677 1,898
Ballots cast by party:
Democrat 1,898 74%
Republican 670 26%
Lincoln's voting precincts (click to enlarge)

Lincoln’s voting precincts (click to enlarge)

Letter to the editor: Minuteman withdrawal ‘unfortunate’

letter

To the editor:

As a result of the recent vote at Special Town Meeting, it is unfortunate Lincoln is leaving the Minuteman High School district. A 260,000-square-foot total-replacement school facility will be built on Lincoln land, without Lincoln as a member town.

While I am disappointed for Lincoln, I am thankful that students in remaining district towns are guaranteed the opportunity to contribute to the success of Minuteman High School in the advancement of computer science, robotics and other program areas.

Sincerely,

Judson B. Reece
50 Wells Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

News acorns

Three Lincoln School students to perform in district music festival
Jada Edwards, Simon Perry and xxx will represent the Lincoln School at the xxx.

Jada Edwards, Simon Perry and Maria Hamandi will represent the Lincoln School at the MMEA Eastern District Junior Festival.

Lincoln School eighth-graders Jada Edwards and Simon Perry and seventh-grader Maria Hamandi were selected through a vigorous audition process to participate in the MMEA Eastern District Junior Festival at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School on March 4 and 5.

The program is offered by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association as an enrichment opportunity that brings together the top school musicians. Over 900 outstanding music students in grades 7-9 from 30 school districts auditioned on January 30, and less than half were accepted. Simon and Maria will represent the Lincoln School in the Mixed Chorus and Jada in the Treble Chorus. This is her second acceptance to the festival.

Film looks at new approaches to education

Come to the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School auditorium on Wednesday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. for a screening of the documentary Most Likely to Succeed. The film examines the history of education in the United States, revealing the growing shortcomings of conventional education methods in today’s innovative world, and explores compelling new approaches that aim to revolutionize teaching as we know it. The screening will be followed by a discussion and Q&A session.

Most Likely to Succeed follows students into the classrooms of High Tech High, an innovative new school in San Diego. There, over the course of a school year, two groups of ninth-graders take on ambitious, project-based challenges that promote critical skills rather than rote memorization. the film points to a transformation in learning that may hold the key to success for millions of our youth—and our nation—as we grapple with the ramifications of rapid advances in technology, automation and growing levels of income inequality.
Lotus Blossom to hold benefit for L-S Jamaica Jammin’

On Tuesday, March 8 from 5-9 p.m., the Lotus Blossom restaurant (394 Boston Post Road in Sudbury) will donate 20 percent of the total cost of each dine-in or take-out order when customers mention Jamaica Jammin’. In its 23rd year, this graduation party is where seniors can celebrate together in a safe, substance-free environment. The all-night chaperoned tradition helps to keep the graduates safe and off the roads on graduation night. In years past, there has been more than 94 percent participation of graduating students. Customers can dine in or place take-out orders by calling 978-443-0200. Just remember to say “Jamaica Jammin’” to support a safe graduation night.

Minuteman school district down to 10 towns

mm1By Alice Waugh

Boxborough and Weston voted last week to withdraw from the Minuteman High School district, whittling the final number of member towns from 16 to 10. The other towns that voted to withdraw are Lincoln, which voted on February 23; Carlisle, Sudbury and Wayland.

All 16 towns approved Minuteman’s revised regional agreement, which will take effect on July 1, 2017. As of that date, Lincoln and the other towns that withdrew will no longer have a seat on the Minuteman School Committee, but they are also not liable for debt service on the new school building (except for per-student fees they may pay as out-of-district towns).

“I’m sad to see some towns leave because the access that students have to high-quality career and technical education will be different going forward,” Minuteman Superintendent-Director Ed Bouquillon said. “On the other hand, I’m proud and pleased that after six years of attempting to revise the regional agreement, it’s a new day,” pending final approval from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, he added.

Minuteman is seeing a one-year increase of 22 percent in applications for 2016-17 from the 16 original member towns, Bouquillon said on Monday. The school had projected an increase of 8-9 percent, “which no one at town meetings believed,” he said. Future enrollment projections will depend on how many students are accepted and enrolled as of October 1, 2016, he added.

Some Lincoln residents at the February 23 Special Town Meeting expressed concern that Minuteman could reach its capacity some time after the new building opens. If that happens, applicants from Lincoln and the other towns that recently opted out will no longer have preference in admission over applicants from in-district towns.

Other towns such as Watertown and Everett have expressed interest in joining the Minuteman district, Bouquillon noted at the Special Town Meeting. However, if they did so, it wouldn’t have an immediate impact on overall enrollment because those towns already send students to the school as out-of-district students, he said.

Minuteman also announced on Monday that it had received a $500,000 state grant to launch a new Advanced Manufacturing and Metal Fabrication program. The money will be used to purchase 10 industry-standard machines and 15 ancillary training simulators including five mini mills, four CNC (computer numerical controlled) tool room lathes and one CNC lathe with Y axis.

The school will be ordering and installing equipment and designing the new program over the next several months and hopes to have initial course offerings in the fall. Advanced Manufacturing will be part of the new school’s Engineering, Construction and Trades Academy.

 

Letter to the editor: Sanders ‘walks the Lincoln talk’

letter

To the editor,

For many years, Lincolnites have taken to the floor of Town Meeting to seek support for citizens’ petitions to support a nuclear weapons freeze, arms control, and a variety of equal and human rights initiatives. We have endorsed petitions to oppose the war in Iraq, the Keystone pipeline, and the intrusion of big money into politics and to overturn Citizens United. We have advocated for campaign finance reform and many other issues.

Now, all who have advocated for these issues on the floor of Town Meeting and beyond have an opportunity to vote for a candidate who has been with us on these and many other issues since the beginning of his career. He has fought for civil rights in the streets of Chicago since the mid-sixties. He has campaigned for our issues on the floors of Congress since 1985. His core values have not wavered and have been reflected in his personal and political life. He has walked the talk. He has never taken money from large corporate or financial concerns for either his political campaigns, or for his own personal gain.

As my mother said, “Actions speak louder than words.” His actions have consistently matched his words. Now Lincolnites can also match their words with deeds. We have an opportunity, as Democrats and Independents, in the upcoming Presidential primary election on March 1 to vote for a candidate who truly walks the Lincoln talk—Bernie Sanders!

Sincerely,

Sara Mattes
71 Conant Rd.

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.