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Solstice celebration at library

Celebrate the winter solstice at the Lincoln Public Library on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 4:30 p.m. by decorating a paper lantern and taking part in a twinkle light parade around the library. For all ages. Advance signup required; call 781-259-8465.

Last year’s First Day at the Pierce House.

First Day at the Pierce House

Whether you’re new to Lincoln or have lived here forever, come to the Pierce House on Friday, Jan. 1 from 1-5 p.m. to celebrate the New Year together at the town’s 17th annual First Day gathering. Start the year right with legendary soups, live music, congenial company, and a magician for kids. Complimentary admission for Lincoln residents, but donations are gratefully accepted for the upkeep of this special town resource. With support from the Lincoln Celebration Committee.

Open Space calendar now available

The 2016 Open Spaces calendar with photographs taken in Lincoln is now on sale. This is the fourth year that the calendar has been designed by Lincoln residentLindsay Clemens. It’s a chance to look at our lands through other people’s eyes and to see what moments strike them.

Calendars can be purchased at the Lincoln Public Library, Cambridge Trust, Old Town Hall Exchange, Something Special, the Shop at Drumlin Farm, and in the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT) above the post office in the mall. Membership discount is available in LLCT offices only. The LLCT will also sell the calendar and other publications in front of Donelan’s on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. Proceeds support the LLCT.

Jane Mostue, daughter of Brooks and Patty Mostue of Lincoln, and J. Daniel McGeeney, son of Mr. and Mrs. John McGeeney of Louisville, Ky., were married on July 18 at St. Joseph’s Church in Lincoln with a reception at Pierce House. Rev. George Evans celebrated the Nuptial Mass. Jane and Daniel met at Amherst College, from which they both graduated. They now live in Louisville, where Jane works as a case worker at Home of the Innocents and Daniel teachers international baccalaureate physics at Sacred Heart School.

In the December 13 article about Minuteman High School, an incorrect date was given for the Capital Planning Committee meeting about the high school. The committee will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Office Building.

Christmas Eve services at First Parish

The First Parish Church in Lincoln will hold Christmas Eve services on Thursday, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the church sanctuary (10 Bedford Road). The service at 5 p.m. will be a family service led by Kathy Cronin, Acting Director of Religious Education. The services at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. will be led by Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti and will feature a choir and candle lighting. All are welcome.

Scholarship Committee gets web page

The Lincoln Scholarship Committee (Carolyn Dwyer, Nancy Marshall, and Barbara Slayter) now has its own page on the Town of Lincoln website at www.lincolntown.org/index.aspx?nid=645. The web page contains general information for graduating seniors and their parents about the scholarships and awards managed by the LSC.  The application form and information regarding 2016 applications will be available for downloading on February 1, 2016.

Lincolnites involved in hospital fundraisers

Members of the Lincoln-Sudbury sixth-grade Warriors football team, presented a $750 donation to Dr. David Rose, chairman of Emerson hospital’s Radiology Department, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Hermel Breast Health Center. The young athletes raised the money by selling pink-themed t-shirts and socks at their football games over the past two years to support patient care at Emerson. Front row, left to right: Ben Lisa, Riley O’Connell, Will Ginand, and Kyle Mitchell of Sudbury, and Alek Valleau of Lincoln. Back row, left to right: Karter Singh, Kieran O’Connell, and Dhamari Coren of Sudbury, and Dr. David Rose.

Mount Auburn Hospital raised over $500,000, including $100,000 for pediatric critical care equipment, at its 11th annual “Party of the Year!” charity gala. Left to right: Jeanette Clough, president and CEO of Mount Auburn Hospital; Dr. Michael Shortsleeve of Lincoln, chair of the hospital’s Department of Radiology; and his daughter Michelle Shortsleeve. Photo: Joshua Touster.

Gifts should be useful and sustainable as well as decorative, right? Everyone needs reusable lunch bags, tote bags, laundry bags, shopping bags and beach bags. Go green and support the Lincoln Squirrel by shopping at the Lincoln Squirrel store (or click on one of the images to go right to that product).

You can also show your appreciation for the Squirrel by making a donation. Happy holidays!

Nancy Fleming (left) and Karin Levy, co-chairs of First Parish’s upcoming Touch of Christmas fair, bring wreaths to the church to be decorated in preparation.

The First Parish Church in Lincoln will hold its Touch of Christmas Fair on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at the Parish House (14 Bedford Road). Children can have their photo taken with Santa starting at 11 a.m. The fair will also feature decorated wreaths, holiday centerpieces, baked goods, crafts, and a cash raffle. In addition to Santa’s visit, Touch of Christmas offers many children’s activities, including the Children’s Room, where young people can do their own holiday shopping. Kids can decorate cookies or ornaments, and “go fishing” on a Christmas tree for a gift. For further information, contact Nancy Fleming at nlfleming@comcast.net or Karin Levy at karinlevy54@gmail.com.

The First Parish will hold its Christmas Pageant, a presentation of the traditional Christmas story, on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 11:15 a.m. in the Parish House auditorium. There is a part for every child already enrolled in the church’s religions education program who wants to participate. Rehearsals will be held December 6 and 13 during religious education. Admission is free, and refreshments will be available following the production.

As part of its “Live in Lincoln Center” series, the First Parish will present Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. in the Parish House Auditorium. The traditional holiday musical production will feature the Lincoln Baroque Players and Chorus and is conducted by Ian Watson. Suggested donation is $30, but any amount is appreciated. Seating is limited and is first-come, first-seated basis; doors will open at 2:30 p.m.

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold its Winter Solstice Service on Monday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary (10 Bedford Road). This service marks the longest night of the year and celebrates the return of light as days start to lengthen. It will include music, dancing, and the lighting of candles.

The Lincoln Ringers will present a candlelight handbell concert on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. in the parish house auditorium.

There are lots of holiday gift options for all ages at the Lincoln Squirrel store. We have bibs and onesies for the littlest Squirrel fans… water bottles, lunch bags and thermoses for kids… and T-shirts, hoodies, and drinkware for everyone. Have a look!

Lincoln parents are being asked for input about next year’s academic calendar, which the School Committee will discuss at its meeting on December 3.

At issue is the fact that in 2016, Columbus Day and Yom Kippur fall in the same week—Monday and Wednesday, Oct. 10 and 12, respectively. As a result, Superintendent of Schools Becky McFall is recommending that the annual teachers’ professional day (which is usually scheduled for the day after Martin Luther King Day) move to October 11, creating a five-day weekend.

“In addition, it will provide the school district with the opportunity to provide faculty with professional development earlier in the school year that will benefit students throughout the year,” McFall said in en email to parents.

In a two-question survey, parents are asked which day they prefer for the professional day, and whether they would rather see the school year start before Labor Day or not end until June 27 (assuming five snow days). The survey closes on Thursday at noon.

“At this time, I anticipate recommending that the School Committee approve Version 2 of the calendar in which students begin school on August 29, prior to Labor Day. However, your survey responses will help to inform my recommendation and the final approval by the School Committee,” she wrote. The committee meets on Thursday in the Hartwell multipurpose room at 7 p.m.

The School Committee is not expected to make any other changes to the academic year calendar because it did a comprehensive survey and review two years ago regarding vacations and holiday observances.