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

news

News acorns

correction-smCorrections
  • The calendar listing for the October 29 climate change talk described in the October 16 News Acorns gave an incorrect location. It will be held in Bemis Hall.
  • In the photo of the National Merit Scholarship Commended Students on October 15, two names were omitted. Adam Thompson of Lincoln and Tiger Zhang of Sudbury are also Commended Students but did not appear in the photograph.
More Halloween activities for kids

Celebrate Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 p.m. with the Friends of Minuteman National Park at the annual Spooky Colonial Tales, lantern walk and singalongs featuring the Lincoln Public Library’s Sally Kindleberger. Meet at Hartwell Tavern (off Route 2A opposite the intersection with Bedford Road). Suggested donation for mini lanterns: $5 per person or $10 per family. This activity is best for children age 8 and under. See the October 11 Lincoln Squirrel for other Halloween events for kids of all ages.

The First Parish Church will host a pizza potluck and pumpkin carving party on Sunday, Oct. 25 in the Parish House at 14 Bedford Rd. from 5:30-8 p.m. Bring your favorite pizza to share or make a donation toward purchased pizzas. Bring your pumpkin, carving tools, and newspaper. All ages and families invited. This event is sponsored by the church’s Youth Program Committee. For more information, email Kathy Cronin.

cap

A hat found near Doherty’s (click for larger view).

Is this your hat?

Found: a colorful, soft hand-knit hat found near Doherty’s Garage parking lot. If this hat belongs to you or your child, please call Alessandra at 508-314-2194.

Discussion at L-S on adolescent behaviors and health

Where do L-S students feel bullying is taking place at school? How many L-S students are smoking e-cigarettes? Who is at greater risk for engaging in self-harming behaviors? How many L-S students feel that they lives are “very stressful”? How many L-S students are driving after smoking marijuana? These questions and more will be addressed at the World Cafe discussion regarding the 2014 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey on Wednesday, Oct. 28 in the L-S cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. There will be an introduction to the survey results and then L-S students will help facilitate topic-based table discussions.

Zoning Board of Appeals needs volunteers

Lincoln’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is seeking new members for open seats on the board. The ZBA is a land use board that interprets and applies the town’s zoning bylaw. It acts on a case-by-case basis on requests for variances, special permits, and appeals of decisions by the building inspector, considering the impact on the town and neighborhoods and the requirements of the bylaws. The board, which has five regular members and three associate members, generally meets one evening a month. For information or an application, please visit this Town of Lincoln volunteer web page or call the Selectmen’s Office at 781-259-2601.

State of the Town promises plenty of discussion

stateofthetown-croppedResidents will have an opportunity to lean about and discuss several front-and-center Lincoln issues at the State of the Town meeting on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Brooks auditorium. Agenda items will be:

  • A status report on Ballfield Road campus planning efforts, incorporating information presented at the Campus Mater Planning Committee forum on October 17.
  • A general discussion of medical marijuana distribution and cultivation. There is no specific proposal on the table, but town officials have had informal talks (though not recently) with New England Wellspring, which is looking into locating facilities in one or more towns including Lincoln.
  • A preview of contemplated zoning bylaw amendments.
  • A discussion on the merits of installing solar power collection equipment at the closed Lincoln landfill adjacent to the transfer station.
  • A status report on Minuteman Regional High School’s proposed new building project.
  • A segment devoted to open discussion.

The morning will also include a very brief Special Town Meeting to vote on a proposed bylaw amendment that would ensure that Lincoln’s Annual Town Meeting always occurs in advance of its Annual Town Election.

The Lincoln Squirrel will have more information on some of these topics in the coming weeks.

Letter to the editor: keep supporting “We the People Act”

letter

To the editor:

The legislative bill H3127 (“An Act for a U.S. Constitutional Amendment and Amendments Convention”), which was endorsed by overwhelming vote at Lincoln’s Town Meeting earlier this year, will have its legislative committee hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 28 before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. The hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. in State House hearing room A2.

The “We the People Act” calls on the Massachusetts Legislature to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution saying that the rights it protects are those of natural persons only—not corporations or other artificial entities—and that political contributions and expenditures are not protected free speech and can be limited by Congress and the states. Furthermore, if the US Congress fails to propose an amendment, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is on record for requesting an Article V constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing such an amendment.

Its passage will make Massachusetts the fifth state to request an Article V convention with the goal of limiting corporate political power and big money politics. Lincoln residents may wish to contact State Sen. Michael Barrett and State Rep. Tom Stanley to reiterate their support for this bill.

It’s not often that voters actually see progress in bills they have supported, but this is one of those rare times that progress is actually being made in front of our very eyes.

Sincerely,

Gary Davis (chair, Lincoln Democratic Town Committee)
20R Indian Camp Lane

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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.

Six from Lincoln are National Merit Commended Students

Editor’s note: this article was corrected on October 22 to include two students who are not in the photo.

Thirty-four Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. Six of them are Lincoln residents.

About 34,000 of the 1.5 million students nationally who entered the 2016 competition by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test received letters of commendation. Another 16,000 entrants qualified as semifinalists on a state-represented basis, and about 15,000 of those will be named as finalists for about 7,400 scholarships.

scholars

Commended Students in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program from L-S. Lincoln residents are in boldface. Top row: Emily Gorman, Rudhra Raveendran, Samuel Mlawer, Aaron Epstein, Samuel Neil, Katerina Matjucha, Katherine Quirk, Claire Telfer, Nicole Pellegrini, Sarah Hausmann, Sara Bennett, Samira Mehta, Alina Strileckis, Jessica Keller, Jillian Cusick, Caroline Goswami, Alexandra du Toit. Bottom row: Matthew Short, Madeleine Kline, Jasmine Falk, Ariel Keklak, Zacharie Day, Indrani Kharbanda, Eve Montie, Katherine Semple, Catherine Pinto, Sara Kimble, William Sheldon, Aaron Corin, Andrew Fasciano, Gavin Mays, Regan Murray. Not pictured: Adam Thompson and Tiger Zhang. Photo courtesy Charles Despotopulos.

Globe: Lincoln has high incidence of Lyme disease

deertickLincoln had one of the highest Lyme disease infection rates in Massachusetts in 2014, according to state Department of Public Health data published in the Boston Globe on October 12.

A map showing the rates of infection per 100,000 residents by town shows that Lincoln’s rate was 248.35, which translates to about 16 actual cases for Lincoln’s population of 6,362 (as of the 2010 census). Only 28 of the 391 Massachusetts cities and towns had higher Lyme disease rates. Of the 28 towns with the highest rates (250 or more cases per 100,000 residents), the biggest concentrations were on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, followed by a cluster of towns in the southwest corner of the state.

Nationally, Lyme disease is most prevalent in the Northeast and the Upper Midwest, the article notes. Massachusetts had the third-highest overall rate of any state at 54.1 cases per 100,000 residents, behind only Maine (87.9) and Vermont (70.5).

A report from the Middlesex Tick Task Force earlier this year noted that 40 percent of ticks from Lincoln that were tested in 2014 carried Lyme disease. Almost as many carried the bacterium that causes Borrelia miyamotoi disease, which does not cause a rash but can be more serious than Lyme disease. It was first recognized in the Northeast in 2013.

News acorns

lurgio

Joanne Lurgio

Joanne Lurgio appears at next LOMA event

The next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) event will feature Joanne Lurgio at the Lincoln Public Library on Monday, Oct. 19 starting at 7 p.m. Lurgio, who will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30 p.m., has four CDs to her credit, including this year’s Rise from the Storm.

LOMA is a monthly event. Performers can sign up at the event or email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com before noon of the open-mike date for a slot. Names of those who signed up by 7:15 are drawn at random. There is a sound system with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups. In case of overflow, the first 20 performers to sign up will be given priority.

Variety show benefits L-S foundation

Want a good laugh? Come see teachers and staff at the 12th annual LSRHS faculty/staff/student Variety Show on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kirshner Auditorium at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School to benefit FELS (Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury) and the L-S Teachers’ Association Scholarship Fund. Acts include live music, dance, film, comedy and more. New this year are acts involving both students and school staff. Tickets are $6 for students/senior citizens, $8 for general admission. Advance sales take place October 19-23 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. outside the L-S cafeteria. For further information, email Paul Sarapas at paul_sarapas@lsrhs.net.

Medicare info session on Oct. 30

Anyone on Medicare as well as their family members and other caregivers are encouraged to attend the Medicare 2016 Open Enrollment Insurance Update Session on Friday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. in Bemis Hall. This session offers an opportunity to learn about changes in Medicare’s benefits and costs and to get information directly from representatives of supplemental insurance companies and the state’s Prescription Advantage program. The program will be presented by Don Milan and Anne Meade, Lincoln’s SHINE counselors, along with staff from the Minuteman SHINE Program, which provides unbiased information regarding health insurance and prescription drug options for seniors and those with disabilities. Also on hand will be representatives from the major supplemental health insurance plans; Anthony Moreschi, Constituent Services Representative for Congresswoman Katherine Clark; and Priscilla Leach, the town’s Veterans Services Officer. It is co-sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging and Minuteman SHINE.

Milan and Meade also provide free one-to-one counseling for Lincoln residents who need help signing up for Medicare, choosing among plans, applying for Medicaid/MassHealth, deciding about whether long-term care insurance is appropriate, resolving problems related to Medicare, and more. To arrange for an appointment, call the Lincoln Council on Aging at 781-259-8811.

Halloween events for kids of all ages

jackolanternPumpkin decorating and parade

The Lincoln Family Association will host pumpkin decorating in Codman Barn on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 12-2:30 p.m. and its annual LFA Halloween Party and Parade at Codman Barn on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, email Laura Taylor.

Movies, muffins, music at Lincoln Public Library
  • Halloween Movies and Muffins — Friday, Oct. 23 at 3:30 p.m. Not-too-scary short Halloween films based on beloved children’s books. For ages 2 and up.
  • Halloween Concert with the Stacey Peasley Band — Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. Come hear a special not-too-spooky Halloween concert by this Parents Choice award-winning band. For all ages. Drop in.
Trunk or Treat

The Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring “Trunk or Treat,” a free event on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 5-6 p.m. in the Brooks Gym parking lot, where young trick-or-treaters can roam the closed lot amid parked cars and trucks whose back ends are creatively decorated for Halloween. Get a reserved spot for your trunk by registering for the activity on the Parks & Red website, then decorate and pass out candy or non-candy items to the trick-or-treaters. If you can’t participate, candy donations are welcome. Registered cars can enter lot between 3:30 and 4:15 p.m.

“Tales of the Night” at Drumlin

At “Tales of the Night” at Drumlin Farm on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 29 and 30 from 6:30-9 p.m., kids can put on their favorite costumes, grab a flashlight, and join one of Lincoln’s the silliest, spookiest, and most family-friendly Halloween traditions. Check the Fright-o-Meter when you arrive to see what activities will trick or treat you. Visitors will have the chance to:

  • Learn about animals at a nocturnal wildlife demonstration
  • View our display of over one hundred jack-o-lanterns
  • Enjoy some spooky treats, spider cider, and witches brew at the ghoulish graveyard
  • Step into a story on our Nursery Rhyme Trail to meet your favorite characters
  • Venture out into the fields for a Haunted Hayride full of spooky surprises for the brave at heart (7-8:30 p.m.)

This is a fundraising event that provides critical support for Drumlin’s education and conservation programs. Click here to purchase; tickets are $12 for members and $13 for nonmembers in advance, or $14 and $15 if purchased on October 29. Advance registration is strongly recommended as this event often sells out.

News acorns

The Lincoln Garden Club's finished project at Station Park.

The Lincoln Garden Club’s finished project at Station Park.

Scarecrow-building reminder

Build your own scarecrow at Stonegate Gardens on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stonegate will donate all proceeds to the Lincoln PTO or the Birches School. Click here for details.

Garden Club talk on native plants

The Lincoln Garden Club created and installed a flowerbed with over 400 plants native to Massachusetts at Station Park. New England Wildflower Society (NEWFS) intern Lauren Weeks, who designed the Lincoln Garden Club’s new flower bed at Station Park (between Cambridge Trust and the railroad tracks), will give a short talk and answer questions about native plants at the park on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

“Boooz in the Barnyard” benefits Codman Farm

Join the fun at Codman Community Farm’s first-ever Adult Halloween Dance Party on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 7-10:30 p.m. in the Codman barn. Enjoy great dance music, snacks, beer, and wine in the barn, and shake your “boooo-ty” in costume. Tickets may be purchased online for $40 (adults only, please).

Open Studio artists’ reception

Lincoln’s Open Studio painting group will hold a reception on Sunday, Oct. 18 from 2-4 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library, where a collection of their works is on display during the month of October. For more information, call Ruth Henderson at 781-259-8465. The group meets every Thursdays in Hartwell pod B from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and new artists are welcome. Register through the Parks and Recreation website or call 781-259-0784.

Women’s self-defense class in November

The Lincoln Police Department has scheduled its next two-session women’s self defense class on Wednesday, Nov. 4 and Tuesday, Nov. 10 (to avoid Veteran’s Day) from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation Department. The classes are free, but you must sign up in advance. on the first night, we’ll go over basic safety and then learn basic self-defense tactics and moves. On the second night, we’ll practice the tools we’ve learned and then an officer will suit up in full pads and we will go through common scenarios where you will be “attacked” and need to fight your way out.  For more information or to sign up, contact Jena Salon at 215-514-5963 or jenasalon@gmail.com.

Lincoln from the air (Lincoln through the lens)

Lincoln resident and pilot Philip Greenspun recently offered free helicopter rides Lincoln to town residents, and several took to the air with him armed with their cameras. Turns out it’s not so easy to navigate Lincoln from above, since so many of the roads are concealed by trees—and a house that looks so prominent from the ground can be almost impossible to spot amid the dense foliage. Here are some photos by Dennis Liu (who posted several on his Facebook page, including aerial views of his daughter’s soccer game) and Ben Dubrovsky. Greenspun was flying a Robinson R44 helicopter from the East Coast Aero Club at Hanscom Field.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”20″ gal_title=”Helicopter ride”]

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.