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

news

News acorns – 05/13/15

The Lincoln PMC Kids Ride kicks off.

The Lincoln PMC Kids Ride kicks off.

PMC Kids Ride draws hundreds

The first annual Lincoln Pan Mass Challenge Kids Ride on May 3 was a big success. Eighty riders—well in excess of the 50 hopes for—raised over $6,000 to help fight cancer. Organizers thank the many volunteers, including students from the middle school (thank you Steve Cullen for spreading the word) and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, the Lincoln Police Department (especially Det. Ian Spencer), the Lincoln Recreation Department (especially Dan Pereira and Stacey Mulroy), and sponsors including Lincoln’s Something Special and the Whistle Stop as well as Boston Sports Clubs, Dunkin Donuts, Spotify, Penny Lu Designs and Busy Bee Jumpers.

Correction

In a May 12 story about the Lincoln Garden Club’s photo contest, photographer Bob Wadsworth’s name was listed incorrectly. The story has been updated to reflect this correction.

Phone directory stuffing party

The Friends of the Lincoln Library’s 2015 Lincoln directory is being printed this week and they need help putting all of them into envelopes on Monday, May 18 in the library’s Tarbell Room between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please call or email Belinda Gingrich (belinda.gingrich@verizon.net) if you can help for a couple of hours. Thanks for helping support the library.

ArtGala paintings on sale until Saturday

There are a few paintings remaining from the successful Lincoln Public Library ArtGala 2015 in the first floor gallery until Saturday, May 16 that are for sale at a discount. For those of you who missed the event, take a look at the ArtGala website for images and then visit the library to have a look. The show and sale must end Saturday to make way for a new show, so contact Julie Brogan at foll@lincolntown.org or 781-259-3558 if you’re interested in making a purchase. “The Julia Zanes Dream Image is a steal for serious collectors!” Brogan says.

Free jazz concert on May 27

To wind up the 35th year of classic jazz at Lincoln Library, there will be a concert on Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall featuring the Bay State Syncopators. The Syncopators are a reunion band formed in the 1980s by Paul Monat to rekindle the two-cornet sound of Bob Connor’s Yankee Rhythm Kings of the 1970s that featured Paul and Dave Whitney on cornet and Blair Bettancourt on clarinet. The band carries on the New Orleans sounds of Louis, King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton, reborn in the 1950s by Lou Watters, Turk Murphy and Bob Helm in San Francisco.

News acorns – 05/11/15

Lincoln Democrats to elect reps to state convention

The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee (LDTC) will elect delegates to  the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s annual convention scheduled for September 19 on Saturday, May 16 from 9-11 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Light refreshments will be served. The public is always invited and encouraged to attend LDTC meetings and events, including these delegate caucus elections. Any Lincoln Democratic voter registered as of January 31, 2015 can nominate others, can be nominated, and can be elected as either a delegate or alternate to the state convention. You can even nominate yourself if you like. For questions, contact Gary Davis at garyddavis04@gmail.com.

Fundraiser party for Lincoln Police Association PMC team

For the third consecutive year, the Lincoln Police Association has a Pan Mass Challenge team, and residents are invited to support the team and fight cancer by attending a fundraiser on Friday, June 5 from 7-11 p.m, at the Pierce House. Team members are Dan Pereira of the Parks and Recreation Department, Lincoln Police Detective Ian Spencer and resident Kim Mooney. A donation of at least $50 lets you in to enjoy dance music from Honeytrain, an open bar, finger foods and more. Harpoon is sponsoring the beer but the team is footing the bill for the music, food and wine. For more information and to donate, see the team’s PMC profile page.

A bus full of donated supplies heading to Nepal earthquake victims.

A bus full of donated supplies heading to Nepal earthquake victims.

Lincoln’s Adrian Smith posts updates on Nepal relief efforts

Adrian Smith has succeeded in getting some supplies to an area of Nepal that was badly damaged by the recent earthquake, his mother Diana Smith reported (see her earlier letters to the editor here and here). “Less than two weeks ago we began with the idea of supporting a village of 50 families in the aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal. The outpouring of support we have received has allowed us to scale up our relief efforts to deliver over 14,000 kg. of food and other supplies (over 30,000 lbs.) to roughly 1,000 families who had not yet received any aid,” Adrian wrote on a Facebook page about his work. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude to all who have supported us and have made this possible.” For more updates and information about how to donate, go to the Nepal Earthquake Relief–Sindhupalchowk Facebook page or call Diana Smith at 781-259-9758.

Letter to the editor: costs and benefits of Minuteman proposal

letter

To the editor:

As a town resident living near Minuteman High School, I have always considered the high school a very good neighbor. Minuteman runs a fine program, which serves four to six Lincoln students each year. The superintendent’s house is on Mill Street in Lincoln, so he has every reason to join with Lincoln neighbors in protecting the tranquility and scenery of an area dominated by the landscape of Minuteman National Historical Park.

[Read more…] about Letter to the editor: costs and benefits of Minuteman proposal

Lincoln is #5 in millionaire density in Mass.

moneybagLincoln’s population may be small, but it’s near the top of the list in the its concentration of millionaires among its residents in 2012, according to this recent Boston Globe article.

The Globe article includes a map showing each town’s number of millionaires per 1,000 residents. The state’s largest city, Boston, has the largest overall number of millionaire taxpayers (1,698), followed by Newton (1,136), Wellesley (767), Weston (529), Brookline (442), and Lexington (379). Gosnold, which comprises the Elizabeth Islands, is an outlier in millionaire concentration, with only 75 residents but 19 millionaires. About two-thirds of Gosnold residents live on Cuttyhunk Island and almost all the rest on Naushon Island, which is privately owned by the Forbes family.

Town Number of millionaires per 1,000 residents
Gosnold 253
Weston 47
Dover 36
Wellesley 27
Lincoln 22
Sherborn 21
Manchester 19
Concord 17
Cohasset 17
Wayland 15
Lexington 12

Source: Boston Globe, April 22, 2015

An earlier Globe article noted that Lincoln has the third-highest average property tax bill in the state (see the Lincoln Squirrel, April 15, 2015).

News acorns – 5/6/15

acornWater mains to get annual flushing

As part of its water quality and distribution maintenance program, the Lincoln Water Department is now conducting its annual flushing program of town water mains. Flushing will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. on weekdays and will continue until early June. Residents may experience discoloration of the water as the system is flushed and should avoid using washing machines and dishwashers during daytime hours. If the water in your home becomes discolored, please run an outside tap to remove any accumulated sediment from the service. For more information on the flushing program, please call the Water Department at 781-259-8997 or 781-259-1329. The Water Department appreciates the cooperation and patience of Lincoln residents.

Volunteer and/or rock out at Codman Farm

Join friends of Codman Community Farms (CCF) and Farmer Eric for a a volunteer work day this Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come for the whole day or just an hour. The farm is looking for some strong and skilled people to help redo the chicken coop fencing, but other tasks will also be available, and all are welcome. Pizza lunch and snacks provided. Bring work boots and gloves.

CCF’s annual Club Codman, where attendees can enjoy great dance hits of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond while supporting Codman Farm, is Saturday, May 16 from 7-10:30 p.m. in the Codman barn. Costumes are encouraged but not required. This is an adults-only event. Get your tickets online ($40 apiece) or call 781-259-0456—no door sales.

deCordova fundraising gala set for May 30

“Black and White in the Park,” the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s annual benefit gala, will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. This year’s event honors Boston art gallery owner Barbara Krakow, who played a central role in bringing Antony Gormley’s Reflection II to deCordova as the museum’s first major outdoor acquisition. Her gallery also represented two recipients of the deCordova’s  Rappaport Prize, a yearly gift of $25,000 to a contemporary artist: Suara Welitoff (2012) and Ursula von Rydingsvard (2008). Tickets start at $500 and tables at $5,000. To make a purchase or contribution, see this deCordova web page or contact development coordinator Lizbie Harbison at lharbison@decordova.org or 781-259-3621.

“Live in Lincoln Center” concert on May 31

The First Parish Church in Lincoln presents its Spring Choral Concert on Sunday, May 31 at 3 p.m. in the Parish House auditorium (14 Bedford Road). The program will feature the First Parish choir performing music from the Renaissance to spirituals. Ian Watson, music director at the First Parish and resident conductor of the Handel and Haydn Society, is conductor and accompanist. A $20 donation is suggested.

Garden tour on June 7

The Lincoln Garden Club is having a Garden Tour on Sunday, June 7 from 1-5 p.m. to finance a horticultural intern at the New England Wildflower Society who will design and install a native plant garden at Lincoln’s Station Park. The five Lincoln gardens are a self-guiding tour with a variety of landscapes, ranging from huge plant collections (one garden has over 300 rhododendrons of all colors) to natural landscapes like wetlands. Those who purchase a Garden Tour ticket will also get access to a champagne reception, which will feature live music, food prepared by devoted Lincoln Garden Club members, a silent auction and a nature photo exhibit. Tickets are $45 per person ahead of time ($50 on June 7). A pair of tickets is $80 and four tickets are $150. For more information, visit the Lincoln Garden Club website.

Quake hits home for Lincoln family from Nepal

A Nepalese child in the earthquake rubble. (Photo from OLE Nepal's Indiegogo fundraising page)

A Nepalese child in the earthquake rubble. (Photo from OLE Nepal’s Indiegogo fundraising page)

Editor’s note: An April 30 letter to the editor from Diana Smith noted that her son Adrian is in Nepal and is collecting PayPal donations for supplies that will be transported to rural villages. On May 3 she noted that readers can also donate via check if they prefer not to use PayPal. Direct contributions to Adrian are not tax-deductible, but 100 percent of the gift goes to help the villagers; there are no administrative fees. Adrian and his friends will be carrying the supplies through the mountains to the villages because the roads are blocked. You can make out a check to Adrian Smith and mail it c/o Diana Smith, P.O. Box 6294, Lincoln, MA 01773. The memo can say “Earthquake Relief.”

By Alice C. Waugh

Only a few months after Rakesh Karmacharya and his family began calling Lincoln home, much of their homeland lies in rubble after the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

[Read more…] about Quake hits home for Lincoln family from Nepal

News acorns – 5/5/15

acornLibrary closes early on Saturday

On Saturday, May 9, the Lincoln Public Library will close at 4 p.m. in preparation for The Friends of the Lincoln Public Library’s Fine Arts Gala. See this Lincoln Squirrel story for more information.

Middlesex County DA to speak on parents, minors and alcohol

On Monday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m., Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan will give a presentation with a Q&A session on the civil and criminal liabilities of parents hosting social events at home or otherwise, where alcohol is served and teens and children are present. The issues of responsible drinking and safe driving will also be discussed.

The event will take place in the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School lecture hall and is free and open event to all parents of teenagers who attend schools in Lincoln or Sudbury. Please register in advance by emailing lscommunityconnections@gmail.com.

Fundraiser for Lincoln and Sudbury girls’ lacrosse

When you dine in or take out from the Lotus Blossom restaurant in Sudbury on Tuesday, May 12 from 5-9 p.m. and you mention L-S Girls Lacrosse, 20 percent of the sale will go to Lincoln-Sudbury girls’ lacrosse as we continue to create great memories for Lincoln and Sudbury girls.

L-S girls’ head lacrosse coach and Assistant U.S. National Team Coach Bowen Holden of Lincoln will also be running a four-day clinic on July 7-10 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in Lincoln. This is an opportunity for children entering grades 3-9 of all levels of experience to learn the game, improve skills, and have a great time. Holden will be assisted by many L-S players and alumnae. Those attending Lincoln Summer Day Camp can extend their day with this clinic, and coverage will be provided between camps. To register, please go to the Lincoln Recreation Department website and register online. The cost is $250 and includes a clinic T-shirt.

Bird-a-thon event on May 15-16

Bird-a-thon, Mass Audubon’s friendly competition to financially support conservation across the Commonwealth,will engage hundreds of enthusiasts in an all-night/all-day bird identification marathon on May 15-16. The statewide contest challenges teams of birders of all abilities to identify the most species in 24 hours—this year from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 15 to 5:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.

Bird-a-thon has grown to become Mass Audubon’s single largest annual fundraising event, attracting thousands of supporters and raising more than $2 million since the competition began in 1983. In 2014, 800-plus people comprised 29 teams that traversed the state, and 270 species were identified either by sight or ear.

People who can’t compete in the field may still participate in various ways, including as “Bird-a-thon Boosters” to support teams or individuals by fundraising. To learn more, visit www.massaudubon.org/birdathon.

Climate justice activist to appear in Lincoln

A screening of “Bidder 70,” the award-winning documentary about 32-year-old climate justice activist Tim DeChristopher will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. The film will be followed by an audience Q&A with DeChristopher, now a student at Harvard Divinity School, who was sentenced to two years in federal prison for an act of peaceful civil disobedience protesting fossil-fuel extraction on public lands in Utah. The evening will be hosted by journalist, activist and St. Anne’s parishioner Wen Stephenson of Wayland, a contributing writer for The Nation and author of a forthcoming book featuring Tim’s story. Hosted by the Climate Justice Ministry at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields, together with 350Mass MetroWest, part of the statewide grassroots climate-action network 350 Massachusetts for a Better Future.

Organization seeks household items for former shelter residents

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable is having its annual Shower for Shelters that benefits families transitioning from shelters to new homes. Until Monday, May 11, people can bring donated items to the Lincoln Public Library. New items being sought include twin size sheets, pillowcases, and blankets; bath towels and face cloths; laundry detergent without scent or other allergens; cleaning products; flatware; water glasses and coffee mugs; diapers (all sizes); and gift cards to places like CVS and grocery stores.