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

seniors

Five days of events coming up for Lincoln Winter Carnival

Weekend-long activities

Online snow sculpture contest
Build your snow sculpture, then snap a photo with you in it and send it to smulroy@lincnet.org. Submit as many sculptures as you like! We will accept submissions until 5 p.m. on Sat, Jan 27, then post them online for voting. Winners will be chosen on Friday, Feb. 2.

Discover Drumlin Farm in winter
See our animals in their winter homes, look for wildlife tracks or other signs of animals in the snow, or check out our feeders at our Wildlife Blind. Drop-in naturalist programs take place on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. Free admission for Lincoln residents. Call 781-259-2200 for more information.

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Lincoln School Student Council: American Red Cross blood drive
1–6 p.m., Brooks Gym
If you’re healthy and eligible to donate blood, please come on out. Ages 17+ can donate blood, and 16-year-olds may donate with parental permission. Learn more and schedule to donate at: www.lincolnschoolbloodrive.org. Questions? Contact Advisors Jaime Moody (jmoody@lincnet.org) or Keith Johnson (kjohnson@lincnet.org).

Thursday, Jan. 25

FOMA movie night: Columbus, Indiana: Different by Design 
7–9 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
Please join us for a film about the architectural odyssey of industrialist J. Irwin Miller of Cummins Engine Co., who re-imagined the architecture in Columbus, Ind. By offering to pay for talented engineers and designers from all over the world, he fostered an architectural environment that would have a positive effect on the lives of people. Peter Sugar, who designed the Grace Lutheran Church in Columbus in 1966, will introduce the film.

Friday, Jan. 26

Intergenerational sing-along
3:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
The LEAP After-School Program, the Council on Aging and Magic Garden Children’s Center invite residents of all ages to enjoy a free Multigenerational Sing-Along including performances from the organizations singing favorite folk songs, children songs, and more.

LPTO Family Bingo Night
5:30–7:30 p.m., Brooks Gym
Come celebrate Family Bingo Night with even more chances to win! Prizes awarded for each winning board as well as awesome raffle prizes. Pizza dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. with snacks and drinks available for purchase. Free entry. Bingo cards are $5 (15-game multi-pack); raffle tickets are $1 for one, $5 for six, and $10 for 15.

Adult cooking class and dinner
7–9 p.m., Pierce House
Ring in the New Year in culinary style as we enjoy an evening of good food and festive flair. Learn the techniques to preparing a mouth-watering dinner with a renowned Boston chef. The evening will include a full meal. Details are available at www.piercehouse.com. Cost is $95 and the class is limited to 10 people.

Saturday, Jan. 27

Girl Scout pancake breakfast
8–11 a.m., Stone Church
Start the weekend off with pancakes with real maple syrup! Plain, blueberry, choc- chip, and gluten-free pancakes with maple syrup along with coffee, tea, OJ, and fruit. Enjoy face painting and crafts! Girl Scout Cookies will be sold. $5 under 12, $10 everyone else ($30 family max).

Snowshoe tours
10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1-2:30 p.m., deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
Enjoy nature and art in winter. Discover a fun and active way to explore the Sculpture Park. Tours are led by a museum guide and an EMS instructor. Click here to purchase tickets. Rent snowshoes or bring your own.

Magic Garden preschool fun
11 a.m.–1 p.m., Magic Garden Preschool
Come and visit with friends and neighbors at Magic Garden Children’s Center. Enjoy carnival games, arts and crafts activities and indoor “ice skating” in your socks! This event is suited for children ages 2-5.

Lincoln holistic wellness fair
Noon–3 p.m., Bemis Hall
Come learn about complementary medicine, including therapeutic touch, essential oils, energy work, reiki, quick energy balance, food as medicine, sound healing with crystal bowls, shamanic healing, gentle Hatha yoga , family yoga, Kundalini yoga, gong meditation and more! Contact Jai Kaur Annamaria at asanajai@verizon.net with questions.

Community skating and bonfire
1–3 p.m., Cemetery Pond (Lexington Road)
Enjoy skating, hot chocolate, and toasted marshmallows by the campfire. Bring your own skates. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will be hosting a capture-the-flag event instead, so stay tuned to www.lincolnrec.com for updates.

LFA energy blaster
3–5 p.m., Brooks Gym
Jump in a bounce house, run through an obstacle course, climb, slide, and joust. The gym will be filled with ways to let out some energy. Free for LFA 2018 members; nonmembers are $10 per child. A new 2018 LFA membership on the spot includes admission. Renew now at www.lincfam.org to bypass the lines.

Lincoln Acoustic Coffeehouse
7–10 p.m., Bemis Hall
Our annual night to showcase local musicians and performers! We have over 12 acts—some returning, some new—ready to perform, and there’s a good chance you know some of them! Coffee and desserts will be served. Tickets are available online at www.lincolnrec.com. General Admission is $10. Table of 8 is $160. Doors open at 7 p.m. sharp,

Sunday, Jan. 28

Make you own snow globe
10:30–noon, deCordova Carriage House
Join Lincoln Nursery School in partnership with deCordova to craft your own Winter Wonderland Snow Globe. Choose from a variety of materials to create your own wintery scene. Appropriate for all ages.

Let the games begin!
12:45–1:45 p.m., Stone Church
An old-fashioned battery-free family event. Join us for an hour of games including from Candyland, charades, Jenga and Twister. There will be lots of prizes for all ages! Laughter guaranteed. Cocoa and community. Visit fplincoln.org for info.

Karen K & the Jitterbugs
2–3 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
Known for their high-energy show packed with humor and amazingly catchy, well-crafted tunes, Karen K & the Jitterbugs has become one of the most buzzed about “kiddie” bands on the East Coast. Described as “power pop sheen that makes them fun for the whole family,” the Jitterbugs have quickly become a favorite among families. Drop in.

Historical Society event: “Lincoln’s Schools and Who was Joseph Brooks, Anyway?”
2 p.m., Bemis Hall
How did our school campus develop, and what schoolhouses came before it? From the 18th century to the Little Red School House to the Joseph Brooks School, learn how schools and education in Lincoln have changed. Then hear graduates tell tales from their school days.

Council on Aging activities in January

Celebrate the new year with the Trad Jazz Band
January 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Don’t miss the free New Year’s offering of traditional jazz on Friday, Jan. 5 from 12:30–1:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Enjoy all your favorites including music of such greats as Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Louis Armstrong, and Fats Waller, played by a fun group who enjoy playing and providing toe-tapping enjoyment for you.

Paint in pastels with Juliet
January 8 at 10 a.m.
Express your vibrant self with the brilliant colors of pastels with Juliet Rago! She will begin with a short introduction to drawing for those who feel they need it. The class will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on January 8, 12, 19, 22, and 26 at Bemis Hall. No experience necessary. All materials furnished. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. Limit of six. $40.

Lincoln Academy with Margaret Coffin Brown—linebacks, Lincoln pippins, and rangeways: resource management at Minute Man National Historical Park
January 8 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Jan. 8 at 12:30 to hear Margaret Coffin Brown discuss “Linebacks, Lincoln Pippins, and Rangeways: Resource Management at Minute Man National Park.” North Lincoln retains historic resources preserved in Minute Man National Historical Park. Margie Brown will discuss the delights and challenges of preserving North Lincoln’s cultural and natural resources including heirloom cattle, orchards, witness homes, stonewalls, and the Battle Road. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question-and-answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Free elder law clinic
January 8 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship or probate? The COA provides a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, Jan. 8 from 3–4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the thirty-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
January 9 at 10 a.m. at Lincoln Woods
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, Jan. 9 from 10 a.m.–noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Memoir group
January 10 at 10 a.m.
If you’re interested in writing your memoirs or just curious about what goes on in the group, come to the first meeting of the group at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. If you want to continue, the cost of the eight-session term is $75. The dates for the term are Jan. 10 and 24; Feb. 7 and 21; Mar. 7 and 21; Apr. 4, 7 18; and May 2 and 16. For info, call Connie Lewis 781-259-9415 or email her at conlewis1000@gmail.com.

How to decide what to do next with your new freedom
January 10 at 2 p.m.
What do you want to do with your freedom when you’ve retired or had another life change? How do you decide what to do next? Join Pam Mizrahi in a free course of practical strategies to uncover your own values, plan retirement’s stages, identify goals, create helpful habits, balance your days and weeks, celebrate accomplishments, and build in flexibility based on a book by Jean Risley. It will be held every other week for nine Wednesdays at 2 p.m. beginning January 10 at Bemis Hall.

Protect yourself from Medicare fraud
January 12 at 10 a.m.
$60 to $90 billion of our tax dollars are lost to Medicare fraud each year. Come meet Patricia McMillen, a representative of the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program, on Friday, Jan. 12, at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall to participate in a discussion on how to prevent, detect, and report healthcare errors, fraud and abuse. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. The program is co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program which is funded in part by grant number 90-MP 0226-03-01 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC 20201.

Enjoy a potpourri of songs with Rich Eilbert
January 12 at 1 p.m.
Spend a fun, enriching musical afternoon with Lincoln-based singer/songwriter Rich Eilbert on Friday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall! Rich has run the LOMA (Lincoln open-mike acoustic) event at the Lincoln Library for over eight years and can be seen annually at the Lincoln Winter Carnival coffeehouse. Rich will be performing original songs during the concert covering the gamut from romantic to humorous to topical/political. He’ll welcome comments or discussions at the end about the songs or songwriting in general.

World hand-drumming
January 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Hand drumming is a fun and unique way to express yourself and enhance well-being that’s sweeping the country. Come learn the joy of drumming with acclaimed drummer Mike Connors from the Concord Conservatory of Music on six Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. beginning January 16 at Bemis Hall. $78. Sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 as space is limited. No need to bring a drum.

Senior dining: now free in your birthday month
January 16 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at St. Anne’s Church. They welcome new diners often—give them a try! Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 at least a week ahead. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let them know if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club. New: enjoy a lunch free during the month of your birthday! Just come and let us know it’s your special month.

Coffee with pastel artist Bernadette Quirk
January 16 at 2:15 p.m.
Join Lincoln artist Bernadette Quirk at a Coffee in the Bemis Hall Gallery on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 2:15 to celebrate her exhibit of pastel paintings during January and February. Bernadette is currently an active member of the Lowell Arts Association and has a pastel painting in their Fall 2017 Members Juried Show at Lowell’s Whistler House Museum until January 27, 2018. She teaches at local senior centers and gives private lessons in art mediums.

The Science Club: advances and innovations in the field of radiation therapy to treat cancer from the research labs at MIT past and present
January 18 at 10:15 a.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 10:15 a.m. to hear Richard Keough discuss a project he was involved in along with the MGH Radiation Therapy department to combine the traditional forms of ionizing X-rays with a non-ionizing method of ultrasound hyperthermia to treat cancer. Developing this ultrasound system entailed a major engineering effort over a decade which required that the treatments be done at this facility at MIT. Otherwise this lab was a typical academic research center utilizing grad students, postdocs, and technical and medical talents spanning a wide spectrum of talent. Keough will discuss the fundamental principles differentiating the types of radiation interactions that take place in treating this disease as well as some more recent research efforts in this field utilizing concepts of nuclear and high energy physics.

Getting the most out of your iPhone and iPad
January 19 at 9:30 a.m.
The COA’s programs on iPhones and iPads given by Andy Payne have been so popular that they have asked him to come back yet again. Andy will be at Bemis Hall on Friday, Jan. 19 at 9:30 a.m. to give you more information on the operation and features of iPhones and iPads and answer your questions. You are welcome to attend whether you came to the other sessions or not. If you have tips for using your iPhone or iPad, bring those, too!

New group for spouses of veterans
January 19 at 10 a.m.
Priscilla Leach, Lincoln’s Veterans Services Officer, is pleased to announce that she is starting a group for spouses of veterans (whether the vet is living or deceased). She hopes that the spouses will benefit from getting to know each other, discussing common concerns, and having fun together. The first meeting will be held on Friday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall and subsequent meeting places will be The Commons and Lincoln Woods. No need to sign up, but if you would like more information, please contact Priscilla at 781-259-4472 or leachp@lincolntown.org.

Uber and Lyft: they’re easier than you think
January 19 at 11 a.m.
If you need to get somewhere, the best way may be to use services like Uber and Lyft. However, these require a smartphone to set up your rides. If you’re befuddled by Uber, Lyft, and GoGoGrandparent (a new service to use Uber and Lyft without a phone), come on down to Bemis Hall on Friday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. for an introduction by Andy Payne. Besides telling you how these options work, the class will go through signing up for Uber and Lyft (bring a credit card for your account setup), as well as showing how to request rides.

The stories of your life should be told
January 19 at 12:30 p.m.
Our lives are made of stories, but too often we don’t feel they are valuable to others or we just don’t know how to tell them. Sharing both the fun and tough stories is healing for ourselves and important for our families. Join Lincoln native and professional storyteller Elisa Pearmain on Friday, Jan. 19 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall for an engaging and playful workshop on remembering, shaping and sharing stories for yourself, your family and friends.

2018 Top of the Town Winter Gala
January 20 at 5 p.m.
Are you planning to go to the Top of the Town Winter Gala on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 5–8 p.m. at the deCordova Museum? If so, please send in the reservation form you got in the mail. The form must reach the FLCOA at PO Box 143, Lincoln, MA 01773 or Bemis Hall by January 11 to confirm your attendance. This is a catered party, and an accurate head count is important. Because there is a space limit of 200 persons, the FLCOA will start a wait list if replies reach that number. They request that you let them know promptly if you must cancel so they can notify the next person on the list. While the Friends of the Lincoln COA are pleased to host this event with free admission for Lincoln residents, they greatly appreciate your donations to show support for this event.

Lincoln Academy with Peter Conrad—the medicalization of society: origins and consequences
January 22 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Jan. 22 at 12:30 to hear Peter Conrad discuss “The Medicalization of Society— Origins and Consequences.” In recent years an increasing number of behaviors, conditions and human differences have been defined and treated as medical disorders. Examples include addictions of all sorts, ADHD, obesity, menopause, a wide range of sadness, erectile dysfunction, PMS, infertility, childbirth, aging, cognition loss, and dozens of others. This talk examines the origins and consequences of this widespread medicalization of society. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome!

Fireside chat: marijuana
January 24 at 10 a.m.
“Should Lincoln become the marijuana mecca? After all, this is a farming community and we are trying to bring more traffic into our downtown area,” quips Fireside Chat facilitator Sharon Antia. Do we want to grow pot commercially? Do we want to have a dispensary here in town? Join the discussion at 10 a.m. on Wednesday Jan. 24 in the Community Room at Lincoln Woods as the Fireside Chat thinks through what options make sense for us here in Lincoln. The Fireside Chat meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Healing motion for life: a free movement workshop
January 26 at 1 p.m.
Being in touch with the way our bodies move, and working to keep our movements unrestricted and fluid help bring health and clarity to every aspect of our lives. Join Susanne Liebich on Friday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall to experience a variety of sustainable exercises including expressive movement, breathing and relaxation in a program sponsored by Deaconess Abundant Life Services and Newbury Court. Susanne’s movement practice helps you achieve body awareness, presence, physical strength, balance, focus, and serenity. Future programs will be held on February 23 and March 30.

Lincoln’s intergenerational singalong
January 26 at 3:30 p.m.
The LEAP After-School Program, the Lincoln Council on Aging, and the Magic Garden Children’s Center invite Lincoln residents of all ages to enjoy a free Multigenerational Concert and Sing-Along as part of the Winter Carnival on Friday, Jan. 26 at 3:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. The program will include singing groups from each of the three organizations. Members of the audience will enjoy favorite folk songs, children songs, and more.

Lincoln Academy with Zach Woods: amateurs assist in the second war for U.S. independence
January 29 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Jan. 29 at 12:30 to hear Zach Woods discuss “Amateurs Assist in the Second War for U.S. Independence.” Non-professional militia, privateers, and Napoleon hindered and helped as we fought against the superior but hamstrung British Military in the War of 1812. What was the war all about? Learn about some of the surprising and telling moments in the conflict through a short film and presentation. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Save the date

The Irish and how they got that way
Join us to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 14 at the Stoneham Theatre. Trip-goers will attend the matinee performance of The Irish and How They Got That Way by Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes). This revue is a celebration of a heritage that confronts adversity with determination, good humor, music and love of life. It is a fabulous show, with excellent reviews, an uplifting musical that will leave you smiling. A comfortable air-ride bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 12:45 p.m., returning at approximately 5:30 p.m. This trip is rated easy, as it entails a short walk from the bus to the theater with no stairs to climb. Complimentary refreshments are served at intermission. The cost of the trip is $29 and is non-refundable. Space is limited. To reserve a seat, send your check, made out to FLCOA Trips, to Virginia O’Brien, 4 Linway Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. If you have questions you can call Virginia at 781-259-1291 or email her at vobrien39@yahoo.com.

Community center draft designs expected in January

Preliminary designs for a community center on the Hartwell campus will be presented at public forums on Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 8–10 a.m. and 7–9 p.m. in the Hartwell B pod.

At the November 4 State of the Town Meeting and afterwards, the Community Center Planning and Preliminary Design Committee (CCPPDC) asked residents for feedback on a “character study” (a series of photos of other community centers) and a “wish list” with in-depth questions about what the facility should include to meet the town’s needs.

Lots of natural light and views, a place that’s interesting to go to architecturally, and a desire for a strong connection to the site and for the creation of outdoor gathering space were among the themes in the responses to the surveys. The architectural team has since met with Council on Aging and Parks and Recreation staff to discuss the two group’s program needs, and they also toured several facilities to gather ideas for further discussion.

“These meetings primarily gave us a greater understanding of how each group operates today, the breadth of their programs, what works in their current spaces that they want to maintain, and what doesn’t work. This understanding will help us greatly as we start to lay out the program and develop the designs,” an MTA representative said via email last week.

One of the biggest take-aways from the tours of other community centers was about storage—”these buildings had an amazing amount of storage distributed throughout the buildings, but it was not enough,” MTA reported. However, “all the centers that we visited were very active, and they had all seen a huge increase in participation in programs with their new spaces.”

News acorns

Movies for many tastes and ages

(Fair use source via Wikipedia)

In anticipation of the new Star Wars movie The Last Jedi that opens in theaters on December 15, the Lincoln Public Library will be showing the movie that directly precedes it chronologically, The Force Awakens (PG-13), on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. Popcorn will be served.

The Lincoln Library Film Society presents a December homage to French actress Anne Wiazemsky (1947-2017) with three movies, all on Mondays starting at 3 p.m.:

  • December 4 — Teorema
  • December 11 — Au Hasard Balthazar
  • December 18 — La Chinoise 

Magic Garden open house

Magic Garden Children’s Center will host an open house on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.—noon in advance of open enrollment for the 2018-2019 school year. While the event is geared towards answering parents’ questions, children are welcome to attend and play in our classrooms. Children’s activities and a snack will be provided. Please RSVP to 781-259-8161 (walk-ins also welcome).

Magic Garden’s year-round program offers care and education to children ages 15 months to 5 years. Our core program hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–3 p.m., two to five days a week, with earlier arrival and later pickup also available.

Organizations welcome holiday donations

Toys for Tots

The Lincoln Police Department has set up Toys for Tots collection boxes at the Lincoln Public Library and the Barrett Sotheby’s office in South Lincoln. You can drop off new, unwrapped toys during regular hours through Wednesday, Dec. 13. if you have any questions please call the Police Department at 781-259-8113

Toiletries and other basics for seniors

During the holidays, Lincoln Council on Aging staff visit homebound, frail, and needy seniors to deliver baskets full of basic necessities. They are collecting new, unopened, unscented, full-sized items to fill the baskets: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, mouthwash, tissues, paper towels, toilet paper, lip balm, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream, kitchen sponges, trash bags, laundry soap, men’s and women’s socks, coffee and tea, postage stamps, pharmacy gift cards. Please place items in the marked box in the lobby of Bemis Hall.

Donate or purchase items to benefit domestic violence roundtable

On Sunday, Dec. 10 from noon–4 p.m., Mango Tree Artisans (410 Boston Post Rd. in Sudbury) will host a special shopping event to benefit the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable. The store sells handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, baskets, clothing, instruments, and other items from around the world that are ethically sourced and sustainably created. Enjoy light refreshments while you shop. The Roundtable receives a percentage of all sale proceeds from this event.

Each year, the Roundtable sponsors a family from a local domestic violence agency for the holidays. These agencies need help to provide happy holidays for families in shelter and to meet the ongoing needs of additional families who have been victims of domestic violence. Sponsored families are anonymous, though the agency will share the number of family members and their ages. Match yourself with a smaller family to sponsor, or invite relatives, friends, and colleagues to join you in sponsoring a larger family.

For those who can’t sponsor a family, gift cards for food, clothing and other necessities to stores such as Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, CVS, Target, and Stop & Shop are welcome. Wrapping paper, ribbon and tape are also needed. To learn more about how you can help, contact:

Council on Aging activities in December

Jazz oldies concert at Bemis
December 1 at 12:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band will present a concert of beloved songs from the early days of jazz at Bemis Hall at 12:30 on Friday Dec. 1. Channel your inner Al Jolson, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, or Fats Waller by singing along with the band. Or, if you prefer to get up and move around to the music, feel free to do your best Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Everyone welcome!

Lincoln Academy with Kathy Mierzwa: What’s so cool about Iceland?
December 4 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Dec. 4 at 12:30 to hear Kathy Mierzwa discuss “What’s so Cool about Iceland?” Why is Iceland such a popular travel destination these days? Do tourists go for the ice, the geothermal pools, the volcanoes or the Northern Lights? Come see some stunning photos from Katherine Mierzwa’s recent trip to Southern Iceland. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome!

Demystifying probate when executor of an estate
December 5 at 2:15 p.m.
Does the word “probate” make you nervous? Has a loved one recently died and left you to manage his affairs? Are you unsure whether and when you might need to file Probate Court paperwork and tax returns after someone’s death? Please join Lincoln resident and estate planning attorney Sasha Golden on Dec. 5 at 2:15 p.m. at Bemis Hall to demystify probate and talk about what you need to do if you are appointed as the executor of an estate.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
December 6 at 1 p.m.
A Constituent Services representative for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold Office Hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 1–2 p.m. on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up.

Visit with a member of the Board of Selectmen
December 6 at 2 p.m.
Bring your ideas, feedback, questions, or favorite Lincoln anecdote. Whether you stop by for a minute or stay for the hour, they hope to see you from 2–3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Bemis Hall.

Coffee and conversation with Abby
December 7 at 10 a.m.
Come share coffee and conversation with the COA’s new assistant director, Abby Butt, on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. Abby provides assistance in evaluating in-home needs and finding services, as well as crisis intervention, and general support to Lincoln seniors, families, and caregivers, individually or in groups. She brings many years of experience working in other COAs as well as conducting community needs assessments, program and policy development, and more. Come and ask her a question about what the COA can offer, concerns you might have or ideas you would like to share.

Have coffee with the library’s photo share
December 7 at 2:15 p.m.
Come join the members of the group “Photoshare at the Lincoln Library” on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 2:15 at Bemis Hall to celebrate their exhibit in the Bemis Gallery in December. In the decade-plus that the club has been around, it’s been a haven for people to come together to share and grow their photography. They accept all, both in terms of experience and in subject matter — portraiture, nature, wildlife, travel. Come on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the Tarbell Room of the Lincoln Library.

The Birches musical: “The Ocean Show”
December 8 at 8:15 a.m.
The Birches School grades K-3 invite you to their fall musical, The Ocean Show, on Friday, Dec. 8 at 8:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Follow the journey of Ashley and Maya, two businesswomen bent on destroying tidal pools to build luxury apartments, as they visit the wonders of the ocean and encounter fish and plankton, sea mammals and bioluminescent creatures. This fun and educational journey shows that oceans are a series of interconnected systems, and destroying any one part will have unintended consequences elsewhere.

Lunch and tips for eating through the holidays
December 8 at 11:30 a.m.
You may be tempted to overeat or eat foods you shouldn’t at the holidays, but you can eat healthfully and have a delicious holiday season, too! Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, Dec. 8 at 11:30 a.m. to have a yummy lunch prepared by the chef from the Commons and hear some tips for eating well through the holidays without feeling deprived from Sadie Daniels, RD, dietician at the Commons. You’ll feel better, look better, and enjoy the holidays knowing you are being good to yourself! On the menu will be a formal gourmet luncheon! Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 by December 4 as space is limited. The Commons in Lincoln recently earned a Five-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for overall quality and staffing in its skilled nursing center.

Lincoln Academy with Mark Hopkins: Making a difference in rural Honduras
December 11 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Dec. 11 at 12:30 to hear Mark Hopkins discuss “Making a Difference in Rural Honduras.” In this presentation, Mark Hopkins documents how a small, volunteer-run NGO (non-government organization) has spent the last 25 years helping the residents of a remote mountain village raise themselves out of poverty. His talk describes the many challenges involved — lack of education, poor health, polluted water sources, and an uncaring government — and follows the organization’s progress as it brings in teams of doctors, teachers, and engineers who volunteer their time to solve those problems. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome!

Free elder law clinic
December 11 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship or probate? The COA is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, Dec. 11 from 3-4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
December 12 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m.–noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Celebrate the holidays in a new way
December 13 and 27 at 2 p.m.
Most of us are used to celebrating the holidays through certain activities and traditions we have done for decades. But often there comes a time in our lives when those ways no longer serve us. Come join Pam Mizrahi on Wednesdays, Dec. 13 and 27 at 2 p.m. at Bemis Hall for a comfortable and informal yet upbeat discussion about how we can rethink and reinvent our holiday traditions to fit who we are and our lives now. We will then spend low-key yet festive time with others in the group. No need to sign up.

Breathe, relax, and de-stress for the holidays
December 14 at 10 a.m.
Whether you perceive the holidays to be stressful or not, this is a perfect time to give yourself the gift of a little relaxation. Ahhhhh! Learn some practical, easy-to-remember techniques and strategies for reducing your stress, relaxing your body and mind, and enhancing your well being when Catherine Collins comes to Bemis Hall on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. She’ll show you a variety of ways to both begin a relaxation practice that you can do every day as well as calm yourself down when you find yourself getting overly upset. Catherine Collins, RN, MS is a registered nurse and a master’s level nurse practitioner with 30 years experience in health care.

Prevent falls and trips to the E.R. with the Fire Dept.
December 15 at 11 a.m.
Falls are the #1 reason why people end up in the Emergency Room, yet they are almost entirely preventable. Join Ben Juhola of the Fire Department on Friday, Dec. 15 at 11 here at Bemis Hall to learn how you can make your home safer with easy-to-take actions, staying on your feet in winter weather, using assistive devices, health conditions that may contribute to falls, and more. The Fire Department will be serving a sandwich lunch, so please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Gourmet luncheon with friends old and new
December 19 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at St. Anne’s Church. They welcome new diners often — give them a try! Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 at least a week ahead even if you have previously attended. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let them know if you need transportation or a seating partner when you sign up. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club.

The COA Science Group: 4,000 feet of climate change, Part III
December 21 at 10:15 a.m.
Join physicist Stanley Solomon on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 10:15 a.m. in Bemis Hall for the third in a three-part series exploring the physicists’ view of climate change using articles from three issues of Physics Today, a professional journal published by the American Physics Society and read by physicists worldwide. In this session, Stan’s presentation will examine how the collected data leads to an inescapable conclusion. He plans to distribute copies of the articles before the sessions, so if you would like copies, please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to leave your name and email address.

The fireside chat: the First Amendment
December 27 at  10 a.m.
Many of us take the First Amendment for granted and proudly stand up for it, at least our own interpretation. What do “freedom of speech,” “free exercise of religion” et al really mean? Come join the discussion as the Fireside Chat group wrestles with this important topic on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 10 a.m. at their new location in the Community Room at Lincoln Woods, 50 Wells Rd. The Fireside Chat meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m. and is facilitated by Sharon Antia.

Save the date:

Revel at the Top of the Town winter gala
The Friends of the Lincoln COA (FLCOA) are pleased to announce that the annual Top of the Town Winter Gala will again be held at the deCordova Museum! The date is set for Saturday, Jan. 20 from 5–8 p.m. Mark your calendars and look for your invitation in the mail in late December. Be sure to return your reservation form promptly — space is limited to 200 people. Don’t procrastinate! The event is free but the FLCOA, as always, is extremely grateful for any donations to support this event and all its activities.

Tell your story with the memoir group
In the spring, there will room in the memoir group for a couple of new (or returning) members. If you are interested in writing your memoirs or just curious about what goes on in the group, please come to the first meeting of the group at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, January 10 from 10 a.m. to noon and find out what the group does. If you like what you hear and you want to continue, the cost of the eight-session term is $75. The dates for the term are Jan. 10 and 24; Feb. 7 and 21; March 7 and 21; April 4 and 18; and May 2 and 16. If you want more information, call Connie Lewis 781-259-9415 or email her at conlewis1000@gmail.com.

Color your life with pastels with Juliet
Express your most vibrant self with the brilliant colors of pastels in a class with Juliet Rago. She will begin with a short introduction to drawing for those who feel they need it. The class will meet from 10 a.m.–noon on January 8, 12, 19, 22, and 26. No experience is necessary. All materials will be furnished. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. Limit of six people. The fee is $40.

World hand drumming for fun and well being
Hand drumming is a fun and unique way to express yourself and enhance well being that’s sweeping the country. It’s a great way to spend enjoyable time with others, improve overall musical skills, and de-stress, relax, and feel more positive. Come learn the joy of drumming with acclaimed drummer Mike Connors from the Concord Conservatory of Music on six Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. beginning January 16 at a cost of $78. Please sign up as space is limited. No need to bring a drum.

News acorns

FELS pie sale extended

The FELS Thanksgiving Pie Sale deadline has been extended to Tuesday, Nov. 14. Through the proceeds from this sale, FELS (the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury) can fund opportunities for L-S teachers to grow and refresh next summer and add to their teaching. Pies ordered will be available on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Beware of phone scams

The Lincoln Police report that a Lincoln senior received a scam call saying that several arrest warrants had been issued for the senior and the senior needed to call the scammer’s number. Police want Lincoln seniors to know that this is a scam and they will not be coming to anyone’s home to arrest them. If you receive such a call or would like more information, please call the police at 781-259-8113.

Advent workshop for kids

Pictured making crafts at last year’s Advent Workshop are Atticus Borggaard and Peter Covino.

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold an advent workshop for children on Sunday, Nov. 26 from 10:15–11:30 a.m. in the Parish House at 14 Bedford Road. Children will make seasonal crafts at this event, and refreshments will be provided. Free and open to children of all ages in the community.

A capella music, book preview at library

The Lincoln Public Library presents the Mistletones in concert on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. and an adult and children’s gift book preview from 1–4 p.m. The Mistletones a capella group sings classic winter and holiday songs mixed with a modern twist and contemporary sound. All ages welcome. Before the concert, enjoy a holiday book preview where staff we can help you with suggestions for “just right” books for the children and adults on your gift list.

Minute Man trail reconstruction begins

Minute Man National Historical Park has announced that the Battle Road Trail, located in Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord will begin an extensive rehabilitation to improve the trail surface and drainage beginning Wednesday, Nov. 15. Sections of the trail at Hartwell Tavern will be closed. There will be a pedestrian trail detour, which is narrow and impassable to bicycles or strollers and is not suitable for running or jogging. The project runs from November 20 to December 31. Additional work at North Bridge will begin in April 2018.

Tour the Pierce House on Nov. 25

The Pierce House will offer free tours for the public on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. For more information, call 781-259-9757.

Fuel bill and financial assistance available

If you need help paying your winter fuel bill, the state’s Fuel Assistance Program may be able to help. The Fuel Assistance Program provides a cash benefit, payable to an authorized fuel provider, for both home owners and renters whose incomes are eligible. How much you receive depends on your household income, how many people you have in your household, and your heating costs. Those who receive fuel assistance may also be eligible for other benefits, such as weatherization services, heating system repairs, and discount utility rates. To apply for fuel assistance, residents of all ages should call Carolyn Bottum or Susan Isbell of the Lincoln Council on Aging at 781-259-8811 for an appointment. The Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) will review the application to determine whether you’re eligible Even if you’re not sure if you qualify, please call to find out.

When Lincoln residents have an unforeseen and extreme financial emergency that threatens their well-being, the Lincoln Emergency Assistance Fund and the Small Necessities Project may be able to help. The Lincoln Emergency Assistance Fund is supported entirely by the Ogden Codman Trust, First Parish, and donations. For more information or to ask for assistance from the Lincoln Emergency Assistance Fund, call Carolyn Bottum or Abby Butt at the COA, 781-259-8811.

Architects ask for reactions to school and community center possibilities

The current school campus showing when various sections were built.

(Editor’s note: Check back tomorrow for more coverage of the State of the Town meeting.)

At Saturday’s State of the Town meeting, residents began offering feedback on six concept drawings for a reconfigured Lincoln School as well as some photos of community center ideas.

The school campus drawings by Ewing-Cole and SMMA Architects represented only ideas for where various parts of the school could be located relative to each other on campus, rather than actual building outlines and walls, explained SMMA’s Joel Seeley. The presentation also did not address parking, fields and roadways, and it intentionally looked at a mostly new or completely new buildings.

All six designs had some features in common:

  • Academic hubs organized by grade level in for PreK–4 and by team teaching mode for grades 5–8.
  • Separate entrances for PreK, K–4, and 5–8.
  • Classrooms as well as breakout spaces for students groups of varying sizes and abilities in each hub.
  • Facilities for “specials” (art, music, science, and maker spaces) located close to the hubs.
  • A single dining commons and kitchen for the entire school.

The concepts are categorized in three groups according to whether the school building is concentrated in the current “L” configuration (Group A), or on the north or west side of the ballfield (Groups B and C). Some distinguishing features:

  • A1 — Retains the two gyms and auditorium, and is closest in shape to the current school.
  • A2 — Follows the same basic shape but in a curved rather than L-shaped fashion, with two new gyms and the existing auditorium.
  • B1 — A northern focus with five two-story linear classroom hubs, retaining and enclosing the Reed Gym and auditorium.
  • B2 — An all-new building on the north side, with a gym and theater space next to each other but separated from the rest of the school by a commons area to demarcate school and public uses.
  • C1 — A western focus having the clearest plan for two separate schools in one. Includes a new gym and a glassed-in or covered walkway to the existing auditorium.
  • C2 — A western focus with a ring of angled hubs around a central piazza and a new gym between the classrooms and the auditorium.

The concepts and explanations can be seen on the School Building Committee website. See larger versions of the drawings by clicking on one of the images below:

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”89″ gal_title=”School concepts – Nov 2017″]

At the State of the Town, residents offered written comments, but others may use the SBC’s online feedback form. The form asks what viewers saw or heard that they liked, what they wished would be developed further, and what they wonder about, or what questions should be answered.

The SBC and architects will continue to gather public input and refine the concepts in the coming months. Residents will be asked to vote on a design concept at a special town meeting in June 2018. By that point, officials hope to have a plan that has “overwhelming community support. We don’t want to get to a vote in June and wonder what we missed,” said Chris Fasciano, chair of the SBC.

Community center

The Community Center Preliminary Planning and Design Committee (CCPPDC) recently hired Maryann Thompson Architects to work alongside SMMA and design a proposal for a community center. Their first step at State of the Town was to post “character study” photos of various community center interiors, exteriors, and landscapes and asked residents to jot down “gut reactions” on sticky notes with comments on the easels.

The architects are hoping for more detailed feedback via a “wish list” questionnaire on the CCPPDC website, which also includes the images shown on Saturday and an accompanying comment form. Residents are invited to download the questionnaire, answer whichever parts they wish, and email it back by noon on Friday, Nov. 10. The firm expects to have a proposed basic design along with “firm cost estimates” before the special town meeting in June, which will also address the school.

There are various advantages and disadvantages to having the community center physically connected to the school rather than on the Hartwell side, noted Town Administrator Tim Higgins. He briefly touched on some of those pluses and minuses as outlined by a group including the two school principals, Parks and Recreation Department Director Dan Pereira, Council on Aging Director Carolyn Bottum, and Administrator for Business and Finance Buck Creel.

Factors mitigating against having the two facilities side by side, according to their report:

  • There would be less space for athletic fields on the school side and the topography of the Hartwell side would also make it difficult to put a field there.
  • Sharing space would be impractical since the hours of operation of the school and community center would largely overlap.
  • The parking on the north and west side of campus would have to be significantly increased and the roadway network would have to be rethought.
  • There would be public safety and security concerns associated with keeping the various building users separate and out of restricted spaces.
Finances

The town can afford to borrow up to $80 million for the projects and still retain its AAA bond rating, said Andrew Payne, vice chair of the Finance Committee. Each $10 million borrowed would increase the tax bill by about $275–300 per year, depending on the interest rate. The current median tax bill is $13,600.

The FinCom’s debt financing subcommittee also recommends that the town should make bond payments that are more or less equal throughout a 30-year term. Some of the town’s debt stabilization fund, currently at $4.7 million, can be used to even out some of the tax bill impact in the first few years, Payne added.

Initial design concepts for school to be presented

Architects will unveil some initial design concepts for the Lincoln School and ask for feedback at Saturday’s State of the Town meeting, which starts at 9 a.m. in the Brooks auditorium.

The first 90 minutes of the meeting will be devoted to updates from the two campus project groups—the School Building Committee and the Community Center Preliminary Planning and Design Committee (CCPPDC). School architect SMMA will introduce a range of initial concepts that explore building size, shape, and location of the school, while CCPPDC architect Maryann Thompson will present a series of photographs to start a conversation about aesthetic preferences. The Finance Committee will also provide high-level financial context for the projects.

Residents will be asked to weigh in on the Lincoln School design concepts and to provide input about design elements they think reflect Lincoln values and are appropriate for the campus. The SBC will post directions for the feedback exercises and, if possible, images of those design concepts later this week. 

Also on the SOTT agenda are updates on Lincoln Station improvements and proposals for a plastic bag/water bottle ban, recreational marijuana rules, a gas leak repair resolution, the Lincoln Historic District, and Lincoln becoming a sanctuary town.

Updates on multitude of issues planned for State of the Town

An agenda chock-full of information and discussion about issues affecting Lincoln’s future will greet residents at the State of the Town meeting on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in the Lincoln School auditorium. The event offers informational updates on important issues in town and (in some cases) a preview of measures that will come up for votes at the Annual Town Meeting in spring 2018.

The first 90 minutes will consist of presentations the two proposed campus building projects: the Lincoln School building project and the Community Center project. Recent Lincoln Squirrel articles on these topics include:

Other agenda items are below, and are also discussed in the latest Selectmen’s Newsletter. There will then be an open forum from 11:40 a.m.–noon and an opportunity to talk to representatives of the groups who presented during the meeting at information/discussion tables from 12:30–1 p.m.

Lincoln Station

The South Lincoln Implementation Planning Committee is studying improvements to the Lincoln Station area as well as possible rezoning, though a proposed zoning bylaw change is not likely by spring. There are five teams working on different topics for SLPIC, which reports to the Planning Board.

Plastic bags and bottles

The Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Environmental Club is revisiting its push to regulate the sale of disposable plastic grocery bags and single-use plastic water bottles in Lincoln. Warrant articles were tabled in Town Meeting in 2017 but passed in Sudbury. Town Meeting will feature either warrant articles or a general bylaw change proposal.

Recreational marijuana

The Board of Selectmen is forming a committee to help the town understand the 2016 statewide measure that legalized the cultivation, personal use and retail sale of recreational marijuana. The group will assess the law’s implications for Lincoln and make recommendations regarding potential policies, bylaws and regulations that may be desired and/or required to protect the town’s interests. Town Administrator Timothy Higgins said this week that a bylaw proposal may come up at a Special Town Meeting later in 2018 rather than the annual spring meeting.

To learn more about the committee, contact Higgins at 781-259-2604 or higginst@lincolntown.org. To apply, submit a letter of interest to Administrative Assistant Peggy Elder at elderp@lincolntown.org.

At Town Meeting in 2017, residents approved a moratorium on allowing use of land or structures for recreational marijuana establishments until November 30, 2018 pending new regulations from the Cannabis Control Commission and possible zoning amendments in Lincoln.

Historic District

The Historic District Commission and Friends of Modern Architecture are working with property owners interested in adding their Modern houses to the Lincoln Historic District. At Town Meeting, residents will vote on a proposal that would allow at least 17 owners of Modern homes to voluntarily join the Lincoln Historic District. The district currently consists of 73 properties in four different areas.

Sanctuary Town

A planned Town Meeting measure seeks to make Lincoln an official Sanctuary Town, which organizers hope will safeguard illegal immigrants in Lincoln from federal immigration enforcement and otherwise help immigrants feel protected

Mothers Out Front

This group has been working on local responses to climate change such as curbing greenhouse gas emissions by fixing gas leaks from underground pipes. Members are expected to propose a resolution at Town Meeting calling for the repair of utilities’ leaking gas pipes.

Community center group selects architect

The Community Center Preliminary Planning and Design Committee (CCPPDC) has selected the firm of Maryann Thompson Architects to help design a proposal for a community center for Lincoln.

Massachusetts work by the Cambridge-based firm includes designs for the Atrium School in Watertown, the Broad Institute in Cambridge, the Walden Pond visitors’ center, and Temple Ahavat Achim in Gloucester. The firm is already working closely with SMMA Architects, which was hired to design the Lincoln School project.

The CCPPDC and the School Building Committee will present updates at the State of the Town meeting on November 4. By that time, “we want the two architectural firms to have spoken quite a bit and start aligning their processes and procedures, and maybe put a couple of community forums on the calendar,” said CCPPDC Vice Chair Margit Griffith.

Maryann Thompson Architects should have a proposed basic design for a community center along with firm cost estimates ready before an anticipated Special Town Meeting in June, when residents will be asked to vote on a school design, Griffith said. If and when residents decide to pursue the community center project, the town will ask for bids from firms to do the detailed design. “They’re not producing a plan for a community center that people vote on [in June] and break ground on,” she said.

The CCPPDC is drafting a timeline in conjunction with the SBC with “key choice points for decisions and deliverables by the architect,” said committee Chair Ellen Meyer Shorb. Designing a school and a community center simultaneously is “a really difficult, complex process that no one has done before, but the bottom line is to include the town early and often.”