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

seniors

Town seeks members for new community center planning group

The Board of Selectmen is seeking volunteers for the new Community Center Planning and Preliminary Design Committee (CCPPDC) to fill the roster by June 12 after approving the charge to the committee on May 8.

Residents approved $150,000 at Town Meeting in March to commission a feasibility study and draft design for a community center to be located on the Hartwell side of the school campus. The facility will meet the needs of the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Council on Aging as well as other town groups. The CCPPDC will work closely with the newest School Building Committee (SBC), which held its first meeting on May 3.

Selectmen are seeking four community members to serve on the CCPPDC who have experience in fields that are relevant to the committee’s work, such as architecture, planning or design, project management, or community engagement. Those interested should send letters of interest, mentioning relevant experience, to the Board of Selectmen via email to at ElderP@lincolntown.org by Friday, June 2.

The board will appoint members of the CCPPDC at its meeting on June 12. The committee will hold its first meeting the following week and will present public updates (including at the fall 2018 State of the Town meting). If possible, there will be a final report and/or town vote at the spring 2018 Town Meeting.

As its long name implies, the CCPPDC has limited scope, selectmen said. If and when the town chooses to move forward with a community center project, the committee’s preliminary design and cost estimate would be developed by a community center building committee.

The duties of the CCPPDC will include:

  • Gathering stakeholder input, and plan regular communication with and input from relevant town boards, committees, and the community.
  • Hiring a design firm to develop preliminary design plans and provide detailed cost estimates. Selectmen and the School Committee hold out the possibility that one firm could be hired to support both the school building project and the community center process.
  • Developing a detailed program of activities that would take place in a new community center and an assessment of space requirements and optimal adjacencies for the program
  • Evaluate several previously identified community center building locations within the Hartwell area, and any others that may be identified, and develop a preferred building location and supporting Hartwell campus site plan. This will require close coordination with the SBC, particularly with respect to things like future plans for the after-school program, the school’s shop area, any changes in use at the Hartwell main building, parking demands, any reorientation of the Ballfield Road roadway network or playing fields, the possible use of the pods as swing space during school construction, potential shared space opportunities, etc.

“Options for the community center must pair logically with options for the Lincoln School project to ensure all current and desired functions of the campus are included in the overarching plan for the campus,” according to the CCPDC charge.

As with the SBC, membership on the CCPPDC will entail many hours, hard work, and complicated conversations, but also offers a unique and exciting opportunity to participate in the creation of a central piece of the community and the future of the town, selectmen noted. Anyone with questions about the responsibilities and expectations of committee membership should send email before the deadline to the e-mail address above.

The PPDC will also include representatives from the Board of Selectmen, Council on Aging, Parks and Recreation Committee, Planning Board and Finance Committee. Selectmen are encouraging additional boards and committees such as the Conservation Commission, Green Energy Committee, Historical Commission, parent organizations and the Disabilities Commission to appoint liaisons to the CCPPDC.

News acorns

Two concerts at Bemis this weekend

Lyrica Boston Chamber Music will give a free concert on Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m. in Bemis Hall. On the program will be Schubert’s Trout Quintet and other works in a surprising array of styles. A reception with light refreshments will follow the concert. Musicians will include Laura Bossert (violin), Annie Bartlett (viola), Mariel Bossert (piano), Mina Kim (cello) and Donald Palma (bass). The Lyrica Boston Chamber Music series was founded by Lincoln resident Laura Bossert to provide a launching ground for young emerging artists to perform alongside seasoned professionals. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging.

Dave Whitney and his Big Band will play in Bemis Hall on Sunday, April 30 from 2–5 p.m. Presented by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Film about relationship violence

Local residents—particularly parents of high school students—are invited to a powerful 90-minute film-based workshop about relationship violence on Thursday, May 4 at 7 p.m. in the L-S auditorium. Escalation tells the story of two college students who fall in love, but whose relationship ultimately turns violent. After the screening, participants are encouraged to talk about relationship violence in a group conversation led by trained facilitators.

The workshop is produced by the OneLove Foundation and presented locally in conjunction with the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund by the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable with Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School’s Mentors in Violence Prevention team. L-S seniors will have the opportunity to take part in the Escalation Workshop as part of the L-S “Courage to Care Conference.”

‘Wake Up the Nature Linc Garden’ on May 6

As part of Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area “Hidden Treasures 2017,” a regional celebration, Farrington Nature Linc will host a pair of events. At Wake Up the Nature Linc Garden on Saturday, May 6 starting at 10 a.m., visitors can weed, turn over the soil, plant annuals, and then hike to vernal pools to look for tadpoles and frogs. At 2 p.m., there will be a talk about Farrington Memorial’s history. Farrington’s clerk, Susan Taylor, will share what we know about life on one of Lincoln’s oldest farmsteads starting with the first structure in 1650 through the 18th-century chestnut barn and the 1911 Donaldson-built dormitory, up through today’s work bringing youth from low-income, urban communities out into nature. Please RSVP for both events to Wendy@NatureLinc.org.

Also as part of the celebration, there will be free admission to the Gropius House and Codman Estate on May 6.

Flower and plant sale

On Saturday, May 6  from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lincoln Town Hall, a selection of plants from Stonegate Gardens and gifts from the Lincoln PTO will be available for purchase at the PTO’s biennial plant sale and fundraiser. You’ll find flats and potted arrangements, fun and affordable Mother’s Day gifts, and a free kid’s potting activity (be sure bring your child’s old boots for the project!) Plant sale is rain or shine, and lemonade and treats will be available for sale by the Brooks School class of 2018. Volunteers will be available to assist in loading.

Borrow nature-themed backpacks for kids

Four new nature-themed backpacks, designed by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, are available for two-week check out in the Children’s Department at the Lincoln Public Library.

The “Birding, Trackers, Insects, and Trees Etc.” backpacks contain laminated field guides and books for identifying animals and plants; tools to assist with exploration such as magnifying lenses, binoculars, and insect nets; activities to record observations and engage in hands-on learning (story books, nature logs, and plaster casts of animal tracks); and reference materials including a Lincoln trail map, environmental ethics awareness cards, and information on ticks and mosquitos. Many items were sourced and purchased at discount with help from staff at the Audubon Shop at Drumlin Farm.

“As a parent, grandparent, former science teacher, and former director of environmental education in the Lincoln Public Schools, I’ve had lots of experience seeing the value of getting children outdoors exploring nature on local trails and in their backyards. Children are curious and love making discoveries on their own, with a few friends or even a grandparent, and the backpacks will facilitate these opportunities,” said Gywn Loud, a trustee for Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.

The nature backpacks are funded by Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and Friends of the Lincoln Library.

Council on Aging activities in May

Watercolors with Jane Cooper
May 1 at 9 a.m.
Jane Cooper will offer fun dabbling in watercolor painting of scenes of nature, landscapes or some favorite sky. Two sessions of four classes will be offered Fridays and Mondays in May from 9–11 a.m. beginning May 1 and 15 at Bemis Hall. Cost is $30/session. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up. All materials are included in the fee. No prior experience necessary.

Lincoln Academy with Bijoy Misra: mantra—a chant or a therapy?
May 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, May 1 at 12:30 at Bemis Hall to hear Bijoy Misra discuss “Mantra—A Chant or a Therapy?” A mantra is a repetitious chant that we are supposed to keep in in our memory. It is lately taught as an aid in meditation. In its original form in India, it was supposed to be a therapy that could heal. The healing is caused by the orchestral composition of syllables that are required to be uttered with proper breathing. We will explore examples of composition in Sanskrit and examine the breathing through proper articulation. Lincoln resident Bijoy Misra is a physicist and Sanskrit scholar. The Council on Aging 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.

Coffee with Sarah Chester
May 2 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Lincoln artist Sarah Chester at a reception for her show at the Bemis Artists Gallery on Tuesday, May 2 at 2:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Her work will be exhibited through May. “I paint what strikes my eye and heart: the lights and colors of land and seascapes, the stories that old structures tell, relationships between and among generations, the relationships between generations and the land,” Chester says. “My paintings have been selected by multiple juried shows and are in private collections throughout the Northeast.”

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
May 3 at 10 a.m.
No matter what your age, if you are experiencing violence or abuse by a family member, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, or you are concerned about someone else, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to noon to have a confidential discussion with someone from the Domestic Violence Services Network. Come find out more about domestic violence and how to cope as well as available resources in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. No need to stop at the front desk; just take the elevator to the basement and follow the signs.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
May 3 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold office hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, May 3 from 1–2 p.m. on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up.

Boston Symphony Orchestra matinee
May 5 at 10:45 a.m.
Andris Nelsons will conduct works by Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and Mahler featuring pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and soprano Kristine Opolais. The program includes Shostakovich’s Suite from the incidental music to King Lear, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. (Symphony Hall is handicapped accessible.) If you aren’t signed up but would like to go, you may contact Marilyn Buckler at 781-259-8886 or mbuckler1@comcast.net to see if any spaces are still available. The cost of the trip is $45.50 with lunch on your own, or $75 with a sumptuous lunch buffet at Symphony Hall. This trip is funded by the Hurff Fund and is therefore open to Lincoln seniors only.

Lincoln Trad Jazz Band
May 5 at 12:30 p.m.
A catchy melody you can sing along with? Tap your toes to tunes you know and love when the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band comes to Bemis Hall on May 5 at 12:30. Join the COA’s swingin’ seniors and sing along with the regulars to such good old favorites as When You’re Smilin’, or Ain’t She Sweet. Put a smile on your face with Ain’t Misbehavin’. Do the Charleston or the Lindy Hop if you’re up for it. Or just put your feet up, relax, and enjoy the band.

Lincoln Academy with Akuot Leek: South Sudanese Enrichment for Families update
May 8 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, May 8 at 12:30 to hear Akuot Leek discuss “South Sudanese Enrichment for Families Update.” The South Sudanese Enrichment for Families began in the 1990s as the Sudanese Education Fund with tremendous support from the Lincoln community. Today its wide-ranging initiatives enrich and inspire adults and children alike, giving them the confidence and resources to create thriving futures for themselves. For example, every year they send kids age 8-15 to a sleepaway summer camp. Come find out how the organization has grown, what new programs and services it offers, who they serve and what some of their life stories are, and where the South Sudanese community and the organization are going from here. The Council on Aging 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
May 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 monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden is on Monday, May 8 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
May 9 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 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.

Positive Psychology practices class
May 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of strengths and “what is working” to create transformative change, build increased happiness, and lead a more meaningful life. The Ogden Codman Trust is generously supporting a free course Wednesdays at 9:30 at Bemis Hall on proven tactics to try in your daily life. Classes in May will be held on May 10, 17, and 24. No need to have attended previous classes. Instructor: Alyson Lee, co-active life coach, social worker and certified Positive Psychology instructor.

Improve your balance and know what to do if you fall
May 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Losing your balance and falling is one of leading causes of loss of independence among older people. Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. when Steve Menichetti, RN, BSN, discusses causes of falling, how you can reduce your risk through physical and occupational therapy, preventing falls through medication management, and what to do if you do fall. He will provide practical information that you can start to use today. Menichetti is director of care management for Deaconess Abundant Life Services. A light breakfast will be served. Please call the COA to sign up.

In-home senior services: what’s available, how to choose, what does it cost?
May 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Almost everyone wants to stay in their home for as long as possible, and the vast array of senior services now available from various agencies and organizations can help you do that. However, how do you know what’s out there? How do you choose which services you need? How can you decide which provider to use? How much does it cost? Find out the answers to these and other questions on Friday, May 12 at 12:30 at Bemis Hall when Leslie May-Chibani, assistant director at Minuteman Senior Services, and Carolyn Bottum, director of the Lincoln Council on Aging, give information and answer your questions. All ages are welcome. Co-sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging and Minuteman Senior Services.

Lincoln Academy with Karen Keane: What’s hot, what’s not—treasures from Lincoln
May 15 at 12:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered about the value of your antiques and collectibles? Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner, Inc. and an expert in Americana and folk art, will discuss trends in the antique and auction marketplace. In this lecture, Karen will use examples of local treasures found in and around Lincoln. The Council on Aging 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.

Be a smarter driver
May 16 at 10 a.m.
The COA is pleased to offer the AARP Smart Driving program on Tuesday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Find out about the new technologies in cars, get a refresher on the rules of the road, and learn to compensate for health-related changes and how to handle road rage. The class involves no tests or driving, and you will receive a certificate upon completion that may qualify you for reduced insurance rates. Bring a lunch. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Senior dining
May 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, May 16 at St. Anne’s Church. 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 the COA 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.

The science club: realities of alternative energy
May 18 at 10:15 a.m.
Join Lincoln resident and physicist Stanley Solomon on Thursday, May 18 at 10:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall for a presentation on “The Realities of Alternative Energy.” Solomon will discuss The Department of Energy’s Boulder facility history, the rate at which new technologies can be implemented, and some available and potentially available alternate energy resources. Bring your questions and ideas

Coffee with a cop
May 18 from 1–3 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, May 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. to meet privately with a police officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member, or neighbor? An idea for the Police to try? Would you like guidance about a situation? Come on down—no need to make an appointment. An officer will be at Bemis each third Thursday of the month.

Adapting your home so you can live independently
May 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Even if you’re finding it hard to navigate stairs, the bathroom, or other aspects of your home, you may still be able to stay in your house by making adaptations. Find out more at a special program on Friday, May 19 at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. First, Stuart Parsons, a licensed architect specializing in home renovations to help people age in place, will discuss what kinds of adaptations are possible, both minor and major, and what they may cost. Then Dan Walsh, Lincoln’s building inspector, will discuss how to select and pre-screen a home improvement contractor. Find out how to choose a contractor, get good estimates, determine credentials and insurance, legal requirements for contracts and permits, and what to do if you have a problem.

Lincoln Academy with Rebecca Curtin: pioneer woman lawyer Leila Robinson Sawtelle
May 22 at 12:30 p.m.
Suffolk University School of Law professor Rebecca Curtin will relay the fascinating story of Leila Robinson Sawtelle, the first woman graduate of the Boston University Law School. When Leila was denied admission to the Massachusetts bar, she successfully fought to change the law, eventually being admitted to practice before the Supreme Court and authoring two books about the law. The Council on Aging 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: how do you cope with change?
May 24 at 10 a.m.
Change is inevitable in all aspects of our lives. Some people welcome and embrace change while others generally fear and avoid it. Each response can be appropriate at different times. What have been some of the most significant changes in your life? What strategies for coping with or embracing change have you found to be the most successful? Join others in a lively but respectful discussion facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, May 24 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The purpose is not to convince others of your opinion, but to share ideas so as to create dialogue and understanding.

Elders Ensemble dancers
May 25 at 2:30 p.m.
All are invited to experience the wisdom and joy of the Elders Ensemble of Prometheus Dance at a free performance of dance and theater on Thursday, May 25 at 2:30 at Bemis Hall. The Elders Ensemble are eight post-professional dancers, aged 60-94, who create and perform pieces telling the bittersweet stories of their lives as dancers, daughters, mothers, and friends. Following each Elders Ensemble performance there is a post-performance discussion with the aim of reflecting on the work and gaining insight through audience perspective. Many of the dancers studied with the greats of modern dance in the 1930s to 1950s. They perform at community venues, celebrations and arts centers. All ages are welcome.

Veterans Memorial Day BBQ
May 26 at 11:30 a.m.
Veterans and their spouses are invited to a special barbecue on Friday, May 26 at 11:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall featuring a delicious lunch of barbecued pork or chicken or beef brisket. The COA is hoping to create a dynamic veterans community here in Lincoln and would love to see you and your spouse at the barbecue. You must sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 by May 24 so that they will have enough meals. Unfortunately, they will not be able to accommodate those who do not sign up. A $5 donation is requested.

Techno teach-in with teens
May 31 at 10 a.m.
The L-S Senior Class is having a Give Back to the Community Service Day, and they invite you to join them at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Whether you want some tips on texting to keep up with grandchildren, or need help learning to store and play your favorite music and films on your computer, or anything else tech-related, call for an appointment today.

Trip to Gloucester and the Cape Ann Museum

On Wednesday, June 14, the COA will head to the Cape Ann Art Museum in downtown Gloucester. There those on the trip will have a docent-led tour of the collection of Fitz Henry Lane paintings, the luminist, marine painter (1804-1865) of this historic seaport, the museum’s collection of 18th-century portraits and contemporary art, and the Fisheries, Maritime and Granite Galleries. This is a delightful, recently renovated museum in historic Gloucester. Lunch will be together at your own cost at a nearby restaurant, and if the weather is good you will have time to wander Main Street filled with galleries, a wonderful artists’ cooperative, restaurants and shops. The bus will leave the Lincoln Mall at 9:30 a.m. sharp, returning to Lincoln around 4 p.m. The non-refundable cost of the trip is $22. This trip, supported by the Hurff Fund, is open to Lincoln residents 60+. Reservations must be made by June 8. Send checks payable to FLCOA/Trips to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. Please contact Donna with any questions at 781-257-5050.

Council on Aging activities for April

Lincoln Academy with members of the First Parish: Seeing the Arizona-Mexico borderlands for ourselves
April 3 at 12:30 p.m.

Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 3 at 12:30 to hear members of First Parish discuss “Seeing the Arizona-Mexico Borderlands for Ourselves.” Members of the First Parish group that traveled to “the wall” on the Arizona borderlands last November will present and then discuss Janet Boynton’s stunning 20-minute video showing photographs and interviews from the participants’ experiences with the complex issues of migration and border security. The Council on Aging 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.

Hand drumming for fun and wellness
April 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Come learn to do hand drumming from cultures around the world in a six-week course with acclaimed drummer Mike Connors from the Concord Conservatory of Music. The class will be held for six Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall beginning on April 4 at a cost of $60 for the course, payable to the Concord Conservatory of Music. Topics to be covered include technique for hand drumming, rhythms from Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe, developing a rhythmic vocabulary for improvisation and exercises to improve internal pulse. No need to bring a drum but bring one if you have one. Sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Positive Psychology practices class
April 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of strengths and “what is working” to create transformative change, build increased happiness, and lead a more meaningful life. The Ogden Codman Trust is generously supporting a free, eight-session course beginning Wednesday, April 5 at 9:30 at Bemis Hall on daily practices that build on concepts presented in the fall. No need to have attended the fall class. Learn proven tactics to try in your daily life. Instructor: Alyson Lee, co-active life coach, social worker and certified Positive Psychology instructor. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up!

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
April 5 at 10 a.m.
If you are experiencing violence or abuse by a family member, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, or you are concerned about someone who is, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, April 5 between 10 a.m. and noon to have a confidential discussion with an advocate from Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. Come find out more about domestic violence, and how to cope with it, as well as learn about available resources in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. All conversations are completely confidential.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
April 5 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold Office Hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, April 5 from 1-2 p.m. on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up.

Coffee with photographer Ed Robson
April 6 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Lincoln photographer Ed Robson on Thursday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m. for a reception to celebrate his exhibit that will be in Bemis Hall through April. “I’m a hobbyist photographer who lives at Battle Road Farm in Lincoln,” says Ed. “I enjoy trying to capture and edit creatively what catches my eye, whether it’s people or animals, or scenes in the city or in nature.” The photos in the exhibit range from flowers and trees to a spider and pet pig to Walden Pond and the Boston Women’s March.

Pastels class
April 10 at 10 a.m.
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. to noon on April 10, 14, 21, 24, and 28 at Bemis Hall. No experience is necessary. All materials will be furnished. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. The fee is $40. Limit of six people.

Lincoln Academy with Josh Grindlay: Designing and building a Harvard-MIT student instrument to map an asteroid in 2019
April 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 10 at 12:30 to hear Josh Grindlay discuss “Designing and Building a Harvard-MIT Student Instrument to Map an Asteroid in 2019.” Over the past five years, students at Harvard and MIT designed and then built an X-ray imaging spectrometer that is one of five instruments on the OSIRIS REx mission launched in September 2016 to rendezvous with an asteroid in 2018. The REXIS instrument will make X-ray maps of the concentration regions of elements (iron, magnesium, etc.) on the asteroid surface in 2019 to help in choosing a location to gather a sample for return to Earth in 2022. Dr. Grindlay will describe how this project developed, from initial concept to the harrowing schedule to deliver the instrument to the spacecraft for final integration and launch, and the work now underway to prepare for the data. The Council on Aging 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
April 10 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, April 10 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                                     
April 11 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 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. 

Using iPhones, iPads, and social media
April 13 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
Andy Payne will be at Bemis Hall on Thursday, April 13 at 10 a.m. to give you information on the operation and features of iPhones and iPads and answer your questions. If you have tips for using your iPhone or iPad, bring those, too. At 11:30 a.m., Andy will also discuss how to use social media—Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Instagram and such—to get the word out about events and issues and stay in the know. All ages welcome to both classes.

Making ourselves anew in our later years
April 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Join the Reverend Lilian Warner, spiritual director/chaplain of Newbury Court, on Friday, April 14 at 9:30 when she leads a discussion of how, even in our elder years, our spiritual creator, however perceived, can help mold us into new beings, mending and using us in different ways to be of value. She will also touch on her “Triple L, Double C of Living,” or how we must “listen, learn, love, care and connect” with others. Continental breakfast will be served. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Senior dining
April 18 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, April 18 at St. Anne’s Church. 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 the COA 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.

The COA science group: how the Internet works
April 20 at 10 a.m.
How does a web page get from a web site to your browser? Come learn the workings of the Internet when Tom Aprille comes to Bemis Hall on Thursday, April 20 at 10 a.m. Don’t worry, it will be a high-level talk with occasional dips into medium-level explanations. Several applications will be discussed, including World Wide Web page capture, email and streaming. Packet routing and your home network (called an Ethernet network) will also discussed. All ages welcome.

Coffee with a cop
April 20 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, April 20 from 1-3 p.m. to meet privately with a police officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member, or neighbor? An idea for the Police should try? Would you like guidance about a situation? Come on down! No need to make an appointment. An officer will be at Bemis each third Thursday of the month.

Manage your pain with alternative and complementary methods
April 21 at 10 a.m.
Learn about different modalities and treatments used by therapists to help decrease pain and improve one’s functional ability when Pete Frye, doctorate in physical therapy and Emerson Hospital rehab director, comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m. In addition, learn about home remedies that you can do to decrease pain and improve your functional ability.

Paying for long-term care with Medicare, MassHealth, and VA benefits
April 21 at 12:30 p.m.
Many people rely on Medicare and MassHealth/Medicaid to pay for long term care, yet these benefits are usually quite limited. Find out what Medicare and MassHealth/Medicaid actually cover, for how long, and at what out-of-pocket costs when Minuteman Senior Services SHINE—health benefits counseling program comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 21 at 12:30 p.m. They will discuss benefits from the traditional Medicare program as well as supplemental plans, what to ask when considering long term care benefits in those plans, and more. In addition, Priscilla Leach, Lincoln’s veterans services officer, will explain long term care benefits for veterans. Bring your questions and concerns! The program is co-sponsored by the Lincoln COA and Minuteman Senior Services.

Amalgamates a capella concert
April 23 at 2 p.m.
The COA invites all ages to a family-friendly a capella concert by the award-winning Tufts University group The Amalgamates on Sunday, April 23 at 2 p.m. at Bemis Hall. The Amalgamates perform the latest pop hits to oldies rock to spirituals and more in venues from baseball stadiums to street corners to Barcelona, Spain. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lincoln Cultutral Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Lincoln Academy with Christina Thompson—Sea people: the puzzle of Polynesia
April 24 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 24 at 12:30 to hear Christina Thompson discuss “Sea People: The Puzzle of Indonesia.” Christina Thompson, editor of Harvard Review and the author of Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All, shares her quest to understand who first settled the islands of the remote Pacific, where they came from, how they got there, and how we know. The Council on Aging 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.

Fireside chat: how we live our values
April 26 at 10 a.m.
How do we live out our core values? Do we even know exactly what our values are? How do they affect our daily interactions as well as our most consequential decisions? Join others in a lively but respectful discussion facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, April 26 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Our purpose is not to convince others of your opinion, but to share ideas so as to create dialogue and understanding.

Answers about long-term care insurance
April 28 at 12:30 p.m.
Is long term care insurance right for you? What does it cover? What might it cost? How do I go about choosing a plan? What are these new hybrid policies that I’m hearing about? How do I make sure it will really cover what it needs to when I don’t know what kind of care I might require? Find out the answers to these and other questions you might have about long term care insurance when independent agent and long term care insurance educator Tobe Gerard comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 28 at 12:30. Tobe has been involved with long term care insurance for 19 years and served on the long-term care committees of both the National and Massachusetts Associations of Health Underwriters for many years. Please call the COA at (781) 259-8811 to sign up so Tobe knows how many sets of materials to bring.

Lyrica Boston Chamber Music performs Schubert’s Trout Quintet
April 29 at 2 p.m.
The Friends of the Lincoln COA cordially invite those of all ages to a free concert by Lyrica Boston Chamber Music on Saturday, April 29 at Bemis Hall at 2 p.m. On the program will be Schubert’s beautiful and renowned Trout Quintet and other works in a surprising array of styles. A reception with light refreshments will follow the concert. The musicians will include Laura Bossert (violin), Annie Bartlett (viola), Mariel Bossert (piano), Mina Kim (cello) and Donald Palma (bass). The Lyrica Boston Chamber Music series was founded by Lincoln resident Laura Bossert to provide a launching ground for young emerging artists to perform alongside seasoned professionals.

Save the date:

Boston Symphony Orchestra matinee on May 5
Spend a delightful afternoon with the COA on a trip to a matinee performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Friday, May 5. Andris Nelsons will conduct works by Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and Mahler featuring pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and soprano Kristine Opolais. The program includes Shostakovich’s suite from the incidental music to King Lear, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. (Symphony Hall is handicapped accessible.) Participants will meet at the Donelan’s parking lot at 10:45 a.m. You may have a sumptuous buffet lunch at Symphony Hall or opt to arrange for your own lunch. The cost of the trip is $45.50 with lunch on your own, or $75 with the lunch buffet. This trip is funded by the Hurff Fund and is therefore open to Lincoln seniors only. Space is limited. To reserve a space, send your check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Marilyn Buckler, 12 Hiddenwood Path, Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone and email. Your reservation is complete when Marilyn receives your check. Questions? Contact Marilyn Buckler at 781-259-8886 or mbuckler1@comcast.net.

Watercolors class
Jane Cooper will offer fun dabbling in watercolor painting of scenes of nature, landscapes or some favorite sky. Two sessions of four classes will be offered Fridays and Mondays in May from 9-11 a.m. beginning May 1 and 15. Cost is $30 per session. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 now to sign up. All materials are included in the fee. No prior experience necessary.

Voters give the go-ahead to school project and community center planning

(Editor’s note: Additional stories about the March 25 Annual Town Meeting will be published this week.)

Lincoln will move ahead with feasibility studies for both a locally funded school project and a community center as a result of votes at Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting.

Residents voted unanimously to release $750,000 that was put aside in 2015 for a new feasibility study that will lead to another town-wide vote a year from now on a specific project to pursue. The money was originally allocated for a project that specifically would have included state funding; in the wake of repeated denials from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, Saturday’s vote means the money can now be used for a project funded solely by the town.

As a result of the vote, residents passed over another warrant article that asked whether Lincoln should apply once again for MSBA funding. School officials have said that the chances of Lincoln getting invited into the funding pipeline again were extremely slim because the Lincoln School is not structurally unsafe or severely overcrowded.

“There seems to be a growing sense of community readiness to move forward,” School Committee Chair Jennifer Glass said. “This will also provide clarity for other decisions in town” such as the community center.

Glass and Finance Committee Chair Peyton Marshall reviewed information they presented at multi-board meetings on January 30 and March 8 about why a major school project is needed, how much it might cost, and the tax implications of various levels of borrowing to pay for it. Consultants Dore and Whittier said in 2014 that basic repairs and required code upgrades for safety and handicapped accessibility will cost at least $30 million.

“That’s a lot of money, but there really is no ‘do nothing’ option,” Glass said; that level of spending would result in a building that’s “safe, accessible, has better air and light, no leaks and comfortable temperatures” but has no other improvements. Depending on what additional options are chosen such as educational upgrades, cafeterias and site work pr even an entirely new school, the project could cost up to $68 million.

“The point of the feasibility study is to narrow [cost estimates] down to some number that we bring to the town, and the town votes on which one of these project concepts to we develop into a real project” at a vote in spring 2018. After that, detailed plans and costs will be finalized and the project will come up for a bonding vote perhaps as soon as Fall 2018, Glass said.

Asked by a resident whether the town could simply reuse the 2012 feasibility study, Glass said, “I recommend not doing that.” That study resulted in a plan that failed to win a two-thirds bonding majority in 2012 for various reasons, including cost and the layout of the new school building and campus. This time around, residents will have a chance to choose form one of two or three design concepts before the funding is put to a vote.

The silver lining of the 2012 defeat is that “we’ve learned some things since then—how to be even more creative with spaces in the building and a sense of how the campus maintains a feeling that everyone is happy with,” Glass said.

Community center vote

With only a handful of “nay” votes, residents also voted to spend $150,000 for a feasibility study for a community center to house the Council on Aging and the Parks and Recreation Department as well as other town groups. A 2015 report by the Community Center Study Committee and its consultant said that a two-story, 22,000-square-foot facility on the Hartwell side of the school campus would cost about $13 million.

The $150,000 appropriation must also win a simple majority at the March 27 town election to move forward.

The feasibility study would result in a conceptual site plan and an updated cost estimate, but there is no timeline for when construction might start. However, the school and community center building committees and architects would work closely together to coordinate planning for the two projects as much as possible. This collaboration would ensure that a community center “can be added to the campus at the right time and in the right location and configuration,” and its construction would “follow at a time that is fiscally responsible,” Selectman James Craig said.

Asked if the two building committees would join to hire a single architect, “the answer is a big maybe,” Glass said. Such a firm would need to have expertise in both types of projects “and they’d have to be a good fit for our endearing and occasionally idiosyncratic town. “If two different firms are used, town and school officials can make collaboration between those firms “a foundational requirement for getting hired,” she said.

Several residents recommended combining the feasibility studies as well as using a single architectural firm. Staff members at a school and community center provide many of the same teaching and counseling functions, said Doug Swain. “Their educational and quality-of-life goals for people in the town of Lincoln are exactly the same and their building needs are almost identical.”

A completely shared space isn’t possible because of state regulations designed to limit access to school children by non-school staff.

Resident Ken Hurd, an architect, said he supports both projects but was not in favor of developing separate schematic drawings for the school and community center. In talking to other architects and engineers, “most of them think this is a bad idea to have two teams working in parallel in trying to master-plan a [campus] site,” he said.

“We really need to hire one architect with two teams in its firm, as well as a good land architect. This is a site and campus planning exercise as well,” said resident Owen Beenhouwer, also an architect. Any firm that’s qualified to design a school “will have more than ample experience in dealing with a smaller building as well.”

“Nothing is off the table in terms of the firm” to be hired, Craig said. “The goal is to have these [projects] be in concert with each other.”

Moving forward, planning for the community center will include refining the exact needs of the COA and PRD in terms of their programming and space usage, as well as considering future uses for Bemis Hall.

Cost implications

Right now, Lincoln is in a good borrowing position compared to other area towns in terms of property tax rate growth and its debt-to-operating-budget, Marshall said. The town could borrow up to $80 million to pay for school and community center projects without endangering its AAA bond rating, he said.

Assuming a 30-year bond at an interest rate of 5 percent and the current median property value of $972,200, the maximum annual average tax increase during the repayment period would range from $929 (for a $30 million bond) to $2,478 ($80 million). The median taxpayer would see a hike of $275-$310 per year for every $10 million the town borrowed, according to page 11 of his handout. The median property tax bill in fiscal 2018 is $13,613.

Recap of background stories for Town Meeting

In preparation for the March 25 Town Meeting, the Lincoln Squirrel is publishing an updated and expanded expanded recap of news stories and letters to the editor on some of the issues to be voted on. The full warrant list can be found here.

Wang property acquisition (article 11)

News stories:

Letters to the editor:

Accessory apartments (articles 12-14)

News stories:

Letters to the editor:

School project (articles 33 and 34)

News stories:

Letter to the editor:

Community center feasibility study (article 35)

News stories:

Letter to the editor:

Landfill solar initiative (article 36)

News stories:

Letter to the editor:

Agricultural bylaw amendment (article 38)

News story:

Water bottle/plastic bag ban (articles 41 and 42)

News stories:

Letters to the editor:

Letter to the editor: vote yes on community center feasibility study

letter

To the editor:

The warrant for the  Annual Town Meeting on March 25 includes an article to approve $150,000 to fund “a feasibility study and preliminary design development plans for a community center to be located within the Hartwell Complex of the Ballfield Road school campus.” If funding for a school project feasibility study is approved, the board of the Lincoln Council on Aging and the Parks and Recreation Committee recommend approval of the community center article at both Annual Town Meeting and the town election to be held on Monday, March 27. The benefits to all residents of Lincoln in funding feasibility studies for both the school and community center projects are many, and include:

  • Funding feasibility studies for both projects assures that planning will be done jointly, and therefore will take into account the needs of both projects most efficiently.
  • Beginning the process for a community center project now will save the town money in the long run. Multiple committees have determined that both the Council on Aging and Parks and Recreation need significantly improved facilities and construction costs will only increase over time.
  • The community center will provide all residents with attractive space for programs and activities they already enjoy as well as new ones, with enough parking that is a reasonable distance, and that is fully accessible. This includes:
    • Adults and children who participate in Parks and Recreation programs
    • Seniors who attend COA programs and use COA social services
    • Members of community organizations who will hold meetings and programs in the community center
    • Residents of all ages who need confidential health and social services
    • All members of the community who would like to participate in fun and community-building activities like community suppers and townwide fairs, and
    • Anyone who would like a place to gather to socialize with others in a relaxed, welcoming place.
  • A community center in the Ballfield Road area, along with the schools and athletic fields, would enhance Lincoln’s sense of community by providing one place for formal and informal opportunities for residents from many generations and a diversity of interests to come together to get to know one another and feel a part of a vibrant and welcoming town.

The reasons for supporting a community center are as many and as individual as each town resident. What would you like a community center to do for you?

Sincerely,

Lincoln Council on Aging Board
Lincoln Parks and Recreation Committee

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

News acorns

Lincoln Fire Department receives fire education grants

The Lincoln Fire Department recently received two state grants totaling more than $6,500 for fire education for children and seniors. Lincoln’s was one of 228 Massachusetts fire departments to receive Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) program grants to work with classroom teachers to deliver fire and life safety lessons. Of those, 212 departments also received a Senior SAFE program grant to work with older adults on fire and life safety. The town’s grant amounts were $3,951 S.A.F.E. and $2,596, respectively.

The S.A.F.E. Program’s allows trained firefighter-educators to work with teachers to deliver age-appropriate fire and life safety lessons that also meet the requirements of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Health Curriculum Frameworks. In the 21 years of the program’s existence, the average number of children who die in fires each year in Massachusetts has dropped by over 70 percent, according to a release from the office of Gov. Charlies Baker.

Seniors are most at risk of dying in fires in Massachusetts. Using the Senior SAFE program, fire departments partner with local senior service agencies to better educate seniors on fire prevention, general home safety and how to be better prepared to survive a fire.

Middle school stages “The Lion King Jr.”

The Lincoln School production of “The Lion King Jr.” takes place in the school auditorium on March 29, 30 and 31. Seventy student actors and 20 crew members have been rehearsing the show’s drum beats and chant-filled choruses since December. Tickets will be sold at the door ($5 for students and seniors, $10 for adults). Show times are 3:30 p.m. on March 29, and 7 p.m. on March 30 and 31.

Panel looks at journalism and democracy

For a lively conversation on the state of journalism from a local, state, national and international perspective, come to the annual FELS Talk on “Breaking News: Journalism and Democracy in the 21st Century” on Wednesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at the LSRHS auditorium. Panelists will be:

  • Deborah Becker, senior correspondent and host, WBUR
  • Isaac Feldberg, journalism major and correspondent for The Boston Globe
  • David Grace, L-S history faculty member
  • Anne Mostue, Bloomberg News radio anchor
  • Charles Sennott, founder and executive director of The GroundTruth Project
  • Alice Waugh, founder and editor of The Lincoln Squirrel, an online newspaper

Julie Dobrow, senior fellow, media and civic engagement at the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, will moderate the evening. Tickets are $10 at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury.

Passover seder at First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln will celebrate Passover with a family seder service and meal on Wednesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. in the Parish House (14 Bedford Rd.). The seder will have the elements of a traditional family haggadah and a meal of hummus and tabbouleh. It will be very participatory and feature activities for everyone in the family.

Passover celebrates the foundational story of Judaism—the release of Jews from captivity in Egypt described in Exodus. The spiritual themes of Passover remain central to the spiritual themes of Christianity and Unitarian Universalism, and are very much a part of the spiritual life of the First Parish in Lincoln. RSVPs are required. Please contact Mandy Beal, ministerial intern, at mandy@firstparishinlincoln.org or 857-208-3482.

News acorns

Information evening on water bottles, plastic bags

In preparation for upcoming Town Meeting votes on banning some plastic bags and disposable water bottles in Lincoln and Sudbury, residents are invited to see Tapped, a film about bottled water, and learn about BYOBB—Bring Your Own Bags and Bottles—on Tuesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. in the high schools’ Kirshner Auditorium.

Lecture on gardening with native plants 

The Lincoln Garden Club is sponsoring a free lecture on native plants on Tuesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Claudia Thompson, founder and president of the nonprofit Grow Native Massachusetts, will explain the differences between native, naturalized and invasive plants, and explore the food web that links plants to insects, birds, wildlife and humans.

Fundraiser for Lincoln summer camp scholarships for METCO students

Last summer, the METCO Coordinating Committee (MCC) collaborated with the Lincoln Parks & Recreation Department, the Lincoln METCO Director and the Codman Trust to provide nearly full scholarships to 26 Boston-based children, enabling their full participation in the Lincoln Summer Day Camp. This pilot program was made possible through the Lincoln community’s generosity and the MCC would like to offer the opportunity again this year. Click here to learn more about the MCC’s $10,000 goal and how you can donate.

Panel with former L-S students who have fought addiction

Connections at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School presents “Fighting Addiction: Success Stories from Former L-S Students” on Wednesday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the L-S Lecture Hall. The high school has lost some former students to the disease of opioid addiction, and has had a number of students battle and/or continue to battle with addiction. This event features three former students who struggled with addiction while attending L-S but who are now winning their fights. There will be time for questions.

Sleep seminar on March 15

Searching for the elusive good night’s sleep? Join Lincoln resident, nurse practitioner and health educator Catherine Collins on Thursday, March 15 at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room for an evening of tips on  healthy, helpful ways to fall asleep and sleep the whole night through. Sponsored by The Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Volunteers sought for kindergarten reading program

The METCO Coordinating Committee will resume its fun and rewarding Kindergarten Reading Program on Thursday, March 30. The program provides both Boston and Lincoln-based students with additional opportunities to benefit from listening to adults read aloud. Reading aloud encourages language development, strengthens emerging literacy skills, lays a foundation for a life-long love of reading, and strengthens intergenerational relationships. Volunteers are needed to read to pairs of children on Thursday afternoons from 3-4 p.m. in the school library. Contact Pilar Doughty at pilar73@icloud.com or 617-320-9306 to volunteer and/or obtain more information.

News acorns

Absentee ballots available

Absentee ballots for the March 27 town 2017 election are now available in the Town Office Building. Residents can come in and vote over the counter or apply by mail. Under state law, the town cannot allow anyone to deliver a physical ballot to a voter. A family member may apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to another family member. Click here for more information on absentee voting.

Haitian dance performance at L-S

The Jean Appolon Expressions dancers.

On Friday, March 10, there will be a performance by the Haitian dance company jean Appalon Expressions at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. The performance, “Angaje” (which means “engaged” or “committed” in Haitian-Creole) is inspired by the struggle against homophobia and the power of Haitian cultural tradition in the fight for justice. It is a reflection of various forms of social oppression and more particularly the violence against LGBTQ people in Haiti, who are not only victims of discrimination, but also the targets of violence by anti-gay groups.

There will be a reception starting at 6:30 p.m. and the performance will start at 7:30 in Kirshner Auditorium. The performance is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit Partners in Health. The event is hosted by the L-S French Department and the METCO program and sponsored by SERF (Sudbury Education Resource Fund).

Also as part of World Language Week next week, the public is invited to the 14th Annual World Language Declamation Contest in the L-S Auditorium on Thursday, March 9 during block 4. Students including Lincoln residents Zoe Belge, Marissa Cannistraro, Cal Hamandi and Irene Terpstra will recite pieces they have memorized in the languages they are learning. World Language Karaoke will take place on Friday, March 10 in Kirshner Auditorium during blocks 6 and 7 with singing in French, Mandarin, German and Spanish (karaoke lyrics will be supplied). Email World Language Department Coordinator Joan Campbell at joan_campbell@lsrhs.net for more information.

Free after-school classes for kids

The Learning Hub at the Lincoln Public Library is offering free Friday afternoon classes for children ages 7-11 on four Fridays this month from 3:30-4:40 p.m. Topics include:

  • Picasso Cubism Paper Bag Art  (March 10)
  • Catapulting with Marshmallows (March 17)
  • Make a Simple Glider (March 24)
  • Build a Bubble Rocket (March 31)

To sign up for any or all of the classes, contact the library at 781-259-8465 ext. 4 or email jflanders@minlib.net. Classes are provided by The Learning Hub in Worcester.

Elder law clinic on March 13

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 Council on Aging is offering a legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, March 13 from 2-4 p.m. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.