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

seniors

News acorns

Drive-in choir worship service

All are welcome to St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m., when the church choir will offer a drive-in Evensong service. Evensong is a service primarily led by the choir, with the priest chanting pieces and the congregation singing hymns. Choir members will sing into microphones in their cars, and the congregation, sitting in their own cars, will tune in to an unused FM radio station and hear the singing in real time.

Kathryn and Bryce Denney of Marlborough figured out the equipment and procedures needed for Driveway Choirs, and they took it on the road for the first time at St. Anne’s in August. For more information, contact Music Director Jay (jay@stanneslincoln.org) or Communications Director Kristina DeFrancisco (kristina@stanneslincoln.org).

Free flu shot clinic for Lincolnites

The Town of Lincoln will offer a free drive-through flu shot clinic on Monday, Nov. 9 from noon–4 p.m. at the Lincoln North office park at 55 Old Bedford Rd. for Lincoln residents and school children ages 3 and up (the high-dose vaccine for seniors will not be offered at this clinic.) To participate:

  1. Review the available time slots and sign up (indicating the number of appointments needed for your car) by clicking here. Slots after 2 p.m. for school-age children and their families.
  2. Bring with you a completed Walgreens Patient Consent form and a health insurance card for each person to be vaccinated.
  3. Arrive at Lincoln North five minutes ahead of your appointment. After getting vaccinated, park your car and get a snack or just hang out for 15 minutes in the waiting area. 

Donate Thanksgiving staples to food pantry

The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry of Lincoln and Weston will be distributing all the trimmings for a turkey dinner, plus a grocery card to buy the turkey this year, to food pantry clients in Lincoln and Weston. Click below for more details and to sign up to participate. Click here to donate nonperishable Thanksgiving food and/or a grocery card.

Council on Aging activities in November

Here are some of the November activities hosted by the Lincoln Council on Aging. Most events are open to Lincoln residents of all ages. For more information and a full list, including regular meetings of groups and online chats with town officials, see the COA’s calendar page or newsletter.

  • Line dancing with Katrina Rotondi — Wednesdays at 11 a.m. On November 4, the class will be held in person in the Pierce House tent. November 11 and 25 classes will take place via Zoom.
  • Blue Cross/Blue Shield webinar — Friday, Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m. for anyone transitioning into Medicare or who is already on Medicare and wants to understand the various types of Medicare plans. Topics include the timeline for enrolling, pros and cons of Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans, and an explanation of Medicare Part D. To register, call Amy at the COA at 781-259-8811 by Nov. 4.
  • SAIL fitness classes with Derry Tanner, retired nurse and certified personal trainer in SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life), on Fridays starting November 6 from 10–10:45 a.m. To register, email Amy Gagne at gagnea@lincolntown.org. 
  • Chair yoga — Mondays starting November 9 from 10–10:45 a.m. To register, email Amy Gagne at gagnea@lincolntown.org. 

Learn media literacy for gender-based violence prevention

Rachel Matos

Join the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 3-4:30 p.m. for a Zoom program on “Unmasking Media.” The conversation will challenge participants to examine the messages they receive about consent, relationships, power dynamics, and violent behavior from movies, TV shows, music, and more. The workshop aims to identify harmful media while providing the skills to take action in practicing media literacy as a key piece of gender-based violence prevention. Facilitated by Rachel Matos, the outreach and prevention manager at Voices Against Violence. Click here to register in advance (required). For more information, please email infodvrt@gmail.com.

“Aging with Wisdom” retreat

Olivia Hoblitzelle

The First Parish in Lincoln will host “Aging With Wisdom,” a half-day online retreat on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m.–noon. led by teacher, therapist and writer Olivia Hoblitzelle. Participants will explore the gifts, challenges, and emotions of aging through teachings, meditation, and small group sharing to discover the opportunities for growth and deepening wisdom in our elder years. Register by Monday, Nov. 9 at by emailing  sarah@fplincoln.org. There is no charge, but donations are welcome to support the costs of this event. Click here for details.

Get a Surprise Bag from the library

For everyone who’s missing out on browsing the shelves, the Lincoln Public Library is now offering “surprise bags.” Discover a new author or genre, or  try a totally different reading/watching experience. Each bag will contain a combination of fiction and nonfiction titles, a DVD, a music CD, and maybe a magazine. Topics include cooking, healthy lifestyles, history, armchair travel, guilty pleasures, and hodgepodge. Call the Reference Desk at 781-259-8465 x3 to a bag for contactless pickup.

Drumlin Farm’s Pomponi promoted

Renata Pomponi

Mass Audubon announced that Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary Director Renata Pomponi has been named Director of Mass Audubon Metro West as part of the organization’s pledge to become a more effective, efficient, and responsive organization. In this role, she will continue to oversee the Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln as well as Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton, Habitat Education Center in Belmont, and Brewster’s Woods Wildlife Sanctuary in Concord (not yet open for visitation).

Pomponi, a Sudbury resident, has become a well-known figure in the area since she was elevated to the Drumlin Farm director position in 2015, after having served for eight years in education and visitor-engagement roles at the popular wildlife sanctuary and working farm. Prior to joining Mass Audubon in 2007, she spent 12 years as a management consultant, specializing in strategic planning and business development in Fortune 500 organizations. She holds a PhD in technology management from MIT.

My Turn: Maintain the diversity that’s already here

By Dilla Tingley

We had an interesting discussion at the Antiracism/Diversity Roundtable on October 15, but I would like to emphasize something I do not think got sufficient attention. Before we spend so much energy on considering new housing options to promote diversity, let’s work to maintain the diversity we already have.

There is a diverse population of residents already in Lincoln who are struggling to be able to afford to stay. The Council on Aging recently initiated the Rental Assistance Program. after applying for and receiving $30,000 from CPA (Community Preservation Act) funds. We are now assisting eight families and have 12 on a three-year waiting list. This program is not limited to seniors.

These families that qualify will only pay 30% of their income, however small, on rent. This is real affordability. As we learned, the affordable units at Oriole Landing. because of a narrow range of income limits based on the “area median income” (which is high) go to individuals who are quite well-to-do. Only 11 of the 15 “affordable” units are spoken for. What does this tell us? This type of housing is not meeting our needs.

Let us add funds to our Rental Assistance Program so that the 12 families on the wait list will be able to stay. Funds should continue to be added as more needy families are identified. They represent a diversity that is already here. The Housing Trust has funds that might appropriately be used for this purpose.

Dilla Tingley is chair of the Lincoln Council on Aging.

”My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Council on Aging activities in October

Here are some of the October activities hosted by the Lincoln Council on Aging. Most events are open to Lincoln residents of all ages. For more information and a full list, including regular meetings of groups and online chats with town officials, see the COA’s calendar page or newsletter.

Medicare update
Friday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m.
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. Now is your opportunity to make changes to the various types of Medicare coverage including hospital, medical, and prescription drug coverage effective January 1, 2021. Don Milan, Lincoln counselor from the Minuteman Senior Services SHINE Program, will review Medicare basics, then present the 2021 Medigap and Medicare Advantage insurance plans available to supplement basic Medicare coverage as well as discuss changes for 2021. To register for this Zoom event, email gagnea@lincolntown.org or call 781-259-8811 ext. 102. Please note that a Medicare 101 session to go over basic Medicare in great detail will also be held in the near future.

Drive-through flu shot clinic
Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m.–noon
Lincoln residents aged 65+ are invited to come to the high-dose flu clinic at the Lincoln North Office Park (55 Old Bedford Rd.). Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up. Forms are available on the COA website or by mail. Bring a photocopy of your insurance card to clinic. Services will be provided free of charge by Emerson Hospital Home Care. This clinic is a joint collaboration between the COA, Fire Department, and the Lincoln public health nurse.

Drive-through shredding event
Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 1–4 p.m.
Bring your items for shredding in your car to the First Parish Church parking lot across from Bemis Hall. We’ll place the items on a cart and Highland Shredding will shred these documents on site free of charge. No need to remove staples. Arrival times are staggered by the first letter of your last name:

  • A–G: arrive between 1 and 2 p.m.
  • H–R: arrive between 2 and 3 p.m.
  • S–Z: arrive between 3 and 4 p.m.

Participants must wear a mask and stay in their car. This event is sponsored by Friends of Lincoln COA.

Outdoor podiatry clinic
Tuesday, Oct. 27 and November 24
All participants must preregister by calling 781-259-8811. Space is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Suggested $10 donation. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging and Pierce House.

Estate planning 101
Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m.
Elder Law Attorney Sasha Golden will share important information and encourage everyone to have important documents up to date. Email gagnea@lincolntown.org to register.

Living well: making every moment count
Friday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m.
Educator Mary Crowe, LICSW, ACHP-SW, C.D.S. from Care Dimensions will share ways to make every moment count. To register, click here. You’ll receive a confirmation email after you register.

News acorns

Fall farm fun for church group

First Parish in Lincoln church members and friends enjoyed socially distanced picnicking, pumpkin-picking, hay ride, and ice cream truck hired by the church at Matlock Farm on September 27. FPL member families, whose children have missed seeing each other on Sunday mornings, were happy to be together again on a beautiful fall day. Several parents commented that without the Flints’ pumpkin patch, they wouldn’t have felt comfortable engaging in the fall tradition of going into a field to get a pumpkin, as the larger farms are often crowded. The farm will be open for family fun every weekend this month (see the Lincoln Squirrel News Acorns on September 21 for details).

Confronting the climate change crisis

“24 Hours of Reality” with former Lincoln residents Ariel Hoover & Bob Moore, an international event organized by the Climate Reality Project, takes place via Zoom on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. via Zoom. For 24 straight hours, activists from around the world will lead digital presentations and discussions highlighting what people can do to confront these challenges. To receive the Zoom link, RSVP to climatereality.leecountychapter@gmail.com and indicate you’re from the Lincoln Public Library. Participation is free and open to all.

Scarecrow Classic 5K on Oct. 18

On Sunday, Oct. 18 from 8 a.m.–noon, the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust is holding the eighth Annual Scarecrow Classic 5K as a limited in-person race. There will be many physical distancing protocols in place, and runners will sign up for a start time, with each time capped at 10 participants. There also won’t be a gathering before or after.

To offer maximum flexibility, the Scarecrow Classic 5K will also include a virtual race option. Participants who sign up will receive their race shirt in the mail and can choose to run anytime, anywhere from October 11–18. They’re are encouraged to share pictures and experiences on social media.

Register by Wednesday, Oct. 7 to get your shirt on race day. There will be no day-of registrations and space is limited, so sign up today. The race directly supports LLCT and helps fund conservation acquisition projects, land stewardship goals, and educational programming. For registration and more details about safety protocols, visit www.scarecrowclassic5k.com.

Domestic Violence Roundtable hosts “What to Do, What to Say”

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable invites area residents to its meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 3 p.m., where staff from REACH Beyond Domestic Violence leading a discussion entitled “What to Do, What to Say.” This hourlong workshop will review warning signs and patterns of abusive relationships, identify available resources, and develop the skills of friends, family, and neighbors to support loved ones in their lives. Registration is required and can be completed by visiting the organization’s website.

Please note that the meeting will be recorded. Those who wish to not be viewed in the recording are encouraged to turn off their video. We will hide those with videos turned off from the recording. Folks are also welcome to change their name for the meeting. We will review how to hide video and change one’s name at the start of the meeting. Anyone with questions may email infodvrt@gmail.com.

Fill out online survey for Connections

Connections, a program to connect high school students and seniors, kicks off during the week of October 17, and the program has launch a website (www.connections01773.org) where all participants can fill out a brief survey about their interests, schedule, and preferred method of communication (phone, Zoom, or paper letter). Click here to go to directly to the survey page. The deadline is Friday, Oct. 16.

Library event celebrates voting rights anniversary

Sheryl Faye as Susan B. Anthony

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote and learn all about Susan B. Anthony’s life in an immersive multimedia show where Sheryl Faye will portray Anthony followed by a Q&A session on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. via Zoom. Free and open to all ages. For a Zoom invitation, email lrothenberg@minlib.net. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Library.

LLCT hosts author Richard Primack

Richard Primack

Join the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust for a talk by Richard Primack, author of Walden Warming: Climate Change Comes to Thoreau’s Woods on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. The evening will begin with a brief business meeting to elect/re-elect trustees.

Primack is a professor of biology at Boston University with a specialization in plant ecology, conservation biology, and climate change biology. He and his team have been using Thoreau’s records from the 1850s to document changing flowering and leafing out times of plants, earlier flight times of butterflies, and changes to migratory bird patterns. As his work gains momentum, he is extending his research to look at changes to the autumn season as well.

All are welcome to this free program; click here to register. If you would like to attend but need help registering, email llct@lincolnconservation.org. 

Lincoln’s Emanuel wins award from WGBH

Gabrielle Emanuel

WBGH reporter and Lincoln resident Gabrielle Emanuel has been named a 2021 Margret and Hans Rey/Curious George Fellowship awardee by WGBH. She’s among a group of five WGBH content creators who were recognized for their outstanding work with the Boston public media producer. The award noted that Emanuel has produced “thoughtful and in-depth journalism, unveiling nuanced stories on subjects such as the opioid trials in federal court and the untold history of the Reverse Freedom Riders.” Made possible through a bequest from author Margret Rey through the Curious George Foundation, this fellowship recognizes GBH creators who work in areas reflecting Rey’s broad interests, including science, public affairs, arts, health and children’s programming. Emanuel has received numerous other awards for her reporting, including national and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, a Sigma Delta Chi Award, and a Clarion Award. 

Buy used books at the library

The Lincoln Public Library is now open by appointment, and visitors are welcome to browse carts of used books for sale in the connector lobby. Books are $2 each; please bring dollar bills as staff will no be able to make change. All revenue from book sales supports programs and special equipment at the library.

Face masks required for everyone on school campus

Face masks are now required by everyone on school property (students, staff, parents, visitors, and construction workers) at the Lincoln School and on school vehicles. Masks must be worn securely over nose and mouth at all times indoors, and outdoors any time you’re within six feet of another person. The policy follows recommendations by the CDC, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters, open-chin, triangle bandanas, and face coverings containing valves, mesh material, or holes of any kind will not be considered appropriate. Masks must have at least two layers of breathable material and must be worn by all individuals in school buildings, on school grounds, and on school transportation.

Masks may be removed during “mask breaks” and while eating and drinking. Appropriate accommodations will be made for those who are unable to wear masks due to medical conditions, disability impact, or other identified health or safety concerns. If students are in violation of this policy, the building principal will consult with the parent/guardians to determine whether an exception is appropriate, or the student may be removed from the school building and transferred to remote learning until such time as they can comply with the requirement or the requirement is lifted. This policy will remain in place until rescinded by the School Committee.

Council on Aging activities in September

Here are some of the September activities hosted by the Lincoln Council on Aging. Most events are open to Lincoln residents of all ages. For more information and a full list, including regular meetings of groups for memoir writing, foreign language conversation, etc., see the COA’s calendar page or newsletter.

Special COA Zoom meetings
  • September 11 at 10 am — Mindfulness 101 with Catherine Collins
  • September 11 at  1 p.m. — Meditation with Lynne La Spina (30 minutes)
  • September 16 at 10 a.m. — Chat with Town Nurse Tricia McGean
  • September 18 at  2 p.m. — Chat with Selectman Jennifer Glass
  • September 25 at 10 a.m. — Artist showcase: Watercolors by Jack Foley
  • September 29 at  2 p.m. — Presentation to help our neighbors/Domestic Violence Services Network with J. Apsler

Please register for Zoom activities via email to GagneA@Lincolntown.org or call 781-275-8811 x102.

New COA in-person exercise classes

These classes will be held this month under the tent in front of the Pierce House.

  • Stretch and Flex — Tuesdays/Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
  • Active Aging — Tuesdays/Thursdays, 1–1:45 p.m.
  • Line Dancing — Wednesdays, 11 a.m.
  • Meditation — Wednesday, 10 a.m.
  • Meditation — Wednesdays, 3 p.m. (location: Lincoln Woods patio)

To participate, register by calling 781-259-8811 x102.

Outdoor podiatry clinic

Dr. Glenn Ruhl will hold a podiatry clinic outside Bemis Hall on September 22 (rain date: September 29). Call 781-259-8811 for details.

My Turn: An appreciation of Carolyn Bottum

By Susan Brooks

To Carolyn Bottum, recently retired director of the Lincoln Council on Aging:

I wish I’d had the opportunity to say goodbye to you in public. Because you were a bulwark to Lincoln citizens, Carolyn, an exemplar of the kind of quiet, behind-the-scenes caring that knits a community together. The most obvious of your contributions to civic life was the expanded array of senior services and activities you made available through the COA, the empowerment of its advisory council, and the creation and cultivation of a professional-caliber and regular online presence for the organization. 

But the magic for me was when fellow public servants lost touch with a senior citizen, we learned to share that information with you, knowing it would be held in utmost confidence, and might add a nuance, perhaps, to your understanding and approach. Thank you for always being there, Carolyn — a level-headed, discreet, and compassionate shepherd for Lincoln seniors (and juniors, too, for that matter). Thank you for your service. It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with you.

Sincerely yours,

Susan Brooks (retired Lincoln town clerk)

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

News acorns

LFA event for new or soon-to-be parents

The Lincoln Family Association invites new and expecting parents to a virtual meetup on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. Please RSVP to carolinemfiore@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link.

How to vote in the upcoming primary

There are three ways to vote in the September 1 primary:

  1. Vote by mail — Request a ballot by returning the postcard you received. That single postcard allows you to vote in both the primary and the general election. The deadline to submit a vote by mail using the prepaid envelope provided is Wednesday, Aug. 26. Voters may also drop completed ballots in the black mailbox at the front entrance of Town Hall. The town must receive ballot by close of polls on September 1. If you misplaced your postcard, you can request a vote-by-mail ballot by filling out this form, printing it and mailing it back to the address on the form
  1.  Early voting in person — Come to Town Hall to vote at any of these times:
    • Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
    • August 24–28 from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27)
  1. Voting at the polls on Election Day — Polls will be open on Tuesday, Sept 1 in the Smith Gym on Ballfield Road from 7 a.m.–8 p.m. 

To register to vote or check your status as a voter, you can go to this Secretary of the Commonwealth web page. Anyone with questions, may call the Town Clerk’s office at 781-259-2607.

Outdoor Mass in Pierce Park

St. Julia Parish will offer outdoor Mass on the lawn (or under the tent in case of rain) on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 8 a.m. No reservations required. Please bring a blanket or chair and masks for attendees age 5 and up, as social distancing protocols apply. Parking is at the rear of the house or on the property on Weston Road.

Farrington Nature Linc hosts events for kids and adults

Farrington Nature Linc, a Lincoln nonprofit dedicated to connecting under-resourced children to the natural world, will host the following end-of-summer events:

End of Summer Virtual Glow Dance Party — Saturday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Get your glow on with a live set from DJ Alison, glow-in-the-dark activities and games, and a special appearance by our goat friends. Click here to register.

Herbal Cocktails Virtual Happy Hour — Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
This online workshop led by Jenny Hauf from Muddy River Herbals will introduce participants to making and growing their own cocktails. You’ll come away knowing how to make a mojito, simple syrup, and blueberry pine shrub. Jenny will also discuss alcohol-free options so you can treat everyone in your life to a beautifully crafted drink. Click here to purchase tickets.

Garden Club opens online shop

The Lincoln Garden Club has opened an online garden shop to help support its mission. Inventory includes house plants and shrubs, metal plant stands, gardening books, and more, all donated by a former Lincoln neighbor. Click here for details. Because the club was unable to have our usual biennial perennial plant sale in May, they will be having one in 2021 (in person if circumstances allow) to celebrate spring.

Free library delivery for the homebound

The Lincoln Public Library offers weekly home delivery on Tuesdays for Lincoln residents who are unable to visit the library due to special needs, illness, or disability, thanks to a program offered by the Friends of the Lincoln Library. A Friends volunteer can deliver up to six items to a home at one time, including books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and two-week new releases. To request materials, use the Minuteman online catalog or call the library (781-259-8465 x204) to request either specific items or general selections (for example, “please send me five mysteries by women authors”).

When the library calls or emails to indicate your items are available, let them know you would like to have them delivered. They will arrange a safe way to deliver your items based on your particular situation. The volunteer will also call on delivery day to make sure someone is home. Items to be returned will be picked up when deliveries are made. Questions? Contact the Reference Department at 781-259-8465 x204 or linref@minlib.net.

New transfer station/commuter lot stickers required

The Town of Lincoln is combining transfer station and commuter lot resident stickers into a single sticker affixed to car windshields. They will become effective on September 1 and are good for one year. To obtain a sticker, complete the application online by clicking here or go to the Department of Public Works on Lewis Street. The free stickers will be mailed upon receipt of the completed application. Any resident who does not have a new sticker by November 1, 2020 may be refused access to the transfer station or commuter lot.

Moderate-income condo for sale

A three-bedroom, 1,420-square-foot moderate-income condo unit in Battle Road Farm is now being offered to “ineligible” households, meaning those that do not meet the income and asset requirements for affordable housing. The purchase price is $321,200 and is being offered in a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that the first qualified applicant with a completed application will be eligible to purchase the unit. Click here for details, and contact Lara Plaskon at the Regional Housing Services Office with any questions or to submit an application:

Lara Plaskon, Regional Housing Services Office
37 Knox Trail
Acton, MA 01720
978-287-1092 or 978-639-3387
info@rhsohousing.org

 

 

Seniors enjoy Dash ‘n Dine lunches

Pitching in for Dash ‘n Dine were (left to right) Carolyn Bottum, former COA director; Tim Higgins, town administrator; Abigail Butt, COA director; and Tricia McGean, Lincoln’s public health nurse.

The Council on Aging held their first Dash ’n Dine event on August 13 at Lincoln Station. Seniors signed up in advance to pick up a box lunch created by Real restaurant and sponsored by Deaconess Abundant Life Services and The Commons in Lincoln.

COA Director Abigail Butt greeted seniors and checked off participants in a specially marked drive-through lane. Over 100 box lunches were given out directly from Real’s restaurant refrigerator because of the extreme heat (over 90 degrees).

Seniors were happy to receive their meals and enjoyed seeing COA staff along with recently retired director Carolyn Bottum Carolyn Bottum, Public Health Nurse Patricia McGean (Town Nurse), and Town Administrator Tim Higgins. Organizers thank everyone who participated and a special thank you to Lincoln Police Officer Peter Roach, who kept everyone safe during traffic detail.

News acorns

L-S Mutual Aid Network webinar on Tuesday

The Lincoln-Sudbury Mutual Aid Network, which helps facilitate community connections between neighbors to provide and receive support, will host a webinar on Tuesday, July 28 from 6–7 p.m. On the call, participants will talk about some of the work that’s been done, get to know each other, and think towards the future. All those with suggestions or interest in getting involved are welcome. Click here to register to get the Zoom link.

Food truck picnic on Friday

The food truck picnic at the Pierce House has been rescheduled for Friday, July 31 from 4–8 p.m. On the menu will be food from Moyzilla (Asian food), the Bacon Truck, and the Shuck Truck (fresh local seafood). Please bring your own blanket. There will be sanitizing stations throughout the grounds, and all staff and guests are required to maintain social distancing and wear masks when not eating. A restroom inside the Pierce House will be available. Entry is free; click here to register. Upon arrival, a Pierce House staff member will check you in — just show your EventBrite invitation and you will be told where to park.

Drive-in movie: “Twister”

“Twister” will be shown in the Lincoln mall parking lot as a drive-in movie with car-side meal delivery from Real on Sunday, Aug. 2. Parking for dinner opens at 7:45 p.m. and the movie starts at 8:45 p.m. The cost is $25 per vehicle plus food. Pre-registration is required (click here), and dinner must be pre-ordered from Real by Thursday, July 30 (click here to order). Registration closes on August 2 at noon, or when capacity (35 cars) is reached. Sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department and the Rural Land Foundation.

Voting information for upcoming primary

In response to recent legislation passed, the state has mailed a vote-by-mail application form to all registered voters. If you did not receive a vote-by-mail postcard application and would like one, please call the Town Clerk’s office at 781 259-2607. You can also call if you have already submitted a vote-by-mail application and would like to confirm they have it on file.

A completed vote-by-mail postcard can either be mailed or dropped in the front entrance mailbox at Town Hall. If you are an independent/unenrolled voter, please select the party ballot you would like to receive for the September 1 primary.

Early voting in person for the September 1 primary will be offered from Saturday, Aug. 22 to Friday, August 28 at Town Hall. Details will be posted on the town website when confirmed. The deadline to register to vote in the primary is August 22. Applications to vote by mail must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

COA now loaning medical equipment

The Lincoln Council on Aging has restarted its medical equipment loan program. The COA is are accepting returned equipment and loaning sanitized equipment by appointment only, Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811.

Items currently available to for loan include but are not limited to automated pill dispensers, canes, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, shower benches, seats, and stools, bed rails, grabbers, grab bars, leg braces, shoe horns, rollators, CAPTCHA telephones, commodes, commode liners, hearing aid cleaners, and portable voice amplifiers.

Bottum retires as Council on Aging director

After a decade as director of Lincoln’s Council on Aging, Carolyn Bottum is retiring next week and will be succeeded by former assistant director Abigail Butt.

“I decided this would be a good time to retire about a year ago,” Bottom said. “I knew that Abby would be fantastic [as director], and we anticipate it will be a seamless transition.”

Butt, who was hired almost three years ago, has been instrumental in expanding the town’s human services network, including establishing the social worker position and mental health clinics, outreach campaigns such as the holiday gift bags, helping start the Rental Assistance Program and other housing initiatives. Bottum also credited her with computerizing the COA and creating a single intake form for residents of all ages who need services.

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, “we were able to immediately generate lists of at-risk residents and reach out to offer assistance via telehealth and housing assistance when needed. Without Abby, we would have had none of these,” Bottum said.

Amy Gagne

Taking Butt’s place will be newly hired assistant director Amy Gagne. She is already well known to the COA, having worked with Bottum, Butt, and public health nurse Tricia McGean to create the New Connections Cafe at The Commons for memory-impaired residents. From 2007 to 2019, Gagne was the community relations manager/care coordinator at Right At Home of Bedford. Since 2019, she was community outreach director for RiverCourt Residences Senior Living Community in Groton.

“I’ve been helping to serve the most vulnerable population for over 12 years, and it’s been an honor to be trusted by these local families. Programming is something I enjoy and look forward to brainstorming with the team to bring some new events to the community,” Gagne said. “Lincoln has such wonderful programming, and I’ll work hard to continue that and have my door open for any new ideas they may be interested in for the future.”

Bottum cited the significant growth of Lincoln’s human services system and working with residents on the community center project. “Having adequate, accessible, and attractive space is so essential to achieving the COA’s mission,” she said. “And Mary Ann Thompson’s design, if that’s what the town chooses, would be a beautiful, ecologically sustainable, and very functional home for the COA, Parks and Rec, and the other organizations that will use the building.”

The staff, volunteers and residents who use the COA’s programs and services will be very much missed, Bottum said. “Even before I started, I was told that Karen Santucci, who was director before me, had always said that being the COA director was the best job in town, and I have to agree wholeheartedly. The COA is where so many people with such a rich array of life experiences gather to share the best of themselves and expand their horizons together. I’ve always found Lincoln residents of all ages to be kind, thoughtful, and truly wanting to make a meaningful difference. Every day I would come to work knowing that, sometime during the day, people would come into my office and tell me a story about some fascinating life experience, or share a great idea, or just let me into some aspect of their lives.”