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Council on Aging activities in October

Celebrate nature in a watercolor class with Jane
October 4 at 9 a.m.
Rediscover your joyful soul through art and nature in Jane Cooper’s watercolor class. Enjoy painting scenes of nature, landscapes or some favorite sky. Two classes of four sessions each will be offered on Fridays and Mondays beginning Fridays, Oct. 4 and 21 from 9–11 a.m. The cost is $30 for each class of four sessions, materials included. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Musical jazz lunch
October 4 at 12 p.m.
Celebrate fall by grabbing a table at Bemis while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with good old tunes. Bring old friends. Make new ones. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared at the store to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The band will play on Friday, Oct. 4 starting at noon.

Lincoln Academy with John Getsinge — Evolution of Science, Episode 2: Tom Swift and the Quantum Annihilator
October 7 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Oct. 7 at 12:30 p.m. when John Getsinger discusses “Evolution of Science, Episode 2. Tom Swift and the Quantum Annihilator.” From the publication of quantum math, matrix, and wave in 1928 to the invention of the digital computer, artificial intelligence, atomic fission, quantum annihilation, Tom swiftly foresees electronics technology, intelligent military robots, atomic bombs and… universal nonexistence. What can Tom Swift do to counter the existential threat to all humanity posed by the possibility of the Quantum Annihilator? Tune in for the thrilling sequel. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Learn and play mah jongg
October 7 at 1 p.m.
Have you always wanted to learn mah jongg? Are you a new or former player looking to improve your skills? Are you an experienced player looking for a friendly game? Come to Bemis Hall each Monday from 1–4 p.m. for mah jongg lessons for those who would like to learn as well as a drop-in game for those who know how to play. Mah jongg is an exciting tile game which offers many of the same cognitive benefits as chess and bridge. Bring your own card or we will provide one for $9. For information or to register for lessons or a game, contact Joan Ingersoll at ingersollj@lincolntown.org or 781-259-8811.
[Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in October

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Fall community ed classes announced

Minuteman Community Education has announced its fall 2019 classes, many of which will be held at the recently opened $145 million Minuteman High School on the Lincoln/Lexington town line (758 Marrett Rd. in Lexington).

Classes are held in the evening and are geared mainly to either personal enrichment or professional development. Categories include career and training, around the house, kids, in the kitchen, business, computers and technology, fitness, hobbies and recreation, languages, personal finance, and creative arts. There are also several certificate programs.

“This fall, our programming has over a dozen new cooking classes, which will be held in our brand new, state-of-the-art kitchens, a new women’s self-defense class, and neat collaborations with Middlesex Community College,” said said Minuteman Director of Community Education Allison Cammarata.

Courses are open to students 16 and older unless listed under Kids & Teens (those under 16 may enroll if a parent or guardian enrolls with them). Seniors and veterans are eligible for a 10% discount on all classes. Click here to view the catalog.

L-S Friends of Music to meet

The first Lincoln-Sudbury Friends of Music (LSFOM) meeting of the year will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. in Conference Room A at the high school. Open to all parents and guardians of students involved in the L-S music program. Meet the choral and instrumental directors and learn more about upcoming concerts and events. Your ideas, energy and enthusiasm are encouraged at any level and there are several open volunteer positions. To learn more, visit www.lsfom.org.

Film: “In the Last Days of the City”

Lincoln Library Film Society presents “In the Last Days of the City” on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. Arabic with English subtitles, unrated. The debut feature of filmmaker Tamer El Said tells the fictional story of a filmmaker from downtown Cairo as he struggles to capture the soul of a city on edge while facing loss in his own life.

Medicare open enrollment insurance update

Find out what changes could affect your Medicare coverage and how much you’ll pay in 2020 when Don Milan, Anne Meade, and Diana Chirita, Lincoln’s counselors from the Minuteman Senior Services SHINE health benefits counseling program, come to Bemis Hall on Friday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. Those of all ages and from all towns are welcome. This is the time to understand the changes for 2020, and  open enrollment — October 15 to December 7, 2019 — is your opportunity to make any changes to your Medicare coverage, effective Jan. 1, 2020.

Representatives from major health insurance plans serving Lincoln and surrounding towns will be present and have 2020 information of Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage plans. Also present will be Veterans Service Officer Peter Harvell. 

This program is designed to go over 2020 changes in basic Medicare, Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage insurance plans. On Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m., SHINE will present an in-depth “Medicare 101” to go over the basics of Medicare and the different types of insurance plans available to supplement coverage. For information about SHINE, call 888-222-6171 or click here. For information on the Medicare update event, call the COA at 781-259-8811.

Council on Aging activities in September

Noticing walks with John Calabria
September 3 at 1 p.m.
Location TBA
Enjoy a gently paced walk through nature guided by John Calabria on September 3 from 1–2:30 p.m. at a location posted at lincolnconservation.org. Bring walking sticks or walking poles if you like. Other walks will be held October 1 and November 5. If the weather is bad, call 781-259-9251 after 10 a.m. the morning of the walk for an update. Co-sponsored by the COA and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.

Musical jazz lunch
September 6 at 12 p.m.
Celebrate fall by grabbing a table at Bemis while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with good old tunes. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared at the store to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The band will play on Friday, Sept. 6 starting at noon.

Lincoln Academy with Richard Boynton: Global warming and climate change
September 9 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Sept. 9 at 12:30 p.m. when Richard Boynton discusses “Global Warming and Climate Change.” How can the earth be warming when Boston has had one of the biggest snowfalls in recent history? Besides, who cares if the earth warms by 4 degrees in 100 years. In his lecture, Mr. Boynton, a former rocket scientist, will separate fact from oil company propaganda. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Free wellness clinics for all ages
September 10 at 10 a.m.
Place: Lincoln Woods
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon or Bemis Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 9–11 a.m. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Services provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. The Bemis Hall clinic is supported by the Pierce House. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in September

Council on Aging activities in August

End your week with friends at a musical jazz lunch
August 1 at 12 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the week by grabbing a table at Bemis while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with familiar good old tunes. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared at the store to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The band will play on Thursday, Aug. 1 starting at noon.

You’ve been selected…
August 5 at 1 p.m.
To drop by and visit with a member of the Board of Selectmen. Bring your ideas, feedback, questions, or favorite Lincoln anecdote. Whether you stop by for a minute or an hour, the Selectmen hope to see you from 1–2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5.

Free beginning meditation
August 7 at 10 a.m.
Come to free beginners’ meditation sessions to be held August 7, 14, and 21 at 10 a.m. for a half-hour at Bemis Hall. Please join us if you’re wondering what others find in meditating. Meditation opens the channels of our natural states of peace, joy, health, and aids in decreasing the negative effects of aging. Experienced meditation teacher Lynne LaSpina will begin each session with a few minutes of stretching muscles to relax, and breathing exercise to help focus before meditating for about 10 minutes. Lynne will offer walking meditation for those who find it difficult to sit quietly for 10 minutes. For more information, call Lynne at 908-892-2408 or llas902551@aol.com.

Summer salad lunch and nutrition tips from The Commons
August 7 at 12 p.m.
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the bounty and nutrition of nature. Come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at noon for a delicious lunch of summer salads specially prepared by the chef at The Commons in Lincoln. Taste familiar salads made in innovative ways as well as new salads to try for the first time! Sadie Daniels, a Registered Dietician at the Commons in Lincoln, will discuss summer produce and how to make salads as healthy as possible, as well as answer your general nutrition questions. Please sign up by Wednesday, July 31 by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in August

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Minuteman Library Crawl on Aug. 1

Visit multiple libraries in the area on the 2019 Minuteman Library Crawl on Thursday, August 1 from 1–5 p.m. It’s a 21st-century scavenger hunt; the challenge is to visit as many as you can and take a picture of yourself with a designated item in each library. At the Lincoln Public Library, it’s the Lincoln Library quilt and/or the “Let the Rumpus Begin” bench. If you go to at least five libraries, you’ll get a prize (one per group). Each library will have handouts and giveaways as well as refreshments. All ages are welcome to participate in this self-guided tour that starts and ends wherever you like. Click here for your “passport” detailing the items to photograph n each library along with their addresses.

“Black Robe” screening at library

The next film to be shown by the Lincoln Library Film Society will be Black Robe (1991, rated R) on Thursday, August 1 at 6 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. A young Jesuit priest seeks to convert the Indian tribes in Canada while also trying to survive the harsh winter. Directed by Robert Beresford, starring Lothaire Bluteau, Aden Young, and Sandrine Holt. 

Look for disability letters from the VA

By now, all veterans collecting disability compensation from the Veterans Administration (VA) should have received their “money letters.” This letter, which states the percentage of compensation and the dollar amount of money the VA will pay this year, is the basis for obtaining the Veterans Property Tax Abatement for Lincoln taxes. Exemptions run from $800 to $2,000, with most veterans receiving exemptions falling into the $800 range. Some dependents whose spouses died as a result of injuries or disease contracted in a war zone will receive total property tax exemption. If you have any questions,  please call Carolyn Bottum from the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811. She will take your contact information and have Lincoln’s Veterans Services Officer be in touch with you.

Council on Aging activities in July

Sip and paint a masterpiece by the numbers
July 3 at 10 a.m.
Come “sip and paint” with some nonalcoholic wine while you “paint by the numbers.” The first of four sessions will be on Wednesday, July 3 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The COA will provide the paint-by-number kits. The class is almost full, but call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up or be put on the waiting list.

[Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in July

Council on Aging activities in June

Free wellness clinics for all ages
June 4 at 10 a.m.
Place: Lincoln Woods
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Road in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, June 4 (note new day this month only) from 10 a.m.–noon or Bemis Hall on Tuesday, June 18 from 9–11 a.m. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Services provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. The Bemis Hall clinic is supported by the Pierce House.

Noticing walk with John Calabria
June 4 at 1 p.m.
Place: TBA
Come for a gently paced walk through nature guided by John Calabria on June 4 from 1–2:30 p.m. at a location posted at lincolnconservation.org. Bring walking sticks or walking poles if you like. If the weather is bad, call 781-259-9251 after 10 a.m. the morning of the walk for an update. Co-sponsored by the COA and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.

Improving communication between you and your parents as they get older
June 5 at 7 p.m.
As your parents age it can be hard to navigate the issues that arise. There can be tension between wanting to respect their autonomy in decision-making but also wanting to voice your concerns for their safety and well-being. Additionally, it can be difficult to know how to raise concerns and discuss sensitive planning issues. If you would like to learn some tips and strategies as well as have a chance to discuss your situation and concerns, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, June 5 at 7 p.m. when Claire Gerstein, LICSW, will present information and then lead a discussion. Claire has many years of experience helping caregivers and elders work together to create the best experience for each. Caregiving is a journey and good communication can only make it better.

Musical jazz lunch
June 7 at 12:30 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the week by grabbing a table at Bemis while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with familiar good old tunes. Bring old friends and make new ones. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert. Friday June 7,  at noon for an hour or until everyone has had enough.

Piano performance with Abla Shocair and her grandchildren
June 7 at 3 p.m.
All ages are invited to a piano concert with Abla Shocair and her grandchildren, Nooreddeen and Zaineddeen Kawaf, at Bemis Hall on Friday, June 7 at 3 p.m. Abla will play works by Beethoven, Bartok, Chopin and the boys will play pieces by Mozart. All ages are welcome. This year’s concert is dedicated to the memory of Abla’s beloved companion and husband, Fawaz Kawaf, who passed away this year and who had attended all her concerts since they met. He was a very bright civil engineer and outstanding project manager with exceptional math skills and was always kind and honest in his relationships with everybody. Abla started her piano lessons at the age of four and is a civil/structural engineer. Born in Amman, she has given many concerts in different venues.

What are your rights as a tenant or landlord?
June 10 at 10 a.m.
Whether you are a tenant in rented housing or a landlord renting housing, knowing your rights and responsibilities can help make sure everything goes well. Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, June 10 at 10 a.m. when Tim Depin, program manager in the Office of Attorney General Maura Healey, will explain tenancy based on a lease versus tenancy at will, obligations of both landlord and tenant, what information must be in the rental agreement, payments at the start of the tenancy, security deposit laws, the sanitary code, the eviction process, housing discrimination, and what to do if you have a problem. Bring your questions and concerns.

Free elder law clinic
June 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, June 10, from 3–4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the thirty-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

“Oklahoma!” trip
June 12 at 10:30 a.m.
Place: bus leaves from Mall parking lot 
On Wednesday, June 12, the COA is going to the North Shore Music Theatre for the matinee performance of Rodgers And Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” The legendary score including, “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “The Surry With the Fringe on Top,” “I Cain’t Say No!” and the rousing title tune will put a smile on your face. The air-conditioned air-ride bus will be in the Donelan’s parking lot at 10:15 a.m., departure is 10:30 a.m. The trip will return at approximately 6 p.m. Before the show you will have lunch at the Danvers Yacht Club. You’ll have your choice of three entrees, salad and dessert. There are just 27 Inner Circle tickets, so don’t delay as this show will sell out. The final count must be given by May 12. The trip is rated easy for physical ability and entails only a moderate amount of walking. There are no steps. The price is $59 including lunch, and is non-refundable. To reserve a space, send a check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Virginia O’Brien, 4 Linway Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. Your reservation is complete when your check is received. Questions? Contact Virginia at 781-259-1291 or vobrien39@yahoo.com.

Strawberry & ice cream social
June 13 at 12 p.m.
Celebrate this special time of year at the annual strawberry ice cream social which will be held at Bemis Hall on Thursday, June 13 at noon. The Social is sponsored by the COA and the Friends of the COA. Bring a bag lunch at noon or just come for dessert. Make your own ice cream sundae with luscious ice cream topped with strawberries, chocolate, and more. Then share conversation with friends old and new. Please RSVP to the COA by calling 781-259-8811. Tell them when you call if you’ll need a ride.

Public safety cookout
June 14 at 11 a.m.
Place: Pierce House
Join Public Safety on Friday, June 14 at 11 a.m. for a cookout at the Pierce House. You’ll start off by finding out more about current trends in frauds and scams and how to avoid being a victim, home safety from both police and fire perspectives, and services offered by Public Safety. At noon, Public Safety will be cooking up hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers with all the fixin’s. Because the event will be under the tent, the cookout will go on rain or shine. Please sign up by June 8 by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Fireside chat: what are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the past 5, 10 or 50 years?
June 15 at 10 a.m.
Place: Lincoln Woods
The world is much different from the one many of us grew up in, or is it? What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the past decades, whether social, economic, political, cultural, spiritual, or other? Have they made life better or worse? Or are the basics of life – love of family, the need for community, human nature – still much the same? Come from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 15 in the Community Room at Lincoln Woods, 50 Wells Rd., for a friendly discussion facilitated by Sharon Antia. Remember to park in unmarked spaces.

All in the family: communication with your adult children
June 17 at 1 p.m.
Communicating with your adult children in later life brings unique challenges as it may feel at times like they want to take control of decision making and planning. It can be hard to bring up certain issues that are of concern for you, and also to listen to their worries for you. This will be an opportunity to think about the conflicts that may arise in even the most loving and well-intentioned relationships. Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, June 17 at 1 p.m. when Claire Gerstein, LICSW, gives tips and strategies for keeping the relationship positive and communication open and offers you an opportunity to share stories and ideas.

Taking care of your family treasures
June 19 at 1 p.m.
Join Kathleen Fahey for a presentation on how to care for your family treasures on Wednesday, June 19 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. You will learn how to clean, polish, store, and display your treasured heirlooms including books, furniture, ceramics, paintings, silver, and textiles. Bring your questions and any items you want to learn more about (or a photo of larger items). Kathleen is the Executive Director of the Bedford Historical Society and has over 20 years of experience as a curator at local historical sites.

VA health system benefits overview
June 20 at 10:15 a.m.
Join Lincoln’s Veterans Services Officer Peter Harvell on Thursday, June 20 at 10:15 a.m. for an overview of the VA’s Health Benefits system. Get an overview of the system and how it works and what benefits it offers and find out if you or a family member might be eligible. Whether you are interested for yourself or a family member, come on down.

Improve your urinary health for overall wellness
June 20 at 2 p.m.
Problems with your urinary tract, such as a urinary tract infection or incontinence, can create major problems with your overall wellness and quality of life. You can take steps to prevent problems or manage those that you already have. Come find out more when Trish McGean comes to Bemis Hall on Thursday, June 20 at 2 p.m. She will let you know some of the basics of urinary health as well as updates on how you can make sure your urinary tract is as healthy as it can be.

Celebrate LGBT Pride Month
June 21 at 11 a.m.
June is LGBT Pride Month and you are invited to celebrate! Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, June 21 at 11 a.m. for delicious refreshments and great conversation! Come share your thoughts, ideas, life experiences. All are welcome.

Get your MBTA Senior CharlieCard
June 21 at 1 p.m.
If you are 65 or older and need to get a Senior CharlieCard for the first time, come to the COA’s Senior CharlieCard event on June 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Bemis Hall. You will need to bring your driver’s license or ID or your passport. They will take your photo, have you fill out an application, copy your license, ID, or passport, and you’re done. The MBTA will mail your Senior CharlieCard in 4 to 6 weeks. No need to sign up. If you need to replace your card, call the MBTA at 617-222-3200 as the COA cannot provide this service.

Memory Café
June 27 at 9:30 a.m.
The Commons in Lincoln, Right-at-Home In Home Care and Assistance, and the Lincoln Council on Aging invite those with dementia and their family, friends, and caregivers to the free Lincoln Memory Café on Thursday, June 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the main building of The Commons in Lincoln. This month, the Café presents guitarist and singer Rick Maida. Future Cafés will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month from 9:30–11 a.m. at The Commons. Contact a.m.y Gagne of Right at Home In Home Care and Assistance, 781-275-1400 or amy@rightathomecare.com or the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811 for more information.

Save the date:

Save the Isles of Shoals
Come sail away with the COA on July 25 aboard the Victorian style M/V Thomas Laighton to experience the fascinating legends of the legendary New Hampshire & Maine Seacoast. The Isles of Shoals, located 9 miles off of the coast, are an intriguing archipelago of nine islands steeped with history. You’ll stop for lunch at Warren’s Lobster House in Kittery, Maine. The bus will depart Donelan’s parking lot at 9:45 a.m. and return about 6:30 p.m. The cost of the trip is $59 and is non-refundable. Questions? Contact Donna at 781-257-5050. To reserve a space please make check payable to FLCOA/Trips and mail to: Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Deadline to reserve is July 5.

Tai chi in the park, and sign up for next fall’s tai chi classes

Sign up now for tai chi in the park, which will meet Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. with tai chi form practice at 10:30 a.m. at Pierce Park from July 9 to August 6 at a cost of $5 per day. Bring a water bottle, lawn chair and a hat. In bad weather, we will meet under the tent. We may use the Pierce House restroom. The class is for continuing students only.

 

New students may also sign up for fall beginning classes, to be held for 13 weeks starting September 16:

  • Mondays, 2:15– 3:15 p.m.
  • Wednesdays, 1– 2 p.m.
  • Thursdays, 9:15–10:15

$60 for one class per week, $80 for two classes per week, and $100 for three classes per week. For info, contact Jane Moss at 781-259-9822 or mindbodyjm@comcast.net.

Council on Aging activities in May

Musical jazz lunch
May 3 at 12:30 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the week by grabbing a table at Bemis while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with familiar good old tunes. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert.

Watercolor class with Jane
May 6 and 20 at 9 a.m.
Rediscover your joyful soul through art and nature in Jane Cooper’s watercolor class. Two classes of four sessions each will be offered on Mondays and Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. beginning Mondays, May 6 and 20. The cost is $30 for each class of four sessions, materials included. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Lincoln Academy with Timothy Johnson, MD: The future of medicine
May 6 at 12:30 p.m.
Dr. Johnson will review current problems with American health care and propose possible solutions for each. He will also predict what will happen in the next ten years. Johnson was the chief medical correspondent for ABC News, giving medical information to millions of Americans in a way that was accurate yet accessible. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Noticing walks with John Calabria
May 7 at 1 p.m.
Location: TBD
Enjoy a gently paced walk through nature guided by John Calabria on May 7 from 1–2:30 p.m. at a location posted at lincolnconservation.org. Bring walking sticks or walking poles if you like. Another walk will be held June 4. If the weather is bad, call 781-259-9251 after 10 a.m. the morning of the walk for an update. Co-sponsored by the COA and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in May

Letter to the editor: local initiative aims to help regional crisis

Editor’s note: for more information, see “New program aids Lincoln homeless and those at risk” (Lincoln Squirrel, January 14, 2019).

To the editor:

Last year, Gov. Charlie Baker declared a housing crisis in Massachusetts, and the issue of affordability largely stems from what many people count as positives: rising home prices and a booming economy.

Forgotten, however, are the individuals and families who can’t keep up — and homelessness is growing in Massachusetts. Last year, an estimated 20,068 people were experiencing homelessness, representing a 20.6 percent increase compared to 2010, according to an annual report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The numbers, advocates say, are woefully undercounted.

Lincoln’s Council on Aging (COA), in partnership with The Commons in Lincoln, a senior living community, is undertaking a new initiative to prevent homelessness in this area. Through the Staying at Home in Lincoln project, the council and The Commons in Lincoln will help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless locate temporary emergency housing. The town’s social service staff also will assist the individuals in finding permanent housing and services to ensure they successfully remain in their new homes. The temporary emergency housing would be in places such as area hotels or motels, assisted living facilities, or other supportive housing.

The Commons in Lincoln is invested in the community, and this partnership with the COA is an example of that commitment. We want to help Lincoln and its residents work to stem homelessness, and start a ripple effect throughout the entire area where similar projects will emerge.

In Massachusetts, six out of 10 older adults living alone can’t afford the basic necessities of life such as food, housing in a safe community, and health care. This data hits close to home and is the driving force in what became of the Staying at Home in Lincoln project.

People of all ages are homeless or are at risk of being homeless. Some have lived in Lincoln for decades, while others are new to our area. Some have been highly paid professionals, while others have never had the advantages that have allowed them to earn a living wage. Some are single and alone, while others are the heads of families with small children. But for all those people, homelessness or the risk of homelessness is their main concern.

Sincerely,

Reynaldo LeBlanc
Executive director, The Commons in Lincoln

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.

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Celebration of the life of Lucretia Giese

Lucretia Giese

The family of Lucretia Hoover Giese will host a celebration of Lucretia’s life on Thursday, May 23 at 3 p.m. in the Pierce House (see obituary, October 15, 2018). Among her many accomplishments, Lucretia was professor of art history at the Rhode Island School of Design, an expert on the paintings of Winslow Homer, chair of the Lincoln Historical Commission, and co-founder of the Friend of Modern Architecture/Lincoln. Please RSVP by Monday, April 15 to Henry B. Hoover, Jr. (hbhoover@aol.com).

L-S Jazz Night on Thursday

The L-S Music Department presents Jazz Night on Thursday, April 4 at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School auditorium. The concert will feature students from L-S and Curtis Middle School; L-S groups include the Symphonic and Concert Jazz Ensembles as well as the Jazz Warriors and Select Jazz Combo. The groups led by Thomas Grandprey, Director of Instrumental Music, will perform jazz literature from the Great American Songbook as well as funk, and Latin genres. The concert is open to the public and admission is free.

Appointee to library board sought

The Lincoln School Committee invites and encourages any town resident with an interest in connecting the schools and the library to submit a short statement of interest as the committee’s appointee to the Lincoln Public Library Board of Directors. The School Committee thanks Martin Dermandy for serving in this capacity for the past six years, during which time he started the Local Heroes program and worked to connect the library and the schools, building on what the librarians had already developed.

The statement of interest for this three-year term should be sent to schoolcomm@lincnet.org by Friday, April 5. There will be interviews of all candidates in an open meeting of the School Committee on Thursday, April 11 at 7:15 p.m. in the Hartwell multipurpose room on the Ballfield Road Campus. Please address questions to schoolcomm@lincnet.org or to Jacquelin Apsler, chair of the Library Board of Trustees, at jgu.lincoln@gmail.com.

Wednesday “Crafternoons” at the library

The Lincoln Public Library is starting a new children’s program called Crafternoons every Wednesday at 2 p.m. Participants will get creative with crafts that emphasize reusing and recycling household items. All materials will be supplied by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library. Intended for grades 1 and up. No registration required. Call the Children’s Room for more information at 781-259-8465 x4.

Lincoln seniors can work off $1,500 in property taxes

Lincoln residents 60 and over who own and occupy property on which they pay taxes and are listed on the title may apply now to be part of the town of Lincoln’s Senior Tax Work-Off Program. Through the program, seniors work for a town department for up to 125 hours at $12/hour and receive an abatement of up to $1,500 on their May property tax bill.

Jobs may include administrative, outdoor, computer, programming, or other work and can be completed in any town department or the schools. Seniors may work fewer than 125 hours if they choose. Their schedule is up to them and the department they work for. For more information or to apply, call the Lincoln Council on Aging at 781-259-8811 and ask for COA Director Carolyn Bottum.

Two-part series on French history

The Friends of the Lincoln Public Library and the Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging are offering a two-part presentation on French history on Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. and Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. in the library’s Tarbell Room. Retired teacher John Gardella will give an overview of the French Revolution at the first session and the age of Napoleon at the second. The series will serve as a stepping stone to the library’s trip to the Museum of Fine Arts on Saturday, June 8 for a private tour of Toulouse-Lautrec and the stars of Paris (details TBA) Come to one or both sessions; both are free and open to people of all ages and no registration is required.