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

sports & recreation

Fair celebrates 40 years of three town institutions

40 years fair logoLincoln is gearing up for the “40 Years of Community” Fair packed with activities, art, music and history on Saturday, April 30 to recognize four decades of the Council on Aging, Parks and Recreation and the Lincoln Review.

The fair will feature children’s games and activities including a live animal demonstration, games and activities, storytelling, crafts related to Lincoln’s architectural heritage, a photo booth with a frog cutout, reading by “grandparents,” a scavenger hunt, a trackless train, 18th-century games, a sewing project, carnival games, a sketching demonstration and chance to meet a canine author, an activity table, and seed bomb and pollinator habitat making.

Lincoln’s history will be front and center, with displays on Lincoln history and iconic Lincoln buildings and landscapes. The Lincoln Minute Men will demonstrate aspects of life in Lincoln in the 18th century. Local organizations will provide information and demonstrations on such important topics as energy efficiency, agriculture, heirloom plants, nature and pollination. They’ll also have valuable information about their activities, programs and services.

Lincoln and Lincoln-associated artists will show their best work in the Pierce House, which will also feature historic photos from the Town Archives. The exhibit in Pierce House will also be open on Saturday, April 30 from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 1 from noon to 3 p.m.

What’s a fair without food? The Lincoln Police Department will host a barbecue while the Minute Men will offer baked goods and cider for a small cost. You’re also welcome to bring a picnic basket and blanket and enjoy a meal or a snack on the grass in the park.

While you’re enjoying all the activities, exhibits and art, you’ll be regaled by music by some of Lincoln’s many virtuoso musicians. Bands and performing groups will play outside on a stage while more musicians will play and sing classical and other musical genres inside the Pierce House. The Lincoln Minute Men musicians will also be on hand.

Among the groups participating are the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Drumlin Farm, First Parish, Food Project, Friends of the Lincoln Public Library, Green Energy Committee, Historic New England, LEAP,  Lincoln Council on Aging and Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging, Lincoln Family Association, Lincoln Garden Club, Lincoln Historical Society, Lincoln Minute Men, Lincoln Parks and Recreation, Lincoln Police Department, Lincoln PTO, Lincoln Review, Lincoln School Foundation, Magic Garden, METCO Coordinating Committee, Old Town Hall Exchange, People for Pollinators, and the Town Archives.

For more information about the fair, call Carolyn Bottum at the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811 or Dan Pereira at Parks and Recreation at 781-259-0784. Local businesses interested in donating goods are also welcome to call Carolyn or Dan.

Nature events include vernal pool and bird encounters

natureThe Lincoln Land Conservation Trust announces several events this spring offer educational encounters with local animals and plants.

Peer into a Pool: Vernal Pool Exploration with Matt Burne
Sunday, April 3 at 1 p.m. — meet and park at the far end of the parking lot beyond Donelan’s.

Matt Burne, a herpetologist and conservation director for the Walden Woods Project, will lead a walk to explore vernal pools in Lincoln. Participants will visit some local wetlands for signs of spotted salamanders, wood frogs and fairy shrimp. Learn about the importance of vernal pools and how to protect them. Listen for the wood frogs’ duck-like calls and the high-pitched chorus of tiny spring peepers, a species of tree frog. Please wear footwear for a one- to two-mile walk. Co-sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, the Walden Woods Project and the Lincoln Conservation Commission. Free and open to all.

A Storm of Angels: Creating Habitat for Migratory Songbirds
Tuesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. — Bemis Hall

Join us for a visually stunning and engaging evening with fine art photographer and ecologist Brooks Mathewson. Due to loss of natural habitat, backyards have become a last refuge for many migratory songbirds. In this talk, Brooks will share his photography of migratory songbirds that visit our backyards and will discuss ways we can provide better habitat for these critical members of our ecosystem. Co-sponsored by the Lincoln Garden Club and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. Free and open to all.

Who’s Watching You? Owls of the World
Sunday, April 10 from 4-5:30 p.m. — Bemis Hall

Perhaps you’ve glimpsed the shadowy form of a great horned owl in the headlights as you’ve traveled a back road at night. Ever scanned a frozen salt marsh or farmer’s meadow in winter, hoping to find that Arctic hunter, the Snowy Owl? How about a mob of noisy crows circling a white pine tree—have they found an owl? Join naturalist Marcia Wilson and photographer Mark Wilson in sharing their passion for owls. They will introduce you to the owls of New England and beyond. Each owl presented has a permanent disability which prevents them from surviving on their own in the wild. These non-releasable owls are captivating ambassadors from the world of wildlife. Mark and Marcia will share the field marks, signs, and naturalist’s skills that you can use to find wild owls without disturbing them, while introducing you to six live owls up close.  Everyone is treated to a hooting lesson, as well as tips on how to attract and protect owls near you. All who attend are in for some fun with close-up views of these secretive birds of prey. Suggested donation: $5.

Spring Birding in Lincoln: A Spring Walk Series

Spring mornings are glorious! Find out why birders love early mornings in spring as you learn to identify birds by sight and song, and explore some birding “hot spots” in Lincoln. Dress for the weather (e.g., wet grass and cool early morning temperatures) and please bring binoculars. At least two of the following local birding experts will lead each walk: Vinny Durso, Nancy Hammond, Norman Levey, Gwyn Loud and Nancy Soulette. The walks will not take place if it is raining. All walks take place from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Free; all are welcome.

  • Sunday, April 24 — Lindentree Farm and fields behind St. Anne’s Church. Park on Old Concord Road.
  • Sunday, May 1 — Baker Bridge Fields. Park at the Food Project on Rte. 126.
  • Sunday, May 8 — Harrington and Twin Pond trails. Park in the turnout on Rte. 117 on the Weston town line.
  • Sunday, May 15 — Browning Fields and Pigeon Hill. Park by the riding ring in Browning Field on Weston Rd.

Annual Meeting of the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust
Thursday, May 12 from 7-9 p.m. — Walden Woods Project (44 Baker Farm Road, Lincoln)

We invite you to join members and friends of the Land Trust at its annual meeting at the handsome estate of the Walden Woods Project. Guest speaker Sara Lewis, a professor of biology at Tufts University and longtime Lincoln resident, will discuss her fascinating new book, Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies. For centuries, the ethereal beauty of fireflies as evoked wonder and delight, yet for most of us, these insects remain shrouded in mystery: How do these creatures make light? What are they saying with all their flashing? Are fireflies disappearing? In this talk, noted biologist and firefly expert Sara Lewis dives into the mysterious world of fireflies and reveals the most up-to-date discoveries about these charismatic insects. Copies of Lewis’s book will be available for sale and signing. Refreshments served beginning at 7 p.m.; meeting convenes at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome, though only members may vote.

Invasive Plant Species Walk
Sunday, June 12 at 1 p.m. — deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

Join Anna Wilkins, stewardship coordinator of the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, on a walk on deCordova grounds. We will explore the common misconceptions and long-term impacts of invasive control, as well as how we negotiate the aesthetic beauty invasive plants lend our landscape in relation to the damage that they pose to our local ecosystem. Sturdy shoes recommended.

Council on Aging activities in March

bemisMeet with an aide to Congresswoman Clark
March 2 at 1 p.m.
You are invited to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, March 2 at 1 p.m. to meet with Anthony Moreschi, Constituent Service Representative for Congresswoman Katherine Clark. He will be available to assist residents with Social Security, Medicare, and MassHealth/Medicaid. You are also welcome to discuss other matters with him that he may be able to help with.

Wellness clinic for all ages
March 4 at 10 a.m.
All Lincoln residents are invited to meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods Community Building at 50 Wells Road on Friday, March 4 from 10 a.m. to noon. These clinics are funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in March

Thanksgiving contra dance and maybe more

turkey1Contra dance at First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln will sponsor a Thanksgiving Night Contra Dance on Thursday, Nov. 26 from 7-10 p.m. at the Smith School. The program will feature musicians Larry Unger and Julie Metcalf, and caller Chris Ricciotti. All ages and abilities are welcome. Tickets are $6 for adults and students, or $4 for children 10 and under. For more information, contact Kati Winchell at 781-259-0692 or kwinchell@comcast.net.

Seniors invited to Wednesday dinner

Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School invites the seniors of both Lincoln and Sudbury to a Thanksgiving dinner at the school (390 Lincoln Road in Sudbury) on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at noon. Diners will be entertained by both student musicians and an intergenerational dance troupe. Call the Lincoln Council on Aging at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Who wants to wobble?

Jen Flanagan of Lincoln is asking if Lincolnites are interested in the Thanksgiving morning Gobble Wobble again this year. Participants run or walk either 3.5 miles or 2.5 miles after donating an “entry fee” of one bag of nonperishable groceries. The food goes to Open Table in Concord, which has come to depend on the contributions. Flanagan will organize the event again this year if there is enough interest; email her at jen@flanagans.us.

L-S alumni soccer, anyone?

Another holiday tradition is the L-S soccer alumni game on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Organizers need to know if there is enough interest to reserve a field at the high school. If interested, leave a note on the L-S Soccer Alumni Facebook page or email tim_mangini@wgbh.org.

More Lincoln soccer uniforms going to African kids

Sandy Storer spotted a Lincoln Youth Soccer jersey (front row, third from left) on a recent visit to Uganda on behalf of FundaField. Photo: Sandy Storer.

Sandy Storer spotted a Lincoln Youth Soccer jersey (front row, third from left) on a recent visit to Uganda on behalf of FundaField. Photo: Sandy Storer.

More donated Lincoln Youth Soccer (LYS) uniforms will be appearing on young African athletes as another drive to collect used uniforms is underway.

LYS is collecting clean soccer uniforms and other equipment in a box near the registers at Donelan’s. “The soccer uniforms don’t have to be from Lincoln; uniforms from other towns or club teams are just as valuable to these kids,” said LYS Treasurer Ted Charrette. The group is also collecting extra cleats, balls, ball bags, nets, and other types of soccer equipment, as well as tax-deductible donations that will be used to buy more used uniforms from thrift stores.

This is not the first time that LYS uniforms will be finding their way to Africa. Several years ago, Lincoln resident Sandy Storer donated 24 jerseys collected by fellow Lincolnite Margit Griffith to a town in Uganda. Last summer, she was photographing a FundaField tournament in Kiboga, a remote village in northern Uganda, and was startled to see one of the players dressed in the familiar green shirt. 

In a separate effort about a year ago, Heather Broglio, another Lincoln resident, brought LYS uniforms to children in a hospital in Ethiopia.

FundaField is a nonprofit that works to enrich the lives of less fortunate kids in the developing world through sports, specifically building soccer fields and collecting gear. Storer initially got involved in because her son went to college with the people who started the organization.

Storer has gone to Uganda several times as a chaperon and photographer for FundaField and has also piloted a project to teach soccer players how to use donated digital cameras together with battery-powered printers to document the successes of the organization. In the future she plans to teach Ugandan women how to use the donated camera equipment to document their own lives.

News acorns

firstparish-smSing in the First Parish Church choir

Experience the exhilaration and transformative effects of music by singing in the First Parish Church choir. Researchers have recently discovered that singing in a choir confers all sorts of positive physical and psychological effects, as well as being part of a community of soon-to-be friends. The choir is led by music director and organist Ian Watson, who is also the resident conductor, harpsichordist and organist with the Handel and Haydn Society. Ian also has created a successful concert series, Live in Lincoln Center, that often features First Parish choir members and is held at the First Parish several times a year.

The choir is open to all (you don’t need to become a member of First Parish) and is seeking all parts: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. No audition is required—you just need to have a love of music, be able to carry a tune, want to join a great group of people. Practices are on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. and Sundays from 9-11 a.m. For more information, call the church at 781-259-8118.

Lincoln Cultural Council grant deadline coming up

The postmark deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply forLincoln Cultural Council (LCC) grants that support community-oriented arts, humanities and science projects is October 15. This year the LCC intends to award about $4,400 in grants to multiple recipients. Additional information is included in this press release.

The LCC is a part of, and funded by, the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Forms, local policy guidelines, application procedures, tips for applicants, and a list of frequently asked questions can be found at the Lincoln Cultural Council page on the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s official website. If you have questions, please send an email to the LCC. Completed grant applications and a signed copy of the local policy guidelines should be mailed to:

Lincoln Cultural Council
c/o Lincoln Town Offices
16 Lincoln Road
Lincoln, MA 01773

Get ready for Scarecrow Classic 5K road race

The third annual Lincoln Scarecrow Classic 5K road race will be on Sunday, Oct. 18. The race will start and finish at the Mall at Lincoln Station (145 Lincoln Road). Race day registration and packet pickup will begin at 8 a.m. and the race will begin at 9:30. Proceeds from the event will support the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT), which helps manage over 2,000 acres of land and nearly 80 miles of public trails in town as a regional recreational resource for the greater Boston area.

The first 350 entrants will receive a free long-sleeve tech shirt, and there are prizes for the first three winners in each of seven age groups ranging from age 10 to 70+ (see race results from the past two years). There’s also a post-race celebration including plenty of food from local vendors. Register online for the Scarecrow 5K for $30 in advance or on the morning of the event for $35. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact race director Geoff McGean at 781-259-9250 or McGean.RLF@lincolnconservation.org.

Also available: raffle tickets to benefit the LLCT with prizes donated by local businesses. To buy raffle tickets, ask an LLCT trustee or visit the LLCT offices at 145 Lincoln Rd., Suite 102A (above the Post Office at Lincoln Station). Call 781-259-9251 or email llct@lincolnconservation.org with questions.

News acorns – 6/10/15

acornSoil health workshop on June 18

Levels of organic matter in most U.S. agricultural soils have declined in recent years, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere and making the soil less able to retain water, which are important for crop quality, the global climate and biodiversity. Two local farmers who are experts in soil fertility will speak at a workshop on soil health sponsored by the Lincoln Agricultural Commission on Thursday, June 18 from 7:30-9 p.m. in bemis Hall. Dan Kittredge, organic farmer and founder of Bionutrient Food Association, and Pete Lowy from Pete and Jen’s Backyard Birds will share their innovative approaches for restoring our soils. All are welcome.

Kids’ triathlon coming up

At the 12th annual “Splash Mash Dash” Lincoln Kids Triathlon on Saturday, June 20, kids ages 5-14 are invited to put on a number and swim, bike and run their way around the Lincoln School campus. The event, which benefits the Food Project, starts at Codman Pool at 8:30 a.m. Race distances are as follows:

  • Ages 5-6:  25m swim (1 length); ¼ mile run, no bike
  • Ages 7-8:  25m swim (1 length); 1 mile bike; ½ mile run
  • Ages 9-10: 50m swim (2 lengths); 2 mile bike; ½ mile run
  • Ages 11-12: 75m swim (3 lengths); 2 mile bike; ¾ mile run
  • Ages 13-14: 150m swim (6 lgths); 4 mile bike; 1 mile run

Register on the Lincoln Park and Rec website by clicking “Register Now” and then selecting the Lincoln Kids Triathlon and the appropriate age group. The $30 entry fee  includes a T-shirt, a finisher’s medal and lots of memories. Organizers are also in need of volunteers to help out on the morning of the race. Please email ginger.reiner@gmail.com if you have some time to give. No triathlon expertise required!

Lincoln School accepting donations of old children’s books

Is that pile of books by the door that you meant to donate before the end of the school year still there? The Lincoln School would love to accept your book donations to help enhance the literacy centers and classroom libraries! Please drop off children’s books (all ages and stages) or children’s magazines in the Primary Literacy Center in Room S124 just outside the Smith Gym. Gwen Blumberg, the school’s literacy specialist, will make sure they’re put to good use. Any books that the school can’t use will be donated to the Lincoln Public Library book sale.

Globe gives thumbs-up to deCordova exhibit

The Boston Globe gave a favorable review on May 23 to the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s newest exhibition, Walking Sculpture 1967–2015. Art critic Sebastian Smee called it “a fine show, smartly compiled” and noted that a visitor will “emerge mentally invigorated, and well-prepped for a few laps of the sculpture park outside.” The exhibit explores the history and current practice of walking as art through sculpture, video, photography, performance, and participatory programs.

Library offers one-week Speed Reads for the summer

Let’s say it’s 4:00 on a Friday afternoon in the middle of July and you realize you have nothing to read during your weekend getaway. What to do? Drop in at the Lincoln Public Library! They have a new collection that we call Speed Reads they are all best sellers in demand among patrons. They circulate for one week and can’t be renewed. They are available on a first come, first served basis—no reserves! Samples of  titles that can be found on the shelf: Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen. There are also some nonfiction titles to balance things out.

News acorns – 5/5/15

acornLibrary closes early on Saturday

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

Middlesex County DA to speak on parents, minors and alcohol

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

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

Fundraiser for Lincoln and Sudbury girls’ lacrosse

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

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

Bird-a-thon event on May 15-16

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

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

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

Climate justice activist to appear in Lincoln

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

Organization seeks household items for former shelter residents

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

Lincolnites raise cancer research funds aerobically

runLincoln resident Allison Wiggin Paolisso is running in Monday’s Boston Marathon to raise money for lymphoma research, while Patricia Levy and her sixth-grade son are coordinating Lincoln’s first Pan-Mass Challenge Kids Ride on Sunday, May 3. Lincolnites are also invited to participate in Emerson Hospital Auxiliary’s annual 5K Run/Walk for Cancer on May 30.

[Read more…] about Lincolnites raise cancer research funds aerobically

February activities at the Council on Aging

bemisHere is the list of February activities sponsored by the Council on Aging.

Do less, accomplish more, feel better!
February 3 at 10 a.m.
We’re all overwhelmed with information about what we should be doing that’s good for us. Simplify to be more productive with a six-week group led by Pam Mizrahi. The group will explore how to determine what you can do to do less while accomplishing more to make you happier and healthier physically, mentally, and spiritually. This free group will meet on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. beginning on Feb. 3 at Bemis Hall. You will benefit from this group whether you were in the fall group or not. [Read more…] about February activities at the Council on Aging