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

New restaurant hopes to open by Christmas

By year’s end, Lincolnites should have a new restaurant in town serving “elevated comfort food” using local produce.

The Select Board this week transferred the liquor license from the former owners of Real to Boston resident Michael Culpo, who bought the lease from Lindsay Parker. The Tack Room will feature a “rustic” decor and a full lunch/brunch and dinner service with reasonably priced food for everyone, “whether it’s a family coming in or someone who just wants to grab a quick bite off the commuter rail,” he told the Lincoln Squirrel late last week.

Culpo plans to serve local craft beers on tap, add more TVs and offer a kids’ menu — “we want it to be inviting for everyone,” he said. He also plans to offer catering options and delivery using online services such as Uber Eats.

The liquor license transfer still has to be approved by the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, which can take two months. He also needs to hire staff — something that can be challenging in the current employment market — and “I will be there every single day, working 60 to 70 hours a week, being the face of the restaurant and meeting people,” he told the Select Board.

Culpo, a Pittsfield native, is part-owner of the Black Oak Kitchen & Drinks in Coventry, R.I., and tends bar at one of its sister restaurants, Lulu’s in Allston. “I’ve been looking at different spots for a restaurant for a while, but the moment I saw this in Lincoln, I knew it was the right one,” he said.

Lincoln Democrats reflect on state convention

By the Lincoln delegates and alternates to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention

It’s tough arranging an event with 1,000 people, bills to consider, amendments to write, votes to tally, and numerous speakers to be heard, but it happened. Last Saturday, Massachusetts Democrats held their annual convention — all on Zoom.

While it lacked the customary fervor and excitement generated by many kindred spirits gathered under one roof, it proceeded with near perfect technical implementation, and provided delegates an opportunity to see and hear crisp, often lively, compelling presentations.

Featured keynote speaker highlights:

  • Elizabeth Warren, praising the “resisters and persisters” gearing up for the “fierce fight ahead in Washington,” asserted that the door is open just a crack to make a more just nation that works for everyone. We must all join in the fight.
  • Ed Markey said the Green New Deal is an intergenerational contract to save the planet and we must be “big and bold,” pursuing not just what is politically possible, but that which is scientifically necessary. We have the choice now: it’s either filibuster or Democracy.
  • Attorney General Maura Healey asserted, “This is our moment to bring fundamental change” and noted that the Attorney General’s office is taking on the NRA, the state of Texas on abortion rights, and a variety of issues within Massachusetts around voting rights, systemic racism, and misogyny.
  • Secretary of State William Galvin emphasized that the voting rights temporarily expanded in the 2020 election must be made permanent.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Thompkins, a member of the Platform Committee, revealed a deft style and wit chairing the presentation of the Massachusetts Democratic Platform for 2021. Young Democrats, many representing communities of color, immigrants, and other disenfranchised groups, presented each of the 15 platform planks.

Unable to enjoy the usual convention chatter and exchange of ideas and viewpoints, Lincoln delegates to the convention have pooled our “takeaway” observations. Here are some of them:

  • The next generation of office holders and candidates — their origins, self-direction, and passion — are cause for optimism.
  • Climate change is widely regarded as the top issue, but there is lots of energy around voter rights, income inequality, women’s rights, racial disparities, and immigrants’ issues. And they are all interlinked in the Green New Deal.
  • Companies such as Uber, Lyft, and Doordash want to work in Massachusetts without obeying the fair labor laws and are putting lots of money ($100 million so far) money into lobbying for changes.
  • The filibuster must go now.
  • We loved the inclusiveness of the Democratic Party, hearing voices of all of us. 
  • Three engaging, thoughtful candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor — Professor Danielle Allen, former State Senator Ben Downing, and State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz — will nevertheless have a tough fight against potential candidate Maura Healey, should she decide to run.
  • The broad progressive platform reflects the diverse constituencies currently folding into the party but might benefit from a more focused, less “boil the ocean” approach.
  • Hurray for Elizabeth Warren’s energy, optimism, and tough willingness to meet any challenge head on. May we all reflect that in the upcoming months.

Submitted by Lincoln delegates and alternates to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention: Tom Casey, Andrew Glass, Joan Kimball, Travis Roland, Jackey Sasso, Barbara Slayter, Alex Chatfield, Lorraine Fiore, Steve Kropper, and Trish O’Hagan.

“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.

Saturday gathering for Peggy Marsh, 1920-2021

A public memorial gathering to honor the life of Margaret “Peggy” Breed Marsh will take place on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. in the Lincoln Cemetery. There will be coffee, donuts, and Lincoln talk.

Marsh died in February at the age of 100. Her sons Alec and Alan provided this obituary tribute for the Lincoln Squirrel:

“Our mother Peggy was born in Boston and came of age in Cambridge, Mass. Her father, Stephen Alec Breed, was a mathematics instructor at MIT and her mother, Laura Post was from Boston. They had a large house on Brattle Street that became a boarding house for graduate student during the Depression.

“Peggy attended Brimmer May and Buckingham schools, then matriculated at Smith College like her mother. She graduated in June 1942 and immediately joined the Women’s Army Air Force, serving through the World War as a second Lieutenant. After her discharge she undertook doctoral studies in English at Radcliffe, earning a Ph.D. She met our father, Paul E. Marsh, as he was finishing his studies at Harvard and they were married in 1949. The Marshes moved to Lincoln in 1954 and lived there till near the end of their lives.

“Both Peggy and Paul taught school. Peggy was a professor and briefly Dean of Students at Wellesley College in the 1960s. She later worked at Polaroid. Both took a lively interest in town affairs, serving on innumerable committees: fence viewer, the School Committee, Planning Board, Water Commission, etc. Both were also involved in any number of projects that have made Lincoln what it is: Codman Community Farms, The Lincoln Review, and the town historic district, to name some. They even turned the red barn on Winter Street into a nursery school for a time. On foggy dawns on April 19th, Peggy would don a British uniform, saddle a horse, and ritually ‘capture’ Paul Revere at Minuteman National Historical Park.”

Flints and Hannan spread Lincoln’s farming bounty at dinner

Two farming concerns in Lincoln — one centuries old and one very new — recently collaborated on a farm-to-table event to raise awareness of local agriculture and the Flint Homestead Project.

About 65 guests were treated to food made from Hannan Agro Farms produce prepared by Lincolnite Brianno Doo and helpers (both Doo and Mohammed Hannan donated their time and effort). Codman Community Farms also helped by loaning a grill and chairs.

Tom Flint and Mohammed Hannan (left) address the guests at the Flint homestead dinner. (Photo by Ose Schwab)

Sponsors arrived early for private tastings, a half-hour tour of the Flint fields, and gift bags hand-sewn by Tom’s wife. After dinner, everyone enjoyed music and learned about Hannan’s journey from Bangladesh to Lincoln in a short film produced by Tom Flint, a filmmaker and the latest in a line of Flint owners dating back to the 1600s.

“The event went swimmingly, and it was a real tribute to Lincoln’s agricultural heritage,” Flint said.

Guests also learned about the Flint Homestead Project, which aims to preserve the 1709 Flint farmhouse and barn dating from the 1750s on the north side of Lexington Road (Matlock Farm, also owned by the Flint family, is on the south side of the road). On the day of  the dinner, organizers turned the barn into a pop-up museum displaying historic artifacts from the family and items borrowed from the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.

The Flint family did some repair work on the buildings that was deemed critical by a 2014 conditions assessment, though the trust fund devoted to maintaining the property is almost exhausted and much more work remains. They’re also exploring other options including donating the homestead to a nonprofit or turning it into a museum, but the maintenance costs have been an obstacle, Flint said.

The family has connected with a preservation consultant to help Tom and his sisters Sarah and Susanna (all three inherited the homestead in 2013) to help formulate financial and repair strategies. She previously arranged a charrette with about a dozen people specializing in history preservation, fundraising, archeology and museum curation. The Flints had hoped to have an open house two years ago but weren’t able to, so “Saturday was the first opportunity to showcase the project and speak to a larger group of people,” Flint said.

Police log for Sept. 8–19, 2021

September 8

Scott Circle, Hanscom AFB (4:04 p.m.) — Caller reported a fake Instagram account was set up in her name. An officer spoke to the party, who reported the account was deleted.

North Commons (6:41 p.m.) — Caller reported their neighbor was stomping around the apartment making noises. They do not want a police response, just a log entry. Similar reports at 9:47 p.m., September 9 at 5:55 a.m., and September 12 at 8:42 a.m. and 9:08 p.m.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (10:28 p.m.) — State Police called reporting a crash with injuries on Route 2. Police units assisted the State Police; Fire Department transported one party to Emerson Hospital.

September 9

Boyce Farm Road (2:21 p.m. and 5:29 p.m.) — Officer attempted to make contact with the resident to serve court paperwork.

Concord Road (2:59 p.m.) — Caller reported several pigs walking in the roadway near Old Concord Road. Officer checked the area; none found. (Editor’s note: Farmer Pete Lowy of Codman Community Farms included this report in his weekly email to CCF members).

Assistant Farmer Spencer Coady Bronk (left) and Pete Lowy herding the escaped pigs.

Last week we had a bit of excitement when a customer came flying into the parking lot in her car to let us know that the pigs were out and running down the bike path on Route 126. Sometimes when we shift the pig fencing to new areas without getting pre-authorization from the pigs, we find ourselves in a bit of trouble. The pigs can be very routine in their ways, and can become used to a certain area of a field… and when we shift the fencing, they don’t quite realize it. Often by accident, they run right through a new fence line we have created because they were either daydreaming or viewing their Instagram feed while walking and thus didn’t see the new fence.

A fugitive pig enjoys one of Lincoln’s trails.

When the pigs went on their walkabout last week, Spencer [Spencer Coady Bronk, Assistant Farmer] had just shifted the fence an hour or so before. When they “escape” and find themselves newly liberated they just go wandering. So, the farmers need to then find them and help coax them back to home base. So after I got word that the pigs were out, I called Jared and Spencer and then raced to the scene to find four pigs enjoying a lovely stroll down the bike path on Route 126 right near Old Concord Road. With wetlands on one side of the path and cars driving down 126 on the other side, it was easy to get them to turn to make an about-face. But then they made a louie and turned left onto the hiking path adjacent to the wetlands. This is when I pulled out my phone and snapped a few photos of the chase down the walking paths. It was equally frustrating and amusing. The reality that the pigs could have explored the 80 miles of paths in Lincoln was ever-present in my mind as I was trying to coax them back to their home field.

Luckily, pigs do not excel at running for long periods of time. When being chased they quickly start panting and get tired and are ready for a snack and nap! So with some running to and fro for a while, we were able to get them where they needed to go. Holding long fiberglass rods to extend our waving arms helped a great deal to coax them along. Thanks to all who called the farm to let us know they were on the loose! Hopefully, it’s the first and last escape of the season.

September 10

Tower Road (9:00 a.m.) — A family member called looking for assistance in locating a missing resident who was out of the country. An officer assisted the family member with notifications to appropriate Department of State contacts.

Codman House (3:44 p.m.) — Caller reported someone in a red pickup truck dumped debris on the property. Officers made contact with the resident who was responsible, who returned and picked up the items.

September 11

Tower Road (3:34 p.m.) — Caller asked an officer to check the area as they believed an ex-boyfriend was in the area. Officers checked the area but the party was not seen.

September 12

Lexington Road (12:45 p.m.) — Caller was concerned that she couldn’t get in touch with her teenager who was at a car show on the Waltham town line. Officers checked the area and passed the information to Waltham police. Waltham police located the teen, who called home.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (4:30 p.m.) — Caller reported that a party was dropped off on the side of Route 2 by a family member who was having a medical event inside the car and continued driving. State Police were notified. An officer met the caller on Route 2 and transported him back to the station to be picked up by a family member. State Police located the driver on Route 95 South and assisted them.

Tower Road (9:22 p.m.) — An Eversource employee working at the pump house reported a male party came walking out of the area of the pump house and seemed out of place. Officer checked the area but were unable to locate. Water Department notified.

Concord Road (9:39 p.m.) — A family member called to check on a resident who they hadn’t been able to contact. The resident was fine and said they would make contact with the caller.

September 13

Sandy Pond Road (1:02 p.m.) — Caller reported that landscaping truck was taking up a lane of travel. Officer responded; the company was done working and was leaving.

Mary’s Way (9:04 p.m.) — A family member was unable to make contact with a resident and requested a well-being check. Officers went to the residence but the party and their vehicle were not there. The officer followed up with the caller and checked the residence again at 12:40 a.m. but the resident was still not home.

September 14

Nothing of note.

September 15

Weston Road (7:48 a.m.) — Caller was looking to speak with Animal Control about a skunk on the property. Animal Control officer notified to handle.

Mackintosh Lane (8:19 a.m.) — Caller reported that a vehicle had been parked on the road daily for the past week and they were concerned about emergency vehicles getting by. Police checked but the vehicle was no longer there.

Tower Road (9:21 a.m.) — Caller wanted to speak to an officer about a possible scam involving gift cards. Officer spoke to the party and took a report.

Mary’s Way (9:58 a.m.) — Management company asked an officer to do a walk-through of an apartment because the resident hadn’t been seen for a few days. Officer walked through the apartment but no one was home.

Mary’s Way (12:36 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported being involved in a crash with a trash truck on Mary’s Way. Officer followed up with the truck driver and took a report.

Indian Camp Lane (8:38 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station said their car broke down and was towed to Doherty’s garage, and they requested a ride to their residence. An officer brought them to their residence.

September 16

Tower Road (9:25 p.m.) — Caller requested information regarding a civil matter. An officer spoke to the party and advised them of the civil process.

Old Winter Street (10:32 p.m.) — Sudbury police called looking for Lincoln police to check a residence for a missing party. Officers spoke to the homeowner but the missing party was not there.

September 17

Ballfield Road (3:22 p.m.) — A Lincoln School staff member called to report a child was missing from a school program. An officer went to the residence and the child was safely home; there had been a miscommunication.

Langley Road, Hanscom AFB (4:01 p.m.) — Hanscom Office of Special Investigations was looking for assistance on an investigation. Assistance provided.

Tower Road (4:48 p.m.) — Officers spoke to the resident regarding an ongoing civil matter.

Heritage Road, Hanscom AFB (11:22 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with an assault and battery that occurred on the base. Officers responded to assist; Hanscom Security Forces will be handling the investigation.

September 18

Tower Road (1:47 a.m.) — Caller reported that he lost some items sometime in the beginning of August. He believes someone on the property is responsible.

Drumlin Farm (7:44 p.m.) — Caller reported hearing loud bangs in the area. Officers checked; it was coming from Bedford’s fireworks display.

Lincoln Road (9:53 p.m.) — Caller wanted to speak to an officer regarding an encounter she had with a former resident. An officer spoke with the party and took a report

September 19

South Great Road (7:55 a.m.) — Caller reported a turtle in the roadway. Officer located it and moved it to the side of the road.

Wells Road (10:45 a.m.) — Caller reported being locked out of their apartment. The Fire Department responded to assist.

Lexington Road (4:28 p.m.) — Caller reported a party walking along Route 2 near Lexington Road north. State Police were contacted and officers checked the area but were unable to locate the party.

Wells Road (10:40 p.m.) — Two callers reported hearing a loud bang from inside the building. Officers and Fire Department responded; the source was a boiler. Management was contacted to handle.

Possible new restaurant, 5G antennas to be discussed

The liquor license for a possible new restaurant, small cell antennas, and South Lincoln planning are the topics of public hearings and meetings next week.

The Select Board will hold a hearing at 7 p.m. during its meeting on Monday, Sept. 27 on the application to transfer the liquor license from Lincoln Station Partners, Inc., which leases the property formerly occupied by the Real restaurant, to the Tack Room, Inc.

“Lindsey and Rob Parker (Lincoln Station Partners) are in the process of trying to sell the restaurant lease to another owner/operator,” said Geoff McGean, executive director of the Rural Land Foundation (RLF), which owns the Lincoln Station property. Lindsey Parker co-owned Real with Tom Fosnot and Ruth-Anne Adams of Sudbury, but the restaurant closed in November 2020 after less than two years.

After the closure, Fosnot and Adams (who now cook and deliver meals as Food for Home) told former customers in a group email that Parker had sued them. Parker listed the business for sale earlier this year. Last spring, it was announced that Tim and Bronwyn Wiechmann would open Turenne in that location, but the deal didn’t go through.

“Due to confidentiality requirements, I am not at liberty to provide any further information at this time, but it is exciting news for the town of Lincoln,” Parker said in an email on Wednesday evening. According to state records, Tack Room, Inc. is owned by Michael Culpo of South Boston, but further contact information was unavailable.

Verizon proposal

Following the liquor license hearing, Verizon will present a proposal at a 7:30 p.m. to install four small cell antennas in Lincoln: two on Trapelo Road near the intersections with Silver Hill Road and with Stratford Way, one near 66 Weston Rd., and one on Sandy Pond Road near the Five Corners intersection.

“Those are areas we get regular complaints about” regarding spotty cell coverage, Town Administrator Tim Higgins said. The town has retained a consultant to assist in the review of the technical aspects, he added.

Small cell antennas are mounted on utility poles or other existing structures as part of 5G cell phone networks.

South Lincoln

On Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m., the Planning Board and its South Lincoln Planning Advisory Committee will hold a public forum on the results of the survey on the future of South Lincoln. The results, which were released in August, indicated that respondents want to retain viable businesses in the area but don’t want to see more parking or damage the town’s rural character. About 24% of respondents wanted no additional housing in the village center, while 27% preferred 50-100 units and 26% weren’t sure. Click here for detailed survey results and associated documentation.

As part of the information-gathering process, the town has hired the environmental engineering firm Wright-Pierce to assess the condition and future capacity of the septic system that serves Lincoln Woods and the Lincoln Station commercial area. Community Builders (TCB) owns both the septic system and the apartment complex, but the RLF has said that the mall can’t be redeveloped without an upgrade to the septic system.

Wright-Pierce began its work in July and is expected to issue an initial report early next month.

News acorns

Codman harvest fair and feast are back

After a year off, Codman Community Farms’ Annual Harvest Fair returns on Saturday, Oct. 3 from noon–4 p.m. with games for kids and adults including the Barrel Train, the Rooster Run, face painting, pumpkin decorating, a pie-eating contest, and more. Codman-grown burgers, hot dogs and sausages as well as snacks and treats will be available. Click here to pre-purchase bracelets for kids ages 3 and up for lawn and family games and rides, the Rooster Run, and a ticket for donut-on-a-string.

The Annual Harvest Feast will be held under a big tent on Saturday, Oct. 23 with music by local bluegrass band The Splinters. Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 1. 

Scarecrow Classic 5K steps off October 17

The Scarecrow Classic 5K, an annual event that benefits the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, will hold an in-person run and a virtual option. The in-person race is Sunday, Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m. Anyone wishing to run the race virtually can run a 5K anywhere and any time in the week leading up to race day. Register by Friday, Oct. 4 to have your Scarecrow Classic shirt waiting for you on race day. New this year, the LLCT will offer packet pickup for those who preregistered on October 16 from 2–4 p.m. at Lincoln Station. Registration closes on October 15 at midnight, and there will be limited same-day registration starting at 8 a.m. on race day. Learn more at scarecrowclassic5k.com and click here to register.

Apply for a Lincoln Cultural Council grant

The Lincoln Cultural Council has $5,100 from the state to allocate in grants. Local priorities are:

  • Providing work for performing artists severely impacted by the pandemic
  • Serving families and/or seniors (intergenerational programs are of particular interest
  • Performances/programs in various art forms
  • A focus on local history, environmental issues, and the natural world
  • Collaborations between multiple artists and/or town organizations
  • Events that have secured a local venue, have a backup plan for in-person events, and/or show an ability to successfully present a virtual experience if necessary.

Click here to apply for a grant by Friday, Oct. 15.  Questions? Click here or contact LCC Chair Meg Ramsey at meg.ramsey@verizon.net.

Event features author of book on cold-weather exploration

Every journey begins with a single step, or in Anders Morley’s case, the shush of cross-country skis. Morley will discuss his book, This Land of Snow: A Journey Across the North in Winter, on Monday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The book offers insightful glimpses into life at the edge of the great northern wilderness, the history of cold-weather exploration and Nordic skiing, the right-to-roam movement, winter ecology, and more. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library  For Zoom invitation please, email lrothenberg@minlib.net.

Video on Lincoln’s famous twisted tree

You’ve probably heard about the ongoing project to safeguard and hopefully extend the life of Lincoln’s famous twisted tree (the catalpa in front of the Lincoln Public Library). Jonathan Bransfield, the arborist hired by the Friends of the Lincoln Library and the Lincoln Garden Club, commissioned this video of the project with great drone shots and explanations of what the arborists did. Learn more in these Lincoln Squirrel stories:

Water Dept. superintendent wins recognition

Water Department Superintendent Darin LaFalam has been voted state director of the New England Water Works Association. “Having him in such a high position in this important organization will allow Lincoln to influence the direction of the NEWWA programs and stay current on state of the art activities in the management of public water systems, Water Commissioner Ruth-Ann Hendrickson said. LaFalam, who was hired in Lincoln last spring after many years as Worcester’s Filtration Plant Manager, is a past recipient of the NEWWA Operator Meritorious Service Award and the MWWA Pride Award.

Property sales in August 2021

81 Lincoln Rd. — Jan E. Nyquist Trust to Michael and Leah Bloom for $3,110,000 (August 27)

148 Sandy Pond Rd. — Marilyn Kasputys to Kenneth Lepage and Marianna Parker for $3,150,000 (August 26)

0 and 100 Lincoln Rd. (two parcels) — Laura Sander to John Riley and Evelyne DeLori for a total of $1,455,000 (August 19)

10 Beaver Pond Rd. — Philip Greenspun for Anne Buxton Sobol Trust for $1,750,000 (August 16)

51 Page Rd. — Charles Staples Trust to Charles O. Staples Trust for $747,500 (August 12)

64 Trapelo Rd. — Philip DeNormandie Trust to Mark and Machiko Hewitt for $975,000 (August 10)

124 Chestnut Circle — Luiz de Oliveira to Norra S. Kinne Trust and Aaron W. Kinne Trust for $700,000 (August 4)

100 Concord Rd. — Gregory Gale to Risa Lavelle for $863,000 (August 2)

Three adjoining parcels sold on August 2:

  • 131 Weston Rd. — Berryfield LLC to Berryfield Farm LLC for $2,736,155
  • 133 Weston Rd. — George W. Berry to Berryfield Farm LLC for $4,888,845
  • 0 Weston Rd. — George W. Berry Trust to George W. Berry Trust for $4,888,845

17 Stonehedge — Joseph Soucy to Daniel L. Gombos Trust and Julia S. Gombos Trust for $1,810,000 (August 2)

News acorns

Covid-19 vaccination clinic for everyone 12+

To protect younger children and keep schools open, the Lincoln Public Schools is offering a second Covid-19 vaccine clinic (Pfizer first send second doses) for anyone age 12 and up on Tuesday, Sept. 21 from 2–5 p.m. in the Reed gym. Drop-ins are welcome, or click here to schedule an appointment. Children under 18 do not need to have a parent/guardian with them at the time of vaccination but they will need to bring a signed consent form (click here to download).

Free social worker sessions for kids offered  

After a successful summer pilot program, the Council on Aging and Human Services (with help from the Board of Health and the Lincoln Public Schools) has arranged for a social worker to be on the school campus in the Hartwell building every Wednesday afternoon/early evening during the school year. This is a totally free service. Parents can call the COA&HS at 781-259-8811 to ask questions and book appointments. All appointments with Sara Hickey, MSW, LCSW, of Eliot Community Human Services are completely confidential. While appointments are held on school grounds, clinic participation information is not shared with the schools or any other town department.

Registration open for L-S adult ed classes

Lincoln-Sudbury Adult & Community Education offers courses for all interests and ages. Check out the offerings at LSRHS.net/community/adult_ed. Questions? Email adult.ed@lsrhs.net or call 978-443-9961 x3326.

deCordova offers Julia Child operetta, clay workshops

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is hosting “An Evening of Jazz and Julia” on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. Mezzo-soprano Vanessa Schukis portrays 20th-century culinary icon Julia Child in composer Lee Hoiby’s “Bon Appétit!” in a humorous 25-minute one-act operetta, accompanied by pianist Scott Nicholas, based on two episodes from Julia Child’s popular cooking show in which she concocts a chocolate cake. The event will take place in deCordova Cafe. Click here to purchase tickets, which include Julia Child-inspired snacks and beverages.

The deCordova is also offering an outdoor family-style workshop where participants can make clay soap dishes on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 1–2:30 p.m. All levels welcome. Click here to register, or click here to see details on other events at the deCordova.

Walden Woods Project fall events

“Determined to Know Beans: A Historical and Biological Exploration of Thoreau’s Beanfield,” an interpretive walk to Thoreau’s beanfield with historian Richard Smith and biologist Dr. Amity Wilczek, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 11–12:30 p.m. at the Walden Pond State Reservation. The presentation will focus on how the beanfield looked during Thoreau’s time and how it has changed.  Discussion will include the plants that Thoreau would and would not be familiar with, including invasives. Click here to register.

Also this fall: “A Virtual Lyceum: The Art of Perception” on Thursday, Oct. 21 from 7–8:30 p.m. and “Now Comes Good Sailing: A Virtual Conversation” on Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 7–8 p.m.

Chamber music concert at the Pierce House

The Concord Chamber Music Society presents a special outdoor concert at the Pierce House on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m. with the Parker Quartet. The performance (the first hosted by CCMS since March 2019) will feature the Adagio from String Quartet No. 1 by Adolphus Hailstork, the String Quartet No. 1 in A Major by Robert Schumann, and the String Quartet No. 1 “From My Life,” by Bedrich Smetana. Proof of vaccination will be required for admission, and masking is mandatory for tent seating and inside the Pierce House.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.concordchambermusic.org or by calling 978-405-0130. Seating beneath the tent is $50 and $40 for adults and seniors 65+ respectively. Lawn tickets will be offered at the door (weather permitting) on the day of the concert for $20, and patrons will need to bring their own chairs and/or blankets. Patrons may present their ticket stubs at the Trail’s End Cafe in Concord ollowing the concert for a 15% discount off of dinner; advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Group marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month with purple lights, walk, vigil

At any given time in Sudbury, Wayland, Lincoln, and other similar towns, there are 20–40 restraining orders in effect, indicating a judge has found significant evidence of violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this year the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable will again partner with the First Parish in Wayland and the Lauren Dunne Astley Foundation to shine a light on the issues related to domestic and breakup violence. On Tuesday, Oct. 5, walks will commence from several points in Wayland arriving at First Parish in Wayland (225 Boston Post Rd.) for the Shine a Light Vigil at 7 p.m. Visit www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org for walk locations. Purple signifies courage and compassion, and purple lights will illuminate religious and civic buildings in Sudbury, Wayland, and Framingham throughout the month. In addition, community members are invited to place purple light bulbs in their window fixtures, lamp posts, or porch lights. If you or someone in your life might be experiencing relationship abuse, local support can be found here.

What does it take to raise 500 pigs and 100 chickens?

By Gus Browne

It’s no surprise that Lincoln’s history as a European settlement began with farming on Thomas Flint’s land in the mid-1600s — land that the Flint family still owns and farms. Agriculture was the lifeblood of the community for 300 years.

How did farming families do it? Not easily. A sample day for Joseph Cotoni Sr., whose farm was on Mill Street where Oakdale Lane is now, began at 3 a.m. in the 1940s when he and son Joe Jr. (known best as the proprietor of Joey’s Auto Repair on Lincoln Road and then Concord Road) drove their truck around town collecting food scraps from the in-ground receptacles beside residents’ back doors as food for their 500 pigs and countless chickens.

The Cotoni Farm Homestead

This trip was followed by farmyard chores, feeding pigs and chickens, and cleaning out the mess that well-fed pigs and chickens make. Then it was time to shower and change clothes for Joe Sr. to drive a school bus route, and for Joe Jr. to walk up Mill Street to North Great Road (a/k/a Route 2A) to get on the school bus — a long walk because for years the school bus did not go down Mill Street.

After the school bus run, Joe Sr. would return to the farm for a day’s work until it was time to get back on the school bus to deliver students from the school to their homes. For Joe Jr., it was a school day like any other, ending with a bus trip back to the top of Mill Street and then a walk home. At this point, Joe Sr. and Jr. would change clothes again, and at 4 p.m., load the truck with crates of produce and baskets of tomatoes for a drive into Boston’s Haymarket, where they would sell it all to wholesalers – and pick up outdated produce to take back to Lincoln for the pigs and chickens.  The trip was even longer when they had to stop in Everett to pick up more crates and baskets to bring back to the farm.

After the trip home, there was dinner to eat (thanks to the wonderful cooking of Mrs. Santa Cotoni, whose first name appropriately meant “Saint”) and afterward for Joe Jr., homework for the next school day. And then to bed, to get up at 3 a.m.  and repeat the day all over.

Makes your day look a little better, doesn’t it… unless you’re a farmer, in which case I’ve  just described your day here.

Photos of Joe Cotoni Sr. and his parents who started farming here in 1901 can be found in Images of America: Lincoln, pp. 62-63, available from the Lincoln Historical Society.

“Lincoln’s History” is an occasional column by members of the Lincoln Historical Society.