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

BioBlitz at national park on September 22

Minute Man National Historical Park (MMNHP) invites all ages to join distinguished naturalists on a quest to document as many species as possible during a BioBlitz event on Saturday, Sept. 22.

A BioBlitz brings together educators, scientists, naturalists, and the public to encourage outdoor exploration and enhance our understanding of biodiversity. The MMNHP event will focus on locating, identifying, and counting as many species as possible within the 1,038-acre park area in Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington. Participants will gain skills in identifying and recording species and a stronger connection to their natural environment.

World-renowned local naturalists Peter Alden and Edward O. Wilson initiated the Biodiversity Day concept in 1998 at Walden Pond, and included MMNHP within the study area. They repeated the event with dozens of experts in 2008, and collectively recorded over 2,700 species within a five-mile radius of Walden Pond.

Concord-Carlisle High School student Liam Beguhn initiated the current event to spotlight the area’s biodiversity on September 22 (National Public Lands Day) and to update the findings by using the iNaturalist app.

The MMNHP event starts in the morning at the North Bridge Visitor Center at 174 Liberty St. in Concord, where guides will begin quests at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., and 10 a.m. Each quest will focus on the guide’s expertise, which will include birds, plants, mammals, insects, reptiles, fungi, and more. After a break at noon (bring a bag lunch), it will continue at the Hartwell Tavern parking lot/park ranger station at 101 North Great Rd. in Lincoln. Guides will begin afternoon excursions from the parking lot at 2 p.m. and wrap up all quests by 4 p.m.

Data collected by participants who want to record findings using iNaturalist will be recorded on the app’s website, and prizes will be awarded to participants for numbers of identifications recorded in the park.

“Thousands of species are here in our community. This event will highlight the wonders of nature and inspire participants to better understand and protect biodiversity,” Alden said.

Questions about the project and program can be directed to Liam Beguhn via Margie Coffin Brown, the Park’s Natural & Cultural Resource Manager at 617-620-2942 or Margie_coffin_brown@nps.gov. 

News acorns

Lincoln Dems to hold planning session

Join the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee planning session and discussion on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Bemis Hall with coffee, fruit, and pastries at 8:30 a.m. and discussion from 9–11 a.m. Gain perspectives, insights, and campaign strategies for canvassing, grassroots organizing, remote voter contact activities, voter registration, getting out the millennial vote and more from:

LFA playgroup starting

The Lincoln Family Association playgroup at First Parish in Lincoln will begin meeting Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m. beginning Wednesday, Sept. 26 in the Parish House (14 Bedford Rd.) Designed for children aged 0-5 and their parents/caregivers. Adults must accompany their children; this is not a drop-in program.

Two events focusing on teens

The Lincoln-Sudbury Parent Organization presents comedian and neuropsychologist Matt Bellace speaking on “Supporting Teens in Reducing Their Stress (and Ours)” on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in the L-S auditorium. This presentation (primarily for parents, but students are welcome) is about reducing stress, adolescent brain development, substance abuse and encouraging teens to be resilient.

On Wednesday, Oct. 3 from 7:30-9 p.m. in the L-S cafeteria, Connections is hosting an evening for parents to hear, think about and discuss the five greatest factors that put our children at risk for addiction. Learn more about Connections and hear about conversations families may want to have in and around substance use. Also on hand will be the new L-S school resource officer Kim Walch to introduce herself and explain what her role will be in the school, as well as discuss ways that parents can work with the school and the police to help keep our kids safer. Click here to register.

Afternoon session looks at U.S. Supreme Court

The Lincoln Public Library and the Lincoln Council on Aging present “The Supreme Court with Walter Bossert” on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 2–4:15 p.m. at the library. First you’ll watch a video by C-Span including interviews with 11 justices about the role, traditions, and history of the Court and a tour the Supreme Court building. Bossert (a Lincoln resident) will then discuss Central Hudson v. PSC (1980), a seminal Supreme Court case on commercial freedom of speech. Bossert was a co-author of the winning brief in the 8-1 decision.

Changes at First Parish, School Committee

The School Committee is seeking an interim member to fill an unexpired term, while the First Parish in Lincoln has announced an interim minister for the next two years.

The School Committee invites residents who are interested in serving as an interim member (replacing Jena Salon, who resigned as of August 31) to submit a statement of interest detailing their qualifications and experience. Statements should be emailed to schoolcomm@lincnet.org by Thursday, Sept. 20. 

There will be interviews of all candidates in a joint open meeting of the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Hartwell Multipurpose Room. Each candidate will be asked to make a brief opening statement, respond to a set of questions from the committee and board members, and have an opportunity to ask questions of the members. The members will vote at that meeting to select one of the candidates to serve as an interim member of the School Committee.

The interim member will serve until the next annual election this spring, at which time there will be an election for a one-year term on the School Committee (filling out Salon’s term) as well with an election for a three-year term.

Transition at First Parish

Rev. Jenny Rankin

Rev. Jenny Rankin has been named interim minister at the First Parish in Lincoln effective August 15. She succeeds Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, who left after two and a half years in Lincoln to become senior minister at the First Parish in Ann Arbor, Mich., one of the anchor churches of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).

Ordained in 1988, Rankin began her career as acting university chaplain at Tufts University before serving congregations in Hopedale, Hingham and Cohasset as an interim minister. Called to First Parish in Concord in 1997, Jenny served as minister there for 15 years, followed by interim ministries  in Gloucester, Lexington, and Franklin. She has taught and lectured on Transcendentalism, Emerson, and Margaret Fuller as well as Celtic spirituality, spiritual autobiography, the contemplative tradition, and creativity as a spiritual practice.

Both religious organizations to which the First Parish belongs (the UUA and the United Church of Christ) require a two-year term for an interim ministers. “The time between settled ministers is a great opportunity for the congregation to take a fresh look at itself, see what areas might need attention, and grow clearer about who they are and how they’re called to serve the world,” Rankin said. A permanent minister is expected to start in August 2020.

Registration is now open for religious education classes at the First Parish for children in grades K-7. 7 as well as the OWL (Our Whole Lives) classes. OWL is a human anatomy and sexuality course that’s open to all eighth-graders, including those whose families do not attend First Parish in Lincoln. Required parent orientation night is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 4 from 7–9 p.m. OWL will meet approximately twice each month on Sundays from 7–8:30 p.m. beginning October 14.

For more information about First Parish religious education programs, click here or contact Education Director Margit at 781-259-8118 x112 or Margit@FPLincoln.org.

Children’s librarian prepares to close Lincoln chapter of her career

Retiring children’s librarian Jane Flanders at her desk in the Lincoln Public Library (click to enlarge).

After serving as the Lincoln children’s librarian for half her life, Jane Flanders is retiring (no doubt to curl up with a good book), and Lincolnites are invited to contribute to a memory book and say farewell at a September 28 gathering.

Flanders, 62, said she “wanted to be a librarian since I was a little girl,” so the Lincoln job has been something of a dram come true. Assistant children’s librarians Deborah Leopold and Denise Shaver will take over her role in a job share—much as Flanders initially did with former children’s librarian Amy Govalis. “I just know that Amy’s and my legacy will go on with this awesome team here,” she said.

”It’s sad to leave. I love this place so much—I love the job and the community. It’s pretty great to come to work every day and just look forward to it,” Flanders said. “The patrons here are wonderful and so supportive. They’re more than just patrons—they’re really friends. I love that about this place.”

A point of pride for Flanders was co-founding a program where special-needs students from the Cotting School come to the library to help out. “We’ve learned more from them than they have from us,” she said. One of those students, Peter Garron, graduated and is now working at the library shelving books.

Being a children’s librarian for more than 20 years inevitably means that some of the babies and toddlers that Flanders read stories to are now returning and bringing their own children to story time with her. “At first I was kind of horrified,” she said with a laugh, ”but now it’s so great.”

Jane Flanders “in uniform” reading to children (click to enlarge).

Although digital technology has profoundly changed how and what libraries do in the last two decades, the children’s department has not been as much affected, she noted. ”Parents still want to read to their kids, and they still take tons of books out. We still have storytellers, music and so forth—we balance the technological life with basic but wonderful imaginative programs that don’t involve screens.”

Like most people at the close of their careers, Flanders looks forward to spending more time with family and friends and do a little traveling. She also plans to sing with the Mystic Chorale and get outdoors more—but one of her plans is closely involved with children: she wants to be a baby rocker for infants in hospital intensive care units when their parents can’t be with them. “It’s all about human contact—I’ve been wanting to do that forever,” she said.

Memory book and gathering

The library is inviting patrons past and present to send in up to two 8.5 x 11 sheets of well wishes or memories to her. Ideas include but are not limited to photos of children and families, stories involving Flanders, kids’ drawings, or titles of favorite children’s books that she helped you discover. The submissions will be inserted into clear sheet protectors and put into a three-ring binder.

The farewell reception is Friday, Sept. 28 from 4–6 p.m. with musical entertainment from 4:30–5:30 and refreshments sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Letter to the editor: John Hugo asks for votes

To the editor:

I want to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate every single person, no matter the party and no matter who you voted for, who took the time to do their civic duty on Tuesday, September 4. Our republic only works, indeed can only thrive, if informed citizens participate. And I’m truly humbled and honored that 64 percent of those who voted in the Republican primary selected me to be the Republican nominee for the Massachusetts 5th Congressional district. I want to congratulate Dr. Louis Kuchner, my primary opponent, for running a spirited campaign that took the high road and focused on issues. He has graciously endorsed my candidacy and pledged his support. I am truly grateful. Having Dr. Kuchner as a primary challenger has made me a better candidate.

I’m running, quite frankly, because I’m sick and tired of hearing people complain about the way things ought to be, but never doing anything about it. I’m just an average working-class citizen, struggling to pay my bills. I’m a taxi dispatcher. I’m sure you’ll hear that from my opponent’s campaign at some point. What can I possibly know about being a legislator? The answer is simple: I have lived with and under the laws, paid the taxes, and dealt with consequences of what legislators do—just like the average voter in our district. But most important, I love my country and I don’t believe that Katherine Clark’s vision of America and policy views are consistent with the vision and policy views espoused by the hard-working people struggling to make ends meet in our district.

America is a bulwark of freedom. The Constitution protects and guarantees that freedom, primarily from the government. Our free-market economy affords Americans the best hope for liberty, opportunity, and prosperity. Free-market capitalism, although not perfect, has done more to elevate people from poverty than any well-intentioned government programs, which often times institutionalize poverty for generations.  

I want to congratulate Katherine Clark and invite her to debate the issues. I believe there are stark differences in our philosophy of government. Let’s debate them. The hardworking people of the 5th Congressional District deserve no less.

 I invite you the voters to visit www.johnhugo.com to read more specifics about what I believe and what priorities will be as your congressman.

Sincerely,

John Hugo
Woburn, Mass.
Candidate for Congress, Massachusetts 5th Congressional district

New restaurant coming to South Lincoln

The restaurant site in South Lincoln will have a third incarnation after AKA Bistro and Lincoln Kitchen.

A trio of owner-operators have signed a lease for the former Lincoln Kitchen/AKA Bistro restaurant site, with an opening planned for the first quarter of 2019.

Lindsey Parker of Concord, one of the co-owners, declined to reveal what the new team is planning to name the new eatery but said it would serve dinner seven days a week and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

“The food will be contemporary American with a focus on purity, simplicity and freshness, taking advantage of the area’s seasonal produce… the restaurant will be a place to get honest and straightforward food and drink that is comfortable and affordable,” she said in an email late last week.

Parker’s partners are Sudbury residents Tom Fosnot, who will be the primary chef, and Ruth-Anne Adams, who will be in charge of the front-of-house staff and general operations (Parker said she herself will handle the “business and creative side of the launch”). The Sudbury pair has more than 40 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, said Parker, who met them about 18 months ago when their paths crossed while looking at restaurant spaces in the area. 

Fosnot has been executive chef at the Gibbet Hill Grill in Groton for more than eight years. Adams—also a trained chef who has more recently worked on the business side of restaurants—will be returning to hospitality and cooking, said Parker, whose background is in investments.

The trio plans to bring “not just a new restaurant, but a new restaurant experience” to Lincoln, Parker said in an interview on Tuesday. “Given the location and size, this is perfect for owner-operators who will be on site and behind the stove.”

The space “will also allow for interests in cooking classes, catering and take-out,” she added.

Asked what the new eatery can offer to maximize its chances of success in a site where two other restaurants have had to shut their doors (the latest after only 15 months of operation), Parker cited her team’s “kitchen talent” and “a more comfortable environment.”

Though details have not been worked out, the group hopes to do some events leading up to the opening that will “give the community a better sense of the menu as well as its style,” she said.

Hearing focuses on marijuana businesses in town

The Planning Board will be conducting a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Town Offices for the purpose of reviewing two marijuana-related bylaw proposals that will be voted on during a Special Town Meeting on October 20.

The first of the two bylaws proposes to extend the existing recreational marijuana moratorium from November of this year until June 2019, to provide the town with more time to complete public education and outreach, to develop alternative bylaw proposals and to schedule the required town meetings and election.

The second bylaw asks the town to consider enacting a ban on all forms of commercial recreational marijuana, including cultivation, retail sales, manufacturing, and testing. This requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The vote on the proposed full ban will occur first because:

  • The results of a town-wide survey last spring indicate that a strong majority favors a full ban.
  • In the event the full ban fails to achieve the required two-thirds majority, we will have time to prepare partial ban alternative bylaws for a vote in March.
  • A total ban could be reversed by a future vote of Town Meeting.
  • Operating under a full ban would provide time to learn from the experience of other communities.

Before voting on the full ban during the October 20 Special Town Meeting, voters will hear a presentation from the Marijuana Study Committee that explains the law and the pros and cons of the various options.

Officials urge interested citizens to attend the public hearing to hear a presentation from the Selectmen’s Marijuana Study Committee. Also on the group’s website is an FAQ document and a link to the video of an April 2018 public forum on the issue of marijuana businesses.

News acorns

Service on Tuesday for Sylvia Kennedy

Sylvia Kennedy

Kennedy passed away on September 5 at the age of 84. Among other things, she was a former president of the Lincoln Garden Club and sacristan at St. Joseph Church. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 8:45 a.m. from the Dee Funeral Home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church in Lincoln. Click here for full obituary.

Story-telling at Farrington

Join us around the campfire on Friday, Sept. 14 from 7:30–10 p.m. as experienced, competitive storytellers, in a “Moth-like” format, share their 5-6 minute true tales on the evening’s theme, “Rooted.” Fugitive Stories, Farrington Nature Linc’s partner for this event, brings “true stories told live” regularly to several suburban communities. This event is tailored for ages 14+ to enjoy an evening of stories. The storytelling begins at sundown, but you’re welcome to arrive earlier (6:30 p.m.) to picnic on the property. Rain or shine; weather permitting, we’ll be sitting around the campfire. Tickets are $12 online in advance or $15 on site on the day of event. 

Library events

  • Knitting Group — Knitters of all levels are welcome to our knitting group that begins on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. Drop in; no registration is required. Beginners should contact Jen James at jenjames@gmail.com to see what materials they’ll need to bring.
  • Neurofeedback talk — Dr. Jolene Ross  presents “Neurofeedback: Brain Training at its Best” on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Neurofeedback is a technique for achieving brain wellness and improved executive function, which includes emotional control, initiation, working memory, planning, organization, and task completion. Ross is a neurobehavioral psychologist with extensive experience in neurobiofeedback treatment, cognitive and behavioral therapy, and behavioral medicine. Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals.
  • “Permission to Pause” workshops — Adults and families today are often challenged to find some “quiet time” in our fast-paced society. This two-part series taught by nurse and a health education specialist Catherine Collins, R.N., M.S., on Thursdays, Sept. 20 and 27 at 7 p.m. will provide an opportunity for participants to pause in their busy week to review the challenges that get in the way of quiet time. Simple strategies such as breathing, imagery, muscle relaxation and mindful movement will be reviewed.  A list of resources will be provided to participants. No registration required. Presented by the Friends of the Lincoln Library.

“Forest bathing” workshop for dogs and owners

Certified Forest Therapy Guide Nadine Mazzola will lead a workshop for dogs and their owners on shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” (gentle walks that support well-being through sensory immersion in forests and other naturally healing environments) in the deCordova Sculpture Park on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 9:30 a.m.–noon. Increase mindfulness and connect to nature using your senses and a series of guided invitations to investigate your surroundings. Your dog will even be your guide. Please only one dog per owner. Click here to sign up ($20 for members, $30 for nonmembers).

Art and drumming at deCordova

Experience Andy Graydon’s PLATFORM 23 project, City Lights Orchestra, as it’s activated by The Harvard Undergraduate Drummers (THUD) on Saturday, Sept. 29 from noon–2 p.m. Graydon created his series of sculptural instruments from discarded street lamps. Rather than casting light, the lamps in City Lights Orchestra are intended to resonate with sound. Graydon based the sculptures on world instruments including Taiko drums and the Indonesian gamelan. THUD performs with nontraditional instruments including brooms, dinnerware, and instruments they’ve built themselves, and their sound ranges from STOMP-style pieces to more classical percussion ensemble music. Free with admission or membership; registration requested.

Visual and audio exhibits focus on South Sudan refugees

Two exhibits of original art created by refugees from South Sudan together with audio segments are on display in Lincoln, and there will be receptions for both on Thursday, Sept. 13. 

At Bemis Hall is “Metamorphosis: From South Sudan to Lincoln and Beyond”—photographs and audio of the three “Lost Boys” who were resettled in Lincoln in the early 2000s. The exhibit shows what they went through, what changes they’ve experienced, and where they are now. There will be a reception on Thursday at 2:30 p.m., as well as a marketplace of with South Sudanese vendors selling traditional crafts.

“Metamorphosis: From South Sudan to Massachusetts” in the Lincoln Public Library is a visual and audio exhibit with artworks by numerous South Sudanese refugees. Thursdays’ reception there is from 6–8 p.m.

Both exhibits are curated by Jeff Brown, Ellen Morgan, and Susan Winship of South Sudanese Enrichment for Families (SSEF). The organization was founded in 2004 when three South Sudanese young men—Kuol, Leek, and Charles—lived at Codman Farm and went to Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. SSEF continued to raise funds for their education and also another 200 Sudanese in the Boston area at that time.

The organization continues to support South Sudanese refugees in the area by offering help with housing, preschool tuition and summer camp. In Lincoln, its Saturday Bridges family program offers care in the Hartwell pods for the youngest kids, an outdoor education program at Drumlin Farm for older children, and tutoring and workshops for adults.

The Lincoln exhibits run through September 30. For more information or to donate, see the SSEF website, call 781-322-0063, or email SouthSudaneseBoston@gmail.com.

Here are some of the paintings that can be seen in the “Metamorphosis” exhibits.

"Girl with Bag"

Image 1 of 9

 

Architects show latest school plans

The school floor plan as of September 5 (click to enlarge).

Residents at two workshops on Wednesday saw the latest drawings of the Lincoln School project showing what SMMA principal architect architect Alex Pitkin called “reinvention of the heart of the building” as well as campus circulation and construction phasing.

The middle of the refurbished building includes a central office area and entrance with an “airlock” for both security and climate control. Nearby are offices for the school psychologist, social worker and some special education staff, as well as two large common areas to minimize walking time for students. The media center has been moved to the west side of the building (away from the driveway) since the last presentation two weeks ago.

September 5 workshop presentation:

  • Overall floor plan – pg. 11
  • Entrances – pg. 21
  • Bus and car circulation and dropoffs – pgs. 22-25
  • Pedestrian and bike circulation – pgs. 26-27
  • Sustainable design features – pgs. 35-41
  • Construction phasing – pgs. 44-46

The central area “is a focal point for the building that makes a statement,” said Superintendent of Schools Becky McFall.

There will be a preK entrance at the southwest end of the building and a community entrance at the northeast end to give access to the auditorium and Brooks gyn, which will be connected to the main building. A learning commons for all nine grades replaces the current story room and the seldom used stage area of the Smith gym. Next to it is the dining commons and kitchen.

The new media center will be smaller than what exists today. The current space “is nice, but not ideal for instruction and not well organized for how library/media arts centers are used today.” We don’t efficiently utilize our space right now,” McFall said. Although there will be some “weeding” of the book collection, “we hold tangible paper books in very high value, especially for young kids,” she added.

Pitkin also pointed out the grade-level hubs with movable walls, which “require teachers to have really conscious thought and decision-making about what gets taught where and by whom (movable walls) and which kids are with which teachers where… as opposed to teaching in a one-size-fits-all approach,” McFall said. At the new Hanscom Middle School, which has hubs of this type, “they have made amazing progress in that regard in the last two years, and we still have room to grow in that area.”

Environmentally sustainable features include net zero energy use with all-electric heat as well as photovoltaic arrays on rooftops and over the Brooks parking area, a 30 percent reduction in indoor potable water use, sustainable construction materials, and recycling 75–90 percent of the construction waste.

“The entire building on this campus is going to be re-skinned” with new triple-paned windows and insulation, Pitkin said.

Construction will occur in two phases spanning three years. The auditorium and Smith gym will each be out of commission during one of the 18-month phases. Assuming all goes as planned, 28 modular classrooms plus storage trailers will be installed on the central ballfield in summer 2019.

The schematic designs should take another few weeks, after which teams of cost estimators will come up with firm budget figures to present to the School Building Committee in late September or early October, Pitkin said. The estimates presented at the June 9 Special Town Meeting, where residents selected option L3, was $94 million.