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

Rollin’ on the river (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Kayakers are framed by the Sudbury River and fall foliage. (Photo by Harold McAleer)

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. If your photo is published, you’ll receive credit in the Squirrel. Photos must be taken in Lincoln and include the date, location, and names of any people who are identifiable in the photo. Previously published photos can be viewed on the Lincoln Through the Lens page of the Lincoln Squirrel.

Hands-on philanthropy program invites middle-schoolers

Lincoln School students with representatives of Youth in Philanthropy. Left to right: board member Laurie Cote, Director of Programs and Marketing Jackie Walker, and students Emilie Auger, Esther Adetoye, Amelia Pillar, Zaynab Azzouz, Sarah Lammert, Sonya Carson, Andreas Muzila, and Will Levy.

The Foundation for MetroWest’s Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program, which provides middle and high school students with educational and philanthropic opportunities, is currently recruiting 7th and 8th grade students who live or learn in Lincoln.

The program will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 29 and will be held in the Lincoln School every Wednesday from 4–5 p.m. (room location will be provded to accepted students). Applications will be accepted online at www.yipmetrowest.org until Monday, Nov. 27.

The YIP program helps participants learn about running a nonprofit, how donations are used, and what needs exist in their communities through a hands-on experience. In 2016, 10 Lincoln School students presented $5,000 grants to Save a Dog and Lucy’s Love Bus.

“As an organization, we take great pride in educating the next generation of philanthropists,” said Judith G. Salerno, executive director of the Foundation for MetroWest. “By continuing the YIP program in Lincoln, students will learn about local needs, how philanthropy affects where they live, and how they can make an impact at any age.”

One of the largest youth philanthropy education programs in the country, YIP is an experiential leadership development program designed for students interested in learning more about nonprofit organizations and the needs that exist in their own community. YIP students research local organizations and award $10,000 in grants, with no fees or tuition to participate. Over the past two decades, YIP has educated more than 1,250 teens who have granted more than $1 million to youth-serving organizations in the MetroWest area.

Kids get a taste of Election Day in Lincoln

James Finbar Light (left) turns the crank of the Lincoln’s 100-year-old voting machine while Margaret Flint helps a student insert his ballot and Lincoln Police Det. Ian Spencer looks on. (Photos by Alice Waugh)

Dozens of voters filed into the Smith gym last week to cast their ballots on an important Lincoln issue—and even though none of the voters were officially registered, the results will still count.

The ballot question asked the “voters” (Lincoln School students in grades K-3) what shape they preferred for town dog licenses next year: a dog bone, a fireplug, or a dog house. Running the election and tallying the results were fourth-graders under the direction of Town Clerk Susan Brooks and other adult helpers to teach the kids about the voting process.

“I’d had this idea for a while, and it’s thrilling to see the kids, teachers and principals really embracing it,” Brooks said. “It’s a nice introduction to the kids of how the wheels of government turn, and it shows how in a town our size, a few people can make a difference.”

The “election” had all the features of the real thing: a check-in table where “registered voters” were matched against class rosters, voting booths (albeit cardboard), and a tally table where students recorded the results on a large chart as they came in.

The centerpiece of the operation was a 100-year-old Lincoln ballot box that was recently restored. When a voter inserted a ballot, the poll worker turned a handle, the ballot disappeared inside, a bell rang, and a mechanical tally number changed. In the old days, a small round ink pad inside also printed the word “Lincoln” on each ballot as it was processed through the rollers.

Lincoln School students mark their ballots for dog license shape as Assistant Town Clerk Susan Francis looks on.

The wooden ballot box has one part that doesn’t look quite genuine; the crank handle made of copper tubing doesn’t match but was clearly installed as a replacement at some point. One of the volunteers that day was Margaret Flint of the long-time Lincoln Flint family. As it turns out, her father-in-law, Warren Flint Sr., fashioned the replacement handle many years ago.

After the ballots were processed, each student got an “I Voted” sticker. Watching over the process was Lincoln Police Det. Ian Spencer, the town’s youth officer, making sure there wasn’t any Russian meddling.

“Outreach is a big part of what we do,” Brooks said. “The town clerk’s office, at bottom, is making government more accessible to people, and my role is to be more affirmative and proactive about it.”

Deputy Town Clerk Valerie Fox helps fourth-grade poll workers Donovan Everett (left), Alkmene Armoundas, and Brooke Mitchell.

While some of the kids have accompanied their parents into the polls on Election Day, this was their first chance to participate in a close facsimile of town voting, “and some fo them seem to be genuinely thrilled to be close to the action,” Brooks said.

Samantha Bodnar was one of those who was pleased to have her opinion count, at least on the issue of dig license shape. “It’s cool that the kids are voting on it and not the adults,” she said.

And the winner for next year’s dog license? “It will be a blue bone—in a landslide!” Brooks said.

Obituaries

Russell Craig

Stanley Russel Craig, Jr.

Former longtime Lincoln resident Stanley Russel Craig Jr. passed away on November 8 at his home, Case Mill Farm in Westport , at age 70. Born in Atlanta, Craig grew up in Indiana and Illinois, spent his teen years in Glendale, Calif. He served with distinction in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

After being discharged, he earned a B.S. in chemistry and electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin. His graduate education included a Harvard A.M. in physical and biophysical chemistry and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His interest in high tech and management led him through leadership with various companies, including Teradyne, McKinsey, Genrad, DEC, Arthur D. Little, and Anderson Consulting. Recent consulting included Imthera and Reliant Heart. A knowledgeable wine and food enthusiast, he was also an accomplished farmer and sailor.

Craige is sadly missed by his wife Suze, with whom he recently celebrated a 47th anniversary, his two sons Ole and Linz, and two grandchildren, Sabine and Ole. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to the Livestock Institute, P.O. Box 879, Westport, MA 02790, or Friends of Westport Library, P.O. Box 3342, Westport, MA. On his birth date (Sunday, March 25), Case Mill Farm invites his friends to a wine and tapas “Russabration” from 1–4 p.m. Bring a written anecdote to share and to leave for a memory book.

Daniel Tassel

Daniel Tassel, (October 23) — internist, photographer, birdwatcher.

Michael Tannert, 89 (July 2) — General Dynamics engineer, mountaineer.

 

News acorns

FELS pie sale extended

The FELS Thanksgiving Pie Sale deadline has been extended to Tuesday, Nov. 14. Through the proceeds from this sale, FELS (the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury) can fund opportunities for L-S teachers to grow and refresh next summer and add to their teaching. Pies ordered will be available on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Beware of phone scams

The Lincoln Police report that a Lincoln senior received a scam call saying that several arrest warrants had been issued for the senior and the senior needed to call the scammer’s number. Police want Lincoln seniors to know that this is a scam and they will not be coming to anyone’s home to arrest them. If you receive such a call or would like more information, please call the police at 781-259-8113.

Advent workshop for kids

Pictured making crafts at last year’s Advent Workshop are Atticus Borggaard and Peter Covino.

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold an advent workshop for children on Sunday, Nov. 26 from 10:15–11:30 a.m. in the Parish House at 14 Bedford Road. Children will make seasonal crafts at this event, and refreshments will be provided. Free and open to children of all ages in the community.

A capella music, book preview at library

The Lincoln Public Library presents the Mistletones in concert on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. and an adult and children’s gift book preview from 1–4 p.m. The Mistletones a capella group sings classic winter and holiday songs mixed with a modern twist and contemporary sound. All ages welcome. Before the concert, enjoy a holiday book preview where staff we can help you with suggestions for “just right” books for the children and adults on your gift list.

Minute Man trail reconstruction begins

Minute Man National Historical Park has announced that the Battle Road Trail, located in Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord will begin an extensive rehabilitation to improve the trail surface and drainage beginning Wednesday, Nov. 15. Sections of the trail at Hartwell Tavern will be closed. There will be a pedestrian trail detour, which is narrow and impassable to bicycles or strollers and is not suitable for running or jogging. The project runs from November 20 to December 31. Additional work at North Bridge will begin in April 2018.

Tour the Pierce House on Nov. 25

The Pierce House will offer free tours for the public on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. For more information, call 781-259-9757.

Fuel bill and financial assistance available

If you need help paying your winter fuel bill, the state’s Fuel Assistance Program may be able to help. The Fuel Assistance Program provides a cash benefit, payable to an authorized fuel provider, for both home owners and renters whose incomes are eligible. How much you receive depends on your household income, how many people you have in your household, and your heating costs. Those who receive fuel assistance may also be eligible for other benefits, such as weatherization services, heating system repairs, and discount utility rates. To apply for fuel assistance, residents of all ages should call Carolyn Bottum or Susan Isbell of the Lincoln Council on Aging at 781-259-8811 for an appointment. The Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) will review the application to determine whether you’re eligible Even if you’re not sure if you qualify, please call to find out.

When Lincoln residents have an unforeseen and extreme financial emergency that threatens their well-being, the Lincoln Emergency Assistance Fund and the Small Necessities Project may be able to help. The Lincoln Emergency Assistance Fund is supported entirely by the Ogden Codman Trust, First Parish, and donations. For more information or to ask for assistance from the Lincoln Emergency Assistance Fund, call Carolyn Bottum or Abby Butt at the COA, 781-259-8811.

New kids’ gallery at deCordova explores art, science, and nature

Children investigate Flint’s Pond at the deCordova.

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum announces The Lab, a new interactive gallery on the museum’s fourth floor designed to explore the relationship between art, science, and nature. Changing several times each year in conjunction with new exhibitions, visitors will experience immersive installations, creative building activities, nature investigations, and a topical reading area.

The Lab’s first theme is Pond, inspired by deCordova’s current exhibition Bodies in Water and the neighboring Flint’s Pond. “We’re excited to introduce our newest interactive and interdisciplinary gallery where children and their families can experiment, play, and take ideas home with them,” said Emily Silet, head of educational exhibitions. “We hope our young visitors return again and again to The Lab this fall and winter to meet new friends and observe the dramatic seasonal changes at Flint’s Pond.”
The Lab: Pond, which takes a close look at pond ecosystems, features a variety of activities and experiences:
  • Walk-in camera obscura: To experience this naturally occurring phenomenon, visitors enter a darkened room where a simple hole in the window covering allows the view of the park and pond from outside to project into The Lab purely through the magic of optics (see image here).
  • Building table: Children can build “ice” sculptures using Lego bricks, wooden blocks, and Magna-Tiles ICE.
  • Drawing station: Visitors are asked to consider the pond life that exists both over and under the water in Flint’s Pond throughout the year through drawing or writing.
  • Reading lab: Carefully selected story and scientific books about Henry David Thoreau and pond life are available in a cozy reading nook overlooking Flint’s Pond through floor-to-ceiling windows equipped with binoculars.
  • Pond water display: Brilliant images of microscopic pond water samples allow visitors to see what can be found in water when it’s magnified.
  • Historical panel: An illustrated sign describes both Henry David Thoreau’s and Julian deCordova’s relationship to Flint’s Pond.
In the spring The Lab will begin a new theme, Air, in conjunction with deCordova’s exhibition Sculpting with Air: Ian McMahon and Jong Oh, opening April 20, 2018.

News acorns

First Parish unveils renovations at open house

Curious about what’s been happening with the church restoration in Lincoln Center? The First Parish in Lincoln welcomes the entire community on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. to visit the restored sanctuary and renovated Stearns Room at 4 Bedford Road. Drop in for refreshments, conversation and information. Construction began in September 2016 after much debate.

Art opening and gallery walk at L-S

Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School will host an art opening and gallery walk on Monday, Nov. 20 from 6–7 p.m., followed by a presentation at 7 p.m. The gallery walk will include a guided tour of the many pieces hanging throughout the school building, including an introduction of Dana Chandler’s collage art and Hakim Raquib’s digital photo collage. The Math Mobile will be hanging in the Math Department light well, and the Community Mural was supported by artist Alex Cook, whose “You Are Loved” project strives to bring messages of affirmation and support to school buildings and other public spaces throughout the country.

Music will be provided by L-S students. The event is made possible by the Ogden Trust, SERF, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Lincoln Cultural Council, the Sudbury Cultural Council, and the L-S Parents Organization.

Contra dance on Thanksgiving night

Dance off some of that turkey and stuffing at Lincoln’s annual Thanksgiving Night Contra Dance on Thursday, Nov. 23 from 7–10 p.m. in the Smith gym featuring caller Chris Ricciotti, and musicians Amy and Jonathan Larkin (former Lincoln residents, returning for a comeback performance this year). Tickets are $6 for adults and students, $4 for children 10 years and under All ages and abilities are welcome.

Drumlin Farm hosts art and nature event

On the day after Thanksgiving, join Massachusetts artists at the Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary for the annual “Giving Thanks for Nature and Our Senses,” a family outdoor art experience on Friday, Nov. 24 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Engage your senses on a nature walk with interactive artist demonstrations, enjoy art installations throughout the farmyard, and make your own nature-inspired crafts. Highlights include:

  • Music with the Grey Whisker Pickers
  • Wildlife sketching
  • Natural sculpture by William Turville
  • Nature crafts workshop with Musketaquid artists
  • Installations and gallery artwork by local sculptors, painters, and photographers
  • Storytelling with Ron McAdow

Cohosted by Mass Audubon and Musketaquid Arts & Environment. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for seniors and children age 2–13, and free for Mass Audubon members and Lincoln residents.

Now there’s coloring for adults, too

The Lincoln Public Library is starting a coloring club for adults starting on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 11 a.m.–noon in the Tarbell Room. Come spend some peaceful time coloring your concerns away. No experience required; all materials will be provided by the library. For ages 16 and up. For more information, please contact Robin Rapoport at rrapoport@minlib.net.

Hospice facility on track to open this winter

The Care Dimensions Hospice House on Winter Street in Lincoln and Waltham. (Photo by Alice Waugh)

The Care Dimensions hospice facility on Winter Street is running a bit behind but is expected to open to patients in early 2018.

Construction started in late summer 2016 on the 18-bed, 27,500-square-foot inpatient hospice facility will provide a home-like setting for terminally ill patients who need hospital-level care for pain and symptom management where hospice physicians, nurses and support staff can provide 24-hour care. Work is expected to finish next month, followed by permitting and Department of Public Health certification.

“We haven’t had an deviation or changes” from the project schedule aside from minor delays, said Jean Graham, senior director of marketing. “Everything’s gone along exactly as planned.”

The company’s original proposal was for 42,000-square-foot with 20 beds but was scaled back after objections from neighbors. To shrink the footprint, much of the building plan went from one floor to two, and some of the patient rooms on the second floor will have walk-out patios overlooking Winter Street, Graham said. Each floor will have a dining and kitchen area for families, and the grounds will feature a remembrance/healing garden.

The facility is using a construction entrance on the Lincoln side of the town line, but once it opens, the primary entrance will be in Waltham with the Lincoln entrance used only for emergencies.

Care Dimensions is in the process of hiring and training staff for the new facility and is also recruiting volunteers for things like patient visits (especially with pets), working at the reception desk, operating a snack cart, flower arranging, etc. For more information, see the company’s volunteer web page or call 888-283-1722.

Roundup of other topics at State of the Town

Below is a roundup of State of the Town issues not already covered this week in the Squirrel. Links to previous articles:

Proposed plastic bag/bottle ban

The Lincoln-Sudbury Environmental Club is continuing discussions with Lincoln committees and businesses in an effort to build support for a ban on retail sales and distribution of single-use plastic grocery bags and plain water bottles holding less than one liter. The students’ presentation outlined the environmental hazards of unrecycled plastic bags and bottles, as well as retail alternatives such as water sold in disposable aluminum bottle or milk-carton-type containers. They will also explore creating a town “tap map” such as the one in Concord (which enacted its own bottle ban in 2012) showing businesses and public facilities where reusable water bottles can be refilled.

The students plan to submit a citizens’ petition for a vote at the 2018 Annual Town Meeting. A similar petition vote was withdrawn in 2017 after local business opposition. At the November 4 State of the Town meeting, Lincoln resident Jim White, co-owner of Lincoln Kitchen and Trails’ End as well as their sister restaurant in Concord, lauded the students’ effort to raise awareness, “but the difficulty I have with them is the solution, especially in Lincoln. It imposes a financial burden on two businesses [Trail’s End and Donelan’s], and I think that’s not fair.” White suggested more “broadly based solutions” such as public education and publicly available water refill sites.

Recreational marijuana

The Board of Selectmen is appointing a committee to study and make recommendations on regulations for recreational marijuana businesses that might be interested in operating in Lincoln. The state’s Cannabis Control COmmission expects to establish license regulations by March 2018, tough Lincoln has approved a moratorium until November 2018. The issue first came up for discussion at the 2015 State of the Town meeting.

Expanding the Lincoln Historic District

Historic District Commission (HDC) chair Andrew Glass outlined a proposal to expand the Lincoln Historic District by about one-third to include Modern houses on a voluntary basis. The proposal is a joint project of the HDC and Friends of Modern Architecture. There will be a public forum on Jan. 9, 2018 in preparation for a Town Meeting vote in March.

The town has hundreds of homes in the Modern style dating from 1937 to the 1970s, including the Gropius House and numerous Deck houses. There are at least 21 Modern homeowners who are interested in joining the district, according to Glass’ handout. Owners of Historic District houses have some restrictions on exterior renovations that are visible to the public. Assessor’s Office data  indicates that there is “very little impact one way or another” in terms of sales prices for Historic District homes, he said.

Mothers Out Front and gas leaks

The Lincoln chapter of Mothers Out Front presented information about the negative climate effects from leaks from natural gas lines. The group called attention to the issue last spring by installing hand-knitted scarves and posters at the sites of some of the 40 known leaks in town.

Mothers Out Front plans to introduce a resolution at the 2018 Annual Town Meeting calling for the “rapid repair and elimination of all gas leaks in Lincoln.” Public utilities are not currently required to pay for repairs of gas leaks on public streets, but the group is working with them to identify and fix “super-emitters,” or the 7 percent of gas leaks that emit 50 percent of the lost gas into the atmosphere.

“Let’s Make Lincoln a Welcoming, Safe Town”

A group that started as a movement to make Lincoln a “sanctuary town” in response to Trump administration threats to undocumented immigrants has will propose a resolution based on the one passed in Newton earlier this year. The measure would prohibit town law officials including police form assisting federal authorities in detaining people on the basis of their immigration status.

“A lot of people without proper papers are absolutely terrified but not willing to ask for help from local authorities” because they fear deportation, said resident Peter Pease. “We think we need to make some kind of statement to help people relax and have the town act lawfully and respect each person’s dignity.”

South Lincoln revitalization ideas gathering steam

An aerial perspective of what the green might look like (click to enlarge).

Major construction projects involving the Lincoln School and a community center attracted much of the limelight at the State of the Town meeting, but a third more modest project may also come to pass: revitalizing South Lincoln, piece by piece.

Several past studies by the town have consistently identified a desire for the area to be a “vibrant, walkable and sustainable village… but to be honest, not a lot of progress has been made over the years,” Margaret Olson of the South Lincoln Planning Implementation Committee (SLPIC) said at the November 4 town-wide meeting. Now, however, ideas are sprouting from SLPIC’s project teams for wayfinding, the MBTA station, placemaking, and village planning and zoning. Suggestions, discussion, and pictures are available on an interactive website at at courb.co/lincoln.

One of the goals of the Placemaking Team is revitalizing the green space tucked into the southeast corner of Donelan’s. The Rural Land Foundation, which owns the property, commissioned a study by Concord landscape architect Lemon Brooke LLC of how the space could be made more enjoyable and useful for the public. Their report includes illustrations of ideas for seating and a play area to replace the “tot lot” on the other side of a brushy area close to Lincoln Woods.

The underutilized green next to Donelan’s.

The town recently learned that it was turned down for a $50,000 matching grant from MassDevelopment to fund the work (which would cost a total of about $100,000). The SLPIC Placemaking Team will exploring other possible funding sources such as grants, crowdfunding or the possible use of Community Preservation Act funds, said Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Burney.

The Wayfinding Team will help solve the problem that “when you come to town for one thing, you don’t know other things are there,” said Olson, who is also chair of the Planning Board. Part of the $400,000 Complete Streets grant that the town recently received will help fund signs and informational kiosks in South Lincoln as well as roadway markings and other measures improve pedestrian, transit and bicycle circulation around Lincoln Station.

The Planning and Zoning Team is working on drafting new regulations to encourage a mix of housing and commercial uses in South Lincoln and will present them for a vote at a special town meeting in November 2018, Olson said. SLPIC has also commissioned a study of the DPW site on Lewis Street with an eye to possibly consolidating or moving some of its functions.

The MBTA team is thinking about improvements to the commuter rail station, which has inadequate signage, no passenger shelters or bike amenities, and is not ADA-compliant. Olson noted that the MBTA is under pressure to improve train travel times, and a handicapped-accessible platform such as the one in West Concord would make passenger boarding and alighting much faster. It’s also almost impossible under current conditions to get a bike onto the train “unless you’re pretty young and pretty strong,” Olson remarked.