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

Beach hopes to bring more events to Pierce House

Nancy Beach reflects on her new role as Pierce house events manager.

The new live-in event manager of the Pierce House hopes to expand the historic building’s beyond summer weddings to widen its appeal and help pay for more improvements.

Nancy Beach was hired in January after managers Richard and Susan Silver retired after 22 years. She’s taken over the job of booking rentals, managing contracts and overseeing upkeep of the house along with town facilities staff. “We’re here to guide her and support her, but she’s in charge,” said Virginia Rundell, chair of the Pierce House Committee, which proposes the annual budget and general oversight.

Much of that budget comes from fees paid for use of the house by those who rent it for weddings and other events. Summer Saturdays are fully booked for that purpose, but Beach plans to market the house for other uses such as weekday corporate retreats and meetings as well as wintertime events. The Pierce House played host to a wedding reception on a snowy evening in January, and “they had a lovely time—it was so beautiful with all four fireplaces going,” Beach said.

Beach, who grew up in Concord, started her career as a wedding planner in the 1980s and was later in charge of worldwide training and customer entertainment events at Hewlett-Packard. Four days after moving into the refurbished manager’s apartment in January, she organized a separate bridal show in another town and got dozens of leads for future bookings.

More income could help Beach pay for better period decor and other interior upgrades. “If I can bring in enough money to put back into house, then we can improve it,” she said.

Additional events for Lincoln residents are also a goal. “The committee did some soul-searching last year and talked about our mission, and we’d like to do more events that bring Lincolnites into the house,” Rundell said. Past shindigs have included the Downton Abbey viewing party in 2014 and a welcome event for new Lincoln residents; organizations such as the Lincoln Family Association and the Council on Aging periodically make use of the house, and Beach envisions other local social groups and families coming in as well (Lincoln residents and groups get discounts on the rental fees, Rundell noted).

“It’s a little corny, but I think of the Pierce House being a part of Lincolnites’ lives” for everything from baby showers to weddings and post-funeral gatherings, Rundell said. “It’s so iconic.”

Camuti convicted of killing Rakes and dumping body in Lincoln

The approximate location where Stephen Rakes’ body was found in Lincoln on July 17, 2013 (click to enlarge).

William Camuti, 72, of Sudbury was convicted of first-degree murder today by a Middlesex Superior Court jury in connection with the 2013 death of Stephen Rakes, 59, of Quincy, whose body he dumped on Mill Street in Lincoln after poisoning him in 2013. The jury also found the defendant guilty of improper disposal of human remains and two counts of misleading a police officer. Judge Bruce Henry scheduled sentencing for Thursday, April 27.

The following account is from a press release from the office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. Scroll down for links to Lincoln Squirrel articles from 2013.

William Camuti, 72, of Sudbury, was convicted of first-degree murder today by a Middlesex Superior Court jury in connection with the 2013 death of Stephen Rakes, 59, of Quincy. The jury also found the defendant guilty of improper disposal of human remains and two counts of misleading a police officer. Judge Bruce Henry scheduled sentencing for Thursday, April 27 at 10 a.m.

“Deeply in debt to his long-time business partner Stephen Rakes, William Camuti offered to meet the victim to discuss financial matters over coffee,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Unbeknownst to the victim, the defendant had laced the victim’s coffee with potassium cyanide to avoid paying the $100,000 he owed the victim. The defendant then waited for his so-called friend to die before leaving the victim in the woods in Lincoln. When questioned by authorities, the defendant made a concerted and deliberate effort to mislead Massachusetts State Police and Lincoln Police. Thanks to the diligent work of these two law enforcement agencies and the prosecutors assigned to this case, today the jury found the defendant guilty of his crimes.”

Lincoln Chief of Police Kevin Kennedy added, “Thank you to my officers in the Lincoln Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police and the prosecutors who worked tirelessly to investigate and prosecute this case. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Stephen Rakes and we hope that today’s verdict will bring them closure.”

On Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a jogger running past a wooded area on Mill Street in Lincoln discovered the body of Stephen Rakes. Lincoln Police and Massachusetts State Police responded and immediately began an investigation.

Surveillance video showed Rakes leaving the Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse, where he had been regularly attending the trial of Whitey Bulger, on the afternoon of July 16, 2013. He was wearing the same clothing when his body was discovered; however, the victim did not have a phone, keys or identification on his person.

Authorities learned that Camuti arranged to meet the victim around 1:45 p.m. at McDonald’s in Waltham on July 16 under the guise of discussing a real estate deal in Wilmington. The defendant purchased two iced coffees, one of which he mixed with two teaspoons of potassium cyanide. He gave the laced drink to the victim, who drank it.

The defendant then drove around Waltham, Woburn, Burlington, and Lincoln for several hours with the victim in the vehicle. He later dumped the body of Rakes in the wooded area in Lincoln where it was found the next day.

In the course of the investigation, authorities discovered Internet searches on the defendant’s computer including ways to purchase cyanide and queries such as, “Will the taste of coffee change if it is mixed with sodium or potassium cyanide?” Authorities also learned that the defendant was deeply in debt to the victim at the time of the murder.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would later determine the cause of death to be acute potassium cyanide poisoning. Camuti was arrested on August 2, 2013.

This case was investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Lincoln Police Department. 

Lincoln Squirrel stories from 2013:

New group invites residents to ‘tag’ gas leaks

Lincoln Mothers Out Front Gas Circle members (left to right) Staci Montori, Kate Dahmen, Trish O’Hagan, Sue Michener, Carol Michener Card. Missing from photo: Emily Haslett, DJ Mitchell, Jackie Lenth and Stacey Parks. (Photo from Mothers Out Front – Lincoln)

As one of its first actions to take on local and global environmental challenges, the new Lincoln chapter of the group Mothers Out Front invites residents to a rally and artistic event on Sunday, May 7 to raise awareness of natural gas leaks in town.

The event starts at 1 p.m. at the Lincoln Town Office Building with a welcome address and kickoff rally. Teams of “taggers” will then disperse to mark over 45 known gas leaks throughout Lincoln and hang doorknob information sheets to alert neighbors about the harmful and costly effects of leaking natural gas. Anyone interested in joining is welcome; please email LincolnMOF@gmail.com to sign up for a tagging team.

Natural gas is 95 percent methane, a potent greenhouse gas that speeds up climate change, harms trees, and is linked to health issues including asthma. The Cambridge nonprofit Home Energy Efficiency Team maps gas leaks in more than 200 Massachusetts cities and towns. There are more than 20,000 gas leaks in Massachusetts;Mothers Out front cites a recent Boston University survey of 100 of those leaks that were identified seven as “super-emitters” and 15 as potentially explosive.

Utilities charge consumers for the leaked gas they never use, and the Lincoln campaign is part of a statewide movement to enact gas leaks legislation. A law signed in 2016 requires gas companies to address “environmentally significant” leaks, or the ones leaking the most gas, while other pending legislation would pass the cost of lost gas from consumer bills to the utilities over a period of time. Senate Bill 1845 is currently before the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy co-chaired by Lincoln’s state senator, Michael Barrett.

Annual forum on school priorities on Thursday

The Lincoln School Committee and administration invite parents, faculty, and community members to provide input into developing the school district’s 2017-18 strategic priorities at the third annual Strategic Priorities Community Forum on Thursday, April 27 from 7–9 p.m. in the Hartwell Multipurpose Room.

The meeting will feature an overview of of the school district vision and strategic plan; faculty presentations of current classroom practices that represent the district’s priorities; and community conversation about hopes, expectations, and priorities for the district to consider for the coming year.

Developing the annual District Strategic Plan involves gathering of input from stakeholder groups, a review of the district’s progress toward achieving current goals, and discussion of appropriate next steps in order to move forward toward achieving the district’s vision for education in the Lincoln Public Schools. The district’s current strategic priorities are focused on the delivery of curriculum and instruction that engages students at high levels and supports the academic, creative, social, and emotional development of all students.

Service on May 4 for Nancy Zuelke, 81

The late Larry and Nancy Zuelke with their antique VW Beetle (click here for story). Photo: Alice Waugh

A public celebration of the life of Nancy J. Zuelke will be held on Thursday, May 4 from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Pierce House to remember the long-time Lincoln resident and former Town Clerk who passed away April 15. Many people met her at the town offices where she worked from 1972-2017.

Nancy Augustus was born September 13, 1936 in Evanston, Ill. She grew up in Winnetka and Evanston with her sister Dottie (Martin). She attended Beloit College and then transferred to the University of Illinois at Champagne/Urbana where she completed a BA in sociology. Nancy met Larry Zuelke at a meeting of the Christian Science Student Organization. They married in 1957 and moved to Cambridge, Mass., and on to Lincoln in 1961, where they raised their three children. Larry, a former Lincoln Minute Man, passed away in 2015.

Nancy was always supportive and a strong force behind her family’s activities. She was a Cub Scout den mother, and she taught and participated in various arts and crafts with her children. For a short time, she was a tour guide at Drumlin Farm before beginning a long career at the Lincoln Town Hall. Starting out as an assistant to the Town Manager inn 1972, she eventually served as Town Clerk and assisted on numerous town boards from Appeals to Zoning.

After retiring, she continued to help at elections and was active in the Council on Aging. In 2016, she received Lincoln’s annual Bright Light Award. “I always thought [the award] was for someone with a bright idea and I’ve had no bright ideas. I’m just letting my light shine, that’s all,” Nancy said when she received the award at Town Meeting.

She enjoyed tennis, swimming, skiing, sewing, knitting, and gardening.  Nancy and Larry had many adventures throughout the U.S and around the world. She was always a good sport even when confronted with the steep Chilkoot Trail and rapids of the Forty Mile River in Alaska or hiking the fjords in Norway. During much of her tenure at the town offices, she rode her bike to work.

Nancy was an active member of the Christian Science church in Concord, regularly serving in the Reading Room as well as on other church committees. She had a long history of helping others. Donations in Nancy’s name can be made to the Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging or a service organization of your choice.

Nancy has three children; Karl of Natick; Karen and Lynn of Fairbanks, Alaska; and eight grandchildren: Katrina, Elizabeth, Victoria, Leah, Gail, Jesse, Amy and Laura.

Members of the LincolnTalk email list can view reminiscences about Nancy here.

Other obituaries:

John Esserian

Nancy Braasch

Nancy Braasch, 96 (March 15) — survived by husband of 71 years and others. Service on Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m. at the First Parish Church.

John A. Esserian, 89 (March 20) — inventor of the handheld bar code scanner.

News acorns

Two concerts at Bemis this weekend

Lyrica Boston Chamber Music will give a free concert on Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m. in Bemis Hall. On the program will be Schubert’s Trout Quintet and other works in a surprising array of styles. A reception with light refreshments will follow the concert. Musicians will include Laura Bossert (violin), Annie Bartlett (viola), Mariel Bossert (piano), Mina Kim (cello) and Donald Palma (bass). The Lyrica Boston Chamber Music series was founded by Lincoln resident Laura Bossert to provide a launching ground for young emerging artists to perform alongside seasoned professionals. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging.

Dave Whitney and his Big Band will play in Bemis Hall on Sunday, April 30 from 2–5 p.m. Presented by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Film about relationship violence

Local residents—particularly parents of high school students—are invited to a powerful 90-minute film-based workshop about relationship violence on Thursday, May 4 at 7 p.m. in the L-S auditorium. Escalation tells the story of two college students who fall in love, but whose relationship ultimately turns violent. After the screening, participants are encouraged to talk about relationship violence in a group conversation led by trained facilitators.

The workshop is produced by the OneLove Foundation and presented locally in conjunction with the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund by the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable with Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School’s Mentors in Violence Prevention team. L-S seniors will have the opportunity to take part in the Escalation Workshop as part of the L-S “Courage to Care Conference.”

‘Wake Up the Nature Linc Garden’ on May 6

As part of Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area “Hidden Treasures 2017,” a regional celebration, Farrington Nature Linc will host a pair of events. At Wake Up the Nature Linc Garden on Saturday, May 6 starting at 10 a.m., visitors can weed, turn over the soil, plant annuals, and then hike to vernal pools to look for tadpoles and frogs. At 2 p.m., there will be a talk about Farrington Memorial’s history. Farrington’s clerk, Susan Taylor, will share what we know about life on one of Lincoln’s oldest farmsteads starting with the first structure in 1650 through the 18th-century chestnut barn and the 1911 Donaldson-built dormitory, up through today’s work bringing youth from low-income, urban communities out into nature. Please RSVP for both events to Wendy@NatureLinc.org.

Also as part of the celebration, there will be free admission to the Gropius House and Codman Estate on May 6.

Flower and plant sale

On Saturday, May 6  from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lincoln Town Hall, a selection of plants from Stonegate Gardens and gifts from the Lincoln PTO will be available for purchase at the PTO’s biennial plant sale and fundraiser. You’ll find flats and potted arrangements, fun and affordable Mother’s Day gifts, and a free kid’s potting activity (be sure bring your child’s old boots for the project!) Plant sale is rain or shine, and lemonade and treats will be available for sale by the Brooks School class of 2018. Volunteers will be available to assist in loading.

Borrow nature-themed backpacks for kids

Four new nature-themed backpacks, designed by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, are available for two-week check out in the Children’s Department at the Lincoln Public Library.

The “Birding, Trackers, Insects, and Trees Etc.” backpacks contain laminated field guides and books for identifying animals and plants; tools to assist with exploration such as magnifying lenses, binoculars, and insect nets; activities to record observations and engage in hands-on learning (story books, nature logs, and plaster casts of animal tracks); and reference materials including a Lincoln trail map, environmental ethics awareness cards, and information on ticks and mosquitos. Many items were sourced and purchased at discount with help from staff at the Audubon Shop at Drumlin Farm.

“As a parent, grandparent, former science teacher, and former director of environmental education in the Lincoln Public Schools, I’ve had lots of experience seeing the value of getting children outdoors exploring nature on local trails and in their backyards. Children are curious and love making discoveries on their own, with a few friends or even a grandparent, and the backpacks will facilitate these opportunities,” said Gywn Loud, a trustee for Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.

The nature backpacks are funded by Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and Friends of the Lincoln Library.

LSF bee celebrates 10 years of spelling acumen

Third-grade winners: The Word Wizards: Henry Hussey, Rahul Rani, and Alex Zipes. Adults, left to right: Principal Kristen St. James; and teachers Scot Dexter, Jen Mastrullo, and Debbie Carpenito. (More photos below; click to enlarge)

The Lincoln School Foundation (LSF) celebrated a decade of student spelling prowess and a new contest format at the annual town-wide spelling bee on April 2.

In keeping with the LSF’s mission to bring innovative ideas into our schools, last year’s fifth-graders piloted a new style of spelling bee competition. Every team was given the same word to spell out on a whiteboard, and double elimination ensured that one extraordinarily hard word didn’t wipe out the whole group unfairly. Thanks to the overwhelmingly positive response, the pilot format was improved and fully implemented for all grades this year.

Similar to last year, the double elimination rule remained and all teams in a heat received the same words, but whiteboards were traded in for laptops, and teams’ final answers were projected on screens, making it easier for the audience to see. A judge then asked one team member to spell the word out loud for the audience to hear.

“The LSF folks who have run the bee over the years have been really responsive to the feedback they’ve received from the judges and pronouncers. It’s become a great community event,” said Brooks School Principal Sharon Hobbs.

“The students were well prepared and it was a terrific addition to have each team spell and display every word. We are so fortunate to have LSF as a partner, not only for this amazingly well-organized event, but in their ability to contribute so positively to the school community by funding grants to further teaching and learning,” said Smith School Principal Sarah Collmer.

Third-grade teams kicked off the day with four heats of competition, the winners of which went on to the championship round. The Word Wizards with teammates Henry Hussey, Rahul Rani, Alex Zipes won the championship round with the word diligently.

Three heats of fourth-grade teams competed to make it to the championship round. Under the team name Gold Troph-Bees, Polly Zimmerman, Bella Chen, Brooklynn Masso won the final round with the word avocado.

Bee Dazzled, the winning sixth-grade team. Left to right: Principal Erich Ledebuhr; Lincoln Public Library children’s librarian Debbie Leopold; teacher Becca Fasciano, and spellers Allie Schwartz, Lily Huang, and Francesca Liu.

Fifth-grade winners The Cocoa Crew. Left to right: Principal Erich Ledebuhr; Lincoln Public Library children’s librarian Debbie Leopold, Principal Sharon Hobbs, and spellers Mina Tanner, Mackenzie White and Rori Page.

The Gold Troph-Bees, who won the fourth-grade competition. Front row, left to right: Polly Zimmerman, Bella Chen, and Brooklynn Masso. Back row, left to right: Principal Sarah Collmer, Officer Ian Spencer, and Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director Dan Pereira.

Two heats of fifth grade teams competed with The Cocoa Crew, Mina Tanner, Mackenzie White and Rori Page Cramer winning by spelling the final word linguist.

For the sixth grade, it was Allie Schwartz, Lily Huang, and Francesca Liu as team Bee Dazzled, who ended the bee by correctly spelling the word doldrums. This was the team’s fourth consecutive bee.

The event saw the usual great support from school faculty and the community. Many thanks to the pronouncers: Superintendent Becky McFall, Assistant Superintendent Patricia Kinsella, Principals Kristen St. James, Collmer, Hobbs, and Erich Ledebuhr; and the judges: teachers Jennifer Mastrullo, Debbie Carpenito, Scot Dexter, and Becca Fasciano, Officer Ian Spencer from Lincoln Police Department, Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director Dan Pereira, Lincoln Public Library Children’s Librarian Debbie Leopold, and Director of the Lincoln Extended-day Acivities Program (LEAP) Katie Hawkins.

The LSF also thanks Lincoln School Director of Technology Rob Ford, James Suttie, and the LPS audio/visual staff for helping to implement the new format seamlessly.

L ocal businesses that sponsored the bee included Coppe and Sears Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Lexington, ARTSmart New England, MD+A, Budget Printing in Concord, Boston Sports Clubs, Doherty’s Garage, Donelan’s Supermarkets, Sky Salon, Exoprise, Hanscom Air Force Base Commissary, The Toy Shop of Concord, Party City, Beehive Art, and Something Special.

The LSF spelling bee is also an opportunity for Lincoln School and Hanscom Middle School (HMS) students to come together. “The thing I like the most about the spelling bee is that is brings students from both our campuses together at an event that is academically oriented and that helps to support our district,” said HMS Principal Erich Ledebuhr.

“The LSF Spelling Bee is a wonderful event that brings students and families from Lincoln, Boston, and Hanscom together for fun with a purpose, supporting the great work of the Lincoln School Foundation. LSF grants lead to innovative and engaging learning experiences for our students,” McFall said.

LSF is a nonprofit organization, and donations from the Lincoln community provide seed money that allow teachers to bring new and innovative tools and techniques to the classroom. Funded projects in 2016-17 included a station-based model for social studies instruction at HMS; support for the creation of curriculum and resources to help encourage the use of yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation by both the students and faculty in the Smith School; funding to host Urban Improv for both HMS and Brooks middle school students and teachers; and maker spaces at two schools.

Council on Aging activities in May

Watercolors with Jane Cooper
May 1 at 9 a.m.
Jane Cooper will offer fun dabbling in watercolor painting of scenes of nature, landscapes or some favorite sky. Two sessions of four classes will be offered Fridays and Mondays in May from 9–11 a.m. beginning May 1 and 15 at Bemis Hall. Cost is $30/session. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up. All materials are included in the fee. No prior experience necessary.

Lincoln Academy with Bijoy Misra: mantra—a chant or a therapy?
May 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, May 1 at 12:30 at Bemis Hall to hear Bijoy Misra discuss “Mantra—A Chant or a Therapy?” A mantra is a repetitious chant that we are supposed to keep in in our memory. It is lately taught as an aid in meditation. In its original form in India, it was supposed to be a therapy that could heal. The healing is caused by the orchestral composition of syllables that are required to be uttered with proper breathing. We will explore examples of composition in Sanskrit and examine the breathing through proper articulation. Lincoln resident Bijoy Misra is a physicist and Sanskrit scholar. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Coffee with Sarah Chester
May 2 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Lincoln artist Sarah Chester at a reception for her show at the Bemis Artists Gallery on Tuesday, May 2 at 2:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Her work will be exhibited through May. “I paint what strikes my eye and heart: the lights and colors of land and seascapes, the stories that old structures tell, relationships between and among generations, the relationships between generations and the land,” Chester says. “My paintings have been selected by multiple juried shows and are in private collections throughout the Northeast.”

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
May 3 at 10 a.m.
No matter what your age, if you are experiencing violence or abuse by a family member, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, or you are concerned about someone else, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to noon to have a confidential discussion with someone from the Domestic Violence Services Network. Come find out more about domestic violence and how to cope as well as available resources in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. No need to stop at the front desk; just take the elevator to the basement and follow the signs.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
May 3 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold office hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, May 3 from 1–2 p.m. on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up.

Boston Symphony Orchestra matinee
May 5 at 10:45 a.m.
Andris Nelsons will conduct works by Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and Mahler featuring pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and soprano Kristine Opolais. The program includes Shostakovich’s Suite from the incidental music to King Lear, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. (Symphony Hall is handicapped accessible.) If you aren’t signed up but would like to go, you may contact Marilyn Buckler at 781-259-8886 or mbuckler1@comcast.net to see if any spaces are still available. The cost of the trip is $45.50 with lunch on your own, or $75 with a sumptuous lunch buffet at Symphony Hall. This trip is funded by the Hurff Fund and is therefore open to Lincoln seniors only.

Lincoln Trad Jazz Band
May 5 at 12:30 p.m.
A catchy melody you can sing along with? Tap your toes to tunes you know and love when the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band comes to Bemis Hall on May 5 at 12:30. Join the COA’s swingin’ seniors and sing along with the regulars to such good old favorites as When You’re Smilin’, or Ain’t She Sweet. Put a smile on your face with Ain’t Misbehavin’. Do the Charleston or the Lindy Hop if you’re up for it. Or just put your feet up, relax, and enjoy the band.

Lincoln Academy with Akuot Leek: South Sudanese Enrichment for Families update
May 8 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, May 8 at 12:30 to hear Akuot Leek discuss “South Sudanese Enrichment for Families Update.” The South Sudanese Enrichment for Families began in the 1990s as the Sudanese Education Fund with tremendous support from the Lincoln community. Today its wide-ranging initiatives enrich and inspire adults and children alike, giving them the confidence and resources to create thriving futures for themselves. For example, every year they send kids age 8-15 to a sleepaway summer camp. Come find out how the organization has grown, what new programs and services it offers, who they serve and what some of their life stories are, and where the South Sudanese community and the organization are going from here. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome!

Free elder law clinic
May 8 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship or probate? The COA monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden is on Monday, May 8 from 3-4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
May 9 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Positive Psychology practices class
May 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of strengths and “what is working” to create transformative change, build increased happiness, and lead a more meaningful life. The Ogden Codman Trust is generously supporting a free course Wednesdays at 9:30 at Bemis Hall on proven tactics to try in your daily life. Classes in May will be held on May 10, 17, and 24. No need to have attended previous classes. Instructor: Alyson Lee, co-active life coach, social worker and certified Positive Psychology instructor.

Improve your balance and know what to do if you fall
May 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Losing your balance and falling is one of leading causes of loss of independence among older people. Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. when Steve Menichetti, RN, BSN, discusses causes of falling, how you can reduce your risk through physical and occupational therapy, preventing falls through medication management, and what to do if you do fall. He will provide practical information that you can start to use today. Menichetti is director of care management for Deaconess Abundant Life Services. A light breakfast will be served. Please call the COA to sign up.

In-home senior services: what’s available, how to choose, what does it cost?
May 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Almost everyone wants to stay in their home for as long as possible, and the vast array of senior services now available from various agencies and organizations can help you do that. However, how do you know what’s out there? How do you choose which services you need? How can you decide which provider to use? How much does it cost? Find out the answers to these and other questions on Friday, May 12 at 12:30 at Bemis Hall when Leslie May-Chibani, assistant director at Minuteman Senior Services, and Carolyn Bottum, director of the Lincoln Council on Aging, give information and answer your questions. All ages are welcome. Co-sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging and Minuteman Senior Services.

Lincoln Academy with Karen Keane: What’s hot, what’s not—treasures from Lincoln
May 15 at 12:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered about the value of your antiques and collectibles? Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner, Inc. and an expert in Americana and folk art, will discuss trends in the antique and auction marketplace. In this lecture, Karen will use examples of local treasures found in and around Lincoln. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Be a smarter driver
May 16 at 10 a.m.
The COA is pleased to offer the AARP Smart Driving program on Tuesday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Find out about the new technologies in cars, get a refresher on the rules of the road, and learn to compensate for health-related changes and how to handle road rage. The class involves no tests or driving, and you will receive a certificate upon completion that may qualify you for reduced insurance rates. Bring a lunch. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Senior dining
May 16 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, May 16 at St. Anne’s Church. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 at least a week ahead even if you have previously attended. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let the COA know if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club.

The science club: realities of alternative energy
May 18 at 10:15 a.m.
Join Lincoln resident and physicist Stanley Solomon on Thursday, May 18 at 10:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall for a presentation on “The Realities of Alternative Energy.” Solomon will discuss The Department of Energy’s Boulder facility history, the rate at which new technologies can be implemented, and some available and potentially available alternate energy resources. Bring your questions and ideas

Coffee with a cop
May 18 from 1–3 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, May 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. to meet privately with a police officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member, or neighbor? An idea for the Police to try? Would you like guidance about a situation? Come on down—no need to make an appointment. An officer will be at Bemis each third Thursday of the month.

Adapting your home so you can live independently
May 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Even if you’re finding it hard to navigate stairs, the bathroom, or other aspects of your home, you may still be able to stay in your house by making adaptations. Find out more at a special program on Friday, May 19 at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. First, Stuart Parsons, a licensed architect specializing in home renovations to help people age in place, will discuss what kinds of adaptations are possible, both minor and major, and what they may cost. Then Dan Walsh, Lincoln’s building inspector, will discuss how to select and pre-screen a home improvement contractor. Find out how to choose a contractor, get good estimates, determine credentials and insurance, legal requirements for contracts and permits, and what to do if you have a problem.

Lincoln Academy with Rebecca Curtin: pioneer woman lawyer Leila Robinson Sawtelle
May 22 at 12:30 p.m.
Suffolk University School of Law professor Rebecca Curtin will relay the fascinating story of Leila Robinson Sawtelle, the first woman graduate of the Boston University Law School. When Leila was denied admission to the Massachusetts bar, she successfully fought to change the law, eventually being admitted to practice before the Supreme Court and authoring two books about the law. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Fireside chat: how do you cope with change?
May 24 at 10 a.m.
Change is inevitable in all aspects of our lives. Some people welcome and embrace change while others generally fear and avoid it. Each response can be appropriate at different times. What have been some of the most significant changes in your life? What strategies for coping with or embracing change have you found to be the most successful? Join others in a lively but respectful discussion facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, May 24 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The purpose is not to convince others of your opinion, but to share ideas so as to create dialogue and understanding.

Elders Ensemble dancers
May 25 at 2:30 p.m.
All are invited to experience the wisdom and joy of the Elders Ensemble of Prometheus Dance at a free performance of dance and theater on Thursday, May 25 at 2:30 at Bemis Hall. The Elders Ensemble are eight post-professional dancers, aged 60-94, who create and perform pieces telling the bittersweet stories of their lives as dancers, daughters, mothers, and friends. Following each Elders Ensemble performance there is a post-performance discussion with the aim of reflecting on the work and gaining insight through audience perspective. Many of the dancers studied with the greats of modern dance in the 1930s to 1950s. They perform at community venues, celebrations and arts centers. All ages are welcome.

Veterans Memorial Day BBQ
May 26 at 11:30 a.m.
Veterans and their spouses are invited to a special barbecue on Friday, May 26 at 11:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall featuring a delicious lunch of barbecued pork or chicken or beef brisket. The COA is hoping to create a dynamic veterans community here in Lincoln and would love to see you and your spouse at the barbecue. You must sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 by May 24 so that they will have enough meals. Unfortunately, they will not be able to accommodate those who do not sign up. A $5 donation is requested.

Techno teach-in with teens
May 31 at 10 a.m.
The L-S Senior Class is having a Give Back to the Community Service Day, and they invite you to join them at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Whether you want some tips on texting to keep up with grandchildren, or need help learning to store and play your favorite music and films on your computer, or anything else tech-related, call for an appointment today.

Trip to Gloucester and the Cape Ann Museum

On Wednesday, June 14, the COA will head to the Cape Ann Art Museum in downtown Gloucester. There those on the trip will have a docent-led tour of the collection of Fitz Henry Lane paintings, the luminist, marine painter (1804-1865) of this historic seaport, the museum’s collection of 18th-century portraits and contemporary art, and the Fisheries, Maritime and Granite Galleries. This is a delightful, recently renovated museum in historic Gloucester. Lunch will be together at your own cost at a nearby restaurant, and if the weather is good you will have time to wander Main Street filled with galleries, a wonderful artists’ cooperative, restaurants and shops. The bus will leave the Lincoln Mall at 9:30 a.m. sharp, returning to Lincoln around 4 p.m. The non-refundable cost of the trip is $22. This trip, supported by the Hurff Fund, is open to Lincoln residents 60+. Reservations must be made by June 8. Send checks payable to FLCOA/Trips to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. Please contact Donna with any questions at 781-257-5050.

Film and video offerings for Lincolnites

  • Overwhelmed by your tween or teen’s time spent on social media, video games, or any device? Concerned about the real long-term effects and ramifications on their developing brains and of their disengagement in society? The critically acclaimed documentary Screenagers will be shown in the Brooks auditorium on Tuesday, May 9 at 7 p.m. A Q&A with experts in the field of adolescent development will follow the one-hour film. Tickets are $10 (order online here) and proceeds will benefit the Eighth-Grade Graduation Fund. For more info, please view the trailer on. Kids are strongly encouraged to attend was well. This event is open to the public (including surrounding towns), so reservations are recommended.
  • The Lincoln Library Film Society will show The Wave directed by Dennis Gansel on Thursday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. (1 hour 47 minutes, in German with English subtitles, 2008). The film is based on a real event at a Californian high school in which a teacher’s experiment to demonstrate to his students what life is like under a dictatorship spins horribly out of control when he forms a social unit with a life of its own.
  • The recently released and Oscar-nominated claymation film Ma Vie de Courgette (My Life as Zucchini) will be shown by the Lincoln-Sudbury French Club on Friday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m.in the L-S auditorium. The event is free, but voluntary donations will benefit Doctors Without Borders. The film (subtitled in English) tells the story of a young boy named Courgette—sent to foster care and after being neglected by his mother, he soon learns to love again. There will be a reception beginning at 6:30m. with light refreshments and live music.
  • Artist, photographer and Lincoln resident Miranda Loud created an eight-minute video and slideshow montage from the Patriots Day reenactments in Lincoln and in Concord at the Old North Bridge. Click here to watch.