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

Wong’s contract extended at L-S

Bella Wong

The Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee unanimously approved an extension of Superintendent/Principal Bella Wong’s contract through June 30, 2020.

“The School Committee is grateful for Bella’s many contributions to Lincoln-Sudbury over the four years in which she has served as Superintendent/Principal,” Elena Kleifges, chair of the committee, said in a press release. “Her compelling vision for 21st-century education and the promotion of equity and excellence for all students have become part of the fabric of the high school, and the towns of Lincoln and Sudbury have been the beneficiaries of Bella’s strong financial and operational management during a challenging period. We look forward to her continued contributions over the next three years.”

Wong has served as superintendent/principal of the district since July 1, 2013 (and as acting superintendent/principal before that), and she also was a science teacher and department coordinator at L-S from 1991 to 1998.
Wong told the Lincoln Squirrel that managing our budget over the past few years to maximize benefit to students has been the biggest challenge during her current tenure. “We were able to manage fixed costs like healthcare and utilities in order to be able to sustain current staffing and add a few new programs and/or improvements,” she said. “Our staff is really great at staying abreast of opportunities to keep the curriculum fresh, relevant and challenging for themselves to teach and for students to learn. One of the best achievements is being able to support those endeavors through summer workshops and additional professional development we can offer. I feel we are more conscious of what we each are doing in the effort to coordinate our efforts and promote collaboration across all departments toward creating best options for all students.”
How to prepare students for “a rapidly changing world environment” will be a key issue going forward, she said. “How do we find the right balance of skill development and content knowledge across all disciplines in four years? More critically, how do we instill a positive growth mindset in all of our students—a ‘can do ‘ attitude that will help them overcome any challenge they will face in time to come?” she said.

Prior to her current position, she was assistant superintendent and later superintendent of the Wellesley Public Schools. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Harvard University, did graduate study in molecular biology at Stanford University, earned a law degree at the University of California—Davis, and has a master’s degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Are Lincoln amphibians evolving? (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Resident Audrey Kalmus sent this photo of one of the signs on Silver Hill Road warning drivers to beware of crossing amphibians. The primate was added to the signs by a person or persons unknown. “Dave McKinnon, our land manager, noticed it yesterday,” Conservation Director Thomas Gumbart said on Friday. “We both thought it was pretty funny.”

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.

News acorns

Trial begins for man accused of dumping body in Lincoln

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

The Boston Globe published this April 6 article on the prosecution’s account of the last day of  Stephen “Stippo” Rakes, whose body was discovered in Lincoln in 2013. April 5 was the opening day of the trial of William Camuti of Sudbury. Police say Camuti, former owner of the Loan Depot, poisoned Rakes with cyanide in his iced coffee in Waltham, then drove around the area for hours before dumping the body on Mill Street in Lincoln. He is charged with first-degree murder, improper disposal of a body, and two counts of lying to police.

Lincoln Squirrel stories from 2013:

Boy Scouts seek new members

The Lincoln Boy Scouts are looking for new members in grades 5 and up. Several camping trips are planned before the end of the school year, as well as many other activities and learning opportunities. The troop meets every Wednesday evening at the Mason Lodge in Lincoln. Fof more information, email Chris Bursaw at cbursaw@seguincapital.com.

Artist’s presentation on wild ponies of Assateague

The Lincoln Public Library presents “The Wild Ponies of Assateague Island” with artist Rob Franco on Thursday, April 20 at 7 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. Franco will present a DVD and share how the approximately 300 ponies that wander freely on the island have influenced his paintings. His paintings are on display in the library’s Main Art Gallery during April.

Lecture at deCordova by landscape photographer

Laura McPhee, Late Summer (Drifting Fireweed), 2007, C-print, 70″ x 90″ inches. Gift of the artist and Carroll and Sons, Boston. Photo by Rick Mansfield of Anchor Imagery.

Boston-based photographer Laura McPhee will give the 2017 Paul J. Cronin Memorial Lecture on Thursday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. McPhee, a professor at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, is known for her stunning large-scale photographs that chronicle how we value and use the landscape. Free and open to all; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. McPhee travels extensively with her large-format camera to document landscapes both strange and familiar in lush color and exquisite detail. Her past projects include photographing the forests of central Idaho, the domestic architecture of Kolkata, India, and the Gateway National Recreation Area in coastal New York and New Jersey.

Property sales in February

  • 8C North Commons — Alan Chapman to Yue Shanshan for $338,900 (February 24)
  • 122 Lexington Rd. — Lexington RD Development Limited Partnership to Dallas J. Webb and Leyla E. Webb Kosar for $1,575,000 (February 24)
  • 138 Weston Rd. — Dmitriy Shtockman to Steven and Megan Reece for $705,000 (February 23)
  • 236 Aspen Circle — Karl A. geiger to Stephen K. and Susanne W. geiger for $490,000 (February 2)

News acorns

 Park & Rec seeks new member

The Lincoln Parks & Recreation Committee has an open seat and is seeking a resident to fill it ASAP. The term of service would be through March 2019.  We are accepting applications through Friday, April 14. Anyone interested in serving on the committee should fill out the town volunteer form and return it to Peggy Elder in the Selectman’s Office by April 14.

Tick season is here

The Board of Health urges residents to take precautions against deer tick bites, which can cause Lyne disease and other ailments. Preventive measures and tick removal guidelines can be found here.

Volunteers, artists sought for Lincoln Arts Show

The second annual Lincoln Arts Show on Patriots Day Weekend at Bemis Hall is still seeking volunteers for setup, hosting during the show, reception, and take-down. Contact Sarah Chester at schester636@gmail.com. The show is also still accepting entries until Monday, April 10. Click here for entry forms. Come see paintings, photography, ceramics, hand crafts, etc., created by your Lincoln friends and neighbors. Free admission. The opening reception is Saturday, April 15 from 5–6:30 p.m. Show times are:

  • Saturday, April 15 from 12–5 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 16 from 1–5 p.m.
  • Monday, April 17 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Sponsored by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department and the Council on Aging.

Donate household items to Domestic Violence Roundtable

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable invites area residents to donate new household items to help families transitioning from a shelter to establish a new home. The Shower for Shelters runs from Monday, April 10 through Sunday, April 30. New unwrapped gifts may be dropped off at the Lincoln Public Library, the Goodnow Library in Sudbury or the Wayland Public Library. Items may also be dropped off at the group’s free wine-tasting event at Sudbury Wine and Spirits in the Rugged Bear Plaza (410 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury) on Friday, April 21 starting at 7 p.m.

Requested items include twin-size sheets, pillowcases, summer blankets and comforters as well as pillows, crib sheets, bath towels and face cloths, unscented cleaning products and laundry detergent, laundry baskets, kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes, drinking glasses and small kitchen appliances. Gift cards are also welcome. For a complete list of requested items, please visit the Roundtable website. All gifts collected are donated to clients of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, and Voices Against Violence.

Lincoln Minute Men stepping off with historical observances

The Lincoln Minute Men (LMM) have several activities to observe events surrounding Patriots Day starting this Saturday, April 8. Click here for a listing of events at Minute Man National Historic Park or click here for a map of the park.

Saturday, April 8 — The Capture of Paul Revere

March behind the LMM down Battle Road or join them at the capture site where Paul Revere’s ride ended in Lincoln. See Revere, Samuel Prescott, William Dawes, Mary Hartwell, and Major Mitchell tell the true story, despite poetic efforts by special guest Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Music and musket fire.

  • Minute Man National Historic Park Visitors Center, 2:45 p.m.
  • Capture site, 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 15 — Battle Road: Capt. Smith, Parker’s Revenge, and Tower Park

The LMM interpret the home of William Smith and his wife Catharine Louisa in the 1775 home of their first captain. Later, hundreds of British and Colonial soldiers recreate the running battle along the deadly stretch of road on the border of Lincoln and Lexington. Then both sides regroup to battle at Tower Park in Lexington.

  • Captain William Smith House, 9:30 a.m. to noon
  • Parker’s Revenge battle site behind Visitors Center, 2 p.m.
  • Battle of Tower Park (1200 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington), 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 16 — Lincoln Salute: Festival of 18th-century Fife and Drum Music

The LMM host fife and drum groups from as far away as Michigan in a musical performance. Bring your picnic basket and lawn chairs for rousing entertainment.

  • Pierce Park, 2-3:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 16 — Alarm and Muster

An ancient Revolutionary War veteran reminisces about those fateful early hours of April 19, 1775. Capt. William Smith rides down the hill to alarm the citizens of Lincoln. Bells ring, drums roll and the LMM fall in to receive their orders to defend Concord. Then march with the LMM to Pierce House for a firing demonstration.

  • Library lawn opposite First Parish Church (3 Bedford Rd.), 7 p.m.
Monday, April 17 — Dawn Tribute and March to the Concord Parade

The LMM salute the patriots buried in the Old Meeting House Cemetery as they emerge from the mists of the burial ground for roll call. Fifers play a lament and the muskets fire a volley. Then join the LMM on their walk to Concord (3 miles) amid colonial music and musket fire. There will be bus transportation across Route 2 courtesy of Doherty’s Garage. All ages welcome.

  • Outside Bemis Hall, 6:45 a.m.; Concord parade, 9 a.m.
Sunday, April 23 — Old Burial Ground Tribute

March with the LMM and the Regulars from Pierce House to the Old Burial Ground on Lexington Road to honor the patriot dead and five British soldiers killed in Lincoln along the Battle Road. Hear Mary Hartwell tell her story of their burial. Ceremonies include music and musket salutes by both sides. A reception follows, courtesy of the Lincoln Historical Society.

  • Pierce House, 2:30 p.m. (reception at 4 p.m.)

Officials mingle at Pierce House dinner

Town officials gathered for the traditional post-Town Meeting dinner at the Pierce House on March 30. Soft lighting, spring flowers, music and good food greeted the group as they debriefed and socialized after the day-long Annual Town Meeting on March 27. This year’s dinner was the first for new Pierce House Event Manager Nancy Beach. (Click any photo below to enlarge.)

Stephanie Smart, Housing Commission Chair Allen Vander Meulen, Town Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden, Green Energy Committee Chair John Snell, and Town Videographer Jim Cunningham.

Outgoing Selectman Renel Fredriksen, outgoing Board of Assessors member John Robinson, and Library Board of Trustees member Peter Sugar.

Planning Board member Gary Taylor and Pierce House Event Manager Nancy Beach.

Public hearings coming up

The Lincoln Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11 to review an application for a Special Permit for a wireless communication facility. The applicant, Crown Castle, proposes to construct a 75-foot replacement tower and co-applicant Verizon Wireless proposes to install six antennas in three arrays at the centerline height of 75 feet along with necessary ground-based equipment. This hearing was rescheduled from last month due to inclement weather.

The Zoning Board of the Appeals of the Town of Lincoln will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. to hear and to act on the following petitions:

  • Brian Cummings, 188 Concord Rd., for renewal of an accessory apartment special permit.
  • Daniel England, 22 Weston Rd., for renewal of an accessory apartment special permit.
  • Lisette Cooper, 5 Longmeadow Road, for a special permit to finish attic into a study and add a hot tub to backyard.
  • Paul Chapman, 30 Old Sudbury Rd., for an amendment to a previously granted special permit for interior renovations to a carriage house for an accessory apartment.
  • Holly Hedlund, 21 Sunnyside Lane, for an appeal of the issuance of a building permit by the building inspector for work to be done in conformance with previously granted special permit.

News acorns

Garden Club sponsors tree photo contest

The Lincoln Garden Club is launching a tree photo contest, inspired by the upcoming launch of the Lincoln Tree Tour—a long-lasting gift of the club to the town. Contestants may submit up to four photos of trees, located anywhere in the world. Pictures don’t need to be recent as long as they were taken by the submitter.

The photos will be displayed at the Lincoln Tree Tour photo exhibit at the Pierce House on Sunday, June 4 from 5-7 p.m. during a champagne reception to celebrate the launch of the tour. Attendees will vote on their favorite shots and elect the winner, who will receive a $50 gift card from Stonegate Gardens, as well as a Lincoln Garden Club award certificate with winning ribbon.

The photos will also support the Lincoln Garden Club by embellishing its brochures, website and other promotional materials (the photographer retains the copyright) helping raising funds to support the Lincoln Tree Tour Project.

The submission deadline is Sunday, May 21—please read the photo contest rules. Questions? Contact Daniela Caride at danielacaride@gmail.com or 262-416-1616.

Domestic Violence Roundtable screens ad, offers workshop

Craig Norberg-Bohm

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Massachusetts White Ribbon Campaign, the Sudbury-Wayland-Weston Domestic Violence Roundtable will host a workshop and screen a new pubilc service announcement featuring Sudbury, Wayland and Lincoln residents and leaders on Tuesday, April 11 at 3 p.m. in the Wayland Public Safety Building (38 Cochituate Rd., Wayland). The White Ribbon Campaign is a call to action for men and women to come take the pledge to be part of the solution to ending violence against women and all gender-based violence. The workshop will feature Craig Norberg-Bohm, one of the campaign’s organizers and an internationally known speaker and activist for men’s mobilization. The workshop will explore ideas of masculinity and engage men (and women!) in considering what manhood means and where these ideas come from, and how they affect our lives. It’s an opportunity to spark discussion and inspire attendees to work toward change and reimagine manhood.

Mandeville and Richards at next LOMA event

Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards

Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards are the featured performers at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Thursday, April 13. The event runs from 7-10 p.m., and the duo will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. Their closely blended voices and wide range of accompaniment (guitar, harmonica, ukulele, clarinet, penny whistle, electric bass) have captivated audiences since 2010 as they travel in the footsteps of powerful singer/songwriters like Ian and Sylvia, Kate Wolf, and Neil Young. Click here to see a video of the title cut from their latest blum, Grain by Grain.

LOMA is a monthly event. Admission is free and refreshments are provided. Performers can sign up at the event or email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com for a slot. There is a sound system with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups.