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

Letter to the editor: Mostue running for fourth term on L-S School Committee

letter

To the editor:

I am declaring my candidacy as an incumbent for the Lincoln-Sudbury (L-S) School Committee. I have enjoyed serving for nine years on the committee and would be honored and delighted to continue for a fourth term.

I view among the priorities of the L-S School Committee the continued maintenance of high standards of learning, fine teaching and reasonable class sizes for which L-S is known. We must also continue ongoing collaboration with our K-8 feeder schools to strengthen curriculum coordination; establish appropriate models for teacher assignments and teacher loads; and implementation of pertinent mandates from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The committee will continue to balance educational priorities with the available fiscal resources.

Professionally, until recently I was an administrator for the Worcester Public Schools as director of testing and assessment for 15 years. In that position, I oversaw testing programs for both regular and special education students and conducted all data analyses. I have been a member of the faculty at Framingham State University, where I most recently  taught a graduate course on research and statistics. In the past, I worked as a statistician in both management and marketing consulting firms.

It has been such a pleasure working with the other five committee members in an atmosphere of trust and collaboration, representing the citizens of both Lincoln and Sudbury, as well as students in the METCO program. I would appreciate your support of my candidacy and am available evenings at 781-259-4347 to answer any questions or discuss any issues you may have. I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

Patricia Mostue
3 Lexington Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Letter to the editor: Rundell seeks re-election to Planning Board

letterTo the editor:

I am writing to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Planning Board and to ask for your support. It has been an honor to serve for the past four years as a Planning Board member, as liaison to the Historic District Commission, and as Planning Board chair in 2015.

Over the past year, streamlining our administrative processes and the addition of an energetic new Director of Planning and Land Use, Jen Burney, have enabled a renewed focus on planning for the community, including the following important projects:

  • Creating a South Lincoln Planning Implementation Committee (SLPIC) for actionable projects improving the sustainability of the Lincoln Station commercial area, fulfilling the vision of the Comprehensive Long Range Plan.
  • Advocating for the creation of an Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) supporting collaboration across Lincoln’s for-profit and nonprofit business community.
  • Working with the Agricultural Commission to support Lincoln’s commitment to small-scale farming.
  • Working with the Housing Commission to balance our housing stock with diverse housing options while maintaining its inventory to meet state affordable housing requirements.
  • Mitigating the effects of the new Minuteman school project on the adjacent Lincoln neighborhood.

I look forward to working collaboratively on town-wide projects while continuing the important work of balancing the ideals of conservation and stewardship with thoughtful development to accomplish our shared vision of a vital town center, affordable housing and a new school project. I am happy to bring my experience and professional expertise to these endeavors.

I am a Massachusetts registered architect with over 30 years of experience in the building industry; a member of the American Institute of Architects; and hold credentials from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the U.S. Green Building Council. I presently work in the software industry with Autodesk, where I lead innovation programs focused on the architecture, engineering and construction market. I hold a master’s degree in architecture from Harvard University and a B.A. in engineering science from Dartmouth College.

My wife Virginia and I came to Lincoln in 2012 with our two children and small flock of chickens, drawn by its unique character, connection to nature and the thoughtful planning of its beautiful neighborhoods. The children are now at college and the flock has flown—and meanwhile Virginia and I have become deeply committed to the community, serving on several local volunteer boards and organizations.

Between the engagement of our many involved citizens and the astute work of our predecessors, Lincoln has a powerful model for accommodating change in a thoughtful and deliberate way. I look forward to continuing to contribute in a meaningful way to our civic process. Please feel free to contact me at rrundell.lpb@verizon.net. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Richard L. (Rick) Rundell
76 Todd Pond Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

News acorns

Green Energy Committee seeks survey responses

The Lincoln Green Energy Committee is partnering with Wayland and Sudbury to apply for another round of Solarize, a program sponsored by the Mass Clean Energy Center that will allow Lincolnites to install solar at reduced prices. For Lincoln to qualify for the MassCEC’s application process, they need residents’ answers to a short online survey. Whether you’re interested in solar, already have solar, or aren’t sure what this solar business is all about, responding to the survey will help the Lincoln Green Energy Committee design the program to meet the town’s needs. Click here to take the survey before the deadline of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Residents are also invited to “like” the group’s Facebook page to get occasional news posts

Climate change film screenings

St. Anne’s Church in Lincoln is hosting two screenings of the documentary The Age of Consequences on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 2 at 7 p.m. The film explores the effects of climate change on national security and the global order with extensive interviews with defense and intelligence officials. The showings are free of charge and open to the public. Donations will accepted to defray the cost of screening rights. At the February 28 screening, a light supper will be served before the film.  For more information, email contact Alex Chatfield at adchat@aol.com.

First Parish offers Beethoven concert

Ian Wilson and Susan Ogata.

The First Parish in Lincoln (FPL) presents “Live in Lincoln Center: The Beethoven Project—Final Installment” on Saturday, March 11 at 3 p.m. in the parish house auditorium (14 Bedford Rd.). The program includes Ludwig van Beethoven’s Opus 1, No. 1 in D major, No. 2 in A major and No. 3 in E flat major, featuring Susanna Ogata on classical violin and Ian Watson, FPL’s music director, on a replica of an 1805 Walter fortepiano.

The performance marks the culmination of a four-year project to record all 10 sonatas for fortepiano and violin by Beethoven on period instruments. “Using instruments from the period in which the music is written is not an historical or academic exercise,” said Watson. “We use them to imbue the music with the same passion and white-hot intensity with which it was created.”

There will be a reception during the program’s intermission. Suggested donation is $30, but any amount is welcome.

Students invited to apply to Lincoln Scholarship Committee

The Lincoln Scholarship Committee has opened its application cycle for 2017. Graduating seniors who are Lincoln residents are invited to review the criteria and eligibility requirements and consider making an application. Instructions and further information can be found on this Lincoln town web page. The application deadline is April 3.

Sap-to-Syrup Farmer’s Breakfast at Drumlin Farm

Maple sugaring season has begun at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, just in time for the annual Sap-to-Syrup Farmer’s Breakfast. On Saturday and Sunday, March 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., diners of all ages can feast on hearty pancakes with real maple syrup, as well as Drumlin Farm sausage and roasted potatoes. Diners are welcome to stay at the farm for as little or as long as they’d like and enjoy special maple-themed activities:

  • See how sap is collected from our majestic maple trees.
  • Explore the natural history of trees as you learn about the distinctly northwoods product of maple syrup
  • Learn about Native American sap-to-syrup techniques
  • Purchase maple syrup made at Drumlin Farm to take home with you

Tickets are $13 for Mass Audubon members, $15 for nonmembers, and free for children under 2. Register online or by calling 781-259-2206.

PJ Rogue to play at next LOMA event

PJ Rogue.

PJ Rogue (Paul Rogoshewski) is the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, March 13. The event runs from 7-10 p.m., and PJ will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. An award-winning songwriter with a velvety voice and dynamic guitar style, he made finalist in the 2015 RISA performing songwriter competition. You can sample PJ’s music on his website.

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.

 

 

L-S student advances to state poetry event

Piyusha Kundu

Piyusha Kundu of Sudbury took top honors at the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School finals of Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recitation contest, at an event at Bemis Hall on February 3.

Sixteen students competed, including Lincoln residents Rebecca Dubrovsky and Owen Finsthwait, and Sudbury residents Ethan Minkoff, Marisa Singh,  Lara Garabedian, Michaella DeSantis, Melody Phu, Elina Suter, Ella Houlihan, Parker Simon, Mary Lee, Julia Martin, Kate Molloy, Lee Goff and runner-up Kendall Dawson.

Kundu will represent L-S on March 4-5 at the regional semifinals. If she makes it to the top tier, she will move on to the state finals on March 12 in the Old South Meeting House in Boston. This event is free and open to the public.

At the finals in Lincoln, students read poems by a variety of authors from Audre Lord to Robert Frost to Li Young-Lee. Judges for the event were L-S history department coordinator Phil James, English teacher Susan Frommer, and L-S School Committee members Nancy Marshall and Radha Gargeya. Organized at L-S by English teacher Danielle Weisse for the sixth year, Poetry Out Loud involved approximately 200 students in the preliminary rounds. The classroom winners competed in the semifinals at L-S on February 1.

Each winner at the state level will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip with an adult chaperone to Washington to compete for the national championship. A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be awarded at the national finals. The winner of the National Poetry Out Loud Contest wins $20,000.

Poetry Out Loud is a program supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, who have partnered with state arts agencies to encourage the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. The program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage.

March activities at the Council on Aging

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
March 1 at 10 a.m.
If you are experiencing violence or abuse by a family member, whether physical, emotional or sexual, or you are concerned about someone who is, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, March 1 between 10 a.m. and noon to have a confidential discussion with an advocate from the Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. Come find out more about domestic violence and how to cope with it, as well as learn about available resources in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. All conversations are completely confidential.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
March 1 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Wednesday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Lincoln Woods community room. Get blood pressure checks, nutrition and fitness information, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Parenting after 45 and loving it
March 1 at 1 p.m.
More and more people are becoming new parents after age 45 for a variety of reasons. This can be uniquely rewarding for both parents and children, but also exhausting and frustrating. Join others in a discussion of the special challenges and joys of parenting after 45, including strategies for coping, with Pam Mizrahi, the COA’s Assistant Director and a social worker, on Wednesday, March 1 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. All are welcome, whether you are a parent or prospective parent or not. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

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

Lincoln Trad Jazz Band third anniversary
March 3 at 12:30 p.m.
It’s hard to believe that the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band has been playing here at Bemis Hall each first Friday of the month for three years! Come join in the celebration on Friday, March 3 at 12:30. The musicians are mostly retirees, spirited amateurs who give life to your favorite music of the 1920s to 1940s by greats like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Louis Armstrong.

Lincoln Academy with Lucretia Giese—Winslow Homer and Belmont
March 6 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 6 at 12:30 to hear Lucretia Giese discuss “Winslow Homer and Belmont.” Winslow Homer’s name conjures up images of Prouts Neck, Maine and its craggy coast, his home from the 1880s. But Homer had an earlier home in Belmont. Thirty years before and for over a decade, Homer visited that town again and again. Why? What was Belmont like then? What features attracted Homer? What work resulted and what effect did his stays in Belmont have on his career? Find out more in this Academy talk. Bring a bag lunch. 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.

Coffee with artist George Thomas
March 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Join George Thomas on Tuesday, March 7 at 2:30 p.m.to celebrate his painting exhibition in Bemis Hall that will run through March. George is a Korean War veteran who spent most of his career educating aircraft mechanics and being an avid model builder. After retirement, he took classes at the deCordova Museum and began to paint, often painting scenes from places he has visited. He has participated in two shows at the Lincoln Library and also had a showing at the gallery in the Greek Institute in Cambridge.

Lunch and the latest updates on wound care and prevention
March 10 at noon
A wound that will not heal can be both painful and potentially life-threatening. The Advanced Wound Center at Emerson Hospital will be offering lunch and a presentation on wound care on Friday, March 10 at noon at Bemis Hall. Learn to prevent wounds, when you should seek medical care, what the most up-to-date treatments are, and what the center offers. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up for the lunch of sandwiches and salads.

Lincoln Academy with Alex Maclean—Aerial interpretations: the connection between agriculture and climate
March 13 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 13 at 12:30 to hear Alex MacLean discuss “Aerial Interpretations: The Connection between Agriculture and Climate.” The focus of Alex’s aerial photography for the past 10 years has been on the causes and effects of climate change as seen through land patterns. He has published six photographic books on land use and energy related issues. He is now focusing his photography on food production and agriculture in relation to climate change. Bring a bag lunch. 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.

Free legal clinic
March 13 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about a legal issue? The Council on Aging provides a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, March 13 from 3-4 p.m. There is no charge for the thirty-minute consultation, but advance registration is required. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. Register in advance by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Coffee with a cop
March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, March 16 from 1-3 p.m. to meet privately with a Police Officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member or neighbor? An idea the police should 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.

Getting ready for Town Meeting: School Committee asks the community to start planning a school project
March 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Last year Lincoln applied to get state funding to help with a major renovation of the Lincoln School. In December the town learned that we were not accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funding pipeline. After much discussion, the School Committee has voted unanimously to recommend that Lincoln start planning a town-funded school building project. At the 2015 Town Meeting, the town voted to set aside $750,000 to do a feasibility study if we were accepted by the MSBA. At this year’s Town Meeting (Saturday, March 25), the School Committee will ask voters to allow that money to be used now. Join School Committee Chair Jennifer Glass and Superintendent Becky McFall to learn more about the warrant article and the reasons for the School Committee’s recommendation on Friday, March 17 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall. Please come with questions.

Cabaret concert: Tell me the truth about love
March 20 at 12:30 p.m.
Join vocalist Mary Crowe and pianist Evelyn Harris for a free cabaret concert with historical interludes on Monday, March 20 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. You’ll find out more about this artistically rich and exciting musical style and hear familiar and lesser known songs by Britten, Weil, Sondheim, Rogers and Hammerstein, Mary Crowe and others with different perspectives on love.

Senior dining
March 21 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, March 21 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. A special dessert will be provided by the staff and children of the Magic Garden Children’s Center.

Fireside chat: Is America still a land of opportunity?
March 22 at 10 a.m.
America prides itself on being a place where anyone can succeed, but is this still true? Do some people grow up receiving a better education which leads to better jobs, health, and other benefits? How much of an advantage does coming from a wealthier family convey? What do the answers to these questions mean for our society? Come join others in a lively but respectful discussion of this topic facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, March 22 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The purpose of the Fireside Chats is not to convince others of your opinion, but to share information and ideas so as to create dialogue and greater understanding.

Visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History and glass flowers exhibit
March 23 at 10:30 a.m.
Join the COA on Thursday, March 23 for a visit to the Harvard Museum of Natural History which will include a docent-guided group tour of the newly restored glass flowers exhibit and time to explore other exhibits. The group will depart the Lincoln Mall via Doherty’s school bus at 10:30 a.m. and proceed to a Cambridge restaurant for lunch followed by the museum visit. They will arrive back in Lincoln by about 4:30 p.m. While there’s plenty of seating within the museum, the tour itself takes place in a gallery where there are no chairs. The non-refundable cost of the trip is $15 with the lunch together at your own cost. The trip will be limited to 24. Reservations must be made by March 20. Send checks, payable to FLCOA/Trips, to Claire Mount, 123 Tower Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. Any questions, please contact Claire at 781-259-8695.

Relax with a mini-massage
March 24 at 11 a.m.
Jai Kaur (Annamaria San Antonio) will be offering seated mini back and neck massages as a gift or by donation March 24 from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up for a 15-minute appointment.

Lunch and jazz piano concert
March 24 at 11:30 a.m.
Traditions of Wayland invites you to a free special gourmet luncheon of delicious seasonal fare and a concert of jazz piano music Friday, March 24 at 11:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. On the menu will be braised stuffed flank steak with gravy, green beans and croquettes, and strawberry cake. Music will be provided by pianist and songwriter John D’Ambrosio, who plays everything from Ellington to the Beatles in an elegant and distinctive style. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up by March 17.

Lincoln Academy with Zach Woods—Why we teach STEAM at smARTroom
March 27 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 27 at 12:30 to hear Zach Woods discuss “Why We Teach STEAM at smARTroom.” Most folks are familiar with the push for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in our schools, but what are the additional benefits of STEA(Arts) M? Why add the arts to the mix? Zach, co-founder of smARTroom, will talk through his experiences in bringing STEAM education and fun to both young and old. Bring a bag lunch. 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.

Geology rocks—a musical performed by Birches students
March 31 at 8:30 a.m.
Students from Birches School invite Lincoln seniors to their third annual school musical, Geology Rocks, on Friday, March 31 at 8:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. This 35-minute musical production will feature Birches School students in grades K-6. Professor Rock has disappeared! His loyal students go on a quest to find him, joined by the (mostly unhelpful) Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Along the way they meet volcanoes, sea shores, canyons, suspicious ferns, and even Snow White—and learn about the earth’s geological cycles and features as they go. Who’s behind Professor Rock’s disappearance, and will he ever be found? Find out!

Lunch and learn: keeping your brain in shape
March 31 at noon
Deaconness Abundant Life Services invites you to come to Bemis Hall on Friday, March 31 at noon for a special lunch of assorted entrée salads and homemade cookies and a presentation and discussion of the latest research on what does and does not work, to maintain your ability to think and memory. Steve Menichetti, RN, BSN of Deaconness will explore the role of nutrition and supplements, “brain fitness” exercises, sleep, disease and wellness, and more, give practical suggestions, and answer your questions. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 if you would like lunch.

Save May 5 for the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Spend a delightful afternoon with the COA on a trip to a matinee performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Friday, May 5. 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.) You may have a sumptuous buffet lunch at Symphony Hall or you opt to arrange for your own lunch. This trip is open to Lincoln seniors only. Space is limited. Look for more details in the April COA newsletter. Questions? Contact Marilyn Buckler at 781-259-8886 or mbuckler1@comcast.net.

Free income tax preparation help

Volunteers certified under the AARP TaxAide program will prepare your federal and Massachusetts personal income tax returns or answer your tax questions. This free service can answer most of the tax issues faced by low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to those over age 60. Appointments begin in February. Call the COA office at 781-259-8811 to schedule a confidential appointment and get a list of documents to bring.

Hand drumming for fun and wellness

Come learn to do hand drumming from cultures around the world in a six-week course with acclaimed drummer Mike Connors from the Concord Conservatory of Music. The class will be held for six Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall beginning on April 4 at a cost of $60 for the course, payable to the Concord Conservatory of Music. Topics to be covered include technique for hand drumming, rhythms from Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe, developing a rhythmic vocabulary for improvisation, and exercises to improve internal pulse. This is a fun and engaging way to learn about rhythm and experience the joy of drumming in a supportive group environment. No need to bring a drum, but bring one if you have one. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 now—space is limited.

Ogden Codman Trust funds Positive Psychology Practices class

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of strengths and “what is working” to build transformative change, increased happiness, and a more meaningful life—whether personal, family, professional or community! The Ogden Codman Trust is generously supporting a free, eight-session course in Positive Psychology Practices beginning Wednesday, April 5 at 9:30. Everyone welcome—everyone benefits! No need to have attended last fall’s class which covered the theory and history of Positive Psychology. Learn proven tactics to increase your own happiness level and take them home to try them on in your daily life. Instructor: Alyson Lee, co-active life coach, social worker and certified Positive Psychology instructor.

Easy yoga your way

Yoga improves flexibility, strength, energy and more. Try gentle yoga on the floor or in a chair, Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. for 12 weeks beginning April 5. You may sign up for the whole course for $120 ($156 for those under 60) or five-class packs, and drop-in is $10/class ($13 for those under 60). Taught by Jai Kaur Annamaria San Antonio. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

GearTicks qualify for state championship

Lincoln GearTicks Jack Hutchinson, Dante Muzila and Calvin Terpstra operate the team’s robot.

The Lincoln GearTicks FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team had another successful tournament earlier this month, winning all their events plus an additional award at the “Twister on Lowder Street” qualifier in Dedham.

FTC is an annual challenge in which teams of students in grades 7-12 build and program small robots to play a game that changes each season. The game is played in a 12-by-12-foot playing field with each match consisting of four randomly partnered teams on two alliances. This year’s challenge involves tasks such as shooting small balls into two large hoops in the center of the field, pressing buttons on beacons to capture them for one’s alliance, and lifting and capping the center hoops with yoga balls—quite a challenge for a robot that has to fit in an 18-inch cube at the start of the match.

After winning all five of their qualification matches, they proceeded to the alliance selection, in which the top four ranked teams choose two additional teams to join their alliance. The GearTicks selected Loose Screws Robotics and Hailstorm, with whom they continued through the semi finals and into the finals before becoming the winning alliance.

“Our alliance partners were really great and had awesome robots,”  Driver Calvin Terpstra. Teammate Anna Sander added, “It was fun to see Loose Screws again, as they competed with us last year from our league all the way through the World Championship.”

In addition to being the captain of the winning alliance, the GearTicks also received the Think Award, which is given to the team whose engineering notebook best reflects the team’s engineering design process journey.

Next stop: the state championship on March 4 at Natick High School. The event is free and open to the public. The team is also planning to demonstrate their robot outside Lincoln’s Town Meeting on March 25. You can find out more about the GearTicks at gearticks.com.

The winning alliance: The GearTicks, Loose Screws Robotics and Hailstorm (click to enlarge).

News acorns

Video and discussion on Mexican border issues

Parishioners from First Parish in Lincoln who traveled to the Arizona-Mexico border in November will present a 20-minute video about their experiences on Sunday, March 5 at noon at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. The video includes photographs from the trip and interviews with six participants sharing what they learned about the complex issues of migration and border security. Following the film, there will be time for questions and discussion as well as a potluck lunch.

Play-reading group invites new members

A play-reading group led by Sally Kindleberger will read the comic play God of Carnage (winner of the 2009 Tony Award for best play) at its next meeting on Tuesday, March 7 at 11 a.m. in Bemis Hall New participants of all ages are invited. No experience necessary; scripts are provided. The group meets on the first two Tuesdays of each month. For more information, call Kindleberger at 781-259-1169.

Lincoln photographer in Griffin Museum show

“Red Ladder” by Mark Levinson.

Lincoln photographer Mark Levinson will be exhibiting in “Photography Atelier 25” as part of a group show of student artwork at the Griffin Museum of Photography from March 9-31. The public is invited to attend the opening reception, 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9 at the Griffin Museum (67 Shore Road, Winchester, Mass., 01890). The Atelier is a course for intermediate and advanced photographers offered by the museum.

Alzheimer’s Association sponsors deCordova tour

Research has clearly shown that staying active is the most powerful way to manage Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To provide those living with mild Alzheimer’s disease or other memory disorder with opportunities for social engagement, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter will host a guided tour of the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum on Friday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. The tour is free, but reservations are required; call 800-272-3900.

The event is part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Alz Meet Up program. “We are excited to start offering engaging activities year round through this program,” said Melody Bushmich, manager of early stage engagement programs at the Alzheimer’s Association. “We want to create a stigma-free environment for diagnosed individuals and their care partners that will also present an opportunity to form much-needed bonds.” Alz Meet Ups are a part of the Alzheimer’s Association Power+Purpose campaign, which aims to offer those Alzheimer’s the resources to continue living their lives as close to normal for as long as possible.

Resident offers workshop on end-of-life conversations with dementia patients

Rosemary Lloyd

Lincoln resident Rosemary Lloyd, a minister and former nurse, will lead a small group workshop introduction on Monday, Feb. 27 for families of dementia patients who may need help starting conversations about the patient’s wishes for care through the end of life.

Lloyd is advisor to faith communities for The Conversation Project, which is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care. The organization recently published a free Conversation Starter Kit to support families and loved ones of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and Lloyd hopes to learn whether using it in small group settings would be helpful for family members and caregivers.

After briefly sharing their stories, participants in the 90-minute workshop in Lloyd’s home will use quiet reflection, brief writing exercises, and small and large group sharing to gain a framework and process for exploring what matters most to them and to their loved one. The session is not an informational meeting or support group for Alzheimer’s caregivers or patients; “it’s a chance for people to get some tools on how to manage having the conversation with their loved one and other family members and how to express [the patient’s] wishes for care,” Lloyd said.

It’s often hard to know when to have an end-of-life conversation with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, and sometimes when family members are ready, the patient is no longer able to express his or her wishes, Lloyd noted. In that case, “we try to imagine what they would say even if they can’t speak any more… we pull it back to the person” and away as much as possible from the sometimes complicated feelings and wishes of family members, she said.

There are four slots left for the eight-person workshop on February 27. Anyone interested should contact Lloyd at 617-359-3372 or rsmlloyd@gmail.com to learn the time and address of the meeting.

Lloyd worked as a registered nurse and hospice volunteer before attending Harvard Divinity School in her 40s (she did some of her ministerial training at the First Parish of Lincoln). She is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister and a graduate of the Metta Institute.

News acorns

Con Com seeks member

The Conservation Commission is looking for a new commissioner to complete the term of a member who has moved out of town. The group, which meets every third week on Wednesdays from 7-10:30 p.m., approves or denies permits under the guidelines of the state wetlands law and town bylaw. The Con Com also maintains 80 miles of trails in town and stewards 200 acres of agricultural land. Commissioners are expected to participate on related town boards or committees as representatives from Con Com.

Anyone interested in this or other town volunteer opportunities should visit this Volunteer web page, download the application and send it to Peggy Elder in the Board of Selectman’s office. Appointments are made by the board. For more information, please contact Tom Gumbart in the Conservation Department office (781-259-2612) or any commissioner.

Library activities for kids this week

  • Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. — Luna Goes to Mars! is a play about 11-year-old Luna who is determined to build a rocket to go to Mars, with a little help from her pet hedgehog, Astro. A production of ArtsReach, from UNH. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Drop in.
  • Thursday, Feb. 23 from 4- 5 p.m. — Brixology! Kids will learn about different types of engineering and then team up to construct an engineering-themed project using LEGO bricks. Ages 6 and up. To register, call the library at 781-259-8465 ext. 4
  • Friday, Feb. 24 at 10:30 a.m. — Movies and Muffins. Gentle science-themed films based on beloved children’s books. Ages 2 and up. Drop in.
  • Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. — Meet author Joshua Funk, who will read from his picture book about the funniest food fight ever: Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast. Recommended for all ages. No registration necessary. Join us after the story time for mini pancakes and waffles.

Library to screen “Seven Beauties”

The Lincoln Public Library Film Society presents Seven Beauties directed by Lina Wertmuller (rated R. approx. 121 minutes, in Italian with English subtitles) on Thursday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m. This 1976 film stars Giancarlo Giannini as a petty crook with seven unattractive sisters to support, and it features a picaresque, World War II-era journey through a prison asylum, army service and a Nazi concentration camp. Giannini became a 1970s international icon partially on the basis of this work.

Tour the new Hanscom Middle School

Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Becky McFall and Principal Erich Ledebuhr will lead tours of the new Hanscom Middle School school on Wednesday, March 8 and Monday, March 13, both from 9-11 a.m. The 85,000-square-foot building serves 300 students in grades 4-8 and cost $34 million, funded entirely by the Department of Defense. The school’s design is based on grade-level “neighborhoods” where individual classrooms are clustered around common areas and small break-out spaces. This creates a flexible environment that fosters collaboration, accommodates project work, and provides opportunities for small, class-sized or grade-level groups. The music room, art room, library, full kitchen and gymnasium all have direct access to a central commons that features a stage and serves multiple functions: cafeteria space during lunch, performance center for music and drama, and a place to practice presentation skills for individuals and groups of students.

Tour participants must sign up in advance in order to be granted access to Hanscom Air Force Base. Please contact Mary Gately at gatelym@lincnet.org or at 781-274-7720. The signup deadlines are Marchy 3 for the March 8 tours, and March 8 for the March 13 tour.

Spelling bee registration coming up

Registration for the Lincoln School Foundation’s 10th Annual Spelling Bee will begin on February 27 and run through March 10. The bee will take place on Sunday, April 2 in the Brooks Auditorium from 1-6:30 p.m. This fun, multi-community event is open to all students in grades 3-6 from Smith, Brooks, the Hansom Schools, and Lincoln residents who attend private school or are home-schooled. Children within the same grade will register as a two- or three-person team and compete against other grade-level teams. For more information, see the LSF website or email Gabby Berberian at bee@lincolnschoolfoundation.org.

Fireside Chats on civic engagement, American opportunity

Sharon Antia will lead two Fireside Chats in Bemis Hall on “What Does Civic Engagement Mean to You?” on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 11:30 a.m., and “Is America Still a Land of Opportunity?” on Wednesday, March 22. Both events run from 10-11:30 a.m.

America prides itself on being a place where anyone can succeed, but is this still true? Do some people grow up receiving a better education which leads to better jobs, health and other benefits? How much of an advantage does coming from a wealthier family convey? What do the answers to these questions mean for our society? Come join others in a lively but respectful discussion of this topic facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on March 22. The purpose of the Fireside Chats is not to convince others of your opinion, but rather to share information and ideas so as to create dialogue and greater understanding.

Author talk on fly-fishing and friendship

The Lincoln Public Library presents a book talk and signing on The Confluence: Fly-fishing & Friendship in the Dartmouth College Grant with former Lincoln resident Phil Odence on Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m. In a collection of intertwined essays, seven authors who head north each June to a remote cabin reveal how their friendships have grown deeper as their lives flow into middle age, with laughs, tears and insight into the intersection between humanity and the natural world. The reader comes along to experience New England wilderness wonders, stinky outhouses, original watercolors, floods, a wine tasting, a dramatic search and rescue… and fly-fishing for native brook trout. Odence and his family, who are now Waltham residents, lived in Lincoln for more than a decade. He was a long time coach and president of Lincoln Youth Soccer. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

 

Public hearings coming up

The Lincoln Planning Board will hold public hearings on Tuesday, Feb. 28 to review applications for Site Plan Review at the following times:

  • 7 p.m. — Emanuel Lewin, 105 Tower Road, proposes to construct a new home at 35 Huckleberry Hill.
  • 7:15 p.m. — Elizabeth and Robert Orgel, 237 Old Concord Road, propose to construct a new home.
  • 7:30 p.m. — Minuteman Vocational Technical School proposes to construct a new school.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. to hear and to act on the following petitions:

  • Brian Cummings, 188 Concord Road, for renewal of an accessory apartment special permit.
  • Daniel England, 22 Weston Rd., for renewal of an accessory apartment special permit.