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

Donelan’s collects, donates hundreds of bags of groceries

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Jason Deveau, store manager of Donelan’s in Lincoln, helps load food donations for the food pantry at St. Joseph Church.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which operates a food pantry at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln, expressed gratitude to Donelan’s and its manager Jason Deveau for organizing a recent food drive and also for donating additional food to its pantry. This will allow the group to give out considerably more food than usual on its next pantry day and spend less money buying food this month.

During the food drive in November, shoppers at Donelan’s purchased over 200 five-item bags of groceries—twice as many as last year. The supermarket also donates day-old bread, cookies and pies throughout the year.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul saw an increase in clients this year. In October, 29 families (most of whom live or work in Lincoln or Weston) came to the food pantry, which gave out an estimated $30,000 worth of food in 2016.

Earlier this year, the organization received a $20,000 grant from Lincoln’s Ogden Codman Trust to help food pantry clients and others with emergency financial needs.

 

Public hearings coming up

The Zoning Board of the Appeals will hold a public hearing on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Office Building’s Donaldson Room, to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning bylaws:

  • Holly Hedlund, 21 Sunnyside Lane — for a special permit for a treehouse/play structure.
  • Neil Feinberg, 104 Concord Rd. — for renewal of a special permit for an accessory apartment.
  • Robert McCart, 22-24 Lewis St. — for an extension of the original special permit.

The Lincoln Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on Wednesday, Dec. 14 in the Town Office Building on the following matters:

  • 7:30 p.m. — Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation from Michael Mountz/Ventianni, LLC for confirming the wetland resource areas delineated on the property located at 144 Sandy Pond Rd.
  • 8 p.m. — Notice of Intent from Chuck Lewin for new house construction at 35 Huckleberry Hill.

 

Opportunities abound for donating to help kids

L-S Class of 2017 prom and class gift

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Purchases of coffee mugs and tote bags benefit the L-S Class of 2017.

The Lincoln-Sudbury Class of 2017 is selling coffee mugs and tote bags in a fundraiser to help defray the cost of senior prom and to allow the class to gift funds to L-S programs and outreach organizations when they graduate. These are great stocking stuffers for present and past families of L-S students as well as current eighth-graders. All items are $5 each, or five for $20. To order, email Nancy Marshall at nfmarshall23@gmail.com by Saturday, Dec. 10 with “L-S Class of 2017 order” in the subject line, and list the item(s) desired in the text/body of the email. Customers will be emailed regarding COD pickup during a two-hour window in the week of December 12. Make checks payable to LSRHS with “Class of 2017” on the memo line.

Toys for Tots drive

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Left to right: Lincoln Police Sgt. Rich McCarty, Det. Ian Spencer and Sgt. Jon Wentworth are helping collect Toys for Tots.

Lincoln Police are partnering with the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign, collecting new, unwrapped non-violent toys for boys and girls. Bins are located in the Public Safety Building lobby, Donelan’s, the Parks & Recreation office, Town Hall, the Lincoln Public Library, the Council on Aging and The Commons in Lincoln. The campaign runs until Friday, Dec. 16.

Hanscom eighth-grade class trip

Hanscom Middle School eighth-graders are scheduled to take a spring trip as part of their history and civics curriculum but are in  need of funding support. Because of its lower student population, HMS’s per-capita costs are much higher than those of most public middle schools, and because all its families are in the military, their salaries are lower, which puts real strain on their ability to support their children for this trip. Since most Hanscom kids are in the Lincoln school system for only two years, this trip tries to provide them with a lasting memory of their time at Hanscom. To make a contribution, click on this DonorsChoose page.

L-S All Sports Boosters

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A sampling of bricks that have benefited the L-S All Boosters Club.

The L-S All Sports Boosters are selling personalized bricks to support all varsity, junior varsity, freshman and club sports at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Each oversized brick with up to four lines of text on it is installed in the L-S courtyard. Bricks have been purchased to honor graduating seniors, alumni, student athletes, drama participants, L-S musicians, current and future L-S students, teachers, coaches and sports teams. The bricks make an excellent holiday gift and are tax-deductible (L-S Boosters is a 501(c)3 charity).  If you would like to leave your mark at L-S, while also supporting L-S Athletics, go to bricks.lsboosters.org. During the first annual “Leave Your Mark at L-S!” brick campaign, more than 250 bricks were purchased raising over $25,000 for athletics at L-S while also enabling everyone who purchased a brick to leave a legacy at the school.

Modern technology sheds light on Revolutionary War battle in Lincoln area

Minute Man National Historic Park. The area in the red box is shown in an expanded view below (click to enlarge).

Minute Man National Historic Park. The area in the red box is shown in an expanded view below (click to enlarge).

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The brown shaded area indicates the Parker’s Revenge archeological study area (click to enlarge).

The Friends of Minute Man National Park have released the final archaeology report on the Parker’s Revenge battle – the April 19, 1775 encounter in which Captain John Parker engaged the British regulars on their march back from Concord through Lincoln to Boston.

Parker was commander of the Lexington colonial militia that exchanged fire in Lexington on the first morning of the Revolutionary Way. Eight militia were killed (including Parker’s cousin Jonas) and the Americans fled. But that afternoon, colonials ambushed the British at several points during their return march to Boston, including at a sharp bend in the Battle Road in Lincoln now known as the “Bloody Angle.” The Parker’s Revenge skirmish took place further east around the current Lexington/Lincoln town line. (The Bloody Angle fight is memorialized in a painting and document now hanging in the recently renovated basement of Bemis Hall.)

The 320-page report summarizes historical research on the battle, details the full range of technologies deployed in the archaeological research, and describes battle tactics likely utilized by both colonial and British forces. The project findings are especially noteworthy in light of the fact that only one brief witness account the battle has ever been identified by historians.

Twenty-first-century technologies utilized in the research informed formal excavations and 1775 battlefield reconstructions included 3D laser scanning; GPS feature mapping; and geophysical surveys including metallic surveys, ground penetrating radar, magnetic gradient and conductivity/magnetic susceptibility. Taken together, the technologies enabled researchers to locate a farmhouse that figured prominently in the battle terrain, to recreate the actual 1775 battlefield landscape and battlefield features, and even to model exactly what combatants could and could not see at various positions along the battle road.

A musket ball recovered during the archeological study.

A musket ball recovered during the archeological study.

Artifacts discovered included 29 British and colonial musket balls from the battle. The location and spatial patterning of the musket balls recovered enabled archaeologists to interpret the exact positions where individuals were standing during the battle—and then outline battle tactics most likely deployed.

“Using an integrated approach to interpreting this battlefield enabled us to literally peel back time and expose the artifacts that tell the story of Parker’s Revenge,” said project archaeologist Dr. Meg Watters.

The report indicates that Captain Parker positioned his men at the edge of a wood lot on an elevated slope above the battle road. This particular site had two distinct advantages: it provided a clear view to see the advancing British forces and the landscape featured a number of large boulders and trees that provided cover.

A view shed is an area visible from one specific location in a landscape. Archaeologists ran a computer simulated view shed analysis taken from the perspective of a 5’5”-tall marching British soldier and also from the point of view of a mounted British officer (nine feet above ground). The analysis indicated that the undulating terrain surface, combined with other obstacles, meant the British force could not easily see the position of the Lexington militia until it was in close proximity.

Property sales in September and October

  • House-1111 Old County Rd. — Patrick and Alida Zweidler-McKay for $1,235,000 (October 31)
  • 219 Sandy Pond Rd. – Mary S. Lyman, trustee to Jason H. and Lucia Chu $879,000 (October 28)
  • 16A North Commons – Peter N. Daniel to Marissa Lisec for $249,640 (October 21)
  • 165 Bedford Rd. – Brien B. Daniels to Peggy and Colleen Fong for $550,000 (October 21)
  • 80 Tower Rd. — Bradley Clifford to 80 Tower MCH LLC for $400,000 (October 21)
  • 245 Aspen Circle — Joseph E. DiFranco to Martin Deacutis and Cynthia Sheriff for $485,000 (October 19)
  • 15 Stonehedge — Diane F. Haessler to Seth C. and Lynne B. Miller for $775,000 (October 19)
  • 99 Tower Rd. — Stephen J. Sakowich to Mark Bazin and Jennifer L. Lachey for $818,750 (October 17)
  • 211 Sandy Pond Rd. – Erik R. Babayan to Authur H. Thornhill III and Lucy B. Lower for $1,900,000 (October 7)
  • 93 Tower Rd. — Ruth F. Potter to Seppo Tapani Rinne and Jocelyn Westport Rinne for $810,000 (October 7)
  • 8 Silver Hill Rd. — Robert Laurent Cannon, trustee to John and Robin Peters for $830,000 (September 30)
  • 1 Millstone Lane — Michael S. Fee to Brent K. and Sarah T.M. Benjamin for $879,000 (September 30)
  • 178 South Great Rd. — Kenton J. Ide to John Bockoven Jr. for $700,000 (September 29)
  • 82 Virginia Rd., Unit B10 — Bruce Sorrentino to Mary A. Pilecki for $406,000 (September 16)
  • 331 Hemlock Circle — Neil Baumgarten to Ellen Z. Hazen for $619,001 (September 16)
  • 15 Todd Pond Rd. — Joel A. Kahn to Tristram Oakley and Robert A. Stringer for $1,265,000 (September 15)
  • 12 Airport Rd. — Civil War Preservation Trust to United States of America Minuteman Park for $42,000 (September 14)
  • 0, 1, 6, 8 and 10 Millstone Lane — Winthrop W. Harrington Jr. Trust to Joseph A. Wheelock and Andronica Stanley Wheelock for a total of $4,450,000 (September 9)
  • 138 Sandy Pond Rd. — Cambridge Trust Co., trustee to Alexander J. Taylor and Amy R. Anthony for $855,000 (September 7)
  • 144 Sandy Pond Rd. — Philip A. Copper to Ventianni LLC for $2,895,000 (September 7)
  • 106 Concord Rd. — Lucy M.A. Cotoia to Nicholas and Lindsay Cotterpond for $535,000 (September 1)

 

Letter to the editor: Dwyer announces candidacy for Selectman

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To the editor:

I am excited to announce my candidacy for Lincoln’s Board of Selectman (BoS) and respectfully ask for your support as I follow my passions for serving our town, connecting its citizens and facilitating its future. So you may know me better, I’ll sketch my background, experience and perspective.

My connections to the town go back to 1986 when I met my spouse, Lincolnite Carolyn Caswell Dwyer. We were married here in 1994 and moved in five years later. As a fourth-grade teacher in the Lincoln Public Schools, Carolyn helps me understand the perspective of a town employee. Her parents have lived in town for 50+ years, and her mother, Carol Caswell, helps me understand what local senior citizens are experiencing and what this town was like years ago. Her father, John Caswell, served the town for decades (including Selectman in the 1980s) and is remembered for being principled, forthright, collaborative and congenial. My three daughters are in college, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, and the Lincoln Public Schools.

I currently serve as chairman of Parks & Recreation Committee (seven years of service) and was chair of the town’s Celebrations & Events Subcommittee from 2006-2015. As a volunteer, I emphasize connecting people and building relationships, not just getting the job done. With Celebrations & Events, we recruited/mentored Lincoln’s high school students to coordinate the July 4th parade and experience public service, creating a multigeneration activity in the process.

Events coordination also provided context for creating good working relationships with staff at the Town Office Building, Public Works, Fire Department, Police Department and of course Parks & Rec. I trust them, and they know I value their expertise. I think Lincoln has been fortunate to have good relationships among the town’s governance, employees and citizens, especially in contrast to other cities and towns, and I will work to sustain this positive trend.

Regional cooperation is important for meeting community needs. With Parks & Rec, we offered a ski program jointly with Sudbury Parks & Rec, and we support Lincoln-Sudbury Little League. To increase awareness of Lincoln celebrations and recreation programs among those living at Hanscom Air Force Base, I initiated contacts with base leaders to understand their points of view and combine marketing efforts. Base residents live in our town. It would be great if we shared a common identity as Lincolnites, especially as our town’s future is highly influenced by the base.

My professional life offers relevant experience for a BoS candidate. Large, traditional financial services organizations hire me to modernize how they manage and deliver technology products. Discerning intended outcomes and defining incremental solutions to achieve them are useful tactics that towns like ours can use when confronted with changing demographics, increasing traffic volume, changes at Hanscom, prospective building projects and other challenges. In practice, Parks & Rec staff and committee have been using this experimental approach to significantly improve the summer camp’s programming, participation, and satisfaction. We also use it when prioritizing capital projects, setting policies for pricing, and making financial aid decisions.

I thank Peter Braun, whose tenure on the board is ending, for his dedication, diligence and patience. His work will endure for a long time—the Route 2 project, Minuteman Tech representation, coordination with Hanscom area towns and the base. If it was not always easy, I hope it is was always rewarding.

Engaging different perspectives, respecting the past while looking forward, and facilitating a future Lincoln that would make today’s residents proud are among my ambitions. I hope this announcement provides sufficient insight into my outlook, experience, personality and the connection I feel to our town, and will win your support. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Dwyer
14 Beaver Pond Rd.

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: environmental strategies for a Trump presidency

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To the editor:

As we’re deep into the presidential transition, it’s time for many to let go of denial and anger and accept the reality of a Donald Trump White House come January 20. For the environmental community, there’s three things we’re going to do.

First, with conservation partners across the country, we’re going to fight to hold on to what we have. For almost half a century and until most recently, we’ve had environmental success coming from Congress. Starting in 1969, GOP President Richard Nixon cooperated with bipartisan lawmakers to pass the National Environmental Protection Act, followed by the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. These laws protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we live, work and play on. Millions of American lives have improved as a result of their implementation.

Congress later enacted legislation to conserve the nation’s forests and parks, historic sites, wildlife and wetlands, coasts and oceans. These laws benefit people, nature and the economy and are a sacrosanct part of America’s natural heritage.

Encouraged by the White House, the upcoming 115th Congress, with 239 Republicans and 193 Democrats in the House of Representatives, may try to weaken or do away with some of these provisions. To prevent a rollback of progress, we’ll work in the House but focus on the Senate. Although Republicans outnumber Democrats 52-48 in the upper chamber, we’ll call on Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey to initiate and lead a stop-the-repeal campaign. If needed, we will ask them to use the filibuster, which will require a 60 vote supermajority to erase America’s environmental legacy.

In addition, we’ll watch what goes on behind the scenes in the Oval Office. So often, bureaucratic actions fly under the public’s radar screen. The executive branch is mandated by the constitution, courts and Congress to implement, enforce and execute the nation’s laws. This is done largely through administrative rule-making. However, the President can unilaterally weaken or repeal regulations. He can also cut funds for existing programs, fail to enforce the law, make hostile political appointments, reduce the workforce, and simply drag his feet. As a preventive measure, we’ll go to court to require that the law be enforced.

Second, we’re going to support state and local governments in stepping up protection of our health and environment. A few examples:

  • Mr. Trump believes climate change is a hoax. But 95 percent of utility and electricity oversight is done by the states, not the feds. So it will be in states like ours and California where we will continue to reduce heat-trapping air pollution and require industry to produce and use more green energy.
  • The Massachusetts Endangered Species Act protects 432 native Massachusetts plants and animals on the edge of extinction. With that in place, we will continue to defend endangered species even if protections are relaxed or removed at the federal level.
  • And there are a host of additional state laws providing public health and environmental benefits for Bay Staters that we will work to ensure are adequately funded and fully implemented on Beacon Hill.

On November 8, there was a huge success for Massachusetts at the ballot—the Community Preservation Act passed in 11 municipalities. This brought the state adoption to 172 cities and towns, or 49 percent of the Commonwealth. Since the Massachusetts legislature passed the enabling statute in 2000, almost $2 billion has been raised for community preservation projects providing for the creation of 10,000 affordable housing units; 26,300 acres of open space; 4,400 historic preservation initiatives; and 1,700 outdoor recreation projects—all without any federal involvement.

It’s in the city and town halls across the Commonwealth where mayors and selectmen, city councils and town meetings, school committees, planning boards, boards of health, conservation commissions, and public safety officials make some of the most important day-to-day decisions that directly affect our children and families. We will increase our efforts at the local level to support and enhance their work.

Finally, we remain committed to our aspirations, goals, and vision and for a clean, healthy and vibrant environment. Irrespective of who controls the levers of government, we will continue to advocate for a progressive environmental agenda in our nation’s capital—an agenda that provides for the health, safety, and natural security of all Americans while protecting the nature of this great land for this and future generations.

Sincerely,

Jack Clarke
Director of Public Policy and Government Relations, Mass Audubon

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

magicgardenMagic Garden open house

Magic Garden Children’s Center will host an open house for prospective 2017-18 families on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon. Magic Garden, which is located in the Hartwell building on the Ballfield Road school campus, offers year-round care for children ages 15 months to 5 years Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with flexible schedules. While this event is geared towards answering parents’ questions, children are welcome to attend and play in our classrooms. Children’s activities and a snack will be provided. Call 781-259-8161 for more information. Walk-ins are welcome.

‘The Syrian Bride’ screening by GRALTA Foundation

The GRALTA Foundation continues its exploration of the Israel-Palestine conflict with an award-wining Israeli film, The Syrian Bride, in Bemis Hall on Wednesday Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Set in Majdal Shams, the largest Druze village in the Golan Heights on the Israeli-Syrian border, the bride Mona is engaged to get married to Tallel, a TV comedian from Damascus. They have never met, and when Mona moves to Syria, she will lose her undefined nationality and will never be allowed to return home. This “woven” story deals with Mona’s feminist sister, the complex and strained relations within Mona’s family, and government bureaucracy. The film was nominated for seven Israel Film Academy awards and won the Montréal World Film Festival Grand Prix along with three other awards. There is no charge, and light refreshments will be served.

wreathTouch of Christmas Fair

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold its Touch of Christmas Fair on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Parish House Auditorium at 14 Bedford Rd. This annual event features a visit from Santa Claus at 11 a.m., and children can pose for pictures with him. Before and after the visit, attendees can enjoy craft tables, a baked-goods area with lots of holiday treats, and a treasures table with second-hand antiques, housewares and more. Fragrant wreaths and centerpieces are also for sale and made by volunteers the week prior to the fair. Psalm Soup will be available for lunch. There will be a Christmas cookie decorating station, a fishing tree, an ornament-making area and a special children’s Christmas shopping room. For more information, contact Nancy Fleming at nlfleming@comcast.net or Karin Levy at karinlevy54@gmail.com.

How was your home energy assessment?

Have you had a home energy assessment this year? If so, Lincoln’s Green Energy Committee wants to hear from you. We’re working to make these assessments a great experience that results in real savings for you and for our community. Mark Deck is part of the Green Energy Committee team and would like to interview you. Please contact committee member Mark Deck at 781-718-6815 or mark.john.deck@gmail.com. To sign up for a free home energy assessment, call 617-752-1259 or go to LincolnEnergyChallenge.org.

Free classical concert on December 10

Lincoln musicians Jessica Tunick Berens and Trevor Berens present a free concert of modern classical music for voice and piano and for solo piano inspired by Buddhist, Christian and Taoist traditions on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 8-9:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The program will include John Cage’s One, Yuji Takahashi’s For Thomas Schultz, Arvo Part’s Fur Alina, Frederic Rzewski’s The Turtle and the Crane, Paul Humphreys’ The Legend of Lao Tse and Mel Powell’s Levertov Breviary.

Toys for Tots drive

Lincoln Police are partnering again with the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign, collecting new, unwrapped non-violent toys for boys and girls. Bins are located in the Public Safety Building lobby, Donelan’s, the Parks & Recreation office, Town Hall, the Lincoln Public Library, the Council on Aging, and The Commons in Lincoln. The campaign runs until Friday, Dec. 16.

Council on Aging activities in December

bemisJazz oldies concert
December 2 at 12:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band will present a concert of beloved songs from the early days of jazz at Bemis Hall at 12:30 on Friday Dec. 2. Channel your inner Al Jolson, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, or Fats Waller by singing along with the band. Or, if you prefer to get up and move around to the music, feel free to do your best Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Everyone welcome!

Lincoln Academy with Moses Ajou: South Sudanese enrichment for families, its vision and future
December 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Dec. 5 at 12:30 to hear Moses Ajou discuss “South Sudanese Enrichment for Families, Its Vision and Future.” Learn how South Sudanese Enrichment for Families (formerly the Sudanese Education Fund) is embarking on its next stage of organizational transformation through the 2020 Project with a commitment to greater impact, community leadership, a flourishing community center, and innovative approaches in order to advance opportunity, security, cohesion, and sustainability of the South Sudanese diaspora of greater Boston. They envision future community development based on declining reliance on charity-based operations, and a strategic rise in business-based income and practical job skills improvement. 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 Donna Hunsberger
December 6 at 2:30 p.m.
All are invited to enjoy coffee with artist Donna Hunsberger on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 2:30 to celebrate her exhibit of delightful, vivid paintings that are on exhibit in Bemis Hall through December. Donna earned her BFA from the University of Buffalo and has had a long career of being a “Sunday painter” ever since. Instead of painting from outdoor views or pictures, this bold colorist paints in abstractionist terms—working mostly from layered memories.

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
December 7 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, December 7 between 10 a.m. and noon to have a confidential discussion with an advocate from 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, non-judgmental environment. All conversations are completely confidential.

“Mame” at the Stoneham Theatre
Remember, the matinee performance of Mame at the Stoneham Theatre will be on Thursday, Dec. 8. The Doherty bus will be at the Lincoln Mall at 12:45 p.m., and will depart promptly at 1 p.m. Light refreshment will be served at intermission free of charge. This trip is rated easy for physical difficulty with a short walk and no stairs at the theatre. The cost for the trip is $25 and is subsidized by the Hurff Fund. If you have not signed up and would like to see if there are any spaces left, please contact Virginia at vobrien39@yahoo.com or 781-259-1291.

Paint a silk scarf
December 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Silk scarves are elegant and just right for so many occasions. When you paint a scarf you add your own touch in a beautiful and unique way. Join Karen Halloran, community liaison at CareOne at Concord, for a complimentary silk scarf painting class on Friday, Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m. You will leave with a lovely scarf for yourself or a gift for a friend! No experience necessary and all materials included. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up (limited to 12).

Online newspapers: what they are, how to read them and get them
December 9 at 12:30 p.m.
More and more, the latest news is available only online or online first, and we need to know how to find it if we are to stay in touch even if we have a subscription to a printed newspaper. Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, Dec. 9 at 12:30 p.m. when Alice Waugh, editor of the online Lincoln Squirrel, comes to tell us more about what online newspapers are and how to find them on the web, navigate through them for the information you need, and get a subscription to them. It’s easier than you think and you’ll be amazed at the array of news at your fingertips!

Lincoln Academy with Raymond Levy: fathers in obstetrics and pediatrics
December 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Dec. 12 at 12:30 to hear Raymond Levy, Psy.D., discuss “Fathers Can Be Found Everywhere: Fathers in Obstetrics and Pediatrics.” The Fatherhood Project (TFP) at MGH, a nonprofit within the Psychiatry Department, is developing research and programs for fathers to improve child outcomes by helping fathers be more knowledgeable, active and emotionally engaged with their children. TFP has completed original research on fathers in prenatal care leading to changes in the obstetrical service. In addition, TFP has an innovative program in Pediatrics that engages fathers in the lives of their children while learning state of the art parenting skills. 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
December 12 at 2 p.m.
Got a question about a legal issue? The Council on Aging is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, Dec. 12 from 2-4 p.m. There is no charge for the 30-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.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
December 14 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold office hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 1 to 2 p.m. on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up. Please note special day for this month only.

COA science group: ethics and climate change
December 15 at 10 a.m.
Climate change has not only a scientific component, but an ethical one as well that relates to political, economic, and other actions on local, national, and international levels. The COA Science and Technology Club invites you to a presentation and discussion led by John Terrell, Ph.D., on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall on the many facets of ethics and climate change. Mr. Terrell will highlight the most recent successful Annual Town Meeting warrant article and a critique of the Paris Agreement including the possibilities of various alternate energy options and the economic and political necessities to effectively combat climate change. Come with your questions, concerns, and ideas!

Coffee with a cop
December 15, 1-2:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 1-2:30 p.m. to meet privately with a Lincoln police officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member or neighbor? An idea for 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 on the third Thursday of every month.

Caring for yourself when you’re the caregiver
December 16 at 9:30 a.m.
If you’re a caregiver, whether as a parent, spouse, adult child, relative or friend, you probably give your time, compassion and physical self to your loved one without taking time out for yourself. This one-hour workshop presented by Lincoln resident Catherine Collins, RN, MS, on Friday, Dec. 16 at 9:30 will offer simple self-care practices that can be incorporated into a 10-minute break. Techniques will include breathing practices, imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and gentle movement. You’ll also learn simple, comforting techniques to use with your loved one such as a simple reflexology point and the “hand/heart connection” technique.

Digital photography: capture your holidays
December 16 at 12:30 p.m.
If you want to make sure you have the best photos of the holidays, come to a workshop with Harold McAleer on digital photography on Friday, Dec. 16 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Harold will go over taking digital photos with your camera and your phone, then editing and emailing pictures from your computer. If you have a digital camera, bring it along!

Senior dining
December 20 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, Dec. 20 at St. Anne’s Church. On the menu will chef’s choice of soup, rolls and butter, roast turkey dinner with stuffing, extra gravy and cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, and pastry chef’s choice of holiday torte. 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.

Give yourself the gift of forgiveness
December 21 at 10 a.m.
Forgiveness is not simply an attitude or an action towards someone who has wronged you, but a way of living more peacefully and joyfully. Come find out about some of the most up-to-date research on the benefits of forgiveness and exactly what it means to make forgiveness a part of your life when Betsy Connolly, MS, executive director of Traditions in Wayland, comes to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. Connolly will talk about how to view something or someone differently, how to begin to forgive even if you think you can’t, and more.

Fireside chat: political correctness and censorship
December 28 at 10 a.m.
Do we feel the tide is swinging toward being overly sensitive to others? Is it a good idea to ban certain speakers at college events much as we used to ban books from school libraries? Of course we need to be respectful of others when we speak, but is there room for differing views and discussion around what hurts us rather than laying down the gauntlet for all? Come join others in a lively but respectful discussion of this topic using questions and answers on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The Fireside Chats happen on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. and are facilitated by Sharon Antia. 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.

Color your life with pastels with Juliet
Express your most vibrant self with the brilliant colors of pastels in a class with Juliet Rago. She will begin with a short introduction to drawing for those who feel they need it. The class will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on January 9, 13, 20, 23, 27 and 30. No experience is necessary. All materials will be furnished. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. Limit of six people. The fee is $40.

Letter to the editor: Braun won’t run again

letter

To the editor:

It’s been my privilege to serve two terms as Selectmen and give back to the community where I’ve lived for nearly six decades. However, I believe it is time to step aside in favor of the next generation of town leadership. Therefore, I will not run for re-election in March 2017.

I’ve been honored to help carry out the Board of Selectmen’s assigned responsibilities, as well as to facilitate the dedicated efforts of numerous other committees and volunteers. Although the Selectmen function as a team, each of us focuses his or her skills and energy on particular projects. I’m pleased to have played a primary role in the following matters that enhanced the Town’s internal and external resources or resolved major challenges:

  • Developing and implementing the Selectmen’s Newsletter, which shines new public light on Selectmen concerns and activities.
  • Expanding the mission and at-large composition of the Capital Planning Committee, which enabled enhanced citizen review of capital projects and provides a new “niche” opportunity for volunteers.
  • Revitalizing the Town’s relationship with Hanscom Air Force Base (HAFB) and our multi-town alliance known as Hanscom Area Towns Committee (HATS), including developing HATS’ web site and HATS’ strong relationship with HAFB leadership and the state’s Military Assets Task Force.
  • Developing productive relationships with State Representative Tom Stanley and U.S. Representative Katherine Clark, which have paid off tangibly in our communications with the State, the Base, and the Federal Government.
  • Working with MassDOT on the construction phase of the Rt. 2 project (including successfully negotiating for over $600,000 of landscape fencing and planted enhancements), thus guiding us through the final realization of this major safety improvement and the culmination of 20 years of design and advocacy by prior town leaders.
  • Finding a suitable resolution of the governance and financial dilemmas presented by Minuteman High School and its building proposal.

A major pleasure for me as a Selectmen has been the opportunity to work closely with Town Administrator Tim Higgins. Lincoln has been blessed with Tim’s dedication and skill for 22 years, and hopefully that will continue for the remainder of his career. He is a master at the technical requirements of his profession, and he fully understands our values and culture. Tim is always a steadying force of calm and forward-thinking practicality on every issue. Equally important, Tim deeply values collegiality, communication, and compassion, which are reflected in the culture of all staff and committees he supervises or oversees.

I’ve been enlightened and energized by the many residents and staff with whom I have worked on the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Capital Planning Committee, and Community Preservation Committee, as well as by my frequent collaborations with the Schools’ leadership, and I look forward to continuing the numerous new relationships I have gained.

Last, but not least, I’m grateful for the feedback I’ve received from my fellow residents, especially those who have simply said “thank-you” for serving. I hope all residents will continue to support the volunteer culture on which we so heavily rely by reaching out in a positive way to all those who serve.

Sincerely,

Peter Braun
16 Trapelo 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.