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

Stepping out on the 4th (Lincoln Through the Lens)

A two-minute sample of Lincoln’s Fourth of July parade, featuring “moving” music by The Nays.

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.

Landscape designers looking at Lincoln Station area

lincoln stationThe Conway School of Ecological Landscape Design and Planning is partnering with the Lincoln Planning Board to develop a site plan that aims to make the Mall at Lincoln Station a lively, multi-use central gathering space for visitors and residents, who are also invited to take a short survey online about the area.

The school will be assessing the Lincoln Station area north of Lincoln Road for possible streetscape and landscaping improvements to create a more cohesive, pedestrian-friendly district, exploring public amenities such as benches, tables, bike racks, pedestrian circulation and crossings, and public gathering areas. They will also study the grassed area behind Donelan’s.

The town will be able to hire a consultant to develop more detailed priorities townwide with the help of a $50,000 grant from the Masssachusetts Department of Transportation’s Complete Streets program, said Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Burney, adding that there would be a public forum in early fall.

State funding of up to $400,000 a year may also be available to help pay for the actual improvements starting as early as spring 2017, she said.

 

 

Letter to the editor: feeling ‘shame’ for Lincoln

letter

Editor’s note: The Lincoln Squirrel is on vacation and was not able to attend the June 28 meeting Kochmann refers to. Coverage will resume on July 11. 

To the editor,

The night of June 28 at the Planning Board meeting marked the second time this year I felt overwhelmed with shame for a body of Lincoln citizens. McLean Hospital has proposed the use of 16-22 Bypass Rd. to educate and treat a handful of adolescent males who suffer from depression and anxiety.

Fear was the primary sentiment expressed by residents, an emotion that is no stranger to anyone who listens to the news. Yet, whatever amount of fear citizens feel, multiply that by some unimaginable amount and you’ll have a hint of the fear these young men live with day in and day out.

I thanked McLean on behalf of my daughter who suffered from crippling anxiety and depression. She was so terrified she could barely leave her room and was unable to attend school for two years. After trying everything else, we investigated our only remaining option, a full immersion treatment program. After 90 days she came home remarkably changed.  She had learned the causes of her affliction and methods to deal with it. She had made new friends with whom she was exceptionally close. She attended school this past year every day and achieved excellent grades. She communicates, has made more new friends, and has great insight into herself. She still struggles every day, but she now has tools to help her cope.

After the meeting, I asked my daughter about violence in the Program she attended. She seemed puzzled but eloquently described how the kids relied on and supported each other through their difficult journeys. They became aware of their own and others triggers and learned to avoid them. If they left each other, it was to cry.  Many of her peers had been abused so the last thing they would do was abuse anyone else. One person who got really angry, punched a pillow. This does not seem like the description of a population to be feared.

It’s all too easy to paint mental illness with a broad brush and cry out “not in my neighborhood.” There are huge differences between psychoses and depression and anxiety. Do these citizens of Lincoln really think that McLean would take on the liability of placing such a facility here if they thought its residents might pose a serious danger to the neighbors?

At least two of the people at the meeting knew my daughter quite well before she became ill. I hope that they and the others will read this, face their fears, and use the funds they’re spending on legal counsel to educate themselves and/or to contribute to institutions like McLean. They are trying to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, in this case by working with a tiny subset of youngsters suffering from a specific mental illness that renders them unable to function.

One of the reasons why I moved here was because I was under the impression that, in a pinch, Lincolnites do the right thing. If that doesn’t happen in this instance, the town is changing in ways that I don’t embrace.  That makes me truly sad.

In case you’re wondering when the first time was that I was ashamed this year, it was at the Special Town Meeting where the vote was to withdraw from the Minuteman school district. But that commentary is for another day.

Sincerely,

Carol Kochmann
9 Brooks Hill 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.

A grosbeak peek (Lincoln Through the Lens)

This grosbeak recently visited Harold McAleer's feeder.

This grosbeak recently visited Harold McAleer’s feeder.

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.

July activities at the Council on Aging

bemisNew “Staying in Touch” group
July 5 at 2:30 p.m.
The slower pace of summer is a wonderful time to get in touch and stay in touch with ourselves and others. All are invited to a new discussion group facilitated by Wanda Paik to be held on Tuesdays, July 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 2:30-4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. This is an opportunity to chat with others on an array of topics of the group’s choosing and get to know your Lincoln neighbors. The COA’s hope is that those who come will attend as many sessions as possible. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 by July 1 as the optimal number is 9-11 per group. If the COA has have more than 11, they may offer more groups. All are welcome.

Preventing tick-borne disease
July 6 at 2 p.m.
Join School Nurse and Town Nurse Maureen Richichi in a question-and-answer conversation on ticks, how to prevent tick-borne diseases, and what to do if you have a tick bite at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, July 6 at 2 p.m. Among the topics she may discuss will be how the tick season is shaping up in Lincoln, tick borne diseases and their symptoms, how tick borne diseases are diagnosed and treated, and personal protection including how to do tick checks and safely repel and remove ticks, and personal advocacy with your doctors.

Free legal clinic
July 11 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, July 11 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 Council on Aging at 781-259-8811.

Architectural voyage around Boston by boat
July 13 at 11:45 a.m.
Join the COA for a unique voyage on the Charles River and around Boston Harbor on Wednesday, July 13. This 90-minute tour, hosted by the Charles Riverboat Company, offers spectacular views of historic and contemporary architecture along Boston Harbor, the Charles River Locks and the Charles River basin and includes historic landmarks and cutting edge contemporary designs by today’s top architects. These are simply the best waterfront views of Boston and Cambridge. The price of this trip, rated moderate for physical difficulty, is $26, non-refundable. The trip will run rain or shine so come prepared! Space is limited. The trip will stop for lunch on your own at the Summer Shack in Cambridge, then go on to the dock. The bus will depart from Donelan’s parking lot at 11:45 a.m. Call Claire Mount at 781- 259-8695 to see if space is available due to a cancellation.

Lincoln Trad Jazz Sextet
July 14 at 12:30 p.m.
Jazz up your summer at Bemis Hall on Thursdays, July 14 at 12:30 p.m. when the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Sextet will share with you their love of traditional jazz music in a delightfully spontaneous jam! They’ll have you stomping your feet and cheering as they belt out good ol’ favorites such as Honeysuckle Rose, Sweet Georgia Brown, Sunny Side of the Street or When The Saints Go Marching In. The group are all retirees, amateur musicians who give expression to their love of the jazz of the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s at Bemis once a month and also join the larger group of jammers who meet on the third Saturdays of each month, alternating between the library and Bemis Hall.

Dealing positively with difficult people
July 20 at 10 a.m.
We all interact with people who are stubborn, always angry, just plain irritable, or who frighten us. Come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, July 20 at 10 a.m. to learn how you can respond in a way that helps lead to less frustrating and more positive results. Claire Gerstein, the COA’s social worker with many years of experience helping others to cope with difficult people, will be leading a workshop that day. She will help you understand what may be causing some of these behaviors and give you strategies which may decrease your frustration and lead to better outcomes. Feel free to send examples of scenarios you would like Claire to discuss to gersteinc@lincolntown.org or give her a call at the COA at 781- 259-8811 between 9 and 11 a.m.

Protect yourself from Medicare fraud
July 27 at 1 p.m.
Come meet Pat McMillen of the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program on Wednesday, July 27, at 1:00 p.m. at Bemis Hall and participate in a discussion about how to prevent, detect, and report healthcare errors, fraud and abuse. If you cannot attend this workshop but have questions about your healthcare bills, Medicare Summary Notices, or other health insurance explanation of benefits statements, please call the MA SMP Program office at (800) 892-0890. The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program is funded in part by grant number 90-MP0226-01-00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living.

Lincoln Housing Coaltition brunch
July 28 at 11 a.m
All are invited to a free brunch hosted by the Lincoln Housing Coalition on Thursday, July 28 at 11 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Lincoln has always been at the forefront of meeting our affordable housing goals, but we cannot afford to sit on our laurels! Are you at all curious about what an Affordable Accessory Apartment program is and how it would help us meet our goals? Do you have an accessory apartment already and wonder if this is something you’d be interested in participating in? Come enjoy a leisurely brunch and learn about this exciting program the Housing Coalition hopes to propose at the next Town Meeting. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Lincoln summer events kick off Wednesday

fireworksLincoln’s summer concert series sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department starts on Wednesday, June 29 with the Nathan Ward Band, followed by The Nays (born and bred in Lincoln) on July 6 and the Damn Tall Buildings on July 13.  Concerts begin at 6 p.m. at the Codman Pool.

The Fourth of July in Lincoln starts at 8:30 a.m. with registration for the Firecracker Run at 8:30 starting at the Town Office Building. Participants have the choice of a 2.5- or 4-mile scenic run. Registration is $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

Because of the road race and parade later that morning, Lincoln Road will be closed to traffic (except floats) from 8:20 a.m. to noon.

Other events on July 4:

  • 10 a.m. — Children’s bike parade (Lincoln Road/Upland Field Road)
  • 10:30 a.m. — Reading of the Declaration of Independence (Town Offices)
  • 10:40 a.m. — July 4th parade (Ballfield Road to the Public Library)
  • 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Boy Scout Cook Out (Pierce House)
  • Noon to 7 p.m. — Town-wide free swim (Codman Pool)
  • 1-3 p.m. — Pick-up Soccer (Brooks Field, Ballfield Road)
  • 7 p.m. — Concert, barbeque and fireworks (Codman Pool). Parking is available in the Ballfield Road campus for $20/car.

For more information, see the July 4 and summer concert flyer.

Summer programs for kids at the library

The Lincoln Public Library’s summer programs for kids begin with a Red, White and Blue Dance Party on Tuesday, July 5 at 11 a.m. Other events next week:

  • Wednesday, July 6 — Singer Vanessa Trien (11 a.m.), Summer Lego Club (4-5 p.m.)
  • Thursday, July 7 — Pajama Storytime (7 p.m.)
  • Friday July 8 — “Drive-in” Movies and Muffins. Children will first make their own “cars” out of boxes and then watch the Winnie the Pooh 2011 feature film in their cars (10:30 a.m. to noon).

The library has downloadable calendars with kids’ events for July and August. Programs sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library, Inc.

Service for Donald Douty on June 30

Donald D. Douty

Donald D. Douty

Donald Dwight Douty, 64, of Lancaster, formerly of Lincoln, died on June 23 at his Lancaster home. He was the beloved father of Donald Dwight Douty, Jr. of Lincoln. Born in Ayer on November 2, 1951, he was the son of the late Lloyd A. and Svea V. (Lind) Douty. He grew up in Lincoln, attended the Lincoln public schools and graduated from Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School.

For many years, Mr. Douty was employed as a heavy equipment operator for Eagle Site Developers in Hudson as well as other construction firms in the local area. A longtime resident of Lancaster, he was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He had an appreciation for the outdoors where he enjoyed nature and wildlife, and also loved animals.

In addition to his son, Donald, he is survived by two brothers, Bradford Douty of Worcester, and Kurt Douty and his wife Karen of Framingham; his sister, Gail Gray and her husband Frank of Concord; nieces Alyssa, Samantha, Anna, Martha, Shaina and Leah; and nephew Chad.

Visiting hours in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center will be held on Thursday, June 30 from 3-4:45 pm followed by a memorial service at 5 p.m. in the Farrar Chapel of the Dee Funeral Home. Contributions in his memory may be made to AdCare Hospital, 107 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01605.

To share a remembrance in Mr. Douty’s online guest book, visit his obituary page and clic on Tribute Wall.

Land use hearings coming up

House-1The Lincoln Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28 to review an application for Site Plan Review. The applicant, McLean Hospital, proposes to designate parking to accommodate a total of 21 spaces at 16 Bypass and 22 Bypass Rd. (see the Lincoln Squirrel, June 15, 2016).

The Lincoln Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 29 at 8:45 p.m., in the Lincoln Town Offices in response to the Notice of Intent by Daniel Pereira for installation of a sport court in the buffer zone resource area at 1-8 Ballfield Rd. in Lincoln.

The Historic District Commission will hold four public hearings on Tuesday, July 5:

  • At 7:50 p.m. to consider the application of the First Parish Church for a minor change to an approved plan to construct an addition to the Stearns Room at the white church, 4 Bedford Rd.
  • At 8 p.m. to consider the application of Rob and Elizabeth Orgel to demolish the dwelling and detached carport at 237 Old Concord Rd.
  • At 8:15 p.m. to consider the application of Timothy Moynihan for approval to demolish a barn in the Historic District at 2 Sandy Pond Rd.
  • At 8:30 p.m. to consider the application of Adrian and Jennifer Fretland to demolish the attached garage and screen porch at 8 Pine Ridge Rd.

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

  • Nicholas Whitman and Catherine Shortsleeve, 12 Granville Rd., for an addition onto rear of structure.
  • Gerard and Beth DuToit, 155 Weston Rd., to replace and enlarge existing greenhouse.

 

News acorns

Yoga on three Saturdays

yogaMelinda Bruno-Smith, certified hatha yoga instructor and Lincoln Garden Club member, will lead three Saturday yoga sessions in the lovely and restful Station Park Garden, at 160 Lincoln Rd. (across from the train station) on July 2, 9 and 16 from 9-10 a.m. A $5 donation is suggested. Please bring a yoga mat, towel or blanket to practice on and wear loose-fitting clothing. Lincoln Garden Club volunteers created and maintain the Station Park Garden with an emphasis on sustainable practices. A native plant bed was designed by the New England Wildflower Society and installed with the help of horticulture students from Minuteman High School. For further information about the yoga classes, please contact Melinda Bruno-Smith at melindabruno@hotmail.com.

Library celebrates Thursday evening openings

1992… it was the year when Johnny Carson retired from the Tonight Show, John “The Telfon Don” Gotti was sentenced to life in prison, curbside recycling began in Portland Oregon—and the Lincoln Public Library began to close on Thursday nights. But this year starting on July 7, the library will be open on Thursday evenings until 8:30 p.m. To celebrate, there will be a Throwback Thursday screening of 1992’s A League of Their Own on Thursday, July 7 at 7 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. Check out the displays of what was “hot” during the summer of ’92 in books, movies and music. Refreshments will be served.

The library will be closed on Saturdays for the summer after June 25 and will be also closed on July 4. Full summer hours are as follows:

  • Monday: 1-8:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday (starting July 7): 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

 

 

Hay labyrinth (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Just for fun, Sarah Canon Holden and her five-year-old grandson cut her field at the corner of Weston and Silver Hill Roads in concentric circles, leaving uncut rows in between. Sometime in the next few days, she;ll finish the cutting, but in the meanwhile residents are welcome to walk on the path at the side of the field.

Just for fun, Sarah Canon Holden and her five-year-old grandson cut her field at the corner of Weston and Silver Hill Roads in concentric circles, leaving uncut rows in between. Sometime in the next few days, she’ll finish the cutting, but in the meanwhile residents are welcome to walk on the path at the side of the field.

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.