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

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.

Memorial service for Haskel Straus on June 26

strausLincolnites are invted to a memorial service at Bemis Hall in honor and remembrance of Haskel Straus on Sunday, June 26 at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow. Haskel passed away on February 3, 2016 after a long illness. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 9, 1950 to the late Velma Lukko and Haskel Strausberg. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Barbara Owens Straus, as well as many beloved relations and friends.

Haskel graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the City College of New York in 1971 with a B.A. in mathematics. After graduation, he entered U.S. Navy Officer Training School in Newport, R.I., where he studied aircraft maintenance and student training. During his service in the Navy, he served on aircraft carriers in both Europe and Asia, eventually achieving the rank of commander.

From active duty in the U.S. Navy, Haskel moved to Silicon Valley and worked as a private pilot, software developer and instructor, real estate broker and eventually worked for the author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins. He moved back to Massachusetts in 1990 to start a Robbins Sales Training Center. Haskel’s next successful career was a software developer.

Haskel truly loved the town of Lincoln and devoted his time to many local activities, including the Alliance for Democracy, the Labyrinth Society, and the Alan Watts Fellowship. Haskel was a contributing member on the board of the Friends of the Lincoln Library and taught personal growth classes at the Council on Aging.

Haskel believed in the intrinsic goodness of all people and devoted his time and energy to helping others expand their human potential. The fact that Haskel was a natural teacher—coupled with his amazing sense of delight, worldliness, intellect, humor and kindness—brought out the very best in him as well as others. Haskel enjoyed life to the fullest and never lost his childlike sense of natural joy and happiness. Of course, he devoted himself to his students as he taught personal classes covering spirituality and enlightenment. Haskel was also an avid line dancer and loved the company of fellow dancers. He enjoyed being the lone male dancer in his group; accordingly, the group named itself “Haskel and his Twinklelettes.”

In addition to his many generous gifts, Haskel had a charismatic personality and was incredibly kind. He was in love with life and enjoyed the beauty and diversity of all living things. Haskel was also known for his great sense of humor. The very first time he met his wife Barbara’s parents, he brought sparklers and firecrackers, he announced, “because it is a cold night in February” as he urged everyone to go outside and set them off. Haskel did this just to make everyone smile.

A favorite quote: “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” (Simone Weil)

Haskel loved people and being with others. What an honor he would have felt that his friends and loved ones acknowledge how much they miss his bright smile and bright spirit. We all miss you, Haskel!

— Submitted by Sally Kindleberger

Discussion on little-known phrase of Declaration of Independence

DOIA conversation about the Declaration of Independence with special attention to one problematic phrase will take place on Thursday, June 30 at 7 p.m. in Bemis Hall.

Most Americans are familiar with phrases of the Declaration of Independence such as “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” But here is also this phrase: “He [the English king] has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”

Does this stand in stark contrast to the principle expressed in the line previously mentioned? What was the mindset at the time? How does this differ from present time, when we hear it suggested that others are less than or unwelcome. Attendees at a recent Discovering Diversity meeting in Lincoln began discussing this phrase and asking if this a line we are comfortable reading every year on the 4th of July. Come to a conversation about the Declaration of Independence facilitated by Mandy Beal from the First Parish Church, learn some history about the Declaration and find out what the decision will be. Mel Bernstein, chairman of the American Revolution Round Table of the Minute Man National Historical Park, will add historical background and context. Refreshments provided by the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee.

Lincoln School does security audit; parents’ views sought

schoolThe school district has hired a consultant to evaluate the Lincoln School’s security and is asking parents and staff for their views on current and potential future security measures.

The Lincoln Public Schools’ Safety and Security Committee, which meets monthly, recommended the security audit, the first in Superintendent of Schools Becky McFall’s four-year tenure in Lincoln, although the graffiti incident outside the Brooks entrance in March was a contributing factor. “This is a good time for us to have an independent audit to give us some feedback beyond our own inspections,” she said.

David Cullen of Intelligence Security International was on campus last week looking at the buildings, interviewing staff members, and reviewing security procedures, including Internet access.

School doors are now locked during school hours between morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, and all visitors must push a buzzer to be allowed inside. Security cameras outside the Smith and Brooks entrances allow secretaries to see visitors on a monitor and speak with them through an intercom to determine whether to allow entry, though the cameras do not make recordings.

An online poll, which is open until June 30, asks parents and staff for their opinions on locking school doors, surveillance cameras, and visitor check-in and monitoring.

The consultant’s report will be presented to the administration and School Committee in the fall, although McFall said the committee would probably go to executive session for its discussion. The inspection, which cost about $7,500, was funded as part of an earlier Town Meeting appropriation that paid for the current cameras and security buzzers.

LSF awards grants for school projects

teacherThe Lincoln School Foundation has awarded five grants totaling $11,662 for educational projects proposed by teachers at the Lincoln and Hanscom Schools:

  • Differentiation — Jason Peledge, Hanscom Middle School ($1,400). The curriculum grant will support the pilot of a stations-based model for 7th- and 8th-grade social studies students.
  • Library maker space — Alice Sajdera, Lincoln School ($800). The grant will pay for materials and equipment for a maker space where students and teachers have the opportunity to explore their own interests,
    learn to use tools and materials and develop creative projects to foster independence, problem-solving,
    collaboration and creativity.
  • Lucy Calkins conference  — Joseph Columbo, Debbie Carpenito, Jennifer Mastrullo and Laura English (Lincoln School), $4,208. The grant will allow four teachers to attend the weeklong Lucy Calkins June Reading Institute in New York for educators who are committed to turning classrooms into richly literate reading workshops.
  • Hanscom Maker Space — Becca Fasciano, Hanscom Middle School ($3,854). The grant will fund materials needed for designing, building and creating in the electronics and textile
    area of the new middle school. The school district and area businesses are also expected to contribute funds for the project.
  • Mindfulness and yoga  — Brian Garside, Lincoln School ($1,400). Curriculum development and resources to encourage use of yoga, mindfulness and relaxation by students and faculty in grades K-2. Depending on space logistics, an area may be created that would serve as a yoga/mindfulness studio for classes or small groups.

The organization expects to award additional funds for out-of-cycle grant applications in 2016-17. In addition, the school district will fully fund two other projects that were initially LSF grant requests:

  • Anyone Can Read Music — Blake Siskavich and Ryan Ruiz (Lincoln School and Hanscom Primary School), $3,470
  • Staff Book Club — Sarah Collmer (Lincoln School), $616.

“In fitting with our mission to advance education through innovation, we are focused on supporting our schools push towards more creativity, collaboration, risk taking and authenticity,” LSF Co-chair D.J. Mitchell said in a letter to the Lincoln School Committee.

The LSF awarded a total of more than $50,000 in grants in 2015-16.

News acorns

firstparish-sm

Special service to honor Orlando victims on Sunday

On Sunday, June 19 at 10 a.m., come to the First Parish in Lincoln for a special musical “coffee house-style” worship service to honor Orlando through music, reflection and prayer to help attendees tend to their spiritual selves in the midst of the Orlando tragedy. Rev. Manish and ministerial intern Mandy Beal will lead the service alongside special guest musicians from First Parish and beyond. All are welcome.

The First Parish will hold one service per month in July and August. On Sunday, July 24 at 10 a.m., Sandra Summers will lead the congregation in worship. Mandy Beal, FPL’s current ministerial intern, will lead a service on Sunday, August 21 at 10 a.m.

“Telling Our Stories” on two days next week

Share your story and listen to other Lincolnites’ stories at one of two Fireside Chat events: Monday, June 20 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library or Wednesday, June 22 from 10-11 a.m. at Bemis Hall. We all have a story to tell. It may be a story we’ve told many times or one we’ve never told anyone. It may be funny or sad, poignant or light. When we tell each other our stories and listen to the stories of other people, we not only learn more about each other but also about ourselves as individuals and as a community. Too often, we are just too busy to truly listen to the stories of our neighbors. Facilitated by Sharon Antia.

Farmer’s market starts June 25

Starting Saturday, June 25 and continuing through the summer, the Rural Land Foundation will host the Farmer’s Market at Lincoln Station every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the front parking area along Lincoln Road. The event is an opportunity to support local farms and businesses and to buy some of the best local produce available. Lincoln farms including Blue Heron Organic Farm, Codman Farm, Lindentree Farm and Matlock Farm will be present to sell a wide variety of their farm fresh produce and wares. In addition, Houtzeel’s Breadoven will be returning with their oven-fresh breads and a variety of other vendors to share their specialties.

Minute Man National Historical Park needs votes for grant

The Friends of Minute Man National Park (FMMNP) have a chance to win $250,000 to preserve the 1775 Parker’s Revenge battle site and to transform the adjacent historic Hargrove Barn for classroom use. Twenty national park units out of more than 400 have been selected to compete for funding in a nationwide online voting campaign. “Partners in Preservation: National Parks” is a partnership between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The FMMNP is asking supporters to register and vote by going to this National Geographic voting portal and casting their votes every day between now and July 5. Voters will be able to enter a sweepstakes to win a trip to Yellowstone National Park courtesy of National Geographic.

Public hearing scheduled on McLean proposal

meetingThe Planning Board has scheduled a June 28 public hearing for a site plan review relating to parking for a McLean Hospital proposal to locate a residential educational/therapeutic residence on Bypass Road. The hearing starts at 7 p.m. in the Town Office Building’s Donaldson Rom.

Dozens of residents appeared at a May 24 Planning Board meeting to protest the proposal, which would house up to 12 young men aged 15-21 plus two overnight staff at a large single-family house McLean recently purchased at 22 Bypass Road. Neighbors at the meeting worried about added traffic, headlights late at night, and neighborhood security in the event that one of the patients left the property unattended.

Septic regulations seem to prohibit the property from having more than six bedrooms or being occupied by more than 12 people (including staff), according to a May 12 letter from Assistant Public Health Director Stanley Sosnicki. However, he added in a June 14 email to the Lincoln Squirrel that this was “an opinion based on limited information provided at the time… and does not adequately address the nature of staff members and instructors at the property.” McLean will make a formal submission with more information so he can more accurately assess the projected septic flows for the new use, Sosnicki said.

Representatives from McLean did not immediately reply to an email requesting comment.

Property sales in May

House-1

  • 26 Longmeadow Rd. — Abbey Rd. Properties LLC to Robert and Karla Talanian for $1,420,000 (May 31)
  • 96 Page Rd. — Dana Coombs to David Kahn and Annelise Parham for $875,000 (May 27)
  • 141 Weston Rd. — Joanne Armstrong to Keith Gilbert and Stacy Osur $1,795,000 (May 26)
  • 12 Brooks Hill Rd. — Mark Leonardi to David Goodman and Johanna Stark Goodman for $1,067,000 (May 24)
  • 20 Oak Meadow Rd. — John Tierney to Samuel Pearson and Julie Button for $995,000 (May 13)
  • 116 Trapelo Rd. — John Stovall to Peter and Bethany Creath for $1,775,000 (May 11)
  • 15 Old Sudbury Rd. — Mark Golden to Benjamin and Cynthia Ward for $1,322,500 (May 2)

New co-ed softball league is fielding teams

softballThe brand-new Lincoln Co-ed Softball League will get going later this month with dozens of players already eager to step into the batter’s box.

The league was founded by Richard Card (who is also hoping to open the Blazes bookstore/cafe at Lincoln Station) along with Amy Skenderian, Sabra Alden and Rob Fallon. Adults age 18 and over are invited to join the low-key games at the Codman Pool field starting on June 26 and running through late August.

The three teams already on board are the Trail Blazers (Card’s former team in a different league, with the name inspired by his nascent business venture), Noah’s Chief Executives (headed by former Selectmen Noah Eckhouse) and the Rte. 2 Transcendentalist Cross-Walkers. The league can accommodate up to six teams, so organizers invites residents to form and coach their own teams.

Adults of all ages and abilities are welcome. “It’s a great tradition to have intergenerational play,” Card said. “We’re looking forward to just having a fun time. This enhances social aspect of an already social town.”

The league will provide bases, balls, fields and insurance; teams provide their own bats and uniforms. A website where people can sign up, pay the $40 registration fee, complete waiver forms, see the schedule and standings, etc., is in the works and will be announced when it launches, he added. In the meantime, anyone interested in playing or coaching may contact Card (richard@blazescafe.com) or one of the other organizers.