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

MBTA delays changes in commuter rail schedule

MBTA copyDisgruntled commuter rail riders—including many from Lincoln—scored a reprieve when the MBTA announced it would not eliminate Lincoln stops beginning December 14 as previously announced.

Five state senators and six state representatives from communities affected by the schedules gave MBTA and state officials a stack of complaints from constituents about planned changes on four commuter rail lines, the Boston Globe reported last week. One of the changes was eliminating the 5:30 p.m. train from North Station that stops in Lincoln, as well as the 7:50 a.m. inbound stop.

Among the complaints were letters from Lincoln residents and a petition circulated by Lincolnite Ruth Rothstein that garnered more than 200 signatures.

In the meetings with state officials, “I explained that these schedule changes will create tremendous hardship for my constituents,” state Sen. Michael Barrett said in a statement last week. “I’m pleased to report that we’ve scored a victory, if not forever, then for now. The T will delay cuts in train stops in Concord and Lincoln until May of 2016. It has committed to reconsidering its prior schedule changes and will be entertaining ‘robust public engagement’ before making any new scheduling decisions.

“A new proposed schedule is expected next month, following which there will be the kind of opportunity to comment that was lacking this time around. As their revised plan moves forward, I’ll be sure to let you know of new developments. Let’s keep pushing on this,” Barrett added.

 

Enjoy new features and show the Squirrel you care!

The Lincoln Squirrel proudly announces some new features:

  1. You can now easily email Squirrel stories to a friend or family members. Just click on the link that says “Forward this story to a friend” that now appears at the bottom left of every post. No more cutting and pasting URLs into emails!
  2. We  now have an automated Facebook and Twitter feed, so each new Lincoln Squirrel post will show up right away on your Facebook (www.facebook.com/LincolnSquirrel/) and Twitter (twitter.com/Squirrel01773) timelines.

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we’re in full-on holiday season and its attendant angst about what to get for your loved ones. Do some online shopping at the Lincoln Squirrel store! Perhaps a thermos or mouse pad with the Squirrel logo—or better yet, a flask to help you get through those long Town Meetings? The selection also includes water bottles, tote bags, T-shirts, hoodies, onesies for the littlest Squirrel fans, and evening apparel such as pajamas, boxer shorts and even thongs. It’s a gift they’ll never forget!

It’s also that time of year for squirrels to store up acorns for the winter (and “winter” can also be taken to mean “college for young squirrels”) 🙂 So if you think the Squirrel provides a valuable service, please make a donation via check, credit card or PayPal account.

Happy holidays!

Council on Aging activities for December

bemisMeet with an aide to Congresswoman Clark
December 2 at 1 p.m.
You are invited to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. to meet with Anthony Moreschi, Constituent Service Representative for Congresswoman Katherine Clark. He will be available to assist residents with Social Security, Medicare, and MassHealth/Medicaid. You are also welcome to discuss other matters with him that he may be able to help with.

Toe-tappin’ jazz at Bemis
December 3 at 2:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 2:30 when a traditional jazz combo gathers around the magnificent piano at Bemis Hall for an afternoon of old-time favorites. Share in the fun as trumpet, sax, clarinet, trombone, bass, drums and piano belt out foot stompers of the ‘20s, ’30s and ’40s. Tap your toes to good ole oldies such as Ain’t She Sweet, Somebody Stole My Gal, Bei Mir Bist Du Shein, or I’m Sittin’ on Top of the World.

Be prepared for winter’s fury: lunch and learn
December 4 at 12 p.m.
We all learned last year how challenging New England winters can be, but blizzards, power outages, and other potential disasters can be easier if you are prepared. Join Ben Juhola of the Lincoln Fire Department on Friday, Dec. 4 at 12 p.m. at the Public Safety Building for lunch and a presentation about how you can be sure you are ready for winter, including what supplies you need, ensuring you have communication, what to take if you need to go to a shelter, how Public Safety will be there to serve you, and more. Please sign up in advance by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 so Public Safety knows how many people to expect.

Celebrate the holidays with other veterans and spouses
December 7 at 9 a.m.
Celebrate the holidays with other veterans and their spouses on Monday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. You’ll be treated to pancakes with butter and syrup, coffee, and great conversation! This is a social time just to chat and get to know other veterans in town. The breakfast will be followed by the Veteran to Veteran discussion group at 10 a.m. The breakfast is free, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities for December

Letter to the editor: thanks from Chris Reilly

letter

To the editor:

After spending the last five years as Lincoln’s Director of Planning and Land Use Permitting, I recently took a parallel position in a nearby community. Leaving Lincoln after five years was not something I anticipated considering when I took the job, but I feel I certainly made the best effort I could as I bring with me many positive memories of the considerable time, energy and spirit spent trying to serve Lincoln’s true, interests. To that end, I would like to thank those who supported my position and made the experience worthwhile.

[Read more…] about Letter to the editor: thanks from Chris Reilly

News acorns

gobbleGobble Wobble is on for Thanksgiving

Join your neighbors on Thanksgiving morning for the annual Thanksgiving Gobble Wobble, a family fun run/walk for all ages. No timing and no bibs—just a very casual way to burn some calories, hang with friends and neighbors, and do some good for people. There are two routes of approximately 2.5 miles and 3.5 miles. The entry fee is a bag of nonperishable groceries per runner/walker, which will be donated to Open Table in Concord. Please, no turkeys—they cannot be donated.

Organizer Jen Flanagan will be at the Donelan’s/Whistle Stop parking lot at 8 a.m. to start collecting groceries, and the Gobble Wobble will start at 8:30. We’ll start the Wobble at 8:30. Please note that roads will not be closed for this event, so younger kids must be accompanied by a parent or older sibling. Email jen@flanagans.us if you have questions.

Boy Scout Christmas tree sale starts Saturday

Lincoln Boy Scout Troop 127 is selling trees, wreaths, and garland at the corner of Codman and Lincoln Roads starting Saturday, Nov. 28. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and on select weeknights from 5-7 p.m. Look for the lot lights to be on! Sales benefit Lincoln Boy Scout troop activities, and additional funds are donated to local charities.

See “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” performed

The Hampstead Stage Company presents The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, a stage adaptation of the beloved children’s book, on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library. Step with us through the door of an old wardrobe and enter a snowy world laced with fantasy and wonder. For all ages. No registration necessary.

Mike Tannert

Mike Tannert

Tannert to speak on memoir of the Alps

The Lincoln Public Library and the Lincoln Council on Aging are pleased to present Lincoln resident Mike Tannert discussing his new memoir, For the Love of Mountains, on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 2-3 p.m. in the library’s Tarbell Room. Tannert will sign copies of his memoir recalling his love of the Alps and the life lessons he learned while climbing.

 

Minuteman school project in a political and financial tangle

mm1By Alice Waugh

Although the topic of school building projects in Lincoln has focused on the K-8 Lincoln School in recent years, Minuteman High School is moving ahead with plans to construct a new building of its own on town land—a project that may cost towns more than they thought and is now tangled in a political web.

[Read more…] about Minuteman school project in a political and financial tangle

Consultant presents ideas for campus configuration

By Alice Waugh

A Campus Master Planning Committee consultant offered some scenarios for configuring the school campus while affirming that there are no septic or regulatory issues that would prevent putting a community center on the Hartwell side.

Speaking at the November 14 State of the Town Meeting, Greg Smolley of LLB Architects also repeated what he said at an October 17 public forum—that a second Lincoln Road entrance to the campus east of Ballfield Road to accommodate a community center is not needed or advisable.

[Read more…] about Consultant presents ideas for campus configuration

News acorns

acornTwo sessions on what to do when a family member dies

The first days after a family member dies can be heart-breaking, but knowing what you need to do can help ease the stress. Residents of all ages are invited to come to Bemis Hall on Friday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. or the Town Office Building’s Donaldson Room at 7 p.m. to hear elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden and Town Clerk Susan Brooks give information and advice about what needs to be done and how to do it when someone passes away.  Find out what you need to do about notifying Social Security, pension providers and financial institutions; finding an attorney and taking care of probate, estate administration and taxes; the dos and don’ts of transferring money and assets; letting the town know and arranging for burial, and more. Bring your questions and concerns.

Give thanks for nature at Drumlin Farm

On the day after Thanksgiving, join Massachusetts artists at Drumlin Farm for “Giving Thanks for Nature and Our Senses,” a family outdoor art experience on Friday, Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Welcome back your senses on a nature walk with interactive artist demonstrations, and take a moment to share your own expression of thanks­—be it visual, musical, or simply an internal sense of gratitude. Cohosted by Mass Audubon and Musketaquid Arts & Environment. Highlights include:

  • The Grey Whisker Pickers
  • Wildlife sketching with Musketaquid artists
  • Natural sculpture by William Turville
  • Installations and demonstrations by Geoff Nelson, Yvette Monstad, Steve Cohen, and Reno Baci
  • Storytelling with Ron McAdow
  • Sudbury Seniors Center
LEAP to host musical fundraiser

The Lincoln Extended-day Activities Program (LEAP) will host an evening of a capella singing on Friday, Dec. 11 from 7-10 p.m. in Bemis Hall to benefit LEAP and the Recreation Department. Featured performers will include Redline Boston, Harvard University’s Voice Lab and more. There will also be a cash bar and silent auction. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and can be purchased at the LEAP or Recreation Department offices in the Hartwell pods.

Support families in shelter from domestic violence this holiday season

mangotreeOn Sunday, Dec. 6 from 1-5 p.m., Mango Tree Artisans at 410 Boston Post Road in Sudbury will host a special shopping event to benefit the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable. Enjoy light refreshments while you shop, and mention the Roundtable to have a portion of your purchase donated to the organization.

Each year, the Roundtable sponsors a family from one of three local agencies for the holidays. Those agencies need help to provide happy holidays for families in shelter and to meet the ongoing needs of additional families who have been victims of domestic violence.

You’re also invited to sponsor a family by making a donation to one of these agencies. Sponsored families are anonymous, though the agency will share the number of family members and their ages. Match yourself with a smaller family to sponsor, or invite relatives, friends, and colleagues to join you in sponsoring a larger family. For those who can’t sponsor a family, gift cards for food, clothing and other necessities to stores such as Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, CVS, Target, and Stop & Shop are welcome. Wrapping paper, ribbon and tape are also needed.

To learn more about how you can help, contact: