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

Letter to the editor: Help Lincoln boomers build community

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To the editor:

On any given day, a visit to Bemis Hall will find it buzzing with activity and bursting at the seams with people socializing, participating in programs, volunteering, seeking counsel and more. And it’s about to get a lot busier, if a newly formed group of self-described “boomers” has anything to do with it.

In classic Lincoln fashion, the inspiration of one has turned into an ad hoc discussion group of how to introduce more baby boomers to current community offerings, especially those offered by the Council on Aging at Bemis Hall, and how to evolve and enhance existing programs to meet new and growing needs without compromising the valued programs and critical services currently in place. While some boomers have been enjoying COA programming, many are not. And the newly formed group is out to find out why…and to come up with strategies to help more boomers to find their way to Bemis.

At the first gathering of this new group, much discussion focused on “branding” and how that influences perception. Questions were raised as to how to better reach out to communicate the range of community activities that currently exist at Bemis and throughout town. Several saw their interests and needs as variations of the current COA and Parks & Recreation programming. This group of boomers, looking into the future, saw the benefit of a true multigenerational community center that could accommodate the needs of all and reinforce a sense of coming together as a community.

The work of this new group—yet unnamed—will benefit from previous work done by the COA in 2013, where many similar questions were explored, and by the more recent work of the Community Center Study Committee. The energy, enthusiasm, and creative thinking of this group may well take things to the next level and test the limitations of Bemis Hall beyond the challenge posed by existing programs and services. This is not a bad thing—this is a reflection of the natural evolution of a vibrant community growing and changing over time. In fact, this is a cause for celebration—ingenuity and grass-roots initiative is alive and well in Lincoln.

The next gathering of the unnamed boomers ad hoc discussion group is on Tuesday, June 16 at 8:15 a.m. in Bemis Hall. They are spreading the word to encourage others to join them to think of creative ways to introduce community activities for all.

Sincerely,

Sara Mattes
71 Conant Rd.

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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.

Obituaries – 6/12/15

candle2James G. Birmingham, 84 (April 28) – broker and manager of private investment partnerships

William Brennan, 87 (April 24) – First Parish Church member; owned company that designed and manufactured sterling silver and precious metal products

J. Walter Brain, 79 (April 19) – landscape architect, Thoreau Club member

Charles Stathos, 93 (April 6) – Okinawa veteran, worked at investment firm Estabrook and Co.

M. Elaine Burnham, 95 (March 30) – nurse and former executive director of Human Rights for the Mentally Retarded

 

 

Letter to the editor: more on Trapelo Road stop sign

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To the editor:

Mr. Richardson is absolutely right, as is John Kimball in his letter to the editor on June 4 regarding this same topic.

I’d go further and say there are multiple issues with traffic flow at that intersection: it is difficult for folks coming up Weston Road, since the heavier traffic coming down Bedford Road and off Trapelo cannot see them. Also, the turn lane in front of the library is problematic. It seems to be intended for folks to turn right from Trapelo onto Bedford, but every so often someone comes down that lane from Bedford Road towards Trapelo, nearly always causing chaos for themselves and other drivers.

At the very least, moving the Trapelo Road stop sign closer to the actual intersection would seem to be mandatory, before someone gets seriously hurt. But I’d suggest that rethinking the whole intersection—at the very least providing clearer signage and lane markings for all drivers—is necessary.

Sincerely,

Allen Vander Meulen
Beaver Pond Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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.

Correction

correction-smA headline in a June 10 News Acorn gave the incorrect date for a soil health workshop. The event is in Thursday, June 18. the original post has been corrected.

News acorns – 6/11/15

bbqFarmer’s market at Lincoln Station starts June 20

Beginning Saturday, June 20 and continuing through the summer months, the Rural Land Foundation will be hosting 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. Local farms in Lincoln including Blue Heron Organic Farm, Codman Farm and Lindentree Farm will be there to sell a wide variety of their farm fresh produce, along with Matlock Farm and their fresh meats. In addition, Houtzeel’s Breadoven, AKA Bistro with some of their specialties and other surprise vendors will come to share their goods.

Reserve tickets for Codman Campout on June 20

Sign up now for the Codman Campout at Codman Community Farms (CCF) from Saturday to Sunday, June 20-21. Pitch your tent at 4:00 on Saturday afternoon and enjoy s’mores, games and an old-fashioned singalong around the campfire, and breakfast on Sunday, with coffee, orange juice and bagels. Dinner Catered by Blue Ribbon Barbecue. A tent site is $30; dinner tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children under 12. CCF family membership is required. Tickets need to be purchased by all campers and are also available to those just wishing to come for the evening. Reserve online, call CCF at 781-259-0456 or email info@codmanfarm.org.

“Building Blocks” series for kids at Gropius House

“Building Blocks” is a series for young people, created by Gropius House staff on June 14, July 12 and August 16. Using a combination of visual thinking strategies and studio activities, kids age 9-12 will engage in group observation, dynamic discussion and studio time. Monthly sessions will have a different focal point, enabling children to participate each month, if desired, without repetition. Tickets are $5 per session for Historic New England members and $10 for nonmembers. Space is limited and registration is required. Please call 781-259-8098 for more information or purchase tickets online.

Sign up for barbecue meat CSA and regular summer CSA at Codman

Fire up your grill for locally raised steaks, sausage, ribs, hamburger and bacon. Codman Community Farms’ special summer meat CSA share runs from June through September.  The four-month session gives you 10 lbs. of Codman-raised beef and pork each month. That works out to be $10 per pound for grass-fed beef and naturally raised pork that’s free of antibiotics and hormones. Pickups are the first Thursday of each month starting in June 11 from 5-7 p.m. in the Codman Barn. Feel free to sign up throughout June and the farm will arrange for your pickup. Codman’s regular six-month meat share runs from July through December and costs $600. To sign up for either CSA or to buy a 5-lb. or 10-lb. bag of beef or pork, visit the farm store web page.

Clement

George Clement

Minuteman High School names assistant principal

George M. Clement has been named as Minuteman High School’s new assistant principal and director of admissions. He succeeds Jack Dillon III, who was recently named principal. Clement has been at Minuteman since 2009 as a reading specialist and was named a finalist for Scholastic Co. “All-Star Educator Award” for reading in 2014.

Lincoln School names new K-4 principal

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Sarah Collmer

By Alice Waugh

Sarah Collmer, who has a background in performing arts, is about to take on her biggest role yet: the Lincoln School’s new K-4 principal.

Collmer, 40, comes from the John F. Kennedy School in Canton, where she was hired in 2014 after serving as interim principal. Prior to that, she was Canton’s K-12 performing arts coordinator and also taught high school performing arts. She has been a music teacher for 17 years and has also worked at schools in Franklin and Wellesley.

[Read more…] about Lincoln School names new K-4 principal

News acorns – 6/10/15

acornSoil health workshop on June 18

Levels of organic matter in most U.S. agricultural soils have declined in recent years, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere and making the soil less able to retain water, which are important for crop quality, the global climate and biodiversity. Two local farmers who are experts in soil fertility will speak at a workshop on soil health sponsored by the Lincoln Agricultural Commission on Thursday, June 18 from 7:30-9 p.m. in bemis Hall. Dan Kittredge, organic farmer and founder of Bionutrient Food Association, and Pete Lowy from Pete and Jen’s Backyard Birds will share their innovative approaches for restoring our soils. All are welcome.

Kids’ triathlon coming up

At the 12th annual “Splash Mash Dash” Lincoln Kids Triathlon on Saturday, June 20, kids ages 5-14 are invited to put on a number and swim, bike and run their way around the Lincoln School campus. The event, which benefits the Food Project, starts at Codman Pool at 8:30 a.m. Race distances are as follows:

  • Ages 5-6:  25m swim (1 length); ¼ mile run, no bike
  • Ages 7-8:  25m swim (1 length); 1 mile bike; ½ mile run
  • Ages 9-10: 50m swim (2 lengths); 2 mile bike; ½ mile run
  • Ages 11-12: 75m swim (3 lengths); 2 mile bike; ¾ mile run
  • Ages 13-14: 150m swim (6 lgths); 4 mile bike; 1 mile run

Register on the Lincoln Park and Rec website by clicking “Register Now” and then selecting the Lincoln Kids Triathlon and the appropriate age group. The $30 entry fee  includes a T-shirt, a finisher’s medal and lots of memories. Organizers are also in need of volunteers to help out on the morning of the race. Please email ginger.reiner@gmail.com if you have some time to give. No triathlon expertise required!

Lincoln School accepting donations of old children’s books

Is that pile of books by the door that you meant to donate before the end of the school year still there? The Lincoln School would love to accept your book donations to help enhance the literacy centers and classroom libraries! Please drop off children’s books (all ages and stages) or children’s magazines in the Primary Literacy Center in Room S124 just outside the Smith Gym. Gwen Blumberg, the school’s literacy specialist, will make sure they’re put to good use. Any books that the school can’t use will be donated to the Lincoln Public Library book sale.

Globe gives thumbs-up to deCordova exhibit

The Boston Globe gave a favorable review on May 23 to the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s newest exhibition, Walking Sculpture 1967–2015. Art critic Sebastian Smee called it “a fine show, smartly compiled” and noted that a visitor will “emerge mentally invigorated, and well-prepped for a few laps of the sculpture park outside.” The exhibit explores the history and current practice of walking as art through sculpture, video, photography, performance, and participatory programs.

Library offers one-week Speed Reads for the summer

Let’s say it’s 4:00 on a Friday afternoon in the middle of July and you realize you have nothing to read during your weekend getaway. What to do? Drop in at the Lincoln Public Library! They have a new collection that we call Speed Reads they are all best sellers in demand among patrons. They circulate for one week and can’t be renewed. They are available on a first come, first served basis—no reserves! Samples of  titles that can be found on the shelf: Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen. There are also some nonfiction titles to balance things out.

Letter to the editor: intersection is “an accident waiting to happen”

letterEditor’s note: A letter to the editor on June 4 addressed the same topic.

To the editor:

In the last ten or twelve years, I have written letters and spoken to the Lincoln Selectmen and Police Department at least three times about moving that stop sign on Trapelo Road several feet closer to Lincoln/Bedford Road so drivers approaching that intersection will have clear sight lines there. LPD said it would be a good idea, but no action to date. I have also observed several near misses there; it ‘s an accident waiting to happen.

Sincerely,

Fred Richardson
The Commons in Lincoln

Milk it for all it’s worth at Dairy Day

dairyDrumlin Farm is celebrating National Dairy Month with Dairy Day on Saturday, June 13 (rain or shine) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The barns will be open on this special day for up-close access to our favorite dairy animals and the tasty treats they help us produce.

Highlights include exclusive milking access to Drumlin Farm’s dairy cows (while milk supply and cows’ patience last!); crafts and games for kids in our Get Moovin’ zone; cheese, butter, and ice cream making demonstrations; up-close viewing of our heritage breed cattle; and free hayrides to celebrate the crowning of the Drumlin Farm Dairy Princess. The Posto Mobile wood-fired pizza truck will be on hand to provide tasty picnic lunch options for purchase made with fresh Drumlin Farm produce, and Reasons to Be Cheerful will have plenty of local ice cream to enjoy.

Schedule of activities:

  • All day – Ice cream and pizza truck; farm stand and country store; Get Moovin’ crafts and games; livestock display
  • 10-11 a.m. – Cow milking (while supply lasts)
  • 10 a.m. to noon – Ice cream making demonstration
  • 11:30 a.m. to noon – Dairy Court hayride
  • Noon to 2 p.m. – Cheese-making demonstration
  • 12:30-1 p.m. – Goat milking demonstration
  • 1:30-2 p.m. – Dairy Court hayride
  • 2-3 p.m. – Cow milking (while supply lasts)
  • 2-4 p.m. – Butter-making demonstration
  • 3:30-4 p.m. – Goat-milking demonstration

Tickets for this special fundraising event are $8 for Mass Audubon members, $10 for nonmembers, children under 2 free, and can be purchased by calling 781-259-2206 or online at www.massaudubon.org/drumlinprograms.

Brush fire blackens several acres in Lincoln

Views of the burned area in photos taken by Noah Eckhouse (top) and Peter von Mertens (bottom).

Views of the burned area in photos taken by Noah Eckhouse (top) and Peter von Mertens (bottom).

A brush fire just south of Route 2 burned several acres of wooded area but did not damage any structures or result in any injuries.

The May 24 fire damaged about 12 acres of conservation land between Flint’s Pond and Orchard Lane, according to Peter von Mertens, co-chair of the Conservation Commission. Firefighters form Lincoln, Wayland, Weston, Concord and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation responded. Crews used chain saws, shovels and a leaf blower to build a fire break and contain the fire, and they also attacked it with water pumped from Flint’s Pond, said Selectman Noah Eckhouse. Workers patrolled the area during the following week to put out spots that were still smoldering.

Officials concluded that the blaze was probably caused by a careless smoker walking through the area. A gusty wind and extremely dry conditions on the forest floor allowed the fire to spread quickly and scorch a number of trees. Those trees will be evaluated over the next year and some that are critically damaged will need to be taken down, von Mertens said.

Virtually all of the underbrush and ground cover was burned out, and commission members will be taking photos in the area periodically to evaluate the regrowth in the area. Lincoln Fire Chief Stephen Carter and the Conservation Commission strongly advise people to stay out of the area until the threat of falling trees can be determined and dealt with.