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

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.

News acorns – 6/7/15

Selecting art supplies at last year's MAKEmobile at the deCordova.

Selecting art supplies at last year’s MAKEmobile at the deCordova.

Activities for all ages at deCordova
  • The Yoga in the Park series at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum will take place on four Sundays: June 7, July 12, August 9 and September 13. There are two sessions, one for kids at 10 a.m. and one for adults at 11 a.m. Instructors from Stil Studio lead Vinyasa yoga outdoors in the Park on Sunday mornings this summer! Attend any or all sessions, and stay after to enjoy deCordova. Preregistration is encouraged. Free for members, $5 per session for kids, $15 per session or $40 for all sessions for adults.
  • Play in the Park begins on Wednesday, June 10 and takes place every other Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until August 19. Kids can engineer, experiment, and play together in the Sculpture Park, and collaborate to construct large-scale temporary structures in response to deCordova’s art and landscape. For families with children of all ages. Free with admission or membership.
  • Raise your glass for “Art and Ales,” a festive art-inspired tasting on Friday, June 12 from 5-8 p.m. Somerville’s Aeronaut Brewing pairs their seasonal craft beers with sculptures in the deCordova Sculpture Park. The evening also features live music by Alfred Marra and local food truck Munch Mobile Kitchen. Registration is required. $20 for deCordova members, $30 for non-members. All guests must be 21 or over, and proper ID is required.
  • MAKEmobile begins Sunday, June 14 and runs every other Sunday through August. The cruising MAKEmobile is fueled with surprising supplies and materials. We’ll provide you with an artistic challenge, then you can use the MAKEmobile’s materials to create something in response (see pictures and videos of last year’s series). Free; drop in anytime from 1-3 p.m. For families with children of all ages. Free with admission or membership.
  • Curious kids can discover art, nature, and new ideas at the hive, deCordova’s summer camp abuzz with creative energy. Weeklong sessions for kids ages 5-12 run July 6-31 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This summer we’ll explore other worlds through the looking glass, map the artistic adventures of walking, tinker with machines, and artfully construct tunnels and bridges. Weekly cost: $470 for members, $545 for nonmembers. Click here to register.
Half-price book sale on June 16

The Friends of the Lincoln Library will hold a special half-price used book sale on a special day—Tuesday, June 16 from 1-3 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Due to construction at Bemis Hall, the group will not be holding its monthly book sale from July to September, so to move as much inventory as possible, they’re having a half-price sale. It’s a great time to load up on reading material before the hot summer months come.

Tick talk: Learn about how to prevent tick-borne diseases

Due to our wild winter, Lincoln may be in for a particularly tough tick season. Get the latest information on ticks, how to prevent tick borne diseases, and what to do if you have a tick bite when Lincoln School nurse and Town Nurse Maureen Richichi, R.N., comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, June 19 at 1 p.m. She will discuss the appearance and life cycle of ticks, habitats and activity seasons of ticks, risky times to be bitten and risky activities, tick-borne diseases and their symptoms, how tick borne diseases are diagnosed and treated, personal protection—how to do tick checks, safely remove ticks, safely repel ticks, and personal advocacy with your doctors. This program is sponsored by the Council on Aging program but is open to all ages. Bring your questions and concerns.

Trails get new stone benches

The new stone benches near Flint's Pond.

The new stone benches near Flint’s Pond.

Thanks to the generosity of the Ory family and the help of the Lincoln Department of Public Works, some new stone benches have been placed along Lincoln trails by the Lincoln Conservation Department. The first two to be installed are in the Upper Pump House Field with views out to Flint’s Pond and across the small meadow above the pump station on Sandy Pond Road.

For those unfamiliar with this area, the trail comes from the schools, crosses the Muster Field and the Lower Pump House Field, and enters the wood to the north of the field. It  goes up a small hill, crosses the Upper Pump House Field and then drops down into the pine woods behind the Carroll School. To make a full loop, you can continue to Adams Woods, exit onto Granville, cross over to Land’s End and follow the trail back to the schools.

Letter to the editor: move stop sign at Trapelo Road

letterEditor’s note: This is a copy of a letter sent to the Lincoln Board of Selectmen.

To the editor:

I was nearly run into again at the five corners by a driver (obviously from out of town, not bred in the Lincoln way) who thought that she, having stopped at the stop sign on Trapelo Road, could roar through the intersection past the horse trough. I saw recently the Selectmen’s meeting explaining that this arrangement—placing the stop sign on Trapelo Road well before the intersection and not at the horse trough—is to preserve the historical character of the area, or some such argument. Of course, horses always stopped at the trough, and probably did not observe any stop signs that may have been placed elsewhere.

I think that public safety should trump historic concerns and believe that the selectmen have ample authority to place the stop signs for Trapelo Road at the horse trough under MGL Ch. 89 S. 9 (you “may designate intersections or other roadway junctions at which vehicular traffic on one or more roadways shall stop or yield and stop before entering the intersection or junction”). The normal rules about when to enter an intersection do not work when the stop sign is placed so far out of the intersection that drivers stopping there cannot observe other cars and other cars cannot observe them. Please remedy this arrangement before someone is seriously hurt.

Sincerely,

John Kimball
14 Hillside 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.

Council on Aging events in June

bemisAn exploration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition
June 5 at 2:30 p.m.
The 19th-century Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky is an ambitious musical work in 10 movements, each inspired by a particular artwork at an exhibition he visited. Come hear a live performance and learn about how and why it was composed as well as about the artworks that each movement interprets when Abla Shocair plays and discusses this work on Friday, June 5 at 2:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. She will also play Papillons by Robert Schumann, which is believed to have had an influence on the Pictures suite and Franz Liszt’s Rhapsody #6 as it relates to Mussorgsky’s piano training. Abla, a civil engineer originally from Jordan, started playing piano at age 4.

[Read more…] about Council on Aging events in June

News acorns – 6/4/15

Sam Bayer

Sam Bayer

Sam Bayer featured at Monday’s open mic night

Sam Bayer will be the featured performer at this month’s LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mic Acoustic) on Monday, June 8 from 7-10 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. He’ll perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30 p.m. Bayer has performed at First Night, Passim’s, Sally O’Briens, the Nameless Coffeehouse and other venues and has four CDs to his credit.

[Read more…] about News acorns – 6/4/15