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

The birds and the bees (Lincoln Through the Lens)

 

Some of Harold McAleer’s recent photo subjects include a hummingbird, a dandelion and bee, and a bluebird and her nest.
hummer

bluebird-adj

dandelion2

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to news@lincolnsquirrrel.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.

News acorns – 5/23/15

acornFarewell gala for Magic Garden teacher Peggy McSweeney next week

The Magic Garden Children’s Center will honor retiring teacher Peggy McSweeney with a “hoedown” featuring square dancing with barbecue and a live band and caller on Saturday, May 30 from 6-10 p.m. in the Codman barn. Proceeds will benefit the newly established Peggy McSweeney Enrichment Fund for programs at the preschool including fitness, Spanish, swimming and more. McSweeney has worked at Magic Garden for its entire 33-year history. All are invited (adults only, please). Tickets are $50 and may be purchased by visiting Magic Garden in the Hartwell building on the school campus or calling 781-259-8161.

Two events at the deCordova

Join Certified Advanced Rolfer Kevin Frank for a free walk through the Sculpture Park on Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. that integrates rolfing, a movement system that improves bodily alignment by organizing the body in relation to gravity. Rethink what you know about balance, space, and gravity during this guided walk focused on waking up your movement intelligence and connecting to the natural world.

Somerville artist Emily Garfield will lead a workshop on Saturday, May 30 at 10 a.m. that will explore unconventional approaches to mapping in this watercolor workshop with Somerville artist Emily Garfield. Translate your walk in the Sculpture Park into imaginative landscapes. For ages 16 and up. $12 for members. $20 for not-yet-members. Register online.

LLCT sponsors wildlife photography for kids

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust is sponsoring “WildlifePhotography for Kids” with Eric Smith, a two-session workshop geared towards kids in grades 5-8, on Sunday, May 31 and June 7 from 3-5 p.m. Both sessions will be held in the LLCT offices in the Lincoln Mall and will have classroom and field components. The first session will cover point-and-shoot camera settings, camera functions andphoto composition. The second session will cover in-the-field tricks andphoto editing. Equipment needed: a digital camera. Please dress for the weather with sturdy shoes and socks, and long pants. Preregistration is required by May 29 on the LLCT website. Eric is a nationally published wildlife photography along with being on the steering committee of the Menotomy Bird Club, a board member of Eastern Mass. Hawk Watch, runs a camera club, and teaches digital photography for Mass Audubon.

Gropius House event; free tours at Gropius, Codman Estate

The Gropius House is the focus of “Modest In Scale, Revolutionary In Impact,” a special house tour and discussion on the influence of Walter Gropius and the Bauhaus movement on today’s design presented by Design New England Magazine and Historic New England on Friday, June 12 at 5 p.m. Speakers will be Mark Hutker of Hutker Architects, Matthew Cunningham of Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design, and Bradley M. Cashin of New England Design & Construction, plus remarks by Wendy Hubbard of Gropius House. Parking is available at Carroll School (25 Baker Bridge Rd., Lincoln). Shuttles will run regularly between the Carroll School and Gropius House. Please RSVP to 617-994-5934 or events@historicnewengland.org.

Thirty-six of the region’s finest historic properties are open free to the public during Historic New England’s Open House on Saturday, June 6. In Lincoln, Gropius House and Codman Estate offer hourly guided tours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. From Maine to Rhode Island, from 1664 to 1938, learn about the people who lived in stone-enders, urban mansions, rural estates, and working farms and explore unique and personal family collections of decorative arts and household furnishings during free guided tours at Historic New England’s house museums. For more information, visit www.historicnewengland.org.

“The new phone book’s here!”

library-directories

The Lincoln Public Library hosted a “stuffing party” where volunteers put the phone books in envelopes and delivered them to the post office. Stuffing Party: Lindsay Clemens, Susan Pease, Elizabeth Cherniack, Susan Ludden, Agnes Wiggin, Nancy Styles, Connie Olsen, Bryn Gingrich, Katherine Mierzwa, Belinda Gingrich, Graham Walker, Susan Hallstein and Ian Gingrich.

Lincoln residents are sure to be as excited as Steve Martin about the new phone directory now hitting mailboxes published by the Friends of the Lincoln Library.

The group that worked to edit and produce the directory, which is issued every two years, included Judith Lawler, Barbara Low, Cathy Moritz, Susan Isbell, Patty Mostue, Julie Brogan, Patience Sandrof, Paul Gingrich, Mark Sandrof, Isabel Webster, and Tucker Smith. The updated cover was the work of Margie Chin and Katherine Mierzwa, with artwork by Peter Sugar.

The directory is supported by the advertisers in its yellow pages, so please let them know how much you appreciate them. Additional copies can be purchased at the Old Town Hall Exchange and at the library.

Belinda Gingrich and volunteers from the Friends of the Lincoln Library unload the 2015 Lincoln telephone directory at the post office on May 20 in preparation for delivery to every household in Lincoln.

Belinda Gingrich (left) and volunteers from the Friends of the Lincoln Library unload the 2015 Lincoln telephone directory at the post office on May 20 in preparation for delivery to every household in Lincoln.

Letter to the editor: Lincolnites have the “write stuff”

letter

To the editor:

To mark the 10th anniversary of “Write Stuff,” a writers’ group in Lincoln, there will be a public reading by several members in the Tarbell Room of the Lincoln Public Library on Wednesday, May 27 at 7 p.m. As a “Write Stuffer,” I thought it’d be interesting to talk to a few of the people who have made the group what it is today.

Barbara Myles, director of the Lincoln Library, reflects back on how it all began: “Jeanne Bracken, our reference librarian at the time, was a very talented published author. I thought that it would be a good idea if she started a writers’ group at the library, so I asked her to do it.” Jeanne agreed and the group took off running. “She did a fabulous job,” says Myles.

Betty Smith, publisher of the Lincoln Review, is a strong supporter of “Write Stuff.” Always in search of new material from Lincoln writers, she felt that a critique group could help both beginning and seasoned writers produce new work.

“Hardly an issue of the Lincoln Review sees the light of day without a contribution from one or more Write Stuff members,” says Neil O’Hara, who has been Write Stuff’s facilitator since the fall of 2006. “Being part of this group has given me an even deeper grounding in the basics of good writing.”

I’ve listened to the pieces of my fellow “Write Stuffers,” made my comments and read my own pieces, and after each meeting I leave with more confidence. “One of the rules was that we were not to be critical,” says Palmer Faran. “Not to have anyone say, ‘Oh, this is terrible’ but to always say something positive. What we’re trying to do is to help and not shut the person down.”

“After listening to all of the supportive comments, this group gave me the confidence to write more,” says Joyce Quelch.

I believe that my writing has improved, but I continue to be puzzled as to why it’s so difficult, so I asked Neil O’Hara. “I think one of the great quotes that encapsulates the problem of why it’s so hard to write is by Mark Twain: ‘I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.’ And it’s just fabulous, because that’s the essence of it.”

“Write Stuffers”Anita Harris, Rick Wiggen, Jean Risley, Susan Coppock and Bracken have all tackled the difficulties of writing and are now published authors. Advice for writers from Bracken: “My BFF (best friend forever) in Maine and I say this all the time, it’s my mantra: ‘Stay on the bus. If you’re not on the bus, you’re not going to end the journey’.’”

If you’re a writer or would like to write, consider becoming a “Write Stuffer.” We’ll help you stay on that bus, and believe me, it’s well worth it.

Sincerely,

Debbie Dorsey
17 Bedford Lane

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.

Guests honor Domnitz (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Current and former members of the Planning Board, the Board of Selectmen, and other guests gathered on Sunday, May 17 at the Todd Pond home of Rick and Virginia Rundell in honor of Bob Domnitz's 12 years of service on the Planning Board. Pictured from top: John "JR" Robinson, Virginia Rundell, Frank Clark, Lynn DeLisi, Bryce Wolf, Margaret Olson, Rich Rosenbaum, Renel Fredriksen, Bob Domnitz (the honoree), Carolyn McQueen, Peter Braun, Bob Wolf, and Rick Rundell. Also attending but not in the photo were James Craig, Pam Gallup, and Ken Hurd.

Current and former members of the Planning Board, the Board of Selectmen, and other guests gathered on May 17 at the Todd Pond home of Rick and Virginia Rundell in honor of Bob Domnitz’s 12 years of service on the Planning Board. Pictured from top: John “JR” Robinson, Frank Clark, Virginia Rundell, Bryce Wolf, Lynn DeLisi, Renel Fredriksen, Margaret Olsen, Rich Rosenbaum, Bob Domnitz (the honoree), Carolyn McQueen, Peter Braun, Rick Rundell and Bob Wolf (far right). Also attending but not in the photo were James Craig, Pam Gallup, and Ken Hurd.

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to news@lincolnsquirrrel.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.

At L-S, Ryan warns parents about providing alcohol to those under 21

(Editor’s note: This article is based on a press release from the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.)

In a May 11 talk at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan reminded parents that providing alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 endangers lives and makes the adult potentially liable in criminal and civil court.

“We all want to celebrate the end of the school year and usher in the summer for the teenagers in our lives,” Ryan said. “But good intentions can go wrong. It is never a good idea to have a get-together in which minors are going to be drinking alcohol. Adults cannot disregard the law about serving people under the age of 21 just because the alcohol is being served on private property or just because one parent gives permission for his or her child to consume alcohol.”

Under the state’s Social Host Law, adults and minors can be punished for furnishing alcohol to a minor, with penalties including up to one year in jail and fines of up to $2,000. Those charged with drinking and driving can also receive significant penalties. In Massachusetts, a first drunk-driving offense may result in a license suspension, a fine of up to $5,000, and/or imprisonment of up to 30 months.

Ryan also stressed that adults should think about the “life lessons” they are teaching young people. “Teenagers know they aren’t supposed to be drinking, so the message parents may be sending is that it’s fine to break the law in some cases,” she said. “Often young people who have consumed alcohol don’t have the maturity to resist risky behavior and to make good judgments.”

The “Social Host Responsibility” presentations are held at schools all over the county by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Middlesex Partnerships for Youth (MPY). MPY is a nonprofit organization that provides prevention and intervention resources and training to school districts and communities in collaboration with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Ryan chairs the MPY Board of Directors.

Letter to the editor: Georgiou runs for Governor’s Council

letter

To the editor:

I am announcing my candidacy for Governor’s Council (a.k.a. Executive Council) for the Third District of Massachusetts, which includes much of Middlesex County and parts of Norfolk, Suffolk and Worcester counties. Lincoln is at the center of the Third District.

Many Massachusetts citizens are unaware of the important—indeed, vital—work the Governor’s Council is charged with by the Massachusetts Constitution. The Council plays a seminal role in our state’s justice system and consequently in the functioning of our society. The council is the last chance the people of Massachusetts have to make sure that the best candidate for the job is picked. The council provides the “checks and balances” for the governor’s appointments to our court system. If the elected councilor does his or her job correctly, political appointments (people that simply donate to the governor) are not shooed in as a political favor.

The most critical part of the Governor’s Council is to approve, by its constitutional power of “advise and consent,” the governor’s judicial appointments to all courts (Supreme Judicial Court, Court of Appeals, Superior Court, District Court, Probate Court) and all adjudicatory agencies, such as the Appellate Tax Board, the Department of Industrial Accidents, and other similar agencies of the Commonwealth. In addition to judicial appointments, the council approves clerk-magistrates, public administrators, members of the Parole Board, justices of the peace, notary publics and many other gubernatorial appointments. All critical to the function of our justice system.

As is evident, this position requires a Governor’s Councilor to have expert and specific experience as well as knowledge of our justice system. More importantly, it requires the background and depth of experience of an attorney—one who has been in the trenches of the justice system for a respectable number of years. I believe that this experience is mandatory because it is the only way one is exposed to the traits and skills that constitute a good attorney who would make a good judge and will serve the people of Massachusetts competently, fairly and honestly.

What kind of a person should sit in judgment of others? That is the critical question a Governor’s Councilor must ask. After more than 25 years as a trial attorney, having practiced before almost every court and adjudicatory agency in Massachusetts and having taught law, I have the experience and background to make such judgment and advice the governor of good, fair or bad choices of proposed judicial and other appointments.

My experience stems from having dealt with dozens of judges and other various court functionaries and hundreds of attorneys and various other players in our justice system. I have represented plaintiffs and defendants and have a perspective from both sides of litigation. I know what constitutes a good attorney and a good judge. In my practice I have been before judges almost on a daily basis and I can without reservation say that no one can be a good judge with first being a good attorney.

I have the background and frontline experience acquired over the course of over 25 years of trial work to make decisions as to which candidate qualifies to by a judge and which candidate does not. I would be proud and humbled to serve the people of the Commonwealth.

It’s surprising the person who is currently representing Lincoln on the Governor’s Council is not an attorney and has held the position since 1998 primarily because people of the Third District are essentially unaware of the Council’s importance and the lack of the current councilor’s qualifications. I am hoping to change this and earn the people’s trust and vote in 2016.

Sincerely,

Peter Georgiou
126 Lexington 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.

May 20 memorial service in Lincoln for Paul Giese

Paul E. Giese

Paul E. Giese

There will be a memorial service at the First Parish Church in Lincoln on Wednesday, May 20 at 3 p.m. for Paul E. Giese, who died in January at the age of 76. A native of Seattle, he moved to Lincoln in 1966 and worked as a management consultant for Arthur D. Little. He did extensive volunteer work for the Town of Lincoln as a member and later co-chair of the Finance Committee, Commissioner on the Water Board, board member of the Friends of the Council on Aging and Friends of Modern Architecture/Lincoln. His wife Lucretia and other family members will hold a reception at the Pierce House following the service. Click here for his full obituary.

“Walking” in deCordova (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Linda Hammett Ory and Andy Ory were among the area art-lovers at the May 9 opening of the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s new exhibits, Walking Sculpture and Integrated Vision. Photo by Melissa Ostrow.

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to news@lincolnsquirrrel.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.

News acorns – 05/13/15

The Lincoln PMC Kids Ride kicks off.

The Lincoln PMC Kids Ride kicks off.

PMC Kids Ride draws hundreds

The first annual Lincoln Pan Mass Challenge Kids Ride on May 3 was a big success. Eighty riders—well in excess of the 50 hopes for—raised over $6,000 to help fight cancer. Organizers thank the many volunteers, including students from the middle school (thank you Steve Cullen for spreading the word) and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, the Lincoln Police Department (especially Det. Ian Spencer), the Lincoln Recreation Department (especially Dan Pereira and Stacey Mulroy), and sponsors including Lincoln’s Something Special and the Whistle Stop as well as Boston Sports Clubs, Dunkin Donuts, Spotify, Penny Lu Designs and Busy Bee Jumpers.

Correction

In a May 12 story about the Lincoln Garden Club’s photo contest, photographer Bob Wadsworth’s name was listed incorrectly. The story has been updated to reflect this correction.

Phone directory stuffing party

The Friends of the Lincoln Library’s 2015 Lincoln directory is being printed this week and they need help putting all of them into envelopes on Monday, May 18 in the library’s Tarbell Room between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please call or email Belinda Gingrich (belinda.gingrich@verizon.net) if you can help for a couple of hours. Thanks for helping support the library.

ArtGala paintings on sale until Saturday

There are a few paintings remaining from the successful Lincoln Public Library ArtGala 2015 in the first floor gallery until Saturday, May 16 that are for sale at a discount. For those of you who missed the event, take a look at the ArtGala website for images and then visit the library to have a look. The show and sale must end Saturday to make way for a new show, so contact Julie Brogan at foll@lincolntown.org or 781-259-3558 if you’re interested in making a purchase. “The Julia Zanes Dream Image is a steal for serious collectors!” Brogan says.

Free jazz concert on May 27

To wind up the 35th year of classic jazz at Lincoln Library, there will be a concert on Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall featuring the Bay State Syncopators. The Syncopators are a reunion band formed in the 1980s by Paul Monat to rekindle the two-cornet sound of Bob Connor’s Yankee Rhythm Kings of the 1970s that featured Paul and Dave Whitney on cornet and Blair Bettancourt on clarinet. The band carries on the New Orleans sounds of Louis, King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton, reborn in the 1950s by Lou Watters, Turk Murphy and Bob Helm in San Francisco.