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

Heron go bragh! (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Lincoln resident Susan Taylor photographed this great blue heron and its reflection in the pond at the Pierce House on October 8.

Lincoln resident Susan Taylor photographed this great blue heron and its reflection in the pond at the Pierce House on October 8.

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.

News acorns

An image from last year's Scarecrow Classic. Photo: Angela Kearney

A view of last year’s Scarecrow Classic. Photo: Angela Kearney

All are invited to Scarecrow Classic

Please join us for the third annual Scarecrow Classic 5K road and trail race on Sunday, Oct. 18. Even if you don’t run or walk, join the after-race celebration with live music, cider donuts, hot soup, a fire pit and awards ceremony. There will also be raffle prizes.

Pre-register for the race at ScarecrowClassic5k.com at a discounted rate and get a long-sleeved tech race shirt. “Day-of” registration is from 8-9:15 a.m. and the race starts at 9:30 a.m. This 5K run/walk race to benefit the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT) will start and finish at the Mall at Lincoln Station. Colorfully decorated scarecrows along the course will guide participants through their scenic journey. If you’re not up for the race but still want to help, please contact Anna Wilkins to volunteer. We have Saturday or Sunday morning jobs available.

The LLCT helps protect and manage more than 2,000 acres of land and nearly 80 miles of public trails In Lincoln as a regional recreational resource for the greater Boston area. The nonprofit local land trust is one of the oldest land trusts in the country and is recognized nationally for its conservation work.

Nature walk at Birches School

Come explore the woods with Birches students and teachers on a “Walk with Your Senses” nature walk on Saturday, Oct. 24. We will interact with nature through sight, sound, smell, touch—and maybe even taste. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Birches School Playground (next to the Stone Church). Learn more about activities at the school in the Birches blog.

L-S lacrosse fundraiser via Bertucci’s

It’s tough to deal with dinner when dealing with last-minute Halloween costumes. On Thursday, Oct. 29, eat at the Wayland Bertucci’s (14 Alyssa Ave., Wayland) between 11:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. and help raise funds for L-S girls’ lacrosse. Mention the team and 15% of what you spend will be donated to the program.

Talk on climate change on Oct. 29

Lincoln residents have a long history of environmental leadership and conservation. Today, concern about climate change has many of us asking questions such as:

  • What are fossil fuels and why should I care?
  • After last winter, why are we still thinking about global warming?
  • How does the new Mass Energy/Eversource renewable energy offering work and where does the energy come from?
  • Is this the right time to consider installing solar panels on my home?

Quentin Prideaux of the Climate Reality Project (CRP) will help answer these and other questions about climate change on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. in Bemis Hall at a talk sponsored by the Lincoln Garden Club. The CRP was formed in 2006 to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every level of society. Come learn about what you can do at the local level to understand and address this global problem.

Fauré Requiem to be sung at St. Anne’s

On Sunday, Nov. 1, the Fauré Requiem will be sung as part of the 10:00 am service for All Saints’/All Souls’ Day at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. The St. Anne’s Choir will be joined by members of the Copley Singers and accompanied by organ, harp and violin. Other music appropriate to this sacred day will be anthems by John Rutter, John Goss and Geraint Lewis. Brian Jones, interim director of music at St. Anne’s, will conduct. All are welcome at St. Anne’s. For more information, visit www.stanneslincoln.org or call 781-259-8834.

Six from Lincoln are National Merit Commended Students

Editor’s note: this article was corrected on October 22 to include two students who are not in the photo.

Thirty-four Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. Six of them are Lincoln residents.

About 34,000 of the 1.5 million students nationally who entered the 2016 competition by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test received letters of commendation. Another 16,000 entrants qualified as semifinalists on a state-represented basis, and about 15,000 of those will be named as finalists for about 7,400 scholarships.

scholars

Commended Students in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program from L-S. Lincoln residents are in boldface. Top row: Emily Gorman, Rudhra Raveendran, Samuel Mlawer, Aaron Epstein, Samuel Neil, Katerina Matjucha, Katherine Quirk, Claire Telfer, Nicole Pellegrini, Sarah Hausmann, Sara Bennett, Samira Mehta, Alina Strileckis, Jessica Keller, Jillian Cusick, Caroline Goswami, Alexandra du Toit. Bottom row: Matthew Short, Madeleine Kline, Jasmine Falk, Ariel Keklak, Zacharie Day, Indrani Kharbanda, Eve Montie, Katherine Semple, Catherine Pinto, Sara Kimble, William Sheldon, Aaron Corin, Andrew Fasciano, Gavin Mays, Regan Murray. Not pictured: Adam Thompson and Tiger Zhang. Photo courtesy Charles Despotopulos.

Globe: Lincoln has high incidence of Lyme disease

deertickLincoln had one of the highest Lyme disease infection rates in Massachusetts in 2014, according to state Department of Public Health data published in the Boston Globe on October 12.

A map showing the rates of infection per 100,000 residents by town shows that Lincoln’s rate was 248.35, which translates to about 16 actual cases for Lincoln’s population of 6,362 (as of the 2010 census). Only 28 of the 391 Massachusetts cities and towns had higher Lyme disease rates. Of the 28 towns with the highest rates (250 or more cases per 100,000 residents), the biggest concentrations were on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, followed by a cluster of towns in the southwest corner of the state.

Nationally, Lyme disease is most prevalent in the Northeast and the Upper Midwest, the article notes. Massachusetts had the third-highest overall rate of any state at 54.1 cases per 100,000 residents, behind only Maine (87.9) and Vermont (70.5).

A report from the Middlesex Tick Task Force earlier this year noted that 40 percent of ticks from Lincoln that were tested in 2014 carried Lyme disease. Almost as many carried the bacterium that causes Borrelia miyamotoi disease, which does not cause a rash but can be more serious than Lyme disease. It was first recognized in the Northeast in 2013.

News acorns

lurgio

Joanne Lurgio

Joanne Lurgio appears at next LOMA event

The next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) event will feature Joanne Lurgio at the Lincoln Public Library on Monday, Oct. 19 starting at 7 p.m. Lurgio, who will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30 p.m., has four CDs to her credit, including this year’s Rise from the Storm.

LOMA is a monthly event. Performers can sign up at the event or email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com before noon of the open-mike date for a slot. Names of those who signed up by 7:15 are drawn at random. There is a sound system with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups. In case of overflow, the first 20 performers to sign up will be given priority.

Variety show benefits L-S foundation

Want a good laugh? Come see teachers and staff at the 12th annual LSRHS faculty/staff/student Variety Show on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kirshner Auditorium at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School to benefit FELS (Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury) and the L-S Teachers’ Association Scholarship Fund. Acts include live music, dance, film, comedy and more. New this year are acts involving both students and school staff. Tickets are $6 for students/senior citizens, $8 for general admission. Advance sales take place October 19-23 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. outside the L-S cafeteria. For further information, email Paul Sarapas at paul_sarapas@lsrhs.net.

Medicare info session on Oct. 30

Anyone on Medicare as well as their family members and other caregivers are encouraged to attend the Medicare 2016 Open Enrollment Insurance Update Session on Friday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. in Bemis Hall. This session offers an opportunity to learn about changes in Medicare’s benefits and costs and to get information directly from representatives of supplemental insurance companies and the state’s Prescription Advantage program. The program will be presented by Don Milan and Anne Meade, Lincoln’s SHINE counselors, along with staff from the Minuteman SHINE Program, which provides unbiased information regarding health insurance and prescription drug options for seniors and those with disabilities. Also on hand will be representatives from the major supplemental health insurance plans; Anthony Moreschi, Constituent Services Representative for Congresswoman Katherine Clark; and Priscilla Leach, the town’s Veterans Services Officer. It is co-sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging and Minuteman SHINE.

Milan and Meade also provide free one-to-one counseling for Lincoln residents who need help signing up for Medicare, choosing among plans, applying for Medicaid/MassHealth, deciding about whether long-term care insurance is appropriate, resolving problems related to Medicare, and more. To arrange for an appointment, call the Lincoln Council on Aging at 781-259-8811.

Letter to the editor: attend campus master plan forum

letter

To the editor:

This letter is urge all to come to the first forum hosted by the Campus Master Planning Committee on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7-9 p.m. in the Brooks Gym.

Lincoln is about to engage as a whole in crafting a new, big idea. There is an opportunity to create a legacy project that will serve now and for generations to come. This is the type of project that Lincoln has been famous for—big-picture, holistic thinking, and making large, long-term investments.

[Read more…] about Letter to the editor: attend campus master plan forum

News acorns

acornObserve and record nature on Oct. 14 at deCordova

Join Tom Gumbart, director of the Lincoln Conservation Department, in “Drawing on Nature,” a day-long observation of local flora and fauna from the deCordova Museum’s Rappaport Roof Terrace on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.,. Observe nature and record sightings through drawing, painting, poetry, photography, or data charts. Gumbart’s expertise on nature and local history provides opportunity for close observation and learning. Paper, drawing utensils, and binoculars are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring tools and materials of their choice for viewing and recording.

Corrections and an addition

In an Oct. 8 News Acorn about the upcoming Open Studio artists’ reception, the incorrect name and phone number were given. The person to contact for more information is Ruth Ann Hendrickson at 781-259-1551.

In the October 11 News Acorns item about the Lincoln Family Association’s Halloween activities, three names were given to contact for further information, when in fact the only person who should have been listed was Laura Taylor.

Next HATS meeting is Oct. 22

Hanscom Air Force Base Installation Commander Col. Michael Vogel will speak at the next HATS meeting (Hanscom Area Towns Committee) on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Office Building. Also on the agenda: updates on the Route 2 projects involving Crosby’s Corner and the bridge over I-95.

Piano recital by Rhapsody in Bemis Hall

On Sunday, Oct. 25, members of a group of amateur pianists known as Rhapsody will present a piano recital at 3 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The performance is free and open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. Featured on the program will be selections from Bartok, Brahms, Beethoven, Chopin, Handel, Liszt, Schubert and Schumann played on one of the finest Steinways in the Boston area. Rhapsody was formed in 2003 by visionary amateur pianists including Lincoln resident Ken Hurd who sought a venue in which to perform for each other, both to grow musically and to share their musical journey with others.  It has since grown to 18 people from the Boston metropolitan area, and members have met continuously every month for 12 years. This will be their sixth public performance on the beautifully restored Steinway at Bemis Hall.

Halloween events for kids of all ages

jackolanternPumpkin decorating and parade

The Lincoln Family Association will host pumpkin decorating in Codman Barn on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 12-2:30 p.m. and its annual LFA Halloween Party and Parade at Codman Barn on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, email Laura Taylor.

Movies, muffins, music at Lincoln Public Library
  • Halloween Movies and Muffins — Friday, Oct. 23 at 3:30 p.m. Not-too-scary short Halloween films based on beloved children’s books. For ages 2 and up.
  • Halloween Concert with the Stacey Peasley Band — Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. Come hear a special not-too-spooky Halloween concert by this Parents Choice award-winning band. For all ages. Drop in.
Trunk or Treat

The Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring “Trunk or Treat,” a free event on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 5-6 p.m. in the Brooks Gym parking lot, where young trick-or-treaters can roam the closed lot amid parked cars and trucks whose back ends are creatively decorated for Halloween. Get a reserved spot for your trunk by registering for the activity on the Parks & Red website, then decorate and pass out candy or non-candy items to the trick-or-treaters. If you can’t participate, candy donations are welcome. Registered cars can enter lot between 3:30 and 4:15 p.m.

“Tales of the Night” at Drumlin

At “Tales of the Night” at Drumlin Farm on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 29 and 30 from 6:30-9 p.m., kids can put on their favorite costumes, grab a flashlight, and join one of Lincoln’s the silliest, spookiest, and most family-friendly Halloween traditions. Check the Fright-o-Meter when you arrive to see what activities will trick or treat you. Visitors will have the chance to:

  • Learn about animals at a nocturnal wildlife demonstration
  • View our display of over one hundred jack-o-lanterns
  • Enjoy some spooky treats, spider cider, and witches brew at the ghoulish graveyard
  • Step into a story on our Nursery Rhyme Trail to meet your favorite characters
  • Venture out into the fields for a Haunted Hayride full of spooky surprises for the brave at heart (7-8:30 p.m.)

This is a fundraising event that provides critical support for Drumlin’s education and conservation programs. Click here to purchase; tickets are $12 for members and $13 for nonmembers in advance, or $14 and $15 if purchased on October 29. Advance registration is strongly recommended as this event often sells out.

Garden Club beautifies Station Park with native plants

Left to right: Lincoln Garden Club members Cathy Moritz and Ann Park, NEWFS intern Lauren Weeks, NEWFS Horticulture Director Mark Richardson, and club members Janet Ganson and Patty Hilpert.

The Lincoln Garden Club recently created and installed a new flower bed with over 400 plants native to Massachusetts at the town-owned Station Park where Lincoln Road meets Ridge Road.

“This native plant bed is a great example of how we can apply more sustainable landscaping practices at our homes without  giving up on beauty. The choice of plants will bring different colors to Station Park at every season,” said club co-President Belinda Gingrich.

“Native plants attract pollinators, such as insects, birds and mammals, which restores nature to a more heathy state,” added co-President Agnes Wiggin.

The Lincoln Garden Club (LGC) paid for the project with donations from people who supported the LGC Garden Tour in June.  Installation was made possible through the combined efforts of club members; New England Wildflower Society staff; students and teachers from the Minuteman High School; and the town of Lincoln.

The new flower bed at Station Park.

The new native flower bed at Station Park.

The transfer of the existing plants, the design of the new bed and its installation was done during July, August and September. The design and list of native plants can be found on the LGC website. Lauren Weeks wrote a maintenance plan that Club members will use in the future, when caring for the bed as it grows.

New England Wildflower Society intern Lauren Weeks, who designed the bed, will give a short talk and answer questions about native plants at the Park on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m.  The public is invited to attend. For other questions about the project, please contact LGC member Cathy Moritz at 781-259-3161 or cathymoritz@gmail.com.