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

Lincoln Minute Men events start Saturday

minutemen-smThe Lincoln Minute Men (LMM) will be involved in the following events surrounding Patriots Day.

Saturday, April 12 – Paul Revere Capture Ceremony
Minute Man National Historical Park, 3 p.m.
The LMM march down Battle Road and narrate the story of Revere’s capture at the actual site. Hear Revere, Samuel Prescott, William Dawes, Mary Hartwell, even Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Music, dramatic reading and musket fire in the Park. For all ages.

Saturday, April 19 – 18th-century Life and Battle at Tower Park
Hartwell Tavern in Minute Man National Historic Park, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Tower Park in Lexington, 4 p.m.

The LMM recreate life at Hartwell Tavern on April 19, 1775 and in the afternoon regroup to battle the Regulars at Tower Park, Lexington at 4 p.m. Details at www.battleroad.org.

Sunday, April 20 – Lincoln Salute: Festival of 18th-century Fife and Drum Music
Pierce Park, 2-3:30 p.m.
The LMM host musical groups from near and far, including the stalwart 1st Michigan and the U.S. Army’s Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps, making a first appearance. Bring your picnic and lawn chairs for rousing entertainment.

Sunday, April 20 – Alarm and Muster at the White Church
Library Lawn opposite First Parish, 7 p.m.
An ancient Revolutionary War veteran reminisces about those fateful early hours of April 19, 1775. Capt. William Smith rides down the hill to alarm the citizens of Lincoln. Bells ring, drums roll, and the LMM fall in on the steps of the church to receive their marching orders to defend Concord. Then march with the LMM to Pierce House for a firing demonstration.

Monday, April 21 – Dawn Tribute and March to the Concord Parade
Outside Bemis Hall, 6:45 a.m.; Concord parade, 9 a.m.
The LMM salute the patriots buried in the Old Meeting House Cemetery as they emerge from the mists of the burial ground for roll call. Fifers play a lament and the muskets fire a volley. Then join the LMM as they walk Sandy Pond Road to Concord amid colonial music and musket fire. All ages welcome for this three-mile walk.

Tuesday, April 22 – “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World: April 19, 1775”
Bemis Hall, 7:30 p.m.
The LMM invite you to an illustrated lecture by Concord Museum curator David Wood and Skinner specialist Joel Bohy on the museum’s new exhibition: “The Shot Heard Round the World.” They will present an hour-by-hour account of that fateful day and discuss artifacts from their exhibit that shed new light on the day’s events.

Sunday, April 27 – Old Burial Ground Tribute
Pierce House, 2:30 p.m.
March with the LMM and the Regulars to the Old Burial Ground on Lexington Road to honor the patriot dead and five British soldiers killed in Lincoln along the Battle Road. Hear Mary Hartwell tell her story of their burial. Ceremonies include tributes, music and prayers for both sides, with musket salutes by the LMM and the Regulars. A reception follows at Pierce House at 4 p.m., courtesy of the Lincoln Historical Society.

AKA Bistro to reopen by end of April

AKA Bistro co-owner Christian Touche inside the restaurant, which is being renovated after a flood.

AKA Bistro co-owner Christian Touche inside the restaurant, which is being renovated after a flood.

By Alice Waugh

AKA Bistro expects to reopen by the end of this month with an all-new menu and other improvements.

The restaurant has been closed since December, when an overhead water pipe ruptured and caused extensive water damage. Most of the dining room interior as well as much of the kitchen equipment has been torn out and replaced.

It’s been a battle for co-owner Christian Touche, who has had to fight for compensation not just for the renovations but also for business-interruption insurance payments. He said his insurance company was initially reluctant to compensate him for what his staff would have earned in tips as well as their $2.63 hourly salary while the restaurant was closed. Touche decided to pay them out of his own pocket while discussions were going on so he could keep the staff available to return to work when the restaurant reopens.

“We’ve developed a really nice team,” Touche said. “It sounds like a cliché, but we’re really like a family.” AKA Bistro has 25 employees, 12 of whom are wait staff, he added.

When customers return, they’ll notice a few changes, such as a menu that now lists traditional French and Japanese dishes together, rather than on separate pages. There will also be lots of salads and new dishes, Touche said.

Other changes were made for the comfort of diners. The biggest complaint before the closing was the conversation noise level, so workers have installed sound-absorbing foam beneath the new floor, custom-made cloth wall panels, thicker ceiling tiles and even soundproofing behind the pictures on the walls. There will also be better window shades and improved air flow, Touche said.

“We took the time to reinvent ourselves,” he said.

It didn’t make sense to reopen the restaurant in a new location, Touche said. “I feel at home here, and I think people [in Lincoln] deserve a decent restaurant. I hope they’ll give us another shot.”

The reservation line at 781-259-9920 should be back in operation by next week, he said.

Kids’ activities at library during April vacation

The Lincoln Public Library is hosting the following kid-friendly events during April vacation week. All programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library, Inc.

Tuesday, April 22 at 11 a.m. — Concert with Alastair Moock
Alastair, a Parents’ Choice Award Winner and one of Boston’s premier folk artists, will perform a concert for all ages, “Shake Your Roots,” with rowdy singin’ and dancin’ and lots of zany humor. Walk-in.

frozenWednesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. — Family Movie Night: Disney’s Frozen
A sweet, magical film filled with great music, likable characters, and striking effects. Bring a pillow and sleeping bag if you like. Ages 5 and up. Come early because space is limited!

Thursday, April 24 at 3:30 p.m. — “Movies and Muffins”
Short films based on beloved children’s books Little Quack, Little Red Hen and Rosie’s Walk. For ages 2 and up.

Friday, April 25 at 3:30 p.m.  — Circus Minimus presents: The One-Man Circus in a Suitcase!
From magician Kevin O’Keefe’s suitcase an entire circus emerges: tent, band, lights, and a gallery of wacky circus characters and antics. Fun for the whole family. No sign-up necessary.

Library work underway

Children's librarian xxx in the temporary home of the children's department in the somewhat crowded Farrar Room.

Children’s librarian Jane Flanders in the temporary home of the children’s department in the now somewhat crowded Farrar Room.

By Alice Waugh

Lincoln Public Library patrons are adjusting to some temporary changes resulting from work to install a sprinkler system in the library, which has relocated the children’s area and closed the reference department.

The children’s department has moved into its new “branch” in the Farrar Room on the main floor of the library. There are two computers in that area, but children get preference—if you’re an adult, please ask a children’s librarian if you can use one. There are also two public computers on the library’s lower level; each has a 30-minute time limit for users. For reference help, patrons can ask at the main circulation desk.

Some books have been moved onto temporary carts while others will remain covered in plastic,  library director Barbara Myles said. A container outside the building is holding things from the attic such as holiday decorations and older issues of periodicals so workers can spray insulation in the attic.

The work is scheduled for completion by the end of the summer, Myles said.

Musical news acorns

music-notesClassic Jazz now on Thursday at Bemis

Classic Jazz has changed days and location due to construction at the Lincoln Public Library. The final two regular programs, including tomorrow’s, will now be held on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall.

On Thursday, April 10, Nick Ribush presents”Australian Jazz: The Melbourne Sound Pt. II.” Vern Welch will present “Jazz Clips—Then and Now” on May 8. The annual live program takes place on May 28 with Dan Gabel’s High Society Orchestra.

“Live in Lincoln Center” on May 3

The next “Live in Lincoln Center” concert, “Viva Vivaldi,” will feature the First Parish Church choir with guest vocal soloists and instrumentalists from the Handel & Haydn Society on Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. Period instruments will be featured for this all-Vivaldi program. First Parish Music Director Ian Watson will conduct from the harpsichord, and returning guest artists include Susanna Ogata, violin, and Guy Fishman, cello. Also on hand will be Handel & Haydn vocal soloists Erika Vogel, soprano, and Emily Marvosh, alto.

Seating is open to all but is limited and is first-come, first-seated. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. A reception will follow the performance. The suggested donation is $20, but any amount is appreciated. Sponsored by First Parish in Lincoln.

News acorns

Codman Community Farms maple syrup

Codman Community Farms maple syrup

Maple syrup now on sale for Codman Community Farm members

This year’s CCF maple syrup should be called “liquid gold”—Farmer Eric says the taste is exceptional but supplies are very limited due to weather fluctuations and a couple of difficulties with the boiling operations. This “taste of Lincoln” is the result of some great work by the Lincoln Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, Troop 127. For community service, the boys collected sap throughout February and March and helped Codman clean and repair its boiler. It was a great community effort and a good learning experience for the boys (and their dads)!

An attractive 3.5-ounce bottle costs $5. For sale in the Codman farm office on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Not a CCF member? Click here to learn about joining.

Hazardous waste collection days announced
The following is a list of the 2014 collection dates for household hazardous waste at the Minuteman Hazardous Products Regional Facility at 60 Hartwell Ave. in Lexington. All dates are Saturdays except where noted, and the facility is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for a list of  materials you may and may not bring to the facility, as well as other disposal tips.
  • April 19
  • May 17
  • June 21
  • July 19
  • August 16
  • September 14 (Sunday)
  • October 18
  • November 8

All Lincoln residents must pre-register by calling Elaine Carroll at 781-259-2614 or by visiting the Board of Health in the Town Office Building. Continuing the policy started in 2005, latex paint will not be accepted at this facility since it is not a hazardous product. Please contact the Board of Health office to learn how to properly dispose of latex paint.

Lincoln gardeners on a “mission of cheer”
Missionforcheer-adj

Linda MacNeil, Joyce DiToro and Norma Barmakian of the Lincoln Garden Club create spring flower arrangements at Bemis Hall for delivery to Lincoln seniors as part of their Mission for Cheer project, conducted in association with the Lincoln Council on Aging.

Letter to the editor: Thanks for election help

letter

To the editor:

We would like, as always, to thank the many folks who participated in last Monday’s annual Town Election, starting first with the 21 individuals who put themselves forward as candidates for public office and the 875 of their fellow citizens who showed up to vote.

We extend our appreciation also to the Department of Public Works, the police officers assigned to the polling place, the Smith School custodial staff, the volunteer inspectors and deputy wardens who worked the polls, and Richard Silver, our election chef.

Sincerely,

Susan Brooks, town clerk
138 Bedford Rd.

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Council on Aging events in April

bemisFollowing are events scheduled by the Lincoln Council on Aging for the rest of April.

Gentle yoga
April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14 at 9 a.m.
Would you like to try yoga but are concerned it may be too rigorous for you? Try the COA’s new gentle yoga class with experienced instructor Jai Kaur Annamaria San Antonio. The class will be held on six Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. beginning on April 9 at a cost of $30 for the course. You may do the class on the floor or in a chair and the instructor will help you adapt the poses to your special needs. You may try one class free. Please sign up in advance by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. This class is subsidized by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs

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

Corrections

  • correction-smToday’s article on the continuation of the Jet Aviation hearing gave an incorrect date for the next session. It will be on April 9 at 7:45 p.m. in the Town Office Building’s Donaldson Room. The article has been updated to reflect this correction.
  • The April 3 article on the effort by a group of eighth-graders to win voter approval for the purchase of bike racks neglected to mention the key role of Town Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden, who worked with Town Clerk Susan Brooks with the students to get their citizens’ petition onto the Town Meeting warrant. “Sarah has been an essential and invaluable partner from start to finish,” Brooks said.