Trad jazz concert
March 1 at 12:30 p.m.
No need to travel to New Orleans or New York when what you’re looking for is to be found right here when the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band is in the house at Bemis Hall on Friday, March 1 from 12:30–1:30.
Lincoln Academy with Bijoy Misra: nature and spirituality
March 4 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 4 at 12:30 p.m. when Bijoy Misra discusses “Nature and Spirituality.” Is nature spiritual? Does nature thrive on struggle for existence or provide a room for all? Are all objects equal in their existence? If an object in nature is equal to another object, then why does one survive not the other? Misra will examine these age-old questions from the perspectives of our own life and experiences. He will examine traits in humans as to our own nature and our own built-in spirituality. He will look through the philosophers and the scriptures for their insight into equality. He will examine whether spirituality lives in our own perception of the other object. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.
Artists’ coffee with the Lincoln Quilters
March 5 at 2:30 p.m.
Join the Lincoln Quilters on Tuesday, March 5 at 2:30 to celebrate their exhibit in the Bemis Hall Gallery in March and April. The Lincoln Quilters are nine Lincoln women including Anne Crosby, Nancy Constable, Tricia Deck, Linda MacNeil, Lucy Sachs, Kate Sacknoff, Jane Solar, and Dilla Tingley. Drawn together by their shared interest in quilting and fiber arts, they began meeting monthly five years ago to inspire each other, share their creations, share suggestions on personal projects, and develop new pieces as a group. They generally have a group project going that stimulates and challenges each member and her creativity. Besides donating quilts for fundraising events, they have made quilts for organizations in need such as Camp Sunshine. They recently had a show at the Lincoln Library gallery where eight quilts were auctioned to benefit the charity of choice of the successful bidder. Many of the pieces in the show at Bemis will have Lincoln themes. Proceeds from the sale of these quilts will be donated to the Lincoln Food Pantry.
The many faces of sadness
March 7 at 10 a.m.
As we age, we may experience sadness in many forms. It may be due to the loss of loved ones, changes in our activity patterns, and for some, isolation which can increase our vulnerability to depression. Claire Gerstein, LICSW, will facilitate a group to give people the opportunity to talk about these issues in a supportive environment. The free six-week group will meet Thursdays 10-11:30 starting March 7 at Bemis Hall.
Balance screenings to help you stay on your feet
March 7 and 21 at 12:30 p.m.
Staying safely on your feet is one of the most important ways you can stay healthy and active. Come to free balance screenings on Thursdays, March 7 and 21 from 12:30≠2 p.m. at Bemis Hall given by a physical therapist from the rehabilitation wing of The Commons. The physical therapist will look at such things as your history of falls, medication, gait and mobility, vision, hypotension, and more to help you determine your risk of falling and what you can do to prevent falls. Please call the COA at (781) 259-8811 to sign up.
Home-based after-death care and natural burial
March 8 at 10 a.m.
For thousands of years families have taken care of their loved ones at home after death and buried them directly in the earth with simplicity and dignity. It is a choice that is still possible. Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, March 8 at 10 a.m. to hear Kristen Fumanrola of Peaceful Passage at Home. She will give you the legal facts, the logistical details, and a description of the enormous personal benefits of caring for your loved one at home after death and having a natural or green burial with minimal environmental impact. There will be time for discussion and questions and answers.
Lincoln Academy with Ruth Mendelson: the Well Wishes project
March 11 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 11, at 12:30 p.m. when Ruth Mendelson, an award-winning film composer/producer for Dr. Jane Goodall, returns to the series, this time to discuss her humanitarian work, The Well Wishes Project, in which the voices of children and youth have cut through some of the darkest war zones in the world and ultimately saved lives. Skeptics and global media called the initiative “impossible” when she first began in 2005. Regardless, this remarkable endeavor resulted in babies being airlifted out of Baghdad during the Iraq War, prevented murder in Kenya, and has established unprecedented lines of communication when connection was deemed impossible. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.
Free elder law clinic
March 11 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship or probate? The COA is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, March 11 from 3-4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the thirty-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.
Free wellness clinics for all ages
March 12 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, March 12 from 10 a.m.–noon or Bemis Hall on Tuesday, March 19 from 9–11 a.m. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Services provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. The Bemis Hall clinic is supported by the Pierce House.
New: Living your Legacy group
March 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Everyone wants to leave their mark on the world, but how do you determine what it should be and how do you make it happen? Come to a new group by Alyson Lee, a social worker and co-active life coach, on Wednesdays, March 13, 20, and 27 at 9:30 at Bemis Hall. You will identify your strengths and values, envision your legacy, set your intentions, and design your plan.
Taza chocolate factory tour
Thursday, March 14 at 10 a.m.
Come on a private tour of the Taza chocolate factory in Somerville on Thursday, March 14. The tour covers the entire process, from bean to bar. Explore the growth and harvesting of cacao, where and how they source their beans, as well as how it is turned into stone ground chocolate. There are, of course, delicious samples along the way and a special treat. Then stop for lunch at the popular S&S Deli in Inman Square before returning to Lincoln. The group will meet in Donelan’s parking lot at 10 a.m. and be back in Lincoln by 2:30 p.m. The cost of the trip is $20 and is non-refundable. Lunch will be on your own. To make your reservation, send a check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Ginny O’Brien, 4 Linway Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. Your reservation is complete when your check is received. Questions? Call Ginny at 781-259-1291 or vobrien39@yahoo.com.
Fireside Chat: happiness
March 16 at 10 a.m.
What does it take to be happy? Is it a choice? Is happiness dependent on external forces or can we cultivate it in spite of (or in parallel with) these forces? If I don’t get upset or stressed when bad things happen, does that mean I don’t care? Or can we live in harmony with the ups and downs of life? Join the group from 10–11:30 a.m. on Saturday March 16 in the Community Room at Lincoln Woods (50 Wells Rd.) for a friendly discussion facilitated by Sharon Antia. Remember to park in unmarked spaces.
Lincoln Academy with Tom Flint, Rick Wiggin, and Sara Mattes: Saving the Flint Homestead
March 18 at 12:30 p.m.
For over three centuries, the Flint Homestead has been a witness to and a participant in the sweep of American history. Dating back to the original 1630s land grant, it is connected with the founding of the town, the outbreak of the American Revolution, and the evolution of farming throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Ravages of time have put its future in serious doubt. Representatives of the Flint family and a committee of concerned citizens will discuss efforts to preserve and repurpose this historical treasure as a cultural and educational resource for the town and for the nation. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome
Senior dining and free blood pressure check
March 19 at 11:30 a.m.
PLACE: St. Anne’s
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, March 19 at St. Anne’s Church. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let them know when you call if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club. You may also get a free blood pressure check.
Brush up on CPR, defibrillators, and first aid to save family and friends
March 19 at 1 p.m.
Knowing CPR and how to use an automatic defibrillator (AED) can help you save a life. Come to Bemis Hall on Tuesday, March 19 at 1 p.m. for a brush-up or an introduction to CPR and use of a defibrillator given by the Lincoln Fire Department. This free workshop will not lead to certification, but it will give you the basics of what to do if you are with someone who has a medical crisis for which CPR or a defibrillator are appropriate. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up. All ages are welcome (maximum of 20).
Cash benefit for families of some deceased veterans
March 21 at 10:15 a.m.
Surviving spouses of veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities may be eligible for the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a tax-free monetary benefit, and many other Commonwealth benefits. Come find out more at a presentation by Lincoln’s Veterans Services Officer, Peter Harvell, on Thursday, March 21 at 10:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Parents who were financially dependent on a service member or veteran who died from a service-related cause may also be eligible for the Parents DIC. Please come and bring your questions and interests.
Healing motion for life: a free movement workshop
March 22 at 9 a.m.
Being in touch with the way our bodies move, and working to keep our movements unrestricted and fluid, help bring health and clarity to every aspect of our lives. Join Susanne Liebich on Friday, March 22 at 9 a.m. at Bemis Hall to experience a variety of sustainable exercises including expressive movement, breathing and relaxation in a program sponsored by Deaconess Abundant Life Services and Newbury Court.
“Gen Silent”: the challenges of aging as an LGBT older adult
March 22 at 1 p.m.
Gen Silent is an award-winning film exploring the issues and challenges LGBT older adults may face trying to get the care and support they need in later life. It was filmed around our region, including at the offices of Minuteman Senior Services in Bedford. Come see the film and join in a conversation about the experience of being an LGBT older adult today when Julie Nowak of BayPath Elder Services comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, March 22 at 1 p.m. LBGT older adults as well as family, friends, and those who would just like to learn more are invited. People from other towns are most welcome.
Lincoln Academy with Gerhard Sauermann: Radiation exposure — do we have to be concerned about it?
March 25 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 25 at 12:30 p.m. when Gerhard Sauermann, Ph.D., discusses “Radiation Exposure: Do We Have to Be Concerned About It?” Radiation surrounds us all the time and is part of many aspects of modern life, whether in the form of CT or PET scans, Wi-Fi or cell towers, microwave ovens or airport security. Is all this radiation safe? Are some kinds safe and not others? Which ones can or should I protect myself from? Come get the answers to these and many other questions when physicist Gerhard Sauermann discusses everyday radiation and its effect on our lives. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.
Memory Café for elders with dementia and caregivers
March 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Place: The Commons
The Commons in Lincoln, Right at Home In-Home Care and Assistance, and the Lincoln Council on Aging invite those with dementia and their family, friends, and caregivers to the free Lincoln Memory Café on Thursday, March 28 from 9:30–11 a.m. at The Commons in Lincoln (1 Harvest Circle). The goal of the café is to offer an opportunity for elders and their care partners to spend relaxing fun and social time together. The March Café will feature jazz vocalist Wendee Glick. Steve Heck will accompany Wendee on the keyboard with songs from “The Great American Songbook.” Their show is entitled “Laugh, Learn, & Love the Music.” Steve Heck teaches music and has a room at the Berklee College of Music named after him.
Taking care of your family photos
March 29 at 10 a.m.
Do you have boxes or albums of precious family photos you want to preserve for future generations, or just have to enjoy yourself? Join Kathleen Fahey for a talk on how to care for your collection of family photos on Friday, March 29 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. You’ll learn how to care for, organize, identify, and display your precious memories. Bring your questions and any photos you may have questions about. Kathleen Fahey is executive director of the Bedford Historical Society and has over 20 years of experience as a curator at local historical sites and historical societies.
Save the date: Peabody Essex Museum trip on April 18
Join the COA for a trip to the Peabody Essex Museum to see “Nature’s Nation: American Art and Environment” on Thursday, April 18. There may be an opportunity to visit the Chinese House or other parts of the museum. The group will then go to Turner Seafood for lunch. The trip requires a good amount of walking and standing. The price is $45, which includes lunch. The bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 9:15 a.m. in a comfortable air-ride bus and return about 3:30 p.m. The cost is non-refundable. To reserve a space, send a check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. Your reservation is complete when your check is received. Questions? Contact Donna at 781-257-5050 or donna@ecacbed.com.
