USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1963-1965 > Part 42
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As of December 31, 1965, a total of 354. 45 acres represent- ing lll transactions or conveyances had been acquired for the Park. Of this total, 179. 86 acres is in the Town of Lincoln and represents 63 separate transactions, of which 20 apply to vacant lands contain- ing 96. 27 acres and 43 to properties with improvements containing 83.59 acres. The total amount of $2, 957, 530 was spent on land acquisition between 1961 and 1965, of which $1, 701, 540 was obligated to acquire the 179. 86 acres in Lincoln.
Specifically, for the year 1965, 37. 46 acres were added to the park in Lincoln as the result of seven transactions at a total cost of $183, 800. Of the seven transactions, four applied to vacant lands and three to residential properties. By far the largest ac- quisition of the year was 20. 69 acres of vacant lands from W. New- ton Nelson along the southerly side of North Great Road and on Mill Street. Through cooperation and planning between officials of the Town and the National Park Service, the holdings of the Lincolns - field Realty Trust were liquidated in a satisfactory manner, the Park acquiring 4. 27 acres fronting on North Great Road and the Town a tract of backlands several times as large for its open space program.
On January 6, 1965, park personnel moved their offices into the building on North Great Road formerly occupied by the Geophy- sics Corporation. The building will serve as temporary park head- quarters until other arrangements for a permanent administration
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building and visitor center materialize pursuant to approval of a park master plan.
Exhibits to orient visitors to the park and vicinity have been designed to occupy a room in the new headquarters and were par- tially installed before the year 1965 came to an end. Besides of- fices and exhibits, the temporary headquarters has an ample area for parking, a garage and shop and storage space, especially for artifacts uncovered as the result of archeological explorations con- ducted on properties that have been acquired for the park.
During the year 1965, the major archeological field work took place in Concord and Lexington. Stabilization work, how- ever, was completed at the foundations of the Josiah Nelson House off Nelson Road in Lincoln, where an excavation had been per- formed during the summer and autumn of 1964. Research in or- der to establish the history and conditions of land within the park in 1775 and in order to provide a proper background for development was continued. In Lincoln, the research dealt largely with proper- ties owned in the eighteenth century by members of the Brooks and Nelson families.
Employees occupying permanent positions on the park staff at the end of 1965 were the following:
Benjamin J. Zerbey
Superintendent
Robert D. Ronsheim Historian
Richard A. Blasdel Ranger
Chester W. Jarosz
Administrative Ass't.
Maurice L. Kowal
Chief of Maintenance
Joseph A. Guerra Building Repairman
Axel A. Christiansen Caretaker
Mary R. Harwich
Secretary
Carol R. Merksamer
Clerk Typist
Permanent employees of the National Park Service current- ly stationed at the park project for the duration of their specific functions are:
Leland J. Abel Warren E. Bryant
Archeologist Realty Specialist
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In addition, seasonal and temporary personnel are employed as needed and funds permit to handle administrative, interpretive, protective, development and maintenance functions. This person- nel includes students attending Northeastern University under the Cooperative Educational Plan.
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Joshua Brooks House, c. 1728
Schools, Library and Recreation
TRUSTEES OF THE LINCOLN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Edwin M. Cole
(Life Member)
Morley M. John, Chairman
(Life Member)
Alice G. Meriam
(Life Member)
Margaret B. Marsh
(School Committee Appointee)
Leo A. Palmer (resigned)
(Selectmen Appointee)
John A. Carley (Selectmen Appointee)
Albert L. Fullerton
(Elected by the Town)
During 1965 the Lincoln Public Library has continued to show the healthy signs of growth which have been so striking since the construction of the addition to the library and the expansion of ser- vices consequent thereto. This indicates an increased demand for library materials on the part of library users reflected in the stat- istics of circulation and book acquisitions which follow.
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Once again the Trustees wish to express appreciation for the many gifts, including personal service, from generous citizens of the Town. The gifts include flowers from the Garden Club and from Mr. & Mrs. George G. Tarbell, books and money for books from numerous friends, and almost countless hours of service from our loyal volunteers. The Trustees repeat what has been previous - ly stated, that without this generous donation of time, regularly scheduled through the Friends of the Library, our library could not begin to provide the services it now does without a very considera- ble increase in paid staff. The Lincoln Public Library is unique a- mong similar institutions in the extent to which important library functions are carried out by volunteers. These generous donors of their time and labor, besides adding their very personal contribu- tions through their presence in the library, save the Town literally several thousand dollars each year.
It has been especially true this year that our library flourish- es in large part as a result of the good will and encouragement of staff and volunteers. Our librarian, Mrs. Maryalice Thoma, has had a long period of convalescence following an automobile accident in August. Our regular staff have done a magnificent job in cover- ing the librarian's functions, ably aided by increased volunteer par- ticipation. We could not have continued the usual library services without such wholehearted and generous assistance, and to all con- cerned we wish to express our thanks.
In the spring of 1965, the library circulated a news sheet. This was a means of alerting all citizens of the Town to the activi- ties of the library. We plan in the future to continue this news sheet, thereby calling book acquisitions as well as other services available to the attention of all residents.
The Trustees and library staff have worked closely with the Lincoln Historical Society in organizing materials belonging to the library and of special interest to the historical group. We have long felt that these books, pamphlets and papers should be more conveniently displayed and plans for this, again in full cooperation with the Historical Society, are under way.
During the spring and summer, at the request of the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library, our library served as a depository for books destined for a struggling sister library in Laurel, Miss-
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issippi. It is gratifying to know that well over three thousand vol- umes were received at the Lincoln Public Library as contributions from well wishers and friends of the Mississippi library. We are happy that our institution was able to help in this undertaking.
Through the interest of the staff an arrangement has been made so that French books can be sent out to the Lincoln Public Li- brary for loan to our library users from the French Library of Bos- ton. The Trustees are glad to see this service established.
As a result of the Town elections in March, we lost a valued Trustee, Mr. John Carley, who did not run for reelection. Mr. Carley had served for two three-year terms as the Town's first elected trustee. £ By the same election we welcomed a newly elec- ted Trustee, Mr. Albert L. Fullerton.
In November the Trustees accepted with regret the resigna- tion of Mr. Leo Palmer, who has ably served our library as a Se- lectmen's appointee. Mr. Palmer resigned as a Trustee when asked to serve on the Town Finance Committee. His unexpired term has been filled by Mr. John Carley whom we are glad to wel- come back.
Volunteers, 1965
Mrs. Lawrence Anderson
Mrs. H. N. Aptekar
Mrs. Barry Bigelow
Mrs. Charles Bliss
Mrs. Donald Brown
Mrs. John Brown
Mrs. W. H. Butler, Jr.
Mrs. Richard Coons
Mrs. Thomas Cope
Mrs. Bruce Daniels
Mrs. Margaret Delling Mrs. Robert Emerson
Mrs. Stuart Grover
Mrs. Henry Hoover
Mrs. John Irwin
Miss Mary Jetter
12,6
Mrs. DeWitt John
Mrs. Bruce King
Mrs. Manuel Kramer
Mrs. Shih Ying Lee
Mrs. Aaron Levin
Mrs. Paul Marsh
Mrs. Philip Meriam
Mrs. Donald Millard
Mrs. William Morse
Mrs. John Niles
Mrs. Joseph Newell
Mrs. Foster Nystrom
Mrs. Robert Pearmain
Mrs. Edward Rawson
Mrs. R. J. Ruocco
Mrs. James Russell
Mrs. G. A. Southard
Mrs. Charles Stevens
Mr. Charles Stevens
Mrs. J. Hardy Stewart Mrs. Eli Swartz
Mrs. Arthur Thiessen
Mrs. Vernon Turner
Mrs. R. Langdon Wales
Mrs. W. B. Walker
Mrs. Henry Warner
Mrs. George Wells
Mrs. Thomas Worthington
Junior Volunteers
Fred Daniels
Kate Martin
Andrea Doherty
Mimi Martin
Cynthia Doherty
Robin Mount
Anne Fernald
Rowena Nelson
Chesley Haden
Cindy Roehr
Heidi Hall Tim Hester
Susan Southard Frances Wood
Ricky Jevon Tom Jevon
* Pages-in-training (P.I. T.S.)
127
LINCOLN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Hours open:
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
10:30 to 8:30
10:30 to 5:00
Closed legal holidays and Saturdays in July and August.
STATISTICS, 1965 January 1 - December 31, 1965
General
New members
278
Total membership
2,780
Amount of fines collected
$ 2,048. 16
Number of days open
292
Acquisitions
Books purchased
2,192
Books received by gift
381
Total acquisitions, 1965
2,573
Inventory, 1964
24, 335
26,908
Books discarded or lost
757
Inventory - 1965
26, 15 1
Records:
Inventory, 1964
437
Purchases
53
Gifts
67
557
Circulation:
Adult non-fiction
14, 588
Adult fiction
15,243
Periodicals
1, 825
Records
1, 938
Juvenile
35,485
Total 1965 circulation
69,079
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RECREATION COMMITTEE
Mary Jane Butler
Nancy Butler Donna Burt John F. Fisher
Charles E. Jennings
Walter I. Keyes
Mary Lou Long
Albert E. Nelson Joan A. Ogden
Eleanor Wilfert
Rhoda Taschioglou
Arlene Wirsig J. Bertram Kessel, Chairman
PROGRAMS
Recreation programs that have been and are being spon- sored by the Committee are: badminton, folk dancing, basketball, skating, skiing, volleyball, softball, tennis, swimming, and the summer playground. Planned for this spring are lessons in golf for adults. A newsletter publicizing current activities was distri- buted to citizens during the month of December.
SOFTBALL
The Lincoln Softball League in 1965, composed of five teams, played a thirty game schedule beginning on May 10th and fin- ishing on July 14th. Team #1, managed by James Russell, won the league title and also the playoffs, held during the week of July 19th. All games were played on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday even- ings on the Town Softball field. The League, managed by John F. Fisher, was self-supporting, receiving no financial assistance from the Town.
BASKETBALL
Basketball, managed and coached by Al Nelson and Wally Keyes, is offered to boys in the 5th through 8th grades on Satur- days, and to men on Monday evenings. Home and home games for the boys have been scheduled with Rivers School of Weston. High school boys have their own program on Saturday afternoons. Be- tween 80 and 100 boys and men participate each week.
SKATING
The Town skating facilities in Pierce Park have been sub- stantially enhanced during 1965. The Selectmen approved the pur-
129
chase of snow removal equipment and formally turned over the re- sponsibility for maintenance and safety to the Town departments. In addition, a hockey rink was approved for construction in the same area. This has been basically completed with the final grading to be completed in the spring.
Signs are being prepared in order to instruct all skaters as to the rules of the two areas and also to inform everyone as to whether or not there is skating. The Police Department will de- termine the safety of the ice and the new sign will indicate their de- cision.
Charles E. Jennings has been in charge of the skating con- struction and program, and has had help and guidance from Warren Flint.
BADMINTON
In response to the Lincoln Family Recreation Survey, bad- minton was started in October under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. John L. McLean. Approximately 12 to 18 men and women attend on Tuesday evenings. A charge of 50$ per night covers the cost of birdies.
VOLLEYBALL
Mrs. Robert Whatley supervises a ladies volleyball pro- gram on Thursday evenings in the Smith School gym. Attendance has been sparse.
SKIING
Two hundred and thirty-four children registered for the 2nd annual Lincoln Ski School conducted on four Wednesdays on the DeNormandie's hill. Ski school directors Mrs. Christopher Van Curan and Mrs. Eugene Roberts of Wayland were ably assisted by approximately 30 Lincoln mothers. Mrs. William B. Butler or- ganized the program.
FOLK DANCING
The Committee has given its support to a folk dancing program for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, organized by Mrs. Henry
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P. Outten and Mrs. Edward Rolfe. Directed by Ted Sannella, there will be five sessions, the final one on May 7th.
TENNIS
Special appreciation goes to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Niles for organizing two annual events, the Fall Tournament and the Fourth of July Demonstration.
Lincoln entered three men's teams in the Suburban League for the first time this year, thanks to the initiative of Spencer Mar- tin.
The Lincoln Regional High Tennis Team has constantly im- proved since its organization just two years ago. Most of the team members from Lincoln got their early training in the summer class- es sponsored by the Recreation Committee. Learning the game un- der experts has been a big factor in the success of the varsity ten- nis team.
In 1965 a total of 85 children received instruction in ten- nis through the program sponsored by the Recreation Committee. There were three plans offered: 1) first three-week session, en- rollment 27; 2) second two-week session, enrollment 15; and 3) whole five week session, enrollment 43. The classes were set up so that each child received two class lessons of instruction plus one playing lesson per week. We were fortunate in having as our ten- nis instructor, Mr. Larry Palmer from Tufts University. Mr. Palmer was assisted by James Miser with Ellen Fisher and Nat Niles serving as trainees. Mrs. Louis Farley and Mrs. Robert Niles were responsible for the organization of the children's tennis activities, including arranging matches with several other towns for the Senior and Junior Boys.
Winners in the adults' Fall Tourney were:
Men's Singles Duncan Nelson
Men's Doubles John Garrison - Duncan Nelson
Mixed Dougles Jeff Eaton - Louise Kusleika
Ladies Singles Marcia Roehr
Ladies Doubles Sidney Walker - Marcia Roehr
Mr. Fred P. Walkey serves as chairman of the Tennis Committee.
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Summer Playground
The 1965 Summer Playground was directed by Rev. Rich- ard E. Whitaker, with Mark Cohen, Miles Orvell, Jim Oxman, Mar- garet Richardson, Llewellyn Parsons, Tamar Orvell, Elaine Tell- er, Carolyn McClennan, Albert Callahan, and Robert Burns as Staff. The Program Aide Trainees were Bruce Foust, Linda Cain, Jean Lundberg, John O'Brien, Katherine Tlumacki, Jan Yagoda, Paula Durnan, Ellen Fisher and Helen Dewey.
Activities were divided into three categories: general, electives or special interests and special events. The general act- ivities are games, crafts, contests and sports, suited to the age group, in which all members are expected to participate. Each week had a theme on which the activities were based: e. g., Indian Week - ages divided into tribes with different colored head bands, having a pow-wow (contests), building wigwams where they had sto- ries, etc. The schedule was so planned that no group had the same activity twice in one day (except baseball). New activities were in- troduced each week.
The use of electives or special interests in the afternoon was an innovation this year. The following list was offered with some, such as Riflery and Canoeing, limited to the older group on- ly: Dog Training, Newspaper, Archery, Hiking, Biking, Dramatics, Campcraft, Folksinging, Archeology, First Aid, Nature Study, Rif- lery, Canoeing, Kite Flying and Pony League.
Shop was offered to both boys and girls who have comple- ted the sixth grades. The Arts and Crafts program made use of such media as plaster, clay, papier mache, plastic, wood, straws, potatoes, wire, copper, chalk, gimp, paint and natural collage ma- terial. Copper enameling was particularly popular.
Special events included the Bicycle Skill contest support- ed by the Bicycle Association of America, the Pet Fair, Carnival, Stagemobile, Silver Spurs, Service Project on Mill Street, weekly cook-out, trip to Museum of Science, trip to the Constitution, visit to the Audubon Society, Bike Hike and Overnight, and Barter Day.
The Recreation Survey was used in seeking out and pro- viding volunteer skills for many of these activities which so en-
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riched the program. Excellent background of staff also made pos- sible more variety. Playground committee members took respon- sibility of one week each as liaison and for special projects.
Although no regular attendance records were kept because of the difficulty of counting children in widely scattered activities (shop, swimming, tennis, typing, and playground special group trips, etc. ), of the over 380 children enrolled, 230 were counted present 6 days before the end of Playground the last week in July.
The PAT program (Program Aide Trainee) is open to a limited number of high school age young people. It provides an in- teresting summer activity, opportunity of contributing service, and of working with professionals, experience which will help in obtain- ing future summer jobs and deciding on careers. A written appli- cation, interview and signed contract is required. Training and evaluation is given. No salary is paid, but a token gift is given each PAT.
A study of augmented teen-age recreational opportunities is being made in conjunction with the Parents' League and their Youth Council.
Registration in person for all summer activities at one time was inaugurated this year, and held on two separate nights.
Chairman of the Summer Playground is Arlene B. Wir- sig, with committee members Jane Butler, Donna Burt, Joan Ogden, Nancy Outten and Eleanor Wilfert.
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.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND COMMITTEE
John D. Crawford, Chairman Annette E. Gras Charles W. Calkins, Jr. Robert L. Filbin, ex-officio
The first annual report by a Lincoln Scholarship Committee, for the year 1956, expressed the hope that "although the beginning is modest, the fund will soon grow, by the generosity of Lincoln, to become an established aid to promising students. "
The modest beginning was a bequest of $1, 000 from Miss Fan- ny Campbell. The generosity of Lincoln, in ten years, has enabled the Fund to grow to more than $17, 000, while granting 55 awards totalling over $15, 000.
In a time when much philanthropy is highly organized, vast and impersonal, the Lincoln Scholarship Fund stands out in refresh- ing contrast. Begun by one individual who made the goals of our young people her own, the Fund has grown continuously without los- ing this quality of personal interest and friendly support.
To the Scholarship Committee, an applicant is not a computer card. £ He is an individual whom we come to know as a friend. We become personally interested in his ideas, his problems, his aspir- ations.
Clearly, this same personal concern is felt by the townspeo- ple, as evidenced by their enthusiastic and spontaneous support of the Scholarship Fund. Lincoln residents respond generously to the Committee's annual appeal without canvassing or active solicitation. In 1965 alone, 163 contributors gave a total of $1, 731. 50.
Through the years, many individuals have also helped through their own organizations. The Grange, American Legion, Parents League, 4-H Horse Club, Lincoln School Association, students of the seventh and eighth grades, Harrison Hoyt and the Lincoln Play- ers, Sumner Smith and the July 4th volunteers, all have sought and found, on their own initiative, their own way to support the Scholar- ship Fund.
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Another element in the growth of the Fund is that of memori- al gifts, emphasized this year by the establishment of the Ernest P. Neumann Fund. Surely there could be no better or more lasting memorial than the gift of a higher education, benefitting not only the recipient but his family and his society. Such gifts, in memory of Miss Fanny Campbell, Robert L. DeNormandie, Matthew H. Doher- ty, Mrs. Myrtle Snyder, George U. Browning and Professor Neu- mann, have not only strengthened the Fund for its yearly responsi- bilities but have also testified to its permanence.
Considering the permanent character of the Fund, some citi- zens have asked whether awards could be made in the form of long- term loans, thus insuring another source of future income. The Committee feels that the present plan of outright grants is more in keeping with the original spirit of the Trust. We are confident, however, that those who have been aided by the Fund will one day be able to give it some support. Their deep appreciation of the awards and their often expressed feeling of responsibility lead us to believe that they will do so.
The Town of Lincoln can take great pride in these young peo- ple, and in the citizens who have done so much to help them achieve their goals.
For the academic year 1965-1966, Scholarship Fund awards were granted to the following: Sandra Durnan, attending Rivier Col- lege; Suzanne Fedock, Boston Conservatory of Music; Ursula Rem- mes, University of Massachusetts; Marcia Wilson, Richmond Pro- fessional Institute; and Diane Woods, Salem Hospital of Nursing.
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TRUSTEES OF BEMIS FUND FOR FREE PUBLIC LECTURES
Paul Brooks Elizabeth Harney Thomas Winship, Chairman
The 72nd year of the Bemis Lectures was varied, vigor- ous and vital. It was also the first season in which all of the pro- grams were presented in our handsome new Brooks School Audito- rium. The atmosphere is most pleasant, and seems to be conduc- ive to much better behavior on the part of our young people.
Our first guest in October, 1965, was William Eddy, Af- rican explorer, former Director of Education for the Tanzania Nat- ional Park, and lively lecturer. His color films of the African Bush were made even more alive by his fantastic sound track, pro- viding an accompaniment of the true sounds of the forest.
November 5th was an evening the many who were fortu- nate enough to attend will long remember. Dean Acheson, digni- fied, venerable and charming, graced our halls. His intimate re- collections of life as a statesman, abroad and in our country, evo- ked lively audience participation in the question and answer period that could have lasted for hours.
We go to press too soon to allow critical comment on the final event of the year. However, having had such success in last year's theatrical contribution to the Bemis Series, Jerome Kilty and Cavada Humphrey in Shaw's "Dear Liar", we hope to continue the innovation with an evening of pantomine as performed by the Swiss mime, Jan Kessler, accompanied by his wife Dora, new res- idents of Lincoln.
The trustees invite suggestions for other distinguished lecturers or performers for next year.
.
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DeCORDOVA AND DANA MUSEUM AND PARK
Victor A. Lutnicki, President
The DeCordova and Dana Museum and Park in its sixteenth year adhered safely to an entirely predictable teen-age growth pat- tern. It was both too big for itself as well as too small for itself. Success in its cultural program brought it to heights of self-con- fidence. Less success in its development program brought it close to despondency - all as expected of the mid-adolescent.
In time, maturity will bring this youngster's slow growing body in better relation to its faster growing spirit. With a nomi- nal amount of luck and a large amount of effort, the Museum's op- erating facilities and arrangements should catch up with the scope and pace of its enterprise. The problem, as with any teen-ager, is to maintain the outlook and flair of youth until the structure and capacity of maturity have arrived. This has been, and for an- other year or two will continue to be, the principal task of the Mu- seum's Board of Directors and its senior staff.
Last year, the Board's endeavors of this sort fell into three broad classifications. One was the effort to bring more form and policy into the enlarging scope of the Museum's opera- tions. A good start was made by assembling in one compilation all of the institution's involved legal genesis, its statement of ob- jectives, and such formalized practice and policy as has developed to date. This compilation was further enlarged during the year by additional statements of policy and practice.
Another Board undertaking was the re-examination of pro- visions made for attracting and holding top talent in the Museum's top staff positions. " Although unscheduled at the time, this was not entirely unexpected. The direct challenge of one of many com- peting institutions brought about an overdue revaluation of ser- vices needed and services rendered. One correction was made. Others were started. Further review of the attraction the Museum holds for key personnel is in order as soon as this becomes prac- tically possible. Here again, we have the difficult manifestation of this stage of the Museum's growth. More is needed now than the present can provide.
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