Goodbye snow, hello wintry mix. What a difference a week makes! Snow is much more fun than this mucky mush. This morning in Cat Rock, I discovered at what point my hiking boots crossed over from “water-resistant” to water-logged. It’s at the dam. Oh well, we all dry eventually.

Onwards, what’s up for the weekend? Here are some of the highlights I found. Also don’t forget the Olympics–we have two J. Martin Ski Track alums (this is as close as we get to Weston residents) in the ski events…one is also a Wellesley alum- go Blue!

All Weekend:

Lincoln Winter Carnival. Okay, folks, it’s here that I have a really hard time not envying the town of Lincoln. All community, all the time. Why doesn’t Weston have a weekend like this? Mystery. Anyway, lots of great events including Touch a Truck (a fan favorite of younger owlets), Human Foosball (Lincoln Youth Soccer rocks) or Snow Soccer, ttree ID walks, night hikes, curling demonstration on their community ice rink. Eat your heart out, Weston, and try to sneak in (just kidding, they do welcome neighbors). More information here.

Art on the Trails – Winter Scavenger Hunt with Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. Search Lincoln’s trails for nature-themed art installations created by students at Birches School. The scavenger hunt starts on Friday February 4th and runs through Sunday February 6th. Take a selfie at each location and share your photos (on the Outerspatial app) to win a $10 gift card to Twisted Tree Café or Something Special. Participants need to download the OuterSpatial Trail App. More information here.

Saturday, February 5

Wayland Winter Farmer’s Market at Russell’s. 10:30 am – 2 pm. The weekly winter market continues with around 25 vendors inside and 25 outside. Lots of yummies. Check out the list of vendors here. Masks are required. Overbuying of everything is suggested, but not required. By me. Shop local! Russell’s is at 397 Boston Post Road in Wayland.

“On the Gold Light” Twilight Tours of The Manse, 5-5:45 pm Concord. If you didn’t know, the Owl is a HUGE fan of the Trustees. It is my hope that someday they buy the Hillcrest Barn, the Schoolhouse and the Rand House and make them live again. Sadly, they have not been interested so far. In any case, this tour looks cool. “The Old Manse transforms after dark. This winter, visit the Old Manse for a special candle-lit tour at twilight. Wander the halls and explore the chambers of the Old Manse lit by candles and the setting sun.” Become a Trustees member. Do it. They will have more money for the Barn purchase. More information here.

Sunday, February 6

Monthly Trail Walk with WFTA – Highland Forest. 2 pm. Join your absolutely favorite trails organization on a fun walk around Highland Forest, the second largest conservation property in Weston. No, we won’t do the whole thing. Tour the grounds of the Paine Estate including the track used for both sulkies and cars. Park on Wildflower Lane near the trailhead. More info here.

Sunday Concert at Rivers Conservatory, 3 pm. The community is invited to enjoy a free concert by faculty from The Rivers School Conservatory. The concert features RSC faculty Leah Kosch (piano) and guest artist Yhasmin Valenzuela (clarinet) performing Saint Saëns’ Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 167 and D’Rivera’s Movements from Cape Cod Files. RSC faculty Steven Laven (cello) will perform Bach’s 2^nd Suite for Cello in D minor. And RSC faculty MinKyung Oh (piano) will perform Chopin’s Ballade in F minor, Op. 52 and Debussy’s Feux d’Artifice. Free parking available. Rivera Recital Hall, The Rivers School, 333 Winter Street.

African-American History of Concord Walking Tour, 2pm (Concord). Normally I would not post a competing event to WFTA (what? it’s my blog) but this is a fascinating tour originally developed for the amazing Concord Museum. “Learn about Concord’s African-American history on this 90 minute walking tour (about 2 miles). Guests will visit sites around town highlighting Concord’s history around slavery, the first generation of freed African-Americans and Abolitionism in Concord. Purchase tickets on-line or 15 mins. before the tour at the Visitor Center. More info here. Please note that many tours in Concord are available to groups with 48 hours notice. Anyone up for a Weston field trip later this year to see the trifecta of homes/sites? Alcott- Emerson-Thoreau. Okay, more on that later.