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

News acorns

Fife and drum corps seeks members

Kids age 8–18 are invited to join the Middlesex Countyy 4-H Fife and Drum Corps. No prior experience; free instruction and Revolutionary War uniforms. Rehearsals are Sunday in Lincoln from 2:30–4:30pm. For more information, email mc4hfd@gmail.com.

Lincoln history: “Did you know…”

…that Lincoln’s “brand new” 1874 water works was nearly abandoned only six years after it began? Read more here and browse other “Did You Know” items on the Lincoln Historical Society website.

Coming up at Codman Community Farms

Summer cookout
Thursday, July 23 from 4:30–6:30pm
Come to the Codman Community Farms pavilion on for a summer cookout featuring Codman’s own chicken wings served with homemade buttermilk ranch, pork and beef hot dogs, smoked maple bierwurst, deviled egg potato salad, green salad and chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. All items are available for pre-order here. Select your time slot when purchasing hot items and we’ll prepare them fresh as you arrive. 

Shibori and indigo dyeing workshop
Wednesday, July 29 from 5:30–7:30pm
Explore Japanese shibori and indigo dyeing techniques with Kim Poler from Beehive Art in Lincoln. Bring a few white items from home to dye (a pair of cotton towels are also provided to every registrant to dye). Class takes place in the Codman gardens; a charcuterie board will be provided. Register here. Questions? Email tana@codmanfarm.org.

Events at deCordova Sculpture Park

“Arias Aloft: Chromatic”
Sunday, Aug. 9 from 6:00–7:30pm
An evening of opera, musical theater, cabaret, and circus in the deCordova Sculpture Park. Register here.

Indigo shibori dye workshop
Sunday, Aug. 16 from noon–4:00pm
Learn traditional Japanese dying techniques and create your own set of dyed textiles. Register here.

“Chromatic Portals” tour
Saturday, Aug. 22 from 11:00am–noon
Artist Silvia López Chavez gives a guided tour celebrating her newest installations, including Chromatic Portals, an outdoor commission that transforms the South Lawn into a luminous landscape before stepping inside to experience “Touching the Portal,” her immersive mural filled with colorful patterns and imagery drawn from the natural world. Register here.

Wind chimes workshop
Saturday, Aug. 22 from 1:00–3:00pm
Sip some tea and create your own hanging wind chime inspired by pieces like Paul Matisse’s “The Musical Fence” at the “Sip and String: Whimsical Wind Chimes” workshop. All materials provided. Register here.

Overnight campout for Perseid meteor shower

Come to Farrington Nature Linc on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 6:15pm to Sunday, Aug. 16 at 10:00am for a night hike, campfire and s’mores, stargazing outside of city lights, staying overnight in a tent, and a light breakfast. Guests can register to stay for part or all of the event and are welcome to bring their dinner to eat on site. A limited number of tents are available to rent for $5 and must be reserved with your ticket purchase. Guests who purchase an “evening only” ticket ($20 for adults, $10 for children age 4–12) will be asked to leave at 11:00pm (note that peak stargazing is after midnight). Overnight including breakfast is $40 for adults, $20 for children aged 4-12 (must be accompanied by an adult). Register here.

Film and guided nature meditation

The Walden Woods Project hosts “North is a Circle,” a film and guided nature meditation with artist Faith Johnson, on Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 6:30–8:00pm. Filmed primarily within the Arctic Circle, this poetic and meditative journey explores the complexities of ancestry in relation to Earth-based belonging, interspecies spiritual connection, and healing through subtle actions, original symbols, and metaphors. The event will start with a guided meditation followed by the film and a wine and cheese reception. Free.

Revised version of the Lincoln Review

The new issue of the Lincoln Review announced yesterday — showcasing painting, photography, poetry, and other creative work of your fellow Lincolnites — had a couple of errors. Click here to enjoy the revised version as an on-screen flipbook or PDF.

» See previous issues

» Submit your work for the next issue
   (deadline: Sept. 15, 2026)

Questions? Email Lincoln Review editor Barbara Rhines at lincolnmareview@gmail.com or Lincoln Squirrel editor Alice Waugh at lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com.

Lincoln resident to walk the Cape for immigrant justice

Connor May (front, carrying cross) and Chris Tansey (rear, with sign on his back) with cross) on their 2019 walk

Lincoln resident Connor May is hitting the road for the second time on Sunday to raise money and awareness surrounding immigrants who are detained at the Plymouth Correctional Facility (PCF).

May and his friend Chris Tansey of Harwich will start the five-day, 76-mile walk at 8:00am on July 19 at the Pilgrim’s First Landing Park in Provincetown and finish at the Old Colony YMCA in  Plymouth on Friday, July 24. The pair chose this year’s end point because PCF has a history of mistreating detainees and is the only detention facility on the state that contracts with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), May said.

A 2024 report by the Boston University School of Law’s Immigrants’ Rights and Human Trafficking Program and the Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts documented years of mistreatment of inmates at PCF, and detained immigrants are now mixed in with the criminal population even though the vast majority have not been charged with a crime.

In 2019, the two men did something similar, walking from Boston to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge to draw attention to the plight of immigrant families being separated at the border with Mexico.

“We were a lot less organized then. We just said ‘OK, let’s put a sign on our back and start walking’,” said May, who carried a cross over his shoulder during the walk that people signed with their personal prayers. “We met a lot of amazing people who just wanted to show support and gratitude for what we were doing. We didn’t know what to expect, but it was profound at times.” The men were sleeping by the side of a road in a tent, but people they encountered offered them water, food, and even overnight shelter. 

This time around, May and Tansey have accommodations lined up, and they’ve created a GoFundMe page to accept donations that will go directly to the Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN) and its Beyond Bond and Legal Defense Fund to provide legal resources to the immigrants detained at PCF. They welcome others to join them on the walk (donors can message them via a link on the GoFundMe page).

May, 33, grew up on the North Shore and has lived in Lincoln with his wife (and soon-to-be-born child) since 2023. He went to college at Holy Cross and has a master’s degree in theology studies from Boston College. He and Tansey met through a Jesuit Volunteer Core program and bonded over their shared interest in studying theology at B.C.

Although raised Catholic, May identifies as simply Christian because “there are certain teachings in the church I just don’t align with” regarding sexuality and abortion. He now teaches classes in ethics and social justice at Boston College High School in Dorchester and attends a Unitarian Universalist church in Boston.

The walk creates an example for his students, teaching them that “it’s not all theory — there are real-world consequences that require real-world action,” May said. “This is a tangible way to  put my beliefs into practice.”

Read the latest Lincoln Review!

The Summer 2026 issue of the Lincoln Review is here! Enjoy the writing, painting, photography, poetry, and other creative work of your fellow Lincolnites on the Lincoln Review home page, a service of the Lincoln Squirrel. 

» See previous issues

» Submit your work for the next issue

Questions? Email Lincoln Review editor Barbara Rhines at lincolnmareview@gmail.com or Lincoln Squirrel editor Alice Waugh at lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com.

Nancy K. Outten, 1925–2026

Nancy K. Outten

Nancy Knight Outten passed away peacefully in her Lincoln home of 67 years on the morning of July 5, 2026, at the age of 101. She had family at her side and held closely in her heart.

She is survived by her brother Richard B. Knight (Shirley) of Pensacola, Fla., her son Peter of Waltham, her daughters Rebecca Babbs (John) of Eureka Springs, Ark., and Sarah Brown (Robert) of Rochester, N.Y., and her son Ben Kelley-Outten (Susan) of Woodstock, Vt.; six grandchildren, Rowan (Rohini) Barden, Loren Barden, Sarah Hereth, Amanda Evans, Winona Brown, and Brian Bonia; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 57 years, Henry P. Outten.

Nancy was born in 1925 in St Louis, Mo., to Alice Rubelmann Knight and William Benjamin Knight Jr. She was a teacher both in spirit and in profession and taught on both sides of raising four children. As a reading specialist at Hanscom Primary School, she made a big difference in the lives of children, some of whom she maintained relationships with her over many years. Her life is marked by a curiosity for all people whom she met and a genuine interest in what they would share. She lived her life in connection with many people whom she met across the course of her life, often forming long-lasting bonds.

Nancy also had a passion for the outdoors and showed this through her ability to walk for hours on end through the hills and mountains of the Northeast or along the shores of her beloved Lake Michigan, leaving many younger souls in her wake. She inspired this passion in all her children and led them on many storied journeys.

Nancy also had a deep desire to help and support her family and was always present to lend a hand and help in any way she could, which she did with regularity. She would delight in the visits of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and always had a beautiful, childlike nature when the moment called for fun and lightness. Laughter was with her through the entire length of her life, and even in the final days she was inviting those around her into moments of unrestrained joyful laughter. Nancy showed us all how to live a life well lived, and through that remains with us.

Since April 2020, Nancy was cared for at home by a dedicated and loving team of aides who made it possible for her to fulfill her wish to live out her life at home. Joyce, Esther, and Harriet have become part of our family, and we are deeply grateful for their years of kind, attentive service and love.

Nancy left this world a better place for having spent 101 years in it, connecting with one person at a time.

A celebration of life will take place at the First Parish Church in Lincoln at 2:30pm on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The celebration will be live-streamed and recorded.

Arrangements are under the care of Concord Funeral Home, which provided this obituary. 

News acorns

Water main work ramping up

Beginning this week, workers on the Lincoln Road water main project are expected to move to 10-hour daily schedule. Crews are scheduled to be on site at 5:00am on Tuesday, July 14 to complete a temporary water connection for Lincoln Station and the mall. This early-morning work is intended to avoid water service impacts during business hours. The connection is expected to take about 1.5 hours and will require a temporary water shutdown for Lincoln Station/mall only. No other residents or businesses are expected to be affected.

Crews are also scheduled to work on the next two Saturdays (July 18 and July 25) from approximately7:00am to 3:00pm. Motorists should expect possible delays on Lincoln Road at those times.

Library events coming up

“Laughter is the Best Medicine”
Wednesday, July 15 from 11:00–11:45am
Comic mime Robert Rivest‘s show includes humorous stories from his childhood, classic mime skits, and comic improvisation taken from audience suggestions. He will also share tips on using breathing, movement, and laughter, as a way to cultivate more happiness and joy. No registration required. 

Intergenerational chess
Three Wednesdays from 6:00–7:00pm: July 15, July 29, August 5
Lincolnites of all ages are invited drop in to play a game or two with a like-minded opponent. Bring your own board or use one of ours. For hardcore players, if your game runs over an hour, there is some wiggle room on time. Registration is suggested but not required so the library has a sense of how many people to expect.

Movie matinee: “Toy Story 2”
Thursday, July 16 from 3:30–5:30pm
Popcorn and light refreshments provided. No registration necessary; all ages welcome.

“Phenomenal Physics”
Wednesday, July 22 from 11:00–11:45am
Mad Science will play with gravity, inertia, and balance; turn a baby bottle into a fire extinguisher; demonstrate a new twist on a popular chemical reaction; and more. Intended for preschool-aged children but all welcome. No registration necessary.

Stuffed animal sleepover and story time
Thursday, July 23 from 11:30am-12:15pm
Drop off your stuffed animal at the library any time between 12:00–6:00pm on Wednesday, July 22. Will they sleep at all? What kind of mischief will they get into? Then, on Thursday at 11:30am, reunite with your stuffie for a special story time, a delicious treat, and a slideshow showcasing the stuffed animals’ antics had during their slumber party. Intended for children in grades 2 and under. Registration required. 

Miss Frizzle dinosaur show
Wednesday, July 29 from 11:00am—noon
Calling all Magic School Bus fans! Children of all ages are welcome to come stomp around on a dinosaur dig with Miss Frizzle. No registration necessary.

Artist conversation at deCordova

On Thursday, July 23 from 6:30–7:30pm, artist Moko Fukuyama will lead a sunset conversation about her large-scale installation “Menagerie” (2024), an open-structured sculpture that transforms salvaged trees into an array of hand-carved forms. More information and registration.

Walden Woods Project tour on Aug. 6

Join Conservation Department staff for a tour of the Walden Woods Project on Baker Farm Road with Executive Director Kathi Anderson on Thursday, Aug. 6 from 9:00-10:00am. Anderson will discuss the organization’s history and mission, and lead a guided tour of the historic buildings that house WWP’s administrative offices. More information and registration. 

Police log for June 22 – July 7, 2026

June 22

Wells Road (3:26pm) — A person spoke to an officer regarding a possible scam.

Lincoln Police Department (10:01pm) — An officer spoke to a person about an ongoing issue.

Sandy Pond Road (1:01pm) — A caller reported a landscaper was using a gas-powered leaf blower. An officer spoke to a representative of the landscape company and advised them of the bylaw violation.

Wells Road (3:36pm) — An outside agency requested a well-being check on a person. Contact was made and the individual was OK.

June 23

Tower Road (8:40am) — A motorist reported observing a tree branch hanging on wires. An officer checked the area but could not locate any tree directly contacting utility wires.

Page Road (9:55am) — An officer spoke to a person about a civil process.

Old Bedford Road (5:14pm) — A caller reported a pedestrian in the area appearing to require assistance. An officer checked the area but found no one matching the provided description.

Lincoln Road (5:30pm) — An officer helped two motorists involved in a minor motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Lincoln Road and South Great Road. There were no reported injuries and both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene.

Sunnyside Lane (8:34am) — A caller reported a vehicle alarm had been sounding for a long time. An officer responded to the area. It appeared as though the vehicle alarm system had malfunctioned.

June 24

Sunnyside Lane (1:15am) — An officer responded back to the same residence as on the previous evening residence for a car alarm malfunction. Efforts were made to silence the alarm.

Hanscom Drive (7:11am) — Officers helped two motorists exchange information after a minor crash. There were no reported injuries and both vehicles were driven from the scene.

Bedford Road (7:54am) — A caller reported a wire across the sidewalk. An officer responded and was able to identify and mark a communication wire that had come loose. Verizon was notified.

Todd Pond Road (9:50am) — A caller reported observing a lethargic raccoon on their property. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate the torpid creature.

Woodcock Lane (11:05am) — A caller reported a person soliciting in the area without proper credentials. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the individual.

Weston Road (1:38am) — Police received a second repot of unauthorized solicitation was received.

Greenridge Lane (3:09am) — A caller reported that a gas-powered leaf blower was being used in the area. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate the bylaw violation.

Blueberry Lane (3:41pm) — A caller reported hearing a loud boom followed by a loss of power. Eversource was notified.

Mary’s Way (4:32pm) — An officer spoke to a caller about a dispute with a neighbor.

Huckleberry Hill (6:25pm) — A caller reported a person possibly soliciting in the area. Officers located the person, who was associated with a pest control service, and advised them of the solicitation guidelines.

Harvest Circle (8:46pm) — An officer helped a caller check on a third party.

June 25

Trapelo Road (8:20pm) — A caller reported observing several parties fishing at the Cambridge Reservoir. The individuals were advised they were trespassing and sent on their way.

Woodcock Lane (10:26pm) — A caller reported hearing suspicious sounds. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate anything out of the ordinary.

June 26

Conant Road (12:20am) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person. The party in question was ok.

Harvest Circle (5:14am) — A person required assistance in locating some misplaced items.

Wells Road (4:49pm) — A person spoke with an officer about some items that appeared to be missing from their vehicle.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (5:51pm) — An officer assisted the Massachusetts State Police with a minor crash on Route 2.

June 27

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (5:13am) — An injured deer was reportedly in the roadway. The Massachusetts State Police were notified.

Sunnyside Lane (7:35am) — An outside agency requested assistance in finding the owner of a vehicle parked in another town. Contact was successfully made.

Conant Road (9:53am) — A caller reported that a vehicle was parked in a potentially dangerous position. An officer checked the area and traffic was able to safely pass in both directions.

Greenridge Lane (12:42pm) — A caller reported a landscaper using a gas-powered leaf blower. An officer advised the person about the bylaw.

June 28

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (4:50am) — An officer assisted the Massachusetts State Police with a motor vehicle crash.

Woodcock Lane (11:01am) — A person reported being approached by a possible solicitor. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the individual.

Liberty Lane, Hanscom AFB (1:47pm) — A person spoke to an officer regarding a possible bank fraud incident.

Trapelo Road (5:19pm and 6:52pm) — A caller reported hearing possible gun shots in the area. In both cases, officers checked the immediate and surrounding areas but didn’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary.

deCordova Museum (7:46pm) — Officers helped a person locate an overdue family member.

June 29

Warbler Springs Road (1:34am) — A notification was made to a resident at the request of an outside agency.

Ryan Estate (2:33pm) — An officer assisted a resident with a lockout.

June 30

Huckleberry Hill (2:21pm) — A wire was reportedly down in the roadway. The fire department identified the wire as low voltage and marked off the area. Eversource was notified.

Indian Camp Lane (11:26pm) — A caller reported a person walking along the side of the road appeared to be in some sort of distress. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate anyone matching the description.

July 1

Weston Road (5:39pm) — A caller reported a sick raccoon on their property. Upon arrival, officers were unable to locate the animal.

Weston Road (12:05pm) — A caller requested assistance with moving an appliance that had become stuck in a doorway. An officer responded and was able to free the appliance.

July 2

Old Concord Road (8:18pm) — A caller reported seeing a fox in their yard with a plastic bag around its head. Animal Control was notified.

July 3

Baker Farm Road (1:15pm) — A caller reported a vehicle parked in a manner that prevented access to the roadway. The vehicle belonged to a contracted service provider for a neighboring residence and was moved shortly thereafter.

Lincoln Road (6:56pm) — A caller reported a parked vehicle with an open door. The owner was contacted and the door was secured.

July 4

Baker Bridge Road (11:31am and 2:00pm — Several illegally parked vehicles were cited.

Ballfield Road (11:21pm) — A fallen tree was partially blocking a section of Ballfield Road. The tree was removed a short time later.

Lincoln Road (10:08pm) — Multiple railroad crossing gates were reportedly malfunctioning. Keolis was notified and normal operation resumed a short time after their arrival.

July 5

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (6:36am) — Police and fire units assisted the Massachusetts State Police with a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash on Route 2.

30 Heritage Road, Hanscom AFB (10:15am) — A person spoke to an officer about a possible harassment incident.

Canoe landing parking lot, South Great Road (7:55pm) — A caller reportedly lost their keys to their vehicle. A short time later, their spouse arrived on scene with a spare set.

South Great Road (9:34am) — A caller reported malfunctioning railroad gates. Keolis was on scene working the issue and normal operation was restored a short time later.

July 6

Nothing of note.

July 7

During a heavy rainstorm, there were reports of trees or branches down on Lincoln Road, South Great Road, and Mary’s Way.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (8:37am) — Police and fire units assisted the Massachusetts State Police with a motor vehicle crash.

Old Sudbury Road (11:46am) — A tractor trailer unit was having difficulty negotiating a turn on South Great Road by Old Sudbury Road. Officers were able to help the vehicle successfully complete the turn.

Old Cambridge Turnpike (1:21pm) — A caller spoke with an officer about a harassment incident.

Codman Community Farms (5:11pm) — An officer assisted a motorist with a vehicle lockout.

Old Concord Road (9:34pm) — An officer contacted a person at the request of an outside agency.

Concord Road (7:43pm) — Officers checked a property for a report of a suspicious person. The property appeared secured and the individual in question was not located.

Property sales in May 2026

37 Lincoln Road — Laura Olson Trust to Ethan Krause and Ruth E. McBain for $1,195,000 (May 28)

138 Lexington Road — Lexington Properties LLC to Leon Home LLC for $700,000 (May 22)

36D Indian Camp Lane — Matthew Berkowitz to Scott Kaiser for $610,000 (May 21)

142 Tower Road — Jason Felsch to Geoffrey B. Keating and Sarah Baldessari for $1,266,260 (May 18)

130 Tower Road — Campobasso Trust to Mark E. and Sandra H. Pepin for $885,000 (May 4)

News acorns

New transfer station/commuter lot stickers required

New two-year green transfer station/commuter lot stickers are required as of September 1, 2026. The new sticker must be affixed to the bottom left corner of the driver’s side windshield. Complete this online application and get your sticker in the mail (you’ll need to upload photos of your drivers’s license and registration). Any Lincoln resident who does not have a new green sticker by September 1 may be refused access to the Transfer Station or Commuter Lot. Questions? Contact the DPW at 781-259-8999 or donaldsons@lincolnma.gov.

Film: “Lore”

The Lincoln Library Film Society presents “Lore” (2012) on Thursday, July 9 at 6:00pm in the Tarbell Room. Left to fend for themselves after their SS officer father and mother, staunch Nazi believers, are interred by the victorious Allies at the end of World War II, five German children undertake a harrowing journey that exposes them to the reality and consequences of their parents’ actions

Virtual office hours for Rep. Gentile

State Rep. Carmine Gentile (D-Sudbury) will hold virtual office hours on Monday, July 13 from 2:00–4:00pm. Any constituent who wishes to speak to him can sign up for a 20-minute time slot by emailing his legislative aide, Jack Brox McCarthy, at jackbrox.mccarthy@mahouse.gov. Constituents must provide their full name, address, phone number, email, and topic(s) of discussion in enough detail so that Rep. Gentile may prepare for the meeting if needed. For any questions regarding office hours or other matters, please contact McCarthy.

Talk on Black experiences in the American Revolution

Historian Gracia Collins Rich will discuss the efforts of Black Americans whose invaluable contributions during the Revolutionary War helped bring about U.S. independence on Monday, July 20 from 7:00–8:00pm on Zoom. Click here to get the Zoom link or request the recording. Sponsored by the Lincoln Public Library.

“Slow Wood: Greener Building from Local Forests”

Can we reconnect housing to sustainably managed local and regional forests? In “Slow Wood” on Monday, July 20 at 7:00pm at the Walden Woods Project, Brandeis University Environmental Studies Professor Emeritus Brian Donahue will talk about how he and his family built a timber frame house straight from the woods on their Massachusetts farm, utilizing “low grade” trees through “worst first” ecological forestry. Can this be replicated across rural areas, and what does it suggest about the larger challenge of supplying homes for cities and suburbs?

My Turn: Concern about road signs

By Carol DiGianni

Since extensive road work is underway, the large orange triangular signs along the roadway pose a difficulty in exiting our driveway at Ryan Estate. It is hard to see cars coming until they are almost upon you as they came along pretty fast, so timing and luck is everything. Lots of traffic in and out of our driveway, including the food pantry, make this a concern.

I have asked the police to take a look and at least move the big triangular sign over closer to the church. Unfortunately, they reported that it was not a problem and nothing need be done. I wonder if they just looked at it or tried to exit our driveway as a real test. 

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.