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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?

Firefly sanctuary signs installed

Two new firefly sanctuaries have been established at Smith-Andover Field across from Town Hall and Dakin Field (borner of Sandy Pond and Baker Bridge roads) through a partnership between the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the Lincoln Conservation Department.

These areas will be managed with fireflies in mind by reducing mowing, preserving leaf litter and woody debris, encouraging native vegetation, avoiding pesticides, and protecting dark nighttime conditions. Together, these practices provide the moist, sheltered habitat fireflies need during every stage of their life cycle. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the sanctuaries and can help protect them by staying in designated areas, limiting the use of flashlights, and leaving logs and vegetation undisturbed.

Coming up at the library

Sulinha Boucher Trio
Wednesday, July 8 from 11:00am–noon, Tarbell Room
Join Brazilian singer/songwriter/guitar player Sulinha with her trio for music with children and families. Her third children’s album received the Silver award from Parent’s Choice. Australia. No registration required; all ages welcome.

Bad Art Celebration
Wednesday, July 8 from 6:30–7:30pm, Tarbell Room
Join us in celebrating our Bad Art Program participants! Attendees (nonparticipants welcome) can participate in a bad art scavenger hunt with hints to help them find the bad art created by participants, spread throughout the library. The scavenger hunt will be followed up by an announcement of the teen and adult winners of the program. 

Fact and Folklore on America’s 250th
Thursday, July 16 from 6:30–8:00pm, Tarbell Room
Join award-winning author and journalist Ted Reinstein for a look at some of the unique stories he’s done related to the Revolutionary War, including pieces on Paul Revere’s ride, the Battle of Breed’s (not Bunker) Hill, the battle that has never ended between Lexington and Concord, and a musket-riddled gravestone in the North End.

Two honored by professional organization

The Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) recently presented a 2026 Friend of MASBO Award to Buckner “Buck” Creel and a 2026 Rising Star Award to Angela (Tianyi) Wang, Director for Business and Finance in the Lincoln Public Schools.

Creel served for 15 years as Administrator for Business and Finance for the schools until his retirement in 2021. The award recognizes people who have made a significant contribution to facilitating the work of school business officials in their communities, and/or who have consistently provided significant assistance to MASBO.

In presenting the award, MASBO Executive Director Margaret Driscoll commended Mr. Creel’s “steady presence, practical judgment, and no-nonsense approach to problem-solving… Time and again, others have relied on Buck’s expertise. When a colleague faced an unexpected medical leave, Buck stepped in without hesitation, ensuring district operations remained stable and seamless during a critical time. Whether as a neighboring colleague or through more recent interim service, Buck has been unwavering in his dedication to the profession.”

Creel previously worked for nearly a decade at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. After retirement, he has continued to provide short-term support to school districts, including serving as acting director of finance for the Weston Public Schools last year. 

MASBO established the Rising Star Award to acknowledge the value and contributions of outstanding professionals within the first 10 years of their career as a school business administrator. Superintendent of Schools Parry Graham nominated Wang, citing the positive impact she has made in the district during her two years in the role. He noted that she helped redesign the internal budgeting process, creating more transparency for budget managers and the School Committee. She was also instrumental in securing a new five-year contract with the Department of Defense to operate the Hanscom School on the Hanscom Air Force Base, including improved forecasting and control systems for managing the contract.

“Angela is a key member of our district’s leadership team, helping to inform the strategic direction of the district. She oversees multiple departments, including facilities and food services, and is able to consistently build positive and productive relationships,” Graham said.

Wang previously worked as Payroll Director for Springfield (Mass.) Public Schools, Director for Business and Finance for Vernon (Conn.) Public Schools, and School Business Administrator for South Hadley (Mass.) Public Schools.

“Stories of Summer: Fireside Open Mic”

Farrington Nature Linc and the Nature Connection will host “Stories of Summer: Fireside Open Mic” at FNL on Friday, June 26 from 6:00pm to sunset. Come share a poem, story, or musical performance around the fire circle as we celebrate the official start of summer from 6:30–7:30pm. Tickets are required and include herbal mocktails and s’mores. They have some seating around the fire circle and also encourage attendees to bring their own camping chairs or blankets and bug spray.

Lincoln Land Conservation Trust news

• Firefly walk — Avalon Owens returns to Lincoln on Monday, June 29 at 8:00pm starting at Lincoln Town Hall to lead a firefly walk through one of the fields that she has studied extensively. Participants will meet for a brief tutorial on firefly behavior and then head out to a nearby field. Register here.

• Saturday ranger walks — Explore Lincoln’s open space with Conservation Ranger Will Leona, visiting a different trail on select Saturdays of each month from 9:30–11:30am. Register here.
  • Twin Pond/Harrington Woods — July 11
  • Pierce Park and Pierce Hill — August 1
  • Flint’s Pond East and Gasline Trail — September 12

• Wildlife column — “Eastern Massachusetts is in critical drought; ponds are low and watering restrictions are in place. Even so, the landscape is lush with blossoms and greenery, helped a bit by showers,” Gwyn Loud writes in the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust’s June wildlife newsletter. Click here to see her column and numerous photos of Lincoln flora and fauna.

Water main project update

During the week of June 22, water main work will focus on continuing temporary bypass installation, testing the bypass system, and pre-digging tap holes. Crews will also be completing final paving of Lincoln Road from the five-way intersection to Ballfield Road on Wednesday, June 24. Next week, crews are expected to connect houses and tap holes to the temporary bypass and begin laying new water main. Drivers should expect alternating one-way traffic on Lincoln Road during active work hours.

SSEF wins $500,000 grant

The Lincoln-based South Sudanese Enrichment for Families will receive $500,000 over ten years as its share of $35 million awarded to 150 local nonprofits through the Cummings Foundation’s major annual grants program. SSEP was selected from a total of 959 applicants during a competitive review process. For over 20 years, SSEF has assisted South Sudanese immigrants and their children in navigating social systems, accessing resources, building skills, and creating opportunities.

“We are extremely grateful for this transformative investment in our community,” said Panther Alier, SSEF’s executive director. “SSEF’s Educational Empowerment Initiative serves under-resourced children and parents, and connecting the families we serve to existing educational resources and making sure the children of immigrants are receiving quality enrichment is our goal.” With the grant from Cummings, SSEF will increase the scope and efforts of this initiative.

Lincoln history: Did you know…

…That Lincoln is the home of a “Century Farm”? And it’s been around for a lot longer than just a single century. To be honored as a Century Farm, the farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years, and a family member must be living on the premises. For the Flint family and their Matlock Farm, these were easy qualifications to meet, though the actual labor of farming and maintaining an historic property has involved generations of hard work. The land was acquired by Thomas Flint in the 1640s and has been farmed by Flint family members continuously since the early 1700s.

Learn more on the Lincoln Historical Society website — and read a reminiscence of Matlock farm by Warren Flint Sr., published in the Lincoln Review in 1978.

Hannan Open Farm Fest

Hannan Healthy Foods (270 South Great Road) is hosting its annual seasonal kickoff event on Saturday, June 20 from noon–3:00pm. This is a community event with live music, farmland tours, family-friendly games and plenty of food and drinks. Please register so we know to expect you (though drop-ins are welcome, too).

Coming up at the library

Click here for the full library calendar.

Make Your Disasterpiece
Monday to Wednesday, June 15-18 during library open hours, Circulation Desk
If you have a talent for making terrible art, this program is for you! This is a “take and make” program; canvases will be available for pickup at the adult circulation desk from June 15–18 on a first come/first served basis. There will be a celebration for all participants on July 8. More information.

Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Wednesday, June 17 from 3:00-6:00pm, Tarbell Room
Children are invited to the library for crafts and other fun, ice cream, and a magic show by Ed Popielarczyk at 4:00pm. All ages welcome. More information.

Movie: “The Zone of Interest”
Thursday, June 18 from 6:00-8:00pm, Tarbell Room
The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp. Hosted by the Lincoln Library Film Society. More information.

Adult Dungeons & Dragons
Thursday, June 18 from 7:00-9:00pm, Zoom
Join librarian and game master Casey for a monthly Dungeons & Dragons campaign. No past familiarity with Dungeons & Dragons necessary; new adventurers and seasoned pros alike are welcome; we just ask that all characters be at level 5 (character sheets can be provided if needed). Register here.

Adult Summer Reading Snack Bar
Saturday, June 20 from 11:00am–3:00pm, Reference Room
Enjoy light refreshments, get your summer reading bingo card, learn about the reading challenge prizes, and sample suggested titles from each summer reading category.

“Boston, 1776: A Rogue Tour of Revolution City” with author J.D. Dickey
Monday, June 22 from 7:00-8:00pm, Zoom
More info and registration.

Pride Yoga with Lincoln Pride
Wednesday, June 24 from 6:30-7:30 PM; Tarbell Room
An inclusive yoga class that’s free and open to all, but donations are welcome. 1100% of proceeds will benefit Glisten (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network).

Craft Supply Swap
Saturday, June 27 from 12:30-3:30pm, Reference Room
Do you have gently used craft supplies left over from a project that you aren’t sure what to do with? Swap for new-to-you supplies! More information.

Three win Girl Scouts’ highest award

Lincoln residents Samantha Donaldson, Anna Dutkewych, and Alexandria Taylor recently received the Gold Awards from Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA). The award recognizes girls who identify a community need, develop a sustainable solution, and demonstrate exceptional leadership through a significant service project.

Samantha introduced the File of Life program, an organizational system recognized by first responders to the community through workshops, an informational table at the State of the Town Meeting, email outreach, and direct distribution, successfully providing over 300 File of Life cards to town residents. Anna built three raised garden beds on wheels for the Council on Aging & Human Services, allowing seniors to grow fresh vegetables and herbs to enhance the nutritional value and flavor of their meals. Alexandra provided like-new books through donations, created a library navigation curriculum, and partnered with Nosy Crow Publishing, and collaborated with the South Sudanese Enrichment for Families program to teach children and families how to effectively access library resources and cultivate a love of reading.

For photos and more details, see the award ceremony program (pages 22-24).

Phase 2 of water main project to begin

Beginning Monday, June 15, repaving work will begin on Lincoln Road from the five-way intersection to Ballfield Road. One lane of traffic will remain open during construction. The roadway surface will be milled, or grooved, for several days before paving is completed. This work is expected to take approximately one to two weeks and will complete Phase 1 of the multiyear water main project.

Phase 2 water main work will continue during the weeks of June 14 and June 22 when crews will be installing and testing temporary water bypass systems, pre-digging tap holes, connecting properties to the temporary bypass, saw cutting, and delivering pipe materials. Drivers should expect alternating one-way traffic on Lincoln Road during active work hours.

The Phase 2 contractor, N. Granese & Sons, will also temporarily store new water pipes along Lincoln Road and in the resident gravel MBTA parking lot. The town expects there will still be sufficient space for resident parking. However, if needed, residents may use the non-resident paved lot on the opposite side of the tracks during this period. No fee will be required as long as a valid parking or transfer station sticker is visible on the vehicle windshield.

Student advances to history nationals

Marcelo Buendia of the Lincoln School is one of three Massachusetts finalists for the 2026 National History Day Competition starting on June 14 at the University of Maryland. He and the other two finalists presented their projects at the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) student showcase on June 9 that highlighted original student research and creative interpretation across documentary and performance categories. Marcelo’s project was titled ‘To Preserve Our Democracy’: Lincoln’s Path from Loyal Reformers to Revolutionaries at Town Meeting, 1763–1776.” He talks about his work and being part of the Lincoln Minute Men in this two-minute MHS video.

Coming up at Drumlin Farm

Summer solstice celebration on the drumlin
Sunday, June 21 from 5:30-7:30pm
Celebrate the longest day of the year with an evening of stories, s’mores, and animal encounters at Drumlin Farm. Registration required;  details here.

Outdoor concert with Sweet Wednesday
Saturday, Aug. 8 from 6:00-8:00pm
Hear Boston-based folk band Sweet Wednesday and enjoy the Drumlin Farm wildlife sanctuary at (admission is included with your ticket). Registration required; details here.

Kids’ triathlon is June 27

The “Splash, Mash, Dash” Lincoln Kids Triathlon returns on Saturday, June 27 for the 22nd year. Kids ages 5-14 (all ability levels) are invited to participate in the race that starts at 8:30am at the Codman Pool. Every participant receives a T-shirt, goody bag, and medal. Click here for course and age group information. Register here before race day to save $10 per person on the entry fee (online registration ends on Friday, June 26 at 11:00am). Packet pickup is Friday, June 26 from 1:00–6:00pm or race morning from 7:00–8:00am in the Hartwell Multipurpose Room. Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help out during the race. If you have a few hours to give, please email ginger.reiner@gmail.com. 

Summer job opportunity at Water Department

The Lincoln Water Department is hiring a summer maintenance assistant to help with an project to upgrade our town’s water system. You’ll work alongside a licensed water operator and get hands-on experience installing new smart water meters that help detect leaks, conserve water, and save residents money. The job is 16 hours a week from July 1 to Aug. 30 and pays $25 an hour. To apply, send your resume to Distribution Foreman William MacInnes at macinnesw@lincolnma.gov. Questions? Call 781-259-2669.

Fundraising drive nets $700 for camp scholarships

Sandy Creighton of the Lt. Scott Milley VFW Post 8771 collected more than $700 from residents outside Donelan’s for the Council on Aging & Human Services relief fund as part of the annual Memorial Poppy Drive coordinated by the COA&HS Veteran Services and local VFW groups. The funds will be used for summer camp scholarships

Library board seeks member

There is an opening for a trustee with a particular interest in serving on the Board of Trustees of the Lincoln Public Library’s Building & Grounds Subcommittee. While all interested residents are encouraged to apply, the board is particularly seeking candidates with architectural or engineering experience, especially those with a background in historic building preservation, structural assessment, and/or aesthetic design. Candidates should apply by email to LincolnLibraryTrustees@outlook.com or by mail to Lincoln Public Library, Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 by Friday, July 3. Contact board chair Jacquelin Apsler at LincolnLibraryTrustees@outlook.com for details on what the application should include.

Drainage work wrapping up; Lincoln Road repaving planned

During the week of June 8, crews are expected to finish drainage work on Bedford Road. Drivers should continue to expect daytime traffic detours between approximately 8:00am and 4:00pm. The following week, crews are expected to mill and pave Lincoln Road between Ballfield Road and the five-way intersection. Bedford Road can’t be repaved until the trench from the recent drainage work is allowed to settle; that work is slated for spring 2027.

Volunteer needed for bicycle/pedestrian group

The Select Board is seeking a volunteer to serve a two-year term on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) beginning immediately. Lincoln residents who have demonstrated interest or engagement in issues concerning bicycle and pedestrian safety, accessibility, active transportation, or related topics are encouraged to apply. For more information about the committee, contact BPAC Chair Ginger Reiner at ginger.reiner@gmail.com. Letters of interest should be addressed to the Select Board and sent to Peggy Elder (elderp@lincolntown.org) Administrative Assistant in the Select Board’s Office, along with a completed application by Tuesday, June 9.

Coming up at the library

Personalized Color Analysis: Unlock Your Radiance
Thursday, June 11 from 6:30-7:30 PM (Tarbell Room)
Participants will explore the principles of color analysis, and some will have the opportunity to identify their unique seasonal color palette based on hair, skin tone, and eye color. Registration recommended but not required.

Microadventures in Massachusetts
Saturday, June 13 from 1:30-2:30pm (Tarbell Room)
Massachusetts is full of history, spectacular scenery, hiking trails, and other wonderful opportunities for adventure, and many of these places are hidden in plain sight: in our museums, state parks, and shared spaces. Get inspiration for all of your summer day trips and adventures in one program.

Conservation-related events

Pollinator garden tours with the Bumblebee Project

Join managers of pollination system gardens across the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers watershed (SuAsCo) to learn about the importance of native plants, gardening to improve habitat, and ecosystem interactions. Drop-in tours will be held during a two-hour window starting at the following times and taking place at the following locations:

• • June 18 at 2:30pm — Sunny Meadow Farm, Chelmsford with Chelmsford Pop-up Library (parking/garden location)
  • June 18 at 5:00pm — Thanksgiving Forest, Chelmsford (garden location)
  • June 20 at 3:00pm — Bumblebee Park, Littleton
  • June 24 from 6:00–7:30 pm — Ghiloni Park, Marlborough (garden location)
  • June 30 at 10:00am — Chapman Pasture, Lincoln*
  • July 7 at 10:00am — Pollinator Meadow, Lincoln (parking; garden to west)

Questions? Contact Mike Perrin at mperrin@svtweb.org.

* Parking for Chapman Pasture in Lincoln: from Weston Road, drive north on Silver Hill Road. The trailhead is across from #50. Just north of the trailhead, there is an area of road that has a wider/flatter shoulder and can accommodate several cars. From the trailhead, walk quarter-mile mile over bog bridges to reach the field. More information on Bumble Bee Project.

From Canopy to Ground Layer: Building Soft Landings with Keystone Plants for Pollinators
Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00pm, Zoom
This Zoom presentation by pollinator conservationist Heather Holm explores the connection between keystone plants and the insects that depend on them, with a focus on “soft landings” —lush, drought-tolerant plantings beneath native trees that support pollinators throughout their life cycles. Participants will learn about pollen specialists, bee-plant relationships, and practical strategies for site preparation, plant selection, and creating resilient habitat with sedges, grasses, and flowering keystone species. Sponsored by MetroWest Climate Solutions. Register here.

Short humorous plays on tap

WordsMove Theater, which features numerous Lincoln residents, returns with “Fixing the Unfixable,” another series of staged readings of short humorous plays:

• Friday, June 12 at 12:30 p.m. — Bemis Hall 
• Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m. — Lincoln Public Library 
• Saturday, June 20 at 7:30pm — Congregation Beth El (105 Hudson Road, Sudbury)

Enjoy some laughs with plays by Nora Ephron, Paul Rudnick, Peter M. Floyd, and Robert Luxford, directed by Lincoln’s Mary Crowe and Ben Dubrovsky. Free and open to all.

Codman Campout coming up

Gather your tent, sleeping bags, friends, and family for a night on the farm featuring homemade chili, campfires, s’mores, and the traditional singalong at the annual Codman Community Farms Campout & Chili Night on Saturday, June 13 starting at 4:30pm. Dinner includes homemade beef chili and vegan chili with a toppings bar and tortilla chips. Camping is available for $40 per tent and includes s’mores around the campfire plus hot coffee, bagels, and orange juice the following morning. Or come just for dinner and enjoy a summer evening with friends and neighbors. Reserve your campsite and pre-order your chili here by Thursday, June 11.

Green Energy Committee seeks new member

The Select Board is seeking a volunteer to be appointed to the Green Energy Committee to fill a recently vacated spot (read this two-pager on the GEC and what its members do). Appointed members serve a one-year term, renewable annually. If interested, please submit a completed volunteer application and cover letter by Thursday, June 18 for a decision at the June 28 Select Board meeting.

Join the July 4 parade and events

Organizers of Lincoln’s annual Fourth of July parade invite community groups, families, businesses, organizations, clubs, and individuals to participating in the parade. Whether you have a decorated vehicle, a walking group, a themed float, or a creative community display, we encourage you to join us and showcase your Lincoln spirit. Please complete this float registration form by Monday, June 22. Those with questions or who need assistance should call the Parks and Recreation Department at 781-259-0784. Click here to view all Fourth of July events.

CFREE is also hosting their annual EV car show at Pierce Park on July 4. They’re seeking volunteers to show off their EVs and tell their story, especially those with a new model who can discuss the latest features, used EV owners who can explain about claiming the Massachusetts Used EV rebate, or anyone who can talk about their farthest trip and how to charge the car. To participate, contact Belinda Gingrich at belinda.gingrich@gmail.com.

Lincoln soccer players make national quarterfinals

Two Lincoln teens who recently competed in the MLS Next Cup national championship. Aaron Drew and Brenner Rosen play for New England Surf, a regional youth soccer organization in MLS Next’s Academy Division, the second-highest youth soccer league in the country. The Surf qualified for the MLS Next Cup by coming in second at the regional qualifiers in New Jersey and went to Utah for the national quarterfinals. The Surf won their first two matches in the 32-team tournament, qualifying for the Elite 8, though they lost their next match and did not advance to the semifinals.

Brenner is the second-highest scorer on the team and Aaron is the starting goalie. In the Round of 32 against Tucson, Aaron (the Surf’s starting goalie) saved three goals in the culmination of a tie game that ended in penalty kicks (Instagram video here). The boys have been playing soccer together since first grade through Lincoln Youth Soccer and are on the varsity teams at their high schools (LSRHS and Belmont Hill).

Pride Yoga rescheduled 

Pride Yoga, a fundraiser in support of Glisten originally scheduled for June 20, has been postponed to Wednesday, June 24 at 6:30pm.  

South Asian literary events

South Asian Poets of New England will host the fourth regional New England Folk Literature and Oral Poetry Festival with a family-oriented “Storytelling Across the Generations” with American, Latin American, Persian, Arabic, Chinese, Afghan, and Indian stories, conclude with music on Saturday, June 13 from 2:00–5:00pm in Bemis Hall and “Poetry Across Culture” on Sunday, June 29 at 10:00am on Zoom. T register, email idcinboston@gmail.com. Supported by the Mass. Cultural Council.

FELS grants announced

FELS, the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury, has awarded nine grants to Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School faculty and staff. The grant proposals are often for personal refreshment, long-held aspirations, course work or travel, all of which is undertaken during school vacation time and summer recess. Grants are funded from donations to the FELS annual appeals and proceeds from fundraisers including the annual FELS Thanksgiving Pie Sale and prom flower sales.

The 2026 FELS grant recipients, their proposals and destinations are as follows:

• Damian Attidore, English — FIFA World Cup (Boston)
• David Bloom, English — Exploring the History of Racism in America (Georgia and Alabama)
• Kayla DeWees, Excel Program — High Desert Watercolor (New Mexico)
• Alison Eichmann, Student Services — Reconnecting with Nature, Horses, and Self (New Hampshire)
• Sage Engberg, English — Traversing the Brooks Range (Alaska)
• Conor Hanover, History — Emerald Origins (Ireland)
• David Hosford, English — China: Then and Now (China)
• Doreen McCarthy, South House — Rings, Rings and More Rings (western Massachusetts)
• Brendan Sarles, Math — Learning Consistency through Ironman Triathlon Training (Texas)

FELS is celebrating its 26th year and in that time has awarded close to 160 grants totaling nearly $210,000.

Register for Youth Public Safety Academy

Registration closes on Monday, June 15 at noon for the 2026 Youth Public Safety Academy, YPSA), which is open to children ages 8-12 living in any of Middlesex County’s 54 cities and towns. Hosted at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Training Academy in Chelmsford, the program consists of five, one-week sessions where youngsters engage in hands-on activities alongside YPSA staff and area first responders. The academy includes focuses on public safety lessons, teamwork, and leadership. Register here.

Registration is $125 per child for each week and includes transportation to and from designated bus stops, breakfast, lunch, and snacks, as well as a graduation ceremony each Friday. YPSA bus stops will be in the following communities for the designated weeks. Participants are not required to reside in communities with a designated bus stop, but they will be picked up and dropped off at these locations.

• July 6-10 — Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury & Wilmington
• July 13-17 — Lexington, Stoneham/Wakefield, Tyngsborough & Woburn
• July 20-24 — Bedford, Belmont/Watertown, Billerica & Newton/Waltham
• July 27- 31 — Acton/Boxborough/Maynard, Framingham/Natick, Hudson & Marlborough
• August 3-7 — Arlington, Burlington, Malden & Medford

Order prom flowers from FELS

Order your senior prom flowers and support the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury (FELS). Pre-order white, pink, or red rose boutonnieres for $20; white, pink, or red wrist corsages for $45; or a combo pack (one of each) for $60. Order here and pick up outside the L-S Main Office the day of the prom (Thursday, June 4) from 10:30am–12:00pm. Questions? Email FELSquestions@gmail.com

Council on Aging & Human Resources activities

• Abla Shocair will present a free classical piano concert on Thursday, June 4 at 3:00pm in Bemis Hall.
• Join Kathleen Fahey, executive director of the Friends of Minute Men, to learn about the importance and legacy of Buttrick Gardens on Friday, June 5 at 12:30pm in Bemis Hall.

Thoreau exhibition open house

The Walden Woods Project Library will host an open house for part 1 of a two-part exhibition on Friday, June 12 from 6:30-8:30pm at the Walden Woods library (44 Baker Farm Road, Lincoln). The exhibitions are curated in connection with “Henry David Thoreau,” executive produced by Ken Burns and Don Henley, that premiered on PBS in March. Part 1, “Who He Was, What He Stood For,” focuses on Thoreau’s early adulthood and his emergence as a writer. It explores how the forces of society, family, friends, the Transcendentalist movement, and his time at Walden Pond helped shaped his writings and philosophies. It’s open until March 31, 2027. Click here to register.

deCordova summer concerts

The deCordova Performance Series in the Sculpture Park kicks off with Vance Gilbert on Friday, June 26 from 6:30–8:00pm. Buy tickets for that event and click here for information about other performances and events this summer:

• Sunday, June 28 at 6:00pm — Arias Aloft
• Friday, July 10 at 6:30pm — Leslie Mendelson
• Friday, July 24 at 6:30pm — Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band
• Friday, August 7 at 6:30pm — Ellis Paul

Outdoor water use restricted even further

The state has declared a Level 3 (Critical) Drought for the Northeast Region, which includes Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk Counties. The designation follows years of below-average rainfall and declining streamflow across the state, signaling worsening drought conditions and increasing stress on local water supplies. As a result, outdoor watering is now limited to one day a week as indicated on this Lincoln Water Department chart.

May wildlife column

Trees, shrubs, and flowers are in full bloom, birds have migrated into town, and animals with their young are being seen. Learn more and see photos in the May wildlife column by Gwyn Loud on the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and Rural Land Foundation website.

Free adaptive rail trail ride

The Sudbury Commission on Disability invites residents of Lincoln and surrounding communities to experience cycling along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail at a free adaptive cycling event on Saturday, June 6. Hosted in partnership with the Sudbury Rail Trails Advisory Committee and All Out Adventures, one-hour riding sessions will be offered between 11:00am and 3:00pm at Broadacres Farm at 62 Morse Road in Sudbury. Participants of all ages and abilities can choose from a variety of adaptive cycles, including recumbent trikes, handcycles, and tandem bikes, with trained staff on-site to provide support in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. Helmets are provided. Advance registration required. For questions or phone registration, call 413-584-2052.

Artist reception: Tom Doran

The Lincoln Library Art Gallery will host a reception for artist Tom Doran on Saturday, June 6 from 2:00-4:30pm.

Steve Heck at LOMA on June 8

Steve Heck will be the headliner at the next Lincoln Open Mic Acoustic (LOMA) on Monday, June 8 from 7–10 p.m. in Bemis Hall (doors open at 6:30pm, featured performers play from 8:30-9:00pm). He’s at home playing a wide variety of piano styles from jazz to pop, Latin to rock, and country to blues and has played on stage and in the studio with the Byrds, the Allman Brothers, Peter Yarrow, and Richie Havens. LOMA is a monthly open mic night event with mics and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups playing acoustic-style. Come and perform (email loma3re@gmail.com to sign up) or just come listen to acoustic music and spoken word. Free admission.

Chef at The Commons is recognized

Chef Nina Quirk, the campus culinary services director at The Commons in Lincoln, has been named to the Senior Housing News DISHED Senior Living Dining Innovation Awards Class of 2026. Quirk was recognized in the “Elevating the Experience” category for her creative use of local ingredients and delivering excellence in the resident culinary experience. She joined The Commons in Lincoln in 2023.