acorns

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.

Outdoor watering restrictions in effect

The state has upgraded the Drought Status for the Northeast Region, where Lincoln is located, from a Level 1 (mild drought) to a Level 2 (significant drought). This means that outdoor watering is limited to two days a week. Click here for details. Water Department staff will be monitoring all sprinkler use in town and will stop to remind residents of the new restriction policy. A first offense will result in a $100 fine, and subsequent violations
will result in a $200 fine. Questions? Contact Water
Superintendent Richard Nolli at nollir@lincolnma.gov or 781-259-2669.

Appreciation event for Peter Sugar

There will be an appreciation event for Peter Sugar who is stepping down from the library’s board of trustees after more than 20 years of exceptional service to the library, on Friday, May 22 from 11:00am–1:00pm in the Tarbell Room. Sugar chaired the board’s Building and Grounds Subcommittee using his expertise as an architect, historian, and artist to help the board maintain the facility in as pristine a manner as possible. Anyone who knows him and enjoys the historic library in invited to join in saying “thank you” to Peter for his years of service with food, beverages, a few stories, much laughter, and camaraderie.

Soup and video at St. Anne’s

Enjoy a soup dinner and watch a video by Prof. Doug Tallamy, co-founder of Homegrown National Park, entitled “What’s the Rush?” on how small changes in our yards can have huge impacts on biodiversity, on Tuesday, May 26 at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. starting at 6:30pm. Sponsored by St. Anne’s Social Justice Commission.

Volunteers needed

1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee — The Select Board is seeking a volunteer to serve a two-year term as an appointed member on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee 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. BPAC meets once a month, generally on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm via Zoom. For more information, contact BPAC chair Ginger Reiner at ginger.reiner@gmail.com. Applicants are also encouraged to attend the June 4 BPAC meeting. Letters of interest should be addressed to the Select Board and sent to Peggy Elder, administrative assistant in the Select Board’s Office (elderp@lincolntown.org), along with a completed applicationby June 9.

2. Lincoln Water Level Monitor — The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is looking for a dedicated volunteer in or near Lincoln to help with their Water Level Monitoring Program. Once a month, volunteers will go out to their assigned stream and take a depth reading and photo. This data is then used to help with the state’s drought management task force’s drought status determinations for Massachusetts, as well as providing CRWA with reliable water levels for tributaries we know are at risk for drying up due to drought. Contact CRWA Volunteer & Outreach Manager Ryan S. at rsmith@crwa.org if interested.

Softball league kicks off season

Come to the Opening Day scrimmage for the Lincoln Co-ed Softball League on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:00pm at Codman Field (rain date: May 14). Meet the teams and get a little exercise — all levels of experience welcome. If you can’t commit to playing one game a week, you can join the league’s Substitute Pool and play when you can. Just let us know ahead of time via email or in person before registering. Click here to register.

LLCT plant sale on May 16

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will hold its annual native plant sale on Saturday, May 16 from 11:00am–1:00pm at Lincoln Station (145 Lincoln Road). Click here for a list of native shrubs and perennials that will be available. Cash, check, card, or Venmo payments accepted.

Swap shed volunteers needed

The DPW is looking for friendly volunteers to help keep the transfer station’s Swap Shed running smoothly. This is a great opportunity to support the community, meet new people, and make a positive impact. The Swap Shed depends on volunteers to keep it organized, welcoming, and safe. Volunteer duties include:

• Organizing and tidying items
• Helping visitors find and drop off items
• Ensure items left are clean and appropriate for reuse
• Keeping the space clean and welcoming

No experience necessary—just a positive attitude and a willingness to help out. For more information or to volunteer, contact DPW Office Manager (donaldsons@lincolnma.gov, 781-259-8999).

Did you know…

…that Lincoln has been known as “Nip Town” and its “birth” came after 20 years of hard labor? What we now know as the town of Lincoln was formed from parts of Concord, Lexington, and Weston, all nipped off to create a new town. Read more here on the Lincoln Historical Society website.

Fundraiser at Farrington Nature Linc

Farrington Nature Linc’s annual June Bug fundraiser is on Saturday, June 6 from 5:00–8:30pm. Come hear about our summer programs, enjoy live music and food, and raise a glass in support. All proceeds support Nature Linc’s mission to connect youth with nature. This event is adults-only, and tickets can be purchased here.

Juneteenth celebration

The METCO Coordinating Committee will bring people together to honor freedom, reflect on history, and celebrate community at the annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 6 from 1:00-4:00pm at Codman Field. The gathering will feature food, music, student performances, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to learn and connect. If you’d like to request a vendor table, please complete this form by Friday, May 15.

L-S Friends of Music seek members

The L-S Friends of Music are seeking new volunteers and will have an information session at their upcoming annual meeting on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00pm in L-S Conference Room A.

Each year, LSFOM contributes anywhere from $5,000–$20,000 to enrich the Music Department at L-S in the form of subsidized field trips, scholarships for private music instruction, piano tunings, new musical instruments, and more. In 2025 they even helped fund a new lighting system in the L-S auditorium, But continued operation depends on the next generation of music parents (especially those with current eighth-, ninth- and tenth graders) getting more involved. State law requires registered nonprofits to maintain a minimum number of volunteers and board members. To this end, they are recruiting the following:

• Concessions committee co-chair
• Fundraising committee co-chair
• Secretary co-chair
• Treasurer co-chair
• Co-President
• General Board Member

Questions? Email lsfriendsofmusic@gmail.com.

Mt. Misery parking lot closure

The Mt. Misery main parking lot will be intermittently closed from Tuesday to Thursday, May 5–7 for maintenance. Alternative parking locations to access the Mount Misery trails include the overflow and canoe lot near Lee’s Bridge, designated road shoulder parking off Route 117, and the road shoulder of Old Concord Road near Lindentree Farm. Questions? Email the Lincoln Conservation Department at conservation@lincolnma.gov.

Author talk: “Crimson Courageous”

On Thursday, May 14 at 6:30pm in the library’s Tarbell Room, join local author Christine Omodi-Engola in a reading and discussion of her poetry book Crimson Courageous, an unflinching look at modern life in the world of work and rural America. The heart of the book focuses on the author’s background with a Catholic upbringing, plus historical roots on the African continent. No registration required.

Ten-year-old wins gold in taekwondo

Everly Cotterpong of Lincoln was one of 12 Achieve Taekwondo students from eastern Massachusetts won competitive medals in the April 12 USA Taekwondo Massachusetts State Championship. Ten-year-old Everly, Achieve Taekwondo’s youngest competitor, won gold in her Traditional Poomsae division. Poomsae, or forms, are sets of choreographed Taekwondo movements that simulate combat and develop skills like balance, timing, and technique.

Smithsonian show includes work by Lincoln photographer

Photographer John Anthony Rizzo of Lincoln has been selected for inclusion in an upcoming exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. “Much Here is Beautiful: Photography Surveys of the U.S. Bicentennial” will open in September 2026 and run until April 2027. A selection of Rizzo’s work will be featured in the exhibition and catalogue and remain in the Smithsonian’s permanent collection. Rizzo’s inclusion in the exhibition marks a notable recognition of his longstanding engagement with American life, culture, and landscape through photography. The work was selected from the 1983 NEA-funded grant “The Leather District and Fort Point Channel: A Boston Photo Documentary” project. He was one of six photographers selected by the Massachusetts Council on Arts and Humanities to document Boston’s waterfront.

Bake sale to support homelessness project

Lincoln School eighth-graders are addressing homelessness for their civics action project by providing care packages to homeless individuals in the greater Boston area filled with nonperishables and basic hygiene items. To support the effort, they are hosting a bake sale on Wednesday, April 29 from 1:00–3:00pm at Town Hall. If you’d like to make a contribution to the project or contact them, email Lila Kanner at lilakanner@gmail.com (her Venmo link is @lilakanner).

Read and subscribe to SelectConnect

Read the April 29 issue of SelectConnect, the Select Board’s semi-monthly e-newsletter designed to keep you in the loop with timely updates on town projects, policies, meetings, and ways to get involved. Click here to subscribe, and click here to view previous editions. Questions? Email Select Board member Kim Bodnar at bodnark@lincolnma.gov.

It’s garlic mustard season

Help manage this invasive plant across town by pulling garlic mustard weed on your own property and by joining town staff for pop-up pull days. Free paper bags are available at the Conservation Department and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust offices. Lincoln residents may also pick up bags at the transfer station on Saturday, May 2 and Wednesday, May 13 from 10:00am–noon. Full bags can be dropped off at the Lincoln DPW at 30 Lewis St. until June 12. Leave bags in the designated bay at the base of the cell tower. Please do not use plastic bags, and do not dispose of bags in the large brush pile. The DPW is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am–3:00pm.

Pop-up pull days are hosted by the Lincoln Conservation Department and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust on three Fridays from 1:00–3:00pm: May 15, May 29, and June 12. For more information or to sign up, contact Ryan Brown at brownr@lincolnma.gov.

Library news

• The Lincoln Public Library will be closed on Sundays beginning May 3 and will reopen for Sunday service in October.
• Visit the library’s seed catalog to pick up free flower and plant seeds for your garden. Seeds donated by Russell’s Garden Center.

Info on hydrant flushing and more

The Lincoln Water Department now has a Facebook group page where it posts updates regarding hydrant flushing along with other helpful information on there. Just click to join the group.

Teens invited to volunteer for trail work

Celebrate Earth Day (belatedly) by joining First Parish in Lincoln’s teen service group in helping town conservation staff repair trails and bridges and destroy invasive plants at Beaver Pond on Saturday, May 9 from 9:00am–noon. Eligible for school service hours, and participants do not need to be members of the church. Register here. Questions? Contact Jason McLure at jmclure@yahoo.com or Lora Venesy at lora@fplincoln.org.

Eighth-grade car wash on May 16

Lincoln School eighth-graders will hold a car wash fundraiser to help raise money for their graduation celebrations on Saturday, May 16 from 9:00am–3:00pm at the Town Hall. Save and pay ahead of time ($20) using Venmo by scanning the link at right, or pay $25 in cash on the day. Rain date: Sunday, May 17.

Learn more about AI in Bemis talk

The Bemis Free Lecture Series presents “AI Economics: How Technology Transforms Jobs, Markets, Life, and Our Future,” a talk on the new book by that title with Lincoln resident and Brandeis International Business School Associate Professor Benjamin Shiller, on Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00pm in Bemis Hall. If terms like AI, chatbot, ChatGPT, or Anthropic fill you with anxiety, curiosity, fear, confusion, or disgust, this event is for you. There will be a Q&A session and an opportunity to work with others, with Ben’s guidance, to explore the opportunities and pitfalls offered by AI.

Resources for Dark Skies-compliant lighting

Now that the Dark Skies zoning bylaw amendment has been approved, the Dark Skies Subcommittee offers this list of Online Resources of Dark Skies Fixtures and Lighting Equipment to help residents purchase Dark Skies-compliant lighting. The new rules apply to all new construction or significant renovations as well as existing structures on which new lighting fixtures are installed. New outdoor lighting must be shielded, directed downward with a maximum intensity of 900 lumens and a warm color temperature of less than 2700K. 

Free wine/beer-tasting to aid DVR

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable invites the public to a free wine and beer tasting to support its annual Shower for Safety at Spirits Liquor Store (4 Digital Way, Suite 3, Maynard) on Friday, April 25 from 6:30–8:30pm. There will also be a brief presentation by a survivor. Please bring a new, unwrapped housewarming gift for clients of Reach Beyond Domestic Violence, and Voices Against Violence. Requested items include linens (twin sheets and pillowcases, blankets, comforters, pillows), towels and face cloths, unscented cleaning products and laundry detergent, laundry baskets, kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes, drinking glasses, and small kitchen appliances. Gift cards for supermarkets, Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreen’s are also welcome. To make a cash donation, please visit the Roundtable website and note that the donation is for Shower for Safety.

Plant-based potluck

Have you wanted to eat more sustainably but need inspiration for good recipes? CFREE recently posted a 12-week series on the benefits of a plant-based diet and is celebrating with a potluck to share recipes as a community on Wednesday, May 6 from 6:00–8:00pm in Bemis Hall. Bring your favorite vegan dish to share. Click here to register and learn more details. 

Coming up at the COA

Here are some of the May activities hosted by the Lincoln Council on Aging and Human Services. Most events are open to Lincoln residents of all ages. For a full list — including clinics, exercise classes, regular meetings of interest groups, and online chats with town officials — see the COAHS’s newsletter page. Call 781-259-8811 or email gagnea@lincolntown.org for Zoom links and other information.

Movie: “The Patriot”
Friday, April 24 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
Celebrate Patriots Day with this historical drama starring Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger. Free popcorn.

Author talk: “The Harvey Girls”
Friday, May 1 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
Local author Juliette Fay talks about The Harvey Girls, a big-hearted historic tale of two very different women in the 1920s who must learn to get along and trust each other. Books will be available for purchase.

Abigail Adams: Liberty & Legacy
Friday, May 8 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
Actress and storyteller Sheryl Faye stages an immersive multimedia live performance as Abigail Adams as the fearless political thinker, advocate for women’s rights and strong moral compass during the American Revolution. Sponsored by Friends of Lincoln COA & Friends of the Lincoln Library.

“Live Your Best Life” Health Fair
Friday, May 15 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
Get your questions answered and visit resource tables staffed by Lincoln police and fire, the town nurse, care managers, elder law attorneys, home care agencies, independent and assisted living facilities, Minuteman Senior Services, the Boston Center for Memory, Perkins Low Vision, Medical Alert, Carleton Willard at Home, and more.

Hip Hop Square Dance for Seniors
Friday, May 22 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
This class is designed for maximum fun while doing a low-impact activity. Grab your cowboy hat and boots and join us for a boot-scooting boogie! Sponsored by a grant from the Lincoln Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass. Cultural Council.

Tour and workshop at deCordova

Get to know the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s current exhibition, “Nature Sanctuary,” with a curator-led tour on Sunday, May 10 from 1:00–2:00pm. On Sunday, May 17 from 1:00–3:00pm, join artist and author Madge Evers for a hands-on workshop, “About Printing with the Sun: Botanical Cyanotypes,” to learn the fundamentals of cyanotype as both a creative practice and a way to engage deeply with natural materials and light. More information and registration.

LOMA: The Fretbenders

The Fretbenders (Diane & Bob Kordas) will be the headliners at the next Lincoln Open Mic Acoustic (LOMA) on Monday, May 11 from 7–10 p.m. in Bemis Hall (doors open at 6:30pm, feature performers play from 8:30-9:00pm). LOMA is a monthly open mike night event with mikes 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.

Club Codman is May 16

Codman Community Farms’ annual Club Codman fundraiser is on Saturday, May 16 from 8:00–11:00pm. It’s an adults-only, costume-optional dance party to welcome spring. Costumes from past events have included a dress made from Codman egg cartons, Lincoln’s very own black bear, and the legendary “farm store shoplifter” complete with a jacket stuffed with produce and other merchandise. Buy tickets here.

Used bike drive

Lincoln CFREE, Green Newton, and MetroWest Climate Solutions are co-sponsoring a bike drive on Saturday, May 16 from 9:00am–1:00pm in Wayland Town Center behind Ace Hardware (see map). Donated bikes will be delivered to the Lowell Bike Connector, where they will be fixed up and distributed to kids and adults in need of low-cost, local transportation. Click here to register (registration optional).

Planning Board, Affordable Housing Trust seek volunteers

The Planning Board is seeking a volunteer to act as an associate member of the board for a three-year term. This is a limited position governed by zoning bylaw section 21.7.1 which provides for one associate member to serve for special permit applications in the case of absence, inability to act, or conflict of interest on the part of any member of the board or in the event of a vacancy. Submit letters of interest to Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie, Director of Planning and Land Use, by May 15.

The Select Board is seeking up to two volunteers to serve on the Affordable Housing Trust until April 2027. The Trust seeks Lincoln residents who have demonstrated interest or engagement in issues concerning housing, affordable housing, property development, local policy, land use or related topics. Send letters of interest to Peggy Elder, administrative assistant in the Select Board’s Office, along with a completed volunteer application by the end of day on Tuesday, April 21. The board will interview and appoint candidates at its April 27, 2026 meeting. For more information, call 781-259-2601.

Earth Day walk to Walden Pond

Multiple groups starting from Concord and Lincoln will converge at the Thoreau cabin site on Sunday, April 26 to celebrate the natural world with music, inspiring words, and sharing of wishes and commitments. Meet at 2:00pm at the First Parish in Concord or St. Anne’s Episcopal Church parking lot in Lincoln (a two-mile walk), arriving by 3:00pm at the cabin site. The program of speakers and music will last one hour and starts at 3:00 p.m.  You can bring a folding chair if desired. We will try to arrange rides back to the starting point from the state park parking area for folks who prefer not walking back to the church. For more information, contact Brad Hubbard-Nelson or Alex Chatfield.

“Unmasking Women in Crisis”

“Unmasking Women in Crisis: Three Keys to Navigating Life’s Inevitable Big Challenges” is the title pf a webinar with Debra Wong sponsored by the Lincoln and Belmont Public Libraries on Wednesday, April 29 from 6:30–7:30pm. Details and registration here.

Order junior prom flowers from FELS

Support the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury by purchasing your Junior Prom Flowers through FELS. Pre-order white, pink or red rose boutonnieres for $20; white, pink, or red corsages for $45; or a combo pack for $60. Pick up on Friday, May 8 at L-S. Details and order form here (limited availability).

Town gets grant to update hazard mitigation plan

Lincoln has received a $30,000 state grant to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). Communities must have an approved HMP to be eligible for certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance funding through FEMA, as well as additional state and federal funding for critical infrastructure improvements and resiliency projects.