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

My Turn

My Turn: Befriending our landscapes and rethinking summer health

By Annamaria San Antonio (Jai Kaur)

August is National Wellness Month, but what is the point of celebrating wellness nationally if we ignore the root of the word “national”? A nation is fundamentally the land — our shared outer terrain, which directly mirrors our inner bodily terrain. True wellness requires us to care for both, yet a growing cultural paranoia is driving us to treat our environments as battlegrounds to be sterilized rather than ecosystems to be befriended. When we recognize that our internal vitality is deeply interconnected with the health of the earth, we shift our mindset from knee-jerk panic to mindful, proactive stewardship.

To underscore why it is critical to become aware of what is moving in and around this shared land, we can look at two events that recently occurred right outside my door at our historic Codman Estate in Lincoln.

Last month, I witnessed a contractor spraying pure glyphosate to kill poison ivy along our stone walls. It was a windy morning, setting up the perfect condition for chemical mist to drift toward our community organic farm, where local children play and neighbors walk their dogs. Pesticide and herbicide drift accounts for up to 25% of an applied chemical becoming airborne. Because I advocate for reducing our reliance on synthetic chemicals, I wrote a firm, fact-based email to management laying out the science of chemical drift, gut microbiome destruction, and soil biology. The very next day, management permanently banned chemical herbicide applications across the entire property.

Two days later, during a summer gathering, a bumblebee stung an elderly guest twice. Instead of panicking or running for a chemical spray can, I used ice packs to handle the external heat and an internal homeopathic remedy to soothe the swelling. By the end of the evening, she experienced no pain (or hard feelings!).

These two events highlight a major cultural dilemma: how proactive are you when it comes to reducing the hidden disruptors in your own environment? The hard truth is that man-made toxicants are monumentally harder to get out of our bodies than they are to get into them. While biological toxins like a bee sting can be mobilized out of your tissues through standard circulation, exercise, and massage, clearing synthetic toxicants out of your cells is a far more complex process.

Reacting in blind fear to nature leads to a broader, systemic poisoning of our soils, plant life, and waterways.

When towns panic and order widespread aerial spraying for non-endemic risks, those chemicals settle into the food we eat and the water we drink. Heavy metals and lipophilic — or fat-loving — chemical compounds cross the blood-brain barrier over time, triggering mitochondrial damage and chronic inflammation. We must look past what chemical corporations or regulating boards deem as baseline “safe” and consult independent advocacy groups like the Environmental Working Group  to research what we allow into our homes.

The answer to environmental risk is absolutely not to retreat indoors, lock our windows, and hide from the world. In my practice, I notice a concerning trend of people pulling away from the natural world out of sheer anxiety. This hypervigilance has evolved past bugs into an avoidant fear of sweat, exercise, and even the sun. Complete sun avoidance leaves us severely Vitamin D-deprived, yet this vital hormone is monumentally beneficial for our immune systems.

Yes, being outside carries some risk. But the responsibility is on us to be educated and prepared, not to demand that nature be tamed so we feel secure. When we rush to use harsh chemical barriers in our yards, we try to kill a fly with a blowtorch, knocking out entire ecosystems in the process.

Mindful prevention is necessary, but sheer panic cuts us off from the exact nature medicine our nervous systems need. Step outside with confidence, arm yourself with a little natural education, and go enjoy the expansive peace that is waiting for you right outside your door.

“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.

My Turn: Clarify who’s responsible for damage from falling tree limbs

I am writing to support the Eversource tree management initiative. The work is necessary, and we pay for it in our bills. I hope that the town takes steps to consider a plan for management of trees on roadsides not strung with utility lines, and on the many miles of town roads not subject to the current Eversource program.

Several years ago I was staying at a vacation cottage when, a few hundred feet away, two campers were crushed in their tent by a falling tree limb. Last year a roadside “weed tree” snapped off and fell across one of our cars, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Shortly thereafter, a similar sized tree snapped off in our yard, causing some damage to backyard equipment, falling in a space where people often gather. Last week another such tree snapped off and fell onto our property — this time causing no damage. All three trees, young oaks, had cores completely compromised by rot.

Stop anywhere in Lincoln and look up. Chances are, you’ll see dead or half-dead trees and, perhaps, huge dead limbs stretching over roads and pathways. These trees are not part of some green savings bank account which will grow and provide us joy if left undisturbed. They are living things, like us, subject to the laws of gravity. They will come down, and when they do,  threaten life and property.

In addition to my personal experience, I have close second-hand knowledge of four people killed by falling trees or branches. When, in the winter, I hear the sharp crack of something breaking in the forest, or feel the thump of something heavy hitting the forest floor, I do not think this is happening in someone else’s life. I take notice.

We have excellent police and fire departments. There is no call for cutting out these services because “a little crime is to be expected” or “a fire now and then probably won’t harm us much,” but a town official recently wrote that “scattered power outages” are not a major concern. I do not want the town to clear-cut all roadside trees. I’d rather see thickets of trees than miles of fences. I love our landscape and support the natural screening trees provide, but there must be some conscious, planful attention given to our dead and dying tree cover.

If there is something really wrong going on with our trees, let’s have a forum on causes and conditions so that’d we can plan and act consciously. Leaving it to several hundred property owners to figure out one home at a time with local landscapers is not a program. Management of this risk is a public health issue, just like clean water, vaccinations, and road maintenance. If the town is liable or we as citizens have liability, let’s have the town convene a forum to let us know who owes what to whom.

Clearly, all trees do not come down at three in the morning, or fall harmlessly back into the forest. When or if people are killed or property damaged, will we or the town be liable for negligence?  Where do we stand with insurance companies which, in time of growing fire risk, may be rating our properties as vulnerable, or uninsurable? Again, we all face these questions, and the town has, or can act, or at least begin a process to keep us informed. Denial does not repel the law of gravity.

Donald Seckler
91 Lexington Road

“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.

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.

My Turn: Committee and recipient say thanks for Lincoln scholarship

By Carolyn Dwyer

The Lincoln Scholarship Committee has the incredible honor of providing financial support to Lincoln-resident high school seniors (and those who are not residents but attended middle and high school here), as they head off to college and pursue their dreams.

While some of the scholarships we administer are supported by donors such as the Codman Trustees and the Todd Family, the remainder are funded by you, the residents of Lincoln, who generously support these students by contributing regularly to our annual Spring fundraising appeal. These students are the recipients of Lincoln Community Scholarships.

These one-year Community Scholarships were originally established by a $1,000 donation to the town by Miss Fanny S. Campbell. Her desire with this initial donation to the Lincoln School Association in 1956 was to create the Lincoln Permanent Scholarship Fund. Since then, the Committee has worked to build upon Miss Campbell’s legacy so that we may support Lincoln graduates in the best way we can. Thus began our annual fundraising appeal. We rely solely on your donations to administer the Lincoln Community Scholarships and we are incredibly grateful for the folks who recognize that there is real need in Lincoln and that investing in our children is our greatest hope for the future we desire.

This year we had a larger than normal pool of applicants, all of whom brought enthusiasm, intelligence, and promise to our table. They also brought significant financial need as well as a number of instances of overcoming personal challenges that make their journeys more challenging. We were able to support these students, though we always wish we could provide more support, especially as college costs continue to escalate.

We have the privilege and joy of interviewing each applicant, and hearing their stories. These are amazingly talented young Lincoln residents who clearly have drive and purpose. We would love to be able to give them even more, but we can’t do that without your continuing support.

These scholarship recipients are likely your neighbors, your babysitters, your lifeguards, or your volunteers at local events. We would like to share below one note of gratitude (with her permission) from a June 2026 recipient of a Community Scholarship. While Kaylynn’s note was handwritten, we have typed it up for easier publication. When you read it you will understand the time it took her to write this gracious and grateful note to you all. When she handed it to me, she said it was for the people of Lincoln. Enjoy and please consider donating to support future scholars from Lincoln. Donations can be sent to Lincoln Scholarship Committee, PO Box 6283, Lincoln, MA 01773 or clicking here.

Thank you, yet again, to all who have already generously supported our children.

Dwyer is chair of the Lincoln Scholarship Committee trustees. 

Dear kind person,

Thank you for your generosity and for investing in students like me. I am truly honored to be selected as a recipient of the Community Scholarship.

Receiving this award means more to me than I can fully express. As someone raised in a single-parent household, I have seen firsthand how sacrifice and hard work can open doors, but I have also learned that determination alone cannot pay a college tuition bill. Every scholarship, regardless of the amount, makes a meaningful difference in my ability to pursue higher education and focus on my future.

Education has always been important to me. I moved from Indiana to Massachusetts in search of greater educational opportunities and a community that would challenge me to grow. I like to think I have an Indiana heart and a Massachusetts open mind. Indiana taught me resilience, gratitude, and the true value of community, while Massachusetts encouraged me to ask questions, advocate for others, and dream bigger than I ever thought was possible.

Throughout high school, I have dedicated myself to academics, advocacy, writing as an aspiring author, theater, and volunteer tutoring while working toward my goal of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This fall, I will be attending Haverford College. As exciting as this opportunity is, it also comes with financial responsibilities that remain even after receiving significant financial aid. Your scholarship helps make that opportunity more accessible and allows me to begin this next chapter of my life with greater confidence and less financial uncertainty.

I hope to pursue a career in law, particularly in advocacy and civil rights. I am passionate about ensuring that people (especially those whose voices are often overlooked) have access to representation, opportunity, and justice. The opportunities I have been given have inspired me to create opportunities for others, and your support brings me one step closer to that goal.

Your generosity is a reminder that there are people willing to invest in the dreams of students. At a time when college can feel financially daunting, your support gives both financial help and encouragement/hope.

One day, I hope to be in a position to give back in the same way. I want to support students with the same big dreams, difficult circumstances, and determination to keep going. Until then, please know that your kindness is making a genuine difference in my life.

Thank you again for your generosity and belief in my future. I am deeply grateful.

With much gratitude,

Kaylynn Ellison

“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.

My Turn: Eighth-graders raise awareness of teen mental health

By Klaudia Teksten and Veronika Sedlak

Our names are Klaudia Teksten and Veronika Sedlak and we are local eighth-graders from Lincoln Public Schools. We are working on our civics action project researching teen suicide prevention. Teen mental health is something that affects more people than we often realize, yet it is not always talked about openly. The suicide rate has increased by 30% in the past two decades and as of now is the third-leading cause of death among those ages 15-29 years old. As students working within this topic, our goal is to help raise awareness and make it easier for teens to get support before their struggles become more serious. 

The leading cause of teen suicide has proven to be depression and anxiety. Many young people experience overwhelming stress, pressure, loneliness, or feelings of hopelessness which can build up over time. These issues can occur from negative self-esteem, having been the victim or witness or violence, having a learning disability, as well as abusive use of alcohol, nicotine, and/or drugs. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, women experience depression and anxiety about twice as much as men due to factors like hormones and pregnancy. Helping teens feel heard and supported can make a meaningful difference in preventing a crisis.

One of the most important things we have learned is that many teens who are struggling do not always ask for help directly. Because of this, it is important for friends, families, teachers, and community members to recognize signs.

Some common signs that a teen may be struggling include noticeable changes in mood or behavior. This could look like becoming more withdrawn, losing interest in activities they once enjoyed, isolating themselves from families and friends, writing good-bye letters, and/or if an individual is talking about suicide. Other signs might include changes in sleep patterns or changes in eating habits. Increased irritability, difficulty focusing, or a sudden drop in school performance can also be warning signs. 

It is also important to pay attention to what people say. Even small comments about feeling hopeless or overwhelmed can be meaningful. While not every sign means something serious is happening, patterns or multiple changes at once are worth noticing. 

Through our project, we have been working to better understand how teens can access support. We spoke with our school counselor to learn about the resources available in our school and how students can get connected to additional help when needed. We also learned about the William James College INTERFACE Referral Service, which provides support outside of school and can be an important step for many students. 

These conversations helped us realize that support systems do exist, but not everyone knows about them or feels comfortable using them. That is why awareness is so important. If more people know what to look out for and how to respond, it becomes easier for teens to get help early on.

So what can you do if you think someone might be struggling?

First, check in with them. This does not have to be a big formal conversation. Simply asking “Are you okay?” can make a huge difference. Listening without judgement is one of the most important things you can do.

Second, encourage them to talk to a trusted adult. This could be a parent, teacher, school counselor, or another trusted adult they feel comfortable with. You do not need to get all the answers; helping them connect to someone who can support them is what matters.

Finally, take concerns seriously. If something feels off, it’s always better to speak up than to stay silent. Looking out for one another is an important part of building a supportive community. 

Our project is not just about learning; it is about making change. By sharing this information, we hope to help our school and Lincoln community become more aware, more supportive, and more prepared to help teens who may be struggling. Everyone has a role to play. Sometimes, noticing small changes and reaching out can make a bigger difference than we realize.

“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.

My Turn: the old shooting range

By Stewart Coffin

One time about 50 years ago, my wife and I were hiking in that large tract of woodland and swamp where the towns of Lincoln, Weston, and Wayland all come together, now called Van Leer Conservation Land, when we came upon a strange excavation that looked to be manmade. We couldn’t figure out what it was, but on the way home, Hans Van Leer happened to be out in his front yard and we stopped to chat.

He said we had probably discovered the old World War II shooting range. It seems that some of the local men too old to serve had formed a sort of local “militia” and practiced shooting with ammunition that was hard to buy at that time but was provided by the government. He also said there was a spring nearby that they used to keep their beer cool.

All of this I am reporting from memory after half a century later, and I hope I have got it right. There were probably more details that I wish I had recorded but have now forgotten. This and more must have been recorded sometime somewhere, if only I could find it. I thought it might be important enough to be noted on the conservation handout and map, but evidently not. Recently I have returned to look for that site and of course it is still there, although much overgrown and harder to find now. I have also brought along a few friends to point out the site.

The site appears to me as being located near where the three towns come together. I am guessing the excavation and grading was done using a tractor. If so, the access might have been via the Schumacher farm land that is now Appletree Lane rather than across the large swamp that now has a long boardwalk.

An important first step would be to verify that we have the site right, which might be done by historical research. Or try to find that cool spring (if it still exists) or look for spent cartridges. My thought is that the site might be worth marking on a map, together with a brief description. I am now 96 and trying to bring to fruition projects like this while still around. Anyone with more information may contact me at stcmsd@aol.com.

“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.

My Turn: SVdP scholarship program expands to support more Lincoln neighbors

By Pat Burns

Dear Lincoln neighbors,

We’re excited to share some good news: the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston is expanding our scholarship program to help even more neighbors pursue education, training, and new opportunities.

For the past ten years, thanks to the generosity of the Ogden Codman Trust, we’ve provided need-based scholarships of up to $2,500 per term to adults looking to improve their job prospects, train for a new career, or return to the workforce after time away. Scholarships are available to Lincoln residents, non-residents who work at least half-time in Lincoln, and families with children in the Lincoln public schools.

Now, we’re opening the program to younger learners in as well — including:

  • College juniors and seniors whose families can’t afford rising college costs
  • Public high school graduates pursuing vocational or technical training programs that may not be available free through community colleges or other programs

We know many families are navigating financial challenges right now, and we hope this program can make a meaningful difference. Please help us spread the word to anyone who might benefit.

To learn more, visit SVdP Lincoln and Weston Scholarships or reach out through our contact page. You can also leave us a message at 781-899-2611, extension 4. We’d love to hear from you!

— Pat Burns (president, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston)

“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.

My Turn: Seeking a certain young puzzle fan

(Editor’s note: see “Putting the pieces together for almost a century” published in the Lincoln Squirrel on 

By Stewart Coffin

This message is my attempt to locate a missing person. But first some background.

For many years I have been engaged in the art of designing geometric shapes that come apart, sometimes called puzzles, and crafting them in fine woods. I was participating in a craft show at Rhinebeck, N.Y., in 1973 when a young girl stopped by my display and proceeded to try assembling my Altekruse burr in a clever new way using fourteen pieces rather than the standard twelve. I was so impressed that I later added it to my catalog as Design #57, Plus 2.

That girl’s name was Marjorie Hoffman, but I don’t recall how I happened to know that. I give her credit for that design in my book Geometric Puzzle Design and also on my website (page 61 in AP-ART: The Art That Comes Apart). My hope was that someday a woman would present herself at one of my craft shows and say, “I’m Marjorie.” But now time is running out, and I guess it will never happen.

“Pin-Hole,” before and after.

And now to the present. On April 4 of this year, I was participating in a craft fair at the Pierce House in Lincoln when a girl, about age 10 I would guess and possibly accompanied by a parent, stopped by my display and proceed to try assembling my Pin-Hole puzzle (page 26 in AP-ART: The Art That Comes Apart) in a clever new way with a completely different shape. Again, I was so struck by the scheme that I added a few refinements of my own and included it in my line. If all goes according to plan, a friend of mine will use it as an exchange gift in the annual meeting of the International Puzzle Party, to be held next year in Toronto.

I would like to give that girl credit for coming up with the clever new shape, but who is she? You can reach me at stewcoffin@gmail.com.

“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.

My Turn: Speakers offer information and suggestions on immigration issue

By Barbara Slayter

On Saturday morning, April 11, more than 100 Lincoln residents plus a handful of visitors from neighboring communities gathered at Bemis Hall to hear a panel discussion on “Immigration Policy and Our Community: Strengthening Education and Advocacy in the Age of ICE.”

Panelists at “Immigration Policy and Our Community: Strengthening Education and Advocacy in the Age of ICE” on April 11 were well informed, compelling, inspiring, and keenly aware of the cruel and unjust actions ICE is visiting upon both undocumented and documented immigrants, mostly of color, of whom over 70% of those detained have no criminal record.

The event, which drew more than 100 Lincoln residents plus a handful of visitors from neighboring communities to Bemis Hall, was hosted by the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee and co-sponsored by Lincoln Witness, the Social Justice Commission of St. Anne’s-in-the-Field Church, and the Racial Justice Committee of the First Parish in Lincoln.

The five panelists brought us both critical information about the current immigrant crisis as well as inspiring stories of people working together with immigrants locally:

Jeffrey Thielman, president and CEO of the International Institute of New England (IINE), gave a thumbnail sketch of changes in immigration policy since 1918 when IINAE was launched. He characterized the work of IINE as focusing on integration not assimilation in the process of helping settle refugees and immigrants. Thielman descried the situation of the Afghan and Haitian communities whose Temporary Protected Status is now being revoked, and he identified lawsuits that IINE and other agencies are bringing against the federal government.

Jonathan Paz, founder of Fuerza, a volunteer rapid response grassroots organization supporting immigrant families in Waltham, spoke from the heart and from experience about the urgent needs and fears of Waltham’s large immigrant community in the face of masked, armed ICE agents capturing and removing family members on the streets. He described specific incidents of harassment and detainment as immigrants are checking in for court appointments, taking their children to school, or going about other activities of daily life. Fuerza’s voluntary network is key in providing family support and in monitoring ICE activities in Waltham. Paz, a son of Bolivian immigrants, is a former Waltham City Councilor and a candidate for Congress.

Jamie Hinson-Rieger, senior minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bedford and a founder of Bearing Witness New England, a weekly nonviolent standout at the Regional New England Office and Detention Center in Burlington (ICE), reminded us that in New England, over 10,000 immigrants have been taken by ICE, the majority of whom have no criminal record. He described the intentionally cruel and harsh conditions under which detained immigrants continue to be held in Burlington, and he specified, as well, the coercion ICE exercises to force people to self-deport.

Launched by two protesters in April 2025, Bearing Witness now routinely hosts 500-1,000 people at its weekly Wednesday Standout, providing hope for detainees and a clear rebuke for ICE agents and supporters. There are prayers, speeches, music, a reading of the Constitution, and a shared spoken commitment to nonviolence, the Constitution, and our immigrant neighbors. 

A member of a research team reported on the use of Massport’s Hanscom Field to deport immigrants overseas or to prison/immigrant warehouses in other parts of the country. Hanscom Field, spread out on land of Lincoln and Bedford, plays a critical role in the deportation of immigrant detainees from New England. Research reveals that over 6000 people have been taken from Hanscom via approximately 127 flights last year. Details about these flights can be found in publicly accessible records, such as the Deportation Data Project. 

The main airline involved in servicing ICE deportations from Hanscom is Signature Aviation. It is widely recognized that lobbying Massport to stop using this airfield for deporting immigrants has been almost futile. Our speaker advised citizens to target our opposition toward organizations supporting Signature, such as those supplying fuel or banking services.

Kim Jalet co-founded Lincoln Witness with fellow Lincoln resident Kathy Madison, founded and co-chair Lincoln Witness (LW), a voluntary organization working to support the immigrant community under duress. LW, organized in mid-2025, focuses on unjust policies and actions of ICE toward immigrants. “Today it is immigrants, tomorrow it could be any of us,” Jalet said.

LW has about 40 members who participate in a range of activities including fundraising, education, advocacy, standouts and marches, monitoring and documenting ICE activities, and supporting services for immigrant families. The group’s website offers information on actions and organizations working to support immigrants in the face of ICE overreach. Finally, LW provides a “Know Your Rights” flyer in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

During the question-and-answer period, panelists addressed a variety of questions about what ordinary citizens can do to increase safety and justice for immigrants threatened by ICE. A range of suggestions emerged:

  • Pay attention to legislation. Let your Massachusetts legislators know the importance of strengthening and passing the Protect Act right away, and urge them to support the Dignity Not Deportation bill. Work to change Congress in the 2026 election.
  • Allow immigrants to attend court dates remotely to prevent arrest by ICE while fulfilling legal requirements.
  • Work with the local communities to protect immigrants and work at the state level to make it morally clear that ICE is not welcome.
  • Courage is contagious: join the Standouts and Protests and help immigrants in your own and neighboring communities.
  • Join with others to find ways to undermine the efforts of ICE and Signature Aviation.
  • Check out the Lincoln Witness website, where you can find an organization to work with, ongoing activities, and a monthly calendar of events
  • Send a check — all these organizations need resources!

All the speakers recognized the extraordinary difficulties of addressing current unjust immigration policies and their implementation. Yet, as Thielman reflected: “together people can make change, but it is a long-term process requiring courage, commitment, and patience.” One Lincoln resident effectively summed up the essence of the morning’s presentations and discussion: “Speakers did a great job keeping an upbeat tone about such a difficult subject without obscuring the truth.” 

Many thanks to the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee for hosting the event and to Lincoln Witness, the Social Justice Commission of St. Anne’s, and the Racial Justice Committee of the First Parish for co-sponsoring it.

Thanks also to our state legislators for joining us, making brief remarks, and sharing our concern for the wellbeing of immigrants and of all people in our community. Attending were state Reps. Alice Peisch and Carmine Gentile, state Sen. Michael Barrett, and Ravi Simon, a candidate for state representative to replace Gentile, who is retiring at the end of this term.

“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.

My Turn: McMackin highlights species interconnectedness in gardening talk

By Robin Wilkerson and Steve Atlas

Rebecca McMackin, a rising star in the world of ecological horticulture, made the case for a different approach to gardening to a rapt crowd of Lincolnites at the Donaldson Auditorium on April 7.

McMackin, whose TED Talk has generated 1.3 million plays, was for 10 years the head horticulturist at the Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York. The park was built on four abandoned piers in the Hudson River and is now a resplendent garden of native plants that attracts bees, butterflies, and birds as well as millions of human visitors. McMackin’s presentation repeatedly emphasized the interconnectedness of all species, including people.

She shared many of the lessons learned in Brooklyn that can easily be applied to our own gardens in order to achieve biologically diverse habitats that are also beautiful. Practices like leaving the leaves contributes enormously to the health of our gardens. Leaves feed the soil the way nature intended. They also provide a habitat for a rich array of insects, amphibians, and birds. 

A skirt of leaves around the base of a tree provides soft landings for hatched caterpillars to complete their life cycles and turn into butterflies, moths, and fireflies. Leaves are nature’s own fertilizer and soil conditioner.

McMackin also spoke about alternative ways to “clean up” our gardens in the spring that protect and nurture insect life — a crucial and undervalued component of the natural world. Cutting dead stalks of perennials to a foot provides habitat for insects and can also provide structure to support new growth. 

For those fortunate enough to be in attendance, the evening was eye-opening — an opportunity to see how the myriad living elements of the natural world need each other if all are to thrive. Rather than admonishing gardeners, McMackin sees storytelling as a way to educate (and in this case, also entertain) an audience.

The talk was presented by the Lincoln Garden Club. The co-sponsors were the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, the Bemis Free Lecture series, the Walden Woods Project, Monarch Meadows and EcoGardens, and Anne Sobol.

“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.