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

My Turn

My Turn: Lincoln Green Energy Choice updates

By Paul Shorb*

The Lincoln Green Energy Committee (GEC) wants to (1) share good news about current pricing and (2) advise you of proposed changes to the Lincoln Green Energy Choice program.

Pricing news

Good news! Lincoln Green Energy Choice prices are lower than Eversource’s new residential Basic Service price in effect August 1 through January 31, 2027, which is 17.323 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh). The three tiers you can choose from in the Lincoln Green Energy Choice program are 15.409 c/kWh for Lincoln Standard Green (the default option), 16.119 c/kWh for Lincoln 100% Green, and 13.731 c/kWh for Lincoln Basic. For more information, go to LincolnGreenEnergyChoice.com.

(click image to enlarge)

The current program

Lincoln Green Energy Choice, which was instituted by the town in 2021, is a group electricity purchasing program for Lincoln residents and businesses in the town of Lincoln. The program gives electricity customers an alternative to Eversource’s Basic Service and to other electricity supply offers in the marketplace. Participants receive long-term, stable and historically competitive electricity supply prices. Participants are free to change their tier or even leave the program at any time at no charge, and there are no unexpected rate changes.

The program has supported regional renewable energy development by purchasing Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) beyond what is required by state law. We believe this has worked to speed up “greening the grid” and thus reduce the burning of fossil fuels that drives climate change.

Changed circumstances

However, due to changes in federal policy and possible state actions as explained below, the effectiveness of buying extra Class I RECs to help mitigate climate change has become less certain. In short, at least for the next few years, voluntarily buying extra Class 1 RECs is no longer expected to drive more investment in building new renewable energy generation; instead, it will increase “Alternative Compliance Payments” from electric utilities such as Eversource and electricity suppliers. Traditionally, those payments have been used to fund the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, which in turns funds a wide range of good decarbonization projects. However, recently the Governor has twice redirected some of those funds away from climate-benefitting projects and towards ratepayer relief, which could happen again.

In response to these developments, the GEC has proposed that the Select Board consider a different approach to using the Lincoln Green Energy Choice program to reduce our community’s carbon emissions. Specifically, instead of buying extra Class 1 RECs, the program could invest more directly in decarbonization projects in Lincoln and/or elsewhere. Implementing a new approach will require a vote at the March 2027 Town Meeting. Well in advance of that vote, we will invite public comment on a proposal.

The GEC always welcomes community input, including by attending GEC meetings, which are held virtually on select Thursdays at 8:00 AM. Meeting links and agendas can be found on the town website.

Current options for program participants

The Select Board and GEC encourage residents to join, or stay in, the Lincoln Green Energy Choice program. As shown in the graphic above, currently the rates of all three tiers of the program are less expensive than the Eversource basic rate; over the past five years, the program has saved Lincoln ratepayers over $850,000.

For those residents who would like to stop paying for additional Class 1 RECs until the new program structure is in place, Lincoln Basic is the most cost-effective option. You may also choose to leave the program entirely, but at current Eversource rates, doing so would increase your electricity rate. If you do move to Lincoln Basic, we hope you will change back to Lincoln Standard Green or Lincoln 100% Green when the new approach to decarbonization debuts next year.

To learn more about the program, including how to change your level of participation, visit www.masspowerchoice.com/lincoln.

* Shorb is writing on behalf of the Lincoln Green Energy Committee.

“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: Drumlin days

By Stewart Coffin

With all the talk in the news these days about nuclear weapons, some Lincoln residents might be surprised to learn that nuclear bombs were once deployed right next door. Don’t worry — note my use of the past tense.

This story begins when my wife and I, together with our three children, move to Lincoln in the summer of 1964. Right away we noticed that our little transistor radio periodically made a strange hissing sound a couple times a minute. It wasn’t long before we associated this with a radar antenna merrily revolving on top of the nearby Drumlin Hill. Back then the top of the hill was clearly visible from our farmyard on Old Sudbury Road, although hard to believe now with so many more trees everywhere.

We were told by neighbors that it was a Nike site of nuclear-armed missiles for defense against Soviet bombers. My later research revealed, to my relief, that this site was only for tracking, and that the actual nuclear-armed missiles were housed deep underground a mile away off of Oxbow Road. Since a few years earlier I had been employed at Lincoln Laboratory working on, of all things, the Sage System of continental air defense, you might think I would have known all about this. But my division worked only on computers. The site was opened in 1959 and decommissioned in 1974. All that remains now, thankfully, is the once bare hilltop now partly covered with trees.

I actually have many fond memories of that hilltop. We had a family tradition of taking the children for a stroll up there on one special evening during the summer to gaze at the full moon rising far to the east. We called it our Moon Walk. The view back then was spectacular. It is less so now with so many more trees, but the large fields that were once Boyce and Van Leer farms are now still open and cultivated as part of Drumlin Farm, thus still affording at least a partial view. Even our own nine-acre plot remains the same, as does so much along our rustic road. Ah yes, so many memories.

Editor’s note: Learn more about the Nike missile sites in Lincoln and Wayland here and here. Stewart Coffin was profiled in the Lincoln Squirrel on April 1, 2026. 

“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: SPJE coalition launches weekly protest at Hanscom Field

By Alex Chatfield

Editor’s note: Area residents are also gathering every Friday at the Hanscom traffic circle to protest the use of Massport-owned Hanscom Field civil airport to transfer people arrested by ICE as suspected illegal immigrants (Lincoln Squirrel, March 9, 2026).

On Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, nearly 40 people gathered around the traffic rotary at the entrance to Hanscom Field Civil Terminal in Lincoln to demonstrate their opposition to a proposed controversial private jet hangar expansion at Hanscom Field (not the adjacent Hanscom Air Force Base), which would double the private jet hangar capacity of the airport.

The proposal has been undergoing a state environmental review since 2023. Standout participants traveled from Acton, Arlington, Bedford, Cambridge, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Newton, Roslindale, Somerville, Sudbury, and Watertown. The event was held by the Coalition to Stop Private Jet Expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere (SPJE.org). Candidates Ravi Simon and Alison Leary who are running for state representative in 13th Middlesex and 10th Middlesex districts respectively, also attended.

Photo by Andy Platt.

Participants held signs and banners with hard-hitting messages directed toward morning commuters entering the Hanscom Civil Terminal parking lot, among them: “Welcome to Massport — Enjoy Your View of the Dying Earth from Your Private Jet” and “CO2 Super-emitter Private Jets: a Luxury Our Climate Can’t Afford.”

According to a 2024 independent analysis, the proposed private jet hangar expansion would add 66 to 79 additional private jets to Hanscom, generating 6,000 additional flights annually and 150,000 new tons of CO2 each year.

If the expansion goes ahead, private jet emissions at Hanscom alone are expected to cancel approximately 70% of the climate gains from all solar PV ever installed in Massachusetts, which opponents say is a direct and immediate threat to hard-won efforts by towns and cities across Massachusetts to reduce their carbon footprint and combat a worsening climate crisis. For this reason, the fight to stop the immense 50-acre, nearly 500,000-square-foot expansion has transcended to statewide opposition with the engagement of 120 organizations across Massachusetts and, over 15,000 individuals who have signed a petition to Gov. Healey urging her to stop what they consider to be an indefensible expansion in the middle of a worsening climate emergency.

Photo by Will Winchell.

“This proposed expansion must be stopped,” said Andy Platt of Acton, who participated in the standout.

Though work on the old Navy hangar on the eastern portion of the proposed project site began last month, this is by special waiver from MEPA (Mass. Office of Environmental Policy) specific to that one hangar only. Regarding the remaining proposed 17 new hangars and five new underground fuel tanks, MEPA is waiting for a re-do report from the developers which would replace a previous report that MEPA rejected in 2024 (see this Boston Globe article). The new report is now expected no sooner than this fall. Meanwhile, the fight to stop the expansion continues to grow and protests are in full swing, say activists at the Aug. 5 standout.

More photos and video from the event can be found here. More information about this issue can be found at www.spje.org, or contact info@spje.org.

“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: 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.