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

Police log for March 27–April 4, 2022

March 27

South Great Road (8:24 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported a vehicle operating erratically on Route117 near the railroad tracks. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

March 28

Lincoln Police Department (4:07 p.m.) — Bus driver complained about the railroad gates going down when a train is not crossing. MBTA is aware of the matter.

Lincoln Road (9:15 p.m.) — Caller reported a burnt odor coming from their dryer. Fire Department responded and found that it was caused by the motor.

March 29

South Great Road (11:28 a.m.) — Caller reported their vehicle’s window was smashed and car was broken into while parked in the Mt. Misery Parking Lot. The victim’s purse was stolen. Report taken; investigation is ongoing.

Bedford Road (1:31 p.m.) — Officer responded for a report of a minor crash near Bedford Road and assisted the parties with exchanging paperwork.

Meadowbrook Road (6:55 p.m.) — Caller reported that a construction trailer was empty and parked on the side of the road. An officer responded and spoke with the owner of the company, who was going to do work at a neighbors’ home.

March 30

South Great Road (8:37 a.m.) — Caller reported passing by a minor two-car motor vehicle crash near Tower Road and said the two drivers appeared to be arguing. Officers responded but both parties were gone on arrival.

March 31

Mary’s Way (12:35 a.m.) — An officer assisted Concord Police with a stop on the Route 2 off-ramp in Concord. Concord police were arresting a driver for operating under the influence.

Wells Road (7:46 a.m.) — Caller reported a raccoon was in their neighbors’ doorway and wouldn’t move. Officer responded and contacted Animal Control, who reported that the raccoon had left the area.

Mill Street (9:59 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked on the side of the road. Party was picking up fireplace logs and was sent on their way.

Weston Road (4:47 p.m.) — Caller reported that a construction company parked on their property and did some damage. An officer called the owner of the company, who will handle the matter with the homeowner. The caller was updated.

April 1

Lincoln School (8:32 a.m.) — School staff reported graffiti in a school bathroom. An officer responded and took a report.

Concord Road (3:29 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle pulled to the side of the roadway. The party reported that their vehicle was struck and the driver left the area heading north on Route 126. Concord police were notified but the vehicle was not located.

Page Farm Road (9:54 p.m.) — Caller reported they had a bat in their home. A pest control officer was contacted and the resident was given their number to follow up.

April 2

Mill Street (1:12 p.m.) — Officer on patrol found household items on the side of the roadway. DPW was notified to pick up.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (2:08 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle pulled over into the breakdown lane. The party pulled over to sleep. Officer sent them on their way and suggested they pull over to a safer location.

Bedford Road (8:05 a.m.) — Party reported someone hacked into their bank account and transferred money out of the account. Report taken; investigation ongoing.

Short Hill Road (6:47 p.m.) — Caller reported a brush fire at the end of the roadway along the railroad tracks. Fire Department extinguished the brush file that was approximately 100 x 25 feet. MBTA notified.

April 3

Lexington Road (2:00 a.m.) — Lexington police requested a check of the Lexington Road/Mill Street area for a party that was involved in a domestic disturbance in their town. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

Concord Road (1:50 p.m.) — Caller reported smoke in the woods. Fire Department responded and found a neighbor was burning. The Fire Department extinguished the fire.

Old County Road (5:10 p.m.) — Waltham police located what appeared to be a deceased small dog on Old County Road. Lincoln officers located the animal, who appeared to have been there a while. Animal Control was contacted.

April 4

Donelan’s Supermarket (9:40 p.m.) — Caller reported a light flashing at supermarket loading dock. An officer checked and it appeared to be a faulty light.

Hanscom Vandenberg Gate (8:03 a.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces called about a party trying to get on base who had an active traffic warrant out of the Lowell District Court. Jesse Yuknis, 46, of Woburn was arrested, booked, and later transported to the Concord District Court.

News from the pews: April 6, 2022

First Parish in Lincoln (UU/UCC)

4 and 14 Bedford Road, Lincoln

Worship
  • Sunday, April 10 at 10 a.m. — student minister Sarah Klockowski will lead Palm Sunday worship and officiate communion. Links for registering to join worship in person in the sanctuary or via Zoom can be found on the church website.
Religious Exploration
  • Children will gather at 9:30 a.m. on Palm Sunday outside the sanctuary (4 Bedford Road) to help hand palms to member and guests. Our Sunday School of Magic and Mystery will consider how Jesus was hosanna’ed into Jerusalem and Harry was, at first, a celebrity at Hogwarts. People’s feelings changed when Jesus and Harry started pointing out some uncomfortable truths. Hmmmm…  If the weather is fine, we’ll meet on the playground.
Beyond Sunday
  • Coffee with the Minister — Thursday, April 7 at 10 a.m. Bring your coffee! Jenny would love a chance to see you on Zoom.
  • Sacred Texts: From Jesus to Christ — Thursday, April 7 at noon. Join us for a Lenten sacred texts series exploring the different ways Jesus was viewed in the early church. We will trace the origins of the “doctrine of Christ” and think about the different ways we are encountering the divine in our own lives this Lent.
  • Quiet Walks — Friday, April 1 at 1:30 p.m. Weekly contemplative walks in and around Lincoln.
  • Weekly Meditation — Tuesday, April 5 at 4 p.m. Contact Joan Kimball at selenejck@gmail.com to receive the weekly meditation emails. Buddhist chanting begins at 3:45 p.m.; join via Zoom, call in, or if you simply want to join us in spirit, you can sit independently at the same time, meditating for 20 minutes, then reading the selection and reflecting upon it.

St. Julia Parish (Catholic)

St. Julia Church, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston
St. Joseph Church, 142 Lincoln Road, Lincoln

Worship
  • Weekend Masses — Saturday at 4 p.m. at St. Julia; Sunday at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at St. Joseph; 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at St. Julia. Mass is now live streamed. We will continue to post Masses on Facebook and the church website.
  • Weekday Mass — Monday through Thursday at 8 a.m. at St. Julia.
  • Lenten Confession & Mass —Wednesday evening, April 6 is the final Lenten confession at 5 p.m. followed by Mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph.
  • Eucharist Adoration — Fridays, noon–1 p.m. in St. Julia.
Holy Week schedule
  • Holy Thursday Mass (Thursday, April 14) – 7:30 p.m. at St. Julia
  • Good Friday (April 15) — Stations of the Cross, 12 p.m. at St. Julia and 3 p.m. at St. Joseph. Liturgy, 7:30 p.m. at St. Julia.
  • Easter Vigil (April 16) — 7:30 p.m. at St. Julia (no 4 p.m. Mass)
  • Easter Sunday (April 17) — 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at St. Joseph (no 5 p.m. Mass); 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at St. Julia.
Faith Formation for Children and Youth
  • Sunday, April 10 — Last class for grades 1-8 and high school
  • Monday, April 11 — Last class for grades 1-5 
Stations of the Cross
  • Friday, April 8, 7 p.m. — Stations of the Cross led by Deacon Rafe, St. Julia.
  • Booklets for a self-guided Stations of the Cross are available in the back of St. Julia. The church is open for Stations weekdays 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

St. Anne’s in the Fields (Episcopal)

147 Concord Road, Lincoln

Worship for Holy Week
  • Sunday, April 10 — Palm Sunday: Spoken Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary at 8 a.m., Holy Eucharist with choir at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary and live-streamed.
  • Thursday, April 14 — Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.
  • Friday, April 15 — Good Friday service: The Three Hours at noon in the sanctuary.
  • Saturday, April 16 — Holy Saturday at 7 p.m.: The Great Vigil of Easter with baptism.
  • Sunday, April 17 — Easter Sunday at Holy Eucharist with choir in the sanctuary at 9 a.m. and at 11 a.m. (11 a.m. will also be live-streamed). Links and details on the church website. 

Did you know… that Lincoln once had a murder of crows?

By Donald Hafner

Crows can be a nuisance for farmers. They raid grain fields and orchards in flocks numbering in the hundreds, if not thousands. Apparently the patience of Lincoln’s farmers ran out in March 1791, when a warrant at Town Meeting proposed “a bounty to the inhabitants of the town to encourage and bring forward the destruction of those mischievous birds called the black bird and the crow.” Residents “voted that there shall be the sum of six pence for each crow that is feathered and three pence for each young crow not feathered given as a bounty.” 

At some point, the bounty was doubled to one shilling, enough at the time to buy two pounds of salt pork. Plus, the bounty hunter only had to bring in the crow heads; he could keep the rest of the bird, and crow was said to taste as good as quail. Even the feathers were worth having, according to Abigail Adams, who preferred writing with a crow quill: “It is much smaller than a goose quill, and I can write much better with it.” 

“Two Crows in Snow” by Ito Sozan (1884-1920)

Despite the reward offered by the town, not many bounties were paid. By 1799, the treasurer’s records showed only eight payments, for what may have been no more than a dozen or so crows. This would not have surprised the editor of The Boston Gazette, who reminded his readers in 1789 of John Gay’s witty remark: “To shoot at crows is powder flung away.”

Crows are among the most intelligent of birds, with excellent memories and eyesight. They readily learn where and when food can be found, and danger avoided. ’Tis said they can distinguish between one person and another and remember those who pose a threat, and they can pass that warning on to others — which may explain why the eight men of Lincoln who collected bounties did so only once.  

“A murther of crowes” first appears as a fanciful term for a flock of crows back in 15th-century England. The illusion dies hard that the problem of crows can be solved with gunpowder and birdshot. In the 1930s, the state of Wisconsin tried to entice the country folk into shooting more crows by touting “black partridges” as delicious food. That didn’t work either. The murder of crows was no answer to a murder of crows.

“Lincoln’s History” is an occasional column by members of the Lincoln Historical Society.

Local Patriots Day events start on Saturday

Following are events scheduled in Minute Man National Historical Park (MMNHP) and other sites  to commemorate events surrounding Patriots Day.

Saturday, April 9

The Capture of Paul Revere: A Dramatic Narrative
MMNHP Visitors Center at 2:45 p.m. or Capture Site at 3 p.m.
March with the Lincoln Minute Men along Battle Road or meet at the capture site where Paul Revere’s ride ended in Lincoln. See Revere, Samuel Prescott, William Dawes, Mary Hartwell, Catharine Louisa Smith, and Major Mitchell tell the true story, despite poetic efforts by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to tell a different tale. Music and musket fire. For all ages.

Saturday, April 16

Battle Road: Civilian Evacuation & Battles
Evacuation scenario at the home of William and Catharine Louisa Smith, 9:30 a.m. – noon.
Battle reenactment at Parker’s Revenge, MMNHP, noon–1 p.m.
Battle of Tower Park, 1200 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, 4 p.m.
Families prepare to evacuate their homes on April 19, 1775. Later, hundreds of British and Provincial soldiers recreate the running battle along the deadly stretch of road through Lincoln, from Elm Brook Hill to the Lexington border. Then both sides regroup to battle again at Tower Park in Lexington.

Sunday, April 17

Alarm & Muster
Lincoln Public Library lawn, 7 p.m.
A Lincoln resident during the Revolutionary War reminisces about the fateful early hours of April 19, 1775. Capt. William Smith arrives on horseback to alarm the citizens of Lincoln. Bells ring, drums roll, and families say anxious goodbyes, as the Lincoln Minute Men assemble for musket drill and firing, and receive their orders to march.

Monday, April 18

Dawn Tribute & March to the Concord Parade
Outside Bemis Hall, 6:45 a.m.; Concord parade, 9 a.m.
The Lincoln Minute Men salute the Patriots buried in the Old Meeting House Burying Ground as they emerge from the mists for roll call. Fifers play a lament and the muskets fire a volley. Then join the Minute Men on their walk to Concord along Sandy Pond Road (three miles) amid colonial music and musket fire. All ages welcome.

Sunday, April 24

Lincoln Salute: A Festival of Fife & Drum Music
Pierce Park, 1:30–3 p.m. (in case of rain, see the Parks and Rec website)
The Lincoln Minute Men host fife and drum groups from far and wide in a musical performance for your enjoyment. Bring your picnic basket and lawn chairs for rousing entertainment.

Old Burying Ground Tribute
Pierce House, 3 p.m.
March with the Lincoln Minute Men and British Regulars from Pierce House to the Old Burying Ground on Lexington Road to honor the Patriot dead and the five British soldiers killed in Lincoln along the Battle Road. Mary Hartwell and Catharine Louisa Smith tell their stories of burying British soldiers, an enslaved soldier tells how he gained his freedom, and a British mother laments the loss of her son. Ceremonies include music and musket salutes.

Property sales in February 2022

21B South Commons — Alison Siemiatkaska to Jared Laliberte for $244,720 (February 9)

82 Virgina Rd. #406 — Janet A. Branch Trust to John and Elizabeth Maciolek for $196,500 (February 1)

Mary’s Way — Civico Oriole Lincoln LLC to ND Lincoln LLC for $32,375,000 (February 1)

News acorns

Film: “The Power to Heal”

The First Parish Church’s racial justice journey continues on Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m. on Zoom with a screening of the award-winning PBS documentary “The Power to Heal.” Central to the struggle to secure equal and adequate access to healthcare for all Americans is how a new national program, Medicare, was used to mount a dramatic, coordinated effort that desegregated thousands of hospitals across the country in a matter of months. Before that less than half of U.S. hospitals served black and white patients equally, and in the South. It raises questions that resonate today: Is healthcare a human right? Must the federal government intervene to ensure equality? Click here for the Zoom link (passcode: 981552).

Herbs and owls at Farrington Nature Linc

“Herbal Garden Planning” — Are you longing for an herb garden filled with beautiful and aromatic plants well-suited to both your teapot and the wildlife in your neighborhood? Join Jenny Hauf, owner of Muddy River Herbals, for “Herbal Garden Planning” at Farrington Nature Linc on Sunday, April 10 from 1–3 p.m. No matter what space you have, whether it’s a backyard, windowsill, or fire escape, this class will give you the tools you need to have an herb garden gorgeously suited to your space. RSVP to Zach@NatureLinc.org.

“Eyes on Owls” — Join naturalist Marcia Wilson at Farrington Nature Linc on Monday, April 18 at 4:30 p.m. for “Eyes on Owls,” a live owl program featuring six owls. Wilson will introduce attendees to owls found in New England and other parts of the world (paying special attention to the more common owls in our area) and imitate the owls’ calls. After a hooting lesson and much audience anticipation, Marcia will bring out the live owls one at a time. RSVP to Zach@NatureLinc.org.

Getting down and dirty on Pigeon Hill

The combined (and muddy) efforts of the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, the Conservation Commission and volunteers replaced 250 feet of old duck board with wider, and above-water duck boards across a wetland area on the north side of Pigeon Hill. The rebuilt section will mean a safe trail for walkers, joggers, kids, and dogs. Left to right: Jim Hutchinson (Lincoln’s newest Select Board member), Conservation Department Land Steward Ryan Brown, Peter Wyatt, and Jim Lennon.

News from the pews

First Parish in Lincoln (UU/UCC)

4 and 14 Bedford Road, Lincoln

Worship
  • Sunday, April 3 at 10 a.m. — Rev. Jenny Rankin will lead worship and we will hear from the Ministerial Church Team, who will announce the candidate they’re putting forward. Rev. Jenny will lead in reflecting on how this has been “A Long Time Coming.” Links to register to join worship in-person in the sanctuary or to join us via Zoom can be found at fplincoln.org.
Religious Exploration
  • Our Sunday School of Magic and Mystery will have a seminar in wand-making this week. Last week’s foray into the “Forbidden Forest” allowed us to collect some sticks to whittle into our own wands (there are extras for those who weren’t there last week or you can bring a stick from home). If we could wave a magic wand, what would we want to change in this world? How could we use our powers for good? If the weather is fine, we’ll be meeting on the playground.
Beyond Sunday

(details and links available on the FPL Lincoln website)

  • Coffee with the Minister — Thursday, March 31 and April 7 at 10 a.m. Bring your coffee! Jenny would love a chance to see you on Zoom.
  • Sacred Texts: From Jesus to Christ — Thursday, March 31 and April 7 at 12 p.m. Join us for a Lenten sacred texts series exploring the different ways Jesus was viewed in the early church. We will trace the origins of the “doctrine of Christ” and think about the different ways we are encountering the divine in our own lives this Lent.
  • Quiet Walks — Friday, April 1 at 1:30 p.m. Weekly contemplative walks in and around Lincoln.
  • Weekly Meditation — Tuesday, April 5 at 4 p.m. For up-to-date information, contact Joan Kimball at selenejck@gmail.com to receive the weekly meditation emails. Buddhist chanting begins at 3:45 p.m.; join via Zoom, call in, or if you simply want to join us in spirit, you can sit independently at the same time, meditating for 20 minutes, then reading the selection and reflecting upon it.

St. Julia Parish (Catholic)

St. Julia Church, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston
St. Joseph Church, 142 Lincoln Road, Lincoln

Worship
  • Weekend Masses — Saturday at 4 p.m. at St. Julia; Sunday at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at St. Joseph; 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at St. Julia. Mass is now live streamed. We will continue to post Masses on Facebook and our website.
  • Weekday Mass — Monday through Thursday at 8 a.m. at St. Julia.
  • Lenten Confession & Mass —Wednesday evening, April 6 is the final Lenten confession at 5 p.m. followed by Mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph.
  • Eucharist Adoration — Fridays, noon–1 p.m. in St. Julia.
Holy Week schedule
  • Holy Thursday Mass (Thursday, April 14) – 7:30 p.m. at St. Julia
  • Good Friday (April 15) — Stations of the Cross, 12 p.m. at St. Julia and 3 p.m. at St. Joseph. Liturgy, 7:30 p.m. at St. Julia.
  • Easter Vigil (April 16) — 7:30 p.m. at St. Julia (no 4 p.m. Mass)
  • Easter Sunday (April 17) — 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at St. Joseph (no 5 p.m. Mass); 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at St. Julia.
Faith Formation for Children and Youth
  • Sunday, April 3 — Grades 1-5, high school. Grade 6 will host Mass followed by a Build the Faith workshop, making rosaries with grade 7 and 8. Rosaries will be on sale.
  • Monday, April 4 — Grades 1-5.
Stations of the Cross
  • Friday, April 8, 7 p.m. — Stations of the Cross led by Deacon Rafe, St. Julia.
  • Booklets for a self-guided Stations of the Cross are available in the back of St. Julia. The church is open for Stations weekdays 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
St. Anne’s in the Fields (Episcopal)

147 Concord Road, Lincoln

Worship
  • Sunday, March 20 at 8 a.m. — Spoken Holy Eucharist (in-person)
  • Sunday, March 20 at 10 a.m. — Holy Eucharist with choir, in-person and live-streamed at www.stanneslincoln.org.

Corrections

The March 29 story headlined “Town Meeting 2022 roundup” has been updated to correct errors in the section about Water Department appropriations. This includes correcting the figure for an asset management plan appropriation for the Water Department ($22,500, not $2,200), and a corrected explanation of how federal ARPA money rather than town funds will be used to pay for some items.