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Thanks to all who donated to Thanksgiving gift card drive

November 30, 2025

By Robin Blesius and Ursula Nowak

Thank you to everyone who supported our Thanksgiving Drive. We were truly moved by the outpouring of generosity that allowed us to give each family a little extra care this year. Many households are facing added challenges due to recent disruptions in essential services, and your kindness brought comfort and hope at a time when it was especially appreciated. It is heartwarming to see how deeply our community cares for our neighbors.

Special thanks to the many generous organizations and donors who made this such a special event. Please visit our social media accounts below to see photos.

Blesius and Nowak are co-chairs of the Thanksgiving gift card drive run by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston.

www.svdplincolnweston.org • Facebook • Instagram


“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. 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 Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Category: charity/volunteer, My Turn Leave a Comment

Service on Tuesday for Mark Deck, 1952–2025

November 29, 2025

Mark Deck

Mark John Deck, age 73, of Lincoln and Nantucket, passed away peacefully and in the comfort of his home on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, following a hard-fought, six-year battle with pancreatic cancer. In his final days, his wife, his four children and all nine grandchildren surrounded him with love and affection. In true Mark spirit, he had his quick wit and sense of humor until his last breath.

He was born on Halloween 1952 in New Orleans, the son of the late Raymond and Veronica (Abbick) Deck. Growing up, the family moved from Louisiana to Wisconsin to Massachusetts and eventually settled in West Hartford, Conn. He was a graduate of Kingswood Oxford High School with the class of 1970. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science (cum laude) from Syracuse University. Mark worked as a middle school math teacher before pursuing his MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management in 1979. Subsequently, he was employed by MDS and Mercer before joining PRTM.

Mark joined the management consulting firm Pittiglio, Rabin, Todd & McGrath (PRTM) as a partner in 1995 in PRTM’s Weston, and subsequently Waltham, office. Mark led PRTM’s product development and innovation practice — PACE — enhancing the firm’s capabilities and position in this important market. As part of the firm’s global expansion, Mark spent four years in Shanghai helping to build PRTM’s team and market presence in China. Mark also helped support the initial integration efforts after PwC’s acquisition of PRTM before retiring at the end of 2011. Throughout his PRTM tenure, Mark was known across the firm as a product development expert, an adept team builder, and a consummate mentor. Mark knew the importance of balancing work with fun, as exemplified by hosting PRTM partners at his home watching the opening action sequence from every James Bond movie. Mark fully lived up to PRTM’s core value – make an impact – both personally and professionally.

An avid cyclist, Mark proudly completed the Pan Mass Challenge twelve times. His love of biking aside, his devotion to cancer care and research was his true mission, and he continued to ride and raise money for years following his own diagnosis. As a forty-year Lincoln resident, Mark volunteered for town committees that benefited the school system. He was a member of First Parish in Lincoln, where he also participated with the choir. An amateur carpenter and handyman, there was never a home project Mark didn’t enjoy. A special highlight was the renovation and restoration work to convert a 110 year-old farm house barn into his wife’s quilting studio in Lincoln.

His love of sports, especially the Red Sox, never wavered. His fondness for the team was represented by the names of his respective boats — “Fenway Faithful” and “Still Faithful”. He enjoyed music, and was a firm believer in using music as a medium for healing, communication, and meaningful connections. He was an avid consumer of The New York Times crossword puzzle, and also completed Wordle and Connections puzzles with Tricia every day. He traveled extensively, and was always seeking out new adventures and unique culinary experiences. In addition to his summer house on Nantucket, his family cabin on Lake Willoughby, Vt., always held a special place in his heart. He cherished his time there, whether it was water skiing, making memories with his family, sipping on a Manhattan or stargazing on the deck.

Fundamental to Mark’s character was his undying dedication to his wife, Tricia. As high-school sweethearts, they were inseparable from the day they met. Their supportive and loving relationship was a crucial part of Mark’s advice on how to live a happy and fulfilling life. Mark maximized every moment in life, always leading with love, and never shying away from a challenge.

Mark embodied the rare gift of bringing people together and fostering meaningful relationships. He leaves behind an amazing network of connection through the lives he enriched with his unconditional love. He was an extraordinary grandfather and a supportive uncle and great-uncle. Through good times and bad, Mark could be leaned on for advice, moral support, or just a good laugh.

Mark’s memory and legacy will live on through his wife of 51 years, Tricia (Purrington) Deck and their four children: Wilbur Deck and his wife Reba, Eliza Ryan and her husband Damion, Heidi Ledbetter and her husband, Emmett, and Michela Deck and her husband, Sam Treadway. He was the proud “Pop Pop” of Zachary (25), Gabrielle (23), Pearl (13), Odin (10), Donnie (7), Corbin (5), Piper (5), Teagan (2) and Lucia (1). He also leaves behind his siblings, Barbara Deck, Michael Deck, Mimi Rutledge and her husband, Tom, two sisters-in-law, Priscilla Deck and Sarah Fujiwara, along with many nieces, nephews and extended family. Mark was predeceased by two brothers, Raymond Deck Jr. and Kevin Deck.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Mark’s life during a memorial service at First Parish of Lincoln on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 10:00am, with a reception immediately following. Burial at Lincoln Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mark’s honor may be made to support cancer research and care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), specifically targeting pancreatic cancer research. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary. The service will be livestreamed here. To share a memory or post on Mark’s tribute page, click here.

Category: obits Leave a Comment

Legal notice: Select Board (188 Tower Rd)

November 24, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE — SELECT BOARD

The Select Board of the Town of Lincoln will conduct a public hearing on Monday evening, December 8, 2025 at 6:30 pm, in the Town Offices – Donaldson Room, in response to an application by AT&T Wireless for a Grant of Location for a Small Cell Wireless Communications Facility.

AT&T Wireless (Applicant) proposes small cell installation on the side of a replacement telephone pole at location pole #17, at the intersection of Tower Road and Great Road (near 188 Tower Road), Lincoln, MA. As a Small Cell, the process in Lincoln requires an application to the Select Board per the Town of Lincoln’s Select Board Guidelines approved and adopted April 25, 2022. This would be a Small Cell, mounted on a replacement wood pole that previously was (and shall continue to, after pole replacement and Small Cell placement) supporting power, telephone, and CATV cables. Plans are available for review in the Select Board’s Office.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://zoom.us/j/91832375325?pwd=aXRpdnlJWHJINnZzd0xOQW9ZTjIvdz09
Meeting ID: 918 3237 5325
Passcode: 378902

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

Category: legal notices 1 Comment

Contest invites ideas to replace porta-potty at Gropius House

November 23, 2025

The portable toilet next to the original Gropius House garage, which has been repurposed as a visitor center. (Photo courtesy Kubany LLC)

Historic New England has launched an international design competition to “reimagine the arrival experience” at Lincoln’s Gropius House. Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus Dessau, the competition invites proposals for a permanent public restroom and redesigned visitor center.

Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus and one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, designed the house as his family residence while teaching at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Completed in 1938, he intended the house to serve as both a private residence and a teaching tool, illustrating Bauhaus principles of functional design and the integration of architecture with the surrounding landscape. In 1979, Gropius’s widow Ise donated the home, complete with original furnishings, artwork, and personal belongings, to Historic New England. Gropius House opened to the public in 1984 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000. In the years since, it has become one of the most visited sites under Historic New England’s stewardship.

One problem for the thousands of people that visit each year, though — calls of nature require a visit to a portable toilet next to the house’s original garage, which is now used as a visitor center. The competition participants are invited to propose “creative, contextually sensitive solutions that integrate seamlessly with the site and architecture, while enhancing visitors’ sense of arrival and connection to the landscape.”

In keeping with Gropius’s design philosophy, entrants are encouraged to “experiment with new materials, technologies, and ideas that challenge conventional design thinking.” The competition encourages interdisciplinary teams that may include architects, landscape architects, graphic designers, industrial designers, and other professionals.

There are two parallel competitions, one for practicing design professionals and another for architecture and design students. Submissions will be reviewed by a jury of academic architects, curators, and architecture critics. Winners will receive a cash prize, as well as inclusion in the Gropius House archives and an exhibition at the property. The submission deadline is Feb. 6, 2026, with winners announced on March 27. For submission requirements and additional details, visit gropiuscompetition.info.

This is an edited version of a press release from Kubany LLC and Historic New England.

Category: arts, history Leave a Comment

Rites today and tomorrow for Rev. Mark Mahoney of St. Julia/St. Joseph

November 21, 2025

Rev. Mark Mahoney

Rev. Mark A. Mahoney, pastor of St. Julia Parish of Weston and Lincoln, died Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 in Regina Cleri in Boston after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 65.

A Rite of Reception of the Body will be held on Friday, Nov. 21 at 2:30pm at St. Julia’s Church (74 Boston Post Road, Weston). Fr. Mark will lie in state from 3:00–7:00pm. A Concelebrated Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 10:30 a.m. Burial is private. Those wishing to view the livestream and recording of the Funeral Mass may use this link. His full obituary is available here.

Category: obits 1 Comment

Funeral on Nov. 26 for Richard Lahnstein

November 20, 2025

Richard K. Lahnstein

Richard K. Lahnstein, age 85, a lifelong Lincoln resident, died at Care Dimensions Hospice House on Nov. 19, 2025, following a brief illness.

He was born in Boston on May 28, 1940 as the son of the late Karl and Margaret (Lennon) Lahnstein. After attending Lincoln public schools through eighth grade, he graduated from Weston High School in 1958. He earned an associate’s degree in architectural engineering from Wentworth Institute in 1960.

For 43 years, Mr. Lahnstein worked for the Stop & Shop Supermarket Co., where he retired from as a senior store planning engineer in their construction department.

He leaves behind his devoted partner, Geneva Smithlin of Lexington; his nephews, Frank A. Domenichella III and his wife Bea of Leominster; Paul Domenichella and his wife Jeanne of Arlington; his niece, Mary (Domenichella) O’Halloran and her husband Chuck of Fitchburg; and four great nieces, one great nephew, and one great-great niece. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Margaret “Peggy” Domenichella, his brother-in-law, Frank A. Domenichella Jr., and his nephew, Stephen Domenichella.

Family and friends will gather for visiting hours at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford St., Concord on Tuesday, Nov. 25 from 4:00–7:00 pm. The funeral will be on Wednesday, Nov. 26 beginning at 10 am from Dee Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am in St. Joseph Church in Lincoln. Burial will follow at Lincoln Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in his memory to Care Dimensions Hospice. Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence on his tribute page, please click here.

Category: obits Leave a Comment

Legal notice: Historic District Commission (79 Lincoln)

November 20, 2025

PUBLIC HEARING — HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

The Historic District Commission will hold a virtual online public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, to consider the following application:

  • Winthrop Estates, LLC, 79 Lincoln Rd., M/P 153-15-0, to demolish the existing barn.

Anyone wishing to be heard on this matter should be present at the designated time and place.

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

Category: legal notices Leave a Comment

Legal notice: Historic District Commission (241 Old Concord)

November 20, 2025

PUBLIC HEARING — HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

The Historic District Commission will hold a virtual online public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, to consider the following application:

  • Joanne Wise, 241 Old Concord Rd., M/P 156-7-0, to demolish the shed/lean-to.

Anyone wishing to be heard on this matter should be present at the designated time and place.

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

Category: legal notices Leave a Comment

Lincoln firefighters douse two blazes

November 19, 2025

Firefighters battle the Round Hill Road blaze involving a car and home. See the Lincoln Fire Department Facebook page for more photos.

In the mid-afternoon on Tuesday, Nov. 18, Lincoln police and fire began getting reports of a car fire on Round Hill Road. Lincoln firefighters responded with Engine 2 and, on arrival, found the car fully involved, with the fire rapidly spreading to the house.

The four members of the duty crew went to work extinguishing both the house and car. The fires were rapidly brought under control, keeping damage to the house to a minimum. All residents are accounted for with no injuries reported.

The Weston, Wayland, and Concord Fire Departments helped on scene, while Sudbury and Waltham covered Lincoln. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

On Friday, Nov. 14, Lincoln firefighters responded to Concord Road for a report of an outside fire. On arrival, they found that the fire had started when a charging lithium ion battery was accidentally placed on a wood stove, causing it to overheat and catch fire. The resident who reported the fire picked it up, carried it outside, and threw it off the deck. Just as a hose was being deployed, the battery exploded and “embers and sparks blew in all directions,” according to the department’s report. The fire was quickly extinguished. The resident had facial burns but declined transport to the hospital.

When used properly, lithium ion devices are safe, but Fire Chief Brian Young offers these tips:

  • Try to use battery-powered devices and replacement batteries that are known brands that also have a UL listing. This will make sure the batteries were properly engineered and have passed safety checks.
  • Use only manufacturers’ recommended parts and batteries.
  • Follow safe charging instructions, including using the correct charging devices on hard, flat locations away from heat sources.
  • If a battery is damaged, discard it. A damaged battery cell could cause possible thermal runaway.

Category: police & fire Leave a Comment

News acorns

November 18, 2025

Film screening: “Endless Summer Syndrome”

The Lincoln Film Society presents “Endless Summer Syndrome” (2023, directed by Kaveh Daneshmand; French with English subtitles) on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 6:00pm. A lazy late-summer weekend is disrupted by a shocking allegation when Delphine gets an anonymous call from her husband’s colleague about an alleged affair with one of their adopted children.

Organization offers financial education, seeks donations

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable (DVR) hosts the first program of its Survivor Series: Domestic Violence & Financial Abuse on Monday, Dec. 8 from 7:00–8:00pm via Zoom. Financial abuse is a pervasive form of control that can trap survivors in dangerous situations by limiting their access to money, employment, and financial independence. Click here to register. Questions? Email infodvrt@gmail.com.

As the holidays approach and many families are struggling with the loss of SNAP benefits and the prospect of higher health care costs, the DVR is conducting holiday drives to make the season brighter for survivors of domestic abuse and their children. Gift cards for Shaw’s, Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Target, Walmart or Visa cash cards are especially helpful. You can also make a cash donation or send a check that allows Roundtable partner agencies to purchase gift cards for the families they serve. For more information on the webinar or the holiday drive, click here.

Coming up at the deCordova

DeCordova Performance Series: Antje Duvekot
Friday, Dec. 19 from 6:30-8:00pm

Solstice Stargazing with Aldrich Astronomical Society
Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21 from  5:00–7:00pm

Teen pageant winner launches toy drive

Kit Walkup, Miss Massachusetts Pre-Teen. (Photo courtesy Julia Walkup)

Kathryn “Kit” Walkup, a sixth-grader at the Lincoln School, earned the title of Miss Massachusetts Pre-Teen with the Royal International Miss organization in her very first beauty pageant. As part of her year of service, she will be completing monthly volunteer projects and public appearances to support families and children in need.

To kick off her community service, Kit has launched a holiday collection drive to benefit The Boston House, a nonprofit organization that provides free housing and support for families whose children are being treated for cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital. Residents can support the drive in two ways:

  • Purchase toys and other items from The Boston House’s Amazon.com wishlist. In the Gift section, please write “Kit Walkup’s Collection Drive.”
  • Arrange a pickup of donated items between now and December 7 by contacting Kit’s mother Julia at juliawalkup@gmail.com. 

The drive also welcomes snacks, pantry supplies, and laundry essentials to help families focus on caring for their child rather than the costs of everyday necessities.

The Commons earns kudos

The Commons in Lincoln has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for short-term rehabilitation, earning the magazine’s highest overall designation of “high performing.” Across Massachusetts, only 17% of rehabilitation centers received a high performing distinction, according to a press release from The Commons. In earning the honor, the facility demonstrated excellence in safety, management, staffing and patient outcomes, among other attributes.

Nearly 15,000 centers nationwide were evaluated for this year’s awards, which analyze the consistency of registered nurse staffing, the use of antipsychotic drugs, and success in preventing emergency room and hospital visits. Short-term rehabilitation ratings further assess the prevention of falls and serious infections as well as residents’ ability to return home. At The Commons, physical therapist staffing is more than three times the national and state average, and nurse staffing is over 50% higher than the average. Ratings are determined using data submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Earlier this year, The Commons was awarded a five-star rating by CMS and was also named a Boston Magazine 2025 Top Senior Living Community.

Category: acorns Leave a Comment

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