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

Lincoln keeping a close eye on Carroll School plans

Carroll School’s property in Wayland. The Lincoln/Wayland town line is shown n dark red. (Click image to enlarge)

Lincoln officials are closely monitoring plans by the Carroll School to significantly expand its site in Wayland abutting the Lincoln town line and has invited the school to the board’s next meeting on October 20.

The biggest worry for Lincoln is an increase in traffic at a campus on Waltham Road (which becomes Old Sudbury Road in Lincoln) that would eventually be able to accommodate five times the number of students it now does, if current plans are approved. A traffic study the school submitted along with other documents to the Wayland Planning Board says the number of car trips would increase by more than 900 (about 450 each way) on school days.

“It appears to us that the traffic study didn’t extend into Lincoln,” which risks having traffic queues at pickup and dropoff times, Town Administrator Tim Higgins said at the October 6 Select Board meeting. The board has invited leadership team to its next meeting on October 20 to discuss its proposal.

“Given the potential impacts on Lincoln’s adjoining roadways to include Old Sudbury Road, Linway Road, and Longmeadow Road, it would seem sensible to coordinate traffic mitigation strategies,” Higgins wrote in an email on October 7 to Wayland Town Planner Robert Hummel

“I anticipate that we will be submitting initial reactions and suggestions for your consideration shortly after our meeting with the school.”   

The Wayland Planning Board will hold a hybrid public hearing on the proposal on October 15, which is expected to continue on October 29 and perhaps November 12.

News acorns

Water main project detours this week and next

Lincoln Road will be closed in various segments from the five-way intersection to Tower Road for about a week starting at 8:15am in a three-phase period expected to last 8-10 days. The ongoing work and associated detours will take place in three phases. Click on each phase for a map of detours. To help communicate unforeseen changes, maps will be updated daily by 5:00pm.

Electronics recycling fundraiser

Drop off electronics for recycling and support the L-S Warriors robotics team on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9:00am–1:00pm at the high school. Payment accepted via Venmo, cash, or check. Can’t make it? Email friendsofwarriorrobotics@gmail.com to arrange dropoff at a different time. Items accepted include televisions, computer monitors, printers/copiers, toner cartridges, computers of all types, air conditioners, microwaves, video and audio equipment, peripherals and wires, exercise and gaming equipment, etc. Tax-deductible donation fees range from $5 for toner cartridges to $40 for large televisions. Click here for more information. Friends of Warrior Robotics, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 organization.

Online auction to benefit Walden Woods Project

The Walden Woods Project is holding an online benefit auction from noon on Monday, Oct. 6 through Wednesday, Oct. 22. Items up for bid include a guitar signed by member of the Eagles, signed books, limited-edition artwork, sporting event tickets, and restaurant gift cards. Click here for details.

LLCT hosts concert

A generous donor is matching all donations to the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust until October 25 (up to $25,000), and those who join or renew membership in the LLCT will get complimentary tickets to a benefit concert featuring the Cuban group Espirales on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7:30pm in Bemis Hall (doors open at 6:45pm). Complimentary wine, beer, and dessert will be served. When you fill out the membership form, please indicate how many in your household plan to attend. Questions? Email llct@lincolnconservation.org.

Coming up at the library

Pop-Up Art School: Felted Otter
Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 6:00–7:30pm, Tarbell Room
Pop-up art school for those age 13+. Registration required; click here for details.

Operas at the Library: Death by Poison
Saturdays starting October 18 from 1:00-2:30pm, Tarbell Room
Erika Reitshamer is returning to Lincoln Library with a five-week opera course on French operas. October 18 will cover Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucrezia Borgia” and October 25 is Francesco Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur.”

History and Recs of American Whiskeys
Monday, Oct. 20 from 7:00-8:00pm, Zoom
Travis Ireland will discuss the best American whiskeys to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. Click here to register for the Zoom link.

Food History Horror Stories: Witches, Poisoners, and Puritans
Thursday, Oct. 23 from 7:00-8:00pm, Zoom
Three scary stories from food history. Click here to register for the Zoom link.

The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto
Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 7:00-8:00pm, Zoom
With Elizabeth Hyman, author of The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto: The True Story of Five Courageous Young Women Who Sparked an Uprising. Click here to register for the Zoom link.

Fall Fest on Oct. 26

Pony rides, carnival games, Trunk or Treat, live music by Scarlet Flannel, food and beer (sold separately), a mobile gaming truck, caricatures and more ion Sunday, Oct. 26 from noon–3:00pm at Pierce Park. Sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department. Click here for information and to purchase tickets ($12 until Oct. 25, $15 on the day of the event).

Enter work in Lincoln Arts (and Crafts) Show

Calling all artists, photographers, potters, jewelers, wood workers, and crafters: register to show your work at the annual Lincoln Arts (and Crafts) Show on Friday to Sunday, Nov. 14-16 at the Pierce House. The open show is for all ages, all creative arts, and all abilities, and student entries are free. Details and registration (deadline: November 7).

Farrington Nature Linc activities

Tales and Treats: Slightly Scary Stories & S’mores
Saturday, Oct. 25 from 4:30–6:00pm
Details and ticket purchase.

Mushroom Walk and Talk
Saturday, Nov. 1 from 10:00am–noon.
Details and ticket purchase.

“Porcupines Don’t Shoot Their Quills”
Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1:00pm
A talk with the founder of Newhouse Wildlife Rescue and Nibi the beaver. Details and ticket purchase.

Police log for September 23–30, 2025

September 23

Wells Road (11:15am) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person. Everything was fine.

South Great Road (2:15pm) — A caller reported a possible missing item. The incident is under investigation.

Lincoln Road (6:49pm) — Several calls were placed to utility companies to remove a fallen tree from utility lines.

Farrar Road (12:43pm) — A caller requested a well-being check. An officer arrived at the residence and confirmed everything was fine.

South Great Road (2:15pm) — A caller reported a possible missing item from their residence.

Lincoln Road (6:49pm) — An additional call was made to Verizon to remove a tree resting on wires. The tree was ultimately removed by Verizon.

Farrar Road (12:43pm) — An officer performed a well-being check at the request of a family member. Everything was fine.

Oriole Landing (11:33pm) — An officer responded to a residence for a disturbance and spoke to both involved parties.

September 24

Wells Road (7:43am) — An outside agency requested a well-being check on a resident. All was ok.

Concord Road (8:50am) — Officer responded to the intersection of Routes 117 and 126 for a two-vehicle crash. There were no reported injuries. An operator who failed to yield was cited. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Old Lexington Road (6:17pm) — A caller reported a utility wire had separated from their residence. Verizon and Eversource were notified.

Lincoln Road (6:27pm) — An officer spoke with a person about an ongoing matter.

September 25

Old Lexington Road (11:25pm) — An additional utility line separated from a residence. Eversource was notified.

Tack Room (4:35pm) — A caller reported a suspicious person. An officer arrived and spoke with the person; there was no issue.

Laurel Drive (4:35pm) — After a tree had fallen and taken down wires, the area was blocked off and residents were notified. Eversource was called to the scene.

September 26

Old Lexington Road (8:43am) — A previously reported downed utility line was reported a second time to Verizon.

Todd Pond Road (9:26am) — A caller reported a leaf blower bylaw violation. The landscape crew was gone on arrival but were contacted regarding the use of such devices.

Trapelo Road (10:31am) — A caller reported a downed tree limb in the roadway. The DPW was notified.

North Great Road (1:41pm) — A caller reported that while parked at the Paul Revere Capture Site parking lot, their vehicle was struck. The damage was minor.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (2:43pm) — Police and fire crews responded to Route 2 for the report of a tree on wires causing a small fire. The length of the roadway was searched but nothing found.

Silver Hill Road (2:47pm) — An officer checked on an occupied vehicle parked on the side of the road. The operator had pulled off to rest. They were on their way a short time later.

September 27

Wells Road (5:32pm) — An officer checked on an unsecured residential door. It appear that the door was accidentally left open.

North Commons (6:56pm) — A caller reported loud noises and kids running down the street. Officers confirmed a gathering at an adjacent residence. The hosts were advised and kept the noise to a minimum.

September 28

North Great Road (4:08am) — An officer responded to Route 2A and Bedford Road for a one-vehicle crash. There were no injuries reported. The operator was cited for a marked lane violation.

Lincoln Woods (10:39am) — An officer conducted a follow-up investigation from a previous incident.

September 29

Donelan’s Supermarket (6:31pm) — A caller reported the odor of natural gas behind Donelan’s. The area was checked but no odor detected.

September 30

Calls about violations of the gas-powered leaf blower bylaw were received from Old Concord Road (8:02am), Greenridge Lane (10:46am and 12:42pm), and Tood Pond Road (1:39pm). Police responded and advised the landscape company about the law.

South Great Road (9:05am) — A deceased animal was reported in the roadway. The DPW was notified.

North Great Road (3:31pm) — A minor two-vehicle crash with no injures occurred. The driver responsible for the crash was cited for failing to yield.

Trapelo Road (6:01pm) — An officer was able to remove a dead deer in the road and notified the DEP.

Drumlin Farm (7:12pm) — An officer responded to Drumlin Farm for a vehicle parked in the area after hours. An officer talked to the driver, who left the area a short time later.

Lincoln Library (8:40pm) — A large piece of asphalt had become dislodged from the roadway and gotten turned on its side, creating a hazard. An officer responded to the area and removed it.

News acorns

Volunteer at Codman fair, chow down at feast

Volunteers are still needed to help with fair games at the Codman Community Farms Harvest Fair on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 1:30– 4:30pm. Try your luck at our classic lawn games (think donuts on a string) and family games (think egg on a spoon run), paint a pumpkin, ride the barrel train, meet Codman Farm Friends (bunnies, goats, and cows!), and lace up for the Rooster Run. If you can help, email Caroline Fiore at carolinemfiore@gmail.com. The Codman Community Farms Feast is also Sunday from 4:30–7:30pm. Purchase tickets by Friday, Oct. 3. Click here for menu and tickets.

L-S School Committee listening session

Share your thoughts with L-S School Committee members Ravi Simon and Maura Carty at the first Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee virtual listening session of the 2025–2026 school year on Monday, Oct. 6, from 7:00–8:00pm. Click here for Google Meet link.

Community center groundbreaking ceremony next week

The public is invited to the official groundbreaking ceremony for the community center on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 3:30pm in the Hartwell lot. Site work began in August with the demolition of the pods and the project is expected to be finished in fall 2026.

My Turn: FELS donations make a difference to teachers and students

Dear LSRHS families and the communities of Lincoln and Sudbury,

As the mornings grow cooler and our students step into the rhythm of new classes and schedules, a new semester is underway at L-S, complete with new courses, new teachers, and new opportunities for growth.

As we support our students through this important transition, the faculty and staff at LSRHS are also hard at work applying their creativity, innovation, and wisdom to provide an environment where our students will thrive. Given the significant role these leaders play in our students’ lives and learning, it’s fitting that we also consider how to best support them.

Rooted in the belief that “Inspired Teachers Inspire Students,” the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury (FELS) is a nonprofit organization that awards enrichment grants to L-S faculty and staff to pursue their professional and personal interests and passions.Since 2000, FELS has awarded more than 100 grants to deserving LSRHS educators and staff, providing close to $200,000 in funding.

FELS grants have contributed to experiences ranging from swimming with whale sharks and creating a documentary film to exploring advanced photography techniques and partaking in an immersive foreign language experience overseas. Whether recipients choose to develop a personal interest, pursue a new challenge, or explore parts unknown, these impactful experiences reignite passions and provide inspiration in ways that pay big dividends in the classroom.

To help support the faculty and staff who work tirelessly to support our LSRHS students, please consider supporting FELS and the LS faculty and staff again this school year to help us meet our $10,000 2025-26 fundraising goal. Donations can be made online or by check mailed to: FELS c/o LSRHS, 390 Lincoln Road, Sudbury MA 01776.

Please visit our website, www.felsgrant.org, to learn more, review our grant history, and see our 2025-26 schedule of events including our Thanksgiving Pie Sale in October and Prom Flowers Sale in the spring. Thank you for investing in our LS faculty and staff and their continued growth and development!

The FELS 2025-2026 board:

Nancy Marshall, Co-President
Tara Mitchell, Co-President
Nancy Donaldson, Vice President
Ginger Reiner, Treasurer
Ruth-Anne Adams
Desiree Butter
Carolyn Dwyer
Kelly Gaudreau, Faculty
MaryAnn McCormick
Tristram Oakley
Sylvia Perry
 
Congratulations to our 2025 FELS Grant recipients!

Celebrating its 25th year last year, FELS, the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury has awarded close to 100 grants to Lincoln-Sudbury faculty and staff, totaling nearly $200,000.

  • Rebecca Mayer (English), “How to Connect”
  • Suanne Peterson (FATA), “Encaustic and Cyanotype Workshop”
  • Dennis Phillips (IT), “Twenty with Appreciation”
  • Susan Shields (Assoc. Principal), “Ma Francaise”
  • Brendan Wimberley (SpEd), “Pitch to the Classroom”

As shared by some of our 2025 FELS Grant recipients on their experiences:

Suanne Peterson’s skunk cyanotype

“In my workshop we waxed cyanotypes to wooden panels and then built up layers of colored wax. This skunk image is more straightforward with wax to seal it to the board and some gold powder around the edges. The dandelion has some areas with colored wax. I loved the process. Thank you, FELS!”

— Suanne Peterson (FATA faculty), “Encaustic and Cyanotype Workshop”

Brian Wimberley with his “think, pair, share” group.

“I had an amazing experience at the World Rugby L2 Coaching Clinic. My supervising educator, Martha Daines, former head coach of the USA Women’s National Team and current director of the Women’s High Performance Program, really pushed me as a coach in ways I hadn’t been pushed in 13 years. Here’s a picture of me with my ‘think, pair, share’ group.

— Brendan Wimberley (SpEd faculty), “Pitch to the Classroom”

News acorns

Road closure this week

From Tuesday to Friday, Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 from 8:15am–4:00pm, Lincoln Road will be closed from the five-way intersection to Tower Road due to the water main project.

Pumpkin-picking at Matlock Farm

Come to the fields of Matlock Farm from noon–4:00pm on October weekends (October 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, and 25-56, weather permitting) for hayrides around the fields and a wide variety of pumpkins and squashes to choose from. For more information, call 617-930-1560.

Anderson-Gram at next LOMA

The husband-wife team of Anderson-Gram will be the headliners at the next Lincoln Open Mic Acoustic (LOMA) on Monday, Oct. 20 from 7–10 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Watch their live cover of Geoff Bartley’s classic “One Kind Word.” LOMA is a monthly open mike night event with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups playing acoustic-style. Come and perform (contact loma3re@gmail.com to sign up) or just come listen to acoustic music and spoken word. Free admission.

Two events focused on domestic violence prevention

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the White Ribbon Group, a subcommittee of the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable focused on engaging men and boys in ending violence against women and girls, presents “Who Am I and Why Am I Here,” an interactive and experiential community education event that will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7:00pm in the Community Meeting Room at the Goodnow Public Library (21 Concord Road, Sudbury). There will be organized breakout groups, conversation prompts, and dialogue led by public health and community engagement leaders. For more information on the White Ribbon Group, email whiteribbon.dvrt@gmail.com.

The Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) will host its annual Light in the Darkness Candlelight Vigil on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 6:00pm at the Lexington Community Center (39 Marrett Road, Lexington). The vigil commemorates the lives lost in Massachusetts to domestic violence in the past year. Each victim’s story will be read as their lives are represented by a rose, and a candle lit in their memory. A light supper will be served following the ceremony. For more information, visit DVSN.org/vigil or call 978-318-3421.

Lincoln School lower grades change mascot to Foxes

The new Lincoln Foxes mascot for grades K-4 as created by Canva.

The lower grades at the Lincoln School are now the Lincoln Foxes rather than the Lincoln Knights, ending a winding process that began more than three years ago.

In the 2021-22 school year, school principals Sharon Hobbs (grades 5-8) and Sarah Collmer (grades K-4) surveyed the entire Lincoln School community to solicit feedback about whether the Lincoln School should have a new mascot. They got 482 responses from students, staff, parents and caregivers, and based on the results, they decided to go ahead. That spring, students and staff submitted suggestions for the new mascot.

In spring 2022, the school shared results on the survey with the school community. Responses cited “several positive characteristics as a reason to keep the knight: character, truth, honor, kindness, humility, self-discipline; they are protectors, brave, strong, they persevere, and show integrity, to name a few… One described how the knight chess piece is ‘a dynamic player’ that can move in unique ways and are ‘free thinkers, not pawns on the chessboard of life… willing to move outside the logical player pieces within a community and for the better of all’,” Collmer wrote in a letter to the school community.

But others said they didn’t see how the knight represents the grade K-4 CARES values (cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, self-control) or the grade 5-8 4Cs (communication, commitment, cooperation, care).

“Many do not relate to the masculine, violent, or ‘scary’ characteristics of the knight. Commenters noted that the knight’s sword “is not a very friendly vibe when you walk into the building” and that ‘armoring oneself or hiding behind your armor’ doesn’t fit with ”being inclusive, more open, breaking down barriers, putting down our armor, seeing one another fully and celebrating what we see’,” Collmer wrote.

Despitr the split opinions, Lincoln School administrators decided to go ahead because the majority of respondents were in favor and “the most compelling feedback was around the alignment of our values and the desire to find a more inclusive mascot.”

Efforts were put on hold during the transition from modular classrooms to the newly renovated school building in summer and fall 2022. Then there was another delay in 2023 when Hobbs retired and Jay Peledge became the grade 5-8 principal. But in the meantime, grades 5-8 decided they wanted to continue having the knight as the mascot.

Finally, in September 2024, a staff team reviewed the mascot submissions from 2022 and narrowed it down to four that can be found right here in Lincoln: fox, salamander, owl, or monarch. In September after a student vote.

“We are now the Lincoln School Foxes!” Collmer announce and September 7. “We can’t wait to bring the fox spirit into our school community in fun and meaningful ways.”

Legal notice: Historic District Commission (53 Bedford)

LEGAL NOTICE — HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

The Historic District Commission will hold a virtual online public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, to consider the application of Seth Rosen, 53 Bedford Rd., M/P 134-17-0 to add two small dormers and alter roofline. 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.

Correction

An item in the police log for September 14–22 was missing the final word. The September 15 incident at Codman House should have read:

A caller reported an altercation and subsequent assault that occurred on a trail behind the Codman House. Officers were able to identify and arrest Ronald Ward, 47, of Lincoln for assault and battery on a person over the age of 60. Police said the attack was “unprovoked.”

Robert Solar passes away at 79

Robert Solar

Robert Louis Solar, a longtime resident of Lincoln passed away peacefully in the presence of family on the morning of September 17, 2025 at the age of 79.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Jane; his son Matt and his wife Lauren and their children Phoebe and Tyler; and his son Josh, his wife Danielle and their children Jackson and Sadie.

Bob grew up in Brookline as one of four boys. With the family’s boat moored in Boston Harbor, he developed a lifelong love of saltwater fishing from an early age. He attended the Belmont Hill School (’64), graduated from Colby College (’68), and later earned a graduate degree from the Wharton School (’70).

After Wharton, Bob spent time as a potter in New Hampshire, where he met Jane. They married in 1974 and lived in Chocorua, N.H., for several years before finally settling in Lincoln in 1979, where Bob joined his father, Hervey, at the family business in Boston.

In Lincoln, Bob and Jane kept busy caring for horses, dogs, cats, and chickens — and tending to all the yard work that came with them. In 1985, with the goal of spending more time as a family on the water, they bought a summer home in South Bristol, Maine, where Bob spent countless hours fishing for bluefish and striped bass and driving for the kids’ water sports.

When not enjoying the outdoors, Bob was a voracious reader, often finishing several novels a week. He loved napping on the couch with his dogs and was known for his quick wit and dry, sarcastic sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust or to Damariscotta’s Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary.  To share a remembrance or offer a condolence on Bob’s tribute page, please click here.