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

News acorns

Film: “Across the River and Into the Trees”

“Across the River and Into the Trees” will be shown in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room on Thursday, July 17 at 6:00pm. View trailer here.

Submit words for the library’s time capsule

The Lincoln Public Library’s Lincoln250 time capsule is accepting submissions through Thursday, July 31. Stop by the library for a form or use this online form to explain why the library important to you/your family, how you think it will change by 2050, and what you’d like to say to someone using the library 25 years from now.

Enter photos for nature calendar

Each year, the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust/Rural Land Foundation produces the Open Spaces of Lincoln Calendar and Nature Note Cards, which are a stunning showcase of Lincoln’s rural landscapes, abundant wildlife, and recreational activities. The deadline to submit photos to be considered for inclusion is Monday, Aug. 15. There is no limit to the number of photos each person can submit. Photographers of all ages and levels are welcome to participate. Click here for rules and submission instructions.

Girls’ soccer clinic

The L-S Warriors girls’ soccer clinic will be run by returning members of the varsity girls’ soccer team at Lincoln-Sudbury High School (and supervised by multiple program coaches) from Tuesday to Thursday, Aug. 12-14 from 9:00am–noon on the high school turf field. All girls entering grades 2-8 are welcome. Cost is $150 per player. Register here. Questions? Email matthew_wentworth@lsrhs.net.

Nighttime Bedford Road closures this week

Due to the water main replacement project, Bedford Road will be closed from the five-way intersection up to Canaan Drive on Wednesday and Thursday nights, July 16 and 17, from 9:00pm – 5:00am. 

Detour directions:
  • Motorists traveling north on Lincoln Road towards the five-way intersection intending to get on Route 2 eastbound will be detoured onto Trapelo Road and Lexington Road.
  • Motorists wishing to access North Lincoln or Route 2 westbound will be detoured onto Sandy Pond Road to Baker Bridge and Concord Road (Route 126) to Route 2.
  • Motorists who wish to exit Route 2 onto Bedford Road heading south will be detoured onto Lexington Road and Trapelo Road to allow access through the five-way intersection.

Police detail officers and detour signs will be in place to assist motorists. 

My Turn: A three-time climate refugee weans off fossil fuels

By Anne Sobol

Last week, Net Zero installed my new heat pump water heater, the next to last step in my getting off natural gas (clothes dryer remains). A crew of young men cycled in and out of my house most of the day. In the middle of the afternoon, my doorbell rang and three men from National Grid stood outside my front door. They said they had heard from the crew replacing the gas main on Beaver Pond Road that I did not want to have the line from the main to my house replaced. I said yes, I did not. They began arguing with me and telling me that would cut me off from gas. The young men from Net Zero moved back and forth from the house to their trucks either getting tools they needed or wanting to hear what was going on.

The National Grid guys explained that if I did not have the line to my house replaced now and later wanted gas, I would have to pay for extending the line, whereas now it would be without charge. I explained that I understand all NG payers are paying in their monthly bills for National Grid’s repair work whether or not the repairs are occurring in their neighborhoods, and that in any case why would I want to change my mind? They said it’s expensive to pay for electricity. I said yes, but I’ve invested in solar panels and a battery — expensive upfront money but now my electric bills are way down.

They said, “What if you want to sell your house and potential buyers want natural gas? They’ll have to pay to have the line from the street changed and this fact will reduce what you can sell your house for.” I asked, “Why would they want natural gas?” They hemmed and hawed and finally one of them said they might want to put in a swimming pool and have a heater. I said I believe fossil fuels are driving climate change and what kind of earth do they want to leave their children and grandchildren? I thanked them for coming by and they left.

I grew up in Lincoln in the fifties (LPS 1-8). For many years, my husband and I lived on a bayou across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans until we were driven into the city by repeated storms and floods. Our house on the bayou wasn’t protected by levees. Later, our raised house in New Orleans was only damaged some in Hurricane Katrina, but the city suffered terribly. After Katrina there were repeated storms, power outages, and loss of water. My husband’s health declined and we moved to Sonoma County, California to be close to his daughter. People said, “What about the earthquakes?” but no one mentioned the fires. In California, we lived near areas that were burned to the ground and we were mandatorily evacuated one time. When my husband died, I tired of getting ready to evacuate and got the idea I’d move back to Lincoln. Climate refugee three times — from the bayou, from New Orleans, and from California. I feel I must do everything I can to reduce my contribution to climate change.

In my work to get my home off fossil fuels, I’ve gotten good advice from CFREE, a subcommittee of the town’s Green Energy Committee. CFREE provides coaching to Lincoln residents who want to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. To see if CFREE can help you, contact lincolngreencoach@gmail.com.

Anne Sobol lives on Beaver Pond Road.

“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.

Police log for June 30 – July 8, 2025

June 30

Farrar Road (12:58pm) — An officer spoke with a caller who reported being the possible victim of a fraud.

July 1

Silver Hill Road (7:58am) — Officers responded after vehicle struck a tree. There were no reported injuries and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

South Great Road 1:34pm) — A motorist reported that the railroad gates failed to activate as a train passed through the Route 117 crossing. Officers checked all crossings and notified Weston to do the same in their town. The MBTA was notified.

South Great Road (3:48pm) — A cyclist was struck by a turning vehicle on Tower Road near Rt. 117. The operator of the vehicle left the scene. A motorist was able to stop the vehicle in Weston. Weston Police remained with the vehicle until a Lincoln officer could arrive on scene. The cyclist was transported to the hospital and the motorist was criminally cited for failure to stop and making an improper turn.

Lincoln Public Library (6:02pm) — A water main break was reported by library staff. However, the flowing water was the result of pipe flushing related to the ongoing water main replacement project, not a break.

Page Road (7:11pm) — A motorist reported a road rage incident occurring on I- 95. The call was transferred to the Massachusetts State Police.

South Great Road (11:07pm) — The Route 117 railroad crossing gates were reportedly stuck in the down position. An officer monitored the area and the MBTA was notified.

July 2

Police station (6:59am) — A person retrieved a piece of property.

Codman Road (11:23am) — A caller reported a possible solicitor in the area. The person was affiliated with a religious organization and was exempt from the soliciting laws.

Lincoln Public Library (2:29pm) — An officer spoke to staff at the library regarding a past incident.

Minuteman Visitor Center parking lot (3:26pm) — Hanscom Air Force Base reported the unauthorized operation of a drone in the area. The Minuteman National Park rangers were able to identify the operator and advised them of the restricted air space.

Bedford Road (5:36pm) — A caller reported striking an animal. The deceased animal was removed from the roadway.

July 3

Bank of America (7:47am) — An officer spoke to several parties related to a road rage dispute that occurred on Route 117.

Greenridge Lane (10:47am) —A caller reported that a child had been bitten by a neighbor’s cat. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Wells Road (1:10pm) — An officer conducted a well-being check on a resident. There were no issues.

July 4

Tower Road (2:13pm) — Officers helped a motorist locate their vehicle.

Wells Road (4:01pm) — An officer spoke with a caller regarding a family member.

Lincoln Cemetery, Lexington Road (4:12pm) — A caller asked for help with a fallen motorcycle. The vehicle was gone when an officer arrived.

Minuteman Technical High School (5:17pm) — A passing motorist reported seeing what they thought was an injured dog. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

July 5

Harvest Circle (10:21am) — A caller spoke with an officer regarding a non-emergency issue.

South Great Road (4:06pm) — A caller spoke to an officer about their damaged mailbox.

Mill Street (7:28pm) — A motorist reported seeing a large snapping turtle in the road. An officer arrived shortly thereafter but the turtle had vacated the asphalt.

July 6

Bedford Road (7:30am) — An officer made contact with a resident at the request of an outside agency.

Old Concord Road (4:28pm) — A caller reported multiple illegally parked vehicles accessing Walden Pond. An officer responded and ticketed the illegally parked vehicles.

Minuteman Technical High School (4:58pm) — A person reported his parked car had been entered and items were missing. The incident occurred in the town of Lexington.

July 7

Todd Pond Road (3:31am) — An officer performed a courtesy transport.

Silver Birch Lane (12:03pm) — A delivery driver was bitten by a dog. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

North Great Road (12:19pm) — A caller reported that a vehicle was traveling slowly and following a person walking on the side of the road. An officer responded and spoke with the parties involved.

Old County Road (3:09pm) — An officer checked the area for the report of an illegally parked truck. The vehicle was gone upon arrival.

The Commons of Lincoln (5:25pm) — An officer served a person with paperwork.

July 8

Todd Pond Road (11:28am) — A caller reported the unauthorized use of a gas-powered leaf blower. The contractor was located and advised of the town bylaw.

Red Maple Lane (12:08pm) — A caller reported receiving unwanted cell calls. An officer responded and spoke with the caller.

Tower Road (1:18pm) — A caller requested assistance with a sick raccoon. An officer arrived and confirmed that the raccoon appeared to be ill. The animal was dispatched.

South Great Road (2:15pm) — After a two-vehicle crash at the intersection with Lincoln Road, a was cited for failure to yield. One vehicle was towed from the scene and there were no injuries reported.

Sandy Pond Road (4:14pm) — After a minor two-vehicle crash, one of the operators was cited for failing to yield. Both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene.

Batter up! Watch or join the fun with Lincoln Co-Ed Softball

By Travis Roland

If you’re wondering where Lincoln’s elite athletes seeking unrealized dreams are on Sundays, you can find them at Codman Field playing slow-pitch softball. Join us each Sunday at Codman Field at 6:00pm (weather permitting) and cheer on your neighbors as they run, crawl, and sometimes limp around the diamond with the hope of getting their name on the Codman Cup championship trophy in July. Pull up a chair/blanket and have a picnic! Boomboxes, signs, and obnoxious noisemakers encouraged. Autograph sessions available after the game.

Season update

Despite either extreme rain or obnoxiously high temps, the season is underway and the annual neighborly and healthy competition has arrived. It’s anybody’s year as the league’s four teams carve out their own path to final victory. Thanks to a record 20 first-time players, the league has never been healthier, and the games are usually decided by one or two runs.

South Lincoln’s gritty Ottoman Umpires are off to a hot start thanks to a suffocating defense and solid hitting — not to mention getting an edge by sleeping in their uniforms the night before games. The currently first-place Os are anchored by their follically challenged captain, Travis R., who according to legend is so cool that when he was born, he named his parents instead of the other way around. The feisty Os are known to wear down opponents with bad Dad jokes and surgical hitting thanks to having Chris B. on the team, who really is a surgeon.

The OUs’ prize off-season acquisition, who goes by Whatsa, will enter her first game this week after a lengthy signing bonus dispute. They don’t know her first name, but supposedly, her last name is Matter. Makes sense.

The OUs’ crosstown rivals, the Chiefs, are brilliantly led by Tricia M., who puts the X in GenX and are a force once again, despite some of their players missing games by actually choosing work/family over softball. Inconceivable.

Opposing teams need to bring their A-game to beat the Chiefs since hits are hard to come by, and they always seem to find a clutch at-bat when they need it. All-Star left fielder Brian D. made his season debut this week after recovering from lower-back tattoo removal, and picked up where he left off last year by blasting extra-base hits all over the outfield. Not to be outdone, the blazing speed down the basepath of Brian’s other half, Brianna D., usually results in panicked overthrows and more runs.

The revamped Trail Blazers are the league’s most improved team thanks to the leadership of their manager, Tricia T.W. Tricia is such an undeniable force that when she is late for work, everyone else gets in trouble for being early. Everyone needs to bring to play mistake-free softball to beat them, as they are known for capitalizing on errors. Veteran pitcher Marshall C. keeps batters on their toes with his confusing ‘gyroball’ style pitches, and does a great job of getting batters to ground out to the vacuum cleaner combo of rookies Devin and Anna, who suck up hitter’s dreams of getting to first base safely.

The Mighty Knights are like a powerboat going to sea — slow at first, but once it gets above water, it’s fast, agile and a force. Don’t let your guard down against them or they will mercy-rule you before you know it. Opponents are finding out the hard way that you can’t hit it to Gold Glove winner Clint “Daisy” E. at third base and expect to be safe. Apparently, they call him Daisy because some daisy plays injury free, and some daisy can’t. Nonetheless, any team would love to have him on their roster, which could actually happen since he is in the last year of his rookie contract.

Their inspiring captain, Terry K.E., is slowly building a powerhouse that once it gets all of the pieces in place, will be the team that nobody will want to play come playoff time.

Still time to join

Good news! There is still time to join! We are offering a steep mid-season discount of only $25 to join a team. All skill sets and awkward throwing motions accepted. Equipment provided, just have a pulse (and maybe Aflac).

Why play? One player said it best when describing a game, “It’s like a two-hour break from the real world with friends that I normally wouldn’t have met.” Register here.

Travis Roland, a Wells Road resident, is commissioner of Lincoln Co-Ed Softball.

“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.

Lincoln firefighters have a busy day

Lincoln firefighters were called out three times for fires in two towns in a 24-hour period on June 26-27.

Early in the morning of June 26, a Todd Pond Road resident heard something strange outside their house and discovered a brush fire. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the slow-moving fire, which eventually covered about an acre and started when a tree branch took down power lines.

Later that morning, Wayland firefighters were out handling a fire on High Rock Road in that town and Lincoln personnel responded to covered their station. Then that evening at 7:10pm, it was back to Wayland when the owners of a house on Emerson Road came home to find their house on fire. Crews from Lincoln, Weston, Sudbury, Framingham, and Natick as well as Wayland responded.

“Someone went inside prior to the Fire Department [arriving] to rescue the dog,” said Lincoln Fire Chief Brian Young. The dog was taken to a 24-hour vet and was apparently fine. The fire started in the kitchen and was mostly contained to that room, “though smoke and heat damage did a lot of damage to the other rooms,” he added.

Correction — and more information

Lincoln resident Stewart Coffin in a July 4 parade in Lincoln. Photo courtesy Alaric Naiman.

The July 2 “News acorns” included a photo of a past July 4 parade participant that was misidentified. The photo of the gentleman bicycling in the 1983 parade while carrying a canoe on his head was not Mike Farny but rather Stewart Coffin, another legendary Lincoln outdoorsman. 

“My plans for biking across Labrador in 1983 hit a snag because of an impending Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway strike. So I started considering alternate plans, but none were ever very practical, so this was really just a stunt,” Coffin told the Lincoln Squirrel. “The canoe is my 50-lb. Kevlar [Big Dipper] that I made. I am riding my wife’s bike, much easier that way. Went the whole parade distance. Would not attempt it in traffic.”

Coffin, who now lives in Carlisle, moved to Lincoln in 1964 and became known for his hand-made canoes and paddles, voyages through the Maine and Canada wilderness (some of which are described in his book Black Spruce Journals), and skill at making three-dimensional puzzles. His daughter Margaret Coffin Brown and her family still live on the Old Sudbury Road property. He gave an illustrated talk, “Stew Coffin Lives in Lincoln,” in 1983 (video here).

A Fourth of July footnote: Coffin was not the most famous cyclist in the history of Lincoln’s annual parades. That would be Norman Hapgood, who rode a unicycle along the route for many. years.

Sculpture park unveils six new works in “Nature Sanctuary”

(Editor’s note: this is a slightly edited press release from the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum.)

Kathy Ruttenberg, “A Snail’s Pace,” 2018. Cast silicon bronze, polychrome patina, cast acrylic, and LED lighting. Courtesy of the artist and Lyles & King, New York. Photo by Mel Taing.

A new outdoor exhibition that explores relationships between the natural world and ideas of home opened in June at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. Nature Sanctuary features new site-responsive commissions and loans by six contemporary women artists.

The featured artists in Nature Sanctuary are Venetia Dale, Kapwani Kiwanga, Joiri Minaya, Zohra Opoku, Kathy Ruttenberg, and Evelyn Rydz. Dale and Rydz are both Massachusetts-based artists, continuing deCordova’s support of artists from the region.

“Nature Sanctuary offers our public a way to experience deCordova’s art and landscape as deeply interconnected. The artworks respond to and emphasize their ecological surroundings and make us more aware of the ways humans shape and protect the natural environment,” shares Sarah Montross, museum director and chief curator of deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum.

Spanning the sculpture park’s front lawns and beyond, the new installations express refuge, care, and the shared protective relationships between humans and the natural world. The artists respond to past, present, and future ramifications of ecological change, as well as histories of land use and the movement of people, plants, and animals across homelands. Their projects reveal contradictions inherent to a “nature sanctuary” and expose how protecting the natural world has been used, at times, to justify the exclusion or displacement of living beings.  

The exhibition also broadens ecological awareness of deCordova’s landscape, which is home to diverse flora and fauna, including nesting hawks, snapping turtles, and monarch butterflies. Public programming and interpretation will focus on connections between art and place. Nature Sanctuary will be on view through Fall 2026.

Artworks in the exhibition

For details on the pieces and artists, click on an artwork’s title.

Public programs related to Nature Sanctuary include:

Library in the Landscape: Nature Sanctuary
Saturday, July 12 and Saturday, August 16, 10:00am–noon
Library in the Landscape welcomes young minds to enjoy live storybook reading and hands-on art making inspired by Nature Sanctuary. Library in the Landscape is an interactive experience designed to spark imagination, foster curiosity, and inspire a love for both art and reading. Register for July 12 or August 16.

Holding Water: Artist Workshop with Evelyn Rydz
Saturday, July 19 from 1:00-3:00pm
An immersive, hands-on workshop in which participants will explore the intersection of art and the environment under the guidance of artist Evelyn Rydz. Inspired by the installation Holding Water, participants will engage with themes of water conservation, sustainability, and the natural world through creative expression. Register here. 

Police log for June 20–29, 2025

June 20

Due to high winds, there were reports of trees or large branches down on Greenridge Lane, South Great Road, Route 2 eastbound, Macintosh Lane, Mill Street, and Weston Road.

Storey Drive (10:32am) — A resident spoke with an officer regarding a possible banking fraud incident.

Stoneybrook Road, Weston (4:25pm) — An officer assisted the Weston Police Department with a mutual aid request.

Walden Pond boat ramp (6:26pm) — A caller reported seeing three people walking on the railroad tracks near Walden Pond. Concord Police and the MBTA were notified.

June 21

Sandy Pond Road (4:35pm) — An officer spoke to several people who were illegally fishing at Flint’s Pond.

Weston Road (4:52pm) — An officer spoke with a person regarding a civil matter.

Huckleberry Hill (5:13pm) — An officer spoke with a person regarding a civil matter.

North Great Road (5:27pm) — A two vehicle crash was reported at the intersection of Hanscom Drive and Route 2A. There were no injuries and both vehicles were towed from the scene. One of the operators was cited for failure to stop/yield.

Cranberry Terrace, Hanscom AFB (7:20pm) — Officers assisted Hanscom Air Force Security Forces in conducting a well-being check at a residence (everyone was OK).

June 22

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (7:23pm) — Several calls were received for a motorcycle rider possibly passed out in the roadway median. An officer located the person, who was not licensed to operate the motorcycle. The vehicle was towed and the operator was cited. They were transported to the police station to make alternative transportation arrangements.

Weston Road (10:53pm) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person.

June 23

Silver Birch Lane (12:06am) — An officer responded to the area for the report of dogs barking and spoke to both the reporting party and the dogs’ home. The officer observed no barking for the duration of their time on scene.

South Great Road (9:56am) — A caller found a lost item on the trails by Mt. Misery and was able to return the item to its owner.

Wells Road (4:51pm) — An officer spoke to a person regarding an out-of-state incident.

June 24

Wells Road (2:33pm) — An officer conducted a follow-up on a previously reported incident.

June 25

Round Hill Road (10:10pm) — An officer assisted a caller with a residential lockout.

June 26

Twin Pond Lane (1:48am) — A caller reported seeing and hearing something strange behind their home. A brush fire had broken out after an electrical wire snapped. The Fire Department and Eversource responded.

Harvest Circle (9:57pm) — Officers assisted a person with a civil matter.

Beaver Pond Road (4:08pm) — An officer checked a residence at the owner’s request.

Todd Pond Road (5:02pm) — An officer responded for a report of a gas-powered leaf blower being used and spoke with the user to advise them of the town bylaw.

June 27

Todd Pond Road (2:39pm) — An officer responded to a different Todd Pond Road residence for the report of a gas-powered leaf blower being used. The officer spoke with the user and advised them of the town bylaw.

Bedford Road (5:02pm) — A person requested an area-wide well-being check for a family member who had not been heard from for several days. The request was canceled a short time later.

June 28

Pierce House (6:38pm) — A caller reported a drone above a wedding. The drone belonged to the wedding videographer.

Old Town Hall Exchange (11:21pm) — A caller reported a person on an electric bicycle acting erratically. An officer spoke with the cyclist; there was no issue.

June 29

Old Bedford Road (5:58pm) — A dog was reported on the loose on the conservation trails. The dog and owner were reunited shortly thereafter.

Wells Road (7:31pm) — An officer assisted an outside agency with a notification.

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum (7:49pm) — An officer spoke to a motorist regarding a possible hit-and-run incident in a parking lot.