8

Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, JAnUARy 23, 2026 Saugus Gardens in the Winter Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener W e certainly had some significant snowfall on Monday, turning the whole town into a winter wonderland. Throughout the day, while snow continued to fall, I saw a lot of people clearing their driveways and walks. On some streets it looked as though residents were practicing their synchronized snow blowing for the upcoming winter Olympics! New Patriots’ banners and lawn flags had sprouted through the snow. The sailor on the Civil War monument confided that he is hoping to have a new jersey in a few weeks for the first time in several years! I did, of course, warn him not to speak too soon and jinx it. A thick coat of fluffy snow coated the branches of all the trees and the rooftops between Sunday night and most of the day on Monday. I woke up several times in the night to watch it fall in the glow from the streetlight, and Monday morning the landscape looked completely different than it had the previous day. In locations where the sunny afternoon caused melting, in some places it refroze to create icicles on branches and roof edges. While there were only a few small icicles on the front of the Breakheart Visitors’ Center on Monday afternoon, the back side of the building had a long continuous row of them, just a few inches long, hanging OBITUARIES Robert H. Simmons O f Saugus, formerly of Stoneham, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Monday, January 12, 2026. He was 83 years of age. Born on Sunday, October 11, 1942, in Wilmington, Delaware, Robert was the loving son of the late Homer Clay Simmons and Marguerite (Hurlock) Simmons. Robert was a warm, kind, loyal, gentle and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend who will be truly missed. Robert was the beloved husband of Beatrice (Connors) Simmons. He was the devoted father of Brenda Hill and her husband ThomThis crabapple at Breakheart Reservation provides a welcome bright color as well as some winter food for the birds. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) straight down as you would expect. In contrast the wind blows the branches of a French pussywillow (Salix caprea) to-and-fro beside my house, and as a consequence the icicles there develop odd curves and unexpected shapes and even seem to hang sideways at times. In keeping with the feline theme of the shrub’s name, the icicles remind me of the fangs of a saber-tooth tiger or, perhaps, large ferocious, transparent claws! In other areas of the plant, the snow had not yet melted off the branches until nearly dusk. This is one of the first shrubs to bloom in winter, blooming as early as December and as late as March in past years. This European relative of our native pussywillow (Salix discolor) has somewhat larger buds than the local one, but they are similar in appearance. Both are wind pollinated. The seeds are also often dispersed by wind or water, so new plants may appear where no human gardener planted them. In addition to having the first blossoms of the new year, the landscape is not yet done with the fruits of the past season. When walking in Breakheart near the end of the snowfall on Monday, I noticed some goldfinches (Spinus tristis) feeding on tiny red crabapples (Malus spp.) and shaking the snow off the branches as it fed. Both male and female goldfinches have a subtle buff color in the winter, but as we get closer to their breeding season, the male goldfinches develop vivid yellow feathers. Many birds appreciate the bright red and yellow colors of various crabapple, hawthorn and other fruits that linger well into the as, Pamela DeMichaelis and her husband Kevin and Alison Brangiforte and her husband Joseph. The cherished grandfather of Jason, Kevin, Ryan, Calan, Avary and Aidan. Robert was the dear brother of the late Peggy Ann McAllister and her late husband Maurice. He was also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who adored him. Robert graduated from UMASS Amherst in 1964 and continued his education by receiving a Master’s Degree in Education from Salam State College. He dedicated 35 years to the Lynnfield School System from 1970 to his retirement in 2005. He served as a sixth-grade teacher, math and science coordinator, and acting principal at Summer St and Huckleberry Hill Schools. A passionate educator, he was deeply committed to inspiring curiosity and excellence in science, while also cherishing his beloved family. Throughout his career, he brought forward innovative programs and initiatives that left a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike. He also initiated the Title 1 Program and worked with students in the Star Lab. He will forever be remembered in the Lynnfield School Systems. His most memorable and enjoyAn English primrose in a pot shaped like a watering can reminds us of the colors and activities of spring even in the midst of winter. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) end of winter, in addition to the seeds they may find at feeders. If the wintry weather is not to your taste, some reminders of spring can be enjoyed indoors. While primroses are not among the most frequently seen flowers in our gardens, they appear for sale as houseplants and New Years’ gifts starting the last week of December. English primrose (Primula vulgaris) actually grows wild in many locations in Northern Europe and is hardy for our climate if the soil and moisture is to its liking. Even indoors, the reason the plants may not thrive is that they like to be kept consistently more moist than most other houseplants that are currently popular. Yellow is the most common color but they can also have pink, purple, red or white petals, and sometimes combinations of these colors able moments were spent with his wife, three daughters, and grandchildren. He especially loved sailing the waters of Granger Pond in the summer and riding snowmobile trails in the winter in Denmark Maine. Robert and his wife were responsible for tracking the loon count on Granger Pond, which promoted safety and protection for wildlife. Along with his wife, Robert was an active member with deep involvement at St John’s Episcopal Church in Saugus. His love for family was his greatest devotion. He firmly believed that family was everything and he found joy in life’s simple pleasures. Robert had a remarkable ability to see beauty in all things. A lifelong teacher both inside and outside of the classroom, Robert cherished every opportunity to teach, especially teaching life lessons to his grandchildren. His kindness, and yellow nearer the center. By hybridizing them with other primrose species, double-flowering forms have also been made available. If you have a primrose on the windowsill indoors now, you can keep it alive until the ground warms up in the spring and it can be planted outdoors in late April or May, where it may survive as a perennial for several years. Editor’s Note: Laura Eisener is a landscape design consultant who helps homeowners with landscape design, plant selection and placement of trees and shrubs, as well as perennials. She is a member of the Saugus Garden Club and offered to write a series of articles about “what’s blooming in town” shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was inspired after seeing so many people taking up walking. patience and humble ways will always live within us. A Funeral Mass Celebrating Robert’s Eternal Life was held on Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 at 11am in Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 8 Prospect Street, Saugus. Interment was in Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robert’s memory to support Maine Audubon’s loon protection work at http:// maineaudubon.org/support/give/. Checks can be mailed to The National Audubon Society ATTN:Donations, 225 Varick St. 7th Floor, New York, NY 10014. Arrangements by the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street (RT 28) Stoneham. For directions or to send a memorial condolence, www.barilefuneral.com or www. facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome

9 Publizr Home