Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, ApriL 4, 2026 Saugus Gardens in the Spring Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener I hope no one was fooled by the warm temperatures before April 1 into thinking we had sprung directly into summer, but the flowers popping up are proof that spring is not going away. Snowdrops and crocuses have lasted quite a long time, and daffodils have begun to open in warm spots against south-facing walls in sunny locations. If they are growing in more shade, they may still be just showing buds. - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 (978) 744-1020 Docket No. ES26P0806EA Estate of: NORMA DOROTHY BACON Also known as: NORMA D. BACON Date of Death: 12/15/2025 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Probate of Will with Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Constance E. Rockwood of Haverhill, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: Constance E. Rockwood of Haverhill, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 05/04/2026. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: March 30, 2026 PAMELA A. CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE April 03, 2026 Later blooming varieties may not flower until May. For anyone feeling impatient for more showy flowers, there are potted bulbs that have been forced into bloom by being warmed up early, usually in a greenhouse or shipped up from warmer zones. Inspired by the early March flower bulb shows at Smith and Mt. Holyoke Colleges in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, I gathered tables and step stools to arrange an Easter display on my indoor stairway landing. A bouquet of tall black pussy willows (Salix melanostachys) is surrounded by pots of pink oriental hyacinths (Hyacinth orientale), yellow tête-à-tête daffodils (Narcissus ‘Tête-à-Tête’), pastel mums (Chrysanthemum hortorum), an egg-shaped pot of miniature orchids, a bouquet of Darwin hybrid tulips (Tulipa hybrida) and an array of bunny, chicken and egg Easter decorations set a festive scene. Several of the amaryllis (Hemerocallis spp.) bulbs that I have been nurturing year to year indoors have buds getting ready to open. A bright red one just flowered, along with a new yellow fringed tulip (Tulipa hybrida). Fringed tulips come in red, white, yellow, orange, pink and purple and are distinguished by the pointed “fringed” edges of petals and sepals. While tender bulbs like the amaryllis need to be kept from freezing temperatures year round, the tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other hardy bulbs require six weeks or so of cold before they will begin to grow and flower. In our climate this cold period can be provided by outdoor winter temperatures, but if they could not be planted before the ground froze, these temperatures could be provided by refrigeration to force them into bloom at a chosen time. Sunday is a big day, with Easter falling on that date, April 5, this year. The date of Easter varies based on the relationship of the full moon to the vernal equinox. Easter Sunday this year falls on National Dandelion Day, which is always April 5. With the warmer days this week, I have been keeping my eyes open Inspired by spring bulb shows at Mt. Holyoke and Smith Colleges in March, this Easter “bulb show” on my stair landing includes black pussy willows, hyacinths, tulips, orchids, mums, palm fronds and an assortment of bunny, chicken and egg decorations. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) for dandelions but have not seen one as of the press deadline this week. National Wildlife Week also begins this Sunday. This is another event with a varying date. It is the first full week of April, which this year is April 5-9. There are many ways to celebrate this week: observing wildlife, helping create or conserve habitat and learning about all kinds of wildlife. The National Wildlife Foundation recently reported some good news for eastern monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) for a change: Monarch butterflies have increased somewhat over last year. Those that migrate to western areas of North America are still in decline, and even the eastern populations have not reached populations of a decade or so ago, but this news is encouraging. The count is based on studies in areas of Mexico where they spent this past winter. We still have many weeks before we see any in Massachusetts. A six-year-old red amaryllis bulb bloomed this week on my windowsill along with some fringed yellow tulips. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener)
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