Page 18 GARDENS | FROM PAGE 12 bush (Buddleia davidii), as seen in the July 18 column, in order for the next generation to thrive the eggs must be laid on a milkweed plant. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnatus) are all native species that will work. All three are now widely available in nurseries. Swamp milkweed is a tall perennial with flowers that are usually pink (‘Cinderella’) or white (‘Ballerina’). As the common name implies, this species likes soils that are somewhat on the wet side, although it does not really need to be swampy. 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. BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 to purchase nicotine and tobacco products from anyone who is already legally able to do so. Rather, this legislation will protect future generations, who are being targeted by Big Tobacco, from the harms of smoking and create a healthier world for the next generation.” FREE PUBLIC COLLEGE TUITION (H 1428) - Legislation heard by the Higher Education THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 1, 2025 HELPING | FROM PAGE 3 has granted over $13 million to more than 47,000 cancer patients and their families across New England to help ease the pressure of household expenses, food, transportation, extraordinary needs and wellness resources while undergoing treatment. JAF had previously supported LaMarra and her family in April 2024 by providing assistance for rent and groceries. Lombardo’s sister – Andrena Lombardo Silva of Reading – said he was diagnosed with cancer in 2019. “He beat it, at that point and he wanted to start a foundation to help cancer patients. Then he got connected with Joe Andruzzi,” Silva said in an interview this week. “Mike was re-diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and died in July. One of Committee would allow children 18 or older who are being raised by their grandparents or other relatives, except parents, to have their tuition and fees waived if attending a state college. “The bill is to allow children who are raised by their grandparents or other relative to be able to take advantage of the same benefit of free tuition and fees as those in custody of the Department of Families and Children,” said sponsor ~ School Bus Drivers Wanted ~ 7D Licensed School Bus Drivers Malden Trans is looking for reliable drivers for the new school year. We provide ongoing training and support for licensing requirements. Applicant preferably lives local (Malden, Everett, Revere). Part-time positions available and based on AM & PM school hours....15-30 hours per week. Good driver history from Registry a MUST! If interested, please call David @ 781-322-9401. CDL SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WANTED Compensation: $28/hour School bus transportation company seeking active CDL drivers who live LOCALLY (Malden, Everett, Chelsea and immediate surrounding communities). - Applicant MUST have BOTH S and P endorsements as well as Massachusetts school bus certificate. Good driver history from Registry a MUST! - Part-time hours, BUT GUARANTEED 20-35 HOURS PER WEEK depending on experience. Contact David @ 781-322-9401. “Overwhelmed with gratitude”: Saugus cancer patient Sheena LaMarra, who is shown with her two children, was visibly moved by the support she received this week. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) his wishes was that we would carry on his mission to help cancer victims. We’ve raised $140,000 since July 2024 when he passed,” she said. Rep. Paul Donato (D-Medford). FREEZE COLLEGE TUITION AND FEES (H 1463) – Another bill before the Higher Education Committee would freeze the tuition and fees at all state colleges. “I filed this important legislation because I believe the leadership of our public colleges and universities have utterly failed [to] reimagine how they fund their respective schools,” said sponsor Rep. Jeffrey Turco (D-Winthrop). “They continue to raise costs on working class students, drive up student loan balances and then join in calls to create student loan forgiveness programs. Instead, they could follow the lead of Purdue University, Indiana’s largest public university and freeze tuition and fees for the past 14 years. Real leadership can make this happen. In the absence of real leadership, this legislation is needed.” “And we’re excited today that Sheena and her family are the first recipients of a grant from the Lombardo Legacy Fund,” she said. LaMarra strives to maintain a positive attitude. “We just keep going. We fight. There’s no such thing as defeat,” she said. During an interview with reporters on Denver Street on Tuesday morning, she offered this advice to families that are dealing with cancer: “Don’t give up. Keep fighting and don’t be afraid to reach out. Just keep fighting.” Andruzzi encouraged LaMarra to make the most of every day. “Live life to the fullest. Every day is a blessing,” he said. Before leaving Denver Street on Tuesday, Andruzzi broke out a white Joe Andruzzi Foundation football. On it he wrote, “To LaMarra Family. Keep up the Great Fight. God Bless” and then signed it. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of July 2125, the House met for a total of three hours and 51 minutes while the Senate met for a total of two hours and 50 minutes. Mon. July14House11:00 a.m. to 11:46 a.m. Senate 11:39 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. Tues.July15No House session. No Senate session. Wed. July16House11:01 a.m. to1:59 p.m. No Senate session. Thurs. July17House11:01 a.m. to 11:08 a.m. Senate 12:11 p.m. to2:41 p.m. Fri. July18No House session. No Senate session. Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.
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