ANTIQUES: World’s first molded plastic chairs, F7
IN THE GARDEN: Choosing the right tomato variety, F4
OUTDOORS: What methods really keep mosquitoes away? F5
How to turn down the volume and protect wildlife in your yard and garden
them to include sound barriers such as walls, vegetative screening and noise-absorbing equipment.
Altering the timing and duration of noisy activities during breeding and hibernation periods could also reduce adverse effects on wildlife, the organization said.
What you can do at home
On our own properties, small changes can make a big impact. Because birds do their “most important talking to each other” between dawn and 9 a.m., Munroe recommends shifting noisy yardwork later. Another critical time for many species of wildlife is after dark, he said.
“You can play music and have fun, but try not to make any loud noises,” he said.
businesses and churches to limit loud, destructive activity on their properties.
“Talk to local municipalities about their noise ordinances and (encourage them to) create a sound sanctuary in the neighborhood (to protect) wood thrushes, katydids” and other wildlife, he said.
By Jessica Damiano Associated Press
IN THE GARDEN, THE START
of the growing season means the return of dirt under our fingernails, the scent of freshly spread mulch and the first blooming roses. In my neighborhood, and perhaps yours, it also means an audible onslaught of lawnmowers, leaf blowers and other tools of the landscaper’s trade.
From 8 a.m. through at least early afternoon — five or six days every week — the hum of power tools and other machines disrupts my peace. But even more concerning is that my peace pales in importance to that of my property’s other residents.
Birds, squirrels, rabbits, frogs, insects and other wildlife are critically affected by human-made noise. They’re outdoors right in the middle of what must seem to them a war zone — with no escape. And the battleground noises that surround them aren’t merely nuisances; they disrupt the basic instincts the animals’ lives depend on.
Instincts such as those that alert them to the presence of predators become masked under the gas-powered cacophony prevalent throughout most of suburbia.
The unnatural sounds can also force birds, bats and insects into changing their feeding, nesting and mating habits, says Kevin Munroe, Long Island Preserve Director for The Nature Conservancy, based in Cold Spring Harbor, New York.
“Quite a few animals communicate primarily through song, and their songs are how they find each other,” Munroe said. Those with soft and quiet songs, like warblers, small species of owls, bats and some species of crickets, for instance, can be so badly drowned out by noise pollution that “they literally cannot build families or reproduce,” he said.
To illustrate the point, Munroe likens the animals’ songs to navigation systems.
“Imagine these songs are the birds’ roadmaps to each other and imagine you’re using your GPS to get somewhere and all of a sudden it turns off, and that’s the only way you can find your family. Now, with it turned off, there’s no way you’ll find your family.
That’s what song is like for these animals,” he said.
Artificial noises from power equipment, traffic, construction and industrial sources, can also cause stress and hearing loss in animals. A University of Georgia study even found that highway noises can elevate heart rates in monarch caterpillars.
Thoughtful planning can reduce the noise
This may seem like a losing battle in modern society, but there are steps we can take to help.
The Nature Conservancy recommends changes to industrial practices that include accounting for sensitive areas when siting noise-producing facilities, such as access roads and compressor stations, and designing
In addition, creating sound buffers by planting dense native trees, evergreens or deciduous shrubs, and switching from gas- to battery-powered tools, including leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws, are simple things homeowners can do to avoid causing harm.
Educating and introducing change to local communities is important, too.
Munroe suggests working with your homeowner’s association, schools,
And always observe noise ordinances at home and in public places, like parks.
Wild animals serve as “pollinators, affect pest control and have a positive effect on our agriculture and our economy,” Munroe said. “We want them in our neighborhoods.”
Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.
This Sept. 24, 2006, image provided by Bugwood.org show an adult green frog. (DAVID CAPPAERT/BUGWOOD.ORG VIA AP)
This May 19, 2019, image provided by The Nature Conservancy shows a bluewinged warbler. Cover photo: an image provided by The Nature Conservancy showing a black-and-white warbler. (PHOTOS BY DEREK ROGERS VIA AP)
This March 20, 2012, image provided by Bugwood.org shows an American robin in Lakewood, Ga. (JOSEPH BERGER/BUGWOOD.ORG VIA AP)
Lee Reich | In the Garden
Choosing the right tomato variety
IWONDER HOW MUCH OUR gardens reflect our personalities. Some gardeners clip their yew bushes “plumb and square;” other gardeners clip or shear away at their plants more haphazardly. Even in the vegetable patch, a temperament may be reflected in the way tomatoes are grown: Do the plants sprawl over the ground with abandon, are they contained within strings woven up and down the row, or are they neatly staked? (Woven tomatoes or those grown in wire cages are more or less sprawling plants, held aloft.)
Whatever your temperament, a good case can be made for staking tomatoes. Tomatoes on a staked plant are larger and ripen earlier than those on a sprawling plant. Good air circulation around leaves and fruits of upright plants lessens disease problems. And fruits held high above the ground also are free from dirt and slug bites. You’ll harvest less fruit from each staked plant, but since staking makes best use of the third dimension, up, staked plants can be set as close as eighteen inches apart. So, staking gives the best yields per square foot — especially important in small gardens. Tomato varieties suitable for staking are so-called “indeterminate” types, which form fruit clusters at intervals along their ever-elongating stems.
“Determinate” varieties, in contrast, bear fruits at the ends of their branches, so if such a plant was pruned for staking it would be reduced to a single short stem capped by a single cluster of fruits. Seed catalogues and packets usually indicate which varieties are suitable for staking.
Determinate varieties are bushy plants that need little regimenting. They also ripen their fruits within a shorter window of time.
So, what’s not to like about determinate varieties? Flavor! With fewer leaves per fruit than indeterminate varieties, flavor suffers. That concentrated ripening period also can stress the plants, making them more prone to disease.
As you might guess, I grow only indeterminate varieties of tomatoes. Flavor is my main criterion in selecting a variety to grow.
When choosing a suitable stake for staking (indeterminate, of course) tomato plants, don’t be misled by the puniness of tomato transplants. A tomato stake needs to be six to eight feet long and metal, or at least one by two inches thick if made of wood. I
use EMT (electrical metallic tubing) conduit, 5 /8-inch diameter and 10 feet long, cut down to 7 feet. It’s easy to pound into the ground (okay, I’ll admit that here on my river bottom soil there are no rocks), easy to remove, and reusable for years and years.
Most books and other sources of information suggest “planting” your stake along with your tomato plant to avoid root damage later on. Not true. My established tomato plants never bat an eyelash (figuratively speaking) as I pound in metal stakes only a couple of inches from their stems. And there’s a good reason to wait until the plants are well-established; by then, chance of cold damage is reliably history. Early planted stakes would interfere with my trying to throw a protective blanket over a row of staked tomatoes should cold threaten.
Indeterminate tomatoes are vines but not vines that can climb by themselves. So, they need to be tied to their stakes. Material for ties should be strong enough to hold the plants the whole season, and bulky enough so as not to cut into plants’ stems. Coarse twine or cotton rags, torn into strips, are good materials. I use sisal binder twine.
The usual recommendation, when tying, is to first tie a knot around the stake tightly enough to prevent downward slipping, then use the free ends of the rag strip or twine to tie a
GARDEN NOTES
HOLYOKE Plant sale
Wistariahurst Museum is having their monthly plant sale on Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. to noon. A variety of annuals, perennials, trees, and more are available for purchase. You can also order plants online at wistariahurst.org. Online orders can be picked up on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. Wistariahurst’s plant sales are held at the museum located at 238 Cabot Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more information, call 413-322-5660 or email info@ wistariahurst.org.
WESTFIELD Bird walk at Stanley Park
loose loop around the plant’s stem. False! With every foot or so of growth, I tie a single loop loosely around stem and stake just above a node; then the string can’t slip down lower than the node.
Now for the pruning: Confine each plant to a single stem by removing all suckers, ideally before any are an inch long. A sucker is a shoot that grows from a bud originating at a node, the juncture of a leaf and the main stem. Go over your plants at least weekly, using your fingers to snap off each sucker. (Cutting the shoots with a knife or pruning shear may transmit disease between plants as a blade touches cut surfaces.) Occasionally step back and refocus your eyes on the plant as a whole; I find that I sometimes overlook a shoot that has snuck up with two feet of growth I missed as I focused on still small shoots just appearing from buds.
One final bit of pruning that some gardeners practice is to pinch out the growing tip of the plant when the stem reaches the top of the stake, then continue to remove any new leaves or flowers that form. This is a little chancy, since the effect depends on the maturity of a plant’s leaves and fruits. At worst, you reduce yield to a few clusters of fruit. But at best, your tomatoes are even earlier and larger. It may be worth a try on a couple of plants.
An accessible bird walk in the gardens will be held on Sunday, June 15 at Stanley Park, from 9 to 11 a.m. This bird walk is designed for people who love to watch birds but need an accessible path to walk on or roll their wheelchairs. Martha Kane will lead the group through accessible trails in the park gardens to look for birds. The workshop will meet at the restrooms near the Woodland Wildflower Garden (park in big parking area near the Carillon Tower). Bring binoculars if you have them. Nature workshops are free of charge.
WARE
Gardening workshop
Ware Grange’s next gardening workshop, “Succession Planting,” will be held on Wednesday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at the Grange Hall at 297 Belchertown Road in Ware. The presenter will be Roberta McQuaid, author of the weekly “In the Garden” column for Turley Publications. Learn how to extend the harvest by sowing and planting in succession. We will discuss easy re-sowers, such as bush beans and lettuce, and also take a look at tomatoes, peas, broccoli and more which can also offer fresh picking into the fall months, and less money spent at the grocery store. Visit Ware Grange on Facebook or at waregrange.org for more information.
Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.
Tomatoes can be kept very orderly and productive by being grown to a single stake and having the suckers, shown here, regularly removed. (LEE REICH PHOTO)
What really keeps mosquitoes away?
It’s probably not your lavender plants
By K aren Hugg The Washington Post
WHILE EVERYONE
knows that slathering yourself with a spray that contains DEET can effectively keep mosquitoes at bay, plenty of articles and lists online also offer other solutions — including surrounding yourself with scented plants. Studies do show that citronella, geranium, peppermint and other fragrant plants can indeed help deter mosquitoes, but the bottom line is that just having those scents around probably won’t stop the pesky insects from biting you. Here’s why.
How scents affect mosquitoes
“Mosquitoes have several olfactory cues to attract them to a host,” says Dan Markowski, technical adviser at the American Mosquito Control Association. “The primary one is carbon dioxide, and that’s considered a long-range attractant. They can pick that up over many hundreds of feet.” Then, as they approach you, he says, they detect body heat and use odors from the skin to determine whether they’d like to bite you or someone else. So, when nearby plants emit a scent that masks that human odor and/or confuses a mosquito’s olfactory senses, the insect often moves away.
Citronella has been reported to have some ability to do this, Markowski says. Lemon eucalyptus, certain geraniums, lemongrass, mint and even catnip can deter mosquitoes to varying degrees, he adds. Marigolds, on the other hand, while widely used in vegetable gardens, don’t necessarily repel mosquitoes. Instead, their distinct scent attracts beneficial insects that eat aphids and other pests but not mosquitoes. Scents of herbs and aromatics — including lavender,
rosemary, thyme, basil and garlic — also can repel mosquitoes, especially when used in diffusers. But the effectiveness of these plants varies widely, in part depending on where you plant them. “If you’ve got [plants] in the back of your yard and your deck or patio’s 20 feet away …” Markowski says, the mosquitoes “may stay out of your garden, but they’ll come find you on your patio.” Placing potted plants close to your body can repel them to a mild degree, but a determined mosquito will fly around the plant and land on you.
Plant oil extraction
There’s good reason for that determination, says Chelsea McKinley, plant-health-care specialist at the U.S. Botanic Garden. “They’re hungry. They want food.” To prevent bites, she says, you’d have to apply a plant’s scent directly to your skin. But just rubbing lemongrass or mint leaves on your arms isn’t effective. The scent, which exists in the plant’s oils, needs to be extracted.
While you might find anecdotal advice online on how to grind or boil the leaves, making home remedies isn’t safe, largely because of allergy and potency issues. An alternative is to buy natural repellent products made with essential oils, a growing market that includes sprays and creams made from the oils of mint, citronella, lavender and other plants. Brands such as Murphy’s Naturals or All Terrain can be found online or in organic food stores. Still, choosing a repellent can be overwhelming. “The one that has the most research and the highest efficacy in terms of working,” McKinley says, “is lemon eucalyptus.” For it to be effective, she says, make sure to cover your skin thoroughly; anywhere there isn’t oil, mosquitoes are likely to land and bite you.
What’s the best way to remove soot stains from painted white brick?
By Jeanne Huber
The Washington Post
Q.We painted our brick fireplace white. But after some use, smoke has stained the brick. What’s the best way to clean it?
A. Soot is mostly carbon particles, but it often has a greasy nature that makes it difficult to remove. If you search online, you’ll find numerous solutions, including vinegar, dish soap, TSP (trisodium phosphate), Scrubbing Bubbles, and the Smoke Soot Eraser Sponge and similar products. Before deciding how to clean, make sure you understand the risks and limits of each solution. It’s also worth testing a small area first because soot varies: Sometimes it’s a dry powder; sometimes it’s clingy and greasy, which usually happens when the soot starts from burning candles. Cleaning a fireplace surround poses the additional challenge of getting into all the little divots in the bricks and mortar. But because your fireplace is painted, the surface is smoother, which gives you an advantage.
Start with what you probably already have on hand. Try sponging off a brick or two with warm, soapy water. If that doesn’t work, add a splash of vinegar, but be aware that vinegar left on too long or in too high a concentration can make glossy paint look dull. So test on a small area and stop if it isn’t working. If it does work, an old toothbrush can help you get into crevices. Dip the wet toothbrush into baking soda to boost its scrub power, but be aware that baking soda, too, can dull paint. Follow up promptly by wiping the brick several times with a sponge rinsed with clean water. Wait for the test area to dry, then evaluate how it looks. If you’re satisfied, clean the whole fireplace surround, including bricks that aren’t stained with soot, to help ensure an even sheen.
If you need a cleaner with
more muscle, one option is TSP, which stands for trisodium phosphate. It used to be a common ingredient in dishwasher detergents and laundry soaps because it effectively removes greasy deposits. But the high phosphate content led to algae blooms that depleted the oxygen in lakes, rivers and other waterways, so many states banned it as an ingredient in cleaners marketed to consumers. It’s still sold online, though, and in home centers and hardware stores in many areas. It’s frequently used to prepare surfaces before painting, especially if the paint is so glossy that new paint would have a tough time gripping. That ability to de-gloss slick paint is one reason it’s not a great solution for removing soot from a fireplace with painted brick — unless you plan to repaint. Sure, you’ll probably get the soot off, but the paint will look dull. Also, if you have wood floors, drips can leave permanent dots of dullness. TSP dissolved in enough water to make it just 1 percent of the ingredients has a pH of 12 — very alkaline. Scrubbing Bubbles, a brand of S.C. Johnson & Son, has a variety of spray-on cleaners. Some, like Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Grime Fighter, are alkaline; it has a pH of 12, the same as TSP. Others are acidic: Scrubbing Bubbles Multi Surface Bathroom Cleaner has a pH of 2.4, slightly more acidic than the 5 percent distilled white vinegar mixed with water that’s sold in grocery stores. But whatever the formula, Scrubbing Bubbles cleaners aren’t recommended for use on painted surfaces, said a woman who answers customer service calls for S.C. Johnson & Son. That leaves soot erasers. ServiceMaster Restore, a branch of the ServiceMaster company with franchises across the country, lists sponge erasers first among the methods it uses to remove soot from walls, which are typically painted, just as your
fireplace is.
These erasers go by different names, including soot removers, dry-cleaning sponges and chemical sponges. Absorene makes its soot-removing sponge from natural rubber that’s been treated to make it more elastic and durable. Ace Hardware’s Medium-Duty Dry Cleaning Sponge is made from cellular latex foam.
Both generally get good online reviews, although one person who bought the Ace version reported that it didn’t remove soot in areas where the person had first tried vinegar and Magic Eraser (a different type of cleaning sponge, made of melamine foam). So be forewarned — you might want to try a soot eraser first. Melamine erasers clean by scraping off some of the surface, so they can affect paint. The rubber type actually absorbs the soot, said a woman who answers calls to Absorene. To get into divots in the brick, she suggested cutting little wedges from the eraser.
Customer reviews note that you might go through several sponges if you are tackling a large area, because each face of the sponge is useless once it is full of soot. But a tip sheet from Absorene says that a soot sponge that looks dirty can still work, and it offers two ways to extend the life of the sponge, which can also be used to remove dust from surfaces like wallpaper and lampshades and to pick up pet hairs. First, it says, “Sponge may look dirty, but particles are working their way into the unique cell structure. You may remove a layer of the sponge with a razor blade knife to expose a new surface if you wish.” The company says it’s also possible to wash a dirt-encrusted sponge in warm, soapy water as long as you don’t reuse it until it has air-dried completely, away from direct sun and air vents. But the company says customers usually do this only when they’ve tackled dirt and dust, not soot.
Mosquitoes
Keep in mind, though, that the scent is often quite pungent, and it can evaporate from the skin in a few hours.
Mosquito type
Another complicating factor is that not all scents, even in their natural oil form, will be 100 percent effective against all types of mosquitoes. “In any given municipality in the United States, there’s 30 to 40 different species,” Markowski says. “Some are far more aggressive than others.” For instance, salt-marsh mosquitoes in coastal areas can breed in the billions per acre and fly long distances. They will follow you around with the aim of biting, sometimes multiple times, even during daylight hours. To learn more about your local mosquito population, try contacting your mosquito abatement district. These local organizations offer information on which mosquito species inhabit your area, how abundant they are and what can be done to reduce their numbers. In some cases, district workers will even come to your property and assess it for you. A simple online search on your county and the words “mosquito control” will bring up your local office.
Mosquito reduction strategies
In the end, the best way to reduce mosquitoes is by preventing them from breeding nearby. Remove standing water everywhere on your property, including in gutters, toys, patio
furniture and pot saucers. Apply BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), a mosquito larvae-killing product, to still ponds or birdbaths. “Anywhere there’s a teaspoon of water standing for 24 hours,” McKinley says, “you’re going to get mosquitoes breeding.”
Another strategy is to attract the wildlife that eat mosquitoes, including bats and birds, McKinley says. “Creating a habitat that’s conducive to that wildlife can help,” she says, “but you probably won’t see a dramatic reduction.”
That’s because mosquitoes in a neighborhood, especially invasive species, often drastically outnumber the birds and bats visiting one person’s backyard. Mosquito traps with fans and funnels have shown good efficacy, especially when multiple neighbors on adjacent properties use them.
Also remember that sun can be deadly to mosquitoes. Markowski recommends reducing shady, humid areas where the insects hide from the heat, including ornamental grasses, dense shrubs, carports and rocks near ponds.
And the best way to keep a mosquito from biting you? “Get a fan,” McKinley says, “a big fan, and have the fan blowing directly on you.” Make sure the wind is blowing on all areas of your body, including the legs. “Mosquitoes can’t land on you if there’s wind,” she adds.
Karen Hugg is a professional gardener and the author of “Leaf Your Troubles Behind: How to De-stress and Grow Happiness Through Plants.” Connect with her on Bluesky at @karenhugg. bsky.social.
ACHAIR IS A CHAIR IS a chair, isn’t it? Four legs to stay on the floor, a high back to keep the sitter upright, and maybe a stretcher base for support. And everything is made of wood, of course, with variety coming from upholstery, decorative carvings, or the shape of the legs. That may have been true up to the 20th century. Furniture changed dramatically when designers took advantage of new materials that opened up previously unheard-of possibilities: plastics. Man-made plastics were used for household implements by the 1920s, but it wasn’t until after World War II that the potential for full-sized, functional plastic furniture was realized. One of the most famous plastic chair designs was the Panton chair, named after its designer, Danish architect Verner Panton. Considered the world’s first molded plastic chair, it is a cantilevered chair made from a single piece of plastic. Its shape and weight distribution allow it to be made without back legs. Panton came up with the design in about 1960, but it wasn’t until the middle of the decade that he found a manufacturer, German furniture company Vitra, that would make it. Vitra started producing the Panton chair in 1968. Later, the Vitra Design Museum commemorated the Panton chair with sets of miniature versions in 1:6 scale. A group of fourteen sold for $100 at an auction by Eldred’s; a bargain when compared to the price of a full-sized Panton chair. The chair is still in production today, and designers are adapting it to contemporary sensibilities by creating versions in eco-friendly materials like bamboo and rattan.
Q. One of my favorite antique pieces is a large copper bowl about 21 inches across. It has a round bottom and fits into a three-legged stand. I think it’s for making candy. Can you tell me
Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting
No back legs necessary
The eponymous Panton chair by Danish designer Verner Panton was a triumph of both midcentury design and plastic furniture. The Vitra Design Museum celebrates it with colorful collections of miniature versions. (ELDRED’S)
about it and what it might be worth?
A. You’re right; copper bowls like yours have been used to make candy, at least since the 1800s. Despite their bowl shape, they are usually called candy kettles. Cooks know that copper has excellent thermal conductivity, meaning that it heats and cools rapidly and spreads heat evenly across its surface. This is especially important for making candy; sugar syrup needs to be heated to precise temperatures and handled very carefully to prevent scorching. Unlike most present-day copper cookware, copper candy kettles are usually unlined. Sugar does not react with copper the way acidic foods do. The rounded bottom of the kettle allows for easier, more thorough mixing.
Today, there are many candy companies that advertise that they use copper kettles, often insisting that discerning customers can taste the difference. Antique and vintage copper candy kettles sell for about $200 to $300 without an identified maker or date. More information generally increases the value. Check your kettle for marks and take a close look at any seams, rivets or signs of construction. Most copper cookware was entirely handmade before 1850. By the early
1900s, manufacturers used electric machinery.
Q. Can you tell me about my deck of “Go Fish” children’s playing cards? The box says “Copyright 1951” and “Mfg. by Ed-U-Cards N.Y.,” but I haven’t been able to find out more information about the company or the cards’ value. I was also told that there is a toy museum that accepts donations of very old toys. Any information you can provide about it is greatly appreciated.
A. The Ed-U-Cards company started in the 1940s in Long Island, New York, and appears to have operated until the 1960s. As the name indicates, they made educational card games for children. These included flashcards and memory games to teach subjects like vocabulary, basic math, science concepts, and history. They also made related toys like puzzles and anagram tiles. Many games they made featured popular cartoon characters and other licensed properties. Some of their card games were less overtly educational, like sports games and trading cards. Decks of Ed-U-Cards decks can be worth anywhere from about $10 to $50, depending on their
subject matter and condition. Games with pictures of historical figures or famous fictional characters usually sell for the highest prices. There is a toy museum called the Strong National Museum of Play in New York museumofplay. org that accepts donations of old toys. They are known for their Toy Hall of Fame, which annually inducts a selection of classic toys.
TIP: Plastic furniture from the 1950s often scratches. A good polishing with automobile wax might help cover the blemishes.
Kovels answers readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, The Republican, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.
CURRENT PRICES
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
Stoneware, censer, round, shallow, cream ground, interior landscape, alternating brown and blue spots around exterior rim, three-footed, marked, Kyoto, Japan, 8 inches, $60.
Bronze, vase, allover relief pattern, enamel bands, champleve, geometrics, stylized flowers, turquoise ground, animal’s mask handles, short foot, seal mark, Japan, 14 inches, $125.
Toy, hamster, Goldy, standing, light brown and white, name tag around neck, button in ear, Steiff, 1960s, 20 inches, $180.
Textile, saddle blanket, Navajo, two gray and brown striped center panels, meandering border, light brown bands, red squares in corners, tassels, 29 1/2 x 55 inches, $195.
Box, decanter, hinged lid, wood, coromandel, square, four interior sections, blue velvet lining, brass lock, J.T. Needs, England, 10 x 9 inches, $200.
Glass-contemporary, vase, dark brown ground, flowers, pulled green stems, shoulders, tapered base, signed, Orient & Flume, 9 1/2 inches, $350.
Advertising, sign, Foster’s Freeze, “Old Fashion,” Pints, figural, pint container, blue and white, porcelain, 7 x 7 1/2 inches, $405.
Furniture, semainier, Lyde Old Bros., bird’s-eye maple, seven graduated drawers, lock sides, England, early 1900s, miniature, 26 x 16 inches, $585.
Porcelain-Chinese, tray, oval, outdoor scene, figure, holding fan, verse, gilt rim, early 20th century, 10 x 8 inches, $1,680. Loetz, vase, Cytisus, bulbous, pale green to orange, pulled, iridescent silver spots, c. 1900, 6 1/2 inches, $2,250.
WASHINGTON
Average rate on 30-year mortgage falls to 6.85%
By M att O tt
Associated Press
The average rate on a 30year mortgage in the U.S. fell this week for the first time in a month, but borrowing costs for homebuyers remain elevated.
The long-term rate dipped to 6.85% from 6.89% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.99%.
Borrowing costs on 15year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home
Deeds
AGAWAM
Baldwin Street Realty LLC, to Waystar 800 Silver LLC, 800 Silver St., $750,000.
Christine T. Beck to Barbara M. Barker, trustee, and Beck Family Trust, trustee of, 907 Main St., $100.
Clark Dore and James Acerra to MLGC Family Trust, trustee of, and Timothy K. Crouss, trustee, 277-281 Garden St., $825,000.
Fatih Emekci to Cuneyd Yasin Aydinbas, 288 Regency Park Drive, Unit 288, $167,000.
Gladys Pedrosa, estate, and Steven Pedrosa, representative, to Patrick S. Barry, 420 Main St., Unit 51, $175,000.
Joseph M. Santos and Violeta B. Santos to Matteo Godek, 128 Roosevelt Ave., $525,000.
Kevin D. Freeman, estate, and Robin Garcia, representative, to Heather A. Weston and William G. Weston, 56 Lealand Ave., $332,000.
Kristine B. Deraleau, representative, and Theodore Walter Langlois, estate, to Dwayne Joshua Luvera, 418 Meadow St., Unit A-9, $170,000.
Pine Crossing Construction Inc., to William E. Silk and Jeanenne M. Silk, 43 Villa Drive, Unit 13, $275,000.
Steven J. Paolucci and Lori A. Paolucci to Frances Otieno, 32 Harding St., $325,000.
AMHERST
Patricia Bonica, trustee, Cheryl Bonica, trustee, and Dolores M. Bonica Revocable Trust to Neena J. Thota, trustee, Jawaharlal Thota, trustee,
loans, also came down. The average rate fell to 5.99% from 6.03% last week and 6.29% a year ago, Freddie Mac said.
Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation. The key barometer is the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans.
Bond yields have retreated the past week but broadly
Neena J. Thota Revocable Trust and Jawaharlal Thota Revocable Trust, 208 Pine St., $570,000.
Jeffrey Su and Francisca Pretorius to Douglas Howard Roossien Jr., and Lisa Roossien, 495 Old Farm Road, $769,000.
Richard White and Deborah White to Bei Tong, 27 Webster Court, $293,000.
Jennifer Martin Bednarcyk and Brett Alan Bednarcyk to Martha A. Guild, 77 Spaulding St., $349,900.
Lawrence L. Ambs to Derek Lovley and Kelly Nevin Lovley, 89 Pondview Drive, $585,000.
Sherburne G. Tilton, Cheryl R. Dickinson and Stephen D. Tilton to Hulda Jane Wilson, trustee, and Thomas & Hulda Wilson Amended & Restated Trust, 23 Greenleaves Drive, $350,000.
ASHFIELD
Michael Bombard and Tracy Bombard to Morgan Smith, 612 John Ford Road, $450,000.
BELCHERTOWN
Jeremiah Wayne Bentley and Linda Janet Bentley to Audrey A. Bohl and Matthew G. Bohl, 98 Pondview Circle, $530,000.
Tongping Liu and YuYu Tang to Matthew Shindler and Corey Elizabeth Shindler, 205 Munsell St., $675,000.
David N. Strange and Sharon A. Strange to Daniel Miller and Gabrielle Miller, 21 Autumn Lane, $445,000.
BERNARDSTON
Linda D. Aja and Warren D. Aja to Seamus G. G. Hawks, 84 West
have been trending higher since hitting 2025 lows in early April, reflecting investors’ uncertainty over the Trump administration’s ever-changing tariffs policy and worry over exploding federal government debt.
The 10-year Treasury yield was 4.38% in midday trading Thursday, down from 4.54% a week ago.
The average rate on a 30year mortgage has remained relatively close to its high so far this year of just above 7%, set in mid-January. The 30-year rate’s low point this
Mountain Road, $449,900.
Kimberly A. Norwood to Eric R. Despres, “aka” Eric Despres, 492 Bald Mountain Road, $392,500.
BLANDFORD
Jane Rothenberg-Simmons and Jill Rothenberg-Simmons to Julius Hall Road Realty Trust, trustee of, and Thomas W. Fielding, trustee, Julius Hall Road, $72,000.
Zenon J. Dastous Jr., to Zenon J. Dastous Jr., and Sherry Dastous, 35 Gore Road, $100.
BRIMFIELD
Linda M. Weston and Linda Weston to Hollow Brook Farms Holding LLC, 27 Hollow Road, $320,000.
Ronald N. Weston and Linda Weston to Linda Weston, Hollow Road, $100.
Ronald N. Weston and Linda Weston to Linda Weston, Hollow Road, $100.
Ronald N. Weston and Linda Weston to Linda Weston, Hollow Road, $100.
BUCKLAND
Stephen H. Austin to Charles Scott Knowlton, 138 East Buckland Road, $100,000.
Joseph Kotowski, “aka” Joseph Kotowki, and Tammie Kotowski, “aka” Tammie Kotowki, to Lora C. Hoxie, 135 E. Buckland Road, $175,000.
CHESTERFIELD
David W. Stratton, Leah R. Stratton and Sylvie Jenson to Tatiana Harper and Eric Shattuck, 40 East Street, $60,000.
Dana Lee Hafenrichter, Dana Romanczyk and Jindrich Henry Hafenrichter to Dana Lee Hafenrichter,
year was in early April when it briefly dipped to 6.62%.
High mortgage rates, which can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, have reduced purchasing power for many prospective homebuyers this year. That’s helped keep the U.S. housing market in a sales slump that dates back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from the rock-bottom lows they reached during the pandemic.
Last year, sales of previously occupied U.S. homes
trustee, Jindrich Henry Hafenrichter, trustee, and Hafenrichter Family Revocable Living Trust, 26 Windy Lane, $100.
CHICOPEE
Andrew J. Lemay to Chelyka Diaz, 519 Chicopee St., $390,000.
David M. Remillard to Christopher J. Nichols, 108 Nash St., $225,000.
Desland W. Peart and Janice Peart to Alex Ruiz and Dayanara Colon Reyes, 36 Davenport St., $305,000.
Flipping Best LLC, to Morgan Faith Wojcik, 46 Armanella St., $325,000.
Gail A. Murawski and Gail Murawski to Jacqueline Pagan and Miguel Guzman, 10 Calvin St., $360,000.
Joanne Cebula to Urszula Stetson, trustee, and Urszula Nominee Trust, trustee of, 444-446 Springfield St., $135,000.
Korey K. Westbrook to Alan Liberato De Souza and Liriany Pereira De Almeida Liberato, 10 Woodcrest Circle, $290,000.
Linda Ann Montefusco to Ashley Wilson, 30 Elliot Ave., $285,000.
Linda Moynahan, trustee, Patrick J. Moynahan, trustee, and Moynahan Revocable Family Trust, trustee of, to Luis E. Crucetts Torres and Marta Gomez Garcia, 55 Empire St., Unit 60, $225,000.
Lisa Machnacz and Joseph Machnacz to Anthony J. Machnacz, 45 Frontenac St., $345,000.
Nick Zaporozhchenko to Kiana Sharp, 96 Providence St., $399,000.
Teena L. Fluet to Skyspec LLC, 3 Margaret St., $215,000.
West Co. Investments LLC, to c 539 Lancaster Street Realty LLC, 46 Guerin St., $225,000.
sank to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. Sales fell last month to the slowest pace for the month of April going back to 2009.
Rising mortgage rates have helped dampen sales during what’s traditionally the peak period of the year for home sales. Mortgage applications fell 3.9% last week from the previous week as home loan borrowing costs rose, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Applications for a loan to buy a home are still up 18% from a year earlier.
COLRAIN
Brenda Tozloski and Dennis C. Tozloski to Matthew Mitchell, 30 Shelburne Line Road, $250,000.
Asher D. Chicoine and Monica Chicoine to Laurie J. Francis, trustee of the Laurie J. Francis Revocable Trust of 2024, and John A. Yannis, trustee of the John A. Yannis Revocable Trust of 2024, 300 Main Road, $345,000.
CUMMINGTON
Julie P. Jernstrom to HHCP LLC, 26 Clark Road, $275,000.
EAST LONGMEADOW
Craig J. Ottoson to Nicole Boulanger, 9 Theresa St., $372,000.
Eric D. Hagopian and Daryl A. Hagopian to Muhammad W. Amin and Namra Arif, 19 Peachtree Road, $950,000.
Jeffrey D. Novak to Cheryl Whalen and James Whalen, 33 Fields Drive, Unit IV-10, $640,000.
Patricia A. Roy to Amaricko Malvin McKenzie, trustee, and Honey Holdings Revocable Trust, trustee of, 14 Ridgewood Road, $1,235,000.
EASTHAMPTON
Edward C. Sulzycki, personal representative, Victoria Sulzycki, estate, and John Michael Sulzycki, estate, to Edward C. Sulzycki, 20 Federal St., $100.
Bonnie L. Slysz to Zoe M. Johnson and Scott B. Johnson, 41 Parsons St., $236,000.
Deeds
ERVING
Sara E. Campbell to Allison G. Nelson-Eliot and Adam J. Tierney-Eliot, 8 Maple Ave., $400,000.
GILL
Jacqueline M. Waldron and Paul W. Waldron to Kimberly M. Brown and Michael S. Brown, Main Road, $8,000.
Theodore A. Haber to Aaron St. Jean, Boyle Road, $125,000.
GRANBY
Gregg F. Orlen to Mark R. Keser and Susan J. Keser, Batchelor Street, $10,000.
Amber J. Dufault to Jason A. Dufault, 17 Sherwood Drive, $20,000.
GREENFIELD
Carrie H. Dubino to Lermon Hibbert, 77 & 77 ½ Washington St., $67,000.
Catherine A. Coutu to Susan King, 25 “aka” 6A Keegan Lane, Unit 6A College Park Condominium. $175,000.
Katelyne E. Walko, personal representative of the Estate of Gregory N. Walko, to Marjorie R. Dunehew, Seth C. Dunehew and Zachariah C. Dunehew, 50G Prospect St., $185,000.
Scherrer Holdings LLC, to Kaitlyn M. Norwood and Kimberly A. Norwood, 7 Cooke St., $325,000.
Teresa Martinez and William W. Waldsmith to Jack Mankowsky, 29 Hastings St., $327,500.
Amber Nicole Snow and Jesse A. Snow to Nathan Haselton, 42 Scout Road, $230,000.
EDS Enterprises LLC, to Sarah Fitzpatrick, 124 Log Plain Road, $364,700.
William C. Phelps to Ronny A. Sierra Contreras, 95-97 James St., $415,000.
HADLEY
Janice E. Randall, trustee, and John W. Maroney Funding Trust to Ying Liu, 9 Hadley Place, $495,000.
Kelsey Shoub, trustee, and Olive Property Nominee Trust to Daniel Kao and Linda Kao, 7 Indian Pipe Drive, $937,500.
HAMPDEN
Donna Mayotte, Donna M. Benoit, Nicholas G. Benoit and Michael G. Benoit to Jeffrey D. Novak, 6 Old Coach Circle, $430,000.
Joseph J. Michaud, representative, Joseph J. Michaud, representative, and Lucien Joseph Michaud Jr., estate, to Justin T. Benjamin, 34 Stony Hill Road, $309,900.
Nicholas Alan Carver and Karen Marie Carver to Philip J. Lord and Patricia P. Lord, 15 Glendale View Drive, $625,000.
HATFIELD
Evelyn H. Prucnal to Duane D. Prucnal, 13 North St., $385,000. Mary Pradhuman, trustee, Teresa Karpinski, trustee, and Karpinski 2009 Irrevocable Trust to Mary Pradhuman, 52 North St., $400,000.
HEATH
Shirley Bryden and Thomas W. Bryden III, to Nathallia Hernandez, Eliana Ignacio and Francinne Nash, 27 & 29 Cascade Drive, $40,000.
HOLYOKE
Carlos E. Benitez to Priscilla Martinez Munoz, 67 Pine St., $280,000.
GLJ Enterprises LLC, to Shaila M. Vazquez and Ian S. Hall, 822 Dwight St., $310,000.
Shelia G. Zukowski to 55 Hitchcock LLC, 55 Hitchcock St., $125,000.
Walnut Pine LLC, to Pine Apartments LLC, 159 Essex St., $6,475,000.
HUNTINGTON
Joyner Custom Homes Inc., to Jeffrey Alan Fickett and Cherie A. Fickett, 75 Mountainview Drive, $45,000.
Amy Hollowell and Wayne F. McKinney to Jaye McElroy and Leta Herman, Norwich Lake, $1,800.
LEYDEN
Angie L. Reynolds and Randall S. Reynolds to Beatriz Sanchez De Carrillo and Rodrigo Carrillo Ramirez, 39 Frizzell Hill Road, $582,000.
LONGMEADOW
David R. Tetreault and Elizabeth L. Tetreault to Kiandra C. Lewis Basker and Bryon A. Basker, 60 Hazelwood Ave., $485,000.
Gary Levine and Barbara Levine to Michael A. Orszulak and Celeste R. Orszulak, 207 Williams St., $510,000.
Linda Joyce Butterfield, trustee, Linda Joyce Butterfield Separate Trust Share, trustee of, and Butterfield Joint Revocable Trust, trustee of, to KAC TR Holdings LLC, 60 Farmington Ave., $753,500.
Mary Ellen S. Clay and Henry G. Clay to Roman Stein and Yana Stein, 29 Williamsburg Drive, $855,000.
Michael R. Hoag and Anita M. Hoag to Andrew D. Ritz and Brittany Ritz, 45 Oxford Road, $940,000.
LUDLOW
Anabela A. Ciarcia to Joel Mars, 370 Chapin St., $262,500.
Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Paul David Tjimis, 406 Miller St., $400,000.
Greg Lesniak to Gregory S. Harris and Deborah A. Harris, 160 Pine St., $375,000.
J L N Properties LLC, to Todd M. Douville and Deana L. Douville, Lyon Street, Par B, $2,300.
Roy A. Beal and Chery A. Beal to 349 Holyoke St. Realty Trust, 349 Holyoke St., $200,000.
MONSON
Barbara A. Faust to Flying Monkey LLC, 111 Upper Hampden Road, $160,000.
Carolyn P. Strong, trustee, and Evelyn T. Grassetti Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Raymond I. Grassetti, Hayley M. Grassetti, Raymond J. Grassetti and Erin M. Grassetti, 77 Thayer Road, $361,500.
Jesus F. Hernandez and Maxine L. Hernandez to Jack A. Gallant, 129 Stafford Road, $306,000.
MONTAGUE
Nino L. Rodriguez to Brandon Ambo and Nicole Guerin, 224 Wendell Road, $304,900.
Mark D. Johnson to Nino L. Rodriguez, 364-366 Federal St., $350,000.
John M. Martineau and Shannon M. Martineau to Ren Evans Llewellyn and Casey Llewellyn Ratliff, 18 Carlisle Ave., $340,000.
Charles J. Rucci and Rosalind Rucci to 4 Pleasant Street LLC, 314 Montague City Road, $250,000.
Kevin J. Wegiel Sr., and Kimberly A. Wegiel to Dana Acheson, 9 Ivy St., $281,000.
MONTGOMERY
Peter Lawrence Choquette and Suzanne M. Dabakis-Choquette to Rosita Nunez, Jake D. McKittrick and Sofia Arroyo, 1578 Russell Road, $569,900.
Catherine M. Lamica, Catherine M. Nicholas and Catherine M. Nichols to Richard J. Pelletier and Patricia Mederian Fay, 36-38 Mt. Dumplin Road, $250,000.
Nicholas M. Sauve and Reilly L. Sauve to Manisha Guruge, 23 Ains
Manor Road, $260,000.
NORTHAMPTON
Cynthia S. Schaedig and Bonnie S. Cooper to Janet R. Bertinuson and Bridget J. Dunford, 105 Clement St., $590,000.
Barcelona Avenue LLC, to Melanie Cianciola, 279 Haydenville Road, $325,000.
Michael S. McSherry and Frances N. McSherry to Kyle Milardo and Lauren Anker, 66 Fox Farms Road, $750,000.
Sean Hok, Srun Veng Hok and Heak Muy Chong to Sean Hok, Heak Muy Chong, Sreng Bac Ly and Lang Chheang Ung, 7-9 Garfield Ave., and 5-7 Garfield Ave., $100.
Samuel Ostroff to Eugene B. Ferrari and Kaitlyn A. Ferrari, 305 Locust St., $801,000.
Mark G. Glenny, trustee, George L. Waldmann, trustee, and MGW Trust to Paul Lenkowski and Ann F. Lenkowski, 51 Phillips Place, $695,000.
NORTHFIELD
Apple Creek Farm Trucking LLC, to Angie L. Reynolds and Randall S. Reynolds, 848, 850 & 852 Old Wendell Road, $1,680,000.
ORANGE
Zanga Development LLC, to Shane Jacobson, 53 Cottage St., $269,000.
Sheryl M. Doherty-Grimes and Leonard R. Grimes Jr., to Nadine A. Marsh and Wayde M. Marsh, Spring Street, $3,000.
Roberta M. Donovan, “aka” Roberta Mae Donovan, individually, and Brendan C. Donovan, personal representative of the Estate of Laurence P. Donovan, “aka” Lawrence P. Donovan, “aka” Lawrence Donovan, to Margaret M. Duffy-Ludden and James K. Ludden Sr., 34 Lake Ave., $410,000.
Dennis Piragis and Julie Piragis to Winridge Holdings LLC, Holtshire Road, $160,000.
Wendy S. Perkins and Bruce W. Rothney to Daphne Miller and Sheridan Prestero, 122 Lake Mattawa Road, $410,000.
PELHAM
Alfred B. Hudson, estate, Kate Hudson, personal representative, and Geoff Hudson, personal representative, to Kate Hudson, trustee, Geoff Hudson, trustee, and Hudson Family Trust, 111 Amherst Road, $100.
ROWE
James H. Williams to the Town of Rowe, North Cemetery Road, $20,000.
SHELBURNE
Cindi L. Jensen and Enoch O. Jensen to Andrew J. Bayiates and Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, 327 Little Mohawk Road, $500,000.
SOUTH HADLEY
Jane A. Healy and Jane A. Dernoga to John Dernoga, 15 Brockway Lane and Brockway Street, $100.
Caesar P. Fernandes and Laura L. Fernandes to Karl K. Pikul and Christine E. Pikul, 17 Rivercrest Way, $617,000.
Flipping Best LLC, to Zachary Yacteen, 11 Canal St., $100.
Eric D. Nelson and Elizabeth H. Nelson to Hikari Mamata and Rachel Martin, 236 East St., $416,000.
Mary J. Wholley, personal representative, and Glorianna H. Wholley, estate, to Colondres Co LLC, 36 Silver St., $270,000.
Daniel Dubovik, trustee, Alfred L. & Elsie E. Gormick Trust, Susan E. Lyons, personal representative, and Alfred L. Gormick, estate, to Michael A. Coombs and Adrienne D. Hines-Coombs, 48 Chestnut Hill Road, $599,000.
Thomas J. Malek to Charles Elfman, Camden Street, $102,500.
Cheryl Batchelor and Cheryl Bonavita to Joseph M. Bonavita, 315 Brainerd St., $420,000.
Robert J. Whelihan Sr., to NRB Roof Pros LLC, 61 Bridge St., $150,000.
SOUTHAMPTON
Berry Brook Forest LLC, to Alan Dzialo, Tracey Dzialo and Brent Dzialo, Edwards Road, $98,000.
Leo F. Murawski and Debra A. Donohue to Emily Murawski, 222 County Road, $100.
Aleksandr Chuduk to Desland Peart and Janice Peart, 154 County Road, $440,000.
Emily Murawski and Leo F. Murawski, attorney-in-fact, to David S. Usher, 222 County Road, $335,000.
SOUTHWICK
Michael J. Moses and Pamela A. Moses to Danielle T. Lessard and Daniel C. Lyon, 18 Lexington Circle, $725,000.
Paula Brooks and Kevin Brooks to Daniel Searles, 28 Lauren Lane, $950,000.
Deeds
SPRINGFIELD
437 Nassau Drive Realty Trust, trustee of, and Karen L. Ricci, trustee, to Eileen Ramirez, 437 Nassau Drive, $239,000.
71-73 Tulsa LLC, to Andrew Nuzzolilli and Brianna Nuzzolilli, 71-73 Tulsa St., $405,000.
Alicia Gerena Nieves to Jennifer Marie Attenello and Kenal Justin Sampson, 28 Dutton St., $275,000.
Andrew Manzi, representative, and Giovanni Manzi, estate, to Emtay Inc. and Hoodoo Realty LLC, 144 Euclid Ave., $290,000.
April L. Miles and April Louise Szenkum to Anthony Roy Jr., and Jennie Roy, 241 Mallowhill Road, $335,000.
Areid Estate LLC, to Eric Martinez, 88 Glenwood St., $320,000.
Areid Estate LLC, to Guan-En Graham and Basilio Furest Cataldo, 48 Santa Barbara St., $325,000.
Bilal Eldokr to Margarita Mulero, Mark Skrodzki and Bilal Eldokr, 9193 Clifton Ave., $100.
Bretta Construction LLC, to Shakira Martin Reyes and Darius L. Martin, 1424 Plumtree Road, $470,000.
Carolyn L. Thornton to Dominic Santaniello, trustee, Lucas Giusto, trustee, and Naples Home Buyers Trust, trustee of, 25 Pheland St., $170,000.
Cedar Investment Group LLC, to Samantha I. Fazioli, 125 Temby St., $305,000.
Charles E. Brantley to Juan Martinez Maravilla, 103 Middlesex St., $290,000.
Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ to Katherine Campana, 5153 Bay St., $384,900.
Couture Property Group LLC, to Kapdoo LLC, 140 Chestnut St., Unit 301, $99,900.
Cristina Camerota, representative, John Camerota, estate, and John J. Camerota, estate, to Frank Camerota, 20 Bangor St., $175,000.
Cynthia Colon and Joan Osorio to Jackeline Irizarry Velazquez, 56 Marsden St., $284,200.
David W. Nawoj, representative, and Daniel J. Nawoj, estate, to Jeffrey R. Kuselias and Peter Kuselias, 105 Mazarin St., $220,000.
Dianne Edwards and Opal Colleen Jackson to Garmai Sumo, 127 Daviston St., $290,000.
Dnepro Properties LLC, to Desirae Dodge, 31 Observer St., $365,000.
Doreen J. Stanuch, representative, and Eugene C. Vandall, estate, to Genes Alignment Tire & Brake LLC,
10 Dean St., $190,000.
Douglas Dichard to Yanirelis Quinones and Angel L. Rojas, 289 Morton St., $330,000.
Edward Brown and Regina A. Brown to Sory Sidime and Cariane B. Yao, 909 Roosevelt Ave., $355,000.
Edward W. Diloreto, Dawn M. Hennessy and Dawn M. Diloreto to Ashley Palm and Luis Diaz, 16 Delano Drive, $272,500.
Elaine Davey to Hailey Ginelle Alexander, 58 Bevier St., $285,000.
Emtay Inc., to Samuel Francois, 6466 Farragut St., $285,000.
Eric Richard Devine, Anne H. Vandermyn and Anne H. Pietras to Mateusz Cieslak, 56 Tallyho Drive, $415,000.
Ericdeshawn Austin, Melissa Austin and Melissa Doherty to Iglesia Pentecostal Fuente De Liberacion Inc., 1105 Carew St., $367,000.
Fifty 50 Realty LLC, and Spectra S2 LLC, to 28 Randall LLC, 28 Randall Place, $780,000.
Gary A. Daula to Dianne Edwards and Doran Williams, 26-28 Whittier St., $475,000.
Gisele E. Girard and Steven J. Girard to Dennis M. Donovan and Nancy A. Donovan, 214 Nassau Drive, Unit 214, $223,000.
Grace B. Snow to Heidi Rossmeisl and Grace B. Snow, life estate, 83 Meadowbrook Road, $100.
HSBC Bank USA, trustee, and Fremont Home Loan Trust 2005-D, trustee of, to Charles N. Hoffman, 65 Merida St., $225,000.
Jackeline Irizarry Velazquez and Armando Perez to Maria Diaz, 16 Loretta St., $275,000.
James F. Foard Jr., Deborah Makuch and George A. Farland to Mark Maruca, 101 Mulberry St., Unit 608, $221,000.
JoeJoe Properties LLC, to Luis Hernandez and Isabel Hernandez, 41 Dubois St., $210,000.
John D. Tyburski Jr., and John D. Tyburski to Veteran Stan LLC, 3133 Balis St., $285,000.
John J. Maclellan and Kathleen F. MacLellan to Michael R. MacLellan and Brittany MacLellan, 115 Westbrook Drive, $305,000.
Jose M. Morales, Jose M. Morales Montanez and Maria Del Carmen Santos Torres to Joshua Lee Vazquez, 1267-1269 Carew St., $230,000.
Jose R. Rodriguez Lopez, Hector R. Rodriguez, estate, and Hector Ramon Rodriguez, estate, to Amarilis Chiclana Leon, 86 Lorenzo St., $260,000.
Kenya Y. Adorno and Airiel Adorno to Brian Beach and Kayi Lee, 72 Fieldston St., $230,000. KLM Realty Trust, trustee of,
and Karin Robertson, trustee, to Salvatore Tucci, 182 Nassau Drive, $212,800.
Len-Steve Realty LLC, to Nine Seven Seven Saint James LLC, 977 Saint James Ave., $100,000.
Longbridge Financial LLC, to Sareen Properties LLC, 46-48 Wait St., $192,000.
Mahalingam Kamalahasan and Sujatha Rajarathnam to Martin Ybarra and Brandee Ybarra, 75 Penncastle St, $330,000.
Margarita Ruiz and Jesus M. Navarro to Gabriel Martinez, 25 Dawes St., $165,000.
Mark R. Draymore, trustee, and Kenmore Company Realty Trust, trustee of, to DDM Property Springfield LLC, 827 Boston Road, $300,000.
Marta James to Brandie Hicks and Emily Hicks, 34 Brooks St., $279,000.
Mary T. Popko to Rehab Home Buyers LLC, 28 1/2 Parker St., $460,000.
MHI Properties LLC, to Angelica Rojas Roman, 26 Forest St., $305,000.
Naylor Nation Real Estate LLC, to Mayra Perez and Belinda Perez, 3537 Copley Terrace, $510,000.
Neil Bridgman to Jayna Tavarez and Chandon Marcel Phulbas, 68 Somerset St., $260,000.
Nikola Lee Sandau, Zachary Glenn Sandau and Britney Sandau to Charles Ford, 44 Bither St., $325,000.
Norbert A. Carter, estate, Richard M. Carter, representative, and Norbert Arthur Carter, estate, to Francine Cameron, 16 Sonia St., $320,000.
NRES LLC, to Aric Brandt and Ashley Dougherty Brandt, 143-144 Yale St., $400,000.
Round Two LLC, to Jennifer Byrd, 75 Mapledell St., $276,000.
Sareen Holdings LLC, to Stephanie M. Rodriguez, 65 Edgemont St., $235,000.
Shakira Martin Reyes and Darius Leland Martin to Luis Angel Vargas, 119 Ravenwood St., $330,000.
Silver Snake Properties LLC, to KMAK LLC, and Healthy Neighborhoods Group LLC, 35-37 Spruce St., $332,000.
Sybel Gonzalez to Logan Ward, 86 Florence St., $363,000.
Tedeschi Properties LLC, to Jeremiah Debella, 128 Fiberloid St., $247,500.
Virgilio Santos to Star Charlenne Arroyo, 166 Nottingham St., $277,000.
Yanirelis Quinones Hernandez and Angel Rojas to Jeymarie Cartagena Torres and Jadiel O. Caballero Colon, 56 Montclair St., $250,000.
WALES
Boris Labkovsky and Diane Magada to Kelly McGreevy and Todd Barclay, 44 Mount Hitchcock Road, $40,000.
WARE
Arielle V. Akgun, Arielle V. Day and Mehmet Akgun to Wesly Joseph, 60-62 Pleasant St., $330,000.
Douglas J. Mayo to Jessie Lee Bailey Jr., and Avery Kozloski, 21 Smith Ave., $250,000.
Russell E. Cote to Russell E. Cote, trustee, and 11 Sunny Hill Drive Realty Trust, 11 Sunny Hill Drive, $100.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Adam Kenneth Bourdon and Mary Elizabeth Bourdon to Ahmed Qays Aljarrah, 67 Redden Road, $410,000.
Barbara S. Wachala, James Stanley Wachala Jr., and Michael Alexander Wachala to Lori B. Kuszewski and Bernard James Kuszewski, 94 Herrman St., $353,500.
Jessica Dziewit, Jessica M. Nolan and Eric Dziewit to Cory Pendleton, 31 Field St., $261,300.
Joann Adams and Joann Stuart to Yasin Khan, 11 Verdugo St., $352,000.
Karen A. Murdzia and Steven J. Murdzia to William Jenkins, 65 Quarry Road, $665,000.
Nancy J. Gates to Veteran Stan LLC, 32 Lotus Ave., $220,000.
Peter J. Miller, representative, Elizabeth B. Miller, estate, Susanne Marie Gendron, Teresa Mary Leporati, Mary Jane Miller and Gregory A. Miller to William F. Miller, 2133 Westfield St, $60,541.
Sandra Earnshaw, Nancy Conrad and Ronald F. Conrad to Ashton DiDonato and Matthew Czepiel, 73-75 Lathrop St., $407,000.
WESTFIELD
Joseph W. Weibel to Sarah Mitus and Andrew Cole, 95 Alexander Place, $557,000.
Kathleen Hocker to M3 Properties LLC, 555 Russell Road, Unit F39, $145,000.
Madhu B. Sarwal and Madhu Sarwal to Janet M. Sarwal and Janet M. Cummings, 87 Meadow St., $125,000.
Madhu B. Sarwal to Janet M. Sarwal and Janet M. Cummings, 89 Reservoir Ave., $225,000.
Pamela M. Butler to Clark P. Maynard, 36 Colony Circle, $380,000.
Yun Zheng to Angela Ann Cooley, 18 Mill St., $342,500.
WHATELY
Richard F. Thayer to Gwendolyn A. Kimberling and Joshua K. Kimberling, 26 Egypt Road, $450,000.
WILBRAHAM
Jane Paris to Timothy E. Flynn and Elaine Flynn, 3 Lodge Lane, $465,000.
John N. Vartanian, Ralph R. Vartanian and Nishan J. Vartanian to Evan Tibbals and Riley Jane Marini, 14 Glenn Drive, $490,000.
Marshall T. Moriarty to Zachary Hadjah, 21 Mountainbrook Road, $441,000.
Omar Echeverria and Leda Echeverria to Richard F. Loud Jr., and Joan B. Loud, 1 Sunset Rock Road, $444,000.
Stephen Lowe to Bukowski Construction LLC, Cadwell Drive, Lot 12, $75,000.
Susan H. Parker to April Miles, 1039 Tinkham Road, $420,000.
WILLIAMSBURG
John Kuzeja Jr., to Jacquelyn C. Compton, trustee, John Kuzeja Jr., trustee, and Compton & Kuzeja Family Trust, 332 Nash Hill Road, $100.
John Kuzeja Jr., trustee, Jacquelyn C. Compton, trustee, and Compton & Kuzeja Family Trust to James L. Thomson, trustee, and James L. Thomson Trust, 332 Nash Hill Road, $30,000.
Emily T. Norton to Lillian Carone, 10 North Main St., $275,000.
PUBLIC AUCTION
PUBLIC AUCTION
MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
South Holyoke, MA
10:00 AM - EAST LONGMEADOW
54 Rogers Road
sgl fam, 2,500 sf liv area, 0.51 ac lot, 9 rm, 4 bdrm, 2 bth, Hampden: Bk 15101, Pg 116 2:00 PM - HOLYOKE
397 Apremont Highway
Homes
South Holyoke Homes - Phase 2 Ownership
New Construction – 20 Duplex Homes
14 Three-Bedroom homes: $225,000 or $245,000
6 Four-Bedroom homes: $240,000 or $260,000
Applications accepted Monday May 5, 2025 - Friday July 11, 2025 at 2pm
Information Sessions:
Wed, May 28th at 6pm at El Mercado, 413 Main Street or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89157956567
Friday, June 18th at 6pm at El Mercado, 413 Main Street or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82121611534
sgl fam, 1,440 sf liv area, 0.26 ac lot, 5 rm, 3 bdrm, 2 bth, Hampden: Bk 21154, Pg 476 3:00 PM - SPRINGFIELD
51-53 Everett Street
2 fam, 1,764 sf liv area, 0.14 ac lot, 8 rm, 4 bdrm, 2F/2H bth, Hampden: Bk 15442, Pg 156 5:00 PM - SPRINGFIELD
157 Canterbury Road
sgl fam, 2,332 sf liv area, 0.16 ac lot, 7 rm, 4 bdrm, 2.5 bth, Hampden: Bk 24767, Pg 207 TERMS:
at El Mercado, 413 Main Street or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82121611534
Open Houses:
Open Houses: Wednesday, May 21st at 5pm and Saturday, June 14th at 12pm
Wednesday, May 21st at 5pm and Saturday, June 14th at 12pm
Lottery: Wednesday August 6, 2025
Lottery: Wednesday August 6, 2025
Applicant Qualifications - Maximum Income Limits
12 3BR below 80% AMI, 2 3BR units below 100% AMI, 4 4BR below 80% AMI, 2 4BR units below 100%
Please contact 413-539-2220 for free
may access TTY/TDD Telecommunications Relay Services by dialing 711. Holyoke Housing Authority, 475 Maple Street, Holyoke, MA - 413-539-2220 www.southholyokehomes.org Deed Restrictions
CHELMSFORD (978) 251-1150 www.baystateauction.com MAAU#: 1029, 2624, 3039, 116, 2484, 2919, 3092, 3107, 0100030, 3099
BORINQUEN APARTMENTS SPRINGFIELD
Currently accepting apps for 0,1,2,3,4BR & 0,1,2BR handicap accessible apts These fed assisted apts, offer gas range, refrig, otr micro, diswshr, clg fan ¢ral ac in each unit. On-site mgmt, after hr emergency srvc, ldy facility w/conv loc near hospital & bus rte. Family must qualify under the LIHTC Prgm guidelines. Please apply at 2748 Main St, Spfld, MA 01107 or online at www. morgankaylee.com or call 413-734-1745 or (TDD) 800439-2370.
Brimfield 8 N. Main St. June 7 & 8th. 8 -2 PM # 8 on the townwide tag sale map. Over 50 households. Antiques, primitives, jewelry, puzzles, golf, bottles, household, kitchen, baskets. Rain or shine. (Lori)
SPRINGFIELD
Jefferson Ave School Apts
Curentlyacceptingapps for0-1BR&1BRhandicap accapts.Housingfor62 yrs&older,handicapor disabled.Theselow-incomeHUDasstapts offerldyfac,prkg,on-site ressrvccoordinator& afterhrsecguard/conv locnearhospital,park& bus rte. Please apply at 2748 Main St. Spfld, MA. 01107 or online at www.morgankaylee.com or call 413-734-1745 or (TDD) 800-439-2370
VILLA TAINO
TOWNHOUSE Apartments SPRINGFIELD
Now Leasing & accepting apps for Farm Labor Housing for 1,2,3,4, & 5BR apts & 1,2 & 3BR handicap acc apts. Family must earn a substantial portion of income from farm labor. These fed asst appts offer gas range, refrig, central ac, on-site ldy, off street prking, after hr emergency srvc conv loc near hospital park & bus rte Please apply at 2748 Main St, Spfld, MA 01107 or online at www.morgankaylee.com or call 413-734-1745 or (TDD) 800-439-2370.
Maine Coon mix, 1 female, 1 male $50.00 each. Call 413-777-9659 or text 575-1389
Dachshund Puppies, 8 wks old, females only, $1500. Serious inquiries only. Call 413-636-6561
English Springer Spaniel, Liver & White female, current on shots. $300. Call 413-596-8190
GermanShepherdpuppies forsale,1m&2f,$650, call or text 802-323-2538
AARON POSNIK & CO. INC. Indust & Comm. Auctions 31 Capital Dr. W. Spfld. 733-5238 www.posnik.com
DouglasAuctioneers.com ESTATES-ANTIQUES 413-665-2877
MORTGAGEES’ REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS TO BE SOLD ON THEIR RESPECTIVE PREMISE WEDNESDAY JUNE 11, 2025
10:00AM-SPRINGFIELD, MA 126 WINDEMERE STREETDEPOSIT $10,000
2:00 PM - OTIS, MA 122 KIBBE ROADDEPOSIT $20,000
TERMSOFSALES:DEPOSITSINTHEAMOUNTS SPECIFIEDABOVEARETO BEPAIDBYTHEPURCHASER(S)ATTHETIME ANDPLACEOFEACH SALEBYCERTIFIEDOR BANKCHECK.ALLBALANCESDUEARETOBE
