7,
ANTIQUES: Farm calculators from the 20th century, F7
IN THE GARDEN: The keys to good composting, F4 com
HOME: How to prepare for the fall season, F6
Where do the missing socks go?
By Stacey C olino
The Washington Post
WHEN YOU DO
laundry, you expect your clothes to come out cleaner and fresher, looking and feeling good. But that doesn’t always happen and what you end up with is a load of frustrations.
Maybe some of your clothes emerge with mysterious spots or smells, or a strange texture. Maybe some (like socks) don’t come out at all. These things happen to everyone — even laundry pros.
Here’s a look at seven common laundry mysteries, the truth about what causes them, and what to do about them.
Your clothes come out of the wash covered with lint
This can happen if you leave tissues in your pockets or you have a dirty lint filter (if your machine has one). Be sure to check pockets and remove tissues before running a cycle and clean the washer’s lint filter — which may be along the rim of the drum, or inside the center agitator in top-loading machines — after each use, says Kristin DiNicolantonio, senior director of stakeholder communications at the American Cleaning Institute in Washington, D.C. You can use a small brush or paper towel to remove the lint from the filter. (Also, make sure to clean your dryer’s lint screen after each cycle so lint doesn’t cling to clothes while they are drying.)
Another possibility is that you are mixing lint-shedding fabrics (such as terry cloth, fleece, flannel and chenille) and lint-attracting fabrics (such as polyester, nylon, microfiber and darker cotton clothing) in a load, says Emily Adams, manager at NW Maids House Cleaning Service in Seattle. “Lint-shedding fabrics release fibers during washing, [whereas] lint-attracting fabrics tend to hold onto loose fibers.” The
solution: Wash lint-shedding and lint-attracting items in separate loads.
Your clothes smell funky after you wash them
This could be a sign of mildew or mold in your washing machine. “If my laundry is stinky when it gets out of the wash, it’s usually due to a combination of detergent residue buildup, mildew growth and a dirty washing machine,” says Barbara Stern, a textile and fabric expert at Ottoman Textiles in Manchester in the U.K. “In high-efficiency washing machines, the small amount of water causes detergent and softener residues to build up in both the clothes and the washer drum. This buildup traps bacteria and mold spores and is responsible for that sour, musty odor.”
To remedy the problem, Stern recommends running a monthly cycle of hot water and two cups of white vinegar in the drum, without any clothes; then run a cycle with hot water and ½ cup of baking soda, put directly in the drum, to neutralize lingering odors.
A strange smell can also develop if you leave damp clothes in the washer too long, so “always remove clothes promptly and leave the [washer] door open to air it out,” Adams says.
Your T-shirts have mysterious holes after being washed
“Holes, tears and snags could be caused by unfastened zippers, hooks and belt buckles that snag synthetic knits,” DiNicolantonio says. “To prevent this from happening, fasten zippers, buckles, hooks and eyes [on clothes] before adding them to the washer, and turn synthetic knits inside out to wash them.”
For particularly fragile fabrics, you may want to take the extra step of placing them in mesh wash bags and washing
them in a gentle cycle without rough items, Stern says.
Your socks occasionally disappear in the laundry
No, there isn’t a sock-eating monster in your machine. First, check to see if missing socks are trapped in other pieces of clothing or fitted sheets. If there’s no sign of them there, they may have become stuck between the drum and the rubber door seal in a front-loading washing machine or under the center agitator in a top-loading machine, Stern says.
To prevent this, use a mesh laundry bag to keep socks corralled in the wash, DiNicolantonio says.
Your clothes are stiff when they come out of the washer
When this happens, the culprit is usually detergent residue combined with hard-water mineral deposits. “Hard water contains calcium and magnesium ions that attach to detergent molecules and leave a rough, chalky deposit on fabrics,” Stern says. “Too much detergent exacerbates the problem because the excess cannot be completely rinsed away.”
To get rid of stiffness, soak clean clothes in a solution of one gallon of warm water and one cup of white vinegar to dissolve the deposits, Stern suggests. Then, rinse them with clean water or put them through a rinse cycle in the machine.
To prevent this in the future: If you live in an area with hard water, “use the appropriate amount of detergent, consider adding a water softener [for laundry], and run an extra rinse cycle,” Adams says. Using a liquid detergent also can help because it may dissolve more easily, DiNicolantonio says.
Your clothes have weird spots after you wash them White spots or streaks that are particularly noticeable
on dark- or bright-colored clothes could be from undissolved detergent, DiNicolantonio says. To prevent this, “make sure you add your detergent to the washer first, then add clothes and start the washer,” she says. “Also, make sure to use the right amount of detergent for the load size.”
Keep in mind that some powder detergents can combine with minerals in hard water to form a residue. “If this happens, add one cup of white vinegar to a gallon of warm water in a plastic container — soak the item and rinse it,” DiNicolantonio says. That should remove any spots.
Your workout tops have a lingering underarm odor
“Athletic clothes can require a little more TLC,” DiNicolantonio says, because they can continue to harbor bacteria even after being washed. The persistent odor is most likely due to sweat, body oils and bacteria trapped within
synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon and spandex. A wash cycle with regular detergent may not break them down, Adams says. It helps to presoak smelly items for 30 minutes in a one-to-four solution of white vinegar to cool water to deodorize them; then wash them in warm water with an enzyme-based laundry detergent, Stern says. If just part of a clean workout top — such as the underarm area — still stinks after it’s been washed, Patric Richardson, a laundry and cleaning expert based in Minnesota, recommends spraying the underarm areas with vodka and letting the shirt air-dry.
“The vodka works because it is antibacterial and kills the germs that cause odor,” says Richardson, author of the book “House Love: A Joyful Guide to Cleaning, Organizing, and Loving the Home You’re In.” After spritzing the shirt with vodka, let it dry and you can wear it again — no rewashing required.
Lee Reich | In the Garden
The keys to good composting
AS THE BUMPER sticker on my truck reads, “COMPOST HAPPENS.” Even so, problems sometimes arise along the way.
Is your main complaint that your compost “happens,” but too slowly. I like to picture my compost pile as a pet, except this pet is made up of many different kinds of macro- and microorganisms, and the population changes over time. Like other pets, my compost pet and your compost pet need food, air and water.
A compost bin, while not absolutely necessary, keeps the pile neat and hurries the process along by containing its heat and moisture. (LEE REICH PHOTO)
Compost piles work quickest when their two most important foodstuffs — nitrogen and carbon — are in balance. (All this, by the way, also applies to us humans; our nitrogen comes mostly from proteins, and our carbon comes mostly from carbohydrates.) Old, usually brown and dry plant materials, such as autumn leaves, straw, hay and sawdust, are the carbon-rich foods for a compost pile. The older the plant material, the richer it is in carbon. Nitrogen-rich materials include young, green plant parts, such as tomato stalks, vegetable waste from the kitchen and grass clippings, as well as manures.
Nitrogen fertilizers are concentrated sources of nitrogen. They commonly are the active ingredients of commercially available compost “activators.”
“Activator” has a nice ring to it, but it’s overpriced, unnecessary candy for any compost. Sometimes they also contain microorganisms, also unnecessary.
Now is the time of year when compostable materials rich in carbon are spilling over in excess from our gardens and yards, so the way to speed up
GARDEN NOTES
GREENFIELD Western Mass. Master Gardener Association program
The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association (WMMGA) will be at the Greenfield Public Library to answer your gardening questions and offer pH soil testing on Saturday, Sept.13, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring a sample of soil to learn what your garden needs to flourish! For information on collecting soil samples, see “How to Test Your Soil” on their homepage at https:// wmmga.org/
The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association (WMMGA) is a member-managed nonprofit organization dedicated to the educational mission of promoting good and
compost piles built now is by looking for nitrogen-rich materials to balance out that excess. You can read about the ratios of these materials to use for your compost, but don’t sweat it too seriously. Microorganisms will eventually balance out an excess of one or the other all by themselves, albeit slowly if the excess is of carbon foods. Attempts to be too precise also are unfeasible, because other factors come into play, such as actual carbon and nitrogen concentrations and particle sizes of the raw mate-
sustainable gardening practices. Each master gardener has completed an in-depth training program, including hands-on activities in gardening and public education, and has made a commitment to participate in WMMGA-sponsored public programs each year. WMMGA is an affiliate of the national Master Gardener program of the American Horticultural Society.
For more information, contact Pamela McBride at librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org, or call 413-7721544. This program, free and open to the public, is a rain or shine event.
AGAWAM
Agawam Garden Club meeting
The next meeting of the Agawam Garden Club is Tuesday, Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m., at the Agawam Public Library
rials. And certain compounds in the raw materials, such as lignins, carbon-nitrogen ratios notwithstanding, are only slowly digestible by compost creatures.
Changing particle sizes is a feasible way to speed up composting: Shredding or chopping the raw materials gives microorganisms more initial surface area at which to “chew” away. When I started gardening, I went out and bought a gasoline-powered shredder. I soon realized that the chugging noise and fumes spewing from the engine were not in line with the bucolic experience I expected from gardening, not to mention all the environmental benefits from growing my own tomatoes, lettuce and other vegetables. That shredder has long been replaced by a machete, a convenient tool for chopping coarse materials, everything from corn and broccoli stalks to a springy layer of bean plants. It doesn’t leave materials uniformly fine, but it’s trouble-free and solar powered. I keep it stuck in the ground near my compost pile where it takes up little storage space and needs no more maintenance
located at 750 Cooper St. After a short business meeting, Alex Sherman, forester for the City of Springfield, will give a presentation on tree selection.
Sherman holds many credentials, including ISA and Massachusetts certified arborist, Massachusetts qualified tree warden, and ISA tree risk assessment qualification. He has a passion for understanding how trees improve the environment and quality of life in urban areas and how foresters and arborists can effectively manage trees to provide maximum benefits. All meetings are open to the public and not restricted to Agawam residents.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
West Springfield Garden Club meeting
The West Springfield Garden Club
than an occasional filing of the blade.
A thirsty pet is another frequent cause for sluggish compost. Sun and wind dry out piles that are free-standing or enclosed by wire mesh or wooden pallets. A solid-walled enclosure not only helps speed things along by holding in moisture but also holds in generated warmth so decomposition can continue even as outdoor temperatures cool. Carbon-rich materials are often naturally dry, making water within the growing compost pile limiting. The cure for insufficient moisture is, of course, to add water, and the most effective way to do this is to layer raw materials, watering each layer as you build just enough to make the surfaces glisten. It takes a long time to get enough water deep into a dry pile. Another way, which gets the water deep into the pile, is with a small sprinkler. I use this latter method with the sprinkler I set on the pile with the spread of water set to about the edge of the pile. A half-hour of sprinkling gets the water deep down.
SEE REICH, PAGE F5
will meet on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 6 p.m., in the J. Edward Christian Municipal Office Building, 26 Central St. Parking is available in the municipal lot across the street. The program will take place in the Justin Morgan Auditorium on the second floor.
The evening’s guest speaker, Paula Vosburgh, will share her experience about “The Basics of Water Gardening.” If you have ever thought of broadening your landscape to include a water garden, this talk will give you the basics to start on the road to success.
Similarities and differences with soil gardening will be covered. Join us for a dip into a different kind of garden! The public is welcome to attend. Contact Joan at graceshad@msn.com to RSVP.
Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.
By Jeanne Huber
Q. My sliding screen door no longer operates smoothly on its track. How can I make it glide smoothly?
A. Coaxing a stubborn
screen door into sliding smoothly can be as easy as cleaning the track or as tricky as finding the exact replacement rollers you need and figuring out how to switch them.
Start by trying simple things that don’t cost anything. Sliding screen doors typically
have wheels at the top and bottom that ride on tracks. The bottom track is especially prone to collecting grime, which can keep the door from sliding smoothly. Use a vacuum and an old toothbrush to clean it, then wipe it with a damp cloth.
Fixing a stubborn screen door into one that is sliding smoothly can be easy or very tricky.
Too much water can also slow composting. And soggy ingredients lead to yet another common composting problem, that of the pile giving off offensive odors or attracting flies. When too much water gets into a compost pile, air is displaced and a whole new set of microorganisms go to work, ones that work slowly and malodorously.
Odors due to poor aeration result from piles built with an excess of dense, succulent raw materials, such as grass clippings or kitchen wastes. With either of these materials, the odor problem is compounded because they’re so rich in nitrogen, some excess of which is vented off as ammonia gas. The problem of excess nitrogen is, obviously, most easily avoided if carbon-rich materials come along to combine with the nitrogen.
The cure for a waterlogged pile is aeration, accomplished by either stirring the pile, or turning and rebuilding it. Rotating drum bins make it especially easy to stir ingredients. My bin, made of boards notched to stack like Lincoln Logs, also make turning easy because the sides go down and up as I remove or add ingredients.
For a pile already stacked high, turning it while adding some fluffy, high carbon material, such as straw, puts everything in order. Some gardeners build their compost bins out of straw bales. As the bales disintegrate, the straw
is conveniently available to balance out nitrogen-rich materials in subsequent piles. When building my compost piles, I try to balance the foods as far as carbon and nitrogen and aeration. All this changes through the year as different materials become available. Once a pile is about four feet high and is well fed and neither thirsty nor gasping for air, I like to keep it that way while “cooking,” so I cover the top to seal in moisture and keep out excess water from rainfall, using EPDM roofing material. Monitoring compost progress beyond what my nose or time will tell lets me make adjustments to an existing pile or what to do differently next time. I slide the long probe of a compost thermometer deep within a pile’s innards. Temperatures within a pile that is at least 27 cubic feet and built over the course of a few days can quickly soar to 140 degrees F., or higher. No heat indicates insufficient moisture, nitrogen, or air, or too small a pile.
Piles built slowly or in winter also generate very little heat.
But compost happens. Whether progress is fast or slow, any pile of living or once-living materials will eventually turn to compost, and a few benchmarks signal just when. Take the pile’s temperature. Heat will no longer be generated. Look at the compost. Most raw materials will have been transmuted into a dark brown, crumbly fudge. Smell it. Finished compost has a pleasant, woodsy aroma. Mmmmm.
The Washington Post
SEE SLIDE, PAGE F6
How should I prepare for fall?
By A ngie H icks Tribune Content Agency
IT MAY STILL BE HOT in much of the nation, but the crisp mornings and falling leaves mean autumn isn’t far away, and winter is close behind.
This is your chance to button up the house, prep your equipment and make sure you’re ready for the long, cold months ahead. Tackling these tasks now not only keeps you more comfortable through the season but also heads off costly repairs in the middle of winter.
Here are five fall projects worth moving to the top of your list before the first frost.
1. Test alarms and detectors
Before you worry about the cold, make sure your home’s most critical safety devices are in top form. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, ideally once a month. If it’s been longer than you can remember, make it the first thing you do this fall. Replace batteries annually, unless you have a 10-year sealed unit. In that case, replace the
entire alarm at the end of its lifespan.
Follow National Fire Protection Association guidelines: install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, on each floor of the home and near main living spaces. Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on each floor as well.
Many homeowners handle testing and battery replacement themselves, but a local handyperson can quickly take care of installation, replacement and even rewiring if necessary.
2. Chimney and fireplace care
Fireplaces bring warmth and charm to chilly fall nights, but neglecting upkeep can turn them into a hazard. Over time, soot and creosote build up in the chimney, creating a serious fire risk. If you plan on lighting your fireplace this season, get a chimney cleaning for about $250. A professional chimney sweep can also check for blockages, cracks or loose mortar that could allow dan-
To clean the overhead track, use a vacuum with a crevice tool attachment, which has a narrow, angled tip that can suction out cobwebs and blown-in pollen and debris. If cleaning the tracks makes the door slide better but not quite as well as you would like, try rubbing on a dry lubricant, such as Slider Sticker Track Lubricant.
If the bottom track is metal, also check to see if it’s bent. If it is, try straightening it with pliers wrapped with cloth so the jaws don’t mar the metal. Vinyl track can warp and crack with age. If that’s what you have, replace it.
the blade lifts, and move the wheel beyond the track. Repeat this process to clear the other bottom wheel.
If you are replacing the bottom track, use a flat-tip screwdriver to pry it up, starting at one end. Clean the recess with a little soap and water, plus rags or paper towels. Use the flat screwdriver tip to clean out corners. Buy a replacement that matches your old track. If you can’t find what you need at a local store, shop online at a company such as metroscreenworks.com.
gerous gases into your home. Schedule service before heavy use in winter so your fireplace is safe, efficient and ready for cozy evenings.
3. Gutters, roof and drainage
Falling leaves are beautiful, but they can clog your gutters quickly, leading to water damage, ice dams and foundation issues. Clean gutters now and check that downspouts direct water at least five feet from the house.
While you’re up there, do a visual roof inspection. Look for missing, curling, or broken shingles, as well as sagging spots or signs of moss and algae growth.
If you’re not comfortable on a ladder, hire a professional. Roof and gutter work can be dangerous without the right equipment, and a pro can also spot damage that’s easy to overlook from the ground.
4. Prep your yard and deck for winter
Give your lawn a strong send-off before it goes dormant.
To remove and replace the track — or for other repairs — you need to remove the door. Sometimes, that’s easy: Simply stand outside and lift up on the sides enough to tilt out the bottom and clear the lower track, which automatically also frees the top edge. If that doesn’t work, your door probably has tension roller springs to hold it in place and allow it to fit openings that are a little shorter or taller than the 80-inch standard height of doors in the United States. Tension springs usually have adjustment screws at the top and bottom, near corners on the outside edges of the door or on the horizontal parts of the frame. Loosen the screws by turning them counterclockwise, but don’t remove them completely. Loosening those on the bottom might be all you need to lift and tilt the door to clear the bottom track. If the door still won’t come out, loosen the top tension screws as well. If the bottom rollers still don’t clear the track, slip a putty knife under the door. Starting at one side, move the knife along the bottom edge until the blade reaches the closest wheel. Lift the door with one hand as you lever the putty knife with the other hand until
Once the door is out, set it on a flat surface to check for a warped frame. Bend it straight with your hands, if possible, or weight it down until the next day. If you can’t get it straight, don’t waste more time on a repair; you’re probably better off getting a new screen door. Home centers sell ready-to-install doors, such as RiteScreen’s Multi-Fit Patio Screen Door, as well as kits that you assemble yourself. Check to make sure the wheels will work on your track or that you can replace them with ones that will.
If you don’t need a new door but the rollers are shot, or if a new door needs different wheels, you will probably need to remove at least one old wheel to match it to a replacement. First loosen the spring tension screws, unless you already did that while removing the door. It’s obvious how to remove some rollers — for example, there may be one or two screws other than the tension screws that you need to remove. With other roller styles, it’s much trickier. Scroll through YouTube videos on how to replace wheels on sliding screen doors to find tips that fit your situation. One common approach is to slide a No. 1 Philips screwdriver or other tool with a 3 /16-inch shaft and a fairly pointed tip into the space between the wheel and the closest side of the door and pry the spring free of a rod hidden inside the door.
A professional chimney sweep can also check for blockages, cracks, or loose mortar that could allow dangerous gases into your home. Schedule service before heavy use in winter so your fireplace is safe, efficient, and ready for cozy evenings by the fire. (STEIRUS / DREAMSTIME / TNS)
Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting
Vintage farm calculators took many forms
“BUT WHEN ARE WE going to use this in real life?” That question comes up in math classes, much to the chagrin of many teachers. It’s not just a classroom cliche to say that math is everywhere, from planning a budget to decorating a room. Even careers that aren’t directly connected to math require plenty of it. Take agriculture. Today, an online search can bring up farm calculator apps designed to help determine, for example, how much fertilizer a field requires, fuel efficiency of farm equipment, or predictions for product yields.
Farm calculators have existed long before apps, of course.
This vintage piece, which sold at Chupp Auctions & Real Estate for $120, has calculations regarding livestock on one side and plant crops on the reverse. The dials turn to calculate the values. It was one of several types of farm calculators made and sold by International Harvester (IH), which was in business from 1902 to the mid-1980s.
Other calculators of theirs include simple cards printed with charts of a truck’s miles per gallon; slide or dial calculators made of cardboard or tin that helped determine harvest rates and yields; and electric calculators sized for a pocket or desktop and marked with the company’s logo. They were an effective form of advertising. In addition to being a useful tool, these calculators implied that International Harvester was the solution to whatever problem a farmer had.
Q. My makeup stand, made from paulownia wood in Japanese-occupied Korea, had its original mirror broken when we moved. The replacement glass is too massive and overbalances the mirror. Can you recommend where to look for thinner antique mirror glass?
A. Japan occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945, providing a date range for your stand. Paulownia is a hardwood grown in East Asia, both as an ornamental tree and for its wood. It is especially popular in Japanese woodworking; in Japan, it is called kiri. The wood is very light but strong and resists warping, and it is traditionally used for items like musical instruments and boxes. Look for antique furniture restorers or repairers in your area to find appropriate glass for your stand. Some companies that make
Farm calculators, like this one by International Harvester, show that, even if you’re not directly using the quadratic formula or Pythagorean theorem, farming, like most fields of work, takes a good understanding of math. (CHUPP AUCTIONS & REAL ESTATE, LLC)
glass for mirrors and windows make custom thicknesses and may be able to accommodate your need. Because of the origin of your stand and its type of wood, a company that does Japanese woodworking, sells tools, or teaches classes in it, may also be able to help you.
Q. In my late mother’s effects, I found two small binders designed to hold 14 45-rpm records each. One or two of the sleeves are empty. All the records in them are by wellknown artists of the 1940s and 1950s (Glenn Miller, Doris Day, Al Martino, etc.) and a few well-known labels (Columbia, Capitol, etc.). Are these relatively recent creations worth nothing in dollars or might at least some of them have value?
A. Record collecting has grown in popularity over the past couple of decades, primarily driven by nostalgia; aesthetic aspects like the album art and superior sound; and, especially among younger generations, the desire for a
break from the dominance of digital products. Like most collectibles, the records that sell for the highest prices are usually the rarest ones. Because yours are by well-known artists and labels, they may not sell for very high prices unless they are especially rare editions. However, they will probably still sell. Check specialist websites like Discogs (discogs.com), Goldmine Magazine (goldminemag.com), or Money Music (moneymusic.com) for more information about your records and their values.
TIP: Tin signs and cans will fade from the ultraviolet rays coming in a window or from a fluorescent light. Plexiglas UF-1 or UF-3 will cover the window and keep the rays away from your collection. There are also plastic sleeves to cover fluorescent tubes.
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.
Shirley Temple, doll, hard plastic, curly wig, sleep eyes, open mouth, red and white polka dot dress, photo pin, red hair bows, socks, red shoes, c. 1935, 27 inches, $40.
Tole, tray, rectangular, black, yellow borders, alternating leaves and flower medallions around rim, cutout handles, rounded corners, 20 1/2 x 28 inches, $85.
Furniture, desk, Louis XV style, black lacquer, leather top, two drawers, cabriole legs, brass capped feet, label, Logan & Bros., N.Y., 29 x 60 inches, $120.
Batman, lunch box, Batman & Robin, fight scene, Batmobile and bat signal in background, black trim, tin, Thermos, black cup, Aladdin, $240. Clothing, shawl, paisley, square, black center, eight lobes, two borders, woven, wool, mid-19th century, 72 x 72 inches, $260.
Pate de verre, sculpture, Buddha, seated, amber, square base, wood stand, Chinese, 7 inches, $280.
Coin operated, fortune teller, Ask Me Another, wheel of questions, light green center, red ground, yellow question marks in corners, 1 cent, electric, Exhibit Supply Co., 22 x 16 x 12 inches, $360.
Boehm, ruby topaz hummingbirds, two birds, perching on flower, Laelia orchid, rocky base, marked, 1986, 13 x 11 inches, $510.
Meissen, tea service, Grapevine, teapot, pear shape, cups, flared, openwork handles, saucers, salad plates, 31 pieces, teapot, 10 inches, $855.
Furniture, chest, Art Moderne, burlwood veneer, three drawers, metal pulls, 24 x 22 inches, pair, $1,185.
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, 300 W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels. com.
Average rate on a 30-year mortgage drops to 6.5%
Rate now lowest since last October
By A lex Veiga Associated Press
The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage fell again this week, extending a recent trend that should give prospective homebuyers more purchasing power.
The long-term rate eased to 6.5% from 6.56% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.35%.
Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also fell. The average rate slipped to 5.6% from 5.69% last week. A year ago, it was 5.47%, 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.
Rates have been mostly declining since late July amid growing expectations that the Fed will cut its benchmark short-term interest rate at the central bank’s meeting of policymakers later this month.
A similar trend happened in the leadup to September last year, when the Fed cut its rate in for the first time in more than four years. At that time, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage got down to a 2-year low of 6.08%, but soon after climbed again, reaching above 7% by mid-January.
While the Fed doesn’t set mortgage rates, its actions can influence bond investors’ appetite for long-term U.S. government bonds, like 10year Treasury notes. Lenders use the yield on 10-year Treasurys as a guide to pricing home loans.
The Fed has kept its main interest rate on hold this year because it’s been more wor-
ried about inflation potentially worsening because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs than about the job market.
But in a high-profile speech last month, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled the central bank may cut rates in coming months amid concerns about weaker job gains following a grim July jobs report, which included massive downward revisions for June and May,
The government’s August job market snapshot is due out Friday. Ahead of it, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.18% from 4.22% late Wednesday.
“Historically, a weaker or softer-than-expected jobs report fuels optimism for Federal Reserve rate cuts and can lower bond yields, thereby nudging mortgage rates downward,” said Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor. com. “Conversely, a robust job report may reinforce inflation concerns and elevate Treasury yields, putting upward pressure on mortgage rates. This setup underscores the potential for increased mortgage rate volatility ahead.”
The housing market has been in a slump since 2022, when mortgage rates began climbing from historic lows. Sales have remained sluggish so far this year as the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has mostly hovered above 6.5%.
The average rate is now at its lowest level since Oct. 17, when it was 6.44%.
If the trend continues, homebuyers will benefit from more affordable financing. But lower mortgage rates could also bring in more buyers, making the market more competitive.
Economists generally expect the average rate on a 30-year mortgage to remain near the mid-6% range this year.
Deeds
AGAWAM
Donald H. Willett, Janet Jo Willett and Janet J. Willett to Donna Roundy and Robert Roundy, 92 Forest Road, $500,000.
Hannah Elizabeth Martin, Hannah Elizabeth Lefebvre and Ryan C. Martin to Timothy Joseph Gaston, 55 James St., $365,500.
John Martin to Megan Martin and Nydia I. Ruiz, 118 Moore St., $200,000.
Jonathan Kimkhanh Nguyen to Engin Akman and Tuba Akman, 2 Sabria Way, Unit 2C, $457,000.
Maria T. Cabrera and Jose M. Cabrera to Ryan C. Martin and Hannah E. Martin, 5 Brookside Drive, $525,000.
Michael Delaney to DTT Realty LLC, 15 King St., $250,000.
Paul R Gauthier and Shavone L Gauthier to Youngsang Kim and Youngsuk Kang, 429 North Westfield St, $320,000.
Zachary Matys, Heather Matys and Heather Strickland to Patricia Zabala and Andrea Zabala, 12 Cosgrove Ave, $350,000.
AMHERST
Changhui Pak and Dong Seong Ko to Stephen B. Hrones, trustee, and Moor-Vu Realty Trust, 19 Hawthorn Road, $960,000.
ASHFIELD
Pamela M. Paton, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Robert E. Graveline, to Veronique Bryant, 1069 West Road, $97,000.
BELCHERTOWN
Dennis A. Boivin Jr., and Tammie J. Boivin to Tammie J. Boivin, trustee, Dennis A. Boivin, trustee, Tammie J. Boivin Revocable Trust and Dennis A. Boivin Jr. Revocable Trust, 335 Stebbins St., $100.
John C. Workman and Sharon D. Hart to Elaine Everett and Cassandra Patterson, 113 Spring Hill Road, $72,500.
Gregg A. Fellion to Tammy Fellion, 296 Bardwell St., $100.
Tammy Fellion to Cynthia Ely, Roland Ely, Gregory Ely and Lindsay Williams, 296 Bardwell St., $350,000.
Joshua M. Smith and Brittany Warner-Smith to Neil G. Doherty and Beth Marcos Doherty, 107 Howard St., $380,000.
Dennis A. Boivin Jr., and Tammie J. Boivin to Tammie J. Boivin, trustee, Dennis A. Boivin, trustee, Tammie J. Boivin Revocable Trust and Dennis A. Boivin Jr. Revocable Trust, 335 Stebbins St., $100.
Joseph P. Maggi to Joseph Maggi and Jocelyn Maggi, 442 State St., $100.
BERNARDSTON
Frederick D. Rowe III, and Leanne M. Rowe to Brenda L. Boguslawski, John J. Boguslawski and Nancy S. Boguslawski, 31 Deane Road, $361,500.
BUCKLAND
Erin L. McNay and Matthew Wanamaker to Emily Vail, 5 Wilde Road, $340,000.
Blue on South LLC, to Kathleen A. Casey, 23 South St., $495,000.
Annakathryn Abbott Benoit and Laurie Benoit to Laurie
M. Benoit and Barry L. Del Castilho, 70 Upper St., $100.
Eva M. Otten and Peter A. Otten to Elizabeth M. Balawick, 34 Green St., $395,000.
Shannon S. Menko to Amber Garcia, 16-18 Green St., $300,000.
CHESTER
Dillon Serrao Durrence and Virginia Serrao to Brian White and Martina Bowen, 20 William St, $299,900.
CHICOPEE
Citrus Property Investments LLC, to O & L LLC, 13 Beston St., $240,000.
Commercial Lender LLC, to Chenevert Properties LLC, 88 Prospect St., $229,500.
David O. Brodeur and Lisa A. Brodeur to Vincent Brower, 169 Beauchamp Terrace, $319,400.
Demesis Torres and Demesis Diaz to Catherine Gonzalez-DeJesus, Hector Luis Cortez Jr., and Carlos Alberto Quinones, 63 Beverly St., $364,000.
James C. Desmariais, Maryann Fahey and Nancy Greenwood to James C. Desmarais, 72 Laclede Ave., $140,000.
Kenneth F. Valego, Seaira R. Jacques and Seaira R. Wolfe to Abdallah Mustafa, 32-34 Chateaugay St., $318,500.
Mark R. McAuliffe and Michele K. McAuliffe to Teri A. Lee, 359 Granby Road, $331,000.
Michael A. Justice to Justine Jaworski and Kevin S. Hines, 112 Casey Drive, $380,000.
Richard J. Dietrich III, and Roger Trombly to Elizabeth Santos, 343 Chicopee St., Unit 41, $195,000.
Rolande C. Renaud to Jeffrey Brochu, 115 Anderson Road, Unit G3, $213,900.
Russell L. Nubile and Kathleen Nubile to Eric Keiderling and Kristan Keiderling, 1285 Pendleton Ave., Unit 6217B, $240,000.
Teri A. Lee to Katie A. Vitorino and Steven M. Vitorino, 585 Sheridan St., Unit 8, $325,900.
COLRAIN
Marcie A. Savoie to Eric Savoie and Darlene SmithSavoie, 34 York Road, $160,000.
CONWAY
Kathrine A. Forrest and Michael S. Forrest to Christopher D. Law and Maren E. Law, 56 Brester Road, $490,000.
CUMMINGTON
Sally A. Fisher to Adam Backenroth and Ofra Backenroth, Cole Street, $12,500.
EAST LONGMEADOW
24 Harwich Road LLC, to Sarah Van Ells and Seth Bracci, 24 Harwich Road, $381,000.
Luke Denver and Nicole Denver to Peter J. Harrington and Michelle D. Harrington, 130 Elm St., $545,000.
Marco Scibelli and Rebecca Scibelli to Nazimudeen M. Ifham and Fathima R. Thalib, 3 Birch Ave., $505,000. Martin F. Schoenemann and Margaret L. Schoenemann to David Fontaine and Erin Fontaine, 167 Orchard Road, $705,000.
Shawn Gloster to Zachery M. Fountain and Rachael Fountain, 6 Peachtree Road, $550,000.
Deeds
EASTHAMPTON
Theodore Kuc and Sandra J. Kuc to Gregory C. Hauer and Miranda E. Hauer, 16 Sheldon Ave., $470,000.
Dawn M. Pepin and Richard H. Pepin to Jaime D. Pizha Loja and Dunia S. Buri Chimborazo, 74 Parsons St., $199,900.
John Fedor-Cunningham, trustee, and Charles Edward Realty Trust to Maryellen Diluzio and Steven J. Nietupski, Mineral Street, $188,700.
Barbara A. Yanke and Donald Yanke to Stone Path Lane LLC, 11 Stone Path Lane, $550,000.
Gregory J. Kwolek, trustee, and George J. Kwolek & Eleanor G. Kwolek Irrevocable Trust to Ian Petty and Malinda Petty, 51 Taft Ave., $370,000.
GILL
Regis A. Crosby, trustee of the Regis A. Crosby Trust, to Cameron Chase and Molley Duclos, 242 West Gill Road, $325,000.
GRANBY
Martha L. Yoder, trustee, and Cynthia Hope Living Trust to Martha L. Yoder, 6 Bittersweet Lane, $100.
James W. Elfman to Andrea Washington, 70 Granby Heights, $334,900.
William E. Chapdelaine to Oakbrook Homes LLC, West Street, $260,000.
GREENFIELD
Donna M. Card, Mary A. Parsons, “aka” Mary A. Parson, Edward A. Underwood and Jeremy S. Underwood to Taylor Pompei, 102 Norwood St., $326,000.
John B. Dunphy to Johanna Munro, 581 Bernardston Road, $365,000.
Patricia L. Jordan to Steven Graham and Vanessa E Tierney, 53 Norwood St., $280,000.
Mark L. H. Jacques to Benegan 2 LLC, 32 Lincoln St., $200,000.
Graydon E. Vigneau Jr., and Meredith H. Vigneau to Charles F. Gabriel III, 104 Wells St., $295,000.
Allison N. Garriss and Matthew P. Garriss to Gabrielle A. Benz and Jonathan J. Bones, 17 Revere Circle, $385,000.
Sarah Churchill, personal representative of the Estate of Ellen Adkins to Nurray Ozcelik and Steve Ozcelik, 303 Chapman St., $82,000.
HADLEY
OCH Realty LLC, to 455 Russell Street LLC, 455 Russell St.
$650,000.
Gregory J. Omasta to Donald Dion Rental Properties LLC, 269 Bay Road, $487,000.
Hadley Town to Mt Warner LLC, 239 River Drive, $80,000.
Seth Isman, Erika Andrea Hollister, Gabriel Elijah Isman, trustee, Margot Simone Isman, trustee, Margot Simone Hollister Isman, trustee, Georgia Alexandra Hollister Isman, trustee, Isman & Hollister Irrevocable Trust and Gabriel Elijah Hollister Isman, trustee, to Gabriel Elijah Isman, trustee, Gabriel Elijah Hollister Isman, trustee, Margot Simone Isman, trustee, Margot Simone Hollister Isman, trustee, Georgia Alexandra Hollister Isman, trustee, and Isman-Hollister Irrevocable Real Estate Investment Trust, 148 East St., $100. Gabriel Elijah Isman, trustee, Gabriel Elijah Hollister Isman, trustee, Margot Simone Isman, trustee, Margot Simone Hollister Isman, trustee, Georgia Alexandra Hollister Isman, trustee, and Isman-Hollister Irrevocable Real Estate Investment Trust to Colee Asia Curtis and Anthony Robert Curtis, 148 East St., $599,000.
HAMPDEN
Marjorie V. Della Valle to Nathan Powers and Angela Foley Powers, 145 Glendale Road, $797,000.
Victoria Lynch, Christopher Lynch and Christopher Stephen Lynch to Kevin Windisch and Shanelle Elizabeth Windisch, 53 Greenleaf Drive, $413,200.
William M. Pepin and Marlene B. Pepin to Milikowski Farms LLC, South Road, Lot 11, $455,000.
HOLYOKE
Angel G. Franco and Luz V. Gonzalez to Jorge Aloyo Nieves and Nydia Diaz Ayala, 167 Oak St., $210,000.
Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Alecto Realty Trust, trustee of, to Principia Holdings LLC, 107 Newton St., $160,000.
Douglas Dean to Jacqueline Mendelson and Timothy Paradis, 75 Edbert Drive, $325,000.
Jeanne Brodalski to Jules Barnes Patigian, 39 Claremont Ave., $327,500.
Jo Landers to Shanda Michelle Reynolds, 258 Walnut St., $215,000.
Jude Prych, Theresa Manthripragada and Anne M. Morano to Stephanie E. Piedra and Hector Diaz, 957 Homestead Ave., $335,000.
Jude Prych, Theresa Manthripragada, Anne M. Morano and Raymond E. Prych to Jude Prych, Theresa Manthripragada and Anne M. Morano, 957 Homestead Ave., $275,000.
KC Family Properties LLC, to Rabina Tandon and Karun Karri, 180 Pine St., $370,000. 1656 Longmeadow Partners LLC, to
Salih Akozbek, 1656 Longmeadow St., $375,000.
Bryan Gross and Kimberly Geisner-Gross to Paul R. Hanney and Katherine R. Breglio, 60 Cheshire Drive, $805,000.
James A. Langone IV, and Allison J. Zolotor-Langone to Pramuditha Rajapakse and Ranmuni Sahan Ashanga De Silva, 118 Yarmouth St., $460,000.
On The Mark LLC, to Matthew Valle, Sarah J. Valle and Kathleen Valle, 70 Ferncroft St., $415,413.
Tarun K. Ohri to Christopher Gabrielli and Candice Gabrielli, 237 Concord Road, $800,000.
LUDLOW
271 East Street LLC, to Danh Nguyen Dao and Thuy Tran, 263-271 East St., $645,000.
Bernard F. Leger and Eleanor A. Leger to Michael Lekarczyk, Leland Drive, Lot 4, $150,000.
Center For Human Development and Center For Human Development Inc., to Shadane Ndi, 20 Cady St., $315,000.
Denise M. Pascale to Raymond Amoah Yeboah and Franklina Pomaa Yeboah, 233 Munsing St., $560,000.
Michael DeStefano and So Young DeStefano to Robert J. Russo and Matthew J. Russo, 1170 East St., $603,330.
MONSON
Eric J. Phinney and Nicole M. Phinney to Galina V. Anderson, 197 Bumstead Road, $480,000.
MONTAGUE
Allison N. Shearer to Lucas B. Wilson, 254 Federal St., $365,000.
William R. Crosby to Michael Daley, 75 Hillside Road, $93,000.
Barry M. Lapean, Cecelia J. Lapean and Kevin W. Lapean to Brandon Contois and Katherine Contois, 407 Main St., $327,000.
Wendy E. Shaw “fka” Wendy E. Kostecki, to Nicholas Mangs, 50 Vladish Ave., $359,000.
MONTGOMERY
Ernest A. Poole and Ernest A. Poole Jr., to Land Fast Offers LLC, 00 Mountain Acres Road, $9,157. Land Fast Offers LLC, to David W. Tourville and Cynthia L. Tourville, 00 Mountain Acres Road 00, $31,000.
Mackenzie R. Stelle and Logan P. Stelle to Maddie Wildnfree Lamour, Main Road, Lot 3, $35,000.
Marshall Prokop and Chelsea Prokop to Andrew Shepard and Juliana Ronn, 36 Old House, $575,000.
NORTHAMPTON
Yochai Gal and Sarah E. Jackson to Lancelot Goller and Amy Marietta, 117 Black Birch Trail, $600,000. 24-26 Orchard LLC, to Ann Talarico, James Peter Talarico and Celeste Talarico, 24-26 Orchard St., $1,076,200.
Rhythm S. Patel and Roshniben R. Patel to Tiffany Erin Kenney and Aaron Leroy Goodwine, 68 Ice Pond Drive, $600,000.
Karen S. Dunn, Karen Stiles Dunn and Karen S. Jones to Emily T. Merriman, 12 Lincoln Ave., $475,000.
Wendy L. Arnold and Kenneth D. Arnold to Andrae Davey, Lyman Road, $210,000.
Stanislaw Janusz, Christopher L. Leclerc and Alyssa Tara Leclerc to Lon D. Goodman, 275 State St., $600,000.
NORTHFIELD
Colin Carroll, personal representative of the Estate of Brian Carroll, “aka” Brian S. Carroll, to Phillip Sherwood-Berndt, 43 Meadow St., $205,000.
Paul A. Adamski to Meghan O’Neil Chornayk and Zachariah Peter Chornayk, 16 Hamilton Drive, $105,000.
Noelle T. Anson to Jean M. Dresley and Joseph C. Seyler, 761 Millers Falls Road, $405,000.
Holly J. Holloway, trustee of the Powers Investment Trust, to Ethan Minor, 34 Ashuelot Road, $330,000.
Nicholas M. Andrews, “aka” Nicholas Andrews, to Heather L. Bell, 50 Main St., $15,000.
ORANGE
Dana Granquist and Linda Granquist to Kari Bowen, “aka” Kari B. Bowen, and Timothy Bowen, “aka” Timothy M. Bowen, 40 Town Farm Road, $415,000.
George L. Goodridge, personal representative of the Estate of Kelly L. Cellana, to Marie Mellott and Peter Navarro, 148 Walnut Hill Road, $385,000.
Jennifer L. Mason, individually, and Candace L. Mahoney, trustee of the William F. Bowen and Patty J. Bowen Revocable Trust, to Katherine Schmittlein, 12 Wheeler Ave., $263,000.
PALMER
Jessie A. Arabik, representative, and Eugene Arabik, estate, to Sarah McPartland and Kenneth McPartland, 305 Burlingame Road, $299,000.
Joseph E. Mastalerz and Patricia Ann Mastalerz to Paralee Smith, 24 Charles St., $275,000.
Steven M. Johnson to Austin Koney, 2278-2280 Main St., $270,000. Yvonne Akwo Mbi to Bernard Rybicki
and Susan Rybicki, 4002 Church St., $369,000.
ROWE
Unitarian Universalist Rowe Camp & Conference Center Inc., to Evan Cusack, 10 Kings Highway and Kings Highway, $300,000.
SOUTH HADLEY
Celeste M. Talarico and James P. Talarico to Jacqueline Quirk and Donald Rayno, 3 Ethan Circle, $625,000.
Douglas N. Smith, trustee, Sarah F. Smith, trustee, and Douglas & Sarah Smith Revocable Trust to Robert Loughrey, 27 Chestnut Hill Road, $500,000.
William V. Heyn to Benjamin C. Nyzio and Seth R. Nyzio, 98 Willimansett St., $76,211.
Mildred A. Tomasi, estate, Janice Roberts, personal representative, and Peter C. Connor, personal representative, to Crystal Conroy and Christopher Conroy, 40 Wildwood Lane, $494,900.
James P. Shea and Donna M. Shea to James P. Shea, trustee, Donna M. Shea, trustee, and Shea Family Trust, 6 Plainville Circle, $100.
David J. Johnson and David Johnson to James Fay, 513 Newton St., $416,000.
Seth Bracci and Sarah Van Ells to Zahira Rahimi, 41 West Summit St., $210,000.
SOUTHAMPTON
BDS Investments LLC, to Amy Virgilio, 7 Freyer Road, $350,000.
Southwick
Keith F. King and Kevin J. King to Tierney Organization LLC, 617 College Highway, $770,500.
Mario Juan Bernal to Sean William Smith and Desirae Ann Smith, 5 Tall Pines Trail, $669,000.
SPRINGFIELD
36 Kensington Avenue LLC, to Daniel O. Langford, trustee, and Alemat Realty Trust II, trustee, trustee of, 36 Kensington Ave., $475,000.
42 Kensington Avenue LLC, to Daniel O. Langford, trustee, and Alemat Realty Trust II, trustee of, 42 Kensington Ave., $475,000.
Alessandro Malafronte to Aristides Casillas Jr., and Laura Hull, 63 Grandview St., $349,900.
Amy P. Ashford and Matthew W. Ashford to Robert L. Dambrov, trustee, and Edward B. Cooley Trust, trustee of, 22 Greenlawn St., $435,000.
Angel E. Lassalle Romero to Jacob Root and Abagale Root, 139-141 Magnolia Terrace, $470,000.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F6
If you are stumped, take pictures of the bottom and side edges of the door plus any other details you have, such as the brand, and email them to a company that specializes in selling replacement parts for windows and doors, such as swisco.com or primelineparts.com. These companies list dozens of re-
placement rollers for sliding screen doors, so once you get an old roller out, you can probably find a match. If you don’t, email them a picture of the part for advice. Customer service representatives at both companies said that when customers have old doors with rollers that are no longer made, they can usually suggest a part that will work even if it doesn’t look the same.
Deeds
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F9
Brooke Packard, Brooke Coughlin and Brendan Coughlin to Bria Brantley, 193-195 Nottingham St., $350,000.
Daniel Mendoza to Luis Angel Reyes Hernandez, 54 Revere St., $345,000.
David M. Cruise and Gail E. Cruise to Shannon Cruise Ramon, trustee, and Cruise Family Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, 134 Dayton St., $100.
David O. Roman and Nereida Roman to Fonge Njunkeng, 83 Chalmers St., $390,000.
Greg J. Hammerle, representative, and Patricia A. Hammerle, estate, to Veteran Stan LLC, 161 Dorset St., $220,000.
Izilda A. Barbosa to Nohely Salazar and Shane Joseph McCarthy, 53 Canton St., $285,000.
Juan A. Nunez Jr., to Rafael Landrau and Glenda Padilla, 89 Lehigh St., $100,500.
Mark S. Flood and Marybeth Flood to Karen Martindell, 25 Tioga St., $330,000.
Maureen R. Phillips to Ashley D. Hartt, 36 Benz St., $294,900.
Mint Western MA Group LLC, to Joshua Pierre Jean, 101 Kensington Ave., $512,000.
Nghe Van Ho to Kerson Belizaire and Lovern Moseley, 61-63 Hall St., $279,000.
NRES LLC, to Ariana Nunez, 100 Haskin St., $330,000.
Plata O. Plomo Inc., to Anthony M. Santaniello, 151 Littleton St., $160,000.
PNC Bank to Nghe Van Ho, 61-63 Hall St., $70,000.
Randy Placzek and Julianne P. Dias to 74 Springfield St. LLC, 74
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F6
Fall is prime time for overseeding to fill in bare patches, applying a slow-release fertilizer to nourish roots, and planting bulbs that will bloom in spring. Rake leaves regularly to prevent smothering grass, and compost them if possible.
Inspect your deck for loose boards, wobbly railings or signs of rot. Repair or replace damaged areas now so winter weather doesn’t make things worse. A weekend of cleaning and applying a water-repelling sealant can
Springfield St., $395,000.
Raquel G. Buenaventura and Raquel Villar to Olivia Melaya Strohman, 67 Alexander St., $380,000.
Sara Rosado, representative, and Edilberto Rosado Jr., estate, to Hassle Free LLC, 100 Abbott St., $200,000.
Taylor Katherine Ollari to Dominick Braiotta and Phyllis Braiotta, 235 State St., Unit 311, $198,500.
WARE
Jason Patrissi and Judith A. Patrissi to Judith Magloire, 97 Church St., $445,000.
Tracey J. Giard and John J. Giard to Amberrose Julien and Paul Smith, 40 Coffey Hill Road, $435,000.
WENDELL
Judith Ann Hall, trustee of Judith A. Hall Revocable Trust, to Jessica E. Bryant and Erin S. Kassis, 78 Wickett Pond Road, $539,000.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Alan Bendiksen and Laura J. Bendiksen to Pah Properties LLC, 61 Clarence St., $217,500.
Brian J. Kolodziej and Tiara N. Kolodziej to Kruti Patel, Kokila Patel and Dinesh Patel, 94 Tiara Lane, $690,000.
CGS Realty LLC, to Nicholas Weyant, 80 Brush Hill Ave., Unit 56, $187,000.
Christine Marie Langone, estate, and Joseph F. Langone, representative, to JT Realty Associates Inc., 16 North St., $255,000.
Edwan Alzuhairi to Maher Abou Lebadeh, 283 Hillcrest Ave., $360,000.
Jessica Cintron and Jose L. Cintron Jr., to Centura Bay LLC, 524
protect the wood from snow, ice and moisture until spring. Outdoor plumbing also needs attention. Disconnect hoses, drain them and store them indoors. Shut off outdoor spigots and drain excess water to prevent freezing. Add faucet covers for extra protection. If you have an irrigation system, hire a pro to blow out the lines and prevent frozen pipes from cracking.
5. Ready your tools and equipment
Autumn is your last chance to prep outdoor equipment for the offseason.
Westfield St., $155,000.
John Wallace and Rita Coppola Wallace to Randy Christopher Guyette, 53 Wolcott Ave., $360,000.
Kathleen Devins and Roseanne Michaud to Christian Diluzio, 32 Paulson Drive, $352,700.
Kingsford Aidoo, Kingford Aidoo and Mary A. Aidoo to Merve Turkman, Hakan Coban and Kenan Turkmen, 44 Orchardview St., $351,000.
Michael K. Kennedy and Kimberly A. Kennedy to Kandrap Ashwin Vyas, Minal Vyas, Hastin Mehta and Hastinkumar Mehta, 149 Butternut Hollow Road, $458,000.
Stephen Knudsen to Ghaeth Alsamraay, 182 Central Miami St., $387,500.
Thomas H. Wiggins, Thomas H. Wiggin and Joanne M. Cebula to Robert A. Niemiec and Sarah J. Niemiec, 32 Sikes Ave., $607,800.
WESTFIELD
Linda J. Delia to Scott T. Flebotte and Tracy L. Flebotte, 275 Munger Hill Road, $729,000.
Lori Schmitt, representative, and Dorothy L. Parenzo, estate, to Geoffrey Fleury, 20 Southgate Ave., $250,000.
Robert J. Lefebvre, commissioner, Tami Maurice and Robert Maurice II, to Mohammed Saleem and Robina Saleem, 21 Winding Ridge Lane, $565,000.
Stephen J. Hinck and Mary B. Hinck to Patrick F. Styckiewicz and Taylor C. Styckiewicz, 87 Pineridge Drive, $542,500.
Thanh Van T. Densmore to Mary T. Dowling and Robert A. Stein, 259 Birch Bluffs Drive, $380,000.
Yevgeney Pyshnyak and Julianna S. Pyshnyak to Kimberlee Rondo-
Clean lawn mowers, string trimmers and other gear to remove grass clippings and dirt that can cause rust.
Sharpen blades, change oil, replace air filters and disconnect batteries for storage.
Check snowblowers now so you’re not making emergency repairs during the first snowfall. Inspect bolts, belts, skid shoes and augers, and make sure you have enough fuel on hand.
Stock up on deicer for walkways and driveways, and replace worn shovels before they’re hard to find.
If you use a generator, test it now and store extra fuel safely.
letto and Matthew Rondoletto, 99 Dartmouth St., $375,000.
WHATELY
Elisha Sweet and Mandy L. Sweet-Antes to James A. Golonka and Janie A. Golonka, Route 5, $300,000.
WILBRAHAM
2301 Boston Road LLC, to Paul J. Pannier and Richard S. Pannier, 33 Cherry Drive, $427,500.
Carole A. Cavros to Lisa Brodeur and David Brodeur, 2205 Boston Road, Unit H-76, $330,000.
Coreen M. Packer, representative, Glen J. Garvey, representative, and Arlene F. Garvey, estate, to Peter J. Ouimette and Kerry A. Ouimette, 10 Cooley Drive, $674,789.
Courtney M. LaFreniere to Alan LaPorte, 1080 Stony Hill Road, $343,500.
Lynne Woodbury Gentry and Atron Adrian Gentry to Meredith Flood and Patrick Mahar, 1 Webster Lane, $840,000.
Maureen A. Kervick, representative, and Christine M. Kervick, estate, to Kevin J. Kervick, Karen Kervick and Theresa R. Kervick, 6 South Park Drive, $410,000.
WILLIAMSBURG
Richard A. Barnard, Richard A. Barnard, trustee, Richard A. Barnard Declaration of Trust and Laura Barnard to Aaron Wodin-Schwartz, 96 Petticoat Hill Road, $850,000.
Harry F. Pomeroy Jr., Marsha M. Pomeroy-Huff, Linda Susan Pomeroy Brown and Susan Pomeroy Brown to Massachusetts Land Conservation Trust Inc., 201R Main St., $15,000.
WORTHINGTON
Hilary Metcalf Costa and Lincoln Fishman to Sofia Dobner-Pereira and Derek Michael Mullaney, 19 Sawyer Road and Cummington Road Off, $480,230.
Mark A. Spiess and Amanda J. Spiess to Timothy J. O’Brien II, and Leah Anne O’Brien, 444 Huntington Road, $420,000.
PUBLIC AUCTION
PUBLIC AUCTION
PUBLIC AUCTION
AT PUBLIC AUCTION
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
3:00 PM-CHICOPEE (Willimansett) 549 Chicopee Street
sgl fam, 1,248 sf liv area, 0.16 ac lot, 6 rm, 3 bdrm, 1 bth, Hampden: Bk 15710, Pg 195
CHELMSFORD (978) 251-1150 www.baystateauction.com
1029, 2624, 3039, 116, 2484, 2919, 3092, 3107, 0100030, 3099
Be prepared before the next power outage.
Receive a free 5-year warranty with qualifying purchase* - valued at $535.
Call 413-930-9984 to schedule your free quote!