| | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2026
ANTIQUES: Some china sets have multiple makers’ marks, F8
LEE REICH: Growing figs in colder climates, F4
GARDENING: A few oddball tomatoes to consider, F7
Eight areas of your home where you shouldn’t skimp on maintenance
By Jolie K err
The Washington Post
HOMEOWNERSHIP COMES
with many surprises — including the sheer number of filters that need to be cleaned, changed or otherwise maintained. Maintenance checklists abound, but they can be overwhelming, and all that information can obscure the things you really need to know about keeping your house from falling down around (or on!) you.
Sure, some tasks are optional. Skipping cleaning out the fridge or dusting the ceiling fans, for example, might not win you an award for home-keeper of the year, but it’s not likely to damage your home. But overlooking other chores could end up costing you in the long run.
We asked home experts to share their thoughts on must-do maintenance and repairs. Here are their top tasks.
Test alarms
“There are several core maintenance tasks that protect your home from costly damage,” says Brian Meussner, the president of Mr. Handyman, including and especially testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Once a month, press the buttons on your detectors to make sure they’re working, says Shannon Allen, the director of commercial operations at Rainbow Restoration. Replace the batteries in your detectors annually.
Inspect plumbing fittings and fixtures
“Plumbing fittings and fixtures that are prone to failure, like washing machine hoses, ice machine hoses, toilet shutoff valves and water heaters, can cause major property damage when they do [fail],” says Phil Mutz, a licensed plumbing & HVAC specialist at Ace Hardware Home Services; he recommends replacing these items every 10 years or so, or sooner if needed.
To perform an annual plumbing inspection, check fixtures for signs of age and wear.
Things to look out for include pipe corrosion (rusting, flaking or verdigris); difficult-to-turn handles or valves, or erratic temperature control; leaks, damp spots or water stains under sinks or on ceilings and walls, or mildew odors near plumbing areas; a running toilet or dripping faucet; or a drop in water pressure throughout the house. “If you notice corrosion or unexplained increases in water usage, contact a plumber,” says Courtney Klosterman, a home insights expert at Hippo Insurance.
Additionally, test shutoff valves to make sure they work properly, and change any water filters. Mutz recommends making your inspections in the fall, before freezing temperatures and holiday entertaining season arrive.
“Plumbing works hardest during the holidays when homes are cooking and hosting more than normal,” he says.
Finally, bear in mind the power
that water has to wreak havoc. “Even seemingly minor water- and moisture-related issues can cause serious damage over time,” Klosterman says. “Install water sensors in vulnerable areas to help detect leaks early.”
Stay on top of HVAC upkeep
HVAC systems are expensive, so Mutz says maintaining them “is smart money” that will keep them running efficiently and safely and prevent costly disasters. Changing filters, clearing drains and calling a professional if the system is struggling to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature will keep the system running efficiently.
“While it’s often recommended to replace your HVAC filter every month, it may not be needed as frequently depending on your dusting habits and pets,” Klosterman says. “Make it a habit to check each month and replace when necessary. Also, clean and cover the outdoor condenser unit.”
SEE MAINTENANCE, PAGE F3
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors once a month, and replace the batteries in your detectors annually.
(ADOBE STOCK IMAGE)
Schedule regular maintenance checks with your HVAC company in early spring and fall. (PHOTO / COVER PHOTO ADOBE STOCK IMAGES)
At left, signs that electrical components are overheating include frequent breaker trips, or a burning or fishy odor. At right, roof checks are best done in the fall and spring, before and after harsh winter weather takes its toll. (ADOBE STOCK IMAGES)
Maintenance
Inexpensive soft covers for outdoor condensers typically cost $15 to $50, while sturdier, structural covers start around $100.
Schedule regular maintenance checks with your HVAC company in early spring and fall. “Avoid waiting for the first frost or 80-degree day to call service providers, who will be busy responding to demand calls,” Mutz says.
Inspect electrical systems
Electrical work is “generally not a DIY project, since it involves high voltage and must meet strict local codes,” Klosterman says. She recommends scheduling a professional electrical inspection every few years, particularly for old homes. You can do this any time of the year, Mutz says, but spring is best, ahead of the heavy-use summer months.
“A licensed electrician will check the main panel for hazards,” Klosterman adds.
That includes verifying proper grounding, checking GFCI/AFCI protection in wet areas, testing outlets and switches, and examining visible wiring for damage. The electrician may recommend that you upgrade the electrical panel, which Klosterman says will increase your home’s power capacity. “This is especially important in older homes, as it allows the system to safely handle modern, high-demand appliances, as well as EV chargers and solar installations if you have them. It can also reduce breaker trips and lower fire risk.”
There are some things you can do to help prevent problems. “Pay attention to appliance wattage and make sure your circuits can handle the load” of what you’re plugging in, Klosterman says. “When possible, use outlets on different circuits.” To determine which outlets are connected to which breakers, she says to turn the breakers off one
at a time and note the areas they control. “If your system is still overloaded during normal use, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel. Contact a licensed electrician if you experience frequent breaker trips.”
Additionally, use surge-protected power strips to help protect your electronics. “Avoid overloading outlets by spreading high-wattage appliances across different circuits.
Homeowners should plug
in fewer appliances at once to help prevent overloading or overheating circuits,” Klosterman says. Performing routine inspections, including checking the meter connection, the breaker panel connections and
the grounding of electrical systems, can help. “Breaker connections can loosen from heat and time, which can cause wiring to overheat, melt or damage the breaker and/or panel,” Mutz says.
Rich Wheway
Dave Mulak
Kerrie Baldwin Shannon Baldwin
FLee Reich | In the Garden
Growing figs in colder climates
OR THOSE OF US WHO grow figs in cold climates, where winter lows reliably plummet below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, this time of year brings some nervous expectation. You want the buds to pop out and start growing, but not too, too soon.
Except for maritime climates, such as in the Pacific Northwest, where winters are what I term “coldish” rather than “cold,” figs need some sort of protection in truly cold winter climates. The challenge in maritime climates is using variety choice, pruning and site selection to get fruit to ripen in the relatively cool summers. In these climates, fig buds gradually unfold usually in synch
GARDEN NOTES
STOCKBRIDGE Container Garden Design program
Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming program: Thursdays, Feb. 26 to March 19, “Container Garden Design.” This fourweek course, held on Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and taught by Jenna O’Brien, will teach the skills required for beautiful and successful container gardens. Get to know the plants that thrive in containers and how to care for them, and consider container selection, siting, planting, growing, and maintaining movable gardens. This class will cover practical aspects of gardening in containers with style throughout the New England garden season. Cost is $215 members, $240 nonmembers. For more information, visit www.berkshire botanical.org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.
SPRINGFIELD Springfield Garden Club upcoming programs
The Springfield Garden Club is hosting a series of
programs for anyone interested gardens and gardening or just escaping the winter for an hour.
The three programs will be held at The Monkey House in Forest Park at 10 a.m.. Admission is free to all with paid park admission. More information can be found on the club’s website at www. springfieldgardenclubma. org or on Facebook.
The schedule includes:
• Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m., “The Most Beneficial Late Winter Garden Chores,” presented by Melissa Pace;
• Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m., “Vegetable Gardening 101,” presented by Gretel Anspach;
• Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m., “Planning and Growing a Bountiful Flower Garden,” presented by Becky Sadlowski.
WILBRAHAM Wilbraham Garden Club scholarships applications
The Wilbraham Garden Club has announced that applications are being accepted for two $1,000 scholarships. The club is accepting applications from graduating high school seniors, undergraduates and graduate college students majoring in or who
with the gradual warming weather in spring.
Not so for protected figs in truly cold winter climates, whether plants are in a pot or in the ground, wrapped or buried. For directions here, allow me to excerpt my recent book, “Growing Figs in Cold Climates.”
Being subtropical, fig is anxious to grow when in some way — mostly from temperature and soil moisture — it feels winter is ending. Try to keep it asleep with minimal water and cold temperatures as long as possible. Otherwise, the plants tend to awaken before it’s warm enough for them to go outside.
In the ideal world, the plant is kept dormant until outdoor temperatures
plan to major in, one of the programs listed below. Eligible student must be residents of Wilbraham or Hampden. All applicants must be enrolled in one of these fields of study: botany, horticulture, conservation, environmental science, earth systems, forest management, natural resources, plant, soil and insect science, sustainable agricultures, sustainable horticulture, food and farming, turf grass science and management, landscape design and management technology, landscape architecture, oceanography, clean energy technology, floral design or land management.
Applicants must include a personal essay of 100-200 words, official high school or college transcript(s), two letters of recommendation, college acceptance letters(s) if available, along with the completed Wilbraham Garden Club Scholarship application. All required documentation must be received on or before April 30.
Notifications will be made by mid-May and the recipients will be awarded their scholarships at the annual meeting of the Wilbraham Garden Club on June 5. Scholarship applicants will be available at the Wilbraham and Hampden Public libraries, Minnechaug Regional High
remain reliably in the high 20s (-2 to -3° Celsius), at which point the plant gets moved outdoors, where its leaves unfold naturally in synch with the increasingly warm temperatures of spring.
In the real world, fig plants often sprout new leaves while still under protection from cold. New leaves and attendant growth that sprout indoors are too succulent to face the great outdoors even when temperatures turn reliably warm. The overanxious plant will have to be very gradually acclimated — hardened off, just like vegetable seedlings — to bright sunlight, cooler and fluctuating temperatures, and wind.
School and Wilbraham & Monson Academy. They can also be found on the Wilbraham Garden Club Facebook page. Contact howella413@ gmail.com with questions or to receive an application.
Wilbraham Garden Club meeting
The Wilbraham Garden Club will meet in the St. Cecilia Parish Center at noon on March 5.
Betsy Szymczak, a certified Massachusetts Master Gardener, will present a program on “Plant Parenthood.”
Szymczak will demonstrate propagation, pruning and grooming of houseplants, along with tips for growing her favorite summer bedding plants. A light luncheon will be provided.
This program is free to members and there is a $5 guest fee.
Contact Anna Howell at 413-537-5788 with any questions.
AGAWAM
Agawam Garden Club scholarship
Applications are now available for the Agawam Garden Club 2026 scholarship. To qualify for the scholarship
students must be a graduating senior of Agawam High School or a college student who graduated from Agawam High School and is planning to attend an institution of higher learning in the fall.
Applicants must be majoring in or planning on majoring in one of the following: botany, environmental engineering, environmental science, earths systems, forest management, natural resources, plant soil and insect science, sustainable agriculture, sustainable horticulture or food and farming, turf grass science and management, landscape design and management technology, clean energy, technology studies: waste water or other environmental related studies.
The recipient will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship at the club’s annual May meeting. Completed applications along with transcripts and references must be submitted to Denise Carmody, 40 Primrose Lane, Agawam MA 01001 by April 1. Applications are available through Agawam High School or can be found on the website at agawamgardenclub.com.
Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.
Swaddling a fig tree provides it with some amount of protection from cold.
Unless the prematurely awakened plant can bask in abundant light, as in a sunroom or greenhouse, its new growth is not likely set fruit, at least not until it gets moved to better light conditions.
Harden the sprouting plant off by initially moving it outside to a spot with dappled sunlight and shelter from wind. Be ready to whisk it indoors, temporarily, if very cold or windy weather threatens. Gradually move the plant to a location with greater and greater exposure to the elements.
Another option is to just move the plant outdoors to its summer location and accept a certain amount of die-back of that premature growth. That could delay or diminish the crop but, except if temperatures turn very cold, will probably not kill the plant.
You also could whisk the plant through a doorway into your home or garage to provide a day or two of shelter until outdoor conditions settle again.
Around here, and in many cold winter regions, it’s still too early to move an overeager, awakened plant outdoors whether you prune it or let any premature shoots die back of their own accord. A fig plant still needs protection from cold.
A reader recently wrote me that her fig, although in her coldish (temperatures in the 50s), dark basement, was sprouting. Growth under those poor conditions uses up some of the plant’s energy reserves. Since she had nowhere to move the plant where it could be kept colder or in bright light, I suggested putting on the brakes to slow further growth by keeping soil on the dry side — just moist enough so that stems don’t shrivel. Once warm enough weather arrives,
Maintenance
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F3
Other signs that electrical components are overheating include frequent breaker trips, or a burning or fishy odor. When that happens, turn off and unplug any appliances that were recently in use, avoid using outlets or switches that feel warm to the touch, and call a professional electrician.
High-pitched ringing or buzzing sounds can also be signs of loose wiring or malfunctioning electrical components.
the plant could be moved outdoors. Any succulent new shoots will probably burn off from sun, wind and/or cold, but the plant should have enough reserves for new growth and even fruits.
My potted figs winter in my basement, where temperatures are in the low 40s, or in my cooler, where the temperature is steadily around 39 degrees Fahrenheit. I water them once, perhaps twice each winter. They stay reliably dormant until sometime in April (here in Hardiness Zone 5), at which point I move them outdoors to a sunny spot close enough to my garage door so they can be moved inside should a freak frost threaten.
For plants protected and outdoors, peak inside their winter home, whether in or on the ground, or swaddled, and gradually undo their protection if you see signs of awakening.
As long as a fig plant is thoroughly asleep, with no sign of buds swelling, it should be fine down to temperatures in the 20s, perhaps even the ‘teens. Tolerance to freezing temperatures diminishes as a plant wakes up.
The four figs — San Piero, Brown Turkey, Excel, and Rabbi Samuel — planted right in the ground in my greenhouse experience a perfect
awakening each spring, probably even more consistently perfect than in their native home in the Middle East. My greenhouse trees never experience a late frost or freeze because a heater keeps temperatures above 37 degrees Fahrenheit. And once they begin growth, they have plenty of light. Below ground, roots find water from the drip irrigation system used to water other plants in the greenhouse, or, in summer, as roots forage beyond the reaches of the greenhouse.
A greenhouse just for figs would seem to be an obscene extravagance. It would be! But the figs are dormant and leafless all winter. A shelf in the greenhouse provides space for growing transplants in spring.
As the figs begin to sprout, the greenhouse soil will have warmed enough to plant a couple of ginger plants, perhaps even some cucumbers for an early harvest.
Then, in late summer, three months of fresh figs will provide almost daily harvest.
My book “Growing Figs in Cold Climates,” also covering varieties, pruning, harvest, and more, is available from the usual sources or directly from me, signed, online at www.leereich. com/books.
Immediately turn off the circuit breaker for the affected area and look for flickering lights, burn marks or damaged outlets. Then call an electrician if needed.
Keep an eye on the outside
Your home’s exterior is its first line of defense against nature’s elements. Inspect it periodically for any signs of trouble.
Klosterman says to look out for roof issues, including damaged, warped or missing shingles, and to check the areas around vents and pipes for cracks and other damage, to prevent water from entering the home. Also, “trim branches away from your roof to reduce the risk of damage from falling debris.” Roof checks are best done in the fall and spring, before and after harsh winter weather takes its toll.
Windows and doors should also be checked in fall and spring to make sure they are properly sealed; replace any damaged caulking or weather-stripping, and keep an eye out for loose siding, chipping paint or holes.
Clear those gutters!
Clean your gutters and downspouts at least once a year (more often if they get clogged with leaves or other debris). That will help prevent moisture damage to the exterior of the home and keep water away from the foundation. “Over time, saturated soil around a house can cause a litany of issues that impact the structure, comfort and health of the home,” Mutz says. Make sure water coming out of the downspouts is directed away from your home.
Flush your water heater Klosterman recommends
flushing your water heater annually to minimize sediment buildup; this will extend its lifespan. Here are her instructions:
• Turn off the power at the breaker or shut off the gas, then shut off the cold water supply to the tank.
• Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and run the other end to an area that can safely handle the drained water.
• Open the pressure relief valve, then open the drain valve, and allow the tank to drain completely.
• Close the drain valve, remove the hose, and close the pressure relief valve. Open the hot water faucets and turn the cold water supply back on.
• Once water flows steadily from each faucet, close them. When the tank is full, restore power or turn the gas back on.
Consider adding insulation
“The insulation in your attic settles over time, losing its efficacy,” Mutz says. “It’s a slow degradation, but in a home that’s 20 years old or more, it’s a good idea to have fresh insulation blown in.”
Signs of degradation, like old, torn or missing insulation, as well as mold, mildew or rodent droppings, indicate a need to replace the insulation. Additionally, if the insulation has sustained water damage, it will need to be removed.
Jolie Kerr is a cleaning expert and the author of the best-selling book “My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag … and Other Things You Can’t Ask Martha.”
Training a fig’s fruiting branches vertically keeps the plant neat and easier to manage in the confines of a greenhouse. (LEE REICH PHOTO)
Clean your gutters and downspouts at least once a year. (ADOBE STOCK IMAGE)
A kaleidoscope of oddball tomatoes that you can try
By Jessica Damiano
Associated Press
SEED-STARTING TIME IS right around the corner, and that means it’s time to think about tomatoes.
I can think of no better summer meal than a thick slice of a homegrown Oxheart between two slices of white bread, adorned only with salt, pepper and maybe a couple of basil leaves.
I’m also partial to Beefsteak, Porterhouse, Brandywine, Big Zac and Big Boy, all delicious — and all red, the way many of us have been conditioned to believe tomatoes should be.
But there’s a whole kaleidoscope of tomatoes you can grow in your garden.
So this year, as you’re dog-earring catalog pages and dreaming of July, look past the usual suspects. One of these oddballs just might be the tomato you love the most.
Cherokee Purple
It was the first other-colored tomato I grew. I didn’t particularly find the heirloom’s grayish-brown skin or matching flesh appetizing, and my 8-foot-tall (2.5-meter-tall)
indeterminate plant didn’t produce as prolifically as most other varieties I’d grown. But its sweet, earthy and somewhat smoky flavor and juicy consistency made for a delicious sandwich.
Black Krim
This old, indeterminate Crimean heirloom introduced to North American home gardeners in 1990 is slightly easier on the eyes. Its sweet, salty, tangy flavor intensifies when allowed to ripen fully on the vine, so resist the urge to harvest prematurely.
And if its unusual reddish-gray color turns you off, take a bite and you’ll get over it.
Black Beauty
A few steps up on the aesthetics trellis, Black Beauty lives up to its name. With skin the color of blackberries and deep red, meaty flesh, it’s considered the darkest tomato in the world and has the antioxidant content to prove it. Although it’s a hybrid variety, Black Beauty has been stabilized through selective breeding, so its seeds will grow true to type. And it makes an impressive Caprese salad.
Also known by its English translation of Black Pineapple, this tomato variety is the happiest-looking of the bunch. Almost tie-dyed in appearance, the green, red and yellow tricolored hybrid popped up naturally in 1990s Belgium when a pineapple tomato crossed with a black tomato growing nearby. Developed further and stabilized by the Belgian horticulturist Pascal Moreau, and made available to home gardeners in 2005, the indeterminate plants are heavy producers of sweet, juicy, citrusy fruits.
Yellow Pear
This indeterminate heirloom plant produces an abundance of small, vibrant yellow, pear-shaped fruits. According to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, which collects and sells historic seeds, the indeterminate plant dates at least to the early 1600s. Early Americans are said to have preserved and pickled its fruit later on. We can still do that, of course, as well as eat them out of hand or use them in salads.
Voyager
Voyager tomatoes are true weir-
dos. The heirloom variety is said to have gotten its name because |its fruits are comprised of individual segments that can be pulled apart without disturbing the others, making for good travel snacks. They also reveal an interesting shape when sliced horizontally through the whole fruit. In my garden, Voyagers were quick to ripen. And in my kitchen, they were tangy — enjoyed with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Green Zebra
This green-and-yellow striped tomato variety has bright green interior flesh and a sweet, tangy flavor. Its cultivation spanned four decades, as Everett, Washington, plant breeder Tom Wagner worked to cross several heirloom varieties to create a tomato that would remain green when ripe. The indeterminate plants, made available in 1983, produce crack-resistant fruit with exceptional heat and drought tolerance.
Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the Associated Press and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter.
Ananas Noire
Here, photos of voyager tomatoes growing on a vine on Long Island, N.Y. on Sept. 27, 2023. (PHOTOS BY JESSICA DAMIANO VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting
Different makers’ marks might appear on same set of china
ONE COMPLICATION to vintage and antique china sets is the fact that makers and decorators weren’t always the same. Many porcelain manufacturers in Europe and the United States made blank dishes that were sent to other factories for decorating. Some sold the blanks as they were for hobbyists to paint at home. This means that you might see two different makers’ marks in the same set of china; sometimes even on the same piece.
If the decorator signed their work, there might be three. If you turned over this pedestal cup and saucer, which sold at Woody Auction for $120, you would see marks for both Limoges, France, and the E.W. Donath Studio of Chicago, Illinois. The cup and saucer were sculpted in Limoges and exported as blanks to the United States, where the colorful painted irises were added at the Donath studio. Porcelain has been made by many factories in Limoges since the mid-19th century. Edward W. Donath worked for the Pickard porcelain decorating company before starting his own decorating studio in Chicago in the early 1900s.
Q. I would like to know about an antique sleigh with a harness that belongs to my mother-in-law. It has wooden runners. The “box” part of the sleigh looks like just that, a box, without the high back or curved sides you see on some sleighs. It measures 36 inches long by 16 inches wide and is 22 inches tall. There is a carved mark on the front that we cannot identify.
A. Based on the measurements you gave us, it sounds like you have a child’s sleigh. The box would be unusual, though; most sleighs have a high back and shaped sides, like you said. They also usually
This pedestal cup and saucer was made in Limoges, France, but decorated at a factory in America. (PHOTO COURTESY WOODY AUCTION)
have a seat or bench. Your sleigh might have been made for transporting small amounts of cargo instead. Most of the antique and vintage sleighs you see today date to the 19th or early- to mid-20th centuries. Several new types of sleigh, like the Albany sleigh and Portland sleigh, were invented in the 1800s, and many states and regions had their own sleigh and sled manufacturing companies at the time. Your sleigh has such a simple design, it is difficult to narrow down a date or origin.
A close look at the details of its construction might be able to determine if it was made by hand or by machine and provide clues to its age. (Publications like Fine Woodworking or Popular Woodworking, both owned by AIM, the parent company of Kovels Antique Trader, may have helpful information.)
The mark on the front is probably a monogram or similar custom design that may have been put there by the maker or by a previous owner. The sleigh might have even been homemade, making it truly unique. Making a sleigh or sled for a child was a good way to use up relatively small scraps of wood. They were often painted and embellished
with pinstripes or stenciled designs. Today, they are sought as folk art.
Q. I have a 6 1/2-by-13-inch plaster plaque made by Morris Studios Boston. I cannot find any information about it. There is a group of babies standing and walking, and one of them has cloven hooves and pulls a reluctant dog. There is part of a paper label on the back of the plaque that reads “Opus Pictum.” When was it made? Did they make other plaques with a similar theme?
A. Your plaque is by Frederick Parsons, an artist from the early 1900s. Working at Morris Studios in Boston, he made plaster relief reproductions of artworks from museum collections. Some reliefs he made are marked for “Morris” Studios of English Arts and Crafts, with “Morris” in quotation marks, indicating that the studio was named after William Morris of the English Arts and Crafts movement, but not formally associated with him or part of his company. “Opus Pictum,” meaning “painted work,” is the term Parsons used for his multicolor painted plaster.
Your plaque is probably a copy of a relief sculpture by the French artist Clodion, or Claude Michel, who lived from 1738 to 1814. He made terra cotta sculptures and relief panels inspired by ancient Greek and Roman mythology. They have been reproduced by many artists in the 19th and 20th centuries. One of his reliefs, known as “Children with Satyr and Dog,” has a scene like the one you describe. The procession is part of a celebration in honor of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and festivity (Dionysus in Greek mythology). The baby with cloven hooves is a satyr, a part-human, part-goat creature associated with Bacchus. The scene may have been one of the Bacchanalia-themed reliefs that Clodion designed for the hotel de Bourbon-Conde in Paris, a home commissioned by a branch of the French royal family.
TIP: Sometimes there are errors in porcelain marks, like a misspelled or upside-down word. While this type of error on a coin or stamp often adds to the rarity and the price, it does not necessarily raise the value of a piece of porcelain.
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 close-up 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.
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.
Purse, beaded, white, raised stylized leaves, narrow flap closure, scrolled edge, beaded handle, goldtone hardware, satin lining, interior pocket, Japan, 6 x 9 inches, $35. Peanuts, toy, Snoopy Skediddler, walker, Snoopy, standing, Flying Ace costume, cloth helmet and scarf, box, Mattel, 1968, $60. Bank, advertising, Mayflower, refrigerator, cast iron, painted red, top coin slot, embossed back, “Save 25 (cents) Per Day & Buy A Mayflower Electric Refrigerator,” 5 inches, $85. Clothing, nightgown, silk, smocked yoke, ruffled collar, long sleeves, gathered wrists, Victorian, 55 1/2 inches, $110. Majolica, plate, squirrel perching on rim, brown, holding nut, cobalt blue ground, large green leaf, short oval foot, 5 x 9 3/4 x 10 inches, $325.
Rug, Navajo, Eye Dazzler, center column of five diamonds, orange, stepped black and white zigzags, gray field, red sawtooth inner border, black and white outer borders, wool, early 1900s, 90 x 51 inches, $515. Furniture, chair, Charles Pollock, brown leather upholstery, tufted, chrome frame, black arms, caster feet, Knoll, 31 inches, $625. Stone, cup and saucer, agate, tea, gilt copper rim, ridged cup, slightly flared, short foot, scalloped saucer, pedestal base, Chinese, c. 1900, 3 1/4 x 5 inches, $770. Jewelry, pin, pierced, acanthus leaves, scrolls, round cut diamond, 22K gold, art nouveau, 1 inch, $1,375. Lamp shade, banquet, tulip shape, caramel slag glass panels, applied wirework vine, pink and green flowers and leaves, Tiffany style, 11 inches, $1,665.
Average US long-term mortgage rate dips to 6.01%
Rate now at lowest level in 3 years
By A lex Veiga Associated Press
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate slipped to its lowest level in more than three years, but remains around 6% in the same narrow range it has been in this year.
The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 6.01% from 6.09% the week before, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the rate averaged 6.85%.
The modest pullback brings the average rate to its lowest level since Sept. 8, 2022, when it was 5.89%. That was the last time the average rate was below 6%.
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. They generally follow the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders
Deeds
use as a guide to pricing home loans.
The 10-year Treasury yield was at 4.08% at midday Thursday, down from around 4.09% a week ago.
Mortgage rates have been trending lower for months, helping drive a pickup in home sales the last four months of 2025, but not enough to lift the housing market out of its slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows.
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes remained stuck last year at 30-year lows. And more buyer-friendly mortgage rates this year weren’t enough to lift home sales last month. They posted the biggest monthly drop in nearly four years and the slowest annualized sales pace in more than two years.
Meanwhile, new data on contract signings suggest home sales could remain sluggish in the near term.
A seasonally adjusted index of pending U.S. home sales
Emiddio M. Botta to Derek Joseph Roy, 200 Anvil St., $140,000.
John Edward Cassidy to Jordan Nelson, 108 Franklin St., $304,000.
Seidell Realty LLC, to Homes by Harambe LLC, 121-123 Rowley St., $540,000.
AMHERST
Joel M. Greenbaum and Lisa M. Greenbaum to NEWGEN 1 LLC, 647 Main St., $875,000.
BELCHERTOWN
Jane A. Bash, personal representative, and Terry D. Bushorr, estate, to James E. Mileski and Anne Novosel-Mileski, 230 Jabish St., $50,000.
Joseph A. Gallo Jr., and Heidi A. Gallo to Nathaniel Luc Voisine and Madison M. McGinnis, 248 Barton Ave., $439,000
Hallie M. Robertson to Hallie M. Robertson, trustee, and Hallie M. Robertson Revocable Trust, 340 Allen Road, $100.
fell 0.8% in January from the previous month, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. Pending home sales fell 0.4% from January last year.
There’s usually a month or two lag between a contract signing and when the sale is finalized, which makes pending home sales a bellwether for future completed home sales.
“Improving affordability conditions have yet to induce more buying activity,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.
A sharp run-up in home prices, especially in the early years of this decade, and a chronic shortage of homes nationally worsened by years of below-average home construction have left many aspiring homeowners priced out of the market.
That’s put the focus on mortgage rates, which can boost home shoppers’ purchasing power when they come down, but also reduce how much homebuyers can
Joseph Tolpa to Make It Happen LLC, Bay Road Rear and Hamilton Street, $50,000.
Pamela R. Weissman to Alan Vieu Jr., and Aidmarie Vieu, 13 Sarah Lane, $465,000.
BUCKLAND
Jocelyn O’Shea to Matthew Smith and Samantha Stringer, 33 William St., $420,000.
CHESTER
Frances Couture, representative, and Chester Danek Jr., estate, to BHO Realty LLC, 67 Bromley Road, $196,000.
Angela A. McMahon Serpone and Angela A. McMahon to Mohammed Al Jashaami, 92-94 Nonotuck Ave, $375,000.
CHICOPEE
Anthony R. Witman to Jessica Ramirez, 1640 Westover Road, $308,000.
Anthony Raymond Correa to Olga Torres, 572 Springfield St., $335,000.
Arthur F. Flynn Jr., representative, and Brenda K. Flynn, estate, to Xuan Le, 17 Yorktown Court, $155,000.
Douglas V. Skinner and Sandra D. Skinner to Heather Beth Gagat, 481-483 East St.,
afford when rates rise.
That makes the recent decline in rates a favorable lead in to the annual spring home-buying season — at least for home shoppers who can afford to buy at current rates.
“Lower rates should improve affordability and bring out more buyers,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “Assuming mortgage rates remain at about where they are, or come down even further, we should see more buyers this spring as both inventory and the weather improves.”
Homeowners eager to refinance their existing home loan to a more favorable rate are also benefiting from easing rates.
Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, edged lowerk.
That average rate fell to 5.35% from 5.44% the previous week. A year ago, it was at 6.04%, Freddie Mac said.
$325,000.
Dreamwake Homes Inc., to Rudy Schoonover, 27 Cortland St., $339,000.
Lotus & Hawk Properties LLC, to Iris Ward and Syonah Seabrooks, 16 Collins St., Unit 16, $265,000.
Michael Cormier and Jennifer Kenny to Douglas V. Skinner and Sandra D. Skinner, 1183 James St., Unit 1183, $250,500.
EAST LONGMEADOW
Alfred J. Albano Jr., commr, and Kristin L. Miorandi to Alan A. Hunt and Judith C. Hunt, 58 Baymor Drive, $344,900.
ERVING
Roxy Corp. Inc., to Stanley Smith, 5 West High St., $20,000.
GILL
Cameron E. Freeland to Mackae E. Freeland, 6 Mountain Road, $137,500.
GRANVILLE
Robert C. Hayes to Laura M. Hayes, 605 Main Road, $77,000.
Mortgage applications, which include loans to buy a home or refinance an existing mortgage, rose 2.8% from a week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Applications for mortgage refinance loans made up 57.4% of all applications.
The latest drop in mortgage rates comes three weeks after the Federal Reserve decided to pause cuts to its main interest rate after lowering rates three times in a row to close out 2025 in an attempt to shore up the job market. Minutes released Wednesday from the Fed’s last meeting showed many officials want to see inflation fall further before they would support additional interest rate cuts this year.
The central bank doesn’t set mortgage rates, but its decisions to raise or lower its short-term rate are watched closely by bond investors and can ultimately affect the yield on 10-year Treasurys that influence mortgage rates.
GREENFIELD
Woodstock Investments III, LLC, to Michael H. Freedman and Sara Katz, 30 Grinnell St., $400,000.
John B. Dunphy to Michael H. Freedman, Sara Katz and Elizabeth Shurman, 46-48 Orchard S., $695,000.
HADLEY
Marianne Filkoski to Railroad LLC, 5 Railroad St., $100
Russell Street Nominee Trust and Marianne Filkoski, trustee, to HB2 Realty LLC, 128 Russell St., $100.
Margo Paige Temple Jansen, trustee, and Margo Paige Temple Jansen Trust, to Sarah E. Goodwin, trustee, and 30 Moody Bridge Road Trust, 30 Moody Bridge Road, $1,400,000. Thaddeus E. Burak and Eleanor S. Burak Revocable Living Trust to DDS Rental Properties LLC, 71 Russell St., $129,000.
HATFIELD
Karen L. Zapka, trustee, and Zapka Family Trust to Tina M. Stevens, trustee, Stanley Atwood, trustee, Stanley J. Atwood, trustee, and A&S Realty Trust, 34 Gore Ave., $750,000.
HOLYOKE
Carolyn A. Schoedel to Heather Emma Louise Moggio and Rathdenny Keo, 1205 Northampton St., $425,000.
Michelle Monett to Kadesha Collins-Fletcher, 58-60 Brookline Ave., $414,600.
OneHolyoke Community Development Corp., to Nashly Martinez Lopez, 291-293 Walnut St., $225,000.
LONGMEADOW
Scott E. Colton, trustee, Martin S. Colton Family Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, and Sandra L. Colton Family Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Muhtadi Islam and Andria Demosthenous, 202 Williamsburg Drive, $776,500.
LUDLOW
Alan A. Hunt and Judith C. Hunt to Teresa Becerra, 655 Center St., Unit 311, $272,000.
Sonya E. Gonzalez, representative, and Johnnie Sue Moore, estate, to James R. Foy, 32 White St., $272,000.
MIDDLEFIELD
Eric E. Richards, personal representative, John K. Richards, personal representative, Sandra M. Brooking, estate, and Sandra Marie Brooking, estate, to Michael Storie, 95 W. Hill Road, $360,000.
MONSON
David J. Doyle to Richard Michaud and Tanya M. Field-Michaud, 155 Brimfield Road, $650,000.
Jane P. McGuill to Tejada Properties LLC, 96 Cote Road,
$160,000.
WLUB LLC, to David Loos Sr., 0 Munn Road, Lot 1, $70,000.
MONTAGUE
Shannon G. Carroll and Anna Seeger to Bryan A. Smith and Elias D. Venegas, 30 Park St., $390,000.
Justin T. Fermann to Scott Barlow, Greenfield Road. $75,000.
NORTHAMPTON
Samuel A. Mead and Katherine Craig Mead to Anna C. Butler, 11 Norwood Ave., $823,000.
Alan Verson to Northampton Center Rentals LLC, 215-217 State St., $750,000.
J&B Lyman LLC, to 86 Lyman LLC, 86-88 Lyman Road, $1,352,000.
Patricia Foley to Martha J. Cohen, trustee, Christie Karis, trustee, and Cohen-Karis Revocable Trust, 225 Nonotuck St., $430,000.
ORANGE
Orange RA LLC, to L&I American Development Co., 102 West Main St., $60,000.
Yan Wu and Yunxiang Zhong to Yan Wu, Jelin Zhong and Yunxiang Zhong, 73-75 Pleasant St., $100.
James Torrey Sr., “aka” James Michael Torrey, and Renee Torrey to Cody Fischett and Sally Fischett, 60 Stone Valley Road, $373,500.
M3 Innovations Inc., to Legacy Asset Group LLC, 627 East River St., $185,000.
PALMER
Palmer Town to Timothy Marquis, 6 Barker St., $165,000.
SHUTESBURY
Daniel Hayes to Kathryn A. Carey
and Kevin L. Carey, 45 Plaza Road, $250,000.
SOUTH HADLEY
Nicholas Fielding to Nicholas Fielding and Laura Bowman, 160 North Main St., $100.
Martha J. Dunn to Timothy E. Dunn, Heather L. Hackett, and Gregory C. Dunn, 15 Columbia St., $100.
Carole A. Ibsen and Carole Ibsen to Carole A. Ibsen, trustee, and Revocable Indenture of Trust of Carole A. Ibsen, 98 Mountain View St., $100.
David P. Dec to Kerry M. Ruckman, trustee, and Dec Family Irrevocable Trust, 20 Lawrence Ave., $100.
Peter B. Webster and Sharon B. Webster to Pheasants LLC, 17 Woodbridge St., $390,000.
Robert Loughrey to Robert Loughrey and Amanda R. Loughrey, 27 Chestnut Hill Road, $100
SOUTHAMPTON
Christopher Wayne, Denise Wayne, and David Wayne to Christopher Wayne, Little Mountain Road, $100.
SOUTHWICK
Castle Pines Realty LLC, to AK Remodeling Inc., Sheep Pasture Road, Lot A, $298,000.
SPRINGFIELD
Anna Callahan to Abra Properties LLC, 85-87 Forest Park Ave., $20,000.
Bernadette Perla to Dnepro Properties LLC, 15 Van Dam Place, $120,000.
Carlos A. Colon, Janet Colon and Janet Rivera to Carlos A. Colon, 245 Starling Road, $60,000.
Cristen L. Munsell-Ward to
Michelle Hiersche, 57 Jean Drive, $255,000.
David F. March, representative, and Marie T. March, estate, to Sade Briana Harris, 97 Lancaster St., $260,000.
Douglas Dichard to Steven Whelihan and Heidi Whelihan, 15 Verge St., $211,500.
Elisabeth Risch, trustee, and Elisabeth Risch Trust, trustee of, to Carolyn A. Schoedel, 52 Smithfield Court, Unit 52, $275,000.
Kathleen E. Ollmann, representative, Kyle David Ollmann, estate, and Kyle D. Ollmann, estate, to Derrick L. Figueroa, 3-5 Noel St., $370,000.
Kenny Emerson Manguinuri Cuevas to Giovanny Zuniga and Abigail Alers, 140 Chestnut St., Unit 304, $80,000.
Carrington Mortgage Services LLC, to AJ Capital Inc., 93 Cooper St., $232,750.
Manuel Rivera to Shonda Lee Pete, 25 Pheland Ave., $322,500.
Naples Home Buyers Inc., to Kerson Belizaire, 371-373 Oakland St., $320,000.
Paul G. Bowden II, to Viva Holdings LLC, 58 Greene St., $70,000.
Pinevale Properties LLC, to Andre Ferdinand and Dieula Cherival, 63-65 Pinevale St., $445,000.
Rose Bud Enterprises LLC, to Bryan Tat and Tran B. Nguyen, 65 Fair Oak Road, $385,000.
Italian Cultural Center of Western Massachusetts Inc., to Ilonna Cyloh LLC, 56 Margaret St., $500,000.
WARE
Wicked Deals LLC, to Mancia Services LLC, 24 Maple Ave., $200,000.
Kimberly A. Okane to Taylor B. Hembree, 9 Sczygiel Road, $275,000.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Monica Lombardo to Nanhakoo Yadav and Rita Yadav, 177 Edgewood Road, $425,000.
Nino Valentino to Wesley A. Bryon and Diana P. Willis-Moriarty, 17 Laurence Drive, $393,500.
AEI Net Lease Income Fund 36 LP, and AEI Income Fund Manager Inc., to L D H Royal LLC, 208 Ashley Ave., $4,300,000.
Scott Trueman, Gordon S. Trueman and Karyn Lynn Trueman to Naples Home Buyers Inc., 30-32 Fox St., $332,500.
Thomas M. Martin, Carolina I. Martin and Carolina I. Albano to Stephanie Lecrenski, 167 Wolcott Ave., $355,000.
William J. Fontaine and Jean M. Fontaine to Thomas Michael Martin and Carolina Inez Martin, 283 Forest Glen, $530,000.
WESTFIELD
Helen I. Mahler to Davyd Kozar and Nataliia Shkarovska, 11 Chestnut St., $280,000.
Karen Hoiberg to Kylie & Mia Properties LLC, 1020 Russell Road, $210,000.
Lori Doyle, representative, Sheila A. Salvini, estate, and James D. Salvini to No Limit Assets LLC, 10 Marla Circle, $420,000.
Michael E. Sullivan and Christine M. Sullivan to Kristina Minot and George Grohs, 901 Shaker Road, Lot 2, $650,000.
Robin Sheldon to J. Storm Smith, 555 Russell Road, Unit C-13, $217,000.
William Everett Gerrish and Mary Lou Gerrish to Dean G. Varelas and Laurie A. Varelas, 35 Loring Lane, $315,000.
WILBRAHAM
Jonathan Mish and Stefanie Mish to William R. Arment, 10 Forest Glade Drive, $775,000.
PUBLIC AUCTION
MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
12:00 PM - SPRINGFIELD
1251 Saint James Avenue
sgl fam, 1,142 sf liv area, 0.12 ac lot, 6 rm, 4 bdrm, 1 bth, fpl, Hampden: Bk 15244, Pg 329
Friday, February 27, 2026
10:00 AM - HOLYOKE
133 Allyn Street
sgl fam, 1,620 sf liv area, 0.06 ac lot, 8 rm, 4 bdrm, 2 bth, Hampden: Bk 20852, Pg 157
TERMS: Cashier’s or certified check in the sum of $5,000.00 as a deposit must be shown at the time and place of the sale in order to qualify as a bidder. No CASH. No personal checks will be accepted. Cashier/certified checks should be made out to whomever is going to bid at the auction. The balance to be paid within thirty (30) days at the law offices of Korde & Associates, P.C.900 Chelmsford Street, Suite 3102, Lowell, MA 01851, Attorney for the Mortgagee. Auctioneer makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information contained herein.
NORTH CHELMSFORD (978) 251-1150 www.baystateauction.com
MAAU#: 1029, 2624, 3039, 116, 2484, 2919, 3092, 3107, 0100030, 3099
GENERAL ESTATE AUCTION
FRI, FEB. 27, AT 6 PM
Including furniture, glass & china, small antiques, artwork including Mortimer Borne archive, gold & silver jewelry, sterling silver, Hummels, cameras, tools, and more.
PREVIEW DAY OF SALE: 8 AM - 6 PM www.DouglasAuctioneers.com
Sale Date: February 25, 2026 12:00 Noon
103 and 0 Royalton
Auctioneer Donald Raucher - MA Lic.
