Home and Garden, and Real Estate- October 23, 2022

Home & Garden

& Real Estate

INSIDE

GARDEN NOTES: A seasonal cooking lesson with a mystery basket full of secret ingredi ents, F3

IN THE GARDEN WITH LEE REICH: Don’t put away the lawn mower just yet, F4

ANTIQUES & COLLECTING: Season made spooky with antiques, F6

MORTGAGE RATES: 30-year US mortgage rate rises to 6.94%, F7 WMASS DEEDS, F7

PROJECT OF THE WEEK: Cabinet hides TV in plain sight, F9

Avoid injuries during fall cleanup

Choose a rake that’s right for you, and move safely while using it, Page F2

Avoid injuries during fall cleanup

While it may seem that all rakes are the same, there are multiple varieties to choose from. When purchasing yours, be sure it’s one that is appro priate for the job, and more important, well-suited for your height.

yard work safely and more efficiently.

2. Get in gear

muscles.

By Ashley B lake G reenblatt The Philadelphia Inquirer

THE FALL FOLIAGE creates a beautiful sight. But when those leaves start to form layers on your lawn, the ar duous task of raking, bagging and dragging them to the curb isn’t as pleasant. Yard work may feel like a chore, but it is really more of a total-body workout.

And when done incorrectly, the prolonged hours spent at awkward angles, or bending improperly, can quickly wreak havoc on the body.

Stay safe while doing your yard work this season with the following five simple cleanup tips:

1. Choose a rake that’s right

When your rake is too short or too tall, or very heavy to lift, you run the risk of straining the neck, arms and lower back. The rake’s handle

Wet leaves and uneven terrain create the perfect conditions for slips and falls. Wear comfortable, support ive shoes with a tread and well-cushioned socks to pre vent injuries and blisters.

Whether you’re handling sharp, pointy pine cones or gripping a rake for hours,

When you’re using the best rake for the job, and one that’s comfortable to work with, you’ll complete your yard work safely and more efficiently.

should reach the bridge of your nose and allow enough room to space your hands while holding it. Stop by your local garden center to test out a few options and ask a store associate for help if you’re unsure.

When you’re using the best rake for the job, and one that’s comfortable to work with, you’ll complete your

you’ll want a buffer between your hands and the ele ments. Gloves protect from cuts and scrapes, as well as guard your hands from the discomfort of holding your rake’s handle for long stretches of time.

3. Warm up cold muscles

Do a few light stretches before engaging in physical activity to loosen up your

• Hamstring hold: Stand tall with the feet hip width apart and flat on the floor. Bend at the knee to pull the foot back toward the glutes. Try to keep the knees in con tact. Hold for 20 counts, then switch legs.

• Calf stretch: Stand near a sturdy base such as a wall or tree. Take a big step back with

the right leg, bend the left knee and keep the hind leg straight. Feel a deep stretch in the back of the extended leg. Hold here for 20 seconds, then repeat on the opposite leg.

• March in place: Pump the arms and legs for 30 seconds to increase your heart rate and circulation.

Choose a rake that’s right for you, and move safely while using it

Before tackling the leaves overflowing in your yard, make sure you are using the correct rake and wearing the right gear. (LEN MELISURGO / NJ ADVANCE MEDIA)

GARDEN NOTES

EAST LONGMEADOW Club meeting

The East Longmeadow Garden Club will meet Thursday at 12:15 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 7 Somers Road (church on the rotary). Master Gardener Chris Brown will present a program on “Cooking with Herbs.”

STOCKBRIDGE

Upcoming events

Berkshire Botanical Garden presents:

• “Seasonal Cooking Sur prise,” today, 3-5:30 p.m. Join chef/educator team Steve and Julie Browning for this fun and collaborative cooking lesson. At the start of class, a basket full of secret seasonal ingredients will be opened. Using the mystery ingredi ents, the class will discuss and plan a dinner recipe out of the ingredients and then cook and eat the meal. Cost is $55 members, $65 nonmem bers.

• “Sparrows in the Gar den,” Wednesday, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Join Mass Audubon for a walk and talk on the sparrows that spend their fall in Berk shire County. Learn helpful tips for identification. Bring binoculars and sturdy walk ing shoes as participants will be exploring the gardens in search of sparrows. Cost $12 members, $14 nonmembers.

For more information, or to register for these programs, visit berkshirebotanical. org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 W. Stockbridge Road.

Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.

Raking

4. Do not twist while raking

As with any physical activ ity, proper posture and form are essential for protecting the body. When it comes to an exercise such as raking, it’s important to avoid plant ing the feet while twisting and pulling. This sort of repetitive motion places a lot of pressure on the lower back, which ultimately leads to sprains and strains, plus considerable stress on the neck.

A safer raking routine is one in which the entire body is helping with the workload. Though it may appear that raking is an upper-body ac tivity, it’s the lower body that should be taking the lead. Follow this four-point raking checklist to ensure your form is correct:

• Keep the back straight with the shoulders aligned over the hips.

• The legs are staggered with one foot in front of the other, with a slight bend at the knees. This will help evenly distribute your weight between both legs and prevent straining the back or knees. Momentum should come from the legs rather than the upper body. Switch up which foot is in front to

Wet leaves and uneven terrain create the perfect conditions for slips and falls. Wear comfort able, supportive shoes with a tread and well-cushioned socks to prevent injuries and blisters. (DREAMSTIME / TNS)

prevent overuse injuries.

• For better leverage, maintain one hand at the top at the rake, switching hands every few minutes. Keep the rake close to the body to avoid hyperextending.

• Avoid bending forward at the waist. Instead, move the entire body with each sweeping motion. Raking leaves can take hours, so take breaks every 10 to 15 minutes to rest your muscles.

5. Lift with your legs

Hauling bags of leaves or

picking up plump pumpkins is hard work. And so often when lifting these hefty objects we mindlessly bend at the waist and yank up in a jerky motion. It only takes one poorly planned hoist to hurt your back. The best way to avoid this common blun der is by learning the right way to lift.

• Position the feet wide for a greater support base.

• Never bend at the waist. Rather, squat down by hinging back at the hips and

bending the knees.

• Keep the heavy object close to the body when lifting.

• Slowly lift by straighten ing the knees and hips — not your back. Similar to raking, never twist when lifting. Keep the shoulders over the hips and back straight, brac ing the core muscles.

In addition to these tips, don’t fill leaves to the brim of the bag. By lightening your load, you will make it easier to transport.

Don’t put away the lawn mower just yet

ROLL OUT THE mower for one last pass over the lawn. Just because vegetables and flowers are waning, and trees are losing their leaves, does not mean that the grass has stopped growing. The fescues and the bluegrasses that comprise our lawns are called “cool-season grasses” because they make most of their growth only during the cool, moist months of spring and fall.

Don’t mow too closely, though. Those blades of grass are what make food for grass plants, and the grass should not enter the winter hungry. Mow no lower than one-anda-half to two inches.

If the mower spews out thick clumps of chopped grass and leaves in its wake, then raking or attaching the mower’s grass catcher is in order. Otherwise, those thick clumps are apt to mat down and smother the lawn, inviting fungal diseases.

If you have not been remiss in your mowing, and largeleaved sycamores or maples do not tower over the lawn, the mower probably will grind up and disperse leaves and grass well enough to obviate raking. Leaving the leaves and cut grass in place actually will improve the lawn. Earthworms will pull the leaves and cut grass down into the soil and chew them up, turning them into rich hu mus which, in turn, will feed the grass plants next year and keep the soil spongy and soft.

While you are cutting, think back to last summer. Was the lawn a lush, green carpet, or was it somewhat sickly? Perhaps it was un derfed. Fall rains will wash fertilizer into the soil, to be taken up by grass roots until growth stops. Then, as long as the fertilizer is a type that will not wash out of the soil through the winter, the nutrients still will be hanging around next to the roots just

as growth starts next spring.

Nitrogen is the nutrient most needed in a lawn fertiliz er, so look for bag of fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of about 2-1-1 (like 20-10-10, 10-5-5, etc.). Fertilizers less likely to leach out of the soil by spring are “slow release” fertilizers and those whose nitrogen is in the ammonium form, rather than the nitrate form. All this is spelled out in fine print on the fertilizer bag.

A soil test will determine how much fertilizer to use. But once you get going spruc ing up the lawn on a crisp au tumn day, you probably don’t want to stop, take a test, then wait a couple of weeks for the results. So here’s a rule of thumb: add about 20 pounds of a fertilizer with 10 percent nitrogen for every thousand square feet of lawn each year. Less fertilizer is needed for already-fertile soils, for grasses made up mostly of fescues (as opposed to blue grasses), and for those of you who want to spend less time mowing.

A soil test also can indi cate if your lawn needs to be “sweetened” with lime, which is needed periodically since most soils become progres sively more acidic (or “sour” to continue the gustatory analogy) over time. Barring the soil test, here’s another rule of thumb: Add 50 pounds of ground limestone per thou sand square feet every two or three years. Lime normally washes into the soil slowly, but small fissures left by al ternate freezing and thawing

temperatures in the coming months will help work the lime into the soil during the coming months.

Don’t try to spread the fertil izer or lime by taking a hand ful at a time and scattering it with graceful arc-like swings of your arm. Similar arc-like patterns will appear on the lawn next year, indicating where the fertilizer was con centrated. Get a push-spread er that rolls on the ground, or a hand-cranked broadcaster that hangs on your chest with

shoulder straps and spews out its contents as you crank. Two passes at right angles to each other, with half the fertilizer or lime applied at each pass, ensures an even distribution of material.

Now sharpen the mower blades and put the mower away for the winter.

Any gardening questions? Email them to me at garden@ leereich.com and I’ll try an swering them directly or in this column. Come visit my garden at leereich.com/blog.

Lee Reich | In the Garden

Most northern grasses grow and thrive in the cool weather of autumn, so still need mowing — but not too low. (LEE REICH PHOTO)

Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting

Season made spooky with antiques

W HEN HALLOW

een approaches, it’s time to look into the spooky side of antiques. While there are plenty of antique decorations and toys made specifically for Halloween, you can see related symbols in more everyday pieces.

Skulls in particular show up on all sorts of collectibles, from poison bottles to Victorian mourning jewelry to toy pirate ships. Memento mori objects such as jewelry, timepieces and figurines have been made since the 16th century. Latin for “remember you must die,” memento mori served as reminders of the transience of life and encouragement to live virtuously. They often included skulls or skeletons as symbols.

Apparently, this style has yet to die out, as seen in this bronze paper clip with a three-dimensional skull deco

CURRENT PRICES

ration. It sold for $625 at Rago Auctions.

Q. I have an extensive collection of Napoleonic items — busts, statues, plates, death mask, etc. — that I would like to sell to collectors. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

A. Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. He was the leader of the French Republic as First Consul from 1799 to 1804. From his self-cor onation in the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris in 1804 to his exile on Saint Helena in 1815, he built one of the most ambi tious empires in world history that also resulted in millions of deaths in the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleonic items can sell for $10 to tens of thousands of dol lars depending on the object and

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.

Halloween candy container, jack-o’-lantern, papier-mache, paper inserts behind eyes and grinning mouth, wire handle, 7 inches, $65.

Boot scraper, black cat, walking, elongated tail, cast iron, black paint, early 20th century, 16 inches, $185.

Lamp, electric, mushroom, white enameled steel, cylindrical stem, domed shade, Laurel, 29 1/2 x 8 inches, $275.

Steuben cocktail shaker, clear glass, rounded cylinder form, wide mouth with two pour spouts, round stopper with over hanging top, marked, 10 inches, $370.

Map, globe, terrestrial, J.L. & Cie, Paris, hand tinted map, papi er-mache, metal stand, late 1800s, 9 x 4 inches, $550.

Furniture, sewing stand, painted, Adam style, shaped top with oval cartouche, village fishing scene, rose vine border, allover flowers, ribbons & insects, drawer, slender tapered legs, initials BSK on back, 30 x 20 x 15 inches, $725.

Bank, building, palace, cast iron, japanned finish, original tow er, Ives, 7 3/4 x 8 x 5 inches, $985.

Box, work, wood, dark stain, dovetailed, hinged lid, inlaid bone compass star, drawer, bone pull and heart-shaped escutcheon, recessed handles, whaleman made, c. 1870, 6 x 14 x 7 inches, $1,125.

Cane, walking stick, Turk’s knot handle, whale ivory, cross hatched and twist carved whalebone shaft, brass ferrule, c. 1850, 32 1/2 inches, $2,765.

Jewelry, necklace, pearls, single strand, white Akoya, single Tahitian flanked by diamond spacers, 18K white gold and seed pearl clasp, marked, Mikimoto, suede envelope, 17 inches, $3,075.

its rarity. If many of your items are of high value, you should be able to find an auction house or dealer that will sell your collec tion. You can also reach out to the Napoleonic Collectors Club for other interested collectors and events (facebook.com/ groups/839406382803749/).

Q. I have my late greatgrandmother’s White trea dle sewing machine, and I was wondering what year it was made. The U.S. patents go from March 20, 1877, to March 20, 1890. The serial number is 1824745. If you have any information about this machine it would be greatly appreciated.

A. The White Sewing Ma chine company was founded in Templeton by Thomas White in 1858. The company moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1866. The serial number on your sewing machine indicates it was made be tween 1904 and 1914. Sales of American-made machines declined after cheaper for eign-made sewing machines became available in the 1950s. White bought several appliance brands and became White Consolidated Indus tries in 1964. It was bought by Electrolux in 1986 and resold to Husqvarna, a Swedish com pany, in 2006. White sewing machines were not made after 2006.

Q. I’ve had a Ball Mason jar for quite a few years. The Ball logo is not underlined. What makes it special is the spelling. The word “per fect” is spelled “PERFFCT,” with two “F”s and missing the second “E.” Does the mistake make it worth anything?

A. Five Ball brothers started the Wooden Jacketed Can Co. in Buffalo, New York, in 1880, making wood-covered tin cans for kerosene, paint and other products. They began making glass canning jars in 1884. Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Co. was incorporated in 1886. Ball Perfect Mason jars were made in a variety of colors from about 1910 to 1960. The Ball script logo without the underline was used from

This paper clip features a bronze skull and bones, making it ready for Halloween any time of the year. Is it a modern-day memento mori or a sly comment on the tedium of paperwork?

(COWLES SYNDICATE INC.)

about 1923 to 1933. Many Ball jars made at that time have missing letters or parts of letters. Molding machines had to be swabbed periodically to get rid of carbon buildup that could cause defects. Molds were recut when the emboss ing became too hard to read. Most of the time an error does not increase the value of the jar. Ball Corporation is still in business, now with headquar ters in Broomfield, Colora do. Ball jars were not made after 1996. The company now produces aluminum beverage cans and designed the optical technology and mirror system for the James Webb Space Telescope.

Q. I have my great-greatgreat-grandfather’s Civil War diary. He enlisted in the CSA in 1861 and was part of the 7th Texas In fantry. He was captured at the fall of Fort Donelson in 1862 and held as a POW at Camp Douglas in Chicagos. He was freed in a prisoner exchange and reenlisted. We have his papers from his unit’s surrender and a diary he kept while at Camp Douglas. I’d love to donate these to a museum in Texas that would preserve them and share them with the world. Do you have any sug gestions?

A. Camp Douglas opened in 1861 as a training camp for Union soldiers. The first prisoners sent there were those captured by Ulysses S. Grant at Fort Donelson in 1862. Per

sonal diaries and letters from Civil War soldiers are of great interest to historians. There are several museums that have collections of Civil War items. If you want to keep your greatgreat-great-grandfather’s papers in Texas, contact the Texas Civil War Museum in Fort Worth (texascivilwar museum.com) or the His torical Research Center at the Texas Heritage Museum in Hillsboro (hillcollege.edu/ museum/Divisions.html). If there is interest in the papers, find out how they will preserve them and display them to the public before deciding where to donate them.

TIP: Put books in the freez er overnight to get rid of many types of insects.

Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer 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 ob ject and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, The Republican, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.

WASHINGTON 30-year US mortgage rate rises to 6.94%

By M ATT O TT Associated Press

AVERAGE LONGterm U.S. mortgage rates inched up this week ahead of anoth er expected rate increase by the Federal Reserve when it meets early next month.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on the key 30year rate ticked up this week to 6.94% from 6.92% the previous week.

Last year at this time, the rate was 3.09%.

The average rate on 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages, popular among those looking to refi nance their homes, jumped to 6.23% from 6.09% the previous week.

Last week it climbed over 6% for the first time since the housing market crash of 2008. One year ago, the 15year rate was 2.33%.

The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in September for the eighth month in a row as house hunters faced sharp ly higher mortgage rates, bloated home prices and a tight supply of properties on the market.

Sales fell 23.8% from Sep tember last year, and are now at the slowest annual pace since September 2012, ex cluding the steep slowdown in sales that occurred in May 2020 near the start of the pandemic.

Despite the Fed’s swift and heavy rate increases, infla tion has hardly budged from 40-year highs and the labor market remains tight.

Despite a still-robust job market, the government esti mates that the U.S. economy shrank at a 0.6% annual rate in the second quarter that ended in June, the second straight quarterly contrac tion.

Deeds

AGAWAM

Dennis J. Clark to Allan C. Rams dell and Stacey Ramsdell, 73 Ottawa St., $260,000.

Janet Febus, representative, and Roy R. Arnold, estate, to L & A Property LLC, 51 Wilson St., $187,000.

Jeffrey B. Dunn, representative, William T. Barton, estate, and William Thomas Barton, estate, to Christopher Ryan McAdaragh, 40 Corey Colonial, Unit 40, $209,900.

Kenneth Byron Beagle and Katie M. Beagle to Dan Guyette, 48 Highland Ave., $283,900.

Matthew Gour and Annette Gour to Bryan Riley and Andrea Riley, 206 Corey St., $420,000.

Phyllis Scales and John Scales to Patricia Lambert and Gary Lam bert, 121 Beekman Drive, $187,000.

Pine Crossing Construction Inc., to William Anderson and Lenora Anderson, 70 Villa Drive, Unit 24, $379,900.

Richard R. Wheeler to Martin J. Lee and Andreana H. Lee, 53 White Oaks Drive, $343,500.

Richard W. Ivey and Loretta Ivey to Lisa M. Gamelli, 78 Kensington St., $260,000.

Rosemary C. Robinson, Gregg M. Robinson and Gary P. Robinson to Jose M. Quintanilla, 14 Laura Circle, $275,000.

Tamara L. Lukens, representative, Sally Louise Peiffer, estate, and Sally L. Peiffer, estate, to Andrew J. Lamarche, 9 Ridgeview Drive, $410,000.

Thomas M. Robidoux to Tracy Lynn Daborowski and Brittany Ann Ce san, 145 Corey Colonial, $225,000.

Travis M. Ritter to Andre D. Bourque, 144 Autumn St., Unit D, $179,900.

William O. Bellows and Nancy E. Bellows to Roger C. Phillips, 99 Paul Revere Drive, $325,000.

AMHERST

Truman B. Likens Jr., and Marjorie Likens to Pioneer Valley Ventures LLC, 106 Belchertown Road, $336,000.

Truman B. Likens Jr., and Marjorie Likens to Pioneer Valley Ventures LLC, 120 Belchertown Road, $364,000.

John C. Wollensak, trustee, Andrea J. Wollensak Terry, trustee, Nancy J. Wollensak, trustee, Barbara R. Wollensak Revocable Trust and John C. Wollensak to Siddhartha Shah and Perry T. Hallinan, 18 Teaberry Lane, $661,000.

Jennifer D. Randall to Jennifer Ferol Jones, 11 Duxbury Lane, $334,000.

Charles Webb Posey to Eric Ols son, 296 Pomeroy Lane, $250,000.

BELCHERTOWN

M & G Land Development LLC, to Ronald A. Aickelin and Debbie L. Aickelin, 640 North Washington St., $350,000.

Richard F. Greene to Matthew G. Fuller and Catherine T. Fuller, Old Sawmill Road, $90,000.

Orin L. Bracey Jr., and MaryEllen O’Reilly-Bracey to M & G Land Development LLC, Munsell Street, $80,000.

Carol Ann Flood to Carol Ann Flood and Erich A. Flood, 229 Jabish St., $100.

Ronald N. Loftus, Diane M. L. Mas, Barbara J. Loftus-Nelson and Barbara J. Nelson to Kristen Kowal, 243 South Liberty St., $350,000.

Kenneth Conkey and Toni L. Conkey to Joseph J. Conkey, Gold Street, $35,000.

David G. Fontaine and Deborah P. Fontaine to Megan Hoy and Derek Hoy, 483 Michael Sears Road, $450,000.

Cindy A. Goldie and Paul M. Gallagher to Cindy A. Goldie, 161 Federal St., $132,000.

Joanna G. Mull and Joseph C. Mull to Jason M. Bond and Catherine M. Rouleau, 280 Granby Road,

$315,000.

Carolyn R. Letendre to Beth Ander son, 64 Old Bay Road, $355,150.

Sherri M. Dubois, trustee, Darin T. Dubois, trustee, and Sherri M. Du bois Living Trust to Joseph C. Mull and Joanna G. Mull, 371 Bardwell St., $473,999.

Roger C. Phillips to Andrew F. Cienciwa and Rebekah A. Wright, 350 Bardwell St., $485,000.

William Blackwood III, to Alex andra N. Marra, 59 Summit St., $60,000.

Glenn E. Burrows to Scott Andrew Wade and Rebecca Doris, 28 Sarah Lane, $340,000.

BRIMFIELD

Christopher Lowe, Christopher A. Lowe, Judith A. Lowe and Judith Lowe to Maureen Jolicoeur and Adam Jay Jolicoeur, 15 Little Rest Road, $605,000.

Janelle N. Morin, representative, and Gerard J. Morin, estate, to Benjamin Morin, Brookfield Road, $40,000.

Jorge Diaz, Richard J. Gabriel, executor, Leon Sandman, estate, Alan Sandman, executor, Karen M. Shea, representative, Raymond E. Shea Jr., estate, and Raymond E. Shea, estate. to Richard J. Gabriel, executor, Leon Sandman, estate, and Alan Sandman, executor, Haynes Hill Road, $50,000.

William J. Campbell and Naomi A. Campbell to Michael Wasielak, 61 Cubles Drive, $240,000.

CHESTER

Willard Vail Zook and Diane J. Gnagnarelli to Philip Zahodiakin, 23 William St., $220,000.

CHICOPEE

Alyssa M. Henderson to Dex ter Taylor and Jasmine Giselle Stephen Taylor, 12-14 Burton St., $315,000.

Daniel J. Gagne to Alison L.

Coulombe and Eric D. Fontaine, 89 Olko Circle, $270,000.

Denise L. Johnson to Juan Rivera, 41 Dorrance St., $256,900.

Elizabeth D. Siciliano and Mark D. Siciliano to Juan C. Crespo, 69 Bonner St., $240,000.

Francis J. Czepiel and Marlene A. Czepiel to Brion Edward Patrick Smith, 18 McKinley Ave., $271,000.

Gabriel Martinez to Cyryline Patri cia Reid and David Eric Reid, 100 Stebbins St., $388,000.

Joshua Mitera to Houssam Abdul Baki, 47-49 Algonquin St., $350,000.

Kenneth M. Krupa and David R. Krupa to Matthew J. Wilkinson, 75 Dresser Ave., $270,000.

Michael P. Fitzgerald to Rasidi Akodu, 15 Pleasant St., $285,245.

Norman J. Bourbeau and Kathleen G. Bourbeau to Michael N. Houle, 789 Granby Road, $220,000.

Patrick S. McGrath to Raysa A. Lopez Martinez and Adis J. Valerio Barriento, 151 Rimmon Ave., $267,000.

Waycon Inc., to Donald R. Turcotte and Sharon A. Turcotte, Lot 4 Stockbbridge St., $428,000.

Wesley V. Gumlaw to Lizbeth Velez, 16-18 Ferry St., $415,000.

William J. Stetson and Urszula Stetson to Investmentguru LLC, 93-105 Main St., $700,000.

DEERFIELD

Steven Weiss, trustee for Jeanne E. Grover, to David Grover, Off Upper Road, $12,500.

Reverse Mortgage Funding LLC, as nominee for Wilmington Trust NA, as trustee for Broad Street Funding Trust II, to Mark Mongeau, 47 Lee Road, $210,000.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Elizabeth F. Collaro to Alyssa Henderson, 126 Franconia Circle, $320,000.

MORTGAGE

LEGEND: The rate and annual percentage rate (APR) are effective as of the publication date. The APR may increase after consummation and may vary. Payments do not include amounts for taxes and insurance. The fees set forth for each advertisement above may be charged to open the plan (A) Mortgage Banker, (B) Mortgage Broker, (C) Bank, (D) S&L, (E) Credit Union, (BA) indicates Licensed Mortgage Banker, NYS Banking Dept., (BR) indicates Registered Mortgage Broker, NYS Banking Dept., (loans arranged through third parties). “Call for Rates” means actual rates were not available at press time. All rates are quoted on a minimum FICO score of 740. Conventional loans are based on loan amounts of $165,000. Jumbo loans are based on loan amounts of $548.250. Points quoted include discount and/or origination. Lock Days: 30-60. Annual percentage rates (APRs) are based on fully indexed rates for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). The APR on your specific loan may differ from the sample used. Fees reflect charges relative to the APR. If your down payment is less than 20% of the home’s value, you will be subject to private mortgage insurance, or PMI. FHA mortgages include both UFMIP and MIP fees based on loan amount of $165,000 with 5% down payment. VA mortgages include funding fees based on loan amount of $165,000 with 5% down payment. The Republican does not guarantee the accuracy of the information appearing above or the availability of rates and fees in this table. All rates, fees and other information are subject to change without notice. The Republican does not own any financial institutions. Some or all of the companies appearing in this table pay a fee to appear in this table. If you are seeking a mortgage in excess of $548.250, recent legislation may enable lenders in certain locations to provide rates that are different from those shown in the table above. Sample Repayment Terms-ex. 360 monthly payments of $5.37 per $1,000 borrowed ex. 180 monthly payments of $7.65per $1,000 borrowed. We recommend that you contact your lender directly to determine what rates may be available to you. To access the NMLS Consumer Access website, please visit www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

appear in this table, or report any

413-788-1165

Deeds

Janice E. Flebotte to Steven Moyers and Andrea Rose Dimauro, 25 Bettswood Road, $250,000.

Mitchell J. Kupperman, trustee, Mitchell Kupperman, trustee, and Joshua M Kupperman 2009 Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Lee Ann Guilbault and Katherine Alice Jennings, 11 Lester St., $305,000.

Nancy Kiernan Campbell, trustee, and John J. Kiernan Revocable Donor Trust, trustee of, to 31 Har wich Road LLC, 31 Harwich Road, $240,000.

Sareen Properties LLC, to Tacia Munn, 58 Wood Ave., $306,000.

Timothy Driscoll and Gianna Driscoll to Steven Hogan, 57 Redin Drive, $300,000.

VIP Homes & Associates LLC, to Thomas J. Russo and Patricia M. Russo, 32 Maryland St., $327,315.

EASTHAMPTON

Keith T. Bixby, Keith T. Bixby, personal representative, Thomas P. Bixby, estate, and Cynthia M. Bixby to Eileen P. Rice and Phillip Horan, 30-32 Holyoke St., $270,000.

Lise Lemeland, trustee, and Lemeland Revocable Living Trust to Robert Shar, 5 Donais St., $388,600.

Susanne Weinman to Regina R. Kaufman, trustee, Margaret C. Chappuis, trustee, and Kaufman Chappuis Family Trust, 34 Pine Hill Road, $490,000.

GRANBY

Richard W. Regis and Christine G. Regis to Sheila J. Jolivet, trustee, and Regis Family Irrevocable Trust, 141 Amherst St., $100.

Heather LeClair, Heather Ewing and Robert James Ewing Jr., to Jon athan Mastalerz and Chelsey Reep, 418 Miller St., $260,000.

GRANVILLE

Daniel Scibelli and Christopher Scibelli to Daniel M. McGorty and Patti A. McGorty, 144 Barnard Road, $210,000.

GREENFIELD

Charles W. Saunders Inc., “fka” C.W.S. Realty Inc., to Betty Saun ders, 163 Leyden Road, $240,000.

Denise Devlin and Scott Devlin to Douglas C. Ewing, Tammy E. Hicks and Darlene A. Holland, Champney Road, $2,000.

Paul S. Richmond to Brendan Kenny, 157 Log Plain Road West, $120,000.

HADLEY

Sally F. Rubenstone and Chris A. Petrides to Jack C. Petrides and Alyssa J. Taft, 5 Aloha Drive, $442,500.

Adare Place Properties LLC, to Rosemund LLC, 3 Adare Place, $140,000.

Bonnie L. Bobetsky and Bonnie L. Seaver to Keith S. Hevey and Rebecca K. Halmich, 1 Woodlawn Road, $430,000.

HATFIELD

Janet J. Warren and Robert C. Wagner to Stephanie Wilson, 221 Linseed Road, $621,000.

HEATH

Hope L. Bussiere and Shaun P. Bussiere, trustees of the Shaun P. Bussiere and Hope L. Bussiere Revocable Trust, to Daniel Martelle and Vanessa Martelle, Mohawk Estates, $10,000.

HOLYOKE

David Alan Monfett to David Alan Monfett and Rachel Elizabeth Gauthier, 49 Elmwood Drive, $100.

Dennis P. O’Connor, Brian W. O’Connor, Michael E. O’Connor and Kevin C. O’Connor to Mary Ellen O’Connor, 224 Beech St., $100.

Donald R. Packard to Megan E. Pfefferle and Kevin Paul Pfefferle, 35 Ridgeway St., $289,000.

Dwight B. Kelley and Paula Santi ago-Kelley to Lily Augusta Foster and Adam Hartvig Holmes, 88 Wellesley Road, $425,000.

Ellen Donohue, representative, and Robert Donohue, estate, to Holyoke Hospital Inc., 10 Hospital Drive, Unit 2, $150,000.

Eric M. Toensmeier, Jonathan R. Bates and Megan L. Barber to Willow Permanent Real Estate Cooperative LLC, 145-147 Brown St., $250,000.

Lemire Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, and Daniel Lemire, trustee, to Al exandra Ortiz-Pagan, 67 Westfield Road, $270,000.

Maple Leaf Capital Reserve LLC, to Elissa Wright and Andrew Michael Miller, 416 Southampton Road, $310,000.

Michael J. Spirito and Patricia A. Spirito to Emily Bouvier and Christian A. Ortiz, 97 Merrick Ave., $240,000.

HUNTINGTON

Andrew J. Lucia and Susan Lucia to Irene Lozach and Serge Lozach, 2 Brookside Glen, $407,500.

Ken Kinghorn, Kenneth Kinghorn, Siobhan Christie and Siobhan

Hinckley to Michael J. DiBrindisi Jr., and Patricia Rockett, 240 Lake shore Drive, $165,000.

LONGMEADOW

Charlene A. Clark to Michael Palaschak and Lura Pen, 43 Bar rington Road, $300,000.

Peter S. Donner to David M. Wendt and Amanda M. Rodriguez, 80 Hawthorne St., $390,000.

Ronald J. LaPierre, estate, and Pierre R. LaPierre, representative, to Luis Rodriguez and Taylor Jean Beauchesne Rodriguez, 75 Oak Road, $385,000.

LUDLOW

Christopher Novelli, trustee, and Frank Novelli Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Arturo Aguillon, 96 Yale St., $155,000.

Henry Hampton Jr., and Tau ni Hampton to Li Zhong Lan and Dongzhi Lin, 20 Birch St., $252,000.

Jessica Leroux to Melina Canter, 795 Chapin St., $310,000.

Jordan M. Tsagaris and Jordan M. Leal to Nicholas B. Tsagaris, 54 Nash Hill Road, $65,000.

LJF Investments LLC, to Blan co Electric LLC, 164 Rood St., $85,000.

MIDDLEFIELD

William R. Denault Sr., to Alex ander W. Seid, 154 Skyline Trail, $250,000.

Robert L. Keach and Anne M. Keach to Michael Lay, 143 East River Road, $365,000.

MONSON

Frank W. Hull to Nathan Michael Dunn, 369 Cedar Swamp Road, $267,500.

Janice Kissel and Janice T. Kissel to Michael H. Fograshy, 40 High St., $235,000.

Sara E. Szado and Sara E. Malo to Derek Belisle, 3 Green St., $350,000.

Yvette I. Wheeler to Pedro Luis Sauri Rosado and Nairim Natalia Nievez Diaz, 22 Bethany Road, $275,000.

MONTAGUE

Federal National Mortgage Association, “aka” Fannie Mae, to Alyssa Nicole Edwards and Walter Garnder Jr., 120 Millers Falls Road, $299,000.

Jenny C. Potee, personal represen tative of the Estate of Joanne Koch Potee, to Katherine E. Van Keuren Blair, 58 Prospect St., $330,000.

Karen A. Wasielewski, personal

representative of the Estate of Ellen M. Legere, to Betsy J. Burnham, 67 Turners Falls Road, $275,000.

NEW SALEM

Krysten Nicole Mizula and Natha nial Mizula to Scott Chastain, 4 Old County Road, $315,000.

NORTHAMPTON

New Silk Mill LLC, to Silk Mill Offices LLC, 267 Locust St., $2,015,000.

52 Maple Street Place LLC, to Pio neer Valley Ventures LLC, 52 Maple St., $550,000.

Judith Ann Lewis to Philip D. Brooks and Balinda Craig-Quijada, 50 Hawley St., $420,000.

Suzan Edwards to Suzan Edwards Trust and Suzan Edwards, trustee, 22 Maple Ridge Road, $100.

Jeannine M. Wolfram to Jonathan Everett Devilbiss, 68 North St., $304,900.

Jordi Herold to Bryan Hobbs and Linda Hobbs, 103 Massasoit St., $785,000.

Elizabeth Powers to Margie Bren ner, 49 Laurel Park, $160,000.

David A. Katz and Terese Katz to Mateso Kagenyekero and Asani Furaha, 1021 Burts Pit Road, $348,000.

Richard C. Gifford Jr., and Rebeca Allessi to Amber B. Bemak and Rosalia R. Ramirez, 34 Harlow Ave., $535,000.

Amari Leah Boyd to Ernesto V. Gar cia, 155 Round Hill Road, $196,000. Duncan F. Prahl and Elizabeth L. Wroblicka to Duncan F. Prahl and Elizabeth L. Wroblicka, 51 Olive St., $55,001.

NORTHFIELD

Northfield Mount Hermon School to Laurice Russell, 126 Main St., $251,000.

Greenfield Savings Bank, personal representative of the Estate of Kathleen F. Wright, to Ann Chap pell, 26 Pentacost Road, $375,000.

ORANGE

Craig A. Pultorak, trustee of Pultor ak Family Revocable Trust, to Kelly M. Walker, 18 Gay St., $350,000.

Theresa M. Brown, “aka” There sa Brown to, Matthew Tarlin, 23 Pleasant St., $147,000.

James A. Stanley III, and Julie A. Stanley to Rebecca Amaral, 73 Lincoln Ave., $418,000.

PALMER

Andrew Cienciwa and Rebekah Wright to Eboney O. Sims and Jonathan Colon, 3137 Main St.,

$270,000.

Erwin P. Warner and Robin S. Warner to Suzanne Melanson, 24 Meadowbrook Lane, $255,000.

Jin Gao and Xiao Xia Li to Fabian Perkins, 24 Squier St., $342,000.

WE Enterprise LLC, to Barbara Racine and Fawna Johnson, 1562 North Main St., Unit 1, $228,900.

ROWE

Jacquelyn Lenth, trustee of the In tervivos Trust Agreement of David Wells Length, to Steven J. Lattanzi and Diane J. Parrington, 544 Tunnel Road, $435,500.

SHUTESBURY

Garry L. Young, individually and as personal representative of the Es tate of Audrey M. Funk, to Thomas Jacob Mitchell, 266 Leverett Road, $160,000.

Bradford Spry to Ryo First-Arai, West Pelham Road, $70,000.

SOUTH HADLEY

Cycle Stop LLC, to 459 Com missary LLC, 459 Granby Road, $535,000.

Richard L. Carrignan and Lorraine S. Carrignan to Denise C. Bondoni and Mark J. Bondoni, 8 Lincoln Ave., $100.

Mary T. Quesnel to Christine A. Phillips, 32 Boynton Ave., $410,000.

Ernest L. Provo, Donald L. Provo, Lori L. Coogan, Lori P. Coogan and Richard L. Provo to Garrett Fortin and Shari Duffus, 20 Sullivan Lane, $334,300.

SOUTHAMPTON

Kevin J. Evelti to Christopher P. O’Leary and Elizabeth Celia Mad den, 43 Coleman Road, $410,000.

SOUTHWICK

James E. Jaron and Rae B. Alkes to James E. Jaron, 188 Berkshire Ave., $150,000.

Martin Lee, Andreana Lee and Adreana Lee to Joseph Fontaine and Kelly L. Preston-Fontaine, 20 Depot St., $350,000.

Susan G. Damours to Cynthia M. Marshall, 45 Rosewood Lane, Unit D-9, $190,000.

SPRINGFIELD

Alan Marchand, representative, and Barbara I. Deso, estate, to Wesley A. Gwatkin, 57 Telbar St., $209,000.

Alexander Sied to Evan Pope and Lita Pope, 1606 Wilbraham Road, $289,900.

Deeds

Allan C. Ramsdell and Stacey M. Ramsdell to David Panidis, 245 St. James Boulevard, $195,000.

Amea Properties LLC, to Eric Frim pong, 41-43 Fenwick St., $294,000.

Anna Deshommes to Pedro Alicea and Jenny L. Caez, 42 Forest St., $300,000.

Brunilda Deleon, estate, Brunilda Deleon Almena, estate, Edil R. De leon, representative, and Brunidla Deleon Almena, estate, to Rodman Capital Group LLC, 33 Rosella St., $152,000.

Carol E. Getty to Pascual Perez, 129 White Oak Road, $300,000.

Carolyn L. Henry and Carolyn L. McDonagh to Kevin Josue Medero, 35 Wells Ave., $247,000.

Christina M. Gregorio and Hen rique M. Morgado to Michael J. Spirito and Patricia A. Spirito, 5 Connolly St., $280,000.

Daisy Sanchez to Kassandra Perez, 65 Adams St., $200,000.

Daniel G. Verteramo and Alison T. Verteramo to Thomas Brendan Murphy, Thomas Murphy and Kris tina Stelmashova, 27 Inglewood Ave., $360,000.

David F. Savickas to Marie-Berthe Francois, 72 Donbray Road, $285,000.

Delra M. Schartner, estate, Linda J. Allen, representative, and Denise A. Schartner to Soreya Schartner, 113 West Canton Circle, $125,000.

Elizabeth Arroyo to Abner Diaz and Emmanuel Diaz, 107-109 Cherrelyn St., $251,000.

Erik Joslyn, representative, and Kevin R. Joslyn, estate, to Carleton D. Johnson, 50-52 Darling St., $290,000.

Erin M. Chubka to Samuel Peront, 23 Belvidere St., $200,000.

Foley Capital LLC, to Radames Lopez and Christine Ashley Lopez, 248 Ambrose St., $236,000.

Francisco J. Martinez to Christine Cohee and Herman Cohee, 57 Merwin St., $250,000.

George L. Coulombe, represen tative, and Albert J. Coulombe, estate, to Aliyah Marie Adorno and Francisco Rivera-Santiago, 751 Saint James Ave., $230,000.

Huy Huynh, trustee, and Smash Brothers Realty Trust, trustee of, to Real Estate Investments Northeast LLC, 66 Belmont Ave., $64,000.

Irene C. Rivera to Cedriq R. Clemente, 45-47 Copley Terrace, $345,000.

James L. Campbell and Bonnie R. Campbell to Lashaunna Davis, 70 Labelle Drive, $340,000.

James R. Landers to Bogdanow Re

alty Trust, trustee of, and Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, 229-231 Saint James Boulevard, $157,000.

Janet Cardin to NRES LLC, 40 Pembroke St., $104,000.

Jean N. Duquette to Shabona Sharmaine Hyatt, 12-14 Beau champ St., $311,000.

Joan C. Marsh to Mazhar Iqbal and Tahmina Kausar, 325 Longhill St., $300,000.

JoeJoe Properties LLC, to Arthur James Coy and Anna Marie Bin gaman, 200 Moss Road, $258,000.

Joseph T. Sanky and Jacqueline A. Sanky to Luis H. Solivan and Nubia Y. Escobar Solivan, 42 Rollins St., $283,000.

Juan E. Quiles to Daisy Sanchez, 25 Driftwood Road, $260,000.

Judith G. Glynn to Elizabeth Espiritusanto and Jesus Manuel Moctezuma Jr., 499 Nassau Drive, $215,000.

Khoi D Vo to Justin Debs, 2106 Wilbraham Road, $239,500.

Lashaunna D. Davis to William A. Rivera Figueroa, 106 Fargo St., $205,000.

Luis A. Torres to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Waiwai Realty Trust, trustee of, 16 Carlisle St., $135,000.

Michael J. Prevost, representative, Geraldine Juanita Prevost, estate, and Geraldine J. Prevost, estate, to A L D D Real Estate LLC, 6 N Chatham St., $140,000.

Michael R. Bleau and Kathleen M. Bleau to Henry M. Gallegos, 90-92 Elmore Ave., $330,000.

Michael R. Randall, Justine Wal dron and Justine Randall to Ali Ali, 140 Talbot Road, $282,000.

Olga L. Yanginski to Alonzo Wil liams, 81 Bessemer St., $255,000.

Opus Durum LLC, to Panther Development LLC, 121-123 Orange St., $215,000.

Paul M. Cincotta and Paul Cin cotta to William J. Diederich, 3-5 Wedgewood Circle, $287,000.

Paul Rovelli to Bethann Rovelli, 98 Weymouth St., $15,000.

Plata O Plomo Inc., to JJJ17 LLC, 138 Appleton St., $152,500.

Platinum Homes LLC, to Richard Ponce, 60 Wayne St., $310,000.

Rachel Thomas to Gretchen E. Eisenman, 77 Garfield St., $320,000.

Rashad M. Evans and Angel M. Evans to Robert J. Schroeter, 47 Kulig St., $165,000.

Robert J. Pelzek and Michael F. Tarby to Robert Couture and Lilia Couture, 465 Taylor St., $385,000.

Ronald A. Ogulewicz to Laurie Jo Larsen, 23 Plumtree Circle, $222,000.

134-136 Firglade Condominium

Trust, trustee of, Danny S. Laro chelle, trustee, David N. Larochelle, trustee, and Jason Larochelle, trustee, to Lauren Ottani, 136 Firglade Ave., #B, $260,000.

Ryan Smith Carignan and Jennifer Carignan to Cesar Deleon Maria, 11-13 Lorimer St., $306,000.

Shayne M. Wilson and Vicky A. Wilson to Juan S. Torres, 87 Hel berg Road, $251,000.

Susan Kimball Halpern to Michael Kevin Roche and Jessica Lau ra Rea, 100 Bronson Terrace $320,000.

Thomas Murphy to Rejeanne D. Boissonneault, 356 Island Pond Road, $241,000.

Ucal T. Palmer and Dorothy M. Palmer to Equity Trust Co., custodian, Robert Lareau IRA, and Robert Lareau, 70-72 Albemarle St., $145,000.

Joe & Wendy Bonavita Family Trust, trustee of, and Joseph S. Bonavita, trustee, to RJH Estates LLC, SS Allen St, $64,000.

William M. Gonzalez and Rachel B. Gonzalez to Timothy Keeley, 59 Lancaster St., $245,000.

WARE

Vikki Patrakis to Vikki Patrakis and Shaun Kian Robinson, 11-13 Webb Court, $100.

Carolyn Bessette to Melyssa Rae Stankiewicz and Joshua Stankiewicz, 71 Greenwich Road, $366,000.

Richard J. Kszaszcz to R & P Real Property Corp., 39-41 West Main St., $189,000.

Clayton J. Lizak, trustee, and Re vocable Indenture of Trust of John W. Lizak to Shawn J. Clark and Allyson J. Clark, 2 Bondsville Road, $15,000.

Anna M. Malboeuf to Stewart Terrien and Deborah Terrien, 2 Sunnyhill Drive and 2 Sunny Hill Drive, $225,000.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Abdallah K. Alameddine to Abi mael Greer-Cabrera, 80 Brush Hill Ave., Unit 58, $108,000.

Anna M. Pouso-Guillan to Alexan der R. Desautels, 13-15 Ames Ave., $315,000.

Laurie J. Bernotas, James S. Berno tas and Jean L. Noe to Christopher M. Gadoua, 27 Park Ave., Unit 19, $105,000.

Plata O Plomo Inc., to Roman Be spalov, 95 Clarence St., $285,000.

Revampit Holdings LLC, to Suley man Akif Carsancakli, 41-43 Day St., $482,000.

Robert A. Crosby, Debra A. Carras, Richard R. Crosby, Lynn D. Tancrati and Lynn D. Trancati to Carter

Berchin and Veronia Berchin, 105 Lewis Ave., $255,000.

Windham Properties LLC, to Eliza beth St. Holdings LLC, 18 Elizabeth St., $400,000.

WESTFIELD

Emtay Inc., to Panther Develop ment LLC, 4 King St., $144,000.

Manchester Enterprises LLC, to Taylor Lavoie, 30 Prospect St., $220,000.

Martin D. Sheil, trustee, Martin D. Shiel, trustee, Mariann A. Shiel, trustee, and Four & Five Family Trust, trustee of, to Muhammad H. Chaudhry, 66 Butternut Road, $550,000.

Michael J. Reilly, Catherine M. Reilly and Kerrin E. Reilly to Hazim Dautovic and Sedina Dautovic, 55 Cranston St., $326,000.

Michael T. Kane and Danielle K. Kane to Douglas Fuller, 46A & 46B Chapel St., $267,400.

Ritchie Realty Trust, trustee of, Richard J. Ritchie, trustee, Karen Smith, trustee, and Kristen Wescott, trustee, to Kevin M. Ritchie, 26 Brentwood Drive, $280,000.

Seth T. Philipp to Cody Gallup and Amy T. Golden, 58 Deer Path Lane, $365,000.

Victor Desabrais to Elizabeth Gale and Christopher Miele, 209 Birch Bluffs Drive, $335,000.

Viryalto LLC, to Bek Realty LLC, 0 Lockhouse Road, $250,000.

WESTHAMPTON

Lauryn B. Cronin, Cregg A. Miller and Lauryn B. Miller to Cristina I. Hilchey and Jonathan P. Hilchey, 324 Northwest Road, $445,000.

WILBRAHAM

Charles Davanzo and Julie Davan zo to Aviva N. Berezin, 7 Joan St., $389,900.

Jack C. Swan Jr., and Brian P. Griffin to Vincent R. Pelletier and Denise L. Pelletier, 7 Evangeline Drive, $535,000.

Jon A. Zeo and Linda Zeo to Alessandro Markovic and Jenna L. Fiacco, 15 Wandering Meadows Lane, $635,000.

Randall P. Flagg to Sean P. Mur phy and Jocelyn M. Agnelli, 39 Manchonis Road, $320,000.

Rohit Kar and Krishma Safaya to Jeremy Ober, 2205 Boston Road, Unit P-150, $310,000.

WILLIAMSBURG

Harold J. Gibber, Harold Jules Gib ber and Jessica Sarkis Antonini, attorney-in-fact, to 14 Pine Street LLC, 14 Pine St., $400,000.

Don & Dave Runyan | Project of The Week Cabinet hides

TV in plain sight

PERHAPS THE most common household appli ance, a TV presents a unique storage problem — when it’s idle, no one wants to see it; but when it’s on, everyone wants a good view. Designed to fit snugly in a corner, this keeps the TV neatly out of sight when not in use, and in a space that’s easy to see from almost any where else in the room.

The project features clean lines and classic styling that conceal a 32-inch tall by 30inch wide by 18-inch deep bay, as well as a removable shelf for a DVD player, a sat ellite or cable box or a game console. Below the TV bay, a big, full-extension storage drawer holds DVDs, video games and remote controls. Made primarily of oak plywood (as pictured), the cabinet calls for all straight cuts and simple construc tion techniques. The cabinet measures about 47 inches tall by 29 inches deep. The Corner TV Cabinet plan, No. 864, is $9.95 and includes step-by-step instructions with photos, full-size traceable patterns, detailed construction diagrams and a materials list and cutting layout. Please include $3.95 for postage and handling and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order, send this article with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Republican, 741B Olive Ave., Vista, CA 92083. To order by credit card, visit U-Bild on the web at u-bild.com.

By popular demand, here’s how to grow garlic

By JESSICA DAMIANO Associated Press

IWAS SURPRISED TO learn recently that, according to Google Trends data gathered by AllAboutGardening.com, the most popular fall-planted crop in the United States is ... garlic.

My guess would have been kale. Possibly beets. Maybe Brussels sprouts. But garlic?

Inspired, I conducted my own deep dive into Google’s search trends, compar ing Americans’ interest in growing garlic with interest in growing other fall-planted bulbs, like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus. Surely, colorful blooms would trump the spicy, pungent vegetable.

No. When people used the search term “how to grow ...,” garlic was again the front runner when compared with those spring bulb plants. I was so gobsmacked that for the first time in my life, I used the word “gobsmacked.”

Could it be that Americans have a previously undisclosed obsession with garlic? Or are we collectively perplexed about how to grow it? I love garlic as much as the next girl, but I suspect it’s the latter, which would explain all the “how to” queries.

Growing garlic, however, is every bit as easy as growing daffodils. There are just a few things to know before you plant it:

There are two types of garlic — hardnecks and softnecks. Plant the type best suited for

your climate.

Hardneck varieties are recommended for northern regions, where they should be planted 6-8 weeks before a hard frost. Their heads are comprised of a single row of large cloves formed around an underground stem. They are more flavorful than softnecks but don’t store as long.

Softneck varieties are better suited for growing in warm er climates, and their heads contain several stacked rows of smaller cloves. Due to their longer shelf life, softnecks are typically sold in supermar kets.

Garlic plants are heavy feed ers, so incorporate a generous amount of compost into the top 3 to 4 inches of soil to increase its fertility. Include a helping of mycorrhizae fungus to boost bulb formation.

Plant only seed garlic purchased from a reputable supplier — or cloves from the largest, healthiest heads saved from last year’s harvest.

Supermarket garlic should not be planted because it is often treated with growth in hibitors to prevent sprouting at the store and in your refrigera tor. It also may not be the type best suited for your growing conditions.

Separate the head into indi vidual cloves without removing their papery skins. Plant the cloves, pointy end up, about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart in rows spaced 12 inches apart.

Cover with soil, tamp it down and water well.

In regions where winter

temperatures drop below 40 degrees, mulch the bed heavily with seed-free straw. Avoid using hay, which contains grass

bulb formation. The mildly garlic-flavored scapes are a seasonal delicacy that can be added to salads, cooked in

Supermarket garlic should not be planted because it is often treated with growth inhibitors to prevent sprouting at the store and in your refrigerator.

or grain seeds and is likely to turn your bed into a weedy mess. Water the straw to settle it into place.

It’s normal for plants to sprout during autumn and early winter, even in northern climates; leave them be.

Remove the mulch in spring, after the danger of frost has passed, and sprinkle a line of pelleted fertilizer or blood meal alongside each row, a few inches from stems. Keep the bed free of weeds, which may outcompete your crop for soil nutrients.

Hardneck varieties will send up tall, leafless stems called scapes in late spring. Remove them to allow the plant to focus its energy on underground

soups or sautéed with other vegetables.

Softneck garlic varieties do not produce scapes.

Your garlic will be ready to harvest in mid- to late summer when at least 50% of the plant has turned yellow.

Rather than pull the bulbs, which would risk damaging them, carefully dig them out and brush off the soil, but don’t rinse them.

Set hardneck varieties with their stems attached on a drying rack or screen, then place in a well-ventilated, cool, dry spot for two weeks. Stems of softneck varieties can be braided and hung to dry. The cured garlic’s papery skin will help extend its shelf life.

Store bulbs in a cool, dry spot. Hardnecks will remain fresh for at least 3-6 months; softnecks will last up to 9 months.

Jessica Damiano writes regular gardening columns for The Associated Press. Her Gardening Calendar was named a winner in the 2021 Garden Communicators International Media Awards. Her Weekly Dirt Newsletter won two Society of Professional Journalists PCLI 2021 Media Awards.

A garlic bulb is separated into cloves for planting. (JESSICA DAMIANO / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A crop of freshly harvested hardneck garlic in New York’s Long Island. (JESSICA DAMIANO / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Garlic is ready for planting in a prepared garden bed.

(JESSICA DAMIANO / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Auctions

Best local auctions in print and online atmasslive.com

Sales

Animals

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION Friday, October 28, 2022

11:00 AM - CHICOPEE

93 Davenport Street sgl fam, 1,528 sf liv area, 0.12 ac lot, 7 rm, 3 bdrm, 1.5 bth, Hampden: Bk 15739, Pg 265

12:00 PM - SPRINGFIELD

18 - 20 Banbury Street 2 fam, 2,524 sf liv area, 0.11 ac lot, 14 rm, 8 bdrm, 3 bth, Hampden: Bk 15253, Pg 337

1:00 PM - BELCHERTOWN

19 Chauncey Walker Street sgl fam, 1,642 sf liv area, 1.55 ac lot, 6 rm, 3 bdrm, 2 bth, fpl, Hampshire: Bk 12714, Pg 14

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.

ModelTrainEquipment,Lionelbrand,Scalemodel carsandbuildings,great forcollectorsand/or modeltrainoperators, $15-40peritem.Call413777-2885 if interested

Model Trains for sale, Lionel, American Flyer, and Marx, HO, N Gauge. Call 413-302-7173

2022NationalPurpleHeart $5GoldProofcoin.IssuedbyUSmint,low mintagewithbox,COA,$ 999/bestoffer,call413426-7063

3 Sleeping bags, great cond., $20.00 each. Call 413-234-0877

Antique brass bed, full size, $200. cash only. Call 413-537-5090

Assorted old Glass Bottles, have 3 barrels full. $80.00. Call 413-246-8263

BASEBALL, Football Basketball & Hockey cards, 1950’s-present, 50 to 90% off, selling boxes for $.5 BUYING ALL SPORTS CARDS, RETIRED KOREAN WAR VET 413-596-5783

Governor Winthrop 2 piece desk, drawers, glass bookcase, built 1940. $500. Call 413-536-7996

Lowrey Royale Organ, beaut., walnut finish, incl. Tufted bench, cost $60K, ask. $2,025. 413-519-8108

ShowgunMountainBike,7 speed,24’’frame,blue& white, used twice, paid $276.00havereceipt,asking $175.00. 413-537-7306

Whirlpool Stainless Steel 11.6 cu. ft. exc. cond., less than 2 yrs old, $450. Call 203-2034

White Kenmore Refrigerator, side by side, perf. cond., 30x36x69H. $200. Call 413-782-7956

NORDICTRAK FREESTRIDE ELLIPTICAL, NEW Model FS7i, paid $2700, asking $1900 or b/o. Can be seen in Hampden. Call or text 413-505-9500

Snow Thrower, Husqvarba 24’’ like new $1,250. Chainsaw, $200. Call 413-967-5188

Acorn Stairlift, asking $600. Call 413-231-6944

Invacare semi auto single bed, $630. Power Hoyer lift, $1125. Tilt shower chair $1035. Fixed shower chair $315. 413-429-8317

Janome Memory Craft 6700 sewing mach with

sion