Home and Garden, and Real Estate- November 06, 2022

IN THE GARDEN WITH LEE

REICH: Secrets for tasty turnips, F3

GARDEN NOTES: Learn the process of curing meats at home, F3

PROJECT OF THE WEEK: Cabinet doesn’t cut corners, F4

SMELLY SINK?: Here’s how to fix it, F4

ANTIQUES & COLLECTING: Raise your glass to history with this patriotic tip tray, F6

MORTGAGE RATES: US mortgage rates dip below 7%, F7

WMASS DEEDS, F7

PETS: Keep cats from scratching the furniture, F10

Get cozy

Choosing the right throw blanket will keep you warm all winter long

By L aura Daily The Washington Post

BOTH PRETTY AND practical, a throw blanket is a versatile home accessory. You can snuggle under one while watching your favorite TV show, and it can add pizazz to any room when tossed in the right spot. Throws are easy to find, and the choices are extensive, including a variety of materials, styles, thicknesses and price points. But the seemingly endless options can make it feel more challenging to choose the right one. Here are some things to consider while shopping for a throw for this cozy season and beyond.

• Pick the right blanket for your lifestyle

“You want to curl up with something that feels good, but it has to appeal to you in terms of both comfort and care,” says Caitlin Sole, senior home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. Do you have young children or shedding pets? Look for an easy-to-clean polyester or cotton throw. Do you live in a cold climate or enjoy tailgate parties? A wool blanket is a

• There are reasons costs vary

Throws can be $5 for a fleece blanket on clearance from Walmart or more than $200 for a pure wool throw from Brooklinen. And it’s not unheard of to spend $500 on an oversize solid cashmere one. The type of fabric, size and detail all factor into the price, with mass-produced synthetics and microfibers on the lower end and organ ic materials such as cottons,

for movie nights or as a dec orative piece,” says Caroline Utz, associate editorial direc tor for the Spruce.

If you’re worried about responsible sourcing or chemical residue, or if you want assurance that a throw is eco-friendly, you may also see a bump in price. Certified throws, such as those labeled Oeko-Tex, which ensures the product is free of harmful levels of toxic substances, or GOTS (global organic textile standard) cost more, because manufacturers pay a premi um to obtain certification.

• Material matters

The textile or fabric affects the feel and the cost of a throw, so it’s probably the most important factor when choosing one. “Everyone has their own definition of cozy. It comes down to quality, affordability and conve nience,” Utz says. Wool is su perior for warmth, but some people find that it irritates their skin.

Cashmere, a fiber from cashmere goats, is incredibly soft, but also more expen sive. Cotton is durable, hypoallergenic and softens with every wash. “Fleece is another good option, as it is warm and soft to the touch, but easy to wash and costs less than wool,” Sole says. For the most bang for your buck, look to cotton/ polyester blends, which are not only soft and snugly, but also machine washable, says Danielle Blundell, executive home director for Apart

ment Therapy.

• Consider the size of the throw

Throws are typically 50 by 60 inches, which is essen tially a lap blanket, not one to be used for bedding. Be cause there is no standard size, you should note the throw’s dimensions before buying, Sole says. Larger throws are available and may be what you need if you are tall or want head-to-toe coverage.

• Pay attention to care instructions

Unless your throw is simply decorative, it will need regular washing. How important is convenience (or inconvenience) to you? Cottons or polyester fabrics maintain both their shape and color when washed in cold water using a gentle cy cle. (Consider hand-washing if you worry any decorative elements could get damaged in your washing machine.)

Use a low- or no-heat tumble dry setting, because exces sive heat may melt synthetic fibers. If you have a drying rack or a banister, consider air-drying your throw to avoid shrinkage or fiber damage. Wool/polyester blends are also washable. Wool and cashmere should be dry cleaned, because water and heat can damage or shrink the fibers. Beware of static when synthetics, especially fleece, emerge from a dryer.

solid choice for maximum warmth. Are you looking to add a touch of flair to the back of your sofa? Then shop with an eye toward color and design.

wools and cashmeres at the higher end. “It may be worth investing a bit more to buy something you love, especially if the throw is going to be used sparingly

Two layered throw blankets make for a snuggly and inviting couch display. (HANDOUT / TNS)

lee reich | in the garden

Secrets for tasty turnips

IJUST SUNK MY TEETH into a freshly harvested, crisp turnip. Big deal?

You obviously never have tasted a turnip grown to perfection.

True, a basketful of even perfect turnips is not nearly as desirable as a basketful of peaches. But the lowly turnip has much to offer. The roots can be sweet and juicy, good

turnips than just about any other vegetable. The secret to growing perfect turnips is to sow the seed thinly in a rea sonably rich soil at the right time. “Inexperienced growers almost always plant turnips too thickly,” states one of my gardening books. Under these conditions, the seedlings must be thinned ruthlessly or else good yield and quality are

Mark this date on your calendar for next year: Aug. 15. This is the time to sow turnip seeds so that the sweet, crisp roots are ready to harvest during the similarly crisp days of fall.

either raw or cooked. The plant extends the harvest from the vegetable garden well into fall and winter. The roots and tops (the “greens”) of my turnips look and taste just as fresh as they did a month ago, in spite of a few nights when the mercu ry plummeted well below freezing. And, turnips are nutritious. Gram for gram, the tops have more than twice the calcium of milk, and almost a third the iron of liver. There’s about the same amount of vitamin C in a turnip root as in an orange, and four times that amount of vitamin C is found in the turnip greens.

There’s not much to growing turnips — look in almost any gardening book, and you will find less said about growing

sacrificed. Just a few seeds need be sown every inch of row, and the seedlings should be thinned to three inches apart as soon as they start to crowd each other. Turnips need to grow fairly rapidly without undue crowding, or else they become sharp-tast ing and woody. Mark this date on your calendar for next year: Aug. 15. This is the time to sow turnip seeds so that the sweet, crisp roots are ready to harvest during the similarly crisp days of fall. Turnips sown in early spring for a summer crop tend to send up seed stalks before forming full-sized, or particularly good-tasting, roots. I said the turnip has much to offer, and even this ostensibly bad

GARDEN NOTES

STOCKBRIDGE Curing Meats

Berkshire Botanical Garden presents “Intro to Home Curing” on Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This demonstration, led by Jake Levin, will take participants through the process of curing at home. Levin will discuss what cuts and types of meat are best suited for different

kinds of curing techniques, and why. At the end of the workshop, participants will sample some of the products they’ve made. Cost is $55 members, $65 nonmembers. For more information, or to register, visit berkshire botanical.org.

The Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.

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

When

Cabinet doesn’t cut corners

WHEN YOU STOP and consider the empty corners in any home — re gardless of how large or small it is — it’s clear that every house has a lot of space that could be put to better use.

The challenge is how to use that space effectively. This doit-yourself corner cabinet is an attractive and efficient way to put at least one of those corners to good use.

At home in almost any room, the project is as versa tile as it is handsome.

It features three roomy shelves just right for almost anything worth putting on display, over a cabinet that makes a great storage space for items like table linens, games or CDs and DVDs.

The cabinet is made from plywood (maple as pictured; almost any species will work), calls for mostly straight cuts and includes a full-size pat tern for the curves. To build,

simply lay out the pieces on plywood and cut everything out. Next, sand and assemble using glue and nails. Finally, apply your choice of finish (clear as pictured, or stain or paint).

The completed corner cabinet measures about 72 inches tall by 27 inches across the front by 24 inches deep on each of the other two sides.

The Corner Cabinet plan, No. 888, is $9.95 and includes step-by-step instructions with photos, full-size traceable patterns, construction dia grams and a materials list and cutting layout.

Please include $3.95 for postage and handling and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this ar ticle and send it 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.

How can you fix a smelly sink?

By Jeanne Huber The Washington Post

Q. The sink in our primary bathroom has a foul-smell ing odor to it. What is the best way to get rid of that odor?

A. When a sink (or bathtub, shower or toilet) stinks in a bathroom that isn’t used very often, the first thing to suspect is that water in the U-shaped trap below the drain has evap orated. In that case, the cure is easy: Run water down the drain, so the bend refills and acts as a plug to keep sewer gases from seeping into your home. The smell, often de scribed as rotten eggs or a dead animal, comes from bacteria that feed on organic matter in the wastewater.

But in the main bathroom in your home, there is probably some other cause. Perhaps the smell is coming from some thing decaying in the P-trap or in the piping between the sink drain and the P-trap. Bacte ria feeding on clumps of hair clogged with soap scum, for example, can create a nasty smell.

Disassembling a P-trap and putting it back together is a job that even novices should be able to tackle themselves. But, as with all plumbing repairs, do it when a nearby hardware store or home center is open, just in case you need a replace ment part.

Clear the space under the sink, cover the cabinet floor with a towel and place a bucket under the trap. With the faucet off, unscrew the clean-out at the bottom of the P-trap (if there is one). Let the water empty into the bucket.

Then try using just your hands to loosen the nuts on both sides of the bend, starting with the one under the sink drain. (This will be first if there is no clean-out.) If the nuts still won’t budge, you’ll need pliers.

Once all the water has drained, remove the trap and wash it out. If possible, keep the nuts and washers in place on the adjoining pipes, so you don’t have to figure out what goes where. Let any solids,

hair or other debris settle out in the bucket or scoop it all into a trash bag, then empty the stinky water into the toilet. Also wash out the drain pipe between the sink and the P-trap; you can turn on the faucet for this, but make sure the bucket is underneath. A nylon- or metal-bristle brush can be handy.

Assuming the sink was draining well before you took everything apart, you are then ready to reassemble the pieces. If the sink was draining slowly, disassemble and clean the trap arm (the curved section of pipe between the P-trap and the wall). If the pipe into the wall is plugged, you might need a drain auger, such as the DrainX drain auger pro with 25 feet of cable ($31.99 on Amazon), or help from a plumber.

Reassembling a P-trap is straightforward. First attach the trap arm, if you took it off, then connect the P-trap, so the longer arm of the U connects to the sink drain and the shorter side connects to the trap arm. If you’re reusing parts, the only tricky details are to slip the nuts onto the unthreaded sections first, then add the washers, so the beveled edge faces the pipe section that has the threads. Never use Teflon tape on white plastic pipe, but wrapping it around threads on metal pipe can help protect against leaks. Loosely tighten the nuts as you go, then go back and tighten them all the way once everything is assembled. Use hand pressure alone. Run water in the sink, check for drips and tighten any nuts that are loose. If you need pliers, use a gentle touch, so you don’t crack anything.

If cleaning the sink P-trap doesn’t fix the problem, you might want to also examine the drains for those or enlist the help of a plumber.

If the smells persist once all the P-traps are clean, free-flow ing and filled with water, there could be a plug in the vent pipe system that carries sewer gases up to the roof. Or there could be a leak or a plugged pipe somewhere. To diagnose and fix that, you’d definitely need help from a pro.

Turnips

habit of premature “bolt ing to seed” has been turned to an asset.

The seedstalk that emerges visually resem bles and, indeed, tastes, like a small broccoli shoot.

Some turnips grown in Italy are cultivated spe cifically for these shoots, called broccoli di rapa, raab broccoli, or cima di rapa (“shoot of the tur nip”).

Cooked with a bit of water and garlic, then drizzled with olive oil, the sprouts are delicious.

Any turnip will do for broccoli raab, though there are some varieties that have been bred specifically for this use. Excess turnips maturing in the fall from summer-sown seeds also can be induced to become broccoli raab.

Turnip is normally a bi ennial plant, which means it grows roots one season and then sends up a flower stalk its second season (behavior often gone awry in spring-sown turnips).

As winter settles in, a thick mulch can keep tur nips fresh. Come spring, unharvested roots will still be alive and, with warm weather, these roots will — lo and behold — send up a seedstalk.

Just as with broccoli, it is important to harvest the stalks before the flowers open. Another secret to growing turnips is not to grow too many.

Turnips are easy to grow and an excess soon can lose their appeal. I plant about ten feet of row each summer — actually a fivesquare-foot bed of four rows, each row two-and-ahalf feet long and spaced six inches apart — which gives me about ten pounds of roots.

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

Don & Dave Runyan | Project of The Week

Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting

Raise your glass to history with this patriotic tip tray

AMERICAN COMPA nies have used patriotic imagery in advertisements for more than a hundred years. It appeals to customers and shows pride in American industries. Current trademark law prohibits using the Amer ican flag in advertisements, but there are plenty of other patriotic symbols to use.

This tin lithographed tip tray, which sold for $2,010 at an auction by AntiqueAdvertising. com, is predominantly red, white and blue and features stars, stripes and the eagleand-shield seal. Trays with this design were made by 1917. They advertise “Deacon Brown,” a soft drink made in Montgomery, Alabama, in the early 20th century.

The tray proclaims the drink “The King of Phosphates,” suggesting another American

CURRENT PRICES

icon — the soda fountain. Notice that the young woman draped in red and white stripes is drinking from a glass, not a bottle. Phosphates, popular from about 1870 to 1930, were soda fountain drinks made with acid phosphate, which gave the drink a slightly sour taste. Fruit flavors were popu lar, and cherry phosphate ap pears to have been the favorite. Raise your glass to history!

Q. I bought a gooseshaped planter for 25 cents at a garage sale 20 years ago. It’s about 12-inches tall and the back is open. It has a round base marked “HB Quimper, France.” What can you tell me about it, and what, if anything, is it worth?

A. Three different factories made pottery in Quimper,

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.

Pottery, tureen, turkey shape, raised and painted details, back lifts off as lid, bunch of grapes finial, marked “FF” for Fitz and Floyd, 1993, 3 quart, $55.

Chrome coffee set, Diplomat, straight fluted sides, tapered black handles and finials, coffeepot, sugar, creamer, tray, Walter Von Nessen, coffeepot 9 inches, tray 12 inches, $130.

Furniture, cabinet, apothecary, wood, green paint, three over three paneled drawers with labels, turned knob pulls, single board sides with arched and squared feet, 1800s, 29 x 60 x 19 inches, $245.

Basket, Nantucket, splint, trumpet shape, wrapped rim, paint ed, 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches, $370.

Box, jewelry, grand piano shape, burlwood, bulbous turned legs, lid lifts to reveal blue velvet-lined storage, 6 x 16 x 8 inch es, $490.

Quilt, Friendship, embroidered and pieced, alternating red and white blocks, red blocks each with embroidered quilter’s name, white blocks each with picture embroidered with red floss, red binding, 1920s, 86 x 74 inches, $615.

Clock, Jaeger LeCoultre, Atmos, brass frame, glass panels, round white dial with raised brass Arabic numerals, 15-jewel, disc pendulum, powered by changes in temperature and baro metric pressure, 9 inches, $750.

Petroliana, gas pump globe, Sinclair H-C Gasoline, milk glass, green and orange ground, Hull body, two lenses, original flange, 13 1/2 inches, $885.

Mechanical bank, Jonah and the Whale, cast iron, painted, Shepard Hardware, 10 1/2 x 5 inches, $1,170.

Cut glass jug, clear, overlaid with green cut to pink, stylized leaves and fronds, rounded squat form, thumbprint rim, applied clear notched handle, Stevens & Williams, 6 inches, $2,335.

France, beginning in the late 17th century. Pierre Bousquet founded a pottery in Quimper in 1708. It became the HB Factory (Hubaud iere-Bousquet) after Antoine de la Hubaudiere became the manager in 1782. Two other factories merged in 1913, and HB merged with them in 1968. After more changes in ownership, the name of the factory became Henriot-Qui mper in 2011. Variations of the “HB Quimper” mark were used from 1895 to 1984. HB Quimper goose planters have sold online recently for about $25, so you got a bargain.

Q. I found a bottle of Ste. Pierre Smirnoff on a desert ed island. There are barna cles on the bottle. The bottle still has vodka in it. Can you give me any information about it and possible age?

A. P.A. Smirnov (1831-1898) established his distillery in Moscow in 1864. His son, Vladimir, joined the compa ny in 1896. Vladimir fled the country during the Russian Revolution. In 1923, he estab lished Pierre Smirnoff Sons in Poland. Production soon stopped because of a change in government regulations. Vladimir moved to France in 1925 and changed the brand name from Smirnov to Smirn off. Rudolph Kunett, a Russian immigrant, bought the rights to produce Smirnoff vodka in the U.S. after Prohibition ended in December 1933. The brand became part of Diageo, an alcoholic beverage compa ny with headquarters in Lon don, in 2006. It is the world’s best-selling vodka. Barnacles can form in a few days, so barnacles on the bottle don’t mean it’s very old. The name Ste. Pierre Smirnoff indicates the vodka was bottled no earli er than 1923.

Q. I have an unusual cylindrical lamp that has a cast-iron base and vented cast-iron top. The sides of the cylinder are covered by a picture of a cabin in the woods. When the lightbulb inside is lit, the inside of the lamp rotates and orange and yellow “flames” appear. It still works but the cord is

A red, white and blue soda fountain tip tray might be the es sence of Americana. It serves as both an advertising collect ible and a patriotic decoration. (COWLES

old, so I don’t use it. What can you tell me about it?

A. This is called a “motion lamp.” When the lamp is lit, rising hot air causes an interior cylinder to turn, making it look like parts of the picture are moving. Several companies made motion lamps from the 1920s to the early 1960s. The scene on your lamp is known as “Forest Fire.” It was one of 11 motion lamps made by Scene-In-Action Corp. of Chi cago, Illinois, from 1927 until about 1936. Econolite Corp. made a similar Forest Fire motion lamp after 1946. It’s best to use a low wattage bulb in a motion lamp to avoid damage. The lamp should be rewired if you want to use it.

Q. I bought a German wedding certificate from 1888 at a house sale. It’s illustrated with black and white religious pictures. The word “trauschein” is in red. The rest of the text is in black and red. It’s in good condition and is in a glass-covered frame.

A. Trauschein is the German word for “marriage certificate.” Some vintage German marriage certificates sell from about $20 to $50, depending on condition and how ornate the decoration is. The type of frame can also

SYNDICATE INC.)

add value. Marriage certifi cates and birth and baptismal records with fancy script and colorful folk art decoration were made by Germans who lived in rural parts of Penn sylvania in the 1700s and 1800s. These certificates are called “fraktur.” They sell for a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars depending on age, history and artwork.

TIP: Clean the inside of a bottle with detergent powder and a Water Pik.

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

WASHINGTON

US long-term mortgage rates dip below 7%, for now

By M ATT O TT Associated Press

THE AVERAGE

long-term U.S. mortgage rate dipped back under 7% this week, one day after the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark borrowing rate to its highest level in 15 years as it tries to squelch four-decade high inflation.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on the key 30-year rate fell to 6.95% from 7.08% the previous week. The rate was 3.09% last year at this time.

The rate for a 15-year mortgage, often used by those refinancing their homes, fell to 6.29% this week from 6.36% the previ ous week. One year ago, it was 2.35%.

On Wednesday, the Fed raised its short-term lend ing rate by another 0.75 percentage points, three times its usual margin, for a fourth time this year.

Its key rate now stands in a range of 3.75% to 4%, with more increases likely on the horizon.

“We still have some ways to go,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday, suggesting that more recent data suggest that officials might have to raise rates higher than the 4.6% they forecast in September if in flation continues to persist.

Sales of existing homes have declined for eight straight months as bor rowing costs have become too high a hurdle for many Americans already paying more for food, gas and other necessities.

Meanwhile, some homeowners have held off putting their homes on the market because they don’t want to jump into a higher rate on their next mortgage.

Deeds

AGAWAM

Christopher C. Petrucci and Shari M. Petrucci to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Azusa Realty Trust, trustee of, 323 Southwick St., $235,000.

Cremilda L. Deoliveira to Kather ine Pinkerman and Katherine E. Pinkerman, 1 Plantation Drive, Unit 1, $226,000.

Samantha W. Harder, Samantha W. Debiasio, Curtis Harder and Samantha A. Dibaisio to Julie Sim mons, 66 School St., $291,500.

Tracy L. Scatolini, representative, and Dianne B. Little, estate, to East Coast Contracting LLC, 103 Cooper St., $205,000.

Warren H. Roberts Jr., and Carolyn P. Roberts to Craig T. Vermes, trustee, Rachie J. Vermes, trustee, Craig T. Vermes Living Trust, trust ee of, and Rachie J. Vermes Living Trust, trustee of, 131 Juniper Ridge Drive, $539,900.

AMHERST

Daniel D. Corkill and Susan E. Lander to Krishna Chandra Poudel and Kalpana Poudel Tandukar, 82 Tracy Circle, $375,000.

RPF LLC, to Eunsuk Song, 60 Blackberry Lane, $430,000.

Alexandra A. Turner, trustee, Jessica L. Turner, trustee, and Faythe E. Turner Revocable Trust to Matthew Watkins, Matthew R. Watkins and Rebecca G. Watkins, 129 Heatherstone Road, $715,000.

Maureen Hogan O’Brien to Matthew W. Loveling and Chanda L. Loveling, 41 Salem Place, $165,000.

ASHFIELD

Jeffery B. Brown, Trustee of the Mount Owen Realty Trust to Mount Owen LLC, Mount Owen, Conway Road, Route 11, $450,000.

John Reidy Treworgy to Fred J. Wang, 199 Ranney Corner Road, $387,000.

Sherri L. Kelleher, Barbara A. Ladd, “fka” Barbara A. Ward, and Peggy S. Preiser to Joan Roberts and Leonard Roberts, 259-B Hawley Road, $415,000.

BELCHERTOWN

Allan D. Desjardins and Kim M. Desjardins to Amanda Gorham, 350 North Washington St., $310,000.

Jeffrey M. Sajdak, Guida R. Sajdak and Guida R. Rafael Sajdak to Jeffrey M. Sajdak, trustee, Guida R. Sajdak, trustee, Jeffrey M. Sajdak Living Trust, Guida R. Rafael Saj dak, trustee, and Guida R. Rafael Living Trust, 143 Mountain View Drive, $100.

James J. Knittel and Alice Gawron Knittel to Roger W. Trudeau and Gail A. Trudeau, 159 Barton Ave., $549,000.

BERNARDSTON

Jason W. Herron to Cole Facey, 491 Brattleboro Road, $190,000.

Penni L. Menard and Timothy L. Menard to Christopher T. Neil, 12 North Merrifield Road, $300,000.

BRIMFIELD

Robert P. Sullivan, trustee, Diane I. Woolf, trustee, and Robert P Sullivan & Diana I Woolf Revoca ble Trust, trustee of, to Matthew Weiner and Erdenesuren Weiner, 124 East Hill Road, $750,000.

Robert P. Sullivan, trustee, Diane I. Woolf, trustee, and Robert P Sullivan & Diana I Woolf Revoca ble Trust, trustee of, to Matthew Weiner and Erdenesuren Weiner, East Hill Road, $100,000.

CHESTER

Angel Colon and Edward J. Joy, conservator, to Arthur Zanvettor, 115 Round Hill Road, $35,000.

Dennis Lee Nolt II, to Dana H. Collins and Shayna M. Collins, 26 Taft Road, $335,000.

CHICOPEE

Dulong Holdings LLC, to 346 Britton Street LLC, 346 Britton St., $558,000.

Equity Trust Co., custodian, Robert Lareau IRA, and Robert Lareau to Alyson Marie Flahive, 40 Green wich St., $265,000.

Partyka Partners Limited Part nership, Partyka Partners GP Trust, trustee of, and Joan Partyka, trustee, to Sharon A. Cohen and Raymond A. Cohen, 37 Sanford St., $225,000.

Favorita A. Williams to Carlos Bravo Jr., 61 Abbey Memorial Drive, Unit 15, $195,000.

John G. Deady and Jacqueline M. Deady to Evan Beswick and Evan W. Beswick, 42 Harvard St., $230,000.

Joseph S. Kubala to Deonte J. Dan iels, 36-38 Tremont St., $289,500.

Karen Valencia to Gallagher Capi tal Group LLC, and Kmak LLC, 28 Glendale St., $175,000.

Kub Properties LLC, to Deonte J. Daniels, 42 Tremont St., $102,000.

Michael T. McKenna to Tadeusz R. Myca, 104 Silvin Road, $242,500.

Michael Theulen and Marjorie Theulen to Felix M. Rosario and Luz N. Gonzalez Rosario, 139 Woodbridge Road, Unit 6249D, $205,500.

Neill A. Henry, representative, and Corey J. Black, estate, to Haley MacDonald, 24 Honeysuckle Drive, Unit 6212C, $195,000.

Paul R. Bednarz, trustee, Marlene Bednarz Cipriano, trustee, and Bednarz Family Irrevocable In come-only Trust, trustee of, to Lyle C. Clark and Karen Cruz Clark, 50 Van Horn St., $297,000.

Richard Ivan Boyce to Regina Cuizon and Ma Cecilia T. Tomnob, 200 James St., $325,000.

Suzanne Tolomeo, representataive, and Daniel D. Lamica, estate, to

Stephanie R. Kane, 76 Silvin Road, $225,000.

CUMMINGTON

Brenda Hurley to Russell C. Jordan and Deborah J. Jordan, 113 Powell Road, $20,000.

DEERFIELD

Wayne T. Hazlett to Steven La fland, Old World Road, $13,000.

Robert E. Tardif Jr., trustee for Laurie Jean Kenzel, to DOVI LLC, and SIMCHA LLC, Hillside Road, $15,200.

Mary Lou Reid, individually and as trustee of the Mary Lou Reid Revocable Trust, and James B. Reid to Brian Abramson and Jen nifer Abramson, 107 Hillside Road, $740,000.

EAST LONGMEADOW

2011 Driscoll Family Trust, trustee of, and William J. Driscoll, trustee, to Michael Trant Campbell and Mary K. Campbell, 101 Pinehurst Drive, $355,000.

Brent F. Miklavic to Karen L. Miklavic, 222 Pinehurst Drive, $219,000.

Jennifer M. Stinson and Jennifer M. Yacovone to Dustin R. Hull, 80 Somers Road, $323,000.

Karen Balmer to Paul H. Roberge and Jessica N. Roberge, 4 Welling ton Drive, $625,000.

Michael Frank Design LLC, to Nathan J. Lavallee and Taylor S. Lavallee, 167 Vineland Ave., $450,000.

Nicole Bongiorni and David Lemoine to Simon J. Brighenti Jr., Maria R. Brighenti and Antonio Simon Brighenti, 35 Linden Ave., $560,000.

Paul H. Roberge and Jessica N. Roberge to Matthias C. Galvin, 25 Bartlett Ave., $320,000.

Yvette F. Kasparian to Yvonne L. Afonso, 29 Taylor St., $115,000.

Deeds

EASTHAMPTON

Barbara A Bergeron and Jill E. Drozdowski, attorney-in-fact, to James R. Bergeron Jr., 399 Main St., $236,300.

David L. Saldo and Fallon Saldo to Peter MacLellan and Julia Blais, 11 Mayher St., $447,000.

Courtney Easthampton LLC, to Easthampton Retail Manage ment LLC, 109 Northampton St., $785,000.

Five Industrial Lofts LLC, to Re nate Bello, 5 Ferry St., $385,000.

Five Industrial Lofts LLC, to Caleb Shor, 5 Ferry St., $475,000.

Five Industrial Lofts LLC, to Cen ter for Public Representation Inc., 5 Ferry St., $1,335,000.

Joshua A. Staples and Meagen C. Staples to William Bigelow Schwartz, 60-62 Parsons St., $378,000.

ERVING

Kelly L. Hunter to Anthony Cunha and Evelyn Cunha, 56 Mountain Road, $241,000.

GOSHEN

Francis D. Judd to Goshen Town, Sugar Maple Lane, $15,000.

Gerald Glasser and Leah Glasser to Hilda E. Quinto, 50 Lake Drive, $425,000.

GRANBY

Edward J. Cayo, Michelle J. Cayo, Edward James Cayo and Michelle J. Carey-Redmond to Muhammad Omer Chaudhry, Nosheen Omer and Beenish M. Chaudhry, 5 Country View Lane, $435,000.

Yongjian Li, Yong Jian Li and Emei Luo to Matthew Thomas Kiezulas, 29 Pleasant St., $345,000.

Edward C. Shyloski Inc., to Koto wicz Custom Homes LLC, Carver Street, $65,000.

GRANVILLE

Frank Wolak and Ellen B. Wolak to John H. Westcott IV, and Sarah L. Westcott, 417 Main Road, $685,000.

Granville Town to Dennis Billings and Sharon A. Billings, Crest Lane, $20,000.

Granville Town to Edik Bubuza and Ivan Hrytskevich, Beech Hill Road, $6,000.

Granville Town to John P. Briggs and Barbara J. Briggs, Barnard Road, $20,000.

Granville Town to Steven P. Zerra and Elizabeth M. Zerra, North Lane, $25,000.

GREENFIELD

Jeffrey J. Simanski and Susan E. Simanski, trustees of the Jeffrey J. Simanski and Susan E. Simanski Revocable Trust, to JAG Star LLC, 406 Countryside, Unit 406 Coun try-Side Condominium, $220,000.

Mulligan’s Haven LLC, to ZS Enterprise LLC, 188 Federal St., $500,000.

Dennis A. Fisk and Janice L. Fisk to Mary Bucci and Bobbie Clark, 283 Chapman St., $330,000.

Betsy J. Egan and Susan J. Enos, “fka” Susan J. Egan, trustees of the Egan Irrevocable Real Estate Trust, to Olivia Cather and Wilfred Cather III, 60 Forest Ave., $227,500.

Joshua L. McConnell and Kristen A. McConnell to Paul Tyler Nor wood, 119 Davis St., $235,000.

ACCSS1-LLC, to Gigi Self Storage LLC, 289-291 Wells St., $1,200,000.

HADLEY

Douglas R. Thayer and Kristen A. Thayer to Douglas R. Thayer, trustee, Kristen A. Thayer, trustee, Douglas R. Thayer Living Trust and Kristen A. Thayer Living Trust, 185 Hockanum Road, $100.

HAMPDEN

George E. Bouchard and George Bouchard to Bernadette Ann Park er, 116 Scantic Road, $435,000.

HATFIELD

William J. Lacey and Candy L. Lacey to Kevin Thacker and Connie Thacker, 144 Prospect St., $530,000.

HOLLAND

Carol A. Sargent, trustee, and Sar gent Nominee Trust, trustee of, to Timothy Vibert and Laura Vibert, 25 Hamilton Drive, $450,000.

Ross Krechko and Barry Krechko to Ross C. Krechko and Nancy Krechko, 71 Sandy Beach Road, $155,000.

HOLYOKE

Carlos Ynoa to Angel E. Rodriguez and Briauna Gallimore, 99 North East St., $210,000.

Carolyn Vatter to Pah Properties LLC, 3 Maple Crest Circle, Unit D, $104,423.

Commonwealth of Massachu setts, United Congregational Church of Holyoke and United

Congregational Church of Holyoke to DKNB Properties LLC, 474 Pleasant St., $50,000.

Gates Street Shamrock LLC, to Jose Alberto Serrano Acumulado, 26 Gates St., $247,000.

Gerardo Morales, Milagros Mo rales and Milagro Morales to Luz C. Rodriguez and Luz E. Roman Montalvo, 28 Valley Heights, $230,000.

Juan Carlos Cornejo to Scott Family Properties LLC, 645-647 Hampden St., $70,000.

Michael J. Pelc and Deborah K. Pelc to Pablo Vazquez Jr., 220 Lower Westfield Road, $313,000.

Nena Kopy and Shawna Del Rio to Michael Christopher Tanner, 137 Sycamore St., $285,000.

Nicholas P. Boccio to Jacinta A. Williams, 5 Maple Crest Circle, Unit E, $155,000.

Stephen B. Hale, estate, and Linda A. Hale, representative, to Carlos Ynoa, 67 Lyman St., $140,000.

LEVERETT

Linda Marie Goscenski, Judith Mae Wrona and Patricia Ann Zuzgo to Audra Lee Goscenski and Wesley John Goscenski, Jug gler Meadow Road, $33,000.

Linda Marie Goscenski, Judith Mae Wrona and Patricia Ann Zuzgo to Audra Lee Goscenski and Wesley John Goscenski, Long Plain Road, $100,000.

LONGMEADOW

Brian M. Van Dam Sr., and Kelly A. Van Dam to Renee S. Wetstein and David M. Dietz, 32 Laurel St., $790,000.

June Marie Cairns, trustee, Martha Louise Rouleau, trustee, George Sanford Gray, trustee, and George R. Gray Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Matthew B. Smith and Alan na Smith, 116 Morningside Drive, $400,000.

Thomas F. Perna and Christine L. Perna to Caroline Douthwright and Brian Michael Douthwright, 130 Viscount Road, $656,000.

LUDLOW

Dennis Brasile to Falcon Proper ties LLC, 97 Center St., $475,000.

Gerard N. Aubrey, trustee, Paul D. Boudreau, trustee, and Miller Street Nominee Trust, trustee of, to Steven Ravenhall and Christina Ann Ravenhall, 308 Miller St., Unit 72, $474,900.

MONROE

William Higgins to Bryan F. Alba no, Moores Road, $23,000.

MONSON

Antonio J. Siciliano and Lori A. Si ciliano to David L. Smith Sr., David Smith, Jeniffer E. Peak-Smith and Jeniffer Peak-Smith, 24 Margaret St., $405,000.

JNB Property Investment Inc., to 8868 Realty LLC, 450 Boston Road, $260,000.

John F. Ferris and Joshua R. Ferris to Nina Ferraro Sweares, 129 Beth any Road, $65,000.

Joseph E. Metcalfe and Carol Metcalfe to Triston Baker and Mary Emmanuel, 19 Cushman St., $370,000.

Richard A. Behrens to Todd Swery da and Amy Sweryda, 39 East Hill Road, $260,500.

William J. Carabetta and Audrey D. Carabetta to Christopher Oliver and Germaine Oliver, 15 Woodhill Road, $905,000.

MONTAGUE

Edwin A. Gillespie Jr., and Kathryn E. Gillespie to Theresa Marie Per rone and Carson David Poe, Third Street, $6,500.

NORTHAMPTON

Michael Shashoua and Miriam H. Zoll to Miriam H. Zoll, trustee, Michael Shashoua, trustee, and Miriam H. Zoll 2022 Trust, 19 Washington Ave., $100.

Hyman S. Edelstein, Sally R. Edelstein and Carol J. Edelstein, attorney-in-fact, to Trustees of The Smith College and Smith College, 15 Ahwaga Ave., $675,000.

Leonard Pratt Jr., to Milan P. Peich Jr., Milan Peich and Lyndsay E. Fishbein, 161 South St., $643,000.

Louis R. Brazeau, trustee, and Brazeau Family Trust to Louis R. Brazeau, 58 Hinckley St., $100.

Louis R. Brazeau to Leo L. Brazeau and Suzette M. Hoye, 58 Hinckley St., $100.

Gary P. Giller to Gary P. Giller, trustee, and Giller Family Trust, 80 Damon Road, $100.

Timothy F. Washburn to Main Street Leeds LLC, 102-106 Hawley St., $100.

Simon E. Scher and Lauren Gottschalk-Scher to Seth T. Hous man and Erica L. Housman, 117 Acrebrook Drive, $405,000.

Keith M. Ryan, Thomas F. Ryan and Keith M. Ryan, attorney-in-fact, to Wayne Thompson and Candy Lacey, 276 West Farms Road, $364,000.

NORTHFIELD

James Carr Jr., and Linda J. Carr, “fka” Linda J. Smiaroski, to Carla J. Simpson, 56 Lyman Hill Road,

$475,000.

ORANGE

Jo-Ellen Heath to Brian A. Heath, 540 South Main St., $125,000.

Aimee Melanson and Bryan Melan son to Maryah Carlin, 332 East Road, $453,250.

PALMER

David E. Sterner and Gail A. Sterner to John J. Armstrong and Elizabeth A. Armstrong, 37 Smith St., $400,000.

George P. Goulas, trustee, and NPJ Realty Trust, trustee of, to Marc David Chapman, 380 Ware St., $275,000.

Jeffrey Labuz to Timothy D. Morey and Hanna Lynn Morey, 31 Brown St., $285,000.

Melissa M. Sizer to Ryan Michael Allard and Karye Allard, 78 Peter son Road, $335,000.

Michael E. Gralinski, Michael P. Gralinski and Shawn M. Gralinski to Maria A. Lewis, 86 Mason St., $400,000.

Palmer Masonic Hall Association to Cute Kids Preschool Inc., 17 Highland St., $350,000.

PELHAM

Brenda J. O’Gara, personal representative, and Alice Louise Campbell, estate, to Andrew Web ster and Emily Bloch, 127 Amherst Road, $353,800.

RUSSELL

Brian C. Slayton to Michael Emerick, 705 General Knox Road, $399,900.

James S. Oleksak Jr., trustee, Dale A. Oleksak, trustee, and Dale A. Oleksak Trust, trustee of, to Bren dan M. Codd, 1402 General Knox Road, $582,000.

SHELBURNE

Linda D. Stowe and Richard H. Stowe to Refined Design Homes Inc., Old Albany Road, $62,500.

SHUTESBURY

Dorothy Ann Dubnansky to Joseph Salvador and Kathleen Salvador, Lakeview Road, $8,500.

SOUTH HADLEY

Charles L. Lawrence Jr., and Judith O. Lawrence to Shelley E. Kirkwood, Benjamin C. Lawrence, Nicole M. Lawrence and Aimee J. McCarthy, 111 Lyman St., $100.

David L. Faytell and Dani B. Pers Faytell to Anne St. James and

Deeds

Terri-Lee Anne Couture, 24 Brigham Road, $242,000.

Daniel J. Pawlowski to Alyssa G. Pawlowski, 14 River Lodge Road, $90,000.

Margaret E. Martin to Glenn Washburn, 173 Pine Grove Drive, $305,000.

Mary Babski, trustee, and Mary Babski Declaration of Trust to Ellen J. Moriarty and Peter J. Moriarty, 87 Shadowbrook Estates, $425,000.

SOUTHAMPTON

Charles M. Fisher, Charles M. Fish er, trustee, and Charles M. Fisher Living Trust to Daviau & Robert Properties LLC, 18 Crooked Ledge Road and Fomer Road, $125,000.

Camella World Peace to Neil Galloway and Laura Jean Galloway, 134 Fomer Road, $420,000.

Linda A. Martin to Carla M. Scionti, 366 College Highway, $375,000.

SOUTHWICK

Arthur J. Debonville, trustee, and Debonville Family Trust, trustee of, to Joan Drozdal, 8 Rails End Road, $379,500.

John H. Westcott IV, and Sarah L. Westcott to Ryan R. Serella, 38 Kline Road, $492,000.

Marcia D. Roy, trustee, Richard H. Roy Jr., trustee, and Marcia D. Roy Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Michael R. Cormier, 12 Evergreen St., $677,500.

SPRINGFIELD

Abundio J. Cortes Palacio and Abundio J. Cortes Palacios to Brijaun Lynne Thompson, 147 Sunridge Drive, $267,000.

Agro Automotive Inc., to Michael Dailey, 419 Taylor St., $350,000.

Betty Jenkins, Terry Jackson, Yvette Jackson, Michael Jackson and Darla M. Lowe to Darla M. Lowe, 19-21 Grenada Terrace, $90,000.

Briarwood Thirteen LLC, to State Street 55 LLC, 55 State St., $1,130,000.

Brico Properties LLC, to Don ovan C. Stewart, 14 Bryant St., $300,000.

Carla Rosario and Carmen San chez to Zulayka Vega Rodriguez, 132-134 Arthur St., $323,000.

Carmelo Toledo Jr., and Melissa Toledo to John F. Wadlegger Jr., 158-166 Chestnut St., Unit 5B, $90,000.

Carolyn J. Bayne to Catherine M. Elliott and Margaret Elliott, 328

Abbott St., $239,900.

Christopher Goodrow and Lindsey Goodrow to Christopher Hernan dez and Rosemary Garcia, 211 West Allen Ridge Road, $295,000.

Colette A. Iampietro, trustee and representative, Lillian M. Buettner trustee and representative, Helen Y. Morneau, estate, and Morneau

Family Trust, trustee of, to Felix Rodriguez and Lisa Colon, 50 Cornflower St., $244,000.

Corrine Seward to Bria S. Wilson, 50 Melville St., $211,000.

Denise L. Jimenez to Glenda DeJe sus, 33 Gertrude St., $320,000.

Jennifer Hamre, estate, Jennifer J. Hamre, estate, and Alan M. Lowe, representative, to Luis Olmeda, 21 Chalmers St., $300,000.

JJJ17 LLC, to Carlos J. Rodriguez and Paula E. Palacios Hernandez, 67 Fairhaven Drive, $304,000.

Jonathan C. Mitchell and Sara Mitchell to Matthew Hutchinson, 25 Butternut Circle, $308,000.

Karon Dailey to Chigozirim Amaechi and Nnaemeka Okoye, 70 Penrose St., $264,875.

Kenny Marrero Roman and Peter Rodriguez to Brawling Kenou, 3335 Wendell Place, $340,000.

Leonardo Toro and Luz B. Toro to Denise L. Jimenez, 98-100 Melha Ave., $380,000.

Luis A. Delgado to Jeimy E. Pozo, 73 Saint James Ave., $240,000.

Michael Glidden, Barbara L. Glidden and Barbara L. Chapde laine to Mark Hebert, 38 Lang St., $210,000.

Michael M. Brosnan and Hannah M. Brosnan to Eva E. Espinal De Perez, 47-49 Stockman St., $270,000.

Miguel Betacourt and Miguel Betancourt to Maria M. Oquendo, 87 Oak St., $260,000.

Nicholas P. Lavigne to Little Eagle LLC, 76-78 Corona St., $152,500.

Pedro Perez to Daniela D. Urena, 907 Armory St., $350,000.

RGA Propertes LLC, and RGA Properties LLC, to Craig Bernard, 49-51 Dwight Road, $246,000.

Shawn Monette to Alfred Quist and Denise Quist, 47 Colorado St., $354,900.

Stephanie Montanez to Anthony Cabral and Jaime Cabral, 85 Good win St., $260,000.

Thomas A. Pieczarka to Bay Flow LLC, 135 Dubois St., $95,000.

Thomas P. Hurst, representative, and Joanne Brennan to William T. Raleigh, 19 Alberta St., $125,000.

Todd M. Mona and Kristin L. Mona to Vignesh Vellingiri, Nivi B. Vellingiri and Nivi Babu Vellingiri, 89-91 Genesee St., $282,500.

Value Properties LLC, to Aaron G. Cope, 242 Breckwood Boulevard,

$246,500.

Viktor Savonin to Kenneth Ander son, 49 Nagle St., $400,000.

Wilbraham Builders Inc., to Lind say Katzir and Brandon W. Katzir, 140 Groveland St., $255,000.

William J. Collins Jr., and Janet L. Collins to Isabel M. Suzarte, 239 Winton St., $370,000.

SUNDERLAND

David J. Maslanka, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Stanley Mieczkowski, and as personal representative of the Estate of Joseph Mieczkowski, Helen E. Yazwinski, Cynthia M. Keyes, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Frank J. Mieczkowski, and as ex ecutor of the Estate of Florence M. Mieczkowski, Richard Maslanka, individually and as personal rep resentative of the Estate of Stella Maslanka, Karen A. Swierczews ki, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Jessie Swierczewski, Linda Glish, Kathleen A. Wroblewski, Regina J. Wroblewski, Chester F. Wroblews ki, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Antonia R. Wroblewski, Rebecca H. Robinson and Deborah J. Barcomb, “aka” Debra J. Barcomb, to Thomas J. Doubleday, 134 North Silver Lane, $72,000.

WALES

Edward J. Morrow, Edward Morrow and Terry J. Morrow to Kevin Ea gan and Jessica Eagan, 101R Union Road, $192,000.

Melissa R. Purvis, Lawrence P. Randall and Eugene V. Randall to Rebecca R. Smith, 49 Main St., $200,000.

WARE

Edward P. Couture to Daniel A. Harris, Greenwich Road Off, $10,000.

George A. Stavroulakis, George Stavroulakis and Catherine J. Costa to George A. Stavroulakis, trustee, Catherine J. Costa, trustee, and 54 Dugan Road Realty Trust, 54 Dugan Road, $100.

Concepcion A. Wnek, personal representative, and Concepcion Marie Wnek, estate, to Concepcion A. Wnek, 20 Malboeuf Road, $100.

John C. Allard to MJ Property Solutions LLC, 23 Church St., $345,000.

WARWICK

George Holey, personal represen tative of the Estate of Beth Joan Gilgun to HPG-BEK II LLC, 29 Athol Road, $315,000.

HPG-BEK II LLC, to Stephen P. Johnson, 29 Athol Road, $310,000.

WENDELL

Barbara E. Sylvester, “fka” Barbara E. Gerard, to Renee M. Lazaras, 175 Mormon Hollow Road, $289,000.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bruce Perron, trustee and repre sentative, and Diane C. Mooney, estate, to Jason A. Wytas and Ashley Marie Day, 185 Christopher Terrace, $379,000.

Michael K. Mattoon, Amanda Mattoon and Amanda Gibbs to Donna L. Brunelle, 17 Blossom Road, $315,000.

Timothy J. O’Brien and Mary M. O’Brien to Luis Viscarrondo, 27 Hilltop St., $315,000.

WESTFIELD

Brian W. Chiba and Shannon M. Chiba to Karen Slack, 27 Dewey Ave., Unit 7, $180,000.

John E. Morse to William P. Dow Jr., 9 Gladwin Drive, $364,000.

Kenneth H. Labelle and Patricia M. Labelle to Adam J. Smith and Stephanie E. Burt, 49 Simmons Brook Drive, $410,000.

Maria Sopet to Matthew D. Bes wick, 31 Alquat St., $265,000.

Mark Perry and Jennifer A. Perry to Brian Belanger and Connie Dagesse, 720 Russell Road, Unit B, $208,000.

Marta V. Martinez to Anna Gavel, 13-15 Clinton Ave., $375,000.

Myrna Osowski, trustee, Jason Emmett, trustee, and Fowler Street Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Jennifer Yanyuk, 36 Fowler St., $380,000.

Patricia Kallfa to Stephen A. Hilbert and Luis A. Avelo Rolon, 18 Livingstone Ave., $265,000.

Raymond J. Wright Jr., to Nathan C. Dickinson and Chelsea L. Dickin son, 74 King St., $265,000.

WHATELY

Kathleen R. Clark, “fka” Kathleen R. Arsenault, and Michael F. Clark to Angelica Elisabetta Perfido and Marissa Riane Wells, 180 River Road, $400,000.

WILBRAHAM

Carol M. Albano to Nicholas Mu ratore and Dorothy Muratore, 34 Oakland St., $325,000.

WORTHINGTON

Paul A. Strasburg, trustee, and Paul A. Strasburg Revocable Trust to Richard B. Messier and Maryann J. Silvia, Curtis Road, $17,250.

Blanket

“Finding a cozy blanket is great, but finding one that’s easy to clean is even better,” Utz says.

Besides keeping your throw clean, there are some simple ways to extend its life. Even the best fleece and flannel blankets are known to pill, so use a depiller to keep them looking their best, Blundell says.

Be mindful of any hand-stitching when using your throw; blankets can catch on jewelry, toenails or snaps and zippers. And when you’re not using your throws, stash them in a basket next to your couch or chair. During warmer months, store them in an airtight box or bag in a cool, dry space.

• Check it out in person Buying online is conve nient, but it’s best to see and feel throws in person. Try big-box or clearance retail ers, department stores and independent bedding shops.

“See what catches your eye,” Blundell says, “then touch the blanket. Feel the weight. Is it scratchy or soft? Unroll it. Examine the size and material. Read the care instructions. Check the stitching. Is any falling out? Interact with the blanket as much as possible. If there are signs it is worse for wear already, steer clear.”

And be sure to check the store’s return policy, partic ularly for expensive throws, Sole adds.

• Take advantage of sales

Sure, you want something to keep you warm in the depths of December, but if you are in the market for something new, experts say you’ll find the best deals in January, when department stores put bedding and linens on sale, often at deep discounts.

Denver-based writer Laura Daily specializes in consumer advocacy and travel strate gies.

Keep cats from scratching the furniture

Advice from animal behavior experts

By R achel Kurzius The Washington Post

FIRST, THE BAD

news: You’re not going to stop your cat from scratching altogether. It’s a natural behavior for felines, and they do it for sev eral reasons. It’s a way to keep their claws in tiptop shape and to mark their territory, both with the visual cue of scratch marks and with pheromones they deposit through their paws. Plus, as you’ve probably seen, scratching offers an op portunity for a good stretch. You’ve got to let your cat be a cat, after all!

But don’t despair. There are ways to keep your sofa or rug safe. The key is to redirect your adorable little destroyer to another target. Here’s how.

• Do not declaw your cat Declawing your cat is one 1990s trend that should never be resurrected. Turns out the procedure is quite cruel. It involves amputating the knuckle from the end of the cat’s paw, and it can cause long-lasting pain, says Zazie Todd, an animal behavior ex pert and author of “Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy.” “There is no benefit to the cat,” she says. “If you think of scratching as a normal behavior, you don’t want to prevent cats from being able to do something that’s normal for them.”

A growing number of veter inary practices are refusing to declaw cats, says Sara Everett, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Georgia Col lege of Veterinary Medicine. Others do so only in extreme cases (like if the owner might otherwise give up the animal).

More than a dozen U.S. cities, along with New York and Maryland, have passed bans on the procedure.

• Choose a scratching post

The ideal place for your cat to use her claws is on a scratching

post. But not all of them are created equally, and it might take some trial and error to find a post that your cat loves. One critical factor to consid er is texture. Some cats like the knobby feel of a carpet-cov ered scratching post, while oth ers prefer cardboard or sisal.

“You might just have to offer them a little scratching post cafeteria or buffet and see what they select,” says Amy Pike, a veterinary behaviorist and the owner of the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Fairfax, Va.

There’s also the question of vertical versus horizontal. Most felines love tall scratch ing posts, but some prefer a surface flush with the ground. If you’re going vertical, make sure you get something sturdy.

Jackson Galaxy, a cat behav iorist and author of “Total Cat Mojo,” says that part of the appeal of furniture is that it doesn’t tip over when cats pull down during a long stretch. If you’re looking to supplant a sofa or chair, then you’ll need to find a stable scratching post with some heft at the base.

• Put the scratching post in the right location

Finding the perfect scratch ing post won’t matter if you hide it away. Your cat hasn’t been going to town on your favorite chair as an act of re venge, but because you spend a lot of quality time there. Busy areas of the house tend to be “areas where they get good attention from their owners, like petting and cuddling and playing,” says Everett, so cats want to mark those places as

to them,” says Everett. Instead, put the post near the furniture that your cat is ruining so she’ll more readily see it as a sub stitute. You can add catnip to the post to make it even more appealing.

• Don’t punish your cat for scratching

This section kind of sounds like it was written by a cat, but it’s true: Punishment doesn’t work very well for our feline friends. Your cat probably won’t connect your harsh words or tone with the scratching, so the only thing you’ll accomplish is making her anxious.

Instead, try rewarding your cat for the behavior you do want. “If you see them using their scratching post and you wait until they finish and then you very quickly get them a treat, that will make them more likely to use that post in

If you’re shopping for new furniture, think about the textures your cat likes to scratch.

If she loves bumpy fabrics, choose pieces upholstered with smoother materials, like velvet or leather.

their territory. (When you put it that way, it’s kind of sweet.)

That means placing a scratching post in a rarely used space won’t work: “They don’t care about scratching areas of the home that aren’t valuable

the future,” says Todd.

• Protect your furniture from cat scratching

There are several ways you can guard the sofa, though some methods are more aes thetically pleasing than others.

You can wrap your furniture with a product like Sticky Paws — essentially double-sided tape that makes scratching feel less-satisfying for many cats. Galaxy uses these types of products as a training tool: “It doesn’t mean for the rest of your life with this couch or cat you’re going to need to keep that stuff on there - they’re go ing to learn.” He also stresses that this tactic only works if you provide another outlet for scratching.

Other options include adding throw blankets to protect a scratch-prone area, or wrap ping a material like sisal around the lower part of a chair or sofa to protect it.

If you’re shopping for new furniture, think about the tex tures your cat likes to scratch. If she loves bumpy fabrics, choose pieces upholstered with smoother materials, like velvet or leather. New furniture also provides a fresh oppor tunity to train your cat, says Todd, because it doesn’t have your pheromones on it yet. “If you’re bringing home some thing new, it’s going to smell different, and that would be a good point to make sure that you’ve got your scratching post lined up and in the right place,” she says.

• Get cat nail caps

Some cats are more tena cious and destructive than oth ers. If you consistently come

home to ruined furniture, you might want to consider a product such as Soft Pawslittle caps that you put over a cat’s natural nails. These allow your cat to engage in normal scratching without causing so much destruction. They last about a month to six weeks, and while they can be a bit cumbersome to apply, Everett says some veterinary practices will put them on for owners. As a fun bonus, they come in a range of colors, so your cat will look like she’s had a bright manicure.

• Sometimes you have to let the cat win

On occasion, you just have to surrender. Pike, for instance, has one chair in her house that became a scratching post for her cat “and we leave it as such,” she says. When cats ex press such a strong preference for a piece of furniture, it’s kinder to leave it as an option for them than to get rid of it entirely, she says. (This is also true of a scratching post that you may think has reached the end of its life.) By ceding the chair, Pike has basically pro tected the rest of her furniture.

“When we have company, we take it away and we move it so it doesn’t look so disgusting,” she says, but otherwise the chair now belongs to the cat.

“It’s become a cat scratching post that someone can sit on occasionally.”

To keep your cat from scratching your furniture, it’s important to choose the right scratching post and put that scratching post in a good location, animal behavior experts say. (METRO CREATIVE ARTS)

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