PROJECT OF THE WEEK: Backyard barn on a budget, F3
IN THE GARDEN WITH LEE REICH: Words of advice for pruning roses, F5
ANTIQUES & COLLECTING: Cocktail shaker is just in time for Easter, F6
MORTGAGE RATES: 30-year mortgage rate dips as spring season opens, F7
WMASS DEEDS, F7
YOU’RE IN YOUR garden and notice a beautiful, new-toyou flower that has popped up somewhere unexpected — pull it or leave it?
Or perhaps an unfamiliar garden pest has ravaged your tomato plants.
Or you experienced the deflating discovery of a graywhite crust on the soil in your seed-starting tray.
Where do you turn for help when you’re on the go? Technology, of course.
The latest crop of gardening apps and cellphone features may surprise you with their expert garden-planning and planting advice, pest and
Created by a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society, this crowd-sourced, image-recognition app is as straightforward as can be. Snap a photo of a plant, insect, animal or mushroom — or even just point your camera at it — and get its taxonomic classification (from kingdom to species), common name, seasonality, a count of how many observations of it have been recorded on the app, and a short description, typically pulled in from Wikipedia.
Results are based on visually similar images provided by users from around the world, and if the app can’t identify your photo, it solicits IDs from other users. You can also find lists of plants, insects and animals in your area, add your observations and connect with experts.
And if you’re up for a game,
ed menu of fruits and vegetables, and add what you’d like to plant to your virtual “Grow Box.” Then get seed-starting, transplanting and harvesting dates for those plants, customized for your location as assessed via GPS.
disease troubleshooting, instant plant and insect identification, and even integrated artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Free, reliable apps like the ones below will place an abundant harvest of valuable information at your (green) fingertips.
you can earn badges for observing different types of species and participating in challenges. Find it in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. Free.
Scroll through the illustrat-
The free version of the app also provides information on each crop’s frost tolerance and sun, water and fertilizer requirements, plus seed-saving instructions, companion planting advice, common pests (including organic treatment suggestions), recipes and links to video tips. Each plant-profile screen also includes links to recommended products sold by Park Seed, which owns the app. The premium upgrade ($4.99/month or $46.99/ year) provides real-time answers to your questions from an AI “Growbot,” a personalized planting calendar and more. Find it in the Apple App Store, on Google Play and at app.seedtospoon.net. Free, with an optional paid premium upgrade.
PictureThis
Snap a photo, and the app
will ID your plant and provide a plethora of information about it. You’ll instantly see its health assessment, scientific classification, worldwide distribution, common uses, harvesting time (if applicable), propagation methods, and sunlight, soil, water and fertilizer requirements. You’ll also get answers to frequently asked questions about the plant, and can seamlessly share your photo and plant description with friends via text.
After exhausting an initial allotment of free IDs, you’ll be prompted to watch ads or share the app to earn more unless you upgrade to the premium version ($29.99/ year). Concerned about an ailing plant? Take a picture, and the free version will tell you what’s wrong. You’ll need premium to see recommended treatments. The upgrade also provides comprehensive plant-care guides, 24/7 access
The Agawam Garden Club will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Judy Clini Conference Room at the Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper St. Refreshments will be served. After a short business meeting, Alexander R. Sherman, the City Forester
WORTHY OF OLD McDonald himself, this do-it-yourself backyard barn project features classic good looks and solid, rustproof construction.
As versatile as it is appealing, the project can serve as a workshop, a potting shed or even a playhouse as well as a great storage space.
Unlike its full-size cousin, however, this little barn can be raised on a budget by one or two people in a couple of weekends.
With the exception of the 2-by-8 ridge beam, the entire structure is framed with standard 8-foot 2by-4s, and construction is basic.
The front, back and side frames are assembled separately and installed on top of simple concrete-block footings.
Once the frame is up, add the plywood floor, roofing and siding. Finally, build
and hang the door and shingle the roof.
The barn is a natural for a traditional red with white paint job (as pictured), but it also looks great painted to match the house.
The project measures eight feet long by six feet wide by eight feet tall, but it can be lengthened with minor adjustments.
The Little Red Barn plan, No. 461, is $9.95 and includes step-by-step instructions with photos, construction diagrams and a complete shopping list and cutting schedule.
Please include $3.95 per order for postage and handling and allow about two weeks for delivery.
To order by mail, clip this article 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.
for Springfield,will present a program on urban forestry. Sherman is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and University of Massachusetts. He holds a professional certificate in geographic Information systems from Pennsylvania State University and various industry credentials, including ISA and Massachusetts certified arborist. He has also taken part in several trainings and
deployments of the USDA Forest service Urban Forest Strike Team and is a trained UFST team leader.
The Monson Garden Club is offering two $500 scholarships to high school seniors
Don & Dave Runyan | Project of the Week
THE GOOD TIME TO prune most roses is when their buds have pushed out a quarter of an inch of new growth. The way to prune any rose depends on whether the rose is a hybrid tea, floribunda, grandiflora, shrub, species, rambler, or climber.
A few general rules apply irrespective of rose type. Always cut a quarter of an inch above, and sloping away from, a healthy bud so the pruning wound heals quickly. Also, cut any dead or diseased stems back to healthy wood. Dead or diseased stems have bark that is brown and dry, or otherwise off color. As you cut such stems back, you will come to portions that have white, rather than brown or black, pith, indicating healthy, living wood. Wherever you note two branches rubbing against each other, remove one of these. And finally, snip off weak, spindly branches.
That done, it’s time to get down to details specific for each type of rose. Let’s start with hybrid tea roses, widely planted and flowering all season. (To my mind, the corpulent blooms overburden
roses are similar to hybrid teas, except that floribunda and grandiflora bushes are larger, and their blooms, though smaller, are more abundant. Do not prune floribundas or grandifloras as drastically as you would hybrid teas. Instead, remove
on short side shoots that grow from long canes of the previous season or older. I’m not being redundant — “ramblers” and “climbers” are two distinct types. A rambler sends out long, new shoots from the base of the plant, whereas on climbers these shoots originate from older wood a few feet above the ground. Right after flowering, in summer, the long canes that have flowered on ramblers should be cut to the ground to make way for new canes which will flower next season.
climbing roses, use your pruning shears mostly to cut back to a couple of buds length the short sideshoots that grow off the long canes and produce flowers.
One problem with all these schemes for rose pruning is
that they assume you know what type of rose you have. This isn’t always the case, especially if you have inherited plants on an existing property. My suggestion, then, is to follow the steps common to pruning all roses this spring: Remove dead, diseased, and interfering wood. Watch growth and flowering of the plant this summer. Does the plant produce just a few large blooms, or masses of smaller blooms? Does the plant flower throughout the season, or just in June? What is the plant’s growth habit and from where does it send out new and flowering shoots? Observe closely, and next year you will be an expert in pruning roses. For more details on rose pruning — a most other plants — see my book, “The Pruning Book,” available from the usual sources as well, signed, directly from me at www. leereich.com/books.
Any gardening questions? Email them to me at garden@ leereich.com and I’ll try answering them directly or in this column. Come visit my garden at www.leereich.com/blog.
the plants.) Hybrid teas need to be pruned severely in order to stimulate the new shoots on which flowers are borne. The more severe the pruning, the larger, though fewer and later, the blossoms. Since hybrid teas are susceptible to cold and disease, you may have pruned the plants enough by the time you remove diseased and winter-killed wood. After pruning, just a few healthy shoots should remain, each a foot to 18 inches high.
Floribunda and grandiflora
very old shoots at ground level, and shorten young, vigorous shoots by about a third.
Even less pruning is needed for some of the shrub and species roses, an admittedly ill-defined hodgepodge, which includes such roses as Father Hugo’s Rose. When branches on these near-wildings become congested, cut some old wood back either to the ground or to a vigorous side shoot.
Each season, rambling and climbing roses bloom once
Reduce the number of new canes, by cutting excess ones away at their bases by this time of year at the latest. Tie those canes you save to some support (a split rail fence is traditional).
Cut back the long canes of climbing roses only occasionally, not every year as with ramblers. This will encourage replacement growth and keep a plant in bounds. When you prune these old, long canes, cut them back to young, vigorous shoots along the cane (not to the ground, as with ramblers). With
Autumn roses are one of the 100 varieties of roses. (JAPAN NEWS-YOMIURI)My suggestion, then, is to follow the steps common to pruning all roses this spring: Remove dead, diseased, and interfering wood.
At first glance, this silver standing rabbit chewing on a silver carrot has a few things in common with Easter collectibles. It’s metal, like the tin or iron Easter bunnies made as toys or doorstops.
Like a candy container, it is hollow with a removable lid so it can hold a consumable treat. But unlike most Easter collectibles, which tend to be made for children, this rabbit has a decidedly adult purpose: It’s a cocktail shaker.
The word “cocktail” appeared in print to refer to a mixed drink about 1806. Today’s cocktails and cocktail shakers have their roots in the Prohibition era of the 1920s to the 1930s. Speakeasies created mixed drinks to disguise the unpleasant taste of bootleg liquor.
Cocktails became more popular as people started making them at home. Silver manufacturers quickly realized they could make cocktail shakers as luxury items.
Figural shakers were especially stylish and continue to please collectors. Animal figures are always popular in decorative arts, and cocktail shakers are no exception. The animal’s neck is a convenient point for the lid (in the form of the animal’s head, of course) to detach, and a beak or snout provides a spot for a spout.
The best known is the penguin-shaped shaker made by Napier in the 1930s. It is a well-known example that has been reproduced. A buyer paid $6,150 for this rabbit
cocktail shaker at Morphy Auctions. The carrot in its mouth is a removable cap for its spout.
Q. I have several salt and pepper shakers I would like to get appraised. Do you know someone who can do that? I live in Ontario, Canada.
A. There are several major appraisal associations that list appraisers by specialty and area. We’ve listed them before, and you can find them in the Business Directory on Kovels.com.
First, decide what kind of appraisal you need. The value for insurance purposes may require a written appraisal by an expert.
If you want to know what the salt and pepper shakers are selling for today, check online prices, including sold prices on websites like eBay. If the salt and pepper shakers are silver, they are worth at least the meltdown value of silver.
Don’t forget, the value for insurance purposes is a retail price and can be different from the price you will get if you want to sell them.
Q. I have a cedar chest that was a wedding gift from my father to my mother in 1927. She said it came from China. I think it’s mahogany. It has various Asian scenes and figures carved on the top and all four sides, a brass lock and a flat “key.” It’s 32 inches wide, 14 inches deep and 16 inches high. I plan to move into a senior residence where I won’t have a place for it. Can you tell me its value and who might be interested in it?
A. Chests of this size are sometimes called “blanket chests.” They were made of different kinds of woods. If the chest is made of cedar, it will have a distinctive smell. Woolen blankets and other
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.
Herend porcelain trinket box and cover, painted yellow and blue flowers, eight-sided, gilt edge, covered with white kitten finial, Herend backstamp, 3 inches, $50.
World War II poster, Join Red Cross, four U.S. military men in uniform marching with Red Cross nurse, R.C. Kauffmann, c. 1942, 14 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches, $150.
Stoneware crock, cobalt blue stylized wreath, stamped J. Burger Jr., Rochester, N.Y., straight sides, thick banded rim, ear handles, 4 gallons, 11 1/4 inches, $295.
Purse, shoulder, red leather, firm sides, gold tone Prada Milano and logo on flap, gold tone chain handle with red leather woven through links, 4 x 8 inches, $375.
Wood carving, sculpture, Angel, abstract angular form, David Fels, 1983, 61 3/4 x 29 inches, $475.
Pen, Mont Blanc Meisterstuck 149, fine point nib, glossy black, gold bands and trim, brown leather pen sleeve, $510. Wedgwood candlestick, dolphin form, black basalt, exaggerated head and features, tail curled up ending in a fluted cup, rectangular base with shell border, impressed mark on bottom, 8 3/4 x 6 inches, $620.
Jewelry, necklace, pearls, single strand, three gold tone links between each pearl, entwined “CC” logo charm on one side, enameled flower clasp, marked, Chanel, 25 inches, $885.
Silver, Mexican, coffee set, straight sides with deep concave flutes, flattened rim, U-shape wooden handles, coffeepot, sugar, creamer, tray with pinched and fluted border, marked “Sterling” and “M.R.M. / Hecho En Mexico / 925,” coffeepot 12 x 7 1/2 inches, tray 22 x 15 inches, $2,125.
Furniture, secretary bookcase, Federal, maple, swan’s neck pediment, two arched panel doors, lower section with slant front, four graduated drawers, fitted interior with pigeonholes, drawers, bracket feet, Connecticut, c. 1800, 93 x 39 x 20 inches, $3,000.
items are sometimes stored in a cedar chest because the smell of the wood deters moths. These chests are popular for storage and sell well if attractive and in good condition. Contact a local shop that has sold other Chinese items. They may want to buy it or will sell it on consignment, giving you a percentage of the sale price.
Q. I brought a jug back from England a few years ago. The bottom is impressed with “Doulton Lambeth” around a circular mark, the letters “BW” and the number “1880.” The initials “EW” are incised. Can you tell me the age and value? The jug won’t hold water — it leaks!
A. Doulton and Co. started in Lambeth, England, about 1858. Doulton began hiring young artists from the Lambeth School of Art in 1863. The company opened a second factory at Burslem in 1877. The name “Royal Doulton” was used after the pottery received a Royal Warrant in 1901. The factory at Lambeth closed in 1956. The Doulton Lambeth mark on your jug was used from 1877 to 1880.
The incised initials “EW” are those of the artist, Emily Welch, who was senior assistant at the Lambeth pottery from 1879 to 1923. Some sources say the impressed “BW” is for the type of clay. Numbers are sometimes pattern numbers and sometimes dates. Jugs like yours have sold for $200 to $250.
Figural cocktail shakers, like this silver-plated rabbit, were popular in the 1920s and ‘30s and have been reproduced more recently. This Easter bunny cocktail shaker isn’t leaving treats for kids! (COWLES SYNDICATE INC.)
The value would be less since your jug leaks, but it still has decorative value. You might be able to stop the leak by melting paraffin wax and squishing it inside the jug to cover the leak.
TIP: It is said that you can clean silver with a banana peel mashed in a blender.
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. Include your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, The Republican, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email collectorsgallery@ kovels.com.
By M ATT O TT Associated Press
long-term U.S. mortgage rate dipped for the fourth straight week, a good sign for potential home buyers and a real estate market that’s been mostly cold since the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates more than a year ago.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on the benchmark 30-year rate dipped to 6.28% from 6.32% the previous week. The average rate last year at this time was 4.72%.
The average long-term mortgage rate hit 7.08% in the fall — a two-decade high.
The recent decline in mortgage rates is good news for prospective homebuyers, many of whom were pushed to the sidelines during the past year as the Federal Reserve cranked up its main borrowing rate nine straight times in a bid to tamp down persistent, four-decade high inflation.
Though supply remains low, home prices appear to be leveling off, another development that could lure buyers back into the market. The national median home price slipped
0.2% from February last year to $363,000, marking the first annual decline in 13 years, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Rising borrowing costs can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for homebuyers and put the brakes on the housing market. Before surging 14.5% in February, sales of existing homes had fallen for 12 straight months to the slowest pace in more than a dozen years.
In 2022, existing U.S. home sales fell 17.8% from 2021, the weakest year for home sales since 2014 and the biggest annual decline since the housing crisis began in 2008, the National Association of Realtors reported earlier this year.
In their latest quarterly economic projections, Fed policymakers forecast that they expect to raise that key rate just once more — from its new level of about 4.9% to 5.1%, the same peak they had projected in December.
The rate for a 15-year mortgage, popular with those refinancing their homes, rose this week to 5.64% from 5.56% last week. It was 3.91% one year ago.
East Coast Contracting LLC, to Samantha Deljanovan, 103 Cooper St., $379,900.
Ginette M. Poirier, Melissa Poirier and Melissa Harpin to Aleksandr Govor, 2-4 Moore St., $415,000.
Jeffrey J. Hichborn and Amanda M. Hichborn to Joseph T. Moccio, 576 Southwick St., $310,000.
Linda M. Hosmer to Richard Silvia and John Dasilva, 147 Corey Colonial, $220,000.
Paul Michael Toulouse, representative, Norman Armand Toulouse, estate, and Norman A. Toulouse, estate, to Wissam Tarek and Karen St. Armand, 14 Leonard St., $350,000.
Plata O Plomo Inc., to Silver Snake Properties LLC, 47-49 Royal St., $203,000.
Steven Joseph Giroux, estate, and Karen Marie Hoar, representative, to Sergey Mayerov, 77 Regency Park Drive, $131,000.
Michael A. Rawlins to Joe Allen Otts and Hannah Rose Naughton, 28 Sacco Drive, $530,000. Kathleen G. Cortright, Kathleen G. Cortwright, Kathleen G. Cortright, personal representative, Gloria A. Thornton, estate, Howard E. Thornton III, Todd E. Thornton, Pamala J. Thornton, Pamela J. Thornton, Carson W. Thornton, Robert J. Cortright, Judith Ellen Thornton, Patricia Thornton and Kate Moriarty to Eugene Mattie, 103 Pelham Road, $371,700.
Michael B. MacKay and Samantha K. MacKay to Kayleigh J. Hodgen and Daniel Hodgen, 44 Boardman St., $100.
Liguang Huang to Matthew Pope,
340 Cold Spring Road, $445,000.
Michael B. MacKay and Samantha
K. MacKay to Kaleigh J. Hodgen and Daniel Hodgen, 44 Boardman St., $100.
Karl B. Miller and Pamela J. Miller to James R. Charbonnet and Stephanie D. S. Charbonnet, 18 Doe Hollow Road, $505,000.
Nancy H. Ames to Madison Kate Bacon and Sean Michael Bacon, 53 Burrows Turnpike, $370,000.
Christopher Cox and Julia Cox to Peter D. Puzio, 5 Sutcliffe Road, $186,000.
Elaine F. Green to John Banfield, 104 Wales Road, $57,500.
Joseph E. Calise to Gregg A. Herman, 627 Skyline Trail, $155,000.
Alden Credit Union to AAK LI LLC, 749 James St., $325,000.
Anna E. Johnston and Jeffrey L. Johnston to Adrianne M. Adams and Timothy B. Adams, 210 Johnson Road, Unit 16, $305,000.
Girard Investments I LLC, to Generational Wealth LLC, 155 East St., $320,000.
Grzegorz Pierzchalski, executor, and Adam Pierzchalski, estate, to Yole Anna Hines, 52 Pinecrest Drive, Unit 52, $260,000.
Laurie Dearing, Laurie Labonte and John Dearing to Dawna Lorraine Wood and Nicholas A. Watras, 57 Bostwick Lane, $350,000.
Lisa Ann Palmer, representative, and Judith E. White, estate, to Michael White and Mark C. White, 67 Champagne Ave., $150,000.
PJC Realty MA Inc., to Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc., 577 Meadow St.,
$3,210,000.
Key Atlantic Financial Advisors LLC, to Girard Investments I LLC, 155 East St, $190,500.
Shawn E. Riley to Drew Nalewanski and Elizabeth Martins, 5 Campbell Place, $315,000.
Mark G. Davis, personal representative of the Estate of John Edward Davis, “aka” John E. Davis, to Robyn E. Dudley and Jeffrey J. Soley, 555 River Road, $325,000.
Mark A. Maruca to Giuliano Basile and Daria V. Basile, 139 Glynn Farms Drive, $700,000.
Gail R. Modugno and Steven C. Modugno to Elizabeth Tiffany, 129 Loudville Road, $122,150.
Dennis F. Renkowicz to Dennis F. Renkowicz, trustee, Karen M. Renkowicz, trustee, and Dennis F. Renkowicz Revocable Trust, 112 Aberdeen Road, $100.
Elisabeth M. Weissbach to Seunghee Cha, 5 Bittersweet Lane, $100. Seunghee Cha to Kurt A. Weissbach and Elisabeth M. Weissbach, 5 Bittersweet Lane, $100. Brendan G. McQuillen to Stephanie Ehiwele, 60 Granby Heights, $202,400.
Joshua Cocce to Branden Stack and Jodi Stack, Green River Road, $100,000.
John M. Dillon to Leon L. Sirum & Co., Inc. 309-311 Deerfield St.,
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
Steven C. Silva and Maria Delourdes H. Silva to Anna Hernandez and Sergio Hernandez, Dinis Ave., Lot 10, $120,000.
128 River St., Unit 4, $155,000.
Jane L. Bramucci to Brian G. Sullivan, 66 Peterson Road, $260,000.
BRVS LLC, to Forest Orchard LLC, 336-338 Main St., $320,000.
Daniel Nganga to Helianta M. Rodriguez, 25 Marble St., $310,000.
III, and Alycia Perla, ES Forest Hills Road, $2,000.
$120,476.46.
Alan J. Becklo and Frederick F. Becklo Jr., personal representatives of the Estate of Arlene J. Becklo, to Tiffany Dorey, 208 Fairview St., $267,000.
Kimberly Hadfield, personal representative of the Estate of Bradley F. Lewis, to Marjorie Alyssa Housley, 21 Riddell St., $225,000.
Jerremy T. Rorick to Jerremy T. Rorick, trustee, Sarah B. Rorick, trustee, Jerremy T. Rorick Living Trust and Sarah B. Rorick Living Trust, 25 Sylvia Heights, $100.
Bailey M. Maciorowski, Bailey M. Waterman and Luke Maciorowski to Luke Maciorowski and Bailey M. Maciorowski, 1 Lee Lane, $100.
Cynthia A. Hackworth, Cynthia Tardy, Lisa Anthony, Alison Forance, Stacy Ashley, Brian Hackworth, Troy Hackworth and Harry Hackworth, estate, to Hannah L. Pryfogle and Marissa L. Marsicano, 22 Labrie Lane, $649,000.
David D. Blanchard and Karen Blanchard to Manuel Rivera Vega, 94 Merrick Ave., $245,000.
EGH W LLC, to Westmont Holyoke Acquisitions LLC, 111 Mosher St., $5,000,000.
KMak LLC, and Gallagher Capital Group LLC, to Maria Arroyo, 138 Westfield Road, $257,000. OneHolyoke Community Development Corp., to Victor Manuel Perez Hernandez and Carmen E. Dejesus, 294 Chestnut St., $177,000.
Wayne F. McKinney and Amy Hollowell to Edward K. Osborn and Wendy Osborn, Norwich Lake, $7,500.
Christopher K. Dube and Jill A. Dube to Christopher Wetherell, 136 Worthington Road, $10,000.
Claire T. Natario to Cristiano F. Soares and Tatiana N. Soares, 151 Vienna Ave., $328,900.
Family First Construction LLC, to Ricardo Hernandez, 144 Prospect St., $348,000.
Fernando Blanco and Regina Blanco to Victor L. Rodrigues, 1400 Center St., $760,000.
Steven R. Lariviere, Kathleen M. Lariviere and Kathleen M. Morgan to Kristopher R. Pingree and Lorraine B. Gronostalski, 42 Hampden St., $260,000.
Vitaliy Bardakov to Dans Construction Service Inc., West Street, Lot 17, $65,000.
Geraldine Manning by her conservator, Jewish Family Services of Western Massachusetts Inc., to Debra Hunt and Gordon Hunt, 43 A-J St., Unit 1 Heritage Park Condominium. $145,000.
Pamela B. Kennedy to Michael Thomasson, 30 X Street, $280,000.
James F. Loan, “aka” James P. Loan, to Bay Flow LLC, 12 Country Club Lane, $165,000.
Judith A. MacKay and Carol R. Hendricks, attorney-in-fact, and Kathleen Sheehan, attorney-in-fact, to Kathleen M. Sheehan, 115 Brookside Circle, $100.
Frank C. Heston and Anne Q. Heston to Brian C. Legg, 19 Country Way, $517,000.
Abigail L. Gorrin to Amy P. Lawton and Stephen K. Illsley, 30 Village Hill Road, $280,000.
DAC Acquisitions LLC, to Glenn Curtis, 80 Damon Road, $195,000.
Sea Gull Properties LLC, to Matthew W. Loveling and Chanda L. Loveling, 80 Damon Road, $136,000.
John A. Jones and Sharon Jones to Collin Jones, 96 Mount Hermon Station Road, $300,000.
David C. Dumas and Beth Hewes to Danielle Carpenter and Mark Thomas Carpenter, 301 South Main St., $220,000.
Laura Liebenow to Dorothy J. Verheyen, 2 Cheney Street Extension, $275,000.
John B. Dunphy to Elizabeth Livingston and George Raheb, 19 High St., $275,000.
PALMER
Cathy L. Berthiaume, representative, and Oliver J. Berthiaume, estate, to Cathy L. Berthiaume, 280 Breckenridge St., $100.
Jakub Szymura to Alfred Streicher,
Mary E. Marley to William H. Curtin, 50 Stimson St., $110,000.
Qingxia Wu and Haowei Cao to Richard Thomas, 1259 South Main St., $229,000.
Wayne C. Kibbe to Catheryne Kibbe, 3052 Pine St., $280,000.
Christopher R. Ferrari to Thomas Timothy Ray Jr., and Jessica Marie Santinello, 63 Raymur Drive, $335,000.
Dale N. Guerrette and Lilia A. Guerrette to Jeffrey Hichborn and Amanda Hichborn, 306 Woodland Way, $510,000.
Anna C. Foster to John A. Yannis, 1000 Mohawk Trail, $152,500.
Sabrina Hessel, Quinn Makia Gathercole and Sabrina Lee Hessel to Hope Ladue, 41 West Summit St., $180,000.
Taylor M. Robbins to Raymond Hall, 8 Smith St., $232,000.
Roger C. Caron, Denise Caron, Lisa Crotty and Rhonda L. Fabricius to John Labelle Jr., and Jennifer Labelle, 24 Woodlawn St., $340,000.
James Niedbala and Sharon J. Niedbala to Rene Grosser and Donna Noyes-Grosser, 22 Leahey Ave., $560,000.
Arthur J. Quenneville, Arthur J. Quenneville, personal representative, Edgar E. Quenneville, estate, and Denise M. Quenneville to Arthur J. Quenneville Jr., and Morgan Quenneville, 11 Spring St., $350,000.
184 Abbott Trust, trustee of, and Jean Steinmetz, trustee, to Equity Trust Co., custodian, Robert Lareau IRA, and Robert Lareau, 184 Abbott St, $76,000.
Alexander Camacho and Erika Abreu to Angel Manuel Vellon and Carmen Ocasio, 915 St James Ave., $264,000.
Alexis Javier Breton Razon and Alexis J. Breton Razon to Nicole Jean-Louis and Deborah Pierre, 5254 Narragansett St., $345,000.
Amat Victoria Curam LLC, to Giovanni Medina, 68-70 Narragansett St., $350,000.
Anthony M. Santaniello to Selion Enterprises LLC, 114-116 Slater Ave., $340,000.
Bonnie H. O’Donnell to Thomas Thans, 41 Clement St., $270,000.
Daniel R. Benjamin and Jeanne Marie Frazzetta to JJJ 17 LLC, 261 Sunrise Terrace, $100,000.
Vitaliy S. Divnich to Alexander B. Easter, 81 Orpheum Ave., $275,000. Wells Fargo Bank to Joseph O’Malley, 82 Fieldston St., $77,000.
Delroy Gayle to Lesly L. Ortiz Bartolon and Norma Bartolon Perez, 35 Itendale St., $280,000.
Edna I. Ortiz and Nelson Rodriguez to Nelson Rodriguez and Luis Abundio Rodriguez, 76 Alderman St., $80,000.
Equity Trust Co., custodian, Robert Lareau IRA, and Robert Lareau to Adriann Jacobs, 69 Redlands St., $265,000.
Heribelto Rivera to Emmanuel L. Russell, 15-17 Watling St., $315,000.
Jason Fitzgerald and Gerald Fitzgerald to Derick R. Lopes, 117-119 Santa Barabara St., $390,000.
Jessica Rodriguez to Pete Barton, 37 Glen Albyn St., $335,000.
Jireht LLC, to JTJMJJTech LLC, 35 Marchioness Road, $245,000.
Joan Michaels, Joan D. Michaels, Mary C. Bilodeau and Andrew E. Michaels to Laura Brousseau, 46 Rockland St., $265,000.
Justin D. Anstett to Stephanie Calabrese, 130 Powell Ave., $240,000.
Karen Laughlin to Adam Drollett, 25 Berbay Circle, $172,500.
Lino Carrasquillo to Carlos Javier Pizarro Jr., 40-42 Vinton St., $370,000.
Lorenzo A. Nicholson and Joan A. Nicholson to Nigda Alvarez, 112 Marlborough St., $245,000.
Patricia A. Coughlin to Patricia A. Coughlin, Tonia Marie Coughlin, Raymond Emmett Couglin JR., Richard Joseph Coughlin and Patricia A. Coughlin, life estate, 78-80 Monrovia St., $100.
Pauline Marie Cusson and Pauline Cusson to Emi Investments LLC, 142 Knollwood St., $145,000.
Phantom Holdings LLC, to Ashley Rodriguez, 705 Bay St., $234,000.
Ramona T. Rivera to Erik Rosa, 91 Clayton St., $215,000.
Ruby Realty LLC, to Healthy Neighborhoods Group LLC, 153 Savoy Ave., $165,000.
Santana Real Estate Inc., to Robert Nieves II, 32-34 Cherrelyn St., $284,000.
Scott N. Barnard to Bradley Road LLC, 216 Hermitage Drive, $200,000.
Scott Osbourne to Paradice Vails, 22 Rita St., $207,000.
Shanda M. Lazare, Shanda M. Reynelli and Sarah E. Lazare to Sarah E. Lazare, 163 Forest Park Ave., $56,879.
Springfield City to Thomas C. Perla
David J. Maslanka, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Stanley Mieczkowski, Helen E. Yazwinski, Cynthia M. Keyes, Richard Maslanka, Karen A. Swierczewski, Linda R. Glish, Kathleen A. Wroblewski, Regina J. Wroblewski, Chester F. Wroblewski, Rebecca H. Robinson and Deborah J. Barcomb to Kestrel Land Trust Inc., Reservoir Road, $32,000.
Linda Jacobs, representative, and George Jacobs, estate, to Gregory Lord and Amy Lord, 88 Stones Throw Drive, $480,000.
Michael J. Moran, custodian, Cameron Moran, James F. Moran, representative, and Marcella M. Waugh, estate, to Philip J. Pelchat and Rebecca Durand, Schoolhouse Road, $50,000.
Mark A. Cote and Susan M. Cote to Mark A. Cote, trustee, Susan M. Cote, trustee, and Susan M. Cote & Mark A. Cote Living Trust, 39 Beaver Road, $100.
ACG Real Estate Holdings LLC, to Memet Guler, 483 Cold Spring Ave., Unit 2B, $102,000.
ACG Real Estate Holdings to Sada Properties LLC, 1618 Memorial Ave. Unit 1618-4, $102,000.
Alycar Investments LLC, to Care Property Management LLC, 446 Birnie Ave,. $220,000.
Real Estate Investments Northeast LLC, to Estrella Baez, 38 Hill St., $300,000.
Dreamwake Homes Inc., to Quinn Makia Gathercole and Shalen Corrine Chauvin, 248 Morgan Road, $285,000.
Jared Hamre and Matthew Maynard to Ismael Joel Lopez, 20 Clara St., $285,000.
Lita Pessimato and Lita Biske to Katelynn Bergeron, Rutger Place, Lot 117, $1,500.
PJC Realty MA Inc., to Walgreen Eastern Co Inc., 99 Westfield St., $3,630,000.
David Goonan to John H. Conner and Marleen A. Conner, 549
CONTINUED FROM PAGE F7 SEE DEEDS, PAGE F9
who reside in Monson and plan to continue school at a two or fouryear college to study in any branch of the life, natural, or environmental sciences. Applications with instructions may be obtained through the school guidance office and are due by April 28.
The Springfield Garden Club will host “Roses for New England,” presented by Mike and Angelina Chute, on April 21 at 11:30 a.m. The event will be held in-person at the Barney Carriage House at Forest Park. Master rosarians, and authors of “Roses for New England: A Guide to Sustainable Rose Gardening” and “Rose Gardening Season by Season: A Journal for Passionate Gardeners,” Mike and Angela Chute will share how to choose and grow hearty, healthy, and diseaseresistant roses. A light luncheon, including glutenfree options, sweets, coffee, and tea will be served. Directions to the Carriage House are available online at barneycarriagehouse. com. Raffle for members and guests. Guest fee is $5, and tickets are available at Eventbrite.com.
Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming programs:
• “Advanced Chainsaw Skills — Level 2,” April 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain date April 16. Attendees must have taken the “Chainsaw Level 1” class. Taught Taught by arborist Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll, this Level 2 workshop is designed for the chainsaw operator who wishes to gain greater confidence;
“Advanced Chainsaw Skills” will combine lecture and hands-on learning covering topics such as PPE and review of safe operations, then move on to advanced bucking and basic felling techniques. Attendees will be required to wear protective equipment and bring their own chainsaw in good working order (running well, chain tensioned and sharpened, fueled and oiled). Dress for safety and the weather, including long sleeves, pants and boots. Bring a bag lunch. Scholarships available. Cost is $175 members, $200 nonmembers;
• “Hydrangea Success for Northeast Gardens,” April 15, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Led by Cornell Master Gardener Chris Ferrero who will answer questions about growing hydrangeas and share six beautiful hydrangea species that thrive in the Northeast. Your challenge will be to limit your choices to your available space.
Cost $20 members, $25 nonmembers. For more information or to register for these programs, visit berkshirebotanical. org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.
The West Springfield Garden Club will meet April 20 at 6 p.m. at Storrowton Tavern, 1305 Memorial Ave. After a short business meeting, the evening’s speaker, Doug Taylor, will present “Care and Training Bonsai in New England,” discussing his experience and techniques in practicing the art of bonsai for more than 20 years. The meeting is open to the public. If interested in attending, contact Joan at graceshad@ msn.com by April 17.
The West Springfield
CONTINUED FROM PAGE F8
Russell Road, Unit 13B, $128,750. Joseph R. Conway, trustee, and Mack NA Servicing Trust, trustee of, to Jason Schrecke and Michelle Schrecke, 7 Miller St., $127,000. Better Builders Construction LLC, to Michael Willis and Francesca Cordero, 10 South St., $280,000. Luke Paull and Erika A. Paull to MHI Properties LLC, 54 Beverly Drive, $195,000.
Dennis F. Renkowicz and Karen M. Renkowicz to Karen M. Renkowicz, trustee, Dennis F. Renkowicz, trustee, and Karen M. Renkowicz Revocable Trust, 41 Montague Road, $100.
J&P Holdings LLC, to Fred A. Mccoy, 2205 Boston Road, Unit C-24, $210,000.
Jeffrey B. Loonin and Lisa Loonin to JoeJoe Properties LLC, 29 Faculty St., $85,000.
MannBarb LLC, to Breakaway Real Estate LLC, 1872 Boston Road, $1,600,000.
Garden Club will offer two $1,000 scholarships, available to qualifying high school senior students. Applicants must be a resident of West Springfield and be a current student with a minimum “B” average or better in science-related courses. They must submit a written one-page document demonstrating plans for after high school graduation and how the grant will assist in their career choice. Students must be planning a focus of study in one or more of the following areas: horticulture, agriculture, ecology, botany, environmental studies, landscape design or forestry. Applications must be delivered to the WSHS Guidance Office no later than April 14. Successful candidates will be notified via mail in mid-May.
Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@ repub.com two weeks prior to publication.
Mary E. Chmura, representative, and John J. Chmura, estate, to Elizabeth Defriese, 2 Sunnyside Terrace, $306,000.
Steven Moran and Noreen Nowak-Moran to Natalie Bass and Averett Bass, 125 Chilson Road, $90,000.
William Younes to Robert J. Zakaitis, 10 Weston St., $252,500.
Charles H. Edwards and Charles Henry Edwards to Charles H. Edwards, trustee, and Revocable Indenture of Trust of Charles H. Edwards, 37 Kingsley Ave., $100.
Stephen P. Schulze, Stephen Schulze, Elizabeth Whyte Schulze and Elizabeth W. Schulze to Thomas A. Dolan and Virginia B. Dolan, 420 Huntington Road, $80,000.
FOUR OUT OF FIVE U.S. pet owners planning to buy a home consider their pets’ needs just as important as their own, according to a December 2022 study by Realtor.com and HarrisX.
With so many pet owners factoring in their pets’ needs when choosing a home or apartment to live in, a new and fascinating interior design trend has sprouted: barkitecture.
“Barkitecture is an evolving term that encompasses innovative ideas to create comfortable and stylish spaces for humans and their four-legged friends,” Caroline Danielson, director of showrooms at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, told Realtor Magazine. “Originally used to describe the design and construction of dog houses and other structures specifically for dogs, the trend today has grown popular due to its ability to
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F2
to a team of botanists and unlimited plant IDs. Find it in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. Free, with an optional paid premium upgrade.
Google Lens
This tool uses image recognition technology to quickly and seamlessly identify plants, trees, shrubs, animals and insects on the go. It also pulls up Google search results about the subject.
Access it directly from the Google app or via the Google Search bar in your mobile browser on Android and Apple devices. Then tap the camera icon to the right of the search field, take a photo with your phone’s camera or select an image from your photo library. Lens can also be used to identify other
With so many pet owners factoring in their pets’ needs when choosing a home or apartment to live in, a new and fascinating interior design trend has sprouted: barkitecture. (DREAMSTIME / TNS)
incorporate practical elements of pet ownership into the design of kitchens and bathrooms that both humans
objects, places, and even products for online comparison shopping. Free.
Apple Visual Look Up
This AI-powered feature for iPhone and iPad will ID plants, flowers, weeds, insects, birds and other animals depicted in any photo.
Using an Apple device running iOS16 or iPadOS16, you can access the feature by tapping an image in your Photos library, then tapping the “info” button beneath it (the letter “i” in a circle with stars above it).
The tool also works directly from the Mail, Messages and Notes apps (lightly tap an image to expand it, then tap the starred “i”) and in the Safari browser (tap and hold any photo).
The app will display details about the image, including a “Look Up” option alongside a leaf, paw print or bug icon, depending on what the tool
and dogs can enjoy.”
The fad reached new heights in 2020 with the airing of “Barkitecture” on The
Roku Channel, where contractor Tyler Cameron and interior designer Delia Kenza build custom, designer dog
homes for celebrity clientele. According to Danielson, the trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
“Barkitecture is here to stay due to growing demand among pet owners who view their animals as true family members,” he said.
“They are willing to invest in ensuring that every part of their home reflects this sentiment.”
That investment, of course, doesn’t require a celebrity-sized budget. “This trend might mean turning the area where the dog’s bed is usually kept into a more luxury dog bedroom, or incorporating stylish cat-friendly shelves and scratch posts discreetly into the permanent fittings of your home,” Louise Richardson, director of marketing at Pinterest, told Country Living.
In the end, the interior design trend is largely about highlighting a pet’s toys and beds throughout the home, rather than storing them away when guests come to visit.
has detected (other categories include art, landmarks and books).
Tap the icon for Siri Knowledge details about the subject
and similar images found online (if there isn’t a star above the info button, Visual Look Up isn’t available for that photo.) Free.
MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
10:00 AM - CHICOPEE
86 Empire Street
sgl fam, 960 sf liv area, 0.23 ac lot, 5 rm,
3 bdrm, 1.5 bth, Hampden: Bk
SAT, APRIL 15, AT 10 AM
1400 GRADED COINS: 500 Morgan Dollars, 135 half dollars, 300 quarters, 365 dimes, 65 nickels, and cents. Other coins 70 20 Balboas, ungraded coins and more PREVIEW: FRI. 8AM - 6PM SAT. 8AM -
251-1150 www.baystateauction.com
MAAU#: 1029, 2624, 2959, 3039, 2573, 116, 2484, 3246, 2919, 3092, 3107, 0100030, 3099
TwofemaleHuskypups available,born11/12. $750,Vetchecked,1st shotanddewormed.Call /text802-624-1291be-
413-896-0232
Queen box spring, excellent condition, $50. Call 413-538-7758
Peaveymodel1810Bass,3 speakerenclosure,great condition,$200,call413388-9744
TechnicsStereoSytem,5 component,5speaker, withremoteaudiocabinet.Excellentcondition, $250 Call 413-388-9744
(UNUSUALUPPERBODYPAIN,ORDISCOMFORTINONEORBOTHARMS,BACK,SHOULDER,NECK, JAWORUPPERPARTOFTHESTOMACH)
OtherHeartAttackSymptomstoWatchOutFor:
Chestpain,discomfort,pressureorsqueezing,likethere’satonofweighton
SP F12 | SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2023 THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
you•Shortnessofbreath•Nausea•Light-headednessorsuddendizziness
•Unusualfatigue•Breakingoutinacoldsweat
Ifyouexperienceanyoneofthesesymptoms,don’tmake excusesforthem.MaketheCall.Don’tMissaBeat.
