Home and Garden, and Real Estate- May 21, 2023

Home & Garden

& Real Estate

INSIDE

PROJECT OF THE WEEK: Classic marriage of function, form, F3

IN THE GARDEN WITH LEE REICH: Edamame is as tasty as it is easy to grow, F4

ANTIQUES & COLLECTING: Toothpick holder finds new purpose as collectible, F6

MORTGAGE RATES: 30-year US mortgage rate rises to 6.39% this week, F7

WMASS DEEDS, F7

Keep plants stress-free when transferring them from indoors to the garden, Page F2

Keep plants stress-free when transferring them from

By JESSICA DAMIANO Associated Press

IT’S PRIME PLANTING time in many regions, and gardeners are flocking to garden centers for annuals, and herb and vegetable starter plants. Likewise, those who have grown plants from seeds indoors may be gearing up to transplant them in the garden now.

But regardless of their origins, seedlings can’t typically go straight from an indoor nursery or home growing station to outdoor beds and borders without risk. They need to be “hardened off” first.

The term refers to gradually introducing plants to environmental conditions like sunlight, wind and temperature fluctuations that they haven’t yet experienced. If plants aren’t adequately hardened off, they could get sunburned or go into shock

from more wind exposure or lower temperatures than they’re used to.

Stressed plants may recover, but the ordeal usually sets their growth back by a few weeks.

Start by placing plants outdoors in a sheltered, partially

shady spot for incrementally longer periods each day for about a week before planting them in the garden. Shade is important because even your sunniest window (or a grow light) is no match for the direct rays of the sun. Select a day after the danger

of frost has passed and when the temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Place plants outside for an hour (set a timer), then bring them back inside to a warm spot, ideally under grow lights. Repeat this on the second day for two hours, and add an

hour of outdoor time each day for a week, after which they can safely be planted in their permanent homes, whether in the ground, a raised bed or a container.

Check the weather and keep an eye on conditions through

Don & Dave Runyan | Project of the Week

Classic marriage of function, form

IT DOESN’T MATTER IF you’re talking automobiles or alarm clocks, a classic is defined as some ideal combination of form and function. A hall tree — with its practical, attractive combination of storage and seating within a small footprint — is a great example of classic American furniture design.

This do-it-yourself version makes a handsome addition to any home. Perfect for the entry, snow room, living room or even the dining room, the project features a convenient place to hang coats, hats and umbrellas over a generously sized storage bench.

Easy and inexpensive to build, the hall tree calls for standard lumber and plywood (poplar and birch as pictured, but other species will work). All the cuts are straight, so construction is simple. Just cut the pieces to size, sand and assemble using glue and nails. Once the project is assembled, apply your finish of choice, install the seat and add coat hooks.

The hall tree measures about 70 inches tall by 45 inches wide by 21 inches deep.

The hall tree plan, No. 934, is $10.95 and includes step-by-step instructions with photos, full-size traceable patterns, construction diagrams, a materials list and cutting schedule and a plywood cutting layout. Please

The hall tree is easy and inexpensive to build. (U-BILD)

include $3.95 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.

GARDEN NOTES

NORTHAMPTON Garden tour

The 29th annual Forbes Library Northampton Garden Tour will take place on June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. This tour raises funds for the Friends of Forbes Library, Inc. that supports Northampton’s historic public library. At each garden, there are handouts available that describe the plantings and volunteer garden guides to answer questions. There are also opportunities to enjoy music or observe a plein air painter. Tickets provide driving directions to this self-guided auto route as well as a recommended bicycle route, courtesy of their collaboration with the friends of Northampton Trails. Tour tickets are $20 if bought in advance, and can be purchased through June 9 at Bay State Perennial Farm in Whately, Cooper’s Corner, State Street Fruit Store, Gardener’s Supply Company in Hadley, Wanczyk’s Nursery and Forbes Library. Prepay online at

forbeslibrary.org/friends to reserve tickets through June 7 for pickup at Forbes Library only on June 8 from 4 to 8 p.m., June 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and June 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets available on the day of the event only at Forbes Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are $25. The Northampton garden tour also offers a raffle of items that appeal to both gardeners and other library supporters. Win a weekend farm stay in Maryland, a garden bench, a hand-crafted rug, organic compost, gift certificates and much more. Purchase raffle tickets at Forbes Library and at one of the gardens on the day of the tour. Ticket prices are 2 tickets for $5, 5 for $10 or 12 for $20. The raffle drawing will take place at the end of the tour.

STOCKBRIDGE

Upcoming events

Berkshire Botanical Garden presents these upcoming programs:

• “The Art of Colored Pencils,” May 25-27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In this class, artist

SEE NOTES, PAGE F9

Lee Reich | In the Garden

Edamame is as

as it is

SOYBEAN IS SUCH A versatile plant. It’s been used so extensively in glues, paints, lubricants, and plastics. As long ago as 1935, each Ford automobile ate up a bushel of these beans in one form or another.

And what a food for humans! Soybeans are rich in high-quality protein. Though the boiled, dry beans have a strong, waxy flavor (awful, to me at least), they can be rendered palatable in the form of soy sprouts, soy milk, soy sauce, miso, roasted soybeans, and tempeh. Tofu, reputedly invented by a Chinese scholar in 164 BC, has little flavor, but readily latches onto other flavors, so becomes tasty once candied, steamed, deep fried, smoked, marinated, boiled, or fermented.

Let’s now go full circle and come back to soybean in its most primitive state: edamame, that is, the green, immature beans. Edamame has the same relationship to the dry bean as fresh peas have to dry peas — thoroughly different in taste and texture.

Quickly cooked, young, tender soybeans are delicious. Though grocers’ shelves are lined with all sorts of foods containing soybeans (not to mention the packaging and the shelves themselves), you rarely see edamame for sale in

produce aisles or in cans. If you want to eat soybean in its delectable, green state, you mostly have to grow it. I recommend you plant a row. Soybeans are amongst the easiest of beans to grow. Japanese beetles enjoy the foliage, but otherwise no other pests of note bother the plants. Even Mexican bean beetles leave the plants alone.

Oh, I forgot: rabbits also love soybeans, so much so that some gardeners recommend planting a row of soybeans as a decoy to keep rabbits from other plants. Perhaps rabbits will do little damage to soybeans because there are so many other green things to eat in summer. For insurance, I recommend a fence, and it doesn’t take much of a fence to keep rabbits at bay.

When I started growing soybeans, seed was unavailable so I would just go to the local health food store and buy a handful of dry soybeans to plant. A number of soybean varieties bred especially for edamame are now readily available; “Shirofumi” is my favorite. Plant seeds just like bush beans, dropping each seed four inches apart in furrows a couple of inches deep around the date of the last spring frost, typically in mid-May. The plants grow as

small bushes, about two feet high and wide, so rows should be 2 feet apart.

The seeds germinate rapidly in warm soil, and in a couple of months, beans will start to swell within their pods. Soybean flowering is keyed to daylength, and different varieties (there are thousands) flower at different daylengths. Time to maturity also varies, from about 60 days for the quickest varieties to more than 90 days for the longest.

The time to harvest soybeans is when the fuzzy pods are plump and just beginning to lose their bright, green color. Beans from a single planting continue to ripen over the course of about two weeks. After that, I pull the plants and cart them off to the compost pile.

Cook green soybeans by boiling them in water, pods and all, for five minutes. Then cool them quickly, and eat them by squeezing each pod so that the

three or so beans within pop out into your mouth. Shelling a bowlful can be tedious; not so for popping them into your mouth as you eat them. Even a modest planting yields plenty of pods. Bag any extra cooked pods and freeze them.

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 leereich.com/blog.

Toothpick holder finds new purpose as collectible

COLLECTIBLES

don’t need to be utilitarian. In fact, many of today’s collectibles have a purpose that has been lost to time. For example, how often do you see a toothpick holder in use? Toothpick holders, especially from the 19th century, are miniature examples of the beauty of art glass, pottery, porcelain or silver. They often resemble tiny vases or figurines and may sell for lower prices than larger pieces by the same makers. This porcelain toothpick holder sold at Woody Auction for $84. The auction describes it as “bag-shaped,” but it is an unusual example. Bag-shaped vessels tend to be shaped like upright bags with the opening as the neck. This one is shaped like a bag lying on its side, tied closed, with a gilt-edged “hole” as the top opening. It is decorated with painted sprays

CURRENT PRICES

of flowers and marked with the initials “J.P.L.,” the mark of Jean Pouyat, one of the many porcelain makers in Limoges, France. There is also a complex signature of intertwined letters; likely the mark of the painter. Some porcelain factories in Limoges sold blanks, or undecorated pieces, to be painted by artists or hobbyists.

Q. I follow your column regularly in the Sunday Republican and enjoy it very much. I own four bronze sculptures by Frederic Remington. They are all about 12 inches tall. They are in very good condition. Can you give me an idea of their value?

A. Frederic Remington (1861-1909) made 22 different sculptures beginning in 1895. The first four were cast in bronze at the Henry-Bon-

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.

Game board, Chinese Checkers, folk art style, wood, stained and painted, orange ground, alternating red, white and black star points, raised red frame, early to mid-20th century, 16 3/4 x 17 1/4 inches, $35.

Painting, miniature, woman with hair tied back in a bun, blue background, oil on ivory, round gilt metal frame with bow detail, R. Hardedge, c. 1840, 2 x 2 inches, $115.

Weathervane, locomotive, sheet iron, cutout, black, silhouette of bearded engineer, smoke coming from smokestack, American, 20th century, 45 inches, $220.

Clock, shelf, wood, carved, three medallions at top, Admiral Dewey profile, crossed flags, stars, shaped sides, glass door with etched ship and flags, white dial with Roman numerals, rectangular base with stars, c. 1900, 23 inches, $370.

Art glass vase, frosted pink, etched cattails and leaves, tapered, swollen shoulder with five etched scalloped bands, pinched neck, flared rim, Stevens & Williams, c. 1930, 7 x 3 1/2 inches, $420.

Redware pottery jar, manganese splotches, coggle wheel bands, straight sides, slightly flared rim, Pennsylvania, early 1800s, 6 1/2 inches, $525.

Furniture, corner cupboard, Federal, cherrywood, swan’s neck pediment, arched glazed doors, shelves, lower section with two paneled doors, ball feet, c. 1820, 99 x 54 inches, $640.

Disneyana, figure, Mickey Mouse Fun-E-Flex, wood, painted, jointed, lollipop hands, 9 inches, $780.

Jewelry, pendant, mourning, two woman mourners next to obelisk monument, June 1793, braided hair ground, oval with pointed ends, gold tone metal frame, beaded border, 3 3/8 x 1 3/4 inches, $1,085.

Cigar cutter, figural, Otto von Bismarck, in uniform, standing, hand on small tower, cast iron, painted, rectangular base with egg and dart border, 9 inches, $1,920.

nard Bronze Co. in New York. Beginning in 1900, his sculptures were cast at the Roman Bronze Works in New York. All his original bronzes are marked with one of those two foundry names. His bronze sculptures are the most reproduced bronzes. Most of the original sculptures are about 24 inches tall or larger. Original Remington bronzes sell at auctions for $75,000 or more. The 32-inch bronze sculpture titled “The Broncho Buster” sold for over $600,000 a few years ago. Reproductions sell for under $500. The website of the Frederic Remington Museum in Ogdensburg, New York (FredericRemington. org), has information and a form you can fill out if you think you have an original Remington sculpture.

Q. I bought a picture that was in a bundle of old city maps in a thrift store about 15 years ago. It looks like an old print. The title is “Roterodamum A.D. 1615” and it pictures a harbor filled with old sailing ships. There are different flags flying from the ships’ masts. Several ships have flags with three wide horizontal stripes in red, white and blue. The harbor is ringed with houses and more flags. A banner above a portrait of a man and two scenes are at

the top. There is a legend at the bottom. The picture is 14 inches high and 25 inches wide. I’d like to know what this is and if it has any value.

A. The red, white and blue striped flag is the Dutch flag. Roterodamum is an early spelling of Rotterdam. It sounds like you have a picture of a celebration that took place in Rotterdam Harbor in 1615. The portrait might be of an explorer or an important political figure. Without information on the printer or publishing date, we can’t tell you how old your print is or what it’s worth. It’s not nearly as old as the date on it, but it could be a more recent copy of an older picture. You can type words on the banner or in the legend into an online translation site like Google Translate, which has a “Detect Language” tool, and it will tell you what this picture represents. Let us know what you find!

Q. Did Seth Thomas ever use a clock face for an Adamantine mantel clock that has the numbers “3” and “9” positioned sideways?

I’m in the process of buying the clock but want to know if it might be a replacement clock face.

A. Seth Thomas (1785-1859)

opened a clock shop in Plymouth, Connecticut, in 1813.

The Seth Thomas Clock Co. was incorporated in 1853. It is no longer in business. The company made some clocks with numbers positioned like yours, with the 3 and 9 sideways, the 6 and 12 upright and the rest of the numbers at a slight angle. On some clock faces with Roman numerals, the numbers III (3) and IX (9) are sideways and the numbers between them are upside down as you face the clock. On clock faces with Arabic numerals, the numbers are “right-side up.” Seth Thomas made Adamantine mantel clocks beginning in 1882. Some clocks made between 1881 and 1918 were stamped on the back or bottom of the case with a date letter code. The year is written backward, and the letter is the month. The date code for August 1906 would be “6091 H” (H is the eighth letter of the alphabet and August is the eighth month of the year).

TIP: Stains on porcelains can be removed by soaking them in a mixture of 2 tablespoons denture cleaner and 1 quart tepid water.

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 question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, The Republican, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels. com.

Terry and Kim Kovel | antiques & collecting

This Limoges porcelain piece originally held toothpicks. Now, it has found a new purpose, even if it’s simply an attractive addition to a collection. (COWLES SYNDICATE INC.)

30- year US mortgage rate rises to 6.39%

By A LEX VEIGA Associated Press

THE AVERAGE LONGterm U.S. mortgage rate edged higher this week after a two-week drop, a modest move in line with a mostly moderate shift in homeloan rates in recent weeks.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year home loan rose to 6.39% from 6.35% last week. The average rate a year ago was 5.25%.

The average benchmark rate has moved lower in seven of the last 10 weeks since reaching a high for this year of 6.73% in early March. Still, it remains elevated relative to 2020 and 2021, when the average rate fell below 3%. High rates can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for homebuyers, limiting how much buyers can afford at a time when the housing market has slowed, but remains unaffordable to many Americans after years of soaring home prices.

“Higher mortgage rates have slowed home purchase activity during a time in the year when typically home shoppers are out in full force,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell 23.2% in the 12 months ended in April, marking nine straight months of annual sales declines of 20% or more, according to the National Association of Realtors. The national median home price fell to $388,800 last month — down 1.7% from a year earlier and the biggest year-over-year drop since January 2012, the NAR said Thursday. The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with those refinancing their homes, held steady this week at 5.75%. A year ago, it averaged 4.43%, Freddie Mac said.

Deeds AGAWAM

Christina M. Bitsacos to Ellen M. Kupiec, 1-D Mansion Woods Drive, $230,000.

Donald J. Vermette, Donald H. Vermette and Rebecca A. Vermette to MBNZ Holding Co., 223 Garden St., $650,000.

Edward L. Melloni, Nancy M. Doura and Edward F. Melloni to Plata O Plomo Inc., 75 North Alhambra Circle, $162,500.

Fiore Santaniello and Rosa Santaniello to Jose Julio Bermejo and Magali Del Rocio Ver Dugo Vinces, 162 Glendale Road, $1,050,000.

James R. Cousineau, estate, and Robert J. Cousineau, representative, to Our Town Home Buyers LLC, 239 South St., $195,000.

Lisa C. Buiso and Jimmy L. Buiso to Jimmy L. Buiso, trustee, Lisa C. Buiso, trustee, and Lisa C. Buiso & Jimmy L. Buiso 2023 Family Trust, trustee of, 149 School St., $100.

Michael A. Toto, Sheila C. Toto and Sheila C. Dusza to Hillary F. King and William Harrington, 585 North Westfield St., $360,000.

Peter M. Feroli and Susan L. Feroli to Manuela Carestia and Michael Carestia, 19 Castle Hill Road, Unit G, $339,000.

Richard Merchant, Thomas Merchant, Christine Nikdel and Seifollah Nikdel to Gina M. Nascembeni and Glenn R. Collins, 303 School St., $276,000.

Sandra B. Morin, Sandra J. Morin and Nina M. Baker to Siedlik Family Revocable Trust, trustee of, Gary Thomas Siedlik, trustee, and Kathleen Susan Siedlik, trustee, 90 Alexander Drive, $366,000.

Sergey Mayerov to Marlene Flannery and Marlene E. Flannery, 420 Main St., Unit 24, $125,000.

Suk Hui Forrester, Bok Hee Ko, Okhee Ho and Ok Hee Ko to Valentina Fedorenko and Oleksandr Fedorenko, 23-25 Kanawha Ave., $415,000.

AMHERST

Linda Calmes Jones, trustee, and Linda Calmes Jones Living Trust to Alan Eric Travis and Vivien Addison, Wildflower Drive, $191,500.

Joseph J. Ellis and Ellen Wilkins Ellis to Scotia Roopnarine and Nandita Mani, 356 Station Road, $835,000.

Vincent M. Biggs to Anke Voss and Robert Naiman, 684 East Pleasant St., $600,000.

Julia S. Mawson to Margaret Mailloux and Corban Mailloux, 1299 Bay Road, $456,000.

Steven V. Fischel and Lisa C. Plantefaber to Lisa C. Plantefaber, trustee, Steven V. Fischer, trustee, Lisa C. Plantefaber Trust and Steven V. Fischel Trust, 91 Sunset Ave., $100.

Julia C. Federman and Barry H. Federman to Douglas Bick and Camille Way-Pene, 101 Columbia Drive, $537,000.

Stephen R. Katigbak, Sallie W. Steele and Sallie Welsh Steele to Stephen R. Katigbak, trustee, Sallie W. Steele, trustee, and Katigbak Steele Family Trust, Station Road, $100.

Phyllis U. Martz, trustee, Eric Martz, trustee, Eric Martz Living Trust, Phyllis U. Martz Living Trust, Phyllis U. Martz, and Eric Martz to Cammi Misako Yamashiro and Andrew Scott Bryson, 48 Hunters Hill Circle, and Hunters Hill Circle, $475,000.

ASHFIELD

Helena VanCortlandt Snow, Lydia Field Snow and Thomas Freeman Snow to Robert Mason Branch, Susan A. Craft and Kristin D. Holder, 83 South St., $274,000 Greenfield Savings Bank to Elmers Community Center Inc., 396 Main St., $275,000.

BELCHERTOWN

REO Acquisition I LLC, and Rushmore Loan Management Services

LLC, attorney-in-fact, to Joseph Bernard and Alexandra Marra, 369 Old Enfield Road, $313,500.

Jeffrey M. Almeida , Jeffrey Almeida, Kelly M. Almeida, and Kelly Almeida to Michael C. Jurkowski, Woodland Lane, $125,000.

Suzanne L. Brandt and Suzanne L. Bowes to Suzanne L. Bowes, 79 Jackson St., $100.

BERNARDSTON

Dana Charest and Stephanie M. Williams to Stephanie M. Williams, 32 Bald Mountain Road, $75,000

David P. Grasso, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Dolores M. Grasso, to Laura Ferguson, 371 Bald Mountain Road, $419,000.

BRIMFIELD

Karin M. Via, trustee, and 7 Via Family Revocable Trust 201, trustee of, to Aaron Joel Davis and Sabita Davis, 8 Governor Fairbanks Road, $550,000.

BUCKLAND

Robert R. Carey, Jack D. Curtiss and John C. Gates to Patricia L. Kittredge and Willis G. Thayer, Bray Road, $5,000.

CHARLEMONT

Ann M. Feeney, “fka” Ann M. Hoggard, and Kenneth L. Hoggard to Paula Multan and Ryan Mooney, Mountain View Drive, $45,000. Gloria J. Page to Bryana J. Sheehan and Daniel J. Sheehan, Potters Road, $30,000.

CHESTERFIELD

Judith A. Lyon, trustee, William E. Lyon, trustee, and Willian E. Lyon Trust to Stephanie M. Bleyendaal, Kimberly E. Cohen, trustee, and Piet Bleyendaal 2008 Family Trust, 333 Ireland St., $650,000.

CHICOPEE

Audete Jones, trustee, and Jones Realty Trust Of 2020, trustee of, to Kimberly R. Keesee, 185 Fletcher Circle $135,000.

Carl D. Roy, trustee, C. Llanor Roy, trustee, and Carl D. Roy Living Trust, trustee of, to Meaghan K. Murphy-Rennie and Jacob H. Rennie, 17 White St., $265,000.

Chicopee City to Jason L. Carvalho, Carlos S. Carvalho and Dean A. Carvalho, 5-7 Ames Ave., $1,100.

David Carlos to William J. Stetson, 486 Springfield St., $220,000.

Gerald L. Grondin to Jean D. Donoghue, 22 Keyes Drive, $300,000.

Laurie A. Gaudet and Wayne E. Yvon to Brian M. Colty, 262 McCarthy Ave., $287,000.

Nancy A. Chmura to Mason Capital Ventures LLC, 237-239 Chicopee St., $250,000.

Neil A. Wong to Nova Home Improvements Inc., 831-839 Chicopee St., $58,000.

Philip J. Alarie, trustee, and Philip J. Alarie Revocable Indenture Of Trust Of, trustee of, to Michael Clemente, 11-13 Hastings St., $250,000.

Robert E Mcqueen to Julio A Melendez, 82 Sheridan St, $265,000.

Robert J Lavigne to Ryan Whitehead, 56 Garland St, $227,100. SRF Burnett LLC, to Bharatkumar Patel, trustee, and Burnett Chicopee Realty Trust, trustee of, 0 Burnett Road, $415,000.

Tara B. Budrewicz to Joseph M. Mezzetti, 121 Lynwood Drive, Unit 6201B, $205,000.

COLRAIN

Alan N. Emond to Robert K. Riecken and Susan L. Shulda, 12 Wilson Hill Road, $395,000.

CONWAY

Frances M. Giandalone to John McElaney, 259 Thompson Road, SEE DEEDS, PAGE F8

loans are based on loan amounts of $165,000. Jumbo loans are based on loan amounts of $548.250. Points quoted include discount and/or origination. Lock Days: 30-60. Annual percentage rates (APRs) are based on fully indexed rates for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). The APR on your specific loan may differ from the sample used. Fees reflect charges relative to the APR. If your down payment is less than 20% of the home’s value, you will be subject to private mortgage insurance, or PMI. FHA mortgages include both UFMIP and MIP fees based on loan amount of $165,000 with 5% down payment. VA mortgages include funding fees based on loan amount of $165,000 with 5% down payment. The Republican does not guarantee the accuracy of the information appearing above or the availability of rates and fees in this table. All rates, fees and other information are subject to change without notice. The Republican does not own any financial institutions. Some or all of the companies appearing in this table pay a fee to appear in this table. If you are seeking a mortgage in excess of $548.250, recent legislation may enable lenders in certain locations to provide

Deeds

$111,000.

Brenden J. Monahan and Susan J. Monahan, “fka” Susan J. Magelinski, to Marissa Ann Smith, 16 Hoosac Road, $85,000.

CUMMINGTON

Hunter T. Foote to Marie F. Atoine, West Cummington Road, $40,000.

DEERFIELD

John T. Ambros and Richard R. Ambros to Zigmont J. Ambros, 61 Graves St., $236,000.

Justine Pasiecnik, personal representative of the Estate of James M. Pasiecnik, to Marisol Properties LLC, Settright Road and Sawmill Plain Road, $715,000.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Aneta M. Sucharski to Daniel Filonov and Samantha C. Beck, 74 Kibbe Road, $370,000.

James H. Denver Jr., and Donna Marie Denver to Jenna Molinari, Donald Avenue, $5,000.

John Martin to Shadow Mountain Pereira and Julia Aleksandra Pereira, 2 Lyric Ave., $270,000.

Michael Carabetta to Peter J. Marathas, 15 Fairway Lane, $750,000.

Michael J. Matos and Neysha R. Matos to 25 Granby Street LLC, 9 Mereline Ave., $300,000.

EASTHAMPTON

Patricia A. Zwirko to John A. Powell and Jill M. Powell, 3 Concord Drive, $410,000.

Alexander Hoar to Erin Everett and Elizabeth Everett, 20 Colonial Ave., $336,000.

Loudville Condominiums LLC, and West Co. Investments LLC, to Barry H. Federman and Julia C. Federman, 8 Conrad Circle, $574,900.

GILL

George Bucala, personal representative of the Estate of Paul Duga Jr., “aka” Paul Duga III, and Linda Moynahan, “aka” Linda Moynihan, to Jacob Stuckey, 18 Peterson Way, $61,180.

GRANBY

Stephen J. Polchlopek to Victor E. Mikalunas and Karen L. Cuthbert-Mikalunas, East State Street, $110,000.

GREENFIELD

Daniel P. Schwartz and Patricia W. Schwartz to Sean Connors, 12 Stanley St., $180,000.

Paul Viens to Swostik Rana Magar and Kyarisha Rana Magar Rai, 75 River St., $280,000.

HADLEY

Thomas A. Lees, Thomas A. Lees, trustee, Thomas A. Lees 2020 Revocable Trust, and Albert C. Lees to North Maple Street LLC, Rocky Hill Road, and North Maple Street, $525,000.

HAMPDEN

Nicole B. Florian-Theriaque and Joseph Theriaque to Shelby Trebbe and Cory Cotter, 23 Valleyview Drive, $332,000.

HATFIELD

Diane Landry, Diane K. Landry and Barry J. Picard, conservator, to Barry J. Picard and Lori A. Picard, 249 Linseed Road, $515,000.

David A. Wojciechowski to David

A. Wojciechowski and Janet B. Wojciechowski, Straits Road, $100. Center School LLC, to Kelvy Bird, 58 Main St., $467,000.

Kathleen A. Dunn and Kathleen A. Urkiel to Thomas J. Wickles and Brenda J. Wickles, 187 Pantry Road, $245,000.

Janet L. Phaneuf to Scott Phaneuf, Robin A. Phaneuf, Tracy Mae Phaneuf and Thomas D. Phaneuf, 4 Elm St., $100.

HOLLAND

Cheryl Farraher and Richard J. Farraher Jr., to Lauren Sacerdote, Park Road, $2,600.

John D. Porier, John D. Poirier and Jennifer A. Poirier to Vanessa A. Lewis and Brendon X. Lewis, 131 Union Road, $425,000.

HOLYOKE

Dora Cruz to Kara L. Syer, 53 St. Kolbe Drive, Unit C, $131,000.

Four Harps LLC, to Jose A. Ramos, 295-297 Walnut St., $215,000.

Kevin E. Ross and Margaret L. Ross to Margaret L. Ross, life estate, Kevin E. Ross, life estate, and Katherine M. Bourque, 6 Briarwood Drive, $500,000.

KNC Home Renovations LLC, to B&B Realty Partners LLC, 9 Charles St., $160,000.

Kristen L. Paykowski, Kristen Boyles and Logan Boyles to Barbara Love, 101 Cabot St., Unit 504, $210,000.

Meng Shou Wang to Eric Prigmore Sr., 271 West Franklin St., $220,000.

Van M. Tran to Kyngelle Mertilien, 336A Maple St., $88,900.

HUNTINGTON

Laurie J. Diemer to Natalie Saloio, 218 Worthington Road, $260,000.

Kyle Harmon to Angela Steward and Daria Steward, 44 Littleville Road, $276,000.

LONGMEADOW

Katelyn Smithling Kopcsay and James Maxwell Kopcsay to Robert Chiaruttini and Jessica Chiaruttini, 176 Dunn Road, $630,000.

Susan Winn and Susan D. Winn to Samantha Schneider, 56 Bellevue Ave., $275,200.

LUDLOW

Elizabeth A. Scanlon and Helen P. Bubien to Sarah Bunker, 21 Barrett St., $305,000.

Joe V. Chaves and Nancy G. Chaves to Rui Serrazina and Ana Serrazina, Center St., Lot 0, $150,000.

John P. Carrier, trustee, and Helen E. Carrier Trust, trustee of, to Michael J. Hill and Kimberly L. Tresch, 777 Chapin St., $365,000.

Kay Loudon and Gayle Leroi to Auguste Paul Valley and Amber Fay Warden, 6 Marie St., $296,000.

Lorrijane Massa to Nelson Mourao and Sydney A. Scyocurka, Sunset Ridge, Lot 12, $162,500.

Michael Giza to Anna D. Vital, 40 Stebbins St., $283,505.

Whitetail Wreks LLC, to Samantha Patricia Alves and Tyler Lucas Martins, Balsam Hill Road, Lot 79, $154,900.

MONTAGUE

Joshua P. Colwell to Christopher WS Allen, 39 Millers Falls Road, $267,000.

NEW SALEM

Susan Cloutier, Timothy J. Laferriere and Tatiane Alves Souse-Laferriere to Quabbin Stop LLC, 414 Daniel Shays Highway, $307,500.

NORTHFIELD

Johnny A. Otto to Timothy Otto, 1056 Millers Falls Rd., $250,000.

Cody F. Sisson and Jeanne A. Sisson, “aka” Jeanne Sisson, to Jeanne A. Sisson, trustee of the Jeanne A. Sisson 2016 Trust, 330 Old Wendell Road and 350 Old Wendell Road, $100.

NORTHAMPTON

Maren T. Brown, trustee, and Brown Morrison Family Trust to Jessica R. Pfeffer and Lucia M. Kahn, 98 Lake St., $535,700.

David W. Pritchard to Katherine A. Welch, 24 Indian Hill, $345,000. Mary Anna Labato, personal representative, James Anthony Labato, estate, and James A. Labato, estate, to Thomas L. Lewis, 80 Damon Road, $170,500.

John Gorra, trustee, Michael Gorra, trustee, and Dorothy R. Gorra Irrevocable Trust to Mark Luiggi and Kimberly Luiggi, 64 Gothic St., $549,000.

Nina M. Barszcz, Nina M. Furciniti, and Josef M. Barszcz to Jake Q. Hooker and Kelsey L. Breda, 372 Ryan Road, $402,000.

Whitney L. Scott and Perfect Harmony Trust to Rachel S. Scott, trustee, and 232 Jackson Street Trust, 232 Jackson St., $100. 300 Elm Street LLC, to Rynek LLC, 17-25 Market St., $1,600,000.

Jendi B. Reiter, Adam Rabb Cohen and Jennifer B. Reiter to Jendi B. Reiter and Adam Rabb Cohen, 134 North St., $100.

NORTHFIELD

Johnny A. Otto to Timothy Otto, 1056 Millers Falls Rd., $250,000.

Cody F. Sisson and Jeanne A. Sisson, “aka” Jeanne Sisson, to Jeanne A. Sisson, trustee of the Jeanne A. Sisson 2016 Trust, 330 Old Wendell Road and 350 Old Wendell Road, $100.

ORANGE

Royal Development Projects LLC, to Camille Killip and Dale Oren Killip, 673 East Main St., $370,000.

Curtis S. Noel and Heather Noel to Matthew John McBride, 15 Center Drive, $282,000.

Rhoda M. Martinelli to David A. Gillis, 117 West Myrtle St., $250,000.

PALMER

Crystal Nugent and Charlie Nugent to Bethany L. Joyce, 241 A Mount Dumplin St., $302,500.

A To Z Property Management & Renovations LLC, to DDS56 Properties LLC, 2029-2031 High St., $200,000.

Jonathan E. Neumann and Carol M. Neumann to Gramse Realty LLC, 1053-1055 Park St., $215,000.

Veteran Stan LLC, to Alexandria Morrissey, 1126 South Main St., $225,000.

SHUTESBURY

Hermann C. Vargo and Kathleen A.

Vargo to Jonathan Paul Celli and Melissa Allen Celli, 487 Montague Road, $222,000.

A9N Group LLC, to Joshua P. Colwell, 32 Leverett Road, $440,000.

SOUTH HADLEY

Peter J. Kennedy and Phyllis M. Kennedy to James R. Kennedy, 15 Judd Ave., $100.

Benjamin G. Glickenhaus to Benjamin Geyer and Samantha Grose, 161 Newton St., $425,000.

SOUTHAMPTON

Susan B. Butterfield to Susan B. Butterfield, trustee, and Buterfield Family Trust, 99 Strong Road, $100. Gil Farm Road Estates Inc., to Ben S. Apodaca and Anna Apodaca, 34 Pequot Road, $240,000.

Ronald Gwinner, Barbara LaFlam, personal representative, and Robert Baker, estate, to Cordon LLC, 113 County Road, $135,000.

Agnieszka Jaworski, personal representative, Agnes Joworski, personal representative, and Alexander Lewinski, estate, to Brian J. Ingledue, trustee, and Revocable Indenture Trust of Brian J. Ingledue, 129 Brickyard Road, $935,000.

SOUTHWICK

Jianwei Liu and Hong Chen to Ashley T Abel and Carole A Abel, 7 Meadow La, $575,800.

SPRINGFIELD

Ahmed Aljanabi to Rolvin Colindres and Rosalba Colindres, 34 Parkside St., $265,000.

Alex Dobiecki and Jennifer Dobiecki to 99 Strong Street Realty Trust, trustee of, Matthew A. Wood, trustee, and Jennifer L. Wood, trustee, 99 Strong St., $351,000.

Alex E. Karosas and Veronica Karosas to Joan Doucette, 15 Shawmut St., $220,000.

Bretta Construction LLC, to Marie F. Elysse and Jean Valcourt Alfred, 53 Granger St., $470,000.

Caraballo Realty LLC, to 84 Chapin Terrace LLC, 84-86 Chapin Terrace, $266,000.

Dale White and Huon White to D & M Realty & Investments LLC, 94 Massachusetts Ave., $150,000.

Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Exultant Realty Trust, trustee of, to Alexsis K. Alvarez and Humberto Cruz, 61 Fullerton St., $399,000.

Emmanuel Y. Tete-Donkor to Jose A. Negron Bonilla and Rosa L. Monserrat, 225 Shady Brook Lane, $300,000.

Ernesto Ayala to Mason Capital Ventures LLC, 254 Oakland St., $255,000.

HLRE Development LLC, to Laura Marilia Bettencourt, 11 Carpenter Court, $239,000.

Boston Federal Investment Holding Corp., to JHN Investment LLC, 73

Deeds

Tyler St., $150,000.

J. Roger Jarosz, trustee, and Inglewood Realty Trust, trustee of, to Baitus Salaam Inc., E/S Cloverdale St., Lots 5-11, $35,000.

JJJ17 LLC, to Tajudeen Yoosuf, 138 Appleton St., $265,000.

John Hunt, trustee, Palma Puzzuoli, trustee, and John Hunt Living Trust, trustee of, to John Beigert and William H. Beigert, 748 Grayson Drive, $259,000.

Jonathan Bermudez to Om Sai Property Investment LLC, 77-79 Grover St., $315,000.

Jose A. Negron and Rosa L. Monserrat to Julissa Lizette Acevedo, 22-24 Dunhill St., $355,000.

Junior Properties LLC, to Jarelis Rodriguez, 33 Lester St., $300,000.

Katherine Smith to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Kokoleka Realty Trust, 602 White St., $89,200.

Kathleen V. Wyler to Robert Perkins and Jocelyn Perkins, 21 Hadley St., $249,500.

Kelnate Realty LLC, trustee, and Knox Street Realty Trust, trustee of, to Frederic Abboud, 71-73 Knox St., $300,000.

Luis Marrero and Sharon Lopez to Gemila Abdella, 48-50 Silver St., $405,000.

Matthew W. Dejongh, trustee, Catherine O’Connor, trustee, and Dejongh Special Trust, trustee of, to B9 Industries Inc., 30 Winnipeg St., $60,000.

Maynard Hamre Investments LLC, to Ever Prosperity International Group Inc., 17 Forest Park Ave., $750,000.

MBMB LLC, to Rock Hard Holdings LLC, 11 Front St., $675,000.

Melissa L. Smith, Melissa L. Knight and Peter H. Smith to Andrew James Foley, 41 Mallowhill Road, $269,900.

Nadine A. Govoni to Fumi Realty Inc., 38 Larchmont St., $110,000.

Noelia I. Rojas to Ana A. Valladares Arias and Jose Santacruz-Mejia, 36 Andrew St., $324,000.

Nolava LLC, to Willord D. Burke, 63 Kensington Ave., $350,000.

Pah Properties LLC, to Elyse N. Konicki and Alyssa A. Martinez, 31 Cottonwood Lane, $295,000.

RJB Properties LLC, to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and A-O-K Realty Trust, trustee of, 35 Bronson Terrace, $187,500.

Ronald Carr and Allan Gendreau to Ronald Carr, 69 Talbot Road, $74,000. L&B Greenvale Home Improvement to Dubs Capital LLC, E S Catharine Street, $16,500.

Smails LLC, to James McCloskey, 25 Ferncliff St., $260,000.

Stewart T. Hillios and Carol A. Hillios

to Hannah M. Smith and Bee Keng Yeo, 101 Mulberry St., Unit 205, $65,000.

Tatiana Ramos to Shaquana Bailey, 156 Slater Ave., $227,000.

Terri Marie Henry, Lori Ann Little and Lori Ann Waltein to Sareen Properties LLC, 182 Lucerne Road, $207,000.

Wendi J. Robertson to CP Property Group LLC, 140 Chestnut St., Unit 301, $50,000.

WALES

Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Abednego Realty Trust, trustee of, to Kayla Cazares and Jarrod Soucy, 87 McBride Road, $380,000.

WARE

Nancy C. Godbout, conservator, and Kristine M. Swift to Todd Russo, 39 Aspen St., $130,000.

Three A Realty Co. Inc., to Peak Development LLC, 9 Mechanic St., $140,000.

Lisa Gauvin and Eric Gauvin to Stephen Charles Clouse and Nadine Clouse, 4 Old Gilbertville Road, $385,000.

Jeremiah Pinto to Pinto Realty Managers LLC, 55 North St., $100.

DAS Leasing Inc., Walter J. Smola, personal representative, and Janina S. Was, estate, to Roger Joseph Lebel Jr., and Kristen Ann Lebel, 21 Westbrook Ave., $345,000.

Roman Catholic Bishop Of Springfield to Vikki Patrakis, 17 North St., $190,000.

Church Ware LLC, to LRR Development LLC, 55 Church St., $100.

Hector L. Peterson Jr., trustee, C&E Realty Trust, Hector L. Peterson, executor, and Hector L. Peterson Sr., estate, to Camiele Ezra Goddard, 212 East Greenwich Plains Road, $130,000.

Rick Ting Hang Chu and Loi Wah Chu to Brookmaple LLC, 58 West Main St., $150,000.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Danielle L. Lamagna to Brian Boyle, 44 Clara St., $360,000.

Denise A. Cordeau and Wayne Cordeau to Nina Barszez, 65 Fox St., $349,900.

Fevzi Ramazanov and Dzhamila Bilalova to Kyle Matzko and Tara Budrewicz, 20 Hummingbird Lane, $450,000.

Old Day Realty LLC, to Mass Trans Realty LLC, 82-84 Park St., $540,000.

Timothy J. Roberts, Jeffrey T. Roberts and Linda A. Grenon to Arisleidy Garcia Perez, 21 Silver St., $255,000.

WESTFIELD

Agnes M. Wozniak, estate, and Cheri

A. Retchin, representative, to Jennifer P. Smidy, 108 Dana St., $300,000. Andrey Yurovsky Jr., and Vera Yurovsky to Jovan Desiree Roman, 21 Harrison Ave., $255,000.

Diane R. Bilodeau, representative, Diane R. Servidio, representative, and Lydia Bilodeau, estate, to Fitzgerald Home Solutions, 65 Montgomery St., $185,000.

Gabriel L. Santiago Diaz and Brenda L. Solivan to Nicholas J. Markos and Alanna M. Graff, 57 Furrowtown Road, $455,000.

Gordon J. Rogers and Bonnie A. Rogers to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Amenadiel Realty Trust, trustee of, 29 Butternut Road, $170,000.

Joseph A. Del Guercio, Joseph Del Guercio, Carmen A. Del Guercio and Carmen Del Guercio to Anthony Sgueglia and Cassandra Sgueglia, 494 Western Ave., $395,000.

Kevin M. Barlow, Christina A. Barlow and Christina Dingman to Kelly M. Dupuis, 123 Shannon Lane, $225,000.

LKN Realty Investments LLC, to Daniel Cabey, 64 Roosevelt Ave., $305,000.

Wesley Earle Punch and Roswyn Punch to Charles Diemer, Laurie Diemer and Amy Odell, 15 Massey St., $475,000.

WHATELY

Denise M. Govoni and Lois E. Hunt to Denise M. Govoni, 12 Long Plain Road, $26,342.

WILBRAHAM

Edward D. Vito to Patrick L. Darby and Stephanie Darby, 19 Eastwood Drive, $530,500.

James Douglas Adam, representative, James Daniel Adam, estate, James D. Adams, estate, and Sandra Thorne to Marissa A. Lafond and Ryan B. Lafond, 2 Mirick Lane, $380,000.

JoeJoe Properties LLC, to Wilbraham & Monson Academy, 29 Faculty St., $275,000.

Michelle Roller-Canerdy to Linda Smith, 6 Nokomis Road, Par A, $15,000.

Sonja Flynn and Pamela Diaz-Rubin to Kyle Patrick Meredith and Emerald Tiara Meredith, 586 Main St., $400,000.

WILLIAMSBURG

George

WORTHINGTON

Susan

Notes

Carol Ann Morley will give attendees a great start and share multiple ways to work with colored pencils. You will learn the art of color mixing and how to control your color choices to achieve harmony, depth and contrast. Gain an understanding of pencil techniques such as layering for blending smooth colors and ways to produce textures and patterns using sgraffito, impressed line, and burnishing to make different surfaces for petals, leaves, bark and more. Students of all levels are welcome. Cost is $275 members, $300 nonmembers.

• “Make Your Own Macrame Plant Hangers,” May 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come create an eco-friendly and natural macrame plant hanger that adds color and texture to your space, with local fiber artist Toula. In this workshop, soft recycled cotton fiber in pleasing neutral tones

Stress

CONTINUES FROM PAGE F2

out the process. Bring plants inside if rain or severe wind threatens during their outdoor time. No worries if there’s no shade in your garden. I harden my plants off under my patio table. Under a tree, shrub or row of hedges would work equally well. If you have none of those, shade plants with an umbrella or floating row cover.

If absolutely necessary, and as long as the weather isn’t hot, you can even plant your seedlings directly in the ground and harden them by covering each individually with a plastic, gallon-size milk container with its bottom and cap removed. Burying the bottom in a few inches of soil will hold the container in place, and you can water plants through the

to create a cozy hanging home for 3 to 4-inch potted plants. Plant hangers will be made of a metal ring for added security. Cost is $35 members, $45 nonmembers.

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

WEST SPRINGFIELD Luncheon, meeting

The annual luncheon and meeting of the Wilbraham Garden Club will be held at Storrowton Tavern on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition on June 1. Social hour will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon at noon. Contact Norma Banderra at 413-596-8173 for more information or to make reservations.

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

pouring hole at the top. Remove the container for each day’s hardening-off session, setting it back into place and securing it into the soil afterward. Be aware that high temperatures and intense, direct sunlight may “cook” your plants, especially in Southern gardens, so gauge conditions and use your judgment before attempting this.

If you started plants in a greenhouse, they’ve already been growing in direct sunlight, so the process is abridged: Open the windows for a few hours each day for about a week, then move seedlings to a sheltered outdoor spot for two hours the first day and four hours the second day. After that, they should be good to go.

Jessica Damiano writes regular gardening columns for The Associated Press. She publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter.

H. Fleischner to Mark Mantegna and Adrienne Mantegna, 2 Hillenbrand Road, $440,000.

J. Van Buren to David H. Gage and Nancy A. Wyman, Cummington Road, $13,855.

10 ways to get a nicer home with just $20

By A nnie M idori Atherton The Washington Post

I’VE ALWAYS HATED flipping on a bright light first thing in the morning. Until recently, I assumed there was nothing to be done about this — at least not without buying a new bedside lamp or paying an electrician. Then I read that I could simply get a cheap dimmer that attaches to any old lamp. Now, when I wake up, I slide it to the lowest possible brightness and sip coffee in groggy peace. For $20, I significantly improved how I start each day. My dimmer-DIY was a lightbulb moment (bad pun intended). It got me thinking of all the other easy fixes that could probably make our apartment more comfortable or attractive. Home decor and DIY experts confirmed I was right: Here are 10 ways to upgrade your space for $20 or less.

1. Upgrade your lighting

As I learned with the table lamp dimmer, lighting can seriously affect your mood. Adding it to my lamp was simple: I just plugged it into the wall outlet, then plugged my lamp into it, like you would with an extension cord. Or, try trading a regular bulb for a smart lightbulb, whose brightness and temperature you control through your phone (no special smart home system required). Monica Benavidez, the interior stylist behind DIY blog Monica Wants It, recommends the kind by Bulbrite which cost about $18 each (or less if you buy a pack of several). “If I’m crafting, I want the brightest and coolest setting, but when I’m working on my blog in the evenings I prefer warm, dim light,” she says.

2. Make over light switches

You might not realize it, but switch plates (the covers over light switches and outlets) can visually clutter up a wall. To streamline them, Lauren Comer, of home decor blog

Pinch Plate Party, suggests swapping in the kind that conceal the screws, which you can find for under $5 each. With a bigger budget, you could also choose a color that better matches the room — for instance, replacing white with brass.

3. Feature museum art

Many large museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian, include downloadable public domain art on their websites that’s free to anyone. Just be sure to download a high-resolution version so it won’t be blurry when printed.

“Once I find art I like, I print posters using a one-hour photo service to create my own art for super cheap,” says Benavidez, who has printed 16-by20-inch images for as little as $8. “Then, I use thrifted frames to create a gallery wall. It’s a great way to get high-end looking art.”

4. Make our own giant art

Extra-large art can get expensive, but you can make your own using little more than wood furring strips (long, flat pieces that cost a couple dollars apiece at hardware stores), and — of all things — a shower curtain.

To start, use four one-bythree-inch furring strips to build a frame, says Cara Newhart, an interior designer and host of the Make Space podcast. She suggests using a miter box to make it easier to cut the strips in a straight line (or try asking an employee at a hardware store to cut them for you). From there, you can attach them together using staples and a $5 bottle of wood glue. Next, stretch the shower curtain over the frame and staple the edges.

5. Add decorative trays or boxes

To wrangle keys, mail and other household ephemera, interior designer Cassandra LaValle suggests buying decorative boxes or trays. Visual clutter can contribute to stress, but having nice places for everyday items helps keep

the chaos at bay. While small storage solutions, sometimes called “trinket dishes,” are cheap at large retailers, you can also find unique pieces at thrift stores. Vintage candy bowls, for instance, make elegant holding places for jewelry and toiletries such as cotton balls or Q-tips.

6. Adopt a plant Research shows that houseplants can make us feel happier and more peaceful in our homes. Though large or rare plants tend to get pricey, more common types — such as pothos and snake plants — can easily be found for under $20. Research care instructions in advance to choose a variety that will thrive in your space. Or maybe you have a plant that just needs a snazzier home. Retailers such as Target and Ikea have a host of stylish planter options for under $20.

7. Get creative with discounted paint Home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s often sell “mistint” paint at a steep discount. In many cases, these paints have

applied a light coat of gold, let it dry, and repeated the process a few more times.

“That’s a quick afternoon project that can make a big impact,” she says. “It still looks great five years later.”

9. Add pattern with fabric

To add a jolt of pattern to a relatively small surface area, such as an accent wall or the inside of a bookshelf, try fabric as a less expensive alternative to wallpaper.

Lifestyle blogger Amber Oliver used a floral print she found at JOANN Fabric and Crafts for a wall in her former home office. To attach the material, she sprayed Elmer’s Craftbond Spray Adhesive directly onto the wall, then had a friend help her carefully spread the fabric over it. In a few spots, Oliver added staples to keep edges in place, but she says one benefit of such a busy print is that it hides imperfections.

been returned by customers who realized they’d chosen the wrong color.

“It’s kind of a crap shoot in terms of what will be available, but they’re definitely worth checking out,” says Benavidez, who has used this strategy to buy a gallon of paint for $15.

Depending on the cost, you might be able to coat a small accent wall for under $20 (use a paint calculator to estimate how much you’ll need). You could also paint a door or trimwork, or an old piece of furniture.

8. Refresh cabinet hardware

While cabinet knobs and handles range widely in price, Benavidez says you can update your existing hardware using only spray paint.

She transformed the chrome drawer pulls in her bathroom with gold paint that she usually finds at Walmart or Home Depot for $6 to $8. Before painting, she sprayed all the chrome parts with heavy-duty primer, letting them dry by a fan for 20 minutes. Then she

Another perk of choosing fabric over wallpaper: It’s easier to remove. Oliver says her accent wall held up for several years before she moved, at which point she peeled the fabric off without leaving a mark. Though this specific project cost about $40, she has used the method on the interior of a bookshelf for less than $20. And, of course, the cost of fabric varies widely, so you can decide how much or how little you want to spend.

10. Make wallpaper furniture

DIY blogger Carrie Waller loved the vintage end table she’d found secondhand, but not its sponge-painted top, so she covered it with about $5 worth of peel-and-stick wallpaper.

She sanded down the painted surface, then cleaned it with tack cloth and a dry towel. (If your tabletop is smooth already, you could possibly skip these steps.) She applied the wallpaper, using a wallpaper smoothing tool to get rid of air bubbles and a handled razor blade to trim edges. She says it took only about 30 minutes to transform the table.

Annie Midori Atherton is a writer in Seattle who covers culture, lifestyle, business and parenting.

Home improvement stores will often sell “mistint” paint at a deep discount, enabling homeowners to get creative with adding a pop of color to their walls for under $20. (SUBMITTED)

9 month old medium hair black cat, dog friendly, neutered, all shots, w/chip. $60.00. Call 413-292-3650

Beautiful 2 Level Cat tower, 16’’ wide x 31’’ high, brand new, incl. scratching post. $95.00/b.o. Call 413-455-4867

BengalKittens,2available, readylateJune,$700,will bedewormedand1stset ofshots,CallorTextfor more info. 802-323-2538

3 Puggle puppies for sale, $800, 1 boy & 2 girls, call 413-883-7302 for more details

EnglishAKCLabradorPuppies,Black,Yellow,and FoxRed,1stshots,health guarantee,andmicrochips,vetchecked,$2150 Call607-237-7342,Honeys ucklelabs@gma il.com and on FB

German Shepherd/Lab Mix puppies, 1st set of shots, dewormed. 2 females, 1 male $300/each. Call or text 802-323-2538.

German Shepherd pups, Champion Czeck. & Belgian blood lines. Avail with first shots and dewormed now. 4M, 3F. 30 years experience. $850. 413-218-2321

Golden Retriever, 4.5 Year Old, female, available, friendly, great with kids. $50.00. Call or text 802323-2538

PUBLIC AUCTION

BRICK MILL BUILDING

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION

Monday, May 22, 2023

10:00 AM-FEEDING HILLS (Agawam) 548 North West Street sgl fam, 1,960 sf liv area, 0.62 ac lot, 8 rm, 4 bdrm, 1.5 bth, fpl, Hampden: Bk 20834, Pg 142

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Aaron Posnik

Aaron Posnik

GENERAL - COMMERCIAL AUCTION

FRI, MAY 26, AT 6 PM

Mortgagee.

Mortgagee’s Sale of Real Estate at Public Auction

SPRINGFIELD

3 Properties

91-93 mulBeRRy st., 74-78 leyfRed teRR., & 156-158 noRfolk st., sPRingfield, ma

tHuRs, June 8, 2022 at 12Pm

Auction will take place at 91 Mulberry Street location. Properties may be offered in the entirety and individually.

91-93 Mulberry Street: 12,638+/-sf of land improved by a 4,309+/-sf home believed to have a total of 15 rooms, 9 bedrooms & 5.5 bathrooms.

74-78 Leyfred Terrace: Two-family. 6,412+/-sf of land improved by a 3,190+/-sf multi-family home believed to have a total of 14 rooms, 8 bedrooms, 2 full & 2 half baths.

156-158 Norfolk Street: Two-family. 5,235+/-sf of land improved by a 2,288+/-sf multi-family home believed to have a total of 10 rooms, 3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms.

Terms of Sale: A deposit of $15,000 (for all three properties) or $5,000 (per property) by certified or bank check required at the time & place of sale & balance due within 30 days. All other terms announced at sale. Neither Auctioneer nor Mortgagee nor Attorney make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy of the information contained herein.

William F. Barry, Natick, MA, Attorney for Mortgagee.

Including oak and Victorian furniture, glass & china, small antiques, artwork, comic books, large stamp collection, coins, jewelry, bikes, and more. COMMERCIAL - Techno Router LC Series 4896, LabVolt CNC Wood Lathe 5850-00, Electron MultiMag 522 Inverter, Baleigh Cold Saw Mod. CS-355, True s/s Refrigerator TS-23-2, Dutchess Dough Divider BM 59, Caravell 335-935, S/S Counter 58-1/2 x 25, (2) MakerBot Replicators Z18 and +, Honda HS724 Snow Blower, Honda 160 motorcycle, Quantum Edge 2.0 Wheelchair and more.

PREVIEW 8 AM - 6 PM www.DouglasAuctioneers.com

Merchandise

1:00 PM-SPRINGFIELD

19 Quincy Street sgl fam, 1,430 sf liv area, 0.13 ac lot, 8 rm, 4 bdrm, 1 bth Hampden: Bk 21191, Pg 370

TERMS: Cashier’s or certified check in the sum of $5,000.00 as a deposit must be shown at the time and place of the sale in order to qualify as a bidder. NO CASH No personal checks will be accepted. Cashier/certified checks should be made out to whomever is going to bid at the auction. The balance to be paid within thirty (30) days at the law offices of Korde & Associates, P.C. 900 Chelmsford Street, Suite 3102, Lowell, MA 01851, Attorney for the Mortgagee.

Auctioneer makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information contained herein.

NORTH CHELMSFORD (978) 251-1150 www.baystateauction.com

MAAU#: 1029, 2624, 2959, 3039, 2573, 116, 2484, 3246, 2919, 3092, 3107, 0100030, 3099

TechnicsStereoSytem,5 component,5speaker, withremote&audiocabinet.Excellentcondition, $225. Call 413-388-9744

1,000’s of sports cards, all big stars, at least 50% off. 1950’s to present. BUYING ALL SPORTS CARDS, RETIRED VETERAN Selling at $4.00 per box. CALL 413-596-5783

13’’ Zenith TV $15.00 Disney movies $10.00 Vtech phone $10.00, portable Sewing mach. $40.00

Auctions

AARON POSNIK & CO. INC. Indust & Comm. Auctions 31 Capital Dr. W. Spfld. 733-5238 www.posnik.com DouglasAuctioneers.com ESTATES-ANTIQUES 413-665-2877

3-PieceLivingRoomTable

Beatles1987SGTPepper Poster,60x40,20years agotoday,RARE,Soldout oninternet,$150,Call 413-207-4692 for info

or 413-732-0917