Home and Garden, and Real Estate- June 04, 2023

Some refinishing projects are straightforward, while others are much more intensive. Page F2

Bob Kennedy, working on a Lane Acclaim side table with an orbital sander — one of the tools experts recommend having on hand for refinishing jobs. (CAITLIN O’HARA / THE WASHINGTON POST)

A beginner’s guide to refinishing furniture

By L aura F enton The Washington Post

The lacquer was chipping away from my mid-century modern dining chairs — one of which also had a wobbly leg — when I contacted two refinishers to inquire about a makeover. The estimates they gave were so high that I considered giving up and buying something new. But then I wondered: Could I do it myself? These chairs were not fine antiques after all.

When I asked pros whether refinishing wood mid-century furniture was doable for a novice, I got mixed replies. “Anyone who is willing to put in the time to learn about the process, and practice and perfect the techniques can get a good result,” said Mary Duffy, who runs Maine Mid Century in York County, Maine. Still others cautioned about the delicate skills and toxic chemicals involved: “I would recommend people pay someone else to do it,” Nicole Gendron, who runs a Massachusetts business refinishing and selling mid-century pieces, said in an email.

But just as these responses varied, so, too, does the complexity of refinishing jobs. Some repairs are straightforward, while others are much more intensive. So, based on guidance from vintage furniture experts, here’s what is — and is not — worth trying yourself.

When to call a pro

There are some refinishing projects for which you will always want to tap an expert. Anything with issues beyond the finish, such as heavy water damage, missing veneer or significant deterioration — for instance, if a dog chewed off a portion of a leg — should be handled by a pro, said Bob Kennedy, who teaches refinishing techniques via a subscription Facebook group and co-owns Atomic Age Modern in Mesa, Ariz.

Professional help may also be worthwhile if the piece is an heirloom. “If you want the best possible job and it

really means a lot to you, then I would hire a professional,”

Kennedy said. Likewise if you’re dealing with something rare by a well-known designer — say, an Eames molded plywood lounge chair.

The type and style of wood will also determine how beginner-friendly the project is. Kennedy said that American-made walnut pieces are easy to work on, while Danish teak is more delicate, so you’ll need to be extra careful not to sand through the veneer. Staining maple, Duffy said, is “a nightmare” — which was my cue to take my maple dining chairs to a professional.

If you’re embarking on your first project, you’ll also want to avoid pieces with a lot of tiny corners. While a spindle chair might seem less daunting than a dresser, the large, flat surfaces of a dresser will be easier to tackle than the nooks and crannies of the chair.

When it’s possible to DIY

If watermarks are your only problem, Gendron suggests Mohawk’s Super Blush Retarder aerosol spray as a quick fix, calling it “the industry se-

cret everyone who owns wood furniture needs to know.”

Move your piece to a well-ventilated space, such as the garage, and apply a few light coats of the spray to remove the white moisture marks — no additional finishing required. While there are many tricks and hacks out there for taking care of water rings, Kennedy advises avoiding “home remedies.”

Revive a tired finish

If you have a piece with a slightly failing finish (think dull coloring and only the lightest scuffs and scratches), you might not need a full refinishing. Instead, try the “scuff and spray” method: Sand lightly with a high-grit sandpaper (at least 400 grit) or a green Scotch-Brite scour pad, then spray on a layer of professional-grade lacquer. The pros I spoke to recommend the aerosol products sold by Mohawk — more on those below. Remember to always work in a well-ventilated space. “See how it looks,” Duffy said. “If it comes out looking cleaner, it’s perfectly acceptable to stop there.”

— not just a room with the windows open, Duffy said.

“When I say ‘well ventilated,’ I really mean well ventilated, like with a powerful fan,” she said. “And you still need a 3M respirator mask with P100 cartridges.”

A garage is ideal, but a covered porch or pop-up tent can work. You’ll also need this space for a while: Kennedy estimates that a standard dresser will take a beginner about 20 hours to refinish.

To strip off the old finish, Duffy recommends a product called Stripwell QCS. Strippers by the Klean Strip brand, she says, are also cheap and effective.

After allowing the stripper to do its work, use a putty knife to scrape away the residue. (In its how-to videos, Stripwell recommends using a plastic version instead of metal as a precaution against damaging the veneer.)

Tackle a full refinish

If you can see bare wood or your piece has deep scratches, many water stains or ink marks, you’ll need a full refinish. You’ll strip, sand and potentially address color with stain, glaze, toner or a combination of all three, before finishing with multiple coats of lacquer.

Because both the stripping products and the finishes are harsh, you’ll need a well-ventilated space for your project

Once you’ve removed the finish, follow the product’s directions for cleaning the stripper from the wood, then let it dry completely before sanding. Kennedy and Duffy both recommend investing in a random orbital sander, a tool designed for ultra-smooth sanding that costs less than $100.

One of the most common mistakes beginners make is sanding through veneer, so go slowly, the pros say.

SEE REFINISHING, PAGE F8

A restored rocking chair and credenza for sale in Bob Kennedy’s store Atomic Age Modern in Mesa, Ariz. Kennedy teaches refinishing techniques for mid-century modern pieces through a Facebook group. (CAITLIN O’HARA / THE WASHINGTON POST)

Lee Reich | In The Garden

ARECENT TELEphone call to my sister caught her setting zucchini transplants in her garden. “Transplanting zucchini?” I queried. “Have some faith in nature.” Transplants for sale this time of year entice my sister and other beginning gardeners too often to set out plants rather than seeds in their gardens.

I pointed out that not every plant likes to be transplanted. Tomato plants yanked out of the soil will resume growth if their roots or even just their stems are covered with moist dirt in due time. But the roots of plants like corn, poppies, melons, cucumbers, and squashes (zucchini included) resent disturbance.

Carrots, parsnips, and other root crops also transplant poorly. Their taproots become the harvested roots, and if bent or broken while young, forked, rather than straight, smooth carrots and parsnips result.

This is not to say that it is impossible to successfully transplant squash, poppies, beets and the like. Any plant can be transplanted if enough care is

taken not to damage the roots. A plant does not even know it has been moved when a large enough ball of soil is carried along with the roots. (To paraphrase Archimedes, “Give me a big enough shovel and I can transplant any plant.”)

My sister told me that her zucchini plants were growing in plastic cell packs. If the roots were not yet crowding each other against the plastic, and if the plants were gently slid out of their containers, the transplants will survive. I have heard of gardeners even transplanting carrots very carefully, no doubt.

Many plants do transplant easily, yet are not worth the effort. A friend transplanted peas one year. Granted, his peas were a foot high indoors when mine were just breaking through the ground out in the garden. But how many pea transplants can one care for? I grow about 60 feet of double rows of peas in my garden, from which I expect about 12 pounds of peas. Each pea plant, though, yields only about a quarter of an ounce of peas. Who has enough space and time to sow, water, then transplant

even two dozen pea plants for the paltry six ounces of peas those plants would yield?

Generally, plants whose seeds are sown closely spaced in the garden are not worth transplanting. In the flower garden, this would include alyssum, portulaca, and pot marigolds (though I admit

to starting a few alyssum plants indoors so they would spread and flower sooner). In addition to peas, some other vegetables not worth growing as transplants include spinach, mustard, and beans. Leaf lettuce should be sown directly in the ground. Heading lettuces such as iceberg, bibb, and

romaine are worth transplanting because each plant needs space in order to head up well. (Alternatively, heading lettuce could be sown directly in the garden, then thinned to the appropriate spacing.)

“Trust nature,” I told my sister. “Sow seeds on the correct

Want to build a treehouse? Here’s what to consider

By N evin M artell The Washington Post

There’s something magical about treehouses. Perched amid the greenery, seemingly closer to the sky than the ground, these epicenters of endless adventures inspire whimsical visions in the young and the young at heart. Constructing one of the branchy bungalows is an exercise in pragmatism, requiring thoughtful planning, sturdy design and careful building. Don’t worry, though. They’re easier to build than you might think.

“If somebody can build a deck and a shed, they can probably build a treehouse,” says Dan Wright, founder of Tree Top Builders in Exton, Pa., a boutique treehouse construction firm.

Here are tips from three pros to help you get your treehouse-building plans off the ground.

1. Check the regulations

If your neighborhood has a homeowners association, look at the bylaws, which may dictate the maximum square footage of the treehouse, its placement on the property and its height from the ground. You may also need to obtain permission from the township, city or county you reside in, so consult the department with jurisdiction over issuing building permits for your property. “The biggest thing is talking to your neighbors,” says Conner Drummond, director of operations of Backyard Playground in Richmond, which has built more than 4,000 customized treehouses. “Just be courteous and make them aware it’s going in.”

2. Choose your tree

You’re looking for a healthy tree without mold or other damage, and it should be at least a foot in diameter at chest level, according to Wright. But it can’t be too big, Drummond says, because if the tree is three or four feet in diameter, any deck built

around it will be massive.

“And we like the tree to be straight,” Drummond adds. “If it’s got a huge curve, it’s going to take up a lot of deck space, reduce a lot of room up top, and make it all a little bit more challenging.”

3. Create a budget and design

The average backyard treehouse will cost between $2,000 and $10,000 to build, depending on its size and the complexity of its design, according to Wright. “That includes all the materials and the beer you’re going to have to buy your friends to help you,” he says. Christopher Richter, co-author of “How to Build a Treehouse,” suggests sketching a design, either by hand or in a 3D drawing app,

and pencil on hand. If you’re working with metal or plastic as well, perhaps for the roof or a slide, Wright suggests adding further specialized cutting equipment to your arsenal, such as angle grinders, band saws and jigsaws. You will also need a ladder, and a climbing harness can help ensure your safety when doing work high up in the tree.

5. Use the right wood

“We almost always use pressure-treated pine,” says Drummond. “It’s cheap, widely available, extremely strong and lasts a long, long time.” Other options include cedar, cypress and redwood, which are naturally rot resistant, but more expensive. No matter which wood you use for the exterior, Drummond recommends periodically applying stain or sealant to keep it looking fresh, protect it from mildew and reduce UV damage.

6. Build a support system

These bolts are often complemented by steel cabling hung from the tree and connected to load-bearing beams in the platform of the treehouse. Richter recommends putting as few holes in the tree as possible, because even small ones made by nails create points where mold and other diseases can infect the tree.

7. Roof rules

For most of the treehouse roofs he constructs, Drummond relies on overlapping wood boards supported by strong rafters.

This sturdy building technique is designed to withstand falling branches and battering from the elements. If shingles are a part of the roof design, he says, remember that they weigh more than wood; take the additional poundage into account when designing the support system for the treehouse.

so you know exactly what materials you need and have a firm plan for your workflow. Also keep safety in mind when planning the treehouse. If it’s designed for children, it shouldn’t be more than 6 to 10 feet from the ground and the deck should have a sturdy slatted railing surrounding it to prevent falls. Depending on your insurance provider and homeowner’s policy, a treehouse may or may not be covered, so call your carrier before you start building to ask how your policy might address it.

4. Assemble your tool kit

To build a treehouse from just wood, Richter recommends having a cordless drill, handheld circular saw, hammer, measuring tape

Stilt-like supports are the simplest method for supporting a treehouse. Drummond says to be careful when digging the holes to set them in concrete, to avoid damaging the tree’s root system and degrading the health of the tree. Alternately, treehouse attachment bolts (referred to as TABs by the pros) are drilled into the tree to create artificial limbs to build on.

Also, don’t build your roof around the tree, no matter how whimsical you think it looks.

“Sealing the ceiling becomes impossible,” says Richter. “It will leak, there will be airflow around it, and insects will be crawling up and down the trunk.”

8. Plan entrances and exits “I recommend as many ingress and egress points as

Treehouses can range from simple to elegant. (THE WASHINGTON POST)

An Immigrant’s Simple Thank You to America

By Ger Ronan Yankee Home Founder

By Ger Ronan Yankee

Dear America,

Dear

There are certain days when we feel our lives change profoundly, days we remember for a lifetime. The day you hold your first-born child in your arms (this month 29 years ago). The day you walk your daughter down the aisle, (only 3 months ago and what a glorious day it was). The day you set foot on American soil for the first time (this month 43 years ago).

By Ger Ronan Yankee Home Founder

Dear America, There are certain days when we feel our lives change profoundly, days we remember for a lifetime. The day you hold your first-born child in your arms (this month 29 years ago). The day you walk your daughter down the aisle, (only 3 months ago

The years may have flown by, but my gratitude hasn't. Those profound days happened because you opened your doors to a humble Irish immigrant with a dream, a work visa and $80 in his pocket.

I know you are not perfect; no country is. This year I watched as another well-known local contractor went out of business taking plenty of hard-earned deposits with them. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I decided to do something about it. If anyone googles how many contractors make it to the 10-year mark, they will discover it's only 4%. It pains me to see people getting taken advantage of over and over. I created a FREE website called askGer.com to empower Americans to ask the right questions before any work starts. I know what it’s like to lose a deposit and I want to do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Now people have an exact blueprint on how to hire ANYONE for ANYTHING, so folks can get the job they deserve from the 4% of contractors that stick around. BOOM.

July 4th is a profound day. Happy Birthday and thanks again.

I know you are not perfect; no country is. This year I watched as another well-known local contractor went out of business taking plenty of hard-earned deposits with them. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I decided to do something about it. If anyone googles how many contractors make it to the 10-year mark, they will discover it's only 4%. It pains me to see people getting taken advantage of over and over. I created a FREE website called askGer.com to empower Americans to ask the right questions before any work starts. I know what it’s like to lose a deposit and I want to do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Now people have an exact blueprint on how to hire ANYONE for ANYTHING, so folks can get the job they deserve from the 4% of contrac-

I know you are not perfect; no country is. This year I watched as another well-known local contractor went out of business taking plenty of hard-earned deposits with them. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I decided to do something about it. If anyone googles how many contractors make it to the 10-year mark, they will discover it's only 4%. It pains me to see people getting taken advantage of over and over. I created a FREE website called askGer.com to empower Americans to ask the right questions before any work starts. I know what it’s like to lose a deposit and I want to do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Now people have an exact blueprint on how to hire ANYONE for ANYTHING, so folks can get

Ruth Willemain, Founder of Harmony House

Maeve & Her Proud Father

Ruth Willemain, Founder of Harmony House 1934-2022

Home Founder

Convenient kitchen for campers

EXPERIENCED

campers know that careful packing keeps clutter to a minimum and, more importantly, ensures that nothing necessary gets left behind.

A new take on an old idea, this do-it-yourself camp kitchen is a great way to keep track of food and cooking gear on your next adventure in the great outdoors.

Modeled after the chuck boxes used by cowboys on the range, the project features dedicated compartments for pots, pans, dishes, cups, silverware, utensils and dry goods. Designed to keep everything organized in a con-

venient, manageable package, the camp kitchen makes it easy to make sure all the grub is in order — before you hit the trail.

Handles make it easy to get the project into camp. Once there, the top opens up for easy access and the front panel drops down to create a handy work surface. Between meals, everything closes up to a compact 30 inches long by 17 inches tall by 19 inches deep.

Built primarily from a single sheet of plywood, the project is as easy to make as it is to use.

Simply trace the pieces onto the wood from full-size

patterns, cut out, sand and assemble.

The Camp Kitchen plan, No. 213, is $9.95 and includes full-size traceable patterns, step-by-step instructions, construction diagrams and a shopping list and cutting schedule. Please include $3.95 for postage and handling on all orders 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

7 tasks for your June maintenance checklist

By Jeanne Huber

The Washington Post

Summer officially begins later this month, but there’s no penalty for getting started on seasonal home maintenance tasks early. Focus your energy on chores that will make summer more enjoyable, or that are a lot easier to do before it gets too hot.

1. Battle mosquitoes

Dining outdoors is great — until the mosquitoes attack. Lighting candles may help, but only if you are where the smoke drifts. Slathering yourself or your clothes with insect repellent gets around that issue, but the stuff stinks and who wants to wear pesticide to dinner? A better solution that’s almost foolproof: Set up a fan above or to the side of your outdoor dining table. Mosquitoes aren’t likely to try to fly through what to them must feel like a hurricane, so as long as you and your guests are bathed by the breeze, you should be safe.

It also helps to eliminate the habitat that mosquitoes need to reproduce, especially if your neighbors take similar steps. Mosquitoes lay eggs

only in still water, so empty any buckets, toys or plastic tarps that trap water.

2. Feel the breeze

Fans perform summertime magic indoors, too. If you have a ceiling fan that’s still set for wintertime operation, switch the direction the blades move so you can feel air flowing down when you are standing directly underneath.

(In winter, the fan should push air down close to the walls; under the fan, the air should be flowing upward.) You can switch the direction on most fans by pushing a button on the remote or fan switch. If you have an older fan, you might need to use a step stool or a ladder to reach a switch on the fan itself.

Using a ceiling fan can save on your electrical bill — but only if you also adjust the thermostat so the air conditioner switches on at a higher temperature, use energy-efficient lights (if your fan includes them) and turn the fan off when no one is in the room.

Ceiling fans cool people by helping sweat evaporate.

3. Clean out the garage

Carve out some time to sort through boxes and sweep away any dirt that collected over the winter. Instead of simply dividing items into piles to keep, toss or donate, establish more specific categories. For example, set out boxes labeled for things your friends might use, ones you will donate to a thrift shop or your local Buy Nothing group, and those you might try to sell.

4. Purge toxic materials

At the back of the garage, you may find old containers of finishes, pesticides and other nasties. If you don’t plan to use them, get rid of them through your local household hazardous waste program. The Environmental Protection Agency has links for programs in each state, and the state webpages typically include a tool that allows you to search for a program near where you live.

To get advice about where to recycle or dispose of specific items, search for “household hazardous waste” in or near your Zip code at Earth911.com. Or call

800-CLEANUP (800-2532687).

5. Deal with ice

I know, it’s summer; I’m talking about the ice in your freezer.

Cleaning and changing the filter on your ice maker helps ensure a steady supply of good-tasting ice and cold water. GE Appliances cleaning tips start with a warning to unplug the refrigerator before you begin. But if the plug is behind the refrigerator, don’t try to roll it out; the weight might damage the flooring. Instead, switch off power at the circuit breaker. Clean the ice chute with water mixed with a little hand dishwashing soap, then wipe with clean water and dry. Use an old toothbrush or cotton swabs to clean crevices. For the glass cradle or pad, use soapy water or vinegar and water. If the dispenser tray has mineral deposits, soak it with undiluted vinegar until you can wipe them away, which might take a half-hour.

6. Clip weeds

Letting weeds take over your yard isn’t just unsightly,

it violates the law in some communities, and tall, dry weeds left to form seeds become a fire hazard. Plus, all those seeds get carried by birds and the wind, leading to more weeds.

To remove weeds permanently — if that’s even possible, given that weeds have adapted to growing without coddling — you can pull them out roots and all, burn them with a flame-throwing burner or spray them with an herbicide.

7. Test outlets

Before you plug in that electric weed cutter or the rotisserie on your barbecue, take a few minutes to test the ground fault circuit interrupters on your outdoor electrical outlets, as well as those in the basement, garage, bathrooms and kitchen. To test a GFCI receptacle, plug a night light or other lamp into the outlet and switch on the light. Press the “test” button on the GFCI. If the GFCI is working correctly, the “reset” button should pop out and the light should go out. Press “reset” to restore power to the outlet. If the reset button doesn’t pop out, replace the GFCI.

EAST LONGMEADOW Scholarship recipient

Branden Hrdlicka and his family attended the annual meeting of the East Longmeadow Barden Club on May 25 at the First Congregational Church of East Longmeadow. Diane Tiago, scholarship chair, presented him with a certificate representing the Esther A. Rosati Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 for the second consecutive year. In May of 2022, Hrdlicka addressed the members of the club and told them that he was concerned about the environment of our planet. He stated that he wanted to be an active participant and leader to find solutions that will eliminate pollution and global warming. In order to reach is goal, Hrdlicka has completed his freshman year at Westfield State University where he is enrolled in its Environmental Science Program.

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 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. Pre-pay online at forbeslibrary.org/ friends to reserve tour tickets through Wednesday, June 7, for pick up 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 are 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 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:

• “Cyanotype on Fabric: Make Your Own Bag,” June 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Magical and simple, cyanotypes are a camera-less technique that results in graphic blue and white prints. Developed in 1852, this alternative photographic process uses a light-sensitive solution on fabric, sunlight, and pressed plants to make a beautiful botanical image — in this case, on a tote bag. All supplies, including pressed plant material, will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring objects or pressed plants with interest-

ing silhouettes from home to use in their compositions. Cost $55 members, $60 nonmembers.

• “Botanical Dyeing Intensive,” June 10, 1 to 4 p.m. This craft-and-carry class is designed to walk students through the process of natural dyeing. Participants will use communal dye baths to create fabric swatches, cotton market tote and a silk scarf for students to take home with them. Plus, everyone will receive Maggie’s Natural Dyeing E-Course ($50 value) so they can dye at home. Led by Maggie Pate. Cost $150 members, $165 nonmembers.

• “Water is a Verb: Eco-Art Wellness Workshop,” June 10, 3 to 5 p.m. In this eco-art wellness workshop, participants contemplate the water element to discover which most closely relates to their own lives at this moment. Participants create individual nature circles to dive deeper into understanding and celebrating how we live our best lives like water.

This mandala workshop includes an introduction, short introspective writing, the creation of individual nature mandalas, and meaningful discussion. Mandalas are ephemeral and will not be taken home. Photographs are encouraged. Cost $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.

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

Berkshire Botanical Garden’s ornamental vegetable garden.

Refinishing

CONTINUES FROM PAGE F2

People often assume that all mid-century furniture was finished with teak oil, Kennedy said, but most was finished with sprayed, toned lacquer. Therefore, you likely won’t want to use teak or Danish oil. “It’s like putting olive oil on a car finish,” Duffy said, adding that if you strip and sand a piece, then put teak oil on it, you haven’t really established a surface durable enough for everyday use.

When trying to achieve a certain color with your new finish, she recommends practicing first on a spare piece of wood. (If you’re unsure which products are right for your item, Kennedy offers free advice in his Facebook group the Mid Century Modern Furniture Refinishing Resource.)

The pros I spoke to advised avoiding the finishes available at hardware and big-box stores in favor of professional-grade options.

There are many brands, but for beginners, they recom-

Treehouse

CONTINUES FROM PAGE F4

possible,” says Wright. “Kids like to go up and down in different ways.”

The possibilities are myriad:

Transplant

CONTINUES FROM PAGE F3

planting date in good garden soil, and they will germinate. Save transplanting efforts for vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, which need to be started early indoors in order to ripen their fruits in a reasonable amount of time. Or broccoli and cabbage, because individual plants yield a substantial amount to eat. Tomato, broccoli, and cabbage plants do not object to being transplanted, and not too many transplants are required since they are set a

mend those by Mohawk, which offers many of its products in aerosol format, so you won’t need to invest in a sprayer.

When applying the finish,

sloping ship’s ladders, slides, rock walls, cargo nets, fireman’s poles, spiral staircases, ziplines and ramps. If you install a rope ladder, Wright recommends staking it to the ground, because if a hanging ladder gets snagged while

Duffy said, “you need to build up five or six coats to create a really beautiful surface that is strong enough for daily use and will preserve the furniture for another 50 or 60 years.”

Let each application dry according to the package directions; in between coats, you’ll need to lightly scuff the surface with high-grit sandpaper.

When to walk away

If your piece is painted, it might not be worth the trouble.

Stripping away paint is tedious and time-consuming, especially for a novice. Even Kennedy says he will no longer refinish a painted piece unless it’s a particularly hot seller.

If you’re considering attempting it, he advises asking yourself, “What’s underneath the paint? Did they paint it to hide something?” You could put in hours of work only to discover damage.

Maybe reconsider

On the flip side, if you’re planning to paint a mid-century piece yourself, the experts would encourage you to reconsider.

“That trend has irreparably ruined many fine pieces of mid-century furniture,” said Duffy, who points out that most items people think are “beyond repair” and must be painted can, in fact, be refinished successfully.

being raised, it can pull an unprepared child over the edge.

9. Accessorize it

The sky is the limit when it comes to decorating.

Add a wooden ship’s wheel and a bird cage with a parrot

doll perched inside to create a pirate ship. Attach a few futuristic looking dials and gauges to the walls for a time machine.

Other fun design flourishes include skylights, portholes, a trapdoor or concealed cubbies

for hiding treasures.

“My favorite addition is a rope bridge out to another platform,” says Wright. “An overlook, a crow’s nest you build higher in the tree or a little perch that doesn’t have a roof on it.”

Peas generally aren’t worth transplanting because you need lots of plants; each plant bears little. (LEE

couple of feet or more apart in the garden.”

Seeds which are particularly finicky or valuable (due either to scarcity or cost) also are worth growing initially in pots. There, seedlings can be watched and nurtured individually. I am again trying to grow blue poppy (Mecon-

opsis spp.) this year. Because the seeds are very small, and germination is very slow and erratic, I am sowing them in a seed flat rather than in the ground outdoors. And sure, it may be worthwhile to start a few corn plants indoors, because fresh sweet corn is one of the ultimate gustatory pleasures of the vegetable garden. But is zucchini that toothsome?

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.

REICH PHOTO)

Seeds which are particularly finicky or valuable (due either to scarcity or cost) also are worth growing initially in pots.

Bob Kennedy touches up a cabinet. (CAITLIN O’HARA / THE WASHINGTON POST)

30-year US mortgage rate climbs to 6.79%

By A LEX VEIGA

The Associated Press

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed this week to its highest level since November, driving up borrowing costs for wouldbe homebuyers at a time when the housing market is being held back by a near record-low inventory of homes on the market.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year home loan rose to 6.79% from 6.57% last week. A year ago, the rate averaged 5.09%. The latest increase marks the third in three weeks and lifts the average rate on a 30-year home loan to its highest level since it surged to 7.08% in early November.

The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with those refinancing their homes, rose to 6.18% this week from 5.97% last week. A year ago, it averaged 4.32%, Freddie Mac said.

High rates can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for homebuyers, limiting how much they can afford in a market that remains unaffordable to many Americans after years of soaring home prices and historically low levels of housing inventory.

Mortgage rates have ticked higher along with the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing loans. The yield hit 3.81% last week, its highest point since early March, reflecting uncertainty among bond investors over whether the federal government would be able to avoid a debt default and renewed worries that the Federal Reserve may not be done hiking interest rates.

The U.S. housing market has been slow to regain its footing this year, with elevated mortgage rates and a thin inventory of homes on the market working to limit sales.

Deeds

AGAWAM

Alfred H. Riberdy to Gregory A. Riberdy and Mary Beth Riberdy, 509 N Westfield St., $250,000.

Bernard Frank Wilkes III, and Kelly Cristina Rocha Wilkes to Ian Ireland and Brianna Fox, 520 School St., $400,000.

Bretta Construction LLC, to Omar Renardo Crawford and Moya Patterson Crawford, 11 Damato Way, $615,900.

Brian A. Pellegrino and Angela Pellegrino to Alessio Calabrese and Emily Calabrese, 63 William St., $265,000.

Chicopee Kendall LLC, to Partnership Rosewood Way Townhomes Limited, 586 Mill St., $700,000.

Christopher W. Rutola to Melissa Desrosiers, 53 James St., $314,900.

Mary C. Randall to Deborah Payne and David Payne, 418 Meadow St., Unit B2, $215,000.

Modern Creative Contractor Inc., to Shawn Patrick Allyn and Edward Borgatti, 250 Poplar St., $311,822.

Plata O Plomo Inc., to Brandon Tessier, 84 Line St., $285,000.

Richard M. Tencati, Steven J. Tencati, Thomas G. Tencati and Robert C. Tencati to Laura A. Miacola, 19 Beekman Drive, $199,900.

AMHERST

Thomas D. Simpson and Pamela S. Simpson to Thomas D. Simpson, trustee, and Revocable Indenture of Trust of Thomas D. Simpson, 110 Blackberry Lane, $100.

Carla Carpenter and Christopher Prather to Tamara Agarwal and Gaurav Agarwal, 58 Sunset Ave., $1,448,000.

Robert M. Fitz and Sally J. Fitz to Robert M. Fitz, trustee, Sally J. Fitz, trustee, and Fitz 2023 Family Trust, 550 Station Road, $100.

Larissa R. Chernock and Matthew S. Goldberg to Janet Segal Strauss, 52 Blue Hills Road, $420,000.

Graham E. Caldwell and Mary W. Kersell to Suzanne Nagy, 55 Aubinwood Road, $640,000.

Eva Cashdan, trustee, Sheldon Cashdan, trustee, Cashdan Funding Trust, Eva Cashdan and Sheldon Cashdan to Charles G. Hruska, 4 Evergreen Lane, $500,000.

Justin S. Payan, John M. Payan and Jana Beth Payan to Michael Paul Phillips and Megan M. McAra, 16 Aubinwood Road, $515,000.

Krishna C. Poudel and Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar to Perry Yee, Connor E. Yee and Judy Moy, 170 East Hadley Road, $225,000.

BELCHERTOWN

Lee A. Lamoureux, personal representative, Mark A. Lamoureux, estate, and Lee Lamoureux to Lee Lamoureux and Leah Lamoureux, Hamilton Street, $100.

Louise F. Rouleau to Sandra M. Scott and Colin R. Scott, 130 North Washington St., $100.

Jeffrey A. Moore and Brittany M. Moore to Kathryn S. Maroney and Kenneth G. Maroney, 21 Dogwood Drive, $590,000.

Arcadia Construction Inc., to Robert M. Mileski, Eskett Road, $100. Mark A. Fundakowski, personal representative, and Stephen L. Fundakowski, estate, to Jinguo Lian and Aimin Sun, 15 Chartier Drive, $340,000.

BRIMFIELD

Chestnut Hill Homes LLC, to John Robinson, 146 Warren Road, $489,000.

Lawrence F. Army, commissioner, Rene M. Pecore and William F. Scobie to Jocelyn Tourtellotte and Kevin Tourtellotte, 279 Little Alum Road, $290,000.

Friends of The Brimfield Senior Center Inc., and Friends of Brimfield Senior Center Inc., to Joshua Benoit, 00 Holland Road, $28,000.

CHICOPEE

Chi Dinh to Yarellys Nicole Barreto, 8 Pleasantview Ave., $250,000.

Daniel H. Burnett, Deborah Chabot, James Carrier and Debra Chabot to RTNC Auto Wash Inc., 200 St. James Ave., $400,000. Ismael Bernabel to Harvey Marmolejos, 43-45 Tourtelotte Ave., $340,000.

Julio Rivera to Lizandra Nieves Ortiz, 137 Springfield St., $350,000. Linda M. Santoni to Kimsuor Thorng, 122 Grattan St., $263,000. Mark S. Bailly and Cheryl A. Bailly to Jaime M. Decaro, 166 Vadnais St., $285,000.

Muhammad Jawad Akbar to Marilyn Cruz Ayala, 91 Rimmon Ave., $275,000.

Richard R. Stanislas, Normand L. Jacques and Alain H. Stanislas to Nicholas Simon, 196-198 Montgomery St., $335,000.

CONWAY

Alfred J. Albano, Jr., commissioner of Lorna Rose, to Susan Secco and Philip Watson, 46-48 Schoolhouse Road, “aka” 46 Schoolhouse Drive, $155,000.

DEERFIELD

Kelly N. Smiaroski and Paul M. Smiaroski to Alan Haas, 117 Stillwater Road, $450,000.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Shannon Ryan, Shannon Lee Ecker, Debra Ecker, Daniel Ryan and Mark Ecker Sr., to Thomas Ciarla, 15 Barnum St., $260,000.

EASTHAMPTON

Christopher F. Sterpka and Ashley D. Sterpka to Geoffrey E. Green and Amanda S. Green, 113 Strong St., $360,000.

Andrea A. Przybyla and Brian Pranka to Michael Dudek and Skylar Nunn, 3 Zabek Drive, $351,000.

Franklin Street Investment LLC, to R. Michael McKittrick, 47-49 Franklin St., $475,000.

Salina M. Burgess, personal representative, and Ellen Sandra Perrier, estate, to Alex Bales and Rose Barrosse Schwartz, 43 Knipfer Ave., $380,000.

John A. Knybel and Melissa M. Knybel to 6-12 Lovell LLC, 6-12 Lovell St., $762,500.

GRANBY

Better Together Dog Rescue Inc., to Peter R. Heronemus, Batchelor Street, $145,000.

JD Group Inc., to John F. Dunn, 38 Ferry Hill Road, $100.

GRANVILLE

Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Kokoleka Realty Trust, trustee of, to Paula Novak and Garrett Purdy, 388 South Lane, $391,500.

GREENFIELD

CFI PROPCO 2 LLC, to Obsidian ML 6 LLC, 317 Federal St., $3,500,433.

Rural Development Inc., to Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity Inc., 184 Petty Plain Road, $15,000.

Joseph M. Interlande, Lawrence P. Interlande and Richard J. Interlande to George Baker and Shannon Baker, 49 Smith St., $325,000.

Diana C. Scriver and Thomas M. Scriver to Matthew S. Sniffen and Rebecca A. Sniffen, trustees of the Sniffen Family Trust, 330 Leyden Road, $725,000.

HADLEY

Karen M. DePace, trustee, Mark L. DePace, trustee, and Revocable Indenture of Trust of Karen M. DePace to HP Realty LLC, 132 Russell St., $450,000.

HAMPDEN

David C. Dickinson to Fred A. Pafumi and Annette L. Pafumi, 352 South Road, $110,000.

Jill Ann Johnson, trustee, and Roger P. Zepke 2016 Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Thomas Cuzzone, Scantic Road, Lot 16, $25,000.

Linda A. Varney and Kenneth W. Varney to Rachael L. Cormier and Jon P. Yezzi, 42 Raymond Drive, $345,000.

Marcey Lindley to Elliot Jenrette and Elizabeth Loranth, 778 Main St., $400,000.

HATFIELD

Charles A. Wiemeyer to Ingellis Properties LLC, 23 West St., $1,350,000.

HOLLAND

Brian McCarthy to Sean McCarthy, Wales Road, $5,000.

Daniel J. Bauman to Herbert F. Seymour II, 63 South Cottage Road, $200,000.

Tammy S. Storey, Lisa Judkins, conservator, and Paul Storey to John David Holdcraft, 69 Stafford Road, $151,000.

Thomas J. Foley Sr., to Gayan C. Don Amarasinghe, Vinton Road, Lot 12, $45,000.

Tiffany Gilfoy, representative, and Joseph Gilfoy, estate, to Amanda M. Lafrance, 62 Vinton Road, $335,000.

HOLYOKE

Benjamin P. Haynes to Dagney Villar, 4 Arbor Way, Unit B, $150,000. Constance M. Laroche to Matthew W. Bayne and Karen E. Bayne, 32 Woodbine Lane, $437,000.

Maria Munet to Jeremy R. Gonzalez, 244-246 South St., $337,000. Obas Realty LLC, to Green Path Consulting Group, 52 Main St., $150,000.

Plata O Plomo Inc., to Ann Adams, 136 Pearl St., $125,000.

LONGMEADOW

Joshua Kent and Cayla Kent to Douglas L. Catanzaro and Jill L. Egan, 120 Hawthorn St., $409,000.

Lauren B. Leveton, trustee, Lauren M. Leveton-Conroy, trustee, and Miriam I. Leveton Nominee Trust, trustee of, to Blue Castle (Cayman) LTD, 44 Tanglewood Drive, $80,000.

Richard P. Roque and Marissa A. Vest to Corey B. Williams and Stephanie Sparling Williams, 97 Roseland Terrace, $540,000.

LUDLOW

Alan D. Venne, representative, and Jacqueline O. Venne, estate, to Rodman Capital Group LLC, 97 Church St., $250,000.

Helder M. Cerqueira to Jose L. Fragoso and Maria R. Fragoso, 19 Lehigh St., $210,000.

Lisa M. Belisle to John C. Oliveres and Angelmina Garcia, 38 Waters

SEE DEEDS, PAGE F10

Deeds

CONTINUES FROM PAGE F9

Stephany A. Reilly, representative, Stephany A. Kostorizos, representative, and Mary E. Kostorizos, estate, to David G. Vargas and Melanie V. Vargas, 34 Ely Road, $501,000.

MONTAGUE

CFI PROPCO 2 LLC, to Obsidian ML 6 LLC, 10 Montague City Road, $1,365,242.

Melisa A. Foster, trustee of the Alice M. Foster Irrevocable Real Estate Trust, to Windy Hollow Acres 2 LLC, 2 Fosters Road, $215,000.

Mary C. Hildreth and William J. Hildreth, trustees of the Hildreth Investment Trust, to Karla Hutchinson and Michael Hutchinson, 22 O Street, $239,900.

MONTGOMERY

No Limit Assets LLC, to Monica A. Patrick, 78 Pine Ridge Road, $370,000.

NORTHAMPTON

Hayes House LLC, to Laura Wright, 1051 Chesterfield Road, $680,000. Louise D. Mahoney, trustee, and Louise D. Mahoney Revocable Trust to Anne E. McDonald, 575 Bridge Road, $350,000.

Lise Marie Lemeland, trustee, and Lise Marie Lemeland Revocable Living Trust to Flowmeter Services LLC, Old Ferry Road and Cross Path Road, $91,000.

NORTHFIELD

Nancy A. Silva to Peter B. Antognoni, 440 Mount Hermon Station Road, $150,000.

ORANGE

Robert K. Treutlein and Susan L. Treutlein to Timothy Britt and Carolyn Salls, 12 High St., $190,000.

Richard P. Marcinowski, “aka” Richard Marcinowski, to David Paul Hartnett, 200 Dana Road, $287,500.

73 Willard Road LLC, to Dustin Mallette, 47 Horton Road, $275,000.

PALMER

Christopher J. Sugrue, Damian J. Sugrue and Carol A. Sugrue to Sarah Sevigny, 8 Meadow Lane, $252,000.

Myriam Vega to Damien Wilson and Elizabeth McEachen, 114-118 Bourne St., $410,000.

Patricia J. Bachand to Lisa Anne Newton and James Robert Pachler, 9 Holbrook St., $305,000.

PELHAM

Adam Chilenski, personal representative, and Gregory M. Chilenski, estate, to Logan Robert Fritz, 44

Amherst Road, $489,000.

PLAINFIELD

Carol Tauscher to Wade Guy, Gloyd Road, $100.

SHUTESBURY

Lisa Stein-Lesure to Carol Avonti, Cove Road, $100.

SOUTH HADLEY

Horace T. Brockway, H. Taylor Brockway III, and Geraldine A. Brockway to Mia T. Kakos, Eric M. Sarrazin and Mark S. Sarrazin, 16 Jacobs Way, $100.

David G. Fesko, Mary Anne Fesko and Maryanne Fesko to Anthony G. Staszko and Miranda L. Staszko, 74 High St., $273,500.

Jeffrey P. Labonte to Bruce L. Rivest, 38-40 North Main St., $80,000.

Bruce L. Rivest to Leo Paul Labonte, Catherine Margaret Labonte, Dean Gerard Labonte and Marianne Elaine Labonte, 38-40 North Main St., $100.

Michael G. Laporte, Michael Laporte, Arline L. Laporte and Arline Laporte to Michael G. Laporte, trustee, Arline L. Laporte, trustee, and Laporte Family Trust, 43 Wildwood Lane, $100.

Xander Properties LLC, to Matthew J. Doyen and Lisa J. Doyen, 14 Lloyd St., $325,000.

SOUTHAMPTON

James R. Belisle and Diane F. Belisle to Lisa Belisle and Christopher P. Garon, 58 Strong Road, $465,000.

SOUTHWICK

Bell Point LLC, to Pavel Zhuk and Nataliia Zhuk, 95A Sheep Pasture Road, $124,000.

SPRINGFIELD

Alisa Feliberty to Property Advantage Inc., 22 Massreco St., $91,000.

Amy E. Harrigan and Brian J. Harrington to Ricardo Ortiz and Ricardo Ortiz Aquino, 71 Caitlin Drive, $335,000.

Ary Barletta, representative, Melvin Rodriquez, estate, and Melvin Rodriguez, estate, to Maritza Matos Alicea, 252 Cabinet St., $330,000. Bay Flow LLC, to Carlos Raul Cosme Rosado, 160 Hampshire St., $270,000.

Benjamin A. Tanguay and Krysta M. Menard Tanguay to Quyen Long Ngo and Le Binh Mach, 39 Laurelwood Lane, $310,000.

Carmen Elizabeth Reyes to Jaminton Palma, 67-69 Chester St., $385,000.

Carol G. Jackson to Layth Alkhazraji, Marwan Al-Khazraji and Ahlam Alrubaye, 100 Birchland Ave., $385,000.

Christopher Brown and Micah Varela to Real Estate Investments Northeast LLC, 276 Dickinson St.,

$50,000.

Courtney Jessica Sleeper and Robert W. Zewski & Eileen R Sewski Trust Agreement, trustee of, to Robert W. Zewski, trustee, and Eileen R. Zewski, trustee, 653 Nassau Drive, Unit 653, $226,100.

Delissa S. Kraus to Campo Y Mar LLC, 24-26 Beauregard St., $339,000.

Diego Bonilla to Reinaldo Perez Maestre, 184-186 Northampton Ave., $360,000.

Dimetrius A. Hatcher to Scott Meadows, 290 Newton Road, $295,000.

Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Matahari Realty Trust, trustee of, to Frances Ellen Kimball Russo, 152 Shady Brook Lane, $265,000.

Dora Morales to Marc Marino and Jennifer Marino, 33 Ladd St., $245,000.

Dorcas Roy, estate, Dorcas Joan Roy, estate, and Steven P. Roy, representative, to David Pownall and Tyler Deming, 90 Savoy Ave., $250,000.

Edwin D. Friderici III, and Jennifer L. Friderici to Megan McAdams, 163 Atwater Terrace, $465,000.

Eyup Atmaca and Seda Atmaca to Agnesa Bratnichenko, 63 Entrybrook Drive, $295,000.

JJJ17 LLC, to Shaneka R. Edwards, 70 Wrentham Road, $360,000. Mendez Trust, trustee of, Hilda R. Mendez, trustee, and Jorge E. Mendez, trustee, to Mark Manzella and Daryl James Back, 244 Springfield St,. $423,000.

New England Public Media Inc., to F B Development LLC, 1525 Main St. Unit One, $850,000.

Pah Properties LLC, to Clark L. Brown, 44 Ina St., $225,000.

Rayelle E. Pierson to Darryl A. Cole, 72 Yorktown Drive, $162,000.

Robert J. Lefebvre, commissioner, to Victor Manuel Lopez Garcia, 130 Myrtle St., $185,000.

Scott E Rohan to Plata O Plomo Inc, 249-251 Oak Grove Ave., $127,500.

Sivia Malloy to Emonni Bunch, trustee, and Greene Street Realty Trust, trustee of, 115 Greene St., $131,000.

Stephanie C. Howard to Luis A. Rivera Pinero and Lizette Rivera, 41 Washington St., $269,000.

603 Elm St., $265,000.

Melissa M. Desrosiers, Melissa Marie Sheehan and Melissa M. Sheehan to Jacob Burgess, 61 Christopher Terrace, $470,000.

Michael J. Mushok and Ava Wills to Justin R. Guillemette, 117 Brookline Ave., $250,000.

Stephen Judycki, representative, and Raymond Norman Judycki, estate, to Tonya L. Tabin, 119 Orchardview St., $351,000.

WESTFIELD

Tara Ahmed to Uziel Quenir Martinez Barrios, 112 Princeton St., $277,500.

TM Rentals LLC, to Angelic Carr, 50-52 James St., $290,000.

Todd Regnier and Melishia Ivelisse Santiago to Todd Regnier, 17 Shirley Road, $25,000.

Yeslin Gonzalez to Saengchanh Viengxay, 625 Dickinson St., $244,000.

SUNDERLAND

Helen F. Clark to Helen F. Clark, trustee of the Helen Clark Revocable Trust, 37 South Main St., $100.

TOLLAND

Denise M. Linden, William A. Linden Jr., Kathryn D. Linden and Kathryn Lea Dreghorn to George A. Porter Revocable Trust Agreement, trustee of, George A. Porter, trustee, Mary Ellen C. Porter, trustee, and Mary Ellen C. Porter Revocable Trust Agreement, trustee of, 26 Forest Road, $297,500.

WARE

Edward J. Smith to 26 Gould Road Realty Trust and Edward J. Smith, trustee, 26 Gould Road, $100.

Raymond Lemon, Raymond Lemon III, Elizabeth Lemon and Elizabeth R. Lemon to Jeremy Thomas Moody, 8 Wildflower Drive, $400,000.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Antonia Santiago, Jorge Santiago, and Jorge L. Santiago to Antonia Santiago, 270 Sibley Ave., $20,000. Bridget Nostin, estate, Bridget Diane Nostin, estate, and Thomas J. Nostin, representative, to No Limit Assets LLC, 34 Belle Ave., $70,000.

Corey B. Williams and Stephanie Sparling Williams to Center for Human Development Inc., 696 Elm St., $425,000.

Elizabeth Duquette, trustee, and state Trust 695 Morgan Road Nominee Real Estate, trustee of, to William Rivera and Angela K Rivera, 695 Morgan Road, $175,000.

John Fiorini and Susan L Fowler to Jayne Bartlett, 60 Bowers St, $265,000.

Malia Homebuyers LLC, to Robert Denham and Yessenia Denham,

Bent Tree Development LLC, to Christopher Shea and Georgianna Shea, Rachael Terrace, Lot 110Q, $657,800.

Brian T. Howard, estate, and Jonathan T. Howard, representative, to David Fitzgerald and Elizabeth A. Fitzgerald, 112 Mullen Ave., $425,000.

G. Russell Estee and Donna E. Estee to Matthew Byrnes and Samantha Byrnes, 78 Westwood Drive, $415,000.

Joseph J. Knapik and Neil C. Knapik to Daniel M. Knapik, 293 Birch Bluffs Drive, $220,000.

Kevin Belina to Eric Shepard and Amanda Shepard, 40 Prospect St., Unit A-1, $175,000.

Kymberli A. Zabielski, representative, and Gwendolyn C. Cornelius, estate, to Karen Marie Guy, 14 Pinewood Lane, $255,000.

Natali Adams to Rory P. Marshall, 119 Union St., Unit 1, $181,500.

Patricia Riga to Patricia Riga and Annegret Heck, 121 Glennwood Drive, $100.

Raymond J. Wright to Michael Forest, Colleen Forest and Colleen M. Forest, 38 Westwood Drive, $190,000.

Tok Chang and Flora Tung to Carlos A. Bonilla Ortiz, 43 Shepard St., $218,000.

WHATELY

Justine Pasiecnik, personal representative of the Estate of James M. Pasiecnik, 255 River Road, $805,000.

WILBRAHAM

2301 Boston Road LLC, to Lodge Lane LLC, 33 Lodge Lane, $499,000.

AC Homebuilding LLC, to Karen L. Northup-Scudder and David R. Scudder, Sandalwood Drive, Unit 52, $555,750.

Helene E. Kelly to James P. Kane Jr., and Lisa I. Kane, 37 Ivy Circle, $359,900.

Liliana T. Figueroa and Jorge R. Figueroa to John Kangas and Brittney Santos, 11 Three Rivers Road, $309,000.

MidFirst Bank to Tim Real Estate LLC, 120 Washington Road, $195,250.

Aaron Posnik

Chicopee - 38 Parkwood Drive, Sunday June 4th 8:00am -1:00pm. Tools, household items, silver & much more.

Hampden-8EchoValley DriveJune3&4.Sat/Sun 9AMto3pm.Greatsale! Motorcyclememorabilia, incl.Indian,1860civilwar sword,Carolina12kayak, GaryFisherZebranobike, Tools,tonsofquality kitcheninclVikingStand Mixer,Beds,Bureaus, electr.,music,Maytaguprightfrzr,cameras,TVs. Don’t miss this one! Sunday clearance. (Lori) HugeTagSale,June2,3,& 4,9-4:30.15HillviewRd, Holyoke,Jewelry,Toys, LPs,Collectables,Clothing & more. rain or shine

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

Golden Retrievers Puppies, 1st shots & dewormed. $650. 2 females & 1 Male Call 802-895-2784

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

12:00 PM-BLANDFORD

78 Main Street

sgl fam, 1,792 sf liv area, 1 ac lot, 6 rm,

3 bdrm, 1.5 bth, fpl Hampden: Bk 16411, Pg 538

1:00 PM-WESTFIELD 40 Murray Avenue

sgl fam, 936 sf liv area, 0.23 ac lot, 6 rm, 3 bdrm, 1 bth, Hampden: Bk 22182, Pg 586 3:00 PM-CHESTER 70 Ingell Road

Multiple structures, 3,336 sf liv area, multiple lots totaling 79.76 acres Hampden: Bk 17931, Pg 16

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.

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 B/O. 413-262-0118 text or call.

3-PieceLivingRoomTable set,Removablemarble tops,drawers,$150firm, 413-896-0232 Queen box spring, excellent condition, $50. Call 413-538-7758

BeautifulFancyNecklace& Earringsetforbride, bridesmade, or prom. $25. Call 413-218-7924 or 413-732-0917

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

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

info@towneauction.com / 781.790.7870 www.towneauction.com

MORTGAGEE’S FORECLOSURE AUCTION HELD ON THE PREMISES

TUESDAY, JUNE 06, 2023

1 PM 27 Lower Whitney Street, Ludlow, MA

THURSDAY, JUNE 08, 2023

10 AM 4 Langdon Street, Springfield, MA

Terms of Sale: Present a $5000 bank check deposit at sale The balance shall be paid 30 days from the sale. Other terms may be announced at sale. Auctioneer makes no representations as to the accuracy of the information contained herein. NO CASH

T. Gravlin - MA Lic. AU 3112

DouglasAuctioneers.com ESTATES-ANTIQUES 413-665-2877

MORTGAGEES’ REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS TO BE SOLD ON THEIR RESPECTIVE PREMISE

THURSDAY JUNE 8, 2023

10:00AM-SPRINGFIELD, MA 131 ARVILLA STREETDEPOSIT $5,000

1:00 PM - LENOX, MA 13 CLIFFWOOD STREET DEPOSIT $15,000

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

3 speaker Bass guitar enclosure, great condition, $125. call 413-388-9744

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

2:00 PMEASTHAMPTON, MA 14 CHAPMAN AVENUEDEPOSIT $5,000

2:00 PM - PITTSFIELD, MA 328 FIRST STREETDEPOSIT $5,000

MONDAY

JUNE 12, 2023

12:00 PM - CHESTER, MA 12 EMERY STREETDEPOSIT $5,000

TERMSOFSALES:DEPOSITSINTHEAMOUNTS SPECIFIEDABOVEARETO BEPAIDBYTHEPURCHASER(S)ATTHETIME ANDPLACEOFEACH SALEBYCERTIFIEDOR BANKCHECK.ALLBALANCESDUEARETOBE PAIDWITHIN30DAYSOF EACHINDIVIDUALSALE. OTHERTERMS,IFANY, TOBEANNOUNCEDAT EACH SALE. CALL OUR AUCTION SCHEDULE LINE AT (617) 964-1282 FOR A LIST OF THE CURRENT DAY’S AUCTIONS AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.commonwealth auction.com

INC.

964-0005 MA LIC 2235