IN THE GARDEN: Grape-size hardy kiwfruits are a very sweet choice, F3
ANTIQUES: Imitation bamboo can now be quite valuable, F6
9 tips for a comfortable and functional dorm room
By K IM C OOK
Associated Press
For many college students, dorm life is an introduction to independent living — their very first “home away from home.” And as exciting as this chapter is, it’s also a challenge: How do you turn one room into a work, sleep and hangout space? We got some advice from decor pros:
1. First, make sure you and your roommate/s are on the same page. “Talk to your roommate and make a plan for who’s bringing what,” advises Lauren Phillips, associate editorial director at Better Homes & Gardens. “Letting everyone feel like they have a say in the room can go a long way towards building a strong relationship.”
2. Find out more about the building and room you’re moving into. “Does it have a semi-private bathroom or a hall bath? Are the walls bare cement blocks or plaster? ... Shop to the space you’re actually moving into,” says Phillips.
3. Think twice about a loft or bunk bed. “It’s fun for a few days or weeks, but by fall break, you’ll regret having to climb up a ladder to go to bed every night,” Phillips says. She does recommend raising the bed enough to allow for under-bed storage. In any case, bring a mattress pad for some added softness and cleanliness.
4. And speaking of storage, set aside the space and budget for it. Prioritize things like hanging rods that double your closet’s capacity, over-door shoe racks, stacking bins and those under-bed organizers.
5. Bring plenty of chargers and power strips with long cords. “There almost definitely won’t be enough outlets, and the ones you do have will inevitably be in inconvenient spots,” says Emily White of Dormify, a website that specializes in dorm stuff. And consider furniture with built-in plugs or ports. There are headboards, bedframes and tables that fit the bill.
6. Stick to simple and affordable. College isn’t the time for investing in high-quality pieces. “Between moving pretty much every single year ... and the general wear and tear of college life, your items are going to wear out quick,” Phillips notes. “And unless you plan to have a bean bag chair in your first apartment or sleep on a twin bed forever, you probably won’t take a lot of your college furnishings with you into post-college life.”
7. Make a comfortable hangout. Since you can stream on other devices, a TV might not be worth the space. Phillips suggests something better: a projector. “There are great mini or portable ones now that connect easily to your device, and you can set up a movie night in just a few minutes,” she says. For extra seating, get some foldable chairs, bean bags and small ottomans (ideally with built-in storage) that can be tucked away.
8. For those who want a dorm-decorating theme, White says some popular ones are “coastal beachy,” “music fan,” “outdoors life/ nature,” “’70s era,” “coquette” and “quiet luxury.”
9. There’s no rush. Take a beat before decorating too much or making any major changes to your dorm room. “You’ll learn how you function best in this new environment throughout your first semester, so make sure your space can grow with you,” says Phillips.
New York-based writer Kim Cook covers design and decor topics regularly for The Associated Press. Follow her on Instagram at @kimcookhome.
The classic trunk is downsized
Grape-size fruit is sweeter, more aromatic than many fuzzy kiwifruits
IALWAYS KNOW WHEN my hardy kiwifruits are ripe because my dogs and ducks start grubbing around beneath the vines for drops. The fruits, for those unfamiliar with them, are similar to the fuzzy kiwifruits (Actinidia deliciosa) of our markets, only much better for a number of reasons.
Obviously, from the name, hardiness is one reason. Hardy kiwifruits will laugh off cold below even minus twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit, while market kiwis are injured below zero
degrees Fahrenheit. Another difference is in the fruit itself. Hardy kiwifruits are grape size, with smooth, edible skins. Pop them into your mouth just as you would do with grapes. Within the skin, hardy kiwifruits look just like market kiwis, in miniature. The flavor of hardy kiwifruits, though, is far superior to that of the fuzzies, sweeter and more aromatic.
Okay, I have to qualify that last statement because there are actually two different species of fuzzy kiwifruits. A. chinensis, not often seen in our markets, is relatively large (though usually not as large as A. deliciosa) with skin covered by only a peach-like fuzz. The flesh color ranges from green to yellow, on some plants even
red, in the center.
The flavor is very sweet and aromatic, smooth and somewhat tropical, reminiscent of muskmelon, tangerine, or strawberry. In all honesty, this kiwifruit has the best flavor of all — but it’s even less cold hardy than the more common fuzzy, market kiwifruit. If winter temperatures here were mild enough for me to grow A. chinensis, I would.
Hardy kiwifruits also come in two species: A. kolomikta and A. arguta. But not two flavors; they taste pretty much the same.
Both are ornamental vines, so much so that they were originally introduced into this country from Asia over 100 years ago strictly for their beauty, their innocuous fruits overlooked. How many visitors have passed beneath the many handsome vines planted early in the 20th century on public and private estates, unaware of the delectable fruits hidden beneath the foliage?
For most kiwifruits, male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. Only the females bear fruit, but males are needed for pollen to get that fruit to form.
Hardy kiwifruits are easy to grow, cold-hardy, and very flavorful diminutive cousins to fuzzy, market kiwifruits. (LEE REICH PHOTO)
(Just like humans and most animals, the “fruit” in animals being the ovary responding to fertilization.)
One male (kiwi plant) can sire up to about eight females.
The two species of hardy kiwifruits do have their differences. The one that’s ripe for me now is A. kolomikta, which is cold hardy to below minus forty degrees F. I choose to it the “Super-hardy kiwifruit” and it’s sometimes sold as “Arctic Kiwi.” (For a pleasant dance of your tongue, sound out and speak the species name slowly.)
Kolomikta is the more strikingly ornamental of the two hardy kiwifruit species because of the pink and silvery variegation of its leaves. This species is also relatively sedate in growth, so is easier to manage. One problem with this fruit, which my ducks and dogs consider a plus, is that it drops when it is ripe, perhaps because it’s ripening so quickly during hot days of summer.
The other species, A. arguta, is more quietly ornamental, with apple-green leaves attached to the vines on reddish leaf stalks. Fruits of this species, depending on the variety, start ripening in the middle of September, and they stay firmly attached. One problem with A. arguta, mostly for casual growers, is its robust growth, the vines sending out a number of
10-foot-long canes every year.
Annual pruning of hardy kiwifruits keeps the vines productive and within bounds. Either species grows best trained to some sort of structure. My vines, which are grown mostly for fruit, are trained on a series of T-shaped posts 15 feet apart and joined at their cross-members by five equally spaced wires. Each plant’s strongest shoot has been trained to become a trunk that reaches the center wire, then bifurcates into two permanent arms, called cordons, running in opposite directions along the center wire.
Fruiting canes grow off perpendicularly to the center wire and drape over the outside wires. Flowers and, hence, fruits are borne only toward the bases of shoots of the current season that grow from the previous year’s canes, very similarly to grape vines.
Annual winter pruning entails, first, pruning off any new shoots forming anywhere along or at the base of the trunk, and shortening cordons once they have reached full length. Fruiting arms give rise to laterals that fruit at their bases; during each dormant season, cut these laterals back to about eighteen inches in length. Remaining buds on the laterals will grow into shoots that fruit at their bases the following summer.
GARDEN NOTES
STOCKBRIDGE
Upcoming programs at Berkshire Botanical Garden
Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming programs. Music Mondays: Aug. 5, Zikinna. Performances run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Food trucks will be available at selected performances. Cost is $15 members, $20 nonmembers; Friday, Aug. 9 through Sunday, Aug. 11, “Caterpillar Lab.” The lab’s professional education staff
will teach you about caterpillar biology and help you safely touch (and maybe even hold) a caterpillar. Participants will witness the enormous diversity of native caterpillars as they explore the multitude of sizes, colors and forms displayed in this exhibit. Behold the process of metamorphosis in real time, explore microscopic stories of hidden insect lives within leaves, and discuss the nested ecological connections between caterpillars, their host plants, their predators and parasitoids. Stop by to chat about gardening for native pollinators, meet a big, bubbly caterpillar, discuss ongoing ecology research, or just marvel at the magic of the natural world!
terry and Kim kovel | Antiques & Collecting
Imitation bamboo furniture can now be quite valuable
IN DESIGN, IMITATION often leads to innovation. Trying to recreate something you’ve seen others make can take some out-ofthe-box thinking to find substitutes for inaccessible materials or fill in the gaps of unknown steps. Antique furniture is filled with examples, especially when foreign influence is involved.
By the 18th century, trade with East Asia brought new ideas for furniture, like the use of bamboo and lacquer, to Europe, and subsequently to America. Inspired by these new styles, and motivated by the need for inexpensive accessible versions, Western artisans created imitation bamboo from hardwoods like maple and learned to mimic lacquer finishes with layers of paint or varnish.
It is well known that Commodore Perry’s visit to Japan in 1853, and then a Japanese exhibit at the Centennial Exposition of 1876, had enormous influence on European and American decorative arts. Decorated bamboo furniture like the stand pictured here became popular in the 19th century. Flat surfaces were often painted or decoupaged with designs reminiscent of East Asian lacquer.
At the time, these pieces would have been inexpensive versions of pricey imported furniture. Now, they can be worth more than expected. This stand sold at Copake Auction Inc. for $312, more than triple its high presale estimate of $75.
Q. I have acquired a 1930s Wade Heath Musical Pottery Jug of the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. I am urgently trying to find a replacement for the music box, which has disappeared — it fits underneath the base of the jug. The tune is “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” I really am keen to have a complete jug and am appealing to you to possibly point me in the right
Missing Pieces. They buy and sell individual pieces of china and glassware in discontinued patterns.
Q. I have my mother’s Roger’s Silver service set. She won it in a drawing at Alf’s Drug Store (a Walgreens) in Worthington, Minnesota, sometime in the 1960s. It is in beautiful shape and I have no intention of getting rid of it. My question: Is there any benefit to keeping the boxes it was shipped to the store in?
CURRENT PRICES
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.
Auto, sign, service station, promotion, Genuine Fine China, Platinum Star Glow Pattern, 4 Piece Set, With 8 Gal. Gas Purchase, red, yellow, blue, metal, three pieces, 68 x 23 inches, $60.
Furniture, mirror, dresser, bird’s eye maple, rectangular, swivels, two side pedestals with finials, rectangular base, bun feet, 19th century, 32 x 24 inches, $115.
direction.
A.Disney released the animated short “Three Little Pigs” in 1933. It was an immediate hit. Depression-era audiences loved the theme song “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” and the short won an Academy Award in 1934. Unsurprisingly, Disney released plenty of merchandise for the film, including the licensed pottery pieces made by English company Wade Heath (also spelled as “Wadeheath). It is rare to find a Wade Heath Three Little Pigs jug with the music box in working condition. An auction house or gallery that specializes in pop culture collectibles, like Hake’s (hakes.com) or Van Eaton Galleries (vegalleries.com), or a Disneyana collector’s club may be able to help you. Remember that anything involving restoring a music box requires an expert. You may want to check The Music Box Society International (mbsi.org) for further advice or resources in your area. Some clockmakers
and repairers also work with music boxes.
Q. I have a collection of Avon’s Cape Cod dishes and am wondering if you can lead me to someone interested in buying my collection. We have to downsize at this time of our lives.
A. The California Perfume Company changed its name to Avon in 1929. In 1975, Avon introduced the 1876 Cape Cod Collection of glass dinnerware, made by Wheaton Glass Company and inspired by early Sandwich glass patterns. Glassware like this sells at general antiques shows, glass shows or online. A glass collectors’ club like the National American Glass Club (glassclub.org) or the National Depression Glass Association (ndga.net) may have more selling advice and resources. You may also want to contact a matching service like Replacements LTD, Classic Replacements or
A. We think there is. Original packaging helps authenticate any antique and always increases its value. It is part of the item’s history. There are even some collectors who buy empty boxes. There is an entire field of collecting ephemera-things that are meant to be discarded, usually paper, like packaging, labels, envelopes and tickets. The boxes, and your silver set’s history, may also interest collectors of antique advertising. Dinnerware, silverware and even furniture have been used as advertising premiums. Collectors’ clubs like The Ephemera Society of America (ephemerasociety. org) or the Antique Advertising Association of America (pastimes.org) have more information about collecting and valuing ephemera and advertising.
TIP: Veneered furniture should not be placed near steam radiators, open windows, or groups of potted plants. The veneer will eventually “bubble” from the moisture.
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.
Toy, car set, Heroes, Batmobile, Batcopter, Superman Spaceship, Daily Planet truck, James Bond Aston Martin, police car, box, Corgi Juniors, $130.
Folk art, whirligig, man in canoe, red plaid shirt, paddle arms, green canoe, yellow stripe, carved, painted, on stand, 20th century, 16 x 10 1/2 inches, $185.
Poster, advertising, fireworks, Black Cat, cat’s head, stylized fireworks, yellow ground, red lower border, Hong Kong, 35 1/2 x 24 inches, $250. Leather, bag, Ojibwe, beaded flowers and leaves, multicolor, red stitched border, fringe, drawstring closure, c. 1930, 9 1/2 x 6 inches, $305. Gustavsberg, vase, green stylized leaves and flowers, blue centers, stoneware, signed, Josef Ekberg, c. 1910, 9 1/2 inches, $310.
Silver-Chinese, goblet, allover relief bamboo shoots, three bamboo shoot stems, relief roots and rock border on foot, export stamp, 6 1/2 inches, $770. Opaline, vase, flared neck, ridged shoulders, round foot, gilt bronze mounts, France, 10 1/2 inches, $810. Firefighting, hydrant, salesman’s sample, metal, white, red, cutaway top and base, marked, Mueller, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 13 inches, $1,510.
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.
The distinctive style of this decorated bamboo stand came from Western artisans replicating East Asian furniture. (COPAKE AUCTION INC.)
LOS ANGELES
Average rate on a 30-year mortgage falls to 6.73%
Rate hits lowest mark since early February
By A lex Veiga Associated Press
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage fell this week to its lowest level since early February, easing borrowing costs for prospective homebuyers facing record-high home prices.
The rate fell to 6.73% from 6.78% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the
Deeds
AGAWAM
Daniel G. Fream and Kimberly A. Diluzio to Garritt Lee Diluzio and Gabrielle Browne, 351 North West St., $330,950.
Elijah L. Naylor and Jasmine Matta Naylor to Loan Hong Vu and Hien Thanh Vu, 24 Norman Terrace Extn., $425,000.
Frances A. Laveck, representative, Richard E. Aldrich, estate, and Richard Eugene Aldrich, estate, to Andrea Miles and Daniel Miles, 17 Castle Hills Road, Unit H, $335,000.
Genady Nemchinsky and Olga Nemchinsky to Amina Asvandiveva and Ravshan Radzhabov, 43 Stevenson Lane, $910,000.
Guy R. Magistri to Jacob Richburg, 84 Campbell Drive, $300,000.
James J. Graham and Cheryl L. Graham to Paul A. Placanico and Danielle L. Placanico, 112 Farmington Circle, $605,000.
Judith A. Beauregard to Susan Morrie, 123 Brookfield Lane, Unit 123, $240,000.
Maryann L. Newman, Maryanne L. Fedier and Howard Newman to Melinda Fedier, 146 Regency Park Drive, $150,000.
Murad Drifish, Zamel Nasser Al Haron and Hanan Al Rahhal to Erick Montanez and Yolimar Sanchez, 54 Valley St., $289,000.
Patricia A. Casinghino to Loni M. Demarco, 8d Mansion Woods Drive, $292,500.
Robert G. Fuller and Yi Qu-Fuller to Carmen Bergollo, 45 Sheri Lane, Unit 45, $190,000.
Scott H. Sparrow, trustee, and Sally A Sparrow Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Mi Y Kim, 32 Beekman Drive, Unit 32, $266,000.
Victor J Shibley Jr., to James Gra-
rate averaged 6.9%.
Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also fell this week, pulling the average rate down to 5.99% from 6.07% last week. A year ago, it averaged 6.25%, Freddie Mac said.
After jumping to a 23-year high of 7.79% in October, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has mostly hovered around 7% this year — more than double what it was just three years ago.
The elevated mortgage rates, which
ham and Cheryl Graham, 52 Villa Drive, $585,000.
AMHERST
Koren R. Berrio to Koren R. Berrio, trustee, and Revocable Indenture of Trust of Koren R. Berrio, 330 Pine St., $100.
WM Lyons Witten to Lia Raz and Aaron Okrasinski, 120 Pulpit Hill Road, $535,000.
Joseph T. Flueckiger and Lisa L. Cyr to Lisa L. Cyr, trustee, Joseph T. Flueckiger, trustee, Lisa L. Cyr Living Trust and Joseph T. Flueckiger Living Trust, 329 Leverett Road, $100.
John W. Dickson, trustee, Judith H. Dickson, trustee, and John W. Dickson 2007 Trust to Urelmaa Tsolmon and Sodgerel Chuluunbaatar, 149 Blackberry Lane, $875,000.
Benjamin Onthank, trustee, and Autumn Lane Trust to John L. Foley and Pauline S. Foley, 2 Autumn Lane, $403,000.
Joseph Augustine, trustee, and Elizabeth S. Van Dyke Revocable Trust to Nancy P. Boyd, 9 Amity Place, $420,000.
Katherine S. Naughton to Sharon Selove and David Selove, 26 Autumn Lane, $399,000.
BELCHERTOWN
Joseph E.G. Fredette to Joseph E.G. Fredette, trustee, and Joseph E.G. Fredette Trust, 550 Federal St., $100.
Jane A. Taubman and William C. Taubman to Alexander J. Taubman and Patricia A. Pittman, 33 Two Ponds Road, $100.
Amy Jordan to James P. Pierce, trustee, Pierce Jordan Family Trust and Amy Jordan, trustee, 110 Daniel Shays Highway, $100.
Christopher J. McGurk, Anne H. Kl-
can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, have discouraged home shoppers, extending the nation’s housing slump into its third year. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in June for the fourth month in a row. And sales of new single-family homes fell last month to the slowest annual pace since November.
Still, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage hasn’t gone above 7% since late May, reflecting recent signs of cooling inflation, which have raised expectations that the Federal Re-
eeman and Anne H. Kleeman-McGurk to Anne H. Kleeman and Anne H. Kleeman-McGurk, 5 Brandywine Drive, $63,019.
BLANDFORD
David St. Laurent, representative, and Rita L. Templeman, estate, to David M. St. Laurent, 17 Gibbs Road, $100,000.
BRIMFIELD
Andrea S. Beaudry to Bryce Mase, 142 Wales Road, $362,500.
Frank N. Mosher, trustee, Bonnie L. Mosher, trustee, Survivors Trust Under the Mosher Living Trust, trustee of, and Living Trust Family Trust Under The Mosher, trustee of, to Scott C. Duncan Jr., and Megan-Jean Joyce Duncan, 21 Echo Road, $343,500.
Jacob William Roche to Dustin Dale Willke and Shannon Theresa Mortimer-Willke, 83 Sutcliffe Road, $270,000.
CHESTER
John K. Pease to Michael Anthony Hauser, 60 Middlefield Road, $225,000.
CHESTERFIELD
Kerry M. Jackson to John Reidy Treworgy, 653 Main Road, $345,000.
CHICOPEE
Alyssa Mandeville, representative, Anne Depelteau, estate, and Anne M. Depelteau, estate, to Linda M. Lepore, 130 Horseshoe Drive, Unit 6159B, $240,000.
Eric Himmelreich, representative, and Ralph Charles Himmelreich Jr., estate, to Eric Himmelreich, trustee, and Ralph Charles Himmelreich Jr.
serve will cut its benchmark rate in September.
Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including how the bond market reacts to the central bank’s interest rate policy decisions. That can move the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans. If bond yields decline in anticipation of a Fed rate cut, that could lead mortgage rates to ease further.
Most economists expect the average rate on a 30-year home loan to remain above 6% this year.
Testamentary Trust, trustee of, 149 Kendall St., $130,000.
Hector Perez to Keem LLC, 160 Crestwood St., $180,000.
Joel P. Inglis, representative, Donald R. Inglis, estate, and Donald Richard Inglis, estate, to Wanda Lockett, 47 Dorrance St., $193,000.
Juan Carlos Rodriguez Reyes and Sharon M. Rodriguez to Karl H. Philemy, 14 Perrault St., $300,000.
Numeri Capital Investments LLC, to Reiner J. Santiago Figueroa, 125 Nonotuck Ave., $350,000.
Pastore Realty LLC, to King Kong Investment LLC, 1060 Chicopee St., $1,380,000.
Reatrey S. Chen, Amanda Rose Chen and Amanda Rose Ciecko to Vitaliy V. Popovichenko, 20 Ellerton St., $450,000.
Revampit LLC, to Michael A. Lavallee Jr., 49 Pondview Drive, $323,000.
Ronald T. Cierpial and Brenda Cierpial to Winderson Cabrera and Estafania Tiburcio-Cabrera, 81 Fairview Ave., $400,000.
Sarah Mazurowski and Brandon Charest to Louise A. Mazurowski, 95 Andersen Road, Unit F-1, $184,000.
Susan Camacho, Luis Eladio Santos Torres and Luis Eladio Santos-Torres to Alberto Rivera Rivas and Rebecca A. Martinez, 13 Keith St., $280,000.
COLRAIN
Albert Hager and Alexander M. Ryan, trustees of Churchill Community Club Trust, to the Town of Colrain, Heath Road, $3,936.29.
Edward S. Stamas, trustee of the Edward S. Stamas Investment Trust, and Emma E. Stamas, trustee of the Emma E. Stamas Investment Trust, to James McHugh and
Dale Schweppe, 5 Gilbert Drive, $575,000.
EAST LONGMEADOW
D. R. Chestnut LLC, to Daniel J. Skiest, trustee, and Daniel J. Skiest Revocable Indenture of Trust Of, trustee of, 19 Clover Lane, Unit V-19, $848,000.
Happy Acres LLC, to Global Homes Properties LLC, Farmer Circle, Lot 12, $165,000.
Happy Acres LLC, to Global Homes Properties LLC, Happy Acres Lane, Lot 1, $165,000.
Happy Acres LLC, to Joseph Ngaruiya, Farmer Circle, Lot 16, $398,000.
Jeremy Koske and Kathryn Koske to Chad Ouimette and Hollye Ouimette, 20 Hillside Drive, $355,000.
Norman E. Vernadakis and Maureen A. Vernadakis to Nathan Marshall and Caitlin Marshall, 17 Shelby Lane, $682,500.
Tavernier Investments LLC, to Charles Hodgkins and Amy Hodgkins, 11 Meadow Road, $430,000.
EASTHAMPTON
Joan O’Brien Smith to H. Andrew Fulmer and Morgen Fulmer, 111 Pleasant St., $313,000.
Molly Marielle Ronan to Wish Granted Realty LLC, 142 Parsons St., $409,000.
Jean C. Richardson and Maryann Mulcare, attorney-in-fact, to Travis Philip Maider and Samantha Smith, 2 Matthew Drive, $420,000.
Hans W. Dalhaus and Sarah J. Dalhaus to Jumana Jaloudi, 3 Adams St., $500,000.
Dennis J. Meehan III, to Hariharan Gopalakrishnan, 38 Peloquin Drive, $360,000.
Deeds
Bonnie L. Katusich and John Ewell to Kyle Gagnon and Amanda Fortier-Gagnon, 12 Sheffield Drive, $410,000.
Donald L. Cykowski Sr., trustee, Paula A. Cykowski, trustee, and Cykowski Revocable Family Trust to David A. Hardy Contractor LLC, Pomeroy Street, $160,000.
ERVING
Jeanine M. Rodriguez, “fka” Jeanine M. Dibari, to Nicole Milazzo, 41 Forest St., $390,000.
GOSHEN
Stephanie M. White, Kurt R. Finch, Denese C. Hebert and Albert P. Hebert to Jackquelyn Mascher, 41 Dresser Hill Road, $289,000.
GRANVILLE
Brian J. Durfey and Jennifer M. Durfey to Richard S. Alimberti III, 95 Cross Road, $125,000.
GREENFIELD
Andrew R. Varnon and Lynette Baker Varnon to Cam G. Anderson and Elsa A. Cousins, 108 Maple St., $306,000.
Rebekah Patnode and Elizabeth Ashley Pease to Andrew R. Varnon and Lynette B. Varnon, 194 High St., $397,500.
95 Laurel Propco LLC, to 95 Laurel Realty LLC, 95 Laurel St., $7,250,000.
HADLEY
Bercume Construction LLC, to Urvi Morrison and William Morrison, 5 Colony Drive, $1,024,299.
HAMPDEN
Dina M. Demos, Dina M. Gurski and Jeffrey Gurski to Alexander J. Demos and Hannah M. Bolliger, 43 Meadowbrook Lane, $315,000.
Stephen L. Haskins and Suzanna R. Haskins to Russell Morton, trustee, and Morton Family Trust, trustee of, 0 Carmody Road, $22,500.
U S Bank Trust, trustee, and Master Participation Trust LSF10, trustee of, to Bruce Tetrault, 38 Fernwood Drive, $287,700.
HEATH
Mary A. Arsenault to Michelle Schuyler, 31 Flagg Hill Road, $255,000.
HOLLAND
Duane Boudreau and Lisa Boudreau to Hunter R. Boudreau, 14 Davis Road, $135,000.
HOLYOKE
92 Race Street LLC, to Lighthouse Personalized Education for Teens Inc., 92-114 Race St., $3,040,000.
Andres Agron to Pah Properties LLC, 40 Chapin St., $179,137.
Barbara A. Dunne to Jesse L. Peters and Jennifer Broy, 7 Steiger Road, $530,000.
Cornelius P. Sullivan and Mary D. Sullivan to Ny Ne and Luke Truehart, 70 Kane Road, $320,000.
Gary C. Hammer and Hanhan Hammer to Keith Edmond Salek Walker, 4 Burns Way, $470,000.
Kyle R. Gagnon and Amanda Fortier-Gagnon to Nathan David Tibbetts, 39 Dillon Ave., $353,000.
Mark Roy Larose to Petrolin J. Kelly, 132 Cabot St., $189,000.
Moises Deliz and Jodie A. Deliz to Zachery Deliz, 11 Park View Terrace, $291,000.
Stephen W. Carroll, representative, and William S. Carroll, estate, to Kelly Thibodeau, 8 Kennedy Circle, $280,000.
Wanda V. Shepard to Abigail
Leigh Bucey, 307 West Franklin St., $290,000.
HUNTINGTON
Archimedes Plumbing & Heating Inc., to Hoodoos Real Estate LLC, 70 Worthington Road, $100.
LEVERETT
Point Guard Management Inc., trustee of the Camp Road Realty Trust, to Issac D. Dickinson, Camp Road, $20,000.
LONGMEADOW
David Bedrosian, Linda Bedrosian and Susan Turcotte to Kevin Ryan and Jennefer Ryan, 189 Academy Drive, $570,000.
David J. Ehrlich and Sharon A. Ehrlich to Garrett Kissel and Melissa Kissel, 265 Converse St., $542,500.
Dolores A. Farrell to Clifford G. Heart IV, and Evelyn Maryli Cazares, 33 South Park Ave., $506,000.
Elizabeth A. Kern to Michael Kern and Danielle Tyler, 25 Oakwood Place, $50,000.
Luiza Templeton and Anthony Templeton to Mary McCarthy and Dennis John McCarthy, 143 Brookwood Drive, $456,000.
William I. Morey Jr., trustee, Joan
S. Morey, trustee, William I. Morey Jr., Living Trust, trustee of, Joan S. Morey Living Trust, trustee of, and William I. Morey, trustee, to Luiza Templeton, 95 Glen Brook Lane, $645,000.
William J. Golen Jr., and Christy T. Golen to Michael A. Forbes, 57 Fairfield Terrace, $468,000.
LUDLOW
Carminda Gomes Goncalves, trustee, and CGG Nominee Trust, trustee of, to Modifi Homes LLC, and Amy G. Colon, 1 Brook St., $500,000.
Debra C. Alves, Lisa M. Alves, Lisa Am Alves, Donald L. Alves, James E. Alves and John J. Alves to Lynne Vadnais, 69 Newbury St., $389,000.
Julia Marie Beaudoin, representative, and Jean Marie Bibeau, estate, to Micaiah Stanczak and Jacob Stanczak, 27 Mckinley Ave., $275,000.
Maria Jose Mateus, Maria J. Vadnais and Gerard E. Vadnais to Lisa Ekmalian Forest, 9 Beachside Drive, $470,000.
Morris A. Haney Jr., to Daniel J. Sloan and Briana Sloan, 28 Pine Cone Lane, $535,000.
MONSON
Bretta Construction LLC, to Noor Alsalihi and Omar Rubaye, 16 Upper Palmer Road, $699,000.
Lavallee Family Trust, trustee of, and Deborah A. Lowe, trustee, to Justa Kym Raphino, 266 Palmer Road, $222,000.
Nicolas Bates to Mary Cavers and Joseph Borowiec, 23 Reynolds Ave., $326,000.
Rachel A. Wright, Rachel A. Mongeon and Chrystopher Mongeon to Timothy W. Healy and Jessica A. Walker, 40 Crest Road, $385,000.
MONTAGUE
Ramona Balicki, trustee of Turners Falls Realty Trust, to Christopher M. Allen, 90 Fourth St., $235,000.
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to Hayden B. Stebbins, 39 Grove St., $322,043.
Lillian S. Prunier to Al Foss, 6 Spring St., $212,500.
NORTHAMPTON
Kris Baker, Kristine Marie Baker and Kristine M. Baker to Catherine Potak, 156 Grove St., $358,500.
Anne Marie J. Frank to Anne Marie J. Frank, trustee, and Revocable Indenture of Trust of Anne Marie J. Frank, 1187 Burts Pit Road, $100. Michael Goldman and Jette
Goldman to Michael Goldman, trustee, Jette Goldman, trustee, and Michael & Jette Goldman 2024 Family Trust, 589 Burts Pit Road, $100.
Lucas Giusto, trustee, Dominic Santaniello, trustee, and Naples Home Buyers Trust to MJ Homes LLC, 228-234 Main St., $260,000.
Rita R. Reinwald and Mark A. Schulte to Renate M. Schulte, 286 Coles Meadow Road, $100.
New England Remodeling General Contractors Inc., to Steven Garelick, Lisa Garelick and Sarah Garelick, 64 North St., $684,000.
Nu-Way Homes Inc., to Caitlin Duffy, 61 Milton St., $739,000. O’Connell Hawley LLC, and O’Connell Development Group Inc., to Steven Caissie, 10 Hawley St., $850,000.
Molly O. Hale to Molly O. Hale, trustee, and Molly O. Hale Trust, 96 Oak St., $100.
Sovereign Builders Inc., to Stacy R. Ashton and Anujkumar Dhamija, 56 Northern Ave., $225,000.
NORTHFIELD
Kenneth N. Rogers, “aka” Kenneth Nicholas Rogers, and Geanna Rogers to Joelle M. Baranoski and Hunter A. Hillock, 148 Main St., $344,500.
ORANGE
Jacob Johnson and Melanie Johnson to Hadyn Patenaude, 66-68 Prospect St., $240,000.
Rachael A. Riggs, “fka” Rachael A. Bassett, to Andrew Marte, 233 N. Main St., $245,000.
Michael E. Gelinas to Katalex Properties LLC, 25 Benham St., $200,000.
PALMER
Alexander James Demos to Michael Welch and Alesia Welch, 2022 Quaboag St., $300,000. Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Avet Realty Trust, trustee of, to Caitlin Smith, Kirk Reynolds and Nancy Reynolds, 4086 High St., $325,000.
Richard J. Corsi and Diane M. Corsi to Alexander Jay Woytowicz and Raeann Lynn Woytowicz, 111 Boston Road, $496,000.
Ronald J. Chatel to JoeJoe Properties LLC, 33 Arnold St., $160,000.
Thomas R. Rudkin and Patricia M. Rudkin to Jacob Roche, 83 Nipmuck St., $415,000.
PELHAM
Pamela C. Victor and Jeffrey A. Hausthor to Rachel Figurasmith, Rachel L. Figurasmith, Stephen
Figurasmith and Stephen B. Figurasmith, 213 North Valley Road, $665,000.
Louise M. MacDonald to Scott Tencza, 17 Amherst Road, $350,000.
RUSSELL
David M. Oleksak, representative, and Elizabeth J. Oleksak, estate, to Nico A. Paulson, 0 Huntington Road, $39,750.
James A. Pitoniak, Christine Bailey, Christine M. Bailey and Christine Siering to Kimberly A. Osowski and Edward J. Osowski III, 643 Woodland Way, $425,000.
SHELBURNE
Anita Margaret Wall, trustee of the Anita Margaret Wall Living Trust, and Anita M. Wall, individually, to Charles W. Roberts III, trustee of the Roberts Investment Trust, 40 Dragon Hill Road, $360,000.
SOUTH HADLEY
Rosemary E. Larrow and Joan C. Gazaille to Michael P. Lynch, 12 Yale St., $210,000.
Eden A. Duperier, trustee, and Eden A. Duperier Declaration of Trust to Arthur C. Cataw and Joyce M. Cataw, 6 Eagle Drive, $600,000.
Casey Berger and Justin H. Baumann to Katherine Putnam, 175 Lathrop St., $399,000.
Tamika Gagnon and Juan Velazquez to Edwin Cintron, 81 Richview Ave., $320,000.
Marlene Bach to Christopher Joseph Bach and Tayler Joan Bach, 81 Pearl St., $130,000.
Elizabeth M. Austin to Elizabeth M. Austin, trustee, and Elizabeth M. Austin Revocable Trust, 47 Camden St., $100.
James Woolley to Jonathan Couture and Zachary Couture, 5 Linden Drive, $380,000.
Sharon K. Scott and Carlo P. Sotiropoulos to Matthew Healey Giordano and Gina Maria Martoccio Giordano, 61 Ferry St., $480,000.
SOUTHAMPTON
John T. Balicki, personal representative, Linda M. Balicki, personal representative, and Kevin Eric Balicki, estate, to Lydia D’Agostino, 5 Thomas Circle, $375,000.
SOUTHWICK
Edmund J. Grabowski and Mary E. Grabowski to Michael Moccio and Anna Rose Moccio, 46 Pineywood Road, $262,500.
Installed concurrent with “The Lost Birds Project” exhibition and outdoor sculptures, the lab promotes the importance of birds and caterpillars, encouraging visitors to support our host environment. Free with Garden Admission, Aug. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m., Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m., Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m., “Caterpillar Walk.” Join Director of The Caterpillar Lab, Sam Jaffe on a walk around the property exploring for native caterpillars and other insects. Learn how The Caterpillar Lab finds all of their caterpillars, learn about host plants and parasitoids, and get all of the caterpillar-finding secrets from one of the foremost caterpillar hunters in the world.
This walk is appropriate for naturalists, gardeners and explorers both young and old. (May not be appropriate for the more casually interested young children.) Maximum number of participants: 15 participants/walk (all participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times). Cost $15 members, $30 nonmembers; Saturday, Aug. 10, and Sunday, Aug. 11, “The Grow Show.” Free with admission to the garden; Saturday, Aug. 10, “Caterpillar Lab Moth Lighting,” 9 to 11 p.m. Arrive early to meet a few local caterpillars and chat with local educators about these insects and their habitats, then join the educators to discuss mothing and its role in research, nature study, and general enjoyment of the forests. As the lights are turned on and wait for the moths to arrive, the educators will lead a guided investigation of the trailside understory in search of the many insects that call the preserve their homes. The evening will end at the moth light, a specialized bulb that is particularly attractive to nocturnal insects, where you will meet the stars of the show. This event is appropriate for all explorers both young and
Deeds
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F8
Hamelin Framing Inc., to Huiyao Ouyang, 11 Tall Pines Trail, $170,000.
Linda M. Lepore to Michael R. Whelihan and Andrea L. Whelihan, 3 Tree Top Lane, $450,000.
Mackenzie Powers to Howard Michael Newman Jr., and Maryann Newman, 32 Bungalow St., $255,000.
Rucadaan LLC, to Jesse J. Brawsay, 110 North Longyard Road, $420,000.
SPRINGFIELD
Angel M. Santiago to Timothy V. Flouton, 2-4 Second St., $235,000.
Anthony S. Fusco and Alice D. Fusco to Marianyelly Rivera-Cruz and Mickey Rivera, 120-122 Firglade Ave, $370,000.
Barbara Robinson and Peter Elkas to Denise Salerno, 44 Squire Lane, $373,000.
Christopher E. Collins to Katherine Martinez Taveras, 55 Chalmers St., $280,000.
Cig 2 LLC, to Zachary Dominique, 33 West Hill Road, $212,500.
Darren Teale and Yvette Teale to Zarah Vylonis, 59 Burghardt St., $214,700.
David Porcello to Sharon D. Gomez, 494 Tiffany St., $325,000.
Deepon Realty LLC, to Lia Ashe-Simmer, 156 Shawmut St., $260,000.
Doreen S. Rae, Rebecca Schunk and Peter Vilbon to Family & Developments LLC, 1127 Berkshire Ave., $145,000.
Ericka Gonzalez Carrillo to Sanite E. Jean, 23 Kenwood Park, $390,000.
Erin K. Coughlin to Natashia Scott, 137 Chalmers St., $355,000.
Erin O’Rourke to Shannon Thorin and Shannon Arvizu, 25 Lively Lane, $350,000.
Eugene L. Cabrini Realty Corp., to Dano Holding LLC, 0 N S Winter Street, $240,000.
Illuminati Holdings LLC, to Union Court Apartments LLC, 246-262 Union St., $5,600,000.
Jennifer Velasquez, Edgardo V. Velasquez and Edgardo Velasquez to Zalymarie Torres and Brian Alexis Echevarria, 45 Eddy St., $292,000.
John Toledo to DI&L LLC, 74 Vail St., $290,000.
Judith E. Gagnon to Christina Murphy, 11 Castlegate Drive, Unit A, $230,000.
Kim Nguyen to Ganga Sunar and Amrita Sunuwar, 1572 Sumner
Ave., $336,000.
Kristin A. Dietz to Springfield College, 241 Norfolk St., $275,000.
Lauren Omartian and Lisa Omartian to Lisa Omartian, 256 Nassau Drive, Unit 256, $105,000.
Manning Capital LLC, to Main & Pineywoods LLC, 167-169 Pineywoods Ave., $400,000.
Marianyelly Rivera Cruz to Tyraun Russell Porter, 39 Kenwood Park, $300,000.
Mario Santaniello and Armandina Santaniello to Empire One Investments Incorporated, 1083 Sumner Ave., $180,000.
Mark C. Ryer to 35 Merrimac LLC, 35 Merrimac Ave., $180,000.
Mint Western MA Group LLC, to 107 Kensington Ave LLC, 107 Kensington Ave., $710,000.
MS Homes LLC, to Furnival Nyarko and Mavia Nyarko, 27 Jennings St., $402,000.
Nagle Family Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, Rachel E. Fitzpatrick, trustee, and Rachel E. Fitzpatrik, trustee, to Little Eagle LLC, 23 Corona St., $100,000.
Oscar Mora and Migdalia Mora to Tomasa Mejia Medina, 33 Lexington St., $259,000.
Pah Properties LLC, to Patrick Handel Ogilvie, 24 Capitol Road, $340,000.
Pathlight Inc., to Acre Hill LLC, 40 Balboa Drive, $225,210.
Paul J. Weckle and Faye A. Weckle to Brandi Jean Cox, 35 Thayer Ave., $231,500.
Rowell S. Tucker and Swacey Ann L. Tucker to Rowell S. Tucker, 46 Chalfonte Drive, $70,000.
Steven J. Bissonnette, representative, and Arlene A. Bissonnette, estate, to Diane Fiorentino and Richard Versailles, 100 Penncastle St., $290,000.
Steven M. Kent to Tamika Gagnon, 559 Nassau Drive, Unit 559, $199,000.
Telesha A. Williams to Ronald Beauzile and Lourdes H. Delimon-Beauzile, 75 Yorktown Drive, $284,500.
Victor Bermudez and Brunilda Bermudez to Aric D. Hincapie, 9698 Calhoun St., $370,000.
SUNDERLAND
Clifford V. Bowen III, and Elizabeth Bowen to Jared N. Woodard and Renee L. Woodard, 9 Burek Cross Road, $450,000.
Samantha C. Pelis, “aka” Samantha Pelis, to Dylan T. Fil, 232 Russell St., $600,000.
JJK Investments LLC, to Robert Madorsky, 406 Russell St., $415,000.
WALES
John M. Dunbar and Krystal Burnett to Robert C. Gangemi, 99 Haynes Hill Road, $15,000.
WARE
Richard Provencal to Matthew J. Provencal, Walker Road Off, $100.
Richard P. Provencal and Linda K. Provencal to Matthew J. Provencal, 105 Walker Road, $100.
Richard P. Provencal to Shawn M. Provencal, 46 Greenwich Road, $100.
Susan E. Parker and Susan E. Welsh to Melissa Pope and Adam Welsh, 7 Richfield Ave., $100.
Aaron W. Martell to Park Otis LLC, 28 Morse Ave., $350,000.
MHI Properties LLC, to Yvonne Veilleux and Joseph M. Deady, 140 Greenwich Plains Road, $359,000.
Donald B. Gadziala and Michael Gadziala to David R. Barry and Corrina M. Barry, 8-10 William St., $125,000.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Community Developers Inc., to Vitaliy Voznyuk, trustee, and Voznyuk Realty Trust, trustee of, 438 Gooseberry Road, $110,000.
Donna D. Cauley to Victoria Rondinelli, 87 Valley View Circle, $490,000.
KeyBank to McKenzie Brothers Realty LLC, 134 Hampden St., $200,000.
Maria F. Rodriguez-Malek and Paul M. Maleck to Jonathon Yee and Emily Yee, 43 Rogers Ave., $471,000.
Ryan D. Gawle to Brian P. St. Amand, 45-47 Janet St., $260,000.
Tina Marie Vanotti and Tina K. Vanotti to Gail A. Richard, 525 Morgan Road, $500,000.
WESTFIELD
Andrii Zhyhanuk to Elaine Collins and Mark Collins, 33 Lynnwood Drive, $375,000.
Grace A. Chlastawa and Joan E. Sanchez to Madeline G. Blake and Samuel M. Blake, 43 Parker Ave., $230,000.
Jessica L. Wilder and Renee G. Dudley to Keehan Close and Katie Pomeroy, 313 Shaker Road, $320,000.
Maksim I. Loboda to Eduard Loboda, 16a Sunflower Lane, $240,000. Maksim V. Merenkov and Olesya Merenkov to Matthew Boulanger and Stephanie M. Harris, 29 Radisson Lane, $685,000.
Marie Masciadrelli, trustee, and Louis J. Scarfo Revocable Inden-
ture of Trust of, trustee of, to Sean Devlin Welch and Karen M. Welch, 178 Joseph Ave., $390,000.
Rustam Orozaliev to Cristina Mereneanu, 26 Kellogg St., $400,000.
Seane M. Waterbury and Madison Pearl Fink to Erik Robert Gaster and Kristin Michelle Gaster, 907 Western Ave., $380,000.
Skyspec LLC, to Lisa Santos, 4 Bates St., $342,000.
Terry Britton to Conor J. Fenton and Molly K. Fenton, 59 Radisson Lane, $700,000.
Tyler J. Kozik to Joshua Lee Weaver and Berit Lenette Bjerkadal, 73 Rogers Ave., $320,000.
WILBRAHAM
Angelina R. Fiore to Erik J. Boucher and Bridget M. Boucher, 9 Briar Cliff Drive, $700,000.
Bradford D. MacPherson and Nancy D. MacPherson to David M. Dorion and Deborah L. Chamberlain, 691 Glendale Road, $649,000.
Denise Salerno to Kenneth R. Labrie and Stephanie J. Labrie, 14 Rochford Drive, $526,000.
Glen J. Rahilly, trustee, and Rahilly Family Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Carlos Monroy and Roisin Hannah, Old Carriage Drive, Lot A, $435,000.
Henry K. Zephir, trustee, and Henry K. Zephir 2022 Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Bretta Construction LLC, 28 Eastwood Drive, $375,000.
Ligia Pilar Guerin and Melissa Escajadillo to Bradford D. MacPherson and Nancy A. MacPherson, 3 Lily Lane, Unit 3, $560,000.
Tina M. Fiore, Tina Carnevale and Sean A. Howard to Matthew Cox and Crystal Cox, 110 Chilson Road, $418,000.
WILLIAMSBURG
Kenneth M. Chapin to Lori A. Thurston, 7 Hatfield Road, $310,000
Cleaning a flat-screen TV covered with fingerprints
By Jeanne Huber
The Washington Post
Q. How do I remove fingerprints, including old ones, from a flat-screen TV?
A. Back when the only screens in most homes were televisions that showed images projected from the back via cathode-ray tubes, cleaning fingerprints from the glass was easy. Manufacturers coated the back of the glass with tiny phosphor dots that glowed red, green or blue when struck by electron beams from the tube. But they didn’t coat the front of the glass, so you could rub away fingerprints with the help of any window cleaner that worked on glass. You could even use products with ammonia, such as the original Windex formula. And fingerprints weren’t such an issue then; touch screens were yet to come. Cleaning screens became more complicated when sales of plasma televisions took off, only to be nudged aside in later years by LCDs, OLEDs and QLEDs. Plasma televisions, the first flat screens, have two glass panels separated by a narrow gap filled with millions of tiny cells filled with gas that reacts when current passes through and causes phosphors on the inside of the glass to light up and create images. Glare from other nearby light sources made images on the screen hard to see, so manufacturers began applying anti-glare coating to the outside face of the glass. Cleaning with ammonia and some other cleaners could strip the coating and leave the screen with visible wipe marks. Improper cleaning can also permanently damage newer types of television screens, as well as computer and gaming screens. Phone screens are also vulnerable, but they need to stand up to being taken in and out of jeans pockets so they resist abrasion better. Because screen materials vary, it’s always smart to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific product. Search online for terms such as “clean Mac computer screen” or “clean Sony
Cleaning screens became more complicated in the early aughts, with sales of plasma televisions. (ADOBE STOCK PHOTO)
TV screen.” But in all cases some general guidelines apply:
• First, unplug or power down the device and let it cool before you clean.
• Use a soft, clean microfiber clothideally the type you’d use for eyeglasses or a camera lens not a paper towel or tissue, which could scratch.
• Gently wipe the screen to remove dust and other loose dirt, without pressing in hard or rubbing.
• Also dust off the outside edges of the screen and any cabinetry or ledge supporting it. Often that’s all you’ll need to do.
• If the screen still looks dirty, slightly dampen the cloth with distilled water. Or switch to a clean cloth if the first one picked up a lot of dust. Spray the water onto the cloth with a squirt bottle, if possible, because that keeps the cloth drier than if you dunk it in water and then wring it out. (Using tap water is probably okay, but it could contain minerals and chlorine.)
Never spray any cleaning solution, even water, directly onto the screen. Gently wipe across the screen with the damp cloth, again avoiding excessive pressure or any kind of scrubbing motion.
• To clean stubborn spots, you can use a screen cleaner, such as the iO Screen Cleaner Spray, which as of late July lists for $15.99 on Amazon in a kit that includes 16 ounces of cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
But Consumer Reports, which tests flatscreen TVs and other devices with screens and often needs to clean them before photographing them, suggests the packaged solutions can be a waste of money. “Some
of these kits cost $15 to $20 for just a microfiber cloth and a small bottle of cleaning solution, which is probably mostly water,” the Consumer Reports website says. “Instead, buy the cloth at an office supply store or online and use distilled water or a solution of your own making.”
• For that, it recommends diluting a few drops of clear hand dishwashing detergent in water. The magazine picked up that advice from Panasonic. The company’s U.S. site now recommends using a screen cleaner, but Panasonic websites for some other countries still recommend the homemade solution. The British site is one of several that suggests 1 part mild detergent to 100 parts water, which works out to approximately ½ teaspoon of detergent to 1 cup of water. As when you are using just water, moisten the cloth by spraying the cleaner onto the cloth and avoid rubbing hard in any area, which can damage screens.
• Avoid using compressed air, solvents such as benzene or acetone, cleaners that contain ammonia, chlorine bleach or an oxygen bleach, such as hydrogen peroxide.
• When it’s necessary to sanitize screens, some manufacturers recommend using isopropyl alcohol diluted in water. (Dell suggests 70 percent alcohol to 30 percent water.) But be cautious, because repeated use of alcohol, even diluted, can damage screens. In a home, you may never need to sanitize screens.
• But you might want to sanitize a remote control to prevent spreading colds or other illnesses. For that, Consumer Reports recommends wearing disposable or rubber gloves, opening a window, removing the batteries, tipping the remote upside down to loosen debris, and then wiping down the surfaces. Use a cloth dampened in a mixture of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and 30 percent water, or another sanitizer recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After you sanitize, wipe off the remote with a cloth dampened with clear water and then dry it with another cloth.
old, though it may not be appropriate for more casually-interested young children. How to prepare: wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and plan an extra layer for warmth. Wear shoes you feel comfortable taking a short hike in. It will be buggy. Insect repellent is okay to wear, but please don’t handle any insects if you have applied some to yourself (please apply repellent away from the main event area). Long sleeves/pants and tight or high collars will help, especially if you’re planning to get in close to the moth light. Bring a small flashlight or headlamp. Optional but recommended: a sit pad or lightweight and easy-tocarry camp chair. A camera and/or field notebook. A UV flashlight if you already have one. Cost $25 members, $40 nonmembers. To register or for more information, visit www. berkshirebotanical.org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.
AGAWAM Garden Club meeting
The winter after they have fruited, these shoots correspondingly should be shortened to about eighteen inches but leave only one of these. When a fruiting arm with its lateral, sublateral, and sub sublateral shoots is two or three years old, it’s cut away to make room for a new fruiting arm. (All this is explained n words and illustrations in my book, The Pruning Book.)
With all this said, the vines do fruit with no more pruning than a yearly, undisciplined whacking away aimed at keeping them in bounds. Such was the objective in pruning those hardy kiwifruits planted as ornamentals on old estates. These vines happily and haphazardly clothe pergolas with their small, green fruits hanging — not always easily accessible or in prodigious quantity — beneath the leaves.
Note to plant nativists: I am aware that Actinidia species are considered to be non-native invasives in many areas.
I’ve grown and watched this plant for decades and have never found it growing anywhere but where I planted it. As far as I can tell, the only way this plant can spread would be for it to be planted near enough to tree stands to give the vine leg up and then to be totally neglected. I have never seen a self-sown seedling pop up anywhere.
Any gardening questions? Email them to me at garden@leereich.com and I’ll try answering them directly or in this column. Come visit my garden at www.leereich. com/blog.
The next meeting of the Agawam Garden Club will be held on Tuesday, Aug 13, 6:30 p.m. at the Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper St. After a short business meeting Rebecca Sadlowski, “Plant Propagator and Posy Artisan” will present the program. Rebecca is the owner of Rooted Flower Farm, a family-run specially cut flower farm in Agawam. She will discuss the origin story of the farm, where it is now, and demonstrates how she designs her bouquets. All meetings are open to the public and not restricted to Agawam residents.
Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.
Live Onsite &Webcast PUBLIC AUCTION
PUBLIC AUCTION
PUBLIC AUCTION
PUBLIC AUCTION
Total of (5) Rooms, (2) Bedrooms & (1) Bath
GENERAL ESTATE AUCTION
MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
1:00 PM-EASTHAMPTON 5 Morin Drive
sgl fam, 966 sf liv area, 0.28 ac lot, 5 rm, 3 bdrm, 1.5 bth, Hampshire: Bk 8964, Pg 164 2:00 PM-SPRINGFIELD
38-40 Forest Park Avenue
2 fam, 3,718 sf liv area, 0.19 Ac
NORTH CHELMSFORD (978) 251-1150 www.baystateauction.com MAAU#: 1029, 2624, 3039, 116, 2484, 2919, 3092, 3107, 0100030, 3099
AKC German Shepherd Pups, 5 males, 4 females, black & tan, black & red, AKC paperwork & shots, wormed, written hip-andhealth guarantee, parents on premises, great family pets, raised in country setting. $1500, call 978-249-3724
EnglishSpringerSpaniels, AKCregisteredpuppies, b&w,1stshot,vetchecked,8wksold, $1200-1500, 413-596-8190
Husky Puppies, 10 weeks old, black/gray & white, 2 females, 1 male, $450/ each. Please call or text 413-658-5862
Lab Puppies (4) vet checked, 1st set of shots, wormed several times, ready to go home. $1200/ each. 413-813-1585
DouglasAuctioneers.com ESTATES-ANTIQUES 413-665-2877
MORTGAGEES’ REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS TO BE SOLD ON THEIR RESPECTIVE PREMISE
FRIDAY AUGUST 9, 2024
4:00 PM - HOLLAND, MA 10 PINE TREE DRIVEDEPOSIT $5,000 TUESDAY
AUGUST 13, 2024
1m&f,10weeksold,1st shots&dewormed,$450 each,Call802-323-2538 for details
MaineCoonmixkittens, 1m&1f,1readynow,otheratendofJuly.$50/ kitten call 413-575-1389
SweetOrangeLonghair Kitten,$200,Call413-2447901
2019GEFreestandingGas Rangew/centergriddle& convection,matching OverrangeMicrowave, $300 Call 413-636-4345
3:00 PMNORTHAMPTON, MA 60 EMERSON WAYDEPOSIT $10,000 MONDAY AUGUST 19, 2024
10:00AM-SPRINGFIELD, MA 88 GLENWOOD STREETDEPOSIT $5,000 3:00 PM - WESTFIELD, MA 555 RUSSELL ROAD, UNIT C-13, RIVERBEND CONDOMINIUMDEPOSIT $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)
