Want more shrubs? How to make new ones with hardwood cuttings
By Jessica Damiano Associated Press
OUR
GARDENS MAY
be preparing for their winter slumbers, but that doesn’t mean we have to rest: It’s time to make free shrubs!
The easiest way to propagate woody plants like dogwood, forsythia, hydrangea, rhododendron and viburnum, among others, is by taking hardwood cuttings in late fall or winter. All you need is a clean pair of bypass pruners (whose scissor-type action makes clean cuts), a container and a well-draining medium (a 50 /50 mix of coir and perlite is ideal, as it will simultaneously retain moisture and drain well.) No special training or expertise required.
And, unlike growing from seed, the resulting plants will essentially be clones, growing into the same size, shape and color as their parents.
How to begin
First, select a deep container with drainage holes in its bottom and fill it with your potting mix. Water it well and allow it to drain while you take your cuttings. Select a stem roughly the width of a pencil, aiming for one that was a new shoot in the past growing season. Measure down about 8 inches (the length of a pencil) from its tip and make a straight cut below a small leaf node (a bump on the stem from where a new leaf will grow). Avoid large nodes, which are likely to be flower buds or leaf nodes from older stems and are more likely to rot.
Cut the top of the stem on the diagonal just above a node. Since plants remember their orientation, this will ensure you don’t confuse top from bottom, as well as allow rainwater to roll off your cutting easily. Repeat as necessary until you’ve acquired as many cuttings as you’d like. You
Unlike growing from seed, the resulting plants will essentially be clones, growing into the same size, shape and color as their parents.
can also remove one long stem from the plant and cut it into 8-inch sections, observing its nodes and cutting each top portion diagonally. Lightly dipping stem bottoms into rooting hormone powder and/or scraping a bit of bark from the bottom inch of each stem will help promote rooting but isn’t necessary.
Planting the cuttings
Remove leaves, if any, from your cuttings, then stick the bottom thirds of each stem flat-cut side down into the mix about 2 inches apart around the perimeter of the pot. The risk of rot is lower near the container’s edge, as the soil there tends to dry out more quickly. It’s higher at the pot’s base, so don’t push cuttings all the way to the bottom. Firm the soil around the cuttings with your fingers to remove air pockets and ensure they are held securely upright.
In time, you will notice a callus develop on the exposed, diagonal wound. A similar callus will form on the buried end of the
cutting, and roots will grow from it as well as from the buried nodes. Keep the soil only slightly moist — remember, new cuttings don’t have roots yet, so they can’t take up water. Still, they shouldn’t be allowed to dry out.
Let them get cold
Cuttings need to experience winter but should not be allowed to freeze. Depending on your climate, place pots in a cold frame, an unheated
garage or a sheltered outdoor location until spring, then move them to a partly shady spot in the garden. Check on cuttings regularly during spring and summer and water as needed. They’ll be ready to plant in the garden next fall.
Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.
Cover photo: Jessica Damiano demonstrates the use of bypass pruners to take a hardwood cutting from a redtwig dogwood shrub. Above, a redtwig dogwood cutting is planted in a container. At right, a newly collected redtwig dogwood cutting with its top edge cut on the diagonal on Long Island, N.Y.
(PHOTOS BY JESSICA DAMAINO VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS)
lee reich | In the Garden
Far East offers treasure trove of plants
‘OH, EAST IS East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,” wrote Kipling a hundred years ago. Not so with respect to gardening. The Far East, spared the great sheets of ice that descended upon North America during the Ice Ages, has been a treasure trove of plants. Though distance, water and culture kept the gardening worlds of the East and the West separate for millennia, the gap began to narrow just over 200 years ago.
The first plants to trickle out of China were those plants most accessible to foreigners — cultivated plants growing at and around seaport towns. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that plant explorers pressed inland to open wide the treasure chest of wild and cultivated plants, many of which have found their way into my garden. These plant explorers are honored in plants that bear their names. Fortunella, or kumquats (the genus was changed recently, with kumquats now in Citrus), named for Robert Fortune. I’ve grown kumquats, wintering them indoors at a sunny window, for many years. Citrus meyerei, the Meyer lemon, named for Frank Meyer; my two Meyer lemon plants, also at sunny windows, are just beginning to send out new shoots, soon, with flowers.
(There is a darker side to “East meets West.” Up until the middle of the 19th century, Japan was isolationist, which was not to the liking of U.S. commercial interests.
President Millard Fillmore enlisted “Admiral” Matthew Perry to force his boats into Japan’s Edo Bay to intimidate the Japanese into opening their ports to American trade, as well as other concessions. This gunboat diplomacy was successful.)
From the Far East came plants for which we had no counterparts, plants such as the gingko tree. There also came plants more, or at least equally, valuable as related plants found here. We have our redcedar (Juniperus virginiana); from China comes Chinese juniper (J. chinensis). Our redcedars turn drab brown in winter, but the Chinese species remain lush green throughout the year. Common witchhazel (Hamemalis virginiana) and vernal witchhazel (H. vernalis) are understory shrubs of American forests; Asian forests likewise have two witchhazel species: Chinese (H. mollis) and the Japanese (H. japonica). The Asian species blossom at different times than the American species, so are useful for extending the period of witchhazel bloom.
My Arnold’s Promise variety of witchhazel, a hybrid of the Chinese and the Japanese species, often blooms in late
fall; usually blooms wait until midwinter to open
Where East really does meet West in gardening is in hybrids of Eastern and Western species. The hybrid tea rose, common in American gardens from New England to the Southwest, is one example. “Tea” in the name traces back
to a tea-scented rose (Rosa gigantea) from China. For centuries, the Chinese hybridized this summer-flowering climber having huge, yellow flowers with a dwarf form of another species, R. chinensis. In the nineteenth century these hybrids were further hybridized with European roses
to make hybrid tea roses. American plant breeders sometimes have had to look across the Pacific to find plants with resistance to diseases originally brought to America from the East. Chestnut blight turned up at New York’s Bronx Zoo in 1906, and
Meyer lemon, sent to the U.S. from China by plant explorer Frank Meyer around 1900. (LEE REICH PHOTO)
within 50 years, the tops of American chestnuts (Castanea dentata) were dead or dying in 7 million acres of Appalachian forests. The roots, which are not affected by the blight, keep sprouting new shoots, which then die after a few years, but keep the blight fungus “fed.”
Japanese chestnut (C. crenata) and Chinese chestnut (C. mollisima) evolved with the blight and show some resistance to it, so have been hybridized with the American species to produce blight-resistant trees, such as the variety Sleeping Giant. These trees lack the grandeur of the American chestnut, but they do make larger nuts. My chestnuts, the varieties Colossal and Precoce Marigoule, are hybrids of European chestnut (C. sativa) and Japanese chestnut. They’re all blight resistant, but resistance is a matter of degree. My Colossal is finally succumbing to blight.
Dutch elm disease entered Amer-
ica via Europe, but entered Europe from Asia, probably about the time of World War I. Once again, Asian elm species — Chinese elm (Ulmus parviflora) and Siberian elm (U. pumila) — are resistant to the disease. Hybridization has produced such disease-resistant varieties as Patriot and Accolade.
Plants of Asia even have been useful in providing resistance to diseases not originating in Asia.
Fireblight disease of pears was first noted in New York’s Hudson Valley at the end of the 18th century. Some Asian pear species are resistant to fireblight. Over a hundred years ago, hybrids between Asian and European pears that showed some resistance to blight were produced, at first by accident. These original hybrids did not taste very good, but did make pear-growing possible in blight-prone southeastern U.S.
The story isn’t yet over. Expeditions still return from such areas as remote villages and forest of China and the Himalayas to yield “new” plant treasures.
STOCKBRIDGE
Upcoming program at Berkshire Botanical Garden
Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming program: Saturday, Dec. 14 and 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., “Planting Design Studio.” This course teaches students how to design a planting plan for private and public garden spaces. Explore the manipulation of space by using plant material through a series of exercises dealing with form, color, and texture. Students will consider the nature of plant characteristics in specific design settings. Style of house will be used for a source of inspiration while honoring the horticultural needs of each plant. Students will make presentations for each project, and class critiques will be positive, instructive, and essential to the learning process. This is a participatory class and will include
completing various design projects throughout the course. Taught by Tom Smith of Springfield Technical Community College. Cost $215 members, $240 nonmembers. To register or for more information, visit www. berkshirebotanical.org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 W. Stockbridge Road.
SPRINGFIELD
Springfield Garden Club program
The Springfield Garden Club will host “Celebrating December Holidays with Honored Guests” Tablescapes that Celebrate the Season, on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Old Monkey House at Forest Park.
The Monkey House will be decorated and filled with wondrous tablescapes designed to show you new ways to decorate holiday feasts while you learn about a special mystery guest invited to each.
Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting
Teapot for a very expensive brew
THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A hot drink on a cold day! How about a classic hot chocolate? Spiced apple cider? Maybe a warm cup of freshly steeped saffron? That last one might sound odd to us, but it’s a popular drink across many cultures and has been for hundreds of years.
Saffron, a spice made from the stigma of a type of crocus, has been prized for its flavor, color, fragrance and purported health benefits since antiquity.
As a drink, it can be steeped as an herbal tea (or, as some tea purists insist, tisane or herbal infusion) on its own or with other spices or herbs; or it can be blended with tea leaves to add color and flavor to the brew.
Saffron tea was fashionable for a time in Victorian England, with special teapots made specifically for it, like this one made by silversmith Charles Fox in the mid-1800s. It sold for $218 at World Auction Gallery. It is about 4-inches tall.
Saffron teapots were smaller than common teapots and meant to brew small quantities. Saffron tea would have been a luxury, taken only a little bit at a time.
Throughout the long history of its use, saffron has always been, and still is, expensive. At some points in history, it has been worth its weight in gold, or even more!
Q. I have not been able to identify the mark on a beautiful vase. It has the letters “RH” inside a shield underneath a crown, all in red. Any idea who the company is?
A. This mark was used by Robert Hanke Porcelain Factory from about 1900 to 1918. The factory was founded in Ladowitz, Bohemia, Austria (now Ledvice, Czech Republic), in 1882 and operated until 1945. They made decorative porcelain and giftware, some of which resembles the more expensive Amphora porcelain made in the nearby Turn-Teplitz region. Vases like yours generally sell for about $50 to $100 today. Pottery and porcelain made in the regions formerly called Bohemia and Czechoslovakia are popular with collectors. A club like the Czech Collectors Association (czechcollectors.org) may have more information.
This tiny teapot, used for steeping saffron in Victorian England, sold at auction for a little more than $200. For the same price, you could get about an ounce of saffron. ( WORLD AUCTION GALLERY)
Q.
I have two of the Rat Bis-Kit rat poison papier-mache statues. They both appear to be in good shape and even have the poison cube that the rats are holding in their hands. They have some cobwebs on them but other than that they look very good. I am sure the cobwebs will wipe off, but I didn’t want to touch them because they are made of papier-mache.
A. You may have a treasure. Papier-mache advertising statues can be worth over a thousand dollars. You may want to contact a collectors’ club like the Antique Advertising Association of America (pastimes. org) for more information. If you are planning to sell your statues, contact an auction house that specializes in advertising.
You are correct to be careful with your statues; one reason why antique papier-mache statues can be so valuable is because paper antiques are often delicate and rare to find in good condition. They should
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.
Porcelain, glove mold, blue mark, round base, General Porcelain, Trenton, New Jersey, 14 inches, $75.
Purse, mesh, enamel, multicolor flowers, white and green ground, serrated fringe, metal frame, chain strap, Whiting & Davis, art deco, 5 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches, $95.
Rug, hooked, scenic, maple sugaring, red cabin, two figures, black horse, kettle, trees in background, wood stretcher, 24 x 40 inches, $155.
Castor jar, blue crackle glass, enamel flower vine, silver plate frame, mechanical lid, Pairpoint, 12 inches, $180.
Royal Doulton, vase, squat, two handles, light brown, blue flowers on white lattice, glossy brown rim, raised quatrefoils, marked, Doulton & Slaters, Lambeth, 1913, 3 x 5 inches, $190.
Canton, basket, chestnut, pierced sides, blue rim, shell handles, underplate, pierced rim, c. 1850, 5 x 10 x 9 inches, $250.
be kept away from heat and direct sunlight. Very high and very low humidity can be damaging; about 50% humidity is usually the best. Keep them away from liquids. If you want to remove dust and cobwebs, you can try gently wiping the surface with a soft, dry cloth, brushing the cobwebs away with a soft-bristled paintbrush or blowing them away with a hair dryer on its cool setting and lowest power. Do not use water or cleansers.
TIP: Don’t place any sticky tape on the top of a teapot. The decoration may come off with the tape. Secure a top with dental wax or earthquake wax.
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email
Silver plate, pitcher, hummingbird handle, wings extended, allover abalone inlay, repaired wing, signed, Los Castillo, Taxco, 4 1/2 inches, $280.
Sampler, verse, three alphabets, numerals, three flowering plants, frame, signed, dated, Phebe Snow Leominster, Massachusetts, 1821, 11 1/2 x 18 1/2 inches, $695. Clock, Frisian, mahogany case, three finials, Atlas, angels, moon phase dial, calendar, pendulum, time and strike, alarm, Dutch, 1700s, 59 1/2 inches, $1,125. Walrath, cider set, stylized branch with leaves and fruit, brown ground, angled handle, slightly tapered, pitcher, four mugs, marked, c. 1910, pitcher 7 1/2 inches, five pieces, $2,520.
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.
Average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the US falls to 6.69%
By A lex Veiga
Associated Press
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased again this week, slipping to its lowest level since late October.
The rate dropped to 6.69% from 6.81% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 7.03%.
Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan to a lower rate, also eased this week. The average rate fell to 5.96% from 6.1% last week. A year ago, it averaged 6.29%, Freddie Mac said.
Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including the moves in the
Deeds
AGAWAM
Craig E. Plante, Michelle Noel Plante and Michelle Rose Noel to Curtis L. Nelson and Louise A. Nelson, 19 Nolan Lane, $450,000.
Maria Settembre and Salvatore Santaniello to Giovanni Capaccio and Filomena Capaccio, 34 Keller Circle, $450,000.
Mikhail Murauski and Nona Murauskaya to Ryu Webb and Angela Webb, 79 Barbara Lane, $486,000.
Patriot Living LLC, to Brandon Michael Choiniere, 3 Spring St., $255,000.
Ryan Trexler, Nicole M. Trexler and Nicole M. Payeur to Paul J. Kendall, 3 Ash Lane, $306,000.
Shannon M. Wallace, representative, and Dennis A. Letendre, estate, to Kamila Elzbieta Misiak O’Neill, 62 Althea Circle, $300,000.
AMHERST
Maureen E. Millea to Maureen E. Millea, trustee, and Maureen E. Millea 2024 Trust, South East Street, $100.
Linda D. Horton to Linda D. Horton, trustee, and Linda D. Horton Trust, 155 Amity St., $100.
Nicolas W. Guidera to Svati P. Shah, 31 Salem Place, $195,000.
Thomas E. Fisher, Frank G. Fisher, attorney-in-fact, and Jill Fisher Auger, attorney-in-fact, to Lauren Katz and Avi Katz, 8 Tanglewood Road, $800,000.
Robert D. Jackson to Christopher A. Desorcy, 655 Main St.,
yield on U.S. 10-year Treasury bonds, which lenders use as a guide to price home loans.
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now at its lowest level since Oct. 24, when it was at 6.54%.
Mortgage rates have been mostly rising in recent weeks since sliding to a two-year low of 6.08% in late September after the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate from a two-decade high for the first time in more than four years. While the central bank doesn’t set mortgage rates, its actions and the trajectory of inflation influence the moves in the 10-year Treasury yield.
Many expect that the Fed will cut its main interest rate again when it meets in two weeks.
$450,000.
Malia Homebuyers LLC, to Yinyan Li, 51 Valley View Drive, $400,000.
Nina M. Scott to Robin Fordham, 6 Emerson Court, $342,500.
ASHFIELD
Mark C. Fredland, “aka” Mark Fredland, to Amar P. Abbatiello, Watson Spruce Corner Road, $75,000.
BELCHERTOWN
Michael J. Sullivan to Myles H. Paulo, Grace Paulo and Thomas Szydziak, 151 Oak Ridge Drive, $515,000.
RB Ventures LLC, to Tall Palms Capital LLC, 81 Old Amherst Road, $575,000.
M & G Land Development LLC, to Bac Thi Son, 44 Munsell St., $545,000.
Charles E. Momnie and Carrie A. Momnie to Noah Pare and Kelly Pare, 68 Allen St., and 68 Allen Road, $440,000.
Deborah E. Parent and Kyle R. Parent to Taylor Seelen and Kevin Waller, 25 Ledgewood Drive, $457,000.
William A. Terry and Cathy A. Terry to William A. Terry and Cathy A. Terry, 385 Turkey Hill Road, $100.
William A. Terry to Cathy A. Terry and William A. Terry, Turkey Hill Road, $100.
BERNARDSTON
Perry Farm LLC, to Aaron Moody and Stephanie Moody, Fox Hill Road, $160,000.
Elevated mortgage rates and rising home prices have kept homeownership out of reach of many would-be homebuyers. U.S. home sales are on track for their worst year since 1995.
Despite an overall uptick in mortgage rates since September, applications for a home loan have been rising. Mortgage applications rose 2.8% last week from the previous week, adjusting for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
And the MBA’s seasonally adjusted index of purchase loan applications rose for the fourth week in a row last week, reaching its highest level since January.
“The recent strength in purchase activity continues, supported by lower rates and higher inventory levels, which
BLANDFORD
Dorothy L. Chaffee to Evergrain Orchard LLC, 21 Kaolin Road, $125,000.
Todd B. King and Susan E. King to Ross M. Rapoza and Rachael L. Watson, 32 Blair Road, $495,000.
BRIMFIELD
Gail Schoppmann and Kenneth Schoppmann to William T. Gamble and Jean M. Gamble, Janes Hill Cross Road, Lot C2-B, $77,500.
Jewel Real Estate and Jewel Real Estate Inc., to Robert A. Ardizzoni and Laurie Ardizzoni, Paige Hill Road, Lot B, $100,000.
Michael Kearney, trustee, Western Realty Trust, trustee of, and Michael K. Kearney, trustee, to Brian S. Miller and 2015 Miller Family Revocable Trust, Rear Allen Hill Road, $15,000.
CHICOPEE
Arthur A. Breyare and Janice M. Breyare to Malia Homebuyers LLC, 31 Sophia St., $164,000. Bethany S. Schnopp to Laura C. Collins and Carol A. Pelletier, 200 Lambert Terrace, Unit 12, $265,000.
Dora Cruz to Ian Gabbidon, 90 McKinstry Ave., Unit 111, $127,000.
Eileen A. LaPierre to Elite Investment Group LLC, 72 College St., $150,000.
U S A Housing & Urban Development to Matthew S. Calisch, 1440 Pendleton Ave., Unit 1440, $195,000.
Frances L. Casa to William Raleigh and David Kachinski, 25 Roberts Pond Lane, $220,000. Jacqueline C. Julian to Sammy
are giving prospective buyers more options compared to earlier in the year,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s deputy chief economist.
Still, with home prices near all-time highs and still rising nationally, albeit more slowly, many would-be homebuyers are likely holding out for mortgage rates to ease further in coming months.
But there may not be much relief, given that many housing economists predict the average rate on a 30-year mortgage will generally hover around 6.5% next year.
“With home prices expected to rise and rates projected to remain in the 6s through 2025, many of those buyers will still be priced out,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS.
Ereka, 58 Emmet St., $311,000.
James W. Gelinas, representative, and Donald E. Pelletier, estate, to KMAK LLC, 43 Edbert St., $246,000.
Janet L. Reid, Joyce D. Lacapucia and Joyce D. Lacaprucia to Alfredo Lopez and Rubidia Orozco Lopez, 129-131 Church St., $350,000.
KMAK LLC, to Aldo Properties LLC, 43 Edbert St., $260,000.
Kristine P. Clark, Chester C. Przybylowicz Jr., Theresa A. Przybylowicz, Theresa Glanville, Thomas Przybylowicz, Mary Waldron, Patricia Guilmette and Kristine Clark to Hassan Saleh and Edwan Alzuhairi, 76 Joy St., $350,000.
Linda C. Jensen to Kyle Robert Picard, 150 Greenwood Terrace, $179,900.
Linda C. Norton and Paul Norton to Dreamwake Homes Inc., 27 Cortland St., $125,000.
Lynette A. Broders, Denise D. Walker, Denise D. Hawk, Donna M. Lemay, David M. Pare and Donald R. Pare to Colin Quirk, 110 Blanchard St., $325,000.
Nathan J. Nietupski, representative, Joshua J. Nietupski, representative, and Christine A. Nietupski, estate, to Nolan J. Cowles, 94 New York Ave., $125,000.
Robert Rojowski to Melissa Taylor, 107 Edward St., $300,000.
Ronald H. Boulanger to Mahwish Chishty and Fahad Khan, 167 Pondview Drive, $319,900.
Tomasz Swiech and Malgorzata Swiech to Hassen Saleh and Rula Abdul Baki, 111 Cochran St., $340,000.
Walter J. Szarek, Irena Szarek and Irene Szarek to Patricia G. Pelletier and Donald J. Laverdiere, 161 Tolpa Circle, $399,900.
CUMMINGTON
Joan C. Lenihan, trustee, and Marie O. Morse Irrevocable Trust to Daniel P. Rattelle and Elizabeth H. Wassman, 246 West Cummington Road, $225,000.
DEERFIELD
Robyn J. Harris to Corrine Sysun, 8 Porter St., “fka” 9 Porter St., $400,000.
EAST LONGMEADOW
Andrei Mashkou and Kristina Filozova to Thao T. Truong, 2 Jeffrey Lane, $845,500.
Caitlin Cormier, Scott Mertz and Daniel G. Mertz to Jesse Keough, 161 Kibbe Road, $418,000.
Carol Rivet to Shedrack Azuike, 35 Parker St., $450,000.
Damian Gutierrez to Jeffrey R. Mitchell and Jamie J. Mitchell, 0 Prospect Street, $21,000.
Debra A. Richard to Justin Charles and Charlotte Bailey, 339 Westwood Ave., $460,000.
James T. Johnston Jr., and Theresa A. Johnston to Thomas A. Ferraro and Sofya Ferraro, 18 Oxford Lane, $775,000.
Jeanette Enriquez to Jessica M. O’Brien, 26 Rankin Ave., $333,000.
Jeffrey Kimball and Ann C. Kimball to Edward W. Shore IV, and Arianna A. Deliz, 17 Kingman Ave., $306,000.
Robert J. Lefebvre, Jane K. Furnas, Cathleen M. Cirone, representative, and Anthony P. Cirone, estate, to Chelsie L. Raleigh, 3 Pondview Drive, $670,000.
DEEDS, PAGE F8
Deeds
TechnTech LLC, to Nauset Properties, 67 Holland Drive, $295,000.
GILL
Kyle Boroski to Phoebe Crompton, 3 Myrtle St., $363,000.
PennyMac Loan Services LLC, to 194 Holdings LLC, 20 Walnut St., $125,000.
GOSHEN
Dustin Bernier, trustee, and Rainbow Revocable Trust to Daniel J. Desnoyers and Linda I. Desnoyers, Hamond Acres, $4,500. Luke Felten to Samantha Davis, 60 Main St., $340,000.
Joshua R. Kicza and Kristine E. Kicza to Luke O. Felten and Gabrielle E. Duda, 19 Berkshire Trail, $625,000.
GRANBY
Marlene E. Bedell and Michael P. Deady to Jennifer A. Deforge, Jennifer Deforge, Roger F. Blasko, Kathryn B. Cullen and Brian P. Cullen, 25 Cold Hill Drive, $395,000.
HADLEY
Jerremy T. Rorick, trustee, Sarah B. Rorick, trustee, Jerremy T. Rorick Living Trust, Sarah B. Rorick Living Trust, Jerremy T. Rorick and Sarah B. Rorick to Jenna R. Howe, trustee, and 25 Sylvia Heights Realty Trust, 25 Sylvia Heights, $1,399,900.
HAMPDEN
Tracey Ann Bey to Sara Morton, Rear Mill Road, $225,000.
William Kelleher and David Atsales to Lauren K. Wood and Emma E. Sousa, 11 South Ridge Road, $634,990.
HATFIELD
James M. Motyka and Lorrie A. Motyka to Kurt Reznikiewicz and Wayne Carlson Jr., 60 North Hatfield Road, $511,000.
Thomas E. Yagodzinski and Richard J. Yagodzinski to Nourse Farms Real Estate Acquisition LLC, Bashin Road, $230,000. Joann Lampron, Joanne Lampron, David B. Lampron and Roy L. Seidell Jr., to 119 Real Estate LLC, 27 Elm St., $320,000.
HEATH
Jason D. Hendricks to Anthony Biladeau, 99 Shawnee Drive, “aka” 23 Cheyenne St., $37,500.
HOLLAND
Julius John Ivan Sr., estate, and Sandra C. Ivan to Steven M. Verrette, 0 Pine Crest Drive, $8,000.
Todd Marsh and Kelli Kosbab to Jonathan Housey and Courtney Housey, 2 White
Road, $445,000.
HOLYOKE
Alex Vilkhovoy, trustee, and AJ Capital Realty Trust, trustee of, to Jarred A. Difazio, 525-527 Pleasant St., $470,000.
Conway Realty Trust to Open Square Qozb LLC, 111 Lyman St., $355,000.
David Keenan to Skyspec LLC, 238 Lyman St., $145,000.
Dicky Matos to Tiffany Marie Fernandez, 134 Oak St., $400,000.
Dmitriy V. Mikhaylichenko and Anastasiya S. Mikhaylichenko to Raymond Babbin, 4 Coronet Road, $530,000.
Jennifer Wilda to Michael David Rabtor and Jacquelyn Pitoniak Rabtor, 430 Rock Valley Rd, $200,000.
Martha Gillispie and Mark Adkins to Jeremy Kaulback, 203 Michigan Ave., $282,900.
Paula Girard, Aaron Vega and Debra Vega to Ross Franklin and Courtney Joaquin, 1059 Dwight St., $165,450.
Stephen Polakowski, trustee, Tracy Lessard, trustee, and P & L Trust, trustee of, to Craig Stevens, 48 Taylor St., $175,000.
HUNTINGTON
Bradley J. Robbins and Rachel A. Lepine to Adam Duso, Norwich Lake, $15,000.
LEVERETT
Loan Funder LLC, Series 13518 to Hoye Properties LLC, 15 Hemenway Road, $180,000.
LEYDEN
Louis J. Massa and Robin L. Massa to Bryan Hobbs and Linda Hobbs, 2 South County Road, $550,000.
LONGMEADOW
Alex M. Arnold and Caitlin M. Arnold to Thomas J. Dignazio, 267 Williams St., $350,000.
Anthony R. Hannon and Kayleigh L. Hannon to Daniel J. Albert Jr., and Thomas Nasiatka, 505 Converse St., $460,000.
Craig F. Tober to Michael Feinberg and Jennifer Feinberg, 18 Bel Air Drive, $470,000.
Michael S. Block and Amie S. Block to Alex Shugrue and Lisa Kelsall, 64 Nevins Ave., $345,000.
Ruth C. Reynolds, trustee, Ruth E. Reynolds, trustee, and Harry E. Reynolds Trust, trustee of, to Theodore W. Schultz and Sara E. Trecker, 90 Kenmore Drive, $350,000.
Stephen D. Napoli to Leilani Cardona, 154 Pleasantview Ave., $375,000.
Thomas J. Dignazio to Alex M. Arnold and Caitlin M. Arnold, 24 Crescent Road, $575,000.
LUDLOW
Deborah A. Gelinas and Deborah Gelinas to Eric M. Miner, 21 Hillcrest Lane, $585,000. Domingos Goncalves and Elizabeth Gon-
calves to Michelle Diane Park Bulley, 90 Stivens Terrace, $415,000.
Gary J. Ruel and Sherryl L. Ruel to Allison Klink and Sean Klink, 50 Sunbriar Lane, $635,000.
Joanne Patricia Mancini-Scearce, Joanne Scearce, Tina Mancini-Gebert, Tina Gebert and Suzanne Maynard to Eric Poddubchak, 7 Warwick Drive, $307,000.
MT Home LLC, to Samantha McKoy and Devante McKoy, 57 Pleasant St., $368,000.
Samuel Cobb and Martha Cobb to Gabriel Vitalino Ganzer, 22 Bristol St., $327,000.
VDS Properties LLC, to Alexander Webb and Allison Webb, 5 Wood Drive, $288,500.
MIDDLEFIELD
Clinton J. Maxey to Benjamin H. Barnett and Ashley L. Anderson, 131 River Road, $262,000.
Edward Vanty and Eddy Vanty to Michael J. Brown, Cone Road, $45,000.
MONSON
Beth Kane, representative, and Paul A. Cote, estate, to BP LLC, Bumstead Road, $27,000.
Change Li and Fuk Sheung Lee to Samuel Ramirez and Jaclyn M. Ramirez, 107 Wood Hill Road, $410,000.
Michael K. Kurasinski and Elaine A. Kurasinski to Revocable Trust Agreement of Merrill Tanner, trustee of, and Merrill A. Tanner, trustee, 73 Wood Hill Road, $420,100.
MONTAGUE
Neill L. Bovaird Jr., to Adam Bezio and Erika Skorupski, 16 Old Sunderland Road, $385,000.
MONTGOMERY
Aleksandr I. Dudukal and Kristina Dudukal to Susan King and Todd King, 115 Carrington Road, $575,000.
NORTHAMPTON
Howard J. Gold and Jennifer B. Innes to Jennifer B Innes, trustee, Howard J. Gold, trustee, and Howard Gold & Jennifer Innes 2024 Trust, 212 North St., $100.
William B. Ahearn Jr., William B. Ahearn Jr., personal representative, and Linda J. Ahearn, estate, to Stephen Gallant, 155 Riverside Drive, $255,000.
Lisa Hohol McCutcheon and David J. McCutcheon to John Doll and Lesley Doll, 263 Sylvester Road, $1,000,000.
Mary E. Murphy to Erik Risinger, 94 Pines Edge Drive, $225,000.
Edward D. Etheridge and Susan M. Etheridge to Frances Littin, trustee, Arthur C. Tauck III, trustee, and Frances Littin Revocable Trust, 128 Baker Hill Road and Maplewood Terrace, $1,534,500.
MZZ Lucky LLC, to Northampton Rentals LLC, 18 Orchard St., $1,775,000. Alessandra Urbano, trustee, John G. Gibbons, trustee, and Urbano Gibbins Living Trust to UG South LLC, 165 South St., $100.
Cheryl Dellecese to Johanna Brewer, 248 South St., $605,000.
Daniel R. Curylo, trustee, Laurel A. Curylo, trustee, and Curylo Family Trust to Eli Dwight, trustee, and Eli Dwight Trust, 50-52 Grant Ave., $605,000.
Robert S. Lesko, Carol V. Ryan-Petcen, Carol V. Petcen, Carol V. Ryan-Petcen, personal representative, Carol V. Petcen, personal representative, and Stanley H. Lesko, estate, to New England Power Co., Florence Road, $120,000.
Sara Crawley to Richard Mahaffy and Douglas Woodworth, 43 Pilgrim Drive, $740,000.
David Francis Goodrow and Mayumi Okajima to Home Improvement Maintenance LLC, 820 North King St., $340,000.
Sovereign Builders Inc., to Greggory B. Gorneault and Erin K. Salois, 29 Sherman Ave., $642,500.
NORTHFIELD
Nicole A. Provencher and Ronald J. Provencher, trustees of the Provencher Nominee Trust, to Charles E. Fisher, S. Mountain Road, $60,000.
ORANGE
Hannah J. Trifiro, “fka” Hannah J. Rathburn, and Nathan Trifiro to Austin R. Smith and Paris L. Stone, 63 Brookside Road, $280,000.
Leanne M. Walker, personal representative of the Estate of Georgia Ann Kelton, “aka” Georgia A. Kelton, to Yan Yu, 15 School St., $80,000.
Ryan H. Feyrer to Brandy L. Patch, Magoon Road, $5,000.
PALMER
Amy L. Spallone, Amy L. Woodruff and Martin Charles Spallone to Andre De Campo Freitas Sr., and Erica Weidlich De Gennaro Freitas, 11 Ains Manor Road, Unit #11, $262,000.
Chance J. Plant to Alexander R. Karrasch, 124 Chudy St., $296,000.
Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., trustee, and Home Equity Mortgage Loan Trust Series INABS 2006 -C, trustee of, to Michael A. Freitas, 3030 Main St., $66,800.
Robert J. Rogers to WestJam Man LLC, 263 Wilbraham St., $200,000.
Rock Thibeault, Meagan E. Thibeault and Meagan E. Riemann to Martha Cobb and Elizabeth Bromage, 384 Boston Road, $380,500.
Shedrack C. Azuike and Judith Azuike to Wen Xiu Lian, 1598 North Main St., $270,000.
Stacia A. Cantin to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Targaryen Realty Trust, trustee of, 8 Christine St., $160,000.
RUSSELL
Angela Jean McGowan, representative, and Gerald Patrick Everman, estate, to APIF-Massachusetts LLC, 58 Main St., $305,000.
Deeds
SOUTH HADLEY
Jeffrey J. Kristek to Jeffrey J. Kristek and Rachel M. Kristek, 8 Parkview Drive, $100.
Ruth S. Rauluk and Mark A. Rauluk to Edward Sullivan and Marianne Sullivan, 9 Wood Ave., $289,500.
Robert Brunton, personal representative, and Donna Marie Brunton, estate, to Johannes Brongers and Janet Brongers, 85 Shadowbrook Estates, $489,900.
Laura E. Machak and Caleb M. Machak to Martha L. Bongfeldt, 33 Queen Circle, $335,000.
Carol M. Ribeiro, personal representative, and David M. Portelada, estate, to Dustin Swanson and Cameron Moretti, 13 North St., $315,000.
Jessica F. Swistak and Jessica Funk Hall to Christopher W. Mitchell and Elizabeth Latwin Mitchell, 211 Mosier St., $477,000.
Cheryl Ann Izzo, trustee, and C.A. Izzo Family Trust to Jessica Funk Hall, 3 Olde Plains Hollow, $400,000.
Robert A. Beaulieu and Sharon E. Beaulieu to Kenneth Beagle and Katie Beagle, 337 Newton St., $565,000.
Kathyrn M. Dunn to Peter Cole and Christy Cole, 24 Cornell St., $350,000.
Patrick Goff and Ashley Goff to Kathryn Dunn, 104 Lyman St., $384,000.
SOUTHAMPTON
Barry J. McCormack, Cynthia McCormack and Cynthia C. McCormack to Barry J. McCormack, trustee, Cynthia C. McCormack, trustee, Barry J. McCormack Living Trust and Cynthia C. McCormack Living Trust, 37 Miller Ave., $100.
SOUTHWICK
Rita M. Myers to Brian T. Estock and Stacy Smith, 24 Fred Jackson Road, $380,000.
Scott E. Mulligan and Lynne R. Mulligan to Eric N. Barnes and Ashley L. Barnes, 55 Honey Pot Road, $640,000.
SPRINGFIELD
Abdallah Alwreikat to Nicholas G. Tougas, 37 Nassau Drive, $202,000.
Anne M. Bouchie and Anne M. Lamothe to Sunna Liu, 19 Eton St., $345,000.
ARPC LLC, to Tatiana M. Colon, 29 Suzanne St., $275,000.
Bac Thi Son and Vien Tra to Adeilson Ribeiro De Souza, 93 Elaine
Circle, $435,000.
Benjamin T. Cole and Arnold David Cole to Abimael Santana and Regina Yahaira Santana, 171 Clearbrook Drive, $560,000.
Clayron R. Taylor to JJJ17 LLC, 193195 Leyfred Terrace, $240,000.
Damarys Charles, representative, Marisol Marquez-Noriega, estate, and Marisol Soto, estate, to Anthony Maloni, 80 Vadnais St., $180,000.
Daniel J. Hopkins to Brian Gendron, 65 Eddy St., $140,715.
David George Johnson Jr., to Maurice Lteif and Luz Hernandez, 372 St James Ave., $160,000.
Dominic Santaniello, trustee, Lucas Giusto, trustee, Napels Home Buyers Trust, trustee of, and Naples Home Buyers Trust, trustee of, to Wesley Eugene Baalman, 382 North Brook Road, $320,000.
Dreamwake Homes Inc., to Maria Rolon, 37 Groveland St., $309,000.
Evangelio Cruz and Glorivee Cruz to Michael Reyes, 43-45 Lancashire Road, $280,000.
Family & Developments LLC, to Luis Cela Guaman, 73-75 Massachusetts Ave., $420,000.
Hector M. Torres and Monserate Torres to Donald Edington, 297 Christopher Drive, $370,000.
Henry B. Payne to Sandra Vazquez, 38 Berkeley St., $211,000.
Jacqueline A. Depinto and Patricia A. Danek to VMS Capital LLC, 185 Breckwood Boulevard, $210,000.
James W Fiore and Darlene Fiore to Sujata Gurung and Aung Htoo, 97 Groveland St, $260,000.
Jean Mahoney and Daniel Mahoney to Danilo Pena Flores Jr., 112 Lumae St., $305,000.
John Desousa and Mary Ann Desousa to JJS Capital Investments LLC, 1312-1314 Worcester St., $310,000.
Jonathan Wilkinson to Antonio Gomez Ramos, 33 Bither St., $204,150.
Joseph T. Ruiz and Sophie H. Ruiz to Anthony Marc Magnani, 48 Pine Acre Road, $315,000.
Judith A. Gallagher, representative, Sanadra Dee Swenor, estate, and Sandra Dee Nason, estate, to Reynaldo Torres, 216 Windemere St., $255,000.
Julia Arrab to Raquel Figueroa and David Figueroa, 267 Winton St., $305,825.
Kathryn Healy Dunford, representative, John Brock, estate, John W. Brock, estate, and John William Brock, estate, to Debra A. Richard, 41 Smithfield Court, $285,000.
Kumar Darij, Kumar Darji and Sujata Gurung to Kumar Darji and Mani Darjee, 10 Pearson Drive, $20,000.
Lashawna M. Lewis to Yuliana Scarlette German De Los Santos, 54 Keith St., $277,500.
Lertreice M. Bryant to 59 Steb-
bins Street LLC, 58 Cherreyln St., $210,000.
Lizbeth Santos-Castro to Vanessa Estrada and Ashleigh Maldonado-Sierra, 24 Jardine St., $280,000.
Luis Cruz to Esther Gonzalez, 80 Colton St., $253,000.
Luisa Reyes-Santos, Luisa Castillo and Roberto Santos to Luis M. Reyes and Lucas M. Herrera, 23-25 Smith St., $325,000.
Malia Homebuyers LLC, to Daniel Mahoney and Jean Mahoney, 169 Cooper St., $330,550.
Mark A. Giammarino to Dora Cruz, 161 Nassau Drive, $180,000.
Mark R. Draymore, trustee, and Draymore 1770 Boston Road Realty Trust, trusty of, to AMDE Investments LLC, Mark R. Draymore, trustee, and Draymore 1770 Boston Road Realty Trust, trustee of, 1770 Boston Road, $205,200.
Mark R. Draymore, trustee, and Draymore 1770 Boston Road Realty Trust, trustee of, to North Adams Realty LLC, 1770 Boston Road, $300,000.
Mark R. Draymore, trustee, and Draymore 1780 Boston Road Realty Trust, trustee of, to AMDE Investments LLC, Draymore 1780 Boston Road Realty Trust, trustee of, and Mark R. Draymore, trustee, 1780 Boston Road, $40,000.
Mark R. Draymore, trustee, and Draymore 1780 Boston Road Realty Trust, trustee of, to North Adams Realty LLC, 1780 Boston Road, $200,000.
Melissa J. Ruffin, representative, and Ida L. Ruffin, estate, to Jessica M. Mendoza Moncada and Rigoberto Noe Roblero Mendez, 154 Cambridge St., $390,000.
Noel A. James and Teslyn James to Round Two LLC, 26-28 Manhattan St., $205,000.
Patricia Jimenez Rodriguez and Grizelle Rodriguez Diaz to Emirjona Haxhimihali and Erion Haxhimihali, 101 Mulberry St., Unit 518, $128,000.
Patrick M. McGinity and Patrick McGinity to Dnepro Properties LLC, 45 Pocantico Ave., $260,000.
Pedro L. Ramos to Shuai Fang, 75 Wilton St., $355,000.
Posiadlosc LLC, to Jose Ramon Ramirez, 74 Laurence St., $252,500.
Richard W. Quiterio to HL Property Group LLC, 108-116 Pinevale St., $1,050,000.
Rodelita English to Timothy Figueroa, 490 Berkshire Ave., $247,000.
Round Two LLC, to Tacos El Charros LLC, 2477 Main St., $55,000.
Steven G. Lamothe to Anne M. Bouchie, 67 Venture Drive, $125,000.
Susan A. Cooter to Rosa Aquino, 96 West Alvord St., $226,000.
Susan A. Mackler to Reina Orellana and Jose Orellana-Torres, 175 Lincoln St., $495,000.
Thomas F. Kulina to Anthony Russo and Kaneisha Alexis, 149 Winterset Drive, $375,000.
Timothy J. Fitzgerald to Alexandria Ivellisse Pagan and Hector Vazquez, 139 Moss Road, $255,000.
Triumphant LLC, to 59 Stebbins Street LLC, 138 Magazine St., $115,000.
Valmore A. L. Grandchamp Jr., and Amy A. Grandchamp to Tyler Lapponese, 88 Old Farm Road, $252,500.
William M. Radner and Lisa A. Radner to Vincent Santaniello and Lisa Santaniello, 107 Jamestown Drive, Unit 107, $185,000.
Yvonne C. Perry to Jason S. Donaldson, trustee, and Coalie Realty Trust, trustee of, 136 Albemarle St., $120,000.
TOLLAND
Nancy Rodney and Robert M. Rodney Jr., to Daniel J. Campbell and Samantha Rockefeller, 57 Fiddlehead Lane, $112,500.
Nicholas A. Pioggia and Valentina Pioggia to Andrew Bressem and Veronica J. Bressem, 34 West Otter Drive, $415,000.
WALES
Guy M. Bacon and Guy Bacon to Guy M. Bacon and Morgan L. Bacon, 12 Lakeshore Drive, $100.
WARE
George R. Tower Sr., and Michele A. Tower to Richard Brisebois and Kelsey Timons, 19 Warebrook Village, $173,000.
Fumi Realty Inc., to Cody Buteau and Leeann Berkeley, 1 Pleasant Terrace, $314,000.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Fadil Huremovic and Senada Huremovic to Alma Huremovic-Kibbe and Ethan O. Kibbe, 120 Warren St., $283,000.
Jennifer A. Flynn, representative, Jennifer Ann Flynn, representative, Paul Benedict Flynn, estate, Paul B. Flynn Jr., estate, and Paul B. Flynn, estate, to John J. Meli and Louann A. Meli, 129 Valley View Circle, $443,900.
Maria Elena Ashley to Olcay Kocaman, 42 Herrman St., $292,900.
Martyn G. Green and Kathy A. Green to Nicholas J. Chirekos III, and Katelyn Burke Chirekos, 170 Poplar Ave., $525,000.
Thomas Anthony Ferraro and Sofya Ferraro to Jonathan F. Komenda-Scherer and Viviane Gwen Komenda-Scherer, 89 Meadowbrook Ave., $400,000.
WESTFIELD
Bent Tree Development LLC, to Steven Garib, 18 Day Lily Lane, $700,000.
Bradford B. Moir and Mary A. Moir to Joseph P. Pouliot and Sarah C. Pouliot, 203 Western Ave., $525,000.
Gerri-Ann Riga to Michael Abel and Marina Abel, 32 Heritage Lane, $515,000.
Jeanne A. Peer, trustee, Jeanne A. Tatro-Pier, trustee, and Tatro Living Trust, trustee of, to Connor K. Kennedy and Linsey M. Kennedy, 100 Union St., $340,000.
Jeffrey J. Sarat, Jeffrey John Sarat and Kimberly Sarat to Sergey Shutov and Olga Shutov, 7 Camelot Lane, $835,000.
Michael Edward Premny, Amy Beth Nelson and Kimberly Ann Premny to Ivan Haikevych, 33 Wood Road, $370,000.
Michael Edward Premny, Amy Beth Nelson and Kimberly Ann Premny to Jamie A. Toomey and Zachary M. Gaudet, 29 Wood Road, $240,000.
Patricia F. Lamont, representative, and Tash B. Anton, estate, to Daniel S. Gustafson, 22 Westwood Drive, $345,500.
Sally M. Ascolillo to Anthony V. Ascolillo and Crysta Ascolillo, 63 Loomis Ave., $172,500.
Sandra M. Kozciak to Jeffrey Lyle, 138 Main St., Unit 3, $270,000.
Serena Lichwan to Jeffrey J. Sarat and Kimberly A. Sarat, 11 Camelot Lane, $1,200,000.
Tarkan Topcuoglu and Hilal Topcuoglu to David Chalmers, 549 Russell Road, Unit 10B, $150,000.
Vladislav Pavlovich Tupchiy and Irina Tupchiy to Stephen Henry and Ariana Navarro, 59 Dana St., $350,000.
WESTHAMPTON
Ian R. Saltmarsh to Keith D. Saltmarsh and Kelly A. Saltmarsh, 342 Southampton Road, $100.
WILBRAHAM
Hunter E. Boody and Lauren Boody to Samuel Kofi Amponsah Asante, Amanda Ampofo Asante and Martinson Antwi-Boasiako, 6 Patriot Ridge Lane, $689,000.
Nancy Godbout, conservator, and Harry D. MacLeod to Congamond Management LLC, 511 Ridge Road, $245,000.
Robert J. Lefebvre, to E.S.G. Development LLC, 575 Monson Road, $724,900.
Russell L. Powell and Jennifer Powell to Raquel Medina, 6 Merrill Road, $395,000.
Zachary Yacteen to Matthew Wrisley and Alyson Wrisley, 57 Manchonis Road, $343,000.
How can I rid my aluminum gutters from unsightly stains?
By Jeanne Huber
The Washington Post
Q. Several years ago, we replaced our aluminum gutters with larger ones to handle heavy rains and avoid flooding. From the very beginning, they started to stain from rain and occasional backup. We try to keep the gutters free of leaves but it’s hard, especially on the second story. Do you have any suggestions on how to remove water stains on gutters?
A. From a performance perspective, the main issue with gutter cleaning is to keep the troughs and downspouts free of leaves and other windblown debris. But from an aesthetics perspective, it’s also important to keep gutter exteriors clean. Visually, gutters are part of the trim on a house, and stained gutters can be as off-putting as wearing a scarf or tie streaked with spilled coffee. Some gutter stains are caused by algae or mildew, especially if they show mostly where the surface stays damp longest, such as the underside of any curves in the gutter shape or where the edge of the roof is often in shade. Algae and mildew stains usually wipe off with just a damp sponge or mop, perhaps with a bit of hand dishwashing soap added to the wash water.
Vertical black streaks, often called “tiger stripes,” are more tenacious. Companies that make cleaners for gutter exteriors say the stripes contain tiny particles of asphalt roofing that stick to aluminum gutters via static electricity. Who knows who figured that out, but these stains don’t just wipe off. Ted Pastuszak Jr., director of quality for Englert Inc., a manufacturer of metal roofing and aluminum gutters, said the company recommends using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (three for $3.24 at Walmart). “But the trick to using this on older gutters that weren’t maintained properly,” he said in an email, “is to be gentle with it, as the polyester paint can begin to chalk and look blotchy after the cleaning.” Or you can use a cleaner sold for gutter stain removal, such as Chomp, Gutter Zap or Streak Getter. These break the bonds, so the asphalt bits and other debris fall off or rinse away. These cleaners are strongly alkaline, with pH listings ranging from 11.3 to 13.5. To put that in perspective, ammonia has a pH of 11, and chlorine bleach is 13, meaning the cleaners are 100 times more corrosive than ammonia. Chomp, Gutter Zap and Streak Getter all contain sodium hydroxide, more commonly known as caustic soda or lye. Gutter Butter doesn’t have that, but it’s still quite alkaline, with a pH of 12 to 12.5, accord-
Fictional or real, past or present, members of the SGC will choose a person to invite, create the perfect holiday table setting just for them, and share the who, the how, and the why of their special table and guest with all of the guests.
The event will be held at the Olde Monkey House, at Forest Park. Admission is $10 for adults and $25 for families (up to 6 people). Tickets are available at the door or on Eventbrite.com.
Proceeds to benefit the conservatory at Forest Park. For more information on this and other Springfield Garden Club events go to www.
ing to the product’s safety data sheet. The high alkalinity of these cleaners is significant enough to warrant wearing protective gloves, even if the label doesn’t insist on it. Goggles are essential, especially when you’re cleaning an overhead surface.
Always read the label for specific instructions. These cleaners corrode metals — including aluminum — so they can’t be used at too high a concentration or left on too long. If you buy a cleaner labeled as “concentrated,” never use it full strength. Always dilute with water. Check the label for directions about how long to wait after you apply the cleaner until you wash it away. Clean only a section of gutter — maybe 10 feet at most — at a time so you can rinse without delay. Some cleaners come with warnings against using them in cold weather. Instructions for Gutter Zap recommend cleaning when the temperature is at least 55 degrees. Streak Getter recommends 70 degrees or above. The company could not pinpoint what ingredient, or ingredients make that temperature necessary, but sodium hydroxide is most effective when it’s warm. Interestingly, sodium hydroxide is usually stored in heated tanks when it’s in a concentrated form because it could be close to freezing at room temperature. (At 50 per-
gcfm.org/springfieldgardenclub or visit them on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/Springfield MAGardenClub/.
SPRINGFIELD
2025 Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest underway
The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts together with the USDA, Forest Service and National Garden Clubs, Inc., are giving students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles through original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl.
cent concentration, it freezes at 50 to 60 degrees.)
Whether you’re dealing with algae, mildew or asphalt bits, using an appropriate cleaner is just part of the problem. You also need an efficient applicator and a way to safely reach the gutters.
For applicators, think sponges, pads, mops or gentle brushes, rather than brushes with bristles so stiff that they risk scratching paint on the gutters. Some aluminum gutters have paint that’s quite soft — basically the same as house paint — while others come with a factory-applied, baked on fluorocarbon paint that is very durable. The Gutter Smop ($22.97), made by the same company that sells the Chomp cleaner, has thick microfiber noodles designed to flex enough to snug up to any gutter shape. Fastening the applicator to a telescoping wand allows you to clean the gutters without a ladder, and having a wand that connects to a garden hose makes rinsing easy. But make sure the wand reaches far enough that you can use it while your feet are on the ground. And never try to reach a high gutter with an extension pole while perched on a ladder; it’s risky, especially for a long pole, because you could change your center of gravity while trying to maneuver the pole, which could cause the ladder to tip.
Children from first through fifth grade are invited to participate in this annual drawing contest featuring conservation icons Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl. Individual children can enter but groups, clubs and schools are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to impress upon their members or students the importance of taking a personal role in preventing wildfires or conserving natural resources.
Posters are to be completed by individual students, have correct spelling and all posters must feature Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl. Smokey Bear posters must include Smokey’s wildfire prevention message: Only You Can Prevent Wildfires! Woodsy Owl posters must include Woodsy’s conservation messages: Give-A-
The Orbit Telescoping Gutter Wand, ($30 on Amazon), extends to 70 inches and would work well on a one-story house. For a two- or three-story house, you might need a water-fed pole that reaches 20 to 25 feet. Companies that specialize in tools for window cleaners sell these, and some are quite pricey. One of the more affordable options is the Tucker Bravo, a carbon-fiber and fiberglass pole that extends to 22.5 feet and weighs just 3 pounds. It’s priced at $419 with attachments, including 5 /16-inch tubing that carries hose water to the tip. Using narrow tubing the length of the pole keeps the overall weight down, making the pole easier to use. Booster pumps for hose water are available, but standard tap pressure should be more than enough to reach gutters on a two-story house, according to a Tucker customer service agent.
Long-reach poles for power washers are also available, but rinsing with hose pressure is preferable. High water pressure could blast paint off the gutters, which would probably look worse than if you never tried to clean.
However you clean, Pastuszak has a tip for keeping gutters looking good as long as possible, assuming they are easy to reach: Mist them with a mild car wax, then wipe off the excess.
Hoot, Don’t Pollute or Lend a Hand Care for the Land. Complete rules including size requirements, allowed materials and other important contest rules can be found on the GCFM website at www.gcfm.org/ngc-youthcontests.
Being a member of a garden club is not a requirement, but all contest entrants must be sponsored by a GCFM recognized local garden club. Entries must be submitted to the sponsoring club by Jan. 10, 2025. For more information or to connect with a recognized garden club contact Mary Bandouveres at gcfmyouthcontests@ gmail.com
Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.
PUBLIC AUCTION
PUBLIC AUCTION
PUBLIC AUCTION
CLASSIFIEDS
Private Well & Septic Required
Zoned: RUR
Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24.5
Lot #6:
±3½ Acre Vacant Residential Lot
±150 Ft. Frontage on Devil’s Lane • Private Well & Septic Required • Zoned: RUR
Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24.4
Lot #7:
±2 Acre Vacant Residential Lot • ±119 Ft. Frontage on Devil’s Lane • Private Well & Septic Required • Zoned: RUR
Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24.3
Lot #9:
±1 Acre Vacant Residential Lot
• ±150 Ft. Frontage on Devil’s Lane • Private Well & Septic Required • Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24.1
Lot #10:
±1 Acre Vacant Residential Lot • ±161 Ft. Frontage on Devil’s
Lane • Private Well & Septic
Required • Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24
Lot #11(Rear):
±5¼ Acre Vacant Residential Lot
Private Well & Septic Required
Zoned: RUR
Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-26
