New York designer Tham Kannalikham is once again working with Melania Trump to bring her White House visions to life. Page F6
Growing a bonsai
Be patient and don’t be intimidated
By JESSICA DAMIANO Associated Press
GROWING A BONsai is more than just caring for a miniature tree — it’s an art, a craft and an ancient meditative practice.
Originating in China thousands of years ago, bonsai was later adapted by Japanese growers who further developed it into the bonsai we know today.
Translated to “plant in a tray,” bonsai is understandably intimidating at first. It was to me. But as I learned more, I realized that — like any new skill — familiarizing yourself with the basics, having patience, paying attention to detail and being consistent can set anyone on the path to success.
When selecting a tree, con-
sider both your climate and experience level.
Chinese elm, jade, Japanese maple and juniper are popular beginner trees; pines and maples are cold-hardy and best suited to growing outdoors; tropical trees, such as Ficus, are best kept indoors in regions outside the tropics.
The small, shallow dishes that house bonsai trees are sized to inhibit root growth. Larger pots would hold more soil and water, allowing more space for roots to spread. That would be counterproductive, as more growth beneath the soil would result in more growth above it.
Specialized bonsai soil serves a purpose, as well. Its well-draining consistency discourages excess water retention, which often causes root rot.
After bringing your bonsai home, place it in a spot that accommodates its specific sunlight and temperature requirements. You will find that information on the plant’s care tag.
Growing a young bonsai into a form that resembles a mature tree requires regular pruning to encourage even growth and to remove dead limbs, foliage and errant branches.
Take your time. Stop periodically to assess the tree and plot your next cut. Relax. Breathe.
Growers often train branches to grow into desired shapes by wrapping them first with protective raffia, then with bonsai wire that is bent into formation. This must be done gently so as not to damage bark, and the wrappings should be periodically loosened and reapplied to protect branches from damage as they grow thicker. Check the soil’s moisture level daily by inserting your finger into the top inch. When it feels dry at that depth, water slowly until it drains from the hole in the bottom of the pot.
In general, bonsai should
be fertilized from spring through fall.
Educate yourself on the requirements of your particular species and its stage of maturity, as each plant’s nutritional requirements are different and will change as it ages.
And here’s where the patience comes in. Instead of a rush to bloom or fruit, as is typical when growing annuals, perennials or crops, the beauty of bonsai lies not in the final product but in the journey.
The tree, which can live for decades or even centuries, will evolve over time, as will you. And by putting your personal touches on every shoot and branch, you will imprint your bonsai with your own identity.
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.
A ginseng ficus bonsai tree on display at Hicks Nurseries in Jericho, New York. (JESSICA DAMIANO VIA AP)
A juniper bonsai tree on display at Hicks Nurseries in Jericho, New York. (JESSICA DAMIANO VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Lee Reich | In the Garden
‘MAKE HAY
while the sun shines” is fine advice in its season. For winter, how about? “Prune while the snow is high and firm.”
My apple and pear trees are semi-dwarf, presently ranging from seven to eleven feet tall. Even though I have a pole pruner and various long-reach pruning tools, I still carry my three-legged orchard ladder out to the trees with me to work on their upper branches. Sometimes you have to get your eyes and arms and hands right up near where you’re actually cutting.
A few years ago, as I was looking out the window and admiring the foot or so of snow on the ground, I realized that all that snow could give me a literal leg up on pruning. If I stayed on top of the snow, that is. While the snow was still soft, I was able to do this by strapping on a pair of snowshoes, which I bought, used, just for this purpose. (For travel through snow, I prefer to glide, on skis.) When the snow melted a little and then froze, the icy crust that formed was able
a good perspective for a grower of fruit trees. This allows a more objective perspective on which branches are going to be blocking light or otherwise cramping others for space.
Letting more light and air in among the branches and, at the same time removing potential fruits with pruned branches,
channels more of each tree’s energy into perfecting those fruits that remain. Remaining fruits are then healthier, larger, and more flavorful, especially for naturally larger fruits such as apples, pears, and peaches.
The snow offers other benefits to us gardeners. It’s a blank canvas that records some
winter activities. My dogs’ footprints are obvious and telling. They are provincial in their travels, having beaten paths from their doghouses, where they sleep, to the driveway, where they greet humanity, and to the deck, where they lie in the sun.
to support my weight sans snowshoes.
In any case, when there’s a good depth on the ground, I gather my tools — minus the stepladder — and walk tall out to the trees.
Plants, like other creatures, have hormones, and a hormone (called auxin) in every plant generally coaxes uppermost portions to grow most vigorously. Which is why old apple trees become top heavy, with most shoot growth high up. The upshot of this habit is that most fruit is borne high in the branches, out of reach, and lower branches are shaded to become unproductive and prone to disease.
Ideally, then, the best place to start pruning is with the most vigorous branches, highest in the tree. That’s also the last place you want to start if you’re standing at ground level. Perched atop a good depth of snow next to my smaller trees, starting near the top was much easier.
If I get high enough (in the tree), I can imagine that I’m hovering above the branches, looking at them from the perspective of ol’ Sol, which is
Snow gives the author a literal “leg up” in pruning.
(LEE REICH PHOTO)
GARDEN NOTES
STOCKBRIDGE
Berkshire Botanical Garden offering tree biology program
Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming program: Fridays, Feb. 14 to Feb. 28, 1 to 5 p.m. This course, taught by Tom Ingersoll of Ingersoll Land Care, is designed for those who might not necessarily be the first to climb 100 feet up a northern red oak or wrangle a chainsaw to fell a 36-feet-tall dead ash tree. The goal of this class is to empower horticulturalists to better understand the largest plants in the landscape. Participants will learn the basics of tree biology and identification, the tree’s role in the ecosystem, proper selection, siting, planting considerations, pruning of young trees, fertilization, pest identification, and when to call in the certified arborist. Cost is $215 for members, $240 for nonmembers. To register or for more information, visit www. berkshirebotanical.org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.
SPRINGFIELD Garden club series to focus on year-round horticulture
The Springfield Garden Club will host “Year Round Color in the Garden Horticultural Workshops” a series of classes for anyone interested in year-round interest in their yards and gardens. The programs will be at 2 p.m. on each day.
Saturday, Feb. 8 is “Trees that Bring Joy all Year Long” Looking to plant and care for a small tree that you will enjoy year-round? Learn which small trees bring joy to both you and the wildlife around you. Where best to place them, and learn how to make sure they survive in our changing climate. Led by Alex Sherman, tree warden and city forester for Springfield. (Note: The original date for “Trees that Bring Joy all Year Long” was Sunday, Feb. 9. The time was changed due to inclement weather expected on Feb. 9.)
Sunday, Feb. 23, is “Landscaping for Year-Round Beauty” Want to enjoy your garden more in the spring, summer, fall, and winter? Learn how to design a garden that showcases vibrant color and fascinating textures that make it shine in every season.
The classes will be held in the Old Monkey House, in Forest Park on Sumner Ave. The fee is $10 per class
and tickets are available at the door, on Eventbrite, by emailing spfldgardenclub@gmail.com or by calling 413.285.3163.
For more information on this and other Springfield Garden Club events go to www.gcfm.org/springfieldgardenclub or visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldMAGardenClub/
WILBRAHAM Garden club scholarship applications available
The Wilbraham Garden Club announces that applications are now being accepted for two, $1,000 scholarships to financially assist graduating seniors, who are residents of Wilbraham or Hampden, as they transition to an institution of higher learning.
All applicants must be planning to major in one of these fields of study: Botany, Horticulture, Conservation, Environmental Engineering, Environment Science, Earth Systems, Forest Management, Natural Resources, Plant, Soil and Insect Science, Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Horticulture, Food and Farming, Turf Grass Science & Management, Landscape Design & Management Technology, Landscape Architecture, Oceanography, Clean Energy Technology, Floral Design or Land Management.
Applicants must include a personal essay of 100-200 words, official high school transcript(s), two letters of recommendation, college acceptance letter(s) if available, along with the completed Wilbraham Garden Club Scholarship application. All required documentation must be received on or before March 31. Notifications will be made by early May and the recipients will be awarded their scholarships at the annual meeting of the Wilbraham Garden Club on June 5. Scholarship applications will be available at the Wilbraham and Hampden Public Libraries, Minnechaug Regional High School and Wilbraham Monson Academy. Contact howella413@gmail.com with questions or to receive an application.
EAST LONGMEADOW Garden club scholarship applications available
$1,000 Garden Club Scholarship Applications are now available for the 2025 Esther A. Rosati Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 at the East Longmeadow High School guidance office, the East Longmeadow Public Library and can be downloaded from eastlongmeadowgard.wixsite.com/gardens.
Applicants must presently be an East Longmeadow High School senior or a recent graduate of East Longmeadow High school who is planning to attend an institution of higher learning in the fall of 2025; or an East Longmeadow High School graduate student who is a resident of East Longmeadow and is attending an institution of higher learning; or an East Longmeadow High School student who is a resident and has been accepted to participate in a special academic program.
All applicants must be planning to pursue a degree in Agriculture, Botany, Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Science or any other related field. Applications and a copy of an official transcript must be received on or before March 15. Applicants being considered may be contacted by the East Longmeadow Garden Club’s Scholarship Committee for an interview.
The recipient will be awarded the $1,000 scholarship at the annual May meeting of the East Longmeadow Garden Club. Send completed application and transcript to East Longmeadow Garden Club Scholarship Committee, c/o Diane A. Tiago, 38 Rogers Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028.
AGAWAM
Garden club scholarship applicationsavailable
Applications are now available for the Agawam Garden Club 2025 scholarship. To qualify for the scholarship, students must be a graduating senior of Agawam High School or a college student who graduated from Agawam High School and is planning to attend an institution of higher learning in the fall.
Applicants must be majoring in or planning on majoring in one of the following: botany, environmental engineering, environmental science, earths systems, forest management, natural resources, plant soil and insect science, sustainable agriculture, sustainable horticulture or food and farming, turf grass science and management, landscape design and management technology, clean energy, technology studies: waste water or other environmental related studies.
The recipient will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship at the club’s annual May meeting. Completed applications along with transcripts and references must be submitted to Denise Carmody, 40 Primrose Lane, Agawam MA 01001 by April 1. Applications are available through Agawam High School or can be found on our website at agawamgardenclub. com.
Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F3
Less frequent are their forays out into the meadow to do their business and to see if anything interesting is creeping around out there.
The small, padded footprints of my cat haven’t beaten out paths. The cat more randomly explores out-of-the-way nooks and crannies. She also likes to steer clear of the dogs, who consider her just another small animal worth chasing.
The distinctive footprints that I’m keeping the closest eye out for are those of rabbits and deer. Now, about when I typically delude myself that all danger has past, periods of warmer weather start coaxing rabbits to wander about and eye my trees and shrubs as food. Now is also when cottontail rabbits start reproducing, the first of up to five litters for this year, with a half dozen or so bunnies per litter! Very cute, but deadly to my plants.
This winter, a couple of deep snows either brought deer here or displayed their abundance with tracks in the snow. For the rabbits, who feed on young trees and low branches, I sometimes make up a spray of white latex paint, water, eggs, cinnamon, and hot pepper. That needs to be re-applied about now. Traps I set out for them are thoroughly and safely (for the rabbits) buried in snow. Perhaps I’ll dig them out and re-set them.
The uncluttered expanse of snow makes it easy to see where I put my pruning tools as I prune the apples and pears. The snow also makes it easy to see where I drop the prunings. And why do I care where I drop my prunings? Because I can then quickly look at them to see if any bark has been gnawed off those freshly cut branches. And what would gnaw bark off those freshly cut branches. Rabbits! No sign of rabbits — yet at least — on those prunings as well as on tracks in the snow. Thank you, Gracie (my cat).
The dogs are supposed to be keeping deer at bay but do so only if they are out and about when deer are around. This year I’ve been relying on Bobbex repellent, which I spray monthly on branches that would be within reach of the deer. So far, the sprays have been 100% effective even on trees with deer tracks right beside them in the snow.
Melania Trump’s decorator quietly picks up where she left off
By Jura Koncius
The Washington Post
First lady Melania Trump returned to the White House in January with a new look, but when it comes to interior design, she’s staying the course.
Tham Kannalikham, a New York-based interior designer with a passion for historic preservation, worked with the Trumps on the interiors of the People’s House during their first term. She recently confirmed by email that she is back on the job.
“We are privileged to help create a home while contributing to the history of the White House for a second time,” Kannalikham wrote. She called the experience “humbling and inspiring.” The Laotian American designer keeps a low profile — even her website is accessible only with a password — and only agreed to answer questions by email. She has rarely shared specific details of the work she has done with the Trumps.
She said her top priority over the past few weeks has been to restore the Oval Office and the private quarters upstairs to pretty much what they were during President Donald Trump’s first term. That task was made somewhat easier by the fact that the Bidens didn’t change much upstairs during their time in the White House, she wrote.
Former first lady Jill Biden “retained much of the design
intact, with only a few select pieces of artwork and furnishings swapped out,” Kannalikham said. The Bidens never formally selected a designer to work with them throughout the White House, although Los Angeles designer Mark D. Sikes did overhaul Jill Biden’s East Wing office in shades of blue and white.
On Inauguration Day, White House staff helped Kannalikham and her design
“We are privileged to help create a home while contributing to the history of the White House for a second time.”
team of two return the Oval Office to its 2017 look. They hauled in Ronald Reagan’s terra-cotta rug, a design with sunbursts radiating from a four-foot presidential seal. Flags from the armed services have been put back behind the Resolute Desk, the same desk used by Trump and Joe Biden and many others before them. One thing they didn’t have to change: the Bill Clinton-era gold Scalamandré swagged silk curtains that Kannalikham resurrected during Trump’s first term that remained in place during the Biden years. That saved the team from having to do a time-consuming drapery installation.
The Oval Office continues to evolve. A row of nine historic gilded decorative pieces from
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the White House in May 2020.
(JABIN BOTSFORD / THE WASHINGTON POST)
US 30-year mortgage rate falls to 6.89%
Third straight weekly decline
By M att O tt
Associated Press
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased for the third week in a row, a smidgen of relief for prospective home shoppers getting into the market before the busy spring homebuying season starts.
The average rate fell to 6.89% from
Deeds
AMHERST
Karen S. Franklin to Mary Elizabeth McInnis, 20 Teaberry Lane, $799,000.
Noah C. Zide, personal representative, and Michael R. Zide, estate, to Peter A. Elsea, 22 Iduna Lane, $700,000.
ASHFIELD
Lawrence Byrnes, personal representative of the Estate of Thomas M. Byrnes, to Double Edge Theatre Productions Inc., 225 Main St., $200,000.
BELCHERTOWN
Joann O’Brien, trustee, and Joann O’Brien Revocable Trust to Kate Dubois and James Ferraiolo, 59 Poole Road, $270,000.
James J. Falcone Jr., to James J. Falcone Jr., and Tamara M. Falcone, 91 Mill Valley Road, $100.
CHICOPEE
Fumi Realty Inc., to Nicholas Piela and Nicholas W. Piela, 7 Munger Road, $290,000.
Nancy C. Godbout, conservator, Carole Castonguay and Carole Ann Castonguay to Alan Salois, 921 McKinstry Ave., $268,000.
Robert L. Scribner to Jenny M. Simons, 52 Simonich St., $285,000.
Shirley A. Leca to Jenna Manning and Shawn Desabrais, 15 Savory Drive, $400,000.
CUMMINGTON
Russell L. Sears III, Michael L. Sears,
6.95% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, it averaged 6.64%.
Borrowing costs on 15-year fixedrate mortgages, popular with homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan to a lower rate, also retreated this week. The average rate fell to 6.05% from 6.12% last week. A year ago, it averaged 5.9%, Freddie Mac said.
Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including how the bond market reacts to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy deci-
Edward A. Sears, David S. Sears and Douglas W. Jordan to Steven Schiff and Ana Busto, Potash Hill Road and Dodwells Road, $100,000.
DEERFIELD
Nicole R. Warren, “fka” Nicole R. Talbot, and Shawn Warren to Tracey M. Hebert, 23 Lee Road, $520,000.
Alexis Rodriguez to Ginger Lasalle, 94 Sugarloaf St., $387,000.
Hamilton Land Group LLC, to Arciesse LLC, Conway Road, $28,500.
EAST LONGMEADOW
David D. Morais and Olivia Morais to Samantha Velluti-Fry and Elijah Velluti-Fry, 52 Colony Drive, $500,000.
Edward A. McDonald and Dani M. McDonald to West Jam Man LLC, 27 Knollwood Drive, $285,000.
Samuel R. Fricchione, representative, and Robert L. Fricchione, estate, to Alan Shapiro, 138 Pinehurst Drive, $408,000.
Wayne Matthew Perry to William Gosselin and Kendall Gosselin, 7 Day Ave., $329,000.
EASTHAMPTON
Susan Redmond to Susan Redmond, trustee, and Twenty-Two Bayberry Drive Realty Trust, 22 Bayberry Drive, $100.
Steven P. Marcil, Dawn Marcil and Dawn Janhunen to Steven P. Marcil and Dawn Marcil, 16 Droy Circle, $100.
GREENFIELD
Lois N. Donaldson, trustee of the Donaldson Investment Trust, to Amanda Shute, 32 Vernon St., $155,400.
sions. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage briefly fell to a 2-year low just above 6% last September, but has been mostly rising since then, echoing a sharp rise in the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide for pricing home loans.
The yield, which was at 3.62% in mid-September, reached 4.79% three weeks ago amid fears inflation may remain stubbornly higher than the Fed’s 2% target. A solid U.S. economy and worries about tariffs and other policies potentially coming from President Donald Trump have also
Colleen A. Bannister to Frederick Civian and Janet T. Civian. 49 Devens Street. $275,000.
Jared M. Dagrosa and Patricia A. Dagrosa to Christine Thorington, 4 Princeton Terrace, Unit 4, Meadow View Manor Condominium, $155,000.
Jason P. Wallace and Kelly M. Wallace to Daniel Gorey, 44 Allen St., $295,000.
HADLEY
Mish Potato & Produce Packers Inc., to G&M Enterprises Inc., 15 Railroad St., $575,000.
HATFIELD
John L. Fournier Jr., to Michael P. Mendyk Jr., Little Neponset Road, $4,500.
HOLLAND
Emery L. Fitts Jr., and M. Jeanne Fitts to Camille P. Jolin Jr.,14 Blodgett Road, $335,000.
James F. Counihan and Margaret Counihan to Jonas S. Putz and Jacqueline J. Crowe-Putz, Harper Street, Lot 100A, $24,000.
Richard A. Lucier and Nancy E. Lucier to Justin D. Hawkes, 59A Wales Road, $60,000.
Vanessa Suarez to Tylor J. Leveillee and Crystal A. Potvin, 28 Forest Drive, $384,000.
HOLYOKE
Jesse B. Vanek and Melissa M. Vanek to Bryant O’Connor, 215 Lacus Drive, $300,000.
Norimar Mercado-Machado to Madison Hathaway Gruneiro, 43 A Saint Kolbe Drive, $140,000.
helped push bond yields higher.
The 10-year Treasury yield was at 4.43% in midday trading Thursday.
Elevated mortgage rates, which can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, have discouraged home shoppers, prolonging a national home sales slump that began in 2022.
While sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in December for the third month in a row, 2024 was the worst year for home sales in nearly 30 years, worse than 2023, which had been the worst in decades.
Winners O LLC, to Shyam Mupompa, 109 Waldo St., $295,000.
LONGMEADOW
Joan Guernsey to Mann No Enterprises LLC, 500 Bliss Road, $315,000.
Joseph Ford, trustee, Lori D. Ford, trustee, and Ford Family Trust, trustee of, to Courtney Birchall and Andrew Chambers, 1087 Longmeadow St., $925,000.
Yong-ju No and Yong Ju No to John Ramsburgh and Carolyn Seabury, 166 Greenacre Ave., $430,000.
LUDLOW
Cornerstone Homebuying LLC, to Susana M. Gualberto, 106 Chapin Greene Drive, $280,000.
Palmer Public Library Association Inc., to Hailong Piao, 0 Chapin Street, $105,500.
Jack Ormeche to Elissa L. Socha, 517 Ideal Lane, Unit 205, $364,500.
MIDDLEFIELD
Abba Cohen to Daniel R. Collins Jr., Arthur Pease Road, $34,000.
MONSON
Gary S. Galas and Susan Townsend to JHP Builders LLC, Moulton Hill Road, Lot 3, $85,000.
MONTAGUE
Sarah J. Reed, personal representative of the Estate of Thommas P. Kendrick, “aka” Tommie P. Kendrick, Tommie Patton Kendrick, Joey P. Kendrick, Martin E. Kendrick, Michael P. Kendrick, Timothy Kendrick and Linda L. Kendrick-King to Paul-Michael T. McKenna, 514
Turners Falls Road, $235,000.
Michael S. Gove, trustee of the William & Nancy Conner Irrevocable Trust, to Chelsea A. Diemand and Peter J. Diemand, 34 Taylor Hill Road, $100,000.
NEW SALEM
Jennifer Jean Arsenault and John Arsenault to Deborah Charsky and George Gay, 351 Wendell Road, $450,000.
NORTHAMPTON
Sofiya Alhassan to Sofiya Alhassan, trustee, and Sofiya Alhassan Revocable Trust, 41 Redford Drive, $100. Joseph D. Squires, trustee, Michelle L. Squires, trustee, and Squires Family Trust to Patricia A. Stacey, 30 Grant Ave., $550,000.
Dorothy Reed to Jane H. Nadel and Bradley S. Klein, 125 Riverside Drive, $300,000.
Stuart R. Mieher, trustee, and Mieher Family Trust to Robert Walter Herbst, trustee, Meaghan Elizabeth Germain, trustee, and Germain Herbst Family Revocable Living Trust, 15 Park Ave., $715,000.
Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB, trustee, Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust, PHH Mortgage Corp., attorney-in-fact, and PHH Mortgage Services, attorney-in-fact, to Buy or Sell Realty LLC, 90 Fox Farms Road, $317,200.
Ernest T. Booth, trustee, Carolyn A. Booth, trustee, and Ernest T. Booth Trust to Robin Road Properties LLC, 72 King St., $775,000.
ORANGE
Niles B. Doubleday and Ayla J. Skorupa, “fka” Ayla J. Doubleday, to
SEE DEEDS, PAGE F8
Deeds
Oisin Duggan, 56 Pine Hill Road, $247,000.
Rhonda C. Bartlett, trustee of River Street Realty Trust, to Franklin County Community Meals Program Inc., 81 East River St., $240,000.
PALMER
B & B Realty Partners LLC, to Daniel R. Connelly and Kristina L. Bullock, 3205 C Main St., $315,000.
John M. Mowduk to JJB Builders Corp., 10-12 Belchertown St., $200,000.
Mario Morales and Deborah Morales to Evergrain Orchard LLC, 227 Boston Road, $150,000.
Peter Kratimenos to Michael J. Boulrice and Catherine M. Fletcher, 41 Bourne St., $25,000.
Venture Community Services Inc., to Servicenet Inc., 751 River St., $158,536.
PELHAM
Robert W. Owen to W.D. Cowls Inc., North Valley Road Off, $64,000.
PLAINFIELD
Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB, trustee, Carrington Mortgage Services LLC, attorney-in-fact, and Stanwich Mortgage Loan Trust to Candido Rivera, 426 West Main St., $64,900.
SHELBURNE
Lynn Benander and Daniel Post to
David Matthew Wilson and Mali Wilson, 127 Main St., $500,000.
Conrad Long, “aka” Conrad A. Long, to Carolyn E. Wheeler and John Leonard Wheeler, 486 Little Mohawk Road, $185,000.
SOUTH HADLEY
Dane Sandquist to Andrew T. Craig and Julie A. Craig, 52 Washington Ave., $285,000.
Judy A. Hemingway to Raychel Tyburski and John Fisk Jr., 415 Newton St., $290,000.
Skinner Woods LLC, to Alan P. Wishart, 4 Skinnerwoods Way, $569,000.
Priscilla Peloquin to Danielle Civitillo, 27 North St., $530,464.
SOUTHAMPTON
Robert C. McKean and Nancy L. McKean to Judith Bishop, 18 Gunn Road Extension, $380,000.
Kevin C. Netto Jr., and Karissa L. Netto to Felicia Marie Colcombe and Brandon Alain Warren, 12 Susan Drive, $494,000.
SOUTHWICK
Martha J. Rodriguez, Martha J. Samplatsky and Nelson Rodriguez to Andrew Keenan, Caroleanne E. Keenan and Rebecca Ann Cekala, 30 South Loomis St., $270,000.
Victor Ferrentino to Xinh Nguyen-Russo, 171 College Highway, $60,000.
SPRINGFIELD
Althea R. Haines to Rodelmiro Lima Barillas, 61 Mary Coburn
Oscar A. Sola Aguilar and Sandra A. Sola to Leonel Rivas, 29 Wendell Place, $380,000.
Sheng-Shiang Peng to Jane Vernalia, 95-97 Pine St., $300,500.
Thomas W. Leary, Traci A. Leary and Karen M. Leary to David A. Barrera, 23 Rachel St., $360,000.
SUNDERLAND
Gerald Molongoski, “aka” Gerald F. Molongoski, and Linda Molongoski, “aka” Linda J. Molongoski, to Gerald F. Molongoski, trustee of the Gerald F. Molongoski 2024 Trust, and Linda J. Molongoski, trustee of the Linda J. Molongoski 2024 Trust, 418 Russell St. $100. Expedio Group LLC, to Roxanne Dorrie, 80 Plumtree Road, $620,000.
WARE
Road, $330,000.
Christopher J. Delviscio to Ramon Garcia Morel and Roselis Luna, 18 Sumner Terrace, $412,000.
Crossover Corp. Inc., to Vyacheslav Zhuk, 53 Bevier St., $299,000.
Delise Davis and David Colon to Samuel Anderson, 32 Maynard St., $220,000.
Emtay Inc., to Ignacio G. Ramos Lopez, 15 Vassar St., $265,000.
Emtay Inc., to Nilda Ortiz, 22-24 Chester St., $395,000.
Gemini Town Homes LLC, to Jelani Latham, 53 Morris St., Unit 202, $170,000.
Heather Murray and Sammy Scheer to Devin A. Scheer, 184 Hanson Drive, $210,000.
JJJ17 LLC, to Saktah Khan and Zubaida Sultana, 58 Wilbraham Ave., $275,000.
Joanne F. Shapiro to Jacob Bilsky, 142 Nassau Drive, Unit 142, $219,000.
Bricmore Property Investments LLC, to Israel Jean and Simone Charlemagne, 116 Amherst St., $262,000.
Luis Alicea and Lucia Alicea to Meredith Rosso and Zackary Daniel Hill, 119 Slater Ave., $315,000.
Mia Mcleod-Frederick, representative, and William Poindexter McLeod, estate, to PFW Real Estate LLC, ES Rochelle Street, $32,000.
Milton Santos and Antonia Rivera to Ruth Rivas and Luis Corcino, 72-74 Cleveland St., $380,000. NRES LLC, to Gelene Meronvil, 917 Sumner Ave., $299,900.
isha Rana Magar Rai, 24 West School St., $762,500.
WESTFIELD
Round Two LLC, to Gregorio A. Brito, 18 Atwater St., $325,000.
Samantha Bernardi to Matthew Troiano and Amanda V. Troiano, 60 Mill St., $355,500.
Vera Jimenez to Dean A. Carbone and Jaime A. Herlihy-Carbone, 324 Russell Road, Unit 113, $200,000.
William S. Keyes and Joanne C. Keyes to Brianna Fleury and Austin Mulvey, 117 Root Road, $335,000.
WESTHAMPTON
Jack Boggess and Jennifer Boggess to Jennifer Boggess and Jennifer Anne Boggess, 31-33 Parker St., $100.
Jack Boggess and Jennifer Boggess to Jennifer Boggess and Jennifer Anne Boggess, 93-95 Pleasant St., $100.
Daniel R. Ogoley and Deborah A. Ogoley to Carol J. Beebe, trustee, Mandi Lee Szloch, trustee, and Ogoley Family Irrevocable Trust, 291 Palmer Road, $100.
Luann Lauzier and Michael L. Labossiere to Joshua A. Lauzier and Melissa E. Lauzier, 52 Anderson Road, $380,000.
Dawn Gray and Thomas Arnold to Dominic Santaniello, trustee, Lucas Giusto, trustee, and Naples Home Buyers Trust, 7 Dale St., $85,000.
Margaret Haluska to Jodi Mariano and Breana Joubert, 8 Gareau Ave., $305,000.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Ellen M. Graves to Psalms Properties LLC, 37 Plateau Circle, $210,000.
Jeremy Page and Chelsey Page to Brianna Ingham, 112 Buckingham Ave., $206,000.
Larkspur LLC, to Jennifer Marcus, 42 Exeter St., $430,000.
Manchester Enterprises LLC, to Rufaida Ismail Idris and Husaina Iddrisu, 546 Kings Highway, $298,000.
Patricia A. Rogers to Charles C. Katzer and Christine S. Katzer, 71 Sawmill Road, $360,000.
Tiago Moreira to Krishna Kharel and Madhu Kharel, 31 Railroad St., $430,000.
Yuriy Surkov and Vera Surkova to Swostik Rana Magar and Kyar-
Starwind Farm LLC, and Starwind Farms LLC, to Cynthia N. Sprague, trustee, and Sprague Living Trust, 200 Easthampton Road, $100.
WHATELY
Lise Krieger to Livett Lovett & Crumberg LLC, Masterson Road, $4,978.
Deborah Morse Pearson, “aka” Deborah Pearson, to Leo Chapman and Fern Elise Howard, 121 North St., $416,000.
WILBRAHAM
Dennis S. Grimard to Adina C. Maloni and Taylor N. Hartmann, 10 Rice Drive, $372,300.
Giuseppe A. Daniele, trustee, Leonore A. Daniele, trustee, and Giuseppe & Leonore Daniele 2022 Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Neesa Turowsky, 245 Monson Road, $510,000.
Irene A. Hopp and Stephen A. Hopp to Douglas Berry, 480 Dipping Hole Road, $263,000.
Kristin M. Wilson to Timothy Spafford and Alison Spafford, 10 Russell Road, $610,000.
Neesa Lee Turowsky and Jake Thomas Janas to Mark O’Neill and Emily O’Neill, 6 Parkwood Drive, $550,000.
Patricia Dygon, representative, and Robert A. Frydryk, estate, to Numeri Capital Investments LLC, 12 Weston St., $170,000.
Sean P. Rooney, trustee, Timothy A. Rooney, trustee, Chiristopher D. Rooney, trustee, Patrick F. Rooney, trustee, David & Linda Rooney Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, and Christopher D. Rooney, trustee, to Melissa M. Schechterle, 75 Springfield St., $465,000.
Timothy M. Normoyle and Celine M. Normoyle to Thomas DiGiovanni and Katie DiGiovanni, 28 Maple St., $394,000.
Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting
Old paper valentines become valued folk art
FOR MANY OF US, receiving paper valentines may be the stuff of school days — a piece of the past. The tradition goes back much further, of course, and wasn’t always just for kids. The first commercial valentines in America were made by Esther Howland in Massachusetts in 1850. They were made with paper lace and featured written verses. Before then, people exchanged homemade valentines. Surviving examples are collected as folk art today.
The one shown here, preserved in a frame with fabric backing, dates to the mid1800s and sold at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates for $279. It is an example of scherenschnitte (literally “scissor cuts”), a paper-cutting art that originated in Germany and was later brought to America. It was especially popular among the Pennsylvania Dutch. It features hearts, tulips, and birds known as distelfinks (a name for European goldfinches that means “thistle-finch”), all of which were favorite motifs. Scherenschnitte could be made for any festive occasion, or simply as artwork. We know this one must have been a Valentine because it is inscribed with a verse commemorating “the fourteenth day of February.”
Q. I have a small vase from my grandmother. It is brown with flowers and reads “Louwelsa Weller” on the bottom, but I have never seen one like it. Can you tell me about it and an average resale value, please?
A. In the early 20th century, Weller Pottery was the largest art pottery in the world. Its pieces are still popular among art pottery collectors. Weller opened in 1872 in Fultonham, Ohio, moved to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1882 and began making artware in 1893. It closed in 1948. Louwelsa,
than a century ago. Today, it is valued as a piece of folk art. (JEFFREY S. EVANS & ASSOCIATES)
introduced in 1896, was one of its first art pottery lines. It has a glossy glaze over a shaded background. Flowers are a common decoration, but some Louwelsa pieces are decorated with portraits or pictures of animals or fruit. The style of the mark can help you estimate the age of your vase. The earliest Weller marks look handwritten. A stamped mark with the name of the pottery line (in your case, Louwelsa) in a half circle over the word “Weller” was used from about 1896 to 1910. A full circle mark was used after 1910. Small Weller Louwelsa vases generally sell for about $50 to $100. Yours may sell for more if it is an especially rare shape or if it has an artist’s signature.
Q. I am curious about the bronze sculpture my father purchased from an estate sale around 1950. He converted the sculpture into a lamp. The sculpture shows a woman in a draped gown with one hand raised and the other arm outstretched. It is 27 inches high and weighs 26
pounds. I did not find any markings or signatures. Where was it made, when was it made, who was the artist and is there any value?
A. Bronze sculptures like yours were a common decoration in the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries. They were often made in the art nouveau style of the time. The most famous were made in France, but some were made in other European countries and the U.S. as well. They were often copies of sculptures by famous artists. Many were made into lamp bases, like yours. Unmarked bronze sculptures or lamp bases usually sell for about $200. We have not been able to identify its maker, but a book like “The Encyclopedia of Bronzes, Sculptors & Founders” by Harold Berman may help. A library or museum in your area may have a copy.
Q. I would like more information on a Harker semi-porcelain pitcher that I inherited. It has a
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.
Bavaria, plate, green, white center, multicolor flower bouquet, wide gilt rim, marked, 10 3/4 inches, five pieces, $55.
Clothing, bodice, Edwardian, needle lace collar, frilly trim, French knot embroidery, trapunto, bracelet length sleeves, button back, cotton, 1905, 18 inches, $110.
Toy, car, racer, King Roadster, multicolor, red, yellow, green, driver, blue wheels, spare wheel on back, tin lithograph, windup, Marx, 9 inches, $185.
Auto, sign, Texaco, Fire-Chief Gasoline, firefighter’s helmet graphic, red & black lettering, enamel, dated, 1953, 18 x 12 inches, $190.
Furniture, table, Adirondack, folk art, painted, rectangular top, multicolor flower vase, black ground, dots, three legs, stretcher base, 23 x 20 inches, $215.
Wedgwood, cup and saucer, coffee, jasperware, green, white garlands, purple oval plaques, Neoclassical style, mid-1800s, cup 2 3/4 inches, saucer 5 1/4 inches, $320.
Furniture, chest, hinged lid, twig decorated, robin’s egg blue paint, applied stars and crescent moons, shaped bracket base, 20th century, 23 1/2 x 33 1/2 inches, $450.
Vase, Lalique, Tournai, leafy arched panels, frosted, cut to clear, shoulders, tapered base, R. Lalique, 5 inches, $500. Cloisonne, vase, flowering trees, perching birds, multicolor, midnight blue ground, marked, Japan, late 18th century, 12 inches, $1,050.
Glass-Venetian, lamp, electric, figural, fruit basket, multicolor, turquoise blue base, paper label, Murano, c. 1980, 8 1/2 x 9 inches, pair, $2,065.
bird pattern and a bow and arrow mark.
A. Harker Pottery Company was incorporated in East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1890. Initially, the pottery made brown glazed pottery and yellowware using local clay. They were making semi-porcelain by about 1890, which is also when they started using the bow and arrow mark. The mark included the word “Semiporcelain” until about 1920. Harker stopped production in 1972. The company made many popular dinnerware patterns. For more information, look for the book “The Collector’s Guide to Harker Pottery: Identification and Values” by Neva Colbert (Collector Books, Paducah Kentucky, 1993). Tips on framing paper documents and prints: No glue, transparent tape, or rubber cement. No scissors — don’t trim anything. No pencils or pens, and don’t try
to rewrite an autograph. No staples or clips. No extremes of temperature or humidity. No direct sunlight — it fades the ink.
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, The Republican, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email collectorsgallery@kovels.com.
Happy Valentine’s Day! This cut-paper valentine was made for more
the White House collection was recently placed on the mantel, glistening in the background during Tuesday’s meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. William G. Allman, former White House curator and a co-author of “Furnishing the White House: The Decorative Arts Collection,” identified the items. The five pieces at the center are English gilded silver received in the Dwight D. Eisenhower years; the tall gilded bronze urns were purchased in 1817 during the James Monroe administration; and the two 1815 gilded bronze French figural baskets were a gift during Richard M. Nixon’s presidency. Other recent changes: hanging Charles Willson Peale’s 1776 portrait of George Washington over the mantel and adding two
elaborate gilded mirrors to the growing Oval Office gallery wall.
Kannalikham also settled the family into the private quarters upstairs, “moving furnishings, mattresses, artwork, and rugs back to align with the previous design direction,” she said in an
email. Kannalikham added that preparing for the Jan. 20 transition required extensive planning and coordination with the first lady and with White House residence staff, including the chief usher, the curator and the chief flower designer, as well as the
Secret Service. They provided the staff with detailed layouts and gave last-minute guidance. “This time, the transition feels distinctly different,” Kannalikham wrote. She said that having navigated “the intricate protocols and traditions” during their previous collaboration
did on the White House’s private quarters, although photos in the 2022 White House official guidebook (“The White House: An Historic Guide,” published by the White House Historical Association) showed that they had updated the upstairs Yellow Oval Room with dusty-rose-colored deeply fringed sofas and a new beribboned custom floral rug. At that point, the layout had been retained by the Bidens. “My understanding is that [Jill Biden] felt that there was nothing that needed to be done up there,” McBride said, adding that the Bushes, Obamas and Trumps had all made changes that left the rooms in good shape.
During Trump’s first term, the first lady undertook a number of projects in the public spaces, most of which were funded by the nonprofit White House Historical Association. Those included
“The relationship between a first lady and a decorator is so important. I can’t think of a better combination.”
Anita McBride, former chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush and a co-author of “Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women”
allowed them to work more efficiently with the residence team. Things went so well that she was able to break away and attend the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol.
“The relationship between a first lady and a decorator is so important. I can’t think of a better combination,” said Anita McBride, former chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush and a co-author of “Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women.” “There is a big advantage to them having worked together already. There is already a basis of trust and familiarity with the White House.” McBride said that should help move things ahead quickly.
During the first term, Melania Trump and Kannalikham declined to give interviews about the work they
replacing sun-damaged silk fabrics in the Red Room; restoring a rare 1817 chair purchased by Monroe; and creating a new rug for the Diplomatic Reception Room featuring the official flowers of the 50 states.
Melania Trump also oversaw exterior projects that included a controversial renovation of the White House Rose Garden and the design and building of a classically inspired tennis pavilion. Kannalikham wrote that the first lady will approach future projects with “thoughtful planning and a deep respect for history.”
Melania Trump’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Jura Koncius covered home design and White House interiors for The Washington Post for 47 years.
President Donald Trump is joined by Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Vice President JD Vance during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 4 in Washington, DC. (JABIN BOTSFORD / THE WASHINGTON POST)
U.S. President Donald Trump kisses his wife first lady Melania Trump during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. (JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON / ASSOCIATED PRESS, POOL)
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