IN THE GARDEN: How to store seeds longterm, F3
ANTIQUES: Venetian glass never stuck in the past, F7
TECH: Which garden apps are worth trying out?, F6
9 stylish products for your home
By A rlene H irst
The New York Times
TODAY, IN A WORLD overrun with technology, with artists still dealing with the isolation and preoccupations of the pandemic, we’re seeing a robust revival of handicrafts for the home. Below, some new objects from established leaders of the pack.
Step on it
Based in Philadelphia, Claudia Mills began by weaving rag rugs from recycled fabrics; today she works with new cotton so that her pieces are machine washable and colorfast. The rugs can be used for upholstery or hung as art, but all are made to be walked on. “We send every rug out of here with a nonskid pad,” she said. From $195 for a 2-foot-square to $1,360 for a 2-by 8-foot runner. Custom designs are $95 a square foot. claudiamills.com
Into the light
After her self-described failure as an actress, Shelley Simpson started playing with clay in a backyard shed in Melbourne, Australia. Thirty years later, her company, Mud Australia, employs 80 people to produce handcrafted dinnerware — and now lighting. The portable and rechargeable Pop Lamp is handmade from a single piece of porcelain. Available in six colors for $520. mudaustralia.com
A delicate balance
Born in Japan and educated
in London, Hiroko Takeda came to New York City in 2001 to work with the eminent textile artist Jack Lenor Larsen. In 2010, she opened her own studio, in Brooklyn, which creates art pieces and fabrics for interiors. (A solo exhibition of her work is on view at Hunter Dunbar Projects, in Chelsea, through April 19.) For one of her latest textiles, Macaron, thick wool slub yarns are twisted and interlaced to create airy panels. The fabric is 48 inches wide and $500 a yard. hirokotakeda.com
Fuzzy logic
Jessica Switzer Green, a former technology marketing executive, fell in love with wool after moving to a farm in Sonoma County, California, in 2018, and working with the local sheep. She founded JG SWITZER to produce hand-felted fabrics, blankets and pillows using a technique she described as “painting with wool.” The Shetland Cloud reversible throw is approximately 70 by 50 inches and $895, and the Black Saffron hand-felted pillow is 36 by 28 inches and $780. jgswitzer.com
Blowback
Andrew Iannazzi began blowing glass as a student in upstate New York and opened his studio in 2013 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but his craft is an outgrowth of European traditions, particularly the 800-yearold glass industry on the Venetian island of Murano. Iannuzzi described his Spout
pouring bowls as “retro,” inspired by humble kitchen housewares from his youth. They come in three sizes and are $185 to $325. vitriccaiannazzi.com
Knots and all
The latest work of furniture maker Chris Lehrecke, who has been in business for almost four decades, celebrates catalpa, ambrosia maple, black walnut and turkey feather ash — all types of wood from trees that surround his Hudson Valley home in New York. He said he loved everything about those trees, including their defects: “Maybe, as I grow older, I feel more of a connection to the imperfections.” His Turkey Feather Ash Screen with handcrafted steel knuckle hinges is 60 x 72 inches and $11,000. ralphpucci.com
Cache and carry
Inspired by French fishermen’s baskets that he saw in a Danish museum, Zach Matheson, an artist in Portland, Oregon, designed baskets from upcycled materials like plastic zip ties and polyethylene fencing trimmed in leather. He began selling the baskets through Room & Board in 2020 and two years ago handed off the production to Softline, a company in Minneapolis. The baskets, called Fletcher, come in five sizes and cost $99 to $159. roomandboard.com
Opposites attract
Working with the technique known as sgraffito, ce-
Above, JG SWITZER’s Black Saffron pillow and Shetland Cloud reversible throw. Jessica Switzer Green founded JG SWITZER to produce hand-felted fabrics, blankets and pillows using a technique she described as “painting with wool.” (M.J. WICKHAM VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES)
Cover photo: The Fletcher basket from Room & Board. (ROOM & BOARD VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES)
ramics artist Jennifer Falter, who in 1998 founded a studio in Springfield, Missouri, with her husband, Nathan Falter, scrapes away the liquid clay coatings of her pieces to expose the solid layer below. “I settled on just working in black and white because that made the strongest contrast,” she said. Her $425 Ginkgo vase is 10 inches high and 8 inches in diameter. springfieldpottery.com
Steel crazy after all these years
Founded in 1845, Shin In-Young’s ironmonger shop
is the oldest in South Korea. Using metal from discarded train tracks, Master Shin, who began apprenticing in the family business in 1966 at the age of 13, makes an assortment of kitchen and gardening implements, including this carving set whose knife and fork have handles of chestnut or oak. (The carbon steel knife blade needs sharpening only every two or three years.) The set, which is packaged in a leather pouch, is $620. ameico.com
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
The Pop Lamp from Mud Australia. Mud Australia employs 80 people to produce handcrafted dinnerware and now lighting. (MUD AUSTRALIA VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES)
Lee Reich | In the Garden
Seeds don’t live forever; here’s how to store them
DEPENDING ON where you store them and what types of seeds they contain, your old, dog-eared seed packets may or may not be worth using this season. Seeds are alive; they don’t live forever. Sprinkling dead seeds out in the garden or into seed flats is a waste of time.
When you buy a packet of seeds, government standards assure you that a minimum percentage of them are alive. The packing date is usually stamped on the packet as well as, if below the standard, the percentage germination. I write the year on any seed packets on which the date is not stamped.
Low temperature, low humidity and low oxygen slow
GARDEN NOTES
STOCKBRIDGE
Upcoming programs at Berkshire Botanical Garden
Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming programs. Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., “Seed Starting.” Learn vegetable and flower seed-starting and plant-growing techniques from organic grower Maureen Sullivan of Left Field Farm. This lecture and hands-on workshop will focus on indoor sowing and growing practices, including preparation of an effective seed-sowing schedule, techniques for successful germination of challenging seeds, and management of plants at various stages of growth. Workshop participants will practice seed sowing and will transplant a variety of plants to take home for the spring and summer growing seasons. All supplies are included in the class cost. Cost $50 members, $70 nonmembers; Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., “Spring Pruning of Woody Ornamental Plants.” Spring is
biological and chemical reactions and so also slow aging of seeds. My seeds used to find their low temperature and low humidity home in sealed canning jars in the depths of my freezer in spring and summer.
By fall, when frozen fruits and vegetables claimed freezer space, I moved the jars filled with seed packets into my refrigerator. An easy way to keep the humidity low in the jars is to sprinkle powdered milk from a freshly opened box in the bottom of the jars. Renew the powdered milk each year.
Nowadays, I store my seeds in airtight, plastic tubs in my unheated workshop. I keep humidity low with packets of silica gel, whose “power” is renewed when heated in an
a great time to assess woody shrubs for shape, structure and winter damage. The arborist Kieran Yaple will demonstrate how to renovate, rejuvenate and shape shrubs and small ornamental trees for structure, health and optimal. The class will cover viburnums, lilacs, witch hazel, deciduous azaleas, sweetshrubs, crabapples, and ornamental cherries. Participants should dress for the weather and bring pruners, work gloves and lunch. Some pruners, provided by BBG, will be available for use. Cost $60 members, $80 members.To register or for more information, visit www.berkshire botanical.org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 W. Stockbridge Road.
AGAWAM Garden Club meeting
Agawam Garden Club’s first meeting for the 2025 season will be held March 11 at the Agawam Public Library at 6:30 p.m. The library is located at 750 Cooper St. After a short business meeting, Patti Bessette owner of Zenful
oven.
There’s no practical way for us backyard gardeners to store seeds in a low oxygen atmosphere. Some seed companies market their seeds in hermetically sealed, plastic-lined foil packets, although I have never noted better germination from these foil packets as compared
with plain old paper packets. Seeds differ in how long they remain viable. Even with the best storage conditions, it’s generally not worth sowing celery, parsley, parsnip, or salsify seeds after they are more than a year old. Two years of sowings can be expected from packets of carrot, onion, and
sweet corn seed; three years from peas and beans, peppers, radishes, and beets; and four or five years from cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cucumbers, melons, and lettuce. Among flower seeds, the shortest-lived are delphinium, aster, candytuft, and phlox.
through March 31
Spaces will demonstrate the art of kokedamas — Japanese moss balls. Kokedama is the practice of suspending the root ball of a plant in a mud ball that’s coated in a sheet of moss. Members are reminded to bring their annual dues. All club meetings are open to the public and not restricted to Agawam residents.
Agawam Garden Club scholarships
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: wastewater, or other environmental related studies.
The recipient will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship at the clubs 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.
WESTFIELD Spring garden workshop
The Western Mass. Master Gardner Association presents Spring Gardening Workshops on Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
at Westfield South Middle School. Featuring 10 classes designed to educate and empower the home gardener. Visit www.WMMGA.org for more information and to register. Each participant will get to choose two of the 10 presentations. Cost $30 through March 27, walk-ins day of event $40 (cash only). Other features include pH soil testing, vendors, ‘Ask a Master Gardener’ table, informational tables, raffle with garden-related products, used books, complimentary refreshments.
WEST SPRINGFIELD Garden Club meeting
The West Springfield Garden Club will hold its meeting on Thursday March 20, 6 p.m. at the Irish Cultural Center, 429 Morgan Road. The speaker will be Patti Bessette, a WSGC member. Her topic is Zen Gardening and will cover the basic components and rules including plants, statuary, plant care, and other accoutrements. She will share her own Zen gardening journey in designing and installing a garden. The public is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Joan at graceshad@ msn.com.
Garden Club scholarships
The West Springfield Garden club is pleased to announce that two $2000 scholarships are available for qualified high school seniors or post-secondary students during the spring of 2025. Applicants must be West Springfield residents. Scholarships are available for students with a focus of study in one or more of the following areas: Horticulture, Agriculture, Ecology, Botany, Environmental Studies, Landscape Design or Forestry. Applicants must submit a completed application along with a written one-page document which explains their plans for after graduation in any of the above-mentioned fields and how the grant will assist in their career choice. Applications forms are avail-
able at the Guidance Offices of Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, West Springfield High School, or on the West Springfield Garden Club web site, www.wws gardenclub.org
Applicants from WSHS or LPVEC will submit their completed application and written entry to their Guidance Office. Postsecondary student applicants can submit their materials directly to: WSGC Scholarship Committee, c/o West Springfield Park and Recreation, 26 Central St., Suite 19, West Springfield, MA 01089. All applications must be received by the Scholarship Committee by April 11.
The successful candidates will be notified via mail in mid-May.
WILBRAHAM Garden Club scholarship
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.
Reich
Packets of alyssum, Shasta daisy, calendula, sweet peas, poppies, and marigold can be reused for five or 10 years before their seeds get too old. A yearly germination test each spring provides an accurate measure of whether an old seed packet is worth saving. Count out at least 20 seeds from each packet to be tested, then spread the seeds between two moist paper towels on a plate. Invert another plate over the first plate to seal in moisture and put the whole setup where the temperature is warm, around 75 degrees.
After one to two weeks peel apart the paper towels and count the number of seeds with little white root “tails” emerging. Figure the percentage, and if it’s low, toss the seed packets into the wastebasket (don’t give them away!) or adjust your sowing rate accordingly.
No one knows exactly what happens within a seed to
Low temperature, low humidity and low oxygen slow biological and chemical reactions and so also slow aging of seeds.
make it lose its viability. Besides lack of germination, old seeds undergo a slight change of color, lose their luster, and are more susceptible to fungal infections.
The record for seed longevity was thought to be held by a species of lupine, Lupinus arcticus, whose seeds germinated after 10,000 years. Great story, but further research showed the seed to be much younger — only a few decades old!
The current valid record now for the oldest viable seeds is held by a 2,000-yearold date palm recovered near the Dead Sea. At the other extreme in longevity are seeds of silver maple, which retain their capacity to germinate for only about a week.
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An airtight tub — with silica desiccant kept in a cool location — is a good way to store vegetable flower seeds. (LEE REICH PHOTO)
We tested 18 gardening apps
Here are the ones worth trying
By K aren Hugg
The Washington Post
AS A LONGTIME GARDEN-
er, I’ve often wondered whether a garden planning app could accomplish what I’ve always done with a notebook and pen: sketch out designs, plan a vegetable crop calendar and take notes on plants. So this winter I waded into the weedy landscape of gardening apps. I tested 18 apps, looking at ease of use, plant databases and information, and cost. The results were mixed: Many apps were glitchy, slow to load or had nonintuitive interfaces that felt like they were built in 1999. A few, though, stood out from the crowd. Here are the four that I felt worked best, in no particular order, along with a plant identification app that is so well-designed it merited mention.
Seedtime
Free version/$10 per month Basic subscription; best for desktop/tablet
This app, an organizational system for those interested in growing food or flowers, is getting considerable online buzz. To start, you plug in your growing area, which can be as particular as a ZIP code, then build a list of desired plants.
The app then populates a calendar with seeding, transplanting and harvest times. Features also include daily tasks, notes, email check-ins and videos on soil testing, succession planting and other subjects. The drawbacks include overwhelming filters, which may deter the less tech-savvy, and a limited plant database. For instance, garlic is oddly not included. A monthly subscription allows you to access a layout component, which provides an overhead view of your garden. To start, you drag crops from your calendar to raised beds, which can be tricky because it requires precise cursor placement. Choosing crops from a populated sidebar would be quicker. Also, items in the menu aren’t intuitively labeled. For instance, both trees and buildings are called “landmarks.” Having said that, users can design fairly complex gardens showing the placement of a house, walkways, trees, etc. Overall, it’s a sophisticated app that helps alleviate the stress of managing your crops.
iScape
Free version/$29.99 per month Pro subscription; for desktop, tablet, or phone
Built for landscapers who need to render ideas for clients, iScape is also simple enough for homeowners. If you want to see how a border of plants works together, texturally and color-wise, this app is a good choice. With iScape, there is no overhead layout piece. Instead, upload a photo of your space, then drag and place elements, designing over the photo or augmented reality. It’s handy if you want to try out varying surfaces for a patio or compare a white hydrangea versus a pink one by your front door. Duplicating, reversing and layering is easy.
The app also offers an impressive selection of trees, shrubs and perennials, with extensive plant information, crucial for homeowners new to gardening. But with that in mind, the interface may be too flexible. Users can stretch or condense a plant, which is great when you want to layer a shrub behind a smaller perennial. However, if you’re unfamiliar with plants, you could mistakenly install giant daisies behind a tiny maple tree. Also, search is clunky. If you look for “evergreen shrubs” or “small trees,” you won’t find any. If you type in “white lilac,” you’ll find zero results but if you type “lilac white,” you’ll find a white lilac. Finally, slightly more uncommon plants are locked behind higher subscription rates.
VegPlotter
Free version/$18 Essentials subscription per year; for desktop only, accessed on phone through browser
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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. Please contact howella413@gmail.com with questions or to receive an application.
EAST LONGMEADOW Garden Club scholarship
If Seedtime is a sophisticated answer for crop organization, VegPlotter is its scrappy cousin. You sacrifice flexibility for simplicity here. But gardeners who aren’t technologically inclined will appreciate how effortless it is to use. VegPlotter keeps a calendar of crops and allows you to draw a layout of your yard. Items are labeled plainly and filters are few. Crop selection is fairly comprehensive. When you click on a plant, you see size information, growing details and suggested harvest times. It also allows users to modify planting or harvest times, which can help you plan around vacations. The layout interface feels like a homemade video game, with bright colors and cramped text, but it does the job. You can re-create your yard with raised beds, lawn, hardscaping and even odd-shaped borders. Finding and placing plants is a snap. Modifying or duplicating is also easy. Another handy feature: The app warns you when there’s not enough growing space for what you’ve chosen.
There are a few drawbacks. Surface textures seem to be based on pictures, which give them a strange, out-ofscale appearance. Also, while you can easily insert greenhouses, sheds, cold frames, etc., you won’t find the choice for a house. This may be because the app is also designed for teachers with school gardens. Regardless, there’s a place to check off finished jobs, month-by-month planning and advice on companion planting. With a free version and an affordable yearly subscription, VegPlotter is a no-frills, inexpensive way to keep your garden on track.
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.
Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.
A few garden planning apps stood out from the crowd. (ADOBE STOCK IMAGE)
Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting
1938 glass design recreated in 1995
VENETIAN GLASS HAS BEEN prized since the 13th century, but it has never been stuck in the past. The Venini glass factory in Murano has been at the forefront of modern design since it was founded in 1921. It also brought in talent from other parts of Europe.
In 1936, Paolo Venini hired the company’s first freelance designer, Tyra Lundgren. She was also the first woman to design for the company. Like many modern designers, Lundgren worked in several media, including ceramics and textiles.
By the time Paolo Venini met her, she had years of experience designing glassware for major companies. She worked at the famous Moser factory in Karlsbad, known for its heavily enameled pieces and later experimental glass, in the 1920s. She was also a freelance designer for the Finnish factory Riihimaki and, in the 1930s, worked for Kosta in Sweden. Her designs for Venini rendered forms from the natural world, like birds, fish, leaves and flowers, in the clean, abstract lines of modernism. They are some of her most enduring works. This leafshaped dish by Venini, which sold for $756 at a Wright auction, was made in 1995 from a design Lundgren created in 1938.
Q.I have a pair of Queen Anne receiving chairs from 1870 to 1880. They are lady’s and gent’s chairs. Can you confirm that or give me the correct information for these chairs? Do they have any possible value?
A. It sounds like your chairs come from the Centennial period. About 1876, as the U.S. celebrated its centennial, furniture design experienced a revival of styles from the Colonial and Federal periods. This included Queen Anne furniture, which was popular in America from about 1720 to 1750. It is characterized by blocky shapes with the addition of a few curves; most notably cabriole legs. Chairs typically have curved tops and a solid back splat that whose base touches the seat. Some Centennial furniture pieces were exact copies of Colonial or Federal furniture, some of which were convincing enough to fool museums, but many are clearly made with 19th-century sensibilities in mind. Lady’s and gent’s chairs were creations of the 19th century. A lady’s chair is slightly smaller, lower and has low or no arms. The back is sometimes sloped.
In the 20th century, Venetian glass factories brought modern style and international influence to their products. This leaf-shaped bowl made by Venini was the work of Swedish designer Tyra Lundgren. (COURTESY OF WRIGHT)
This accommodated 19th-century women’s dress. Today, pairs of lady’s and gent’s chairs typically sell for low prices; about $150 to $250. If you can identify your chairs’ maker, their value will be higher.
Q. My brass spyglass has been in my family for years and I was wondering if there was anything you might be able to tell me about it. If there is a way you might tell me what it would be worth, I would appreciate it. There is a small dent on the end cap.
A. Brass spyglasses were made throughout the 19th century and used for surveying, for nautical purposes and by hobbyists. Most follow similar designs, with three or four draws and a wood or leather grip. Some are marked with the maker’s name on the end cap or eyepiece. It is extremely difficult to identify the maker of an unmarked spyglass. There were many makers throughout England, France and the U.S. Brass spyglasses sell for about $150 to $300 at auctions.
The dent on yours will probably not affect the value unless it affects its func-
tion. Large, conspicuous dents on the body or damage that keeps the spyglass from working would lower its value. Most antique spyglasses and telescopes show signs of wear and age. In fact, pristine condition is considered a sign of a modern reproduction. There are fakes on the market, and forgers may deliberately damage a reproduction, add a fake patina or add a maker’s name, sometimes for a nonexistent maker. For more information, you may want to contact a collector’s club like the Antique Telescope Society (antique telescopesociety.org) or a science museum in your area. Your library may have books on the history of telescopes or collecting scientific instruments.
TIP: Look through the wrong end of a telescope you plan to buy. If it can be focused, all the parts are there.
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
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.
Pottery, midcentury, bowl, cabbage, fluted sides, textured exterior, red to mottled green, bright yellow interior, signed, dated, RAK, 1970, 5 x 13 inches, $75. World’s Fair, banner, 1876, Philadelphia International Exhibition, Centennial, George Washington portrait, multicolor, jacquard, blue fringe, silk, 10 1/2 x 7 inches, $160. Cambridge Glass, Pristine Table Architecture, candleholder, one light, three steps, Wilbur Orme, c. 1938, 5 x 5 inches, $195.
Sports, snooker, scoreboard, mahogany, walnut, shaped top, gilt urn finial, three mirrors, sliding markers, Victorian, 27 1/2 x 38 inches, $255.
Sevres, box, jewelry, dome lid, bud finial, round, blue enamel, allover tonal pattern, gilt fleursde-lis, bronze mounted base, four-footed, mark, c. 1780, 7 inches, $320.
Teddy bear, Shuco, panda, mohair, black and white, yes/no, glass eyes, stitched nose, 13 inches, $595.
Furniture, linen press, mahogany, split scrolled crest, scallop finial, twist pilasters, two doors over two short over two long drawers, England, 1800s 85 1/2 inches, $900. Silver-Asian, tureen, dome lid, elephant finial, raised trunk, rupee coin, relief figures, handles, footed, ladle, leafy handle, Southeast Asia, 11 x 12 inches, $975.
Advertising, cabinet, Dr. B.J. Kendall’s, patent medicines, veterinary, wood, glass door, two interior shelves, 38 x 18 inches, $1,030.
Furniture, chest, painted, blanket, painted, sailor on shore, mermaids, on stand, green paint, door, shaped base, signed, Martha Cahoon, 13 1/2 x 29 1/2 x 18 inches, $1,455.
Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, The Republican, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.
LOS ANGELES
Mortgage rates could stay at a level that make it tough to afford a home
By A lex Veiga
Associated Press
Mortgage rates have been mostly declining in recent weeks, helping encourage prospective home shoppers just as the spring homebuying season gets going.
But the same factors that have pulled mortgage rates to their lowest level since December — signs that the U.S. economy is slowing and uncertainty over the potential fallout from the Trump administration’s tariffs on imports — are clouding the outlook for where mortgage rates will go from here.
“We do not anticipate significant relief from high mortgage rates in the near future because of inflation remaining stubbornly high, which will not be helped by the tariffs that the Trump administration appears committed to rolling out,” said Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com.
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. has declined six weeks in a row from 7.04% in mid-January to 6.76% last week, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. A year earlier, it averaged 6.94%.
The average rate is now at its lowest level since Dec. 19, when it was 6.72%. It briefly fell to a two-year low last September, but remains more than double the 2.65% record low the average rate hit a little over four years ago.
Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including bond market investors’ expectations for future inflation, global demand for U.S. Treasurys and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions.
The recent decline in mortgage rates echoes moves in the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide for pricing home loans.
The yield, which was at 4.79% in mid-January, has been mostly easing since then, reflecting worries about the economy’s growth and the potential im-
Deeds
AGAWAM
Matthew J. Harlow and Kaleigh F. Harlow to Richard Light and Rosemarie Light, 2A Sabrina Way, Unit 2A, $446,527.
MHI Properties LLC, to Wendy Hughes, 81 Florida Drive, $450,000.
CHICOPEE
Arthur J. Berube and Jaclyn Berube to Amanda Rose Dion, Gage Terlik and Gage Brendon Terlik, 186 Bostwick Lane, $370,000.
Eich Estate Inc., to Kmak LLC, and Ryan Randall Realty LLC, 26 Olivine St., $175,000.
Top Notch Transitional Services Provider LLC, to Juan M. Cortes Ramos and Luz Marie Cruz Rivera, 145 Clarendon Ave., $310,000.
pact from the Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs on several of the country’s biggest trading partners. While one could say the bond market jitters have ultimately benefited home shoppers by leading to lower mortgage rates, the trajectory for rates from here is far from certain.
Tariffs can drive inflation higher, which could translate into higher yields on the 10year Treasury note, pushing up mortgage rates. That’s because bond investors demand higher returns as long as inflation remains elevated. And then there’s the Fed, which has signaled a more cautious approach as it gauges where inflation is headed and what policies the Trump administration will pursue. So far, the steady decline in mortgage rates this year hasn’t been enough to drive home sales higher. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in January as rising mortgage rates and prices froze out many would-be homebuyers despite a wider selection of properties on the market. Pending home sales, a bellwether for future completed sales, point to potentially further sales declines in coming months. They slid to an all-time low in January.
Still, last week, mortgage applications jumped 20.4% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. And a measure of home loan refinancing applications surged 37%, the MBA said.
While a pickup in mortgage applications is typical for this time of year, the sharp increase is a signal that mortgage rates have fallen enough to spur some buyers off the fence. The pullback in rates comes at a good time for home shoppers. The inventory of homes on the market has risen sharply from a year ago and prices are rising more slowly nationally and declining in many metropolitan areas, such as Austin, Dallas and Tampa, Florida.
AMHERST
BHO Realty LLC, to Heather D. Henlotter, Richard D. Henlotter and Tyler S. Henlotter, 89 Eames Ave., $525,000.
Gabriel A. Arboleda and Jennifer A. Rulf to Allyn E. Dunlap, 170 East Hadley Road, $282,000.
Michael R. Chunyk to Christian Liverman and Megan Sokolowski, 34 Baker St., $650,000.
David A. Carpenter, trustee, Nancy C. Watts, trustee, and Carpenter Investment Trust to Aaron A. DeMaio, 40 Farview Way, $620,000.
Celia Riahi and Barbara J. Audley to Celia Riahi, trustee, Barbara Audley, trustee, and Riaudley Family Trust, 135 Cottage St., $100.
Brode Block LLC, to Grand Block LLC, 63-71 South Pleasant St., and 69 South Pleasant St., $2,850,000.
BELCHERTOWN
Lochlyn Brown, Pamela Brown and Merlina Andorra Nova Brown to Lochlyn Brown and Heather Brown, 161 Federal St., $100.
G&H Development LLC, to Joseph Zahn and Lisa Zahn, 103 Daniel Shays Highway, $475,000.
Linda A. Hodge to Herbert D. Hodge and Linda A. Hodge, 26 Jensen St., $100.
Todd A. Sussman and Zohar Gal to Alexander Scalfano, 148 South Washington St., $485,000.
M&G Land Development LLC, to Eric Nacsin and Amanda Nacsin, 60 Rural St., $650,000.
BERNARDSTON
Jennifer L. Moore to Damien J. Moody and Jennifer L. Moody, 39 & 40 Keets Brook Branch Road, $100.
BLANDFORD
Kay B. Wise to Patricia L. Wise, 42 Hiram Blair Road, $200,000.
BRIMFIELD
David L. Cheney, trustee, Vickie M. Cheney, trustee, and Cheney Family Nominee Trust, trustee of, to George Lattouf, Rear Governor Fairbanks Road, $899,000.
David L. Cheney, trustee, Vickie M. Cheney, trustee, Vickie M. Cheney Trust, trustee of, and David Cheney Revocable Trust, trustee of, to George Lattouf, 0 Brokfield Road, $900,000.
CHARLEMONT
Gabrielle S. Schaefer and Thomas E. Schaefer to David Sacchitella, 60 South River Road, $198,000. Donna Jean Ardine and Marcus Jason Campbell to Madison M. Gorrell and Jennifer R. Wagner, 32 Heath Stage Terrace, $265,000.
Charlene Wakefield to Zoe Wakefield, High Street, $100.
James John Bianco and James V. Bianco to Taisheema S. Schley, 48 Andersen Road 48, $225,000.
John Polak, trustee, and Polak Family Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Hunter C. Davis, 75 Academy St., $290,000.
Vaycheslav Foksha to Mohamad Abdul Baki, 11991201 Grattan St., $329,000.
Vaycheslav Foksha to Mohamad Abdul Baki, 11991201 Grattan St., $6,000.
CONWAY
Andrew E. Smith and Nancy A. Smith, trustees of the Smith Investment Trust, to Sara B. Curtis and Ryan S. Frizzell, 77 Elmer Corner Road, $400,000.
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, “aka” United States Department of Housing & Urban Development, to Constantin Cemirtan and Noelle Sevoian. 288 Truce Road, $335,045.
DEERFIELD
Timothy D. Cary, trustee of the Sally J. Cary Irrevocable Trust, to Alan S. Goldberg and Irene J. Hill, 2B Gray Lock Lane, Unit 32B, $500,000.
EAST LONGMEADOW
D R Chestnut LLC, to Cynthia Horrigan and Michael Horrigan, 4 Clover Lane, Unit V-21, $857,150.
Joy A. Roman to Michael Paul Aubrey and Kathy L. Williams, 144 Chestnut St., $315,000.
EASTHAMPTON
Richard P. Potasky to W. Marek Inc., 48 Maple St., $280,000.
Christine M. Jones, Christine M. Forester and Sean R. Nolet to Roque Sanchez and Nancy Rosazza, 33 Campbell Drive, $361,500.
ERVING
Audericio Avelar Cordeiro de Barros, “aka” Audericio Barros to Julie Bourbeau, 78 High St., $120,000.
GILL
Ann M. Doty and Erik H. Doty to Theresa A. Patnode, 57 Ben Hale Road, $97,400.
GRANBY
Brian Kennedy and Catherine Kennedy to Dans Construction Service Inc., School Street, $65,000.
GRANVILLE
Peter B. Crowley and Anne Marie Torizzo to Granville Town, 998 Main Road, $399,900.
William Jarvis and Sufang Jarvis to Mark G. Lavoie and Barbara A. Lavoie, South Lane, Par II, $150,000.
Deeds
GREENFIELD
Rita G. Korzon, personal representative of the Estate of Ronald J. Korzon, to Vladimir Agapov and Yelena Agapov, 65 Vernon St., $150,000.
Emily Cohen, personal representative of the Estate of John E. Singley, “aka” John Edward Singley, to Aydin Ozcelik, 173-175 Conway St., $87,000.
David C. Brooks, trustee of the ZYX Realty Trust, to Benegan 2 LLC, 56 Pleasant St., $250,000.
David C. Brooks, individually and as trustee of the 124 Davis Street Realty Trust, to Benegan 2 LLC, 124 Davis St., $225,000.
Tanya Z. Bryant, personal representative of the Estate of Charlotte Vera Bryant, “aka” Charlotte V. Bryant, to Daniel B. O’Dell, 293 Silver St., Unit 4, $262,000.
BankESB, “fka” Easthampton Savings Bank, to Riddell LLC, 208 Federal St., $635,000.
Phyllis Ann Stone, personal representative of the Estate of Rosamond M. Stone, to Matthew F. Jakutowicz, 83 Vernon St., $240,000.
HADLEY
Farm Credit East ACA, Shannon M. Rice-Nichols and Kathleen M. Rice to Zephyr Rugs LLC, 10 Rocky Hill Road, $187,950.
Eric J. Moschella, Cindy A. Brown and Cindy A. Moschella to Cindy A. Brown and Cindy A. Moschella, 3 Sylvia Heights, $58,053.
HAMPDEN
Bedrock Financial LLC, trustee, and Cumberland Blues Realty Trust, trustee of, to Kaleigh S. Demartino and Joseph M. Demartino, 93 Chapin Road, $679,000.
HATFIELD
James F. Pitchko and Marie Caragein, attorney-in-fact, to Tiffany Intravaia and Kenneth Banas, 21 Bridge St., $342,000.
HEATH
Aida Fernandez to Andrew Risden and Jenna Risden, Route 8A, “aka” Jacksonville Stage Road, $78,000.
Ronald Champagne to Mark Bird and Stephanie Bird, 24, 26 & 28 Chippewa Drive, $130,000.
HOLLAND
Mark S. Yaglowski and Lynn P. Yaglowski to Patrick O’Neil, 27 Lee
Ave., $640,000.
Ronald J. Sullivan and Joyce M. Sullivan to 290 Mashapaug Road LLC, 290 Mashapaug Road, $270,000.
HOLYOKE
117.All Gas No Breakz LLC, to Ortins Capital Partners Group LLC, 74-76 Newton St., $290,000.
Daniel Whalen and Eileen Whalen to Christian Carde Guzman, 203 West Franklin St., $229,500.
Pah Properties LLC, to Arleen Mendez-Figueroa, 76 Pine St., $208,000.
Randell Puza, representative, Randell M. Puza, representative, Nina Cassidy, representative, Nina C. Cassidy, representative, and Marcia Cassidy, estate, to Daniel H. Deschaine, 244 Rock Valley Road, $70,000.
Roberto Francisco Deza to Suzanne Tiranno and Jennifer Coelho, 95 Ridgewood Ave., $325,000.
Russell-Hall Inc., to Thomas 1944 LLC, and Thomas Riq 1944, 116 Race St., $350,000.
HUNTINGTON
Jonathan K. Groff to Jonathan K. Groff and Emily Weaver, 38 Russell Road, $100.
LEVERETT
Elaine Isser, personal representative of the Estate of Lewis B. Sckolnick, to Justin Fellows, 130 Rattlesnake Gutter Road, $45,000.
LONGMEADOW
Doris M. Egan to Michael R. Chunyk and Ryan C. Avery, 33 Meadowbrook Road, $740,000.
LUDLOW
Maria Baltazar to Omar Loaiza, 16 Bristol St., $224,400.
Thomas P. Gajda, Katherine Brown and Katherine J. Gajda to Brandon M. Quiterio and Amanda M. Quiterio, 284 Westery Circle, $680,000.
MONSON
Brian Shuron and Christine Shuron to Allison C. Dubanoski and Bradford K. Landry, 12 Cote Road, $395,000.
Christina Shea to Marcio Antonio Silva and Heidi Marie Allen-Silva, 1 Lincoln Place, $224,000.
Peter A. Butler and Laurie D. Butler to Ronald Zizza and Lisa Zizza, Lakeside Drive, Lot 22A, $15,000.
MONTAGUE
Mark R. Bernier and Penny S. Bernier to Michael Pydych, 208 Turners Falls Road, $496,750.
Matthew J. Kerivan to Caitlin Kash-
manian and Brendan Robinson, 9 Stevens St., $300,000.
MONTGOMERY
Alex W. Halford to Devin Michael Dupuis, 10 Avery Road, $322,000.
David R. Champiney, Constance P. Oberther and Constance P. Champiney to Alex W. Halford and Amanda M. Marcyoniak, 292 Main Road, $580,000.
NEW SALEM
Helena Brophy, “fka” Helena L. T. Misner, “aka” Helena Louise Trainor, to ARPC LLC, 48 North Main St., $230,321.
NORTHAMPTON
Peter H. Wells to 4 Allen Place LLC, 4 Allen Place, 74 King St., and 76 King St., $600,000.
Emily Marchand to Geoffrey Snow, 80 Damon Road, $40,000.
Alberto C. Moreira, trustee, Suzana F. Moreira, trustee, and Moreira Revocable Trust to An-Ping Hsieh and Sarah Hsieh, 31 Lyman Road and 19-31 Lyman Road, $340,000.
ORANGE
Casey Bashaw and Kirsten Bashaw to Archer Acquisitions LLC, 107 Mechanic St., $140,000.
James E. Hause Jr., trustee of the Morin Family Trust of 2024, and Sally A. Morin to Walter M. Flores, 19 West Myrtle St., $325,000.
Robert Tyler Reed to Trevor Darrell Richard, 44 Moss Brook Road, $216,500.
Charles R. Habershaw to Edith Morrison, 184 East Main St., $290,000.
ROWE
Carrie Y. Silva and Robert A. Silva to Allen D. Harvell Jr., and Heather Jean Harvell., Davis Mine Road. $150,000.
SOUTH HADLEY
Laurie P. Barker and Laurie Priscilla Barker to Jeffrey Barker and Lindsay Barker, 118 Richview Ave., $100.
Bo Wu to David O’Connor, 20 Lawrence Ave., $190,000.
Robert J. Roll, Jacqueline D. Roll and Devon Edenbloom Roll to Robert James Roll, trustee, Devon Edenbloom, trustee, and Roll Family Living Trust, 331 Hadley St., $100.
Gordon F. Snyder Jr., and Diane Snyder to Snyder Revocable Trust, Gordon F. Snyder Jr., trustee, and Diane Snyder, trustee, 117 Amherst Road, $100.
Craig A. LaRoche, Lisa A. Sheridan and Eric D. LaRoche to Patricia McKenna and Chad McKenna, 48 Judd
Ave., $295,000.
SOUTHWICK
Calyx & Pistils Inc., to Southwick Historical Society Inc., 74 College Highway, $175,000.
DePalma Realty Inc., to MCG Southwick LLC, College Highway, Lot 1, $360,000.
Matthew W. Secovich to Erica Johnson and Zachary Ryan Johnson, 40 Lexington Circle, $710,000.
SPRINGFIELD
3 Pointer LLC, to Ahmad Sahar, 822 Bay St., $200,000.
3 Pointer LLC, to Ahmad Sahar, 836 Bay St., $150,000.
DB Investments & Properties LLC, to Tahndrea Carter and Anthony Vasquez-McLaurin, 22 Gladstone St., $315,000.
Cherialy Colon to Milton Simancas and Liliam Simancas, 45-47 Forest Park Ave., $330,000.
Christopher L. McClendon, representative, Carolyn Jean McClendon, estate, Carolyn J. Anderson, estate, and Carlyn Jean McClendon, estate, to Sandra L. Royer, 114 Lois St., $270,000.
Clinical & Support Options Inc., to Foh 775 Worthington LLC, 775 Worthington St., $346,493.
David D. Morais to Mysean Haines and Tyrena Haines, 75-77 Pinevale St, $415,000.
Diep Lam and Hanh T. Nguyen to Peter Barclay and Tamara Allen Barclay, 41-43 Ozark St., $372,000.
Dnepro Properties LLC, to Dominic Seng and Elizabeth Nop, 45 Pocantico Ave., $395,000.
Dominic Demarinis and Denise A. Demarinis to Ramon Reyes, 31 Chase Ave., $396,000.
Douglas Dichard to Zachary Nunnally and Jazmine Ponder, 64 Acrebrook Road, $430,000.
Feld Capital LLC, to Jose M. Acero and Segundo J. M. Acero, 2345 Main St., $220,000.
Floyd R. Hamilton Sr., representative, Elvis C. Moncrieffe, estate, and Elvis Clifford Moncrieffe Sr., estate, to Penolopi Crawford-Williams, 156 Allen St., $240,000.
Gemini Townhomes LLC, to Jimmy Carrasquillo Rodriguez, 51 Morris St., Unit 201, $227,000.
George E. Golderesi to Jason Vazquez, trustee, and 35 Pinta Circle Realty Trust, trustee of, 35 Pinta Circle, $285,000.
Hector Zavala Jr., to Leocadio Diaz, 59-61 Algonquin Place, $308,750.
James B. Morrissey Jr., trustee, John Swift, trustee, and ust Springfield Ventures Realty Trust, trustee of, to Aubrey Morrissey, trustee, and HBK
Realty Trust, trustee of, 30 Clifton Ave., $252,000.
Jonathon B. Murphy to Sha-Vaughn Watkins, 30 Pine Street Court, $209,000.
Juan Alicea Alvarado to Juan Alicea Alvarado, Luz Minerva Jimenez Pagan and Yanira Alicea, 21 Jardine St., $100. Kyle Menard to John Valin, 25 Ivan St., $195,000.
Leisha Dionne Cobham, Leisha Long and Chantel Michelle McDonald to P & R Investments LLC, 62-64 Bristol St., $160,000.
Magnolia XM LLC, to David Dos Reis and Roberta Dos Santos Conceicao Gama, 40 Glendell Terrace, $353,000.
Maria M. Cruz to Thomas Mejia, 70-72 Abbe Ave., $407,000.
SJC LLC, to Northeast Asset Development LLC, 57 Pearl St., $260,000.
Value Properties LLC, to Aaron St. Louis, 39 Undine Circle, $254,000.
William Delgado to Caleb Russell, 428 Page Boulevard, $249,900.
SUNDERLAND
Sandra A. Randall and Sean T. Randall to Brian Wood, 81 South Plain Road, $650,000.
WARE
Chenevert Properties LLC, to Ebony Owens and Linda Owens, 14-16 Vigeant St., $457,000.
Richard S. Green and Susan E. Green to Kaitlin Eileen Young, 9 Beach Road, $375,000.
Bertnell Realty Inc., to Gary Sheppard and Vashti L.G. Sheppard, 38 Cummings Road, $380,000.
WARWICK
Teresa M. Bolton, “fka” Teresa M. Gray, to Justin Pratt, 856 Wendell Road, $229,646.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Carolyn E. Apps and Sherri Lynn Vento to Paula Kengott, trustee, and Paula Kengott 2018 Trust, trustee of, 126 Larivee Lane, $495,000.
John G. Kudlic to Peter Novik and Tatyana Novik, Hyde Road, Lot 3, $155,000.
Jorge G. Fonseca, Sofia Paez Odriozola and Sofia Fonseca to John Robert Colbert, Nicole Alexandra Colbert and Kristopher Houle, 356 Sibley Ave., $430,000.
Marc Dulaimy and Rania Dulaimy to Abdul Alqaisy, trustee, and Alqaisy Trust, trustee of, 76 Colony Road, Unit 2B, $120,000.
Nicolle B. Serafino and Gary D. Megliola to Jerri Murchison, 33 Colony Road, Unit 1A, $134,400.
How professional cleaners deal with their own mess
By Jennifer Barger
The Washington Post
ON THEIR WEBSITES, TIKTOKS and HGTV shows, professional cleaners and organizers often seem as if they live in magically tidy, sparkling homes. But there’s no Disney cartoon alchemy at play; these scrub-it-up experts simply stick to tiny, purposeful tasks on a regular basis.
“My general rule is 15 minutes a day. I divide our apartment up by days of the week, and then do deeper quarterly maintenance,” says Tyler Moore, a schoolteacher in New York City who blogs and produces online content as “Tidy Dad.”
Still, these neatniks don’t claim (or aim) to be perfect. There are surfaces they sometimes neglect and home-keeping tasks they let slide. A few even hire outside help. Here are their top tips on how to scrub up at home.
Get your family to pitch in Professional organizers teach their clients how to sort and straighten their spaces. So it’s not surprising that they’re good at sorting tasks and enlisting spouses and children in home-front battles against grime and chaos. “My family divides and conquers,” says Shira Gill, a professional organizer in San Francisco and the author of “LifeStyled: Your Guide to a More Organized & Intentional Life.” “Every night, my husband cooks, my kids do the dishes and I wipe down the counters. It takes
15 minutes.” Moore who just released the book “Tidy Up Your Life” helped his three daughters (ages 4, 7 and 9) map out how to store things in their shared bedroom. “They know where the stuffed animal zone is, where the book zone is and where the clothes zone is,” he says. “We sketched it out on paper.”
Establish a baseline then let a few things slide
Cleaning pros tend to set down rules on where things go (spatulas and spoons in a big jar) and how often they scrub down certain surfaces. “It’s about defining the minimum level of cleanliness that works for you,” Gill says. “In my case, the kitchen counters have to be wiped down, but I’m okay with clutter in my teenage daughters’ bedrooms.”
Many experts consider laundry, the giant clothing and sheet monster that terrorizes us all, a lower priority than Swiffer-ed floors and a hygienic kitchen. “We don’t have an in-unit washer and dryer, and keeping bedding clean is a huge chore,” Moore says. “Some people say you should wash your sheets once a week; if we’re lucky, I do it every month or six weeks.”
Do a little every day
Before the advent of electric washing machines, vacuum cleaners and other modern conveniences, homemakers assigned specific tasks to each day of the week. Think “mending Monday” or “laun-
dry Wednesday.” It’s a throwback idea many cleaning experts still follow. “I space out my tasks throughout the week, so I don’t get overwhelmed and go into full Tasmanian devil cleaning mode on the weekend,” says Caroline Solomon, a professional organizer in New York City. Because she works for herself, Solomon is able to carve out 30 minutes each morning for one chore (dusting on Monday, vacuuming on Tuesday, etc.). Have a less flexible schedule? “I tell clients to tack a single task onto their nightly reset routine,” she says. “You might sweep the floor or empty all your trash cans after putting dishes away and resetting the living room.”
Don’t go overboard on organizational tools
Trying to harness the chaos at home? You might be tempted to raid the Container Store for boxes and wall racks or start sorting everything by color, a la the Home Edit. “But the key is using what actually helps, not just buying more stuff to contain stuff,” says Shawna Holman, an eco-cleaning blogger and the author of “A Healthier Home: The Room-by-Room Guide to Make Any Space a Little Less Toxic.”
In her Southern California home, Holman uses pared-back storage methods. “I do love a few things glass jars for pantry storage that keep food fresh and visible, woven baskets for corralling odds and ends, and a well-placed wall hook or two to keep things from piling up,” she says.
Philip K. Bitzas and Vicky Bitzas to Prem Bhujel and Sumitra Bhujel, 36 Wilder Terrace, $360,000.
Richard V. Zucchini to Gina M. Rossetto and Richard V. Zucchini, life estate, 43 Lewis Ave., $100.
Samantha J. Landry, Samantha Velluti-Fry and Elijah Velluti-Fry to Renee Bouldin and Jeronimo Fernandez Palacio, 36 Houston St., $350,000.
Yasin Yusuf Akgul to Victoria Pham, 481 Cold Spring Ave., Unit 2A, $147,000.
WESTFIELD
James P. Debay and Mary Ann Donnelly-Debay to Aaron J. Straney, 549 Russell Road, $192,000.
Robert W. Bekech to New Beginning Home Solutions LLC, 3 Ellsworth St., $180,000.
Sandra H. Gil and Sandra H. Haracz to 50 Railroad Ave. LLC, 4 Phelps Ave., $100,000.
WESTHAMPTON
Nicholas Michalenko and Kacie Michalenko to Paula J.S. Martin and Joseph F. Martin, Northwest Road, $90,000.
WILBRAHAM
Garden Planner (from SmallBluePrinter)
15-day free trial/$48 onetime payment; desktop software for Mac or Windows
When it comes to design layout software, there are few satisfying choices. Most apps are either too granular for the average homeowner or too focused on landscape architecture. Garden Planner, designed by an Australian software developer, is in the sweet spot. It’s a bare-bones app that allows you to start designing immediately.
The interface is basic, with only tools and objects tabs, but all choices are intuitively labeled. You can easily drag and drop paths, walls, fences, plants and other features. And modifying your choices is
simple. The notebook window produces a list of plants with dimensions, which is handy for shopping. A 3D feature is in beta phase.
The one enormous drawback of Garden Planner is its plant list. Mystifyingly, plants are sometimes labeled with a botanical genus, like Haworthia; other times they have generic labels, such as “simple shrub” or “spiky leaf plant.” This forces users to manually write in their specific choices later. For instance, you might need to note “Japanese Spirea” beside “flowering shrub.” Despite this frustrating flaw, the software can render a fairly accurate design for those who want an overhead landscape plan of their garden.
PictureThis Free version/varying in-app purchases; for tablet or phone only
While this is a plant identification app, rather than a garden-planning tool, it was so well-designed that I decided to include it here. If you just bought a house and have no idea what plants are in your backyard, a plant identification app can help you learn to care for the garden.
PictureThis is the most elegantly designed choice, with only essential features on the streamlined interface.
You can identify a plant, diagnose a problem and create a catalogue of plants in your garden.
It will prompt you for your city/area to assess what plants work best in your region.
Plus, you can identify birds, insects and mushrooms.
To start, you photograph a plant and upload it to the app, which then returns a botanical identification with impressive accuracy.
The “notes” section will tell you whether the app thinks your plant is healthy. The care tab offers advice on watering, fertilizing, pruning, etc.
Plant info gives a thorough rundown of the plant’s characteristics and native habitat. There’s even a feature that rates how easy or difficult it is to grow a particular plant in your region. In other words, it will tell you that trying to grow a banana tree in zone 5 will be an uphill climb.
Whoever built PictureThis not only knew gardening but knew what kinds of information gardeners would want. Highly recommended.
Karen Hugg is a professional gardener and the author of “Leaf Your Troubles Behind: How to Destress and Grow Happiness Through Plants.” Connect with her on Blue Sky at @karenhugg. bsky.social.
Gail Levy, trustee, and 28 Glenn Drive Realty Nominee Trust, trustee of, to Oliver H. Layne Jr., and Zulma Layne, 28 Glenn Drive, $399,900. Kaben Realty Trust, trustee of, and John Bonavita, trustee, to Gabriel Serrano, 299 Stony Hill Road, $375,000.
Michael F. Polom, trustee, and Eileen M. Wostena Revocable Trust, trustee of, to John P. O’Brien, trustee, and John P. O’Brien Trust, trustee of, 137 Cherry Drive, $370,000.
Timothy Lamotte, representative, and Anasticia T. Cambo, estate, to Thomas P. Gajda and Katherine J. Gajda, 31 High Pine Circle, $629,000.
WILLIAMSBURG
Michael A. Lacasse Sr., personal representative, and Esther B. Lacasse, estate, to Meghan Fay Zahniser and Max Zahniser, 53 Chesterfield Road, $350,000.
PUBLIC AUCTION
PUBLIC AUCTION
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 #8: ±1½ Acre Vacant Residential Lot • ±99 Ft. Frontage on Devil’s Lane • Private Well & Septic
Required • Zoned: RUR •Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24.2 •
Lot #9: ±1Acre Vacant Residential Lot • ±150 Ft. Frontage on Devil’s Lane • Private Well & Septic Required • Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24.1
Lot #10: ±1Acre 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
