homegarden-20250817

GARDEN TALK: Meet master gardener Jim Frank, who grows produce for local food banks, F2

ANTIQUES: 19-century American rugs made of recycled materials, F6

IN THE GARDEN: Figs are very growable in colder climates, F4

Garden talk: Western Mass. gardeners share end-of-summer tips

Master gardener Jim Frank cares for vegetable plots in Northampton and Wendell

By Dawn C hipman

Special to The Republcan

THIS IS THE LAST STORY IN A THREE-PART gardening series featuring master gardeners and other experienced gardeners in Western Massachusetts.

Each month this summer, you’ll meet different experts, learn about their gardening lives and get advice on everything from pest control to haircuts for lavender. A big part of gardening is community — people sharing tricks, trowels, plants and a general love of gardening — and these stories are an extension of that ethos.

No matter how green your thumb is, this month’s column includes something for everyone.

This week’s grower is master gardener Jim Frank, who cares for vegetable plots in Northampton and Wendell. One of only two rhyming gardeners I’ve met in my life, Frank wraps up the column with a poem of tips about late-summer veggie gardening.

Thank you to the wonderful, local experts who shared Garden Talk tips this summer. Thank you to every reader too.

However you enjoy greenery and the garden community (planting outdoors, misting indoors, visiting botanical gardens, following Instagram “plant-fluencers,“ joining plant swaps), happy growing and more flower power to you!

Jim Frank

Meet Jim Frank. He started gardening 10 years ago, thanks to his son. Frank explains that his son planted a vegetable patch in their front lawn in Longmeadow, much to the neighbors’ dismay. When his son abandoned it, Frank took over. These days, Frank recently earned his master gardener badge and cares for vegetable plots in Northampton and Wendell; the latter to grow produce for a Good Neighbors food bank. For the past couple of years, Frank has also gardened with the Northampton Community Garden group from the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association (WMMGA) to grow food for the

local food bank.

Q. Why do you enjoy gardening?

Frank: As an almost retired surgeon, I love working with my hands, seeing things grow, fixing things, solving problems…

Q. What’s your vegetable gardening tip for readers?

(Editor’s note: As his answer, Frank chose to write the below poem.)

“Musings On a Season (Almost) Past

The land had been cleared, the untilled soil tested

After mulching and planting, we finally rested.

Then watching with vigilance,

the pests on alert, We fertilized, weeded until our backs hurt.

Now summer wanes, and you ask “what is next”?

I’ll opine on a few points, that I believe best

Take what seems fruitful, you may deadhead the rest.

First, finish the harvest of squash and blue kale.

A cover crop? Oft’ oats or buckwheat prevail.

Cull out the dead plants, cut the others back later

Spare a few stems for the fall pollinators.

But the best part I saved and now must address.

For the pantry’s near empty, despite last year’s success.

Marinara sauce and jam, the family’s demanding, I head to the kitchen, it’s time to start canning!

A large pressure cooker, though some may deem daunting,

Is quick and leaves most harmful microbes a wanting.

A water bath (my second choice), many others prefer

Beware dry oven canning, the inner temp may not surge.

At last, looking back, I pause and I ponder

What thrived? What failed? Why did it? I wonder.

Praying next year’s plan might bloom from these reasons,

I retreat to the TV and the fall football season!”

When are your garden veggies ripe for harvesting?

By Jessica Damiano Associated Press

IT’S TIME — OR GETting to be time — for us gardeners to reap what we’ve sown.

Although it’s fairly evident when some edibles, like tomatoes, are ripe for the picking (uniform red, yellow or orange color), that isn’t the case with every crop.

Popular crops’ telltale signs of deliciousness

Zucchini, for instance, doesn’t change color. Although it might be tempting to grow a 15-inch-long squash, it will likely be tough. For optimal tenderness, pick individual fruits when they’re 6-8

inches (15-20 centimeters) long. All varieties of green beans should be harvested when they are about as thick as a pencil. Once the plant begins producing, check it every day or two and remove beans that are ready; the more you pick, the more the plant will make. Green peppers can be harvested at any size but are considered fully mature when they turn red. As a bonus, red peppers are sweeter and contain more nutrients.

There isn’t such a thing as an unripe cucumber — even small ones are crispy and juicy. The hazard here is allowing them to remain on

the vine too long, which can result in an off-putting taste and texture. Cucumbers are considered mature when their bumpy skin smooths out. You’ll know sweet corn is ready as soon as the silk at the

top of its ear turns brown. If you still aren’t sure, peel back a small portion of husk and press your nail into a kernel; if it releases a milky fluid, it’s ripe.

“The team that did my tub to shower transformation were awesome. Several unforeseen obstacles appeared in the process and the team was able to conquer them all. Most important is that they kept me informed the whole time.” -Ellen E.

Lee Reich | In the Garden

Figs can be grown just about everywhere

IF YOU’RE NOT GROWING

figs because you think your cold winter climate is wrong for them, you’re wrong and you’re missing out on an exotic treat. Figs can be grown just about everywhere. If you are growing figs and you’re in a cold winter climate, the fruits should be nearly or already ripening.

Impatience is the affliction of the cold climate fig grower. I’m feeling it right now, as I write. That impatience comes from watching little figlets forming and expanding early in the season and then just sitting on the branches, doing nothing, seemingly forever. Knowing something about how fig fruits develop and grow, and ways that ripening can be hastened along helps soothe my affliction.

Most varieties of figs bear fruit on new, growing shoots. This bearing habit is very different from that of most common fruits, such as apples, peaches, and blueberries, which bear fruit on stems that are one-year-old or older. (Some fig varieties do bear on one-year-old stems, and some bear on both one-year-old and new, growing shoots.) Figs’ bearing habit is a boon to cold climate fig growers because that means that a fig tree can still bear fruit even if its stems freeze back or are pruned back rather severely.

But it takes time for fruits on young fig stems to develop and ripen, which they do sequentially from the bottom (the oldest) part of the growing stem to the top. The closer a stem originates to the roots, the longer it takes for fruit on that stem to develop and ripen. That time could be too long, depending on how severely the plant was pruned or froze back and the length of the growing season. I like to develop and leave one or more permanent trunks at least two feet long, letting sprouts grow from or at their tops.

Some so-called “hardy” figs sprout new shoots from ground level after dying back from winter cold. Actually, since ground temperatures in winter are milder than air temperatures, many figs will do this. Problem is that figs will form on those sprouts from ground level but may not have time to ripen.

Assuming a portion of trunk or trunks have survived winter, perhaps because the plant was potted and moved to shelter, the trunk was insulated, or the trunk was buried, etc., impatience still lurks. (I detail a number of ways to get figs through

If you pinch out the growing tip, that could stimulate figs down along the stem to start developing sooner than if the stem was left alone.

winter in my book ‘Growing Figs in Cold Climates.’) The problem — for us, not the figs — is that fruit growth follows a sigmoidal (S-shaped) curve over time. That is, the fruits swell up rapidly early in the season, then just sit for a long time.

But hang tight. If all else is in order, fruit growth leaves the flat part of the curve, and figs start to rapidly swell, at the same time softening and developing a rich, sweet flavor. How long before ripening begins depends on the where the fruiting shoot originated, the variety, and the growing season. Fortunately, you can hasten along ripening to some degree. The first way is earlier in the season, when a shoot has just a few leaves, say about five. If you pinch out the growing tip, that could stimulate figs down along the stem to start developing sooner than if the stem was left alone. However,

doing so also might reduce total yield because shoot growth is at least temporarily stalled.

As fruits near ripening, they can be hurried along by “oiling.” Do this by putting a drop of olive oil in the eye of a fruit; I just dip a chopstick in the oil and then let the oil drip off onto the eye. Very important: Don’t try this on a fruit very far from ripening, which is, of course, hard to tell until the fruit starts ripening. But if you really love your fig tree, you’ve been staring at it a lot. As you do so you’ll begin to notice subtle changes. I’ve typically used this method towards the end of the growing season when fig ripening slows with waning sunlight and cooling temperatures.

Whatever you do, don’t harvest any figs before they are fully ripe. Figs, like many other fruits, do not ripen at all once they have been harvested. Incipient rot might make harvested, underripe fruits a bit sweeter, but that’s different from ripe. Commercial figs are harvested just short of full ripeness because then they can be shipped without damage.

When your fig is fully ripe, the fruit is soft and perhaps has a “tear” in its eye. The flavor will be sweet and rich.

GARDEN NOTES

STOCKBRIDGE Upcoming program at Berkshire Botanical Garden

Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming program on Monday, Aug. 18: “Music Mondays” featuring South Pleasant Revival. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Food will be available for purchase from Hand Crafted Catering + Events, and beer and wine can be purchased from Another Round Mobile Bar. Come early and join in for the Farmers Market from 3 to 6. Cost is $15 members, $25 nonmembers. To register or for more information, visit www. berkshirebotanical.org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.

WEST SPRINGFIELD Garden Club program

The West Springfield Garden Club will meet on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. in the J. Edward Christian Municipal Office Building, 26 Central St. Parking is available in the Municipal lot across the street.

Meet in the Justin Morgan Auditorium on the second floor. The evening’s guest speaker is Joseph Maciaszek, a professor at STCC and an Orchid Society judge. He will share his knowledge on Basic Orchid Care and Reblooming.

Learn the dos and don’ts of happy orchids. The public is welcome to attend. Please contact Joan at graceshad@msn.com to RSVP.

HAMPDEN Garden Club program

Hampden Garden Club presents Petal to Pantry Crafting Botanical Goodness by Juanita Markham, on Thu., Aug 21 at Hampden Town Building 625 Main St. at 7 p.m. She will share ways herbs can support body, heart, mind and spirit.

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

The case for carpet

By K athryn O ’ Shea- E vans The Washington Post

ACOUPLE OF months ago, my husband and I swapped out the dated wallto-wall greige carpet in our Colorado home for something more stylish, at least from a

distance: luxury vinyl plank. And while I risk being shamed for saying it, I must admit that I miss the carpet.

I know, I know. Wall-to-wall carpet has long been derided as suburban and dated. Everyone wants the rich depth of hardwood, or at least the appearance of it (enter the less expensive and more durable luxury vinyl plank). To be clear, our new floors unquestionably are better looking. Our carpets were “shot,” as my dad might say: stained and worn. If you squint, the LVP gives the appearance of something you might find in a timeworn Swedish chalet.

The new floors are also more sanitary. As a parent and a dog owner, I appreciate that I no longer have to spend time and energy attempting to steam clean the practically uncleanable.

Still, there are things about carpet that I didn’t realize were important to me — elements of livability that even the area rugs we purchased as a Band-Aid just aren’t making up for.

Cantaloupe will practically harvest itself when the time is right: A light tug will release the melon from its stem. If any force is required, it’s not ready.

Honeydew melons are ripe when their bottoms begin to soften, and watermelons when their undersides turn a creamy white color.

When to unearth root crops

Determining when to dig up root crops can pose a bit more of a challenge, as they can’t be visually assessed without disturbing them. But there are some signs to watch for.

You’ll know garlic bulbs are mature when all but five leaves at the top of the plant have turned completely yellow or brown.

Onions are ready when their tops flop over and turn brown.

To assess beets, select one plant and push aside the soil at its base to expose the entire top of the root. Harvest when it measures between 1 ½ and 3 inches (3.8 and 5 centimeters) wide, depending on variety. If it’s too small, cover it back up, water and try again in a week. Avoid allowing beets to get too big, however, or they’ll lose sweetness and turn tough.

A green bean is ready for harvest on Long Island, N.Y. Beans should be picked when they are roughly the thickness of a pencil.

Standard potatoes are fully mature when their foliage dies back. But if it’s the socalled “new” potatoes you’re after, dig up the thin-skinned babies 2-3 weeks after the plant blooms. Early-maturing potato types will be ready sooner than the standard, so check tags for variety-specific details. (Note: Due to their delicate skin, new potatoes should be consumed immediately, as they do not store well.)

Carrots are ready when they poke up from underground but can be left in the soil, even into winter, until you need them.

Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the Associated Press and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter.

Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting

19th century American rugs often made of recycled fabric scraps

THE ENVIRONMENTALIST

movement popularized the saying “Reduce, reuse, recycle” in the 1970s, but the sentiment goes back much farther than that. Historically, people avoided buying new items to save money, or simply because said new items were not as readily available to purchase as they are today. Reusing and recycling materials was done out of necessity, too, but the effect of saving resources remains the same. Rug-making is one of the best examples.

Throughout the 19th century, American families had many ways of transforming fabric scraps into useful rugs. The earliest were tongue rugs, consisting of overlapping tongueshaped scraps that completely covered a background. Button rugs, made from circles of fabric, let the background show. Penny rugs were also made from small, flat fabric circles, but, like tongue rugs, they completely cover the backing fabric.

Despite their name, penny rugs were rarely used as floor coverings; they were more likely to decorate a table, bed or mantel. Fabric scraps could also be made into pictorial hooked rugs, pulled through the backing with a hooked tool, or into braided or crocheted rugs. Rugs like these are still made by hobbyists today and antique examples sell as folk art. This handsewn penny rug, probably made to be used on a table, sold for $125 at Hyde Park Country Auctions.

Q. I am looking for assistance in appraising a rare antique 25-inch Handel table lamp. We also have several additional antique lamps and stained glass.

A. Handel lamps, made from about 1885 to 1933, are prized for decorative glass shades. They were made in several styles, including leaded glass reminiscent of Tiffany lamps, but their reverse-painted designs are the most distinctive. Handel lamps typically sell for high prices, usually more than $500. Some sell for several thousand dollars. The shade’s size, shape, design and base material can affect the value.

Because Handel lamps are often very valuable, we recommend contacting a national auction house specializing in decorative arts. They

Whether you do it to save money or save the Earth, reusing materials has the same effect. Homemade rugs like this penny rug have long been a favorite way to keep fabric scraps from going to waste. (HYDE PARK COUNTRY AUCTIONS)

can provide free appraisals or advice. They may also be able to provide information about your additional lamps and glass. If you get an appraisal from an auction house, you are not obligated to sell with them.

Q. I have an odd table with a round top on a stand with three splayed legs. Under the tabletop, there are carved panels with diamonds and crosses. The legs have ridges on them. It is dark wood. I have asked a lot of people, and no one has any idea what it is. We thought that with the crosses on the side, maybe my grandmother got it from the church. Can you give me advice on how to identify it?

A. Your table is interesting; it sounds like it combines multiple styles associated with different time periods. Because of this, it was probably made in the early to mid-20th century, when there were many furniture revivals, and makers sometimes mixed furniture periods. Tables shaped like yours, with a round top and pedestal base, are often called “drum tables.” They were first made in the early 1700s or 1800s and are associated with Regency and Empire styles. Most early drum tables have drawers underneath the tabletop and the

tops often rotate. Drum tables with a decorated frieze (the vertical face just below the top, also called an apron), especially carved or molded decorations, were usually made later, often in the late 19th or early 20th century.

The decorations on your table sound characteristic of the Gothic or Renaissance Revival styles. They were very ornate and frequently included motifs like crosses and spires. That made them popular choices for church furniture, so your grandmother might have gotten your table from a church. As is often the case with antique furniture, it will be difficult to prove without documented provenance or a label or a maker’s mark. Some furniture made for churches is marked as such, and some antique furniture makers were known to create pieces for local churches.

TIP: Natural dyes were used in early rugs, but the chemical aniline dyes aren’t new. They were used as early as 1870.

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.

Silver plate, tray, round, armorial, pierced rim, grapevine, Victorian, marked, G.R. Collis, England, 12 inches, $85.

Clock, advertising, Dr. Pepper, Distinctively Different ..., red oval logo, chevron, wood grain style border, 10, 2, 4 bar indices, square, electric, 15 inches, $120.

Furniture, stand, umbrella, Alfred Corneau, Rococo Revival, cast iron, pierced flower scrolls, figural supports, center plaque, Gornau Foundry, 31 x 28 inches, $225.

Pottery-contemporary, water jar, Acoma Pueblo, cream, rust, black, stylized birds and flowers, geometrics, tapered base, signed, Sofia Medina, Lois Medina, 8 x 9 inches, $295.

Music, box, singing bird, two birds, dome cage, wind-up, Germany, early 1900s, 10 inches, $310. Advertising, sign, Nichol Kola, America’s Taste Sensation, Twice As Good, bottle graphic, 5 Cents, orange ground, green trim, embossed, tin, 35 1/2 x 12 inches, $300. Purse, canvas, Positano tote, beige GG monogram, red leather trim, red and navy silk scarf drawstring, goldtone hardware, stamped, Gucci, 14 x 19 inches, $485.

Galle, vase, dark brown to amber, squat, cameo, leavy vines, frosted, tapered base, 8 x 10 inches, $705. Royal Copenhagen, gravy boat, Flora Danica, attached underplate, Creeping Bellflower, brown twisted handle, gilt, lobed rim, beaded edge, green mark, 5 1/2 x 9 inches, $1,560.

Basket, egg, oak, splint, rib woven, top handle, double woven rim, Mary Causby, 5 1/2 x 6 inches, $2,050.

Kovels answers 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, 300 W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.

MCLEAN, VA.

Average rate on a 30-year mortgage drops to 6.58%

Rate reaches lowest level since October

By A lex Veiga Associated Press

The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage fell this week to its lowest level in nearly 10 months, giving prospective homebuyers a sorely needed boost in purchasing power that could help inject life into a stagnant housing market.

The long-term rate fell to 6.58% from 6.63% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.49%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also fell. The average rate dropped to 5.71% from 5.75% last week. A year ago, it was 5.66%, Freddie Mac said.

Elevated mortgage rates have helped keep the U.S. housing market in a sales slump since early 2022, when rates started to climb from the rock-bottom lows they reached during the pandemic. Home sales sank last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years.

Deeds

AGAWAM

Carmen Romeo and Penelope Romeo to Adam Rovithis and Laurie Rovithis, 8 Alexander Drive, $468,691.

Cecily A. Santolini to Gregory D Bennett, Gregory Bennett, Caitlyn M Bennett and Caitlyn Morgan Bennett, 42 Janelle Dr, $527,000.

Frank J. Zucco and Donna M. Zucco to Jason Douthwright and Jessica Douthwright, 25 Cosgrove Ave., $500,000.

Jake D. McKittrick and Sofia Arroyo to William Torres and Victoria Melendez, 280 North St., $315,000.

Kristen L. Moriarty to Gina Nicole Derock-Murray and Ryan Thomas Murray, 146 Forest Hill Road, $425,000.

Lawrence A. Cohen, representative, Maurice Hersh Cohen, estate, and M. Katz Realty LLC, to Maureen A. Nickerson, 79 Beekman Drive, Unit 79, $250,000.

Mitchell J. Sparrow, trustee, Denise Spina, trustee, and Mitchell J. Sparrow & Denise Spina Revocable Trust Agreement, trustee of, to Lindsay Ann Ruby and Allison Michelle Ruby, 70 Lealand Ave., $435,000.

This is the fourth week in a row that rates have come down. The latest average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now at its lowest level since Oct. 24, when it averaged 6.54%.

Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation.

The main barometer is the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans. The yield was at 4.29% at midday Thursday, up slightly from 4.24% late Wednesday.

The yield has come down the last couple of weeks after weaker-than-expected July U.S. job market data fueled speculation that the Fed will cut its main short-term interest rate next month.

A Fed rate cut could give the job market and overall economy a boost, but it could also fuel inflation just as President Trump’s tariff policies risk raising prices for U.S. consumers.

Meanwhile, a new inflation report Thursday showed prices at the U.S. wholesale level jumped 3.3% last month from a year earlier. That’s was well above the 2.5% rate that economists

Patricia A. Filkoski to Tammy Lee Jacques, 116 Corey Colonial, Unit 116, $250,000.

Patricia A. Lawless, trustee, Robert S. Lawless, trustee, and Cynthia J. Arnold Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Liudmila Vasileva, 164 Leonard St., $375,000.

Robert H. Deyo and Jeanne A. Deyo to Devin A. Vanasse and Allison Vanasse, 342 Barry St., $485,000.

Robert J. LeFebvre, Melissa Romaszka and Robert Morin to Daniel D. Jacques, 83 Memorial Drive, $350,000.

Robin L. Rushby, representative, Rene Rushby, representative, Renee D. Czupta, representative, Carole Rushby, estate, and Renee D. Rushby, representative, to Philip Pierce Dion and Sarah Grace Dion, 89 Homer St., $245,000.

Thomas P. Murphy, Brittany Tino, representative, and Debra A. Tino to Aiden S. McDonald and Hailey J. Dowling, 58 Corey Colonial, $235,000.

AMHERST

Sandra R. Madden to Paul A. Lazdowski and Joanne Lazdowski, 525 Market Hill Road, $776,000.

Neena J. Thota, trustee, Jawaharlal

had forecast, and it could hint at higher inflation ahead.

Earlier this week, the Labor Department said consumer prices rose 2.7% in July from a year earlier, unchanged from June.

Higher inflation could push bond yields higher, driving mortgage rates upward in turn, even if the Fed cuts its key rate.

Economists generally expect the average rate on a 30-year mortgage to remain above 6% this year. Recent forecasts by Realtor.com and Fannie Mae project the average rate will ease to around 6.4% by the end of this year.

That may not be low enough to make a difference. While trends like declining home listing prices and more properties on the market in the Sunbelt and West now favor buyers, affordability remains a major hurdle for many aspiring homeowners.

Home price growth has slowed nationally, but the median sales price of a previously occupied U.S. home still climbed to an all-time high of $435,300 in June.

“Homebuyers who have been relegated to the sidelines by high financing

Thota, trustee, Neena J. Thota Revocable Trust and Jawaharlal Thota Revocable Trust to Lisa Rose Walker, 208 Pine St., $560,000.

Janet A. Tyson to Ryan Patrick Carroll, 102 Larkspur Drive, $560,250.

Dickinson Street LLC, to Spring Capital LLC, 19 South Whitney St., $495,000.

Dickinson Street LLC, to Spring Capital LLC, 19 South Whitney St., $35,000.

Dickinson Street LLC, to Spring Capital LLC, 15 Sunrise Ave., $448,000.

Dickinson Street LLC, to Spring Capital LLC, 21 Sunrise Ave., $465,000.

Margaret Lowance Rorick, trustee, and Susan Coltrane Lowance Trust to Jasper Mui, 12 Sutton Court, $301,500.

Namita Mazumdar, trustee, and Mazumdar Nominee Realty Trust to Paula Michele Lipkin, 26 Greenleaves Drive, $225,000.

BELCHERTOWN

Joseph A. Audette and Susan Audette to Juliana Cerentini Pacicco-Thornton, 37 Brandywine Drive, $400,000.

Yoon J. Choi and Kurt Swanson to Nathaniel Bursaw, 52 Maple St., $269,900.

costs got some encouragement in the past two weeks, but it remains to be seen if it’s enough to get more of them back in the game,” said Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com.

The recent drop in mortgage rates has spurred many homeowners to refinance, however.

Mortgage applications jumped 10.9% last week from the previous week as rates eased, boosted by homeowners seeking to refinance, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Home loan refinance applications made up nearly 47% of all mortgage applications.

Refi loan applications jumped 23% from a week earlier — the strongest showing since April.

Meanwhile, applications for adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, soared 25% to their highest level since 2022, MBA said.

Many homeowners aren’t waiting for rates to ease further before refinancing. Cash-out home refinancing activity surged to a nearly three-year high in the April-June quarter, as homeowners tapped some of the equity gains built up after years of soaring home prices.

Garrett Richard Demers and Josefina Hardman to Angela Dellacroce and Abby Lina Holmes, 212 Rockrimmon St., $420,000.

Darci Cloutier-Ham and Cassandra Cloutier-Ham to Jeanne Brodalski, 48 Dana Hill and 48 Dana Hill Road, $460,000.

Emily Christine Supernant and Jonathan Bish to Cody Burns-Piano and Sarah Piano, 63 Barton Ave., $455,000.

Nathaniel S.P. Overholtzer, trustee, and Robert D. Overholtzer Irrevocable Trust to John Dziubek and Georgeanna M. Dziubek, 290 Mill Valley Road, $180,000.

Matthew G. Fuller and Catherine T. Fuller to Chocorua Construction LLC, Old Sawmill Road, $90,000.

Sandra J. Henry, personal representative, and Blanchette E. Parmenter, estate, to Kenneth Trabert, 17 Tucker Lane, $370,000.

BERNARDSTON

Kristin K. Coombs, personal representative of the Estate of Joan G. Coombs, to Custom Art Construction LLC, 56 Brattleboro Road, $50,000.

Madalyn J. Phillips and Monroe E. Phillips to Molly Brennan and Velma Fallon, 431A Brattleboro Road, $267,500.

BRIMFIELD

Mireille G. Edwards to James Gillies and Tammie Gillies, 110 Allen Hill Road, $70,000.

Peggy S. Goguen, Peggy S. Armentrout and Edward J. Goguen to Corey J. Gatta and Michelle R. Dyson, 120 Five Bridge Road, $405,000.

Robert Petrie to Ashley Marie Leveillee and Christopher Blanchette, 133 Little Alum Road, $377,000.

CHESTERFIELD

Louise M. Spear to Louise M. Spear, trustee, and Louise M. Spear Revocable Trust, 286 Main Road, $100.

CHICOPEE

AAK LI LLC, to Duy Ngoc Nguyen and Loan Thi Le, 749 James St., $549,000.

Caitlyn M. Bennett and Gregory D. Bennett to Colleen Rice, 203 Blanchard St., $357,000.

Daniel Jacques to Emmanuel Nunez and Anny L. Diaz Vazquez, 52 Harvard St., $485,000.

Deeds

DCL General Construction LLC, to Norman Roldan, 5 Beaumont Ave., $495,000.

DJR Holdings LLC, to Viktor Bondar, 1230 Montgomery St., $73,000.

Donna Fedorenko to Austin James Fleury, 55 Empire St., Unit 74, $233,000.

Dreampath Homebuyers LLC, to Alyssa Landry, 78 Saratoga Ave., $355,000.

Edward Crease to Skyspec LLC, 77 Ferry St., $175,000.

Ernest Hayward to Emmanuel J. Soto, trustee, Sherry S. Rodriguez, trustee, and Solid Property Trust, trustee of, 18 Old James St., $260,000.

Iana Shabayev to Yasmin Santiago, 32 Marble Ave., $225,000.

JoeJoe Properties LLC, to Tamara Vazquez, 102 McCarthy Ave., $330,000.

Kristen A. Magnacca, trustee, and Virginia F. Nehring Revocable Indenture Of Trust Of, trustee of, to Karen M. Johnson and George E. Johnson, 205 Champagne Ave., $220,000.

Lisa Petit to Nicolas D. Abodeeb, 23 Bemis St., $255,000.

Renate-Marie Riley, Robert Josef Lavoie, Ronald Lavoie, Ronald L. Lavoie and Andrea Quinn to Sherri Ann Quinn, 29 Barby Ave., $325,000.

Sarah Jordan Mailhott, Sarah Elizabeth Jordan and Marc Alan Mailhott to Erica Nicole Butler and Gurbinder Singh, 59-61 Hawthorn St., $440,000.

Sareen Properties LLC, to Kellianne Lacaboni, 169 Montgomery St., $365,000.

Shawn Antunes and Shayna Alexis Bronstein Garcia to Tameka Torres, 196 Rolf Ave., $238,822.

Sheila M. Franklin, representative, and Beverly K. Amlaw, estate, to Katelynn Lee Chalue, 585 Sheridan St., Unit 36, $275,000.

Steven G. Rivard and Sheila J. Rivard to Deborah Saperstone, Deborah C. Saperstone and Jad Wallace, 16 Kaveney St., $450,000.

William Raleigh and David Kachinski to Justin Landers and Sarah Falconer, 25 Roberts Pond Lane, $344,000.

CONWAY

Janet E. Gerry and Carl W. Nelke to Elizabeth Casey Martin and Joshua Steininger, 1962 Shelburne Falls Road, $486,000.

DEERFIELD

Robert E. Allen, Jr., trustee of the Robert E. Allen Jr., 2012 Trust, and Robin L. Sherman, trustee of the

Robin L. Sherman Revocable Trust, to Diana J. Barthelmess, trustee of the Diana J. Barthelmess Declaration of Trust, and Strother B. Purdy III, trustee of the Strother B. Purdy III, Declaration of Trust, 11 Juniper Drive, $692,000.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Elio L. Tonon, trustee, and Elio L. Tonon 2024 Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Heather A. Kelley and Steven M. Lanser, 15 Brier Lane, $467,500.

Joan I. Annexy-Lopez, Joan I. Annexy Lopez and Gabriel Rodriguez to Anthony Rabaiotti and Sasha Rabaiotti, 45 Oak Brook Drive, $470,000.

Kristina Podoski, trustee, Robert Podoski, trustee, Charlotte Johnson, trustee, Charlotte E. Johnson, trustee, and Johnson Family Trust, trustee of, to David Proulx, Michelle Proulx, Karen Fisk and Maurice Proulx, Elizabeth Street, $105,000.

Nicole Sokolowski to Kim Bransford, 90 Westwood Ave., $389,000.

Peter Nham and Vi Khuu to Global Homes Properties LLC, 12 Hidden Ponds Drive, $180,000.

Wesley Berrios and Lisa Berrios to Rachel Gibson, 389 Porter Road, $390,000.

EASTHAMPTON

Kim Marie O’Connor and John A. O’Connor to Samuel J. O’Connor, 23 Reservation Road, $450,000.

Patrica A. Hill to Karen Marie Knighton and Frederick William Wrightson IV, 117 Parsons St., $535,000.

Pineview Development LLC, and West Co Investments LLC, to William D. Groeber, trustee, Linda J. Groeber, trustee, and William & Linda Groeber Living Trust, 17 Nicols Way, $680,900.

Pineview Development LLC, and West Co Investments LLC, to Frank J. Zucco and Donna M. Zucco, 282 Loudville Road and 1 Nicols Way, $600,000.

Linda S. Riley to Corrin Moss and Erin Hutchinson, 14 Sheldon Ave., $500,000.

ERVING

Melanie L. Garcia and Ruben Garcia to Joshua Jacob Girouard and Shawn Marie McQueston, 65 High St., $389,900.

GRANBY

David A. Desilets, Diane E. Gauthier, Daniel G. Desilets and Deborah A. Moranski to Amy Owsiak Stewart and Anthony Paul Stewart Sr., 51 South St., $485,000.

Catherine A. Neal and Jack N. Evans to Richard Durocher and Shawn Durocher, 37 Granby Heights, $262,000.

GREENFIELD

JJ Smith Properties LLC, to Matthew Tyler Hildreth, 16-18 Armory St., $315,000.

Jesus Leyva to Jonathan Entzminger, 88 Deerfield St., $245,000.

Seth Rosenbloom to Thomas Patrick Barry and Emily S. Wright, 20 Ferrante Ave., $353,100.

Karen A. Alberti to Jordan Solmen and Katherine Yanez, 56 Country Club Road, $331,000.

HADLEY

Samantha C. Pelis to Berkshire Hills Music Academy Inc., 55 Chmura Road, $560,000.

HAMPDEN

Corey A. Chenevert to Peter Sullivan, 205 Chapin Road, $399,999. Lee-Ann Sheehan, representative, George Argyrios Poulopoulos, estate, and George A. Poulopoulos, estate, to John Secora and Marjorie Secora, 40 Oak Knoll Drive, $460,000.

HATFIELD

Joseph N. Peltier to Veteran Stan LLC, West Street, $135,900.

HOLLAND

John David Holdcraft to Kyle Harvey, 6 Hillside Drive, $230,000.

Scott Glenn, Dayna Kennedy and Brian P. Kennedy to Lisa Mary Remillard and Raymond Joseph Remillard Jr., 183 Mashapaug Road, $425,000.

Thatcher Crapo to Daniel F. Smith and Daniel C. Smith, 7 Chaffee Road, $165,000.

HOLYOKE

Elizabeth A. Lotter to Yeudi Saul Perez Mustafa, 73-75 Pearl St., $400,000.

Erna Flanagan-Malladi, trustee, and R G M Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Holyoke Medical Center Inc., 10 Hospital Drive, Unit #4, $325,000.

Hyman G. Darling, representative, and Robert J. Weiss, estate, to Marie Courtemanche, 78 Allyn St., $182,000.

James M. Brunelle and Christopher Brunelle to Katherine Coleman, 16-18 Dexter St., $450,000.

Joyce R. Barran, estate, and Anneta Patrick, representative, to Julia Albizu Torres, 325 Elm St., $315,000.

Lady Bedoya to Romeo A. Romero, 47 North Summer St., $325,000.

Meghan E. Parnell-Gregoire to Susan O’Loughlin and Joy Close, 56 Jefferson St., $540,000.

Rose Kaplan Weiss to Olena Khalandach, 11C Arbor Way, Unit 11C,

$165,000.

Stephen W. Oparowski and Sara R. Oparowski to Andrea L. Callanan, 6 Mount Tom Ave., $442,500.

William J. Labelle Jr., to Nicholas LaBelle, 21 Stanford St., $388,000.

Willie Lee Spradley Jr., trustee, Patricia Ann Spradley, trustee, and Spradley Living Trust, trustee of, to Angel Luis Pomales Mendoza and Maria A. Tineo De Pomales, 342 Sargeant St., $225,000.

HUNTINGTON

Michael Irving Hurwitz, personal representative, and Ronald D. Knowlton, estate, to Jonathan Haskell and Sierra Haskell, 6 East Main St., $32,500.

Helena T. Alves to Glendon Wenger and Susanna Wenger, 52 Searle Road, $380,000.

LEVERETT

Ronald Juels to Catherine Tween, 20 Lawton Road, $625,000.

LONGMEADOW

Beverly Moore to Douglas N. Lamont and Maysa T. DeSousa, 295 Pinewood Drive, $940,000.

Christopher J. Seeley to Eric Clemmenson and Jessica Melaas, 104 Ardsley Road, $1,258,750.

Diane M. Corsi and Richard J. Corsi to Edward Effinger and Caroline H. Stedman-Effinger, 216 Bel Air Drive, $465,000.

Gina M. Whipple to Mario Cedeno and Usman Aslam, Terry Drive, Lot 36, $160,000.

Gloyd Dene Kimball, Anita Kimbal and Anita Kimball to Kiernan G. Mulcahy and Lindsey J. Robins, 187 Cedar Road, $380,000.

James A. Ocampo and Janelle L. Ocampo to Spencer Hodgins and Fiona Duncan, 23 Greenwich Road, $945,000.

Jeffrey Cook Davis and Kim K. Davis to Rachael Ashley Londergan and Zachary Adam Londergan, 1130 Williams St., $755,000.

Lauren F. Schimmel, representative, Andrea Baevsky, representative, and Marcia M. Schimmel, estate, to Martin Abrahams and Deanna Abrahams, 104 Wheel Meadow Drive, $600,000.

Richard F. Belloff, trustee, Pamela R. Bostwick, trustee, and Richard F. Belloff & Pamela R. Bostwick 2019 Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Jennifer Foley and Matthew Smith, 141 Pleasantview Ave., $615,000.

Ryan M. Bateman and Sarah E. Bateman to Nanhao Zhou, 65 Franklin Road, $355,000.

LUDLOW

Christopher Napierski, Mathew Napi-

erski and Martha Napierski to Kevin T .Brolin, 167 Alden St., $255,000. Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Rachael Zemanek, 56 Waters Edge, $241,000.

Joelene Hackett to Mitchell Guzzo, 43 Tait St., $260,000.

Launa Beth Saleh, Nadia Lynn Saleh Dorval and Cynthia M. Saleh to Hemlock Ridge LLC, 0 Ventura Street, $1,300,000.

Luis M. Monteiro, Maria F. Barroso, Jose A. Monteiro, Dolores C. Monteiro, Dolores C. Gregorzek, Dalia Wurszt and Dalia Monteiro to Shahid Hussain, 182 Sewall St., $315,000.

Philip A. Brousseau and Jessica R. Brousseau to Amy Ashford and Matthew Ashford, Turning Leaf Road, Lot 20, $870,000.

Ryan E. Olearczyk, Cassandra L. Olearczyk and Cassandra L. Ziemba to Shelbi Moore and Garrett Moylan, 70 Eden St., $355,000.

Victor Gabriello, trustee, Jocelyne Gabriello, trustee, and Gabriello 2016 Trust, trustee of, to Jonathan Dias, 25 Williams St., $304,000.

MIDDLEFIELD

Elise G. Young to Elise G. Young, trustee, and Elise G. Young 2018 Trust, 78 West Hill Road, $100.

MONTAGUE

John Dunphy, Troy Santerre and Stanley Smith to John T. Ramsdell, 202 Millers Falls Road, $324,000.

Gloria J. Powers and Robert L. Powers to Kara Szczepanek and Matthew Szczepanek, 801 Fairway Ave., Unit 801, Atrium Condominium, $260,000.

Caitlin A. Hart and Brandon J. Thomas to Brody Trott, 470 Millers Falls Road, $360,000.

Claire M. Martineau and Gary L. Martineau, trustees of the Martineau Investment Trust, to John Martineau and Shannon Martineau, 50 High St., $257,000.

NORTHAMPTON

John T. Race Jr., trustee, and John T. Race Living Trust to Karen Morrissey and Alfred P. Morrissey Jr., 947 Burts Pit Road, $515,000.

Michael S. Gove, trustee, and Robert Clayton Irrevocable Trust to Linda F. Matson, 26 Howes St., $325,000.

Alfred J. Albano Jr., commissioner, Dianne M. Scott, Dianne M. Scott, personal representative, and Alice M. Miller, estate, to Cheryl A. Butler and Stephen D. Butler, 89 Lake St., $485,000.

Barbara Reznikiewicz, Kurt Reznikiewicz and Wayne Edward Carlson Jr., to Rachel Lewellen, 80 Pines Edge Drive, $425,000.

Deeds

Elizabeth W. Detmold to Yeshi Tsomo, 231 Audubon Road, $365,000.

Katherine Zavras-Bentrewicz and Richard Bentrewicz to Hugh Scott and Dana Scott, 771 Bridge Road, $600,000.

Judith A. Stark to Michelle Goulet, Jerome Szawlowski and Lisa Darragh, 12 Lake St., $231,000.

GGB Massachusetts Land LLC, to Damon Lane LLC, 1010 Ryan Road and Burts Pit Road, $150,000.

Guillaume P. Paumier to Sangeeta Kamat, 50 Union St., $410,000.

Jonathan R. Sass and Christine S. Sass to Jonathan R. Sass, trustee, Christine S. Sass, trustee, Jonathan R. Sass Revocable Trust and Christine S. Sass Revocable Trust, 131 Chestnut St., $100.

Michele Ruschhaupt to Hannah Zahn, 103 High St., $670,000.

Thomas M. Carhart III, and Janet B. Carhart to Brian Ralston and Gretchen Groggel Ralston, 25 Hawthorne Terrace, $1,173,000.

NORTHFIELD

David B. Elking and Marlisa J. Elking to Catherine Adona and Lawrence Adona, 19 Orange Road, $445,000.

MWD Asset Servicing LLC, to 154 SMR Northfield LLC, 154 South Mountain Road, $2,700,000.

Laura J. Kaye to Jeffrey J. Charron, 26 East Northfield Road, $380,000.

ORANGE

Debra P. Comeau and Ronald J. Comeau to Emily Grace Hill and Abby Elizabeth Lamborn, 27 Winter St., $369,000.

Duane E. Zartman, personal representative of the Estate of Terry Lee Zartman, “aka” Terry L. Zartman, to Alex James Couture and Savannah Marie Quinones, 61 Mattawa Circle, $315,000. Alberto L. Salome to William D. Putnam, Suzanne Rizzitano and Daekin Volck, 690 East Main St., $360,000.

PALMER

Pedro D. Fernandes, Adriene Aparecida Silva Fernandes, Adriene A. Fernandes and Adriene Aparecida Fernandes to Ryan Wytas, L 15 Baptist Hill St., $382,000.

ROWE

Joyce A. Boutwell and Raymond L. Boutwell to Arthur D. Churchill, 7 Potter Road., $87,137.

RUSSELL

Garth M. Mastello and Kendra G. Mastello to Kathleen Freeman and Thomas Radford Freeman, 315 Woodland Way, $517,000.

SOUTH HADLEY

Karl F. Enders to Karl F. Enders, trustee, and

Karl F. Enders Trust, 88 Charon Terrace, $100. Gaetano J. Milano to Gaetano J. Milano, Diana L. Milano and Gaetano F. Milano, 20 Lawrence Ave., $100.

Kyle Burton and Danielle Burton to Jared Joseph Mendoza, Jared J. Mendoza, Katherine Ann Mendoza and Katherine A. Mendoza, 29 River Lodge Road, $565,000.

Joy B. Vann to Joy B. Vann, trustee, and Revocable Indenture of Trust of Joy B. Vann, 3 Chateau Drive, $100.

LCR Builders LLC, to Christopher J. Jordan and Elizabeth Miller, 33 Pershing Ave., $415,000.

Brett Marrin to Joshua Schauer, 14 Carlton St., $305,000.

Chenevert Properties LLC, to Green Piranhas LLC, 13-15 Canal St., $220,000.

Kenneth M. Ittner Jr., to Anita P. Lengieza, Life Estate, Mark A. Lengieza and Brett H. Geissler, Bartlett Street, $100.

Charlotte Wood-Harrington and Andrew N. Harrington to Robert Johnson and Carolyn Johnson, 93 Pittroff Ave., $489,000.

David Swierzewski and Lesli O’Connell to Melba Maria Sanchez Ayendez and Alberto Garcia Moll, 48 Hillside Ave., $505,000.

Geri S. Leporati and Alexander F. Root to Anthony John Colapietro and Morgan Jenna Colapietro, 35 Woodlawn St., $287,500.

John A. Bacevicius VI, and Amy Elizabeth Bacevicius to Changhui Pak and Dong Seong Ko, 4 Pheasant Run, $639,500.

SOUTHAMPTON

Todd M. Helems to Lilia Aliyeva and Oleg Aliyev, 108 Crooked Ledge Road, $182,500.

Thomas J. Bashista, trustee, Cheryl L. Bashista, trustee, and Thomas J. Bashista & Cheryl L. Bashista Revocable Trust to Amanda Bashista and Damascus Alexander Waters, 220 Pomeroy Meadow Road, $410,000.

SOUTHWICK

Amber R. Bradway, Amber R. Bliesener and Joshua D. Bradway to Shaquana Nataya Burch, 114 Feeding Hills Road, $520,000.

Brian Basch and Tina Basch to Michael Shane Carroll and Patrick Ward Youngblood, 11 Noble Steed Crossing, $804,000.

Joseph Molta Jr., to Michael Wing and Salema Wing, 345 North Loomis St., $590,000.

Josephine A. Cahill to Group LLC, Analytical Sciences Marketing and Anniemac Private Equity Cash2keys, 7 Pondview Lane, $710,000.

Matthew Thomas Kidrick to Helena Alves, 41 Bungalow St., $335,000.

Vincent Petrangelo and Jennifer Petrangelo to Joshua Bradway and Amber Bradway, 18 Meadow La, $915,000.

SPRINGFIELD

Adrian Delgado to Raquel Sarina Grady, 166 King St., $287,500.

Alexis D. Burgos to Kaleb Iovanni Baez, 82 Lloyd Ave., $350,000.

Alfonso R. Fernandez to Shawn P. Antunes, 66 Pasco Road, $270,000.

Ana Jalowski to Nana Prempeh and Juliet Agyeman Prempeh, 77 Parkside St., $310,000.

Androniki Baladinakis to Andy M. Reyes Calderon and Melvin A. Flete Jimenez, 105 Malden St., $335,000.

Antonio J. Sanches and Maria Costa Sanches to Miguel Angel Martinez Fonseca and Maria Socorro Martinez Rosario, 117 Spear Road, $308,000.

ARPC LLC, to Jose Nieves Sanchez, 701 Parker St., $300,000.

Artha Real Estate LLC, to Kids Club 1 Root Inc., 101 Mulberry St., Unit 114, $122,000.

Ayouba Mahamane to Aljandro Torres and Zoila Ramos-Torres, 215 Pine Acre Road, $330,000.

Carlos J. Garcia and Nerida I. Maisonett Velez to Amarilis Delis Reyes, 276-278 Wilbraham Road, $295,000.

Clarence Blackman and Mary Blackman to Sarah Ricketts, 581-583 Armory St., $410,000. Corfou LLC, to Eliezer Adao Barbosa, 109 Bacon Road, $290,000.

David P. Coughlin and Leeann M. Coughlin to Luis E. Rivera III, 50 Duryea St., $275,000.

Diana Marte and Leury Antonio Ortega to Bethzaida Santana, 155 Lucerne Road, $300,000.

Earl Andrews, trustee, and EA One Realty Trust, trustee of, to Sasha Coombs, 60 Foster St., $360,000.

Edwin Torres to Andre Ferdinand and Dieula Cherival, 30-32 Dunhill Ave., $430,000.

Emanuel Aguilar and Abilene Linet Aguilar to Jared R. Lacovara, 25 Hazen St., $375,000.

Eric F. Galarza and Eric F. Galarza Melendez to Charles Warren, 1407-1409 Worcester St., $470,000.

Gemini Town Homes LLC, to Yakira Dalmeida, 60 Central St., Unit 401, $206,000.

Gerardo Rosas and Rafaela Delina Soliz Espinoza to Anthony Rene Molina Popol, 77 Manhattan St., $225,000.

Hector L. Rosario, Victor M. Rosario Jr., Maria D. Acuna, Anna Santana and Margarita Canuel to Manuel H. Medina and Amelia Rodriguez-Medina, 589 Allen St., $330,000.

Helen M. Shea to Tyrone Zaitshik and Barry Smith, 21-23 Biltmore St., $75,000.

James B. Morrissey Jr., trustee, John Swift, trustee, and Springfield Ventures Realty Trust, trustee of, to Logan James LaCroix, 25 Clifton Ave., $240,000.

Jeffrey Walsh and Camille Walsh to Aida L. Ortiz, 189 Essex St., Unit L, $211,000.

Jo-Ann E. Supino to Jiovanny Vaccaro-Russo and Geremias Santiago, 2480 Wilbraham Road, $356,000.

Johnathan Feliciano to Hansel E. Ademan Monegro, 425 Taylor St., $350,000.

Julio Nunez and Joseline M. Aponte to Thi K. P. Nguyen, 114 Newhouse St., $322,190.

Kevin M. Morrison to Heath John Richardson Jr., 115 Carnarvon Circle, $315,000.

Laura Sullivan, Laura Fanning and Robert Sullivan to Taylor Jacob Karlquist and Nicole Elyse Karlquist, 52 Gillette Circle, $313,000.

Lee R. Figueroa and Maria G. Figueroa to Virgen Soto Irizarry and Dennieli Serrano, 33 Savoy Ave., $290,000.

Lindsey Roberts to Michael Gene Horsler and Joan Carol Horsler, 89 East St., $265,000.

Liudmila Vasileva to Evgenii Vasilev, 56 Randall Place, $291,000.

Lucas Giusto, trustee, Dominic Santaniello, trustee, and Naples Home Buyers Trust, trustee of, to Sonia Sousa Aguiar, 374 Commonwealth Ave., $270,000.

Maria McNulty, Diane Tobin, Christine Porcello and Michael R. Porcello to Nicole Debra Tavares, 60 Terrace Lane, $354,500.

Marie T. Mazza, estate, and Mario M. Mazza, representative, to Shumoka Gates, 75 Osborne Terrace, $315,000.

Mary Ann Bak, representative, Linda Marie Bak, estate, and Linda B. Beausoleil, estate, to Luis R. Ortiz, 59 Eddy St., $185,000.

Megan Troche and Ramon A. Troche to Erick S. Aguirre and Luldez A. Gonzalez, 391 Plumtree Road, $440,000.

Genevieve Construction Development Group Inc., to Zaira Marie Soto Perez and Ricardo Baez Guerra, 45 Penacook St., $300,000.

Michael J. Perez to Chester & Chester Inc., 158166 Chestnut St., Unit 1A, $150,000.

Michael T. Rucks and Deborah Rucks to France Saintil, 95 Montrose St., $245,000.

Monica L. Heatherstone to Dominic Santaniello, Lucas Giusto, trustee, and Naples Home Buyers Trust, trustee of, 118 Keddy St., $65,000.

MS Homes LLC, to Harry Rodriguez Padilla, 93-95 Orpheum Ave., $410,000.

Naylor Nation Real Estate LLC, to CL Holdings LLC, Goldenrod Street, Lot 47, $120,000.

NKZ Realty Inc., to Toni D. Miller, 94 David St., $328,000.

OnStar Properties AA LLC, to JJJ17 LLC, 744746 Carew St., $152,500.

Orlando Olmeda to Noemys S. Servino De Fernandez and Noemys S. Servino De Fernandez, 268 Jasper St., $243,620.

Raymond Douglas to Michele Strum, 23 Pearl Lane, $385,000.

Robert W. Labrie and Nancy A. Labrie to Giovanna L. Bacchiocchi and Anthony Zambelli, 168 Oak Hollow Road, $365,000.

Ronald Q. Taylor to Donald A. Clark, trustee, and 11-15 PSC Realty Trust, trustee of, 11-15 Pine Street Court, $2,500.

Ruet Properties LLC, to Richard Viruet and Kiana Justine Ivette Franqui-Viruet, 5 Lynebrook Road, $314,000.

Scott M. Poirier, trustee, and Maxine C. Poirier Family Revocable Trust, trustee of, (TR OF) to Cristian Reyes-Castro, 131 Rosemary Drive, $318,000.

Sergey Savonin to Deybi Paradis Feliciano, Francheska Santana De Paradis and Francheska Santana De Paradis, 11 Jennings St., $439,900.

Shawna L. Davis to Jayson J. Tavernier and Erica L. Matta, 106 Amherst St., $285,000.

Springfield Blossom LLC, and OM Real Estate Holdings LLC to BRVS LLC, 41-43 Lawe St, $1,350,000.

Springfield Blossom LLC, and Om Real Estate Holdings LLC to BSA2022 LLC, 174-176 Laconia St, $1,500,000.

Springfield Blossom LLC, and OM Real Estate Holdings LLC, to RVA2022 LLC, 1138-1140 Boston Road, $1,500,000.

Carpet

I thought this opinion might get me exiled from the design world, but the professional designers I spoke with for this story felt otherwise.

“Wall-to-wall carpeting is coming back in a big way,” said Summer Thornton, a designer based in Chicago, in an email. Thornton particularly likes using it to give a space a vintage feel.

“There is something about it that feels very contrary right now, almost naughty, because it was so taboo and out of fashion for so long,” she added. “That makes it very appealing to me.”

I’m glad I’m not alone on this one. Here’s why I think wall-to-wall carpet deserves a second chance.

It muffles the madness

I knew that things would be louder when we removed the carpet, but I didn’t realize we’d be living in a pinball machine. Now every sound bounces: the clang of a spoon in the sink, the dramatic flop of my husband on the

Deeds

CONTINUES FROM PAGE F9

Suhem A. Soffan to Jonzay Rios, 3436 Los Angeles St., $332,000.

Sylvia A. Brodeur to Markus Rivera, Nassau Drive, Unit 42, $222,000.

Tamara J. Blake and Tamara J. Blake-Owens to Jason Torres and Janelisse Reyes, 136 Rosewell St., $255,000.

Tat Fun Chan to Tavernier Investments LLC, 305 Dickinson St., $180,000.

Tatiana Natacha Yao and Tatiana Natacha A. Bangoret to Paula Wright and Concepcion Wright, 184 Arthur St., $262,000.

Torres Prime Holdings LLC, to Milkeya M. Tiburcio Duran, 48-50 Spruce St., $475,000.

Tracy Ascolillo to Emmanuel John Baladinakis, 75 Puritan Road, $312,000.

Van Tran to Nythida Dao, 6 North Chatham St., $245,000.

Wilfred Joseph and Joselie Gelin

Joseph to AJ Capital Inc., 67 Euclid Ave., $55,000.

Winners O LLC, to OnStar Properties AA LLC, 267 Orange St., $465,000.

Wilmington Savings Fund Society, trustee, and Ibis Holdings A Trust, trustee of, to Haldy A. Rodriguez Baez, 74-78 Leyfred Terrace, $299,000.

Y&M Home Solutions LLC, to Adel

sofa. Wall-to-wall carpet puts a muffler on all that.

“People love to hate it,” says Tanya Lacourse, the Atlanta designer behind Violet Marsh Interiors, but carpet has “a lot of value if done well … it dead-ends any sound.” Tracy Morris, a designer in McLean, Virginia, agrees: “If you have a baby, if you have teenagers that are gaming all day, it will really cut the noise.”

It gives retro vibes

Wall-to-wall carpet has a bad rap thanks to decades of builder-grade beige and stained carpet in sad rentals. But it deserves a rebrand. Done in quality materials, it’s more tactical than tragic. I loved the uninterrupted plane of one calming — or energizing — color underfoot.

Thornton is working on a beach condo with a throwback modernist vibe, and while most of the flooring is terrazzo, her team used plush wall-to-wall carpets for the bedrooms in shades of periwinkle, lilac and mint. “It feels so fresh and lively, and best of all, it is super comfortable,” she said.

Gonzalez Hernandez, Miguel Gonzalez Hernandez and Sasha Rivera-Ortiz, 31-33 Hunt St., $370,000.

WARE

Paige M. Wojcieszek and Margaret D. Sorel to Justin Grimshaw and Danielle Grimshaw, 38 Lois St., $215,000.

Jason S. Finnie and Nicole S. Hill-Finnie to Ashley D. Langlois and William G. Anderson, 26 Horseshoe Circle, $351,000.

Tracy H. Cormier and Donna Cormier to P & A Development Inc., Old Poor Farm Road, $90,000.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

1285 Riverdale Street LLC, to KMV Riverdale LLC, 1285 Riverdale St., $1,150,000.

Charles A. Pignatare, trustee, Dagmar Pignatare, trustee, Heidi Trust, trustee of, Nancy Kane, trustee, and Suk Realty Trust, trustee of, to Christina L. Suheen and Sergiy N. Suheen, 2403 Westfield St., $200,000.

Dhan Maya Chhetri, Bikash Chhetri, Hem B. Chhetri and Rabina Chhetri to Padam Gajmer and Shova Lagoon Gajmer, 28-30 Colton Ave., $370,000.

U S A Housing & Urban Development to Krishna Kharel and Madhu Kharel, 10 Laurel Road, $260,000.

Equity Trust Co., custodian, Robert Lareau IRA, and Robert Lareau to John Lavalley, 76 Wolcott Ave.,

It’s so soft underfoot

A wide swath of plush wall-to-wall carpet is unbelievably snug. Sinking into it felt like wrapping myself in a favorite sweater. And because we have a young child and a tiny dog, we spend a lot of time on the floor. Now, if I languish too long on the cold, hard LVP, my edges hurt.

“I love how it’s always comfortable underfoot — who wants to step out of bed onto a cold, hard floor?” Nashville-based designer Lynde Easterlin said in an email. Morris, who loves using carpet in bedrooms and basements, agrees. “It’s genuinely cozy,” she says. I also loved the uninterrupted span of plushness under my bare feet; the fuzzy socks I’ve purchased as a salve aren’t having the same effect. “For some of my clients, especially those with bedrooms that feel a bit too large, wall-to-wall carpet … really helps to envelop the space and make it feel cozier,” Easterlin says. And if done in bold geometric patterns, a la spaces created by British interior designer David Hicks, it can “ground a space and anchor the furniture,” she adds.

It’s gone upscale

Our own wall-to-wall was as basic as it comes, but knowing what I know now, I could have splurged on the decidedly decadent carpets that designers swear by. Designer Sarah Bohleber of the firm Roberts Bohleber Interior Design in Knoxville, Tennessee, says that the options for wall-to-wall performance carpets have leveled up and now include bespoke choices with subtle patterns in up to a 24-foot width. (She often installs them in walk-in-closets as well as primary bedrooms.) There has been a “really great rise of amazing carpets that not only have a great look but a great feel,” Bohleber says.

Among them: silk, wool and Tencel mixes that are cleanable and offer a luminous aesthetic and dense plushness that would no doubt be delightful on my toes.

Adds Morris, who often prefers wallto-wall carpets in silky nylon: “It’s not your 1970s shag anymore.” So, while we’re not going back to a full carpet revival anytime soon, I think in our next home I’ll soften up and embrace the plush life — in the bedrooms, at least.

$345,500.

Gerard B. Matthews and Elizabeth T. Matthews to Mario A. Sotolotto and Catherine E. Sotolotto, 177 Rogers Ave., Lot A, $150,000.

Igor Zagorodnjuk, Igor Boykov and Kayeryna Boykov to Juan Miguel Santiago, 70 Riverdale St., $359,000.

Katarzyna Wysocki to Eray Arslan, 1051 Elm St., Unit 8, $263,000.

Kevin B Oconnor and Susan L Rak to Fayaz A Khan and Attia Naz, 82 Worcester St, $300,000.

Thomas A Dandrea (SR) and Jacqueline E Dandrea to Hayden L Guyette and Kathryn E Manley, 373 Birnie Ave, $390,000.

Valerie A Ungerer to c Dream Builders Construction LLC, 58 Field St., $205,000.

William Torres and Victoria Melendez to Joseph C. Siepietowski and Lisa J Lannon, 83 Armstrong St., $235,000.

WESTFIELD

Barbara J. McSherry, executrix, Barbara Jean McSherry, executrix, Rose Lonczak, estate, and Rose F. Lonczak, estate, to Robin Sheldon and Paul Troy, 713 Holyoke Road, $125,000.

Chase Realty Holdings Inc., to Lester Oakley LLC, 470 Southampton Road, $500,000.

Christiana Trust, trustee, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, trustee, and Victoria Capital Trust, trustee of, to Katie Cooper and Larisa Andujar, 25 Pleasant St., $220,000.

Cindy Sklarski to Michael A. Sklarski, 159 Reservoir Ave., $340,000.

David J. Hearn to Morning Glory 321 LLC, 60 White St., $423,000.

H2 Asset Solutions Inc., to Cornerstone Homebuying LLC, 24 Francis St., $147,000.

Joan A. Ensign to Ryan E. Olearczyk and Cassandra L. Olearczyk, 143 Elizabeth Ave., $430,000.

Judith D. Asselin, representative, and Lindsey Asselin, estate, to Michael Boucher, 34 Coolidge Ave., $296,500.

Michael A. Bertoncelli and Denise M. Bertoncelli to John Marquis and Edith Rebecca Beauzay, 419 Southwick Road, Unit F-26, $350,000.

Peter Fattorini, representative, Janice Gryszkiewicz, representative, and Louis T. Fattorini, estate, to Anthony Fattorini and Jenelyn Fattorini, 125 Highland View St., $259,000.

Steven M. Sklarski, Kathy J. Renaud and Karen J. King to Cindy A. Sklarski, 79 Belleview Drive, $300,000.

WESTHAMPTON

Patricia A. Jalette to Sean Walter McClurkan and Victoria Ann McClurkan, 121 Kings Highway, $435,000.

WHATELY

Kyle Jarvis, “aka” Kyle D. Jarvis, to Cristina Lucin, 171 Haydenville Road, $425,000.

WILBRAHAM

David E. Nicoll and Sheila Long Nicoll to Arthur F. Manarite Jr., 985 Tinkham Road, $381,000.

Deanna Pellegrino to Michael A. Powers and Jessica W. Powers, 905 Stony Hill Road, $460,000.

Erin T. Lamoureux to Sean Quirk and Luz Quirk, 2205 Boston Road, Unit P-157, $340,000.

Joan D. Paris to Nadine Pierre-Louis and Yvon Pierre-Louis, 33 Shirley St., $500,000.

Laura M. Quink to Kai Cui, 479 Springfield St., $370,000. Mila Janeiko to Peter D. Kochanowski, 10 Severyn St, $265,000. Pah Properties LLC, to Matthew Connors, 908 Tinkham Road, $399,000. Tennessee Jed Realty Trust, trustee of, and Bedrock Financial LLC, trustee, to Dianne Lavoie and Garrett Lavoie, 1 Ely Road, $827,200.

WILLIAMSBURG

Valerie

WORTHINGTON

PUBLIC AUCTION

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

MORTGAGEE’S FORECLOSURE AUCTION HELD ON THE PREMISES

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 202 5 11 AM 44 Frontenac St, Springfield (Indian Orchard), MA

Terms of Sale: Deposit by bank check required to register to bid at time of sale. Visit: currentauctions.towneauction.com or call. Balance to be paid 30 days from sale date. Other terms announced at sale. Auctioneer makes no representations to the accuracy of the information contained herein. NO CASH - S. Hill - MA Lic. AU 3381

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION

Friday, August 22, 2025

11:00

Fine Art including Jules Depre & S.G.

Victrolas, Rogers Group, African, textiles, toys, cast iron trains, transit, Pennant pin ball machine, oriental rugs and more. PREVIEW: THURS. 8 AM - 4 PM & FRI 8 AM - 6 PM View Numbered Catalog Online www.DouglasAuctioneers.com