I recently helped a lovely couple find a great rental that really suited their needs.  While that alone usually makes me feel pretty good, my heart soared when I saw the news I've posted below.  The neighborhood newbies are already working to actively improve the area!  Way to be the change, John!  

Be inspired by John and take a look around, what small thing can you do today that could make a positive change in your own neighborhood? 

Szot parkgoers volunteer to help pick up trash
Posted: Jun 16, 2017 5:50 PM EDT
Updated: Jun 16, 2017 5:50 PM EDT
By Erin Fitzsimonds
By Darren Ayotte

CHICOPEE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -Residents are concerned after excessive litter was scattered through a Chicopee park.
Szot park is a treasure in the city, offering green play space, a playground and a splash pad. Which is why some are trying their best to clean it up.
Despite dozens of barrels around the park, trash is still tossed to the side.
Carolyn Porter, Chicopee Park Superintendent told Western Mass News this is their busiest time of the year, which means more people and sadly, more trash.
“"They choose to not walk the 5, 10, 15 or 20 feet to a nearby barrel," said Porter.
Staff clean the park daily, but the ongoing issue poses a challenge for crews.
"It's definitely unfortunate. I think the city does a great job, there is more than a sufficient amount of trash barrels," said John Miarecki, of Chicopee.
He noticed the trash building up on his weekly run and turned to social media calling on anyone who would be willing to volunteer with him tomorrow morning to clean it up.
"It's a public place, we all share it, and I think if we can reinforce personal responsibility, to pick up trash, then it is better for everybody," he said.
Anyone who would like to join Miraecki in cleaning up the park can shoot him an e-mail at john.miarecki@gmail.com
He even organized an event on Facebook called 'Clean Up! Szot Park' that will take place from 9 to 11 a.m.
Copyright 2017 Western Mass News (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. ​

​When a listing is more than a sale. 

The sale of my bestie’s house closed today.  It’s got me feeling a little nostalgic… I love this house.  It’s within walking distance of my own and she lived there for 14 years.  So much happened and changed over that time in our lives and in that house.  A long time ago, two girls would stand by the kitchen sink with their cigarettes blowing smoke out the window when it was too cold to go outside and we were still too young  to be worried yet about things like wrinkles and cancer.  Over the years she’s made me countless dinners, we’ve snuggled up with blankets by the pellet stove and watched 1,000 bad horror movies. There were roommates, there were parties, there were quiet evenings in the back yard by a fire, there were pets that I tried not to love. (Hi Roxy! Hi Mia! RIP Filly)  While she lived in this house we both met, fell in love with and married our husbands who thankfully also fell in love (with each other).  We got together there before my wedding and after hers.  Our fathers died.  We mourned, we lived, we laughed and we loved.  As we changed and grew, so did the house.  It was renovated and updated inside and out.  The little cape on the scrubby corner lot is now beautifully landscaped, fully fenced in and lovingly remodeled just as the scrappy girls with the cigarettes have matured and become more polished with age and experience.  

​Long story short, I've been reminded that in every transaction I'm a part of in my day to day, someone feels how I feel now.  It's an exciting new journey for the buyer and there may be some wistful nostalgia for the seller.  It feels good to really be connected to what I'm doing for work and I'm grateful for the awareness today's closing has given me.  

If you believe that houses have different types of energy based on the previous occupants, the new owners of this house are going to be starting out with some very positive vibes.  

​PS- We both quit smoking.