HCC opens registration for spring noncredit classes
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College has opened registration for its Spring 2026 catalog of noncredit personal enrichment and professional development classes. The spring calendar begins Jan. 12, with individual classes running on different schedules throughout the semester.
New next semester is a series of classes for seniors focused on basic technology. Each one-hour class is available for just $20 and cover a wide range of subjects, including Windows 11, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Canva (for graphic design), Artificial Intelligence, Zoom, smartphone use (Android or iPhone), managing and editing photos, document storage, web browsers, and computer scams.
Other classes for spring include cooking (Caribbean, charcuterie, Puerto Rican, Southern), wine tasting (winter reds, Tuscany, New Zealand, Rose, summer wines), sewing (for beginners), sewing (machine), watercolor painting, acrylic painting, drawing, piano, conversational French, conversational Spanish, music technology, voiceover coaching, financial literacy, retirement planning, K-12 education (professional development), writing and publishing (fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, short stories, query letters, mysteries, travel, blogs), ChatGPT, how to launch a pet-sitting and dog-walking business, and Quickbooks.
Most classes meet in the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development on the main HCC campus, 303 Homestead Ave. Cooking and wine-tasting classes meet at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St. Some classes meet over Zoom.
To see complete spring course listings and schedules, or to register, please visit hcc.edu/bcs. More classes will be added as spring approaches.
Explore flora, fauna of Rivulet Trail at Bryant Homestead
CUMMINGTON — Visitors are encouraged to explore the flora and fauna of the Rivulet Trail at the Bryant Homestead on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join naturalist guide Aimee Gelinas, director of the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center in celebrating the start of winter and learning about the evergreen plants, trees and signs of wildlife on the Rivulet Trail at the Bryant Homestead Trustees property.
This is an easy to moderate hike (or snowshoe depending on conditions) with frequent stops to identify flora and fauna. This hike is free to Cummington and Goshen residents, and donation is suggested for all others. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Goshen and Cummington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency” in conjunction with the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural. Registration required, email full_circle_o@yahoo.com.
Northampton Rec to offer Nigh Sky class
NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for Winter Observing the Night Sky Class.
In this program, participants learn to identify major constellations, and enjoy views of Jupiter, the moon and other astronomical objects through a large telescope.
The class is scheduled for Monday evenings after dark. It will begin on Jan, 12 and will run for three weeks. It is designed for adult participants. Children ages 6 and older may register with an adult.
For more information, or to register you may email or call the Northampton Parks and Recreation Department at 413-587-1040 or recreation@northamptonma.gov, or online at northamptonma.gov/recreation.
UMassFive donates hundreds of coats, clothing items
HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union members, staff, and community partners have donated hundreds of winter coats and clothing items to the Amherst Survival Center and the Gray House in Springfield. The donations were collected during a fall drive at UMassFive’s Hadley, Northampton and Springfield branches.
For the fourth consecutive year, UMassFive employees also volunteered to sort and organize donations at the Amherst Survival Center into a winter clothing pop-up boutique. Neighbors in need were welcome to visit the boutique to “shop” for free new and used winter clothing items, resulting in 393 coats being distributed.
The Amherst Survival Center also partnered with the Center for New Americans to provide winter items to newly arrived students. Donations collected at the Springfield branch were delivered to The Gray House, supporting some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Those interested in supporting the Amherst Survival Center or the Gray House can visit amherstsurvival.org and grayhouse.org to learn how to help.