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Holyoke Community College



Our Classes

Writing Short Stories: A Beginner’s Guide EXPR 079.51, CRN 26205

$35
Calendar Jul 15, 2026 at 5 pm
Writing short stories (1,000–30,000 words) helps you discover your writing voice and how to convey your ideas. You’ll learn how to bring your story to life with an engaging plot, as well as character development, action, and dialogue. You’ll also learn the technical parts of crafting a short story, including structure, important character moments, and progression in the story. You’ll also know what to do with your short story once completed, including editing, proofing, and publishing options. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Writing for Online Blogs, Magazines & Websites EXPR 068.51, CRN 26206

$35
Calendar Jul 16, 2026 at 5 pm

You don’t need a journalism degree or previously published articles to write for anyone’s online blog, magazine, or website. Some opportunities offer exposure, while many pay well -- $1 a word and more. In this fast-paced session, you will learn how to: find ideas, sources, and more than 1,000 opportunities that pay, conduct interviews and create interesting content, protect your copyright, write query letters, and then use this credibility to sell other articles or even your self published novel. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Get Paid to Help (Tutoring/Homework & Babysitting) MONY 084.51, CRN 26207

$25
Calendar Jul 16, 2026 at 7 pm
Ready to start earning money while helping others? This practical class teaches you how to turn your natural skills into trusted services, communicate professionally with parents and clients, and stay safe and confident on the job. Whether you’re tutoring math, babysitting the neighbor’s kids, or helping with homework, you’ll learn how to market yourself, set fair rates, and make a real difference—all while turning that into cash—and building your rep as someone people can count on. The instructor, LeeAnne Krusemark, an award winning business owner, has been helping teen entrepreneurs succeed for years. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Passive Income 101: Create Products That Sell While You Sleep (including 50 product ideas) BUSN 038.51, CRN 26215

$35
Calendar Jul 17, 2026 at 5 pm
Unlock the secrets to earning money around the clock. This dynamic class teaches you practical strategies and step-by-step tools to develop, launch, and automate income-generating products that keep working for you with minimal ongoing effort. You’ll learn how to identify profitable opportunities (50 ideas included!), build irresistible offerings, master automated sales and marketing systems, and scale your income streams—all while protecting your work and overcoming common hurdles. Get ready to transform your ideas into a powerful, passive income machine that works day and night. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a Chamber of Commerce Past President, current author/editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Write Your First Novel (in 90 Days!) EXPR 070.51, CRN 26216

$45
Calendar Jul 17, 2026 at 7 pm

This intensive course provides a schedule of crafting a novel from start to finish, which you can finish in as little as 90 days! This class will also help you stay motivated throughout the journey. You will learn how to: • select your novel genre and develop a compelling premise • create multidimensional characters and immersive settings • craft a detailed plot outline • manage your time to keep your writing flow consistent • combat common roadblocks including writer’s block • master the art of self-editing: refining your plot, and fixing pacing, dialogue, and characterization problems. • receive constructive criticism from beta readers • explore publishing options. By the end of this class, you will know how to complete your novel and have the knowledge and confidence to move forward with the publishing process. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Around the world with Chef Swanigan (Ages 9-16) FOOD 124.51, CRN 26209

$425
Calendar Jul 20, 2026 at 9 am

Ages: 9 - 16

Cuisine around the world serves as a universal language that unites people across cultures through shared flavors, traditions, and stories. Join us for an exciting week of hands-on culinary fun, where young chefs will discover the joy of cooking delicious, easy-to-prepare meals to share with family and friends. Participants will work together to chop, season, cook, and taste a variety of recipes - all made from scratch. Each day introduces new menu themes, ingredients, and techniques designed to build confidence in the kitchen. Along the way, students will learn essential skills such as kitchen safety, proper sanitation, and effective teamwork. By the end of the week, your young chef will take home a collection of new recipes, improved culinary skills, and plenty of flavorful memories to share with others. By the end of the week, your young chef will take home a collection of new recipes, improved culinary skills, and plenty of flavorful memories to share with others.

The menu for each day will be as follows:

Monday- Asia Teriyaki Bowl (white rice, teriyaki grilled chicken, mix of vegetables)

Tuesday- Puerto Rico Spanish rice and beans, Fried Pork Chops, Sweet Plantain, Side Salad

Wednesday- Greek Lemon Potatoes, Herb Baked Chicken, Mediterranean Salad

Thursday- Italy Genovese (Rigatoni w sugo alla genovese sauce), Caprese Salad

Friday- Cajun French Jambalaya (andouille sausage, chicken, shrimp) Smothered Cabbage, Sweet Cornbread

Please alert us to any food allergies upon registration & bring a food safe container each day for leftovers to go home.

Dropoff no earlier than 8.45am & pickup no later than 3.15pm, both signed for by parents or guardians only.

No Uber, Lyft or Taxi’s permitted.

Make Your First Video Game (age 8-10) YUTH 109.51, CRN 26087

$199
Calendar Jul 20, 2026 at 9 am

Ages: 8 - 10

In this Black Rocket classic, you will go well beyond the limitations of the traditional 2D game design classes and create an immersive 3D world. Students will learn the physics behind 3D games, explore beginner event scripting, level design, controlling the flow of gameplay, and storytelling. Student projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Projects are only compatible with Windows devices. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Students can only be registered if their actual age matches the advertised age range of the class. If a registration is received that does not comply, we will have to cancel the registration and issue a refund. 

Dropoff no earlier than 15 minutes prior to class start time & pickup no later than 15 minutes after class end time, both signed for by parents or guardians only.

No Uber, Lyft or Taxi’s permitted.

Instructor Brittany Pietskowski

Passport to Flavors with Chef Vargas-Gonzalez (Ages 9-16) FOOD 126.51, CRN 26213

$425
Calendar Jul 20, 2026 at 9 am

Ages: 9 - 16

Calling all young food lovers - it’s time to travel the world through food! This hands-on cooking camp takes kids on a delicious journey across global cuisines, exploring flavors, techniques, and ingredients that make each culture unique. They will dive into fun daily themes like diner classics, Mexican favorites, Mediterranean feasts, Filipino street bites, and Southern comfort food, all while building confidence one tasty dish at a time. Throughout the week, young chefs will practice kitchen safety, learn proper knife skills, and discover how to balance flavors using herbs, spices, and sauces from around the world. They’ll also work together on team cooking challenges that inspire creativity, problem-solving, and presentation skills.

The menu for the week will be as follows:

Monday (Diner Classic) Fried Chicken Sliders, Sweet Potato Fries, House pickles, Banana Cream Pudding Shooters

Tuesday (Mexican )Steak and Cheese Quesadilla with street corn salad, pico de gallo and sour cream (Cilantro rice as a group)

Wednesday (Mediterranean) Beef kofta, fattoush salad, tzatziki and pita

Thursday (Filipino Bowl) Chicken skewers, with white rice, topped with fried shallots, pickled carrots, scallions, cucumber

Friday (Southern Vibes) Baked Mac and Cheese, Pulled Pork, Slaw and Cornbread

Please alert us to any food allergies upon registration & bring a food safe container each day for leftovers to go home.

Dropoff no earlier than 8.45am & pickup no later than 3.15pm, both signed for by parents or guardians only.

No Uber, Lyft or Taxi’s permitted





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