League of Women Voters accepting book donations

NORTHAMPTON — Book donations are welcome from July 7-25 for the 74th annual book sale of The League of Women Voters of the Northampton Area.

All categories of hardcover and paperback books in good condition are accepted except for textbooks over 10 years old. Books can be dropped off at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School next to Cooley Dickinson Hospital or Cooper’s Corner in Florence beginning Monday. Details are available on the website of the League of Women Voters of the Northampton Area.

This year’s book sale Sept. 27 will offer a feature including information about and examples of banned books as well as around 10,000 used books to choose from.

The annual LWV Book Sale is a fund-raiser and also a community service offering a way to recycle books ensuring they will be preserved and enjoyed by others. LWV uses the funds raised for projects like voter education and registration, candidate forums in area communities, and advocating for positions that have been researched and agreed upon by LWV.

As we entered the digital age, some predicted print books would become obsolete. However, the continuing success of the annual League of Women Voters book sale and increasing activity at area libraries indicate print books remain treasured in this area. Books at the sale will include categories from children’s to fiction, foreign language, fine art, history, religion, science, hobbies, biography and classics.

Holyoke CC to hold Registration Express

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College will hold a special “Registration Express” event for summer and fall 2025 classes on Wednesday, July 9, when prospective students can apply for admission, take the college placement test, meet with an academic adviser, register for classes, and set up financial aid — all in one day.

HCC’s Registration Express event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Campus Center on the main campus at 303 Homestead Ave. and virtually over Zoom.

Summer session II classes at HCC begin July 14. Fall 2025 classes begin Tuesday, September 2. HCC also has Flex Start dates on Sept. 15 and Oct. 27.

Registration Express will also be an opportunity for prospective students to learn about MassEducate, the state’s new program for free community college.

Those who can’t make it in person can still participate on those days virtually through the Advising Center Zoom link. The Registration Express Zoom link can be accessed through a link on the Registration Express page on the HCC website: hcc.edu/regexpress

For more information, contact HCC Admissions at 413-552-2321 / admissions@hcc.edu, visit HCC online at hcc.edu, or take the next step at hcc.edu/sign-up-for-classes.

South Hadleyfireworks moved to Saturday night

SOUTH HADLEY — Due to uncertain weather conditions, the town’s annual fireworks originally scheduled for Thursday have been postponed to Saturday at Michael E. Smith Middle School, 100 Mosier St.

Festivities, including food trucks, vendors, rides, games, face painting and a live DJ, will begin at 5 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The South Hadley Community Band will also perform from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.