Williamsburg Cultural Council taking applications

WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg Cultural Council is accepting applications for Mass Cultural Council’s fiscal 2025 cultural grants. The new grant cycle opened Sept. 1. Grant applications must be submitted through the MCC online grants management system by Oct. 16.

The mission of the WCC is to enrich the cultural fabric of the Williamsburg community and neighboring Hilltowns by promoting, funding and supporting local artists, educators and cultural organizations. They support projects that provide clear benefit to Williamsburg residents, are in close proximity to Williamsburg and accessible to Williamsburg residents, and are inclusive and reflective of cultural diversity.

The cultural council, which will distributed $5,700 in small grants, welcomes projects that provide opportunities for multi-generational interactions, partnerships between two or more organizations, interdisciplinary or integrated projects (arts, humanities, sciences), and projects that build community participation.

Applications are available at massculturalcouncil.org/communities/local-cultural-council-program/

For specific questions, contact the WCC at burgycc@gmail.com

Attorney to lead estate planning series at HCC 

HOLYOKE — Attorney Karen G. Jackson of Jackson Law in Holyoke will lead a three-course series on estate planning at Holyoke Community College, beginning Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.

In this high-level overview of estate planning, students will have a brief introduction to the health care proxy, advance directives and the differences between an advance directive, living will, DNR, and various health releases.

The risks of jointly titled property, the importance of the power of attorney (POA), the two types of POAs and key provisions of a well-drafted POA will also be discussed, along with the probate process, ways to avoid probate, the importance of the will and the key provisions in a well-drafted will.

All three classes will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. In the first class, students will learn about the health care proxy, advance directive, also known as a living will, and important releases.

The second class will be held on Oct. 10, and power of attorney and homesteads will be discussed. On Oct. 17, students will learn about the will and probate.

The cost for the series is $179. To register, call 413-552-2320 or visit hcc.edu/bce.

Quabbin Photo Group to meet in Belchertown

BELCHERTOWN — The Quabbin Photo Group will hold its monthly meeting on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Hope United Methodist Church, 31 Main St., Belchertown.

The program for the meeting is called “The Art of Travel Photography.” It will be led by Evan Terbush, who will guide attendees through some of his photography trips from the past few years, the planning, challenges, and how gear considerations change from one trip to the next. He’ll share what he has learned from his solo trips, and how he takes his camera gear, and himself, into challenging environments while sharing some of his work captured in the process.

Terbush has been into traveling and photographing for the better part of the past decade, with most of his photo trips being solo adventures. He has worked directly with organizations such as National Park institutes, eco-tourism agencies, tour guides, hotels, and others, to capture content for them on his trips.

All meetings are free and open to the public but voluntary donations are encouraged to help defray expenses. If you would like to join a meeting you may contact Gail Platz at gspqpg@gmail.com and/or Elaine Darr-Morton at darrmorton@charter.net

Wine-tasting classes begin Tuesday at HCC

HOLYOKE — Valley wine writer Ken Ross will lead four noncredit wine-tasting classes this fall at Holyoke Community College.

The monthly sessions will run from 6-8 p.m. starting Tuesday, and continue on Oct. 8, Nov. 12, and Dec. 10, at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St., Holyoke.

Each of the four stand-alone sessions will focus on wines from a different region: California, Chile and Argentina, Spain, and Italy. Each class is $59 and includes wine and light snacks.

Tuesday’s class will focus on California wines that cost less than $25 a bottle — red, white and sparkling wines from Napa, Sonoma, and other lesser-known wine regions in California.

To register for one or more classes, visit hcc.edu/wine.