HUNTINGTON – The Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center (SHAEC) recently announced its fall classes, which are free to hilltown residents. While many of the courses are taught in the SHAEC classroom in Room 152 in the Gateway Regional School High School Complex on 12 Littleville Road in Huntington, other classes are taught in community senior centers and other venues throughout the hilltowns. Although designed for Hilltown residents, most classes are open to everyone unless otherwise noted.
Jim Helems of Adventure Dogs Sports Camp in Huntington will teach Canine Nutrition. (Submitted photo)
Coming up this Friday, Sept. 1, “Canine Nutrition” will be offered at the Gateway classroom, Room 162. The class, which will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and still has space available, is an abbreviated version of the 8 hour program taught by Jim Helems of Adventure Dogs Sports Camp in Huntington. Helems has over 22 years of emergency medical experience with the USAF and over 10 years working with dogs. This combined experience gives him unique qualifications in teaching pet owners how to care for their pets.
The Canine Nutrition class will consider the best foods for your dog; which people foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. It will also take a quick look at the pet food industry, and teach how to read and decipher a pet food label. The class will also offer tips on how to improve your dog’s diet, and how to determine if your dog is overweight.
Other upcoming classes Helems will teach this fall include “Canine & Feline First Aid” on Friday, Sept. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and “Canine Herbal Care” on Friday, Sept. 29, 5:30 to 7 p.m. All classes are free, except for a $15 charge for the Canine Herbal Care class, which will cover materials for three take-home herbal remedies created in class.
SHAEC, which is a program of the UMASS Labor/Management Workplace Education Program, also offers HiSet/GED and computer classes through a grant from the Community Development Block Grant program.
HiSet math teacher Lenny Lapon. (Submitted photo)
Starting next week is a six week HiSet/GED Math class on Thursday evenings, Sept. 7 to Oct. 12 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m in the SHAEC classroom. The class, which is limited to hilltown residents only by its CDBG grant, will help students of all mathematical abilities to prepare for the GED/ HiSet High School Equivalency Test. Taught by math teacher Lenny Lapon, the class is individualized to each student. Preregistration is required by calling 413-685-1052, or emailing [email protected].
Another new class being offered this year is “How to Start a Bed & Breakfast,” taught by Denise LeDuc, owner of Seven Hearths Bed & Breakfast in Chesterfield, founded in 1990. The class is in direct response to the recent Economic Development Plan for the hilltowns, created by Elan Planning and Design and funded by the Hilltown Collaborative Community Compact grant, which noted a need for more lodging choices in the area.
Seven Hearths Bed & Breakfast owner Denise LeDuc will teach “How to Start a Bed and Breakfast.” (Submitted photo)
LeDuc will cover the pros and cons of running a B&B, Massachusetts laws on having a home B&B vs. an establishment, networking, advertising and food prep/ServSafe. The class, also being held in the SHAEC classroom at Gateway, takes place on Wednesday, September 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
SHAEC partner, the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers will lead four group hikes in the hilltowns this fall, beginning with a guided tour of the Keystone Arches Trail on Sunday, Sept. 17, with a meetup at 10 a.m. at the Chester Rail Station. The hike will be narrated by Dave Pierce of the Chester Foundation.
Western Mass Hilltown Hikers will lead a guided tour of the Keystone Arches. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Upcoming hikes include Littleville Lake on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 10:20 a.m.; Noble View in Russell on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 10:30 a.m. and the Chesterfield Gorge on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, email [email protected].
SHAEC Program Director Michele Kenney said many of the classes are made possible through volunteers and the Friends of SHAEC, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports the work and outreach of SHAEC. “My amazing classes are because of the wonderful people in the community,” said Kenney.
Friends of SHAEC will be holding “Drink and Paint!,” two painting fundraisers at the Chester Common Table on October 22 and December 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. to support the work of SHAEC. Participants will be led through painting a beautiful fall harvest of pumpkins in Oct. and poinsettias in Dec., while enjoying the camaraderie of drinks and friends. All materials are supplied, and a cash bar is available. The cost is $35 ($30 for seniors, veterans and the military). Call 413-685-1052 to register for the fundraiser, or for more information on classes, or email [email protected].
