22nd NEF Spelling Adult Spelling Bee coming up

 NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Education Foundation will hold the 22nd annual Adult Spelling Bee on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, 130 Pine St., in Florence. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the Bee begins at 6 p.m.

The family-friendly event is free, but attendees must register in advance at bombyx.live/events/the-northampton-education-foundation-adult-spelling-bee. Walk-up entry will be available if we haven’t reached capacity.

NEF’s Spelling Bee raises money to support the Small Grants to Educators program. The grants fund the development of creative and innovative teaching and learning initiatives in Northampton Public Schools and Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. Last year’s Spelling Bee raised over $13,000 and NEF awarded over $30,000 in small grants across all grade levels and content areas in Northampton’s public schools.

Up to 40 teams of three adults will compete for awards in spelling, costume and humor. Sign up to sponsor and/or register a team at northamptoneducation.org/community-events/adult-spelling-bee.

WHMP will broadcast a live play-by-play of the Bee and Northampton Open Media will livestream the event.

Sheehan receives 2025 Rohan award

HOLYOKE — The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke has awarded the Rohan Award is Devin M. Sheehan. The award is presented to a person who has made significant contributions to the overall success of the St. Patrick’s Parade and/or the Association. The award was established in 1957 in honor of its first Grand Marshal, Thomas F. Rohan. Sheehan is the 66th recipient of the award.

Since joining the committee in 2008, Sheehan has held multiple leadership roles, including parade president in 2019 and chair of the board of directors. He has co-chaired the Grand Coronation Ball and Parade Program Book committees and contributed to other various committees including the Grand Marshals Reception, Golf Tournament, Parade Coordination, and Budget and Audit.

A Holyoke native, Sheehan graduated from Holyoke High School (2001), Franklin Pierce University (2005) and received his master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

An active member of the community, he has served on various local boards and was first elected to the Holyoke School Committee in 2009 and served until 2021. He was reappointed in August 2024 upon a vacancy. He currently serves as chief of staff for state Sen. Jake Oliveira.

Sheehan will be honored at the Coronation Ball and Awards Dinner in February 2025. Tickets and more information will be available online at holyokestpatricksparade.com.

Harvest Festival coming to Nonotuck Park

EASTHAMPTON — Fall-themed fun awaits those who venture to Nonotuck Park this weekend for the city’s 2024 Harvest Festival.

Attendees can peruse the entrants to this year’s annual pumpkin carving contests and enjoy art, food and more from local vendors. The festival will feature 30 artists, crafters, and goods and information vendors as well as an array of refreshments from New City Brewery, Batch Ice Cream, Crazy Arepas, La Veracruzana Mexican Restaurant, Thai Chili Truck and Wake the Dead Donuts.

DazzleDay Face Painters will provide face painting and balloon twisting from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Alsu during that time, Mainely Drafts Horse and Carriage will offer horse-drawn carriage rides.

The festival will take place on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., followed by a bonfire.