NEF Spelling Bee se for Wednesday night
NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Education Foundation (NEF) will hold the 24th Annual Adult Spelling Bee Wednesday 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.
This family-friendly event is free, but due to capacity regulations, attendees must register in advance at https://bombyx.live/events/the-northampton-education-foundation-adult-spelling-bee-3/. Walk-up entry will be available if capacity hasn’t been reached.
Each year, the Spelling Bee raises about $14,000 to support NEF’s Small Grants to Educators program. These grants fund the development of creative and innovative teaching and learning initiatives in the Northampton Public Schools and Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. In the 2025-26 school year NEF awarded 22 grants totalling $66,772 across all grade levels and content areas.
Up to 40 teams of three adults will compete for awards in spelling, costume and humor.
Last year’s Spelling Bee champions were The Bee Bee Kings, sponsored by The Dadz and Osaka Lunch Club.
WHMP will return to broadcast a live play-by-play of the bee and Northampton Open Media will livestream the event.
Spooky strings at CitySpace this Friday
EASTHAMPTON — Folk musician Dan Blakeslee will bring his Halloween alter ego, Doctor Gasp, back to CitySpace on Friday, Oct. 23, for an all-ages evening of spooky songs with western Massachusetts string band Moon Hollow.
The show is in the Blue Room at Old Town Hall, 43 Main St. Doors open at 7 p.m., and music begins at 7:30 p.m.
Armed with an acoustic guitar, Blakeslee performs original songs about vampires, ghosts and other creepy characters, drawing inspiration from vintage horror entertainers such as Bobby “Boris” Pickett and John Zacherle. Moon Hollow, a quartet featuring violin, mandolin, upright bass and guitar, blends folk, bluegrass, Americana and jazz.
The concert is part of CitySpace’s Partners in Performance Series, which pairs local and touring musicians. CitySpace is a nonprofit working to restore and preserve the 1869 Old Town Hall as an arts center.
For information, visit cityspaceeasthampton.org.
Bank collecting winter gear for Manna
NORTHAMPTON — Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s Northampton and Florence branches are collecting cold-weather clothing through Nov. 12 for guests of Manna Community Kitchen.
Accepted items include winter coats and wool socks in all sizes, adult-size thermals, hats, gloves and hand and foot warmers. Donations will supply Manna’s community resource center.
Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours at the bank’s branches at 67 King St. in Northampton and 6 Main St. in Florence.
Manna, which has served the area since 1986, offers community meals five days a week, home meal deliveries and a resource center with shower and laundry facilities.
“As the colder months quickly approach, coming together to gather cold-weather essentials for our neighbors in need is what community is all about,” said Jen Gallagher, the bank’s vice president and Northampton branch manager.
Shutesbury accepting applications for CPA grants
SHUTESBURY — The town’s Community Preservation Committee is accepting grant applications for projects involving historic resources, community housing, open space or recreation that will begin in fiscal 2028, which starts July 1, 2027.
Applicants must first submit a determination of eligibility form by Dec. 10. Full grant applications are due Feb. 4, 2027.
Both forms, along with information about the town’s Community Preservation Act grant process, are available at shutesbury.org/community_preservation. Applicants are encouraged to review the town’s Community Preservation Plan, also posted on the site.
Questions can be sent to cpc@shutesbury.org.