HCC recognizes faculty and staff at annual awards ceremony

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College English Professor Elizabeth Trobaugh of Amherst is the recipient of the 2025 Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence Award, HCC’s highest faculty honor.

As this year’s awardee, she will lead the procession of graduates and give the keynote faculty address at the college’s 78th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 31 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

The award was one of six presented during HCC’s annual, end-of-the-year staff and faculty awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 21.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the college for creating the ecosystem that allows me to do what I love so much, which is to be in the classroom with students,” Trobaugh said from the stage of the Leslie Phillips Theater. “I know the work that you do is what enables me to do the work I do that gives me so much pleasure and the opportunity to see students succeed, and that is the biggest gift. I am grateful to my students, who, over these 20-plus years, continuously, perpetually inspire me to do my best for them, because they are working hard and pursuing something so valuable and noble.”

The Marieb Award, endowed by the late HCC professor emeritus Elaine Marieb ‘80, recognizes a full-time member of the faculty for outstanding classroom teaching. Award recipients serve for one year, receive a small stipend for professional development, lead the procession at Commencement, and give the keynote graduation speech.

Trobaugh has been teaching at HCC since 2003. She has a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and a master’s degree and PhD from the University of Massachusetts. Her three children — Hannah, Tess, and Gabe — and son-in-law all attended HCC.

The college also presented the Christina Royal Equity in Action Award to Adina Gianelli of Conway, assistant professor of criminal justice; the Idelia Smith Adjunct Faculty Award to Erin Jackson of Glastonbury, Conn., an instructor in the veterinary technician program; the Outstanding Professional Staff Award to Allison Wrobel of Holyoke, HCC registrar; the Outstanding Classified Staff Award to Lindsy Providenti of Granby, administrative assistant in the BSTEM division; and the Outstanding Part-Time Staff Award to Lucien Dalton of South Hadley, a math tutor and engineering pathways coordinator.

Bands on Brewster summer concert series kicks off June 5

NORTHAMPTON – The city of Northampton and Northampton Brewery present the return of Bands on Brewster, the outdoor concert series set in Brewster Court —the walkway connecting the E.J. Gare Parking Garage to the Northampton Brewery.

The 2025 season kicks off Thursday, June 5, and continues every Thursday evening through June, July and August. The shows start at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. Perfect for post-work or post-dinner plans, this series features performances from local and regional talent.

The lineup includes June 5, The Classicals; June 12, Norma Dream; June 19, Wallace Field, Brittany Brideau; June 26, Avery Joi; July 3, The Greys; July 10, Simple Friend, Ribboncandy, King Radio; July 17, Hannah Mohan, Stefan Weiner; July 24, Lucia Dostal; July 31, The Hendersons; Aug. 7, Temporary Friends, Jeff Coyne; Aug. 14, Gold Dust; Aug. 21, Ruby Lou; and Aug. 28, Prewn

All shows are weather-dependent. For updates on inclement weather, check @nohoarts on Instagram by 10 a.m. the day of the show. For more information, contact Steve Sanderson at 413-587-1247 or by email at [email protected].

Williamsburg to hold celebration of arts and culture

WILLIAMSBURG – The Williamsburg Cultural Council will host the 2025 Celebration of Arts and Culture on Wednesday, Jun. 11, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at Meekins Library, 2 Williams St., in Williamsburg.

The celebration honors fiscal year 2025 cultural grant recipients. There will be performances and presentations from funded artists, musicians and environmentalists.

This spring the Williamsburg Cultural Council awarded 19 artistic and educational grants totaling $5,700 for cultural programs in Williamsburg and neighboring towns. Grant awards range from $200 to $400 and recipients include school programs such as the Hampshire Regional High School and Anne T. Dunphy School annual musicals and the publication of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School’s literary magazine, The Viking Runestone.

Environmental programs also received grants, including exploring the fauna, flora and cultural history of the Historic Dam Trail with a Tamarack Hollow naturalist; animal tracking with Anne T. Dunphy Family Outing Club; and holiday crafts with goats at Pause and Pivot farm.

Musical events receiving grants include KlezCummington, La Música Latin for Students at Hampshire Regional, Berkshire Hills Music Academy Intergenerational Performance at Anne T. Dunphy School, Plainfield Concerts at 7, Caregiver and Child Music Class for Hilltown Families at Meekins Library, Friday Night Café in Cummington, and a Community Square Dance at Ashfield Town Hall.

Projects also included nature poetry, Shakespearean theater, a writing workshop, and the Chesterfield July 4 Parade.

Decisions about which activities to support are made at the community level by a board of municipally appointed volunteers. The members of the Williamsburg Cultural Council are: Lauri Munroe-Hultman, chairperson, Louise Coombe, treasurer, Terry Tangredi and Donna McGill co-secretaries, Lesley Ham, and Rob Longley.