Area briefs: Celtics announcer wins St. Patrick’s JFK award; HCC to launch Black History Month events.
Gorman of the Celtics honored by the St. Patrick’s Committee
HOLYOKE Mike Gorman, who has been the play-by-play announcer for the Boston Celtics for the past 43 years, has been selected the 64th recipient of the John F. Kennedy National Award by the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke. Every year, an American of Irish heritage who has excelled in their chosen career is given this prize.
Gorman has been the play-by-play voice for the Boston Celtics since 1981, making him the play-by-play voice with the longest career of any Boston professional sports team. Gorman was also the longest-running telecast combination on television, along with the late Tommy Heinsohn. Gorman will call his last NBA season in 2023–2024 after 43 seasons of doing so.
Growing up in Dorchester, Gorman attended University of Massachusetts Boston (formerly known as Boston State) and served as an aviator in the U.S. Navy.
“I take great pride in my Irish-American ancestry. “My grandfather came from Dublin, and my grandmother came from Skibbereen to meet him here,” he remarked. “They would be overjoyed to see myself on the distinguished roll of past honor winners. I’m excited for a fantastic weekend.
On Saturday, March 16, starting at 6:45 p.m., the JFK Award Dinner at the Log Cabin will honor Gorman. Online ticket sales will soon be accessible. The 47th St. Patrick’s Road Race will take place on Saturday, March 16, and the 71st Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade will take place on Sunday, March 17. Go to holyokestpatricksparade.com to learn more.
“African Americans and the Arts” is being held at HCC.
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HOLYOKE This month, Holyoke Community College is commemorating Black History Month with a range of activities that showcase the national theme for this year, which is “African Americans and the Arts.”
HCC visual art professor Raishad J. Glover of Northampton, whose artwork is now on display in the college’s Taber Art Gallery in an exhibition titled “Geo-Spec: Cultural Introspection Wealth,” will give a presentation on Thursday at 11 a.m. Glover’s presentation and a Q&A session will take place in HCC’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development, Room 303.
The college’s Black Student Alliance and Latinx Empowerment Association (LEA Club) will jointly host an open mic and “Taste of the Diaspora” event on Wednesday, February 14 at 11 a.m. on the second floor of the Campus Center the following week. The event will feature live student performances paired with food that represents the cultures of people whose ancestors came from Africa.
On Wednesday, February 21, at 11 a.m., the Amherst Area Gospel Choir will perform in the Leslie Phillips Theater to continue the festivities.
Performance poet, playwright, and pop culture critic Nicole Young-Martin will present a program titled “Write the Way” on Thursday, February 22 at 11 a.m. in Room 224 of the Campus Center. During the program, she will read from her own work and have a discussion about the value of including marginalized voices in the canon of literature with students.
The last event of Black History Month at HCC is a “Phenomenal Black Women’s Panel” in Room 224 of the Campus Center on February 28 at 11 a.m.
Please visit hcc.edu/bhm to find out more about HCC’s Black History Month events and to sign up to participate via Zoom.
Bus service is extended by Peter Pan to Newark.
SPRINGFIELD: The route that Peter Pan Bus Lines offers to and from Newark, New Jersey, has been extended. Peter Pan Bus Lines may be found at Penn Station, which is situated at 1 Raymond Plaza West and Market Street, for passengers arriving or departing Newark.
According to Peter Pan, the service expansion will satisfy a request made by numerous travelers over the years.
Visit peterpanbus.com/locations/Newark/ for a map and other details about Penn Station in Newark.
