In a Minute: Vietnam War Veterans Day marked Friday

Mar. 27—HAVERHILL — The public is invited to the city's annual Vietnam War Veterans Day observance at 10 a.m. Friday in Mill Brook Park. The park is opposite the entrance to the Plug Pond Recreational Area.

In the event of rain, members of the city's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission will have a large tent provided by the mayor's office. Master of Ceremonies is City Councilor Tom Sullivan. Mayor Melinda Barrett will offer greetings from the city. Bill Kelly, executive director of Veterans Northeast Outreach Center in Haverhill, will give the keynote address and will discuss veterans of the Vietnam War era, the challenges they faced upon their return to the states and current efforts to help address those challenges. Stephanie Carpenito will sing the National Anthem. Trumpeter Neil Flewelling will perform patriotic songs.

Coffee and doughnuts will be provided by Patrick Driscoll of Driscoll Funeral Home in Bradford.

Community Forum set for Thursday

ANDOVER — Join the community forum to discuss the town seal at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Memorial Hall Library, 2 N. Main St.

Learn about the history of Andover's town seal and the Town Seal Review Committee's process to develop an alternative design. Get a closer look at the design that will be considered by Town Meeting.

Andover voters will have the opportunity to consider adopting a new town seal at the annual town meeting scheduled for April 29 to May 2.

New exhibitions at Essex Art Center

LAWRENCE — Essex Art Center presents new exhibitions from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Vengo en son de paz features text-based works including flags, banners, and screen prints that take root in the writings of Rául Zurita and Roberto Bolaño to explore definitions of elsewhere and what it means to belong. These works form part of República do Sur, an ongoing collaboration between Massachusetts-based writer Carlos Centeno and Bogotá-based artist Álvaro Cifuentes of Big Sur Books.

Did you notice the change? is an exhibition organized by Julia Rodenberger and Zara Hayat. Featuring work by local high school students that explores ideas of transformation and the passage of time, a pop-up version of this exhibition took place last fall at the Haverhill Art Walk, and now has been expanded and revisited with the Essex Art Center galleries in mind. Participatory workshops will provide opportunities for the public to contribute to the exhibition during its run.

Scholarship Foundation auction closes Sunday

METHUEN — The Methuen Scholarship Foundation will hold a fundraiser auction that is open for bidding until 11:59 p.m. Sunday. The auction is at new.biddingowl.com/methuenscholarships, where you can register as a bidder and see the categories of auction items. Categories include restaurants and dining, activities and experiences, golf, gift baskets, recreation, beauty and more. For more information call the Methuen Scholarship Foundation at 617-584-4099.

April Fools costume ball to be held Friday

HAVERHILL — The first April Fools Fandango costume ball will be held from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday at the AmVets on Primrose Street. This one-of-a-kind fun community event invites you to don your most outrageous costume for a night of laughter, creativity, entertaining and community connection.

Cover charge is $10 online at EventBrite at tinyurl.com/3t8feb6k or at the door and includes micro games, prizes for costumes, dancing to the beats provided by DJ Lo as well as a cash bar.

In partnership with Creative Haverhill and the innovative new organization Spaghetti Factory, this event aims to ignite creativity and foster connections within the community.

For more information contact Caitlin Little, founder of the Spaghetti Factory, at imcaitlinlittle@gmail.com or 402-577-1581.

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