Bradford Christian Academy Promises ‘Lots of Laughs’ at Jan. 23 Comedy Show

Bradford Christian Academy is planning “Lots of Laughs,” a comedy fundraiser scheduled in January. The night of laughter and giving put on by Funny 4 Funds is a PG-rated comedy show for adults that supports the mission and programs of Bradford Christian Academy. The fundraiser takes place Friday, Jan. 23, with doors opening at 6 and show starting at 7, at Pinnacle at Harbor Place, 2 Merrimack St., third floor, in downtown Haverhill. Tickets are $25 per person and include snacks.

First Day Hikes Set for Jan. 1 at Harold Parker State Forest, Other Nearby Sites

Hikers are invited to take part in a First Day Hike at Harold Parker State Forest on New Year’s Day as part of a continuing national initiative by America’s State Parks. Local hikers can celebrate the New Year by walking from Berry Pond to Salem Pond and back. Dogs are welcome on leash and there will be hot cocoa by a warming fire after the hike. The walk is sponsored locally by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Friends of Harold Parker State Forest

The first day, two-mile hike takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, at Berry Pond, 700 Middleton Road, North Andover. Other hiking opportunities are available that day at Crane Beach on the Crane Estate, Danvers Rail Trail, Breakheart Reservation in Saugus and Halibut Point State Park in Rockport.

Haverhill Provides Free Flu Vaccination Clinic for Children Jan. 2

Children ages 5 to 18 can get protection again influenza at a free vaccination clinic offered by the Haverhill Public Health Department. Shots will be offered Friday, Jan. 2, from 1-3 p.m. at Haverhill Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., Haverhill. “Get your flu vaccine before winter break is over,” urges Public Health Nurse Mary Ryan. Walk-ins are welcome, but Ryan said she’d appreciate if those planning to come make a reservation with her by calling 978-374-2390, ext.

Merrimack Valley Project Awards Ministry in Community Action to Greenstein

Linda M. Greenstein last month was awarded the 2025 Ministry in Community Action, or MICAH, award of the Merrimack Valley Project, a community organizing coalition of churches, labor unions and community organizations. Trinity-Trinidad Episcopal Church in Haverhill, together with its community service partner Urban Bridges, nominated Greenstein ion recognition of her “creative and tireless leadership over many years to ensure the success of the Academy of Creative Arts and Dinah’s House programs which are located at Trinity.”

“Linda brings her passion for the arts—especially theater—to young people, with a specific gift for enabling youngsters who often face barriers to participation due to culture, disability or family income. Over the past year, Linda has brought her creative energy and networking abilities to the development of the exciting new Food Forward workforce initiative,” her supporters explained. She has served constantly as a program volunteer, and at various times as Urban Bridges’ Board President and Urban Bridges Treasurer.  She has demonstrated in these positions both her diplomatic skill and her unflagging passion for the mission of community service, rooted in the Acre neighborhood, which Urban Bridges and Trinity Church pursue together as partners. Greenstein brought to the leadership roles her lifetime of successful experience as a journalist, publicist and advocate for community-based arts programming in the Boston region.  In addition to her volunteer service on the Urban Bridges board, she is also a founder and producer for a regional theater company called Punctuate4 Productions.

Breakfast Exchange Club Gives Seniors Taxi Vouchers for Fun Trips

Ruth Sullivan got an early Christmas present when she stopped into a health clinic at her housing complex recently. In addition to having her blood pressure checked, Sullivan was handed 25 $1 vouchers for taxi rides of her choice. An initiative of the Haverhill’s Breakfast Exchange Club, Happy Rides program seeks to break down social isolation and promote social connection by offering low-income seniors the trip vouchers which they can use for what they like. “For an older adult to get out of the house to go shopping, get a haircut, go to church or have dinner with friends when they feel like it makes such an impact,” said club member Bonnie Sisson, noting the Happy Rides program restores independence, dignity and choice for older adults

In its most recent distribution, the club gave out 15 packs of the fun trip voucher at the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association’s apartment complex on Buttonwoods Avenue during a Haverhill Council on Aging blood pressure clinic. Sisson said Happy Rides vouchers are one of several initiatives the service club sponsors in the Greater Haverhill community.

Merrimack Valley NAACP Plans Annual Martin Luther King Breakfast; Seeks Sponsors

The Merrimack Valley Branch of the NAACP is looking for sponsors to help defray the cost of its annual Martin Luther King Breakfast. This year’s breakfast is Monday, Jan. 19, at 8:30 a.m., at Doubletree Boston-Andover Hotel, 123 Old River Road, Andover. Tickets are $45 for adults, $25 for seniors and $10 for children 10 and under. Delia Duran-Clark, executive director of the Mill Cities Leadership Institute in Lawrence, will be the keynote speaker.

Library’s Friends Shop Haverhill Calendar Might be the Perfect Gift

Those looking for a last-minute Christmas gift that will be treasured all year long may find the Haverhill Public Library calendar fits the bill. With photographs dating back to 1865 and spanning as far as 1949, the calendar features more than a dozen of images from all across the city. It is available for $12 plus sales tax at the library’s Friends Shop, open Monday and Tuesday this week. The cover photograph is a panorama of the old Haverhill Post Office from around 1910 in Washington Square. Inside, there are 13 more, including old City Hall from 1903, Merrimack River flooding in 1936, Victorian houses in 1896 and an iceman’s summer delivery in 1900.

Congregation Hosts Hanukkah Music Program Friday Night

A winter concert of Hanukkah music will be offered Friday night at Congregation Ahavat Olam in North Andover. The Ahavat Olam Ensemble, the shul’s in-house band, plays Hanukkah favorites followed by servings of holiday treats Friday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at Osgood Landing, Suite 3068, 1600 Osgood St., North Andover. The congregation joins other Jewish groups in the Merrimack Valley for a community Menorah Lighting on the final night of Hanukkah Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4:30 p.m. A holiday party follows at the North Andover Historical Society’s Stevens Center, 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover, sponsored by Congregation Ahavat Olam.