Today is Wednesday, July 27. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: The two towns dodged a weather bullet on Tuesday, with some of the heaviest rain and damaging winds limited to other areas of the state. On Wednesday, expect sun and temperatures in to the lower 80s. 2. Light Opera: New England Light Opera wraps up its summer season in Hamilton on Wednesday night with a performance filled with Broadway tunes at the Community House. Tickets are $10 for adults and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. 3. Cycling: The weekly Essex County Velo bicycle ride happens every Wednesday night in the …

Today is Tuesday, July 26. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: Expect to see the sun with temperatures in the upper 70s on Tuesday with a chance of showers. 2. Canoeing: Rent a canoe just up the road in Ipswich any weekday for the rest of the summer and fall for half the regular price, thanks to the latest Groupon.  Foote Brothers Canoe is offering a canoe or a kayak for up to four hours for $19, which saves you $21 off the $40 regular price. 3. Michael Carter-Williams: Could the Syracuse University basketball team, with Hamilton’s Michael Carter-Williams on board, be headed to…

Today is Monday, July 25. Here are five things you need to know: 1. It’s over: The heat that had us all sweating at the end of last week has moved on. Monday’s forecast calls for a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures in the upper-70s. 2. Hayfields: Monday is Free Stamp Monday at Hayfields, a new store in the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing. Anyone who buys a greeting card gets a free postage stamp. 3. Music Man: Monday is one of two days a week when The Music Man – a.k.a. Brian Doser of Wenham – appears at the Community House to entertain kids. The show starts at 10 a.m. and a donation of $5…

Today is Friday, July 22. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Heat: You’ve been hearing a lot about the heat – there’s not much else to say. It will be hot again on Friday. Here are some ideas on how to stay cool and some heat safety tips. 2. Hydrants: Many of the fire hydrants in Wenham have a shiny new coat of red paint. They look good and are hard to miss. Take a look, one of the freshest coats of paint is on display in the picture that's with the story. 3. TriROK 5K: Last weekend, the TriROK Foundation held a huge fundraiser at Patton Park that included a 5K race. Congratulations to…

Today is Thursday, July 21. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Hot: There’s one thing that everyone will be talking about for the next few days – the heat. Temperatures will get into the mid-90s with bright sun on Thursday. 2. Manga: Teenagers can learn to draw their favorite cartoon or Manga character on Thursday afternoon at Hamilton-Wenham Library. Local artist Peter Simeti will be on hand from 2-3:30 p.m. and paper, pencils and pens will be available - just bring a picture of the character you want to draw. There’s a 20 person limit so make sure to sign up this morning at the …

Today is Wednesday, July 20. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Heat Wave: Forecasters are saying that a heatwave will likely begin on Wednesday – meaning three straight days with a high temperature of 90 degrees or higher. The National Weather Service has also issued an “excessive heat watch” through Friday at 6 p.m. 2. Drum Circle: Otha Day arrives at Hamilton-Wenham Library at 6 p.m. on Wednesday night for a “jam session” and “spiritual drum circle.” Better yet, it’s free and open to the pubic with no pre-registration required. 3. Tornado victims: Wednesday is the last day for MBTA …

Today is Tuesday, July 19. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: The heat continues on Tuesday with sun and temperatures in the upper 80s and close to 90 degrees. 2. Blueberries: The local blueberry crop is about a week away from being ready to be picked, according to the latest news from Green Meadows Farm in Hamilton. 3. Harold Boothroyd: Wenham resident Harold Boothroyd has added author to his resume. Boothroyd, 88, retired last year after 40 year’s holding the volunteer position of “surveyor of lumber and measurer of wood and bark.” On Tuesday, his appreciation of history …

Today is Monday, July 18. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: Hot, hot, hot. That’s the theme this week, starting with temperatures around 90 on Monday. Also, keep your eyes to the sky on Monday afternoon or evening for the possibility of thundershowers. 2. Sports Camps: It’s that type of year – camp season. Two local sports camps get going today – a hockey camp hosted by Hamilton-Wenham’s Agawam Hockey at Governor’s Academy and a volleyball camp run by Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School volleyball coach Jen Flynn in the gym at the school. 3. Art Grows Here: The outdoor art …

Today is Friday, July 15. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: Friday is shaping up to be a carbon copy of Thursday weatherwise. Great, we’ll take it. 2. Harry Potter: The Harry Potter movie series is coming to an end – you’ve probably heard. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II” premiered at most theaters at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, including at Loews AMC at the mall in Danvers. 3. Art Grows Here: It all officially starts on Friday – the two town-wide outdoor art show known as “Art Grows Here.” In addition to the art displays, there are several live performances planned …

Today is Thursday, July 14. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: More relief is headed our way – Thursday’s forecast calls for sun with temperatures in to the mid-70s with gusty winds up to 25 miles per hour. 2. Pleasant Pond: We received a recent reminder that Pleasant Pond is a “great recreational gem” to enjoy with friends and families. There’s still plenty of summer left, so residents who want to get a sticker can go to the Wenham Police Department to get one (call ahead). A gatekeeper has the beach open noon to 6 p.m. each day but there are no lifeguards. 3. Bastille Day: …

Today is Wednesday, July 13. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: Finally, a little relief from the heat on Wednesday. The forecast calls for temperatures to stay in the low to mid 80s and there’s a chance of a shower in the late afternoon and evening. 2. Photo shoot: Yesterday we told you about a callout for a woman needed for a wedding dress shoot this weekend in Wenham. Now here’s a callout for females 18 or older needed for a magazine editorial shoot coming up in Hamilton. 3. Social Media: Here at Patch, we love social media/social networks (and were excited when we received…

Today is Tuesday, July 12. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: Ok, we were wrong on Monday. Wow, it got hot – much warmer than we said it would be. Tuesday will be a mostly sunny day with temperatures into the 90s, with the chance of a shower. 2. Photo shoot: A bride or bridesmaid photo shoot will be held in Wenham on Friday and the photographer is looking for woman who wears a size 6-8 dress. While no experience is needed, the photographer is looking for a female who is about 5-foot, 6-inches tall who would be available for the photo shoot in Wenham on Sunday. 3. Adopted Dog: …

Today is Monday, July 11. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: Monday is shaping up to be a great day weatherwise with the forecast calling for sun and temperatures in the 80s. 2. Cow to Cone: We know how much everyone around here loves ice cream, but have you ever stopped to this how the ice cream gets on the cone. Your chance comes on Monday afternoon at Appleton Farms with “From Cow to Cone” from 3-6 p.m. It includes homemade ice cream and costs $15 for members and $18 nonmembers. 3. Wenham Conservation Commission: The Wenham Conservation Commission takes on its business on …

Today is Friday, July 8. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: It will cool off on Friday, with temperatures in the 70s. The downside? It will be cloudy with a chance of showers. 2. Tornado Relief: MBTA commuter rail riders have a chance between now and July 20 to help victims of last month’s tornadoes in western Massachusetts. The operator of commuter rail - Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad – plus the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army began a Tornado Relief Drive on July 6. Train riders from Hamilton-Wenham station can make donations at the North Station information …

Today is Thursday, July 7. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: There’s another sunny day in store for Thursday, with slightly cooler temperatures than Wednesday. 2. Organics: The curbside organics collection will happen today instead of Wednesday because of the Independence Day holiday last Monday. 3. Rubberbands: The Community House’s Fun Science series - focusing on what is possible with everyday materials – kicks off today with “Rubberband Racers.” Each session will focus on a different science topic. Children in grades 1-5 will have a chance to build a racecar propelled by …

Today is Wednesday, July 6. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: Hot, hot, hot. Wednesday is forecasted to be sunny with temperatures getting close to 90 degrees. 2. Trash: If Wednesday is your usual trash pick-up day in Hamilton, it’s now Thursday. Organics collection has also been bumped back a day from Wednesday to Thursday. And trash collection for the rest of the week has been pushed back a day because of Independence Day last Monday. 3. Light Opera: The New England Light Opera Summer Concert Series continues on Wednesday night with “That's Amore! Love Songs from Opera and …

Today is Tuesday, July 5. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: OK, it was a hot one on Monday and that’s a trend we should expect to continue. Tuesday’s forecast calls for sun with temperatures in to the mid-80s. 2. Leni the Llama: Leni, the mascot from the summer reading theme “One World, Many Stories” will be hiding at a town office or business in Hamilton and Wenham for the rest of the summer, starting on Tuesday through Aug. 19. The treasure hunt, of sorts, is for children 12 and under who are eligible for a prize each week. Children can enter by writing down the location …

All eyes will be on Patton Park and downtown Hamilton on Independence Day on Monday where both towns will celebrate the country’s birthday at “Two Town Fourth.” Here’s a quick look at a few things you need to know before you head out to the fun. Opening Ceremony: The afternoon full of patriotic fun kicks off at noon at Patton Park with a military color guard presentation that will include a special guest. Parade: The parade begins at the First United Methodist Church at 12:15 p.m. and makes its way south on Bay Road to the Patton Park entrance. Participants should gather by noon with …

Today is Friday, July 1. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Long weekend: It’s here - a three-day weekend that includes Independence Day on Monday. Don’t forget to call ahead if you’re headed out to stores, restaurants and other businesses in case there are special holiday hours. Hamilton-Wenham Library will be closed all weekend and both Hamilton Town Hall and Wenham Town Hall will be closed on Monday. 2. Two Town Fourth: The hometown celebration on July 4th will be at the Community House and Patton Park, with a variety of fun for all ages called “Two Town Fourth” from noon to 4 p.m. …

Today is Thursday, June 30. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: An incredible week of weather continues on Thursday. The forecast calls for sun with temperatures in to the high 70s. 2. Fiscal Year: The last day of the fiscal year for the towns of Hamilton and Wenham plus the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District – and many, many companies – is Thursday. 3. Zazou’s: Thursday is the final day to help Northeast Animal Shelter and get a few extra dollars to spend at a local store. Zazou’s at 300 Main St. in Wenham is collecting new or gently used towels for use at the shelter …