White Christmas is 'Plausible' This Year

A small storm expected to move in on Christmas Eve could mean a white Christmas this year.

It is plausible there will be a white Christmas in Hamilton and Wenham this year, according to meteorologists. "Overall, I'm not expecting a big storm, but one that could blanket many of us in southern New England with 1-3 inches of snow is certainly plausible at this point," writes Chris Lambert, a meteorologist at Patch news partner WHDH in his latest blog. "We only need 1 inch on the ground for an official white Christmas, so the level of optimism on that is rising, especially north and west of the City." The National Weather Service calls the chance of snow "likely" after 5 a.m. on Christmas morning, with the chance of snow 60 percent. The chance of snow remains "likely" through 1 p.m., the weather service said.

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Have You Finished Your Christmas Shopping?

It's 72 hours til Christmas morning. Are you done? If not, where locally do you plan to go for last-minute gifts?

If you celebrate Christmas and still have shopping to do, this is crunch time. Just three days left until Christmas morning. Retailers are happy this year because of the way the calendar falls. It provides an extra full day of shopping versus last year, when Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday. So tell us, North Shore. Are you done shopping? If not, where will you be going this weekend and Monday? Here are links to stories Patch has done about go-to-places in our towns and cities for last minute Christmas shopping: Tell us about your favorite local businesses for last-minute gifts.

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Where's Santa? Track Him Live from Hamilton-Wenham!

The North American Aerospace Defense Command has a website that now offers a Santa tracker mobile app to follow the jolly man's magical flight.

Their wish lists have been made, their photos have been taken with the big guy and cookies and carrots are at the ready for Santa and his reindeer, but do your children ever ask: Where does Santa go on Christmas Eve? How does he travel to everyone's house? Thanks to the folks behind the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Website, families worldwide can follow Santa's Christmas journey in real time. In addition to tracking Santa's whereabouts, there is plenty to do at NORAD's Santa-tracking website. Check out the Kids' Countdown Village where there are  two dozen games to play. Not near a computer today? NORAD's Santa Tracker is mobile, too. Download the Android or iPhone app and let your kids track Santa from your phone. …

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Save Money and Stay Safe While Entertaining at Christmas

National Grid, the electricity and gas utility that serves Hamilton and Wenham, offers some energy-saving and safety tips for Christmas and the holiday season.

National Grid offers some simple energy efficiency and safety tips for families and residents while their entertain guests this holiday season. National Grid is the electric and gas utility that serves Hamilton and Wenham. Holiday Entertaining Energy-Saving Tips: •Holiday Cooking: Use the smallest appliance, pan and burner while cooking to save energy. For example, microwave ovens require less than half the energy of a conventional oven. Slow cookers are great ways to cook for a family and save money. On average, a whole meal can be cooked in a slow cooker for 17 cents worth of electricity. •Smart Baking: Improve oven efficiency by keeping the doors closed as much as possible and baking several dishes at the same time and temperature. • …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 23

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Friday, Dec. 23. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Storm: Drivers to our north and west will be slipping and sliding around on Friday morning, but here in the two towns the forecasts calls for rain and temperatures getting close to 40 on Friday. For a time, some snow may mix in but should not accumulate. 2. Long Weekend: Friday marks the final workday before a three day Christmas weekend for a lot of people. On Monday, Hamilton Town Hall, Wenham Town Hall and Hamilton-Wenham Library will all be closed and trash collection will be bumped back by a day. 3. Green Meadows Farm: Friday is the last day of the season for Green Meadows Farm, which will close at 6 p.m. and reopen again on April 1. 4. Wenham CPC: Wenham continues to…

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