Talk of the Towns

Keyser: Payback Time at Community Gardens

Hard work by volunteers are being reaped at the Community Gardens in Wenham as vegetables are being harvested.

In case you haven’t been outside, there is what is known as a heat wave, which means it's hot out there. Regardless of the high temperatures, the results are showing up at the Community Gardens at Enon Village in Wenham. Vegetables in all shapes and sizes are ready for harvesting. It's the result of some tender and loving care from the many volunteers at this project. Back in May, Susan Carp, Council on Aging director for Hamilton and Wenham, was able to locate two plots of open land near the senior housing units, known at Enon Village. Combining donations for supplies and local volunteers with lots of hard work preparing the land - so to speak - the Community Gardens were up and ready to produce vegetables. As time went by, more time and …

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Week in Review

The Past Week's Top Stories

A look back at local news during the past week in Hamilton and Wenham.

The past week in Hamilton and Wenham featured a variety of news stories. Here's a look at five stories that grabbed the attention of Hamilton-Wenham Patch readers. 1. Lawsuit to Challenge State Education Formula A lawsuit challenging the way the state government collects taxes and funds education is beginning to take shape in Hamilton and Wenham. The group putting together the case used “seed money” from the two towns last year to get the state’s top education attorney to review the case and give it his backing. Now the group is looking to add 30 or more towns to the case. 2. Dunkin Donuts to Expand in Plaza The Dunkin Donuts is the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing got the OK this week to double in size. The Canton-based donuts and coffee …

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More Seats for Donuts and Coffee Coming to Hamilton Crossing

On Wednesday, the Hamilton Zoning Board approved an expansion of Dunkin' Donuts at the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing.

Dunkin' Donuts got the OK on Wednesday night to double its space at the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing. The Hamilton Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved plans to double the size of the donut and coffee shop in the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing. Earlier this month the Planning Board gave a positive recommendation on the expansion. Franchise owner Dinart Serpa said he wants to expand his shop into the space vacated by Taylor Made Sweets because the current shop is “very tight space.” “The customers are shoe-horned in there," he said. "I am embarrassed by it.” The plans call for the existing Dunkin' Donuts setup – two small tables and a short counter – to expand to 24 seats plus public restrooms. It would expand the coffee shop from …

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Dunkin' Plans Expansion in to Taylor Made Space

Taylor Made Sweets closed in May after the owner said the plaza management did not approve the bakery's new owners. Now, the Dunkin Donuts next door plans to expand.

Dunkin Donuts plans to double its space in the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing, taking over the neighboring space formerly occupied by Taylor Made Sweets. The plans call for the existing Dunkin Donuts setup – just two small tables and a short counter – to expand to 24 seats plus public restrooms, according to the application on file with the Hamilton Building and Zoning Department. It would expand the coffee shop from about 720 square feet to about 1,515 square feet. Dunkin Donuts’ plans go before the Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday night – one of four applications on the board’s agenda when it meets at 7 p.m. at Hamilton Town Hall. The Planning Board has already reviewed the plans and given it a positive recommendation. Its letter of …

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Five Things the Two Towns Can't Live Without

A trending topic on Twitter on Thursday is #icantgoadaywithout so we deliver you a local version, with the opportunity to add you own at the bottom in the comments section.

This morning, #icantgoadaywithout was among the top trending topics on Twitter. In that spirit, Hamilton-Wenham Patch's picks for five things the two towns likely can't go a day without: 1. Grabbing a coffee Coffee keeps a lot of people going, and there are a few popular local choices. In Wenham, both Henderson’s and Grassy Roots are two locally owned choices that each has their own loyal following. In Hamilton, New England’s favorite coffee chain - Dunkin Donuts - serves up Joe however you like it. 2. Going for a walk Talking a walk is a daily routine for so many people, whether it’s alone, with your dog, with your significant other, with a neighbor, with your kids or maybe on horseback. There are sidewalks on some streets, from the …

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Get Out

Five Local Things to Do This Weekend

It's the weekly "Get Out" guide to events and activities coming up in the two towns plus nearby on the North Shore.

The weekend is here and Hamilton-Wenham Patch delivers you our “Get Out” planner for what is shaping up to be a beautiful mid-June weekend. Below is a quick rundown on some weekend activity options in Hamilton and Wenham, plus some other neighboring North Shore Communities. But there’s much more going on this weekend than what’s here so we encourage you to look past this weekend guide into our full calendar of events, where we have all the events in the two towns listed. Remember, if you have great ideas of your own that you want to share, please feel free to add them in the comments section at the bottom. 1. COMMUNITY HOUSE BLOCK PARTY  Where/When: Community House and Patton Park; Friday, 5-9 p.m. Why Go: The block party is good old-…

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Frugal Family

Save at the Library Book Sale, 15 Walnut and Others

"Frugal Family" is a weekly look at deals, sales and special offers in the two towns or nearby on the North Shore.

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars. “Frugal Family” is dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family’s bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money. You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just e-mail them to Editor Bobby Gates at robertg@patch.com. Then come back each Tuesday and see what we've uncovered together. 1. FRIENDS OF THE HAMILTON-WENHAM LIBRARY BOOK SALE DEAL: used books for low prices GOOD THROUGH: March 24 2. 15 WALNUT BISTRO DEAL: $25 gift …

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Great Escape

Downtown Shopping for the Fun of It

In this week's Great Escape column, we suggest you take a break enjoying some fun shopping - not errands - in downtown Hamilton.

It’s been a busy end of the winter. But the kids are out the house and you have a break. Take advantage of it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, or maybe a little more relaxed. Today comes a recommendation to take in some of the shopping in downtown Hamilton at the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing – and grab a bite to eat and a drink too. Earlier this week on Hamilton-Wenham Patch we told you about some of the changes at Hamilton’s only shopping plaza – including an expanded 15 Walnut Bistro and a new women’s workout business. Grab a bite to eat and a quick drink at 15 Walnut and see if Get in Shape for Women has any programs that fit you needs. Plus, …

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