Danvers Patchers, I have some bittersweet news to share: This is my last week as Local Editor for Danvers Patch.  Before I tell you what I'm up to next, I wanted to say a huge thank you to each and every reader who has shared their stories, photos, announcements and thoughts. You are what make Danvers Patch a success, and we wouldn't be here without you! When I joined Patch last May, I had graduated from college about a week earlier, and 'green' was the perfect word to describe me. I was excited, but with that excitement, there were definitely nerves.  I can say, thankfully, that everyone in …

Danvers Patch allows its readers to use the site in so many ways to learn about what is happening around the two towns and to share information. On April 2, Danvers Patch editor Molly Buccini will join forces with the editors of  Hamilton-Wenham Patch and Salem Patch to hold our first Patch Academy at the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers from 7 to 8 p.m. We want to show you, our readers, how to: upload photos and videos to our Patch sites; use Places, our business directory; and introduce you to Local Voices, a special section where members of the community can have their own blogs to …

Danvers Patch is holding office hours this Friday, March 23, from 11 a.m. til noon at the Each Peach Cafe on Newbury Street in Danvers. Will you be joining us? Whether you have a great story idea, need help navigating the site, or simply want to say hi, we'd love for you to stop in and chat. Plus, the first five people to visit us at our office hours will each receive two complimentary tickets to a showing of the Hunger Games this weekend at the Liberty Tree Mall. We'll also be giving away Hunger Games posters and cards. If you have any questions, email danvers@patch.com. See you Friday!

As we celebrate our first year in Danvers, here is a look back, in no particular order, at some of our favorite stories: 1. We had so much fun participating in our first year at the Danvers Family Festival. Between the Boy Scouts Spaghetti Supper and Oldies Night [IMAGES],  Fishing For A Trophy: Annual Mike Gordon Fishing Derby [VIDEO] and of course, the Danvers Fireworks, the Grand Finale to Family Festival [VIDEO], we can see why Danvers keeps up such a fun tradition. 2. On a personal note, the Couch to 5K was a special event to cover, because it was the first story I reported on here in …

Spring is here. And that means spring cleaning and, of course, yard sales. Maybe you're planning a yard sale and want to let people know about it. Or maybe you’re looking to buy some stuff and want to find local yard sales. So Danvers Patch wants to get the word out. If you're planning a yard sale, let us know. Send the information to john.castelluccio@patch.com or add it below in the comments section. Once we have a list of submissions, we’ll be sure to compile that into a helpful post for all you springtime deal-seekers out there.

Danvers Patch is launching a new blogging platform this week that will give residents the opportunity to offer their opinions on their own blogs. We have signed up some great Danvers residents to take part, but we’re looking for even more. Here are five reasons why you should blog on Danvers Patch: It’s easy. You get signed up and then with a few clicks of a mouse, you will be able to put your thoughts and expertise on the Web site. The time commitment is up to you. Whether you want to do it daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently, the time you put into your blog will depend on your …

Beginning May 4, Danvers Patch will be making room for local bloggers on the site. We’re looking for bloggers who can riff on various topics, share their personality and engage our readers in discussions. Patch is more than a news site, it’s an online conversation about your community. Are you passionate about Danvers’ core issues? Are you an expert craftsman or hobbyist who can share do-it-yourself tips? Do you have strong opinions about local government? Can you just make us all laugh? Can you write compellingly? Then we want to hear from you. This isn’t a reporting job. It’s blogging. You …

Danvers Patch strives to be the go-to place online to find everything that is going on in town, from high school sports games and school fundraisers to organized group hikes and the latest programs at the Peabody Institute Library or functions at the Danversport Yacht Club. But we need your help. If you’re organizing an event – or simply hear about an event that is planned locally – please let us know. You can either send all the pertinent information to Calendar Editor Erica Foster at ericalfoster@gmail.com or, even easier and quicker – add it yourself. To do this, simply scroll to the …

Thanks to our readers for participating in our hot beverages contest, which ended on Friday – we got some good feedback on what locals like to drink and where they like to get it from. Our winner, chosen by random selection, is Alysse Cline Donahue. Her favorite hot drink is a gingerbread latte at Daily Harvest, and boy is she enthusiastic about it. “Gingerbread Latte from Daily Harvest!!!” writes Alysse in her response for the official contest. Congratulations, Alysse! Daily Harvest was, in fact, the clear favorite in our contest. Here’s what readers had to say about it: “Daily Harvest…they …

Sorry, but you are going to lose an hour of sleep tonight. Daylight saving time begins Sunday at 2 a.m. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to sleep tonight. Daylight savings time ends Nov. 6.

Every Thursday in "Patch Picks," we choose a theme and feature editor's or readers' selections of things that represent that theme. Recently, we spotlighted five great Danvers nonprofits with your help. This week, in celebration of National Read Across America Day (March 3), we're looking for five great books for adults and children. If they involve Danvers, even better. Tell us your favorite reads in the comment box below and we'll feature them Thursday.

Do you grab your large regular coffee from Daily Harvest or Custom Cup Caffe while running to work? Or, are you more of a Dunkin' Donuts regular? You have nine in town to choose from, and now you have Honey Dew Donuts to add into the mix. Perhaps you prefer your solar blend from Sunberries Smoothies and Espresso and enjoy eating lunch or bumping into locals and other shoppers over your rich cup of hot cocoa at Panera Bread With a variety of places to grab a hot pick-me-up, Danvers has you covered when you need to take the chill off with a warm drink.  Here at Danvers Patch we also enjoy a …

Danvers takes pride in its volunteerism, a commitment by group and individuals to work for the common good, so let's shine the spotlight this week on local nonprofit organizations making a difference in the Danvers community and beyond. For this Thurday's edition of Patch Picks, we want to know: What are five great Danvers nonprofits making a difference? Who's behind these organizations? What do they do that deserves to be acknowledged? Provide your answers in the comments section below and this Thursday, we'll highlight the top five in Patch Picks, and provide a new topic to discuss. Don't …

Danvers is a great place to raise a family, and nobody knows that better than the dedicated moms that call this area home. Now, Danvers Patch wants to give them the attention they deserve, as well as a dedicated corner of this local content destination. Next week, Danvers Patch will launch a new series of features for the moms in town, including roadmaps to the best deals for families, profiles of the whiz kids who make the community proud and a weekly question-and-answer session about the important parenting issues facing the region. Part of that includes assembling the first-ever Danvers …

Widgets. Get your widgets here. As part of our commitment to serve our readers and the community better, Danvers Patch now offers an embeddable news feed widget for users to add to their own websites. This exciting feature will provide a running feed of fresh, local news content. Each time our site is updated with a new story, the widget will update the news feed on your own website. If you are a school, business, community or government organization, or a Danvers blogger who wants a way to keep users updated on local happenings, check out the Patch News Widget. To get started, visit our …

From tried-and-true family favorites, such as Sam & Joe's Restaurant to newer additions such as Nine Elm American Bistro, Onion Town is a diner’s dream. With an ever-evolving selection catering to all different tastes, Danvers has you covered when your stomach is rumbling. Want some sushi? There's Sea Lion Sushi. Thai food? Sawasdee Danvers. Hand-tossed pizza and free WiFi? Try Panini Pizzeria. Want a more upscale slice of pie? Brutole Restaurant might be your place. Love digging into homemade spaghetti at Ponte Vecchio while listening to live opera vocalists? Are you the kind to grab a …

The Coyne brothers, Braden and Tanner, win our snowman/snow angel contest with their creation from Wednesday's blizzard. Congratulations, guys! The rest of the contestants will appear in a gallery tomorrow, so stay tuned!

The second blizzard in less than three weeks has come and gone, but due to the ongoing cleanup, schools are closed today as well. What better way to spend a snow day then getting outside and building a snowman? Danvers Patch is getting in the spirit, too. We want to see photos of the best snowman you can build. Your creations from Wednesday and Thursday are all eligible. Send us your pictures and we’ll publish them in an image gallery later this week. All submissions will be entered into a drawing for a prize. Send your photos via e-mail to john.castelluccio@patch.com. If the snow isn’t …

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Time to enjoy the company of family, friends and plenty of tasty food. Do you celebrate the holiday with a family-favorite potato latkes recipe? Perhaps you enjoy a Christmas Eve Feast of Seven Fishes? Do you celebrate the season with a gingerbread festival? It's time for the North Shore Holiday recipe swap! Danvers Patch and our sister sites had great success with our Thanksgiving Recipe swap, and now it's time for more. We want to know what food, dessert or drink-of-choice is on your table or in your hand by the fire as you enjoy the lights. …

It's almost that time of year when Santa Claus packs up the toys made in his workshop and heads around the world to give out presents to all good boys and girls. Patch is partnering with old St. Nicholas himself in answering questions posed by children. In the days leading up to Christmas, Santa will conduct videos answering questions posed by children that will run on this site. The deadline to submit questions is Dec. 15, so ask today! Youngsters who are interested in asking a question may e-mail (john.castelluccio@patch.com) or comment on this article. Please include first name, age and …