As you're getting ready for your holiday traditions and routines this weekend, be sure to remember that time is running out for you to incorporate Hampton's new recycling carts into your routine. The color-coded carts, which are part of the automated recycling system approved at town meeting, must be out at the curb starting Jan. 1, otherwise crews won't haul away your trash and recycling. The above picture was posted on Hampton-North Hampton Patch's Eyes & Ears, which gives readers like yourself a chance to become citizen journalists and share news, stories, pictures, video and more with …

Camden Hughes, a 6-year-old Texas boy killed by his mother, Julianne McCrery, earlier this year in a Hampton motel, now has an actual grave marker instead of just a courtesy plaque, according to a close family member. Janella Ackerman, whom has spoken with Patch about her feelings surrounding McCrery's actions, said the grave marker was installed recently at his burial site, which is behind Ackerman's Texas home. Ackerman is a close friend of the family, and told Patch in an e-mail that the new headstone is a positive step in the family's grieving process. This photo and information is posted…

The Hampton Artists Network recently donated a book of firefighter and EMS photos, taken by Jan Meades, as well as several other items to the Hampton Fire Department. The presentation was made during Monday's selectmen's meeting, and Meades said she wanted to compile the work as a way to pay tribute to firefighters' daily efforts and their sacrifices on 9/11, as well as a moment she captured on film during the 2010 Hampton Beach "A Block" fire. "When I saw that photo, it just reduced me to tears," said Meades, speaking of her photo of firefighters standing next to a rainbow and a fire-…

Local Brownie and Girl Scout troops are sponsoring a mitten tree this holiday season as part of a effort to help area children in need. The mitten tree, inspired by the book "The Mitten Tree" by Candace Christiansen, is located near the Children's Room at Lane Memorial Library. Library officials said they are accepting hats, mittens, scarves and gloves to donate to God's Baby Closet, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Salvation Army, among other local charities. Donations, which can be made by leaving items in the designated box next to the tree, will be accepted through Dec. 22. More …

Carolyn Paul recently posed this great beachside photo on Hampton-North Hampton Patch's Eyes & Ears. The perspective of this shot really help make all the details pop, and we can't help but think it looks like camera is looking into someone's ear. Have something you want to share, or have something you think should be our Eyes & Ears Post of the Day? Post it here!

A group of North Hampton Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts recently collected almost 1,200 food items from 150 homes as a part of their Scouting for Food food drive. Susan Roch posted this and more information about the event, which occured on Saturday, Nov. 12, on Hampton-North Hampton Patch's Eyes & Ears. This kind of thing is exactly what we'd like to highlight on Eyes & Ears, especially as it gets closer to the holiday season and some local families are looking for all the help they can get. Have something you want to share, or have something you think should be our Eyes & Ears Post of the Day? …

Seventh graders at Hampton Academy recently made these stained glass illustrations as part of a social studies lesson plan about the culture and society of three different religions. Head on over to Hampton-North Hampton Patch's Eyes & Ears to learn more about the lesson plan, as well as see some other pictures of the students' great work. Want to share other news, stories, pictures, video or something else with the community? Post it here on Hampton-North Hampton Patch’s Eyes & Ears!

Have you become a fan of the Hampton Recreation and Parks Department on Facebook yet? If not, you might want to because it could win you a prize. Head on over to Hampton-North Hampton Patch's Eyes & Ears to learn more about that opportunity. Want to share other news, stories, pictures, video or something else with the community? Post it here on Hampton-North Hampton Patch’s Eyes & Ears!

The North Hampton Parks and Recreation Department has announced the winners of the 2011 Scarecrows by the Seacoast contest. The following are the winners in the "Business Category": Most Festive Scarecrow: Rumbletree’s Van Gough Best Represent Their Business: Hiltunen, Nash and Maguire and patient Scariest Scarecrow: Seacoast Harley-Davidson dude Peoples Choice: Sagamore Hampton Golf’s Caddy Shack Most Realistic Scarecrow: Shel-Al Campgrounds (pictured above) The following are the winners in the "Family Category": Most Scariest Family: 143 Post Road, Bridezilla People's Choice: 1 Woodridge …

Submitted by Karen Raynes. At Marelli’s Market in Hampton, a man known to locals as "Duck" has erected and put on display Lego trains, buildings, ships, rockets, a Ferris wheel and a carousel all to share with the community. Duck has set up his Lego display at Marelli’s during the holidays for the past three years, and each year he has added new Lego items. He now has seven trains, a working Ferris wheel and carousel, the ship featured in the "Pirates of the Caribbean," Star Wars vessels, a rocket ship and a village with train station, markets, pizza shops and hotel. Duck has been interested …

Congratulations to Jack, a 3-year-old North Hampton resident, for winning the North Hampton Public Library 2011 Family Jack-O’-Lantern Contest! Jack’s pumpkin is the large one eating a smaller pumpkin. Adult Services Librarian Liz Flot said Jack, whose last name wasn’t released, worked on the jack-o’-lantern with his mother, and she said the duo didn’t use any pattern and devised the idea together. The library didn’t get many submissions this year, although the ones that were submitted are pretty clever and well done. Some of the creations are shown in the picture above. Did you make a jack-o…

Last week, higher-than-usual tides washed over sea walls in the area during King Tide, an astronomical event that occurs twice a year and can produce extreme tides and currents. The second and final King Tide of 2011 occured on Oct. 27, and Jacqui Lewis captured some of the 10- to 12-foot waves crashing on the sea wall during the event in this amazing photo. Lewis posted the shot on Hampton-North Hampton Patch's Eyes & Ears, which gives readers like yourself a chance to become citizen journalists and share news, stories, pictures, video and more with the community. Have something you want to …