Where's Santa? Track Him Live from Melrose

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.

They sent him their wish lists, sat on his lap, and left cookies and milk for his arrival. Now the only thing left for children to do is track Santa's progress as he delivers gifts around the world on Christmas Eve. Thanks to the folks behind the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) website, families worldwide can now follow Santa's Christmas journey in real time. The tradition started in 1955 after an advertisement for Sears Roebuck & Co. misprinted a telephone number for a special "Santa hotline." Instead of reaching Kris Kringle, the number put kids through to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Commander-in-Chief’s operations, according to a description on the NORAD Tracks Santa Facebook page, which has more than …

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Share Your Photos With Santa Claus

Melrose Patch would love to share your photos with jolly old St. Nick!

Have you told Santa Claus your Christmas list this year? Did someone photograph the moment you whispered you wanted the new iPad or a cashmere sweater? With all the Santa sightings and photo opportunities, Melrose Patch would like to share your photos for all to see!  All photos are welcome! Whether Santa is giving a candy cane to your greyhound or cat, or your best friend's child! Just click the "Upload Photos and Videos" button (videos are welcome too!). 

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Follow St. Nick's Every Move with the Santa Tracker

The government is keeping tabs. Now, so can you.

Sure, he sees you when you're sleeping. But now it's your turn to keep tabs on the Man in Red. This season you can track Santa's flight in Google Earth , receive mobile phone updates on his whereabouts, and check in regularly for high speed-photo and video footage of his reindeer and sleigh as they deliver presents around the world. He's also on Facebook and Twitter .  How, exactly? The Colorado-based North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is charged with keeping the United States and Canada safe from dangers originating from the sky or space. So it stands to reason they would use radar, satellites, Santa Cams and fighter jets to track Santa's flight path from the North Pole, across North America. According to their website…

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Share Photos of You or Your Kids on Santa's Knee

And let us know what you were asking Father Christmas to put under your tree when the picture was taken.

Getting your picture taken on Santa's knee at local businesses is a tradition. In the 1990s, this journalist's mother would dress up as a convincing Mrs. Claus for our local bank and pass out miniature candy canes and good cheer. My little brother is on her lap, and my pre-teen self is sitting next to him on Santa's.  I believe back then I was asking Santa to leave in my stocking press-on earrings, glitter lipgloss and a gift certificate to Limited Too.  We at Patch invite you to send in pictures of yourself or your children posing on Father Christmas's knee, as well what you remember asking for at that age and what your children are asking for now.  Just click on "Upload Photos and Videos," add a caption, or leave your story in the …

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PHOTOS: Santa Visits Pine Banks

Santa visited Pine Banks Park on Saturday and Sunday.

For the 62nd year, Santa Claus made his annual appearance at Pine Banks Park this past weekend. Click through the photos above from his visit. Were you there? Add your own photos and videos to this gallery! It's easy—just sign into your Melrose Patch account (or sign into Melrose Patch using your Facebook account). Click the "Upload Photos and Videos" button beneath the gallery's photos and follow the directions.

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Amanda Kersey

12:01 pm on Tuesday, December 20, 2011

I love the expression on Connor's face. He looks delighted to be standing there with Santa.   more ›

Photos: Miracle on Main Street as Home for the Holidays Kicks Off

Melrosians gathered on Main Street on Friday night for the lighting of Main Street, the City Hall Christmas tree and the arrival of Santa.

The Melrose Chamber of Commerce's annual Home for the Holidays celebration kicked off Friday night as Mayor Rob Dolan flipped the switch for lights on Main Street and the City Hall Christmas tree, and Santa arrived on Melrose Fire Ladder 1 to greet kids. Check out photos from the kick-off event below and if you were there, add your own photos to this gallery by signing into your Melrose Patch account and clicking "Add" in the lower right corner of the gallery.

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