Every New Year’s Eve we watch the ball drop in Times Square…
but why do they drop a ball in the first place, and when did it start?

⛸️ Skating Rinks Are Ready (Almost Go-Time!)

Good news for winter skaters. Maplewood’s outdoor rinks are shaping up and warming houses and rink locations are reopening, with skateable ice ready for action. Today, Jan. 1, warming houses are closed for the holiday, but tomorrow they are back open and ready for action.

Maplewood maintains 13 skating rinks across 9 parks, with four locations offering supervised warming houses once fully open. Hours, locations, and closures vary based on weather and ice conditions.

👉 See the full list of rinks, warming houses, and hours here

🛷 St. Paul Sledding Season Is Here

Looking to cure a little cabin fever? Grab a sled and head out. Saint Paul maintains multiple free sledding hills, all open to the public and ready for winter fun.

From quick neighborhood runs to bigger hills for the brave, there’s no shortage of places to glide, slide, and laugh your way through winter.

Remember to bundle up, sled smart, and always sled at your own risk.

👉 Find a full list of Saint Paul sledding hills and skiing spots here

🎄 Recycle Your Holidays (The Right Way)

Live Christmas Trees & Greenery

Real trees and greenery don’t belong in backyard woods or home compost piles since they can spread invasive pests.

For Maplewood residents, Republic Services customers get one free live tree pickup during the first three weeks of January. Just remove all ornaments and skip the plastic.

You can also drop off live trees for free at select Ramsey County yard waste sites. Holiday greenery itself goes in the trash, bagged. No burning, please.

String Lights & Cords
Burnt-out lights and extension cords are considered household hazardous waste, so don’t toss them in the trash.Instead, bring them to the Ramsey County Environmental Center in Roseville

👉 Find details, locations, and answers at RamseyRecycles.com or call (651) 633-EASY (3279) any time.

A little extra effort now keeps our neighborhoods cleaner all year long. 🌎✨

NSP Electric Customers Can Save on Energy Upgrades

If you live in North St. Paul and use NSP for your electric service, good news. The City of North St. Paul Electric Utility is offering rebates on energy-efficient home appliances, with savings applied directly as a credit on your utility bill.

Rebates include $25 back on appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, freezers, and dehumidifiers, plus $50 for air purifiers and a new $50 smart thermostat rebate starting in 2026.

Rebates are available until funds run out, require EnergyStar products, and must be submitted within one year of purchase. This program is only for NSP electric customers, not Xcel or other providers.

Click here to learn more

Got an Event to Share?

We want to hear from you! If you’ve got an event in North St. Paul or Maplewood (55109), send the details to the109online@gmail.com. Whether it’s a fundraiser, concert, class, or community get-together, we’d love to help spread the word and share it with your neighbors.

Saturday

🚚 Home Depot Kids Workshop: Build a Tow Truck

Who: Kids and families
What: A free, hands-on kids workshop where participants build their own wooden tow truck
When: Saturday (while supplies last)
Where: Home Depot, Maplewood
Why: Because building something with your hands is fun, and kids love leaving with a project they made themselves

Registration is recommended. Sign up online to save your spot.

Monday

🪵 XL Cribbage Board Make & Take

Who: Rockler Woodworking & Hardware
What: A hands-on class where you’ll build your own wooden XL cribbage board from start to finish, drilling, cutting, shaping, sanding, and finishing
When: Monday • 1:00 PM
Where: Rockler Woodworking & Hardware, Maplewood
Why: Learn new woodworking skills and leave with a custom cribbage board you made yourself

Cost: $81.29

All materials and hardware included. Click here to Register.

Tuesday

🏛️ North St. Paul City Council Meetings

Who: North St. Paul City Council
What: Council Workshop followed by the regular City Council Meeting
When:
• Workshop: Tuesday, January 6 at 5:15 PM
• Council Meeting: Tuesday, January 6 at 6:30 PM
Where: North St. Paul City Hall
Why: Stay informed, hear updates, and see local government in action

Wednesday

🎨 Arts & Culture Commission Meeting

Who: North St. Paul Arts & Culture Commission
What: Monthly commission meeting
When: Wednesday, January 7 • 6:30 PM
Where: North St. Paul City Hall
Why: Help shape arts, culture, and creativity in our community

Register Ahead

💘 Craft Club: It Must Be LOVE

Who: Craft lovers, DIY fans, and anyone feeling the Valentine’s vibes
What: A hands-on Legion Craft Club night creating custom Valentine-themed door hangers made from birch ply. Choose your size, paint, personalize, and take home something handmade
When: Thursday, January 15, 2026 • 6:00–8:30 PM
Where: NSP American Legion, 2678 7th Ave E, North St. Paul
Why: A cozy night out with crafting, community, a drink chip, and optional take-home kits if you want more projects

⚠️ Important: Seats are limited and registration closes Thursday, January 8 (or sooner if it sells out). Each attendee must register individually.

Arrive 15 minutes early to grab your seat and get set up. The Legion kitchen is open until 7 PM if you want to grab food.

👉 Register online to save your spot

Big Top Putt Putt

Step right up! Big Top Putt Putt is bringing the sights, lights, and playful chaos of the carnival right inside Maplewood Mall. As Minnesota’s first carnival-themed mini golf experience, this 10-hole course turns classic putt putt into a full-on event.

Bright colors, big-top energy, and just the right amount of challenge make it perfect for kids, date nights, friends, or anyone looking to escape winter for a bit without leaving 55109.

If you’re craving something fun, different, and proudly local, Big Top Putt Putt delivers smiles one hole at a time. 🎠⛳

Click Here to Check Out There Facebook Page and Learn More

Donate Blood, Save Lives

The North St. Paul Fire Department is bringing back their blood drive after an incredible turnout last time. This is a powerful way to kick off the new year by helping neighbors you may never even meet but who need you.

🩸 Blood Drive

📅 Tuesday, January 20
📍 Hosted with the American Red Cross

Blood donations are always needed, especially during winter months, and just one donation can make a life-saving difference. Spots fill up, so register ahead of time if you’re able.

👉 Sign up to donate blood here

Show up, roll up a sleeve, and be the reason someone else gets a second chance. 💪❤️

New year. Same you… and that’s a good thing.

2026 doesn’t need you to reinvent yourself overnight or have everything figured out by January 2nd. It just asks you to show up, one day at a time, doing the best you can with what you have.

This year, give yourself credit for how far you’ve already come. For the things you carried. For the days you didn’t quit. For the quiet strength nobody else saw but you lived through anyway.

And remember, this community is better because you’re part of it. Your kindness, your effort, your presence matter more than any resolution ever will.

So take the year at your own pace.

Celebrate small wins.

Be patient with yourself.

Be generous with others.

You belong here. You always have. Here’s to a good year, together. ✨

The New Year’s Ball Drop began in 1907, and the ball wasn’t about partying at all.  It was originally a time signal, inspired by giant time balls used at ports so ships could set their clocks accurately.

So the tradition started as a very serious, very practical way to keep time…
and somehow turned into confetti, bad hats, and people kissing strangers at midnight.

Classic upgrade. 🥂✨

✉️ Got something to share?

Want to submit an event or spotlight your business in The 109 Online?
Hit us up at 109online@gmail.com

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Let’s keep 55109 connected. 🏡✨