After digging ourselves out of this week’s snow dump, here’s a question that hits way too close to home:  What year was the snowblower invented?

(Bonus if you can answer WHERE it was invented) 

Winter Hit Hard. We Hit Back Harder.

Local Residents in Maplewood, tackling the snow!

North St. Paul Holiday Cheer

Letters to Santa:  Santa’s Mailbox is officially open outside North St. Paul City Hall from Dec. 1–23, so drop off your wish list and let our famous snowman make sure it gets delivered straight to the North Pole. ⛄️🎅✨

NSP Lights Contest:  North St. Paul’s Holiday Lights Contest is officially underway through December 15, so flip the switch, show off your brightest display, and enter for a chance to light up the neighborhood (NSP only, but don't worry Maplewood… we know your lights are dope too). 🎄✨

Name a Snowplow: MnDOT Wants YOUR Best Idea

It’s that time again, folks. MnDOT has officially opened the 2025–26 Name a Snowplow contest, and they want your wittiest, frostiest, most Minnesota-brained creations.

Submissions are open now through noon on Friday, Dec. 19.

Rules are simple: one entry per person, under 30 characters, nothing spicy, nothing political, keep it Minnesota nice.

MnDOT will narrow the list, and the whole state will vote in January.

Last year’s champions included gems like “We’re Off To See The Blizzard” and “Snowtorious B.I.G.”

Got a name idea?Click Here to Learn More and Submit Your Ideas… 

just maybe… your creation will become a legendary winter warrior. ❄️💪

Tip of the Week: Keep Your Gas Meter Clear

We all shovel the driveway. Some of us even remember the sidewalk. But here’s the winter move most people forget: clear the snow off your gas meter and appliance vents.

When snow or ice piles up around your meter, it can freeze the equipment and choke the flow of natural gas. That can mean no heat, frozen pipes, or — worst case — dangerous carbon monoxide buildup if vents get blocked

.

A few simple steps keep everything running safe and cozy:

• Use a brush to gently clear snow and ice off your meter and any external vents
• Shovel a little path to the meter so emergency crews can reach it
• Skip the snowblower near the meter (one wrong move… yikes)
• Keep an eye on roof snow that could slide down and bury things
• If you see ice forming on the meter, call Xcel Energy at 800-895-2999

And remember: if your gas ever goes out, don’t relight appliances yourself. Xcel will handle it for free.

A little winter maintenance now saves a whole lot of “why is it so cold in here?” later. Stay warm, stay safe, and keep those meters breathing! ❄️🔥

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

Parish Garage Sale (aka Treasure Hunt) 🎉

Who: Church of St. Peter
What: A one-day shopping adventure through furniture, décor, and “wait… why don’t I own this yet?” goodies
When: Saturday, December 13, 9am–5pm
Where: East Building (the old credit union), 2618 17th Ave E, North St. Paul
Why: Because nothing beats finding a great deal, giving items a second life, and supporting a great community

Got something fancy to donate? Bring your high-quality items Friday, December 12 from 1–5pm and help fill the treasure tables.

Oakdale Indoor Market (Showin’ Love to Our Neighbors!) 🛒✨

Who: 20+ local vendors, bakers, makers, and holiday gift gurus
What: A cozy indoor market packed with baked goods, canned treats, produce, gifts, live music, free coffee, and a food truck
When: Saturday, December 13, 9am–1pm
Where: Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Ave N

Because indoor markets are elite this time of year and Oakdale is basically our next-door cousin. Stock up on goodies, sip free coffee, and enjoy live music while supporting local vendors.

Winter Holiday Flea Market at Maplewood YMCA

What: A festive indoor flea market packed with local vendors, holiday shopping, and free photos with Santa
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025 • 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: Maplewood YMCA Community Center Gym
2100 White Bear Ave, Maplewood
Why: Find unique holiday gifts, support local creators, and snag a Santa photo while you're at it!

Bundle up, swing by, and shop small this season! 🎁✨

Click here to see their Facebook event page

Holiday Ornament Turning Workshop 🎄🪵

Who: Anyone who wants to learn woodturning or craft a handmade keepsake
What: A hands-on class where you’ll turn a holiday ornament from exotic wood and assemble a one-of-a-kind treasure to keep or gift
When: Saturday, 12 PM–3 PM
Where: Rockler Woodworking & Hardware, Beam Ave, Maplewood
Why: Because nothing says “holiday spirit” like making your own ornament and casually telling people, “Yeah, I made that.”

Cost: $92.12

Click here to learn more and sign-up

Santa, Music and Cheer at The Dog House 🎅🎶

Who: The Dog House Bar & Grill
What: A full day of festive fun with Santa, kid-friendly tunes, and a rockin’ tribute show at night
When: Saturday, December 13
• Santa Meet & Greet: 12pm–3pm
• Basic and Boring (live music - KID FRIENDLY): 1:30pm–3pm
• Tribute Show (Kobb, Hybrid Theory, Mntallica): 8pm–11:30pm
Where: The Dog House Bar & Grill, Maplewood
Why: Because nothing says holiday spirit like Santa selfies by day and shredding guitars by night

Come for the cocoa vibes, stay for the rock show. Perfect for families early, perfect for grown-ups later. 🎄🔥

Click here to see their Facebook event page

Sunday

Critter Country Indoor Dog Walk 🐾🐶

Who: Dog lovers and their pups, all breeds welcome
What: A free, warm, indoor walk through Maplewood Mall to escape the cold and meet fellow pet people
When: Sunday, 10 AM–11 AM
Where: Maplewood Mall — meet at Door 5
Why: Because winter walks shouldn’t be a battle. Enjoy a cozy, snow-free stroll your dog will absolutely love.

Check out the Facebook page to learn more

Tuesday

North St. Paul City Council – Workshop & Meeting

What: Council Workshop followed by the regular City Council Meeting
When: Tuesday, December 16
Workshop at 5:15 PM • Council Meeting at 6:30 PM
Where: North St. Paul City Hall
Why: Stay informed on local discussions and upcoming decisions affecting our community

🌟 New Business Spotlight: The Circle Deli & Boba Has Arrived!

Taking over the beloved old Perkins building, The Circle Deli & Boba is bringing new life, warm vibes, and seriously delicious comfort food to 55109. And while we all have a soft spot for Perkins, this women-owned, heart-led café is already becoming a new neighborhood favorite.

Inside, you’ll find:
• Steaming bowls of signature beef noodle soup that taste like a hug
• Kapoon red curry noodle soup perfect for cold Minnesota days
• Fresh Bánh Mì sandwiches stacked with flavor
• Soft, pillowy Bao Buns you’ll want to order again before you finish the first
• Croffles (croissant + waffle = pure joy engineering)
• Coffee + Matcha creations that could double as artwork
• Slushes & shakes for the sweet tooth crowd
• Iced tiramisu lattes… because dessert in a cup is a love language

All wrapped in cozy corners, warm lighting, and the kind of aesthetic café vibe that makes you want to linger.

Hours:🕙 Friday through Sunday, 10am–6pm
Comfort bites, dreamy drinks, and cozy café moments all weekend long.

Women-owned. Heart-led. Community supported.

Stop in, warm up, and help welcome Maplewood’s newest spot into the neighborhood. ❤️✨

Winter Warming Spaces

While these warming spaces aren’t located inside 55109, Nobody in our community should face winter alone.  Ramsey County offers several places where anyone can step in from the cold, warm up, and feel safe.

These Winter Warming Spaces provide seating, blankets, warm beverages, light snacks, and—when available—winter essentials like gloves, hats, and hand warmers.

If you or someone you know needs a place to thaw out and regroup this season, these spaces are here to help.

Click here for locations and hours

Winter Coat Drive for Veterans

Now through November 30, American Legion Post 39 is collecting clean, serviceable coats for our Veterans.

 Drop-off: Inside the Legion Post 39 bar (box near the stage)
 Needed: Men’s and women’s winter coats
Coats are cleaned and distributed through the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV)

Learn more or get involved at americanlegionnorthstpaul.com

Visit or Donate to The Toy Shelf

Located at 2266 2nd Street North, North St. Paul, The Toy Shelf is a volunteer-run program bringing smiles to kids from birth to age 16. Families living in 55109, 55119, or 55128 can shop for free toys, games, and books this holiday season — no registration required.

Learn more on their website

Winter hit hard, and sometimes life does too.

The holidays sparkle for some and feel heavy for others, and both are completely okay.

If this season has felt lonely, stressful, or just a little too icy around the edges, know this: you’re not the only one, and you’re not meant to push through it alone.

Reach out to someone.

Answer that text.

Send one if you haven’t.

Even a simple smile to a stranger at Cub or Holiday can shift someone’s whole day.

And if you’re doing great right now?  Beautiful.

Use that strength to brighten the path for someone else.

A kind word goes farther in December than salt on a sidewalk.

No matter what this season looks like for you, remember this truth: you matter.

Your presence in this community makes it warmer, braver, and better.

Stay strong, stay connected, and keep showing up -> just like you always do.

So the snowblower wasn’t invented by a Minnesotan…
but it was invented by the next closest thing: a Canadian.

Back in 1927, Arthur Sicard built the first snowblower because he was tired of plowing dairy-farm drifts by hand.
A century later, folks in 55109 have adopted his invention like it’s part of our state constitution.

Bless you, Arthur. We’d shovel a whole driveway in your honor…
but thanks to you, we don’t have to.

✉️ 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. 🏡✨