Ice Ice Baby - We’ve all been dealing with the ice lately.
But here’s the twist: as it gets warmer, does ice actually get more dangerous?

👉 At what temperature is ice the slipperiest and most likely to take you out?

⛸️ Let's Hit the Ice

Let's enjoy this icy season! Maplewood and North St. Paul both offer outdoor skating rinks for pleasure skating and hockey, maintained throughout the season as weather allows.

Maplewood features multiple rinks and supervised warming houses, while North St. Paul’s rinks are lit daily from 4:30–10:00 PM and typically remain open through late February, depending on conditions.

Hours, ice quality, and warming house availability can change, so it’s best to check before you go.

👉 Click here to learn about Maplewood skating rinks & warming houses

👉 Click here to learn about North St. Paul skating rinks

Bundle up and enjoy the ice right in your neighborhood. ❄️⛸️

🧂➡️🪨 Stay Safe on the Ice - Get Gritty

All this ice has us reaching for the salt, but here’s the thing: road salt sticks around forever and quietly beats up our lakes, plants, wildlife, and even your car.

Good news. You can switch it up this winter with traction grit, a reusable, pavement-safe option that works in all temperatures and gives you better footing on icy days.

👉 Free bags of traction grit are available at participating locations now through January 16.

Click Here to Check out Pick-up Spots.

Less slipping, less pollution, same Minnesota winter. We’ll take that win.

🎄 Christmas Tree Pickup Is Here

Done enjoying your tree? Both North St. Paul and Maplewood have easy, free options to help you send it off responsibly this January.

North St. Paul

If you’re a Tennis Sanitation customer, just place your live tree next to your garbage container on your regular pickup day. No extra charge and no scheduling needed. Just be sure all lights, ornaments, and tinsel are removed.

👉 Click here to learn more

Maplewood
Residents with trash service through Republic Services get one free live tree pickup during the first three weeks of January. Set your tree at the curb on your normal trash day with all decorations removed.
👉 Click here for more info

One less thing to think about. One more reason to love living here. ♻️🌲

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.

Friday

🎸 Rock on the Edge at The Dog House

Who: The MegaBeth Project with special guests Exit Stage Right
What: A full-throttle rock night packed with the songs you wish bands played live. New tunes, deep cuts, and a killer opener included 🔥
When: Friday, Jan 9
Where: Dog House Bar and Grill
Why: Because your playlist deserves to be loud. Rock on the edge, grab a drink, and sing along to the stuff you never hear but always want to 🤘

🎟️ Want a guaranteed seat? VIP table tickets are available. Grab yours before they disappear.

Saturday

🏛️ Free Museum Day Across Minnesota

Who: Museums and Historic Sites across Minnesota
What: FREE admission
When: Saturday, January 10
Where: Participating MNHS museums and historic sites statewide
Why: Explore Minnesota’s stories, artifacts, and history without spending a dime. Perfect for families, history buffs, and anyone looking for a budget-friendly winter outing ❄️📚

👉 Click here to see which museums and historic sites are free and their hours

🥕🌿 Indoor Farmers Market at Bachman’s

Who: St. Paul Farmers Market vendors and local makers
What: An indoor farmers market packed with fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade finds
When: Saturday, 10 AM – 1 PM
Where: Bachman’s on White Bear Ave
Why: Because shopping local tastes better. Support farmers, growers, and makers while staying warm 🧤🍎

Grab a coffee, wander the aisles, and stock up on the good stuff.

🖍️📚 Crayon Carrier Craft at Lakeshore Learning

Who: Kids, families, and storybook fans of all ages
What: A free, walk-in craft event where kids make a take-home Crayon Carrier, inspired by a beloved children’s tale, plus story creativity and playtime
When: 11 AM – 3 PM
Where: Lakeshore Learning (across from the mall, near the old Joannes)
Why: It’s creative, hands-on fun with zero prep required, and parents can even check in for a chance to win a $100 Lakeshore E-Gift Card 🎁

No registration needed. Just swing by, craft, play, and let imaginations run wild.

Sunday

🛠️✨ Epoxy for Beginners Workshop

Who: Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
What: A hands-on epoxy resin class where you’ll learn to pour, mix, tint, and customize your own epoxy project
When: Sunday at Noon
Where: Rockler Woodworking, off Beam Ave in Maplewood
Why: Because epoxy is equal parts art and science, and this is the perfect way to learn the basics without guessing.  You’ll explore resin mixes, dyes, stains, and additives, then create your own poured epoxy piece to take home after it cures.
Cost: $108.38 per person

Perfect for curious makers, DIY fans, and anyone who’s seen epoxy projects online and thought, “I wanna try that.”

Click Here to Learn More and to Register

Wednesday

🧠🍯 Meading of the Minds Trivia Night

Who: White Bear Meadery, Minnesota’s first and only mead hall
What: Free trivia night with prizes and bragging rights
When: Wednesday, 7:00–9:00 PM
Where: White Bear Meadery
Why: Because trivia is better with award-winning mead made from Minnesota-sourced ingredients

Free to play, Win Prizes. Bring your smartest friends, sip something sweet, and see who really knows their stuff. 🍻🧠

Click Here to Learn More

Plan Ahead for Summer

🌞 Summer Day Camps Are Open for Registration

Who: Maplewood Area Historical Society
What: Hands-on summer day camps where kids explore history, art, and culinary skills on real historic sites
When: Summer 2026 camps for ages 6–16. Register now to grab Early Bird and bundle discounts
Where: Bruentrup Heritage Farm in Maplewood
Why: Learning by doing, fresh air on 25 acres of prairie, and a smart early-bird save for parents 🌿✨

👉 Click here to learn more and register

Spots go fast. Plan ahead, save a little, and give kids a summer they’ll talk about all year.

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. 💪❤️

💙 Giving Back: Polar Plunge for a Purpose

Our brave North St. Paul Police and Fire Departments are gearing up to take the Polar Plunge at White Bear Lake on January 31 to support Special Olympics Minnesota.

Last year, our community raised $2,131. This year, they're already at $723 toward a $3,450 goal and there’s still time to make a splash without getting cold.

Every dollar helps athletes across Minnesota compete, grow, and shine.

👉 Click to learn more and donate.

Warm hearts. Brave plunges. Big impact.

Life gets slippery sometimes.

One minute you’re walking steady, the next you’re tip-toeing through the ice.

And if you’ve lived through a Minnesota winter, you know that’s just part of the season. ❄️

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to walk it alone.

Every smile you give.

Every door you hold.

Every “you good?”

That’s traction.

That’s how communities keep moving forward when things feel unstable.

So today, slow down a bit. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to someone else.

Even small steps count when the ground is slick.

And remember this: you matter here.

You belong here.

And together, we’ve got the grip to get through whatever comes next. 💪💙

Around 32°F. When things start to melt just a little, ice becomes extra slick.
Not the deep cold. Not the blizzard.
It’s those sunny “this doesn’t look bad” days that get you.

Minnesota keeps it interesting.

✉️ 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. 🏡✨