Long before high-tech trucks and radios, firefighters used a much louder way to alert the town:  How did the old North St. Paul Fire Department let everyone know there was a fire?

Park Spotlight:  Rotary Park

You’ve seen those giant windmills spinning by Highway 36… but did you know they’re quietly powering around 100 homes right here in our community? 💨

Tucked along the Gateway Trail, Rotary Park is a little haven locals often pass without realizing how cool it is — complete with benches, restrooms, a trailhead shelter, and front-row seats to North St. Paul’s iconic wind turbines.

Whether you’re walking, biking, or just need a fresh-air reset, this underrated spot is the perfect pit stop. 🌿

👉 Click to see Rotary Park photos, fun facts, and more!

Fire Safety Week Lights Up Local Schools! 🚒🔥

This week, classrooms across 622 got a surprise visit from our hometown heroes — the North St. Paul Fire Department! 👨‍🚒👩‍🚒

Students got hands-on lessons about fire safety, learned how to “Stop, Drop, and Roll,” and even got to explore real fire trucks up close. The kids’ faces lit up (safely 😅) as firefighters showed off their gear and talked about what it takes to keep our community safe.

A good reminder to check your own smoke detectors and fire extinguishers!

Big thanks to our local fire crew for keeping the community safe — and for making learning about fire safety a blast! ❤️🔥

Public Reminder: Keep Leaves Out of Streets and Drains 🍂

As fall settles in, the City is reminding residents not to rake or blow leaves into streets or storm drains. When leaves wash into the storm system, they break down and release nutrients that lead to algae blooms, poor water quality, and harm to fish and wildlife.

Instead, please:
🧺 Drop them off at a local yard waste site.
🌿 Use leaves as mulch or garden fertilizer.

A simple reminder — keeping leaves out of the street keeps our neighborhood and local lakes clean.

Friday

🐾 Therapy Dog Day at City Hall! 🐶💙

Who: North Star Therapy Animals — bringing the cuddles, calm, and cuteness!
What: A free community event where you can unwind, de-stress, and hang out with certified therapy dogs.
When: Friday, October 10th | 12 PM – 2 PM (yep, that’s World Mental Health Day 🌎🧠)
Where: North St. Paul City Hall Main Lobby
Why: Because sometimes the best therapy comes with four paws and a wagging tail. 🐕💞

Take a break from your day, pet some pups, and fill your heart with joy. No registration needed — just show up, smile, and soak up the good vibes! ✨

👉 Check it out on Facebook

🎉 After-School Fun at St. Mark’s Church! 🎨🤸‍♂️

Who: You, your kids, and all your friends!
What: An awesome free after-school party packed with face painting, a bounce house, balloon animals, games, and tasty treats! 🍭🎈
When: Friday, from 4pm-6pm
Where: St. Mark’s Church, across from North High — join us in the north lot + lawn! 🌳

Bring the whole crew for some good vibes, big laughs, and unforgettable fun. 🙌
No cost, no catch — just community, smiles, and sunshine! ☀️💛

Saturday

Arts & Crafters Fair @ The Big Red Barn! 🧶🚜

What: The Fall Big Red Barn Folk Arts & Crafters Fair — a day filled with handmade art, local crafts, and one-of-a-kind finds, all supporting a great cause. 🖐️✨

When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Where: Maplewood Area Historical Society – Bruentrup Heritage Farm
📍 2170 County Road D E, Maplewood, MN 55109

Why Go:  This isn’t just a craft fair — it’s a celebration of community and creativity! All proceeds help preserve the 12 historic buildings at the Maplewood Area Historical Society, some dating back to 1891. 🏠❤️

Parking: Park at Mariner School and hop on the free ADA-accessible shuttle for easy drop-off right at the farm gate.

Come for the crafts, stay for the charm — and support a piece of Maplewood history! 🌾🎃

👉 Check out  the Facebook Events Page

Fall Festival 2025 – 300 FREE Pumpkins! 🍁🎃

What: Family-friendly fall celebration with games, prizes, bounce houses, music, face painting, and treats — plus 300 free pumpkins!

When: Saturday, October 11 | 10:30 AM – 3 PM

Where: Outside Pan Asian Center at Maplewood Mall
Why: Celebrate the season, enjoy free fun with the family, and kick off fall in style! 🍂

👉 Check out the Pan Asian Facebook Page

Trunk or Treat & Haunted House - 7th Annual 👻🎃 

What: Family-friendly Halloween fun with candy-filled trunks and a spooky haunted house for those brave enough!

When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Where: (Near Target) Warman Muay Thai – 2100 11th Ave E, North St. Paul

Why: Trick-or-treat, enjoy creative trunk displays, and test your courage in the haunted house — fun for all ages!

💵 Cost: Trunk or Treat is free | Haunted House $5 per person (unlimited visits)

👉 Check Out the Facebook Event Page

Sunday

Mid-19th Century Harvest Dance -> Step Back in Time !

What: The Living History Society of Minnesota is hosting a 19th-century-style fall dance at the historic Bruentrup Barn — complete with set dances from the Civil War era, period dress, and a harvest potluck.
When: Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 12:00–4:00 PM
Where: Bruentrup Heritage Farm, Maplewood
Why: Celebrate the season with live dancing, food, and friends while experiencing life as it was in the 1800s.mething beautiful and support the Maplewood Area Historical Society ❤️

💵 Free for LHS members | $15 non-members

Note: There’s a lot of fun details/requirements — dance practice, dress code, potluck info, and more — so check the event page before attending.

👉 Check out their Facebook post with all the details

Plan Ahead: Events to Register For

🦃 Legion Craft Club: Thanksgiving Edition

What: Join the NSP American Legion Craft Club for a fun Thanksgiving-themed night of creativity and community! Each attendee will create their own birch ply project — available in 14" or 18" sizes.

When: Thursday, Oct. 16 | 6:00–8:30 PM
Pre-registration deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 14 (or until seats sell out!)

Where: NSP American Legion

Why: A perfect night to relax, craft, and enjoy a drink chip on the house 🍂 Plus, the kitchen’s open ‘til 7 PM for food orders!

💵 Cost: $43 (14") or $53 (18") — includes tax, supplies, and 1 drink chip.
Take-home kits available (buy 2 extras, get $10 off your order).

👉 Click Here to Register before Oct. 14

🍕 October is National Pizza Month -> Let’s Celebrate Local!

There’s no better time to grab a slice — October is National Pizza Month, and we’re celebrating the local pizzerias that make Maplewood and North St. Paul so delicious.

Whether you’re all about thin crust, deep dish, or classic Minnesota-style loaded with toppings, our neighborhood is packed with incredible pizza spots worth checking out. From old-school family joints to new creative kitchens, there’s something for every kind of pizza lover right here in 55109.

So this month, skip the big chains and show some love to local ovens — dine in, grab takeout, or order a pizza night in with friends and family.

🍕 Check out all the local pizza spots here: View the Pizza Guide →

Boo-tiful Houses Needed 👻

Is your place decorated for Halloween?

Or maybe your neighbor’s?

We are looking for fun houses to showoff on our newsletter!

Share it with us (spooky or silly, all welcome!)
👉 Submit this online form: holiday.the109.online

Keep an eye here for our growing list of Trunk N' Treats

Quick List:

10/11 - Warman Muay Thai (NSP near Target) 11am-3pm

10/18 - St. Johns Hospital (Maplewood) 1:30-4:30

10/25 - First Free Church (Maplewood) 10:30am-12:30pm

10/25 - Maplewood City Hall 1pm-4pm

10/25 - Christ Lutheran School (NSP) 4pm-6pm

10/26 - St. Marks Church (NSP) 4pm-6pm

Get more info about each event on our Trunk N Treat Page

Hey, you. Yeah — you.

The one reading this with coffee in hand, juggling life, work, kids, or maybe just trying to catch your breath.

As the air turns crisp and the days get shorter, remember: you make a difference here. Whether you smile at a neighbor, support a local shop, volunteer your time, or just keep showing up — you’re part of what makes 55109 special.

Take a moment this week to do something kind for yourself — go for that walk, light that candle (safely!), or grab a hot drink from your favorite local spot.

Because the world’s a little brighter with you in it. 🌤️

They fired up the old siren atop the North St. Paul water tower — and before that, a bell outside the fire station — to rally volunteers and warn the whole town.  When that siren wailed, everyone knew — 'grab your boots and run toward the smoke!'

✉️ 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. 🏡✨