By: Alexa Ramirez

Fall has quickly taken over, leaving a variety of red, orange and yellow leaves, crisp cool air, and has the world pulling out their coziest sweaters and curling up with an endless amount of blankets. And out of all of these fall things, the pumpkin flavor beats them all. So in honor of fall, I’m going to be going to different coffee shops in Saint Paul in search of the perfect pumpkin drink to enjoy this fall.

I chose to go to Nina’s, a small business just outside of downtown St. Paul, but also to buy from two chain shops. Starbucks, a national and very attainable one, and Caribou, one that’s unique to the Midwest and is very common in MN. This system allows for a small business to be represented, but also for people to be able to go out and get the drinks they’re reading about, as some shops are more attainable and common than others.

The first place I went to was Nina’s. It’s located in St. Paul on 165 Western Ave. When I first walked in I noticed a calm, productive environment of people working, studying, and discussing; the perfect coffee shop feel. I ordered the Iced Pumpkin Chai (in a small size) which was written down as one of their specials. I really enjoyed this drink. It had a nice ratio of pumpkin and chai flavor and was also sprinkled with cinnamon which really tied it together. It cost me $6.09 which I thought was slightly overpriced, but definitely not because of the quality of the drink, just because of the quantity that was given to me since the size was small. It paired really nicely with the vanilla frosted donut and made for a nice fall treat. I would definitely order it again and maybe try it hot instead of iced. I rate this drink a 5/5 and would definitely recommend it!

The next place I went to was the Caribou inside of the Lunds and Byerlys in the Highland Village. The coffee shop itself was really pretty and was nice to spend time in. I wish I could’ve given my drink the same review. I ordered the Iced Pumpkin Latte in a small size. Its flavor was fine, but I could barely taste the pumpkin I had expected over the bitter coffee flavor of the drink. It cost me $5.19 which I thought was overpriced for the quality but especially the quantity of the drink. They hardly gave me any of my drink and instead filled the cup with ice to fill the space which was frustrating to pay 5$ for. I wouldn’t recommend this or buy it again. I rate this drink a 2/5 because I love Caribou, but this drink did not represent fall and wasn’t worth ordering.

Lastly, I went to Starbucks. I ordered a small Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte that came with whipped cream and cinnamon on top. The pumpkin flavor was strong, sweet and was not overtaken by the coffee flavor, which I really enjoyed. The cinnamon flavor also added to the fall theme that I have been looking for and did not get at Caribou. The drink cost $5.45 which was a little bit on the expensive side given the small portion, but I definitely enjoyed it so I felt I got my moneys worth. I would definitely get this drink again and recommend it paired with a warm chocolate croissant. I rate it a 4/5 because the drink itself was great, but I think if you’re really looking for that fall feeling, there’s better places you can go.

I loved writing about and exploring all these places, but I without a doubt enjoyed Nina’s the most. It made me happy to be able to support a small business, while also getting the most out of my money and time. So, to anyone looking for a great environment to spend time in while enjoying a delicious fall drink, Nina’s is definitely the way to go.

By: Ann McMullen

Apples. A refreshing snack, a flavorful baking ingredient, and one of the staple foods of the fall season.

I’ll start with a popular one: Honeycrisp. As the name suggests, these apples are sweet as honey but also have more of a crisp texture than most other sweet varieties. Honeycrisp apples originated in the 1960s through a cross-breeding program at the University of Minnesota, and have been a favorite among consumers ever since. Because of how sweet they are, Honeycrisps are often eaten alone, but their crispness makes them a great option for baking as well. Personally, I think a plain Honeycrisp apple makes a great snack!

Granny Smith’s are easily the most well known green apple. They’re also known for being more tart than other varieties, making them a great option for baking. Taking a bite straight out of a Granny Smith apple may not be for everyone, but combining them with sugar and spices in a recipe is bound to create something with great flavor.

A personal favorite of mine is the Pink Lady. These bright red apples are one of the sweetest varieties I’ve tasted. However, what sets them apart from other sweet apples is how soft they are. When combined with the massive amount of juice contained in a Pink Lady, the soft texture makes them nearly melt in your mouth. If I’m going to buy some apples for snacking, these are my go to.

Finally, another locally sourced apple: the Zestar. These red apples are quite unique. They manage to be sweet and tart at the same time, as well as very crisp and juicy. Because of this unusual combination of flavors, a Zestar is a great apple to try on its own. Since they were introduced in Minnesota, they’re a great kind to keep your eye out for at local orchards.

Happy apple picking!

By: Ava Bleifus

Madeline Island is part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. It is located in the northern part of Wisconsin. Madeline Island is 14 miles long and 3 miles wide; there are many paved and unpaved roads that lead you around the island.

You have to take a ferry boat from Bayfield, WI to La Pointe, the only town on the island. La Pointe is a very small town that has restaurants, a candle shop, a grocery store, an ice cream shop, a convenience store, a golf course, and a marina. 

Madeline Island is known for many things like kayaking, camping, and swimming in Lake Superior. The average temperature of Lake Superior is 54 degrees fahrenheit which makes swimming very cold but still enjoyable.

A popular place to visit on Madeline Island is called Eagle’s Nest, which is part of Big Bay State Park. There are many different cliffs, at different heights, that people can jump off of into Lake Superior where the water is deep enough to make it safe. 

Every August, Madeline Island sponsors a swimming race called “Point to La Pointe Swim.” It started in 2006 with 24 people and now over 500 swimmers participate every year. It is a two mile course that goes between Bayfield and La Pointe. Most people wear wet suits because the lake is so cold.

Another celebration is the Fourth of July parade that goes down the main street of La Pointe. People can create their own floats and be part of the parade, and also throw candy at the spectators. There is also a marching band made up of the island residents. The parade is followed by a celebration in town and a fireworks display that night.

There is also an inline skate marathon, and a running marathon every summer that visitors and residents can participate in. 

While visiting Madeline Island you can also learn about the history at the island’s museum. The island was named after Madeleine Cadotte, an Anishinaabe woman who was the daughter of Chief White Crane and married to a fur trader named Micheal Cadotte. Before the fur traders arrived the island was home to the Anishinaabe people who spoke the Ojibwe language. The Anishinaabe people called this island Mooningwanekaaning. That name came from the bird called mooningwaneg, which is called a flicker in English. In 2015, the town of La Pointe started to place bilingual signs in both English and Ojibwe as a way to honor the Anishinaabe people. 

Madeline Island is a great place to visit in the summer because there are so many things to do. There are about 2500 people that live on the island during the summer, and year-round there are only 250 people. It takes about 5 hours to get there from Saint Paul and it’s worth a visit.

By: Christina C

There are many different types of cookies, but I’m going to talk about why these are my favorite and why I think they are good.

My top 5 different types of cookies are: the basic chocolate chip, molasses, white chocolate macadamia nut, red velvet, salted caramel, and Oreo cheesecake.

Regular chocolate chip cookies were an accidental invention. In 1930 Ruth Graves Wakefield, ran out of baker’s chocolate and substituted it for a piece of Nestle semi sweet chocolate. I love these because they are a classic and you can never go wrong with a simple chocolate chip cookie.

Molasses are just like gingerbread cookies, and sometimes molasses is sweeter in the middle or made with sugar and molasses. They can come soft, cake form, or chewy.

White chocolate macadamia nuts are my go to when I don’t see any regular chocolate chip cookies. White chocolate chips and macadamia nuts just go together.

I feel red velvet cookies are just as good as a piece of red velvet cake, but just in cookie form and taste so much better when warm. There’s no way I can really describe them but just know that they are really good. They are kind of like chocolate chip cookies except its red velvet with white chocolate chips.

Salted caramel cookies are really good especially if you like cookies and caramel. It’s a mix of sweet, salty, and chewy. The one time I had a salted caramel cookie was at Crumble Cookies and it was pretty good to me; definitely would recommend.

Oreo cheesecake is a soft and chewy cookie filled with Oreos. These cookies can be served chilled or warm. I only had them once, and it was warm, and was very good. I love Oreo stuff like the regular cookies, Oreo ice cream, and Oreo cheesecake, so this cookie is a 10/10 for me because I like Oreo.

Overall, my favorite out of these six choices are the Oreo ones because I love Oreo flavored things, and I love cookies, so that’s my two favorite things.

For more information on types of cookies, please visit:

• https://www.ediblearrangements.com/blog/different-types-of-cookies-you-should-t ry/
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ah UKEwj0zLufkpX4AhV4SzABHb5GCL4QFnoECCAQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fp arade.com%2F1354612%2Felizabethnarins%2Ftypes-of-cookies%2F&usg=AOv Vaw33stVnpgq31FeTyy_7QUTQ
• https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ah UKEwj0zLufkpX4AhV4SzABHb5GCL4QFnoECB8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fw ww.tasteofhome.com%2Fcollection%2Ftypes-of-cookies%2F&usg=AOvVaw32cC cHDSVJHEKCkU7khToA
• https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/most-popular-types-of-cookies/?slide=9921c617-a624-437a-a375-74a6cb11315d#9921c617-a624-437a-a375-74a6cb11315d

By: Ashley Harris

Organic. Organic is defined by many as the healthiest option in the grocery store, but is it really as healthy as it may seem?

To start things off, you might be wondering what exactly organic is? Well, organic is when either produce, or certain ingredients, are farmed and produced without the use of unnecessary chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or any artificial chemicals.

Of course, when you read this, you might think “Huh, organic does seem healthier.” However, that isn’t always the case.

Organic is only supplemental in certain foods such as spinach, green peas, apples, peaches, and many more. The general rule is that if a fruit or vegetable has a thick layer of skin protecting it (such as avocados, bananas, and oranges) there is no need to spend the extra buck for organic.

However, vegetables such as leafy green are the most prone to absorb these toxic chemicals and get into your digestive tract. That is why leafy greens are especially important to buy organic.

This leads to my next point: Why is organic so much more expensive than conventional produce? On average, organic foods tend to cost over 50% more than their non-organic competitors. The reason for this is that farmers tend to have to use physical, mechanical, and biological controls instead of pesticides to assure a good harvest.

There are two main points to consider when deciding whether or not to buy organic. 1. Are you doing it for your health? Or 2. Are you doing it for the environment?

First, I will be addressing #1. If you indeed seek out organic options opposed to conventional produce simply for your health, then I’m afraid I have some bad news for you. According to research done by UCDavis health, organic foods and non-organic foods contain the exact same amount of nutrients and macros.

On the other hand, if you are motivated for the reason of #2 then I would absolutely reach for organic foods. According to Harvard, “Organic foods are clearly healthier for the planet, because they support an agricultural system that avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and promotes a more biodiverse ecosystem, with attention to the health of waterways, soil, air, wildlife, farm workers, and the climate.”

So, if you are reaching out for organic foods simply for your health, don’t waste your money. However, if you are seeking out organic foods for the environment, then 100% keep seeking them out.

By: Ashley Harris

Matcha was originally discovered in the 8th century by a Buddhist monk named Myoan Eisai. However, matcha was not made popular until the 12 century. There is no specific place where matcha was first found, but it can be traced back all the way to the Tang Dynasty in China.

Contrary to popular belief, matcha’s original form is not powder. In fact, to make just 30 grams of matcha, it takes on average, 1 hour to produce.

You might be wondering how exactly matcha is created. Well, it’s actually pretty simple despite the amount of time it takes. According to TeaSource, “It is made from the highest grade of Gyokuro Japanese green tea. The finest shade-grown tea buds are plucked, the stems and veins are removed, and the leaves are carefully ground into a fine powder.”

While matcha can be drunk by itself, it is widely preferred in many different flavors and milks. Some popular milk choices involve, almond milk, oat milk, whole milk, and even goats milk. As well as this, there are many different flavors to choose from such as, brown sugar, toffee nut, raspberry, cinnamon, strawberry, and pretty much anything you can think of!

It is not only the sweet earthy flavor that draws people towards matcha, in fact, matcha has countless amounts of health properties such as: enrichment of antioxidants, possible protection of the liver, boosting in brain function, prevention of cancer, promotes heart health, and many more.

Matcha has been evolving since its first day of arrival in the 8th century. From only drinking it with water, to being able to order a venti matcha frappuccino at Starbucks, matcha has paved the way for many teas around the world.

So, now that you know more about matcha, are you willing to give it a try?

By: Jessica Garcia Saligan & Marleen Medina

#1 Wild Thing

The number one best ride at Valleyfair is the Wild Thing. The Wild Thing is the fattest and tallest roller coaster in the park. This ride begins slowly at first, and it will make its way up to 200+ feet, and it will give you a spectacular view of the whole park. As soon as you reach the top of the initial hill there will be a slight pause and before you know it you will be flying downhill going over 70 miles per hour. When the ride is about to end, you will enter a dark tunnel then go over one small hill and that’s when your picture will be taken. This ride is 2 minutes and 48 seconds long.

#2 Power Tower

The Power Tower is the 2nd best ride in Valleyfair. The ride is a vertical line, and it will make your stomach feel like it’s turning throughout the ride. The Power Tower is a fast ride. It goes up to 50mph and its height is around 276′ and its height restriction is 4’4. This ride isn’t like any other ride; it starts fast right as you launch it. This ride takes 45 seconds and you need to be 48’’ to ride.

#3 Renegade

The third best ride at Valleyfair will have to be Renegade. Renegade is a ride that is built with wood, and 2 riders per row. It matters because it helps the ride make a sharper turn. Renegade is about 97.5ft tall at its highest. Woden rides are louder than other rides. This ride takes 2 minutes and 24 seconds. To be able to build this wooden roller coaster, it cost $6,500,000.

#4 Steel Venom

The fourth best ride at Valleyfair is Steel Venom. Steel Venom is a ride that is a Usain Bolt and made out of metal. The ride is shaped like a snake. At the top of the “U” there’s a twist that is enough to feel like a full twist as you reverse backwards downhill. All the riders will be immediately launched forward and accelerate 70 miles an hour, in less than 4 seconds. Steel Venom is 185ft’ tall, and it’s a 1 minute ride.

#5 Corkscrew

The fifth best ride at Valleyfair is the Corkscrew. This ride is the first roller coaster to have a vertical loop and a double corkscrew with a 360 degrees loop, and it’s also the only ride at Valleyfair that has inversions. The Corkscrew’s height is 85’ with a top speed of 50mph. It’s a 1 minute and 30 second ride.