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  • 📰 Autumn Colors, National Preparedness Month, Mentor vs. River Rouge

📰 Autumn Colors, National Preparedness Month, Mentor vs. River Rouge

Issue #272

In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…

☁️ Mentor Weather - Cloudy - Temps 74-77

 🎉 Mentor Live Events - 30+ Live Events. Events Added Daily

 🍂 Discover the Top Parks to Enjoy Autumn Colors in Mentor

 📰 September is National Preparedness Month: Tips for Staying Safe

🛍️ Lake County Mobile Food Pantry Expands to Serve Seniors Through 2025

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: Food & Recipes: 🍲 Chicken Pot Pie Soup: A Cozy Twist on a Classic Favorite

☕ Warm Up This Fall with a Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

 🏈 Mentor Set for Non-Conference Clash with Michigan's River Rouge Today

⚾ Astros Secure 5-2 Win Over Guardians with Blanco's Stellar Performance

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

👉👉 Put Your Local Business in the Spotlight! Click Here

Cloudy - Temps 74-77

See the details for these events in the link above for Mentor Live Events. New Events Added Daily

See All the Upcoming Events Here at:
Mentor Live Events!
30+ Event Dates

🍂 Discover the Top Parks to Enjoy Autumn Colors in Mentor

City of Mentor

Autumn in Northeast Ohio brings crisp, clean air, vibrant colors, and the crunch of leaves underfoot. Here in Mentor, we’re lucky to have over 1,200 acres of parkland, offering countless opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the season. While the peak of fall color typically occurs in mid-October, there's no better way to fully experience the transformation than by exploring our parks throughout the entire season. From warm yellows that cast a golden hue over forest paths to the fiery reds and brilliant oranges that follow, fall in Mentor is truly a feast for all the senses.

Here’s a guide to the best parks in Mentor to immerse yourself in the autumn scenery:

1. Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Marina (8365 Harbor Drive): This expansive park offers over 450 acres of diverse landscapes. Its upland forest showcases a wide variety of hardwood trees, creating a stunning and ever-changing color palette throughout the fall season. With an extensive trail system, you can wander through the forest, taking in the vibrant colors. Be sure to stop by the new boardwalk at the trailhead for a spectacular view of the marsh.

2. Veterans Park (5730 Hopkins Road): Managed by Lake Metroparks, this wooded park surrounds Granger Pond, the largest inland pond in Lake County, covering 34 acres. A 1.78-mile loop trail encircles the pond, providing breathtaking views of fall foliage reflected in the water. For a panoramic experience, head to the fishing pier and take in the stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding trees.

3. Wildwood Cultural Center (7645 Little Mountain Road): Spread across 34 acres, Wildwood is one of Mentor's cultural treasures. The beautiful English Tudor-style manor house is surrounded by mature trees that create a spectacular autumn display. Take a walk along the wide trail through the forest, where you’ll encounter fallen maple, oak, and beech leaves, with sunlight shimmering through the canopy of leaves still clinging to the branches.

4. Eleanor B. Garfield Park (7967 Mentor Avenue): Located in the heart of Mentor, this 65-acre park is popular for its recreational facilities, including baseball fields, tennis courts, a playground, and the city's Farmers Market. In the fall, the 5-acre fishing pond becomes the perfect backdrop for family photos. Arrive early in the morning to catch the mist rising off the pond and the brilliant fall colors reflected in the still water.

5. Civic Center Complex (8500 Civic Center Boulevard): While primarily home to city facilities like the Municipal Center, Police Station, Mentor Civic Amphitheater, Pool, and Mentor Ice Arena, the real beauty of this area in the fall is the Civic Center Bike Path. The path winds from the park near the Ice Arena to Hopkins Road, and offers a stunning display of fall colors for those who choose to walk or bike.

Bonus Spot – Mentor Cemetery (6881 Hopkins Road): The historic Mentor Cemetery offers a peaceful and reflective experience, with rich autumn colors enhancing the serene atmosphere. The memorial promenade is a beautiful place to appreciate the season while honoring those who have served our nation.

For more information about Mentor's parks and facilities, visit cityofmentor.com/mentor-parks.

📰 September is National Preparedness Month: Tips for Staying Safe

City of Mentor

The severe storm that swept through Northeast Ohio on August 6th brought multiple tornadoes and widespread power outages, hitting areas like Mentor particularly hard. Many residents found themselves without electricity for up to five days, despite the tireless efforts of crews working around the clock to restore power.

With September being recognized as National Preparedness Month, now is the perfect time to take steps to ensure you and your family are ready for future storms. Here are some essential tips to help you stay prepared:

1. Create an Emergency Plan: It’s crucial to have a plan in place for emergencies. Discuss with your family how you will stay in touch if communication lines are down. Think about alternative ways to receive information if your phone dies or the internet is inaccessible.

2. Build a Preparedness Kit: Assemble a kit containing essential items such as bottled water, nonperishable food, necessary medications, a first aid kit, flashlights, blankets, and an emergency radio. Investing in a generator for potential long-term outages can be a wise decision, but make sure you know how to operate it safely.

3. Review Your Home Insurance: Verify that your home insurance covers potential storm damage. It’s important to know what repairs are covered and who to contact if your property is affected. Now is also a good time to gather recommendations for reliable contractors from friends and family.

4. Sign Up for Emergency Alerts: Mentor residents can stay informed by subscribing to the Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS) through Lake County, Ohio. This system provides critical updates during emergencies. You can sign up quickly at lakeohioalert.com.

While last month’s storm was unexpected, it's a reminder that similar weather events are bound to occur. As harsh winter weather looms in Northeast Ohio, it's wise to take time this September to prepare and stay informed. For more tips on emergency preparedness, visit ready.gov or redcross.org.

🛍️ Lake County Mobile Food Pantry Expands to Serve Seniors Through 2025

The Lake County Mobile Food Pantry, in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, will continue to provide free, fresh produce to seniors in Lake County with weekly distributions through September 2025. Laketran recently announced new distribution dates from October 2024 to March 2025, with the pantry rotating among multiple locations.

Lake County seniors aged 60 and older can register for one produce pick-up per month, provided their annual gross household income is at or below $30,120 for a single-person household or $40,880 for a two-person household. Pre-registration is required, with 100 spots available each week.

Distributions take place Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. at the following locations:

  • Lake Erie Church of God: Oct. 1, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4

  • New Hope Baptist Church: Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11

  • Wickliffe Senior Center: Oct. 15, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 18

  • Laketran Mentor Park-n-Ride: Oct. 22, Nov. 26, Dec. 31, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25

No distributions are scheduled for October 29 or December 24. To register, call Lifeline at 2-1-1. Seniors needing transportation can arrange rides through Laketran by calling 440-354-6100.

The program is a collaborative effort between the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Laketran, Lake County Commissioners Senior Services, Lifeline, and the Lake County Council on Aging, each contributing to donations, reservations, and food distribution.

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🍲 Chicken Pot Pie Soup: A Cozy Twist on a Classic Favorite

Courtesy: CW NEWELL

Chicken pot pie has always been a go-to comfort food, combining tender chicken, butter-cooked vegetables, creamy gravy, and that irresistible flaky crust. It’s a classic chicken dinner that never disappoints, and this recipe offers a fun twist that turns it into a hearty soup.

This chicken pot pie soup recipe captures all the flavors of the traditional dish, but with a comforting, creamy texture that’s perfect for dipping. The secret to this version lies in the crust: simply take two store-bought pie crusts, place them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with cheese and parsley, and bake until golden and crisp. Once baked, break them into rustic-style crackers for dipping into the soup, or you can serve the soup with warm cheese biscuits if you prefer.

Wine Substitution Tip: If you’d rather skip the white wine, simply replace it with extra chicken broth. While wine adds a nice depth of flavor, chicken broth works just as well and is often preferred by families who don’t enjoy cooking with wine.

Chicken Options: For ultimate convenience, shredded rotisserie chicken is a great choice for this soup, offering about three cups of tender meat with minimal effort. You can also cook and shred your own chicken, or even use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving to create this cozy meal.

Check Out this Wonderful Recipe at thepioneerwoman.com

☕ Warm Up This Fall with a Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Welcome sweater weather with a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte! This easy recipe delivers all the classic flavors of the original, but at a fraction of the price.

There's nothing quite like the blend of espresso, steamed milk, and pumpkin pie spice to capture the essence of fall. Whether you’re curling up with a good book or savoring a crisp autumn day, this seasonal favorite is the ultimate cozy comfort drink. Enjoy all the warm and inviting vibes with every sip!

Check Out this Great Recipe from Skinnytaste.com

🏈 Mentor Set for Non-Conference Clash with Michigan's River Rouge Today

Panthers vs. Cardinals

Mentor High School's football team is set for an exciting non-conference matchup against Michigan's River Rouge at Jerome T. Osborne Stadium today, Sept. 28, at 2 p.m. The Cardinals, with a flawless 5-0 record, will face a tough opponent in River Rouge, which currently stands at 2-2.

Mentor enters this game on a hot streak, winning 10 consecutive regular season games dating back to last year. Their high-powered offense has been unstoppable this season, scoring 35 or more points in four out of five games. Quarterback Scotty Fox, who has committed to West Virginia, is leading the charge with 1,098 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. His favorite targets, Justen Hodge and Austin VanHuss, have been equally impressive, amassing 489 and 333 receiving yards, respectively. Running back Jackson Farley adds another layer to the offense, rushing for 741 yards at an average of 9.26 yards per carry and contributing as a receiver out of the backfield.

Defensively, Mentor has shown dominance as well, racking up 27 tackles for loss this season. Spencer Barninger and Caden Clair have been standout players, anchoring the Cardinals’ defense.

River Rouge, coming off a close 14-7 loss to Birmingham Brother Rice, brings a formidable defense of their own. Led by defensive lineman Jordin Farrow (committed to Toledo) and cornerback DonPaul Keith (headed to Western Illinois), the Panthers aim to put up a strong resistance against Mentor’s relentless offense.

As the top-ranked team in the Division I, Region 1 computer ratings, Mentor looks to maintain its momentum before returning to Greater Cleveland Conference (GCC) action next week against Shaker Heights. This matchup offers a chance for the Cardinals to test themselves against an out-of-state opponent and keep their winning streak alive.

⚾ Astros Secure 5-2 Win Over Guardians with Blanco's Stellar Performance

The Houston Astros claimed a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in a clash of division champions on Friday night. Pitcher Ronel Blanco led the way for Houston with five scoreless innings, extending his unbeaten streak to nine straight starts and maintaining an impressive 0.75 ERA in September. Three relievers followed Blanco, combining to allow just two runs in a strong three-hitter performance.

Rookie Spencer Arrighetti made his first relief appearance after 28 starts, managing two innings but loading the bases in the eighth before being ejected for showing frustration as he exited. Bryan Abreu stepped in and struck out rookie Kyle Manzardo and All-Star José Ramírez to end the threat.

Houston's offense was powered by back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning from Victor Caratini and rookie Zach Dezenzo, who hit his first major league homer in his debut. It was a special moment for Dezenzo, an Ohio native who grew up watching Guardians games at Progressive Field.

The Guardians managed two runs in the ninth inning but couldn't overcome the deficit, as Astros closer Josh Hader secured the win. Houston, locked in as AL West champions, will host a wild-card series next week, while Cleveland is vying with the Yankees for the top seed in the playoffs.

The Astros continue to build momentum after a turnaround season, posting an 80-54 record since May. Their next matchup will feature veteran Justin Verlander against Guardians right-hander Ben Lively.

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