In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…

🌨️ Weather: Mostly Cloudy & Flurries, Some Sun in Afternoon - Temps 20-23

 🎉 Events: 50+ Live Events. Direct Link to Mentor Live Events

 📰 Local News: 🧇 Burton’s Sweet Tradition: Maple Syrup Season Begins Feb. 8

 🏫 Mentor Public Schools Launches Career Academies With 22 Pathways

 📰 Lifeline Offers Heating Bill Assistance for Income-Eligible Ohioans

 🤔 Mentor School System FAQ’s - Transportation on January 30th

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Event Showcase: 🏒 Try Hockey for Free! Fun Event for Kids on February 22

 🏀 Sports: 🏈 Kevin Stefanski Taking Over Browns’ Play-Calling, Likely Signaling End of Watson Era

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

 📢 Advertise With Us!

👉 Mentor Live Events 👈
Jan 24

Complete list of events and all the details in the link above “Mentor Live Events”. New Events Added Daily.

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

 🧇 Burton’s Sweet Tradition: Maple Syrup Season Begins Feb. 8

Maple Syrup Tradition Runs Deep in Geauga County

For nearly seven decades, Tom Blair Sr. has been immersed in Geauga County’s maple syrup culture. A Burton native, businessman, and village council member, Blair’s connection to syrup-making dates back to his childhood, when he first tapped sugar maple trees on his family’s farm.

Now 81, Blair recalls being pulled from study hall during high school to help collect sap from trees in Burton Square. After years in the trucking industry, he took over Geauga Door Sales and Service in 1984, keeping him close to the heart of the county’s maple syrup industry.

Burton Square is home to two log cabins, central to the community’s syrup production and sales. The northern cabin houses a reverse osmosis system to extract water from sap, while the southern cabin, built in the 1960s, serves as a visitor center and retail shop, selling locally produced syrup, sugar, and candy.

The tradition continues with the annual Tree Tappin’ Ceremony, scheduled for Feb. 8 this year, marking the start of the syrup season. A short ceremony, where the first tree is tapped about 10:10am. While Burton Square’s trees contribute sap, the chamber relies on local suppliers to meet demand. Every January, letters go out to area tappers, coordinating barrel deliveries and pickups. By late March or early April, full barrels return for processing.

The syrup is stored in barrels until needed, ensuring a fresh supply for eager customers. Thanks to dedicated volunteers the chamber keeps this time-honored craft alive, stocking shelves with Geauga County’s golden delicacy.

Read the Full Article at geaugamapleleaf.com
More on Maple syrup, events

Burton Chamber Log Cabin Tree Tapping Ceremony 2025
February 8th @ 10:00 - 3:00pm
We will give you a bucket, lid and spile and take you out into the park where you will tap your own Maple tree and have your name on it for the 2025 season!

🏫 Mentor Public Schools Launches Career Academies With 22 Pathways

Mentor Public Schools Launches Career Academies to Prepare Students for the Future

Mentor Public Schools has officially launched its Career Academies, offering students hands-on learning experiences in 22 different career pathways. This initiative provides one-year and two-year programs, allowing students to explore their interests while gaining valuable skills for future careers.

Through partnerships with Lakeland Community College and Lake Erie College, students in nine of the academies can also earn College Credit Plus (CCP) credits, giving them a head start on higher education.

The Career Academies aim to equip students with the tools they need to be college- and career-ready, making this program a significant investment in their future success.

To learn more about available career pathways, visit www.mentorcareeracademies.net or watch the introduction video above.

📰 Lifeline Offers Heating Bill Assistance for Income-Eligible Ohioans

Ohio residents struggling with home energy costs may qualify for assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program, available until March 31, 2025. The program, managed locally by Lifeline, helps those facing service disconnection, those who have already lost service, and individuals needing to establish new utility accounts.

To be eligible, households must have a gross annual income at or below 175% of the federal poverty level—equivalent to $54,600 for a family of four.

Last year, over 560 households in Lake County received assistance. This year, 289 applications have already been submitted in the first two months, with 220 approved so far.

Residents seeking help can contact Lifeline’s Energy Assistance Office at 440-350-9160 or visit www.lclifeline.org for more details on the application process.

🏒 Try Hockey for Free! Fun Event for Kids on February 22

Try Hockey for Free: Give Your Child a Chance to Hit the Ice! 🏒

Looking for a fun new activity for your child? Try Hockey for Free is the perfect opportunity! On Saturday, February 22, kids can experience the excitement of hockey at one of two available sessions:

📅 Session 1: 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
📅 Session 2: 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM

All equipment is provided, and on-ice assistance will be available, so no prior experience is needed—just bring your child’s enthusiasm!

Spots are limited, so be sure to register in advance:
➡ Register for 11:15 AM
➡ Register for 12:15 PM

Don't miss this exciting opportunity for your child to discover the fun of hockey! 🎉

🏈 Kevin Stefanski Taking Over Browns’ Play-Calling, Likely Signaling End of Watson Era

Kevin Stefanski Resumes Play-Calling Duties as Browns Move Away from Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is reclaiming play-calling responsibilities following the promotion of Tommy Rees to offensive coordinator. While the team’s offensive struggles in 2024 weren’t solely due to play-calling, Stefanski’s decision signals a shift in direction—one that likely moves away from quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson’s tenure in Cleveland has been turbulent. Injuries and inconsistent performances have defined his time since signing a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. Despite his past success, Stefanski has struggled to maximize Watson’s potential in the Browns' system, while other veteran quarterbacks have thrived in his absence. The latest Achilles injury further clouds Watson’s future, making it increasingly likely that he won’t be a major factor in the 2025 season.

The Browns’ patience appears to be wearing thin, and Stefanski’s return to calling plays could be the final indication that the team is preparing to move on. If Cleveland finds success with another quarterback under Stefanski’s system, it may mark the end of Watson’s time with the franchise.

Read the Full Article at Fansided.com

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

The things that dads do…