In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

 🌞 Weather: Mostly Sunny - Temps 48-50

 📢 Local Events from Mentor & the Area: MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events!

 📰 Local News: 🏃🏻‍♀️‍➡️ Sub Zero Mission’s Stay Alive 5K - Nov. 9 to Support Homeless

 🎄 Spirit Halloween Transforms Into Spirit Christmas in Mentor

 🥖 Lake County Offers Free Fresh Food Distributions Amid SNAP Pause

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Pet Corner: 🐶 After 7 Years in a Shelter, Nitro Finally Finds a Home

 🐾 Adopt a Dog Locally in Lake County

 🏐 Sports: 🏐 Mentor Volleyball Punches Ticket to State Final Four

 🏐 Lake Catholic Volleyball Returns to State With Eyes on Fourth Straight Title

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

Contact Mentor Local Buzz - [email protected] - 440-256-6115

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Featured Event for Nov 6

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🏃🏻‍♀️‍➡️ Sub Zero Mission’s Stay Alive 5K Returns Nov. 9 to Support Homeless

Sub Zero Mission will host its 2nd Annual Stay Alive 5K and 1 Mile Walk on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m. at 585 Riverside Drive in Painesville Township. The event supports the group’s mission to prevent cold-related deaths, especially among homeless veterans.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. Entry is $30 through Nov. 8 and $35 on race day. Early packet pickup runs 1–5 p.m. on Nov. 8 at 1760 N. Ridge Road, Painesville.

The first 150 finishers get medals, and participants receive a custom race T-shirt while supplies last. Sub Zero gear will be on sale, and a 50/50 raffle follows the race. Winners do not need to be present.

Proceeds fund winter outreach missions, delivering warming gear—hats, coats, boots, gloves, and sleeping bags. The group plans 30 missions this season and aims to distribute over $30,000 in supplies.

Sponsorships are available for $250. Learn more or register at www.subzeromission.org, or contact 440-520-8750 or [email protected].

🎄 Spirit Halloween Transforms Into Spirit Christmas in Mentor

Spirit Halloween is expanding again, but this time with a holiday twist. Its seasonal stores are transforming into winter wonderlands under the new name Spirit Christmas, with two locations opening in Northeast Ohio.

If you're feeling festive, the Spirit Christmas store in Mentor is already open for the 2025 holiday season inside the former JOANN Fabrics at 8000 Plaza Blvd.

Store hours in Mentor are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Santa Claus is expected to make appearances at this location, offering photo opportunities and meet-and-greets.

Another Spirit Christmas store will open in North Canton at Belden Park Crossings, inside a former JOANN Fabrics at 5487 Dressler Road NW. An exact opening date hasn't been announced, but the store is expected to open later this month, according to the company’s website.

At Spirit Christmas, visitors will find thousands of stocking stuffers, holiday apparel, fun gifts, and unique décor to create a memorable Christmas. Offerings include traditional Christmas lights, inflatable lawn decorations, LED lights, Insta-trees, ornaments, nutcrackers, and more.

Other highlights include:

• Photos with Santa Claus: A free digital video is included. Photo packages are available for purchase online or in-store.

• Peppermint Village: A whimsical setup featuring Frosty the Snowman, Santa, and friends from the Island of Misfit Toys.

• Letters to Santa writing station

• Christmas animatronics

• Spooky holiday-themed merchandise, paying tribute to Spirit Halloween roots.

Read More at wkyc.com

🥖 Lake County Offers Free Fresh Food Distributions Amid SNAP Pause

As the pause in SNAP benefits takes effect starting November 1, families across Lake County are facing heightened concerns about accessing essential food resources. In response, a series of free fresh food produce distributions has been organized throughout November to help ease the burden and ensure that nutritious food remains accessible to all.

Distributions are scheduled across multiple locations including churches, senior centers, schools, and community organizations. These events are open to the public and do not require ID or income verification, unless noted otherwise.

One highlighted event takes place on Monday, November 17, at 10:00 AM at the Mentor Senior Center, with potential early distribution starting at 9:30 AM. The event specifically supports seniors but is open to all needing food assistance.

In addition to produce distributions, the Lake County Council on Aging continues to serve the senior community through its four nutrition sites, offering hot lunches during the week. Residents seeking congregate meals can call (440) 205-8111 for more information.

Facebook Post Showing All Distribution Dates and Locations

🐶 After 7 Years in a Shelter, Nitro the Dog Finally Finds a Home

After Nearly Seven Years in a Shelter, Ohio Dog Finally Finds Forever Home

A Great Dane mix named Nitro has finally found the loving home he deserves after spending nearly his entire life in an Ohio shelter.

Nitro arrived at The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project in Warren, Ohio, as a puppy in 2018. Rescued from a county kennel where he faced euthanasia, he soon became the shelter’s longest resident. Despite his affectionate nature and training, Nitro was often overlooked by potential adopters.

Volunteers described Nitro as a gentle, 80-pound “teddy bear” with the playful energy of a toddler. He was fully vaccinated, microchipped, neutered, and well-trained. But even with his friendly personality, finding the right home remained a challenge.

A promising adoption in July 2025 ended abruptly when a resident dog in the new home didn’t get along with Nitro. The return was heartbreaking, and volunteers feared Nitro might reach the seven-year mark in the shelter by September 10.

Just in time, a family from Greenford, Ohio, visited the shelter and connected with Nitro. They welcomed him into their home days before the anniversary, finally giving him the second chance he had waited years for.

The adoption was a milestone for the shelter and a reward for the volunteers’ dedication. Healthy Hearts and Paws continues to care for many other animals still searching for homes.

Read More at people.com

🐾 Adopt a Dog Locally in Lake County

If you're inspired by Nitro’s story and looking to adopt a dog in Lake County, Ohio, there are two trusted local options:

• Lake Humane Society

• Lake County Dog Shelter

Each organization has its own adoption process, so it's best to visit their official websites to find up-to-date details on how to apply, schedule a visit, and meet the dogs currently available for adoption.

By adopting locally, you not only give a dog a loving home but also support the important work these shelters do in the community.

🏐 Mentor Volleyball Punches Ticket to State Final Four for First Time Since 2007

For the first time since 2007, Mentor volleyball is heading back to the state Final Four.

The Cardinals earned their spot with a 3-1 win over Massillon Jackson in a Division I regional final on Nov. 1 at Barberton High School. Set scores were 25-20, 25-27, 25-23, and 25-21.

Next up, Mentor will face Lewis Center Olentangy Orange in the state semifinals on Nov. 8 at noon at Vandalia Butler High School.

Seniors Anna Cassidy and Melody Garrett led the way, combining for blocks and kills at the net. Their teammates backed them up with strong defensive play and smart setups throughout the match.

Mentor took the opening set with confidence and had a lead for much of the second before Jackson rallied to steal it late. In Set 3, the Cardinals trailed 23-22 but grabbed momentum with a block from Audri Van Huss, then closed it out after a Jackson error.

The fourth set was a tight battle, but Mentor’s consistency at the net and on defense helped seal the match—and a long-awaited return to the state stage.

Coach Samantha Weaver, who was part of the 2007 team as an assistant, said this senior group fulfilled a goal they’d been working toward since their freshman year. Now, they’re just two wins away from a state championship.

🏐 Lake Catholic Volleyball Returns to State With Eyes on Fourth Straight Title

On Nov. 1, Lake Catholic defeated Elyria Catholic 3-1 to win its fifth straight regional title and secure a return trip to the state tournament.

Despite entering the postseason as the eighth seed with a 12-10 record, the Cougars have stormed through the bracket with three straight victories, including revenge wins over Elyria Catholic. The triumphs mark their fifth consecutive state appearance and eighth in 10 years.

Lake Catholic’s path wasn’t easy. Thirteen of their regular-season opponents reached the regional round or beyond. They also faced tough competition within the North Coast Conference, where four teams made regionals and Padua reached a district final.

With four starters gone from last season, this year’s squad relied on a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent. Seniors Layla Kastner, Ava Starr, and Grace Stenger guided younger players like Lola Loncar, Maddie Summers, Ryann Schneider, and others who stepped into key roles.

Lake Catholic, now chasing a fourth straight state championship, joins elite company in Ohio volleyball history. Only two schools—Hopewell-Loudon and St. Ursula Academy—have won more consecutive titles.

The Cougars face Summit Country Day on Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. at Vandalia Butler, with a chance to add to their championship legacy.

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Not happy about the price of groceries..