In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

🌬️ Weather: Cloudy & Windy - Temps 43-45

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

 📰 Local News: 🎄 Mentor’s “Be a Santa to a Senior” Program Spreads Holiday Cheer in 2025

🚇 Lake County Secures Over $2.3M in Transit Funding for Workforce Mobility

 🎶 Zoom Back in Time: Genealogical Society Hosts Civil War-Themed Program

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Travel & Discovery: ✈️ Solvang Celebrates Christmas Magic with Julefest and National Honors

 🏈 Sports: 🏀 Mitchell's Fourth-Quarter Heroics Lift Cavs Over Grizzlies

 🏈 Buckeyes Flex Depth in Blowout Win Over UCLA, Remain Undefeated

 🏈 Mentor’s Scotty Fox Jr. Shines in Close West Virginia Loss

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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

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🎄 Mentor’s “Be a Santa to a Senior” Program Spreads Holiday Cheer in 2025

Be a Santa to a Senior Returns to Mentor for 2025 Holiday Season

A cherished holiday tradition returns to Mentor this year, spreading joy to local seniors who may otherwise feel forgotten. Starting Monday, November 17 at 9:00 AM, the “Be a Santa to a Senior” giving tree will be on display in the Mentor Municipal Center lobby, inviting the community to help brighten the season for Lake County seniors in need.

Organized by Home Instead Senior Care, the program gathers practical gifts for older adults. Each ornament-shaped tag on the tree lists modest requests like bath towels, toiletries, stamps, and clothing—everyday essentials that can mean a lot.

Community members can select a tag, shop for the listed gift, and return it—tag attached—to the box near the tree by December 5, 2025.

Every senior also receives a handwritten letter from a local honor society student, a handmade holiday card, and a personal phone call, bringing warmth and connection during a season that can feel isolating.

The Mentor Municipal Center, located at 8500 Civic Center Boulevard, is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, offering a convenient drop-off spot for participants.

With just a small gesture, residents can help ensure no senior spends the holidays alone. To learn more, visit www.beasantatoasenior.com or call 440-729-5888.

🚇 Lake County Secures Over $2.3M in Transit Funding for Workforce Mobility

Lake County Projects Lead Local Share of $13.5M Statewide Transit Investment

Ohio is directing $13.5 million toward 28 public transit projects aimed at expanding access to jobs, training, and essential services across the state, with Lake County receiving one of the most substantial portions of the funding.

Laketran will receive $324,053 to purchase two propane‑powered transit vehicles designed to support longer cross‑county workforce trips. The new vehicles will help improve reliability for riders traveling to job sites and training centers beyond Lake County’s borders.

An additional $2,065,767 is dedicated to a joint Laketran–Geauga Transit workforce mobility initiative. This three‑year project will expand demand‑responsive transportation across both counties, supporting travel for work, education, healthcare, and training. The initiative includes hiring more drivers, increasing driver wages, and improving service flexibility to meet workforce needs.

While agencies in Summit, Mahoning, Trumbull and Wayne counties also received allocations, the Lake–Geauga investment stands out as one of the most comprehensive regional workforce mobility expansions funded in this round. Another $13.5 million is planned for the next fiscal year as part of the continuing transportation budget.

🎶 Zoom Back in Time: Genealogical Society Hosts Civil War-Themed Program

Genealogical Society to Explore Civil War Tunes and Soldier Life in November Zoom

The Lake County Genealogical Society invites the public to a free Zoom meeting on Wednesday, November 20 at 10:00 a.m., featuring a look into daily life during the Civil War era.

After a brief business meeting, guest speaker Kassidy Cobb will present a program on how patriotic 19th-century music boosted soldier morale. She’ll also discuss the games soldiers played, such as chess, checkers, and cards, offering insight into how they found comfort and camaraderie during wartime.

Cobb, a Liberty University graduate with degrees in History and Creative Writing, is known for her engaging approach to historical storytelling. She has been recognized by Congress and the Commonwealth of Kentucky for her efforts to preserve the past.

To attend, email [email protected] or visit www.lcgsohio.org/contact by November 18 to receive the Zoom link.

The Society supports local genealogy efforts, including the Morley Library’s genealogy room in Painesville. Recent updates include three new volumes from the Silver Books series, which document Mayflower descendants.

See Lake County Genealogical Society’s website

✈️ Solvang Celebrates Christmas Magic with Julefest and National Honors

Solvang Shines Bright with Julefest 2025 and National Accolades

Tucked into the Santa Ynez Valley, the city of Solvang blends old-world charm with California sunshine, offering a rich tapestry of Danish culture, local wines, and boutique experiences. Often called the “Danish Capital of America,” Solvang is a year-round destination—but the city truly sparkles during the winter holiday season.

This year, Solvang’s reputation continues to rise as it takes home two prestigious travel honors. The city was named “Best Small Town in the West” in USA TODAY’s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards and was ranked among the top five for “Best Small Town Food Scene.” Solvang also claimed a spot on the coveted Sunset Travel Awards list for best “Wine Country Getaway.”

Now, all eyes turn to Solvang’s signature holiday tradition—Julefest, a month-long celebration of lights, music, and merriment that transforms the village into a festive Nordic wonderland from November 28, 2025, through January 4, 2026.

This year’s festivities promise a full calendar of attractions for visitors of all ages:

Julefest Highlights

• Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec. 5): The celebration kicks off with musical performances and a community tree lighting in Solvang Park, featuring a synchronized light show and caroling under the stars.

• Julefest Parade (Dec. 6): More than 50 floats and 400 participants will march through town in this beloved annual parade. Expect marching bands, vintage cars, horses, and an appearance by Santa Claus himself. The 2025 theme: Nordic Noel.

• Julefest Maker’s Market (Dec. 3, 10, 17): Every Wednesday evening, Solvang Park transforms into a European-style night market with artisan crafts, local treats, and handmade holiday gifts.

• Christmas Carolers (Saturdays): On select Saturdays throughout Julefest, professional carolers dressed in period costumes will fill the streets with traditional holiday music.

• Holiday Tours: Visitors can join candlelight walking tours led by guides in Danish attire, explore fairy tale-inspired tours that spotlight Hans Christian Andersen stories, or start the morning with a cheerful stroll during the “Merry Morning Walk.”

• Light & Music Show: Nightly shows in Solvang Park feature twinkling lights and snow flurries on the hour from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., adding an extra dash of magic to the evening air.

• Nisser Adventure: Kids and families can embark on a whimsical scavenger hunt across the town, searching for hidden Nisser—mischievous Danish gnomes known to cause festive mischief.

• Santa’s Village & Photos with Santa: Starting November 29, Santa’s Village opens its gates on weekends, complete with photo ops, gingerbread houses, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Stay the Night in Style

Solvang offers a wide selection of accommodations—from cozy B&Bs to full-service hotels and even luxury resorts. Many properties are pet-friendly and located within walking distance of downtown attractions. Winter lodging specials invite visitors to extend their stay and make the most of the holiday magic.

Cast Your Vote

Solvang has also been nominated for three national holiday honors this year, including Best Christmas Town in the U.S. and Best Christmas Market by Newsweek, as well as Best Christmas Town by TZR. Locals and fans alike are encouraged to vote daily to help Solvang secure its spot among the nation’s most festive destinations.

As Solvang embraces the spirit of “hygge”—the Danish concept of coziness and togetherness—Julefest 2025 offers the perfect escape into a storybook winter scene. Whether it’s sipping mulled wine under windmill shadows or joining in the joyful carols, every moment in Solvang this season is sure to become a cherished memory.

See solvangusa.com

🏀 Mitchell's Fourth-Quarter Heroics Lift Cavs Over Grizzlies

The Cleveland Cavaliers staged a fourth-quarter rally led by Donovan Mitchell’s 30-point performance to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 108-100. Cleveland outscored Memphis 32-16 in the final period, overcoming an 11-point halftime deficit. Evan Mobley added 22 points and 13 rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 26 points but struggled from the field. Ja Morant exited early with calf soreness, and several key players on both sides remained out due to injuries.

Jarrett Allen added 16 points and Sam Merrill chipped in 13 for the Cavaliers. Off the bench, Santi Aldama provided a spark for Memphis with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Read More, Watch Highlights at espn.com

🏈 Buckeyes Flex Depth in Blowout Win Over UCLA, Remain Undefeated

Ohio State cruised past UCLA 48-10, displaying depth and dominance despite missing top receivers. James Peoples led the way with two touchdowns, including a hurdle-filled 19-yard run, while Lorenzo Styles Jr. returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score. The Buckeyes controlled the game early, scoring on their first five drives and limiting UCLA to just 50 first-half yards. Quarterback Julian Sayin was sharp, completing 23 of 31 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown. Ohio State improved to 10-0 on the season.

Read More, Watch Highlights at espn.com

🏈 Mentor’s Scotty Fox Jr. Shines in Close West Virginia Loss

Mentor native Scotty Fox Jr. continues to impress in his freshman season at West Virginia, despite a narrow 25–23 road loss to Arizona State. Fox threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard strike in the second quarter and a 90-yard swing pass that gave the Mountaineers a brief late lead. He also set a school record for most passing yards in a season by a true freshman, surpassing a mark held since 1955.

West Virginia struggled to capitalize in key moments, going just 1-for-4 on fourth down and managing only 68 rushing yards. Despite the loss, Fox’s performance remains a bright spot in a rebuilding season. The Mountaineers (4–7) close out the year hosting No. 8 Texas Tech on Nov. 29.

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Music to your dogs ears…..