In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

🌨️ Weather: Windy, Wintry Mix - Temps 38-40

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

 📰 Local News: 👨🏻‍🚒 Mentor Fire Celebrates New Hires and Promotion in Ceremony Honoring Service

👷🏻 Channel 5 Highlights the New Uptown Project Breaking Ground Next Year

 📰 From Strawberry Fields to Shopping Landmark - the Great Lakes Mall

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Wellness Wednesday: 😌 Give Yourself the Gift of Less Stress

 🏀 Sports: High School Basketball Scoreboard

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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

👉 Events in Mentor & the Area! Visit
MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events
Featured Event for Dec 10

See All the Events
MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events

👨🏻‍🚒 Mentor Fire Celebrates New Hires and Promotion in Ceremony Honoring Service

Mentor Fire Department Welcomes New Firefighters, Celebrates Promotion in Swearing-In Ceremony

The City of Mentor honored its newest firefighters and a departmental promotion during a swearing-in ceremony held at Fire Station 5. The event, set in the station’s apparatus bay—seen as the heart of the firehouse—highlighted tradition, service, and community support.

Fire Chief Ron Zaccardelli welcomed attendees, recognizing city leaders, fire and police officials, and dispatchers. He emphasized the role of teamwork across public safety and thanked the families and colleagues who support the department.

City Manager Ken Filipiak spoke on behalf of city leadership, praising the department's standards and expressing appreciation for the new recruits and their families. Judge Trebets administered the official oath of office, commending the dedication of those who step toward danger when others turn away.

Ben Bendocus was promoted to lieutenant after 20 years of service. New full-time hires included Chris Lenise, Dylan Gamper, Guy Snider, Steve Sharappa, and Jonathan Isaac, all bringing diverse backgrounds in military service, EMS, and fire training.

The ceremony concluded with the traditional badge-pinning, where family members placed badges on their loved ones' uniforms, symbolizing the start of their official service.

Mentor’s fire department continues to build on a legacy of excellence with every new addition, keeping the community safe and supported.

👷🏻 Channel 5 Highlights Mentor’s New Uptown Project Breaking Ground Next Year

Old Village in Mentor to Undergo Major Redevelopment with Mixed-Use Project

Channel 5 News recently featured a story on an exciting new chapter for Mentor’s Old Village area — and for good reason. The city has officially approved a major redevelopment effort that will bring new life to the long-dormant district, with construction set to begin in spring 2026.

Longtime residents will recall when Mentor Hardware served as a central fixture of the neighborhood. Since its closure, several buildings in the area have remained vacant, signaling a need for fresh investment. That need is now being met through a transformational project city leaders hope will spark further development.

Plans call for a four-story, mixed-use building combining modern rental units with retail and restaurant space on the ground floor. On-site amenities will include underground parking, a fitness center, and even a dog-wash station — features designed to appeal to both residents and visitors.

City officials view the project as more than just a new building. With its strategic location and potential to renew interest in the area, the development is being positioned as a catalyst for future revitalization throughout the Old Village.

The $10 million project is a collaboration between Geis Companies and Uptown Mentor LLC, led by President Allison Sikora. Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2026.

Read More or Watch the Video at news5cleveland.com

📰 From Strawberry Fields to Shopping Landmark

Once a bold vision on quiet farmland, the Great Lakes Mall has become both a commercial anchor and a historic landmark in Mentor, Ohio.

In 1959, Mentor Township was still a rural area, best known for its nursery industry. But with new infrastructure, including Route 2, and a growing population, the region began to attract interest for development.

Developer Edward DeBartolo saw the potential and chose a strawberry field along Mentor Avenue for a new shopping destination. When it opened in 1961, the Great Lakes Mall was the largest shopping center in the country. Initially an open-air plaza with just one anchor, JC Penney, it expanded quickly.

The May Company joined in 1964, adding the first enclosed section. By the end of the 1960s, the entire mall was enclosed, creating an all-weather shopping space in tune with consumer preferences.

Though online shopping has changed the retail landscape, the Great Lakes Mall has remained resilient. By adapting to new trends and customer needs, it continues to thrive. What was once dismissed as “the middle of nowhere” is now the vibrant core of Mentor’s commercial scene.

Located at 7850 Mentor Avenue, the mall stands as a symbol of the city’s transformation over the past six decades. See the Mentor History Trail.

Source: cityofmentor.com

 😌 Give Yourself the Gift of Less Stress

It is the season for singing Joy to the World, but the holidays can also deplete us and make us feel anything but joy. Reaching a balance during December can help you enjoy each moment and bring some comfort and peace to your life.

Trying to buy the perfect gift for everyone on your list and putting together charcuterie boards that will knock the socks (or stockings) off guests at a party can make your stress level soar through the snow-covered roof. So, the first tip is to remember that more is not necessarily better. Give yourself permission to take it down a notch. 

Focus on doing less. This may include purchasing pre-made food for parties or declining some of the holiday invitations so you can take time to slow down. There is nothing wrong with shopping online instead of running from store to store (or better yet, purchase gift cards and let the recipients choose what they want or need the most). Skip sending cards right now and replace them by mailing out New Year’s or even Valentines to those loved ones. They may be appreciated more when not received with lots of other greetings. Remember that your name is not Martha Stewart and that if you purchase a cookie tray instead of baking a dozen different varieties, you can be helping a small business while saving yourself valuable time and energy. 

The second tip is to get extra sleep each night. Sleep plays an important role in emotional health. Try going to bed a few minutes earlier each night as the month moves on. Our deep sleep happens earlier in the night, so shutting your eyes late means you are at risk for not having the restorative stage that your body needs. Aim for seven to nine hours so your rest and recovery can keep up with the added activity of the holidays. 

Too much eggnog or bubbly (any alcohol actually) can negatively affect your sleep. Try to avoid sugary or caffeinated mixers and be sure to alternate water with alcoholic drinks. Enjoy your cocktails early at a party and then cut yourself off in order to ensure that the drinks do not disturb your bed-time hours. The same holds true for sweets and eating late. It is fine to indulge on these fun occasions, but that does not mean you have to drink and eat the night away. 

And last, but certainly not least, make self-care a priority this month. During the holidays we give and give and give to others…but what about giving to yourself? Keep up with your workout routine or start one as it will benefit you more now than if you wait for it to be one of your New Year’s resolutions. Even on cold days, bundling up and taking a walk around the neighborhood will do you good. You will enjoy some fresh air, increase your heart rate and burn some calories. Try walking at dusk so you can enjoy looking at the holiday light displays, just be sure to wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight so drivers can see you if there are no sidewalks in your area. Schedule a gift for yourself such as a facial, massage or some creative time at an art studio. Take some time each morning or evening to think about all that you are thankful for. Buy a pretty journal and write your gratitude thoughts down so you can read your words next year before the season begins. 

Take care of yourself during the chaos of the season-your body and mind will thank you in January. 

🏀 Lady Cougars Fall Short in Comeback Effort Against Mayfield

Lake Catholic’s Lady Cougars narrowly lost to Mayfield 53-50 after falling behind in a tough second quarter. A strong second-half comeback wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit. They next face unbeaten Beaumont (5-0) tonight in Mentor at 7:00 p.m.

🏀 Mentor Stays Perfect with Big Win Over Berea-Midpark

The Mentor Cardinals boys basketball team continued their strong start to the season with an 84-67 victory over Berea-Midpark. Building an early 10-point lead in the first quarter, the Cardinals controlled the game from the outset and maintained their advantage throughout.

Berea-Midpark made a push to close the gap, but Mentor pulled away in the final period with a commanding 20-8 run to seal the win. The Cardinals’ consistent offensive pressure and strong finish helped them improve to 2-0 on the young season.

Mentor will look to keep the momentum going when they travel to face the Euclid Panthers this Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Hilarious: What would you caption this short video?
“Hey, can you show me some ID? How do I know you’re my real parents?”