In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

☁️ Weather: Mostly Cloudy - Temps 35-38

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

 📰 Local News: 🎅🏻 Speeding Sleigh: Ohio Sheriff Stops Santa on His Way to Spread Cheer

 📰 Project Hope Expands Support as Older Guests Stay Longer

 ✅ Stay Active and Connected: Join the Mentor Senior Center Today

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Food & Recipes: 🍲 Cozy Up with This Creamy Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

 🥘 Wake Up to Warmth: A Cozy Ham and Croissant Bake for Holiday Leftovers

 🏀 Sports: 🏒 Joe Mackey’s Hat Trick Fuels Mentor in High-Scoring Draw

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

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

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🎅🏻 Speeding Sleigh: Ohio Sheriff Stops Santa on His Way to Spread Cheer

Santa Pulled Over in Ohio for Speeding—But No Coal Was Given

In a lighthearted holiday twist, deputies from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office in Ohio recently pulled over none other than Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. The festive couple was en route to surprise children at their daughter’s workplace when their sleigh—well, car—caught the attention of law enforcement for speeding.

According to the department, the stop was not staged, and the officer involved had no idea he was about to pull over Santa himself. After a quick and friendly interaction, the couple was sent on their merry way without a citation. The sheriff's office shared the moment on Facebook with a playful note: “No coal was issued — just a friendly reminder that even sleighs need to slow down.”

While the Claus couple may have been in a rush to spread some holiday cheer, they got a gentle nudge to keep things safe on the road.

📰 Project Hope Expands Support as Older Guests Stay Longer

Project Hope Adjusts to Aging Guests and Increased Shelter Stays

Project Hope for the Homeless in Painesville Township has served 334 individuals in 2025 through November, with total numbers expected to match previous years. However, the shelter is seeing more older adults and longer guest stays, creating new demands on services and space.

The growing senior population has led to increased health concerns, prompting the shelter to consider adding a nurse case manager and expanding healthcare partnerships. Mental health needs are also rising, with more referrals being made to local providers.

To improve support, Project Hope recently added a peer support specialist and a social service specialist to help guests connect with essential resources like Medicaid, food aid, and housing programs.

Affordable housing shortages continue to slow transitions. While 77% of guests have moved into housing or treatment, some beds remain unusable due to age or mobility concerns, leading to space limitations.

For 2026, Project Hope is exploring facility upgrades or expansion, while strengthening outreach and trauma-informed care. The shelter is also calling for increased volunteer help, donations, and community partnerships.

To learn more or lend your assistance, call 440-639-4420 or email Project Hope at projecthopeforthehomeless.org.

Read More at news-herald.com

 ✅ Stay Active and Connected: Join the Mentor Senior Center Today

Connect, Engage, and Thrive at the Mentor Senior Center

For Lake County residents aged 55 and older, the Mentor Senior Center offers an unbeatable opportunity to stay active, social, and involved. As the county’s largest gathering place for seniors, the center provides a welcoming environment with hundreds of programs and activities tailored to a wide variety of interests.

Whether you're looking to make new friends, explore hobbies, stay fit, or simply enjoy a vibrant community, the Mentor Senior Center has something for everyone. Membership is open to all Lake County residents, with affordable annual dues—just $10 for Mentor residents and $15 for non-residents.

Getting started is easy. Discover how to join and explore upcoming programs by visiting: cityofmentor.com/join-us-at-the-mentor-senior-center

 🍲 Cozy Up with This Quick and Creamy Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

Warm Up Winter Nights with This Hearty Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

When the temperature drops, few meals satisfy like a warm bowl of cheesy ham and potato soup. Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s both comforting and incredibly easy to prepare.

Perfect for busy evenings, the recipe comes together in under 30 minutes using just two saucepans. Tender chunks of potato and savory bits of ham are enveloped in a velvety cheese-infused broth, creating a deliciously hearty meal that’s filling enough to stand on its own—or can be paired with a crisp green salad and fresh bread for a balanced dinner.

Quick, satisfying, and sure to become a favorite, this soup is a go-to choice for cold winter nights when something cozy is on the menu.

Get the Full Recipe here

 🥘 Wake Up to Warmth: A Cozy Ham and Croissant Bake for Holiday Leftovers

Turn Holiday Leftovers into a Cozy Christmas Morning Casserole

After a big holiday feast, the fridge is often filled with leftovers—and this cheesy ham and croissant casserole is a brilliant way to turn them into a festive breakfast. Instead of tossing those extra croissants and slices of ham, repurpose them into a rich, satisfying dish that feels fresh and special.

Whether you're feeding family or just want a comforting start to the day, this clever use of leftovers delivers holiday cheer straight from the oven.

Get the Full Recipe Here

🏒 Joe Mackey’s Hat Trick Fuels Mentor in High-Scoring Draw

The Mentor Cardinals ice hockey team battled to a 4-4 draw against the Rocky River Pirates in a hard-fought matchup on Friday. After two periods, Mentor held a narrow 2-1 advantage, but a high-energy third period saw the pace quicken dramatically. Rocky River netted three goals in the final frame, while Mentor added two of their own to even the score by the final buzzer.

Despite three power play opportunities for Mentor and one by Rocky River, neither team was able to capitalize with the man advantage.

Joe Mackey delivered a standout performance for Mentor, leading all players with a four-point night, including a hat trick and an assist. Nathan Andree and Jake Mackey also contributed significantly, each tallying two points, with Andree finding the back of the net once.

Rocky River’s offensive effort was more balanced, with six different players registering points throughout the game.

In net, Mentor goaltender CJ Lobue faced 23 shots and turned aside 19, while the Cardinals registered 24 shots on goal against the Pirates.

Mentor’s next game is today at 12:50pm vs. Walsh Jesuit.

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

Now, that wasn’t nice… funny though.