In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

☁️ Weather: Mostly Cloudy - Temps 56-59°

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

📰 Local News: 🎨 Willoughby ArtsFest Marks 35 Years, Calls for Artists

📰 Lake County Captains Launch Initiative to Support NE Ohio Small Businesses

🕰️ From Steel Mills to Sand Dunes: The Untold History of Mentor Lagoons

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Wellness Wednesday: 🥦 Are You Getting Enough Fiber? Most Mentor Residents Aren’t

🏀 Sports: 🏀 Mitchell’s 42 Powers Cavaliers Past Magic in High-Scoring Clash

🥎 Lady Cougars Roar to 22-0 Season-Opening Victory

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

A long-standing summer tradition in Lake County is preparing for a milestone, as the Willoughby ArtsFest marks its 35th anniversary in 2026. Organizers are inviting artists to apply for a chance to participate, with submissions open through April 10.

The festival has grown into a major regional event, previously drawing more than 10,000 visitors and artists from several states, and continuing to build on that momentum each year.

The 2026 event is set for Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Erie Street in downtown Willoughby, a historic corridor that has long served as the heart of the celebration.

The festival is organized by the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Willoughby and Tour Lake County. Artists interested in joining the anniversary event can apply online before the deadline.

The Lake County Captains are launching a new effort to support small businesses across Northeast Ohio through a partnership with PNC. The initiative, titled “Going to Bat for Small Business,” is designed to spotlight and assist local companies that play a vital role in the region’s economy.

The program invites community members to nominate businesses they believe deserve recognition. From those nominations, a panel of local leaders will select three winners to receive support through the initiative.

To qualify, businesses must meet several criteria. They need to have operated for at least three years, employ at least five people, and generate annual revenue between $250,000 and $5 million. Eligible businesses must also be for-profit and based in Northeast Ohio.

Organizers encourage residents to nominate businesses that have made a meaningful impact, whether they are long-standing neighborhood staples or growing ventures finding their footing. The nomination window remains open until April 6, with additional details available on the Lake County Captains’ official website.

More Information mlb.com

Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve is widely appreciated today for its scenic trails and untouched Lake Erie shoreline, but its past tells a very different story—one shaped by bold development plans that never came to fruition. Historical records dating back to 1955 highlight one particularly unusual concept: a nine-hole golf course built directly atop dock structures along the water. This imaginative idea was only one of many proposals that, over time, envisioned the land as something far removed from its current natural state.

Throughout the decades, the property drew interest for a range of large-scale projects, including a steel mill, a commercial shipping port, a sprawling residential complex, a harness racing facility, and even a hybrid marina-hotel known as a “boatel.” Each proposal reflected the economic ambitions and priorities of its era, yet none ultimately materialized.

As these plans repeatedly fell through, an unexpected outcome emerged. The city was able to secure the land and preserve it, protecting one of the last undeveloped stretches along Lake Erie’s shoreline. Today, the Lagoons encompass 450 acres of rare dunes and wetlands, offering a refuge for wildlife and a peaceful escape for visitors. What was once imagined as an industrial and recreational hub has instead become a testament to conservation and the unpredictable course of land development. The only activity resembling a “drive” now takes place along winding trails rather than across a golf course.

Source: cityofmentor.com

Protein has dominated the health conversation for years—but now, fiber is quietly taking center stage. A growing trend known as “fibermaxxing” is encouraging people to increase their daily fiber intake, and for good reason: most Americans are falling short.

Experts recommend about 25–38 grams of fiber per day, yet many people barely reach half that amount. That gap matters. Fiber plays a powerful role in digestion, helping keep things moving and supporting a healthier gut. But the benefits go well beyond that—fiber can help lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar, and even support weight loss by keeping you fuller longer.

For residents here in Mentor, this is especially relevant. Long winters often mean more processed foods, fewer fresh options, and less movement overall. That combination can take a toll on digestion and overall health. Increasing fiber is one of the easiest ways to reset your system—without overhauling your entire diet.

The best part? You don’t need a complicated meal plan to make it work.

Start small. Add berries or a banana to your breakfast. Swap white bread for whole grain. Toss a handful of beans into soups or salads. Snack on nuts instead of chips. Even something as simple as choosing oatmeal over sugary cereal can make a noticeable difference.

One important tip: increase fiber gradually and drink more water. Adding too much too quickly can cause discomfort, but easing into it allows your body to adjust smoothly.

The bottom line is simple—fiber might not be as flashy as protein, but it’s one of the most underrated tools for better health. And right now, it’s one of the easiest wins you can make for your body.

Sometimes, the simplest changes deliver the biggest results.

The Cleveland Cavaliers leaned on a dominant performance from Donovan Mitchell to secure a 136-131 victory over the Orlando Magic, extending their winning streak to four games. Mitchell scored 42 points, marking his sixth 40-point outing this season and continuing his strong track record against Orlando.

Cleveland also benefited from a strong showing by James Harden, who finished with 26 points after a productive first half that helped the Cavaliers build a halftime lead. Evan Mobley added an efficient all-around effort, scoring 19 points without missing a shot while contributing rebounds and assists.

Orlando kept pace behind Paolo Banchero, who led the team with 36 points, but struggled to stay consistent late. Additional contributions came from Tristan da Silva, Desmond Bane, and Jamal Cain, though the Magic still dropped their sixth straight game and slipped in the Eastern Conference standings.

Cleveland led by double digits in the fourth quarter before Orlando made a late push. A clutch driving floater from Mitchell in the final seconds sealed the win and preserved the Cavaliers’ advantage.

With the victory, Cleveland continues to climb in the Eastern Conference playoff race, while Orlando looks to regroup as its losing streak continues.

Read More, See Highlights: espn.com

The Lake Catholic Lady Cougars opened their softball season in dominant fashion with a 22-0 victory over the Beaumont School Blue Streaks. The Cougars wasted no time taking control, building a 6-0 lead in the first inning before erupting for 11 more runs in the second to put the game out of reach early.

Lake Catholic’s offense was relentless, piling up 17 hits. Cailyn Forkins delivered a standout performance, going a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with five runs scored, two triples, two home runs, and six RBIs. Gabby Zgela contributed with a strong outing that included a triple and three RBIs, while Alyse Keefe added three hits and four RBIs. Several other players also chipped in with multiple hits, highlighting the team’s depth at the plate.

In the circle, Lake Catholic’s pitching staff combined for a shutout. Lizzie Bammerlin set the tone with three innings of two-hit ball while recording seven strikeouts. Giuliana Horgan and Rachel Allison each followed with a scoreless inning to complete the dominant effort.

With the win, the Cougars begin the season 1-0 and will look to carry that momentum into their next game on March 30 against Holy Name.

Dad may be the problem here… but he’s cracking me up!