In this Issue of Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

☁️ Weather: Mostly Cloudy - Temps 56-58°

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

📰 Local News: 🐰 How One Mentor Mother Redesigned the Easter Egg Hunt for Families with Special Needs

📰 Mentor Public Library to Host Lake and Geauga County Volunteer Fair April 14

📰 Mentor-on-the-Lake Fire Department Debuts $832K Fire Engine

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Travel & Discovery: 🛣️ 3 Ohio Small Towns You Need to Visit This April—Plus 10 More Online

⚾ Sports: ⚾ DeLauter’s Historic Start Continues as Guardians Top Mariners

🥍 Cougars Edge Hilltoppers Behind Standout Sophomore Performance

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

Mentor families seeking a sensory-friendly holiday experience can attend a specialized Easter egg hunt designed specifically for children with special needs. Organized by local parent Erin Matteucci, the event addresses the physical and sensory barriers that often make traditional egg hunts difficult or impossible for children with disabilities. Drawing from her own experience raising two children with special needs, Matteucci structured the event to ensure every participant can navigate the space and collect eggs at their own pace without the frantic environment of standard community scrambles. 

The hunt features accessible egg placement and a controlled environment to prevent sensory overload, allowing children with mobility aids or sensory processing sensitivities to participate fully. By removing the high-pressure competitive element, the church aims to provide a space where local families feel supported rather than stressed. This initiative highlights a growing commitment in Mentor to provide inclusive programming that mirrors traditional childhood milestones in a way that accommodates all abilities. Registration is encouraged to help organizers manage the environment and ensure enough supplies are available for every child. Families interested in participating should contact the church directly to secure a spot and discuss specific accommodation requirements for their children. Individuals looking to volunteer or support this inclusive effort can also reach out to the organizing committee for more details on how to contribute to this community event.

Source: News-Herald

Mentor Public Library will host a regional Community Volunteer Fair on April 14, providing a centralized hub for residents looking to serve Lake and Geauga counties. The event runs from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the library’s main branch located at 8215 Mentor Ave. This gathering eliminates the traditional barriers to finding community service roles by bringing multiple organizations together under one roof. 

Local nonprofits and service agencies will staff information tables to discuss their specific needs, ranging from youth mentoring and food pantry assistance to environmental conservation and administrative support. The fair targets a wide demographic, including students seeking service hours, retirees looking for community engagement, and professionals wanting to share their expertise. Attendees can browse opportunities at their own pace and speak directly with organization coordinators to find a match for their personal schedules. 

Community organizations often struggle with recruitment, and this fair serves as a vital bridge between available residents and understaffed programs. By consolidating these opportunities, the event helps sustain the local social safety net and strengthens the bond between Lake and Geauga county neighbors. Admission is free and open to the public without prior registration.

Mark your calendar for this three-hour window to explore how your time and skills can directly benefit the local area. Whether you have two hours a month or ten hours a week to give, you will find an organization that needs your help during this session.

Source: News-Herald

The Mentor-on-the-Lake Fire Department has officially placed its new $832,000 fire engine into service, marking a major upgrade for local emergency response. Chief James Petchatsko confirmed the new vehicle replaces a 32-year-old engine that had reached the end of its reliable service life. This modern pumper-tanker increases the department’s capability to manage fires and medical emergencies throughout the city.  

The city is financing the $832,000 purchase through scheduled payments rather than a lump-sum expenditure. This approach allowed the department to modernize its fleet while managing the municipal budget responsibly. The previous engine served the community for three decades, but the transition to a modern platform ensures better mechanical reliability and updated safety features for firefighters.  

Residents can expect to see the new engine on the streets immediately. This acquisition represents the city’s commitment to maintaining essential infrastructure and ensuring that first responders have the equipment necessary to protect lives and property. It significantly reduces the risk of mechanical failure during critical calls.

As spring settles across Ohio, April brings a refreshing shift—tree-lined streets bloom back to life, trails fill with wildflowers, and small towns shake off winter’s quiet. For those looking to hit the road, a few destinations stand out above the rest this time of year.

Yellow Springs tops the list with its creative spirit and natural beauty. This vibrant village blends artsy energy with outdoor adventure, where independent shops and galleries meet scenic escapes. Just outside downtown, Glen Helen Nature Preserve reaches peak bloom in April, with colorful wildflowers, rushing waterfalls, and winding trails that feel worlds away from city life.

Granville offers a completely different kind of charm. With its classic New England-style architecture and picturesque main street, the town feels almost frozen in time. In April, cherry blossoms transform Broadway into a canopy of soft pinks and whites, while the presence of Denison University adds a lively, youthful feel to the historic setting.

Marietta, Ohio’s oldest city, rounds out the top three with a blend of history and riverfront beauty. Set where two rivers meet, the town comes alive in spring with blooming trees, walkable streets, and a deep sense of place. Its museums and historic landmarks pair perfectly with scenic strolls along the water, especially in the mild April weather.

These three destinations capture the essence of Ohio in spring—but they’re only the beginning.

From peaceful lakeside retreats and Amish countryside to waterfall villages and hidden historic gems, there are 10 more small towns across the state that truly shine this time of year.

👉 To explore the full list of 13 charming Ohio towns to visit in April, read the complete story online.

Rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter continued his remarkable start, delivering the decisive hit in extra innings as the Cleveland Guardians edged the Seattle Mariners 6-5 on Friday night.

In the 10th inning, DeLauter launched a two-run homer to left field, putting Cleveland ahead for good. The blast was his fourth career home run in just his third major league game. He has now homered in each of his first three games, joining a select group of players in league history.

Seattle forced extra innings after tying the game in the ninth. Julio Rodríguez came through with a clutch two-out RBI single to even the score at 3-3.

The Mariners responded again in the 10th when Luke Raley hit a two-run homer for his third straight game, cutting the deficit. However, Cleveland reliever Connor Brogdon struck out the final two batters to secure the win and earn his first save.

Earlier, Seattle starter Bryan Woo held Cleveland scoreless through five innings. The Guardians broke through in the sixth with run-scoring hits from José Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo. Ramírez also became just the third player in franchise history to reach 400 doubles.

Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh recorded his first hit of the season with an RBI single after a slow start.

Read More, See Highlights: espn.com

Lake Catholic’s varsity girls lacrosse team edged out Chardon in a tightly contested non-conference matchup Saturday, securing an 8-7 victory. The Cougars leaned on a standout performance from sophomore Maddie Gibbons, who powered the offense with four goals on six shots and added an assist to lead all scorers with five total points.

Support came from Claire Gibbons and Maddie Cox, who each contributed two points to help maintain Lake Catholic’s narrow advantage. The game remained competitive throughout, with Chardon keeping constant pressure on the scoreboard.

Chardon’s offensive effort was led by Sarah Ivanovics, who delivered a perfect shooting performance with three goals on three shots. Riley McKenna added two goals, while Eliana Conroy contributed two points, helping the Hilltoppers stay within striking distance until the final whistle.

Defensively, Lake Catholic made key plays to preserve the win. Maddie Gibbons was active across the field, collecting six ground balls and forcing three turnovers. Maddie Cox added three ground balls and a caused turnover, while multiple teammates contributed to a balanced defensive effort.

In draw control, Cox led the Cougars with three wins, helping Lake Catholic maintain possession at critical moments. In goal, senior Vienna Cucu faced heavy pressure with 16 shots on target, stopping nine to secure the victory.

With the win, Lake Catholic improves to 3-1 on the season. The Cougars will return home to face Gilmour Academy on Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m.

Sometimes to be a parent, you need to be a superhero!