The Holiday Spirit is Gearing Up: Week in Review

Wow! That week went fast!

Compared to last week, which was filled with a lot of sad news, it seemed this week was a little more balanced with good and bad news.

It also seems like more and more folks are getting into the holiday spirit. After all, Christmas is only two weeks away. Yikes! Only two weeks? Read on and find out how you can share your famous holiday recipes and win a $100,000 for the Mentor School District.

Here's your week in review:

1. On Monday, we learned a Lake County Grand Jury secretly indicted former Mentor Police Officer and Lake County Sherrif’s Deputy

The grand jury handed down a 12-count indictment that charged Stroud with three counts of aggravated murder, three counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of felonious assault, one count of tampering with evidence and one count of gross abuse of a corpse.

If he is convicted on all counts, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Stroud pleaded not guilty to all charges. Lake County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Gibson will preside over the case.

A funeral Mass for Diane Stroud is being held today at 11 a.m. at t , 9114 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor.

She served two four-year terms from 1996 to 2003 on Mentor-on-the-Lake City Council, including one year as council president.

Donations may be made to the Lake Humane Society and Adoption Center, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Building E, Mentor, OH 44060.

2. Get this! Ed Walsh, who is 70 years old, spent 34 years or nearly half of his life as the Ward 3 councilman on Mentor City Council. That long tenure came to an end on Tuesday night when

Walsh said it was really tough for him when he lost his re-election bid to Bruce Landeg in November. But in the end, he was a gracious gentleman and wished his successor all of the very best of success and offered to help him in any way he could.

The city of Mentor also made a very touching gesture by changing the name of Bellflower Park to Edward R. Walsh Park. Walsh said he was totally surprised, his face beaming with happiness and pride as he was being congratulated by fellow council members, family members, friends and neighbors.

“For 34 years, they (Mentor residents) taught me how to be a good neighbor. And I’ve always said that I’d rather be a good neighbor than a good politician,” said Walsh at Mentor City Council Meeting Tuesday. “And I’m going to end with that. Thank you and God bless everyone one you.”

Also leaving Mentor City Council is Councilman Ronald Micchia, who has has represented Ward 4 for 17 years. He lost his re-election bid in November to John Krueger.

“As I move on, a word for the residents and businesses:  I worked for 17 years for the city and kept the city moving forward. We weren’t just marking time here, either,” said Micchia.  We made a difference. We made the city stronger and much better and she will always be called my home. All in all, I am proud of the time I spent here….I will miss you greatly…..and so, farewell for now. God bless you and God bless the city of Mentor.”

3. The city also got some good news on the economic development front. Arrow Machine Company Ltd. is undergoing a $5.1 million expansion project that will create 20 to 30 new jobs next year.

, which manufactures a wide range of screw machine products, assemblies and job shop services, will be moving into the former Beverage Heritage building, 7333 Corporate Boulevard, in the first half of 2012. Arrow Machine operates a plant at 8687 Tyler Boulevard and has 50 full-time employees.

In October, the company purchased Metal Seal Precision Ltd. of Willoughby that employs 85. Metal Seal’s operations and its employees will also work out of the 158,000-square-foot Corporate Boulevard building after it is renovated, said Arrow Machine Treasurer Rick Sippola.

4. Attention all Mentor residents! Now you have your perfect opportunity.

Patch.com is launching a nationwide contest to find the best dressed home in its Patch communities, and the winner’s school district will receive $100,000, no strings attached.

Here’s how the contest works. Beginning on Dec. 8 and continuing through Dec. 26, you can nominate your home by uploading a photo to the contest entry form on the site. During that same time period you and your neighbors will also be able to vote for your favorite festive home. The winning entry will be forwarded to a national Patch judge that will select 24 finalists. Each finalist will receive $500 that they can apply to their December electric bill.

From Dec. 30 through Jan. 8 you will be able to vote for the Best Decked House in all of Patch. The grand prize winner’s school district will receive a $100,000 check from Patch.

Enter Now! Here's how: deckthehouse.patch.com/contest/mentorpatch

5. Everyone has a favorite holiday treat whether it's Grandma's famous Christmas cookies, a traditional Chanukah Sufganiot, a New Year's Vasilopita or a delicious creation you invented yourself. Why not share that recipe with your neighbors?

in the comments section below, and feel free to upload a picture of the results in the photo gallery. It doesn't have to be gourmet cooking, just something that reminds you of the winter holidays.

We'll be collecting recipes through Dec. 14. Then you'll have a chance to vote for your favorites. We'll collect the top vote-getting recipes into a holiday cookbook for everyone to enjoy in the week before Christmas.

Who knows? Your recipe could just become a lasting tradition at someone's house!