Mentor families enjoy snow on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

MENTOR, Ohio - Lake effect snow on Cleveland's east side prompted families to enjoy the winter day outdoors on Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

“It's really, really big,” said 4-year-old Shaylee Frazier of Willowick who was referencing the Center Street sledding hill in Mentor.

Kids and adults screamed for joy as they whizzed down the hill again and again.

“We're excited to get out today,” said Shaylee's mom, April Frazier. Frazier added that Monday was their first time sledding this season since the flu had hit the family.

Mentor received up to five inches of snow in some areas Monday, and more is on its on way. Parts of eastern Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake counties may get up to an additional seven inches overnight.

“It's very very cold. It's actually much colder than I thought it would be,” Frazier said.

Temperatures barely made it above 20 degrees fahrenheit and strong winds didn't keep sledders outside for long.

“It's getting cold,” said Marius Tatarunas, a Chicago resident, who was visiting his hometown of Cleveland for the weekend.

Tatarunas, who took his son and niece sledding before driving back to the Windy City, said he enjoyed the experience and the exercise.

“It's getting a little difficult while walking back up that hill,” said Tatarunus.

Others in the area spent the holiday clearing their driveways ahead of more snowfall coming their way.

“It's easier to move this stuff when it's lighter,” said Larry Meier of Leroy Township who used his snowblower to clear up to six inches that fell Monday. He expected to be back out numerous times over the next few days to clear more snow that's likely to fall in his area.