Bet Hannon

By Lorie Ham

This November Kevin Lucke began work as Mennonite Aid Plan’s new CEO. Born and raised in Salem, Oregon, Kevin lived in Aumsville, Oregon before relocating to the Reedley/Kingsburg area for his new job. He has a BA in business/economics from George Fox College and has been a part of the insurance industry for some time. Recently, we had the chance to chat with Kevin and learn more about him, here is that interview.

Q: When and how did you first become interested in the insurance industry?

Kevin: My mom worked for an insurance company and encouraged me to consider a career in insurance. I was not really sure that it was what I wanted to do, but it turned out to be a great career choice.

Q: What do you like about working in this industry?

Kevin: I like that insurance is a critical part of our economy that helps get people back on their feet when losses occur. Being able to help people in a time of need is a blessing.

Q: What is your experience in this area?

Kevin: I’ve been in the insurance industry for over 30 years in a variety of roles – claims, marketing, underwriting, and executive leadership.

Q: What special skills do you feel you are bringing to the job of CEO with Mennonite Aid Plan (MAP)?

Kevin: I am a collaborative leader with creative solutions. I also love to mentor and empower staff to grow and develop.

Q: What are your goals and hopes for the company?

Kevin: My goal at MAP is to help the company grow its business and expand its reach into other areas. I also want to ensure that MAP continues its mission to provide exceptional service to its members.

Q: Why did you feel that you were a good fit for MAP?

Kevin: I believe MAP’s vision to serve its community aligns with my values and heart for helping people.

Q: Do you have a family?

Kevin: I am married to Christine (32 years) with two adult children (Karyn and Andrew).

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Kevin: My hobbies include travel, sports, and music.

Q: Do you have any pets?

Kevin: I have two cats – they really are my son and daughter’s, but we all claim them! Their names are Shadow and Rainee.

Q: Is there something that people would be surprised to learn about you?

Kevin: I don’t know if they would be surprised, but I played college baseball for four years.

Q: Can you share about your faith journey? Did you grow up in a Christian home or find faith later in life?

Kevin: I grew up in a household that very much believed in God, but did not regularly attend church. I accepted Jesus when I was a freshman in college and have been active in church ever since. I have served as an elder and deacon and have played electric guitar in the worship band.

Q: How do you feel your faith has shaped how you do your job?

Kevin: Showing empathy and compassion and caring about the welfare of others (including my employees) is part of the faith journey. Life is full of challenges and being able to walk beside someone effectively who is going through those challenges allows me to put my faith in action.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

Kevin: I am excited to join an organization whose heart and mission represent what the insurance function is all about.

If you have any further questions for the new CEO, feel free to reach out to the Mennonite Aid Plan/Mennonite Insurance Services office at (559) 638-2327.

By Lorie Ham

The holidays are well underway and one of the things people enjoy the most about the holiday season is the food! According to a survey done on SWNSDigital, food plays a huge role in holiday traditions for 83% of the people they surveyed. Whether it is an old family recipe, or something new they are trying out, they are motivated to create a dish because they hope their family and friends will enjoy it. Some also attempt to recreate a dish from their childhood because it invokes feelings of nostalgia.

If you are looking for something new to try as you plan your holiday get-togethers this year, here are three recipes provided by authors of cozy food mysteries! If you check out their books as well, you might find some Christmas gift ideas too!

Beth Cato’s Swirled Goat Cheese Brownies

(author of the Cheese Mysteries)

Goat cheese makes these swirled brownies taste delicious and fancy! This recipe is made to accommodate the size of goat cheese available at Costco. Serve these up at a holiday gathering and folks are sure to rave.

Goat cheese swirl

• 10 1/2 ounces goat cheese (room temperature)
• 2 Tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)

Brownies

• 2/3 cup Dutch process cocoa powder (sifted)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips
• 3 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch square pan with aluminum foil and apply nonstick spray or butter.
• Mix goat cheese swirl ingredients. Set aside.
• Make the brownie base by whisking together the cocoa, sugars, salt, flour, and chips in a big mixing bowl. Add the eggs, oil, and water and vanilla extract until everything is just combined.
• Spoon half the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Dollop the cheese mixture atop it, then add the remaining brownie batter into the open spots. Use a knife to swirl the two layers together while still keeping them a bit distinct.
• Bake the brownies for 35 to 45 minutes, depending on the pan size. Use the toothpick test to check for doneness. The center should be set with the consistency still moist and fudgy. Cool to room temperature, then place in the fridge to chill an hour or two prior to cutting.
• Use foil to lift brownies onto a cutting board for easy slicing. Store in a sealed container in the fridge, with parchment or waxed paper between the layers.

Libby’s Sweet Potato Scones from Jen Pitts

(author of A Corpse in the Café)

Scones

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup browned butter made from 3/4 cup butter, chilled
• 1/3 cup + 2T heavy whipping cream
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup sweet potato puree
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped (optional)
• Course sugar (optional)
• Drizzle (optional)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup sweet potato purée
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. The morning of or even the day before, melt the 3/4 cup butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Gently stir the butter as it melts and begins to brown; do not take your eyes off of the pan. Continue to stir until the butter reaches a deep, golden brown. Pour into a heat-safe container, cool, and put in the refrigerator or freezer to completely chill.
2. Adjust your oven baking rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400°F/204°C.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
5. Roughly chop the chilled butter and add to the dry ingredients.
6. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the cold butter until it’s pea sized and crumbly. You can use your fingers but work quickly so the butter doesn’t become warm. If it does, pop the bowl into the refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill again and then continue.
7. In a separate bowl, whisk together the 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, egg, sweet potato puree, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
8. Pour the cream mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
9. Add the chopped nuts and stir again.
10. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and gently knead to bring it together into a ball.
11. Pat the dough into an 8 inch circle and then cut it into 8 equal wedges with a sharp knife.
12. Place the scones two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
13. Brush the top of each scone with the remaining heavy cream and lightly sprinkle with coarse sugar.
14. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the scones are lightly browned.
15. While the scones cool on a rack, prepare the drizzle.
16. Combine all the drizzle ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth. You may have to add more sugar or puree to get it to the consistency of honey.
17. When the scones are completely cool, use a spoon to drizzle each scone.

These scones can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days but they are best enjoyed right away with a cafe au lait!

Tourtiere or French Canadian Meat Pies from Nicole Asselin

(author of the Ballpark Mystery Series)

This is my grandma’s recipe, and it makes two full-size pies. It’s the perfect warming winter pie. Also, I hate veggies, so it’s so much better than a pot pie.

A main component of this recipe is making it to taste! I don’t do every step by measurement, sometimes it’s trial and error.

French Meat Pies (Tourtiere)

Ingredients: 

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 2 large onions, diced (I omit this since my mom was allergic to onions)
• 4 pounds meat (ground beef or mixture with pork)
• 2 teaspoons cloves
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons all spice
• salt/pepper
• Pre-made pie crusts (we never made them by hand )

Recipe:

1. Cook potatoes in boiling water.
2. When done, mash.
3. Meanwhile sauté onions until translucent. Add the meat and brown. 
4. Once meat is brown, add the mash potatoes
5. Season with spices to taste.
6. Let the meat/potato mixture cool for about 1/2 hour.
7. Divide evenly between two pie crusts.
8. Put a top crust on both pies, slit to vent.
9. Bake at 350 for about an hour.

And that’s it! Our family uses ketchup as a condiment on a finished pie, but I’m sure there might be other fun toppings!

What are some of your favorite dishes for the holidays? We would love it if you would share them with us on the Mennonite Insurance Services Facebook page.

By Lorie Ham

If are you looking forward to enjoying your warm beverage of choice together with a good book as the weather gets cooler, you may want to read something that fits the season. There are books of all kinds set during the fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and other holidays that happen around this time of year. There are also books that simply have that fall or winter vibe. Or maybe you are just looking for a new book coming out this fall or winter. Here are a few suggestions to get you started!

Harpers Bizarre has a list of what they consider to be the 25 best books to read this fall. The list starts with a book that seems to be popping up on a lot of fall reading lists this year, Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. Intermezzois about two Irish brothers dealing with the loss of their father. If you aren’t ready yet to leave Halloween behind and are looking for a horror book to check out, another book on their list is The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk.If you are a foodie, Ina Gartenhas a memoir out. Or, if you like fantasy, there is Heir by Sabaa Tahir.

Literary Hub Magazine has its own list of 78 books that critics have recommended this fall. Once again, Intermezzo is listed.There are also mystery novels like We Solve Murders by Richard Osman (author of the Thursday Murder Club books). For non-fiction readers, Connie Chung and Cher both have memoirs out.

Publishers Weekly has a list of 703 books out this fall divided into the top books in several categories such as mysteries, thrillers, poetry, science fiction, literary fiction, and much more.

If you are looking for themed books for the kids to read, Goodreads has a great list of Thanksgiving books for kids. The list includes classics like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and Arthur’s Thanksgiving, as well as books you may not have heard of like Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet.

For romance readers who enjoy a Christmas or Hanukkah setting, Under the Covers has a list of 16 holiday romances. Titles include Eight Nights to Win Her Heart by Miri White, The Most Wonderful Time by Jayne Allen, and one with a touch of mystery, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter. You can find another great list on Read With Allison, which also includes the book by Ally Carter.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries for your holiday reading (a cozy mystery is a book that doesn’t have any graphic violence, sex, or strong language, and usually has a more cozy feeling), Cozy Mystery List Unlimited has a long list of suggestions including Jacqueline Frost’s Christmas Tree Farm mystery series, A Cajun Christmas Killing by Ellen Byron, A Christmas Beginning by Anne Perry (Anne wrote a whole series of Christmas mysteries as well), and many more. Cozy Mystery List also has a long list of cozy Christmas mysteries.

If you are looking for new books that are coming out this November, Kings River Life Magazine has a long list of mysteries, which includes some Thanksgiving ones like Somewhere in the Night by Julie Mulhern, Darjeeling Dead by Kirsten Weiss, and Thankful Sweets by Connie Shelton.

If your tastes run more to cozy fantasy (which are basically fantasy novels that give you a warm cozy feeling), Pango Books has a list of suggestions for your fall reading which include The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna, The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer, and My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine.

Whatever your reading tastes, there are a multitude of wonderful books out there just waiting for you this fall. Whether you get your books from Amazon, a local indie bookstore, or your local library, there are plenty of choices and places to find them. Feel free to share some of the books you are looking forward to reading this fall on the Mennonite Insurance Facebook page.

By Jerry Linscheid

This is mostly for our California customers, but no state is completely immune from the increases in auto insurance rates.

Our primary auto carrier, Encompass, will be taking a substantial rate increase effective October 27, 2024.  Every company we know of in California (that is willing to write auto insurance) has taken large rate increases.  It’s more a question of when, not “if” they will increase their rates. 

It’s easy to point fingers or blame the companies.  But, as I was reminded at a recent conference, insurance rates are a reflection of increased claims costs, not the cause.  After COVID when people started driving again, claims costs spiked primarily due to:

• Increased costs of auto repairs. 
• Increased medical costs for injured parties.
• Increased litigation costs.
• Poorer driving (distracted and road rage).
• Increased driving than pre-COVID.

See our previous article on auto insurance rates.  Please know that we experience these higher auto insurance rates in our personal lives, just as you do.  We will do everything we can to minimize the impact on you.

By Lorie Ham

It is that time of year again when kids are back in school. If your child is in college, it’s possible they haven’t left just yet, or they could have been gone over a month already. As parents, we try to make sure our kids have everything they need to be safe and healthy, but do you know if your child has the insurance they need while away at college? Back in 2021, we shared an article that talked about that to some degree, but this month we decided to take a deeper dive into renters’ insurance for college students and talked to Marcus Mahling, Regional Sales Manager for Mennonite Aid Plan/Mennonite Insurance Services, to learn more.

Q: Why does a college student need renters’ insurance?

Marcus: College students need renters’ insurance because it provides financial protection against theft, fire, water damage, and other potential risks that could lead to costly out-of-pocket expenses and damages.

Q: Do they need it even if they live in a dorm?

Marcus: Yes, renters’ insurance is needed even if your student lives in the dorms. Many students believe the school or dormitory would be liable to replace personal items if there ever were a fire or disaster, but unfortunately, that is not true.

Q: What is the most important reason for a college student to get a renters’ policy?

Marcus: Protection! Protection! Protection! Computers, game systems, furniture, home goods, clothing, and accessories can be very expensive, especially if you have to buy everything brand new all at one time. Not only does renters’ insurance protect your property in your home, but there is also coverage for your personal property that you take with you. Renters’ insurance is an inexpensive way to protect what means the most to a college student, their stuff.

Q: Does a renters’ policy provide coverages that college students might not consider?

Marcus: Renters insurance has quite broad coverage. Other than protecting your personal property, renters’ insurance provides ALE or Additional Living Expense coverage if you ever had to evacuate or were displaced from your apartment or dorm due to a fire or disaster. It also provides liability coverage and guest medical coverage if you’re responsible for damages or injuries of others. Renters’ insurance is an inexpensive way to protect yourself, your property, and your guests.

Q: How do you answer, “Won’t my parent’s policy cover me?”

Marcus: In some cases, mom and dad’s homeowner’s policy may provide coverage for the student’s personal property while they are living in a dorm as long as the student’s primary address is still the parent’s home address, and they come home during breaks and vacations. If the student is over the age of 25, has changed their address, moved out of state, or has no intention of moving back home, they should get their own policy. One thing to keep in mind is that homeowner’s insurance is starting to get very expensive and many carriers are tightening up on claims. I always strongly suggest not putting your homeowner’s insurance at risk, and purchase a stand-alone policy that fully covers your student. 

Q: If I don’t live in a dorm, can my landlord force me to get renters’ insurance?

Marcus: Yes, much of the time landlords do require tenants to have renters’ insurance. Landlords will often require that they be named on your renters’ policy as an additional insured, just in case you damage their property.

Q: What specifically does renters’ insurance cover?

Marcus: Renters’ insurance covers the policy owner and those named on the policy. Some policies will allow roommates to buy a policy as a group, but the majority of the time each roommate will need to purchase their own policy. Renters’ insurance specifically covers personal property, personal liability, additional living expenses, and guest medical.

Q: Does the student themself have to pay it or can it be added on to their parent’s policy?

Marcus: Parents normally understand the benefits of insurance and tend to purchase renters’ insurance for their students, especially if they are covering the cost of furniture, clothing, and electronics. Parents are allowed to pay for renters insurance for their student, but the student would be the named insured on the policy. Policies cannot be combined with other policies, but if you have multiple policies with one company, you can combine your monthly payments.

Q: Is there anything else we should know?

Marcus: I want to leave you with a quick story. I tend to travel quite a bit with my job and I happened to meet a family while I was having breakfast at a hotel a few months back. It was 6:45 in the morning, and this family who were all dressed in matching pajamas came bebopping in, with mom instructing the kids they needed to hurry up and eat so they could get ready for school. I started a conversation with Mom and asked if they were here visiting a school… Me and my big mouth! She said no, unfortunately, and proceeded to tell me a horrific story of someone who lost control of their car, drove through their apartment, catching it on fire, and destroying three other apartments in the process. With tears in her eyes, she told me thankfully no one was hurt but four families lost everything. She mentioned they were the only ones who had insurance and what a blessing it was for their family. They were able to buy new clothes, hence the sweet matching pajamas, replace some of their items for now, and stay in the hotel for a few weeks until they got a new apartment. I just remember her saying over and over, “How truly blessed they were.”

Hopefully, you will never have to experience what this family went through, but having proper coverage to protect your student or family makes all the difference in the world. Don’t chance it when you rent, protect yourself and your belongings with renters’ insurance.

If you would like to know more about renters’ insurance, for yourself or your student, Mennonite Insurance/Mennonite Aid would be happy to answer any of your questions at (559) 638-2327.