Uncategorized

By Lorie Ham

With spring already here and summer on its way, many people are thinking about taking vacations. The West Coast offers many great options for your next trip out of town, whether you are looking to spend time in a big city like Los Angeles, Portland, or Seattle, or prefer something smaller and not as well-known. One such lesser-known location that is perfect for a quiet beachside vacation is the small town of Carpinteria, California, which claims to have the world’s safest beach.

According to Wikipedia, Carpinteria is a small seaside city in southeastern Santa Barbara County, California. Located on the Central Coast, it had a population of 13,264 in 2020. Carpinteria is a popular surf and beach destination, and has embraced the slogan of “World’s Safest Beach” since 1912. The city is located almost entirely on a coastal plain between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the ocean. The Santa Ynez Mountains provide a scenic backdrop to the town, making a vacation there satisfying for those who love the ocean and the mountains. It also has very high-quality air if you are looking to escape the big city’s pollution. Interesting fact: its name means carpentry in Spanish.

Carpinteria City Beach is located at the end of the city’s main street, Linden Ave., according to Carpenteriacoast.com. It has been rated the number one swimming beach in California, mostly due to its Southern exposure and the protection provided by the Channel Islands. Usually, swimmers can enjoy small surf and the absence of riptides at this unique beach. The beach stretches on for miles, and even has a small beach shack where you can rent inner tubes or boogie boards during the summer. It is considered one of the top ten beaches in the US. Because of the gradual incline that produces little or no rip currents, it has gained the reputation of being the world’s safest beach. Its picturesque sand dunes, gentle waves, picnic tables, restrooms, volleyball nets, beach shack, and barbecues make this a perfect destination for the whole family. However, if you are into surfing and want a bit more excitement, Surfline.com has a Carpinteria surf and travel guide with information about the many great spots for surfing in the area, and it offers a daily surf report.

If you aren’t into surfing or spending time on the beach, Carpinteria has plenty of other fun things to do. From December through May, seals and sea lions can be seen on the nearby Carpinteria Bluffs, along with an occasional gray whale. The Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve and Viola Fields offer opportunities for a variety of recreational uses, such as hiking, biking, painting, family picnics, and recreational sports. For those into bird watching, the land also provides foraging grounds for such birds as the White-tailed Kite, the Loggerhead Shrike, American Kestrel, and Red-Tailed and Cooper hawks. There is bird watching at Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve, established in 1977 and administered by the Natural Reserve System of the University of California. The Carpinteria Arts Center also has a lot going on.

If you enjoy exploring plant life, the area contains remnant native plant communities, including coastal sage scrub and stipa grasslands, as well as several stands of non-native eucalyptus. In downtown Carpinteria, they also have the largest Torrey Pine Tree in the world. For flower lovers, they have one of the best orchid-growing climates in the world. Carpinteria growers Gallup & Stribling, Orchids Royale, and Westerlay orchids all welcome visitors and have beautiful orchid arrangements available for public viewing and purchase.

In the fall, Carpinteria will be having its 40^th annual California Avocado Festival from October 2-4. The website says that it is three full days of Peace, Love, and Guacamole! They have 60+ bands, three stages, 50 arts & crafts and commercial vendors, 15 food vendors, and over a dozen non-profits at the event. All proceeds of the festival go to the Carpinteria Education Foundation and the Future Farmers of America!

Even though the city is small, it does have a nice variety of food options for your visit. The Carpinteria City website has a dining out guide that includes chains such as IHOP, Carl’s Jr., Starbucks, and Jersey Mike’s. The guide also provides information about more unique local choices such as Peebee & Jay’s, which serves sandwiches and salads, Hugo’s Restaurant, Corktree Cellars & Bistro, and Tyler’s Donuts. One restaurant, The Food Liaison, even offers cooking classes!

While there are a number of chain hotels you can stay at while visiting Carpinteria, there are also cute cottages available to rent through VRBO and Airbnb. If you are looking to get away from it all for an extended stay, Carpinteria Beach Cottages offer a lovely option for your stay. They have seven beautifully remodeled cottages that are located four blocks from the beach and a block and a half from their main street. Six of the cottages feature one bedroom and one bathroom with a shower, and have an open floor plan that gives the kitchen, dining, and living room area a comfortable, roomy feel. Their newest cottage features two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a living room, dining room, and a full kitchen.

So, if you are looking for a charming little beach town to visit where things are more relaxed than in a big city, Carpinteria seems like a great spot to check out, whether on your own or with the whole family. If you need help in making sure your car insurance is in good shape before traveling, Mennonite Aid Plan/Mennonite Insurance Services is happy to answer any questions (559) 638-2327. Safe travels wherever you are going for your vacations in 2026!

By Lorie Ham

There are many types of insurance claims—auto, liability, homeowner property, business property, etc. Odds are that most people will have to deal with a claim at least once in their lives, if not more. In the United States millions of auto insurance claims are filed each year. According to HealthSure Hub, in 2024 an estimated 16.5 million claims were submitted, encompassing collision, bodily injury, property damage, and comprehensive coverage. While a majority of claims are related to property damage and collisions, bodily injury claims continue to be the most expensive claims per incident.

According to Setnor Byer, the United States homeownership rate is nearly sixty-five percent. The Insurance Information Institute states that approximately 1 in 15 insured homes have a claim each year. Here is more info on those claims:

• Wind and hail claims, which are the most frequent claims, are experienced by approximately 1 in 30 insured homes each year.
• Claims related to fire, lightning or debris removal, are the costliest, and are experienced by approximately 1 in 230 insured homes every year.
• Water or freezing claims are made by approximately 1 in 55 insured homes each year.
• Approximately 1 in 190 insured homes have a theft claim each year.
• Approximately 1 in 830 homeowners have a liability claim related to the cost of lawsuits for the bodily injury or property damage of others.

Since we will likely all have to deal with a claim at some point, have you ever wondered how that whole process works? Kevin Lucke, President/CEO of Mennonite Aid Plan/Mennonite Insurance Services, shares the basic process with us:

1. Investigation:  This begins when the claim is first reported to the insurance company. This process includes verifying there is an active insurance policy, determining if the claim is covered under the policy, inspecting the damage, interviewing witnesses (mostly in automobile accidents), determining liability/fault (also mostly automobile but could be other forms of liability).
2. Evaluation:  Determining the cost of repairs to damaged property, assessing the value of an injury to a person, and determining how much a policy might pay for certain types of losses (actual cash value versus replacement cost, application of deductibles, special internal limits within a policy etc.). In the case of an injury claim, determining the value of the injury claim, which usually includes a review of medical records.
3. Negotiation/Settlement:  Once the evaluation is completed and coverage and/or liability is determined, the insurance company pays (or, in the case of liability claims, offers to settle) the claim.

As we dive into Spring 2026 and move towards summer, it is a good idea to make sure you are prepared when it comes to your insurance needs, and well covered when it comes to protecting yourself and your family. If you have any questions at all you can reach out to Mennonite Aid/Mennonite Insurance Services and they will be happy to help (559) 638-2327.

By Lorie Ham

Easter is just around the corner. It is a time of year filled with joy, celebration, and traditions. While some may be focused more on coloring eggs, Easter baskets filled with candy for the kids, and chocolate bunnies, most Christians focus more on the religious aspects of the holiday. It is still one of the days of the year with the largest church attendance.

While Easter is traditionally on a Sunday, it is what is known as a movable feast as it is not the same Sunday every year. This year it is on April 5. But why does it move? According to Reader’s Digest, in the year 325, the council of Nicaea determined that Easter would occur on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox—unless that happened to interfere with Passover, in which case the holiday would be the Sunday after that.

Like all holidays, Easter is filled with many traditions. Different countries, religions, and denominations have their own, while some traditions seem to be common among a majority of people who celebrate the holiday. According to Mennonite Aid Plan chairman of the board Jim Brandt, Mennonite/Anabaptist Easter traditions tend to focus on the joy of the Resurrection. Many have Easter sunrise services that often take place in a cemetery. 

“Easter Sunday morning is one of the most important times in church,” continues Jim. “It is only equal to Christmas in importance. Easter is a time of special worship services and celebration. Christ’s Resurrection marks the defeat of sin and death, offering Christians a ‘living hope’ and the promise of eternal life. The Resurrection signifies that Jesus is alive and actively present with believers, bringing comfort and joy. It is an unshakeable hope that consoles us in difficult times and cannot be taken away. Christians are inspired to come together in worship and to share the joy of the good news of the gospel.”

Many churches also hold a special Good Friday service, which Jim states is more somber. “Good Friday is part of God’s salvation plan that culminates in Christ’s resurrection.” Typical songs sung include “Christ the Lord Has Risen Today” and “Up From the Grave He Arose.”

Another very common Easter tradition is the Easter egg hunt. “The little kids, and even us bigger kids, always enjoy Easter egg hunts in the yard,” says Jim. “Of course, those eggs need to be decorated. So the young ones usually get to enjoy that part also.”

While hunting Easter eggs may seem common to us, one has to wonder where such a tradition originated. According to Wikipedia, the egg was a symbol of the rebirth of the earth in pre-Christian celebrations of spring. However, the Easter egg was defined by early Christians as an Easter symbol of the resurrection of Jesus. It was compared to the tomb from which Christ arose (History of the Easter egg hunt).  The tradition of decorated eggs may have arisen in Orthodox Christianity where eggs were stained red to signify the blood spilt by Christ.

Easter celebrations often include special food traditions as well, beyond just Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies. One food often enjoyed among Mennonite families is Paska, a traditional Ukrainian Easter bread. “It is made with milk, butter, eggs, flour, and sugar. All ingredients that were always available in the Old Country,” shares Jim. “It is often topped off with a white glaze.” Oventales has a recipe for Paska for those interested in adding this treat to their Easter traditions. If you are looking for Easter meal ideas, The Pioneer Woman has 60 delicious sounding Easter recipes as well.

As you make plans for your Easter celebrations, both those at home and at church, safety is always an important thing to keep in mind. One such safety issue to consider: Is it safe to let the kids, or adults, eat the Easter eggs after you are done with the hunting? Southern Living has some great tips on whether eating them is a good idea, and what to consider. Among those things to consider are how long the eggs will be out of the refrigerator, are you hiding them in places that could make bacteria a concern, and are you using natural dyes? The dye question is important because it can bleed through to the egg.

If you are having a big celebration, it is also important to make sure you have the insurance coverage you need just in case something unexpected happens. Mennonite Aid/Mennonite Insurance is happy to help with any questions. Just call (559) 638-2327. Here’s hoping you have a safe and wonderful Easter!

By Lorie Ham

Spring is nearly here, bringing with it some of the nicest weather of the year. For those who love reading, there’s nothing quite so lovely as sitting outside and enjoying the weather while reading a new book! It’s something the whole family can enjoy. But how does one choose that new book? There are so many books to choose from! Here are a few recommendations for the entire family.

If your tastes run to non-fiction books, Town and Country has several recommendations in their list of 48 Must-Read Books for Spring. Some of the books included are You with the Sad Eyes (a Memoir) by Christina Applegate, Lost: Amelia Earhart’s Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life by former National Geographic reporter Rachel Hartigan, and a new memoir by Liza Minnelli called Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!.

For romance readers, ABC Blog has a long and varied list of romance novels coming out this spring. They even have them separated into categories: Sports Romances, STEM (ish) Romances, Small Town Romances, Cowboy Romance, and Favorites. Books included are In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde, Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm, Darling Daffodils Farm by Brittanee Nicole, and Fever Dream by Elsie Silver. On the Favorites list, popular romance author Abby Jimenez has a new book coming out called The Night We Met.

If you prefer books that are darker or that include science or fantasy worlds, Grimdark Magazine has a list of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy books that they are looking forward to reading this year, some of which will be released in the spring. The list includes Green and Deadly Things by Jenn Lyons, The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan, The Bone Door by Frances White, and

The Heart of the Nhaga by Lee Youngdo. Another great choice if you enjoy urban fantasy is Twelve Months, the latest Dresden Files book by Jim Butcher—but be sure to start with book one, Storm Front, if you haven’t read the series before. The Dresden Files is a perfect series for those who enjoy mystery combined with fantasy.

Speaking of mysteries, they are another very popular genre of books that has many subgenres. If you prefer thrillers, suspense, and police procedurals, CrimeReads can be a good resource. Their list of March releases includes The Keeper by well-known author Tana French. Bibliolifestyle also has a list of releases that includes Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden, Served Him Right by Lisa Unger, and Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson.

If you enjoy lighter mysteries, Kings River Life has a monthly mystery coming attractions column filled with suggestions of cozy and historical mysteries. This month’s column includes Death at a Firefly Tea by Laura Childs, Buried in a Book (A Cozy Bookshop Mystery 2) by Toni LoTempio, and Vanished in the Crowd by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles.

Don’t forget the kids when it comes to reading this spring. Random House has a great list of young adult book releases. Included are Gaslit by Megan Davidhizar, Love on Ice by Sara Ney, Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn, and Adventure Is Out There! by Liz Braswell. Kirkusalso has a list, and that one includes Change of Plans by the very popular Sarah Dessen, Ellen Poe by Diana Peterfreind, and When It’s Your Turn For Midnight by Blessing Musariri.

Kirkus has a list of children’s books coming out this spring as well. The list includes both picture books and chapter books. Some of the picture books on the list are Seven Million Steps by Derrick Barnes and Christian Gregory, illustrated by Frank Morrison, and a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Carson Ellis. Some of the chapter books included are Phoenix by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Hattie Mae Begins Again by Sharon G. Flake.

If you are looking for spring reading for the entire family and don’t want to spend a lot of money, your local library is always a great source of books, and a family outing to the library is a lot of fun any time of the year!

By Lorie Ham

According to Wikipedia, Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine. Later, through folk traditions, it became a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

Because of Valentine’s Day, February is often thought of as the month of love. While we should be expressing our love to those around us all year long, Valentine’s Day gives us all an extra push to do so in special ways, whether this is the love for your partner, family, or friends.

How we express that love can come in as many different ways as there are people. One popular way is with a card. Kids give out cute little Valentine’s Day cards in class, partners give more romantic ones, and parents may give something sweet, funny, or cute to their kids. According to Scrapbook.com, in the 1700s something similar to the modern day Valentine’s Day greeting card began to be seen. Of course, there weren’t printed cards yet, so most of these were handmade and hand delivered. However, those who had trouble putting their feelings into words could buy printed verse guides full of suggestions. York Castle Museum in York, England has in their collection what is believed to be the oldest printed Valentine’s Day card in existence, which was printed in London in 1797. Despite the multitude of Valentine’s Day cards out there now to purchase, including even electronic ones to send via email, the most treasured cards are often still those that are handmade with love and care.

Another way commonly used to express love on Valentine’s Day is food. Chocolates are very popular, but many also take loved ones out for a big meal or cook them a special meal at home. Just like with the cards, the personal touch seems to say so much more than just buying something. If you are looking for some recipes to make for those you love this Valentine’s Day, Good Housekeeping has a great list of 40 recipes for Valentine’s Day treats you can make. Some of the many delicious recipes included are for layered Mexican hot-chocolate pudding, water color heart-shaped cookies, stuffed red velvet cookies, and chocolate dipped cookie sticks. It’s enough to make your mouth water!

For the book lover in your life, a book can be a perfect gift on this special day. If their taste leans toward romance in books as well, Romance.io has a list of several romance novels released in February 2026, including ones written by popular authors such as Ali Hazelwood and Heather Fawcett. If their tastes run more to mystery novels, the latest Mystery Coming Attractions February 2026 Valentine’s Edition can be found on Kings River Life Magazine. For fantasy and romantasy lovers, Burner Kindle Book Blog has a list of new releases that includes books by Demi Winters and Tessonja Odette.

For a perfect combination of books and food there’s the latest culinary mystery by Osmund Murrin, May Contain Murder. Chef and food writer, Osmund Murrin, also agreed to share one of the recipes from his new book that is perfect for your Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Recipe: GÂTEAU REINE DE SABA

Serves 8

FOR THE MERINGUE

• 3 egg whites
• pinch of fine salt
• ¼ tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon superfine sugar
• 1 teaspoon white wine or cider vinegar

For the Cake

• 4 oz. bittersweet (dark) chocolate (at least 60% cocoa solids), broken into small pieces or chopped
• ¼ cup ground almonds
• heaping ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, softened
• ¾ cup superfine sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons rum, brandy or coffee

For the Glaze

• 4 oz. bittersweet (dark) chocolate (at least 60% cocoa solids), broken into small pieces or chopped
• ¼–½ stick (2–4 tablespoons) butter, as needed (see method)
• 1 tablespoon rum, brandy or coffee
• sliced almonds, well toasted, to decorate (optional)

Butter an 8-inch loose-bottomed (about 1½–2 inches deep), and line the base with a disk of parchment paper.

Melt the chocolate for the cake in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of hot water or just give it 2–3 minutes in the microwave. Leave to cool.

For the meringue, put the whites, salt, and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer, or use an electric hand whisk. Whisk till beginning to stiffen, then add the sugar in two batches. When the mixture is stiff and meringue-like, beat in the vinegar and set aside. If you are using a stand mixer and have a spare bowl, use it now, otherwise transfer the beaten whites to a fresh bowl, and rinse the bowl ready for the chocolate mixture.

For the cake, mix the ground almonds, flour, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla and almond extracts using a stand or electric hand mixer, until light and creamy, then beat in the yolks, followed by the cooled chocolate and rum or brandy.

Gently fold in a third of the meringue mixture using a large metal spoon, then half the flour mixture, then repeat, finishing with remaining meringue mixture. There should be no lumps of egg white or flour visible. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and lightly spread it out to the edges.

Bake in a 350°F. There is no need to preheat—in which case it will take 25–28 minutes; if you do preheat, it will take 22–25 minutes. Rotate halfway through cooking time if necessary. The cake is cooked when a toothpick inserted about 2 inches from the edge comes out clean, with a few crumbs attached. The center of the cake should feel slightly soft to the touch but not liquid.

Run a palette knife round the edge of the cake, then allow to cool for ten minutes. Invert onto a rack, discard the parchment paper, and leave to cool completely—about an hour. You can make a day ahead and wrap if convenient.

Melt the chocolate for the glaze with ¼ stick (2 tablespoons) of the butter and rum (as before) till smooth. Chocolate varies, so if it’s too thick to pour, melt in the extra butter. Put the cake (still inverted) on a rack with a sheet of baking parchment underneath and pour the glaze over it, smoothing top and sides. Decorate with almonds if you wish.

When set, remove to a cake plate. If you refrigerate this, the finish will go dull, so best kept in a container at room temperature and served within a day or two.

However you spend your Valentine’s Day, always remember to be safe and keep your loved ones safe. Nothing says love better than looking out for those you care about. If you are unsure if you have the insurance coverage you may need should an emergency arise during Valentine’s Day, or any other day, you can reach out the Mennonite Aid/Mennonite Insurance and they will be happy to help (559) 638-2327.

By Lorie Ham

February may be the month of love and warm feelings because of Valentine’s Day, but it can also be very cold and wet as winter has its final burst before spring. This cold, wet, and in some places snowy, time of year can also bring with it the potential for problems and accidents caused by the weather, so it’s a good idea to do what you can do avoid those issues. Especially issues that can be bad enough to lead to an insurance claim, whether for your home or your car.

So, what are some of the most common types of insurance claims this time of year? “I think the common claims we see in the winter (depending on where one lives) are chimney fires (more in rural areas in the Northwest), frozen pipes (in areas subject to extreme cold which are often secondary homes in the mountains where people are gone for an extended time), and windstorm/rain,” says Kevin Lucke, President/CEO of Mennonite Aid Plan/Mennonite Insurance Services.

Kevin also shares some tips for avoiding some of those claims for your home or business:

1. Have chimneys and woodstoves cleaned on regular basis
2. Have roofs serviced/cleaned to remove moss build-up to reduce the possibility of leaking roofs
3. Have trees trimmed to reduce the possibility of them falling on to homes
4. Maintain adequate heat in homes and if you are going to be gone for more than a few days, have someone occasionally come over to check on things
5. Cover outdoor plumbing items (hose bibs) to keep them from freezing

“Those of course are related to property,” continues Kevin. “For auto, roads get slick due to rain or ice, and it is not always easy to see.” 

For drivers who are operating in inclement weather (cold, ice, snow, heavy rain etc.), here are some more recommendations:

1. Reduce speed
2. Eliminate distractions (like texting while driving)
3. Ensure tires have adequate tread
4. Ensure that you have chains or studded tires
5. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination

Ready.gov also has some great tips, and links to resources, to help you prepare for cold winter weather. One such link provides information specifically on winter storms. According to their website, sixty-three percent of temperature-related deaths are attributable to cold exposure, home heating is the second leading cause of home fires, and winter is when most home fires happen. Travel during the winter has unique risks, especially if you travel by car.

So make sure you are prepared for whatever winter weather you may encounter each year, not only to help keep yourself and your family safe, but to look out for your community as well. Making certain you have the insurance coverage you need in case something bad does still happen, is part of being prepared. Mennonite Insurance/Mennonite Aid is happy to answer any of your questions at (559) 638-2327.