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Who Owns Your Home?

laptop and people signing papersBy Lorie Ham

So who owns your home? The obvious answer would be you, but in some cases that isn’t true. Sometimes people transfer their home to an entity they control like a trust or a limited liability company (LLC), or perhaps even a corporation.

Why would anyone do that? There can be many reasons. Sometimes it is to avoid probate, or for other estate planning purposes. It can also be to shelter your assets so a loss at one property doesn’t jeopardize other assets. If this is something you are considering, the best course of action is to talk to a lawyer about it and that person will help you make the best decision.

Let’s say that you find yourself in one of these positions, how does that affect the insurance on the home? As long as you have control over whatever “owns” your home and you live in it, the policy can still be a homeowner policy. However, you need to make sure to add the entity as an additional insured on the policy. Why? Because if something happens, the policy will cover only those listed on the policy. Things that could happen include a liability lawsuit, refinancing, and the death of a spouse. We all hope there won’t ever be a lawsuit, or a death, but life happens and it is wise to be prepared.

If you have any doubt about who owns your home, take out your deed and check. If it shows anything other than the names of the people living in the house, then it’s time to call your insurance agent to make sure that your coverage is correct. In case that unexpected thing happens, you want to be covered.

For even more details on this question, you can check out this article. Then make sure to check the deed, and if needed, call your insurance agent.

Don’t Let Porch Pirates Steal Your Holidays

Package ThiefBy Lorie Ham

The holiday season is upon us again and everyone is starting to think about Christmas shopping. Many of us now do most, if not all, of our shopping online, which means we need to stay aware of the possibility of someone stealing our packages if we aren’t home when they arrive.

Porch pirates have been an issue for a few years now, and back in 2017, we shared an article with you that has some great tips on how to not become a victim and let those pirates ruin your holiday.

There are a couple of fascinating new ways to help keep the packages you order from Amazon safe. The first one is called Key. Key is a simple solution that gives you the freedom to enjoy keyless smart access and receive packages delivered inside your garage, home, or car, where they will be safe. The Key app seems to be completely free-the trick is to use it on your front door or your garage you will need to have a camera installed. You can learn more on the Amazon website.

If you don’t feel comfortable using Key, Amazon also offers another free solution–Amazon Hub Lockers. Amazon lockers are secure self-service kiosks where you can pick up your packages when it’s convenient for you. Simply select your locker location as your delivery address at checkout. You will then be sent a code you can use to open your locker. There are lockers all over, including in a small city like Reedley CA, so you should be able to find one near you. You can learn all about them on the Amazon website as well.

I learned about these services from Amazon in an article on the Family Handyman website, you can check out that article for even more ideas.

While you are at it, you may want to check with your Mennonite Insurance agent to see if such thefts might be covered by your insurance, just in case! Don’t let porch pirates steal your holidays.

Back To School Driving Safety

school bus with kids boaridngBy Lorie Ham

School is back in session! Depending on where your kids go to school, they may have been back for a couple of weeks, or maybe they are just starting up. All throughout the school year it is important to put safety first when dropping off the kids or driving near schools. And it is important for students to put safety first as well.

Sergeant Todd Lowery, who is in charge of the Reedley PD Traffic Unit, offers some safety tips for parents, children, and those driving past a school.

All Drivers: Be sure to obey the speed limit of 25 miles per hour when you are passing a school.

Parents: Be careful where you drop off your children. Many schools have a drive through drop off area that is actually away from the street and on the campus, which is the safest option.

Students:
1. Always be aware of your surroundings when crossing streets instead of looking down at your phone. Don’t text and walk.
2. Use crosswalks where available and make sure vehicle drivers see you before crossing any street.

The Reedley PD also recently offered some tips on their Facebook page for students and drivers:

1. Take off headphones. Headphones or ear buds can prevent you from hearing oncoming hazards.
2. Never assume a driver is going to yield the right of way to a pedestrian. Stop at the curb or crosswalk, make eye contact, and ensure traffic is stopped before crossing the roadway.
3. Remember that RED MEANS STOP. Drivers are required to stop in both directions when a school bus has its red lights flashing or stop sign extended. This indicates students are getting on or off a bus.
For some back to school bike safety, check out this article by Sunnyside Bicycles in Kings River Life.
Sgt. Lowery says, “Teaching your kids safety starts with the parents and continues with educators, Law Enforcement, and others.”

Madera Ave. Bible Church Celebrates Centennial

By Lorie Ham

Madera Ave. Bible Church (MABC) celebrates its centennial this year. They had their first service on October 19, 1919 and started with 10 charter members. “The church began in the Dixieland area of Madera County about 10 miles north of the city,” shared Christine Wall, who has been the moderator of the church for 13 years. “Most of the members were farmers who lived in that area.” In 1969, the church built a new facility in southeast Madera and made the big move into town.

“The church started out with no paid staff, leaders were chosen from among the members. Attendance was about 40 people in the Dixieland church. The church now has a full-time pastor, a part-time youth pastor, an administrative assistant, and a janitor. Attendance runs between 60 and 75 people on Sundays.”

Around twelve of the Dixieland Church members still attend MABC. While the programs have changed through the years, corporate prayer time has always been a part of MABC, as has tithing to missions outside the church. They also strive for a strong feeling of family.

For their Centennial Celebration, MABC will begin their festivities on Saturday afternoon October 12 with a tour of the Dixieland area, beginning at their current location of 124 Walnut in Madera. “At the church there will be displays and 3 slide shows going continually with photos from throughout the 100 years,” continued Christine. The dinner that evening will take place at the 4th St. Church of God at 222 North N St. in Madera.
They will be serving traditional German food such as verenika, beerocks, and German sausage and there will be a program afterwards with District Minister Gary Wall speaking.

On Sunday morning, October 13, there will be a service at MABC with former pastor Greg Langley speaking and a BBQ meal will be served. Both programs will feature videos from former pastors and youth leaders and memories shared from the past.

Everyone is welcome to attend this celebration at no cost, however you must RSVP to Christine at 559-232-1751  by September 15. You can learn more about the church and its history on their website.

Mennonite Aid Plan’s computer records don’t go back 100 years, but MAP found an application from the church dating back to 1983.

Apples, Berries, and Cider – Oregon MCC Sale

Apples and Berries: That’s Oregon

Oregonians might take umbrage at that comment, because Oregon is so much more.  But from someone south of the border, that is how it feels in October. Sure, berries are past their prime, but there are jams, jellies, and syrups galore. One place to get a taste of all this goodness is at the Oregon Mennonite Festival for World Relief Oct 12, 2019.

You can buy apple cider by the ½ gallon, gallon or 55 gal. bbl. (kidding, not by the barrel). Bags of fresh apples are also available. The Baked Goods and Country Store offer delicious food to consume on site or take home.

The auction boasts a large number of handmade quilts, comforters and wall hangings. In addition, you can bid on furniture, tools and much more.

This MCC Sale is one of the easiest to find. You can see it from I-5 as you drive through Albany. Parking is plentiful and free. Everything is under roof, so if the Oregon rains come, you will stay dry.

Mennonite Insurance Services (MIS) has been a steady supporter of the Festival and plans to be there again on October 12, 2019. Mennonite Insurance brings items to sell and turns the proceeds over to the Sale. This year, MIS will be selling canvas folding chairs for $20.

We Like Our Sales

Canvas Folding ChairMennonites Like Their Auctions (and their acronyms)

When you can help folks and have fun doing it (usually with food), that makes for an event that can stand the test of time.  People in eastern Washington have figured out how to do that in their own style.

Mennonite Country Auction’s (MCA)  Oct 5, 2019, has two claims to fame: 1) it is the most remote MCC Sale, and 2) it has the highest per capita giving of any MCC Sale.

There are several ways to get to the MCA, but most involve coming on the I-90 freeway from either Moses Lake or Ritzville.  With either route you exit the freeway at least 6 miles from the Menno Mennonite Church (MMC), site of the MCA, and pass by a handful of buildings before arriving at the Sale.  Although the church sits on a hill with a 360° view, you can see only one farmstead off in the distance.

How do you get people to come?  For starters, in eastern Washington, driving an hour is nothing.  Many farmers have to drive 30+ min. just to get to the nearest town.  Getting Mennonites to come to an auction Sale that supports Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is also not difficult.  The MCA is the only MCC Sale in Washington, so Spokane Mennonites and Seattle area Mennonites are regulars.  Still, locating a public fundraiser in a county with an average population density of less than 5 persons/sq. mi. is not what most marketing experts would advise.

This “little” Sale located in remote eastern Washington and hosted by a small country church shouldn’t be expected to amount to much.  You would be wrong to think that.  The Sale regularly brings in about $120,000 in just 5 hours.  With 500 people in attendance, that averages $240 per person (including children).  Some people come to the Sale with a budget to spend.  They may not want or need more “stuff,” but want to support MCC.  A few years ago the Sale started auctioning off “absolutely nothing.”  That allows people to support MCC, not go home with more stuff, and honestly be able to say that they bought absolutely nothing at the Sale.

Mennonite Insurance Services (MIS) has been a steady supporter of the MCA and plans to be there again on October 5, 2019.  Mennonite Insurance brings items to sell and turns the proceeds over to the Sale.  This year, Mennonite Insurance will be selling canvas folding chairs for $20.

Final Exam: What does MCC mean?