The Front Porch

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Welcome to your October edition!

Things are starting to look preeeeeeety spoooooky around Marley Park! Although we aren’t quite experiencing “fall” weather yet, fall is in the air and front porches throughout the neighborhood are being adorned with pumpkins, fall wreathes, and scarecrow décor. If this is your first fall in Marley Park, you’re going to love it! No one decorates their homes for Halloween quite like Marley Park residents! Halloween night is an incredible scene of kids and families getting out and about in their costumes to enjoy the festivities, and of course, collect treats from neighbors. Halloween truly embodies the spirit of “The Front Porch” in so many ways.

In the 21 years I’ve lived in Arizona, I can’t remember a Halloween that didn’t have perfect

trick-or-treating weather. This is in stark contrast to the Halloweens of my childhood in Michigan, where we often had to wear rain gear over our costumes…or worse, snow suits! I grew up in a rural area, so trick-or-treating meant getting in the car and driving several miles between houses. It wasn’t very efficient. Not so, in Marley Park, where kids bounce up and down the streets from one house to the next, filling their bags and buckets with ease.

Halloween always feels a little safer in Marley Park, as lots of adults are out and about watching over the kids, even the ones who don’t belong to them. Lots of adults go all-out with costume creativity too…sometimes whole families dress up in themes! A great Halloween – the kind childhood memories are made of – isn’t really about the costumes or the candy (despite what our kids think). A great Halloween is a community celebration of traditions and rituals that connects neighbors and friends. As you plan and prepare for Halloween fun this year, I’ll leave you with some words of wisdom from one of my favorite holiday movies, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966): “There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.” ~Linus van Pelt

Follow that advice and you’re sure to have a fabulous and spooktacular Halloween! See you on The Front Porch!

Christie Giannetto | Assistant Editor | The Front Porch Magazine

Legal Advice

property goes to you. Otherwise, intestate laws apply and your spouse’s children will be entitled to one-half of the community property and onehalf of your spouse’s sole and separate property.

Be sure to keep your Original Will, because using a copy requires a formal court probate hearing.

If you are leaving assets to adults (not minors), then you can use beneficiary designations and avoid probate. A Will is still a good idea to have as a backup for any account without a beneficiary; either because a beneficiary was not listed or a financial company lost the beneficiary designation. If your spouse has children which are not also your children, the Will also can assure that your spouse’s half of the community

Wills need two witnesses and a specially worded provisions are in your handwriting and all pages .

Sharon’s practice focuses on Wills, trusts, probate and trust administration. For more information

On Our Cover

Tonya Mack grew up in an Air Force family; her father is a retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant. Born in North Carolina, she spent her elementary in Spain and her middle and high school years in Oklahoma. Tonya, along with both of her sisters, followed in her father’s footsteps and joined the USAF at age 18. She fulfilled her goal of earning a college degree by taking college courses at night as an Enlisted Airman and later earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska–Omaha while attending ROTC and becoming an officer. The only one of her sisters to make the USAF her long-term career, Tonya worked primarily in Human Resources/Personnel, which was a great fit for her because she loves connecting and working with people.

Tonya’s dream of traveling and seeing the world was also fulfilled by the USAF. During her time on active duty, she was stationed at nine different bases around the US and the world and had the opportunity to travel to many other countries as well. Her favorite bases were in Germany, Texas, and Arizona, where she lived in Marley Park for

two years. She retired in 2019 as Lieutenant Colonel after serving our country for 26 years.

In retirement, Tonya wanted to have time freedom as well as to grow, lead, and empower women. One year before retiring, she decided to start a skin care business with the goal of establishing the business so it could become her full-time second career. She considered retiring to Washington DC, one of the many places she was stationed while on active duty, but ultimately decided to make Marley Park her home of residence. After renting here for two years while stationed at Luke AFB, Tonya fell in love with the neighborhood. She wanted to live somewhere safe, comfortable, and beautiful; Marley Park was the perfect fit. She purchased a home here three years ago and loves it.

Tonya’s favorite thing about Marley Park is that she’s always running into and connecting with neighbors. She loves attending the monthly ladies’ night out and meeting new people, which is where she and I met a few months ago. It has truly been a pleasure getting to know Tonya. Her passion for people, life, and business is inspiring. I’m grateful to call her a friend and, Tonya, we are all grateful for your service to our country.

Submitted by Christie Giannetto | Marley Park Homeowner

November is American Diabetes Month. Chances are you know someone who has diabetes, a metabolic disorder affecting more than 37 million Americans, including those who have the disease but have not been diagnosed.

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that occurs when excess glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood. It can cause numerous health problems if not properly managed. Some symptoms of diabetes may seem so insignificant that you may not even notice them for months or years – but being diagnosed early is key to a lifetime of better health.

If left untreated, long-term diabetes complications include cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack, stroke and narrowing of the arteries, according to dietitian Katy Stemple, MDA, RDN, manager of the Abrazo Health Medical and Surgical Weight Loss Program.

“The increase in diabetes in adults worldwide has quadrupled over the last few decades. The connection with heart and blood vessel damage

is undeniable,” said Stemple. While there isn’t a cure yet for diabetes, the CDC says that losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active can really help.

“Type 2 diabetes, which typically is diagnosed in adults and accounts for between 90-95% of all diagnosed cases, can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease and kidney disease,” she explained. “In the last 20 years, the number of adults with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has become more overweight or obese.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in people living with diabetes, resulting in two-thirds of deaths in people with type 2 diabetes.

“The good news is that with proper exercise, diet and diabetes management, you can reduce your risk of getting cardiovascular disease and the complications that come with it,” noted Stemple.

Symptoms of diabetes will vary to some extent depending on the type. Classic symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes include excessive thirst and increased urination. This occurs because your kidneys have to work overtime to filter and absorb surplus sugar that has built up in the blood.

Other common signs of diabetes include fatigue, unexplained weight loss and blurred vision. Fatigue may be caused by increased urination resulting in dehydration and the body’s inability to properly use sugar for energy.

The good news is diabetes can be successfully treated. Talk with your doctor if have questions or suspect any symptoms. For more information about diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.

Submitted by Keith Jones, of Abrazo Health

What a Trip

My mother once told me that the most memorable vacations/trips were those that didn’t go as planned.

Case in point; Molokai, Hawaii, 1978. Four adults and one 5-year-old in a small rental car, touring the island. Molokai has lush forests, deserted beaches, waterfalls, and dry cattle landscapes. We drove to a high cattle area to see something called Whispering Rock. To get there, we had to traverse where cows roamed freely, evidenced by the numerous crusty cow pies. I decided to kick one of the old dried up cowpies, as though trying to kick a field goal. Yep, you guessed it. The top was dry and crusty, but the rest, well, smelly green goo, all over me and my shoe. I am a city girl; can you tell?

I wiped off the shoe as best I could, but it was still smelly and green. We went back to the car with everyone complaining about the smell and decided to drive to the lush part of the island. All the while, I was forced to hold the shoe out of the window, until we could get somewhere to wash it off. Luckily, about an hour later, there was a nice, deserted beach and I was able to rinse my shoe off in the water.

I took years of ribbing about it, and our daughter, who doesn’t remember much else about that trip, has never forgotten it. Yes, one of the most memorable trips ever.

Submitted by Donna Westphal | Marley Park Homeowner

Yum Yum

Hot Cheesy Shrimp Dip for the Holidays

Thanksgiving is a time for relaxing with family & friends around the table ~ and indulging in a feast that spans the afternoon into evening! While every family has their traditions, I always include a seafood appetizer or chowder since most of my life was spent by the water.

When I lived on Cape Cod, I used lobster in this recipe since it was readily available ~ but shrimp is far easier to find in the desert in the frozen food section!! I always start with raw shrimp so I can cook it for 3 minutes in a pot of boiling water with 3 T Old Bay Seasoning for added flavor ~ but you an also use fully-cooked shrimp.

Serve this with pita chips or baguette slices. This recipe is a great “What Can I Bring” solution ~

but don’t plan on having any leftovers to bring home!

Ingredients:

4 T unsalted butter

1 C tri-color peppers (red/yellow/orange), finely chopped

1 C shallots, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 T flour

1 C heavy cream

¾ C whole milk

1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning

1 tsp paprika

½ tsp dry mustard

½ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

2 T sherry wine

1 C Gruyere cheese, shredded (or Swiss)

2 lbs cooked shrimp (I use 31-40 count, prepared as noted above)

1 T fresh parsley, chopped 1/3 C kettle cooked potato chips, crumbled

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray medium size casserole dish with nonstick spray ~ set aside.

In a large pan over medium heat, melt butter and saute peppers and shallots about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and stir for 1 minute; then add flour and cook 2 minutes more. Whisk in heavy cream and milk until smooth.

Add Old Bay, paprika, mustard, salt, pepper, cayenne, and sherry. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture thickens. Add cheese, shrimp & parsley and pour into prepared dish.

Sprinkle top with potato chips and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned on top. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Submitted by Maureen Woods

Home Sweet Home

Some people believe there’s a group of homeowners who may be reluctant to sell their houses because they don’t want to lose the historically low mortgage rate they have on their current home. You may even have the same hesitation if you’re thinking about selling your house.

Data shows 51% of homeowners have a mortgage rate under 4% as of April this year.

And while it’s true mortgage rates are higher than that right now, there are other non-financial factors to consider when it comes to making a move. In other words, your mortgage rate is important, but you may have other things going on in your life that make a move essential, regardless of where rates are today.

If you’re thinking about selling your house, it may help to explore the other reasons homeowners are choosing to make a move today. The 2022 Summer Sellers Survey by realtor.com asked recent home sellers why they decided to sell.

An appetite for different features or the fact that their current home could no longer meet their needs topped the list for recent sellers.

Additionally, remote work and whether they need a home office or are tied to a specific physical office location also factored in, as did the desire to live close to their loved ones.

If you, like the homeowners they surveyed, find yourself wanting features, space, or amenities your current home just can’t provide, it may be time to consider listing your house for sale. Even with today’s mortgage rates, your lifestyle needs may be enough to motivate you to make a change. The best way to find out what’s right for you is to partner with a trusted real estate professional who can provide expert guidance and advice throughout the process. They can help walk you through your options, so you can make a confident decision based on what matters most to you and your loved ones.

While the financial reasons for moving are important, there’s often far more to consider. Non-financial reasons can also be a significant motivating factor. If you need help weighing the pros and cons of selling your house, let’s connect today.

Submitted by Christie Giannetto | REALTOR® | REAL Broker

Flu Season

The weather is beginning to cool and leaves are changing. Fall also usually brings flu season, a time when kids are more likely to get sick with flu. That’s why it’s important to get children a flu vaccine and help them fight flu, so they can do what they do - like having fun with friends! Is your family ready to fight flu? Which of the statements are true about protecting your children during flu season?

* Flu illness is more dangerous than the common cold. Millions of children get sick with flu every year and thousands will be hospitalized as a result. Flu can lead to serious complications, like inflammation of the heart and brain. While most children recover from flu within two weeks, some children can develop more serious illnesses like pneumonia.

* Vaccination is the best way to protect children against flu. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine each year, ideally by the end of October. However, getting vaccinated after October can still provide children with important protection during most flu seasons. Some children 6 months through 8

years of age may need two doses for the best protection.

* Flu vaccines are updated every year to keep up with changing flu viruses. This season’s flu vaccines were updated from last season to better match the viruses currently circulating, which change year to year. Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the four flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season.

* Children still need to be vaccinated against flu even if they received a COVID-19 vaccine. While both flu and COVID-19 are potentially serious contagious respiratory illnesses, they are caused by two different viruses. It is important to stay up-to-date on both flu and COVID-19 vaccines to provide the best protection for children this winter.

All answers are true! Flu vaccines are safe, reduce your risk from flu, and are important to keep your child healthy. It’s important for parents to make sure their children are vaccinated against flu so kids are ready to fight flu this season. Learn more about flu and how to best protect children so they can enjoy all the season has to offer.

Announcement

Delaney May was born at 12:51 a.m. on September 9th to Marley Park residents, Kaitlyn and Charlie Favreau. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces and was 19 inches long. She joins older siblings Eli, age 9, Lily, age 7, and Finnley, age 5. Welcome to Marley Park, Delaney!

Get Involved!

Fall Volunteer Opportunities

Servants of Surprise (SOS) Volunteers – Our City Veterans, Disability & Human Services Commission has set a goal to raise awareness about resources and services available and created this SOS concept. Our “HSCV” department has created a training program to create resource ambassadors throughout the community. Anyone interested in volunteering and training as a resource ambassador is welcome to an orientation Oct 18th at 10am at the Surprise Resource Center. For more information, go to https://surpriseaz.gov/1276/ SOS-Program.

Surprise Youth Justice Project - We are proud to offer and lead the Surprise Youth Justice Project. In partnership with Maricopa County and Surprise City Court, high school students participate in ‘Teen Court, a diversion program for juvenile offenders, where cases are assessed by a group of their peers and appropriate consequences are determined. Applications are still being accepted for this year. For more

information, go to https://surpriseaz.gov/515/ Surprise-Youth-Justice-Project

• Memory Café - Memory Café: Virtually 2nd Tuesday from 10 – 11:30 a.m. In-person 4th Tuesday from 10 - 11:30 at the Salvation Army, 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise, 85378. Contact (623) 832-6637 or BannerResearch@ BannerHealth.com to register.

• A New Leaf – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - TurnANewLeaf.org/Vita-Program Salvation Army - Thanksgiving & Christmas Day Community Dinners at the Phoenix Convention Center: CONTACT: Christina Conrad 602267-4117 christina.conrad@usw.salvationarmy. org (see attachment for all of the available opportunities please).

• Dysart Community Center – Adult Education Tutors – For more information, contact dcc. alexmejia or call 623-974-4156

• Saguaro Janes Food Distribution – Every Thursday – 6am-1pm – For more information, call 623-388-2683

• Burgundy Brigade – Join the team! The Vista Center of the Arts Volunteers - https://www. thevistaaz.com/volunteer

Veteran Dogs

Did you know that roughly 3.5 million military veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder? There is hope for those who are impacted. Research shows that veterans with properly trained service dogs show lower symptoms of PTSD, reduced depression and increased social participation. This year, to highlight and celebrate the remarkable impact these dogs have on the daily lives of veterans, Dog Chow launched its first-ever Visible Impact Award in partnership with the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans.

Meet the five service dog finalists who are making life better for their veterans:

1. Bjorn - After U.S. Army Veteran Derek left his third inpatient treatment for attempted suicide, he knew he needed help to treat his complex PTSD. Everything changed when he met his service dog Bjorn, who helps him break out of negative thought spirals by interrupting flashbacks and thoughts of self-harm. At night, Bjorn sleeps with or on top of Derek to help him sleep and wakes him if he’s experiencing night terrors.

2. Ivy - U.S. Army Veteran Todd was on the brink of ending his life when a well-timed conversation with a fellow veteran inspired him to apply for a service dog to manage his PTSD. Ivy, a Great Pyrenees service dog, was the companion he needed. Ivy can smell changes in Todd’s body chemistry when he gets hypervigilant, angry or anxious in crowded social situations. She quickly moves to bring him back to the present by interrupting his train of thought.

3. Liberty - After an explosive went off under his Humvee outside Kirkuk, Iraq, Army Veteran Carlos’s life changed forever. Ten years after the incident, Carlos had trouble leaving his home and managing his PTSD symptoms. Since receiving his service dog, Liberty, Carlos has been able to enjoy everyday life again. Because of Liberty, Carlos was able to overcome his anxieties and attend a Los Angeles Dodgers

game. Liberty kept Carlos calm as they stood on the field and received a standing ovation from over 50,000 people.

4. Raphael - Constant panic and anxiety attacks made life a daily struggle for U.S. Air Force Veteran Bernard. Even on medication, Bernard’s PTSD caused him to become withdrawn and depressed, making simple tasks intolerable. Like other PTSD service dogs, Raphael performs a “standing hug” to give Bernard compression therapy when he begins to experience an anxiety or panic attack. This hugging works to place Bernard’s focus on Raphael instead of the anxiety trigger.

5. Trigger - After U.S. Navy Veteran Rebekah returned from service in 2011, she could not go out in public on her own. Luckily, her service dog, a rescued boxer mix named Trigger, helped reduce her PTSD symptoms. When out in public, Trigger always remains by Rebekah’s side, standing between her legs and decreasing her hypervigilance.

To learn more about these veterans and their service dogs visit DogChow.com/Service.

Samurai Sudoku

samurai sudoku puzzle is a great way to engage the brain and help develop logic skills.

solve this

puzzle use standard sudoku rules for every 9x9

digit from 1 to 9 can only appear once in every row, column and 3x3 box.