Good Morning, Sunshine

This is a picture that The Water Expert took a few days ago, and I think if we ever make Morrison Ranch postcards, this would be a perfect first shot. It is an idyllic scene. If you are wondering, Merriam-Webster defines idyllic as "pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity."

I was walking early one morning last week - before our latest cold snap - and found myself being grateful again and again. The trees are large and healthy in Higley Groves West, the neighbors are neat and tidy for the most part, the Halloween decorations are up, I have a plethora of routes that I can take for variety's sake; what could make a walk more pleasant?

Can it be just nine years ago that I was walking the neighborhood and coming home to The Mister with my impatient demands that all the problems be fixed? I noticed every busted sprinkler head, every tree that was bowed over, every damaged sidewalk. He adjured me to be patient, and as usual, he was right. The scene now is, dare I say, idyllic. And there are many other walkers, bikers, joggers, and dog-walkers that seem to think so, because I see them every day.

So if you are living in one of the newer Morrison Ranch developments, like Highland Groves or Lakeview Trails, you just wait. A few years from now you will be experiencing the "pleasing and picturesque" landscape, too.

Walk to School Rocked

Everybody had a great time. I was going to say it was cold, but not nearly as cold as this morning, so I guess I will just be thankful.

And thanks to all the PTSO folks and CCMC staff and school staff and others who helped make this happen.

The Annual Meeting for Morrison Ranch Residential HOA is tomorrow

This meeting is for Morrison Ranch Residential HOA. Specifically, it does not apply to Higley Groves or Higley Groves West. As much as we feel like one community socially, we have to mind the legal p's and q's.


MEETING NOTICE
MORRISON RANCH RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE

OCTOBER 29, 2009
6:30 P. M. – 8:30 P.M.

The Fifth Annual Meeting for the Morrison Ranch Community Council and Residential Association will be held October 29, 2009 at 6:30 P.M.

The meeting will be held at the Farm Bureau Building at Town Center, located at 325 S. Higley Road, Gilbert, Arizona.

Walk to School Day is TOMORROW!

Look at last week for the details. I will be out taking pictures. Smile!

The Farmer's Market was a Success

It looks like a success from the pictures! I don't know how many vendors were there. I see kettle corn and flowers and pumpkins for sure.

I like simple, natural ways for neighbors to meet. Now, I just have to stop being double booked so I can make more of these!

Perhaps I Should Reintroduce Myself...

I'm the Missus, and I haven't contributed to the Front Porch for quite a while. But I am back, and happy to make your acquaintance again. There is apparently an illness that strikes bloggers that is more common than flu in the fall or allergies in the spring: Blogger Burnout. I was trying to post five days a week while grieving the death of a very close friend, and didn't have time to get my Blogger Burnout vaccination. The rest, as they say, is history. I plan on posting a couple of times a week now, and The Mister will also keep us informed of some of the goings on at Morrison Ranch.

And may I just say that the Pecan Festival last Thursday evening truly was a success? The First Cousin and Deidre organized the event masterfully, and all the residents pitched in. We had so many people bring yummy desserts that most of the 'store-bought' cookies got taken back to be served at the next HOA meeting. (I especially loved the bags shaped like a skeleton hand filled with caramel popcorn. But I digress.) Bias For Action and his fam made sure there was enough cider to drink, and the Number One Son and I served a couple hundred hot dogs as we danced to the DJ's great music. Mick, the Master of Landscape, made sure the grass was gorgeous, and then pitched in with a generator and some muscle. Lots of games for the kids, and crafts, and, well, I could go on, but the thing that stood out to me was a comparison. Each year the Pecan Festival has been a little different, some years more successful, some years less; but it feels like we are starting to hit our stride. It's because of the people who live here, of course. Parties are more fun when you have, you know, PEOPLE, who not only attend but also pitch in. Thanks for that.

Deidre is already planning for the Christmas holiday get-together. I can't wait.

Walk to School Day is Wednesday

Intl Walk to School Day for Morrison Ranch is Wed, Oct. 28th. The two schools participating are Greenfield Elementary and Highland Park Elementary. The two meeting spots are (and please note different locations and start times):
For Greenfield Elementary,
8:15 a.m.; Park within Higley Groves West at Prairie & Park Avenue


For Highland Park Elementary, two locations:
7:15 a.m.; North Ramada within Highland Groves at the Central Park & Park Avenue (north side)
7:30 a.m.; Playscape/ramada within Higley Groves (east) at the central Park & Lynda Court


Principles and administrators for each school will participate with students as they walk or bike to school.

Yes, most of these kids get to school this way every day. But it is a fun event. Come on out!

Today!!!!

Saturday, October 24th from 8am to 1pm

Vendors, and Pumpkin Painting, Food, Freebies, and the Fire Department.

I can't go, so go and let me know how it is.

Farmer's Market at Bashas'

Tomorrow

Saturday, October 24th from 8am to 1pm

Vendors, and Pumpkin Painting, Food, Freebies, and the Fire Department.

The Pecan Festival was a Great Success!

I had to miss it. I can't tell you how much I would rather have been at the Festival. But my wife and my son and my brother and my cousin and .... well, you get the idea..... were there and the reports were all positive. About 200 people, I understand. Hope lots of people met a neighbor they hadn't met before.

Events

Do I emphasize the
Pecan Harvest Festival this evening,

or do I emphasize
Walk to School Day next Wednesday?

What's a guy to do? Details on meeting places for Walk to School next week.

Pecan Harvest Festival

TOMORROW NIGHT!

The Festival will be in Lakeview Trails North. I thought the diagram would help people get there. It starts at 5:30 and runs until 7:30 or dark, whichever comes first!

It should be a particularly good time for the kids. See the details in last week's post.

A new store in Lakeview Village

This store describes itself as a "Resale Fashion Boutique". I don't go into any store with boutique in the name, so someone else will have to check it out. And please do. I am not sure they are open, but they have clothing on display, so they are close. This is on the north end of Lakeview Village across from the gas station.

Farmer's Market at Bashas'

Details are yet coming, but here is the plan today:

What: Farmer’s Market

When: Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 pm.

Where: Bashas’ supermarket, 99 S. Higley Rd. (Higley & Elliott), Gilbert, 85296

It should be a great time to get some local produce, and support local growers. Check it out!

Annual Meeting for Morrison Ranch

MEETING NOTICE
MORRISON RANCH RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE

OCTOBER 29, 2009
6:30 P. M. – 8:30 P.M.

The Fifth Annual Meeting for the Morrison Ranch Community Council and Residential Association will be held October 29, 2009 at 6:30 P.M.

The meeting will be held at the Farm Bureau Building at Town Center, located at 325 S. Higley Road, Gilbert, Arizona.

Bulk Trash

Get ready, but not yet.

Next week is our bulk trash week. The Town may come as early as Monday, so we need to have our stuff out by Sunday night. But we don't want to have trash out for days and days. To Sunday is a good day to put it out, and Saturday if you need to. Of course, the Town may not come for a few days, but you can't count on that. So Sunday it is.

Also, please don't put the trash on the grass. Even this year when the mow strips are not being overseeded, the landscapers can't mow and deal with leaves if the trash is on the grass. Put it on the road, as close to the curb as you can, or on your driveway if you can get around it.

Pecan Harvest Festival

Here are the details.

Morrison Ranch
Pecan Harvest Festival
Thursday, October 22nd
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Lake View Trails Center Park at Marlene Dr. & Wade Dr.



Hot Dogs & Apple Cider
Kids Costume Parade w/ Treats & Prizes Harvest Crafts
Dessert Pot Luck
(bring your best dessert to share)
DJ with Music, Games and More!

Please RSVP to Deidre at dgarber@ccmcnet.com or 602-309-7233 by
Friday, October 16th with number of kids and adults attending.

New community website

Morrison Ranch is moving to a new website for residents:

New Morrison Ranch Website
www.mymorrisonranch.org
Some of you may already know about the new website and have logins, some of you received login information this week. Either way we are excited to have this new website up and running!

Welcome to the New Morrison Ranch Website - www.mymorrisonranch.org . This website will be your direct connection to your community association. The site will be updated with important association information weekly. Your login name and password are attached to this email.

We are looking to have as many residents as possible with access to the website. Please encourage your friends and neighbors that live at Morrison Ranch to visit www.mymorrisonranch.org and request a login to the website.

Anyone with questions about the website please contact Deidre at dgarber@ccmcnet.com .

Ride your bike!

So, I don't know how to take a picture of myself as I ride my bike. And these days I am more often on a mountain bike. But the weather is perfect, so get out there and ride your bike around the community. It is beautiful.

Pecan Harvest Festival

The Pecan Festival will be in Lakeview Trails North on Oct 22. More details to come!!

I'm BACK!

OK, I haven't blogged for a while, but I am back at it. We have several things coming this month. The first one is the Pecan Festival on Oct 22. Then the Morrison Ranch Annual Meeting. More information to come.