DEBBIE BELANGER
and her interests in
Pickelball, staying fit, and neighborhood crime watch
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Jen's Editing Note: One of the best things about #FeatureFriday is that I get to learn so much more about my neighbors and those who I also consider friends.
This week, I have the pleasure of introducing you to a neighbor of mine, Debbie Belanger. Funny story; When my daughter was old enough to be in preschool, I heard that the only way I'd be able to get her enrolled at Estrella Mountain Church was to camp out the night before. So there I was with about three other parents, freezing cold, hoping I'd gotten there soon enough. Debbie's husband, Greg, was one of the three. It wasn't until much later that I met Debbie. Debbie and I recently caught up this past fall in an effort to revive our neighborhood's crime watch program. I enjoy her enthusiasm, positive, can-do attitude, and she's just an all around kind person, too! Thanks, Debbie, for taking the time to answer the questions and send these phenomenal photos! Enjoy! |
Debbie mastering the Predator Zipline at Out of Africa Wild Animal Park
Q. Please tell me about yourself. Where are you from and how did you chose to move to Estrella?
A. My name is Debbie Belanger and I was born in Okinawa and lived there for 3 years. My dad was in the United States Army and was a Green Beret in the Special Forces. He served 7 tours in Vietnam, so we were stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, (which is responsible for the southern accent I occasionally let slip), for 7 years while he went to Vietnam. After that we moved to Kansas, where I lived another 4 years, until my dad retired and decided to get us away from the wind and winters, so we moved to Arizona, where I have lived since that time. As a teenager I actually lived in White Tanks, (which is now Verrado). Because I have lived the majority of my life in Arizona, I consider myself a “native”. I have lived in all parts of the valley, but it was in 2003 that I talked with husband about moving to Estrella Mountain Ranch. At that time we had just had our second son, and our first son was just 5 years old. I liked the idea of a master planned community, especially the small town feel of Estrella and thought it would be a good place to raise our boys! Fortunately, my husband agreed and we’ve been living in the community ever since!
Q. Do you have family here?
A. The only family I have here now is my mom who lives in Peoria. I have a sister who still lives in Kansas, who I’ve tried to talk into moving to Arizona – maybe, someday.
A. My name is Debbie Belanger and I was born in Okinawa and lived there for 3 years. My dad was in the United States Army and was a Green Beret in the Special Forces. He served 7 tours in Vietnam, so we were stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, (which is responsible for the southern accent I occasionally let slip), for 7 years while he went to Vietnam. After that we moved to Kansas, where I lived another 4 years, until my dad retired and decided to get us away from the wind and winters, so we moved to Arizona, where I have lived since that time. As a teenager I actually lived in White Tanks, (which is now Verrado). Because I have lived the majority of my life in Arizona, I consider myself a “native”. I have lived in all parts of the valley, but it was in 2003 that I talked with husband about moving to Estrella Mountain Ranch. At that time we had just had our second son, and our first son was just 5 years old. I liked the idea of a master planned community, especially the small town feel of Estrella and thought it would be a good place to raise our boys! Fortunately, my husband agreed and we’ve been living in the community ever since!
Q. Do you have family here?
A. The only family I have here now is my mom who lives in Peoria. I have a sister who still lives in Kansas, who I’ve tried to talk into moving to Arizona – maybe, someday.
Pickelball champs Debbie and Jo Comstock
Q. What are your interests?
A. Most my interests involve being active and outdoors, which is why I LOVE Arizona, you can be outdoors 365 days a year – yes, even in the heat as long as you get outside EARLY! Pickleball is one of my many interests I have to stay active. I have been competing regularly in USAPA Pickleball tournaments in Mixed Doubles and Women’s Doubles. I have a growing collection of medals that I’ve won along with different men and women partners, who have included my good friend, Jo Comstock and my husband, Greg. I have been nationally ranked as a 4.0 skill level player and I’m hoping to move up to 4.5 Skill level by this fall. Hiking is another activity I enjoy – Estrella offers many areas right in my own backyard to do that, as well as I like to travel the valley to hike more challenging terrains. I just got a brand new mountain bike and I’ve already developed a love for the sport of Mountain Biking. For me it’s another chance to challenge myself and re-connect with Arizona's stunning landscape. Although it’s been a couple of years, I am also a runner and triathlete, having run several marathons and competed in a few Sprint and Olympic Triathlons.
Q. How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle?
A. I try and maintain a healthy lifestyle by balancing sound nutrition (I do eat and love my sweets, but in moderation) with being physically active most days. Physical exercise, for me, is a release of the stresses of the day to day living, so not only does it keep my body healthy, it is good for my mind and spirit!
A. Most my interests involve being active and outdoors, which is why I LOVE Arizona, you can be outdoors 365 days a year – yes, even in the heat as long as you get outside EARLY! Pickleball is one of my many interests I have to stay active. I have been competing regularly in USAPA Pickleball tournaments in Mixed Doubles and Women’s Doubles. I have a growing collection of medals that I’ve won along with different men and women partners, who have included my good friend, Jo Comstock and my husband, Greg. I have been nationally ranked as a 4.0 skill level player and I’m hoping to move up to 4.5 Skill level by this fall. Hiking is another activity I enjoy – Estrella offers many areas right in my own backyard to do that, as well as I like to travel the valley to hike more challenging terrains. I just got a brand new mountain bike and I’ve already developed a love for the sport of Mountain Biking. For me it’s another chance to challenge myself and re-connect with Arizona's stunning landscape. Although it’s been a couple of years, I am also a runner and triathlete, having run several marathons and competed in a few Sprint and Olympic Triathlons.
Q. How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle?
A. I try and maintain a healthy lifestyle by balancing sound nutrition (I do eat and love my sweets, but in moderation) with being physically active most days. Physical exercise, for me, is a release of the stresses of the day to day living, so not only does it keep my body healthy, it is good for my mind and spirit!
Debbie's sons Connor and Alex
Q. Tell me more about Pickelball and how you've turned the interest into winning competitively.
A. I started playing pickle ball in 2013. I've always loved racquet sports like ping pong, badminton, and racquet ball. I had heard about Pickleball, but never pursued it until my good friend, Jo Comstock, asked me to come out and play with her and some others people in Estrella. Upon first picking up a paddle, I fell in love with the sport and of course, because of my competitive nature I set out to become the best player I could be. Once I mastered the basics by playing in Estrella, I began to go and play at the Surprise City Courts, which is where some of the best pickle ball players in the nation practice. Once I began to feel confident with my play, I started entering sanctioned USAPA tournaments, which were extremely competitive and competing in them, definitely helped improve my play! I have won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at various skill levels with various partners as I’ve moved up the ranks. For the first time this month, I actually received money for placing in a pickleball tournament. My women’s doubles partner, Jo Comstock and I won a Silver medal in 4.0 skill level and received a check for $100! Needless to say, we were beyond thrilled! Pickleball is a being touted as “the fastest growing sport in the U.S.” and I believe it! Arizona is a mecca for players from all over the United States and Canada because of our year round weather and great competitive play! The annual USAPA Nationals Pickleball tournament is held right here in Arizona every year, it lasts a week and people come from all over the country to compete in it! I met so many people through playing pickleball and have made some very good friends. I enjoy pickleball because it is a very social sport and a lot of fun and laughter is involved too along with offering competitive play!
Q. You are very involved in your neighborhood crime watch program. Why? And what is the benefit for other neighbors to do the same?
A. In today’s world, crime and the fear of crime threatens communities like Estrella so I became involved in our Neighborhood Block program hoping to make a difference by helping to increase awareness. As residents of this community, we can help be the “eyes and ears” for law enforcement. It is important for the police and residents to work together to resolve crime and issues of concern within a community and the Block Watch Program provides a platform for doing that. By being involved in the Block Watch one can get to know their neighbors and look out for them and their property and can report any suspicious activity to the police. I would encourage all neighbors become involved in their Block Watch Program. It is more than just being able to report suspicious activity, it is important for all to be involved in order to create an active partnership in your community and help make the Block Watch successful. By being involved neighbors can help prevent the possibility of crime in the community.
A. I started playing pickle ball in 2013. I've always loved racquet sports like ping pong, badminton, and racquet ball. I had heard about Pickleball, but never pursued it until my good friend, Jo Comstock, asked me to come out and play with her and some others people in Estrella. Upon first picking up a paddle, I fell in love with the sport and of course, because of my competitive nature I set out to become the best player I could be. Once I mastered the basics by playing in Estrella, I began to go and play at the Surprise City Courts, which is where some of the best pickle ball players in the nation practice. Once I began to feel confident with my play, I started entering sanctioned USAPA tournaments, which were extremely competitive and competing in them, definitely helped improve my play! I have won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at various skill levels with various partners as I’ve moved up the ranks. For the first time this month, I actually received money for placing in a pickleball tournament. My women’s doubles partner, Jo Comstock and I won a Silver medal in 4.0 skill level and received a check for $100! Needless to say, we were beyond thrilled! Pickleball is a being touted as “the fastest growing sport in the U.S.” and I believe it! Arizona is a mecca for players from all over the United States and Canada because of our year round weather and great competitive play! The annual USAPA Nationals Pickleball tournament is held right here in Arizona every year, it lasts a week and people come from all over the country to compete in it! I met so many people through playing pickleball and have made some very good friends. I enjoy pickleball because it is a very social sport and a lot of fun and laughter is involved too along with offering competitive play!
Q. You are very involved in your neighborhood crime watch program. Why? And what is the benefit for other neighbors to do the same?
A. In today’s world, crime and the fear of crime threatens communities like Estrella so I became involved in our Neighborhood Block program hoping to make a difference by helping to increase awareness. As residents of this community, we can help be the “eyes and ears” for law enforcement. It is important for the police and residents to work together to resolve crime and issues of concern within a community and the Block Watch Program provides a platform for doing that. By being involved in the Block Watch one can get to know their neighbors and look out for them and their property and can report any suspicious activity to the police. I would encourage all neighbors become involved in their Block Watch Program. It is more than just being able to report suspicious activity, it is important for all to be involved in order to create an active partnership in your community and help make the Block Watch successful. By being involved neighbors can help prevent the possibility of crime in the community.
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Q. What are your hopes for the Estrella community over the next five and ten years?
A. In the next 5-10 years I’d want to see Estrella continue to maintain its reputation for having great school choices for the children in the community and focus on keeping the “small town” feel as commercial businesses and real estate development occurs. I’d love to see the City of Goodyear, breathe new life into the original plans from years ago to develop a city park with an Olympic size pool for use by the community and high school, as well as a “lazy river” water ride. Of course, I’d love to see a pickleball court facility built within the Estrella community where pickleball tournaments could be hosted. Since more and more people are playing the sport and can be a definite draw for potential home buyers, it would be a win, win situation! |
