Good neighbors clinch the home buy

Dave and Judy Payne’s home-buying decision was made easier by a visit from their soon-to-be next door neighbors, Mike and Grace Zentz.

“They welcomed us to the neighborhood even before we moved in,” Dave Payne recalled.

That was more than five years ago. Since then the Paynes said the Zentzes have helped them in thousands of ways.

In September 2006, the Paynes left for a three-day trip to Reno and left their cat and mail in the care of the Zentzes. Dave suffered a heart attack while in Reno and was in the hospital there for a week. When they returned to their cozy house on Hawthorne Street, not only was the mail picked up and the cat fed, but the lawn was mowed. Mike had also repaired two fence gates for them.

For the rest of the year, Mike would mow the Paynes’ yard without saying a word and quietly leave. Dave had back surgery this summer, and the Zentzes were right there in the hospital to check on his welfare and help with his recovery. With this year’s heavy snowfall, Mike has been shoveling the Paynes’ walkway and driveway, along with those of other neighbors. One belongs to an elderly lady who lives alone. Although Mike does not know her, he clears the path for her whenever necessary. He said he’s not sure if she knows he is doing it, not that it matters to him.

“That’s Mike,” Dave said. “He likes to do things on the sly and does not like to take credit for what he does. I just can’t express enough how important both he and Grace are to us. They are two of the best people we’ve ever known. We are so blessed.”

But the feeling is mutual, the Zentzes argued. “We appreciate the fact that the Paynes are good neighbors, too,” they said. “It is so nice to know that your house is being watched when you go out of town. It gives us peace of mind.”

Since the Zentzes have lived in the neighborhood for 35 years, they have seen the community’s dynamics change throughout the years. But one thing that is consistent is the Good Samaritan spirit that they try to live every day.

“Jesus says to care for his sheep,” Mike said. “I try to live by his words.”

“And that is our blessing,” Dave said. “You truly capitalize the ‘g’ in Good Neighbors. I hope some day I will be able to return some of the care you give us.”