Servin’ Up Good Eats

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Avocado and Tomato Egg Scramble

Serves 1

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra- virgin olive oil 2 large eggs, beaten Kosher salt Freshly ground pepper 1/2 avocado, diced 1/4 cup halved grape tomatoes 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

Set a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the eggs and cook, occasionally stirring with a silicone spatula, until the eggs just begin to set, about 2 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and twist of black pepper. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the avocado, tomatoes and cilantro and serve. n

From Fix it with Food by Michael Symon and Douglas Trattner, By Clarkson Potter/ Publishers, Copyright 2019

Dive-in

Choosing the right pool to beat the heat

By Julie Young House and Home Feature Writer

Summer and swimming go together like peanut butter and jelly and it’s no secret the installation of an in ground or above ground pool can transform your backyard into a staycation destination. However, with several options to choose from as well as pros and cons to each, how can homeowners decide which pool is right for them and more importantly how long will it take to get it?

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

According to Don Bontrager of Bontrager Pools in Elkhart, the pool industry is still feeling the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. When stay-athome orders and travel restrictions derailed vacation plans, many homeowners decided to create their own backyard escapes instead. This led to a backlog in both in ground and above ground options which have been further impacted by supply chain issues and the rising cost of materials, which are unfortunately passed along to the customers.

“We’ve never seen anything like this,” Bontrager said. “Everyone who installs pools is scheduling them a year out and while the pricing remained fairly stable for several years, it’s gone up considerably. A pool that cost $35,000 a few years ago will probably cost $50,000 or more and won’t be installed right away.”

INTO THE DEEP END

As an installer of high end, customizable gunite pools, Bontrager says his clients are typically folks who are in the process of building a home and understand there will be an extensive wait before they can go for a dip. They also understand when their pool is completed, they will have a nicely loaded product that will enhance their outdoor living spaces and will add to the resale value of their home when it is time to move on.

Homeowners looking for a less expensive option may choose a molded fiberglass pool, which offers a low maintenance option that is resistant to algae growth, does not develop wrinkles that must be smoothed out and, in most cases, does not have to be resurfaced. Although they come in several sizes, they are not as flexible as a gunite pool and while fiberglass pools are usually faster to install than gunite, these models typically experience delays during peak season (or when the entire industry is facing backlogs.)

Vinyl pools are typically the least expensive type of pool to purchase and install, but they make up for the immediate savings in terms of maintenance and care. Available in both in ground and above ground models, vinyl pools come in ready-to-assemble kits that can be installed by a homeowner or professional pool installer. A typical liner lasts between eight and 10 years and can be susceptible to pin sized leaks which can lead to a myriad of problems including: bubbling, lifting, or wrinkling of the liner.

“When it comes to pools, we are in a unique market right now and when I talk to clients about what is going on, I can hear the air go out of their sails,” Bontrager said. “However, if you have the time and do not have your heart set on a pool in the immediate future, good things come to those who wait.” n