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READY FOR A SWIM?
your family. But if you’re a nonresident, expect an After closing during the pandemic, municipal pools are back up and upcharge. More info and running for summer ’21, and you needn’t be a resident to enjoy some specific pricing can be found at of the best ones in the county. Here are a few that guarantee fun in paramusborough.org/259/pool. the sun for the family. Just keep in mind that social distancing rules Ramsey Municipal Pool, 75 E. Oak St., Ramsey may still be in effect, and capacity limits are to be determined. This pool at the tip of the county intermediate pool for children, Bogota Swim Club, has been called the best public playgrounds, picnic tables and 452 Feller Place, Bogota pool in Bergen, and it’s probably grills. Adult pricing starts at The good news here is that because there is so much to do $150 for residents and $175 pricing is not too different for here. Swim a few laps, go down for out-of-towners, with a residents vs. nonresidents, some slides, take your toddler $600 and $650 family cap, starting at $520/$545 to the “tot area,” cool off in the respectively. You’ll get more info shade or slather on the SPF and respectively per season for two at mahwahtwp.org. people. And you can spend a grab a seat on the wrap-around Maywood Municipal Pool, whole day here, between the bench in the pool’s island. 1 Brook Ave., Maywood T-shaped pool, the children’s Residents pay the seasonal fees The Maywood pool has pool and play area, picnic tables of $425 for two family members designated swim times and and sporting spots. There are plus $100 per additional person, areas of the pool for kids and also two barbecue grills and a and the price goes up to $750 adults, so everyone can have snack bar. More info awaits at per person for nonresidents. some fun in the sun. A fullbogotaswimclub.com. There are also senior and season membership for a Graydon Pool, 200 Northern individual rates, and 10-packs married couple is $525 plus $85 Parkway, Ridgewood are available for residents, per child, and there are special This county favorite isn’t a offering a $50 overall discount prices for seniors and young standard pool; it’s essentially a on guest passes. More info: lake with sand at the bottom and adults (age 19-22). Kids age ramseymunicipalpool.com. 5-17 can also join the Maywood around the perimeter, which is Rochelle Park Swim Club, 1 Dolphins swim team. Find out perfect if you want a beach day Lotz Ln., Rochelle Park more at maywoodnj.com. with filtered water and without A large pool with both lap Paramus Pool, 530 Van the trek to the Shore. There are lanes and a kid-friendly area also diving platforms, inflatables Binsberger Blvd., Paramus make this swim club perfect Shaded gazebos, water slides and a kiddie pool, as well as for the whole family. There is lifeguards on duty. Memberships and lap pools abound at this also plenty of room to sprawl swim center in the heart of for 2021 are sold by individual out, with both umbrellas and Bergen County, plus there’s a rather than family, and range sunny spots to catch some rays. kiddie pool with a sprinkler for from $130 for an adult resident Best yet is the membership the little ones. Previously outto $220 for a nonresident. Learn fees are the same for residents of-towners needed a Paramus more at ridgewoodnj.net/menuand non-residents—it’s $746 resident to “sponsor” their recreation/graydon-pool. for a family of up to five for the membership, but that rule has Mahwah Municipal Pool, 700 whole season, with discounts been waived for 2021. Both Darlington Ave., Mahwah for seniors and individuals. residents and nonresidents Mom, Dad, teens, kids and Bonus: There are swim classes can opt for monthly, weekend babies will find a summer’s for infants up to adults at monthly or seasonal (through refreshment at the Mahwah $20 for members and $25 for Labor Day) rates, which vary Pool, which has an infant non-members. Learn more at by the number of people in wading pool, a 40-foot rochelleparkswimclub.org.
TRIUMPHS IN DEBATE The Bergen County Debate Club brought glory to our county (and state!) at the Georgetown Spring Invitational in April, dominating the university’s National Online Debate Tournament. More than 300 debate teams from across the United States, Canada, India and the Dominican Republic competed in the virtual event, where the tweens from the Fort Lee-based club made it to the finals and the semi-finals in the middle school Experienced and Novice divisions. Ultimately, the BCDC finished with six cochampion middle school teams and one champion in the High School Novice category. BERGENMAG.COM
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JUNE 2021
5 RULES FOR YOUR OUTDOOR KITCHEN As summer arrives and we ease back into in-person gatherings, backyard entertaining has never looked better. “Outdoor living has become an accepted normal, especially with the pandemic,” says Jessica Petrino, educator and appliance expert at AJ Madison, a New York-based kitchen and home appliance retailer. “People are realizing their next vacation is in their backyard, so they are taking more time and care with home improvement projects.” Petrino shares with BERGEN a few tips homeowners should consider if they choose one of the hottest projects, an outdoor kitchen: n Keep it outside. A good setup reduces the trips to your indoor kitchen. That means an area that checks four boxes: cooking space, refrigeration, cleanup station and storage. “We are seeing an uptick in people wanting cabinetry and islands,” Petrino says. “Everyone has separate outdoor cooking equipment, so why not store them outside? A faucet is good for handling meats and comes in handy when gardening too. Everything should be centralized in the outdoor kitchen.” n Express yourself. Silver and black are classics, but there are many ways to customize your kitchen. “People are looking for ways to be original, and they’re adding pops of color,” Petrino says. Brands like Hestan have grills in orange, yellow and emerald, while pizza ovens and hearths can be customized as well. n Size doesn’t matter. It’s easy to fit a grill, a pizza oven, a dishwasher and more when you have a large yard, but what if you don’t? Petrino says the basics call for 6 feet of grill area, counter space and refrigeration. “Prefabricated modular islands take the guesswork out of it,” she says, adding that models are built with ample counters and dedicated openings for appliances. n Consider an expert. Though not 100 percent necessary, hiring experts to assist in design can help. AJ Madison staff, for example, can guide homeowners to choose appliances that fit their needs, while plumbers can take care of water and gas lines. “People want their projects to look nice, complement the architecture of the house and most of all be safe,” Petrino says. n Think winter. We’re certain you’re not thinking about snow in June. Well, Petrino suggests it should be in the back of your mind when creating an outdoor kitchen. “It should be in a place where the plow guys don’t pile snow and where snow won’t slide off slanted roofs,” she says. For our infamous winters, appliances made of marinegrade stainless steel are best as they are most resistant to rust.
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