OCTOBER 2020
Real Estate Guide to Pontotoc County & the surrounding area
Dennis Cox, Tommy Morgan Inc. Realtors PAGE 8
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FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YEAR-ROUND
Outdoor Dining Spaces
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l fresco dining is popular in spring and summer, and that popularity reached new heights in the summer of 2020. With much of the world still grappling with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and government officials fearing rising case numbers if indoor gatherings were allowed, many restaurants were limited to offering only outdoor dining to patrons. Such restrictions reintroduced many people to the pleasure of outdoor dining. Outdoor dining may be synonymous with summer, but there’s no reason why good meals can’t be enjoyed outside year-round. That’s especially true when homeowners and hosts take stock of certain factors when planning outdoor dining spaces they intend to use all year long. Outdoor dining can be enjoyed yearround, especially when hosts take steps to prepare their outdoor spaces for four seasons’ worth of gatherings.
Tips on how to prepare a year-round outdoor dining space LIGHTING
If you plan to keep outdoor dining going after summer, then some extra lighting may be necessary. The sun sets in late afternoon/ early evening in fall and winter, so you won’t be able to rely on natural light to keep the dinner table aglow. Lighting also can make outdoor dining in summer more enjoyable. Outdoor string lights can add a relaxing vibe to a deck or patio. If you intend to string the lights up year-round, make sure poles are sturdy enough to withstand winter winds.
WEATHER
Table cloths can add a touch of class to outdoor dining tables. But those table cloths are only effective if they remain on the table. Summer breezes might not prove too great a challenge in that regard, but fall, winter and
spring weather might make it hard to keep table cloths on the table where they belong. A simple set of table cloth clips can ensure the wind doesn’t blow table cloths around while people are eating or completely off the table when everyone is inside. Hurricane candle holders also can make it easy to maintain the ambiance candles provide without having to worry about the wind extinguishing the candles in one strong gust.
SEATING
Guests might have no problem dining on traditional summer barbecue fare like burgers and hot dogs while sitting in camping chairs. But hosts who want to serve meals that require the use of a knife and fork will need to make sure all guests have a seat at the table. A foldable picnic-style table that can be easily stored in a garage or shed can
do the trick. In addition, some deck and patio tables are expandable, making them ideal options for hosts who may want to work around social distancing guidelines and serve holiday meals outside this year.
GRILL
Charcoal grill devotees may find it frustrating to keep coals lit long enough to get hot so they can keep enjoying grilled meals after summer and throughout fall, winter and spring. A hybrid charcoal/grill smoker that does not expose the fire to the elements as much as a traditional charcoal grill can do the trick, and such a grill also gives cooks the chance to slow cook and smoke foods all year long. For those with no special devotion to charcoal grills, a propane grill can light up in a matter of seconds regardless of the weather.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 5
Patty Turk Properties, LLC Factors to consider when planning year-round outdoor dining spaces
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First Choice Insurance
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Crye-Leike Realtors, Beth Walker
Pickens Pest Control Distinctive Design Dennis Cox, Tommy Morgan, Inc. Southern Hills Realty & Appraisal, Inc. Conti Realty
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Simple ways to improve a kitchen pantry Mossy Oak Properties First Choice Bank
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Advertising Consultant: Angie Quarles • Designer: Chelsea Williams Pontotoc Progress • 13 Jefferson Street • P.O. Box 210 • Pontotoc, MS 38863 • 662-489-3511
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SIMPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE A
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Kitchen Pantry
eople have been spending more time at home in 2020 than in years past, and certain projects around the house have become a priority. One home improvement idea that serves the double benefit of creating organization and making cooking at home more efficient is to reimagine the kitchen pantry. A pantry is a room or closet where food, beverages and linens or dishes are stored. Pantries can be highly useful spaces that provide ancillary storage in kitchens. Many modern homes are equipped with pantries, but older homes may require some modification to create more useful pantries. Whether starting from scratch or modifying an existing pantry, these tips can help projects go more smoothly. A pantry remodel can add valuable storage space and make one of the busiest rooms in the house operate more efficiently.
Tips to improve your kitchen pantry MAXIMIZE VERTICAL STORAGE
STORE BULK ITEMS ELSEWHERE
Utilizing vertical areas can help increase storage capacity. Build in extra nooks by investing in undershelf storage baskets. These baskets can instantly create designated areas for different types of ingredients. Homeowners also can look for ways to use the inside of cabinet doors or add extra shelves on walls or in eaves.
Bulk shopping can be cost-efficient, but bulk items can quickly eat up real estate in the pantry. Designate another area for non-perishable bulk products, like paper goods or canned items, such as in a garage or utility room.
CONSIDER YOUR NEEDS
Pull-out drawers can reduce the need to seek and reach for items. These drawers conveniently roll out so items in the back can be accessed without disturbing foods in the front. Drawers can be custom built for any pantry space.
Figure out which items you would like to store in the pantry and then shop for corresponding storage systems. For example, storage solutions may feature wine bottle racks, baskets for potatoes and other produce, shelving for small appliances, and even pull out racks for baking pans or cutting boards.
USE CLEAR STORAGE
Put ingredients in clear, airtight containers of similar dimensions so that you can easily find items you need. Transfer bulky items, like cereals and baking supplies, to storage containers for uniformity.
PULL OUT DRAWERS ARE CONVENIENT
MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE
Think about who will be taking items from the pantry. Put children’s snacks on the bottom pantry shelf where they can reach them, and then organize other shelves for adults in the home.
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