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NMLS ID: 408167 Scan QR code to learn more! 800.231.6053 | AMOCOfcu.org4 | The Daily News | Latitude 29 | 2021 CONTENTS 6 PANDEMIC PROJECTS Home improvement, pool construction boom sweeps Galveston County 12 COMFORT FOOD Locals discover passion for baking, cooking during pandemic 16 LONE STAR RISING Pandemic or not, people still are moving to Galveston County 20 IT’S A BUST, BABY Lockdown hasn’t led to more births 22 MAKING TRAVEL REARRANGEMENTS Outdoors, contactless technology new trends for tourism 26 ADAPT AND OVERCOME Petrochemical industry, already prepared for pandemic, continues to adjust to challenges 30 ‘CONSISTENT CONNECTION’ Digital platforms here to stay with in-person learning 34 SUPPLY AND DEMAND As health care staff leave profession, others rise through school 38 READY FOR YOUR CLOSEUP? Zoom boom and working from home increase interest in plastic surgery 6 On the cover: Evan Feagin jumps in the pool at his family’s Tiki Island home. The family is one of many that decided to install pools in their backyards during the COVID pandemic. Read more on Page 6. Photo by Stuart Villanueva 16 34At UTMB Health we know good health starts with Primary Care. That’s why we make it easy to find the care you need, close to home, by having Primary Care clinics conveniently located in: Pediatric & Adult Primary Care Scan the code, call our 24/7 Access Center or visit our website to make an appointment. • Alvin • Angleton • Dickinson • Friendswood • Galveston • Lake Jackson • League City • Texas City • Webster (800) 917-8906 | utmbhealth.com/primarycare The University of Texas Medical Branch is in-network for most major insurance plans.6 | The Daily News | Latitude 29 | 2021 During the pandemic lockdown, Randy and Amber Bartosh decided it was time to build a pool at their Tiki Island home. It’s a nice way to spend family time, Randy Bartosh said. 2021 | Latitude 29 | The Daily News | 7 PANDEMIC PROJECTS HOME IMPROVEMENT, POOL CONSTRUCTION BOOM SWEEPS GALVESTON COUNTY Story by KERI HEATH | Photos by STUART VILLANUEVA8 | The Daily News | Latitude 29 | 2021 STUCK AT HOME AND SPEND- ING MORE TIME WORKING VIR- TUALLY, Galveston County residents joined homeowners across the nation in remodeling their houses and building pools during the pandemic. Only somewhat dampened by soar- ing lumber and material prices, the trend has kept contractors around the county busy. Texas City resident Kimberly Pevoto and her husband, Toby, jumped on the remodeling trend and renovated their closet and master bathroom. The Pevotos decided to do the whole thing themselves, so it’s taken a while, but they’re finally on the last steps, she said. Pevoto and her husband worked from home during much of the pan- demic and that time in their own space gave them the inspiration they needed to do a project they’d thought about for years, she said. “That’s kind of where the vision came from,” Pevoto said. “When he was work- ing from home, he had the time to see and know what he needed to accom- plish the goal.” It’s been a busy 18 months for Johnny Flores, owner of New Image Remodels Above: Texas City resident Kimberly Pevoto sits in the master bathroom she and her husband, Toby, remodeled during the pandemic. Opposite, from top: The Pevotos also reconfigured their home to install a massive walk-in closet; Kimberly Pevoto points out the custom vanity in the master bathroom that allows for quick and easy storage. 2021 | Latitude 29 | The Daily News | 9 in Dickinson. “From last year to this year, it’s proba- bly been about a 200 percent increase,” Flores said. “It hasn’t gone down from there.” A lot of homeowners are requesting kitchen remodels, covered patios or, like Pevoto, upgrades to bathrooms, Flores said. Flores has had projects across the county, but the most active area has been Galveston’s West End, he said. Other residents have been focusing their efforts on their outdoor space. Randy Bartosh and his family decided during lockdown it was finally time to build a pool at their Tiki Island home, a long-time wish list item. “We feel less able to get out and do our routine, our lifestyle,” Bartosh said. Next >