Why the area parks may be in trouble for 2020!

Bull Shoals lake levels for 2019 versus 2020

Forsyth MO. - Even as it was only mid January, 2020, I had a gnawing suspicion that two area parks; Shadowrock and River Run just might already be in trouble.

Jan 18, 2020 - The rainfall number had already begun to pile up with my rain gauge showing 4.29 inches versus a monthly normal of 3.24 inches, I could see that the Bull Shoals Lake level was already trending higher that it had the year before!

Compounding the potential for problems were the two up stream reservoirs, Beaver and Table Rock that were 5 and 4 feet about normal levels! And, with the National Weather Service hinting at regions wide rains of anywhere from a half inch to an inch and a half next weekend, you can see why I feel the way I do.

Thankfully, we do have some time to go prior to the spring season and there's always a chance that the skies will dry up a bit over the next couple of months....

On a cold Sunday watching the big game!

Forsyth MO. - So, it was, I was in attendance at a local watering hole where I'd gone to watch the Chief's game on a Sunday in January. Upon entering, I was informed the heat wasn't working which explained the cold I felt as I located to last remaining chair at the bar. And, even as there was several flat screens located at different locations, only one had the game on. This was due to the fact that this bar has satellite only - and apparently CBS had decided to withdraw from their contact with the Dish Network a few days earlier. Thankfully, one of the bar patrons volunteered to bring a HULU unit which allowed for the viewing of the game on the one flat screen. Sadly for me, my view of the game consisted of watching a post!

Not to be defeated, I went to my cellphone where I had an NFL app installed that would allow me to see the game. Alas! This establishment had a DSL (digital subscriber line) Wi-Fi ((IEEE 802.11 refers to the set of standards that define communication for wireless LANs (wireless local area networks, or WLANs). The technology behind 802.11 is branded to consumers as Wi-Fi.)). An internet connection point the produced images which were blurry and tended to freeze every few seconds.....

So, there I sat, watching that post and occasionally gathering some idea of what was happening by the howls coming from spectators who enjoyed a better viewing angle!

As I sat there I wondered why the ownership didn't also have Mediacom with a fast cable wifi connection? Many other venues have just such an arrangement which allowed them to present many differing channel options along with lightening fast cell com abilities. (When I poised this question, one knowledgeable individual told me that the company with a cable monopoly named Mediacom goes out of their way to screw with such commercial setups by jacking up the cost)! Meh...

Thankfully, a couple of patrons left and the spot happened to be near the sole remaining working heat vent. I then was able to enjoy the game in slightly warmer conditions. And. after quaffing a few brewski's, I didn't even mind the cold...

Water outages mount in Forsyth MO.

Taneycomo Terrace – At a complex that routinely sees problems arise due to old infrastructural concerns and just bad luck, yet another page was added when yet another water pipe sprung a leak! A second such occurrence in under a month!

Crews began working on what appeared to be a small feeder line early in the day on Thursday, Jan 9, 2020. Six hours later, water services still had not been restored. After doing a drive-by, I was informed that it would be another couple of hours which set the repair effort for a six inch line at about eight hours. About 3 to 4 men were involved in that herculean effort! That we are seeing so many failures in water lines that were installed in the 90's is troubling to say the least.

In under a month, I'd experienced two power outages, two water supply interruptions and a cable problem. Yes, living in Taneycomo Terrace is anything but dull. 

Thanksgiving meal at the Frosted Mug!