Egg prices have gone way up! Why?

Forsyth MO. – Anyone who may have desired to purchase a carton of eggs may also have been shocked by the recent rise in the price! Back in November of 2017, I bought a dozen eggs for at the Country Mart just seventy nine cents! Then right after the New Year, the prices shot up and to around $2.49 in mid march 2018! Wow. Why exactly is that?

Iowa State University professor Hongwei Xin, who directs the school’s Egg Industry Center, says domestic and international demand for U.S. eggs have been on the rise.

“We are at 273.7, about 274 eggs per capita per year,” he says of U.S. consumption. “This is the highest of the past 38 years.” And he says it’s expected to continue climbing.

So, increased demand is one factor! Another key factor relates to the Avian flu, which have decimated flocks world wide.

The good news is that U.S. egg producers appear to be increasing the size of their laying flocks, which ultimately will increase supply and potentially push prices down, this according to the USDA.

Xin also says it’s important to take the long view of egg prices. From 2010-2014, the average price of a dozen eggs in the first quarter was $1.22 per dozen. That was before the avian flu outbreak wreaked havoc on the industry, so the projection for the next few months is below what consumers have weathered in the recent past.

Shopping at Country Mart!

15720 U.S. 160, Forsyth, MO 65653 * 417-546-2101

Forsyth MO – It was a Friday and with a scrawled grocery list grasped firmly in hand, I headed out to the local Country Mart to buy myself a bit of food. The day was pretty typical for early to mid March; cloudy with a noticeable southwest wind that hinted at some rain later on in the day. I parked my aging Jeep in a spot far enough from the entrance to ensure I'd get at least some exercise that day.

The Country Mart is one of about four employee owned stores that exist in and around southwest Missouri. They offer a very satisfying selection of foods, liquors, Deli and pharmaceutical items.

The store in Forsyth MO. is nicely laid out and after having shopped there for a number of years, I've got it pretty well figured out. The employees there are a very nice bunch of individuals who always seem to make an effort at being cheerful and helpful. Randy, who manages the Produce Department is one of the hardest working individuals I've ever seen. (His produce is always very well maintained, fresh and inviting). The Deli area isn't too shabby either and in that spot you will often find the very good natured Sheila, who always seems to laugh at my inane comments. (I've never really figured out if she laughs because she thinks I'm funny or if she's just laughing at me...). Whichever, she's a good person and it shows!

On this day, my list was short for two reasons; lack of much money and the fact I'm on a perennial diet. I had it in mind to make up a batch of chili which I like to mix into a bowl of pasta for a sort of Cincinnati-styled dish where I'll add some minced onion and cheese to the affair. Interestingly, if you keep the portions of some sort of sane amounts, this dish is not a diet breaker. (It's not a diet fixer either, but at my age one does the best one can). In any case, I was able to locate all the stuff I needed very quickly and have always felt that the prices are better than what could be found elsewhere. Thanks Country Mart!

Issues at the Frosted Mug!

Forsyth Mo – John's Frosted Mug is a bar slash restaurant that has been an icon in my small town for a number of decades. When I was working, I'd often stop there for a couple of cold beers and maybe a game of pool after I'd get off. I started going there back in 1992 or so and feel that I know the venue fairly well.

That was then, and now is now, however. The Mug, in my opinion, faces a number of issues that could prove to be problematic for any long term survival. Let me list five of them here;

1. I cannot remember when either the outside or the inside has last seen a significant effort at renovation. In 2018, it's now showing some clear signs of wear and tear that likely do little to improvement customer expectations.
2. The Mug is a smoking only facility, meaning that there are no accommodations for non-smokers there at all! At a time where people have quit or are quitting in record number, this venue has become less and less appealing to larger and larger numbers of potential customers.
3. The menu and especially the specials have become predictable and therefore uninspiring. While the quality of the food there is good, recent price increases may be playing to a smaller dinner crowd.
4. The lone pool table has issues, (this according to a few avid players I've talked to). Apparently the rails have some dead spots that makes clean play a problem.
5. Screaming infants really have no place in a smoke filled adult bar, yet they make regular appearances.

These are all problems that have pretty straight forward solutions. I decided to post this, not to condemn the establishment, but in the hopes that some needed changes can be made so that it will once again become a thriving and popular place to grab a cold one on a hot summer day.

Long Horn Family Dining!

Forsyth MO. - In what's become a rare occurrence, as of late, I arose on an overcast and rain swept morning in February and went out for breakfast. I choose the Long Horn Family Dining restaurant as it had been some time since I last ate there.

The establishment is located on the Highway 160 strip that runs through Forsyth and is located right across from Fat Daddy's BBQ. There menu is strictly down home country fare and I've learned to trust them and the quality of their food offerings over a long period of time.

Today was really to be more or less an update as I've written a fair number of articles about eating there in the past and have generally giving them great reviews. Today was no exception other than to make one remark about the god awful size of the fork I was given! It was the kind of fork a really large man might enjoy, but for me it was a bit like eating with a spatula! That said the food was excellent and the prices were fair (for 2018).

That leftover bridge could be utilized!!

Forsyth MO. – Sometime in the coming fall of 2018, the new bridge over Bull Shoals will be completed. When that happens, it's my understanding that the old bridge will stay, be sealed off with foot and bicycle traffic still being allowed.

While looking at a picture of that bridge (above), it occurred to me that there is a decent amount of space along that span! Space that perhaps could be utilized to some extent in future years.

Specifically, I was thinking about small vendor stalls being erected along one lane that could be made available to anyone who wanted to walk up and purchase whatever it was being sold. Of course, parking spaces would be needed at the end opposite the turnaround. I was thinking something like 20 or so spaces where someone could park their vehicle and then stroll along the bridge. Perhaps even steps could be created just before the turnaround area to give walkers access to and from Shadowrock Park. Now, I'm aware that this would be a tall infrastructure order. The area would need power, water and toilet and waste facilities. Still, if done right, it would be unique...

Such a setup, if done properly, would be sure to garner some national press. Something that would be very good for our area.

Restaurants where are yee?

One of the reasons I've tended to shun the local restaurants in and around Forsyth MO as of late could be summed up in the picture taken out of my daily diary. As mortal man, it is all to easy for me to consume foods that are not in our best interests! Even a simple meal of small portions as shown above can be a dietary wrecking ball! You could just imagine, then, what some of the breakfast offering do to the heart and waistline at some of the local eateries... I'd love to see them begin to offer up fruit plates, creative salads - Well, you know, stuff that no one wants to order...

Ozark Country Crafts opens in Forsyth!

Wayne and Jean!

Forsyth MO. – Two new to the area resident, Jean and Wayne have recently opened a store front on Highway 160 next to the Bait Shop and just across from the Court House! I had a chance to stop by and check out a few of the many interesting products that they have to offer. I thought that their soy candles were a great idea as they are cleaner burning that regular candles with much less soot! I was also attracted to their display of lit containers including all sort of bottles! Also in evidence were wooden object de art along with original paintings done by Jean.

Ozark Country Crafts is really a fun kind of place to stop and shop in the Forsyth area. Their hours are 10-5 Tuesday thru Friday and Saturday 10-2. Also, be sure to stop by their very awesome web site at www.ozarkcountrycrafts.com where you can browse through their extensive catalog and even learn a little about these two very interesting people!
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