Jim's Auto Body, a really great shop!

 

Dylan Jones - Operations Mgr. - Jim's Auto Body

Forsyth MO. - After having an unwanted close encounter with a deer on highway 76 near MM highway on 911, I found myself standing outside in a light rain with a mostly imploded windshield along with some structural damage. And while I was very troubled, to say the least, the deer very likely got the worst part of that deal!

After calling my State Farm agent, they arranged a tow truck to take my (now somewhat battered) vehicle to Jim's Auto Body located at 160 Jessi Road. I submitted the estimate to the owner, James Burns, and got the repairs done in short order.

To me, any damage to a vehicle can be a traumatic event. That's why have a good auto body repair shop can become very important. Dylan Jones, along with James Burns, took very good care of my jeep, got the repairs done in

good time and were very professional. They even sent a very nice woman, Debra, over to my place to pick me up. That's the kind of service that I really appreciate.

Forsyth Local Harvest on Aug 22!

Forsyth MO. - Perhaps it was due to the time I arrive when compared to last time, but the Forsyth Local Harvest Market appeared to be doing an even more robust business!

It was a Saturday and it was time to visit a local Farmers Market that was located about 2 miles past the Hwy 76 bridge as you headed towards Hollister. The weather was picture perfect at 80 degrees under light and variable winds.

I arrived at about 10:30 AM and wandered around a bit taking some pictures while talking to some of the people manning the stands displaying produce and more! I understood that the Market is currently open each Saturday from 8AM to 2PM, from now until December. This offers area residents a great opportunity to buy items with no tax!

And, as it was sorta close to the lunch hour, I made sure to pick up a pulled pork sandwich and chips for only $5! Some friends of mine also ordered what appeared to be a nacho plate. Yum.

I will be posting a separate post introducing one of the main women behind this great effort. In the meantime, I'd encourage everyone to come visit if you get a chance.

Spaghetti special at the Mug!

Forsyth MO. - Every once in a while, the chef at John's Frosted Mug decides to add a spaghetti dish as a one day special. This meal (recreated here using leftovers and plain toast) was quite tasty and I would love to see it offered on a more regular basis! If you tried it, and liked it, please mention the fact to Tim Evans...

Forsyth Local Harvest Market!

Forsyth MO. - A trend, that's here to stay, is buying locally grown fruits and vegetables instead of produce that's been trucked cross-country. While many people have gotten on board, I was wondering if the hype over the health benefits of locally grown food is all it’s cracked up to be.... Yes, it was!

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of farmers markets in the U.S. has increased in recent years. There were fewer than 2000 in 1994 and, today, there are more than 8,800 markets listed in the USDA’s National Farmers Market Directory. Restaurants that cook with local meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables also are a growing trend, according to the National Restaurant Association.

The main health benefit of locally grown food is that it’s much fresher. Fruits and vegetables begin to lose their nutrients within 24 hours of being picked, so fresher produce is more nutritious produce. In addition, locally grown food is picked at its peak ripeness, when it’s most dense with nutrients, and that's a good thing!

Eating local also means you can meet the people who grow your food. You can ask them questions about their farming methods and pesticide use (if any). Local farmers typically focus on soil health and safe growing practices, especially if they’re farming organically. Better quality soil and more sustainable farming practices typically mean better tasting, more nutritious produce. 

That's why, when I heard about a local market that is open every Saturday from 8AM to 2PM, I jumped in my car and went across the Bull Shoals bridge and up Manly Hill (Hwy 76) top the top of the curve where I saw a group of booths. After parking, I walked over to find not only a wide  array of veggies, but also a wide choice of bric-a-brac! In addition, there is a food stand with beverages and an assortment of sandwiches!

So be sure to mark your calendar for every Saturday, from now until mid December, and grab up some farm fresh produce!

Save A Lot in Forsyth MO! Great savings!

 Forsyth MO. -  One of the two main grocery stores, located at 142 Main St, in Forsyth, MO,has a lot to offer... in the way of savings! I decided to shop this store mainly due to the fact that I wasn't going to get a lot of angry stares from other customers as I choose to not wear a mask. To my great surprise, the cost of food I like to eat was much lower than the other store! Below is an example, of the cost of some goods on this date. I will definitely be shopping there more often!

Of watermeal and men!

Forsyth MO - If any area residents have gone down to the Empire Park recently, you might have noticed that the two small inlets have a problem. That problem is an infestation of watermeal. Watermeal holds the distinction of being the world's smallest flowering plant, while at the same time being a very annoying weed. And, getting rid of it can be a big challenge, often requiring the pond to be drained or dredged in order to remove it. At this Park, it easy to see that something's not right!

I spoke with a representative of Liberty Utilities (the owner of the park) and was informed that efforts were underway to get rid of it via a bipartisan effort by the Missouri Department of Conservation. They have been using a chemical that will take two years to be effective. I hope to report back now and then to illustrate any progress made or not made.

Another topic we discussed was to install benches along the 1000 foot walking path. This to allow individuals with reduced walking abilities to enjoy it while having the ability to sit and rest. I did a short video on this topic just recently. Remember a lot of time and money goes into the maintenance of a place where one can enjoy boating, picnicking, fishing, walking and the great outdoors!

Watermeal (Wolffia spp.) are holds the unique position as the world’s smallest flowering plant, but it’s also one of the world’s most annoying pond weeds

Read more at Gardening Know How: Controlling Watermeal Weeds: Tips For Managing Watermeal In Ponds https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/water-plants/watermeal/managing-watermeal-in-ponds.htm

Hot Dog and Chips at the Frosted Mug!

Forsyth MO - There are many different ways to serve the common hot dog. And while my favorite is the Chicago Dog, this offering by John's Frosted Mug comes in a close second!

At $4.99, plus tax, the Mug Hot Dog w chips is a pretty neat meal-a-deal. The bun is soft and tasty while the all beef dog is the real deal. For those with an interest, the image below is of a Chicago Dog!