Local grocery store looking a bit bare!

 Forsyth MO. - I've shopped at Country Mart since it opened some decades ago in Forsyth Missouri and so, I've grown pretty use to knowing what to expect to see on the shelves. Yet, over the past number of months, I've witnessed a marked change to fewer and fewer items to select from. 

When I've asked why some of the shelves have been mostly bare, in the past, I've been informed that it was to to 'supply chain disruptions'... Whatever that actually means. I had assumed they (they being management) were referring to disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, currently in its 9th month! Disruptions that I had assumed would have worked themselves by now. But, they really haven't. As a matter of fact, they seemed to have gotten worse, at least at the Forsyth location. I found this strange, as the one other local market named Save A Lot didn't seem to  be suffering shortages quite as much!

So, I decided to investigate a bit more. One relevant article that I viewed back in March stated 'Supermarkets are rationing grocery-store staples and trying to restock more quickly to deal with surging demand, while planning new ways to feed a rising number of self-isolating consumers as coronavirus spreads across the U.S. and Europe.' I approached the owner of Save A Lot and asked him if this was still the case. Was increased hording still causing the shortages and why was his store so well stocked?

I was informed by a spokesperson for SAL that they too were have supply chain disruptions due to the impact that Covid-19 was having. She told me that right at that moment, obtaining canned vegetables was a challengs.

I expect shortages to remain a problem well into 2021.

Taney County Covid deaths rising!

Taney County MO. - The above graphic details the numbers of deaths due to Covid-19 day to day for much of the month of September 2020.Through the first half of the month there was a slow, yet steady increase. In the later part (thus far), there has been a more dramatic upturn. If true, this is somewhat troubling.. If the numbers are false, then that would be very troubling!

The thing is, we are in our ninth month of social distancing, washing of hands and wearing of masks. As I've been out an about, all that time, I've noticed a high degree of compliance. And yet, the numbers continue in an upward spiral! What's with that? Something is fishy in the State of Missouri and I now find myself trusting government authorities even less than before.

Perhaps there's little logic to trying to defeat something that is so contagious, that it has managed to not only defeat these physical deterrence's, but also even the heat of summer. That's something not even the seasonal flu can do...

Perhaps we can all go back to living our lives, as 95% of us will weather this viral storm, and still continue to live...

Liberty Utilities to add new attractions to area park!

 

Forsyth MO. - Canadian based Liberty Utilities is planning some fun new additions to their park located near Forsyth Missouri by the Powersite Dam. After seeing a drone image (above, supplied by Marcus McClamrock) I called the utility and talked to an employee named Junior. He informed me that the field with all the lines was going to contain three new areas;

1) A pickle ball playing field (see https://youtu.be/kqLRRNOpe8U). A game that is a cross between ping pong and tennis...

2) A one kilometer walking trail....

3) Special plants that will attract Monarch butterflies... 

To state that I was a bit awestruck would be to put it mildly. I'm looking forward to watching this project come to fruition over the coming months.

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!