That bag credit offered by Country Mart!

 Forsyth MO. – A local grocery store named Country Mart is my store of choice for all my sundry needs. That said, there are a few things I don't particularly like, chief of which is the so-called 'bag credit. A credit of 3 cents, if a patron comes in with their own means of carrying out their purchases. I assume they give this credit in order to save on the plastic or paper bags they would otherwise have to supply.

My problem is that the savings to a customer is likely minuscule when compared to what it costs the store to supply all that paper and plastic to the consuming public! At three cents saved per visit, one would have to visit the store over 600 times in order to recoup @20! That's sort of a joke, if you ask me.

Charlie's to change their menu?

Forsyth MO. - Beginning sometime in September the popular eatery know as Charlie's Steak, Ribs and Ale, in Forsyth MO, will be changing their menu and even possibly their name! Yes, Charlie's will be leaning more in the direction of a pizzeria-styled enterprise complete with a fully stocked salad bar! That is, if all the talk is correct.

Some later information, I garnered, indicated that they will continue to serve some hot meals like burgers and fries along with other cold sandwiches and pizza, of course.

 One of Forsyth's Charlie's great servers, prepares the newly acquired salad bar that will see service in September 2017!

Farmer's Market in Forsyth!

Forsyth MO. - Every summer, vendors gather together in the parking lot just across from the Courthouse to offer interested buyers a wide array of mouth watering produce. On this day, I decided to see if I could score me a few home grown tomatoes - you know the kind that are the exact opposite of the hot house variety and which are a signature ingredient in BLT's - a summertime favorite of mine!

As you can see from the photograph above - one vendor had a good selection of all kinds of produce including other items like jars of honey! However, it was the tomatoes that I was after and it was tomatoes I got! Later that same day, I made myself one of the best sandwiches I've ever had!

Senior Center Thrift store in Forsyth MO!

Forsyth MO – Located in the back of the White River Plaza off Hwy 160 is the Senior Center Thrift Store that is open Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM and Saturday 10AM to 3PM. I stopped by as I was doing some laundry at the adjacent laundromat and was curios to see what they offered.

Inside the store, I was met by some very nice ladies who told me that the proceeds or profits from the store were going to help build the planned new Senior Center as soon as the funds became available. I was impressed with the great selections they have of clothing (some racks held clothes were as little as $1 as part of a sale), shoes, curios and jewelry just to name a few.

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Charlie's offering meal discounts!

Forsyth Missouri - It was my understanding that Charlie's Steak, Ribs and Ale located in Forsyth Missouri will be offering discounted meals to veterans seven days a week and to seniors on Mondays! Note that the discounts are for the Forsyth location only! For the exact details, you can call 417-546-2011 to ask questions and to make sure of the details!

When Charlie's is no more!

Forsyth MO. – It's no secret that Charlie's Ribs, Steak and Ale is for sale, and has been for sale, for some time. Struggles for sales being a likely cause for the decision by the owner to sell. The question now is what fate lies ahead for the popular and upscale eatery...

When I asked around as to why Charlie's was experience problems, one answer I heard sounded pretty good. I was told that the owner built 'a Branson sized restaurant in Forsyth'. Yes, I could see that, when compared to other eateries in that town, Charlie's was definitely the king of square footage. And that can be a problem, as the upkeep or overhead can be a little too large when compared to the income stream supported by two thousand or so area residents. In addition, record rainfall early in the year essentially closed down most of the park sites that drew many vacationers and fishermen during the spring and summer months! The loss of revenue was sure to adversely affect many Forsyth-based businesses, not just Charlie's.

So, when the place does sell and I think it will, the question becomes what type of business will it likely be transformed into? I can't it staying as a simple restaurant bar, but perhaps it will morph into some combination of businesses that would stand a better chance of survival....

Restaurants in Forsyth Missouri!

For whatever reason, Forsyth Missouri (population 2400 give or take) is blessed with quite a number of eateries. Last time I took a count, there were about eight of them within a three mile radius. All vying for attention of a relative few dinners. A situation made all the more competitive with area parks and the vacationers they normally bring out of commission for the year. So, here is an ad hoc sort of, off the cuff report about some of them...

MacDonald's

I don't go there much as they are charging pretty much the same prices for food that I can get at the more upscale joints. I can still fondly remember when you could get a burger there for fifteen cents! That ain't happening no more!

Sonic's

Whenever I get a craving for a great tasting hot dog, Sonic's is the place I head for, as they offer the Chicago Dog with fries for a very reasonable price. I also like the fact that the location is well maintained and the staff friendly and efficient.

 Hong Kong Express

I haven't had the pleasure of dining at this newly opened facility, but have heard both good and bad things about it from other people. Personally, I just tend to shy away from food that is left out on a buffet styled table for long periods of time...

I did note that HKE is offering home delivery for anyone who might be interested.

  

Chinese-Mexican

In spite of the rather honky look to the place, it's been quite popular for a lot of folks as anyone can see if you drive by there around lunch time on any given day. The downsides are few with one of them being the limited parking spaces and the good chance that you won't be able to get a table if you arrive much after 11:30 AM.

The Frosted Mug

If you enjoy some drama, the Mug is a great place to go for a brew-ski and some food. I've frequented this venerable restaurant slash bar for many years as I find the entertainment factor to beat what's on TV most every time. I've never had a bad meal there and would highly recommend their French Dip (a special on Tuesday) and their crunch tacos which are offered at sharp price points on Wednesdays!

The Long Horn Family Dining

 While I don't eat at the Long Horn as often as I should, I do love their extensive menu and the quality of their food. My only complaints have been that the seating, in the booths, are a little too hard edged for my personal taste. Their signature hamburger and fries are a welcome throwback to the old diners of the past and one of the menu items I almost always order when I go there.

Fat Daddy's

I've always given bonus points to any eatery that has a name like Fat Daddy's. (Like we all need to be reminded of our expanding waistlines). But, having said that, this is a really first class establishment that has gained a very loyal following over the past few years. Whenever I get the urge for a pulled pork sandwich, this is the place often I head for...

Charlie's loses long time cook and curtails breakfast times!

Forsyth MO. - For undisclosed reasons, one of the long time veteran Chef's at the popular Charlie's Ribs, Steak and Ale restaurant has left. Rumor has it that they will be hiring a new cook to take his place fairly soon.

I also learned that this location will stop serving breakfasts beginning Monday, June 5. In the future, breakfast will be served only on the weekends with regular food service beginning at 11 AM during the work week.

Peggy's Park Place offers affordable spirits and wine!

Forsyth Mo.- If you live near Forsyth Missouri or commute to Hollister or Branson via Hwy 160 and 76 - Then you will likely go by Peggy's Park Place quite often. The well stocked convenience store has been in operation for many years, and it a nice place to shop for those 'must have' necessities in life. (In my case, that'd be beer, snacks and or wine depending on my mood).

The good thing about the liquor offered at this location near the tree way intersection of Hwy 160 and 76 by the Bull Shoals bridge, is that their prices are as good as or better than most of the other stores in the area! That why I've made Peggy's a regular stop whenever I'm thirsty or hungry as they also have a great Deli that serves up sandwiches!

On this particular afternoon, when I stopped, the lovely Tiffany Williams was working. Not only is she smart as a whip, but Tiffany is also well versed in being able to help offer directions to people from out of town who might be vacationing and are lost.

Two area parks closed for the season!

 

View of Shadow Rock Park from Hwy 160!

 Forsyth MO. – Two very popular parks located near Forsyth MO became flooded late in April and are likely to remain closed for the balance of the year!

Heavy rains, once again fell over much of southwest Missouri as the Gulf of Mexico opened back up with a vengeance. And, whenever a lot of rain fall in a short time, the series of reservoirs that constitute Beaver, Table Rock and Bull Shoals get backed up. This will have a bad overall effect on many businesses that count on the extra income that summertime vacationers bring. One business, in particular, is a convenience store called Peggy's Park Place. Please be sure to go there and to support her at this time of need!This is a start up business and is all about what we are all about! Also impacted in a negative way will be the City of Forsyth that gets income from one of the parks directly.

So, if you're thinking of coming down to stay at either Shadow Rock or River Run Parks, make sure to check with the Corps of Engineers first!

Hong Kong Express now delivers!

Forsyth MO - A new business called Hon Kong Express is now doing home delivery! You can see their menu here!

Taneynet in Forsyth MO!

Forsyth MO. – Located across the street from Southern Bank is a recently opened business called TaneyNet. They opened in October 2016 and provide great Internet service that competes with such providers as Mediacom, Centurylink and SuddenLink, to name a few. And while this service does not provide TV services, the do offer a low cost alternative to getting the Internet at home, business or schools.

I had the chance to stop in to pay a short visit with their Director of Operations, Bill VanKirk who was kind enough to fill me in on some of the more technical aspects of their operation. Unlike the other services, which provide either cable or DSL (digital subscriber line) communications, TaneyNet uses high tech equipment in the form of a 'mini dish' to communicate directly with a tower using the newer 802.11AC protocol. The have plenty of bandwidth to offer their customers starting at:

Fees valid at the time of posting

They do also require a $200 deposit to help cover the cost of the equipment and are currently running about three weeks out for new installs. On a happy note, there is no contract and so you can cancel their service at any time. I plan on giving this company a try early this summer when my current contract with Mediacom expires. The folks at Taneynet can be reached by calling 417-251-9012 during normal business hours! I also plan to do another report, later in the summer, as to how well I feel their service works!

May 3 update:  'Good morning everyone. This is Rodney Ballance, CEO of Taneynet. I wanted to personally inform you that we are temporarily suspending new sales for internet until we deliver to everyone who has been waiting.

If you have been waiting for service, expect a phone call and/or an E-mail from our team over the next week with an update on your status. We have made numerous personnel and policy changes in an effort to better serve you. I personally apologize for the lack of communication in the past, and the delays in providing you with excellent internet service.' [Gleamed from a FB post].

Forsyth Express Lube!

194 Coy Blvd, Forsyth MO. | 417-545-2557

 Forsyth MO. - Just behind Casey's on Coy Blvd, you will discover that the Forsyth Express Lube is open and ready for business! I needed an oil change and it was certainly nice to not have to drive very far to find a full service center that can do most automotive jobs and which is situated so close to my home! The center is managed by a young fellow named Cody Cheek, who along with another man name Zach can get you serviced and back on the road in as little as 15 minutes!

Zack and Cody at work!

The service center offers an extensive list of auto services including standard items like oil changes, batteries and tires! If you have a problem, just give them a call and they'll do their best to make everything right! They are open every day except for Sunday and handled my vehicle in a prompt professional manner! Their prices are also very reasonable and they offer both conventional and synthetic oils!

UPDATE: August 28, 2017 - I stopped in for an oil change and there was no waiting! 

Peggy's Park Place Market in Forsyth MO

 Forsyth MO. - What with the summer season just around the corner, area parks near my southwestern town in Missouri are already filling up with vacationers and sportsmen from all over! Shadowrock Park and River Run Park are enjoyed by a host of people, both local and those who travel in from distant locales, just so they can enjoy one of the best vacation spots in America.

Thank goodness our park areas have a well stocked and 'most always open' convenience store located nearby! At Peggy's Park Place Market, hungry folks can find just about anything their hearts desire including; beer, liquor, wine, drinks, snacks and other assorted must have sundries. Peggy's even supports a mini deli where one can purchase a wide variety of meats and assorted sandwiches that are sure to please most anyone's appetite!

If you like to fish, Peggy's also offers a complete line of sought after tackle including fishing line, hooks, bait and weights all at competitive prices! Peggy's Park Place Market is open 7 days a week from 6AM to 10PM and can be reached by calling 417-546-5845! Also see this short piece!

The price of romaine lettuce can change a lot!

Ref site: How much does Romaine lettuce cost?

As I like to keep a running data file on the items I purchase at a local grocery emporium, I noticed that the cost of romaine lettuce had evidently just gone up! After searching the web (see link above), I realized that the cost I normally pay at the Country Mart in Forsyth MO is actually less than the national average. However, as the graph illustrates, the price can fluctuate quite a bit, so it pays to be observant when you shop!

Fair Board nixes Fair beer garden!

Come on down...

Taney County MO - Apparently, a member of the Taney County Fair Board (Donald Helms) went before the Board of Aldermen last Monday, March 20th to apply for a temporary permit to sell beer in a beer garden area during this year's coming Taney County Fair. The answer was a resounding no! The Forsyth Board of Aldermen, acting unanimously, cited numerous reasons for turning down the request, indicating that such a move would be 'going down the wrong path,' to put it into the words of Alderwoman Cheryl Altis. Mayor Eddie Coleman was also '100 percent against it' saying that he feared such a permit might serve to dissuade more people than it would attract.

Personally, I'm all in favor of the curtailing of certain 'non-desirable' elements like out of control drinking and would even be in favor of taking more drastic measures to insure the continued purity and attractiveness of the event. Perhaps in the future, the board would also consider the banning of smokers as these people might also 'send the wrong sort of signal to our youth'. (Just imagine a smoke free Fair and how much fun that would be for everyone). Also, there is the health and visual questions of having too many obese individuals strolling around as living advertisements to our youths to perhaps 'overindulge' and to 'eat in an irresponsible manner'. Perhaps they should consider banning those people too, in order that our future Fairs take on a more modernistic and even Aryan appearance...

Now for me personally, I don't plan to attend this year, as I really dislike the Shoals Bend location for many and sundry reasons. But, that's just me! [For the record, the author regularity swills beers, used to smoke heavily and is as fat as a tick].

My town Forsyth MO - March 26, 2017!

 It was a Sunday in late March and I thought it to be a good idea to get out and shoot some pictures of various businesses and other sights in and around town, (just for the historical record of course). Forsyth is a small town (population at around 1400) that is located in Southwest Missouri, not very far from Branson – our local claim to fame. As of that date, we had ourselves something like three banks, thirteen eateries, an O'Reilly auto center, a smattering of hair styling venues, a hardware store and a couple of parks! What more could anyone ask? I've called this area home for many a year and it really hasn't changed very much. Something I really like a lot!

#1 White River Plaza – Beginning at the northern edge of town, we have a nice strip mall that houses a neat collection of stores. I generally stop there to visit the Dollar General ( a nice store), the Subway and the excellent laundromat that's located in the back!

#2 National Enzyme Company – I worked at this supplement manufacturing company for a long time and have many fond memories from that experience. And, while it's changed ownership over the years, it's still is a viable place to seek and find good work in the area!

#3 McDonald's – You aren't a genuine 'town' unless to have a McDonald's and a Sonic's! Forsyth MO has both and while I don't frequent them as much as I used to, it still is a pleasure to eat food that tastes great even as it's killing you! I've  done a number of articles on both establishments along with some of the other eateries and have a love-hate relationship depending on the size of my waistline....

#4 O'Reilly Auto – In Forsyth, if you need something for your vehicle, O'Reilly's probably has the part in stock. I go there for parts and visit the Tire Crew for oil changes and any other serious automotive work! I've found both establishments to be very helpful whenever I've had a problem.

#5 Frosted Mug – A venerable local watering hole, the Mug is also one of the older businesses in Forsyth. I've enjoyed their signature 'frosted mugs' of beer and have eaten and enjoyed the varied menu that they offer. This is a good place to kick back on those really hot summer days that hit our neck of the woods in the summertime and enjoy a cold one!

#6 Courthouse and County Jail – Since Forsyth is the County Seat of Taney County, we enjoy excellent city services, a courthouse and a state of the art jail. and no, I've never been incarcerated there, I've only heard about it.

#7 Charlie's Ribs, Steak and Ale – In terms of offering finer dining, Charlie's and perhaps a couple of other eating establishments are where to go when you're hungry and also desire a taste of class. The establishment is non smoking, has a fully stock bar and excellent service. over the years, I've written a number of articles about eateries in this class including the Long Horn Family Dining establishment and Fat Daddies, where a lot of the town locals like to hang out.

#8 Shadowrock Park – Rounding out my tour this day, I visited a well known park that has a long and interesting history – everything from being the site of a civil war battle, way back when, to being one of the nicest places to hang out and fish during the warmer months of the year!

Forsyth Library Annual Potato Bake and Raffle!

For reasons that completely escape me, this event is a perennial favorite that generally sees large crowds in attendance!

Popular convenience store has new owner!

Owner Peggy Reichard

Forsyth MO. - The Park Place Convenience store has been located at 17463 US-160 for a very long time. It's a popular stopping and shopping venue for many area residents due, in part to its wide selection of products offered at very fair prices! Recently Peggy Reichard and her husband Ray took over ownership of the enterprise and are working tirelessly to satisfy the demands of a hungry clientele. 

Park Place is open from 6 to 10 PM seven days a week, so if you need stuff when other stores are closed, this is the place to go! You can reach then by calling 417-546-5845.