Bull Shoals Bridge video cam ...gone!

Forsyth MO. I get it. Things sometimes break. But, then they can get repaired, right? That, apparently, has not been the case with the Ox Blue video cam that was recording time lapse photography at the Bull Shoals Bridge Project just east of town. It broke on July the 12th and was still non functional on July the 23rd. And while I was uncertain as to how many citizens really paid any attention to the site - see https://app.oxblue.com/open/modot/cams, I thought it would be neat to have a visual record of the new bridge construction available for future generations.

Update: July 23, 2018 - Apparently MODOT removed the camera as they felt that the project was 'completed'. This in the face of the asphalt not yet being laid, nor the roundabout being completed.... 

Following is a statement from a MODOT spokesperson: 
 

'The camera at the Bull Shoals bridge project has been removed. The camera was in the way of the new roundabout being built at Route 160/76 at the north end of the new bridge. It will not be reinstalled on the project.' 

So, it would have been nice to have had a 'video eye' on that intersection during a phase of construction when traffic was to be the most impacted....

On Country Mart and slippage!

Forsyth MO. - On a promised to be hot July day in 2018, I wandered into a local grocery store known as Country Mart and as I stepped into the Produce Department, a line from Stephan King's book. 'Dark House' came to mind. It concerned the term 'slippage'; 'It’s a feeling of a kind of inevitable, sometimes hard to detect degradation into darkness. Everything is in a state of entropy. So, you’re either working to improve or letting things degrade and break up.' Half empty bins, containing limp produce greeted my eye in a department that heretofore had always been a shining example of veggies done right! I was going to purchase some Romaine, but after looking at the ragged offerings, I passed.

As I quickly exited the area, the damage had been done and now my mind was queued in to spot other areas and shelves with products that had gaps in between one item and the next. An image that was not at all like the one pictured above... Like I said, slippage was apparent most everywhere on this date and in this store....

Update: The very next day, the Produce area looked a lot better (see picture at right)! Just perhaps, I did show up on an off sort of day.... I was also informed that the long term employee, Randy, who did such an outstanding job maintaining that area had moved on...

Shanna Tilley needs your vote!

Shanna Tilley is currently running for the position of County Clerk for Taney County Missouri in 2018. Now according to one internet source, (for anyone who is not sure of the duties involved); The county clerk is responsible for filing vital records, or important documents related to a specific county's population, including birth, death and marriage certificates. And, depending on the size of the county's population, the duties of the job can go a lot further than that!

I knew Shanna some years ago when we both worked for the same company. Back then, she was a real go-getter whose energy and focus was apparent in everything she did. And today, she's looks to be even more energetic and focused than ever before!

I feel that citizens like Shanna Tilley are exactly the type of people we need to fill critical positions in local government, during otherwise trying and difficult political times. I would hope that all my friends, who reside in the Country, see fit to get out and vote their choices on August 7, 2018!

Bull Shoals bridge roaundabout set to start!

Forsyth MO. - I had a conversation on July 10 concerning the Bull Shoals bridge project and learned from MODOT officials that work on the bridge itself was mostly complete and that there were getting ready to begin work on the roundabout sometime around August first. They also informed me that work on laying asphalting the roadway connecting the new bridge would also begin in short order.

Left unanswered was what traffic problems were anticipated and I was told that these would be addressed in an upcoming press release from MODOT in a few days.

Following was the most recent press release from MODOT:

Southwest District Office 417.895.7600

July 03, 2018 02:45 PM

Construction Starts on New Roundabout

At Route 160/76 Intersection near Forsyth

Forsyth area, Taney County – Work to build a roundabout at the intersection of Route 160 and Route 76 east of Forsyth is underway, as the same contractor continues work on the new Route 76 bridge over Bull Shoals Lake, which is adjacent to the roundabout project, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

During the roundabout project, drivers can expect one-lane traffic, traffic shifts and increased construction at the intersection. Contractor crews will avoid disruptions during morning and afternoon rush hour as much as possible.

The construction on the roundabout will take place within the same work zone as the new Route 76 bridge over Bull Shoals Lake. Contractor crews are making good progress on the bridge and are now focusing on building the road approaching the new structure.

Drivers are urged to use caution in the area and expect delays at times.

The prime contractor on the roundabout project is Lehman Construction of California, Mo.

The total project cost for the roundabout project is $1.4 million.

The project is a partnership between MoDOT and Taney County.

The project is scheduled for completion by November 1, 2018.

Creek Devils to appear at local bar!

Forsyth MO. - The Creek Devils will be appearing at the Frosted Mug on Hwy 160 in Forsyth MO on Friday the 13th starting at 8PM. I've heard that this band is worth a listen and plan to attend the event! You can check their sound out on YouTube!

Around and about Forsyth MO in July 2018!

Forsyth MO. – It was July 2 and we'd just survived a mini-heat wave that had lasted almost week. And this day was proving to be no slouch either as it was 85°F even before 10AM in the morning!

Pat and Leo B. with an unnamed person!

I had gone to the Long Horn Family Dining restaurant on Hwy 160 for breakfast where I enjoyed Eggs and hash browns with toast and sausages. While I was there, I ran into Pat and Leo Bennett who had just arrived from Arizona. Both maintain homes here in Kissee Mills and Parker AZ. They told me they were planning to be here until about October before heading back to their winter quarters. And, no that isn't Trump in the pic, just weird uncle Ernie.

After taking my leave of the restaurant, I headed over to a local grocery store for some more grub. As I walked in from the parking lot, I couldn't help but to notice that many of the cars had out of state plates. That was good news for local businesses as vacationers do like to spend money!

Tomatoes from last year's Market!

On a sadder note, when I stopped to visit the Farmer's Market that was most always around this time of year, I discovered that they had been moved out of town over t the Fair Grounds. What? That location is a fer piece of distance from town and I elected not to travel that far for home grown veggies. Seriously, I really liked it when the market was located in the parking lot next to the Historical Society. I'd even go as far as Shadowrock Park, but the powers that be must have decided that the Fair Grounds would be a better location. Good luck with that!

Well, the Fourth of July is upon us and I'd heard that Rockaway Beach was going to put on a number of events starting on Tuesday, July 3rd. I hoped to stop down that way and get a few pictures. I thought I might even grab a hamburger and chips if they had a vendor that offered such. Do stop by, if you can as it is generally a fun time.

Lastly, a friendly reminder  that the Fourth is one of those holidays that seem to get more than their fair share of impaired drivers. Twenty six people died last year with 16 seeing someone in the vehicle that was impaired. Because of stats like that, the police will be out in force starting June 20 thru July 4th watching for anyone who is driving in an erratic manner. Those who are caught will be arrested and charged, so don't you be one of them! www.taneyweather.com

Shadowrock Lodge sold??

Forsyth MO. – Yes, just recently, in June 2018 the Shadowrock Lodge was sold by an agent of Keller Williams to an undisclosed party or parties. I had a chance to stop there on June 28 and spoke briefly with some individuals who were charge with renovation of the Restaurant/Bar area. And, while they were not forthcoming with information as to the identity of the owners, they did indicate that the establishment might re-open by September or October. They also promised to email me with any forthcoming announcements. I await with much anticipation, to see what transpires....