Wally Kennedy: Leaf-raking holds multiple benefits

Dec. 8—It's that time of year when I am trying to get as many leaves to the curb as I can for pickup by the city of Joplin's crews.

I made the final push Tuesday as the pick-up crews began circulating in my neighborhood. I rake my leaves, stuff them into a trash can and carry them to the curb. I moved at least 25 trash cans full of leaves to the curb in less than three hours. I'm not sure about this, but I think a foreman on the crew saw me moving leaves to the curb and had his crew work around me so that I could get more leaves to the curb.

If that is what happened, I really appreciate that. But there was a price to be paid. All that work at my advanced age was exhausting. I needed some comfort food, so I tried out the new Julian's Diner at 1897 S. Madison St. in Webb City.

When I arrived there after 4 p.m. Tuesday, only a couple of cars were on the lot. When I left an hour later, the lot was full. Word about this family diner, which opened Nov. 27, is getting around.

I asked the server what people were ordering. She said the gyro, the gourmet burger, the chicken-fried chicken and the fried catfish were popular choices. While I looked at the menu, I overheard people order the catfish, the chicken and the burger. Two women came in and ordered breakfast from the menu. Check out the menu online at julians.cafe.

Chicken-fried chicken with mashed potatoes smothered in a creamy gravy is probably the ultimate comfort food. I ordered that with a side salad for $13.99. The salad was fresh. The plate on which the potatoes and chicken were served was huge. The food covered the plate. It was hot and oh, so comforting. I took half of it home with me.

The restaurant was completely remodeled by the new owners over a period of several months. You would never guess it was once a Pizza Hut. It's an attractive and comfortable place to meet someone for a bite to eat. While I was there, it was apparent that many of the customers knew or recognized each other. There was a lot of waving going on.

The only glitch was when I checked out. My server had difficulty getting her computer to print a receipt. It took 10 minutes. No problem. Believe me when I say I wasn't moving anywhere in a hurry. And you can expect glitches as a new restaurant gets its legs under it.

You might ask: Why do you go to so much trouble to rake your leaves to the curb? Fire suppression. Under the right conditions, a wildfire can happen anywhere. And it's a good argument to justify some comfort food. I've earned it.

A second look

When you are out shopping for gifts, think about visiting places you would not normally visit. Here are some examples.

I recently visited Quinn's Custom Framing, 1605 S. Main St., to have a wall hanging repaired. While I was there, I noticed these small, hand-made wooden boxes for sale from $10 to $50. Kevin Quinn, the shop's owner, said he uses leftover wood from frames to create the one-of-a-kind boxes. Putting a ring or a strand of pearls or a gift card in one of these boxes would make for a special gift. His hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday mornings. Check it out.

One would not think that the Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 5201 N. Main Street Road., would be a place to find gifts, toys and holiday decorations. You can find them there at great prices with no sales tax. Need a Christmas tree stand? The store has them for $3. The thing about the ReStore is that every day is a different retail day depending on what's been donated. My advice, if you find something there you like, buy it because it won't be there when you go back. When you spend money there or donate things to this organization, you help people get themselves into a home. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Right down the road is Ozark Nursery and Garden Center, 5361 N. Main Street Road. You can find live swags and garlands there, statuary and all kinds of holiday plants. Want to give someone a plantable tree for Christmas? They have all kinds and sizes available.

Ozark Nursery is now part of Joplin Workshops Inc., which provides employment to those with disabilities. The workshop was started in 1966 by parents and business leaders who wanted to provide opportunities for disabled people. The operation has about 50 employees, and about 15 of them have been doing some work at the nursery. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Christmas contest

The Downtown Joplin Alliance is again hosting its annual Christmas window decorating contest. Patrons can vote online for their favorites in three categories: best use of the "Winter Wonderland" theme; best use of lights and most creative. About 30 or so downtown businesses participate.

The voting ends Dec. 15. The winners will be announced Dec. 19 at City Hall.

Contact Wally Kennedy at wkennedy@joplinglobe.com.