January 1 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
A new week, a new year – and a new Boat Show Season. Yep! The time is here. Oklahoma’s biggest boat show of the year is this weekend. The Oklahoma Boat Expo at Tulsa’s downtown Cox Business Convention Center is Friday-Sunday. Unless you’re a good enough customer to be invited to the VIP stuff Thursday night, show hours are 11:00-8:00 Friday, 10:00-8:00 Saturday, and 10:00-5:00 Sunday. Most of the Grand Lake boat dealers are in this show which is actually owned by the Northeast Oklahoma Boat Dealers’ Association. If you can’t make it to the Tulsa show this weekend – most of the same dealers will be participating in the OKC Boat & RV Show next weekend (January 12-14) at the Bennett Event Center at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. It’s SHOW TIME!
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Being in Tulsa will be like a walk in the countryside for me after spending the last week in New York City. I learned something very important. They start putting up barricades a week before the big NYE ball drop in Times Square. I think that’s why there are so many people there on New Year’s Eve. They can’t find a way to get out!
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Walking is the #1 mode of transportation in Times Square, of course. I found a new feature on my iWatch. As I was fighting my way through the crowds, my watch suddenly sent me an alert: “It looks like you’re working out.” I had no idea that feature even existed on my watch – and I hope to never see it again.
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If you’re one of those who is fed up and ready to bail out of the country, U.S. New & World Report has released its list of “The Ten Best Countries in the World for Quality of Life.” Sweden is #1 followed by Norway, Canada, Denmark, and Finland in the Top 5. Rounding out the Top Ten are Switzerland, The Netherlands, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand.
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I’m sure you know the big Bassmaster Classic is returning to Grand Lake and Tulsa this year, but you may not be aware of another big event that has committed to Oklahoma. The World Axe and Knife Throwing Championship will take place in Tulsa this spring. Promoters will now be certain they are technically accurate when they brag that Oklahoma is on the cutting edge of tourism development.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Steve Cornell, Chey Cookson, Paul Spechler, Sergio Andre, Kent Harrell, Patricia McDonald, Becky Wetwiska, Susan Graham, Lacy Dvoracek, Kim Verplank, Dany Banning, Kendra McGeady, Tracie Sconyers, Carol Cable, Jim Parrish, Morgan Grubb, Bill Sanford, Doug Schoppa, Julie Favela, and Carrie Connor.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. I hope you have recovered from your New Year’s Eve celebration, because there’s plenty happening around the lake to kick off the new year. Thursday night, the Karaoke Competition continues at The Copper Penny in Ketchum, as well as the Thursday Night Trivia at Mooney’s. It is also the first night of weekly “Thursday Trivia” at Boom at The Regatta (6:00), and the 2024 Organizational meeting of The Winter Pool League at The Anchor (7:00 p.m.). Friday is the First Friday Wine Share at Long’s Resort (6:00-7:30 p.m.). The first big boat show of the year runs Friday-Sunday – the Oklahoma Boat Expo at Tulsa’s Cox Convention Center downtown. Saturday evening is the inaugural SINGO competition of 2024 with Jason Morgan at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Next Monday is the College Football Playoff Championship Game Watch Party at The Anchor; and next Tuesday, January 9, Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson returns to The Anchor (7:00), and the Grand Lake Newcomer Club meets at 10:00 a.m. at the Grove Christian Center.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Alligators are known to participate in group activities such as swimming in big circles or bellowing together in “choruses” of a hundred or more.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The Albatross is the largest bird that can go years without landing. For the first six years of life, they fly over the ocean before coming to land to mate. They can travel more than 10,000 miles on a single trip and circumnavigate the globe in 46 days.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: In Rio, gymnastics superstar Simone Biles was the shortest athlete of all 555 U.S. Olympians. (She’s 4’8” tall.)
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OXYMORON OF THE WEEK: California Champagne
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Alcohol is not in my vodkabulary. However, I looked it up on whiskeypedia and learned if you drink too much of it, it’s likely tequilya.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Andrews’ Sewer Service: S#it’s About to Go Down!
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I thought about trying to give up some of my bad habits for the New Year, then I remembered nobody likes a quitter.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: There is an email going around offering processed pork, gelatin, and salt in a can. If you get this email, do not open it. It’s spam.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Since coconuts have fur and produce milk, why aren’t they considered to be mammals?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: To those I offended in 2023, please try to improve so I don’t have to do it again in 2024.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I have so much respect for my parents when I realize they ignored me without the help of smart phones.” – Andy Borowitz
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Golf GOAT Tiger Woods is now 48 years old. Basketball’s arguable GOAT LeBron James is still on the court. He turned 39 last week. Famed football coach on commentator Jimmy Johnson was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor Saturday night. Unbelievably, he is now 80 years old.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of live music around the lake this week. On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend with Thursday Night Karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill this week and KJ Flip leads the karaoke fun at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Friday night, Ryan Graham entertains live at Doc’s; and DJ K-Bandito hosts the musical fun Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots. SINGO competition hosted by Jason Morgan kicks off this Saturday evening at The Anchor (6:00-9:00).
On South Grand Lake, the karaoke contest continues at The Copper Penny in Ketchum Thursday evening. The Barrett Lewis Band will provide the entertainment Saturday night at Mooney’s to celebrate Robert’s 50th birthday!
In Grove, there are two nights of live music at Cherokee Casino featuring Jesse Joice Friday night, followed by Magic J Saturday night.
Brett N’ Terri start the weekend entertainment Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino. Chris Hyde takes over the stage Friday night followed by Derryl Perry Saturday night.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: The Artichoke Restaurant in Langley reopened last weekend. The Fire Pit Restaurant at Wildwood Cove Resort reopens this week. Bailey’s Bistro has closed at the Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island, but will reopen soon at The Blind Swine. Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove closed for the season last week, reopening in March. Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove is now closed permanently, but a new restaurant is planned for the old Lester’s location.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The new comedy series Good Grief is available this week on NETFLIX. The 81st Golden Globe Awards ceremony airs live Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS. There are new animated shows on Fox Sunday night – Grimsburg at 7:00, Bob’s Burgers at 8:00 and The Great North at 8:30. Antiques Roadshow returns to PBS Monday night at 7:00.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Night Swim opens in theaters this week, joining The Color Purple and The Boys in the Boat.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 11 – Grove Chamber Membership Luncheon at the Grove Community Center featuring GRDA Director of Corporate Communications Justin Alberty (12:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, January 12-14 – Oklahoma City Boat & RV Show at the Bennett Event Center, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Saturday, January 13 – SINGO Competition with Jason Morgan at The Anchor (6:00-9:00 p.m.). Saturday, January 13 – Magician Aaron Radatz at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center (6:00 p.m.). Tuesday, January 16 – Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor (7:00 p.m.).
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In the college football world, we’re finally down to just two teams this week after the big New Year’s Night semi-final action. The National Championship Game is scheduled for Monday, January 8, at 6:30 pm.
In the NFL, we’ve reached the point every game counts. It’s the last weekend of regular season play – and there are some big games Sunday, including Kansas City at the L.A. Chargers, Dallas at Washington, Philadelphia at the N.Y. Giants, and Tampa Bay at Carolina. Wild Card Playoffs start next week.
In the NBA, the OKC Thunder are hanging out on the east coast this week. They’re at Boston Friday night (6:30), Washington Monday night (6:00), and Miami next Wednesday night (6:30)
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Picky guys like me could certainly complain about the weather for the upcoming weekend, but I guess it’s really pretty good for January. We’ll have cloudy skies for the most part with highs in the mid-40s and lows around freezing. It looks like a great weekend to spend a little time in Tulsa checking out the Oklahoma Boat Expo – and maybe a bar or two. Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM
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Looking for places to go, things to do, services to use or property to buy in the Grand Lake area? Here’s a starter kit listing of “open to the public” fun places to spend time at Grand Lake
Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove
Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina (closed for the season)
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café at Har-Ber Village
Café Yum in Grove
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s on Monkey Island
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (closed for the season)
Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek
Flower Bar in Grove
Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Getaway Mercantile (north of Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek
Hero’s Deli in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Honey Creek BBQ in Grove (south of Honey Creek bridge)
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island RV Resort
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney
Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Monkey Island Trail Rides
Monkey Island Winery
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley
Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (closed for the season)
R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (closed for the season)
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort
Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
The Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (closed for the season)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove