January 10 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
I had a really fun weekend in Tulsa at the newest and earliest Oklahoma boat show – the Oklahoma Boat Expo at the Cox Convention Center. It was a great way to kick off the new year. I saw bunches of friends I hadn’t seen in a couple of months – and the free food & booze Friday night was certainly an unexpected benefit. This show is owned by a group of boat dealers, so I guess that explains the free beverages. Dealers know what attracts boaters, right? Crowds were great and sales were great, too. Lots of folks were obviously trying to stay ahead of the supply chain problems by getting their new boats either delivered or ordered while there is still available inventory. All the dealers I talked to seem thrilled. That bodes well for the Grand Lake economy in the year ahead. If you didn’t make it to the show, you have a couple more chances – a show in OKC at the Fairgrounds this weekend, and another at the Tulsa Fairgrounds January 31.
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Now that the college football season has come to an end, I hope you enjoyed it – because we can all wave goodbye to college football as we have always known it. Now that every college player can enter the “transfer portal” and look for a team that will get them the highest price for selling their “name-image-and-likeness” rights, every college star is now like an NFL free agent. In retrospect, those in charge should probably have put a cap on the NIL sale of college players. A couple of years ago, they could only get books, tuition, room & board. Now, some of them are holding out for a million dollars plus! The transfer portal is going to do to college team loyalty exactly what fantasy football did to NFL team loyalty. The rich get richer and we’ll all be following players instead of teams. All the great players will now go only to teams in big metro areas or those with ultra-rich alumni willing to drop a few hundred grand on star players. It seems like just a minute ago that teams were being put on probation for that kind of thing. Now, it’s the new normal. College football has gone pro.
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The NFL’s Washington Football Team which has been without a nickname since they dropped “Redskins,” may finally be arriving at a decision. The team now says they will have an announcement on February 2. Last week, they dropped “Wolves” and “Red Wolves” from their list of finalists for a new nickname. Now, they’re down to Armada, Presidents, Brigade, Defenders, Redhogs, and Commanders. It looks like they not only have problems in the decision-making department, but in the creativity department, as well.
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Another era has come to an end. If you still have a Blackberry phone, you are not reading this on your phone. The company that pioneered cell phone and mobile data service flipped their final switch in the U.S. last week. Overrun by Apple phones and Androids, Blackberry stopped making devices in 2017. Last week, they gave up the ghost and turned off all support for Blackberry devices. They’ve gone the way of flip-phones. Welcome to 2022.
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Names of race horses have always been a source of fascination and delight for me, but they’re getting better all the time. In the big Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes race last week, Chewing Gum defeated the favored Beer Can Man.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Freddy Griffin, Brianna Baker, Tammy Sexton, Paul Bulten, Mickey Landers, Kristi Mullinax, Sandy Scott, Dale Forrest, Leslie Hudson, Benee Masri, Linda Young, Ron Ryan, Suzan Caldwell, Tag Webb, and Rick Craven.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday night, Pool League Tournament competition resumes with Round 4 at The Anchor (7:00). Friday morning is the Grove Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues legislative breakfast at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Grove (8:00 a.m.). Friday is the kick-off of the Winter Golf League Indoor Simulator Tournament Round 1 at The Anchor (6:00). Sunday afternoon, 4:00-6:00 is a “Capricorn Birthday Party” at The Shebang. If you’re a Capricorn, know a Capricorn, or would like to meet a Capricorn, come on! If you’re going to be in Oklahoma City this weekend, check out the OKC Boat & RV Show at the Bennett Event Center at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Friday-Sunday.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The baseball club long known as the Chicago Cubs originally were called the Chicago White Stockings, not to be confused with the Chicago White Sox, who came along later after the White Stockings became the Chicago Colts, who then became the Chicago Cubs.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Spiders don’t have muscles in their legs. They move them by using a hydraulic system powered by their blood pressure. When they die, their legs curl up because the blood pressure is gone.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I asked my girlfriend to bring me a screwdriver. She asked, “Phillips, flathead, or vodka?” That’s when I knew she was the one.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: When one door closes, another opens. Other than that, it’s a pretty good car.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: When I say “the other day,” I could be referring to any time between yesterday and 15 years ago.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Deja poo: the feeling of having heard this crap before.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When they finish making Styrofoam, what do they ship it in?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Special tribute to the late great Betty White: “It says so much about your life and legacy if people think you died too soon at 99.”
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: He won an Academy Award, four Golden Globes, two Emmy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award – and famed actor Robert Duvall has three movies coming out this year. Last week, he turned 91. Barrier breaking, award winning, iconic actor Sidney Poitier died last week. He was 94. “The King,” Elvis Presley would have turned 87 years old on his birthday last Saturday. This is the week we were deprived of when television icon Betty White died two weeks ago. She would have been 100 years old on Monday.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It perfectly symbolizes the human race that we begin every new year by dropping the ball.” – Caleb Abbott
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Chloe Johns performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night, and Terry Jordan entertains Friday and Saturday nights at The Summit. DJ K-Bandito leads the Saturday night fun at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. Thursday night is karaoke night at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, and Erin Fitzgibbon entertains both Friday & Saturday nights at the Swine – Friday as a solo act and Saturday with his full band. Saturday is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub.
On South Grand Lake, the Barrett Lewis Band provides the entertainment Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Yacht Club performs Saturday night at Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill.
In Grove, Porter Crossing entertains Saturday night at The Regatta. There is Friday night live entertainment by Thomas Martinez at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by karaoke Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, Travis Kidd entertains Friday night, and The George Brothers take the stage Saturday night.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents a Sweet Trouble Acoustic Show in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features Donnie Ray Stevens, and Sweet Trouble wraps up the weekend Saturday night.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Wednesday, January 19, is “Guest Chef Night” at The Shebang. Drs. Duane and Tammie Koehler are featured guest chefs. Checkered Past in Grove and The Artichoke in Langley both re-open this week after a holiday break. The Grill at Indian Hills re-opens Thursday following closure for renovations. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now operating under winter hours of operation - open only Thursday-Saturday evenings, Sunday brunch only. Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove has re-opened. Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda is closed until March.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: Organized Crime air Thursday night at 8:00 and 9:00 respectively on NBC. Peacemaker is available Thursday on HBO Max. The House is available Friday on NETFLIX and How I Met Your Father pops up next Tuesday on HULU.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: One Night in Miami is in movie theaters this week along with The Marksman. Brazen is available Thursday on NETFLIX.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 20 – Pool League Tournament Round 5 at The Anchor (7:00). Friday, January 21 – Winter Golf League Indoor Simulator Tournament Round 2 at The Anchor (6:00). Thursday, January 27 – Pool League Tournament Championship Match at The Anchor (7:00). Friday, January 28 – Winter Golf League Indoor Simulator Tournament Round 3 at The Anchor (7:00). Monday-Sunday, January 31-February 6 – Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at Expo Square, Tulsa State Fairgrounds. Friday, February 4 – Dave Rader Open European at Flying J Ranch & Hunt Club. Sunday, February 13 – Super Bowl LVI Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Monday, February 17 – Liverpool Legends live at the Indoor Pavilion at Downstream Casino.
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SPORTS WATCH: It’s NFL Wild Card Weekend. Which teams will continue in the playoff rounds headed for Super Bowl LVI? There are two games Saturday (3:30 and 7:00), three Sunday (noon, 3:30, and 7:00), and a final Wild Card game Monday night.
There’s great college basketball, as well. OU is at TCU Saturday at 3:00, returning to Norman to host Kansas Tuesday at 6:00. OSU is at Baylor Saturday at 4:00, coming home to host TCU next Wednesday at 7:00. Arkansas is at LSU Saturday at 1:00 before hosting South Carolina Tuesday at 6:00. The OSU women host Iowa State Saturday at 1:00 and the OU women host TCU at 1:30. Next Wednesday, both teams are on the road with the Lady Sooners at West Virginia at 6:00 and the Cowgirls at Baylor at 7:00.
In the NBA, the OKC Thunder are on the road at Brooklyn Thursday night (7:30) before returning home to host Cleveland Saturday night (7:00). They’re back on the road in Dallas Monday night (7:30), then on to San Antonio Wednesday (7:30).
The PGA players are still in Hawaii this week, moving to Honolulu for the Sony Open. Live coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 6:00 Thursday-Saturday and 5:00 Sunday.
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Our little spell of warmer January weather will likely come to an end with some afternoon & evening showers Friday. High temperatures Saturday & Sunday will only be around 40 degrees, with lows in the lower 20s. There are plenty of indoor options for entertainment, though. Make the most of the weekend ahead, and remember - no matter where 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.
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café at Har-Ber Village
Café Yum in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill at Grand Meridian
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Hatfield’s Saloon 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
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Marina’s Place at Littlefield Corner
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
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
Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island (smoking...but not at lunch)
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
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 Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)
The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)
The Pourhouse at The Regatta in Grove
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (smoking)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Water Side Bar & Grill in Grove
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove