January 18 Random Observations Of The Grand lake Bum
Okay, I’ve had enough winter! After the wind and rain and snow flurries last week, I was excited to look out the window Saturday and see sunshine. That is, until I stepped out in it. The weekend was pretty, all right – nothing another 40 degrees on the thermometer couldn’t make right! But, there is one good thing about winter – boat shows and new boat models!
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Since we’re in the boat show season for this part of the country, let me clear up some confusion for you. Yes, Virginia, there is a Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show – and yes, there is a “virtual boat show” on line. No, they are not the same show. The Oklahoma Virtual Boat Show is an online show. The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show is the traditional in-person show at Tulsa’s Expo Square. Most Grand Lake dealers opted to participate in the virtual show instead of the in-person show, but a couple of big dealers are still exhibiting at the in-person show. Grand Lake Boat Sales, Indian Hills Marina, MarineMax, Nichols Marine, and Ugly John’s Custom Boats are the Grand Lake dealers who opted for the “virtual” show instead of the in-person show. It is a totally online show at www.oklahomavirtualboatshow.com
If they haven’t updated it yet, it may be a little confusing looking at the exhibitor list on the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show website. As of this writing, the list of exhibitors was still the 2020 list, so there’s no way to know exactly what dealers will be at that show – the only Grand Lake dealers in the show that I’m aware of are Arrowhead Boat Sales and Blackbeard/Dick Lane’s. There’s a note on the TBS website saying they’ll updating it soon with the 2021 list – but be sure that’s what you’re looking at because the difference in exhibitors and the locator map for 2021 will be significantly different from last year. If they update it, and I spot more dealers, I’ll let you know next week.
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Congratulations are in order for Grand Lake’s most famous resident/golfer/fisherman/boater/impromptu performer. Toby Keith was awarded the National Medal for the Arts last week. It’s the nation’s highest honor for contributions to the arts.
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We’re still wondering about our schools in this time of pandemic, but at least we’re not wondering about the bars, anymore. In the face of a judge’s extension of a restraining order until July 6 prohibiting enforcement of Governor Stitt’s 11:00 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales, he withdrew his order completely. Bars and restaurants are now serving cocktails until 2:00 a.m. Cheers. He probably didn’t need to bother. Judge Stallings apparently understood thirsty folks. Her restraining order would have gotten us through boat show season, Inauguration Day, Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, Welcome Back Weekend, Memorial Day and 4th of July – and we will hopefully all be fine by then.
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While we’re all waiting on our Covid-19 vaccines, a buddy of mine proposed putting the vaccine in cocktails and allowing it to be dispensed by bars. If we did it that way, I’m pretty sure everybody at Grand Lake would be perfectly safe within a month.
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The National Rifle Association has taken bankruptcy. I guess everybody already has at least one gun, so they don’t need to be reminded anymore. The NRA says it will relocate from New York to Texas. I don’t think they’ll find much of a market there. Everybody in Texas has had a gun since Sam Houston was a little boy.
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The National Collectors Mint is undeterred by the division in our country. They’ve decided to handle it by taking advantage of both sides. You can purchase your choice of $2 bills – a “Mount Rushmore” $2 bill with Donald and Melania Trump as the photo on the bill or a commemorative Joe Biden/Kamala Harris $2 bill. They’ve marked both bills down from $39 to just $14.95. Of course, when you get them home, they’re worth…two dollars.
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On a serious note, it’s a tense week for our country. Hopefully everyone will take a deep breath, close a chapter of history, and open a new one – in peace and friendship. Maybe now everybody can all be friends again and focus on the things most important to Grand Lakers – boating, golf, music, good food, good drinks and good friends! It’s time.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: The Blind Swine is now open only Thursday, Friday & Saturday. The Regatta in Grove is now serving breakfast seven days a week. Lester’s 3rd Street Diner has opened in Grove. Grand Lake Public House is now open for lunch at 11:00 in addition to dinner service. Sunday Brunch is offered to the public at Doc’s Bar & Grill (9:00-2:00) and Mulligans at Patricia Island (10:00-2:00).
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday night Karaoke and Sunday NFL Conference Championships watch party, both at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Thursday Night Karaoke with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La this week. Friday night, Caleb Fellenstein performs at Doc’s. On South Grand, Zene Smith performs Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Sweet Trouble Acoustic in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by Donnie Ray Friday and Sweet Trouble Saturday. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Brent Giddens will entertain Friday night and House Party performs Saturday.
Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar will host Audio Crush Friday night with Stonehorse on stage Saturday night.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The Edge of Night, a tv drama originally intended to be a daytime version of Perry Mason, and As the World Turns, both debuted on April 2, 1956. They were the first half-hour drama series on television, the norm up to then being 15 minutes.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Blowing on the wine in the cup will help convince your Zoom meeting that your coffee is hot.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I replaced my litter box with an Amazon box. Now, when it’s full, I just tape it shut and put it on my porch for someone to steal.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: I thought growing old would take longer.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: They say we can have gatherings with up to eight people without issues. I don’t even know what eight people without issues.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I’ve been hiding from exercise. I’m in the Fitness Protection Program.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Being a little older, I am very fortunate to have someone call and check on me every day. He is from India and is very concerned about my car warranty.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Singer/songwriter/activist Joan Baez joins Garth Brooks and Dick Van Dyke as 2021 Kennedy Center honorees. Joan Baez turned 80 years old last week (Dick Van Dyke is 95 and Garth will turn 59 in a couple of weeks). Hollywood icon Betty White celebrated her 99th birthday Sunday.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Glenn Coffee, Barbara Rader, Kanaan Jones, Ellen O’dell, Ron Sparkman, Jodi Locke, Tammi Bailey, Doug Goss, Eilleen Ellison, Bootsey Torchia, Melissa Russell, Donna Palu, Ryan Rahall, Randy Threet, Jeff Thacher, Richard Cannon, Brad Williams, Kristy Mayfield, Sarah Thompson, Brett Wisdom, Danny Brumble, Paula Brumble, Bud Wyatt, and Cathy Weatherford.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do you think when they asked George Washington for identification, he just whipped out a quarter? – Steven Wright
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Mr. Mayor airs Thursday at 7:00 on NBC. FBI is on a special night this week only – Sunday at 9:00 on CBS; and Black-ish and Big Sky both return next Tuesday at 8:00 and 9:00 respectively, both on ABC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Born a Champion and No Man’s Land are limited theater releases this week. The White Tiger is available this week on NETFLIX. PG: Psycho Goreman is available streaming.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the hell happened.” – Cora Harvey Armstrong
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 28-Sunday, February 14 - Official opening online of the 2021 Tulsa Virtual Boat Show. Thursday, January 28 – South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon at First Christian Church of Langley (11:30). Monday-Sunday, February 1-7 – Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at River Spirit Expo Square in Tulsa. Sunday, February 7 – Super Bowl parties at Big Shots, Doc’s Bar & Grill. Tuesday, February 9 – Home of Hope Drive-Thru Chocolate Affair. Wednesday, February 10 6-8pm– Grove Home & Garden Show at the Grove Civic Center. Friday-Sunday, February 12-14 – Valentine’s Special Sweetheart Dinner service at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Saturday, February 13 – SLWGA Ladies’ “Snow Bunny Golf” at Shangri-La (1:30 tee times). Thursday-Friday, March 4-7 – Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show at the Grove Civic Center. Saturday, Marcy 13 – St. Patrick’s Day Comedy Show at Big Shots on Monkey Island.
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SPORTS WATCH: The NFL action is getting serious – we’re down to four team in the Conference Championships this weekend. The games are both Sunday: 2:00 on Fox and 5:30 on CBS.
The NBA regular season rolls on with another grueling road schedule for the OKC Thunder this week. They’re in Denver to face the Nuggets Tuesday (9:00), then on to L.A. for two sessions with the Clippers – Friday at 9:00 and Sunday at 2:00 – before facing the Blazers in Portland the very next night (Monday at 9:00). Next Wednesday, they’re in Phoenix to take on the Suns (8:00). All games are on Fox Sports Oklahoma.
PGA players are back on the mainland this week; but they didn’t make it very far inland. Live coverage of The American Express from La Quinta, California will air exclusively on the Golf Channel beginning at 2:00 Thursday-Sunday.
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Weather for the weekend ahead looks like a carbon copy of the one gone by. We’ll have sunshing, high temperatures in the mid-40s and lows in the low-to-mid 30s. It looks like a good weekend to celebrate a better year ahead! But remember, wherever you 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.
Ailey’s Café in Langley
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 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
Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
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
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
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 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
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)
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 Pouhouse 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
Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove