January 20 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Here we go, boys and girls. Monday night, January 27, is the official opening of the 54th Annual Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show – the official “mid-winter reunion” for Grand Lakers who haven’t seen each other in a while. The show opens at 5:00 Monday afternoon for VIP night. Tickets that night are $15 but include “free food and beer – while supplies last” (heavy emphasis on the “while supplies last.”) Tickets for the show Tuesday-Sunday are $10. It’s an incredible show, to be sure – and the true economic indicator for the Grand Lake economy in the year ahead. If the much smaller Oklahoma City Boat Show held earlier this month is any indication, things are looking good for 2020!
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The Oklahoma legislature goes into session February 3. So…heeeeere we go. Now Senators Nathan Dahm and Marty Quinn are continuing their bromance with President Trump. They have introduced legislation that would allow personalized MAGA – Make America Great Again – license plates. If we’re going to have taxpayer paid campaign materials, what’s next? An amendment to the legislation that also allows “Feel the Bern” plates? By the way, these guys must really like the President. They’re the same two who proposed renaming Route 66 as Donald Trump Highway. That bill was instantly withdrawn because of the backlash. Presumably the same will happen with this one.
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I’ve always thought TV and movie icon Betty White would make a great Grand Laker. On her 98th birthday Friday, she said the secrets to her long life included “hot dogs and vodka.” Now, I’ve found another prospect for a move to Grand Lake. Andrew Slavonic would fit right in with the Grand Lake culture. The World War II veteran just turned 102 years old and, predictably, he was asked the secret to his longevity. He had a simple answer: “I drink Coors Light every day.” Needless to say, when that news went viral, his days of buying beer were over – Miller-Coors Brewing saw to that. Asked if he had any other tips, he added, “Just look at the can. The bluer the mountains are on the can, the better!” My pal Kenny would fit right into that lifestyle. He’s always said, “The very best beer is ice cold – and someone else’s.”
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Speaking of beer, the brewers of Natural Light beer are apparently hoping to catch the newbies with a big promo. The company has announced they will provide a rebate for a free case of Natty Light for everyone who turns 21 this year. On a local note, packaging and brewing recipes have been finalized for the new “Grand Lake Light Ale” brewed by Marshall Brewing of Tulsa. The new Grand Lake beer will make its debut on the lake April 29.
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Only in Florida. On Christmas Eve, a 20-year-old Bradenton, Florida man was awakened by someone sucking his toes. Yep. You read that right. Startled, he asked the home invader what he was doing. “I’m here to suck toes,” he said. The victim struggled with the suspect and managed to get him out of his house; but the invader broke out a window in the house, and broke the windshield on the victim’s car. Apparently these toe-sucking bandits are serious about not being interrupted. Can you imagine? That REALLY sucks!
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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort is hosting a giant party Saturday night beginning at 6:00 ($30 per person) to debut the new Whiskey Kitchen at Doc’s, available whiskey sampling, and generous food samples from the new Doc’s menu. There’s live music by the Wanda Watson Band for that big pre-boat-show party!
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: British automaker Astin Martin, founded in 1913, declared bankruptcy seven times in its first 100 years of existence. If at first you don’t succeed….
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I was sober for 14 straight years. Then I turned 15.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Had a funny sign planned for this week, but the Astros stole it.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I don’t think the therapist is supposed to say “Wow!” that many times in our first session, but here we are.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Poop jokes aren’t my favorite kind of jokes, but they’re a solid number two.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Life is like a game of chess. I don’t know how to play chess.
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FEEL OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Famed broadcast journalist and TV personality Barbara Walters is 90 years old. The Queen of Rock, Tina Turner, is 80.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Carol Sherman, Doug Goss, Donna Palu, Ryan Rahhal, Jeff Thacher, Richard Cannon, Sherry Sherrell, Brad Williams, Danny Brumble, Paula Brumble, Brett Wisdom, Sarah Jackson Thompson, Bud Wyatt, Cathy Weatherford, Jim Gibbs, Hunter Hays, and T.J. Barnow.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is Miss Universe always from Earth?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The South Grand Lake Chamber Luncheon is Thursday at 11:30 at the GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley. Thursday evening is the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet (6:00) at the Cherokee Nation Vinita Health Center. Saturday night, Doc’s Bar & Grill unveils a new décor, new theme, and new menu along with some awesome music at their “Whiskey Kitchen Blues Bash & BBQ. It’s the perfect Grand Lake method of getting in shape for the granddaddy of ‘em all next week. The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show, of course, gets underway Monday, January 27 and continues through Sunday, February 2.
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s great entertainment around the lake this weekend. Jason Morgan provides the karaoke fun at Thursday Night Prime Rib & Karaoke in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La – and Saturday night, the Wanda Watson Band performs at the “Whiskey Kitchen Blues Bash & BBQ at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Jason Morgan is back with the trivia questions Tuesday night at Doc’s. Terry Jordan performs Saturday & Sunday nights at Shangri-La’s Summit Restaurant. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night and KJ Flip hosts Cocktails & Karaoke Sunday night. As part of the Sunday night karaoke fun, Blind Swine also has a karaoke contest underway! Monkey Island Pub features Karaoke with Tim Saturday night. At Littlefield Corner, the Road Hog Saloon has live entertainment every Saturday night.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features Jesse Joice Friday night and The Risky Business Band Saturday night. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 offers the great music of Travis Kidd Friday night and Karaoke Saturday night. At River Bend Casino, DJ 5-Star Entertainment puts on the show Friday night in Club 60 West followed by D’ Elegantz on stage Saturday night. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill Stone Country will be on stage Friday night, and there is DJ action every Saturday night at 10:00. Everclear will be in concert Saturday night at Buffalo Run’s Peoria Showplace. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, The Brandon Butler Band will entertain Friday night at Legends followed by Uncrowned Kings Saturday night; and Ragsdale & Croy perform Friday and Saturday in Lover’s Leap Lounge. There’s plenty of entertainment at Indigo Sky Casino’s Echo Lounge. Tim Nowell will be on stage for a Thursday night acoustic show, followed by Morgan Squared Friday night and Brent Giddens Saturday.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action including the Pro Bowl, PGA Golf, and NBA and college basketball action are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The Series Premier of Outmatched airs Thursday night at 7:30 on Fox followed by The Gayle King Grammy Special at 9:00 on CBS. The Ranch and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina are available Friday on NETFLIX. Adam Driver hosts the season opener of Saturday Night Live Saturday night at 10:30 on NBC. Sunday night at 7:00, Alicia Keys hosts The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards at 7:00 on CBS; and for you political junkies, Season 5 of The Circus debuts Sunday night at 7:00 on Showtime.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Last Full Measure, The Turning and The Gentlemen
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “To survive in life, you need three bones – a wish bone, a back bone, and a funny bone.” – Reba McEntire
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SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, February 2 - Super Bowl Party at Big Shots on Monkey Island featuring a giant 12-foot screen, heavy hors ‘d oeuvres and prizes. Sunday, February 2 – Super Bowl Watch Party at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Wednesday, February 5 – Home of Hope Chocolate Affair from 6:00-8:00 at the Craig County Community Center in Vinita. Friday, February 7 – Business After Hours Reception at Shangri-La Resort (5:00-7:00). Friday-Sunday, February 7-9 – Grove Home & Garden Show at the Grove Civic Center. Saturday, February 8 – WAAMI Chili Luncheon Fundraiser 11:00-3:00 at the old Monkey Island Fire Station. Saturday, February 8 – Polar Plunge at Shangri-La Resort’s outdoor pool at 11:30 ($10 entry benefits the Grove Public Library). Wednesday, February 12 – “Early Love Birds” snacks & shopping specials late at Grove merchants. Friday-Sunday, February 14-16 – Valentine’s Sweetheart Dinners at both the Summit Restaurant and Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La. Both are open to the public. Saturday, February 22 is the Monkey Island Trail BBQ at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Friday-Sunday, February 28-March 1 – Women’s Getaway Weekend at Shangri-La Resort (Spa specials, pottery classes, Sip & Paint – and discounted room rates). Thursday-Sunday, March 5-8 – Grand Lake Boat Show at Grove Civic Center. Thursday, March 12 – Grove Chamber Luncheon at Grove Community Center. Friday-Saturday, March 13-14 – Grove Merchants Open House
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SPORTS WATCH! Now that we know who will be in the Super Bowl, we’ll take a week for their injuries to heal up and hair over – and we’ll watch the elite match skills in the Pro Bowl. Coverage is at 2:00 Sunday on ABC and ESPN.
The NBA schedule has the OKC Thunder with back-to-back home & away games to start this week’s schedule. They’ll host Atlanta Friday night at 7:00 before facing Minnesota on the road Saturday night at 7:00. Monday, they’re at home hosting Dallas at 7:00; and Wednesday, they’re back on the road at Sacramento for a 9:00 o’clock tip-off. All games are on Fox Sports Oklahoma.
There’s some good college basketball, as well. Saturday is the Big 12/SEC Challenge in Oklahoma City. OU takes on Mississippi State at 1:00. OSU plays Texas A&M and Arkansas faces TCU, both at 3:00. All games are televised on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. Sunday morning, Tulsa faces UConn at 11:00 on the CBS Sports Network. Monday night, Kansas is at Oklahoma State (8:00 on ESPN).
PGA Players are still in California. This week, they’re at historic Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open. Tiger and Jordan Spieth are among players committed for this one. Coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
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The weekend ahead looks dry and mild (for the last weekend in January). We’ll have clouds Friday & Saturday with highs in the mid-40s; then sunshine and a ten-degree temperature jump Sunday. It looks like a perfect weekend for the big Whiskey Kitchen Blues Bash at Shangri-La Saturday night, followed by the opening of the Tulsa Boat Show Monday. Party on! 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.
1909 in Downtown Grove
Ailey’s Café in Langley
Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)
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 Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café Italia on Monkey Island
Café Yum in Grove
Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)
Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
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
Henrie’s Grill 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
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Morrow’s Bar & Grill at Morrow’s Landing
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)
Scooters in Langley (smoking)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)
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 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