It's Boat Show Season-January 25 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

It’s officially boat show season in Oklahoma! The Oklahoma Virtual Boat Show is underway with five participating Grand Lake dealers – nine dealers altogether - in the virtual show at www.oklahomavirtualboatshow.com.

Next Monday is kick-off night for the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at Tulsa’s River Spirit Expo. There are three Grand Lake dealers in that traditional show.

Grand Lake Boat Sales, Indian Hills Marina, MarineMax, Nichols Marine at Shangri-La, and Ugly John’s Custom Boats are participating exclusively in the Oklahoma Virtual Boat Show.

Arrowhead Boat Sales, Dick Lane’s/Blackbeard, and Grove Marine are participating in the in-person Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show.

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Boat shows aren’t the only great entertainment in Oklahoma, though. The Oklahoma state legislature goes into session Monday. The show is free – and sometimes hilarious. Take legislation proposed by Southern Oklahoma State Representative Justin Humphrey. His proposed law would set an official Bigfoot hunting season. At least there’s no lack of creativity in the legislature. If that becomes law, we’ll have a specific season for Bigfoot hunting. You don’t have to worry about whether Bigfoot meat is pork or beef or tastes like chicken. Representative Humphrey says his proposal is not to actually kill Bigfoot – but to maybe trap him for a reward – and there would be Bigfoot hunting licenses and a specific season. I guess if there were a specific season, at least Bigfoot would be able to relax the rest of the year, just hanging out in the woods eating beef jerky (his real name is Darrel, you know).

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On the other side of the earth (or perhaps the same side), State Senator Warren Hamilton has introduced legislation to make it a crime for schools and state or local government to require masks or immunizations against any disease. “They don’t have the authority to do that,” he says. Well, if that’s true, I’m not sure why we need his legislation. Any-who, watch out teachers, servers, vulnerable citizens. Efforts to keep you safe and alive may be coming to an end. Who ever thought someone would think it should be a crime to save lives? Odd. What’s next? Prohibiting seat belts? Prohibiting food inspections? Eliminating requirements for fire suppression systems? SMH. I’m reminded of the old adage from the sage Gideon John Tucker: “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.”

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It may take Oklahoma a little longer than most places to get the COVID-19 pandemic under control. A new poll shows only two-thirds of Oklahomans say they will actually take the vaccine. Note to the other one-third…”Here’s your sign!”

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There are states even stranger than Oklahoma, though. Take Arizona, for example. While they’re one of only two states with more Covid-19 cases per 100,000 than Oklahoma, the Republican party over the weekend focused instead on eating their own. They censured GOP Governor Doug Ducey, former U.S. Senator Jeff Flake, and Cindy McCain, widow of the late GOP hero John McCain. But…Arizona also began legal sale of recreational marijuana last Friday. Maybe that will help (or maybe that explains the GOP action just one day after the legal marijuana sales began).

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You can sure tell the election is over. Last week, Grand Lake social media turned to quasi-panic over an “abandoned boat adrift in front of Port Duncan.” No reason to panic. My buddy Steve has been drifting and napping in that boat for years. I’m not sure why last week was different than most other weeks…but both he and the boat were fine. People do that all summer and no one worries. I’m not sure why it’s not okay to do it in the winter, too!

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First world problems: Every few hours, my Apple Watch reminds me to “Breathe.” I had no idea I was that bad off. Does anyone else have to be reminded to breathe?

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College football is alive and well in Oklahoma – even in the off-season. Just a week after former OU head football coach Bob Stoops was announced as an inductee into the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame, it was announced that OSU head coach Mike Gundy will be an inductee in the 2021 Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame class. We’re on a roll!

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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 3^rd 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). Shangri-La Resort is building another dining & drinking venue. The Monkey Grind coffee shop will open later in February in the resort hotel – proudly serving Starbucks coffees.

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK:  The Oklahoma Virtual Boat Show is officially open at www.oklahomavirtualboatshow.com. Wednesday night is the first “Guest Chef” event of the year at The Shebang (Guest Chef Mark McDowell). Thursday is the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon at First Christian Church of Langley (11:30); and the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at River Spirit Expo Square in Tulsa gets underway Monday, February 1, running through Sunday, February 7.

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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, Clint Ingram performs at Doc’s. There’s always Saturday night karaoke at Monkey Island Pub. On South Grand, Franklin Birt performs Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Travis Kidd in the Echo Bar Thursday night, followed by The Chris Hyde Trio Friday and Tim Nowell Saturday. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Thanks for Nothing will entertain Friday night and Solid Groove performs Saturday. At Cherokee Casino Grove’s 1897 Bar, Jacob Dement will be on stage Friday night. Brent Giddens entertains Saturday night.

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Daniel Webster twice declined the vice president's spot on the Whig ticket, once with Zachary Taylor and once with William Henry Harrison. Both Taylor and Harrison died in office.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Down Judge Sarah Thomas will make history February 7 as the first female member of a Super Bowl officiating crew.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Join the two-day challenge! No alcohol on February 30 and 31! Can you do it?

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK (proudly displaying the name of a store that sells nothing but chairs): Shack of Sit!

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RE-WRITTEN SONG LYRICS OF THE WEEK: Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and Bernie in mittens. (thanks to Laura Willingham for sharing this one)

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Still trying to wrap my head around the fact that a bunch of people who think Bill Gates is going to inject them with a chip stormed the U.S. Capitol with their cell phones’ location data enabled.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Ants never get sick. They have anty bodies.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Bookends. When Joe Biden was sworn in as President last week, he became the oldest person to take the Presidential oath of office. When he was elected to the U.S. Senate at the age of 29, he was the youngest member of the Senate – the 5^th youngest in history.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: One of Major League Baseball’s most famous players, Hank Aaron, best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record, died last week at the age of 86. Legendary actor (with an equally legendary voice) James Earl Jones turned 90 years old last week. Country music icon and entertainment legend Dolly Parton turned 75 years old last week. Iconic television journalist Tom Brokaw retired last week after a 55-year career at NBC News. He is 80 years old; and televangelist/faith healer Oral Roberts would have been 103 years old this week.  

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Jim Gibbs, Linda Athey, Michelle Winter, T.J. Barnow, Hunter Hays, Joshua Beck, Michael Blackman, Katelin Threet, Vanessa Lillie, Elaine Asher Bedford Haney, Holly Weatherford, Britta Thrift, Bruce Burnett, JoAnn Schaub, Druanne Durrett, Sue Ruth, and Lynn More.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do we only sing “Take me out to the ball game” when we’re already there?

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Mr. Mayor airs Thursday at 7:00 on NBC. A new news magazine program from Axios debuts Sunday afternoon at 5:00 on HBO; and, of course, 60 Minutes airs at 6:00 Sunday on CBS. Bull airs Monday night at 9:00 on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Little Things and Apollo 11: Quarantine are theater releases this week. Palmer is available this week on Apple TV+.  The Dig is available on NETFLIX.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits in baseball. It took the one afternoon on the golf course.” - Hank Aaron

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SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, February 7 – Super Bowl parties at Big Shots, Doc’s Bar & Grill. Wednesday, February 10 – Home of Hope Drive-Thru Chocolate Affair (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, February 12-14 – 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-Sunday, February 18-21 – MidSouth Tackle, Hunting & Boat Show at Grove Civic Center. 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: While we’re waiting for the Super Bowl, we’ll just have to be patient. Normally, we fill this week watching the Pro Bowl, but it was canceled this year due to the pandemic. It will be played as a virtual event for the entire week, instead, featuring the selected Pro Bowl players on the video game Madden NFL21. Super Bowl Sunday is February 7.

The NBA regular season rolls on with the OKC Thunder facing the Blazers in Portland Monday night at 9:00. Wednesday, they’re in Phoenix to take on the Suns at 8:00. They’ll be hosting the Brooklyn Nets Friday (7:00) and Houston Monday (7:00) and again Wednesday (7:00).  All games are on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

PGA players are in San Diego this week, playing at the legendary Torrey Pines (South). Live coverage of the Farmers Insurance Open airs on the Golf Channel beginning at 2:00 Thursday and Friday and noon Saturday and Sunday. CBS picks up coverage of the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and Sunday.

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Weather for the weekend ahead looks pretty nice. We’ll have sunshine for the most part, and warmer temperatures with highs in the low-to-mid 50s and lows in the low 40s. By Sunday night, we’ll cool back down near freezing – but sunshine and warm temps again Monday. It looks like a good weekend to get out and play! 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 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

Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove