January 13 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Most of the Grand Lake boat dealers did an advance run-through last weekend at the Oklahoma City Boat Show, getting in shape for the Tulsa Boat Show. It’s always good to get a three-day party under your belt before engaging in a seven-day party commitment. I did the same. I went to OKC to get in party shape, and I have a suggestion for the Tulsa show. Friday night’s “free drinks” in OKC came in the form of drink tickets passed out by exhibitors at the show. That’s a far better system than the opening night of the Tulsa show where people who have never even met an exhibitor at the show manage to snag all the “free beer” off the trays as it comes out of the concession stands.

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While I was at the OKC Boat Show, I saw a weird sign. It read, “No alcoholic beverages permitted beyond this point.” I’m not sure why that would be, but I have even more trouble understanding why anyone would ever venture beyond that point.

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At any rate, the early economic indicators for the Grand Lake business year ahead are good. The sales at the Tulsa Boat Show always provide our true economic indicators for the year, but, if the Oklahoma City show is any indicator, things are looking pretty good. Virtually every Grand Lake dealer at the OKC show sold more boats than they did at the same show last year.

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If you’re a watcher of Britain’s Royal Family, I’m sure you have heard that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced they are stepping down from the “Senior Responsibilities of the Royal Family” to spend more time in North America and become “financially independent.” I want them to live wherever they want to live and however they want to live, but that “financially independent” line cracks me up. I’d like to take on the challenge they’re facing! It’s a little like Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump announcing they would like to become “financially independent.” Like Prince Harry and Megham Markle, I’m sure they would like to obtain the kind of “financial independence” that comes with being heir to a family fortune and control of a nation. That’s a tough way to start out a new life…but I think I could do it! Like both couples, I could live comfortably for the rest of my life on what it costs to provide their security detail for a year.

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Congratulations to the city of McAlester for their plans to erect a statue of Stringtown native superstar Reba McEntire. McAlester has had lots of famous natives, but I think the statue of Reba will stand as a beacon of beauty among tributes to Carl Albert, George Nigh, and Gene Stipe.

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Am I the only one confused about Governor Stitt’s attacks on Native American tribes and the money they contribute to Oklahoma? I understand that everybody wants to get more money from everybody else…but I’m confused about the Governor taking money paid to the state by the tribes to hire lawyers to challenge the amount of money paid to the state by the tribes. What? I thought that money was supposed to be going to education. Apparently it’s going to go to lawyers, instead (lawyers from Seattle, by the way). If he’s trying to argue that the native American tribes aren’t doing great things for our state, I’m afraid he’s on the losing side of another argument.

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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Doc’s Bar & Grill food & beverage service will be moved to a hotel conference room January 15-23 to allow for the remodeling addition of Doc’s Whiskey Kitchen. There will still be regular three-meal-a-day food service and regular Trivia Tuesday, Wine Wednesday, and Karaoke Thursday events during that time. They’ll just move down the hall a few feet while the Whiskey Kitchen is erected. Plan to join the party January 25 at Doc’s ($30 per person) to check out the new Whiskey Kitchen, available whiskey sampling, and samples from the new Doc’s menu. 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: When electricity was first installed in homes and businesses in the late 1800s, utilities had not yet figured out a way to measure it. So customers were charged according to the number of lamps they had.

 

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: You only need two tools in life – duct tape and WD-40. If it doesn’t move, and should…use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn’t…use duct tape.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Adam & Eve: The first people to not read the Apple terms and conditions.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: My kids asked me what it was like growing up in the 80s, so I took away their cell phones and turned off the internet.

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BEST AD PROMOTION OF THE WEEK: “Weed suppositories: so you can calm your ass down!”

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: If two meth heads stsrt a relationship, is that considered “speed dating” or just “mething around?”

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: One minute you’re young and fun. The next minute you’re turning down your car stereo so you can see better.

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FEEL OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Elvis Presley would have turned 85 last week. Movie and television icon Betty White turns 98 years old next week.   

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Dale Forrest, Leslie Hudson, Benee Masri, Linda Young, Ron Ryan, Suzan Caldwell, Tag Webb, Rick Craven, Nancy Dalquest, Glenn Coffee, Barbara Rader, Kanaan Jones, Ed Hamilton, Tami Bailey, and Ron Sparkman!

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why are there no “B” batteries?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Tuesday night, plan to support the Grove Fire Department at a fun event -  Blazin’ Hot Tacos & Tequila Tuesday at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La ($10 admission benefits the Grove Fire Department). Wednesday night is Wine Wednesday at Doc’s Bar & Grill; and Thursday night is Karaoke night at Doc’s and Blind Swine.

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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 – and he’s back with the trivia questions Tuesday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La.  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 – and check out.the father/daughter Faulconer Duo Sunday evening at the Road Hog.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features Wesley Michael Hayes Friday night and FM Live Saturday night.  Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 offers the great music of Western Justice 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 Stonehorse on stage Saturday night. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill The Eddie Valen Band will be on stage Friday night, and there DJ action every Saturday night at 10:00. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, there’s a Throwback Thursday show this week featuring Phil Brown & Apaches from Paris. Aces Wild will entertain Friday & Saturday night at Legends; and The Widowmakers perform Friday and Saturday in Lover’s Leap Lounge. There’s plenty of entertainment at Indigo Sky Casino’s Echo Lounge.  WIlkie Jay and the Heat are on stage for Thursday night’s show, followed by Oreo Blue Friday night and The Uncrowned Kings Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action including NFL playoff games, PGA Golf, and NBA and college basketball action are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, 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 Avenue 5 airs Sunday night at 9:00 on HBO followed by the Season 10 premiere of Curb Your Enthusiasm.  Season 5 of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow airs Tuesday night at 8:00 on CW.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Glass and The Last Man

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.” – Albert Einstein

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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, January 25 – Whiskey Kitchen Blues Bash & BBQ at Shangri-La Resort. Monday-Sunday, January 27-February 2 – Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at Tulsa State Fairgrounds. 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. Friday, February 7 – Business After Hours Reception at Shangri-La Resort (5:00-7:00). Saturday, February 8 – Polar Plunge at Shangri-La Resort’s outdoor pool ($10 entry benefits the Grove Public Library).  

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SPORTS WATCH! It’s a huge week in the National Football League. By Sunday night, we’ll know which two teams will meet in the Super Bowl February 2. Conference Championship games are Sunday – at 2:00 on CBS and at 5:30 on Fox.

The NBA schedule has the OKC Thunder at home for two games and on the road for two more this week. They’re at home hosting Houston Miami Friday night (7:00) and Portland Saturday night (8:00) before hitting the road for a Martin Luther King Day matinee in Houston at 4:00 Monday afternoon, then on to Orlando for a 6:00 o’clock game Wednesday night. All games are on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

There’s some good college basketball, as well. Saturday, Oklahoma State hosts Baylor Saturday morning at 11:00 (ESPN2) and West Virginia is at Kansas State at 1:00 (ESPNU). OU travels to Waco to have their turn playing Baylor Monday night at 8:00 (ESPN). Tuesday night, Wichita state is at South Florida at 6:00 (ESPNEWS).

PGA Players are back in the contiguous 48 this week, but just barely. They’re at La Quinta, California for The American Express. Live coverage is on the Golf Channel beginning at 2:00 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

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Following a really nice week coming on the heels of a really nasty weekend, we look ahead to a much better weekend on Grand Lake this week – much better than last WEEKEND…not better than the rest of the week. Temperatures will be seasonally correct – highs in the mid 40s Saturday and Sunday (following a Friday high near 60). Low temperatures will be in the upper 20s!  It looks like a perfect weekend to get in front of a television and watch the NFL Conference Championship games and get in shape for the Tulsa Boat Show. Remember, though… wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me. Happy New Year!!

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