January 29th Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

For Grand Lakers, lake area boat dealers and tourist attractions, this is the biggest week of the year that doesn’t fall in the summer months. The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at River Spirit Expo at Tulsa’s Expo Square is very much a Grand Lake event. Monday night’s opening night is like a huge Grand Lake reunion that inevitably spills over into popular Tulsa night spots when the show closes at 9:00. In fact, if you pulled the Grand Lake influence out of the show, it wouldn’t really be much of a show. Instead, it’s the 5^th biggest show in the nation – and it runs through Sunday at 5:00. Hope you can make it.

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Grand Lake’s influence is not only at the boat show, though. I have no data to back up my suspicions, but experience tells me a lot of Tulsa bars & restaurants have one of their biggest weeks of the winter when the Grand Lake party animals show up. For those who remain at the lake, area hot spots have split up the weekends for Mardi Gras party celebrations. The first one is Saturday night at Big Shots on Monkey Island.

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The last weekend in January showed why some boaters choose bilge heat instead of winterizing their boats. And that’s two beautiful January weekends in a row! It was nice to see a few boats out enjoying the great weather – and a lot of golfers getting in their first round of 2018.  Who says there’s an off-season at Grand Lake? Realtors, boat dealers, and the meeting & retreat planners at Shangri-La Resort are already expressing optimism about the season ahead, based on sales and bookings already in the books – and it’s just February. That said, it’s just a month until Welcome Back Weekend. You’d better start getting in party & swimsuit condition! Maybe you can even pick out that new boat this week!

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I’ll be watching Friday to see if there’s a chance of an early onset spring & summer season. All eyes will be on the skies over Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to see if Phil sees his shadow Friday. Happy Groundhog Day!

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I wish some Oklahoma legislator would try legislation like the bill moving out of Senate committee in Florida. It’s called the “Sunshine Protection Act,” and it calls for Florida to remain on Daylight Saving Time year-round. Bravo!! Nothing is a tourism buzz-kill like 5:00 p.m. darkness.

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At age 70, Sir Elton John announced his retirement last week. No more public performances….as soon as he finishes his three-year Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. I’ve heard of long goodbyes, but wow! Three years! Perhaps reports of his retirement were a little premature. On a serious note, Neil Diamond also announced his rather abrupt retirement last week. It was nice to see him receive a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Sunday night – especially since he had to give up touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

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Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Meehan is thinking waaaaay outside the box. It was discovered last week that he had sexually harassed a staff member by coming on to her, despite the fact she was decades younger than him and in a relationship with someone else. To top it all off, he paid her a settlement with tax money. He has an excuse, though. He said he was under the influence of Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law. No, really!  Obamacare made him do it. You can’t fix stupid…but you can put it on public display!

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We’re a month into election year, and the weirdos are starting to come out of the woodwork. Courtland Sykes in Missouri is seeking to unseat U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill. I suppose he probably thinks he improved his chances by attacking feminists as having a “crazed definition of womanhood which they made up to suit their own nasty snake-filled heads. He referred to them as “she devils” and said when he marries his fiancé, he expects to come home every night at 6:00 to a dinner she cooks for him.” There’s no official word yet as to whether his fiancé still plans to marry him after hearing that.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK: I can’t believe I forgot to go to the gym today. That’s seven years in a row!

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Warning! Trespassers will be prostituted! (Thanks to Sue Davidson for sharing this one.)

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TWEET OF THE WEEK:  I asked the librarian if she had a book about Pavlov’s dog and Schrodinger’s cat. She said it rang a bell, but she wasn’t sure if it was there or not.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Ash Wednesday is on Valentine’s Day and Easter is on April Fool’s Day. 2018 is going to be a weird year for Catholics.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Rocker Janis Joplin who died at age 27 would have turned 75 last week. And her music lives on.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Monte Province, Lynn Moore, Mark Blanchat, Pete Moss, Jade Jennings, Christi King, Amber Forrest, Lori Lillard, and Nick Magoulas. Congratulations to Shangri-La Resort’s Director of Catering Linda Wall who was named “Oklahoma’s Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year” by the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association. And “welcome” to new Shangri-La Marina Manager Phillip Cunningham.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Did you ever notice irons have a setting for “permanent press?” I don’t get it. – Steven Wright

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Super Bowl isn’t until Sunday, but Saturday is “Souper” Bowl Saturday 9:00-1:00 at Integris Grove Hospital (FREE health screenings, entertainment, and SOUP!) Saturday night is the annual Mardi Gras Party at Big Shots on Monkey Island (7:00 p.m.). Tuesday, February 6 at 3:00 p.m., enjoy a little dessert and some fun Reader’s Theatre presentations at Playmakers in Grove.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: It may be winter time at Grand Lake, but there’s plenty of entertainment to enjoy over the weekend before you head to Tulsa for the Boat Show Monday. On Monkey Island, Randy Lunsford will entertain throughout the weekend at The Shebang. Across the street at Big Shots, you won’t want to miss the big Mardi Gras Party Saturday night beginning at 7:00. Just down highway 125 at Monkey Island Pub, Friday night is Karaoke night. The Blind Swine also has karaoke fun, and live entertainment every Saturday night by Erin Fitzgibbon. Further down the highway at the Road Hog Saloon, there’s always great Saturday night live entertainment.

On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Grand Lodge Bar & Grill in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night.

Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke Shawna Russell kicks off the weekend Friday night, followed by Cedar Creek on Saturday. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment beginning with the Tim Amey BandThursday and Scotfree Friday nights in the Echo Bar. Saturday night, music is by The Uncrowned Kings.  Friday night NighTTrain kicks off the weekend entertainment at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including the Super Bowl, College Basketball, PGA Golf, and NBA play are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, and Pickles at the Lake in Langley.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: The series premiere of A.P. Bio airs Thursday night at 8:30 on NBC. It won’t begin its regular series run until March 1, after the Winter Olympics. Super Bowl LII is Sunday on NBC, of course. Pre-game coverage started last week sometime…but the actual game kick-off is at 5:30. Kelly Clarkson entertains during pregame and Justin Timberlake will be featured in the no-drama halftime show. Big Brother starts a new season next Wednesday night at 7:00 on CBS.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Winchester and Bilal: A New Breed of Hero

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I wanted to watch the world origami championship on television, but it was only on paper view.”

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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, February 8 – Home of Hope Chocolate Affair at the Craig County Fairgrounds. Friday- Sunday, February 9-11 – 20^th Annual Grove Home & Garden Show at the Grove Civic Center. Saturday, February 10 – Mardi Gras Party at Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel. Tuesday, February 13 – Reader’s Theatre at 3:00 p.m. at Playmakers in Grove. Tuesday, February 13 – Monkey Islanders vote on a bond issue to provide emergency services facilities to attract 24/7 ambulance service to the Island. My pal David Poindexter is also on that ballot running for District #1 County Commissioner. Wednesday, February 14 – Valentine’s Day. Enjoy. Saturday, February 17 – Mardi Gras Party at Monkey Island Pub. Friday-Sunday, March 2-4 – Welcome Back Weekend! Saturday, March 3 – Ice Breaker Poker Run. Thursday-Sunday, March 8-12 – Grand Lake Boat Show at Grove Civic Center. Thursday, March 15 – Vinita Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, Craig County Fairgrounds. Friday-Sunday, March 23-25 – Renaissance Festival in Vinita. Friday-Sunday, March 23-25 – Long John Sumner’s Big Meat Run at Disney. Saturday, April 7 – GEFFE Gala at Grove Civic Center.

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The final game of the NFL season pits the Philadelphia Eagles against the New England Patriots Sunday in Super Bowl LII (anybody know what that number is?). Kick-off is at 5:30 on NBC.

It’s off to the desert for PGA players this week. Coverage of the Waste Management Phoenix Open begins at 2 Thursday & Friday, noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS also picks up the final two rounds Saturday and Sunday at 2:00.

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder are busy this week, starting with back-to-back games Thursday & Friday. They’re on the road at Denver late Thursday (9:30 on TNT) before dashing back home to host the Pelicans Friday night (8:00 on FSOK.   Sunday afternoon they host the Lakers for a 1:00 p.m. matinee (ABC) before heading for the coast to take on the Warriors Tuesday night at 9:30 (TNT).

On the college courts, Wichita State is at Temple Thursday night at 6:00 (ESPN2) and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane host SMU at 7:00 (CBSSN). Saturday morning is a big game for OSU as they travel to Lawrence to face the Jayhawks in a nationally televised game (11:00 on CBS). OU is at Texas Saturday at 5:00 (ESPN2). Mondaynight, the Sooners are on their home court hosting West Virginia; and Tuesday night the OSU Cowboys host Baylor (7:00 on ESPNU) just ahead of an 8:00 p.m. double header – TCU at Kansas (ESPN2) and Wichita State at Memphis (CBSSN). Wednesday night Big 12 competition sends Iowa State to Texas Tech (8:00 on ESPNU).

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After a picture perfect weekend to wrap up the month of January, we kick off February with a little cooler weather and maybe a shower here and there Saturdayafternoon and Sunday morning. Friday’s high will be about 40, with Saturday & Sunday highs in the mid-40s. It looks like a good weekend to spend some time indoors at the Tulsa Boat Show, a few Tulsa bars and your favorite TV spot for the Super Bowl Sunday. If you have occasion to have some drinks in the bar at the Tulsa Wyndham this week, 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

American Grill in Grove

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 (smoking upstairs—open Friday & Saturday nights)

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

Bobbers Café in Langley

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 on Monkey Island

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s in Grove

Chicken Coop West of Langley

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Coffee Shelter in Ketchum

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

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

Frosty & Edna’s (west of the dam in Langley)

Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)

Grand Lodge in Ketchum (smoking)

Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

Karrie's Kaboose in Langley (smoking)

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Lakeside Bar & Grill in Grove at Sail Boat Bridge

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.)

Morrows Bar & Grill in Raper Hollow

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

Okie Smokies Barbecue in Grove on Hwy 59 South

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)

Roadhouse 125 on Monkey Island (smoking deck)

Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)

Scooters in Langley (smoking)

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)

Smokin’ Spur BBQ & Trading Post at Old Towne Plaza, Cleora

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 Office on Monkey Island (smoking)

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