January 31 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

We’re wrapping up the boat show season. The Tulsa Boat, Sport and Travel Show is officially underway at the SageNet Center at Tulsa’s Expo Square. The show is open daily through 4:00 p.m. Sunday. I’m sure exhibitors are grateful to the NFL for extending the regular season by an extra game this year so the final day of the show isn’t on Super Bowl Sunday. If you’re in the jet-setting boat lovers’ crowd, the Miami International Boat Show runs February 16-20. In our area, only the Grand Lake Boat Show March 3-6 remains on the show schedule after this final Tulsa show closes Sunday.

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You can’t fix stupid. A 1967 Shelby Mustang GT 500 was stolen in Tulsa. Cops arrested the suspected thieves – and later found the car…stripped. I hope the stupid thieves got a lot of money for the parts, because the intact car was valued at $200,000.

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We’re #1 again. A new WalletHub survey examined numbers for hospitalizations, deaths, positive cases, transmission rates, and the number of people who are vaccinated – and ranked Oklahoma as the most dangerous state in the U.S. in which to live during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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The horizon is visible a little later every day. Next Thursday, February 10, sunset will be at 6:00 p.m. Hang on. Daylight Saving Time arrives March 13.

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I hope we don’t have another February like last year when temperatures dropped to 15-degrees below zero. We found out last week how much that costs. For Oklahoma Natural Gas customers, the Corporation commission approved a rate increase to pay for last February’s unexpected need for additional heating fuel. ONG customers’ bills will increase about $7.82 per month…for TWENTY-FIVE YEARS! If we have another February like last year, our grandchildren will have to pay our utility bills!

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I have good news and bad news on the research front with regard to Covid. First the good news. A new British study indicates drinking five or more glasses of red wine per week reduces your risk of catching Covid by 17%. Drinking four or more glasses of white wine or champagne reduces your risk of infection by eight percent. Now the bad news: the same study indicates that those who drink spirits have an increased chance of infection – and those who drink five or more glasses of beer per week increase their chance of infection by 28%. Contrary to rumors, this study was not funded by the Wine Institute.

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I want to be serious for just a minute, and give a major league shout-out to one of Grand Lake’s best talents. We are blessed to have lots of lakers who have accomplished great things – but this one jumps to the top of the heap because he continues to share his blessing with us. Super congratulations to the talented Don White who will be inducted February 27 into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Helluva deal! We’re all proud.

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A great big ATTABOY also for our own super boat racing champion, Dr. Rick Miller, who last week was inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions for an incredible sixth time. Special thanks to Doc and his What’s Up Doc racing team also for their amazing contributions to bringing APBA racing to Grand Lake each year!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Lynn Moore, Pete Moss, Daniel Moore, Mark Blanchat, Lance Ledbetter, Dylan Koonce, Jade Jennings, Amber Forrest, Kelly Long, Julie Carver, Stacy Landon, Dave Moore, Christi King, Lori Lillard, Laura Goss, Larry Stout, Josh Davis, Retta Smith, Lance Franczyk, Amy Bellis, Sonya McGough, Stan Noble, Kimberly Self, Tom Baily, Martha Jennings-Troy, Steve Brewer, Steve Weatherford, and Sandy Garrett.

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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Tuesday, February 1 is “First Tuesday Trivia” competition at The Anchor at Shangri-La. The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show continues through Sunday at the Sagenet Center at Tulsa’s Expo Square. Friday is the Dave Rader Open European at Flying J Ranch & Hunt Club. Friday night is the presentation dinner for Playmakers’ Legacy Awards at First United Methodist Church in Grove (6:30); and Friday is also the First Friday Wine Share at New Life Spa in Grove’s South Pointe Shopping Center (6:00).

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Stuart Gorrell wrote the lyrics to "Georgia on My Mind" after hearing his college roommate Hoagy Carmichael play the newly written composition at a party. Gorrell went into banking and never wrote another song.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The last time the Most Valuable Player in the National Football League also won the Super Bowl was 1999-2000  – Kurt Warner with the St. Louis Rams.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I hate it when doctors ask questions like, “Are you sexually active?” Depends on what you mean by “active.” There are plenty of “active” volcanoes that haven’t gone off in over 50 years.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Autopsy Club meeting Saturday. Open Mike night.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Apparently “Tequila” is not a helpful response when the boss asked for ideas to improve team meetings.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Looking to sell a DeLorean. Good shape. Low mileage. Only driven from time to time.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Did the NFL Playoffs represent the second time this season that Aaron Rodgers fooled us into thinking he had a shot?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: General Mills just paid a $300 million dividend to investors, bought back $150 million in stock, and pays its CEO $16 million per year. It makes $2.1 billion per year in profit. It also raised the price on its cereals by 20% blaming “inflation.”

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Television host, comedian, actress, writer and producer Ellen DeGeneres turned 64 years old last week. One of the world’s most popular singers also had a birthday last week. Neil Diamond turned 81. Good times never seemed so good!

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.” – Will Rogers

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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Thursday night Karaoke & Singo with Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend fun at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Caleb Fellenstein performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Thursday night is karaoke night at the Blind Swine on Monkey Island, and Erin Fitzgibbon entertains Friday night at the Swine. Saturday is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub.

On South Grand Lake, The Barrett Lewis Band will entertain Saturday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. DJ Matt will provide the music Friday night at Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill, followed by Bad Decisions Saturday night.

In Grove, Dave Jackson entertains Saturday night at The Regatta. There is Friday night live entertainment at Venue 655 at Grand Lake Casino followed by karaoke Saturday night. At Cherokee Casino Grove, Sequel Dose entertains Friday night, and The Widowmakers take the stage Saturday night. Elizabeth Montgomery will provide the musical entertainment Friday night at Playmakers’ Legacy Awards Dinner at First United Methodist Church.

Indigo Sky Casino this week presents Michelle Warren in the Echo Bar Thursday night. Friday night features Faultline, and The Juice wraps up the weekend Saturday night.

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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Peggy Howard-Burgess and her Sous Chef husband Ray Burgess will be the featured Guest Chefs Wednesday night at The Shebang Restaurant on Monkey Island. The Cafeteria at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island is now open for breakfast and lunch 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Lee’s Grand Lake Resort has a café open again – Lee’s Lakeside Café is open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch from 11:00-2:00. Opening soon for lunch service only: The Table Bites & Bottle at The Lakehouse in Grove. Bella Donna’s, is planned for a May opening at Honey Creek Landing Marina (the former location of The Parrot). Cadillac Jack’s, a new restaurant at Scissortail Marina (formerly Port Carlos), is also hiring for a planned opening this spring. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is now operating under winter hours of operation - open only Thursday-Saturday evenings, Sunday brunch only. FYI – a new Italian Restaurant,

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Murderville is available Thursday on NETFLIX. Suspicion is available Friday on Apple TV+. If you want to get up really early Friday, you can catch the live telecast of the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony at 5:30 a.m. on NBC. Next week, Jeopardy! National College Championship (ABC) and Super Bowl Greatest Commercials: All-Time Classics (CBS) both air at 7:00 next Tuesday evening.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Moonfall and Jackass Forever both premier in movie theaters this week. Through My Window is available Thursday on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, February 13 – Super Bowl LVI Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Monday, February 17 – Liverpool Legends live at the Indoor Pavilion at Downstream Casino. Friday-Sunday, February 25-27 – 918 Grand Prix at Mid-America Outdoors. Sunday, February 27 – Grand Lake’s Don White will be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame at Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. Thursday-Sunday, March 3-6 – Grand Lake Boat Show at the Grove Civic Center. Friday-Sunday, March 4-6 – Welcome Back Weekend and Ice Breaker Poker Run! Thursday, March 10 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Member Luncheon at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, March 12 – Glow Golf (nighttime golf) at Shangri-La Golf Club (6:00).

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SPORTS WATCH: It’s time for the Winter Olympics! Coverage is on NBC daily with prime time coverage at 6:00 each evening. Saturday coverage begins at noon.

As we await Super Bowl LVI on February 13, we won’t be without NFL Football. The Pro Bowl airs Sunday at 2:00.

There’s great college basketball this week. It’s Bedlam Basketball Saturday for the men. OU is at OSU at 11:00 Saturday morning. OU hosts Texas Tech Monday night at 8:00 and OSU is at TCU Tuesday at 6:00. Arkansas hosts Mississippi State Saturday night at 7:30 and Auburn next Tuesday night at 6:00. The OU Lady sooners host West Virgina Saturday afternoon at 3:00.

In the NBA, the OKC Thunder are on the road out west for back-to-back late night games at Portland Friday and Sacramento Saturday, both at 9:00 p.m. They’re back home to host Golden State Monday and Toronto Wednesday, both at 7:00.

The PGA players are in Pebble Beach this week for The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Live coverage will begin on the Golf Channel at 2:00 Thursday & Friday, and noon Saturday & Sunday. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and Sunday.

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It looks like a good weekend to be indoors. After 48 hours of the temperature never getting above freezing, we’ll finally get up to the upper 30s Saturday and mid-40s Sunday, but nighttime lows will still be around 20 degrees. Fortunately, there are plenty of indoor options for entertainment, and it’s a good time to find a nice spot to watch The Winter Olympics or enjoy some great music. Remember, though, no matter where 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.

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 Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

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

Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove

Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)

Cove Club in Langley

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

Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill at Grand Meridian

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)

Forage in downtown Grove

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

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 Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

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

Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove

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)

Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort

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

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove