January 2 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
Finally – 2022 is out the door and a new year is underway! This week is the perfect way to start off in perfect fashion – at a boat show! The Oklahoma Boat Expo is this weekend (Friday-Sunday) at the Cox Business Convention Center in Tulsa. There are 16 boat dealers at the show, including all but two of Grand Lake’s dealers, along with the two biggest RV dealers in the state. Free food & beverages from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, too. If I don’t see you at the show, I’ll probably be in the bar at the Downtown Doubletree. It’s a great way to kick off 2023.
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Thank God the time has come to move on to the New Year – and time for resolutions. This year, I’m sticking to my resolve to work less and play more, spend less time on land and more time on water, and waste less time by sleeping; but I’ve decided to complete some skills that I have only half-mastered. I can do laundry with the best of them, for example, but I still can’t fold a fitted sheet. I’m a great sports fan, but I don’t have the Watch ESPN app and “streaming” is still a bit of a reach for me. I can work a remote, watch TV and DVR movies and events – and I’ve finally mastered NetFlix and Apple TV (Hulu, Amazon Prime, and YouTube TV are still mysteries to me). I’m working on technological skills. I moved up to an iPhone 12 Pro (up from an iPhone 4) and I have an actual Apple watch. So far, I can tell what time it is, but I think it’s supposed to do more than that. I’m getting so technologically energetic, I may even move up from Windows 7 on my computer; and, while I have everything down pat on my boat, I’m determined to finally learn what all those buttons are for on the dash of my car. I’m working to stay healthy. A couple of years of lifestyle change during the Covid-19 nightmare has, however, taught me an important lesson. Now that the pandemic is pretty much over, I realize there are a lot of people I’ve decided I still don’t want to see.
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We’re Number 4. We’re Number 4! But that’s in the entire nation. Nope, I’m not talking about football or basketball. I’m talking about the best lakes in the United States. Alabama-based Lake Homes Realty, the nation’s largest lake-focused real estate broker, named as the 4th best in it’s new “Hot Lakes” list for 2023. No other lakes in this part of the United States were in the top choices. Only three lakes were ranked above Grand Lake – Lake Hartwell (Georgia/South Carolina), Lake Keowee (South Carolina), and Lake Sinclair (Georgia).
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Paul Spechler, Sergio Andre, Kent Harrell, Becky Wetwiska, Susan Graham, Lacy Dvoracek, Kim Verplank, Greg Price, Danny Banning, Carol Cable, Jim Parrish, Kendra McGeady, Tracie Sconyers, Morgan Grubb, Bill Sanford, Doug Schoppa, Carrie Connor, Julie Favela, and Mark Cavins.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. Almost all the Grand Lake boat dealers and lots of Grand Lake boaters will be at the Oklahoma Boat Expo at the Cox Business Convention Center Friday-Sunday in Tulsa. Friday is the monthly First Friday Wine Share at The Flower Bar in Grove. Monday night at 6:00, there’s a big National College Football Championship Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La. There is Thursday Night Trivia at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill – and Tuesday Trivia competition returns to The Anchor next week. There are free beginner line dance classes Monday, Wednesday & Friday at the Grove Community Center (9:00-10:00 a.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Pepperidge Farm was an actual farm in Connecticut. The owner, Margaret Rudkin, had never baked before but out of necessity developed a high-nutrient whole grain bread for her sickly son. The son did so much better that his doctor began prescribing the bread to other patients, and Pepperidge Farm became the name of Margaret Rudkin’s company.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Johnny Sain was the last Major Leaguer to throw a pitch to Babe Ruth (in an exhibition) and the first to throw a pitch to Jackie Robinson.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: When I was a kid, my parents would always say, “Excuse my French” just after using a swear word. I’ll never forget my first day at school when my teacher asked if any of us knew any French.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Emergency phone not installed. Please do not have an emergency at this location.
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: A guy knocked on my door yesterday and asked for a small donation towards a new local swimming pool. I gave him a glass of water.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: A buddy of mine got a job working at a bicycle factory last week and they already made him the spokes person.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If we learn from our mistakes and improve ourselves, why is everyone so afraid of making mistakes?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: When Southwest Airlines finally gets its act together and puts all its planes in the air again, a ticket on one of their flights will probably be the biggest bargain in the travel industry. There should be lots of room on the flights, as well!
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Glass ceiling breaker and television icon Barbara Walters died last week. She was 93. Pele, perhaps the greatest global soccer star of all time (who led Brazil to three World Cup titles) passed away last week. He was 82. The living legend Jimmy Buffett turned 76 years old on Christmas Day.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Stay sober and fight fair, and don’t get drunk unless you’re by yourself or with somebody.” – Woody Guthrie
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s some great entertainment around the lake to start off the new year. On Monkey Island, the fun kicks off at Doc’s Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun. Jacob Dement performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Saturday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub.
On South Grand, Reverse Reaction will provide the music Saturday night at the Drunken Rooster. The Barrett Lewis Band will be at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney Saturday night.
In Grove, there is karaoke fun Friday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music from Encore Saturday night. Johnny Dale Roberts will entertain Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove; and The Downbeat will take over Saturday night.
Brett n’ Terri will entertain Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino. Constant Chaos will take over Friday night.
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DINING AND DRINKING UDATE: Blind Swine on Monkey Island is closed for the winter. Bella Donna’s is closed this week – reopening January 10. Breakfast at Doc’s is now ala carte (7:00-11:00 a.m.) replacing the breakfast buffet. Bailey’s Bistro at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island has changed days of operation. They’re now open from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. The Grill at Indian Hills reopens Thursday. Arrowhead Yacht Club is Closed – reopening February 2.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Lopez vs. Lopez makes its debut Friday night at 7:00 on NBC. The 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards will air live Tuesday night at 7:00 on NBC. Clebrity Name That Tune kicks off at 7:00 next Wednesday night on Fox.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Avatar: The Way of Water and, Women Talking, are now showing in movie theaters, along with M3GAN which makes its debut this week. The Pale Blue Eye will be available Friday on NETFLIX.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 12 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Member Luncheon at Grove Community Center (12:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, January 13-15 – OKC Boat & RV Show at Bennett Center, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Saturday, January 14 – Winter Concert Series at Grove High School Performing Arts Center – America’s Top Country. Thursday, January 19 – Open House at the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Office (5:00-6:30 p.m.). Saturday, January 21 – “A Night in the City” Winter Gala at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m). Saturday, January 21 – Winter Concert Series at Grove High School Performing Arts Center – Confederate Railroad. Saturday, January 28 – Winter Concert Series at Grove High School Performing Arts Center – Ricochet. Monday-Sunday, January 30-February 5 – Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at SageNet Expo, Tulsa State Fairgrounds. Friday, February 3 – First Friday Wine Share at Muddy Pearl in Grove. Saturday, February 4 – Winter Pickleball Tournament at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La.
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It’s the biggest week of the year for college football. Monday, January 9 at 6:30 is the NCAA National Championship game.
NFL action is down to the final weekend before the playoffs – and there are big games, for sure. All the action this week is Sunday – Kansas City at Las Vegas, Baltimore at Cincinnati, Dallas at Washington, Minnesota at Chicago, Detroit at Green Bay, Tampa Bay at Atlanta, and the N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia. There’s a lot at stake this week!
The NBA season rolls on this week, too. The OKC Thunder host Boston Tuesday, then travel to Orlando the very next night. Sunday, they’re back home hosting Dallas, then it’s back on the road to Miami next Tuesday.
There are a some good college basketball games in the area this week, too. Kansas is at Texas Tech Tuesday (8:00. Wednesday, OU hosts Iowa State at 6:00 and Missouri is at Arkansas at 7:30. Saturday games include Texas at OSU (11:00 a.m.), Kansas at West Virginia (5:00), OU at Texas Tech (6:00), and Arkansas at Auburn (7:30). Next Tu. esday, OSU is at Kansas State at 6:00 and OU is at Kansas at 8:00. Wednesday night, Alabama is at Arkansas at 6:00.
PGA Players are back at work this week. They’re in Hawaii for the Tournament of Champions to kick off the new year. Coverage begins at 5:00 Thursday-Sunday.
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Thank goodness the New Year’s weekend weather is a far cry from the Christmas weekend weather! We may have a shower Saturday morning, but high temperatures will be pushing 60 degrees with lows in the mid 40s this weekend. Compared to what we went through last week, that looks like spring! There’s a lot happening around the lake this weekend, so get out and have some fun. I hope you have a safe and wonderful New Year’s celebration. 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
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina
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
Cafeteria at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
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
Danny’s Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing
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 Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek
Forage in downtown Grove & The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
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 Coffee Company in Grove
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek
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
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey Island RV Resort
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
Pier 13 Liquor Store 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
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, 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)
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
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 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
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