January 28 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

There shouldn’t be any problem finding an open dinner table or bar stool around Grand Lake this week. Over half the Grand Lake population is in Tulsa for the Tulsa Boat, Sport, and Travel Show which runs right up until Super Bowl time Sunday. Grand Lake dealers and businesses take up most of the space at the Tulsa show. It’s a great time to renew acquaintances, see pals you’ve missed through the early winter months, and prepare for the boating and golf season ahead. Welcome Back Weekend is just a month away!

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While we’re wrapping up in scarves and parkas to head for the boat show, please keep our friends in mind who have migrated to Florida for a portion of the winter. They, too, are suffering. A couple of my buddies sent me a video of a television weather forecast in Central Florida where the meteorologist on the tube was advising viewers to “dress in layers” and “limit time outdoors” – all that because of a brutal cold front that left Floridians shivering and shuddering over the past weekend in 53-degree temperatures!

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I was astonished this week to learn that Grand Lake may have far more liberals than I ever thought. It seems like most of the people I run across are pretty conservative, but researchers at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business have released results of decades of research indicating I may not have the entire picture. In the “you-are-what-you-eat, read, and wear” category, the researchers said, if you eat Jell-O, Little Debbie Snack Cakes, and dine at Arby’s or Applebee’s, chances are good that you are a conservative. If you shun Docker’s slacks, buy novels, and read a lot, you are likely more liberal. But the biggest distinction of all was that, while conservatives tend to hunt and fish more, liberals are overwhelmingly larger consumers of alcohol! I was astonished. I may know far more liberals than I (or they) ever imagined.

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With all the silly ideas that come with the convening of another legislative session in Oklahoma, don’t confuse State Representative Kevin West (R-Moore) with Grand Lake’s own State Representative Josh West (R-Grove). It’s not OUR state representative who has introduced legislation that will damage our tourism & recreation industry at Grand Lake. It’s the guy from Moore who has introduced legislation to do away with Daylight Saving Time in Oklahoma. I’m sure it’s not his intention to take a whack at the tourism industry, but when you bring on darkness an hour earlier in the summertime, that’s exactly what you’re doing. There’s no sense in wasting that valuable daylight so early in the day that no one is awake to use it! If he really wants to be helpful, let’s go the other direction – leave Oklahoma on Daylight Saving Time year-round! I don’t know anything good brought on by dusk at 4:30 in the afternoon!

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“WOW” MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Billionaire and Citadel hedge fund founder Ken Griffin just closed on the most expensive home ever sold in the United States – a New York penthouse which he purchased for $238 million. So, I guess there’s a new answer to the question – “What would you do if you won a QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS playing Powerball?” – “Oh, I guess I would buy a condo.”

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BEST NOTE EVER LEFT BY A HUSBAND FOR HIS WIFE: Someone from Gyna Colleges called. They said the Pabst Beer is normal. I didn’t even know you liked beer.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I remember when I was a kid you could go to the store with $1 and come home with three bags of chips, 2 candy bars, and a cold drink. Now, they have cameras everywhere.

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ADVICE FOR THE LADIES: Telling a man you already have “a man” won’t stop them from hitting on you, but if you say you used to be a man…

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Weather went from 60 to 30 like it saw a state trooper.

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TWEET OF THE WEEK: I’ve just watched a documentary on marijuana. I think all documentaries should be watched this way!

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Comedy and movie superstar John Belushi made only eight movies before he died at the age of 33. Had he lived, he would have turned 70 years old this month. Dan Blocker, best known as “Hoss” Cartwright on Bonanza, died in 1972 at the age of 43. He would have been 90 years old last month. Everyone is familiar with the popularity and longevity of TV shows like Gunsmoke, M*A*S*H, and 60 Minutes – but one of my personal favorites sneaked up on me. “CBS Sunday Morning” celebrated 40 years on the air this week.

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Be careful when you respond to a given situation by saying, “there ought to be a law…” because somebody will try to make one – for every conceivable reason. Prior to next week’s opening of the Oklahoma legislative session, 2,773 proposed new laws have been filed for consideration along with 42 joint resolutions. And that doesn’t even include filing of any bills dealing with the primary purpose of the legislature – appropriations. We’re gonna be hearing some cray-cray ideas in the next few weeks.

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TECHNOLOGICAL OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The oldest computer can be traced back to Adam and Eve. Surprise! Surprise! It was an Apple. But with extremely limited memory. Just 1 byte. Then everything crashed.

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SUGGESTION OF THE WEEK: The Saints and Chiefs should schedule a game for this weekend and play at the same time as the Super Bowl. I’ll bet they would have more viewers.

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Katelin Threet, Elaine Bedford Haney, Monte Province, Cindy Rodgers, Sue Ruth, Lynn Moore, Pete Moss, Daniel Moore, Mark Blanchat, Amber Forrest, Jade Jennings, Christi King, Lori Lillard and Stacy Landon.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How is it possible to gain 10 pounds from eating a 2-pound box of chocolates?

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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show at River Spirit Expo, Tulsa State Fairgrounds continues through Sunday. Wednesday night, Patty Davis is the special “Guest Chef” at The Shebang Restaurant on Monkey Island. Friday is “First Friday Wine Share” at L. Reneau Salon & Spa in Grove. Saturday is the “Souper Bowl” at Integris Grove Hospital/Free health screenings and soup 9:00-1:00. Next Wednesday, February 6 is the Home of Hope Chocolate Affair at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita.

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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment coming up around the lake to kick off the new month. On Monkey Island Friday night is karaoke night at Monkey Island Pub. At the Blind Swine, there’s live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night (including Erin Fitzgibbon Friday), and KJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday. At Littlefield Corner, there’s live music every Saturday at the Road Hog Saloon. 

On South Grand Lake, Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Bar & Grill at Grand Lodge 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. The George Brothers entertain at Bordertown Friday night, followed by Splinter Middleton Saturday. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West Bar, Lickitty Splitwill perform Friday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Travis Kidd performs both Thursday and Friday nights in the Echo Bar, followed by Mayday by Midnight Saturday.

The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including Super Bowl LIII, PGA Golf and college & NBA basketball games are 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: Russian Doll and Velvet Buzzsaw are available Friday on NETFLIX. Super Bowl LIII pitting the New England Patriots against the L.A. Rams is at 5:30 Sunday on CBS followed by the premiere of The World’s Best. Season three of Man with a Plan premiers Monday night at 7:30 on CBS.  

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Then Came You, Arctic and Jacob’s Ladder

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The taxpayers are sending Congressmen on expensive trips abroad. It might be worth it except they keep coming back.” – Will Rogers

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday-Sunday, February 8-10 – Grove Home & Garden Show, Grove Civic Center. Friday-Saturday, February 15-16 – Midsouth Tackle, Hunting & Boat Show, Grove Civic Center. Thursday, February 28 – South Grand Chamber Charity Pie/Dessert Auction at Cherokee Yacht Club. Friday-Sunday, March 1-3 – “Welcome Back Weekend” on Grand Lake! Saturday, March 2 – Murder Mystery Dinner at Shangri-La Resort Hotel. Thursday-Sunday, March 7-10 – Grove Boat Show, Grove Civic Center. Thursday-Sunday, March 21-24 – Sumner’s Big Meat Run in Disney. Sunday, March 24 – Shangri-La Lake-to-Golf 5K. Saturday, April 13 – South Grand Lake Chamber Bootlegger’s Ball at Cherokee Yacht Club. Saturday, May 4 – Burning of the Socks at Harbors View Marina – music by 5^th Element. Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1 – Toes in the Grand celebration at Wolf Creek Park in Grove.

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It’s Super Bowl week! Coverage started about a week ago, but the actual game time is 5:30 Sunday on CBS – New England vs. L.A. Rams, like it or not.

There’s great NBA action this week, though. The OKC Thunder are in Miami Friday night at 7:00 (FSOK) before heading to Boston for a Sunday matinee against the Celtics (1:00 on ABC). They’re back in OKC Tuesday night hosting Orlando.

In college hoops TV highlights, OU is at West Virginia Saturday morning at 11:00 (ESPN2/U), Texas Tech is at Kansas at 3:00 (CBS) and OSU hosts Kansas State at 5:00 (ESPN2/U). The Sooners host Iowa State Monday night at 8:00 (ESPN2), and the big Kansas-at-Kansas-State match-up is Tuesday night at 8:00 (ESPN). Wednesday night, Wichita State is at East Carolina at 6:00 (ESPNEWS) followed by Oklahoma State at TCU at 8:00 (ESPN2/U).

PGA Players are in Phoenix this week for the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Coverage begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on The Golf Channel. NBC picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday and Sunday.

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As we roll into the weekend, the weather seems to look a little better every day. Friday high temperatures will be in the mid 30s – Saturday we’ll be up to mid-40s – and Sunday we’ll be up to mid 50s (although there may be a shower or two Sunday, as well).  Of course, the weather is always great for dining & drinking at Grand Lake in January, so, party on! I’ll be wrapping up the week partying at the Tulsa Boat Show. Come join the fun. 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.

1909 in Downtown Grove

Ailey’s Café in Langley

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 (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 at Littlefield Corner

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

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

Henrie’s Grill in Grove

High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)

Hilltop Café in Grove

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

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.)

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 Office Gentlemen’s Club 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