January 9 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum

If you missed the Oklahoma Boat Expo in Tulsa over the past weekend, you missed a great time – and an incredible display of new offerings by boat dealers from throughout the state, including almost all of the Grand Lake dealers! I especially enjoyed Thursday and Friday evenings with free beverages and food for their “VIP” events – just like the old boat show used to do back in the good ol’ days! It was a great show. If you missed it, mark your calendar to be at Oklahoma City’s State Fairgrounds this weekend. Almost all the Grand Lake dealers will be back in action Friday-Sunday in the OKC Boat & RV Show at the Bennett Event Center.

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If you weren’t out on the water New Year’s Day, you missed a nice day on the lake. Cynthia Crenshaw and her crew not only made it out on the water, they made it to Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill as the First Boat of the Year at Mooney’s! Congratulations to Cynthia and her crew members Nicholas Streit, Joshua Crenshaw, and Greg Crenshaw. You can’t drink all day if you don’t start early!

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I always love hearing good news, but I’m normally quickly disappointed to hear how much people hate good news. Congratulations to Darren Cook and all of Grove City Government as well as the Grove Chamber of Commerce for successful efforts to sell the old Civic Center. It’s done. Last week, it was formally announced that Marshalls, Burke’s Outlet, Ross Dress for Less, and Starbucks are among the initial tenants set to occupy the space. It wasn’t fifteen minutes until people started commenting on social media – “People can’t afford those stores.” “Oh, no. More traffic.” “We have enough coffee shops.” “I’ll believe it when I see it.” “We don’t need those stores. We need Aldi’s.” “They won’t be able to find employees and they’ll probably have to close.” GEEZE!!! I’m always amazed how many people really hate progress!

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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Brianna Baker, Paul Bulten, Mickey Landers, Kristi Mullinax, Sandy Scott, Edward Battaglia, Dale Forrest, Leslie Hudson, Benee Masri, Linda young, Ron Ryan, and Suzan Caldwell.

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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 OKC Boat & RV Show at the Bennett Center at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City Friday-Sunday. Thursday is The Grove Chamber of Commerce Member Luncheon at Grove Community Center (12:00 p.m.). Saturday night at 6:00 is the first of the three-part Winter Concert Series at Grove High School Performing Arts Center – America’s Top Country. There is Thursday Night Trivia at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill – and Tuesday Trivia competition at The Anchor at Shangri-La. Sunday afternoon is a “Paint & Sip” party at The Drunken Rooster (1:00 p.m.). There are free beginner line dance classes Monday, Wednesday & Friday at the Grove Community Center (9:00-10:00 a.m.).and intermediate lessons (10:00-11:00 a.m.)

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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: At the height of his influence on British fashion and society, George Bryan “Beau” Brummell spent the equivalent of six working men’s wages on clothes, took five hours a dasy to dress, and when possible, had his boots polished with champagne.

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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Elon Musk has set another record – but it may not be one he’s happy about. He has become the first person in history to lose $200 billion.

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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: A tornado was sighted near Pryor on January 2. That was the earliest sighting of a tornado in Oklahoma history.

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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Be the reason someone smiles today. Or the reason they drink. Whatever works.

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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: If you are not disabled and you park here, you soon will be.

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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I went to my first Salsa class last night. I looked like a bloody idiot when I walked in with a huge bag of Doritos.

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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: I was told that watermelons can’t get married, but nobody said they cantaloupe.

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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why are they called stairs if they’re inside, but steps if they’re outside?

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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I thought the dryer was shrinking my clothes. As it turns out, it was the refrigerator.

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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: One of the greatest baseball pitchers of all time, left-handed Dodger Sandy Koufax, turned 87 last week. George Steinbrenner and a group of investors bought the New York Yankees fifty years ago for $10 million. The team is now worth an estimated $6 billion.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “People will forgive you for being wrong, but they will never forgive you for being right – especially if events prove you right while proving them wrong.” – Thomas Sowell

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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. Clint Ingram performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Saturday night DJ Chris Kennedy will entertain with DJ and karaoke fun at Monkey Island Pub.  

On South Grand, Magen Faulconer will perform Thursday night at The Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum. The Threesome will be at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney Saturday night.

In Grove, the first in a series of great winter concerts at the Grove High School Performing Arts Center is Saturday night at 6:00 featuring America’s Top Country Hits. Tickets are available at the Grove Chamber of Commerce. There is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music from Kevin Upshaw Friday night and more karaoke Saturday. Uncrowned Kings will entertain Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove; and Encore will take over Saturday night.

In Vinita, Whiskey Poet Society will be on stage at the American Legion Post 40.

Jon Dooly will entertain Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino. Travis Kidd will take over Friday night followed by MoArk Mojo Saturday night. Uncertain Henry will provide the Saturday night music at Riverbend Casino’s Club 60 West. Neal McCoy will be on stage at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace Saturday night.

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DINING AND DRINKING UDATE: Hazel Miller will be the featured Guest Chef Wednesday at The Shebang, and Kim Brady will be the Guest Chef next Wednesday. Blind Swine on Monkey Island is closed for the winter. Bella Donna’s reopens this week after being closed for a week for their annual maintenance – and they now offer an Italian lunch buffet from 11:00-3:00 Monday-Friday. 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 has reopened after a holiday break. Arrowhead Yacht Club is Closed – reopening February 2.

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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Lopez vs. Lopez airs Friday night at 7:00 on NBC. A new season of Your Honor premieres Sunday night at 8:00 on Showtime. MILF Manor (no, I didn’t make it up and yes, it’s a real show) will air Sunday night at 9:00 on TLC. A new season of NCIS debuts Monday night at 8:00 on CBS followed by NCIS Hawaii at 9:00. Tuesday night at 7:00 marks the revival of Night Court on NBC.

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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Avatar: The Way of Water and, Women Talking continue showing in movie theaters, along with this week’s release of Scream. Riverdance: The Animated Adventure will be available Friday on NETFLIX.

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SAVE THE DATE: 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. Thursday, January 26 – Open House at The Spa at Shangri-La (4:00 p.m.). 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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NFL action is getting really serious now. It’s PLAYOFF TIME. Wild Card Playoffs begin this weekend with two games Saturday, three on Sunday, and one Monday night.

The NBA season rolls on this week, too. The OKC Thunder face a grueling road schedule. Following Tuesday night’s game in Miami, the Thunder are at Philadelphia Thursday, Chicago Friday, and Brooklyn Sunday before returning home to host the Indiana Pacers next Wednesday.

There are a some good college basketball games in the area this week, too. OU hosts West Virginia Saturday at 11:00, Arkansas is at Vanderbilt at 1:00, Kansas hosts Iowa State at 3:00, and OSU is at Baylor at 5:00. Next week, Kansas is at Kansas State Tuesday. Wednesday is Bedlam night with OU at OSU at 8:00. Arkansas also travels to Missouri Wednesday night at 8:00.

PGA Players are still in Hawaii this week for the Sony Open. Coverage begins at 6:00 Thursday and Friday and 5:00 Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel.

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This weekend’s weather continues to get better as the weekend progresses. We’ll start with Friday high temperatures around 50 and a low near 30; but by Sunday, we’ll be above 60 for a high and only mid-40s for a low. It’s a great weekend to take advantage of all Grand Lake has to offer! 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