Grand Lake Bum

January 27 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum

Another week, another boat show! The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show is underway this week – and continues through 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the SageNet Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds. If you missed the Oklahoma Boat Expo, catch this show. There are three Grand Lake boat dealers and several Grand Lake businesses exhibiting in the show. Let’s show our support.

*****

The “Remembering Hee Haw” flashback show with many of the original cast members was a terrific show at the Performing Arts Center in Grove Saturday night. Several people did great work organizing that show and putting our little neighborhood in the regional entertainment spotlight. Congratulations to Brent Malone and his tourism staff at the City of Grove, the Creative Alliance group, Grove Chamber…but the key to the success of the event was the fact that one of the original cast members is our own personal treasure at Grand Lake. “The First Lady of Country Fiddle,” Jana Jae was the absolute key to making this happen at Grand Lake. What a treasure she is to our community”

*****

The weather has certainly been strange – not just here, but all over the country. It seems like the U.S. was stuck inside one of those “snow globe” decorations and someone came along and shook it up. There wasn’t snow in Alaska – but there was snow in Houston, New Orleans, and the Florida panhandle beaches. A lot of disappointed Grand Lakers were at those Florida and Alabama beaches where the sand ended up being a lot whiter than usual. You can tell which people were tourists. Locals all had their heaviest coats on. The tourists were the ones who only packed swimsuits and shorts and were shivering in hotel lobbies, huddled around fake fireplaces. But…there’s probably nothing to this “climate change” talk, right?

*****

The Oklahoma legislature goes into session next week. Grab a tight hold and get a faraway look in your eye. You know the old quote from political writer & humorist Gideon J. Tucker: “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.”

*****

I’m sure we’ll all keep arguing about women’s health care, abortion rights, and when life begins – but there’s finally someone talking about men’s involvement in this creation of life issue. Mississippi State Senator Bradford Blackmon has introduced legislation called the “Contraception Begins at Erection Act,” trolling all the “life begins at conception” laws. His legislation would make it illegal for men to “discharge genetic material without the intent to fertilize an embryo.” Like many of the “pro-life” laws, Senator Blackmon’s bill has exceptions, as well. Men would not be charged with a crime if they are donating to a sperm bank or using contraception. See, there! Sometimes we just THINK we’ve heard it all!

*****

Congratulations to the folks of Enid, Oklahoma. According to the geeks who keep track of such things, the per capita alcohol consumption in Enid tops other cities in the state – and Enid has now replaced Lawton as “The Drunkest City in Oklahoma.” Everybody needs to be #1 at something, right?

*****

GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Michael Blackman, Terra Apperson, Debbie Hardman, Bruce Burnett, Vanessa Lillie, Holly Weatherford, Katelin Jumper, Justin Tesreau, JoAnn Schaub, Tim Talley, Steve Hudiburg, Lynn Moore, Dianna McIntyre, Pete Moss, Dan Moore, Mark Blanchat, Lance Ledbetter, Amber Forrest, Kelly Long, and Jade Jennings.

*****

BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: The Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show continues through Sunday afternoon at SageNet Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds. Tuesday is “Tuesday Trivia Night with Lee Lawson” at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00 p.m.) and Wednesday is the hilarious “Mom’s Unhinged” comedy show at the Coleman Theatre in Miami (7:00 p.m.). Thursday is the Vinita Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at the Craig County Fairgrounds (6:00 p.m.). Thursday is also “Trivia Night” at both BOOM at The Regatta, Mulligans at Patricia Island and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Saturday night is the Celebration of Life for iconic Monkey Islander Kelly Whitehead at Big Shots (5:00 p.m.). Saturday night is also “Free Movie Night” in the simulator bay at The Anchor (6:00). There’s Sunday afternoon Pro Bowl Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (2:00 p.m.); and next Wednesday night, February 5, is the Home of Hope Chocolate Affair at the Craig County Fairgrounds & Community Center in Vinita (6:00-8:00 p.m.).

*****

RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: After winning their independence from Mexico in 1836, most Texans expected to be annexed by the United States. The United States, however, concluded it to not be worth the trouble, which is how Texas became a Republic until 10 years later, when the U.S. more or less had to take it after winning the Mexican War.

*****

FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The groundbreaking couple was…Fred and Wilma Flintstone. In the 1960s, “The Flinstones” was the first TV show, animated or otherwise, to show a couple in bed together.

*****

ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: Scottie Scheffler has now been ranked #1 for 123 total weeks, passing Rory McIlroy. To catch Tiger Woods’ record of 683 weeks at #1, Scottie would need to hold the top spot continuously until October 2035.

*****

BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: If you serve your kids frozen nuggets or frozen pizza for dinner, you’re not a great parent. No matter how busy you are, find the time to cook it first.

*****

PALINDROME OF THE WEEK: “A man, a plan, a canal – Panama” spelled backwards is still “A man, a plan, a canal – Panama.”

*****

BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Whoever put the “s” in fastfood is a marketing genius.

*****

BEST BLUESKY POST OF THE WEEK: Sorry I haven’t gotten anything done today. I’ve been stuck in the produce department trying to open this stupid plastic bag!

*****

PUN OF THE WEEK: I was thinking about starting a taxi service for seniors and calling it Oldsmobile.

*****

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do gun manuals have a troubleshooting section?

*****

OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Nobody warns us how often we’ll whisper “righty tighty, lefty loosey” to ourselves as adults.

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “You call it eating 5 boxes of Girl Scout cookies alone. I call it supporting young female entrepreneurs.” – Mel Robbins

*****

FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: “The Golden Bear,” legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, turned 85 years old last week. Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond turned 84 over the past weekend – but he still performs, and he still sounds so good, so good, so good!

*****

BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island DJ Kennedy leads Rockstar Karaoke Friday night at The Monkey Bar.

In Grove, Rusty Meyers starts the weekend musical fun at Cherokee Casino Friday night, followed by Runnin’ on Empty Saturday night. There’s karaoke every Wednesday night and DJ Laidback Larry will provide the musical entertainment Saturday night at R-Bar Dance Hall & Saloon. The Help will be on stage at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 Friday night.

Molly Hatchet will be in concert Saturday night at Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, there is live music Saturday night followed by karaoke with DJ Kay. Leeper & Simpson will entertain at Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar Thursday night and Asphalt Cowboys will perform both Friday and Saturday nights. A&E Music will entertain at Indigo Sky Casino Thursday night, followed by Derryl Perry Friday and Brent Giddens Saturday.

*****

DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Rise-N-Dine is a new restaurant now open in Ketchum (6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.). Big Shots on Monkey Island is closed for the remainder of January. Blind Swine and One-Eyed Monkey cafe on Monkey Island and Bradford Barbecue in Ketchum are all three closed until Spring. Grand Lake Kitchen at Har-Ber Village is open throughout the winter months.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE TV: A new season of Matlock returns to CBS Thursday night at 8:00. The 67th Annual Grammy Awards will be televised live Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS. The Voice returns to NBC for another season Monday night at 7:00.

*****

BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Valiant One, Companion, Dog Man, and Green & Gold all open in movie theaters this weekend.

*****

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, February 7 – First Friday Wine Share at Stone Restore Solutions in Grove (6:00 p.m.). Sunday, February 9 – Super Bowl Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (5:00 p.m.). Friday, February 14 – Valentine Gala in Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La including dinner, dancing, live music (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, February 22 – Sh*tshow Comedy Show at Big Shots (7:30 p.m.). Thursday, February 27 – South Grand Lake Chamber membership luncheon at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langle featuring Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. (11:30 a.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 7-9 – Grand Lake Boat & Sport Show at the Craig County Community Building in Vinita. Thursday, March 13 – South Grand Lake Foundation “Mardi Gras in March” at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley benefiting Ketchum Warriors Backpack Program (6:00 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, March 14-16 – Grove Home & Garden Show at the former Whoops location. Saturday, March 15 – South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Bootleggers Ball in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 22 – “Killer Keyz” Dueling Pianos return to Shangri-La for a one-night show.

*****

The NFL is taking a little time ahead of the Super Bowl to have some fun and honor some of the greats of the game. The NFL Pro Bowl Skills Competition is Thursday night at 6:00 – and the big Pro Bowl Flag Football competition is Sunday afternoon at 2:00.

The NBA has a busy schedule. After wrapping up a grueling road trip at Golden State Wednesday night, the OKC Thunder are home for a while. They host Sacramento Saturday (7:00), Milwaukee Monday (7:00), and Phoenix next Wednesday (7:00).

There’s some great college basketball this week. Saturday highlights include Florida at Tennessee (11:00 a.m.), Auburn at Ole Miss (1:00 p.m.), Georgia at Alabama (3:00), Kansas at Baylor (3:00), and Arkansas at Kentucky (8:00). Next Monday, Kansas hosts Iowa State (8:00 p.m.). Next Wednesday, Duke is at Syracuse at 6:00 and Arkansas is at Texas at 8:00.

PGA players are at Pebble Beach this weekend. Coverage of The Pebble Beach Pro-Am begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on The Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds Saturday & Sunday at 2:00.

*****

Weekend weather looks pretty good as we wrap up January and roll into February. We may have to dodge a raindrop or two – maybe even a snowflake or two Saturday morning, but we’ll stay above freezing the entire time. Highs Friday & Saturday will be in the low 50s – and we may be pushing 60 degrees for a high Sunday afternoon. Get out of the house and go support some Grand Lake bars & restaurants. Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might be me!

GRAND LAKE BUM

If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both Grand Lake Living and www.360grandlake.com, the cost is only$50 a week and the list of readers continues to grow. E-mail grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker newspaper.

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.

Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La

Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)

Billy’s Burger Bar & More in Ketchum

Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina

Blind Swine on Monkey Island

Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor

BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)

Bradford BBQ in Ketchum

Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island

Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)

Casa Gutierrez in Grove

Cesar’s Place in Vinita

Cesar’s Place in Langley

Checkered Past in Grove

Chickanella’s on Monkey Island

Chicken Coop west of Langley

Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove

Clanton’s Café in Vinita

Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum

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

Cove Club in Langley

Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

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

Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek

Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort

Gambino’s Pizza in Ketchum

Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)

Grand Getaway Mercantile (north of Grove)

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

Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove

Hero’s Deli in Grove

Hero’s Deli in Langley

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)

Island Bar & Grill at The Landings Marina

Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina

Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner

La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove

Legacy Eatery in Grove

Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum

Los Garcias in Langley

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove

Matt’s Place in Grove

Monkey Bar on Monkey Island

Monkey Island RV Resort

Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney

Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel

Monkey Island Trail Rides

Monkey Island Winery

Mosa Hibachi and Sushi in Grove

Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove

Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove

One-Eyed Monkey at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island

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

Poppin’ on Grand in Cleora

Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor

R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove

Raggedy’s in Grove

Rancho Viejo in Grove

Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove

Riggs & Company in Langley

Rise-N-Dine, Ketchum

River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)

Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island

Royal Liquor Store in Grove

Scissortail Lounge at Scissortail Marina

Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina

Speedy’s Chophouse in Grove

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 Artichoke Restaurant in Langley

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

VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)

Wolf Creek Diner in Grove