GRDA OK's New Shangri-La Marina Project

The GRDA Board of Directors approved a proposal from developer Peter Boylan III for a new marina facility at Shangri-La during its regular monthly meeting Wednesday. The approval was unanimous, with member Terry Frost voting to abstain. Boylan is CEO of Shangri-La Marina Group, LLC. and proposes to build a $100 million condo-hotel development project at Shangri-La.

In an hour-long presentation to the Board of Directors, he highlighted the need for a new marina facility to justify building a new condo-hotel structure with Wellness Spa and recreation and meeting facilities.

The marina is actually two marinas---one out in the main lake outside the current Shangri-La rock breakwater with 435 boat and PWC slips, the other known as the Davis Cove project, which would dredge the cove across holes 8 and 9 of the Gold Course, eliminating the two holes for golf use. It will have 100 slips. He did not mention how this would affect the Gold Course but sources say he plans to close at least nine holes of it and build villas and condo units on it.

Having given the OK for the marina project, no board members asked if Boylan would then guarantee that the condo-hotel units would be built as part of the overall project. He was vague on the number of rooms planned and continued to withhold the name of his hotel partner that has been involved to date, although he mentioned the developer has been part of the Spillman Development Co. project at Lake Travis, near Austin, Tx.

His presentation included the names of some of the people opposed to the project. He had previously issued a 12-page response to some of the opposition, which he sent to GRDA's General Counsel, Gretchen Zumwalt-Smith. He showed photos of the marina layout, which did not appear to block anyone's view.
The Board's approval was with the caveat that he move the new marina to the south to avoid conflict with the one-third of the cove rule pertaining to the small cove that lies just west of the 18th green on the Gold Course. The proposed Ship's Store will be just to the south of the southernmost Shangri-La Villa.

Boylan also asked the Board for a delayed payment schedule for fees associated with the marina. He has paid the $2,500 permit fee and $500 dredging fee for the Davis Cove portion but will eventually owe some $140,000 in fees and permits for the entire marina project. The delayed payment schedule was also approved by the Board, with member Terry Frost abstaining, to be worked out by GRDA staff.

Boylan must now go to FERC for approval. He plans to build the marina in stages, but both GRDA and FERC require that the entire project be laid out initially for approval.

New Radar Trailer at Work in City

Grove Police Department's new Radar Trailer arrived two weeks early and was put into use this week at several locations in Grove. Chief Ivan Devitt said it was working very well and people were slowing down. "We have received a lot of favorable comments on it," he said. City Manager Bill Galletly said the unit could do the work of two patrol cars parked on the road in that it is so highly effective at getting people to slow down.
One woman was observed coming up the hill from McDonald's at 37 miles an hour and when she saw her speed she jammed on the brakes to slow to 25.
"We are very pleased with this unit and look forward to using it all over the city," Devitt said.
The unit cost just over $6,000 and was approved in September by the Grove City Council.

Observations...

After years of waiting and delays, work will begin Monday on the Highway 59 utility re-location project. Contractors have already brought in heavy digging equipment and are ready to go, said city manager Bill Galletly. "Dirt will be flying on Monday," he said...The April 2007 ballot will contain two issues for voter approval--sale of the existing Civic Center and construction of a new Aquatic Center, Galletly said this week...The RICO case dealing with MIDA and the Grand Lake Regional Airport is proceeding in Federal Court in Tulsa with depositions being taken in the discovery phase. Testifying are Rick Littlefield, David Anderson, Tom May, Dick Seybolt, George Curtis, David Crutchfield, Lee Jeffrey, Paul Staten, Thompson & Tucker of Breakers LLC and Phil Endicot. A fly on the wall would have fun with this one…Grove's Precision Wi-Fi is up and running with fast broadband service at Patricia Island, an area which previously had no reliable service. Construction has started on the company's second tower south of town near Grand Lake Glass on Johnny Reid Hill and it will be operational by early November; a third tower is planned north of Grove near the Ottawa County Line. Broadband service is at 512 KBPS up and down, at $39.95/month. Call 791-9570 if you want to jump in…Sealed bids for the Downtown Revitalization Project, Phase I, are due at city hall Oct. 20. Also included is the city hall parking lot project…While we were out of town last week the lawsuit filed by Earl Shero against city officials in 2005 was dismissed by a Federal court in Tulsa. Judge Claire Eagan ruled that the defendants had immunity as public officials and therefore were not liable for Shero's claims. His suit against the city itself is still pending…Missouri's Tri State Water Resource Coalition has concluded a study which recommends drawing water from Grand Lake to serve Joplin and southwest Missouri. Joplin uses 11 million gallons a day. Imagine…polluted water in, drinking water out…Bids will be opened Friday on trash collection services for Grove, for the second time, with discussion planned for Tuesday night's regular Council meeting…If you are planning to go to Mexico or Canada by air, you need to start NOW and get your valid US Passport. This applies also to people traveling on a cruise ship, and you will need to show your Passport to get back in the U.S beginning Jan. 8, 2007 if coming in from Mexico or Canada...Grove gasoline pump prices are mostly stuck at $2.07; in Vinita it is $2.03 and in Joplin last week it was $1.99, as well as many cities across Oklahoma. Oil is now below $58 a barrel so what's the problem Grove service station owners?...several weeks ago we put out a call to the local high school journalism students for someone to cover Friday night's Grove High School football games; we even called the high school journalism teacher. You will not be pleased to hear that nothing happened...nil, nada, zero. So much for local youth interest in journalism...Remember earlier this year when Cox Cable company people promised, at a city council meeting, high speed internet service in Grove by December? Cox went to Cequel which went to Cebridge which went to SuddenLink, in the meantime and Whoops, the date has now slipped back to the end of 2007, maybe. If this were Iraq in the old days, the cable man would have lost an arm...

The Canine Corner...By Missy MacTavish

It was a good day Monday, when Dad fired his doctor and internet service provider the same day, for lack of service.
I'm glad I get to see Dr. Jan at the Vet place because she gives good service. I get my shots and pills right on time. I won't have to fire her!
I can remember the old days when a person was able to talk to the doctor directly on the phone to deal with requests. Now, you have to call the office and talk to two or three people, Dad says, and then they forget about you and the doctor leaves town for several days and you get no medicine. The doctor's assistant said "that's why we have emergency rooms."

Now I bet the Grove hospital would be thrilled if everyone who needed a prescription for something turned up at the emergency room door.

The kid should have said "that's why we have doctors."

The other thing is, my column with photo can now appear regularly in this newspaper because we got new, fast internet service here at my doghouse. It's so fast you will miss it if you blink. The old service just sat there and ground away at turtle speed.
I would rate this one at roadrunner speed. Maybe they should call it RoadRunner WiFi.

Meep Meep.

Until next time, Bark On! Miss Missy.

Cruise Night Featured This Weekend in Grove

Bring what you’ve got from Mild to Wild to the 2006 Harvest Moon Cruise Night this Friday and Saturday at the Grove Civic Center in Grove. The event is sponsored by the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Grand Savings Bank.

This nostalgic blast-from-the-past event brings car enthusiasts and fans from all over the four-state area to view the classic cars on display, cruise Main Street in Grove and enjoy great music from this era.

Friday evening the fun will begin at 6 p.m. with music and the ever popular Burn-Out Competition. Vendors will display car related items inside the Civic Center through out the event.

Registration of cars and bikes will be from 9 – 1 p.m. on Saturday with judging at noon. There is a $10 registration fee for cruisers wishing to exhibit a car for judging and to cruise at the official one hour closed cruise and Main Street Cruise Parade. Those wanting to participate in the Cruise only may due so for a $5.00 fee. “The committee has worked hard for many months to bring in cars from all over the four state area and then some,” said Jaime Zellow, Cruise Night Chairman. “This year we will be giving seventy five plaques in total for the awesome vehicles attending.” The Award Presentation will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday evening.

The streets of Grove will be lined up with hundreds of cars, motorcycles and people to watch the Main Street Cruise Parade that begins promptly at 6 p.m. Saturday. The Closed Cruise Parade will begin at the Civic Center and end at Cheapo Deapo.

“We invite everyone to come out and enjoy the cars and great music from our past provided by DJ-Dink West,” said Lisa Friden, GACC President. “Once again we will have the Race Car Exhibition & Fire-Up featuring Sam Parton’s Team Thunder Top-Fuel Dragster and Terry Huggins with his Comp Dragster” said Friden. “It is loud, but a great sight to see.”

For more information on or to request a registration form, contact the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce at 918-786-9079. You may also register the day of the event.

A Matter of Faith...

By Carol Round

IT’S MORE THAN ETIQUETTE

“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." ACTS 14:17 (NIV)

“What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?”

These words on a bumper sticker caught my attention recently. I delight in stickers that have something positive to say because they speak loudly about the vehicle owner.

Is kindness in short supply these days? I guess it depends on where you live. I was reminded of this when a girl in her late teens held the door open for me as I was leaving a doctor’s office recently. She not only stepped back to allow me to exit first but she told me “to have a good afternoon.”

Holding open the door for another person, regardless of his or her age or gender, is a common courtesy. Yet many adults don’t practice this kindness.

So what’s our excuse for not showing others the kindness they deserve? Are we too busy? Too filled with our own self-importance that we can’t see another human being in need? Too afraid to reach out to a stranger?

A recent article about modern manners in an area newspaper caught my attention for two reasons. I find human behavior fascinating, and a friend of mine who teaches etiquette classes, was interviewed for the story.

The first time I met Jana and had lunch with her, I was afraid of committing a dining faux pas. I was glad we were eating at a sandwich shop where I didn’t have to worry about which fork to use.

After we became friends, I told her how I had squirmed through that first meeting, hoping that she wasn’t grading me on my table manners. She laughed and said, “I would never do that.”

Since Jana and I are both country girls, I figured that drying my hands on my jeans was acceptable after we became friends—at least in some social settings. What is not acceptable to God, however, is our lack of kindness to others.

Although my friend teaches social and business protocol, including when it is appropriate to open doors for female co-workers, she says, “It’s okay to open doors for others, too. Kindness is kindness, no matter what the setting.”

However, it’s not just about opening doors for others. Kind gestures require us to be aware of others around us who need kind words of encouragement. As Mother Teresa once said, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

Opportunities present themselves each day for us to show we care. Smiling at a stranger is another way. When you acknowledge another human being, you are saying, “I think you are important.”

As the Lord has rained down his goodness on us, let us extend that hand to others.

Is your hand clenched in selfishness or is it reaching out to others? You can’t open the door of kindness if your heart is locked.


Carol Round, a former Jay High School journalism teacher, now resides in Claremore, Oklahoma. Readers can reach her at carolaround@yahoo.com.

Genealogical Society Meeting Tuesday

Omar Reed, an employee at the Fort Gibson Historic Site and a re-enactor will talk to the Delaware County Genealogical Society meeting Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Grove Public Library. The public is invited.

Reed's discussion will center on Chief Opothleyahola of the Creeks who tried at the beginning of the Civil War to lead the Union faction of the tribe to safety in Kansas. Reed takes part in reenactments with the Indian Home Guard at Prairie Grove, Honey Springs, and Fort Gibson.

A graduate of Langston University, Reed is retired from service at the V.A. Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He has civic commitments to Scouting and the Department of Wildlife Conservation. A short social hour will follow the presentation.

Library Sponsors Scarecrow Contest

Friends of the Grove Public Library are sponsoring a scarecrow contest. All entries will be displayed on the library lawn from Oct. 21 through Oct. 31.

The scarecrows may be horrifying or hilarious, monstrous or mirthsome. Entries are being taken in five categories: Kids under 12, Family, Group, Club, Business. The Business Category will have a $10 entry fee, and may attach a business sign. A prize will go to the winner in each category.

Entry forms are at the library. All entries are requested by October 20. The group sponsoring an entry is responsible for putting it up and removing it by Nov. 1. Sponsors should keep in mind that their entries may be out in rain (we hope) and wind and need to be well-fastened to a support. For more information call 786-2945.

Nov. 7 Sample Election Ballots Available

Sample ballots now are available at the Delaware County Election Board office for voters who want to get a preview of what will be at stake in the General Election on November 7.

Earlene Bradford, Secretary of the County Election Board, said that sample ballots can be viewed at the Election Board office, located at 225 South 5th Street in Jay during regular office hours, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sample ballots also will be posted outside every precinct polling place Tuesday, November 7 so that voters can review them before casting their votes.

The Official General Election Ballot includes all state, county, legislative, and congressional offices and all state questions. It also includes non-partisan judicial races and judicial retention. The ballot is two-sided. Voters should be careful to vote both sides of the ballot.

North Beach to Hold Grand Opening

Grand Lake’s newest retirement community, North Beach will open its arms of hospitality with a Grand Opening October 20th – 22nd. Developers Bill Goldner and Jim Olson encourage all to come out and see first hand this unique master planned gated community for active adults.

With 7500 feet of common shoreline, and extensive green belts, North Beach offers custom designed European coastal homes Tours of the homes will be offered on Friday the 20th and Saturday, the 21st 9a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Sunday the 22nd 1- 5 pm. The Grand Celebration is scheduled for Sat, the 21st from 12 -2 p.m. with an old fashion cookout and blue-grass music in Grand Lake style with New Blue Strings.

In celebration of this event, the North Beach team is including a bonus with each purchase. For the lot-home packages, the buyer has a choice of a golf cart, a cruise or 37” HDTV, lot purchasers will receive a $1000 gift certificate.

Long time resident of Grand Lake, Bill Goldner states “North Beach is a spectacular, first class development with a real sense of community. It is Grand Lake living at its finest!” Bill and his wife Linda, are the founders and directors of Picture In Scripture Amphitheater located at the south end of Grand Lake.

North Beach is located on the Wolf Creek with scenic views of Sailboat Bridge. Just 3 short miles from downtown Grove, North Beach was the selected host of the ESPN Bassmaster Elite Series in June of 2006. By special request ESPN has chosen North Beach to again host the Elite Series in June of 2007.

For more information contact 1 866-54-GRAND or visit the web www.northbeachok.com

Grove Library to Present Program

Two Grove sisters were surprised last summer when they learned that a book about their family had been published. The library had received a press release on the book and recognized that Linda McClure and Juanita Holmes were descendants of the family in the book.

The book is "Alice & J.F.B: The 100-Year Saga of Two Seminole Chiefs." The author is Vance H. Trimble, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author of a dozen other biographies including the best-seller on Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton.

Dr. John Frippo Brown set the saga in motion by abandoning his aristocratic life in Charleston, S.C., in 1836 to become a contract surgeon for the U.S. Army. He was first sent to New Orleans, and then to Florida where the Army was trying to evict or kill the Seminole Indians. Dr. Brown attended wounded soldiers and then went with the troops on the Seminole Trail of Tears to Indian Territory.

Near Fort Gibson Dr. Brown treated an Indian girl whose eyeballs were frozen in a blizzard. He fell in love with his patient's sister, Ku'na Hvt'ke (White Skunk). Theirs was a happy marriage with four sons and three daughters.

The oldest son, John F. Brown, grew to manhood during the Civil War, faced a firing squad in the tribe's split between North and South. He later became a wealthy merchant and rancher in Wewoka and Sasakwa, and was pastor of the Indian Baptist Church. A powerful voice in tribal councils, he became principal chief in 1885 at age 42 and, except for two years, served till his death in 1919.

As always, Third Thursday is a brown-bag lunch. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Everyone is invited. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Grove Public Library and the library.

BOK Supports Rocktoberfest 2006

Once again this year, Bank of Oklahoma pledges its support to Rocktoberfest 2006, The youth event is scheduled for Saturday, October 28 at Grove Civic Center and will include 10 hours of live music, a Skate Park, Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament and Inflatable Games. Bank of Oklahoma president Ronald Leffler (left) and assistant vice president Sharawn Rose (right) present a check to Pat Goins of Sheep Shed Ministries, sponsor of Rocktoberfest.