Charles Banks Wilson Coming to Grove

Acclaimed artist, Charles Banks Wilson, will be at Jana Jae’s Gallery Southwest at 10th and Main in Grove, OK, Saturday, November 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in celebration of Oklahoma’s 100 years of history and to sign his latest book entitled, “Charles Banks Wilson,” consisting of over 175 images of the artist's finest works, including oils, watercolors, pencil drawings, and lithographs created over nearly seven decades of the artist’s life.

Artist Wilson is well known for his murals and portraits in the rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol. Wilson creates portraits that honor great Oklahomans, murals that pay tribute to the history of his home state, and a long running series of portraits of Native Americans, all of which assure him a place in the hearts of Americans. Charles Banks Wilson is quoted as saying, “I believe, as I look back, every drawing I made--and every painting--is a sentimental observation of people and places.” Currently, Gilcrease Museum is exhibiting Wilson’s works in a highly acclaimed and very extensive display.

Gallery Southwest is featuring artist Charles Banks Wilson through Christmas, with many works newly framed, and a nice selection of prints and lithographs ready for framing and signing. Gallery manager Betty Scott invites the public to meet Wilson, “We are pleased to have this outstanding artist visit Grove and Gallery Southwest November 3. His new book is just wonderful--very colorful, and very affordable. This is a rare opportunity to meet the artist and to have Mr. Wilson sign your own collected works as well.”

“I can’t remember ever not drawing,” Wilson said of his artistic genesis. Following his graduation from High School in Miami, Oklahoma in 1936, Wilson enrolled in the Chicago Art Institute, studied there for the next five years, and became well-known for his book covers and illustrations. He later returned to Miami where he taught Art at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College for 15 years. By the late 1930s, fellow students spoke of the unique “Wilson Indians” and the first phase of Wilson’s career was under way.

In the early 1960s, Charles Banks accepted a commission from the Oklahoma legislature to paint murals depicting Oklahoma history and life size portraits of famous Oklahomans for the Oklahoma State Capitol. His subjects were without question the most notable and influential individuals of their time: humorist Will Rogers, Cherokee educator, Sequoyah, Senator Robert S. Kerr, athlete Jim Thorpe, and others.

Wilson’s most recent commission from the Oklahoma legislature occurred in 2001 when he was approached to paint another notable Oklahoman and was told he could choose any subject he wanted. Wilson’s subject was songwriter-activist Woody Guthrie. The portrait was unveiled at the State Capitol in 2002 and was well received. Prints of this portrait and other works are available for sale at Gallery Southwest.

The public is invited to meet and visit with Charles Banks Wilson at the book signing of his latest book, “Charles Banks Wilson,” from 1 p.m. to 4 p,m, Saturday, November 3 at Jana Jae’s Gallery Southwest, 10th and Main, in Grove, OK.

11th Annual Weedin Benefit Takes New Twist

For the past 10 years, the Art Weedin Benefit Auction and Golf Tournament have served
as a significant fund raiser for the newly named Grand Lake Area Chamber of
Commerce. The organization, previously named the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of
Commerce, has announced significant changes to this year’s event scheduled for October 26th at Arrowhead Yacht Club.
In the past, the event has virtually been an endurance contest featuring 18 holes of golf followed by a dinner and auction in the evening. This year’s event will feature a new and not as challenging format as the six plus hours of real golf will be replaced with Fantasy Golf. Whether you’ve ever touched a golf club or not, you’re chanced of claiming first, second or third place in this fun-filled tournament will be right up there with Tiger Woods and his professional friends.
A $250 golf team sponsorship package includes dinner for four and four Fantasy Golf
Cards. Participating in the golf portion of the event is as simple as playing the lottery.
Simply scratch off the surface on the card associated with holes one thru eighteen to
determine your score. And, just like in a real charity golf tournament, minus the cheating, mulligans will be available at $5 each. The winning teams will capture $500, $250 and $100 respectively to be used towards any silent or live benefit auction item. Bragging rights will definitely be on the line.
The dinner and auction portion of the event will feature great food and some truly unique silent and live auction items. The auction lineup is still being formulated but include a Colorado ski retreat, a week at the Quarter Deck Condos in Venice, Florida, three rounds of golf at Southern Hills Country Club, dinner for six at the home of Darrel & Sheryl Hicks, a fish fry for fifty provided by Joe Johnson, a beer and football party at Mark Oliver’s “Doghouse,” and the list is growing.
The two major $2500 Platinum Sponsors of the event are the Grand River Dam Authority
and Arrowhead Yacht Club and Marina. Other levels of sponsorship are the $750 Gold
Sponsorship, which includes your company’s name on all promotional materials, dinner
for eight with associated Fantasy Golf Cards, acknowledgement in the event program and table signage and the $500 Silver Sponsorship, which includes dinner for four and
associated Fantasy Golf Cards, acknowledgement in the program and signage at the
event.
For the past 10 years, this event has been the largest chamber fund-raising event of the year and we need your help to insure its continued success. For reservation information or to donate an item to the upcoming auction, contact the Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce at 918-782-3214.

Coats for Kids Program Launched

The First National Bank of Grove has launched its annual Coats for Kids program and is now accepting clean, good condition coats for children of all ages.
Drop off is at the bank, 600 S. Main. Deadline is Oct. 31.

Pelican Power Fun Run Set Nov. 10

The first annual “Pelican Power” 5K and Fun Run has been scheduled for Saturday, November 10 at 9 am at Patricia Island Estates and Golf Club in Grove.
A partnership of the Cherokee Nation Wings Program and the Grand Lake Family YMCA, the Pelican Power run is USATF Certified and Sanctioned.
The first 240 registered participants will receive a t-shirt, fruit and water. Awards will go to the top overall male and female winner, and to the top three males and females in each standard age group.
Pre-registration is $10. Race day registration begins at 8 am for $15.
Sponsors include Arvest Bank of Grove; Curtiss Tate's Tire & Service; Drake's Restaurant; Joan Vermaire, ReMax Grand Lake; Lakehaven Dental; Lowe's Home Improvement Center; Lupe's Mexican Restaurant; and Sanco Lumber Inc.
The Cherokee Nation Wings Program is a volunteer-based organization of the Cherokee Nation that helps communities organize events to promote healthy lifestyles.
For more information and registration forms, contact Ida Sue Gray at (918) 253-4271 ext. 288.
(Editors Note: No one under the age of 8 permitted (see related story)

Bowling Fundraiser set for EquiSpirit.

EquiSpirit Theraupeutic Riding Acadeny Announces The First Annual Bowling Tournament set for Sunday, October 21 3 to 7 p.m. at Country Lanes, 28300 South 620 Road
North Cherokee Street in Grove.

Individual Bowlers: $25 Adult
$15 Age 17 and Younger

Five Bowlers per Team

PRIZES:
Highest Score Per Team
Highest Score Adult Bowler
Highest Score Age 17 and Younger

Vintage Car Rally Comes to Grove

This weekend the Vintage Car Rally Association is holding its regional time, speed and distance rally around the Grand Lake region. They will be beginning from the Stonebrook Inn, Hwy 59 North in Grove on Friday at 12:30 pm for their first TSD, at 7:30 am Saturday and at 7:30 am Sunday. In order to qualify, the vehicles must be 1948 and earlier vintage.

This rally is a fund raiser for Autism research, drivers have a chance to win $10,000 in prize money. On Saturday they will all be assembled at the Route 66 Packard Museum located in Afton for dinner. If you would like additional information you can contact Rex Gardner at 918-786-1950 or call the Grand Lake Association at 918-786-2289.

Nautical Flea Market Set This Weekend

The Nautical Flea Market is coming to Grand Lake again this weekend. The Grand Lake Sail & Power Squadron is sponsoring the event near Grove, at Bears Den Resort, just north of Sailboat Bridge. For the second year, an impressive array of vendors has signed up to offer boats, nautical items, clothing and marine related services at some great prices to the people of Grand Lake.

Several marinas will be participating including South Winds Marina with boats and merchandise from their Ship¢s Store, Redbud Marina which is a good place to look for sailboats and sailing instruction, and Dripping Springs Yacht Club which, among other things, will be promoting the businesses in the Dripping Springs area. Arrowhead Marina will have boats to sell and offers consignment services to others wishing to sell their boats. Harbors View Marina will be offering items from the Ships Store, Marine Max will have Sea Ray boats available, and Personal Vendors will be offering boats and handmade nautical items.

Marine services can be found at the vendors from Rebel Marine who will have nautical items, boat parts, and boat repair & maintenance services, and also from North Lake Mobil Marine which offers mobile repair services and has a shop near the Hwy 10 Cowskin Bridge. Jerry's Dock Construction will be talking to people about dock manufacturing and repair, and also about their rubbish disposal service. Boat Floater of Oklahoma will have dock related items for sale, and boat lifts at winter prices.

There will be lots of nautical items, clothing and knick-knacks offered by vendors such as Naut-A-Woody who will have nautical items, glassware and paintings. Magnolias will be offering water sports apparel, flags and other related items, and Grand Lake Sports Center will have water sports items and summer apparel at end of summer prices. The Boater¢s World booth will have their excess inventory of marine clothing, shoes, and equipment at bargain prices, as will Grand Outdoors with water sports equipment and new & used jet skis.

You can expect to find unique fishing equipment at the booth of Be Ready Rod Holders, and when you get hungry, stop by the Knock Out BBQ booth where you'll find scrumptious barbeque and burgers, etc; and breakfast on Saturday.

The Grand Lake Sail & Power Squadron booth will be offering items donated by its members and some very generous businesses such as: Indian Hills Resort, Lees Resort, Monkey Island Marine Electronics, and Barkers Edgewater Marine. Kings Marine has made a financial contribution to this effort which helps the Power Squadron continue to provide free boating safety classes to the Public.

The 2nd Annual Nautical Flea Market will be open from 3 PM to 7 PM on Friday, Oct. 5, and from 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. Bears Den Resort is on Hwy 59 one-half mile north of Sailboat Bridge. For additional information about the Nautical Flea Market, call 918-786-4488. The Grand Lake Sail & Power Squadron can be found online at: www.usps.org/lc/grandlake.

Cobras, Tractors & Archery Highlight Pelican Festival

Area residents can kick off Fall by attending all of the events the region has to offer this weekend. There's fun for everyone with a good measure of hometown pride in all the various events planned.
First off, the grand daddy of them all, Grand Lake Association’s 24th Annual Pelican Festival. The activities and fun will take place on September 21-22 at the Flying Cow Arena on Hwy 59 just 6 miles North of Grove and 5 miles South of I-44 at the Afton exit. Hours for activities taking place at the Flying Cow Arena are 3:00 to 7:00 pm Friday the 21st with the barn dance from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. and Saturday gates open at 9:00 am and again the barn dance will run until 10p.m. Best part of the entire Pelican Festival, there is no admission charge to any of our events.
These are the activities that will greet you at Flying Cow: arts and crafts vendors, tasty food vendors, and live entertainment. Celebrating the new release of her book titled Set Me Adrift in the Sea of Faith, author Judith Ames David will be signing copies of her book which is also available for purchase.
The latest ATV’s and sporting goods will be on display, and you can test your skills to win prizes and trophies in the archery competition which will feature a 3-D shoot with two classifications, youth through 15 and adult. This 3-D archery competition will take place on Saturday, September 22 beginning at 8:00 am and running until 5:00 pm. First place in the youth category will win a bow valued at $300. The adult class first place prize is a Hoyt Vectrix Bow valued at $800. There will be prizes for second and third place too. Entry fee for the adult competition shoot is $20 and for youth only $5.
Also on Saturday, members of the Tired Iron of the Ozarks tractor club will be on hand with a fine display of antique tractors and engines. Tired Iron of the Ozarks is a non-profit educational and historical organization whose goal is to inform and educate the general public about farm life in the early 20th century. All visitors to the display will have a chance to vote for “best of show.” There will be other antique tractors from clubs in Welch, OK and Anderson, MO as well.
The kids can have fun bouncing around on the huge inflatable jumping gyms that will be at the Flying Cow Arena. While Mom and Dad are walking around the arena, we’ll have the kids busy in their own “fun zone” competing for prizes and awards at the games planned for them.
Come evening time there will still be plenty of activities taking place. Both nights you can enjoy live entertainment featuring the very talented Bill Adkins and Marshall Mitchell performing both country and some “classic” rock ‘n roll. Bill and Marshall interact with the audience to bring that special touch of fun to entertainment. Wear your dancin’ boots; kick up your heels and Texas Two-Step at the barn dance.
On Saturday morning at 10:00 am get to Main Street Grove for a parade you won’t want to miss and won’t soon forget featuring the 70 members of the World Famous Marching Cobras Drill Team from Kansas City, MO. They will perform along the entire parade route along with the marching bands from Grove schools and a few others. You’ll have another opportunity to see the award-winning, awe inspiring Marching Cobras perform when they take to the floor at 1:00 pm at the Flying Cow Arena. This is one performance you won’t want to miss.
The parade theme for 2007 is “Oklahoma Centennial ~ 100 years of change.” Everyone is invited to take part and join in the fun. Start building an awesome float to compete in the parade and a chance to win some extra dollars for your group or organization. There is no entry fee to compete for the parade “Best Float”.
When the parade is over, be sure to join the fun at the Community Center at Third and Grand where the Grove Downtown Merchants Association is hosting an Arts & Crafts Fair and Sale.
Then it’s time to travel to Pelican Landing Resort if you want to taste the fare at the annual Hook ‘N Cook-off being held by the Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. They are selling their advance tasting tickets for only $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. This fun runs from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.
Pelican Landing is located 4 ½ miles east of Ketchum. There will also be arts and crafts vendors and music performed by Lickty Split. For tickets and additional information, call the Grand Lake Area Chamber.
Now it wouldn’t be a fall festival if we didn’t include some activities going on at the Island—Monkey Island that is. Leave it up to the island’s No. 1 Cheerleader, Joyce Duke to come up with something completely “outside the box.” This year they’ve planned “The Old Coots Talent (No Talent) Show” which will be taking place at Big Shots. Doors will open at 3:00 pm Saturday with the show following at 4:00 pm. Monies raised will be divided between DCCSAN, the Humane Society and the favorite charity of the talent contest winner. Sorry kids, this event is for the 21 and older age group.
If you want additional information on any of the activities visit our website at www.grandlakefun.com or call 866-LUV-GRAND or 918-786-2289. The Pelican festival is brought to you by the Grand Lake Association and its members including these fine sponsors; City of Grove, AEP Public Service of Oklahoma, Seneca-Cayuga Tribal Gaming Corp, Tempy’s Sporting Goods, Bank of Grove, Northeast Electric Cooperative, and Grand Bank.

Hool-N-Cookoff Set for Sept. 22

The aroma of competition cooking will fill the air around Grand Lake O’the Cherokees on Saturday, September 22, as the 14th Annual-6th National Hook-N-Cookoff gets under way at Pelican Landing Resort, located 4-1/2 miles East of Ketchum. The event will be open from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Tasting Kits go on sale at 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The event features cooks and their teams vying to be recognized as the “Best Cooks” in different categories. Winners will be chosen from those competing as Cooking Teams in the categories of: Best Catfish, Best Hushpuppies, Best Coleslaw, Best Team Spirit, Best Presentation and the coveted People’s Choice Award.
The competition is open to teams consisting of 4 or more people and each team is required to fry a minimum of 45 pounds

of catfish, plus they may also choose to fry the best hushpuppies and create a coleslaw dish that won’t be forgotten. A panel of judges will decide the winners in most of the categories; however team members will also compete for additional points toward the People’s Choice Award by pre-selling Tasting Kit tickets.
Tasting Kit tickets are now on sale for $5 per adult/$3 per child, children under 6 eat for free. Tickets at the door will increase to $6 per adult/$4 per child. Where else can you buy a wonderful meal of catfish, hushpuppies and coleslaw for $5? Only at the 14th Annual Hook-N-Cookoff!
Live entertainment by Lickety Split, Oklahoma All-Star Cheer Team, Kids Zone and an Art & Craft Show will also be part of the day’s activities. It is definitely a day of fun for the whole family! Bring your lawn chair, children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors for a great day of fun and food---Grand Lake Style!
Tasting Kit tickets are now on sale at the Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce office, 959 N. 3rd, Ste. A, Langley, Oklahoma, or from one of the Cookoff Team members. For more information about competing as a Cookoff Team in the 14th Annual Hook-N-Cookoff or purchasing advance Tasting Kit tickets, contact the Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce via phone, 918-782-3214 or email at info@grandlakechamber.org.