The South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce a partnership agreement with the Bendel Family, who have been the owners of record for the historic Whiskey Point for over four generations. Known today as Hinds Point, Robert H. Siegfried purchased the property shortly after the last gate was closed in the Pensacola Dam in 1940. Whiskey Point played a significant role in the construction of the dam. The major corporate sponsor of this year’s event is the Cherokee Casino.
Even the Governor, Mary Fallin, and the first gentleman joined in the fun and are pictured with Chuck & Victoria Perry.
Art & June Box have been canned in the jail.
Games of chance will be a blast
The Cherokee Nation recently announced plans for the construction of a new 39,000 square foot Casino, Restaurant and bar operation on Highway 59 north of Grove. The ground-breaking for the project will take place in the next few weeks. Their involvement within the communities they serve, and events like the Bootlegger’s Ball, is consistent with their marketing approach in other areas they have invested in. With their corporate sponsorship, they are the newest Diamond member of the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
In a new offering for the 2016 version of the event, an optional buffet will be available for $20. It will feature smoked Prime Rib and Chicken Alfredo Pasta with a salad, vegetable and desert. Reservations for the optional buffet will be accepted through March 31st and can be made by calling the chamber office at 918-782-3214 or via e-mail at grandlakechamber@gmail.com.
Whiskey Point was but a short hike from Disney and was a densely wooded area which provided a perfect hiding place for the workers to perform their distillery operation. It has been speculated they perhaps even engaged in an illegal gambling game or two and who knows, there could have even been ladies of the night on hand to provide companionship. The location of that pre-Grand Lake party spot is known today as Hinds Point.
Seventy-six years ago those workers were not only sipping their moonshine on Whiskey Point, they were rapidly closing in on the completion of the historic Pensacola Dam. In recognition of their contribution to the Grand Lake we enjoy today, the South Grand Lake Area Chamber is dedicating their annual season launching event as a salute to a truly remarkable feat. The Cherokee Casino Bootlegger’s Ball, A Speakeasy Soirée, is set for April 2, 2016 at Cherokee Yacht Club. While the location of the salute will be complete with all the modern day yacht club amenities, the operation will be hosted in a 1930’s setting, when drinking establishments were definitely found behind closed doors and subject to police raids from time-to-time.
Fourth generation Laker, Dave Bendel says, “We were Grand Lakers before being Grand Lakers was trendy and cool!”
He added, “It’s always been in the fiber of our family events and has always been a mainstay in offering bonding opportunities which many can only dream of. To have an opportunity to be part of the salute to those who made it all possible is truly special. We can’t wait to raise our glasses in a salute those who are responsible for the lake we enjoy today.”
Other activities will be a silent auction featuring Dam Site memorabilia and other items donated by the Grand Lake business community. Early plans, but more will be announced, include a live auction, a full jazz swing band, games of chance from Casino Night of Tulsa, a jail house photo booth with props, great appetizers provided by Cherokee Yacht Club and more. That is until the party gets busted by the fuzz.
The event is open to the public. Tickets are $25 each (not including the optional buffet which is $20) and can be purchased now at GrandLakeAreaChamber.org or call 918-782-3214 and get the password. The ball will begin at 6:30 PM at Cherokee Yacht Club, 33152 Browning Lane, Cleora, OK.
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