ASHLAND — If I’m reading my calendar correctly, today is Father’s Day. I’m pretty sure my dad is still in mourning following the loss of his boat motor during a trip to a big lake in Alabama, and he probably deserves more than  a “Happy Father’s Day” note from the son who has caused him the most headaches through the years.

My dad is doing his best to act brave about facing life with no boat motor, although he’s already been overheard telling his bass buddies things like, “I guess my fishing days are over,” or his other line, “Maybe I’ll get lucky and find a used one cheap.”

When he’s in a joking mood, he might say, “At least the trolling motor still works.”

I’ll admit I didn’t understand what the big deal was all about when Dad’s motor quit lubricating and was declared DOA at the boat garage. I didn’t understand because I had no idea how much it costs to repair or replace such a thing, or the motor often costs as much or more than the boat it is attached to.

When I was told my dad is probably looking at a $3,000 to $6,000 repair bill for his boat motor, I changed my opinion and decided he’s actually holding up quite well.

On the river

If you find yourself looking for a new place to enjoy a meal, consider driving to Huntington for lunch or dinner at Schooner’s Waterfront Grille, which recently opened at Buffington Street and the Ohio River in the Guyandotte section of the city.

The floating restaurant features a full menu with an emphasis on fish and steaks, along with an extensive children’s menu with an extensive line of healthy meals including fish, pasta and chicken entrees.

The restaurant offers great views of the river as well as the 31st Street bridge and can seat more than 200 inside, along with another 100 patrons on the open-air deck.

Schooner’s Waterfront Grille is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit schoonerswv.com or call (304) 529-FOOD (3663).

New location

Formerly in the Meade Station Plaza, BJ’s Books recently moved to the Patrick Plaza, between Moe’s and Penn Station.

Owner Cherri Vint stocks her shop with a wide selection of reading materials in hardback and paperback forms, including fiction, mysteries, cook books, books about health and self help, stories for children, biographies, nature, crafts, decorating, gardening, religion, history and science fiction/fantasy. If Vint doesn’t have a particular book in stock, she will gladly place a special order for it.

Vint also offers a “beautiful selection” of handmade and vintage jewelry. For more information about the shop at 116 Sixth St., call (606) 327-1119.

Also at a new location

Knowing my weakness for good barbecue, people who tend to spend a lot of time traveling U.S. 23 between Greenup and Pikeville have been sending notes and leaving messages about the new home of Absolute BBQ, which had been essentially a roadside stand and pit cooker for quite a while.

I haven’t been by there myself, but I’m told the new Absolute BBQ building is easy to find, located close to the Floyd/Johnson County border “near the hospital (Highlands Regional) at the red light on 23,” not far from the home most people call the “underground house.”

While I definitely trust the reports I’ve been getting about the quality of Absolute BBQ’s food, I hope to get by there and try it myself within the next couple of weeks.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.