April 15 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
We got all four seasons of the year out of the way in less than a week last week. We went from 89 degrees to 58 degrees to 34 degrees, then back up to 74 degrees…all in a matter of five days. If you’re new here, welcome to Oklahoma.
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And just like that – it’s Easter! Enjoy your mythical Sunday. It’s the only day of the year when everyone denies biological reality and goes along with the suggestion that rabbits actually lay eggs. Colored eggs, at that!
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The South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce had another fabulous “Bootleggers’ Ball” at Cherokee Yacht Club Saturday night. I had a great time raising money for a great organization – and watching Joe Harwood’s tribute to Grand Lake icon Rusty Fleming who recently turned 75. Rusty’s not quite as old as Grand Lake itself…but he’s close!
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I guess it might be possible to spend every last penny on a new home, and not have enough money left to get all the stuff you need to furnish it…but this latest case in Florida seems a little weird to me. Andrew Francis Lippi of Key Haven, Florida just purchased a private island (Thompson Island) off of Key West for $8 million. A week later, he was charged with felony grand theft for stealing $300 worth of stuff, including coffee makers, light bulbs, and a bed skirt from Kmart. I guess you’ve gotta come up with some kind of idea when you spend your last $8 million on the new house.
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The old saying goes, “If you’re so smart, why aren’t you rich?” In this case, though, the adage should be, “If you’re so rich, why aren’t you smart?” Lauren Jenai, co-founder of CrossFit, sold her $20 million worth of shares after her divorce – and now she has a new boyfriend – an old flame from her childhood. Unfortunately, her new romance is a little tough to deal with. Her fiancé is now Franklin Tyrone Tucker who resides at the Stock Island Detention Center in Florida where he is awaiting trial on charges of armed robbery and first degree murder. She also says she sees no need for a pre-nuptial agreement because she’s “in love.” I guess there’s still no explaining love.
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SYMPATHY FOR MY MINNESOTA FRIENDS: Only in Minnesota is a statewide tornado drill canceled because of a blizzard during a flood.
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DINING AND DRINKING ON GRAND LAKE: Grand Lake golfers and boaters may once again get beer to take on the golf course and on the lake at the same golf club and/or marina where they enjoy a cocktail. Thanks to Senator James Leewright, Senator Michael Bergstrom, and Representative Marcus McEntire for getting this fluke in the law fixed!
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Donnell Clyde "Spade" Cooley, a native of Grand, Okla., was one of western swing music's biggest stars until he beat his wife to death in front of their 14-year-old daughter in 1961. He suffered a fatal heart attack while on a three-day furlough to play the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Alameda County, California.
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HOUSEKEEPING TIP: Always keep get well cards on the table. If unexpected guests arrive, they’ll think you’ve been sick and unable to clean. (thanks to Sue Davidson for sharing this one)
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HOUSEKEEPING TIP #2: You come from dust. You return to dust. That’s why I don’t dust. It could be somebody I know.
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DEFINITION OF THE WEEK: A musician is someone who puts $5,000 worth of gear in a $500 car and drives 100 miles to a $50 gig.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: Man survives bear attack with just a .22 pistol. The friend he shot in the knee was not as lucky.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Septic tanks pumped. Swimming pools filled. Not same truck.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: Only in Minnesota is the statewide tornado drill canceled because of a blizzard during a flood.
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The pollen is so bad people are turning their crystal meth back into Sudafed.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENT OF THE WEEK: You’re never too old for fame and fortune. Actor David Bradley (Harry Potter and Game of Thrones) turns 76 this week.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Don Bullard, Bobby Brewer, Steve Long, Linda Fieth, Larry Sanford, Jackie Moore, Greg Bolton, Boyd Ayer, Trey Masri, Don Douglas, Gaines Dittrich, Jim Forrester, Jessica Tarbell, Judy Dullea, and Phil Carrott.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When dog food is advertised as having a “new and improved taste,” who tasted it to make that decision?
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BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: Thursday night is a great show celebrating the 90th of the Coleman Theater in Miami: The Wizard of Oz featuring Dennis James on the organ (6:30). Friday through Sunday, there’s an Open House and Boat Show at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Saturday festivities at Arrowhead include games, a petting zoo, a picnic lunch and an 11:00 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt. Saturday is also the Annual Langley Easter Egg Hunt (11:00). Sunday – enjoy a fabulous Brunch at your favorite restaurant. Everybody’s doing it!
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GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s plenty of great entertainment around the lake this Easter weekend. On Monkey Island, there is karaoke at Monkey Island Pub and Saturday night DJ and dancing at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night, and KJ Flip hosts karaoke Sunday and Tuesday. At Littlefield Corner, there’s always live entertainment Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon.
On South Grand Lake, Thursday night is Trivia Contest night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney. Friday night is Karaoke Night at Michelle’s Bar & Grill at Grand Lodge in Ketchum – and there’s always live entertainment at Michelle’s on Saturday night. Juan Montez at Red Arrow Marina also has Saturday night entertainment.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino-Grove features music from Whiskey Poet Society Friday night followed by Pumpkin Hollow Band Saturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke. Boston Mountain Playboys will be on stage at Bordertown Friday night, followed by a Saturday night performance by The Jason Boyd Band. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, Eastern Heights will be on stage Friday night, and D.J. Matt will provide the entertainment Saturday night. At the Club 60 Event Center, there’s a great “dinner & a show” scheduled Saturday night – Todd Oliver and Irv the Talking Dog! At Buffalo Run Casino’s Peoria Showplace, there’s a fabulous show Friday night featuring the incredible Gretchen Wilson with special guest Jessie G. Doors open at 7:00. At Downstream Casino’s Legends Sports Bar, The Brent Giddens Band performs Friday night, followed by the Mayday by Midnight Saturday night. Indigo Sky Casino offers three nights of musical entertainment this week. Travis Kidd performs both Thursday and Friday nights in the Echo Bar, followed by Jake Simpson Saturday night.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action, including NBA playoff games, Major League Baseball and PGA Golf are Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort, the Standing Room Only Bar at The Shebang, Blind Swine, Road Hog Saloon, 1909 in Grove, Pickles at the Lake in Langley, and Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Cuckoo, Lunatics and My First First Love are available on NETFLIX Friday. Season 4 of Life in Pieces premiers Thursday night at 7:30 on CBS; andMotown 60: A Grammy Celebration airs Sunday night at 7:00 on CBS. The series premier of Gentleman Jack is Monday night at 9:00 on HBO.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Missing Link and The Curse of La Llorona
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We now have an Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, and Acting Director of ICE, and Acting White House Chief of Staff, and an Acting head of the Secret Service. There are now more actors in the White House than there are actors on the staff of a Hollywood restaurant.” – Peter Sagal
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 27 – Fundraising Event for the Monkey Island Trail with the Old Bulldog Band at Big Shots on Monkey Island. Friday-Sunday, May 3-5 – In-Water Boat Show by Nichols Marine at Shangri-La Marina. Friday-Saturday, May 3-4 – Miami Rodeo. Saturday, May 4 – Ping, Callaway, and Titleist Demo Da at Shangri-La Golf Club (9-1). Saturday, May 4 – Cedar Port Scavenger Hunt benefiting the Lions Club Ketchum Backpack Program. Saturday, May 4 – Ladies Night “Sip & Paint” at Doc’s covered patio at Shangri-La Resort. Saturday, May 4 – Burning of the Socks at Harbors View Marina – music by 5th Element. Saturday, May 18 – Ales & Tails at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita. Saturday, May 18 – Barkaritaville Party (fundraiser for 2nd Chance Pet Rescue) at The Parrot in Grove (5:30-9:00). Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1 – Toes in the Grand celebration at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Friday-Wednesday, May 31-June 5 – MLF Stage Seven Bass Pro Tour out of Wolf Creek Park. Saturday, June 8 – Camp Bandage (10-2) at Grand Lake RV Resort. Saturday, June 8 – Home of Hope Annual Gala at Shangri-La. Monday-Wednesday, June 17-19 – Junior Players Academy at Shangri-La Golf Club. Saturday, July 20 – Grand Bobber Drop. Saturday, July 20 – Aquapalooza adjacent to Grand Lake RV Resort. Friday-Saturday, July 26-27 – GLOC Performance Boat Challenge.
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In the NBA, it’s playoff time – and your Oklahoma City Thunder is facing Portland in first round play.
PGA players are recovering from the unbelievable Tiger Woods victory at The Masters as they get ready for weekend play in Hilton Head, South Carolina this week. Coverage of the RBC Heritage begins at 2:00 Thursday & Friday and noon Saturday & Sunday on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
There’s some good Major League Baseball action on the tube this week. Saturday’s television games have the Pirates hosting the Giants at 3:00 and the Dodgers at Milwaukee at 6:00, both on Fox Sports 1. The Mets host the Phillies Monday night at 6:00 on ESPN.
NASCAR drivers are taking a little Easter break this weekend. They’ll run again April 28 at Talladega.
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The Easter weekend weather forecast for Grand Lake looks excellent. Weather wizards say we’ll have sunshine and high temperatures in the 75-80 degree range, with nighttime lows in the 55-60 range. You can’t beat that for Easter weekend. Of course, the weather is always perfect for indoor dining & drinking at Grand Lake. So, party on! Remember, though… be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me.
GRAND LAKE BUM
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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.
1909 in Downtown Grove
Ailey’s Café in Langley
American Grill in Grove
Aquabar & Grill at The Landings Marina on Monkey Island (smoking on the deck)
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café Italia on Monkey Island
Café Yum in Grove
Carlos Montez in Langley (smoking in bar)
Ceasar’s Place in Vinita and at Littlefield Corner
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Coffee Shelter in Ketchum
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s on the Lake at Blue Bluff Harbor
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lodge in Ketchum (smoking)
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
Henrie’s Grill in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Hilltop Café in Grove
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
Karrie's Kaboose in Langley (smoking)
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey’s Uncle at Littlefield Corner (Breakfast & lunch)
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island (smoking...but not at lunch)
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Scooters in Langley (smoking)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Sticky Fingers Barbecue in Ketchum
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Landings Marina (smoking on the deck)
The Landings Market and Grill on Monkey Island (smoking on the patio)
The Parrot at Honey Creek Landing in Grove (Smoking on the patio)
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (smoking)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Water Side Bar & Grill in Grove
Waterway Café, Harbors View Marina (smoking on breakwater dining deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove