August 25 Random Observations of the Grand Lake Bum
It’s another big holiday weekend on beautiful Grand Lake – so pitch in and do your part to ensure that both the weather, the water, the parties, and the politeness are all at their best. The Official Lake Bum Holiday Rules are in effect. No fighting, no puking, no hitting on someone else’s date, no griping at over-worked servers and bartenders, no bragging about how much money you have (or your parents have), no drunk driving, no public nudity (private nudity is okay), no yelling, no discussion of religion - and especially no politics! As with all summer holiday weekends, you may have a little longer wait for a seat, a drink, or some food. Be nice to everyone who is working so you can play. The population of Grand Lake over the next few days will be equal to the population of the state’s third largest city. If everybody who’s coming to the lake over the four days would come every weekend, everybody could staff up for giant crowds. So, maybe you should buy a house and a boat while you’re here and come join us for the party all year!
*****
Longtime lakers are well aware that the very best golf and boating season of the year on Grand Lake begins the day after Labor Day – the “Fall Ball” as my friend Rusty calls it. Every place – including the water – is less busy, the atmosphere is more relaxed, the weather is a little more comfortable, the lake is smooth, the winds are light and, in just a few weeks, the foliage will be absolutely spectacular. September-November are FABULOUS on Grand Lake. If you’re not going to be here, believe me, it’s your loss!
*****
I keep reading on the Grand Lake Boaters Facebook page where dock owners are getting irritated at wake boats – but at Smith Lake in Walker County, Alabama, somebody is REALLY irritated. A masked man known as “No Wake Jake” has been operating under the cover of night systematically sinking wake boats. I’m not sure if he’s upset about damage to his dock or if he’s a wake boat dealer trying to find a way to boost end-of-summer new boat sales.
*****
In case you missed it, longtime talk show host Larry King has filed for divorce from his 7th wife, Shawn, to whom he was married for 22 years. The dude is 85 years old! What’s the point?
*****
Congratulations to the Grove community for being spotlighted on the onlyinyourstate.com website: “There’s a tiny town in Oklahoma completely surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty,” says the headline. And kudos to “The Gathering Place” in Tulsa – named by Time Magazine as one of the “World’s Greatest Places.”
*****
DINING AND DRINKING ON GRAND LAKE: Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda will remain open through September 21 – no breakfast service, though, after this weekend. Congratulations to Juan Montez Restaurant & Bar at Red Arrow Marina for recently being featured on the “Discover Oklahoma” television program.
*****
RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The game of Chinese Checkers was invented in Germany.
*****
BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: At a Wedding Party recently someone yelled, “All married people please stand next to the one person who has made your life worth living.” The bartender was almost crushed to death.
*****
BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Remember what the valet who parked your car looks like because we do not have valet parking.
*****
TWEET OF THE WEEK: I went line dancing last night. Well, it was a roadside sobriety test. Same thing.
*****
OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: Bottled water companies do not produce water. They produce plastic bottles.
*****
MEDICAL RESEARCH UPDATE: As it turns out, drinking mimosas and bloody marys for three straight days does not qualify as a “juice cleanse.” Who knew?
*****
MOST AWKWARD (AND MISLEADING) HEADLINE OF THE WEEK: Former GOP Chairman Arrested for Masterbating in a Woman’s Wig Outside his Ex-Wife’s House (it’s bad enough, all right…but he was actually WEARING the wig)
*****
BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Everyone told Sam not to sing. But Samsung anyway.
*****
USELESS BUT FUN FACT: The longest stretch of straight road in the United States is the 50-mile stretch of Highway 412 heading west out of Guymon, Oklahoma.
*****
FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Music superstar Kenny Rogers turned 81 last week. Legendary sportscaster Jack Whitaker, noted for his broadcasts of the very first Super Bowl and Secretariat’s Triple Crown victories, died last week. He was 95.
*****
GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Brian Broaddus, DiAnna Wescott, Seth Smiley, Cheryl Forrest, Patty Davis, Kurt Dodd, Larry Mlnarik, Teresa Lay, Janet Link, Dennis Patrick, Gary Morgan, Tammie Koehler, David Guest, Chad Randall, Marilyn Mlnarik, Pat Dunn, Cathy Storey, and Brittany Faulkner. A special shout-out goes to fishing guide Tony Coatney of Shangri-La Guide Service who was featured on last Saturday night’s “Discover Oklahoma” television program.
*****
UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When a billionaire political activist dies, who inherits his Senators? (thanks to Michael Bujold for sharing this one)
*****
BEST EVENTS OF THE WEEK: The Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo continues through Saturday in Vinita. Thursday from 5:00-7:00 is South Grand Lake Chamber Business After Hours at Grand Lake Bank in Langley. Cave Karaoke & Shrimp Boil is Thursday night at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Friday night is “Dinner and a Movie” at the Picture in Scripture Amphitheater – Hog Fry Dinner at 7:30 and “The Wild One” at dusk. The Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival is at Snider’s Campground and the Grove Civic Center Friday & Saturday. Saturday afternoon is the Redneck Raftout in Check-In Bay. Sunday night, Toby Keith is in concert at the Buffalo Run Casino Amphitheater. This weekend is also your last chance until next spring to take a tour of the Pensacola Dam. Tours are offered daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It’s worth it!
*****
GRAND LAKE WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: There’s great entertainment all around the lake this weekend. On Monkey Island,Jason Morgan will kick off the Labor Day weekend at Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La Thursday at 6:00 with DJ and karaoke fun combined with the weekly Thursday night Shrimp Boil. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La features the music of After Party Saturday night. The Balcony Bar at The Shebang is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights this weekend for karaoke fun; and there’s great dance music featuring DJ $way right across the street at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights, as well. At Monkey Island Pub, Sundown Entertainment presents great karaoke fun with Tim Robinson Saturday night. At the Blind Swine, Erin Fitzgibbon will be on stage Friday night followed by DJ Deeko. Sunday nights are Open Jam Sessions for musicians at the Swine. Tuesday is DJ fun with Deeko and Wednesday nights, Erin Fitzgibbon is back for karaoke fun. At Littlefield Corner, there’s always great live music Saturday night at Road Hog Saloon.
In Grove, 1909 is hosting their first ever “After Party” Friday night at 10:00 p.m. with music by Johnny Dale Roberts. Friday night, Contraband, Jana Jae and Festival Fiddlers will entertain at Snider’s Campground as part of the Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival. Live entertainment and a fiddle contest will also be at Snider’s Saturday night.
On South Grand Lake, The HydraMatics will be on stage Friday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney, followed by The Dustin Pittsley Band Saturday night. Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina features music by House Party Friday night for the official Redneck Raftout pre-party, followed by Jake Brake Saturday. Sunday evening at 6:00 are the karaoke competition finals from 5:00-8:00 followed by great music from Reverse Reaction. Remember, Saturday afternoon is the big Redneck Raftout in Check-In Bay. The fun runs from noon until 5:00 with music by bothLickitty Split and Magen Faulconer.
Area casinos have big entertainment plans, too. Cherokee Casino Grove features the music of D’Elegantz Friday night, followed by The Rusty Meyers Band Saturday. At Bordertown Casino’s Lost Creek Saloon, you are the star at Thursday night karaoke, and Heath Wright will be on stage at Bordertown both Friday and Saturday nights. Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655 features music by JuanJohn Friday night. At River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, DeWayne Bowman and the Swingin’ West Band perform live Friday night and DJ 5Star Entertainment will provide the music Saturday. At Buffalo Run Casino’s Trailer Park Bar & Grill there is live DJ action every Friday & Saturday night at 10:00. The biggest show of the week in the area is, of course, the Toby Keith concert Sunday night at Buffalo Run’s Amphitheater. Gates open at 5:00. Friday night, The Brothers Osborne will be in concert at the outdoor venue at Downstream Casino. Downstream’s Legends Sports Bar will offer music by Jesse Joice Friday night and The Gary Hutchinson Band Saturday night. The Widowmakers will perform both Friday and Saturday nights in Downstream’s Lover’s Leap Lounge. Thomas Martinez will be on stage Thursday night in Indigo Sky Casino’s Echo Bar followed by The Rumor Friday night and Rosy Hips Saturday.
The best spots to catch all your favorite sports action including College Football, Major League Baseball and NFL pre-season football 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.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE TV: Yellowstone airs Wednesday nights at 9:00 on Paramount. Living Grand on Grand Lake airs Thursday night at 7:30 on RSU-TV. Discover Oklahoma airs Saturday’s at 6:30 on KTUL-Channel 8, Tulsa; and Darrow and Darrow airs Sunday night at 8:00 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
*****
BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Kin, The Little Stranger and Juliet, Naked
*****
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take the time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays. I go Fridays.” - Red Skelton
*****
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 7 – Mahogany & Chrome Classic Boat Show at Arrowhead Yacht Club. Saturday, September 7 – Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd) 70th birthday celebration at The Coleman Theater in Miami (3:00 p.m.). Thursday, September 19 – South Grand Chamber Business After Hours at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (5:00-7:00). Saturday, September 21 – REC Day at Grove Civic Center. Saturday, September 21 – Sunset Dam 5K Run from Summerside Park in Disney (registration starts at 2:00). Saturday, September 21 – Martha Betterfield’s Sparkling Desserts Cruise adventure aboard the Grand Lake Queen. Saturday, September 21 – Shangri-La Member Appreciation Party. Friday-Saturday, September 27-28 – GCO Off-Road Expo at Pensacola Dam off-road area. Saturday, September 28 – Hook N Cookoff at South Grand Lake Regional Airport. Saturday, September 28 – A Taste of Grand at the INTEGRIS hospital campus in Grove. Saturday, October 5 – Chuckwagon Dinner & Dance at Har-Ber Village. Sunday, October 6 – Folds of Honor Classic Golf Tournament at Shangri-La. Monday, October 7 – Progress Shopping Dinner in Grove. Thursday-Sunday, October 10-13 – Pelican Festival in Grove.
*****
College football season is underway for real this weekend Tulsa and Oklahoma State both play Friday night – Tulsa at Michigan State at 6:00 and OSU at OSU (Oregon State) at 9:30, both on Fox Sports 1. The Sooners are at home in Norman for the lone Sunday night college game of the week. They host Houston at 6:30 on ABC.
NFL Pre-Season Football is in week is in its final week, and there are only Thursday night games. TV coverage includes Pittsburgh at Carolina at 6:00 and the L.A. Chargers at San Francisco at 9:00, both on the NFL Network.
The U.S. Open Tennis Tournament is underway. Daily coverage continues for the next week-and-a-half – generally starting at 10:00 a.m. on ESPN.
There’s some good Major League Baseball action on the tube this weekend. The Mets are at Philadelphia Saturday afternoon at 3:00 (FS1) and again Sunday night at 6:00 (ESPN). Monday, the Yankees host Texas at noon, and Houston is at Milwaukee at 3:00, both on ESPN.
NASCAR drivers will hit the track Sunday evening for the Bojangles Southern 500. Coverage starts at 5:00 on NBCSN.
Players on the PGA Tour wrapped up the 2019 season last weekend with The Tour Championship, but they’re not off for long. The 2019-2020 season starts September 12 at The Greenbrier.
*****
The weather for the weekend ahead looks like yet another spell of May weather in August. Look for and light winds for the most part, but with that lingering chance of a pop-up thunderstorm here and there occasionally. High temperatures will be in the upper 80s with lows around 70. Get out and have a fabulous time both on the lake and at your favorite club or restaurant. Remember, though… wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me.
GRAND LAKE BUM
Want more information on advertisers you see in the Grand Lake Bum? No problem. Just click on their ad and you will be connected to their web site. If you would like to join the growing list of sponsors of The Grand Lake Bum e-blast and the Bum’s page on both grandlakenewsonline.com and www.360grandlake.com, as well as Grand Times on Grand Lake, the cost is only $50 a week and the list of readers is growing. E-mail or contact grandlakebum@gmail.com to sign up. The Grand Lake Bum column is also published in The Grand Laker.
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
Coppers Tea & Coffee House in Grove
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 (smoking)
Gabby’s Place in downtown Grove
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
Henrie’s Grill in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
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.)
Morrow’s Bar & Grill at Morrow’s Landing
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