August 28 Random Observations Of The Grand Lake Bum
I think everybody decided to take advantage of the two-digit high temperatures and start the Labor Day weekend a week early. I almost snagged a jacket Sunday morning. I couldn’t believe all the boats on the water, yacht charters, parasailers, golfers, swimmers, sunbathers, restaurant customers, and all the people in the bars (great night Friday night, by the way, with Erin Fitzgibbon and the O’Banion Band playing to a big crowd at Big Shots benefitting the Monkey Island Fire Department). I guess everybody decided to take advantage of a four-day holiday by starting the fun eight days early! There’s always a party at Grand Lake.
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Some of Grand Lake’s premier boat dealers started the holiday early, as well. If you missed the great Boat Show at Thunder Bay, you missed a really fun weekend and some really great deals on some spectacular boats. Kudos to 918Boats, Grand Lake Boat Sales, Nichols Marine, and Ugly John’s Custom Boats for a really cool weekend. I got sort of distracted by the Ugly Marys and the Luau Cookout at Ugly’s Grill & Bar – but the boats were awesome, too!
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Here we are preparing for the actual holiday weekend, though. Happy Labor Day! Don’t forget the official Grand Lake Bum holiday rules. A lot of folks coming in for the weekend may not be familiar with my important Holiday Rules of Behavior, so here they are again: 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 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. Everyone is always understaffed for the influx of holiday weekend visitors. If everybody who’s coming to the lake over the holiday weekend would come every weekend, all the businesses could staff up for those giant crowds. If I get my drink before you do, it’s because I’m on the same lake schedule every day all year long. Bartenders already know what I want – and they know I’ll be sitting on the same stool in December. So, maybe you should buy a house and a boat while you’re here and come join us for the party all year!
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There’s something fun for everyone everywhere you look around Grand Lake this weekend, but music fans and boat racing fans will be flocking to the Boats, Beats & BBQ Festival at Wolf Creek Park Saturday & Sunday. There are six terrific bands over the two days of the festival, Formula One boat racing, Kansas City BBQ Society competition - plus the addition of jet ski free rider Mark Gomez who will be putting on some spectacular demonstrations for attendees (don’t try this at home). What a weekend!
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I’m not gonna get political on you, but like everybody else, I couldn’t help but notice Vivek Ramaswamy in the Republican Presidential debate. Hmm. A dark-skinned, tall, slender young guy with big teeth and a funny name. Do you think Republicans are taking a page from the Democrats’ 2008 playbook?
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Grand Lakers Janet Link, Larry Mlnarik, Teresa Lay, Mackenci Hudiburg, Dennis Patrick, David Guest, Chad Randall, Gary Morgan, Tammie Koehler, Sherry Oden, Marilyn Mlnarik, Shelley Koster, Tessa Cook, Randall Jackson, Mike Magoulas, Trevor Randall, Sally Cole, and Delana Bentley.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. The funniest social media post I’ve seen lately is one that asked, “Is anything happening around the lake Labor Day weekend? Are you kidding me! Read on, brother. Thursday night’s Shrimp Boil on Doc’s Patio at Shangri-La will be complemented by a “Kansas City Chiefs Party” inside at Doc’s as the Chiefs host the Detroit Lions in game 1 of the regular season. Friday is the last Food Truck Friday of the season in downtown Grove, and this week’s fun includes a Formula One Show-n-Shine for some of the boats you see performing over the weekend in Wolf Creek, as well as some great live music. Friday is also First Friday Wine Share at Har-Ber Village (6:00). The annual Jana Jae Fiddle Camp runs Friday-Sunday. Evening events are at Snider’s Campground. Daytime events are at Foundation Freewill Baptist Church. Friday & Saturday is the Ladies’ Ministry Garage Sale at Lake Center Baptist Church on Monkey Island (8:00-2:00). Saturday & Sunday is the giant Boats, Beats & BBQ Festival & Formula 1 Powerboat Racing at Wolf Creek Park in Grove. Saturday is a big “College Football Saturday” at The Anchor at Shangri-La highlighted by the OU game at 11:00 Saturday morning. Saturday & Sunday, The Anchor hosts a “Rollin’ with my Foamies” party for some family fun – a 100-foot Slip & Slide on the Anchor Lawn, complete with a fun “Foam Party” on the Slip & Slide Saturday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday is also the fun Grand River Dam Paddle event just below the dam. All skill levels and paddle crafts are welcome. Bring your canoe, kayak, pedal drive, Stand-Up Paddleboard – even tandems and come join the fun on the river. Rocklahoma is just north of Pryor Thursday-Sunday with all your favorite 80s bands.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: "Captain Billy's Whizbang" was a popular (which is to say disreputable) men's magazine of the post WWI Era, with a circulation that reached more than 400,000 in the 1920s. It included such scandalous lines as: "Is it quite proper for a lady to let her husband look at her Whiz Bang” Publisher W.A. "Captain Billy" Fawcett later introduced such publications as "True Confessions" and "Popular Mechanics," and his sons created the first Marvel comics.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: The longest straight road in the United States is Highway 412 heading west from Guymon in the Oklahoma panhandle. You’ll drive on the straightest road in the U.S. for 50 miles.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: 42% of college graduates never read another book after college.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: I was born a male. I identify as a male, but according to Stouffers lasagna, I am a family of four.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: By replacing your potato chips with grapefruit as a snack, you can lose up to 90% of what little joy you still have left in your life.
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: My definition of an intellectual is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: Every morning, I take my cow on a long walk through the local vineyard. Yes, I herd it through the grapevine.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If Dracula can’t see his reflection, how is his hair always combed so perfectly?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: I’ve reached the stage in life where “paid off” sounds better than “brand new.”
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’m a school teacher, and if I COULD actually indoctrinate your children, they would wear deodorant and stay off their phones during class.” – Andrew Salz
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Legendary “Price is Right” game show host and animal rights activist Bob Barker died Saturday. He was 99 years old. Country music legend Kenny Rogers would have turned 85 last week.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the weekend fun kicks off on Doc’s Patio Thursday night with Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun at the Thursday night Shrimp Boil. Kevin Price performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. Eddy’s Lakeside Bar features Torn Saturday night and Brett N’ Terri Sunday night. There’s karaoke with KJ Flip Thursday night at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze, and DJ K-Bandito hosts the weekend musical fun Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights; and across the street, there’s karaoke on the Balcony Bar at The Shebang Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights. Saturday night is Rockstar Karaoke fun at Monkey Island Pub featuring DJ Kennedy.
On South Grand Lake, Erin Fitzgibbon gets the weekend entertainment started Thursday night at Blind Swine Duck Creek. Downbeat provides the musical entertainment Friday night, RocKFiscH performs Saturday night, and Don & Steve White will be on stage from 7:00-10:00 Sunday night, followed by DJ Orbikal at Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina; and James Muns and Monty Gaylord will be on stage Monday afternoon from 3:00-6:30 wrapping up both the weekend and the season at Sharky’s. Clint Ingram kicks off the weekend Thursday night at Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill followed by Ryan Graham Friday night. The weekend musical fun always starts on Thursday nights with karaoke fun at The Drunken Rooster. This week, Glam will provide the musical entertainment Friday night followed by Constant Chaos Saturday night and The Stars Sunday night at the Rooster.
In Grove, the AC/DC tribute band Back in Black will entertain at Food Truck Friday in downtown Grove. The big Boats, Beats & BBQ event at Wolf Creek Park is the place to be Saturday & Sunday. Saturday’s entertainers include Dead Metal Society, Don Felder (formerly of The Eagles), and Bret Michaels. Sunday, enjoy the Aces Wild Band, Tim Montana, and The LACS. There is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music by Runnin’ on Empty Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. Rusty Meyers entertains Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove, followed by Three Dollar Rocket Saturday night.
Wilkie J and Tony T kick off the weekend Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, with Dino D and the D Train Band taking over Friday night.
Just north of Pryor (4 miles) it’s Rocklahoma weekend with LOTS of bands including Godsmack, Limp Bizkit, Pantara, Rob Zombie, and more than 30 other bands over the four days of the festival (Thursday-Sunday).
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GRAND LAKE DINING & DRINKING UDATE: Chickanellas’ opens Friday at their new location on Monkey Island (the former Roadhouse Restaurant location). Casa Gutierrez is now open at their new location (the old Charlie’s Chicken location at 1721 South Main in Grove). Blind Swine Duck Creek offers their all-you-can-eat Crab Leg dinner Sunday this weekend (5:00). Road Hog Saloon at Littlefield Corner is once again serving breakfast from 8:00 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays. Blue Cat Bistro at Har-Ber Village is closed until further notice due to fire damage. This is the last weekend of the season for Sharky’s at Hammerhead.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Inside the NFL moves to broadcast television for the first time. It debuts next Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. on CW. Billions airs Sunday night at 7:00 on Showtime. The mini-series Star Wars: Ahsoka is now available on Disney+.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: The Equalizer 3 debuts in movie theaters Friday, joining The Hill, Golda, The Admirer, White Bird, and Grand Turismo.
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SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 9 – Mahogany & Chrome Boat & Car Show at Arrowhead Yacht Club (10:00-3:00). Saturday, September 9 – Road Kill Chili Cook-Off at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Jay (11:30-1:00). Tuesday, September 12 – Public Safety Bond Election in Grove. Wednesday-Saturday, September 13-16 – Born & Raised Music Festival four miles north of Pryor. Thursday, September 14 – Grove Chamber of Commerce Monthly Members’ Luncheon at the Grove Community Center (noon). Friday, September 22 – South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at The Coves (12:00). Friday-Sunday, September 22-24 – Pioneer Days Living History Event at Har-Ber Village. (9:00-3:00 Friday & Saturday, 9:00-noon Sunday). Saturday & Sunday, September 23-24 – NEO Pickleball Open at The Anchor Racquet Club at Shangri-La. Sunday, September 24 – Cedar Port Marina Customer Appreciation Party. Monday, September 25 – “Fore Backpack Program, sponsored by the South Grand Lake Foundation (9:00 a.m. shotgun). Thursday-Sunday, October 5-8 – Annual Pelican Festival at Wolf Creek Park in Grove.
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Finally! Football season is here. College games get underway Thursday night with Tulsa hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7:00 (ESPN+). OU hosts Arkansas State (ESPN) and TCU hosts Colorado (Fox), both at 11:00 Saturday morning. At 2:30, Rice is at Texas (Fox). Saturday night, OSU hosts Central Arkansas (ESPN+). There are also Sunday & Monday college games this week – LSU is at Florida State Sunday night at 6:30 (ABC) and Duke hosts Clemson Monday night at 7:00 (ESPN).
The NFL regular season officially kicks off next Thursday evening at 7:20 with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Detroit Lions in the first game of the regular season.
NASCAR drivers will be at Darlington this weekend for late racing on Sunday. Coverage of the Cook Out Southern 500 begins at 5:00 Sunday afternoon on USA.
The biggest tennis action in the United States is underway. The U.S. Open continues through September 10 with daily coverage beginning at 11:00 a.m. on ESPN and ESPN2.
There are some excellent Major League Baseball games, too. Texas hosts Minnesota Saturday at 6:00. Sunday night, the Yankees are in Houston (6:00). Monday night Baltimore is at the L.A. Angels at 7:00.
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The weather for the Labor Day weekend looks perfect! Sunny, light wind, highs in the mid-90s, lows around 70 for the outdoor evening fun. There’s a TON of stuff happening everywhere you look on Grand Lake – so get out there and have some fun! 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
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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
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Back Porch Ice Cream in Grove
Bailey’s Bistro at Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Blue Cat Bistro at Har-Ber Village
BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café at Har-Ber Village
Café Yum in Grove
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s on Monkey Island
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Chubby’s Grill at On Target in Grove
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Danny’s Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina
Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek
Flower Bar in Grove
Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek
Hero’s Deli in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Honey Creek BBQ in Grove (south of Honey Creek bridge)
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
Keagan’s Coffee at Littlefield Corner
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey Island RV Resort
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney
Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Monkey Island Trail Rides
Monkey Island Winery
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
Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley
Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)
R Bar Dance Hall & Saloon in Grove
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort
Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
The Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
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
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove