February 12 Random Observations of the Grand Lake Bum
Valentine’s Day presents a unique 10-day love fest this year. With the holiday falling on a Wednesday, that puts it under the “Grand Lake mid-week Holiday Rule.” The celebration begins the Friday before the holiday and continues through the Sunday following the holiday. That’s how we roll around here! I’m holding off on my celebration until Saturday’s “Valentine’s in Black & White Gala” at Shangri-La Resort, ‘cause I LOVE that band – Hook! The eating and drinking is just a bonus!
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I hope everyone had a great plan put together for celebrating Valentine’s Day. An offering from the San Antonio Zoo caught my attention. Participants who donated to the zoo were able to have a rat or cockroach named after their ex – and the critter was subsequently fed to the zoo animals.
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If you’re keeping track, the University of Oklahoma had more former players in Super Bowl LVIII than any other school. Six former OU players were on the Super Bowl rosters – four Chiefs players and two 49ers.
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With the Super Bowl behind us now, football season is over – at least until the new UFL begins play March 30. You’ll be fine, sports fans. We have lots to watch. The OKC Thunder are on a roll (with a starter in Sunday’s All-Star Game and three players in the All-Star Rising Stars competition). The OSU wrestlers, as usual, are on a roll. The OU Women’s basketballers are awesome, and both men’s and women’s OU Gymnastic teams are at the top of the rankings. Best of all, softball season is underway with both OU and OSU in the pre-season Top 10 (OU at #1 and OSU at #9). Looks like another year of fantastic in-state rivalry. College baseball season opens Friday, as well. Arkansas is pre-season #3 and Oklahoma State is #21. New players are making names for themselves on the PGA Tour (with Tiger Woods on the course this weekend) – and Major League Baseball is just a little over a month away. Not to mention…here comes March Madness! Avid sports fans should be fine.
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A Court of Appeals has ruled against former President Trump, saying Presidents do not have lifetime immunity for things they did in office. So, in answer to his lawyers’ contention that a sitting President could order his opponents to be killed, and not pay any criminal penalty later in life, he should at least take comfort in the fact that that option won’t be added to the Biden campaign’s playbook.
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I found a Presidential candidate with whom I can identify. Nikki Haley was the only candidate on the Republican Primary Election ballot in Nevada. The only other choice on the ballot was “None of These Candidates.” Nikki pulled down 31%. I can identify!
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I know everybody always tells you “every vote counts” in elections, but…not so fast. Yes, Nevada had that big primary election last Tuesday – but they also had a caucus last Thursday. All the delegates were awarded to Donald Trump at the caucuses – and no delegates at all were awarded via the actual election. So, maybe your vote DOESN’T always count, after all.
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Welcome to Ryan Snyder, the new PGA Director of Golf at Shangri-La. Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Lindsay McCown, Terry “Buffalo” Ware, George Couch, Bob Corlett, Lance Funderburk, Mike Flanagan, Ashley Epperson, Sandi Pellow, Lisette Coston, Sandy DiPasquale, George Hughes, Judy Gibbs, Mark Moore, Rachel McCorkle, Rich Talley, Greg Pitcher, Christine DeMier, Angelic Sanchez-Peetoom, Blake Keeton, and Zach “Peach” Roach.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK. There’s a lot happening around Grand Lake again this week! Thursday is the Grove Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon at the Grove Community Center (noon) featuring speakers from the GHS COW Week group. Thursday night is Trivia Night at both Mooney’s in Disney and BOOM in Grove. It’s also Thursday Karaoke Night at Doc’s at Shangri-La. Saturday night is the “Valentine in Black & White” Valentine Gala (dinner & dance with music by “Hook”) at Shangri-La Resort Hotel. Sunday is an NBA All-Star Game watch party at The Anchor at Shangri-La as well as COW Week Pickleball 101 Clinics at Shangri-La Racquet Club (2:00-6:00). Next Tuesday is Tuesday Trivia with Lee Lawson at The Anchor (7:00 p.m.).
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: Before there was “Rizzoli and Isles” there was just “Rizzoli” -- and author Tess Gerritsen originally intended to kill her off in her first book, The Surgeon.
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ net worth is estimated at $180 billion. He made over $7.9 million per hour every hour in 2023.
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ODD FACT OF THE WEEK: During WW II, the U.S. Army designed hand grenades in the shape of baseballs because they believed every young American should be able to throw it with distance and accuracy.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: They call them “heated seats” because “rear defroster” was already taken.
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Road Work Next 15 Years
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: I was watching a show for about 10 minutes, and this lady was listing all of these great things to do for fun. Then I realized it was one of the religious channels, and she was reading a list of sins.
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PUN OF THE WEEK: Huge fight at a local seafood diner – battered fish everywhere!
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why do we say “a pair of pliers” when it’s just one single tool?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: When I see lovers’ names carved in a tree, I don’t think it’s sweet. I just think it’s surprising how many people bring a knife on a date.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The secret recipe for our perfect marriage is simple. Two times a week, we go to a nice restaurant, have a little beverage, good food, and companionship. She goes on Tuesdays. I go on Fridays.” – Red Skelton
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Pro Football Hall of Famer Roger Staubach, legendary Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback, just celebrated his 82nd birthday. The Beatles brought a new era of music and culture to the United States with their appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” sixty years ago. Facebook just celebrated its 20th year of irritating us all.
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, Jason Morgan kicks off the weekend with Thursday Night Karaoke at Doc’s Bar & Grill. Friday night, Scott Musick entertains live at Doc’s. Hook provides the awesome music at the Valentine Gala at Shangri-La Resort Hotel Saturday night, while Terry Jordan entertains at The Summit Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Erin Fitzgibbon entertains Friday night at the Blind Swine, and Magen Faulconer will be live at the Swine Saturday night. DJ K-Bandito hosts the musical fun Friday & Saturday nights at Big Shots.
On South Grand, Friday night is Karaoke Night at The Copper Penny in Ketchum. The Michelle Warren Duo entertains Saturday night at Mooney’s and Glam R Us will entertain Saturday at the Drunken Rooster.
In Grove, there are two nights of live music at Cherokee Casino featuring Gone Too Soon (The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience) Friday night, followed by Whiskey Poet Society Saturday night.
Chris Hyde starts the weekend entertainment Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino. Jumpsuit Love takes over the stage Friday night followed by Mayday by Midnight Saturday night.
Extreme brings their “Thicker Than Blood Tour” to the Pavilion at Downstream Casino with special guest Living Color.
New Dynasty entertains Saturday night at 7:00 at River Bend Casino’s Club 60 West, followed by karaoke with DJ Kay at 11:00 p.m.
Classic Fab: The Ultimate Beatles Tribute perform Friday night at 7:00 at the Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami.
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DINING & DRINKING UPDATE: Mosa Hibachi & Sushi and Legacy Eatery are now open in Grove. The Artichoke in Langley is now open Thursday-Saturday evenings. Blind Swine on Monkey Island now has an extensive menu of “bar food.”
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Ghosts returns Thursday night at 7:30 followed by So Help Me Todd at 8:00 and Young Sheldon at 9:00, all on CBS. A new season of Blue Bloods debuts Friday night at 9:00 on CBS. The People’s Choice Awards air live at 7:00 Sunday night on NBC opposite the return of American Idol on ABC. Jon Stewart hosts The Daily Show Monday night at 10:00 on Comedy Central.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Bob Marley: One Love, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, and Madame Web debut in movie theaters Wednesday; and Land of Bad premiers Friday.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, February 22 – South Grand Lake Chamber monthly Membership luncheon at GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley (11:30 a.m.). Thursday, February 22 – VIP Pizza opens for the season at Hammerhead Marina.Thursday-Sunday, February 22-25 – Miami Little Theatre presents “Arsenic and Old Lace” at the Coleman Theatre (7:00 p.m. Thurs-Sat and 2:30 Sunday). Saturday, February 24 – “Meet the Pros” with the Shangri-La Golf Professional at The Anchor (6:00-8:00 p.m.). Monday, February 26 – Northeast Oklahoma Board of Realtors General Membership meeting at The Anchor at Shangri-La (6:00 p.m.). Tuesday, February 27 – Ghetto Tacos Food Truck will be at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island (11:00-6:00). Friday, March 1 – MYKC Golf Scramble at The Battlefield at Shangri-La (8:00 a.m.). Friday, March 1 – First Friday Wine Share at Rustic Rehab in Grove (6:00-7:30 p.m,). Saturday, March 2 – COW Week Pickleball Tournament at the Shangri-La Racquet Club. Saturday, March 2 – Welcome Back Weekend Poker Run from Cherokee Yacht Club (10:00-4:00). Saturday-Sunday, March 2-3 – Open House for the first venue at The Shops at Grand Meridian RV Park. Friday-Sunday, March 8-10 – Grove Home & Garden Show. Friday-Sunday, March 8-10 – Grand Lake Boat and Sport Show at the Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita. Saturday, March 9 – COW Week COWnival at the Grove Community Center (11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). Sunday, March 10 – COW Week Golf Tournament at The Coves (12:00 p.m.). Monday, March 11 – COW Week Basketball Tournament at Grove High School Gym (5:00 p.m.). Wednesday, March 13 – COW Week Talent Show at the Grove PAC (6:00 p.m.). Thursday-Sunday, March 14-16 – Big Meat Run at the South Grand Lake Recreation Area in Disney. Thursday, March 14 – South Grand Chamber Business After Hours at FirsTitle in Langley (5:00-6:30). Friday, March 15 – The Quarterdeck Café at Tera Miranda Harbor reopens for the season. Saturday, March 16 – St. Patty’s Day Party at Ugly’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina (6:00 p.m.). Tuesday, March 19 – “Dueling Pianos” show at the Roosevelt Ballroom at Shangri-La Resort. Wednesday, March 20 – Ballon Glow & Festival at Shangri-La Resort (6:00 p.m.). Thursday, March 28 – Mardi Gras in March at the GRDA Ecosystems Center in Langley sponsored by the South Grand Lake Foundation, benefiting Ketchum Backpack Program (6:00 p.m.). Saturday, March 30 – Langley Easter Egg Hunt at Langley City Park (11:00-1:00).
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Professional Football is over (at least until the new UFL kicks off play March 30), but there is plenty of other action.
In the NBA, it’s All-Star Week! The NBA All-Star Celebrity game kicks off the weekend Friday night at 6:00 followed by the Rising Stars Competition at 8:00 (including OKC Thunder players Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams). The All-Star game is Sunday at 7:00 (including OKC Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the starting line-up for the West).
College basketball conference play continues this week – OSU hosts BYU Saturday at 11:00 and Kansas is at OU at 3:00. Next Wednesday, the Cowboys travel to Cincinnati (6:00).
Women’s Basketball is heating up, too – especially with the hot OU team. OU travels to West Virginia Saturday (12:00), then on to Cincinnati Tuesday at 5:00. The OSU girls host Houston Saturday at 4:00 and UCF next Wednesday at 6:30.
College baseball kicks off Friday with #3 Arkansas facing James Madison four consecutive games Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday all on SEC Network.
It’s softball season, too – with OU and OSU both in the pre-season Top 10 (OU at #1 and OSU at #9). The sooners face Central Arkansas Friday at 3:30 and McNeese State at 6:00. Saturday, they have a double-header facing Lamar at 1:30 and McNeese State at 6:30. Sunday, they face Central Arkansas at 11:00. The Cowgirls face Northwestern Saturday at 3:00.
Tiger Woods will make his first PGA Tournament appearance this weekend. Players are in Pacific Palisades, California this week for the Genesis Invitational. Coverage begins Thursday & Friday at 2:00 and Saturday & Sunday at noon on the Golf Channel. CBS picks up the final two rounds at 2:00 Saturday & Sunday.
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It’ll be mostly cloudy this weekend with high temperatures around 50 and lows hovering around the freezing mark. Looks like a good weekend to wrap up your Valentine celebrations indoors. Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It might 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
Anchor Sports Bar & Activity Park at Shangri-La
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina (closed for the season)
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
BOOM in Grove (at The Regatta)
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
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
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
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 (closed for the season)
Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek
Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Getaway Mercantile (north of 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
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Matt’s Place in Grove
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
Mosa Hibachi and Sushi in Grove
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 (closed for the season)
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 (closed for the season)
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 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 (closed for the season)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove